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Brannans Family Saga #1
Autumn Softly Fell
An evocative and charming Edwardian family saga
Dorothea looked out of the nursery window. Hours and hours had passed and her papa had not come.
Abandoned by her father and left in the care of an uncle she has never met, eight-year-old Dorothea Ryan finds herself cast away in a big, strange house in the middle of the countryside. No one seems to want her. Her one wish is to return to her old home in London.
But as time passes and hopes of ever going back start to fade, Dorothea becomes more and more enmeshed in her new life at Clifton Park. She begins to wonder just where home really is . . .
A beautifully written story of identity, loyalty and family set in the bucolic Edwardian countryside.
Dorothea looked out of the nursery window. Hours and hours had passed and her papa had not come.
Abandoned by her father and left in the care of an uncle she has never met, eight-year-old Dorothea Ryan finds herself cast away in a big, strange house in the middle of the countryside. No one seems to want her. Her one wish is to return to her old home in London.
But as time passes and hopes of ever going back start to fade, Dorothea becomes more and more enmeshed in her new life at Clifton Park. She begins to wonder just where home really is . . .
A beautifully written story of identity, loyalty and family set in the bucolic Edwardian countryside.
246 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 31, 2013
677 people are currently reading
297 people want to read
About the author
Dominic Luke
12 books10 followersDominic Luke was born in London and lives in Northamptonshire. He has written five published novels: Aunt Letitia, a story ranging from the 1880s to the Second World War; the contemporary Snake in the Grass; and three interlinking novels set in the first decades of the twentieth century, Autumn Softly Fell, Nothing Undone Remains and Dreams That Veil.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
August 7, 2025
December 31st, 1899, and eight year old Dorothea Ryan was taken by her father to Clifton Park, the home of her uncle whom she'd never met. Left in the care of Uncle Albert and Aunt Eloise, Dorothea was frightened, wondering if she'd ever see her father again. But as life moved forward, she began to come out of her shell, getting to know the other family members of Clifton Park. When a governess arrived for Dorothea, she moved ahead quickly after some initial stumbling. Would she ever see her father again? Would Clifton Park become home, or would she forever think of London as her home?
Autumn Softly Fell by Dominic Luke was a gentle story, quiet but with the usual ructions from the son of the family and his friends (and enemies). Dorothea was a sweet child, and it was good to see her gain some mettle as she grew older and more confident. 1st in the Brannans Family Saga series, I enjoyed it and am happy to recommend.
Autumn Softly Fell by Dominic Luke was a gentle story, quiet but with the usual ructions from the son of the family and his friends (and enemies). Dorothea was a sweet child, and it was good to see her gain some mettle as she grew older and more confident. 1st in the Brannans Family Saga series, I enjoyed it and am happy to recommend.
October 18, 2022
I’ve just started this book and have been thinking how like the secret garden it is. I’m not going to read anymore as Dorothea has just got to a disused garden and met a boy….. the similarities are more than similarities they are a copy!!! How does one pass off something as their own when the story is clearly someone else’s.
September 20, 2023
Loved this book!
When I first began reading it, I don’t know what I was expecting. Perhaps echoes of one of my favorite books, The Rising of the Lark, by Ann Moray, and there’s a tiny bit of that, but also a little bit of The Secret Garden and some things that remind me of R. F. Delderfield’s Valley trilogy. However, in the end, this is its own story, the tale that begins with a small, ragged little girl being dropped off one rainy night by her ne’er do well father at the grand home of his brother, who has married into money. Her father disappears, leaving the bewildered eight year old with the relatives she didn’t know she had, and she begins to grow up in this new way of life in the early twentieth century, trying to figure out the world around her. The characters and the time period are well drawn, and Luke’s ability to get into the mind of a young girl growing up is uncanny. There are more books in the series but they apparently each concentrate on a different character. This one can stand alone quite well.
When I first began reading it, I don’t know what I was expecting. Perhaps echoes of one of my favorite books, The Rising of the Lark, by Ann Moray, and there’s a tiny bit of that, but also a little bit of The Secret Garden and some things that remind me of R. F. Delderfield’s Valley trilogy. However, in the end, this is its own story, the tale that begins with a small, ragged little girl being dropped off one rainy night by her ne’er do well father at the grand home of his brother, who has married into money. Her father disappears, leaving the bewildered eight year old with the relatives she didn’t know she had, and she begins to grow up in this new way of life in the early twentieth century, trying to figure out the world around her. The characters and the time period are well drawn, and Luke’s ability to get into the mind of a young girl growing up is uncanny. There are more books in the series but they apparently each concentrate on a different character. This one can stand alone quite well.
November 4, 2023
Autumn Softly Fell was the story of a 9-year-old girl abandoned with relatives. While I found about the first fourth of the book interesting, the rest was really mediocre.
May 26, 2023
This is the first book in the Brannans Family Trilogy and the first I've read from this author. Dorothea, tired and afraid, finds herself abandoned by her father at her Aunt & Uncle's mansion. Dorothea finds herself among strangers.
The storyline is about how a young underprivileged girl adjusts to a new lifestyle in a world very foreign to her. She has times of melancholy, but also times filled with a new sense of worth and love.
The author's writing style was different because of some British terms, but I found myself mesmerized by the many layers of the characters, descriptions of everyday life, and the countryside. It is a well-written tale that will bring out all of your emotions. I can't wait to read the rest of the series.
The storyline is about how a young underprivileged girl adjusts to a new lifestyle in a world very foreign to her. She has times of melancholy, but also times filled with a new sense of worth and love.
The author's writing style was different because of some British terms, but I found myself mesmerized by the many layers of the characters, descriptions of everyday life, and the countryside. It is a well-written tale that will bring out all of your emotions. I can't wait to read the rest of the series.
September 20, 2023
It was annoying that she used The Secret Garden as her own work. The rest is her own story but doesn't make up for unacknowledged stealing.
December 27, 2025
I didn't know what to expect from this book--it was so intriguing but gentle. A historical about people who seemed very real. At first, I wondered if it would be too much like The Secret Garden but no, that may have inspired it but it didn't dominate. It read like a steadily flowing river, not a flood if you get my meaning. I will real more by this author.
September 15, 2023
Autumn
She was eight when dropped off with her uncle and fifteen at the end of this story. She is quite observant of her surroundings and the people there. The story moves slowly at times but a family is observed as time passes.
She was eight when dropped off with her uncle and fifteen at the end of this story. She is quite observant of her surroundings and the people there. The story moves slowly at times but a family is observed as time passes.
January 1, 2023
This was an endearing, gentle story of a young girl suddenly and traumatically transplanted from the rough streets of London to the country house of her uncle.
Throughout, the young, female voice of Dorothea was excellently captured in all its naivety, curiosity and bewilderment. The reader follows her as she comes to terms with and explores the strange new world in which she finds herself. The cast of characters is well-drawn, coming from both the wealthy family in the big house and the 'ordinary' folks of the village. Dorothea's early life and distant relation to the family means she belongs in both places equally.
The era is very well-rendered too, especially the advent of the motorcar.
Really, I don't know why I didn't like this book more, and three stars is beginning to feel a bit mean. The trajectory of the story seemed to move very slowly; the arc of it was faint, if sweet. Maybe that's it; it was TOO sweet, a bit saccharine. It felt more like a children's book than an adult one. I'd have liked Clifton, the house, to have had more presence in its own right than it did. The title baffles me; if anything the story was about the spring of Dorothea's life.
I didn't know that this was the first of a series of books. Will I go on to read the others? The jury is out.
Throughout, the young, female voice of Dorothea was excellently captured in all its naivety, curiosity and bewilderment. The reader follows her as she comes to terms with and explores the strange new world in which she finds herself. The cast of characters is well-drawn, coming from both the wealthy family in the big house and the 'ordinary' folks of the village. Dorothea's early life and distant relation to the family means she belongs in both places equally.
The era is very well-rendered too, especially the advent of the motorcar.
Really, I don't know why I didn't like this book more, and three stars is beginning to feel a bit mean. The trajectory of the story seemed to move very slowly; the arc of it was faint, if sweet. Maybe that's it; it was TOO sweet, a bit saccharine. It felt more like a children's book than an adult one. I'd have liked Clifton, the house, to have had more presence in its own right than it did. The title baffles me; if anything the story was about the spring of Dorothea's life.
I didn't know that this was the first of a series of books. Will I go on to read the others? The jury is out.
November 4, 2024
Autumn Softly Fell by Dominic Luke is a 2013 Joffe Books publication.
Full disclosure: I picked this book up from the KU program simply because the title and the cover had a fall/autumn vibe to it. It also promised to be a family saga and for some reason when the days get shorter, I often feel compelled to grab a good family drama to curl up with.
The story is centered around Dorothea, whose father dropped her off at his brother’s home without warning. While she eventually makes peace with her father’s abandonment and learns to enjoy the privileges that her uncle can afford, she feels like she’s living in a kind of limbo, unable to feel entirely comfortable in her uncle’s home, longing for her old life in London, desperate to hear some word of her father, and wishing she knew exactly where she belonged.
This is a short story, a kind coming of age tale about feeling like one doesn’t quite fit in with anyone in their family or community no matter how hard one tries. Still, without really realizing it, Dorothea is being accepted in ways she never expected and will finally come to that realization, giving her some hard-won peace.
Many found this book to have a few similarities with a certain children’s classic- and I couldn’t help but notice it, as well, after others mentioned it. That said, this story, though clean, is a novel meant for adults- and the premise is not so familiar I’d accuse the author of borrowing from someone else’s work, as some reviewers suggested.
At the end of the day, my biggest complaint was that I felt there was more to say, that the story ended a bit abruptly and though I could see the point of the novel and I think I see what the author was going for here, it felt unfinished somehow. Then I realized this was book one in a series… so there you go! There is indeed more to say- and the author will get around to that in subsequent installments.
Overall, though, a pleasant read- something a bit different for a change. I found it enjoyable enough to continue with the series. I’m still on the hunt for an Autumn/Fall read, though. 🍂🍂🍂
3.5 stars
Full disclosure: I picked this book up from the KU program simply because the title and the cover had a fall/autumn vibe to it. It also promised to be a family saga and for some reason when the days get shorter, I often feel compelled to grab a good family drama to curl up with.
The story is centered around Dorothea, whose father dropped her off at his brother’s home without warning. While she eventually makes peace with her father’s abandonment and learns to enjoy the privileges that her uncle can afford, she feels like she’s living in a kind of limbo, unable to feel entirely comfortable in her uncle’s home, longing for her old life in London, desperate to hear some word of her father, and wishing she knew exactly where she belonged.
This is a short story, a kind coming of age tale about feeling like one doesn’t quite fit in with anyone in their family or community no matter how hard one tries. Still, without really realizing it, Dorothea is being accepted in ways she never expected and will finally come to that realization, giving her some hard-won peace.
Many found this book to have a few similarities with a certain children’s classic- and I couldn’t help but notice it, as well, after others mentioned it. That said, this story, though clean, is a novel meant for adults- and the premise is not so familiar I’d accuse the author of borrowing from someone else’s work, as some reviewers suggested.
At the end of the day, my biggest complaint was that I felt there was more to say, that the story ended a bit abruptly and though I could see the point of the novel and I think I see what the author was going for here, it felt unfinished somehow. Then I realized this was book one in a series… so there you go! There is indeed more to say- and the author will get around to that in subsequent installments.
Overall, though, a pleasant read- something a bit different for a change. I found it enjoyable enough to continue with the series. I’m still on the hunt for an Autumn/Fall read, though. 🍂🍂🍂
3.5 stars
August 15, 2025
A slightly rambling saga of eight-year-old Dorothea Ryan, who is taken from her poor life in London and abandoned by her father, who has fallen on even harder-than-usual times, with an uncle, far from everything familiar, away in the countryside.
With echoes of The Secret Garden, there is a scruffy boy from the village who scrumps apples without compunction; Richard, the crippled heir eeking out an existence in a darkened room with a crotchety Nurse, and an entitled young man, Roderick, who spends a lot of time at school and makes her life a misery when he's home.
The narrative covers the next eight years of Dorothea's life as she comes to terms with her new home, learns to love her governess, avoids Nanny and the stern housekeeper as much as she can, and slowly learns to trust the adults who have brought her into their vast and sprawling home.
The narrative inevitably jumps a bit, covers swathes of time and fills the interim in flashbacks, but is a pleasant tale with a story arc that includes the coming of the motor car and the bonus of a perspective shift that comes with adolescence.
With echoes of The Secret Garden, there is a scruffy boy from the village who scrumps apples without compunction; Richard, the crippled heir eeking out an existence in a darkened room with a crotchety Nurse, and an entitled young man, Roderick, who spends a lot of time at school and makes her life a misery when he's home.
The narrative covers the next eight years of Dorothea's life as she comes to terms with her new home, learns to love her governess, avoids Nanny and the stern housekeeper as much as she can, and slowly learns to trust the adults who have brought her into their vast and sprawling home.
The narrative inevitably jumps a bit, covers swathes of time and fills the interim in flashbacks, but is a pleasant tale with a story arc that includes the coming of the motor car and the bonus of a perspective shift that comes with adolescence.
October 2, 2023
The characters were interesting. Dorothea was interesting enough. She survived childhood with lots of help.
I read and read and read wondering what was happening- the purpose of all Dorothea’s story at all. It seemed all that was intended to happen was that she grow up. She did, as we all do. But the author takes the reader nowhere in particular. It was a surprise to find myself at the end. It was the biggest surprise of all.
The writing is clean- but it’s not truly a story. I would NOT recommend this book to anyone, nor give it as a gift.
This story is over the course of 8 years as Dorothea grows into herself and ends when she is 15. It’s almost as though this book was written by the author as part of a previous book- this was a skein of stories pieces that the author regretted having to cut as he liked what he’d written. So, “what the heck- I like these pages of words do I will use them in another book.” The book goes nowhere at all and I have no clue as to why. I will not waste my time reading anything else by this author.
I read and read and read wondering what was happening- the purpose of all Dorothea’s story at all. It seemed all that was intended to happen was that she grow up. She did, as we all do. But the author takes the reader nowhere in particular. It was a surprise to find myself at the end. It was the biggest surprise of all.
The writing is clean- but it’s not truly a story. I would NOT recommend this book to anyone, nor give it as a gift.
This story is over the course of 8 years as Dorothea grows into herself and ends when she is 15. It’s almost as though this book was written by the author as part of a previous book- this was a skein of stories pieces that the author regretted having to cut as he liked what he’d written. So, “what the heck- I like these pages of words do I will use them in another book.” The book goes nowhere at all and I have no clue as to why. I will not waste my time reading anything else by this author.
January 30, 2024
This book had neither plot nor passion. The main character is introduced as a poverty stricken waif of 8, dropped off and abandoned forever by her chronically down on his luck alcoholic father. The book covers Doro’s growing up in the wealthy family that took her in, a family she is related to through her dead mother; she is a poor relation in every way. The book ends a few days after her 15th birthday. By then she has become a full member of the family, and along the way she has had some essentially ordinary experiences which contributed to her maturation. That’s it. Deadly dull. Not evocative and charming at all, but possibly a good rendering of Edwardian England? I find it hard to believe that there are two more books to follow in the series.I won’t be reading them.
January 12, 2024
Potential
Slow-paced, starting with the mc at 8 years old. Dorothea's father leaves her in the care of his recently deceased wife's brother & his wife. Her Aunt Eloise doesn't seem to want her at first & mostly ignored her, (to be fair, she mostly ignored her own children as well).
Although nothing untoward actually happened, an older male character gave me the ick because it felt like the book is setting up a future match. The male is 22, (iirc), when the girl shows up at 8.
Slow-paced, starting with the mc at 8 years old. Dorothea's father leaves her in the care of his recently deceased wife's brother & his wife. Her Aunt Eloise doesn't seem to want her at first & mostly ignored her, (to be fair, she mostly ignored her own children as well).
Although nothing untoward actually happened, an older male character gave me the ick because it felt like the book is setting up a future match. The male is 22, (iirc), when the girl shows up at 8.
November 10, 2025
I needed a book to read after a particularly long and arduous one and before a desired one that was in transit. What to do? Go to my Kindle to see what I had purchased and not yet read. I found this book that had been a Kindle deal one day, first in a series, if it was good I would have others to follow. it’s simple and enjoyable. Nothing hidden,no deep thinking involved, an easy book to read that is just as the description professes in terms of story line. Nothing special in terms of the writing or the characters, but perhaps one day I will read the next installation in the series.
December 15, 2025
AUTUMN SOFTLY FELL by Dominic Luke -- Not sure why I selected this book to read. Probably a good review and recommendation on GoodReads, but it gets neither from me. Eight-year-old Dorothea lives with her father in a rough area of London. He can't provide for her and she struggles. Her father takes her to the countryside and a large home with many family members she's never met or even known about. No one knows her, or likes her, or seems to want her there. All she wants is to return home with her father, who has abandoned her. Not a fun or enjoyable read. Two stars at best, probably one.
July 8, 2021
A vivid snippet of early 20th century England.
A young eight-year-old girl thrust on her well-to-do uncle by her alcoholic father finds her way into acceptance and belonging. The writing is slow and easy masterfully pulling together Dorothea’s growing into a young lady within the historical and social events of the early 1900s’s. I enjoyed the setting in England.
A young eight-year-old girl thrust on her well-to-do uncle by her alcoholic father finds her way into acceptance and belonging. The writing is slow and easy masterfully pulling together Dorothea’s growing into a young lady within the historical and social events of the early 1900s’s. I enjoyed the setting in England.
June 20, 2022
A very pleasant read!
This is the second book I have read by this author and is the first of a trilogy. Have enjoyed it and fully intend to read the entire trilogy. I would say these are ‘gentle books’ and a nice easy read, but not what I would term Exciting. Good basic story line with lots of description so that you can clearly ‘see’ how things were then.
This is the second book I have read by this author and is the first of a trilogy. Have enjoyed it and fully intend to read the entire trilogy. I would say these are ‘gentle books’ and a nice easy read, but not what I would term Exciting. Good basic story line with lots of description so that you can clearly ‘see’ how things were then.
September 19, 2023
Growing up
This was an ok story of a poor young girl abandoned by her father at the age of 9. She want to the big house full of servants and relatives. Alk she wanted was her papa. Life changed for the better and she wad excepted and grew to be a wonderful young lady.
I thought the story wad way roo wordy.
This was an ok story of a poor young girl abandoned by her father at the age of 9. She want to the big house full of servants and relatives. Alk she wanted was her papa. Life changed for the better and she wad excepted and grew to be a wonderful young lady.
I thought the story wad way roo wordy.
September 20, 2023
Abandon and found
8 years old and abandoned by her father to a house and family she didn't know. Dorothea must come to accept this great change in her life. Over several years of growing up many people come into her life to help her. Finally she comes to realize that this is not just a house but truly her home.
8 years old and abandoned by her father to a house and family she didn't know. Dorothea must come to accept this great change in her life. Over several years of growing up many people come into her life to help her. Finally she comes to realize that this is not just a house but truly her home.
September 6, 2024
Secret garden vs little princess
Autumn Softly Fell by Dominic Luke ⭐⭐⭐
Doretha, age 8, abandoned by her father with her Aunt and Uncle. Her Aunt not wanting anything to do with her.
The rest is a mystery to me. Couldn't make heads or tails of the plot or what the author was trying to say.
Autumn Softly Fell by Dominic Luke ⭐⭐⭐
Doretha, age 8, abandoned by her father with her Aunt and Uncle. Her Aunt not wanting anything to do with her.
The rest is a mystery to me. Couldn't make heads or tails of the plot or what the author was trying to say.
December 29, 2025
Such a good period piece!
Loved this storyline; glad this is just part one of a series, I cannot wait to see this family saga to the end.the author has made well drawn characters, and even the house has a personality. I have already downloaded book 2 and I must go now so I can get to the rest of the story.
Loved this storyline; glad this is just part one of a series, I cannot wait to see this family saga to the end.the author has made well drawn characters, and even the house has a personality. I have already downloaded book 2 and I must go now so I can get to the rest of the story.
May 28, 2021
A good story.
This is the story of Dorathea and her journey from being left in tags with her uncle and how her life changed. This is a lovely story and I look forward to the second book.
This is the story of Dorathea and her journey from being left in tags with her uncle and how her life changed. This is a lovely story and I look forward to the second book.
May 10, 2023
This could have been so much better
This was very mediocre to say the least.
It tells the tale of a girl left with her rich uncle by her lowly father.
Nothing much happens and I found it not such a good read!.
This was very mediocre to say the least.
It tells the tale of a girl left with her rich uncle by her lowly father.
Nothing much happens and I found it not such a good read!.
September 16, 2023
I very much enjoyed this book, which started at midnight on Dec 31 1899. I couldn't help thinking that all the children in the story would be involved in the Great War in a few short years. Highly recommended.
September 17, 2023
Dorothea is abandoned by her father when she is seven. She finds herself living with an uncle that she never knew existed and his wife and children. As the years pass, she not only makes a place for herself in the family but in her community as well.
September 18, 2023
Growing up with Dorothea
She was a bewildered, frightened child who didn't understand why her poor father left her. As you watch Dorothea grow up, maturing to a lovely young lady, you will fall in love with her beautiful spirit.
She was a bewildered, frightened child who didn't understand why her poor father left her. As you watch Dorothea grow up, maturing to a lovely young lady, you will fall in love with her beautiful spirit.
September 22, 2023
Good book
I like this author. This book caught my interest from page one. Also liked that ending gave closure to this chapter of her life, still left room for sequels, without just dropping you into limbo hanging in mid air. My kind of a good read.
I like this author. This book caught my interest from page one. Also liked that ending gave closure to this chapter of her life, still left room for sequels, without just dropping you into limbo hanging in mid air. My kind of a good read.
September 22, 2023
Lovely book
Beautifully written and edited. Strong, emotional sense of time and place. A certain sense of mystery and possibility with engaging characters. I can think of no higher compliment than to say that it reminds me of the old classic "The Secret Garden.".
Beautifully written and edited. Strong, emotional sense of time and place. A certain sense of mystery and possibility with engaging characters. I can think of no higher compliment than to say that it reminds me of the old classic "The Secret Garden.".
October 26, 2023
I enjoyed this story quite a bit. It wasn’t as predictable as I expected, which was nice! The storyline was interesting. It was clean, no foul language or inappropriate scenes. I will probably read the next book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews