It was pancake night. The batter got everywhere. Rebecca insisted on blueberries and Marcus wanted chocolate chips. We all crowded the table under a single lamp and read aloud from the first page between bites. That tiny, silly ritual made the book feel like company. After that cozy moment, I picked up Grace and settled in for a warm, funny Regency romp.
Plot Summary
Grace by Beverley Watts introduces the Shackleford family and centers on Grace Shackleford, her unruly sisters, and the tangled social world of Regency England. The story follows Grace as she faces a surprising match with the Duke of Blackmore and the social misadventures that follow. The setting is classic Regency: country houses, drawing rooms, and polite scandal. The central conflict mixes social expectations, family hijinks, and a slow-building romantic connection. This book is the first in The Shackleford Sisters series and leans into romantic comedy within historical romance.
Why I Love This Book
I love how funny it is. The humor lands in the little moments. The characters are lively and full of quirks. I like that Grace is more than the polite label others give her. The pacing is brisk. The tone blends light comedy, warm family scenes, and just enough emotional pull to keep me paging. Community readers describe it as a feel-good Regency romance, and I agree — it feels like a teatime treat.
Who Will Like This Book
If you enjoy Regency romance, historical romance, or romantic comedy, you’ll likely enjoy Grace. Fans of lighthearted, family-centered stories will find the Shackleford sisters charming. If you want steam, this is gentle on that front and focuses more on wit and heart. If you prefer dark, gritty romance, this is not the book for you. First-person: I found it perfect for sofa reading, tea, and a rainy afternoon.
⚠️ Trigger warning: mild sexual references, brief emotional distress, social pressure, and mentions of family conflict.
Tagged As
Regency romance, historical romance, romantic comedy, light romance, family-centered, feel-good, clean romance, debut in series, Shackleford Sisters series, cozy historical, witty banter, slow-burn flirtation, indie/HEA vibes
Steam Level
The romance in Grace is largely chaste and implied. Intimacy is suggested rather than explicit. The heart of the story is wit, family comedy, and the slow unfolding of attraction. It reads like a warm cup of tea with a scone—comforting and charming without heavy erotic detail.
