Review ~ After a Fashion by Jen Turano

Bethany House Publishers

After a Fashion 

A Class of Their Own #1

Paperback, 352 pages

Published March 3rd 2015

 

Miss Harriet Peabody dreams of the day she can open up a shop selling refashioned gowns to independent working women like herself. Unfortunately, when an errand for her millinery shop job goes sadly awry due to a difficult customer, she finds herself out of an income.

Mr. Oliver Addleshaw is on the verge of his biggest business deal yet when he learns his potential partner prefers to deal with men who are settled down and wed. When Oliver witnesses his ex not-quite-fiance cause the hapless Harriet to lose her job, he tries to make it up to her by enlisting her help in making a good impression on his business partner.

Harriet quickly finds her love of fashion can't make her fashionable. She'll never truly fit into Oliver's world, but just as she's ready to call off the fake relationship, fancy dinners, and elegant balls, a threat from her past forces both Oliver and Harriet to discover that love can come in the most surprising packages.

My Review

With a trademark style all her own, Jen Turano has written a witty and fast-paced story set between opulence and despair in 1880’s New York City. 

One of the best things about a Turano book is the dialogue. Honestly, I’m not sure where she comes up with this stuff but it is never flagging. It’s always pushing along at breakneck speed, capturing the excitement and rush of the big city in conversation. I like that because it means I am never bored or mentally exhausted with minute details.

Miss Harriet Peabody and Mr Oliver Addleshaw can’t be more incompatible, or so it seems. I chuckled often when reading about their antics, and actually felt as if I was right there on the pages of the story with them. Now that makes a great book!

I hope that with the introduction of some of the supporting characters that I am seeing the next two books that will be coming along. There are certainly a few characters that need could use their own stories. That’s another plus about Jen’s books. They aren’t overwhelming with people and places. They have just the right mix and that causes me to anticipate and envisage what is to come.

I highly recommend After a Fashion to anyone who enjoys fun, clean historical fiction with an underlying faith theme. Jen Turano delivers every time!

I was gifted a copy of the book from the author in exchange for an honest review. No monetary compensation has been received.

About the Author

Jen Turano is a graduate of the University of Akron with a degree in Clothing and Textiles. She pursued a career in management for nine years before switching to full-time motherhood after the birth of her son. When she's not writing, Jen can be found watching her teenage son participate in various activities, taking long walks with her husband and dog, socializing with friends, or delving into a good book. She lives in suburban Denver, Colorado. Learn more at www.jenturano.com. 

~Have a blessed day~