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Miss Prentice's Protegees #3
Pride Comes Before a Fall
Not yet published
Expected 28 Jul 26In the third installment of this witty Regency romcom series, a headstrong chaperone is torn between following her rigid principles or her heart
Despite his many responsibilities, there is nothing Leopold Sloane, the 11th Duke of Debden, takes more seriously than the safety of those he loves. When one of his sisters is injured at a protest rally, he drags his family to Bath for the summer to keep his reckless and rebellious siblings out of harm’s way. The only flaw in his plan is his overwhelming but inexplicable attraction to the new chaperone he has hired to watch out for them. An outspoken conundrum of a woman who soon causes him more trouble than both his sisters combined...but who calls to his soul regardless.
From the moment Portia Kendall read her first revolutionary pamphlet beneath her bedcovers at Miss Prentice’s School for Girls, she realized that her true calling was to make the world a fairer place for the masses downtrodden by the aristocracy. A calling that led her to Equitas, a radical newspaper that champions reform. But as Portia discovers, writing doesn’t pay the bills. To make a living, she must push aside her principles and serve the very people she criticizes weekly in her column. A temporary position as a chaperone in the home of a pompous duke seems like the perfect way to earn enough to follow her heart. Unfortunately, the duke who hires her seems to be more dashing and noble than pompous and soon begins to call to her heart too—as much as she tries to deny it. But dare she risk her principles for love or will her pride always come before a fall?
Despite his many responsibilities, there is nothing Leopold Sloane, the 11th Duke of Debden, takes more seriously than the safety of those he loves. When one of his sisters is injured at a protest rally, he drags his family to Bath for the summer to keep his reckless and rebellious siblings out of harm’s way. The only flaw in his plan is his overwhelming but inexplicable attraction to the new chaperone he has hired to watch out for them. An outspoken conundrum of a woman who soon causes him more trouble than both his sisters combined...but who calls to his soul regardless.
From the moment Portia Kendall read her first revolutionary pamphlet beneath her bedcovers at Miss Prentice’s School for Girls, she realized that her true calling was to make the world a fairer place for the masses downtrodden by the aristocracy. A calling that led her to Equitas, a radical newspaper that champions reform. But as Portia discovers, writing doesn’t pay the bills. To make a living, she must push aside her principles and serve the very people she criticizes weekly in her column. A temporary position as a chaperone in the home of a pompous duke seems like the perfect way to earn enough to follow her heart. Unfortunately, the duke who hires her seems to be more dashing and noble than pompous and soon begins to call to her heart too—as much as she tries to deny it. But dare she risk her principles for love or will her pride always come before a fall?
336 pages, Paperback
Expected publication July 28, 2026
4244 people want to read
About the author
Virginia Heath
134 books1,202 followersWhen Virginia Heath was a little girl it took her ages to fall asleep, so she made up stories in her head to help pass the time while she was staring at the ceiling. As she got older, the stories became more complicated, sometimes taking weeks to get to the happy ending. Then one day, she decided to embrace the insomnia and start writing them down. Twenty books and two Romantic Novel of the Year Award nominations later, and it still takes her forever to fall asleep.
Her new Regency Romcom for St Martin's Press ~ Never Fall For Your Fiancée ~ is on sale November 9, 2021
If you want to find out more check out virginiaheathromance.com or follow her on Facebook @VirginiaHeathAuthor
Her new Regency Romcom for St Martin's Press ~ Never Fall For Your Fiancée ~ is on sale November 9, 2021
If you want to find out more check out virginiaheathromance.com or follow her on Facebook @VirginiaHeathAuthor
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
2.5 stars
Unfortunately, this was not a favorite of mine, which is a bummer because I generally love Virginia Heath's historical romances. I think it was mainly because I didn't like the main characters and the way they treated each other. They say some hurtful things, and their arguments get repetitive. I also didn't really love the secondary characters, especially Leo's sisters. They were so selfish and entitled, and I hate how they treated Leo and Fiona. They didn't show much growth over the course of the story and remained pretty flat. The plot also left a couple of things unanswered, which I found disappointing.
I did like Fiona's role at the newspaper and her passion for reform. She is smart and determined with a gift for writing, and her thoughts and articles about social inequities were interesting. With protests, arrests, threats of punishment for sedition, and abuse at the hands of authorities, there's definitely a lot to write about. I also like how Fiona uses her gift for writing to help her process her feelings, but she is sooo stubborn and set in her ways. Leo is stubborn, too, and the pair butt heads a lot. Personally, it was too much for my liking.
Also, while I was reading, I kept wondering how many times Leo was going to flash his dimples. It happens an eye-rolling amount. Leo knows he's charming, and he uses it to his benefit when he learns how it affects Fiona, but in the next breath, he's mad and yelling at her again. Make up your mind, man! Do you forgive her, or are you going to continue to punish her? lol There's also a scene after they meet royalty that is so ridiculously outlandish that I again caught myself rolling my eyes. This was another scene where Leo's behavior irritated me, especially the laughing at this moment. He came across as immature and rude.
Overall, I think this just wasn't the right fit for me. Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
Unfortunately, this was not a favorite of mine, which is a bummer because I generally love Virginia Heath's historical romances. I think it was mainly because I didn't like the main characters and the way they treated each other. They say some hurtful things, and their arguments get repetitive. I also didn't really love the secondary characters, especially Leo's sisters. They were so selfish and entitled, and I hate how they treated Leo and Fiona. They didn't show much growth over the course of the story and remained pretty flat. The plot also left a couple of things unanswered, which I found disappointing.
I did like Fiona's role at the newspaper and her passion for reform. She is smart and determined with a gift for writing, and her thoughts and articles about social inequities were interesting. With protests, arrests, threats of punishment for sedition, and abuse at the hands of authorities, there's definitely a lot to write about. I also like how Fiona uses her gift for writing to help her process her feelings, but she is sooo stubborn and set in her ways. Leo is stubborn, too, and the pair butt heads a lot. Personally, it was too much for my liking.
Also, while I was reading, I kept wondering how many times Leo was going to flash his dimples. It happens an eye-rolling amount. Leo knows he's charming, and he uses it to his benefit when he learns how it affects Fiona, but in the next breath, he's mad and yelling at her again. Make up your mind, man! Do you forgive her, or are you going to continue to punish her? lol There's also a scene after they meet royalty that is so ridiculously outlandish that I again caught myself rolling my eyes. This was another scene where Leo's behavior irritated me, especially the laughing at this moment. He came across as immature and rude.
Overall, I think this just wasn't the right fit for me. Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
February 10, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️½
This one has such a fun Regency romance setup. It took me a little while to get into it—the first chapter felt a bit awkward, especially the dialogue—but I’m glad I stuck with it. Once I got past the beginning, the story really started to flow and became much more enjoyable.
The premise is really solid, and I think anyone who loves historical romance will find a lot to enjoy here. I liked the setup a lot, even if I never felt totally swept away by the story. Some of the conflicts—especially the class difference—felt a bit undercooked to me. She’s certainly stubborn, but at times I wished her motivations were a bit clearer, which would have made the romance more satisfying for me. I found myself wanting deeper character development and stronger emotional arcs for both leads.
Overall, this is an enjoyable historical romance with a charming premise and some genuinely nice moments. While it didn’t fully win me over, I appreciated what the story was aiming for, and with a bit more depth, it could really shine.
Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, for sharing an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review.
This one has such a fun Regency romance setup. It took me a little while to get into it—the first chapter felt a bit awkward, especially the dialogue—but I’m glad I stuck with it. Once I got past the beginning, the story really started to flow and became much more enjoyable.
The premise is really solid, and I think anyone who loves historical romance will find a lot to enjoy here. I liked the setup a lot, even if I never felt totally swept away by the story. Some of the conflicts—especially the class difference—felt a bit undercooked to me. She’s certainly stubborn, but at times I wished her motivations were a bit clearer, which would have made the romance more satisfying for me. I found myself wanting deeper character development and stronger emotional arcs for both leads.
Overall, this is an enjoyable historical romance with a charming premise and some genuinely nice moments. While it didn’t fully win me over, I appreciated what the story was aiming for, and with a bit more depth, it could really shine.
Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, for sharing an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Pride Comes Before a Fall is the third book in the Miss Prentice's Protégées series. This book is about Portia who has been passionate about reform in England since she read a Mary Wollstonecraft pamphlet at 16! She is finally getting to work for the cause as the assistant editor of the reform newspaper. Unfortunately, when she gets there she discovers this is a volunteer position and she must find a job. This is where Leo, the Duke of Debden comes in. He is looking for a chaperone for his two wild sisters and hires Portia to do just that! What Portia does not expect is to be attracted to her employer and find that he is nothing like the stereotypical Duke she had in her head.
I really enjoyed this book! Portia is sometimes frustrating because she is clinging so hard to what she thought her future would look like instead of having the courage to change that in order to find happiness. Leo is a sweet, upstanding Duke with a temper when those he loves put themselves in danger. It was fun to watch them fall in love, but frustrating at times to wait for them to get it right!
If you enjoy historical romance, especially that that involves English reform- you should read this book! Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I really enjoyed this book! Portia is sometimes frustrating because she is clinging so hard to what she thought her future would look like instead of having the courage to change that in order to find happiness. Leo is a sweet, upstanding Duke with a temper when those he loves put themselves in danger. It was fun to watch them fall in love, but frustrating at times to wait for them to get it right!
If you enjoy historical romance, especially that that involves English reform- you should read this book! Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I was invited by the publisher to review this book. Leopold is the duty bound Duke of Debden, who takes his family to Bath after his sister is injured at a protest. He is determined to protect his reckless siblings from further danger. His carefully controlled plan unravels when he hires Portia as their chaperone; she is an outspoken, principled woman whose presence challenges him and awakens an unexpected attraction. Portia, for her part, is a passionate reformist and writer for a radical newspaper. She reluctantly accepts the position with the Duke for financial purposes, despite her dislike for the aristocracy. As she grows closer to the Duke she once viewed as everything she opposes, Portia must choose between her ideals and her heart or her pride.
This was another joyous book for me to read from this series. The author did a great job of writing characters with good chemistry, even if Portia sometimes took too long to come to her senses. I did love the elements about reform and Portia's commitment to her cause, however.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/St. Martin's Griffin for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was another joyous book for me to read from this series. The author did a great job of writing characters with good chemistry, even if Portia sometimes took too long to come to her senses. I did love the elements about reform and Portia's commitment to her cause, however.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/St. Martin's Griffin for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This had cute Regency vibes and strong Bridgerton-style energy. Pride Comes Before a Fall follows Portia, a reform-minded heroine who ends up working as a chaperone for a duke’s very chaotic sisters after realizing her dream newspaper job doesn’t pay. Enter Leo, the Duke of Debden—sweet, protective, and not at all what Portia expects.
I enjoyed parts of this a lot, especially the setup and the overall vibe, but I never fully got pulled into the story. Portia’s constant resistance didn’t always make sense, which made the romance a little frustrating at times. I kept wishing for deeper character development and more emotional payoff.
Overall, it’s a decent historical romance with a fun premise. If you love Regency-era stories, this will probably work for you.
Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC! ⭐️⭐️⭐️½ rounded up!
I enjoyed parts of this a lot, especially the setup and the overall vibe, but I never fully got pulled into the story. Portia’s constant resistance didn’t always make sense, which made the romance a little frustrating at times. I kept wishing for deeper character development and more emotional payoff.
Overall, it’s a decent historical romance with a fun premise. If you love Regency-era stories, this will probably work for you.
Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC! ⭐️⭐️⭐️½ rounded up!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received a free ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Portia's true passion is writing for a radical weekly newspaper, but has to find other work to pay her bills. Leopold's a duke with ~anxiety~ who hires Portia to chaperone his sisters. I liked Portia's clear-eyed recognizance of what marriage would do to her career; Leopold's anxiety was a little less clearly portrayed. I would have liked to hear less repetitions of the traumatic event with his sister as a girl, and more about how his anxiety affected him in the present. I also found myself wishing to hear more about Leopold's sisters, who served merely as a foil for Portia. Overall an enjoyable, if not perfect, read and one I'll revisit.
Portia's true passion is writing for a radical weekly newspaper, but has to find other work to pay her bills. Leopold's a duke with ~anxiety~ who hires Portia to chaperone his sisters. I liked Portia's clear-eyed recognizance of what marriage would do to her career; Leopold's anxiety was a little less clearly portrayed. I would have liked to hear less repetitions of the traumatic event with his sister as a girl, and more about how his anxiety affected him in the present. I also found myself wishing to hear more about Leopold's sisters, who served merely as a foil for Portia. Overall an enjoyable, if not perfect, read and one I'll revisit.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
"Pride Comes Before a Fall" was a great addition to the series. The scene where Portia becomes stuck on the spikes of the eight-foot-tall back wall and has to be rescued by Leo is quite amusing, especially given the intimacy the rescue requires.
How Portia and Leo ended up married is not what I expected but it worked well. I enjoyed how they challenged each other, and how Portia, much to her dismay, was forced to rethink some of her beliefs, especially about dukes and the aristocracy.
I liked the focus on reform and that Portia’s writing was so important and influential.
How Portia and Leo ended up married is not what I expected but it worked well. I enjoyed how they challenged each other, and how Portia, much to her dismay, was forced to rethink some of her beliefs, especially about dukes and the aristocracy.
I liked the focus on reform and that Portia’s writing was so important and influential.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Another one by Ms Heath I was sad to end!
I’m a big fan of Ms Heath’s writing and this is a great series.
I will let you know this is not a “clean” romance but it’s not overboard.
Portia is way too head strong carrying a bit of her chip on her shoulder - right or wrong - and falls in love despite herself - with someone she pre judged as someone absolutely unacceptable. Bending is good. Grow this good.
It’s a great fun story you will enjoy.
I’m a big fan of Ms Heath’s writing and this is a great series.
I will let you know this is not a “clean” romance but it’s not overboard.
Portia is way too head strong carrying a bit of her chip on her shoulder - right or wrong - and falls in love despite herself - with someone she pre judged as someone absolutely unacceptable. Bending is good. Grow this good.
It’s a great fun story you will enjoy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I loved this book. It follows Portia, one of Miss Prentice's Protegees, as she moves to Bath to work for the Duke of Debden and moonlight as the assistant editor of a reformist newspaper. Portia is smart, cynical, and dedicated to the cause until she meets Leo. The plot and characters reminded me of an Evie Dunmore novel. Although it seemed like Portia and Leo were inevitable, following along on their cute love story was enjoyable and a sweet read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I had high hopes for this and enjoyed the first two stories in this series but this one fell a bit flat for me. I thought the plot and the initial characters were promising but the found the slightly stilted dialogue and exposition kept me at a distance overall. Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s for the advanced copy!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
cute and fun! I have enjoyed this whole series from Virginia heath. I loved how strong willed and determined Portia was, and that Leo didn’t attempt to smother her beliefs just because they may have reflected poorly on his family. thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this earc in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Another truly delightful installment of this series; I started reading it the second I got NetGalley approval and cackled quite a few times. (Also, Virginia Heath knows how to end a book with a goddamn bar.)
Long live Miss Prentice and her wily band of misfit protegees!!!
Long live Miss Prentice and her wily band of misfit protegees!!!
February 14, 2026
This was so fun I couldn't put it down!
Portia was such a fun main character because she was so stubborn and didn't bend for anyone. Always authentically herself....even when she was lying about who she really was! Leo was a delight. He was truly going through it and trying his best.
The only reason I knocked it down a star was because the back half lost some steam and felt a bit redundant at times as it reached the conclusion. We all knew they were never going to get an annulment come on now.
The animals alone made this worth the read. I was cracking up the entire time the cat was after the bird and the loyal doggies were a joy.
Pride Comes Before a Fall is a fabulous addition to the Miss Prentice Protegees series. I preferred Look Before You Leap, but this is still worth the read and purchase!
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Portia was such a fun main character because she was so stubborn and didn't bend for anyone. Always authentically herself....even when she was lying about who she really was! Leo was a delight. He was truly going through it and trying his best.
The only reason I knocked it down a star was because the back half lost some steam and felt a bit redundant at times as it reached the conclusion. We all knew they were never going to get an annulment come on now.
The animals alone made this worth the read. I was cracking up the entire time the cat was after the bird and the loyal doggies were a joy.
Pride Comes Before a Fall is a fabulous addition to the Miss Prentice Protegees series. I preferred Look Before You Leap, but this is still worth the read and purchase!
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
keep the series going!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews