The Great Misfortune of Stella Sedgwick
Bridgerton meets The Davenports in this wildly entertaining standalone romance, following a young Black woman trying to balance her independence with her future in 1860s London's high society.

"Stella Sedgwick will steal your heart while tickling your funny bone. If you're ready for a witty heroine, a hero with a heart of gold, and a plot that will keep you turning pages until late into the night, then this is the book for you!"--Meg Cabot, author of The Princess Diaries

Stella Sedgwick is a lost cause.

Banished from etiquette lessons and unsure of her future, Stella dreams of a writing career and independence, but 1860s England offers little opportunity beyond marriage or servitude for a sharp-tongued, dark-skinned girl.

When her late mother's former employer summons Stella to London, he tells her of his intention to bequeath one of the family's great estates to her. It's a life-changing inheritance, but one that will precipitate a legal battle that would be easier if Stella were married. With her cousin Olivia by her side, Stella is thrust into London society and must navigate fashion and balls, insults and stares, and a rekindled connection to Nathaniel, her childhood best friend with a rakish reputation.

Beyond the marriage market, living in London presents intriguing opportunities to Stella, like picking up her mother's anonymous advice column to guide readers through upper-class perils. As new acquaintances are made and old secrets are uncovered, Stella must decide when to play by the rules, when to break them, and when to let herself follow her heart.
1146264936
The Great Misfortune of Stella Sedgwick
Bridgerton meets The Davenports in this wildly entertaining standalone romance, following a young Black woman trying to balance her independence with her future in 1860s London's high society.

"Stella Sedgwick will steal your heart while tickling your funny bone. If you're ready for a witty heroine, a hero with a heart of gold, and a plot that will keep you turning pages until late into the night, then this is the book for you!"--Meg Cabot, author of The Princess Diaries

Stella Sedgwick is a lost cause.

Banished from etiquette lessons and unsure of her future, Stella dreams of a writing career and independence, but 1860s England offers little opportunity beyond marriage or servitude for a sharp-tongued, dark-skinned girl.

When her late mother's former employer summons Stella to London, he tells her of his intention to bequeath one of the family's great estates to her. It's a life-changing inheritance, but one that will precipitate a legal battle that would be easier if Stella were married. With her cousin Olivia by her side, Stella is thrust into London society and must navigate fashion and balls, insults and stares, and a rekindled connection to Nathaniel, her childhood best friend with a rakish reputation.

Beyond the marriage market, living in London presents intriguing opportunities to Stella, like picking up her mother's anonymous advice column to guide readers through upper-class perils. As new acquaintances are made and old secrets are uncovered, Stella must decide when to play by the rules, when to break them, and when to let herself follow her heart.
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The Great Misfortune of Stella Sedgwick

The Great Misfortune of Stella Sedgwick

by S. Isabelle

Narrated by Savy Des-Etages

Unabridged — 9 hours, 6 minutes

The Great Misfortune of Stella Sedgwick

The Great Misfortune of Stella Sedgwick

by S. Isabelle

Narrated by Savy Des-Etages

Unabridged — 9 hours, 6 minutes

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Overview

Bridgerton meets The Davenports in this wildly entertaining standalone romance, following a young Black woman trying to balance her independence with her future in 1860s London's high society.

"Stella Sedgwick will steal your heart while tickling your funny bone. If you're ready for a witty heroine, a hero with a heart of gold, and a plot that will keep you turning pages until late into the night, then this is the book for you!"--Meg Cabot, author of The Princess Diaries

Stella Sedgwick is a lost cause.

Banished from etiquette lessons and unsure of her future, Stella dreams of a writing career and independence, but 1860s England offers little opportunity beyond marriage or servitude for a sharp-tongued, dark-skinned girl.

When her late mother's former employer summons Stella to London, he tells her of his intention to bequeath one of the family's great estates to her. It's a life-changing inheritance, but one that will precipitate a legal battle that would be easier if Stella were married. With her cousin Olivia by her side, Stella is thrust into London society and must navigate fashion and balls, insults and stares, and a rekindled connection to Nathaniel, her childhood best friend with a rakish reputation.

Beyond the marriage market, living in London presents intriguing opportunities to Stella, like picking up her mother's anonymous advice column to guide readers through upper-class perils. As new acquaintances are made and old secrets are uncovered, Stella must decide when to play by the rules, when to break them, and when to let herself follow her heart.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

PRAISE FOR Stella Sedgwick:
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard selection!


"My new favorite young adult romance. I fell in love with Stella from the instant the story began, and now I'm pledged to her, body and soul. S. Isabelle handles the difficulty of otherness with a light hand and a deft pen, and her romantic scenes caused me to physically swoon.”—Alexene Farol Follmuth, New York Times bestselling author of Twelfth Knight

“Bridgerton fans will swoon over this book! The fiercely independent (and hilarious!) Stella Sedgwick is instantly lovable as she forges her own path in London high society. Full of romantic yearning, rich historical details, and sharp social commentary, this book kept me hooked from start to finish. I adored it.”— Jordyn Taylor, award-winning author of The Paper Girl of Paris and The Rebel Girls of Rome


“Filled with sharp-tongued humor and strong female leads, The Great Misfortune of Stella Sedgwick by S. Isabelle is a witty story of a reluctant heiress with a fresh twist, one that does not shy away from racism, colorism, classism, or the patriarchy. Isabelle’s writing carefully handles the struggles of occupying space as a young Black woman in a predominantly white environment, where merit is not always acknowledged and wealth speaks louder than action. Learning from her missteps and staying true to herself, Stella Sedgwick is a steadfast heroine who is as keen as her quill."—Krystal Marquis, New York Times bestselling author of The Davenports


“Full of wit, romance, and female empowerment. Fans of historical romance will fall in love with the bold and irrepressible Stella Sedgwick.”—New York Times bestselling author Sophie Jordan


“S. Isabelle has penned a bold and witty novel about a girl whose dreams won't be contained by society's prejudices or expectations. Stella Sedgwick is a fierce and clever protagonist, and her career aspirations and romantic entanglements are as inspiring as they are delightful. A fresh, banter-filled historical romance you won't want to miss!”—Tirzah Price, author of the Jane Austen Murder Mysteries series


“A fresh historical romance told with heart and humor and a razor-sharp voice. There's something truly special about this one, and I can’t wait to see what S. Isabelle writes next.”—Ann Liang, New York Times bestselling author of I Hope This Doesn’t Find You and A Song To Drown Rivers


"Stella Sedgwick will steal your heart while tickling your funny bone. If you’re ready for a witty heroine, a hero with a heart of gold, and a plot that will keep you turning pages until late into the night, then this is the book for you!"—Meg Cabot, author of The Princess Diaries


“Stella’s navigation of a society that is unwelcoming to non-white people is well written…. The strong character development will help readers understand the complex choices each character faces. Strong pacing throughout. Romance enthusiasts will enjoy this work.”—Kirkus Reviews


“Isabelle crafts a compelling lead in Stella; her dissatisfaction with her society’s gender norms chafes against her secret desire to experience true love in this sweeping period romance.”—Publishers Weekl


“Stella tells her story with humor and wit. While race does play a part in the story, it is Stella’s personality, humor, and strong-mindedness that drive the story and will endear it to readers. Multiple swoonworthy suitors will leave readers wondering if Stella will give up her plans for spinsterhood. Isabelle has created a Regency romance that will satisfy romance fans who are not quite ready for Bridgerton but hunger for the balls and gossip of high society.”—Booklist (starred review)


“Isabelle adds a magnificent story and voice to the alternate historical fiction genre in Stella, who is headstrong, flawed, charismatic, and eminently easy to root for even when she messes up. While romance takes center stage throughout most of the book, the conversations around race, while set in a different time period, still ring true and are handled candidly. This is a perfect book for those looking for a story that seamlessly blends the drama and diversity of the Bridgerton show, the ballrooms and quips of Pride and Prejudice (2005), and the stubborn nature of Emma’s titular character.”—Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred review)


“This historical romance combines the playfulness of Bridgerton with the social jockeying of a Jane Austen novel. Isabelle gives this story a playful edge. [Stella] has her own style of banter that readers will no doubt enjoy.”—School Library Journal

Kirkus Reviews

2025-05-03
In this novel set in 1868 England featuring Black protagonists, a young woman’s desire for self-determination conflicts with societal constraints.

At 18, orphan Stella Sedgwick is expected to find a position as a servant for a wealthy family. Her 17-year-old biracial cousin, Olivia Witherson, received a small inheritance from her white vicar father, but if Stella is to achieve her dream of becoming a writer, she’ll need to make a smart marriage. When a letter arrives from her late mother’s former employer, Thomas Fitzroy, summoning her to his home, she’s confused. Stella’s mother, who was enslaved in the West Indies and later abandoned by Stella’s father, raised her daughter alongside Mr. Fitzroy’s grandchildren at Kendall Manor. Stella hasn’t heard from the family in the four years since her mother’s death, so she’s shocked to learn that she’ll inherit the estate following terminally ill Mr. Fitzroy’s death—but, given that only men can own property, the bequest requires her to marry. Stella wrestles with accepting this gift and its consequences—both matrimony and the reactions of Mr. Fitzroy’s family. Stella’s navigation of a society that is unwelcoming to non-white people is well written but would have benefited from more robust historical context. Still, the strong character development will help readers understand the complex choices each character faces. Strong pacing throughout culminates in a slightly lackluster ending.

Romance enthusiasts will enjoy this work, although history buffs will be left wanting more details.(Historical romance. 13-18)

Product Details

BN ID: 2940193460312
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication date: 07/08/2025
Edition description: Unabridged
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