'Fallen from Grace' by Laura Leone is a contemporary romance novel that follows the developing relationship between Sara and Ryan. Sara, a writer who moves into a new apartment, befriends Ryan, a charming and handsome young man who she later discovers is actually a high-class prostitute. As their friendship deepens, Sara struggles to come to terms with Ryan's profession and the secrets he harbors from his traumatic past. The plot unfolds with a mix of intense emotions, gritty realities of Ryan's life, and the challenges they face in building a relationship amidst societal judgments and personal insecurities.

The writing style of 'Fallen from Grace' is praised for its great characterization, compelling plot, and good dialogue. Readers are drawn into the story of Sara and Ryan, appreciating the realistic portrayal of complex characters and the emotional depth that unfolds as they navigate through love, secrets, and self-discovery.

Characters:

The characters are well-developed, with Sara's warmth and Ryan's depth drawing readers into their struggles and relationship.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is engaging and insightful, effectively conveying the characters' emotional journeys.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot revolves around the complex relationship between Sara, a struggling writer, and Ryan, a handsome neighbor who is secretly an escort, as they navigate their feelings and past traumas.

Setting:

The story is set in San Francisco, contributing to the urban and somewhat gritty backdrop of the tale.

Pacing:

The pacing of the narrative is balanced, allowing for character development while maintaining tension.

She'd made a sizeable down payment on the place seven years earlier, and then she'd paid for significant improvements to it a couple of years later, using the money from her first book sale. The condo...

Notes:

The story is about Sara, a writer, who moves into an apartment next to Ryan, a charming and handsome man.

Ryan is actually a high-class escort, not just a model as he claims.

The relationship develops slowly, with both characters dealing with insecurities and fears.

Sara struggles with the age difference, feeling she might be too old for Ryan.

Ryan has a traumatic past, battling feelings of self-loathing related to his profession.

The book alternates between the perspectives of Sara and Ryan, offering deep insights into their emotions.

Sara initially has mixed feelings about Ryan's job, which leads to tension in their relationship.

The author creates a gritty portrayal of Ryan's life as an escort without romanticizing it.

The story explores themes of empathy and personal transformation throughout their relationship.

There are significant moments of emotional depth, especially regarding Ryan's past trauma.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of prostitution, sexual assault, trauma, and complex emotional responses surrounding mental health.

Has Romance?

Romance is a central theme in the story, with significant emotional and physical tension between the main characters.

implied steam level

From The Publisher:

FALLEN FROM GRACE by Laura Leone was a Rita Award finalist for Best Contemporary Romance. It's the story of a woman, Sara, who befriends a younger man who conceals painful secrets and a double life behind his gentle charm and good looks. As their friendship blossoms into love, Sara gradually learns the truth about Ryan, who's trapped in a world of lies, danger, and sex-for-hire. With his spirit renewed by love, Ryan becomes determined to find a way out of the life he was drawn into as a runaway minor, and equally determined to rescue a street kid whom he finds falling into the same traps which once caught him. But Ryan's secret life is lived in a ruthless world which won't easily let him go. Having fallen so far from grace, can he find his way back?

Praise for Fallen From Grace:

* Rita Award Finalist for Best Contemporary Romance

* Desert Island Keeper, AllAboutRomance.com

* No. 29 on DearAuthor.Com's list of the Top 100 Romance Novels

"In this realistically gritty, sometimes violent, and gripping tale, Leone reveals the seamier side of society's manueuvering while she spins an unconventional romance between two unhappy people who find that love, like respect, can grow out of friendship and shared experiences and that new beginnings are indeed possible for those with the determination and courage to pursue them."

-Booklist

"Fallen From Grace is a romance novel as rich and adult as coffee laced with brandy. Laura Leone has delivered a dangerous brew of sin and redemption that goes where few romances dare to wander-a refreshing and deeply satisfying book. I loved it!"

-Bestselling author, Barbara Samuel

"Fallen From Grace is an amazingly powerful, emotional and thought-provoking book... Leone's gift for storytelling shines in a truly provocative, gritty, tender and unforgettable story."

-Romantic Times

"Fallen From Grace is provocative, powerful, and passionate. Laura Leone leads the reader on a tender, sexy journey through the human heart."

-New York Times bestselling author Teresa Medeiros

"A fast-moving, compelling read…Fallen From Grace is recommended for its unusual pairing, its audacity to examine the seamier side and its ultimate message of hope and redemption."

-The Romance Reader

"Leone's characters are richly drawn and fully human, and she displays extraordinary skill in showing how Ryan and Sara, both individually and together, work through the complexities of their situation in a believable way."

-AllAboutRomance.com

"Laura Leone will keep readers up all night with this fascinating, passionate and emotional novel. This unusual love story, told with freshness and authenticity, gives new meaning to the term 'tortured hero' and illuminates the healing power of love."

-Award-winning Author, Susan Wiggs

Ratings (2)

Liked It (2)

Reader Stats (4):

Read It (2)
Want To Read (1)
Not Interested (1)

What can you read after
Fallen from Grace?

See the list (27 books)

Meet New Books is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a way for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to products and services on amazon.com and its subsidiaries.
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.

Activity

Recommendations

My Stuff

Account

More

Fallen from Grace

Laura Leone