TWs: Heavy drink and drug use, sexual assault, abuse, bullying

I listened to Reputation by author, Lex Croucher, as an e-ARC audiobook through @netgalley. I was excited to jump in because historical fiction is my absolute favorite genre and this was written within my favorite era.

So, first things first, Reputation is not your typical Regency-era historical fiction because there is a lot that is just simply not historically accurate. The main character, Georgiana Ellers, makes friends with the “cool kids” in town and they’re constantly off at unchaperoned parties, getting drunk, getting high among other things that wouldn’t be so openly done in high society. That isn’t to say that these things didn’t happen, they absolutely did, but they wouldn’t be so carte blanche.

Now, I don’t traditionally read reviews before I try a new book because I don’t want to be biased so I didn’t read any warnings to prepare me. However, once I was about a quarter of the way in I realized I didn’t care. I’m not a traditionalist so I learned to embrace the differentness of this book within a genre I love and know well. Once I did, I struggled to hit the pause button.

The will they, won’t they within the characters of this story was captivating and the Mr. Darcy/Lizzie-eque romance between Georgiana and Mr. Hawksley kept me wanting more.

I always judge an audiobook by my feelings a split second after the ending message begins. When Reputation ended I was sad; not because it was a bad book, but because I didn’t want it to end.

It’s not a traditional historical fiction piece and I think that is part of what makes this book brilliant.

A huge thank you to @netgalley, author @lexcanroar and @macmillian.audio for early access to the US Version of Reputation, out now.