Falling from His Grace

4.5 Stars Lucas Mayfield, the Eighth Earl of Heightfield, couldn’t be more pleased with the private club Temptations, that is his brainchild. But when a young courtesan at the club’s masquerade appears far too innocent, his suspicions are raised along with his interest. Until her gleaming hair tumbles down and he recognizes her as a debutante, it's his friend & partner, Heathcliff who recognises her as the Duke of Chatterwood’s beautiful daughter, Liliah. Liliah Durary’s father has demanded she marry her best friend, Meyer, though no romantic feeling exists between them. In fact, Meyer and Liliah’s other best friend, Rebecca, are truly in love. Liliah sees only one option: She and Meyer will maintain a platonic marriage until some other arrangement can be made. Liliah has a proposition for Lucas. A well written well paced book, the characters were well portrayed. Three lords opening & running a club was a slightly different trope, I liked all three Lucas, Heathcliff & Ramsey although Ramsey was very much a secondary character, no doubt he’ll have his day! Liliah is headstrong & feisty which is surprising considering her father. There is instant attraction between Lucas & Liliah & their bargain certainly isn’t the unemotional tryst Lucas was expecting. One of the delights of the book was the verbal sparring between characters which at times had me laughing out loud, I look forward to Heathcliff & Ramsey’s stories. My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Falling from his Grace by Kristin Vayden Gentlemen of Temptation #1 Highly realistic – probably not Well written – yes Likable characters – big smile on my face Predictable ending – there is definitely a HEA for the couple Did I enjoy the book – another big smile and a definite yes Do I want to read more in the series – without a doubt! Lady Liliah Durary is a bit of a handful and often seems to go against her father’s wishes sneaking out to ride her horse or do as she will and that is likely not something that took place in the early 1800’s. The fact that she is being forced into a marriage neither she nor the husband to be wants to be included in makes her decide to experience pleasure at least one before the nuptials…so…hearing of an exclusive rather risqué club she heads off in disguise to see what will happen…realistic? Probably not. Of course she runs into a gentleman that assumes one thing only to find out that she is not the courtesan that she appears to be. And, with a bit of the Cinderella idea in play she flees into the night. Lucas and his two friends have established “Temptations” as a place of gambling and pleasure for men of means. He has a backstory that makes him leery of marriage and ties though Liliah begins to break down his walls a bit at a time. Finding out more about Liliah seems to be a must and keeping her silent about the club a necessity. And thus the story begins with an agreement that will change both of their lives in more ways than one. With two father’s to thwart, a marriage to prevent, a sister to save and a romance or two in the making this is a fun story that feels of the era in the way it is written even if the likelihood of such a story happening in real life beggars belief…at least a bit…or more than a bit ;) But…fiction is written to help us escape, stimulate our minds and…entertain and this book did all of that and more. I do want to read more in this series and can’t wait to read what comes next. Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books – Lyrical Press for the ARC – This is my honest review. 4-5 Stars

Rule number 1. Never force your daughter to marry her best male friend because it can lead to some interesting events for said daughter! Lilah as been ordered by her father to marry and the man is her best male friend. No romance involved. So she decides to step out and find some pleasure before she is in a platonic marriage. She goes to a private gaming club owned by none other than Lucas Mayfield, the Eighth Earl of Heightford and two of his friends. When Lucas sees her, he knows she is an innocent with no business being in his club. But when they meet, there is a strong attraction and Lilah makes him a proposition he least expected! This is a fast paced entertaining read that will have you smiling and also holding your breath to see what happens! Kristin Vayden is a new author to me, but I intend to read more by her in the future! It will be interesting to see the next two in the series about the other club owners, Heathcliff and Ramsey!