by Lex Croucher
First published 2022
Georgiana Ellers finds herself stranded in a dreary new town with her tedious relatives after her parents abandon her. At a mind-numbing social gathering, she encounters Frances Campbell, a wealthy socialite who commands attention from the town's elite circle. Frances lives in luxury that Georgiana never imagined possible. Feeling isolated and desperate for connection, Georgiana accepts an invitation into Frances's world of privileged companions who care little for proper behavior. She discovers nights filled with excessive drinking, intriguing young men who catch her attention, and access to the highest levels of society. The wealthy friends welcome her into their reckless lifestyle, offering escape from her mundane existence with her aunt and uncle. Yet as Georgiana becomes more entangled in their world of indulgence and scandal, she realizes that gaining acceptance among the upper class demands sacrifices she may not be prepared to make. The cost of belonging threatens to exceed what she can afford to lose.
Genres: fiction, drama, romance, historical-fiction, contemporary, 19th-century
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, found-family
Setting: England
Period: 19th Century
448 pages · Kindle Edition · St. Martin's Griffin