The Story

At the heart of Notwithstanding is Grace, a young woman in late 19th-century England who's trying to figure out her life. Her family thinks they know what’s best: a match with a rich, sensible man named Walter. But Grace can’t shake her attraction to a more complicated figure — a man with barely hidden scars, maybe a secret that could change everything. Meanwhile, there’s this whole other plot thread about a family falling apart because of something nobody talks about. Cholmondeley weaves these lives together, pulling you into quiet conversations and not-so-quiet choices. It's slow but never boring — like a fire you didn’t notice starting.

Why You Should Read It

Read this if you like characters that feel like real people: capable of both grace and mistake. Grace is one of those protagonists who you cheer for even when she baffles you. The book deals really movingly with the pressure society puts on women — especially around love, sacrifice, and duty. There’s no flashy drama here, just the slow burn of human hope and disappointment. And I love how Cholmondeley lets you feel the cost of loyalty and honesty. It made me think about a lot of my own interactions — yeah, even now — without ever telling me directly. She’s just that good.

Final Verdict

Who should pick this up? Anyone who fell for Jane Austen’s smart drawing-room comedies but wishes they went a little deeper into the shadows of wealth and priviledge. Also perfect for readers of Elizabeth Gaskell or Margaret Oliphant — authors who aren’t afraid to get real about emotional turbulence in quiet settings. Don’t expect explosions; expect an honest look at the complexity of human connection. If you’re into costume dramas or relationship novels with bite, give Notwithstanding a chance. Just know you’ll be pleasantly haunted by it after you turn that last page.