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!

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

Throughout the story, the main conflict of the story did not equate to the actions taken by Lilith Durary to rectify the situation of her arranged marriage. Her quick hookup with Lucas Mayfield, the Earl of Heightfield, was so rushed that I never felt a true connection between the couple. The conflict seemed to be easily rectified and was told to the reader rather than being part of the story. There was so much potential but the ending felt like a shortcut. Hopefully the next story won't have as many holes, better love scenes and a completed plot line.

I absolutely loved this book. Luc and Lilah were so perfect for one another. I loved her spunk and how reluctant this bad boy was to change his ways. Having never read Ms. Vayden, I was pleasantly surprised and she will go on my author list of books not to miss. The chemistry between the characters was perfect! Just what I look for in a romance.

‘Falling from his Grace’ is the first in the series by my new favourite author, Kristin Vayden. It follows Lucas Mayfield, the Eighth Earl of Heightfield, who has just established a club known as Temptations. What he wasn’t prepared for was the unexpected visit by the daughter of a duke, one that he has battled with publicly in the House of Lords. The daughter in question is Liliah, the daughter to the Duke of Chatterwood. Liliah has sought out Lucas as she is being forced to marry her best friend Meyer, who is madly in love with Liliah’s other friend, Rebecca. Both Meyer and Liliah’s fathers are so set on them marrying despite their protestations that is all seems a bit suspicious. Fortunately, Lucas also thinks that the forced arrangement is unusual and his motivation, is his growing fascination with Liliah.
This was a unique storyline, one that I found very interesting. The attraction between the two main characters is apparent from the start and they are two very strong characters. This was such an enjoyable read, with a pace that did not let up from the very beginning. I now am looking forward to reading about Lucas’ friends, Heathcliff and Ramsey.
I received an advanced review copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Falling from His Grace (Gentlemen of Temptation, #1)
by Kristin Vayden

I totally enjoyed this book. Witty, amusing, and romance with a twist. I must say I had no idea of what to expect with this book. In no way was I disappointed when reading it. I went four stars instead of five because it had a little problem. I will leave it up to you to see what that was as it could be just a personal opinion and thought regarding it. However, all in all a really good read that keeps your attention and makes you smile. The chemistry between the characters was great! I loved the twist in the story line and I must say all in all..... A book well worth buying and reading and rereading! I was given this arc via NetGalley. All opinions expressed here are my own! Regards, Anna

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

This book caught me by surprise, in a good way! Maybe because I wasn’t expecting to like it as much as I did, but I really loved this book! Even though there were a few minor things that could use a fix (like one scene where she gets out of the carriage and walks into a ball and in the next paragraph a footman is helping her out of the carriage? Another thing I didn’t like was all the description of the winking between people. The men in this book wink a lot! ), but the characters kept pulling me in and little things just didn’t matter! I absolutely loved all the interaction between Liliah and Luc. I was so happy that I finally read a book where one of the main characters didn’t misunderstand something and end up hurt and mad at the other only to realize later their mistake. This is almost the formula for every romance novel, right? No, this couple met, flirted, lusted, fell in love, and that was that! It was so refreshing. Now, don’t get me wrong, there was drama in the fact that our heroine is being forced by her father to marry her best friend Meyer, who is in love with her other best friend Rebecca, yikes! This was a story of Liliah who just wanted a physical distraction before moving on with a platonic marriage, and a rake who was happy to provide it because he did not want more anyway. But, you know what they say about the best laid plans, excuse the pun! You will have to read to find out the rest and you will enjoy every minute doing so! The book nicely sets up the next in the series and I can’t wait to read it! I received a free copy from the publisher for my honest review, and here it is! Get it, read it, wish you could sneak into club Temptation and meet a rake, and really love it!

This novel was provided to me through Netgalley in exchange for an honest opinion.

This book and I started on the wrong foot : first, I didn’t really like the heroin’s name (Liliah). I even looked up on the net to see if it was a real name or just some fancy invention. My apologies to the author, it’s a real name. Second, I thought that she would want to visit a gaming hell to seek carnal pleasure didn’t fit well with the rest of her personality. But after all, why not ?

And then… the chemistry between Liliah and Lucas just jumped out the page - well, the Kindle, I loved the dialogues, the teasing, the secondary characters (except the father, of course). And I couldn't put that book down. Plus you have to give it to her, Liliah is a very good friend.

All in all, an excellent and entertaining read. I’d never heard about this author before, but now I intend to catch up with her and I’m particularly looking forward to the next book in the series.

Lady Liliah Durary is set to wed her best friend, Meyer. She couldn't be less happy about the arrangement due to the fact that Meyer is in love with her friend, Rebecca. Liliah is determined to live her life to the fullest before the wedding. That is how she finds herself entering a gaming hall playing at being a courtesan. When Liliah meets Lucas "Luc" Mayfield, the Earl of Heightford, she finds herself making him an offer he surely will not refuse.

Luc is very interested in the young woman who somehow gained entrance to his club. He tells himself it's only because he is searching for the person who is leaking information about his secret club, but it's more to do with Liliah. Even the fact that she is the Duke of Chatterwood, a hated enemy of Luc's, does not deter his pursuit of Liliah. Learning Liliah is all but engaged throws him for a loop, but he can work around that. Their relationship is based solely on passion so why is Luc finding it so hard to let her go when she breaks it off.

Author Kristin Vayden is a new-to-me author. FALLING FROM HIS GRACE is the first novel I have read by her and it was very absorbing. I hit a few snags with the storyline and characters, but forged ahead. I am so glad I did because further into the story, it really blossoms. Luc is your typical hero, scarred by his past, cold, a little arrogant and a bit of a rake. Liliah is bright, headstrong, and passionate about what she wants and the people she cares for. They were kind of an unexpected match for me. I kind of enjoyed her more as an option for Heathcliff, Luc's friend. Once I advanced into the story, I saw where they were going with Heathcliff, and I was pleased with it. Luc finally grew on me and really redeemed himself when things counted. I cannot wait to read Ms. Vayden's next novel.

I was given an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review

What a sweet, sexy HEA. I don’t usually love these, but this one had a very appealing hero (both an Earl and the owner of a gaming hall, a bit cliche granted) and a very refreshing heroine, Definately a keeper if you like Regency romance.

The story revolves around Liliah and Lucas, the Earl of Heightfield. Also included is Meyer, the Baron of Scoffield, a friend of Liliah’s and the man her father has deemed she shall marry. Because they are such good friends and Meyer is in love with Rebecca, Liliah has decided that she will experience a little of what it would feel like to have a man make love to her as she and Meyer would have a platonic marriage. The story involves a masquerade party, secrets thought are hidden away, blackmail, a heavy wager and eventually a HEA but there is a lot that happens before this comes about. The story is well written, entertaining and comical at times. I enjoyed the book and can’t wait for the sequel in this series as they seem to continue parts of this story. I would highly recommend this book for a great read.

This was the first time that I have read from this author, but I have been dying to since I had heard about her before. It has been awhile since I have read a historical fiction romance book, and as always I tend to enjoy them. This one was similar and yet different at the same time, let me explain. So we have the main character Luc who is a rake and who does not really associate with the ton, not when they have there soiree's atleast he decides to open a gaming hall and there he associates with the ton, you know take their money and lead them to debauchery. Then we have Lilah who is being made to marry one of her best friends and it is killing her because said best friend is in love with her other best friend, they are trying to get out of it but their fathers are being unreasonable. Where did I find the difference to the other historical book, well Lilah was pretty brazen, she did things that woman of her era would not have done, All that said I did enjoy the book, just found it a little wordy...That being said, I do intend on following the series, thinking and hoping Heathcliff is next! Enjoy!

In return for any ARC I am given I promise to give a fair and honest review. Quite a tale here. Who says Duke's are always right?

I loved Lucas and Liliah's story!!

Liliah has been told by her father who she will marry. There is only one problem...her soon to be betrothed is her best friend and in he is in love with someone else! She decides that she needs to experience some passion before her platonic marriage and ends up at a private club where she meets Lucas.

Lucas is mesmerized by this innocent miss, which is very out of the norm for him. As he spends more time with Liliah, he finds himself falling for her. But she is all but betrothed, so what can they do?

I loved watching these two together. Their bantering had me laughing out loud. I'm so happy to have found this author and am excited to read Miranda and Heathcliff's story next!!

Liliah's father is demanding she marry her best friend Meyer, even though Meyer is in love with Liliah's other best friend, Rebecca. Liliah wants to experience pleasure before being forced into a platonic marriage, and hears about a new club. Lucas, the owner of the club, catches Liliah when she sneaks into his club, and the next thing he knows, he gives into temptation and kisses her. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to others.

I am not sure if I read a Kristin Vayden novel before but I am sure this will not be my lat one. I absolutely enjoyed it.

This one is about a man, the second son of the late Earl of Heightford, also known as Lucas Mayfield, owns a club. It is a secret club, you only get in within a special invitation.
One day a new courtesan enters the club, wearing a mask like every other, but she is different. She spikes an interest in him.
Liliah Durary is this pseudo courtesan, who wants pleasure before marriage because her father wants her to marry her best male friend (Mayer) who actually is in love with her best female friend (Rebecca). A very complicated problem because her best female friend’s family recently lost a lot of money and her father is forcing the match to Meyer.
If she really must marry Meyer they’d never consummate the marriage, they would never have children, share a bed etc. But Liliah wants to know what passion is and that is the reason why she attends this first masquerade.
How was she able to come behind all his security? Who is this woman? What does she want in his club?
Simply: a historical romance MUST READ!

This is a new author foeme, and I truly enjoyed the book. The story revolves around Lady Liliah who sneaks into a private club hoping to experience a bit of passion before marrying against her will. The hero of the story, Lucas, has a shady past and sets up a private club with two other Lords. Liliah meets Lucas and as you can imagine their story takes off leading them to eventually find love. Liliah's father was awful to her and her sister by attempting to force them into marriages the girls do not want. I was mad to see the situation resolved for Liliah. I am very much looking forward to the story of Samantha and Heathcliff.

A new-to-me author who dishes up laughs, antics and a nice love story. There is no hidden meaning in this story, it is just fun. I loved the dialog between Lucas, Heathcliff and Ramsey and between Lucas and Liliah. It was a refreshing story that kept me interested until the end. The antics of how they were going to get around the machinations of their parents was fascinating. A very happy reader.

4.5 stars - What a delightful read! A spirited and smart heroine and a daring and kind hero make for a very satisfying read in Falling from His Grace. It's a story about two people who aren't looking for love, but find it and are brave enough to capture their happiness. I’m already looking forward to the next installment in the series.

I received an ARC of this book, via NetGalley, in exchange for a fair and honest review.