To Disguise the Truth (The Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency #3) by Jen Turano

Title: To Disguise the Truth (The Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency #3)

Author: Jen Turano

Pages: 352

Release Date: January 18, 2022

Genre: Historical Romantic Comedy

Publisher: Bethany House

Format: eBook (also available in paperback)

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

About the book:

     When Arthur Livingston arrives out of the blue at the Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency, anxious to hire the agency to seek out a missing heiress. Eunice Holbrooke realize her past has finally caught up with her.

     Having fled from the scene of her grandfather’s murder seven years before, Eunice is a lady with secrets—the most important that she is the missing heiress Arthur is seeking. She has no intention of allowing him to learn she’s been disguising herself especially when she has reason to believe Arthur could hold her responsible for her grandfather’s death.

     In order to avoid Arthur and conceal her real identity, Eunice takes on another case that requires to to go deep undercover. With secrets from the past—and Arthur—appearing wherever she looks, she wonders how she will ever uncover the truth behind her grandfather’s murder. Will what she discovers set Eunice free or place her in peril’s way?

My review:

     This is an incredibly funny historical romantic comedy novel!

     I love both of the main characters. Eunice and Arthur are extremely well developed. The way they interacted with each other at the beginning of the book completely cracked me up. Their conversation went in circles and it took definite effort to follow it.

     I loved seeing the two couples from the previous books and how their lives were progressing. I was thrilled to see the expected cast of quirky characters. Jen Turano does a remarkable job of developing them for each book. It was also fun to see what animal was included in a central role.

     The plot was fantastic. When all of the Mason family secrets were coming out I was amazed that there were so many within one family. 

     I’m giving this marvelous book a rating of 5 stars. I highly recommend it.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention or review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I have done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

To Write a Wrong (The Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency #2) by Jen Turano

Title: To Write a Wrong (The Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency #2)

Author: Jen Turano

Pages: 264

Release Date: August 3, 2021

Genre: Historical Romantic Comedy

Publisher: Bethany House

Format: eBook (also available in paperback)

About the book:

     Miss Daphne Beekman is a mystery writer by day, inquiry agent by night. Known for her ability to puzzle out plots, she happily works behind the scenes for the Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency, staying well away from danger. However, when Mr. Herman Henderson arrives on the doorstep of the agency, desperate for someone to investigate numerous attempts on his life, Daphne soon finds herself in the thick of a case she’s determined to solve.

     Mr. Herman Henderson is also a mystery writer, but unlike the dashing heroes he pens, he prefers living a quiet life, determined to avoid the fate of his adventurous parents, who perished while searching for the Lost City of Gold.

     As the list of suspects grows and sinister plots are directed at Daphne, the situation quickly deteriorates, and a revealed secret jeopardizes their newfound affection. Only time will tell if Daphne will be able to regain Herman’s trust and save both their lives.

My review:

     This is an incredibly funny historical romantic comedy!

     I startled my husband a number of times while reading this book by laughing out loud. I have never been disappointed by a book written by Jen Turano. She has a remarkable talent for developing quirky characters that I fall in love with. This is very true of both of the main characters in this book. The verbal interactions between Daphne and Herman are great. For both of them to be writers it is fun to see how they confuse each other with their words.

     The plot of this story is very well crafted. I was very confused a number of times by the twists and turns that the story took. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing how many different red herrings popped out at me. It was fun to try and figure out which things were actually important to the case and which ones weren’t. There were plenty of humorous moments along the way.

     I’m giving this wonderful book a rating of 5 stars. I highly recommend it.

To Steal a Heart (The Bleeker Street Inquiry Agency #1) by Jen Turano

Title: To Steal a Heart (The Bleeker Street Inquiry Agency #1)

Author: Jen Turano

Pages: 361

Release Date: November 17, 2020

Genre: Historical Romantic Comedy

Publisher: Bethany House

Format: eBook (also available in paperback)

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

About the book:

     After spending her childhood as a street thief, Gabriella Goodhue thought she’d put her past behind her until a fellow resident at her boardinghouse is unjustly accused of theft. Using her old skills to prove her friend’s innocence, Gabriella unexpectedly encounters Nicholas Quinn, the man she once considered her best friend—until he abandoned her.

     After being taken under the wing of a professor who introduced him into society and named him as his heir, Nicholas is living far removed from his childhood life of crime. As a favor to a friend, Nicholas agreed to help clear the name of an innocent woman, never imagining he’d be reunited with the girl he thought lost to him forever.

     As Gabriella and Nicholas are thrown together into one intrigue after another, their childhood affection grows into more, but their newfound feelings are tested when truths about their past are revealed and danger follows their every step.

My review:

     This is a delightfully funny historical romance.

     I really enjoyed getting to know Gabriella Goodhue. She is a remarkably strong woman. She had a very difficult past that is presented throughout the book. I loved meeting her friends, most of whom are her fellow boarders at the boarding house on Bleeker Street.

     It was fun getting to know Nicholas Quinn too. I was really amused to see the relationship between Gabriella and Nicholas as it went through many changes over the course of the story.

     The cast of characters was large and the personalities were very different. There were a number of them with very different quirks that kept me entertained. The numerous antics came from the four legged characters as much as from the humans.

     I’m giving this wonderful book a rating of 5 stars. I highly recommend it. It will be fun to see what is coming next for the ladies of Bleeker Street.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention or review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I have done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

Storing Up Trouble (American Heiresses #3) by Jen Turano

Title: Storing Up Trouble (American Heiresses #3)

Author: Jen Turano

Pages: 352

Release Date: May 5, 2020

Genre: Historical Romantic Comedy

Publisher: Bethany House

Format: Paperback (also available in eBook)

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I was not required to give a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

About the book:

     When Miss Beatrix Waterbury’s Chicago-bound train ride is interrupted by a heist, Mr. Norman Nesbit, a man of science who believes his research was the target of the heist, comes to her aid. Despite the fact that they immediately butt heads, they join forces to make a quick escape.

     Upon her arrival in Chicago, Beatrix is surprised to discover her supposedly querulous Aunt Gladys shares her own suffragette passions. Encouraged by Gladys to leave her sheltered world, Beatrix begins working as a salesclerk at the Marshall Field and Company department store. When she again encounters Norman on a shopping expedition, he is quickly swept up in the havoc she always seems to attract.

     But when another attempt is made to part Norman from his research papers, and it becomes clear Beatrix’s safety is also at risk, they soon discover the curious way feelings can grow between two very different people in the midst of chaos.

My review:

     This is an amazingly funny historical romance!

     This book is filled with many quirky characters. I especially like both of the main characters, Beatrix and Norman. They definitely live up to term opposites. Yet they keep finding themselves drawn to the other. They each have a journey of self discovery and growth. It is wonderful to see how they improve individually as the story progresses.

     There is also a bit of mystery that keeps them on their toes trying to figure it out. It is very nicely woven in and only seems to enhance the romance. It was a lot of fun seeing who stepped up and provided encouragement and direction along the way.

     A bonus was the short appearances of the main characters from each of the previous books in this series. I always like to catch up with old friends.

     I have to give this wonderful book a rating of 5 stars. It was written by one of my favorite authors and she definitely didn’t disappoint. I highly recommend it.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention or review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I have done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

An Elegant Facade (Hawthorne House #2) by Kristi Ann Hunter

Title: An Elegant Facade (Hawthorne House #2)

Author: Kristi Ann Hunter

Pages: 369

Year: 2016

Genre: Historical Romantic Comedy

Publisher: Bethany House

Format: eBook (also available in paperback)

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

About the book:

     Lady Georgina Hawthorne has worked tirelessly to seal her place as the incomparable for her debut season. At her first London ball, she hopes to snag the attention of an earl.

     With money and business connections, but without impeccable bloodlines, Colin McCrae is invited everywhere but accepted nowhere. When he first encounters the fashionable Lady Georgina, he’s irritated by his attraction to a woman who concerns herself only with status and appearance.

     What Colin doesn’t know is that Georgina’s desperate social aspirations are driven by the shameful secret she harbors. Association with Colin McCrae is not part of Georgina’s plan, but as their paths continue to cross, they both must decide if the realization of their dreams is worth the sacrifices they must make.

My review:

     This is an extremely funny historical romance!

     I love reading books by this author. She is one of my go-to writers when I need something lighthearted and good for a laugh. This book definitely delivered on the laughter side. At the same time there was a side that caused me to think whenever Lady Georgina’s difficulty came into play.

     I had gotten into the story quite aways before it became apparent that she had an actual problem that she was working to hide. Until then she just made me angry with her seemingly self centered attitude. Many times early on I just wanted to shake her and tell her that the world didn’t revolve around her.

     I loved getting to see how the Hawthorne family was doing. It was nice seeing the final part of the previous book from a different character’s perspective. Since the two books overlapped there really wasn’t any lapse in the family progression. We did get a very nice look at the family dynamics and how the siblings relate to with each other, especially Georgina, the younger daughter.

     I have to give this wonderful book a rating of 5 stars. I just wish I had had time to read it sooner. The plus side of that is that the rest of the series is already written. I am highly recommending it.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

Diamond in the Rough (American Heiresses #2) by Jen Turano

Title: Diamond in the Rough (American Heiresses #2)

Author: Jen Turano

Pages: 349

Release Date: September 3, 2019

Genre: Historical Romantic Comedy

Publisher: Bethany House

Format: Paperback (also available in eBook)

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

About the book:

     When Miss Poppy Garrison accepts her grandmother’s offer of financial help for her family in exchange for Poppy joining the New York social season, she quickly realizes she is far less equipped to mingle with the New York Four Hundred than even she knew. As she becomes embroiled in one hilarious fiasco after another, becoming the diamond of the first water her grandmother longs her to be looks more impossible by the day.

     Reginald Blackburn, second son of a duke, is in New York to help his cousin find an American heiress who can help save his family’s estate. But when his very proper British manners lead Poppy’s grandmother to request he teach etiquette to Poppy, he quickly finds himself in for much more than he bargained for.

     And while they couldn’t be more opposite, Reginald and Poppy just might find they have more to teach each other than they ever could have expected.

My review:

     This is an absolutely hysterical historical romantic comedy!

     This wonderful story can easily be renamed Poppy’s Madcap Adventures. It kept me laughing from start to finish.

     I fell in love with Poppy and her unconventional way of moving through high society from the beginning. Reading the reactions of “proper” society people was just as amusing. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing how many of the other characters developed and came into their own as the story progressed.

     It wouldn’t be a Jen Turano novel if there weren’t high society ladies carrying around pistols. I love how she always manages to write such quirky characters that it fits with the story though. The other tidbit that I’ve come to expect from this author are funny animal scenes. In this story they were at least about typical household pets.

     If you are in need of a good laugh you don’t need to look any further. This wonderful book is getting a rating of 5 stars from me. I am definitely highly recommending it.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

Caught by Surprise (Apart From the Crowd #3) by Jen Turano

Title: Caught by Surprise (Apart From the Crowd #3)

Author: Jen Turano

Pages: 359

Year: 2018

Genre: Historical Romantic Comedy

Publisher: Bethany House

Format: Paperback (also available in eBook)

About the book:

     After years of hiding her true nature, Miss Temperance Flowerdew is finally enjoying freedom outside of the shadow of her relations, so the last thing she expected on her way to work was to be grabbed off the street by a stranger and put on a train bound for Chicago.

     When Mr. Gilbert Cavendish is called upon to rescue a missing woman, he follows the trail to Chicago only to discover that the woman is his good friend, Temperance. Before they can discover who was behind her abduction, they’re spotted alone together by a New York society matron, putting their reputations at risk.

     Even though Gilbert is willing to propose marriage, Temperance is determined not to lose her newfound independence. But when the misunderstanding in Chicago escalates into a threat on her life, accepting Gilbert’s help in solving the mystery may lead to more than she ever could have dreamed.

My review:

     This is a wonderful historical romantic comedy!

     I love the variety of quirky characters that this author has created for this series. It was so much fun looking in on them all again and catching up with the main characters from both of the earlier books. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Miss Temperance Flowerdew and Mr. Gilbert Cavendish take center stage in this final book in the series.

     Temperance has come out of her shell and is letting her natural character traits shine forth for all of New York to see. She gets into the most amazingly hilarious situations that kept me laughing. At times it was laugh-out-loud funny and had people giving me very strange looks.

     Gilbert has his own peculiar traits that he is working hard to tame so that he can connect with Temperance better. His efforts are just as funny as Temperance’s situations. He is steady and by her side throughout the story.

     They find themselves in many dangerous situations which seems to be typical of this author’s writing style. They are surrounded by a number of staunch friends and supporters that are willing to step in and help immediately.

     Jen Turano is one of my very favorite authors. I find that, as with each of her previous books, I have to give this marvelous book a rating of 5 stars. I don’t think that you can go wrong in picking this one up. I highly recommend it.

Flights of Fancy (American Heiresses #1) by Jen Turano

Title: Flights of Fancy (American Heiresses #1)

Author: Jen Turano

Pages: 352

Release Date: January 1, 2019

Genre: Historical Romantic Comedy

Publisher: Bethany House

Format: Paperback (also available in eBook)

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and through NetGalley. I have chosen to write this review to express my personal opinion.

About the book:

     Miss Isadora Delafield may be an heiress, but her life is far from carefree. When her mother begins pressuring her to marry an elderly and uncouth duke, she escapes from the high society world she’s always known and finds herself to be an unlikely candidate for a housekeeper position in rural Pennsylvania.

     Mr. Ian MacKenzie is known for his savvy business sense and has build his reputation and fortune completely on his own merits. But when his adopted parents are in need of a new housekeeper and Isadora is thrown into his path, he’s unexpectedly charmed by her unconventional manner.

     Neither Isadora nor Ian expected to find the other so intriguing, but when mysterious incidents on the farm and the truth of Isadora’s secret threaten those they love, they’ll have to set aside everything they thought they wanted for a chance at happy-ever-after.

My review:

     This is an absolutely hilarious historical romantic comedy!

     This wonderful book is filled with laugh-out-loud moments. There were times I laughed so hard I was crying. Anytime you take a character that lives at one end of the social scale and drop them in a position near the other end there are plenty of opportunities to laugh. Then throw in an eccentric elderly person and a group of children under 10 years old and the possibilities are multiplied.

     I love all of the characters, obviously except for the villains, they are so incredibly well developed. I just plain loved to hate the villains.

     The plot was fantastic. I was thrilled with the journeys that both Isadora and Ian took to figure out what purpose God had for them and what was truly important to them. This is the type of journey that we all need to take so it was easy to relate to.

     I was completely captivated by this wonderful book and am giving it a rating of 5 stars. I am definitely highly recommending it.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

Out of the Ordinary (Apart from the Crowd #2) by Jen Turano

Title: Out of the Ordinary (Apart From the Crowd #2)

Author: Jen Turano

Pages: 346

Year: 2017

Genre: Historical Romantic Comedy

Publisher: Bethany House

Format: Paperback (also available in eBook)

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I have chosen to write this review to express my personal opinion.

About the book:

     Working as a paid companion may be quite commonplace, but Miss Gertrude Cadwalader’s eccentric employer makes her job unpredictable, to say the least. She finds herself carrying out an array of highly unusual tasks, including wearing peculiar outfits and returning items the woman pilfered. But when the wealthy Mrs. Sinclair catches Gertrude sneaking around the Sinclair yacht with some of the missing items in her possession, she immediately jumps to the wrong conclusion.

     Shipping magnate Harrison Sinclair is caught in the middle of a misunderstanding between his mother and Gertrude, but he can’t help coming to his friend’s defense. Even as he hopes their friendship might become something more, Harrison is unprepared for the outlandish escapades that seem to follow the lovely, anything-but-ordinary Gertrude at every turn.

My review:

     This is a hysterical historical romance!

     This story stands alone within the series. The main characters from the first book are present in supporting roles. It was fun to check in and see how their lives had progressed.

     Many times throughout the book I was laughing out loud at the conversations and antics of these wonderful characters. At times I was concerned that I was disturbing others in the house with my laughter.

     I love the main characters! The variety of quirks that come out is amazing. One of the things that truly captured my attention was seeing how childhood emotional wounds shaped the way Gertrude behaved with others as an adult. We had hints of those wounds throughout the book. 

     Then over halfway into the book there was a major, heartbreaking, truth revealing session. So many of the odd behaviors were explained and my heart truly ached for all the pain and suffering that Gertrude and others had gone through.

     I have to give this charming book a rating of 5 stars. I am definitely highly recommending.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

Behind the Scenes (Apart From the Crowd #1) by Jen Turano

Title: Behind the Scenes (Apart From the Crowd #1)

Author: Jen Turano

Pages: 352

Year: 2017

Genre: Historical Romantic Comedy

Publisher: Bethany House

Format: Paperback (also available in eBook)

Note: I received a free copy of this book from the author. I have chosen to write this review to express my personal opinion.

About the book:

     After spending the last six years banished to the wallflower section of the ballroom, Miss Permilia Griswold has finally figured out a way to pass the time at all the New York high-society events she attends. Under the pseudonym “Miss Quill,” she is the author of society gossip columns filled with tidbits only an insider in society—albeit one on the fringes—would know.

     When she overhears a threat against Mr. Asher Rutherford, the owner of one of the most up-and-coming department stores in the city, she’s determined to warn him. But the irritatingly handsome man doesn’t believe her, leaving her no choice but to take matters into her own hands. What she doesn’t anticipate is that she’ll end up putting herself at risk in the process—or that she and Mr. Rutherford, a man with secrets of his own, just might end up joining forces after all.

My review:

     A laugh-out-loud funny historical romantic comedy!

     This wonderful book is filled with an incredible cast of quirky characters! I love both of the main characters especially. Many of the names are so unusual that just saying them out loud put a smile on my face. I have no idea how the author came up with them.

     Miss Permilia Griswold has found her own way to make her life more tolerable. She has even found a way to feel that she is contributing to the world. I was extremely amused by her antics. It was very clear from the beginning that she was in a very real sense a fish-out-of-water. As the story progressed more and more information is revealed as to how she was thrust into such an awkward position.

     Mr. Asher Rutherford is truly considered one of the highest level of those in high society. He is keeping his own secret that he feels would ruin that standing if it ever got out. I think that his choice of who to have as his closest friend brought me much amusement.

     The plot of the story is delightful. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this marvelous story. I was kept guessing about many aspects of the suspected danger Asher was in simply because of the twists the story took.

     This incredibly funny book is getting a 5 star rating from me. I highly recommend it.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

At Your Request (Apart from the Crowd #0.5) by Jen Turano

Title: At Your Request (Apart from the Crowd #0.5)

Author: Jen Turano

Pages: 105

Year: 2017

Genre: Historical Romantic Comedy

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

Format: eBook

About the book:

     After Miss Wilhelmina Radcliff’s father lost the family fortune in a poor investment decision, she finds herself banished from the fashionable set within New York society and directly into the wallflower section. Taking on work as a social secretary in order to help with family expenses, she spends her time penning out invitations to all the most sought-after events, wondering if her life will ever improve.

     While languishing one evening at a ball given by one of the esteemed New York patriarchs, Wilhelmina is appalled to discover that Mr. Edgar Wanamaker, her oldest and dearest friend, and the first gentleman to offer her a marriage proposal, has shown up at the ball unexpectedly, having been absent from New York ever since she rejected his offer years before. 

My review:

     A hilarious historical romantic comedy!

     I have to start by mentioning the names of the characters in this charming novella. I got a chuckle out of quite a few of them just by reading them out loud. I know that different names were popular at different times in history, but I think that the author had to have put extra effort into coming up with some very funny combinations.

     The rules that people were expected to follow within society when attending a ball seemed strange to me. I was surprised to find that there were definite class distinctions within the upper class. I didn’t realize that there was a special area for “wallflowers” and that they were supposed to behave differently.

     I thoroughly enjoyed getting to meet Miss Wilhelmina Radcliff and Mr. Edgar Wanamaker. They were well developed and their background as childhood friends was very sweet. I’m very glad that I will have a chance to learn more about the other ladies in the wallflower section in the other books in this series.

     I am definitely giving this delightful story a 5-star rating. I highly recommend it. It would be an excellent choice if you are in the need of cheering up.