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Book Review: Discerning Grace

Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆ 4/5

Title: Discerning Grace (The White Sails Series Book 1)

Author: Emma Lombard

Publication Date: August 16, 2021

Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance, Adventure

Cover:

I like the cover of Discerning Grace and how the illustrator included relevant details from the story, such as the ship in the background and the red plaid shawl.

Premise

When Grace Baxter’s father arranges her marriage to Lord Silverton, she soon discovers she is nothing more than a pawn for their gain. Determined to escape Lord Silverton’s lecherous ways and society’s expectations, Grace disguises herself as a boy and sets sail on the naval ship HMS Discerning. However, Grace can only manage the charade for so long before her secret is disclosed. and Lieutenant Seamus Fitzwilliam must decide her fate and, ultimately, his own.

Why I chose this book:

Author Emma Lombard requested this review. Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres, so I accepted this book and looked forward to diving in.

First Impression:

I was immediately impressed with how well-written the story is and Lombard’s detailed descriptions. While the first chapter sets the stage, the second chapter catapults Grace into her adventure.

What I loved:

Lombard is a skilled writer when one considers her ability to paint a picture for her readers. Detailed descriptions abound when describing a person’s mannerisms, clothing, or general surroundings, and a significant amount of research is incorporated into the story, especially as it relates to life aboard a ship. At one point, she describes how “Grace’s skin crawled like the skitter of a thousand spiders.” I could almost feel this sensation as I read the words!

While the plot was mostly predictable, Lombard surprised me as family secrets were revealed near the end. This was significant as it shed light on the relationship between Grace and her parents and even her uncle, who also has a part to play.

Additional Thoughts:

If you’ve read any of my reviews, you know I love a good female heroine! My initial impression of Grace was positive, as I found her spirited and opinionated. However, as the book progressed, her behavior became impulsive, as she often acted before considering the consequences for herself and the others she proclaimed to care for. While she expressed remorse for her actions, there never seemed to be significant personal growth as she repeatedly did what she wanted with little regard for others. I also found it hard to believe that Grace could hide her gender on a crowded ship with close quarters, especially when one considers toileting needs.

The book has a certain amount of violence, including attempted sexual assault; however, it was appropriate for the story.

Quotable Quotes:

• “The sea is a cruel mistress, luring a man in with her sweet songs then breaking his spirit.”
• She had always imagined independence would be exhilarating, but in truth, it was terrifying
• And so began a daily ritual that wove their individual strands of loneliness into a delicately intertwined rope of friendship.
• Resolving to let him go, frosted despair coated her heart with a brittle layer of ice that, should it crack, would shatter the very existence into a thousand ice chips.
• You can build on the deeds that have happened or put the catastrophes behind you and begin again. ‘Tis the way of life, offering a new chance every day.

Who might enjoy this book:

Discerning Grace is ideal for readers who enjoy historical fiction, especially those stories with a feisty female lead.

Overall Impression:

Four stars. Lombard is a talented writer who conveys her story in a descriptive manner, complete with period-appropriate language. While I struggled to connect with Grace, I would gladly read a second book hoping for character growth and the opportunity to better connect with the main characters.

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