Since the romance novel world has been glutted with vampires and other paranormal creatures, it’s been a while since I’ve read one featuring the once ubiquitous feisty Regency chick. The title character of Grace is Grace Ackerly – one of a family of eccentric sisters. Hang the wallpaper gentle readers, we are off to Regency-land.

Grace Ackerly and her sisters had a somewhat unconventional upbringing. Their mother died when they were young and their indulgent father let them run all over the place (insert breeches scene here). The plot begins when Mercy Ackerly is slightly injured by the horses belonging to Sebastian Tremane, Duke of Blackthorne and his friend Trevor Caldwell, Earl of Huntwick. Instead of just leaving her at an inn, the two men take her home and are plunged into the midst of her unconventional family. When Trevor sees Mercy’s sister Grace, he is smitten. Up until then, Trevor has been the consummate cynic about the fair sex – he is certain that women are only after him for his looks, title, and extreme wealth. But when he sees Grace, it’s love at first sight for him.

Grace isn’t impressed. Oh sure, Trevor is handsome, rich, titled and smells good, but she is fiercely independent and has sworn never to marry and let a man have control over her. She has had a few suitors but always put them off. Mercy isn’t averse to having fun though, and when her aunt offers her and her lovely sister Grace a Season in London, she accepts. Trevor (smitten and in love) goes to see Grace’s father and gets his permission to woo her. So marriage contract in hand, off he goes to London where Grace is cutting a swathe through the ton with her antics.

Despite her unconventional behavior, Society decides that Grace is an Original, not just some miss out to make a spectacle of herself and she is quite the toast. Trevor bets her that he can make her fall in love with him, and Grace takes him up on it. And so the story goes – she does fall for him, we have a Misunderstanding and a villain lurks in the background just ready to pounce at the conclusion. Kiss, wedding, consummation and they lived Happily Ever After. The End.

This story, the light Regency-set historical romance, used to be all over the book shelves, but right now it’s getting harder to find. While I prefer my historical romances to be more realistic and gritty, not to mention less cliche-ridden, I couldn’t help but be won over by Grace. Grace Ackerly was a charming heroine. Yes, she is feisty, but not obnoxiously so. She is intelligent and fiercely independent – the kind of woman who needs a man who will let her be herself and she finds him in Trevor. Trevor is comfortable in his own skin, and has no need to truckle to the opinion of Society. He is secure enough to let Grace be herself.

Like most Regency-lite romances, the characters in this book behave in ways that are disconcertingly modern. People back then did not use first names with each other, they did not befriend their servants and they weren’t applauded for acting in ways that went against social norms.

Grace isn’t a memorable read, but it passed the hours pleasantly. The writing style is crisp and brisk – the story never drags or sags. Grace has several sisters and I see at least one sequel in the future. If you are getting tired of paranormals and would like a light historical romance, this book could fill the bill. Just be warned: it’s the reading equivalent of Chinese food. You’ll be hungry again in an hour.