Falling IN takes us back to Georgian England at the time when the American colonies were fighting for independence. Author Lucinda Brant reminds us of a society in very different times. Her characters are all of the highest ranking, and the social rules and mores were very different from today. The heroine, Miss Aurora Talbot, can claim a lineage connected to King Charles II, but, born with a club foot, she is not considered eligible for marriage. As an orphan, she is a dependent relative and relies on her grandfather, the Earl of Shrewsbury. She has an unexpected encounter in a wild prank in an artist’s studio and meets Major Alisdair Fitzstuart in a most unseemly way. In the days when even holding hands, much less kissing, was forbidden before marriage, the meeting awakens Aurora’s desires. She has more to think about than just growing pineapples. But as her feelings develop, she is unaware of an earlier wager, which may ruin everything.

What a delightful and whimsical story set in the Georgian period. Society was such a contrast to today. Women in the top echelons of society were cosseted, but seen primarily as breeding machines. Great dynasties needed heirs, and few, if any, married for love. Falling IN by Lucinda Brant turns this concept on its head. Aurora (Rory) Talbot has a mind of her own, and despite her disability, she is feisty and outspoken. I loved the dialogue and how she responds, so unlike a young lady of her age. All the characters are fun, true to their station and their views, typically un-politically correct today, made me smile. Brant has transposed a modern-thinking young girl back several hundred years, and her awakening to a wider world is very entertaining. The descriptions of the clothes worn, a mention of world affairs at the time, and the sublime settings of grand country houses all add a rich background tapestry. We are reminded of the innocence and some hypocritical views. You could view naked statues, but not pictures. Ladies were spared knowledge of procreation, and titled men flaunted their mistresses. There is a peep into the world of debauchery, yet Brant’s book is delightfully written, and speaks of a pure and innocent awakening of a young girl deeply in love. It is a good read, and I am only now returning to the twenty-first century after an enjoyable journey into the Georgian era. Perfect for fans of historical love stories.

If you are looking for a romance that is both sweeping and quick to read, Lucinda Brant’s Falling IN is the story that grabs your heartstrings from the very first chapter. Set in Georgian London, the story revolves around Major Lord Alisdair “Dair” Fitzstuart, a war hero with a devil-may-care charm that hides his scars, and Aurora “Rory” Talbot, a young lady with a sharp, searching mind, whose physical disability has positioned her on the fringes of society. When their worlds collide in a riotous scene at George Romney’s studio, it sparks a chain of events that binds them in ways neither expected. What follows is a story of two individuals who will have to learn to shed their masks and fight both the world and their own perceptions for the sake of their future happiness.

Lucinda Brant’s writing in Falling IN made me feel like I was in Georgian London. Her language flows with classical grace yet feels fresh for modern readers like me. The plot combines romantic tension, clandestine escapades, tense family confrontations, and espionage, heightening emotional stakes without overshadowing the character development of the protagonists. The story moves quickly, but Brant makes sure that we don’t miss out on the quiet moments – the stolen glances, the witty exchanges, and the kind of encounters that make our heart race and want to pick up a romance novel in the first place. What I especially loved about this book is that Rory is not a typical romance heroine, and Dair isn’t a flawless hero. They’re messy, and their love story feels all the more touching because of it. Brant has enriched her story by acknowledging disability, trauma, and betrayal, without losing the fairy-tale glow of romance. Falling IN explores how love could be both a shelter and a dare – a place of comfort and a leap into the unknown. I adored the book — it’s witty, romantic, and it was just the light reading I was looking for.