Lady Graceless by Kate Archer ~ a book review

 

If you are looking for a humorous, historical story with eccentric characters this is the one for you. It is book number two of the ‘A series of Senseless Complications’ series.

This is listed as historical Christian romance but for readers who are looking for in depth faith, this might not be the one for them. However, it is definitely clean and I found nothing objectionable or inappropriate. It just doesn’t delve into the faith and doctrine that some readers might want. That being said, this is a very enjoyable and whimsical story full of interesting characters, comical situations and plot twists and turns.

This story is set in England in 1802.

Grace is the daughter of the Duke of Pelham. A notorious liar but loving, good natured father whose main desire in life is to see his beautiful daughters married and “out of his care”.

Grace is known for her sweet nature and loves her family deeply but her clumsiness frequently ends with her in a heap on the floor at the oddest times.

She has two main suitors and at times the reader is left wondering who is the good guy and who is the villain.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book with all the dastardly deeds and quirky situations and was for the most part, lighthearted.

This is from the publisher’s website:

“He’s shipwrecked himself on a beach. She happens to be standing on that beach. A beginning that dreams are made of, had he not a cousin who wants his title.

The Duke of Pelham is once more poised to bring the Nicolets to London and assault society once more. He’s got seven daughters to get rid of, and now he’s on to number two. Lady Grace Nicolet will make her debut. Unfortunately, she has the unique ability to find herself on the floor at the most awkward moments. She lives in terror that people will notice her clumsiness and make a joke of her name.

As the Nicolets set off from the Yorkshire Dales, the duke has the idea to meander to the coast so his girls might get their first glimpse of the sea. On arrival, they get more of a view than they’d anticipated. Miles Delatore, Viscount Dashlend, eldest son of the Earl of Gravesend, has spent two days adrift in his sloop and has just washed up on the beach. A duke’s daughter on her way to Town to find her husband encounters the heir to an earldom? They find each other wildly attractive and exceedingly genial? There is every reason in the world that a match should proceed.

Of course, it would, if it were not for a certain Baron Montclave. That fellow will become the Earl of Gravesend’s heir—if Dashlend dies before producing an issue. Thus far, it has seemed a likely eventuality, as Dashlend has been busy putting his life in danger in every conceivable manner. Montclave’s hopes had leapt to the sky when his cousin was reported lost at sea. But then, Dashlend did not stay lost.

Is Montclave to sit back and simply watch his future fade away?

A determined lord, a dizzy lady, and a desperate climber take the ton on another unnecessarily fraught ride through London’s season.”

If you like clean, comical historical romance, then you won’t want to miss this one.

Go HERE to read an excerpt and to learn more about the author and  the other books in the series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley and Dragonblade Publishing through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”