Pride Comes Before a Fall is book 3 in Virginia Heath’s Regency romance series, Miss Prentice’s Protegees and features Portia, a headstrong supporter of reform who takes a job as governess to a duke’s rebellious sisters, and soon finds herself falling in love.
I read book two in this series, and enjoyed reading the story of another of Miss Prentice’s governesses. Portia’s story is especially interesting as she juggles her duties as a chaperone to two young women who are intent on bucking their brother’s rules, and her duties as assistant editor of a newspaper dedicated to the reform movement, and the target of one of the local constables who is especially irritated by the articles printed.
Pride Comes Before a Fall continued in the vein of a romantic comedy, with Portia getting into some rather comical situations due to the young ladies she is chaperoning, but there is a more serious side to this novel as it navigates the consequences of her dedication to the reform movement. While on the lighter side this book does have a more serious side, especially when Portia ends up in jail, charged with some serious crimes, due to her involvement with the newspaper, and the corruption of the constable who holds a grudge against the reformers.
I also loved Leo, the Duke of Debden, who seemed very forward thinking for a duke of the time. The only problem I had with him was his temper, which a few times got the better of him, and felt out of character compared to his behaviour at other times in the novel.
I look forward to reading the next book in the series, and plan to read the first as well. If you enjoy historical romance with more modern sensibilities, then I think you’ll enjoy Pride Comes Before a Fall.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Pride Comes Before a Fall will be available on July 28 2026.
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