A Lesson in Propriety by Jen Turano

 A Lesson in Propriety by Jen Turano 
4 Stars
Book 1 in the Merriweather Academy for Young Ladies Series

If you love historical romance with a side of sass, mystery and lots of humor - READ THIS BOOK! 🎀✨

Miss Drusilla Merriweather has lost everything....her father, her fortune, and even her fiancé (good riddance, to be honest!). She is left with only a "haunted" castle 🏰, one with strange happenings like walking suits of armor and unexpected visitors. She rolls up her sleeves and decides to turn it into a finishing school. Cue the ghostly shenanigans, suspicious developers, and a swoon-worthy architect with a heart of gold. 💘

Rhenick Wittenbecker is charming and clever. I loved their dynamic together. The BANTER had me giggling! 

All the funny, lighthearted "attacks" and quirky details really made the story. We have SO much in this, including fun pirate stories and hilarious animal events. Drusilla really is a spunky woman and Rhenick was a great guy.  The mystery surrounding the castle was very interesting to me, really something you just got to know how it ends up. 

Jen never fails to create heroines who refuse to be boxed in by society’s expectations and Drusilla is no exception. She’s bold, smart, and determined to make her own way, haunted castle or not, which I absolutely LOVE! I connected to her immediately with the drama with her fiancé making me crack up! Her SASS was on 10 and I loved it!

Loved this one and looking forward to the next book! Thank you to the publisher for a copy to honestly read and review. All thoughts are my own.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7451289998
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3YGITHJ
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/618535

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

To Spark a Match by Jen Turano

 

To Spark A Match by Jen Turano | 3 Stars | Book 2 in the The Matchmakers Series

 I really enjoyed book one in this series. It was one of my favorite books this year. This one, unfortunately, fell a bit flat for me for some reason. I was not able to connect with the characters or the plot really, and there was quite a bit of dialogue in this that made the story drag on for me personally. That being said, I think I am the unpopular opinion, as many people have enjoyed the second book of the series. I definitely plan to continue on in the series as I generally love Jen’s writing and banter between characters, the humor etc.

This book was not bad, it just wasn’t my favorite. In this book, we have Miss Adelaide Duveene Who is a bit unconventional. I liked her character, but just couldn’t connect with her overall. In this story, she is determined to remain a spinster forever. One day she stumbles upon Mr. Gideon Abbott Who is engaged in a covert activity, and she gets involved in this world of intrigue and mystery with him. We see some matchmaking begin and the story goes on from here. 

Miss Adelaide does remind me a little bit of myself because she loves to read and has a special love for cats. The romance in this is particularly sweet, but again I was not really connected with them as a couple. Gideon is a great guy who really just wants to protect Adelaide, and I really liked to see that.

I think many people will enjoy the story and find lots of laughs but for some reason I struggled overall reading this one. I loved the bookshop aspects and the mystery of the hidden journals we had here. There’s some aspects of blackmail and trying to figure out who is involved, which I did enjoy in the ending. Overall, not a favorite but glad I read it overall. I will definitely check out the next book in the series either way! 

Thank you to the publisher for providing a copy to honestly read and review. 

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5768713381

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3sUa70G

 Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/516365

YouTube Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gw_MGwskxR4&t=

*All amazon links are an affiliate link and a small commission may be earned if purchases are made from that link.

A Match in the Making by Jen Turano

 

A Match in the Making - Jen Turano - 4.5 to 5 Stars - A GREAT matchmaking story with lots of humor! (Book 1 in The Matchmakers Series)

4.5 stars, rounding up to 5. We love a good matchmaking story and this one will not disappoint! So much humor, great characters, and a story that reels you right in!

This is the second Jen Turano book I have read so far and ya’ll – she brings so much great, witty banter to the table between characters that is over the top, but also believable. I LOVE IT! We have a fun match making story of Gwendolyn who is hired to find the perfect match for Mr. Walter Townsend, the catch of the season, but could the perfect match be her after all?

Such a delightful story as SO many other reviews have said. The humor she brings is what makes the story – you find yourself laughing out loud and feeling all the heartwarming feelings you want to from a story like this. This is a great lighthearted read that I really needed this week. The romance in more of a friendship building - slow burn - realization/beginning a relationship at the end of the story. I did somewhat want a bit more of a romance development sooner, but loved the time spent on Mr. Townsend's children with Gwendolyn - it makes sense why it was done the way it was because the who plot is we are trying to find a mother for his unrully children. Which, the children were HILARIOUS throughout the story. I loved seeing what they were going to get into next! :)

Speaking of Gwendolyn, she is a new favorite character of mine because she stands up for what she beleives in, speaks her mind and cares about others in such a way that she truly stands out. She goes above and beyond in so many aspects of this story, I loved it.

I can't wait to read book 2!

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5351562568
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3rykXbF
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/465081
YouTube Review Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CNQJYuJxRg