Reputation: A Novel

Written by Lex Croucher

Narrated by Bessie Carter

This audiobook is narrated by Bessie Carter, known for her television roles as Prudence Featherington in Bridgerton and as Violet Woodhouse in Beecham House.

Bridgerton meets Gossip Girl with a dash of Jane Austen, in this Regency-era historical romantic comedy with a deliciously feminist twist, from a hilarious British voice, Lex Croucher.

Abandoned by her parents, middle-class Georgiana Ellers is spending the summer with her stodgy aunt and uncle at their home in the English countryside. At a particularly dull party, she meets the enigmatic Frances Campbell, a wealthy member of the in-crowd who delights Georgiana with her disregard for so-called “polite society.”

Lonely and vulnerable, Georgiana quickly falls in with Frances and her wealthy, wild, and deeply improper friends, who introduce her to the upper echelons of Regency aristocracy, and a world of drunken debauchery, frivolous spending, and mysterious young men. One, in particular, stands out from the rest: Thomas Hawksley, who has a tendency to cross paths with Georgiana in her most embarrassing moments. Sparks fly, but Thomas seems unimpressed with the company she is keeping. And soon, Georgiana begins to wonder whether she’ll ever feel like she fits in––or if the price of entry into Frances’s gilded world will ultimately be higher than she is willing to pay.

Set against a backdrop of lavish parties, handsome men on horseback—and in a time when one’s reputation was everything—this edgy, hilarious romantic comedy explores sex, consent, belonging, and status through the eyes of an unforgettable heroine that Austen herself would have cheered for.

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin's Griffin

• Language: English
• Publisher: Macmillan Audio
• Release date: Apr 5, 2022
• ISBN: 9781250839633

Lex Croucher

Lex Croucher is the author of the adult novels Reputation, Infamous, and Trouble, as well as YA novels Gwen & Art Are Not in Love and Bridget & Gabe Are Not Okay. Lex grew up in Surrey reading a lot of books and making friends with strangers on the internet, and now lives in London.

Reviews for Reputation

[Cosette · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The book was good but the audiobook narration was fantastically done! Made it a wonderful listen to pass the time.

[T Faciane · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent engaging story. Savored every moment. Absolutely in love with Betty, George and Hawksley. I have found some redemption for Frances. So much is in this book.

The narration deserves a standing ovation and many awards. It was superbly done and can’t imagine reading this book without it.

A must read!!

[Anne Belford · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was billed as “Jane Austen meets Gossip Girl” and I think that’s completely accurate! Take all the elements of classic Austen—a put-upon heroine, wealthy neighbors, awkward neighbors, love thwarted—and add in unchaperoned parties, drinking, drugs, and you get Reputation. The narration was excellent and helped shine a light on the already engaging story.