The Dishonorable Miss DeLancey ~ Review

The Dishonorable Miss DeLancey
Regency Brides: A Legacy of Grace #3
By Carolyn Miller

Clara DeLancey has had enough of the scandal and whisperings about her. But with her well-known pursuit of the Earl of Hawkesbury and the unfortunate state of her dowry, Miss DeLancey is the least desired woman of the Season. And when offered a friendship Clara accepts though it is hardly the thing to do and if her mother finds out what a-to-do that will follow.

But the friendship of the Kemsley sisters Mattie and Tessa is just the thing to help Clara get over her disappointments. And when she meets their brother Benjamin she is startled to discover that the two have met on a previous occasion, one that Clara can't but hope that he will be unaware of. But there is something about Ben that touches a part of Clara's heart that she had thought forever broken.

But Ben is just a lowly former captain and not the match her parents expect. Can Clara marry for love rather than fortune or will the dictates of society decide the future for her? With the friendship of Mattie and Tessa, Clara soon realizes just how shallow her past life was. Friendship just for the purpose of friendship and not social climbing is something Clara has never before had. And despite her parents' misgivings, Clara is determined to make decisions, not for society, but rather for the purpose of a true friendship and the good of her soul.

But the past isn't ready to let Clara go and the future of all whom she holds dear depend upon the decisions she is forced to make.

This is the third and final book in the Legacy of Grace series and it is interesting to see the characters from the two previous books and how they interact (or don't) with Clara and the DeLancey family. Reading the first two books isn't absolutely necessary to enjoy this book but it does provide some background to referenced past events so you will want to go back later to read them. This is a delightful book and series and one that one will want to revisit. The characters are ones you will want to share a cup of tea with so brew up a pot and have a shortbread cookie or two and sit back for an enjoyable afternoon reading.

I was provided a review copy of this book by the publisher Kregel with no expectations of a positive review ~ All opinions expressed are my own.

About the Book:
Will a damaged reputation and desire for society's approval thwart the legacy of grace?

Tainted by scandal and forced to leave London for the quieter Brighton countryside, the Honorable Miss Clara DeLancey is a shadow of her former society self. She's lost the man she loved to another and, in a culture that has no patience for self-pity, is struggling with depression. A chance encounter brings her a healing friendship with the sisters of an injured naval captain. But Clara's society mama is appalled at the new company she's keeping.

Captain Benjamin Kemsley is not looking for a wife. But his gallant spirit won't let him ignore the penniless viscount's daughter--not when she so obviously needs assistance to keep moving forward from day to day. Can he protect his heart and still keep her safe?

When they're pushed into the highest echelons of society at the Prince Regent's Brighton Pavilion, this mismatched couple must decide if family honor is more important than their hopes. Can they right the wrongs of the past and find future happiness together--without finances, family support, or royal favor?

The Dishonorable Miss DeLancey is full of the captivating, flawed characters, fascinating historical details, and masterful writing that Carolyn Miller's fans have come to know in The Elusive MissEllison and The Captivating Lady Charlotte. If you love Lori Wick, Georgette Heyer, and other clean, wholesome Regency romance, you'll love this third book in the Regency Brides: A Legacy of Grace series.