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The Runaway Debutante: A Victorian Romance
Step outside the ballrooms of Mayfair and into a Dickensian adventure through Victorian England.London, 1873
She wants to shape her own destiny
Lady Constance Barrett rejects society's expectations of marriage and conformity. She wants to change the world for the better and has set her sights on attending England's most prestigious women's college. Unfortunately, her parents have betrothed her to a wealthy but cruel man twice her age. She flees to the East End of London, where she'll pawn jewelry to secure her freedom. It's a brilliant plan, until a cut-purse gang steals her treasure.
He's the gang's leader
Streetwise and handsome, Alexander Blackwood is at the top of his game, as a thief and a ladies' man. But while the East End's top crime boss relies on Alex to lead his crew of street thieves, Alex is drawn to the promise of America, where he'll be free from a life of crime. When Lady Constance arrives at his boss's brothel demanding return of her jewels, Alex is smitten -- and driven to protect her, even if it means defying his sadistic boss.
A forbidden love they can't deny
Society will never accept their cross-class romance. Their only hope is a future in America. But first, they must outwit the ruthless crime boss, in a daring escape which could cost them their lives.
♥ Class differences
♥ Slow burn
♥ Fish out of water
♥ Sweeping saga
♥ Happily ever after
She wants to shape her own destiny
Lady Constance Barrett rejects society's expectations of marriage and conformity. She wants to change the world for the better and has set her sights on attending England's most prestigious women's college. Unfortunately, her parents have betrothed her to a wealthy but cruel man twice her age. She flees to the East End of London, where she'll pawn jewelry to secure her freedom. It's a brilliant plan, until a cut-purse gang steals her treasure.
He's the gang's leader
Streetwise and handsome, Alexander Blackwood is at the top of his game, as a thief and a ladies' man. But while the East End's top crime boss relies on Alex to lead his crew of street thieves, Alex is drawn to the promise of America, where he'll be free from a life of crime. When Lady Constance arrives at his boss's brothel demanding return of her jewels, Alex is smitten -- and driven to protect her, even if it means defying his sadistic boss.
A forbidden love they can't deny
Society will never accept their cross-class romance. Their only hope is a future in America. But first, they must outwit the ruthless crime boss, in a daring escape which could cost them their lives.
♥ Class differences
♥ Slow burn
♥ Fish out of water
♥ Sweeping saga
♥ Happily ever after
- GenresHistoricalRomance
415 pages, Paperback
Published November 9, 2020
About the author
Elizabeth Harmon
9 books292 followersA life long fan of cats, tacos and happy endings, Elizabeth Harmon makes her home in the Midwest. A graduate of the University of Illinois, she has worked as a library associate, a community college instructor, and as a journalist. When she’s not writing, teaching or talking books with library patrons, she loves to spend time with family and friends– especially when a good Chianti is involved. Her five-book Red Hot Russians sports romance series, is set in the world of competitive figure skating. The first book in the series, Pairing Off, is a RITA® Award Finalist.
Find her online at elizabethharmonauthor.com
Find her online at elizabethharmonauthor.com
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 18, 2021
***** Love Against All Odds
Constance and Alex – not just a romance, but truly a story of star-crossed lovers throughout the worst hardships of the Victorian world – life on the streets, living with and as pickpockets to survive, a crime lord/Fagin-type character, his heavies, a brothel, a loathsome upper class suitor, murder charges, Newgate prison. Like an in-depth look at the Victorian London of Dickens and Oliver Twist – and yet this is just the first part - there is so so much more!
I was totally engaged and involved with the two main characters. Constance is independent, determined and has strength beyond what she realises, as she proves to herself and others again and again through the events triggered by her impulsive decision at the Crystal Palace exhibition. Alex/Black is steadfast, strong, kindly and shows Constance not only how to survive but how to live and believe in herself. They are well matched and slowly grow together at the start, and by the second part I was willing them so hard to be together - some how, any how!
The book is a first love and second chance romance all in one. Its emotional depth and plot complexity are delivered with a light touch and clear delineation of many interesting or obnoxious characters. It doesn't shy away from showing difficult, hard situations for both Constance and Alex, and the consequences of their own decisions or others' manipulations. It contains such a range of events and emotional highs and lows that I was leaking tears at times without even realising – both in sorrow and joy.
I loved this book, so much so that I immediately (at about 2.00 am!) wanted to discuss it with someone else, and talk about Alex and Constance - the details of their love, relationship, decisions and reactions, and all the other people involved (for good or bad) in their lives. And I keep on remembering and wanting to discuss things every time I think about it - about the highest accolade I can give!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Constance and Alex – not just a romance, but truly a story of star-crossed lovers throughout the worst hardships of the Victorian world – life on the streets, living with and as pickpockets to survive, a crime lord/Fagin-type character, his heavies, a brothel, a loathsome upper class suitor, murder charges, Newgate prison. Like an in-depth look at the Victorian London of Dickens and Oliver Twist – and yet this is just the first part - there is so so much more!
I was totally engaged and involved with the two main characters. Constance is independent, determined and has strength beyond what she realises, as she proves to herself and others again and again through the events triggered by her impulsive decision at the Crystal Palace exhibition. Alex/Black is steadfast, strong, kindly and shows Constance not only how to survive but how to live and believe in herself. They are well matched and slowly grow together at the start, and by the second part I was willing them so hard to be together - some how, any how!
The book is a first love and second chance romance all in one. Its emotional depth and plot complexity are delivered with a light touch and clear delineation of many interesting or obnoxious characters. It doesn't shy away from showing difficult, hard situations for both Constance and Alex, and the consequences of their own decisions or others' manipulations. It contains such a range of events and emotional highs and lows that I was leaking tears at times without even realising – both in sorrow and joy.
I loved this book, so much so that I immediately (at about 2.00 am!) wanted to discuss it with someone else, and talk about Alex and Constance - the details of their love, relationship, decisions and reactions, and all the other people involved (for good or bad) in their lives. And I keep on remembering and wanting to discuss things every time I think about it - about the highest accolade I can give!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 4, 2021
Lady Constance has aspirations to attend college, but her parents say otherwise. When her father contracts a marriage for her with a cruel but wealthy man, Constance decides to take her chances by running away to start a new life. And she does just that - though not in the way she'd planned. Robbed by an East End gang, she confronts the leader, only to be offered a way to earn back her stolen jewelry as an apprentice thief.
The gang leader, Alex Blackwood, tries to protect his young crew from their crime boss, the ruthless Count Zuko, while dreaming of a way to get out of the slums. But when the new girl from the West End captures his interest and his heart, Alex is torn between his plans for a better life, and helping Connie.
Beautifully written, fresh Victorian romance. I loved the evocative descriptions of London, especially the working classes (not the usual aristocratic circles). Even better were the heroine and hero, Connie and Alex -- I was rooting for them from the beginning! While there are terrific plot turns throughout, what hooked me is that the story is rich with emotion, culminating in a beautiful HEA.
The gang leader, Alex Blackwood, tries to protect his young crew from their crime boss, the ruthless Count Zuko, while dreaming of a way to get out of the slums. But when the new girl from the West End captures his interest and his heart, Alex is torn between his plans for a better life, and helping Connie.
Beautifully written, fresh Victorian romance. I loved the evocative descriptions of London, especially the working classes (not the usual aristocratic circles). Even better were the heroine and hero, Connie and Alex -- I was rooting for them from the beginning! While there are terrific plot turns throughout, what hooked me is that the story is rich with emotion, culminating in a beautiful HEA.
December 17, 2020
I really enjoyed this book. I'm a sucker for a good romance story and The Runaway Debutante seemed right up my alley. It's always refreshing to see a strong female lead and Constance didn't disappoint.
The ups and downs between her and Alex had me on the edge of my seat. There were definitely nights I was reading and had to force myself to put it down and go to bed!
I did feel as though the ending was a bit rushed and there were some moments where the perspective jumps between characters but doesn't add anything to the plot, but all in all, it was a solid read and would recommend it to another romance lover!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The ups and downs between her and Alex had me on the edge of my seat. There were definitely nights I was reading and had to force myself to put it down and go to bed!
I did feel as though the ending was a bit rushed and there were some moments where the perspective jumps between characters but doesn't add anything to the plot, but all in all, it was a solid read and would recommend it to another romance lover!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 13, 2021
I won this book in the contest run by the author and this is my honest unbiased review.
I have previously read a series of contemporary romances by Elisabeth Harmon but I did not know what to expect from a complete change of genre of this novel. Little did I know I was in for a very pleasant surprise! The novel is like an intricate painting - many little details make it a beautiful and smart writing full of unexpected adventures, twists and turns of the plot, dangers and heartbreaks but also love, big and never ending.
Somehow the end of the Epilogue ruined it for me. It almost seemed like either not finished or too rushed.
But on the whole, I really liked this novel.
I have previously read a series of contemporary romances by Elisabeth Harmon but I did not know what to expect from a complete change of genre of this novel. Little did I know I was in for a very pleasant surprise! The novel is like an intricate painting - many little details make it a beautiful and smart writing full of unexpected adventures, twists and turns of the plot, dangers and heartbreaks but also love, big and never ending.
Somehow the end of the Epilogue ruined it for me. It almost seemed like either not finished or too rushed.
But on the whole, I really liked this novel.
December 2, 2020
I read this ARC by author request, and I am so glad I did! Please continue reading if you don’t mind *spoilers*. While it started slow, by about 3 chapters in, I was hooked! I found Constance and Alex likable and their story made me want to read more. I loved that there was not only romance, but excitement and secrets too. I will admit that some things seemed a little rushed (such as the wedding at the end of part 1), but overall, it was great, and I couldn’t put it down!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 18, 2025
Alex Blackwood is an Oliver Twist type and Lady Constance Barrett just wants to go to school to learn until she finds another way to live with Alex on the streets of London by pickpocketing instead of being married off to a horrible man who hurts her. But something tears them apart. Years pass and they run into each other again. She thought he was dead, he thought she gave up on him for a cushy life.
December 18, 2020
The Runaway Debutante was a fantastic story that draws you in to a 19th century world filled with adventure and romance. An intriguing tale of a young girl encountering the world outside of her sheltered upbringing and discovering the strength she has within.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 21, 2020
Loved this book. The story is packed with adventure and I did not want to put the book down. Elizabeth Harmon takes us on a fun ride.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 21, 2023
This was not the Victorian romance that I thought I needed. At first I wasn’t sure if this was the book for me but then I got sucked in and needed to find out what happened. It was sweet and filled with hope.
November 24, 2021
This was cute. The writing style was a smidge stilted. But that just be part of the transition from contemporary to historical. Overall I enjoyed it!
January 3, 2022
Loved it! The love story has unpredictable twists and turns that kept me on my toes… even as a second time reading it!!!! Love this author! 💗
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews