Member Reviews

This was a great book that I deeply connected to and read quickly in one setting. Initially I was intrigued by the thought of a gaming hell where anything can happen under the cloak of anonymity, and that was what drew me in. The thing that kept me reading was the superb way the author involved the emotions of the reader in the story both in the relationship between Lucas and Liliah and possibly even more thoroughly in the tragic relationship between Liliah, Meyer, and Rebecca. I could clearly feel the desperation of Liliah to avoid the preordained future ahead of her that would destroy her two best friends. I can't wait to see where this series heads next.

I received a complementary copy of this book for honest review through NetGalley.

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This book was just okay...It wasn't as interesting as other books I have read that are similar in style. I mean I thought the characters were interesting and such, and the romance was okay, but overall I just wasn't hooked like I could have been with this book. I wanted more from it and sadly it just fell flat for me. I don't have much to say because I can't really remember much that stuck out to me. I definitely will check out her future work though, I don't want this one book to really set the tone for me feelings on her. I'd rather check out more of her work and see if what I felt for this book carries on to other books.

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Lucas and Liliah owed my heart from the moment they first met in Luc’s club. I had no idea how they were going to get out of their predicament! I was wondering how Liliah was going to pull off the marriage with her best friend, yet keep Luc. I definitely enjoyed each and every moment of this story and can’t wait to read Samantha’s! Truly enjoyed this book and recommend it to any person who enjoys a wonderful historical romance! Love this author!

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This book was a fun read. I can't say it swept me away entirely but it had a nice flow to it and was not halting or awkward in the slightest. Did I want to trade places with the leading lady, maybe not. But I certainly wasn't bored. It was a fun way to wile away the hours and I will definitely be looking at further novels f ok this author.

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Falling from His Grace was the first book that I have read from Kristin Vaydan, and it was amazing! Being forced to marry a man she could never love as anything other then a friend, Liliah takes matters into her own hand, and decides to make her own fate. However fate has a way of changing. It was a fun story, with lots of great characters. I would definitely recommend this book and look forward to more from Kristin Vaydan.

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Rating 4/5

I really enjoy reading HRs because this time period always has more focus on the romance and intrigue of societal rules and breaking them. This was the first book in Ms. Vayden's Gentlemen of Temptation series and she did not disappoint with this!

I loved both leading characters and the bantering dialogue between them and the supporting characters kept the humor alive! I also loved the rebellious nature of Liliah, but then again what romance novel does NOT have rebel characters in them? But her actions and the way they didn't turn out the way she wanted them to was what made this exciting because it shows you can never predict your future nor can you try to control what happens with life.

Fantastic read and overall good start to a series! I can't wait for the next one!

*I received an ARC from Netgalley for my honest opinion."

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Everything about this story is ridiculous. A debutante sneaking into a pleasure palace, disguised as a courtesan. The club, owned by an Earl and other aristocrats , is having a masquerade. Caught, she escapes, but is recognized. On a side note, her father, a Duke, is forcing her to marry her best friend, who is in love with another friend.
The Earl is intrigued by her, and begins attending ton events to see her.
There’s a blackmail in the story, but it’s a little peculiar.
Just not a particularly good read. As a matter of fact, I read it last week and couldn’t remember it this week, so had to reread to review.
I received a free arc in exchange for an honest review.

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Lilah Durary is devastated. Her father, the Duke of Chatterwood has determined that she marry her best friend despite the fact that he is in love with her friend. She does not want an empty life, so she does the only thing she can do, attempt to ruin her reputation.

I did not like this book. I could not connect with the characters.



I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher.

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This review is a bit difficult to write. On one hand, the story was enjoyable with commendable characters with an envious friendship, amusing banter between the leads, as well as focusing on societal injustices and an interesting premise overall. That being said, the novel as a whole was predictable and didn’t have anything to make it truly stand out among a sea of historical romances. However, it was more than enjoyable and a worthy of the time spent on it.

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4.5 stars. An entertaining read with a nice little intrigue plot. I greatly enjoyed the characters and the humour in the story and it kept me engrossed the whole read through. There was a small plot hole that bugged me a bit but not enough to ruin the story. (view spoiler). Overall, a very good story. I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and this is my voluntary and honest review.

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Lord Lucas is one of three lords who own a notorious gaming hell. One evening while managing the club, Lucas comes upon a young woman who sticks out like a sore thumb. She is dressed like a courtesan, but is a bit too “ wide eyed” to be convincing in that role.
Lady Liliah is a duke’s daughter. With a bit of secret information, she has snuck into a masquerade party at the hell, and cannot escape Lucas’ notice, nor does she wish to, until she has no choice.
The two are drawn together despite her father’s less than stellar plans for her future. Can she change those plans, escape her controlling father’s machinations?
This story is the first in a series by this author, with a number of colorful and interesting characters, moments of humor, and heated romance. I recommend it for readers of historical romance and am looking forward to the next!

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My first Vayden story, but not my last. I loved the main characters, Lucas and Liliah. They were both strong on the face of adversity. Meyer, Liliah's friend wasn't very spirited. I thonk you'll enjoy the plot!

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Falling from His Grace by Kristin Vayden is book One in the Gentlemen of Temptation Series. This is the story of Lucas Mayfield, the Eighth Earl of Heightford and Liliah Durary.
Lucas and his friends have set up and started running the Gentleman's club called Temptation. There he happens to see a young lady who doesn't look to be a true courtesan but does happen to capture his desire. Liliah father has set forth in motion a marriage to her good friend Meyer for her. Which might not be so bad even though they have no romantic feeling for each other but Meyer is truly in love with their other friend Rebecca. With her plan to just be a platonic marriage since neither can get out of it, Liliah goes forward to taste what excitement she will be missing. This leads her to the Temptation and meeting Lucas. Lucas is someone she finds very attractive along with her growing feelings for him but there can't be anything to them since she is promised to another....right?
Enjoyed this book so much and can't wait for the other stories to come.

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Liliah Durary is the beautiful, wealthy daughter of a duke. She could marry anyone she wanted - except her father has autocratically decreed she marry her best friend, Meyer. Which might not be so bad, except that Meyer is in love with her other best friend, Rebecca. Meyer’s father has cut some sort of secret deal with the duke, and all three friends are set to have their lives ruined as a result.

Before Liliah marries, though, she wants some adventure. Sneaking into an exclusive club - so exclusive, few even know it exists - and masquerading as a courtesan for one night fits the bill. Until she is caught, by the club’s owner, Lucas Mayfield, the Earl of Heightford. Lucas lives in the shadows by choice, but intrigued by Liliah and her quiet desperation, he reinserts himself into London society in order to find out more about her.

This is the first in a new series, with the second to feature Liliah’s sister Samantha. We didn’t get to know Samantha particularly well here, and she didn’t get a face to face with the character I suspect will be her love interest, but there was enough there to have me intrigued, particularly considering how much I enjoyed this.

A lot of historical romances focus on the lack of choices and opportunities for women from the lower classes, but in some ways those from the upper echelons were even more constrained. A duke had such power and influence that Liliah had literally no ability to defy him. Even with Lucas’ help, she was only able to do so because Lucas had a bargaining chip he could hold over her father… and no reputation left to ruin.

I really enjoyed the friendship between Liliah, Rebecca and Meyer. No matter what happened, they were determined to stick together and keep fighting, and Liliah’s unwavering loyalty to her friends and dedication to their happiness, no matter the personal cost to her, was inspiring. It was no wonder she fascinated Lucas, who had undoubtedly never met a woman of such character and strength of will.

Five stars for an excellent first installment in a series!

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I received an ARC of this book to read from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. Falling from his Grace is the first book in Kristen Vayden’s Gentleman of Temptation series. Lady Liliah Durary eldest daughter of the Duke of Chatterton has been betrothed to her best friend, this arrangement between their fathers however is one that they bitterly despise as Meyer is in love with Liliah’s dear friend Rebecca. Unable to convince their fathers of the wrongness to the betrothal Liliah seeks an escape by attending a masquerade party at a notorious gambling house where she is briefly mistaken for a courtesan by Lucas Mayfield, Earl of Heightford. Lucas a rake if there ever was one finds himself unwillingly captivated by the mysterious young woman and tracks her down at a ton ball. Lots of mystery and intrigue plus a fair bit of steam made for a very enjoyable read. Published August 28, 2018. #FallingFromHisGrace #NetGalley
#kensingtonbooks #lyricalpress

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❤️❤️❤️ out of 5
I’ve been in the mood for a historical romance but this one unfortunately didn’t do it for. I liked the premise but at the same time it was unrealistic but yet predictable.
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The heroine is being forced by her father to marry her best friend, who also happens to be in love with her other friend. Accepting that this will happen but she will never have a marriage other than in name only she sets out to find out about passion at an exclusive club where she meets the hero. Our hero is part owner of the club but never partakes in its “delights” but is tempted for the first time by the heroine.
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To me it was written very unrealistically that all of a sudden the heroine who doesn’t even know what passion is suddenly wants it. I’ve read this kind of plot well done in other books but in this one it missed its mark. So what followed was a very uninteresting and predictable storyline. Is it too much to ask to be wowed?

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This books was absolutely fantastic. I couldn't put it down. A great read! Great characters...and an amazing story line.

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Backed into a desperate situation, Liliah (whose name I doubt I pronounce properly) goes to a scandalous place and then has a scandalous proposition! This was a very interesting and addictive historical romance.

Lucas, a dashing earl who dislikes society, questioningly does not bat an eye when it comes to deflowering the heroine. That still has me puzzled. Despite that, the two mesh perfectly together making this an intriguing tale.

I definitely recommend Kristin Vayden, and am looking forward to more books by her.

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Walk on the wild side!

What do you do when your father autocratically demands that you marry your best friend. Despite the fact that he is desperately in love with your friend.
Liliah Durary, daughter the Duke of Chatterwood, is determined not to go quietly into the night.
She makes the decision to kick up her heels, to maybe live life somewhat before being forced into a platonic marriage. Liliah, Meyer and Rebecca have determined that if all else fails, the marriage will be just that.
The news of a secret club, where all wear a masquerade mask, identities hidden, appeals. Lilia worries at her male acquaintances until they let slip the club's location.
And this is the part that I find hard to imagine, a fairly well sheltered maiden slipping off alone into the less salubrious parts of town in the dark of night to engage in what? All I can think is Danger, Danger, Danger! And in disguise, and alone, being the daughter of a Duke carries no weight.
Lucas Mayfield, the Eighth Earl of Heightfort, and part owner of the exclusive club is flummoxed when he recognizes Liliah in his club. He needs to get to the bottom of it ... hell he needs to get her out of there! But kissing Liliah? That opens up a whole new avenue of problems.
So demanding parents, a daughter walking on the wild side, and a man unwillingly drawn towards the siren call of an innocent crossing the lines makes for an intriguing, if somewhat predictable read.

A NetGalley ARC

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Falling From His Grace by Kristin Vayden is the first book of the Gentlemen of Temptation Series. Lucas is the owner of a private gentlemen's club who unwittingly has a run-in with a "courtesan." Liliah is tasked with an arranged marriage she wants no part of. Two great main characters that play well off of each other. There is something about the way this author writes historicals that has a gentleness of flow to it, which makes the story an enjoyable read. She sets the mood for a great story that continues throughout the book. It's extremely engaging and romantic. Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington Books for providing a copy to review. I'm looking forward to the next adventure.

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