The Secrets of Clarence Manor

Aston University #1

by Devney Perry

An elite university, billionaire, new adult romance from #1 New York Times bestselling author, Devney Perry, for fans of Gossip Girl and We Were Liars.

Aston University might be teeming with prestigious and wealthy students, but the currency on campus isn’t their millions. It’s their secrets. And the three women living at Clarence Manor are filthy rich.

Cassia came to Aston to escape the demons of her past.

Elora pretends to be an ice princess to guard a shattered spirit.

Ivy disguises the pain of her mistakes with a beautiful mask.

Maybe they could have kept the skeletons in their closets neatly tucked away, except love has a way of lifting the veil. And as each woman meets a man determined to win her heart, there’s no such thing as a buried secret.

Who’s hiding the ugliest truths?

Step through the gates of Clarence Manor and judge for yourself.

Genres: Romance, Dark Academia, Fantasy, Dark Romance, Mystery, Contemporary, Gothic

548 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication November 10, 2026

About the author

Devney is a #1 Amazon, Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author of over forty romance novels. After working in the technology industry for a decade, she abandoned conference calls and project schedules to pursue her passion for writing. She was born and raised in Montana and now lives in Washington with her husband and two sons.”

Visit Devney's website to sign up for her newsletters and learn more about upcoming books.

www.devneyperry.com

Reviews

[annotated by Noi (in & out)]

Devney? writing dark academia? color me intrigued

[Sandy (Sandy.Reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ⭐️

I read the OG book back in the day, and getting this version with the first-person POV was EVERYTHING. All the drama, twists, troubled pasts, and the world of an elite society made this such an addictive read.

I absolutely ate this book up. Every single couple is perfect in their own way, but the MMCs? They steal my heart every single time. I loved getting wrapped up in all the relationships, secrets, and drama.

If you loved Gossip Girl and Magnolia Parks, this is an absolute MUST READ. I never wanted to leave Clarence Manor!

[Phoebe]

I absolutely love the original book Ivy that was published under Perry's pen name Willa Nash, so much so that I just recently reread it. I don't know how I feel about the re-work, but apparently it's going to be a series now so color me intrigued.

Also it is rewritten in first person and I think that is a big big mistake. First person really only works for me when you have one MAYBE two character povs (and they all have to read and sound different). I felt this away about her recent fantasy book Rites of the Starling. Both povs lacked distinct tone and narrative voice and if their name wasn't plastered at the top of each chapter I would have virtually no clue who I was reading about. I think a large part of that was because both were perspectives were in first person. I think third person limited is just a better format for books with multiple povs and multiple storylines, it makes it easier to distinguish between characters while also making sure their personalities are present in their respective chapters. But who knows maybe I'm wrong and it will be good.

I'm not hating yet since I haven't read it, but it makes me nervous because I really love the original book.

[Maya · Rating 4 out of 5]

RTC On release day ✨

[Whispering Chapters · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 - 4.5 ⭐️ I loved this even more now! Love the first person pov. It made me feel even closer to the each of the girls. The romances were better than I remembered.

This is a character driven story, and I was eating it up, which is saying a lot as someone who prefers plot over characters.

Can’t wait to see what else Devney writes in this world!

I received an eARC for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

[Nicole is Reading Fantasy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is absolute bonkers and I couldn’t put it down.

[Casey Edmondson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed The Clarence Manor! Three college seniors living in a historic Victorian manor, working through past traumas, family issues, and figuring out who they are, made for an engaging read. I loved the tension and the feeling that each girl had more going on than she let anyone see. It was predictable, and I wanted a clearer sense of where the story was headed, but it delivered the contemporary romance I enjoy from Devney Perry. The spice was a nice 2.5 out of 5, and each girl getting her own HEA made for a satisfying finish!

[casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ⭐️

thank you to netgalley and to devney for the arc and alc.

⋆˙⟡ tropes ⟡˙⋆
💵 billionaire romance
🌿 hidden identity
📚 elite university
💞 brother’s best friend (ivy)
👜 he falls first (tate)
🤫 family secrets
👠 best friend’s older brother (elora)
💰 forbidden romance
👔 arch enemy’s brother (cassia)

⋆˙⟡ thoughts ⟡˙⋆
this is a character driven story (which i sometimes struggle with), but i ATE it up. i was invested into each one from start to finish. it was full of drama, twists, and secrets that made for an addictive read. i liked that we got first person pov for the three girls allowing us to really feel and understand what they each were going through.

i cannot wait to see what comes next in the series

⋆˙⟡ synopsis ⟡˙⋆
aston university might be teeming with prestigious and wealthy students, but the currency on campus isn't their millions… it’s their secrets. the three women living at clarence manor are filthy rich.
1. cassia came to escape the demons of her past.
2. elora pretends to be an ice princess to guard a shattered spirit.
3. ivy disguises the pain of her mistakes with a beautiful mask.
as each woman meets a man determined to win her heart, there's no such thing as a buried secret.

🎧audio: the narration was SO good. each narrator did a phenomenal job and it was easy to follow with all of the characters. i had a great time :)

[Olivia]

Anyone who's British will know why it's ironic the prestigious university is called Aston 🤣😭 could she not have googled it?

Also I know her audience isn't just British people I just found this funny

[Whitney Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh. My. Good. God. This book is beyond addictive, utterly delectable, and I DEVOURED it in 24 hours. I couldn't get enough of the secrets, drama, lies, and betrayal. The twists and turns that unraveled through the story were so juicy! This is ultra wealthy drama done perfectly!

The Secrets of Clarence Manor tells the story of three women who live together in their final year of college at a wealthy, elite university. Each woman has her own secrets and deceptions. They each find what they think is love, but their pasts and current circumstances threaten to rip everything from them.

I adored watching these women grow throughout the story. While you might dislike one or all of them at some point, you grow to love them as you get to know them. This book has it all-drama, spice, plot twists, and growth. A must-read from Devney Perry!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️

𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
💚Billionaire
🩷Elite University
💚Hidden Identity
🩷Forbidden Romances
💚Family Secrets
🩷Lies and Betrayal

𝐃𝐮𝐞𝐭 𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐁𝐲: Vanessa Edwin, Samantha Brentmoor, Megan Wicks, & Robert Hatchet

This audiobook was cast BEAUTIFULLY! I adore all of these narrators and each female character had the exact right person bringing them to life. I loved this audiobook so much and how the cast worked together to make this such a seemless duet narration!

Thank you to the author for this ARC and ALC in exchange for my honest review.

[Terri McCarrell · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

I'm conflicted for this review. I will preface this by saying that I have read nearly every book that Perry has written. I'm fully obsessed with her sports romances, her romantic suspense series (Clifton Forge, Edens, etc), and loved Shield of Sparrows (admit to not liking the sequel). This re-publish didn't hit for me. Too many character POVs and relationships for one book. I didn't really like many of the MCs, if I'm honest. They just didn't settle with me.
If you like college romances with a LOT of overt flaunting of wealth, and multiple POVs in a new adult setting, this one may work for you. All of those things were not enjoyable for me, but I do think it was just my personal preference. Devney Perry is an excellent writer and I fully support her work. I know that this will hit the right note for a lot of folks.

[My Reading Era · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story had me completely captivated from beginning to end. It seemed like everyone was hiding secrets or tangled in lies, making it impossible to look away as everything slowly unraveled. Despite all the twists and turns along the way, each woman we follow ultimately finds her perfect match, even if the journey to get there is anything but smooth. The narration was absolutely phenomenal, bringing every ounce of tension and emotion to life. You could truly feel what each person was going through, making it easy to connect with them and become even more invested in their stories. With so many secrets and tangled relationships, nothing was ever quite what it seemed.

Thank you, Devney Perry for the ARC/ALC.

[Breanna]

ARC provided by the publisher Bloom Books.

[᧔ L ᧓]

I am seated.

[Shabby -BookBistroBlog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Devney deftly weaves burn of Forbidden love with high octane suspense drama, and all the sentiments in between. It's charged with sizzling chemistry setting the pages on fire
I love this bite in her words. Ever versatile Devney proves yet again that a phenomenal writer can just about make any story awesome cause genius is in her head. What a departure from her usual small town, sweet/angsty romance this has been. I sucked in every word like a delectable, forbidden wine with dark chocolate, savouring them with a naughty delight while doing so.
its a big fat book. Three stories about three couples enmeshed in one, because these characters are crazy about each other, make each other crazy and end up falling crazily in love.
A crazy ride into the world of young adults struggling to balance their academics, life, peers, bullies and all sorts of secrets they're hiding.
It's a lot of pressure for someone so young and herein lies its beauty.
Devney has handled the trope of Bully Romance in a very refreshing way. Enough to keep me intrigued and invested, who stays miles away from this trope.
But as the gates of the mansion opened, I wanted to explore every corner, nook & cranny of this intriguing house haunted with terrible memories. The house is crawling with Poison Ivy, literally and metaphorically.
Ivy Clarence is wound around the Mansion, looking beautiful from afar but it hides venomous snakes of lies, betrayals and an obsession with control.

“Trusting people is how you get your heart broken.”
“You’ve got it wrong.” Edwin shook his head.
“Trusting people is how you mend your broken heart.”

Cassia Collins is the latest victim who seems to have wandered in this poisonous den to be devoured by Ivy.
Elora Eldorado just sits on the sidelines, munching popcorn and watches the drama unfold every time.
This trio of crazy-in-the-head people have an obsession with hiding their own skeletons while they go around digging others' backyards. Also involved are Ivy's brothers Zain & Edwin and their friend Tate. But generally they're here to lend amorous support. The book belongs to these women!!

"Sometimes the blood in your veins is a curse, not a blessing.”

Although they're as much a spectators as Cassia, soon things begin to unravel and unhinge pretty fast. cassia impressed me with her mettle and sass, Eldora with her broken heart but Ivy really turned over to show me a vulnerable side of her. And it was humbling and endearing at the same time
I loved the book, couldn't stop reading it and would've loved some more of it. Another spectacular Ivy Leaf in Devney's crown
Narration by Samantha Brentmoor , Megan Wicks , Vanessa Edwin, & Robert Hatchet was outstanding.
5 stars For Two Hearts. One Beat
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[Jodi - JodiReadsnListens · Rating 5 out of 5]

** Audio Review **
All the little twisted affairs! The Secrets of Clarence Manor was an addictive and alluring billionaire romance that had me hooked and entranced from start to finish. I couldn’t get enough of Ivy and Tate, Elora and Zain, and Cassia and Edwin and all of their solemn secrets that were just waiting to unravel and be discovered. Devney never disappoints, and once again proves she is a masterful storyteller.

Samantha Brentmoor, Vanessa Edwin, Megan Wicks, and Robert Hatchet perform this audiobook in duet-style narration. Told from Ivy, Elora, and Cassia’s points of view, each lady fully embodied each leading heroine to the fullest. Samantha’s sassy, quick-witted performance conveyed Ivy’s bossy and conniving demeanor, peeling back a softer layer when challenged by Tate. Megan’s warm, delectable voice enveloped Elora’s inquisitive and passionate persona as she dealt with her feelings with Zain. Vanessa’s light, ethereal tone emitted all of Cassia’s grace mixed with her conflicted feelings for Edwin. Robert’s rich, swoony timbre performs all of the dialogue for Tate, Zain, and Edwin, making this a fully immersive listening experience.

Overall, I LOVED this book. If you are a fan of an Elite University romance based on three heroines each dealing with their own trauma and secrets, three leading fellas that become these ladies’ solid rocks, gossip, new roommates, night clubs, family drama, all the spice, study dates, dangerous accidents, learning to trust, revealing truths about the past, intimate conversations, lies, betrayal, love declarations, and HEAs for all, then you will love Ivy, Tate, Elora, Zain, Cassia, and Edwin’s stories. I always look forward to more from Devney Perry.

[Mysti · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Thank you to Podium for the ALC!

I was so excited for this one and loved the premise! 3 couples, 6 MCs, 3 POVs. This just worked and I loved it!

Cassia is the new girl to Aston, running from past secrets and boy her secret was twisted! Edwin falls hard and fast for Cassia while his twin sister and her don’t get along. I loved how much Edwin perused her and showed her how much he cared. He was patient, and even times when he didn’t seem like he would remain patient, he just gave her room to breathe and come to him. I loved them.

Elora and Zain, holy hotness. They’ve been hooking up for 3 years behind Ivy’s back. Zain is the older brother. And now he’s 30 and wants to settle down and think about starting a family. Elora is jaded because of her mother and father’s relationship. And she’s digging up family secrets that will completely change her world. Their will they won’t they will hook you and have you rooting for them from start to finish.

Ivy and Tate…the drama, and by drama I mean Ivy. Ivy is a touch crazy, though she has reasons. Tate is Zain’s best friend, that she’s never heard of. He comes out of no where for Ivy and breaks down her walls. Ivy learns and grows for me the most in this story. I loved how Tate didn’t take her shit and got her to open up.

I loved this one so much. It was such a unique experience and the audio was absolutely incredible!

Read: ALC 🎧
MMC: Edwin, Zain, Tate
FMC: Cassia, Elora, Ivy
Spice: 2🌶️
Tropes:
Billionaire
Hidden Identity
Elite University
Brother’s BF/BF’s Brother
Family Secrets
Lies/Betrayal

[Gabby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven’t read a book like this at all. This book is from the three FMC’s POV’s and navigating not only secrets they’re harboring but being 21 years old and figuring out who they want to be for the rest of their lives. Each woman is very different and their secrets I couldn’t even guess. I read this in less than 24 hours because needing to know the secrets and how everyone ended up was a must. At one point, I literally was like these confessions are blowing my mind. The couples in this book and their journey of getting together was another reason I had to keep going.

This book is character and plot driven over just being a romance and I enjoyed it. All the twist and turns, some of the chapters ending after dropping a bomb, had me just keep going. Cassia, Ivy and Elora were very different from each other and the navigation they each took of telling their secrets and finding their person was so good. My favorite couple will forever be Elora and Zain. These two were so messy but that love confession mended my heart and had me tearing up. But if one more person walked about without talking about things, I was going to tear my hair out. I think I yelled at my kindle, JUST TALK, I don’t know how many times.

Thank you to Devney Perry for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

Tropes:
✨Billionaire
✨Hidden identity
✨Elite university
✨Forbidden romance
✨Family secrets
✨Lies + betrayal

[Mandy Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. I devoured this book and the audio in 24 hours. Both were SO good!!

Devney Perry can write - we already knew that, and she delivered again. The Secrets of Clarence Manor is the story of three roommates at an elite university and the lies and secrets they hold. We meet Ivy, Cassia, and Elora and learn what they're hiding - and how they find love and overcome it all. This is a book that will grip you from page 1 (or the minute you turn on the audio) and you will not want to put it down.

In this book you will have romance, secrets, lies, hidden identity, learning to overcome past trauma, and finding love despite it all. You will love Zain, Edwin, and Tate (Zain being my favorite) too! The multi-cast audiobook enhances it all if you do an immersive read. The narrators are superb and nail the emotions of it all!

If you're a fan of Devney Perry, then this is a must-read (a bonus if you like Pretty Little Liars and Gossip Girl)!!! I would give it 6 stars if I could!

Many, many thanks to Devney and her team for the ARC and ALC to review!

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was absolutely hanging onto every word of Cassia, Ivy and Elora’s story in The Secrets of Clarence Manor, Book 1 in the Aston University series by @devneyperry Thank you Devney for my eARC!

In this story we follow along with Cassia, Ivy and Elora and the secrets they hide from everyone. All three of the girls have trust issues but the men in their lives come bulldozing in and will not back down from a challenge.

Just when you think you know the whole story Devney drops another bombshell. I absolutely loved how Edwin and Tate would not let Cassia and Ivy push them away and Zain is so far gone for Elora but is willing to let her go if that is what she really wants.

Devney does not shy away from the heartache with so many secrets that are unraveled that have been haunting the girls, I loved seeing them find their persons to be able to confide in and lift that burden.

I can’t wait to see what else happens at Afton University.

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

[TiffanyMarieTicer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg! What kind of voodoo is this!! This was so addicting! I ate this up! I listened to the audiobook and the narrators all did amazing!

This has 3 POVs Cassia, Elora, and Ivy! I think lots of us will have a fav, but while I loved all threee of these ladies —Elora is my absolute fav!!! The MMCs are so swooony and I loved them all equally!

This book is all about secrets being discovered! You aren’t sure where it’s going at first, but then you start getting the a glimpse at the secrets and you’re hooked! I didn’t want to stop reading.

This one also makes you emotional and these characters tug at your heart and you truly feel just a bit of their emotions!

Let’s talk spice! Yes. This one has quite a bit more than I was expecting, but it wasn’t kinky, it was earned and sensual.

I think this is a standalone, but I could totally use more of this world and these characters 😭

[Kelly M · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

The Secrets of Clarence Manor
Devney Perry
Aston University, book one
Narrated by Samantha Brentmoor, Megan Wicks, Vanessa Edwin, Robert Hatchet

⭐⭐⭐⭐💫

Thank you to the author for a gifted eARC and ALC of the book!

Devney Perry is an auto-buy/auto-read author for me so I was super excited to get my hands on her latest! We get elite university setting + billionaire romances + undertone of mystery/secrets. This was such as fun read, I devoured it in a day. I really connected with all of the characters in our main trio and enjoyed each of their stories. The spice was perfect. It was a major Gossip Girl vibe and I was here for it. I thought the narration was really well done by all. Loved it!

What to expect:
Billionaire romance
Elite university
Secrets
Forbidden Romance
Hidden identity

[Michelle Robichaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ARC/ALC REVIEW✨

Oh my gosh! Devney!! This book.. thank you for letting me early read. I was so excited to see you stepping into a different genre! And even more excited to be chosen for it.

This was a multi POV… usually I’m not a fan, but this was incredibly well done. It was easy to follow and the audio was fantastic!! The narrators did FABULOUSLY!

The 3 FMCs were all different, but then they weren’t. They all have their back stories, and family drama. There is sass and banter.

This book had romance, deceit, family drama, trauma, healing, found family, and a little of all the good pieces in between.

It was spicy but it was well done. I’d have to give it a solid 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️, outta 5 on the spicy level. 🤭🤭🤭

Soooo good!!! The epilogue tho… I realllllly hope you’re making a book 2!!! 😮‍💨

[Marti · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not get enough of this book or the audio they were both SO good!!
Devney Perry is my absolute favorite and can do no wrong! She killed it with The Secrets of Clarence Manor!
Three roommates at an elite university and all the lies and secrets they have. Yes please!
Ivy, Cassia, and Elora were so fun to learn about and finding out what they're hiding really had me turning those pages! Zain, Edwin, and Tate were so swoony and I loved each and every one of them.
Watching these relationships develop and evolve was everything! But watching the secrets unfold and seeing each couple overcome all their obstacles really had me captivated.

The multi-cast audiobook enhanced it all during my immersive read. The narrators are fantastic and nail every part of this book!

BIG thanks to Devney and her team for the ARC and ALC to review!

[Katelyn Kongable · Rating 3 out of 5]

I will start by saying that I have read all of Devneys books and am a huge fan. I also read the original of this book and felt similar to how I do how I do now. This story is wildly different from how Devney typically writes and is geared towards a new adult audience I believe. This story is set in college and is focused on three different different girls Ivy, Cassia, and Elora. They are roommates living in Clarence manor and they all share different secrets. I found that the secrets were wild but the romances were meh. I think it was probably due to having to focus on so many at one time. I think if these three stories were split into standalones it would have been easier to connect with each character.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

HANDS DOWN one of the BEST books I’ve read this year! 😍📚

The Secrets of Clarence Manor by Devney Perry — WOW. Just WOW. This story was MESSY in the absolute BEST way possible, and I was completely hooked! The twists, the drama, the secrets… I ate EVERY. SINGLE. BIT. OF. IT. UP! 🤌🏻

If you’re looking for a book that will keep you turning pages and leave you thinking about it long after you finish, ADD THIS ONE TO YOUR TBR!

A HUGE thank you to Devney Perry and her team for sending me a #gifted eARC AND ALC for the ultimate immersive reading experience! Being able to read AND listen made this one even better! 💚

🗝️ The Secrets of Clarence Manor
📅 Out November 10 in ALL formats!

[Kylie Fua · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as Advanced Reader Copy.

I could not put this book down. There is no good stopping point because you always need to know what happens next.

I really enjoyed the characters and getting to know them, the dynamics between each couple, and the way their stories are so seamlessly woven together.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys dark academia, billionaire romances, and if you don’t mind ignoring your friends for a few days while you inhale this book.

Great for in between fantasy books or if you’re between series. This is currently a standalone.


I really loved this book

[Eva ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! What a whirlwind! Drama, secrets, and twisted little affairs are abundant in this one.

The intricate web Devney wove throughout this story was a fun little mystery to uncover. And just when you thought you’d figure something out, another twist would pop up. It’s giving Gossip Girl, but more dark academia.

I loved reading the POV from each character, and the conclusion to each of their stories was so satisfying.

To secrets. And the people we trust to keep them. 🥂

[Emma Greenway · Rating 4 out of 5]

Devney Perry is one of my favourite authors and I love her writing style. Clarence manor was no exception - I loved how she portrayed the relationships and enjoyed the multi POV’s. If you like Dark college romances you need to read this.

[Huniyah]

Expected publication November 10