Review by Kayleigh

Series Name: Miss Prentice’s Protégées, #3

Pride Comes Before a Fall is a swooping romp that tackles big issues with a humorous touch.

Favourite Quote:

“You kissed the man, not the duke, Portia.” His hands reached for her upper arms and she felt his touch everywhere. “Say my name. Make this personal — because it is personal and you know it! Stop trying to put distance between us that doesn’t need to be there.”

Book Synopsis:

Despite his many responsibilities, there is nothing Leopold Sloane, the 11th Duke of Debden, takes more seriously than the safety of those he loves. When one of his sisters is injured at a protest rally, he drags his family to Bath for the summer to keep his reckless and rebellious siblings out of harm’s way. The only flaw in his plan is his overwhelming but inexplicable attraction to the new chaperone he has hired to watch out for them. An outspoken conundrum of a woman who soon causes him more trouble than both his sisters combined…but who calls to his soul regardless.

From the moment Portia Kendall read her first revolutionary pamphlet beneath her bedcovers at Miss Prentice’s School for Girls, she realized that her true calling was to make the world a fairer place for the masses downtrodden by the aristocracy. A calling that led her to Equitas, a radical newspaper that champions reform. But as Portia discovers, writing doesn’t pay the bills. To make a living, she must push aside her principles and serve the very people she criticizes weekly in her column. A temporary position as a chaperone in the home of a pompous duke seems like the perfect way to earn enough to follow her heart. Unfortunately, the duke who hires her seems to be more dashing and noble than pompous and soon begins to call to her heart too—as much as she tries to deny it. But dare she risk her principles for love or will her pride always come before a fall?

Review:

Pride Comes Before a Fall has it all: class struggles, revolutionary ideas, a forced marriage and a swoony new book boyfriend.  I needed this book injected into my veins. It was everything I was yearning for from a historical romance (and a solid reminder of how much I adore Virginia Heath). This is the third in a delightful series, but can be read on its own without confusion. 

Portia is the type of heroine we need today: she’s here to right the world’s wrongs and fight for equality. Since she was a teen who witnessed how cruel those with power can be, she’s been fighting to ensure that the 1% doesn’t ruthlessly control society for only its own betterment. By day, she’s an impeccable governess; by night, she writes for a radical newspaper. Her confidence is challenged, however, when she finds herself, for reasons, working at a duke’s house, taking care of his rather spoiled sisters. Portia hides her passions (and her nighttime adventures) but is soon caught up in larger issues: the local constable has it out for the newspaper and is determined to make anyone involved pay, possibly with their life. The Duke, Leo, is not like the nobility that she has had run-ins with before. He actually listens? And seems to respect her opinion? And doesn’t chase her around a ballroom trying to molest her? Portia is thrown off kilter, and kind of likes it and him. What kind of revolutionist does that make her?

Leo is handsome and wealthy and privileged and anxious and stressed and determined to do the right thing by his family, his title and the people under his care. It’s exhausting being Leo. As one of the local magistrates, he finds himself often siding with the people being pulled up for ruling: the laws he oversees aren’t fair, and the people assigned to conduct justice are very ruthless and unjust. What’s a wealthy lord to do? Portia’s streak of independence and intelligence, of course, intrigues him. Man to woman, they seem to be a perfect fit. Duke to governess, however, is a whole different thing, especially as Portia seems to hate his title as much as she seems to be attracted to him. Who, he wonders, hates a duke? 

Add in Leo’s matchmaking mama, who believes in true love, having had her own special romance with his late father, a scheming constable who wants to ruin the duke and take down Portia, and you have the perfect equation for love. Leo and Portia are strong-willed and well-matched. I adored watching the two of them figure out themselves as well as their attraction to each other. On paper, of course, they should never work, but good god, when they drop the titles and are just man and woman, do sparks fly! Portia can’t help herself and pushes Leo to be a better person, and Leo encourages Portia to be her true self. Leo is willing to Put. In. The. Work. To be the best man he can be, even when it means he has to admit he’s been wrong. There’s also a lovely section that looks at Leo’s panic attacks, where the women in his life help him rather than see him as weak for having feelings.  Leo and Portia also have insanely hot, intelligent conversations, debate about the power and privilege of the 1% and the opportunity someone like a duke (or a duchess) has to ensure that the world can be made better for all. 

If you are a fan of Alexandra Vasti and Evie Dunmore, then you will absolutely devour this book. 

Thank you, St. Martin’s Press, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.