What do you think?
Rate this book
Ladies of Munro #5
Irene's Fall
Pride comes before her fall. Love helps her stand again.
Irene Sangford has willingly cast herself as the villain of her own story. After all, her family has taught her that arrogance and manipulation are suitable qualities in a lady if she’s seeking a husband with a title. Especially when there are so few such men to be had, and she is competing with her own sister to snap one of them up.
Nathaniel Macrae not only has no title, he has immersed himself in low society in his role as a secret investigator. Miss Sangford would never have given him a second glance, but when an attempted murder leads his inquiries right to her door, and a shocking secret from her past threatens to unravel her entire life, Irene discovers that Mr. Macrae is more compelling than any man she has ever met.
As Irene’s world falls apart, and she questions everything she has ever known, Nathaniel becomes her anchor in life’s greatest storm. Except this storm threatens to destroy them both. They will have to challenge everything they know and trust each other if they are to survive and find the love that has eluded them.
Tropes You'll Fake RakeMysterySecret LifeSecrets GaloreForbidden LoveHero Investigates CrimeFemale Redemption ArcMeet “by Accident”
Read in Kindle Unlimited!
This series is part of Dragonblade's Sweet Dreams line, so this is a sweet, wholesome Historical Romance where passion beyond the bedroom door is left to the reader’s imagination.
Ladies of Munro
Sophia's Letter
Ellena’s Secret
Verity's Choice
Jillian's Wild Heart
Irene's Fall
Irene Sangford has willingly cast herself as the villain of her own story. After all, her family has taught her that arrogance and manipulation are suitable qualities in a lady if she’s seeking a husband with a title. Especially when there are so few such men to be had, and she is competing with her own sister to snap one of them up.
Nathaniel Macrae not only has no title, he has immersed himself in low society in his role as a secret investigator. Miss Sangford would never have given him a second glance, but when an attempted murder leads his inquiries right to her door, and a shocking secret from her past threatens to unravel her entire life, Irene discovers that Mr. Macrae is more compelling than any man she has ever met.
As Irene’s world falls apart, and she questions everything she has ever known, Nathaniel becomes her anchor in life’s greatest storm. Except this storm threatens to destroy them both. They will have to challenge everything they know and trust each other if they are to survive and find the love that has eluded them.
Tropes You'll Fake RakeMysterySecret LifeSecrets GaloreForbidden LoveHero Investigates CrimeFemale Redemption ArcMeet “by Accident”
Read in Kindle Unlimited!
This series is part of Dragonblade's Sweet Dreams line, so this is a sweet, wholesome Historical Romance where passion beyond the bedroom door is left to the reader’s imagination.
Ladies of Munro
Sophia's Letter
Ellena’s Secret
Verity's Choice
Jillian's Wild Heart
Irene's Fall
282 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 27, 2025
4 people are currently reading
7 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Donne
7 books12 followersElizabeth Donne has spent most of her life in Cape Town, South Africa.
She has traveled to five continents and is fascinated by language and world cultures.
For more than twenty years, she has shared her love of literature and linguistics as a teacher. Writing has been a natural outpouring of this passion.
In 2015, she relocated to Iowa in the USA with her husband, their two children, two cats, and their African bush dog. When she's not writing or discovering the hidden wonders of the Midwest, she is enthusiastically introducing her visitors to the joys of drinking rooibos tea. With a biscuit, of course.
She has traveled to five continents and is fascinated by language and world cultures.
For more than twenty years, she has shared her love of literature and linguistics as a teacher. Writing has been a natural outpouring of this passion.
In 2015, she relocated to Iowa in the USA with her husband, their two children, two cats, and their African bush dog. When she's not writing or discovering the hidden wonders of the Midwest, she is enthusiastically introducing her visitors to the joys of drinking rooibos tea. With a biscuit, of course.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 15, 2026
Irene's Fall is the fifth book in the Ladies of Munro series. This book can be a stand-alone read.
The Sangford family certainly believe most people are beneath them. Due to their arrogant demeanor, the family have few friends. Even the staff keep their distance from them until necessary. Irene has been out for several seasons and is nearly on the shelf, which does bother her. Her younger sister wants to ride and throws a tantrum until their mother forces Irene to go. While riding Irene sustains a fall and her leg is broken. Nathaniel was pursuing suspects and sees her fall and offers to help her get home. But he has ulterior motives and is looking for information about her father serves his purpose to visit Irene. Nathaniel proves to be charming despite his reputation as a rake, Irene is shocked to find Nathaniel showering her with genuine attention more than she has ever received from her family.
Irene's father begins acting strange after finding a thread on the floor believing someone has entered his study and gone through his things. A truth is discovered that will change everything Irene has been raised to believe. But Irene will find herself in danger when she confronts those hiding the secrets that will put them all in danger.
This was a really fascinating plot. It was different than the normal HEA. I thoroughly enjoyed everything about this story. It was unique and entertaining. The MC's were very likeable. The writing was wonderful and captured my interest from the first page. I wish I had started from the first book, now will have to go back and add them to my TBR list.
I received an ARC from NetGalley for an unbiased review.
The Sangford family certainly believe most people are beneath them. Due to their arrogant demeanor, the family have few friends. Even the staff keep their distance from them until necessary. Irene has been out for several seasons and is nearly on the shelf, which does bother her. Her younger sister wants to ride and throws a tantrum until their mother forces Irene to go. While riding Irene sustains a fall and her leg is broken. Nathaniel was pursuing suspects and sees her fall and offers to help her get home. But he has ulterior motives and is looking for information about her father serves his purpose to visit Irene. Nathaniel proves to be charming despite his reputation as a rake, Irene is shocked to find Nathaniel showering her with genuine attention more than she has ever received from her family.
Irene's father begins acting strange after finding a thread on the floor believing someone has entered his study and gone through his things. A truth is discovered that will change everything Irene has been raised to believe. But Irene will find herself in danger when she confronts those hiding the secrets that will put them all in danger.
This was a really fascinating plot. It was different than the normal HEA. I thoroughly enjoyed everything about this story. It was unique and entertaining. The MC's were very likeable. The writing was wonderful and captured my interest from the first page. I wish I had started from the first book, now will have to go back and add them to my TBR list.
I received an ARC from NetGalley for an unbiased review.
February 3, 2026
This felt like a classic historical romance with a bit of bite, and it was a very enjoyable read.
Irene Sangford is not an easy heroine to like at first, and that’s kind of the point. She’s proud, manipulative, and very aware that she’s doing exactly what her family raised her to do in order to secure a titled husband. I appreciated that the story doesn’t excuse her behavior right away. Watching her world slowly fall apart and force her to question who she really is made her redemption feel real.
Nathaniel Macrae is the perfect opposite to Irene’s carefully controlled life. He has no title, no interest in society games, and spends his time investigating crime in places Irene has been taught to fear and avoid. Their relationship starts under suspicious circumstances, which adds tension and makes their connection feel earned. Nathaniel sees through Irene’s polished exterior, but instead of judging her, he challenges her to be honest.
The mystery thread adds good momentum to the story, and the secrets from Irene’s past raise the emotional stakes in a way that really works. As everything she’s built her identity on begins to crumble, Nathaniel becomes her steady presence, even when trusting him could cost them both.
This is a story about pride, consequences, and choosing love over expectations. If you enjoy historical romance with flawed characters, emotional growth, and a touch of danger, this one is well worth the read.
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing and am voluntarily leaving my review.
Irene Sangford is not an easy heroine to like at first, and that’s kind of the point. She’s proud, manipulative, and very aware that she’s doing exactly what her family raised her to do in order to secure a titled husband. I appreciated that the story doesn’t excuse her behavior right away. Watching her world slowly fall apart and force her to question who she really is made her redemption feel real.
Nathaniel Macrae is the perfect opposite to Irene’s carefully controlled life. He has no title, no interest in society games, and spends his time investigating crime in places Irene has been taught to fear and avoid. Their relationship starts under suspicious circumstances, which adds tension and makes their connection feel earned. Nathaniel sees through Irene’s polished exterior, but instead of judging her, he challenges her to be honest.
The mystery thread adds good momentum to the story, and the secrets from Irene’s past raise the emotional stakes in a way that really works. As everything she’s built her identity on begins to crumble, Nathaniel becomes her steady presence, even when trusting him could cost them both.
This is a story about pride, consequences, and choosing love over expectations. If you enjoy historical romance with flawed characters, emotional growth, and a touch of danger, this one is well worth the read.
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing and am voluntarily leaving my review.
January 11, 2026
With a family like the Sangford household, who needs enemies? Certainly, Irene has had to grow a thick skin if she was to survive her mother and sister. However, in doing so, she earns her own disreputable reputation for arrogance and manipulation, but with maturity comes wisdom, and she no longer has the energy to play by their rules. A riding accident changes everything for her, especially when she sees the face of the man who caused it. Nathaniel proves to be a charming rescuer, and despite his reputation as a rake, Irene receives more care and consideration from him than she has ever received from her family. Nathaniel is pursuing criminal elements and recognizes an opportunity when he sees one to investigate Irene's father more closely. The novel is full of twists and turns, exposing secrets and the rot behind the facade, but it does come to a successful conclusion, bringing a brighter dawn and new beginnings. I received a copy of this suspenseful romance as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley, and this is my honest and voluntary review.
January 14, 2026
A Different Drummer
I am told that Elizabeth Donne's Regency romance Irene's Fall is the final book in a series and that in previous books the FMC Irene was the villainess. She is such a damaged soul that I am having a hard time imagining it. But it was a delight to find the sad person that she is at the beginning of the book gradually come into her own under the kind attentions of the MMC Nathaniel. He has secrets and in the process of pursuing his rather underhanded goals, he discovers that she does too.
The pacing and the nature of the two main characters made this book seem to "march to a different drummer" than most Regencies. I had a little difficulty being comfortable with the way these so-called ladies conducted themselves, but it wasn't off enough from the usual Regency to bother me. I really liked the main characters and was rooting for them to find a way. Now to go have a look at the previous books in the series!
I am told that Elizabeth Donne's Regency romance Irene's Fall is the final book in a series and that in previous books the FMC Irene was the villainess. She is such a damaged soul that I am having a hard time imagining it. But it was a delight to find the sad person that she is at the beginning of the book gradually come into her own under the kind attentions of the MMC Nathaniel. He has secrets and in the process of pursuing his rather underhanded goals, he discovers that she does too.
The pacing and the nature of the two main characters made this book seem to "march to a different drummer" than most Regencies. I had a little difficulty being comfortable with the way these so-called ladies conducted themselves, but it wasn't off enough from the usual Regency to bother me. I really liked the main characters and was rooting for them to find a way. Now to go have a look at the previous books in the series!
January 19, 2026
The entire time I was reading this I kept thinking, MAN, this is a good book. It fooled me at the beginning. Irene is not a likable character. This book has an abundance of mean people. I was reading it, thinking that I knew where it was going. I did not. I didn't know how much character growth was going to happen! How the story at the start did not have a straight line!
It has very strong Martha Russell and Theo Mirkwood vibes. Nathaniel is a GEM of a man, just like Theo. He sees beyond the surface and can read people, especially Irene. I loved watching Irene's harshness just chip, chip, chip away and a completely new person was on the inside. Nathaniel always knew she was in there.
Did I read a hint of spinoff idea?? Nathaniel and Irene in a detective business together? Elizabeth Donne, I'm game if you ever want to write this!
Thank you to Dragonblade for the copy of this book. Opinions are my own.
It has very strong Martha Russell and Theo Mirkwood vibes. Nathaniel is a GEM of a man, just like Theo. He sees beyond the surface and can read people, especially Irene. I loved watching Irene's harshness just chip, chip, chip away and a completely new person was on the inside. Nathaniel always knew she was in there.
Did I read a hint of spinoff idea?? Nathaniel and Irene in a detective business together? Elizabeth Donne, I'm game if you ever want to write this!
Thank you to Dragonblade for the copy of this book. Opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Irene's Fall is the fifth novel in the Ladies of Munro series but can be read as a standalone.
I loved watching Irene change over the course of the story, discovering more about herself and who her true friends are. Nathaniel is a strong male lead who does not judge her based on hearsay but instead on her actions and character. I also liked how mutual trust between the characters built up naturally over the story.
Her family is vile, which makes the contrast with Nathaniel's welcoming family even more satisfying. The writing style was fitting and enjoyable, which made it easy to get absorbed in the story.
All in all I enjoyed this story a lot and will be reading more from this author.
Thanks to Netgalley and Dragonblade Publishing for this review copy. My opinions are my own!
I loved watching Irene change over the course of the story, discovering more about herself and who her true friends are. Nathaniel is a strong male lead who does not judge her based on hearsay but instead on her actions and character. I also liked how mutual trust between the characters built up naturally over the story.
Her family is vile, which makes the contrast with Nathaniel's welcoming family even more satisfying. The writing style was fitting and enjoyable, which made it easy to get absorbed in the story.
All in all I enjoyed this story a lot and will be reading more from this author.
Thanks to Netgalley and Dragonblade Publishing for this review copy. My opinions are my own!
January 4, 2026
Take a vile family, add a hero and a beautiful girl, mix well for a story with lots of villains, strong plot and great characters.
The overall plot is complicated as it the heroine yet with secrets abound this book will hold your attention and bring you a fulfilling experience.
The overall plot is complicated as it the heroine yet with secrets abound this book will hold your attention and bring you a fulfilling experience.
January 1, 2026
a complicated plot, lots of secrets. A heroine who changes a lot. villains galore.
January 9, 2026
Lovely
Sweet and romantic all the way to an emotionally satisfying ending. It met my primary criteria for 5 stars: it kept me up reading to the end.
Sweet and romantic all the way to an emotionally satisfying ending. It met my primary criteria for 5 stars: it kept me up reading to the end.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews