The Great Misfortune of Stella Sedgwick

by S. Isabelle, Florence Schneider (Translator)

This wildly entertaining YA historical romance follows a young Black woman in 1860s England who yearns for a writing career and independence rather than love and marriage, but an unexpected inheritance forces her into London society and reunites her with the boy who broke her heart. Perfect for fans of The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue and The Davenports.

Eighteen-year-old Stella Sedgwick is a lost cause. While 1860s England offers little opportunity beyond marriage for a sharp-tongued, dark-skinned girl, Stella dreams of a writing career and independence.

When her late mother’s former employer—the wealthy Thomas Fitzroy—summons Stella to London, he bequeaths her one of the family’s great estates on his deathbed. But such an inheritance will precipitate a legal battle, one that would be much easier if Stella were married. Suddenly thrust into lily-white London society with the goal of finding a husband, Stella also reunites with the Fitzroy heir Nathaniel, her childhood best friend, now somewhat of a stranger.

But London presents other opportunities, like picking up her mother’s old advice column, where “Fiona Flippant” anonymously guided readers through upper-class perils. It turns out the dresses and balls aren’t so bad, though the stares and insults sometimes feel impossible to navigate. Things only grow more complicated with the attention of handsome suitors and Stella’s increasingly tempestuous relationship with Nathaniel. As new opportunities arise and old secrets are uncovered, Stella must decide when to play by the rules, when to break them, and when to let herself follow her heart.

Genres: Romance, Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Historical, Historical Romance, Young Adult Romance, Fiction

384 pages, Paperback

First published July 8, 2025

About the author

S. Isabelle is a reader, writer, and hoarder of books.

After earning a Master’s degree in library science, she took that love of reading to youth librarianship. When she isn’t writing, you can find her binge-watching TV shows, drinking heavily-sweetened coffee, or stressing over baseball.

S. Isabelle is the author of The Witchery, Shadow Coven, and the forthcoming historical romance The Great Misfortune of Stella Sedgwick. Visit her online at sisabellebooks.com.

Reviews

[MillennialMomReading · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't think of the last time I stayed up late to finish a book in a day, but I absolutely devoured this historical romance courtesy of the Harper Collins! I could NOT put this down once I started. It is a must read if you like Bridgerton (think exact same vibes but without the spice-but you won't miss it!), Pride and Prejudice, regency romance, etc-but add in so much emotional depth from the characters as they come into London society’s cutthroat, and prejudiced marriage scene. I appreciated that the author didn’t shy away from hard topics including grief, loss, racism, and sexism while still creating a story that felt romantic and enthralling. I will absolutely be back for more by this author!

[jenny reads a lot · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick read and the perfect historical romance. It’s YA, but perfect for adults too!

Whats to love…
- strong, independent FMC
- great cast of side characters
- perfectly detestable villains
- “it was always you” MMC

What’s not to love…
- the FMC is well developed, but the rest of the characters felt pretty surface level and I would have enjoyed a bit more substance from the MMC and side characters.

Audio Narration: 4/5 pacing, pausing, and inflection were great. I did not enjoy the additional voices the narrator did for other characters, especially the cousin. Overall solid performance and i would recommend.


4.25⭐️| IG | TikTok |

Thank you Harlequin Audio for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.

[Muffinsandbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Une petite romance historique qui se lit toute seule ! C'est plein d'esprit et d'humour, j'avoue que j'ai trouvé la romance jolie mais sans que ça soit ma préférée EVEEER dans le genre. Par contre, les personnages et en particulier l'héroïne sont vraiment intéressants : la question du racisme, des obstacles que celui-ci met sur le chemin de Stella pour réaliser ses rêves... c'est hyper important et très bien amené dans ce roman : ça lui donne une profondeur supplémentaire qui vient compenser les petits "moins" que j'ai trouvé à la romance on va dire !

[Bethany (Beautifully Bookish Bethany) · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're looking for a YA historical romance with a plucky heroine and a bit of Bridgerton vibes, this is the perfect book! The Great Misfortune of Stella Sedgwick follows a Black young woman in 1800's England who is unexpectedly added to the will of her mother's former employer and thrust into an elite social scene. She's expected to find a husband, but Stella truly wants to be a writer and has little patience for the racist and sexist microaggressions she faces by some of the ton.

This was a slow-burn novel that's fun with a character who can be very hard-headed to a point that sometimes gets her into trouble. Meanwhile she's trying very hard to deny the feelings she has for a childhood friend. It's a satisfying and well done novel! I received a copy of this book for review via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a good read! I loved how it was unafraid to seriously examine themes like racism, colorism, colonialism, and patriarchy. But the setting and characters provided a great levity that made the book wholly enjoyable.

Thanks to her status as a dark-skinned orphan, Stella knows that her options are limited. But rather than follow the path of least resistance (marriage to anyone that'll have her), she fights to maintain her independence and achieve her dream of being a successful writer.

My favorite part of the story is how Stella's character and growth is handled. She has her flaws--she's impulsive, prideful, and stubborn--but they all make her more likeable and real. Her frustrations are completely understandable. Even though she has some growning up to do, who she is never changes. She learns not to let her anger conrol her and finds the maturity to live her life entirely on her own terms.

My only complaint is the romance with Nathaniel felt underdeveloped. However, I did really enjoy many of his scenes with Stella. He challenges her preconceptions, enables her growth, and accepts her as she is.

[Krystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every girl needs a bit of pin money but what if you suddenly find yourself an heiress to a sum greater than you imagined? There’s only one catch—you must find a husband! For Stella Sedgwick, news that an estranged connection has named her the beneficiary of a large estate with a handsome allowance is a burden. This inheritance would change her life at the cost of her independence. She dreams of a quiet life in the country where she may hone her skills as a writer and make a name for herself. With her cousin, Olivia, Stella sets out for London where she is reunited with childhood friends and introduced to high society. Not only must Stella contend with the unwanted attention of being a Black heiress, but also her suppressed feelings for her benefactor’s grandson, her former best friend, Nathaniel. Filled with sharp-tongued humor and strong female leads, THE GREAT MISFORTUNE OF STELLA SEDGWICK by S. Isabelle is a witty story of a reluctant heiress with a fresh twist, one that does not shy away from racism, colorism, classism, or the patriarchy. Isabelle’s writing carefully handles the struggles of occupying space as a young Black woman in a predominantly white environment, where merit is not always acknowledged and wealth speaks louder than action. Learning from her missteps and staying true to herself, Stella Sedgwick is a steadfast heroine who is as keen as her quill.

Thank you, Harper Teen, for sending me this arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Renata]

mmmmmm ok so the author started with a foreword about how she wanted to be anachronistic like Bridgerton and let a Black girl be the heroine of a historical romance, which like, yes I'm on board for that

but also the levels of anachronism seemed a bit off for me - like racism and colonialism still exist but for ~reasons~ there's a Black girl heiress, ok, sure, but then Stella's personality was SO modern that she felt like legit delusional???? I feel like it would have made sense to either like...go fuller fantasy and have British society be less racist OR have her be like. A couple of degrees more demure or whatever????? like it's one thing to want to be a writer and not want to get married but she throws a drink in a man's face!!! i clutched my pearls

that said like, yes I want to celebrate more diversity in historical fiction and for readers who want to just like live the fantasy I'm sure they could enjoy this but I just couldn't get into the world that created a character like Stella Sedgwick in the 1860s.

I almost feel like this author should have written a book set at like, a Ren Fest or something so she could have characters of color in gorgeous gowns and have a full modern vocabulary for addressing microaggressions etc idk!!!!

Not my cup of tea (toss it in my face for my rudeness!)

Also it's interesting to note that the comps here are Bridgerton (which means the show bc as far as I know the books are all white - and I only read the first book and watched a lil of the show but I think it leans more into a less-racist fantasy past) and the Davenports (which is set in the 1910s which is where Stella might fit in a bit better than the 1860s!)

[Nim_reads_a_lot · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book an ARC last year with zero clue what it was about. I am so glad I did. There is a reason that diverse authors are needed. You get unique and special stories like this that can only be told by their voice. Stella is a black woman who craves independence and the freedom to write. She has limited prospects in life as this world is not made for her joy and happiness. They see her as an oddity in their white world and more servant material than anything. Stella is prickly, aggressive and stubborn. Don’t be deterred. I loved this about her once I saw the amount of micro aggressions and overt racism she faced and realized she is totally justified to act the way she does. She is protecting herself. This is not a meek woman. She is also not perfect and she makes mistakes! The author crafted a story I sorta predicted but then did not. (Oh, to still be surprised at my age) I couldn’t believe how quickly I worked my way through this story. It was perfectly edited yet rich in detail. (The mention of her hair braids and the anise in her soup…) The story was incredibly believable and just lovely. The ending was a twist that was just right. This is a YA story so there is no spice but the yearning and angst is peak. I highly recommend this book and would love for you to give it a chance. I’m glad I did.

[rachel x]

"Perfect for fans of The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue and The Davenports, this YA historical romance follows a young Black woman in 1860s England who yearns for a writing career and independence rather than love and marriage, but an unexpected inheritance forces her into London society and reunites her with the boy who broke her heart. "

this cover is stunnnning

[Marybeth Buskirk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual Rating: 4.5

Stella Sedgwick is a complete and utter badass for the times she lived in. I loved how she wouldn’t settle for just a normal high society life, how she went after everything she wanted, how sharp both her brain and tongue were, but how much she also loved deeply. The friends to enemies to friends to lovers pipeline was delicious and the regency era ballroom and society was so vivid, I felt like I was along for every step of the way! Love this book!

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was SO CUTE. I really enjoyed reading this, and loved reading about a non white pov in regency times. The author did a great job with historical details and making the characters enjoyable.

[b ☆]

nothing wrong w this book and i actually enjoy the premise and the 100ish pages i’ve read so far but im taking it back to the library bc im out of renewals for it 3 i will try it again

[CLM · Rating 1 out of 5]

A pity the first thing I saw on page 1 was the first of several grammatical mistakes!

I understand the author was trying to create a YA version of Bridgerton but her heroine curses and acts like a 21st century teenager, not a young lady, regardless of ethnicity. She was quite unlikable. The plot did not make much sense, the language was anachronistic, and I was not convinced these characters would ever have been included in society events.

[amarachireads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stella was such a great fmc, i enjoyed her voice so much. This was such a cute read and a palette cleanser historical fiction read. The fmc Stella though she is a dark skinned woman trying to integrate into society because of an inheritance does not take anything from people. Even though she is young she’s already a good writer and doesn’t want to have to marry to get her fortune. I loved that even though this is a historical ya book it doesn’t focus on trauma but instead just Black joy and teenagers being themselves in this time period. Yea there are systemic issues like classism, colorism and racism in thats not the main focus.

The book explores friendships, independence and romance in such a cute and lighthearted way and i had fun being with Stella and the way she approaches high society, wanting to make a name for herself with her writing and falling in love. Its like a mix of The Davenports and Pride and Prejudice i think and i definitely recommend it! Thanks to Harper Teen for this arc!

[Lesaffairesdelouise · Rating 4 out of 5]

C’était tellement bieeeen !

Niveau ambiance, imaginez-vous dans Bridgerton (quand je dis ça, je parle toujours de la série. Je n’ai pas lu les livres.)

L’époque victorienne dans sa splendeur. L’héroïne m’a rappelé celle de Romance à l’anglaise. On sait ce que Stella veut. Elle est mordante, elle a énormément d’humour et elle a des projets à accomplir.

Ce qui l’en empêche ? C’est une femme noire. On est pile au changement des mœurs. Bon nombre de fois on la prendra pour une servante ce qui ne fera que renforcer ses ambitions.

Niveau romance j’ai beaucoup apprécié. C’était très cute, les romances avec les amis d’enfances j’apprends à les apprécier de plus en plus lorsqu’elles sont bien faites !

J’ai dévoré ce roman en passant vraiment un excellent moment et en me révoltant à de nombreuses reprises aux côtés de Stella et de sa cousine.

Je ne peux que recommander ce roman aux fans de ce type d’ambiance ☺️

[Rochelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s like Bridgeton, but they actually deal with racism. I enjoyed it.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

une lecture rapide et efficace, parfaite pour la saison

[USOM · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)

The Great Misfortune of Stella Sedgwick is everything I wanted and more. This historical fiction had me giggling and swooning. While there's very much the romance and the swoons full of the gentlest brush of hands, it also examines the racism and prejudice against black women and the intricacies of security. For Stella, will she be able to secure a marriage to make inheritance easier? In this way, The Great Misfortune of Stella Sedwick also feels like it drifts into Little Women territory. What futures are available in this world of buttoned up laws, prejudice, and strict rules? Stella is very much trying to figure out how she can have a future she loves, and wants, while also being able to support herself.

[Enairolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Parfois, un roman débarque dans notre vie sans prévenir et fait mouche dès les premières lignes. The Great Misfortune of Stella Sedgwick est de ceux-là. Dès le début, on comprend qu’on tient entre les mains une œuvre forte, sensible et brillamment écrite. S. Isabelle nous entraîne dans un Londres victorien aussi magnifique qu’impitoyable, aux côtés d’une héroïne noire, orpheline, ambitieuse et incroyablement vivante. Ce roman est un souffle, une claque, une étreinte. C’est un gros coup de cœur pour ma part et ça me manque déjà énormément!
S. Isabelle a une écriture qu’on pourrait presque qualifier de caméléon : elle sait se faire piquante, poétique, douce, mordante, tout en restant fluide et d’une grande accessibilité. Son style capte l’époque sans la figer, sans tomber dans l’imitation ni la surcharge historique. Il y a une vraie maîtrise dans la manière dont elle équilibre narration classique et modernité du propos. Mais surtout, sa plume sait transmettre. Transmettre les pensées intimes de Stella, ses espoirs, sa colère rentrée, ses blessures enfouies. Elle excelle dans l’art de dire sans trop en dire, de suggérer, de laisser les silences parler autant que les mots. Certains passages, notamment dans les dialogues ou dans les confrontations sociales, sont d’une justesse mordante : elle dépeint le racisme ordinaire avec finesse, sans tomber dans la démonstration lourde, mais en laissant les faits parler, et ça fait souvent l’effet d’un uppercut silencieux.

L’histoire de Stella pourrait, sur le papier, ressembler à un conte : une orpheline pauvre qui hérite soudainement d’une fortune colossale. Mais ce serait une erreur de croire que le roman se contente de ce cliché. Dès les premiers chapitres, on comprend que The Great Misfortune n’est pas un récit de “success story” linéaire. L’héritage n’est pas une libération, mais un fardeau inattendu. Il vient avec ses pièges, ses jalousies, ses ennemis silencieux. L’auteure construit une tension subtile tout au long du roman : tension sociale, tension émotionnelle, tension identitaire. Les rebondissements sont bien menés, souvent inattendus, mais toujours cohérents avec la psychologie des personnages. Le rythme est parfaitement tenu : pas de temps mort, mais pas d’accélération artificielle non plus. On est constamment pris entre le plaisir d’avancer et l’envie de savourer chaque chapitre. La romance, quant à elle, est un fil rouge discret mais puissant. Entre Stella et Nathaniel, rien n’est simple : il y a le poids du passé, les blessures de l’enfance, les silences accumulés, mais aussi cette évidence brûlante qu’ils se comprennent sans se le dire. Leur relation est marquée par une tension contenue, faite de regards, de malentendus, de pudeur. C’est beau, frustrant, délicat, bouleversant.

Dans ce roman, le racisme n’est jamais édulcoré ni simplifié : il est omniprésent, insidieux, systémique. À travers le parcours de Stella, jeune femme noire dans l’Angleterre victorienne, S. Isabelle met en lumière la violence d’une société où l’appartenance raciale conditionne absolument tout, les opportunités, le regard des autres, la place qu’on vous accorde (ou pas). À cette époque, l’idéologie coloniale et les hiérarchies raciales sont profondément ancrées dans les mentalités. Même dans les cercles dits “civilisés” ou “progressistes”, l’idée qu’une femme noire puisse hériter d’une fortune et entrer dans la haute société provoque un tollé silencieux, parfois même un rejet brutal. Stella est scrutée, jaugée, suspectée. On la considère comme une anomalie, un dérèglement de l’ordre établi. Le racisme qu’elle affronte prend plusieurs formes : remarques déguisées sous des airs polis, exclusion déguisée en “protocole”, condescendance, exaspération dès qu’elle s’affirme, et parfois même une hostilité frontale, sans masque. L’auteure ne tombe jamais dans la surenchère, mais elle montre bien à quel point ce racisme structure chaque aspect de la vie de son héroïne, y compris ses relations amicales, amoureuses et professionnelles. Et ce qui frappe, c’est la solitude de Stella face à cela : elle doit composer, se défendre, encaisser, tout en se battant pour exister à sa manière, sans se trahir. C’est une lecture lucide, nécessaire et profondément touchante.

Stella est sans conteste l’un des personnages féminins les plus marquants qu’il m’ait été donné de lire ces dernières années. C’est une héroïne forte, mais sans surenchère. Elle doute, elle vacille, elle s’enflamme, elle s’épuise, elle résiste. Elle n’a pas réponse à tout, et c’est ce qui la rend si humaine. Son ambition, sa fierté, sa colère, sa lucidité sont autant de facettes qui font d’elle une héroïne complexe, crédible, bouleversante. C’est une personne qui peut parfois se montrer très piquante, voir trop piquante même. On peut la voir comme quelqu’un de froid parfois et qui n’a « pas de pitié » mais au fil des pages, on se rend compte que c’est surtout un mécanisme de défense qu’elle a crée au fil des ans. Face à elle, Nathaniel est un contrepoint fascinant. Héritier spolié, homme de principes et de retenue, il est à la fois un appui et un obstacle pour Stella. Leur relation est construite dans la lenteur et la douleur, mais sans jamais tomber dans le pathos. On les sent tous deux profondément marqués par leur histoire commune, et leur complicité, parfois orageuse, parfois tendre, est l’un des grands atouts du roman. Les personnages secondaires ne sont pas en reste : entre figures aristocratiques bien décidées à écraser Stella, prétendants intéressés, alliés inattendus, et ennemis voilés, le roman regorge de personnalités fortes, bien campées, jamais caricaturales. Chaque personnage sert le propos de l’histoire, aucun n’est là pour faire joli.

The Great Misfortune of Stella Sedgwick n’est pas juste un roman historique avec une belle couverture. C’est un roman politique sans jamais être militant, une romance sans mièvrerie, un portrait de femme sans simplification. C’est une histoire qu’on dévore et qui reste, une lecture qui fait réfléchir, sourire, frémir. S. Isabelle livre ici une œuvre dense mais accessible, portée par une écriture maîtrisée, une héroïne inoubliable et un regard acéré sur les injustices de son époque, qui font forcément écho à la nôtre. Un livre qu’on referme à regret, le cœur un peu serré, avec l’envie de le relire et de le faire découvrir à tout le monde.

[Jamie Feuerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/3.75 stars

I thought the romance was really sweet and was so happy to have another childhood friends to lovers historical romance. I thought Nathaniel and Stella were cute together and he was down bad for her which was great. I lowkey didn’t see the point of side romance with Stella’s cousin other than to just have her paired off since it was pretty underdeveloped (and insta love, which is not my thing) and arguably their biggest relationship milestones happened completely off the page and were covered in a couple sentences later but whatever.

I know it’s historical romance and it’s supposed to be unrealistic but there were some moments that were just hard to believe or were too modern and took me out of the story a bit. Stella was also a bit immature and annoying at times but she is supposed to be only 18 and this is a YA book so I guess that’s to be expected. I wasn’t super into her journalism side plot but I liked her motivation to be independent and make a name for herself.

Also not related to the book’s plot but can we have a moment for the absolutely gorgeous cover please?!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book.

[Ayushi (bookwormbullet) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars

[Chelsea]

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy

The Great Misfortune of Stella Sedgwick by S. Isabelle is a first person YA historical. Seventeen-year-old Stella Sedgwick has lost her mother and is now living with her aunt and cousin. When she is sent a message from her mother’s old employer to return to the manor she grew up in, Stella goes and learns she will inherit the manor if she can find a husband. Despite her desire to live life by her own terms, she is thrust into society life along with her cousin and childhood friends.

A major theme here is the layered ways in which colorism, proximity to whiteness, and anti-Black attitudes plays a part in racism. Stella has a cousin who is lighter skinned than her, Olivia, and a love interest who is also biracial and lighter, Nathaniel, and both are treated better than her. According to the cover, Stella has a deep dark skin tone which would make her ostracized in Victorian England and this does come into play when she is mistaken for a servant. Kitty Chen, a young woman who is almost engaged to Nathaniel, also deals with othering due to her race but it’s different because she is neither Black nor dark-skinned. For the most part, the book is fairly fun, but there are some heavy things that are brought up, such as Nathaniel’s sister wanting to essentially, for lack of a better term, breed out his Blackness in a few generations.

Nathaniel and Stella have a complicated romantic arc as they are childhood friends who haven’t seen each other in a long time and Stella feels abandoned by him. All contact was cut off when she left with her mother years ago and it does create tension between them no matter how much they don’t want it to be there. Stella also assumes that Nathaniel is attracted to Kitty because of their impending engagement, but gets confused when he kisses her. It wasn’t enough of the book for me to call this a historical romance as it’s more about Stella herself, but I do think that this is a great pick for readers of YA who love Pride and Prejudice because it does have some similar beats.

One thing I really liked is how Stella isn’t a big fan of the idea of romance and getting married but her cousin is into it and her cousin calls her out for pushing her views onto others. It is a very complicated conversation in regards to the forcing of the ideas of love and marriage onto young people and yet pushing back too hard can also go into saying these things have no value at all when they do to some people. It’s a good conversation that comes up throughout the book and the plot never says Stella is wrong for not holding these things in super high regard but it also says Olivia isn’t wrong for wanting them.

Content warning for depictions of racism and sexism

I would recommend this to YA readers who are fans of Pride and Prejudice and readers of historical fiction who like a romance subplot and discussions of racism that treats the subject matter with honesty

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, author S. Isabelle, and HarperCollins Children's Books: Storytide for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

I adore historical romances, especially YA ones, that bring something unique to the table! For The Great Misfortune of Stella Sedgwick, this book both celebrates Stella and exposes struggles she faces as a Black woman who is not a servant during this time. I appreciated the author's note by Isabelle at the start of the novel that clarified she did take some creative liberties throughout but still wanted to speak on injustices faced while providing joy for her protagonist as well. I thought this read was extremely well balanced, and I truly adored the entire host of characters! Stella was so spunky, and I was cheering her on throughout as she stood up for herself throughout. However, I also thought that the side characters through the Fitzroys, Olivia, Lady Tess, etc. were just as developed as Stella and added a lot to the story. The romance, not only through the love triangle but also through Olivia and Mr. Desir, was fabulous all around. There were lots of swoony moments, and although I don't always love a love triangle, I really enjoyed Stella's connection with Lord Ogden and was nervous how it would all play out! In the end, things definitely were wrapped up a little neater and easier than I personally would have preferred, but I loved the characters so much that I was okay with it. I would love to see this be expanded into a series or read more historical romances from Isabelle because I really enjoyed her writing and characters.

[mary rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

thank you to netgalley, harpercollins, and the author for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for my honest review! i really enjoyed reading this book for a number of reasons. stella is a fantastic protagonist, and while she is not infallible, she is deeply enjoyable and authentic, particularly in her desires for herself. i also enjoyed the side characters a fair bit, though i would’ve liked to see more of nate in particular. it’s not that i didn’t like him, but i felt as though i personally needed a bit more time with him in order to really be sold on the romance between him and stella. it’s a fairly slow burn for most of the story, which was fun to read, and i like that one of the things you can get from it as a reader is that being committed to somebody doesn’t need to stifle your own sense of self. it’s an idea that will be relatable to a lot of readers, and it was very relatable to me. as a white person, i can’t really speak about the racism that stella and other characters face, other than the fact that i do think that it was woven into the story very well. the time period was fun to read in, both in regards to the setting and the way in which the characters spoke. i don’t typically read regency era stories, but this book may make me reconsider! this was a very fun romance, and i hope to get a copy when it comes out on july 8 of this year.

this review is also available on instagram here!

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE GREAT MISFORTUNE OF STELLA SEDGWICK, a YA historical novel by S. Isabelle, does a skillful job of spotlighting upper class black families in 1860s London.

Stella grew up within the high society household where her mother worked as a servant. She spent her days with the family’s children and considered them close friends. That was until her mother moved them in to live with her newly widowed sister. Stella never heard from her friends again, not even after her mother’s death.

But when Stella receives a summons from the family patriarch, her mother’s former employer, she goes to his bedside to pay her respects. She is informed that a significant inheritance will be bequeathed to her upon his death - the stately manor where she lived for much of her life. But, of course, there is a catch. Women are not legally allowed to own property, so she must have a husband in order to inherit.

I adored Stella and the loyal friendship she shared with her cousin Olivia. I loved the scenes where Stella both impresses and scandalizes when attending the biggest events of the season. She always kept her head up and refused to be insulted, regardless of the social consequences.

The blazing romantic tension between Stella and her childhood friend Nathaniel added a fun complication, especially as they struggled with their jealousy over each other’s suitors.

The author also tosses in a gossip column, an eligible young French businessman, and a family secret to make this story a page-turning delight that both teens and adults would enjoy.

I read this title via audiobook and wholly recommend the narrator, Savy Des-Etages. Her voice was a pleasure to listen to and she did a great job voicing all the different characters. I never lost track of who was speaking. The delivery was also spot on. It evoked every bit of yearning, jealousy, heartbreak, and joy.

[blackcatbookblog · Rating 3 out of 5]

First I'd like to thank the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Overall I enjoyed The Great Misfortune of Stella Sedgwick but it was not without it's flaws. The main plot point didn't really feel realistic to me in any way. And there were a number of actions and dialog that felt a bit too modern. Not nearly as bad as some historical fiction I've read. I was able to look past it and still enjoy the story and most of the characters. The twists and reveals if you can call them that were pretty predictable and things wrapped up for all the characters a bit too neatly. Still I enjoyed our heroine Stella, her cousin Olivia and their love interests (one felt a little vague and a little bit too quick to fall in love) The beginning and middle felt a little slow but the last 2/3 of the book picked up. As I read this back, it sounds like a lot of negative but I'd still say the positives outweigh the negative. I appreciated the strong and interesting voice of our main character and the strong role model in her mother who helped shape her life and her passions. I also enjoyed the love and bond between our heroine and her cousin as well as her aunt. I'd definitely still recommend this if you enjoy historical fiction just don't expect too much from it.

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A period romance that's appropriate for teens AND has diverse characters? Yes, please!

I've been really excited to see the emergence of more diverse historical romances over the last few years and while I'm sure some liberties were taken in regards to accuracy, I appreciated that S. Isabelle still dived into the discrimination someone like her FMC, Stella, might face.

Stella is a strong character who throughout the book retains her independence and her own goals. Still, she's written as a character with flaws, keeping her realistic. She sometimes says hurtful things and doesn't always think of the long term repercussions of her actions. Much like a real teenager.

While Stella is very much the main character, secondary characters are also fleshed out and we get a fairly clear picture of who they are as people which isn't always something that happens in a book. I could easily see a few of the characters getting their own follow up book.

I did find some of the plot lines a little predictable but I think that would be less of a problem for the YA audience this book is intended for. That being said, it's definitely worth a read even if you don't usually choose YA books.

All that's left is for me to go out and check out other books from this author!

[Tori DeFazio · Rating 4 out of 5]

“These wealthy families may have more money than I do, but their prejudices and judgements put them beneath me”

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read The Great Misfortune of Stella Sedgwick. I absolutely loved this YA historical romance and especially appreciate the author’s goal to make sure that black teenagers have more representation in this genre. Stella Segwick is an orphan girl dealing with the prejudice of being a black woman and the misogyny of being a single woman. Constantly reminded of her singleness and blackness in white spaces, Stella is searching for an identity outside of being a wife or a mother. I loved the love story but really appreciate how the author stayed true to Stella, even in the epilogue. I’m typically not a huge YA fan but found this novel really charming, fun, and swoon-worthy. 4 stars

[Shaina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to NetGalley and S. Isabelle for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for The Great Misfortune of Stella Sedgwick coming out July 8, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I have a couple books by this author, but this is the first one I’ve read. I think it was definitely an interesting plot. The time period is rich with history. A lot was going on at that time. I enjoyed the book. It felt a little Dickensian. I think there were some things that were happening too fast for me. I would’ve liked more romance. But overall, I enjoyed it. I would check out other books by this author.

[⌞giselle⌝ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cried tears of joy at the end of this lovely historical romance! The Great Misfortune of Stella Sedgwick is a beautiful, dynamic story that explores classism, prejudice, and racism against the utterly transporting backdrop of 1868 London, its countryside, and Paris. it all builds into some of the best character growth I’ve ever read. elegant balls, courting Lords, drama, and the thrill of low-stakes scandal... I ate it up! to top it off, Stella chases her dream while coming fully into herself. the romance! the collarbone kisses! ugh, I loved every single second of it!