Tag: young adult

Mini-Reviews: Sugar, Widow, Scorpio

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Sarah Addison Allen, The Sugar Queen

Twenty-seven-year-old Josey Cirrini is expected to live at home, take care of her aging mother, and always behave with perfect propriety. While she outwardly conforms to those expectations, she secretly rebels by stashing sweets, junk food, and romance novels in her bedroom closet. Then one day, a local woman named Della Lee Baker moves into her closet and refuses to come out until Josey starts making changes in her life. With Della Lee’s encouragement, Josey finds friendship and even love, but her newfound community is threatened by a sinister stranger. I always like Sarah Addison Allen’s books, which are set in Southern small towns with a hint of magic. This one is probably my favorite because I find Josey very relatable (though thankfully I have a much better mother than she does!). It’s got multiple romances, cozy fall/winter vibes, and a strong emphasis on relationships between women. Recommended, especially for this time of year.

Diana Biller, The Widow of Rose House

Alva Webster has recently returned to America after several years abroad. She’s bought an old house and plans to publish a book about the process of renovating and decorating it. But the house is allegedly haunted, and she can’t convince anyone to come work on it until she does something about the ghost. Enter Professor Samuel Moore, a brilliant scientist with an interest in the supernatural. As he and Alva investigate the possible ghost, they also fall in love, but Alva’s traumatic past may derail their romance. I’d heard good things about this book, and I’m happy to say it lived up to the hype! I enjoyed the relatively uncommon setting of 1870s New York, and I loved the banter between Sam and Alva. Sam is a bit too good to be true — he always reacts perfectly to Alva’s emotional turmoil — but he’s very charming and likable nonetheless. Recommended for fans of historical romance, and I’ll definitely be seeking out more by Biller!

Maggie Stiefvater, The Scorpio Races

Life on the remote island of Thisby revolves around the Scorpio Races, an annual event in which men (it’s always men) ride the dangerous, man-eating water horses native to the seas surrounding the island. Sean Kendrick has won the races several times, and he hopes this time he’ll win enough to finally be able to buy his beloved mount. Meanwhile, Puck Connolly is racing for the very first time, in hopes of somehow convincing her older brother, Gabe, not to move to the mainland. As Sean and Puck train together, they grow closer, but to get what they want — including each other — they’ll have to survive the races first. This is a book of my heart, and it was sheer joy to immerse myself in its world once again. I’m not usually a person who reads for setting, but Thisby is magical and feels as though it must be real. The book is slow and subtle and, while it contains a love story, it doesn’t feel romance-y at all, if that makes sense. For my money, this is Stiefvater’s best book, and I highly recommend it if the premise interests you.

Mini-Reviews: Plumeria, Wake-Up, Shadow

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Lauren Willig, The Passion of the Purple Plumeria

Gwen Meadows, a “spinster” in her mid-40s, is publicly the chaperone of her young relative, Miss Jane Wooliston — and privately a principal member of the League of the Pink Carnation. When Jane’s younger sister disappears from school, Gwen and Jane immediately suspect spy-related foul play. But another girl is also missing: the daughter of Colonel William Reid, a retired East India Company officer who’s only recently come to England. Gwen and William team up to look for the missing girls, finding a legendary Indian treasure — and love — in the process. This is another fun installment of the Pink Carnation series, and it’s nice that Miss Gwen (usually reduced to comic relief) finally gets her turn in the spotlight. It’s refreshing and sadly rare to read about more mature adults finding romance! This isn’t one of my favorites in the series, but it’s still a good read — can’t believe there are only two more books to go!

Beth O’Leary, The Wake-Up Call

Izzy and Lucas are colleagues at the Forest Manor Hotel, and they can’t stand each other. Izzy is a sunshiny people-pleaser who always goes above and beyond, whereas Lucas is grumpy, reserved, and blunt to the point of rudeness. Further, Izzy confessed a crush to Lucas about a year ago, and he (seemingly) responded in a particularly cruel and insensitive way. Of course, the truth is more complicated — and now that Izzy and Lucas are being forced to work together to save their beloved hotel, their mutual “hatred” is turning into something else entirely. I really loved Beth O’Leary’s debut novel, The Flatshare, but her subsequent books have been too angsty and/or gimmicky for me. This book, however, feels like a return to form; it’s just a strong, well-written romantic comedy with some bonus holiday charm thrown in. The conflict between Izzy and Lucas centers around miscommunication, which may be frustrating for some, but to me their misunderstandings made sense given their very different personalities. Fans of the enemies-to-lovers trope should definitely check this one out!

Philip Pullman, The Shadow in the North

Six years after the events of The Ruby in the Smoke, Sally Lockhart has established her own financial consulting firm. One of her clients loses her life’s savings when a shipping firm unexpectedly collapses, and she asks Sally to find out why. Meanwhile, Sally’s friends try to help a magician who’s receiving death threats. When the two cases turn out to be connected, Sally and her friends must go up against a ruthless businessman who will use any means necessary, including murder, to stop them. I’m continuing to enjoy the Sally Lockhart series, both for the immersive Victorian London setting and for the main characters, particularly Sally herself, her beau Fred, and their Cockney friend Jim. The book may be slightly too busy; there are a plethora of minor characters and plot strands that need following. There are also more than a few heartbreaking moments. But I nevertheless liked this book a lot and look forward to continuing with the series.

Mini-Reviews: Wicked, Left-Handed, Madam

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Julia Quinn, When He Was Wicked

Michael Stirling is known throughout society as “the Merry Rake,” but despite his myriad sexual conquests, he’s been in love with Francesca Bridgerton since the moment he saw her. Unfortunately, she was betrothed to his cousin John at the time and is now John’s wife. When John dies unexpectedly, Michael can no longer hide his true feelings, but can he pursue a relationship with Francesca without dishonoring his cousin’s memory? I wanted to like this book more than I did. I enjoy a hero who pines for the heroine, but in this case I didn’t understand why Michael was so obsessed with Francesca. He’s already in love with her when the story begins, so we don’t see what makes her so special to him. Further, he “courts” her exclusively by seducing her, so their romantic relationship is based entirely on sex, which I didn’t find particularly appealing. I’ve really liked some books in the Bridgerton series, but this one just wasn’t for me.

Garth Nix, The Left-Handed Booksellers of London

Eighteen-year-old Susan Arkshaw has come to London to find the father she’s never met. She tracks down Frank Thringley, an old friend of her mother’s, to see if he knows anything about her father — but she arrives just in time to see him crumble into dust at the prick of a hatpin. The hatpin’s wielder is Merlin, who describes himself as a “left-handed bookseller” and tells Susan she is in grave danger. He explains that the Old World of myths, legends, and ancient powers is real, and it’s starting to intrude dangerously into the ordinary world — unless Susan and the booksellers can stop it. This is a really creative YA adventure novel that seems intended to introduce readers to (or reinforce their love of) British fantasy fiction and mythology. I really liked all the literary allusions and the occasional humorous banter, but the book is a bit too episodic and plot-driven for me — too many action sequences, not enough character development. Overall, I liked but didn’t love it, and I probably won’t read the sequel.

Mary Stewart, Madam, Will You Talk?

Charity Selborne is a young Englishwoman on holiday in the South of France. At her hotel in Avignon, she befriends a 13-year-old boy named David and gradually realizes that something is very wrong in his life. She then learns that David’s father, an accused murderer, is at large and has followed David to France. Charity’s decision to help David plunges her into days of suspense and fear, during which she encounters a mystery with its roots in World War II and finds love in an unexpected place. I really enjoy Mary Stewart’s novels of romantic suspense, though they all follow the same basic pattern: beautiful girl in exotic location finds danger and romance. But this is one of her strongest books, in my opinion — the plot is nice and twisty, and there’s a very memorable car chase. Recommended if you like this type of book!

Mini-Reviews: Agreeable, Dangerous, Ruby

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Julia Seales, A Most Agreeable Murder

In the English village of Swampshire, everyone is governed by the strict rules of etiquette handed down by its founder. Women are expected to pursue only ladylike occupations such as embroidery, but Beatrice Steele has a secret fascination with crime-solving. She knows she must hide her interest, lest she be stigmatized as a “morbid creep” and rendered unmarriageable. But when an eligible bachelor is murdered at a local ball, Beatrice can’t help enthusiastically pursuing an investigation, with the help of a surly yet handsome detective. This is a fun historical mystery set in a heightened reality: Swampshire is beset by comically terrible weather and infested with “squelch holes,” and Beatrice’s youngest sister might be a werewolf. It’s all very silly, but I enjoyed the book’s colorful characters and its skewering of various historical romance tropes. If there’s ever a sequel, I will definitely seek it out!

Darcie Wilde, And Dangerous to Know

The stakes are higher than ever in Rosalind Thorne’s latest case: Lady Melbourne, a leader of London society, has hired her to recover some stolen letters. Lady Melbourne’s daughter-in-law is Lady Caroline Lamb, whose shocking love affair with Lord Byron has led many to believe she’s insane, so it’s especially important that the letters’ potentially scandalous contents are never publicized. Complicating matters is the fact that a woman was murdered at the gates of Melbourne House, and Rosalind suspects that the two incidents are connected. I liked this book a bit more than the previous one in the series; the mystery hangs together pretty well, although it’s almost peripheral to the intrigues swirling around the Melbourne clan. I’m also glad that things seem to be moving forward in Rosalind’s personal life (and in those of her friends as well). While I’m pretty confident that this series won’t be an all-time favorite, I’m looking forward to the next book!

Philip Pullman, The Ruby in the Smoke

Sixteen-year-old Sally Lockhart is left alone in the world after her father’s tragic death overseas. When she receives an anonymous note telling her to “beware the seven blessings,” it’s the first of many strange mysteries Sally must unravel. For instance: Who burgled her room, and what was he or she looking for? How did her father really meet his end? Where is the priceless Indian ruby that apparently belongs to Sally? And why does the evil Mrs. Holland want Sally dead? This is a compelling YA adventure novel that apes the drama and sensationalism of Victorian penny dreadfuls. Some of the plot machinations feel a bit over the top, and there’s some unpleasant stereotyping of Chinese characters. But the depiction of the seamier side of Victorian London is fascinating, and Sally and her friends are intelligent, courageous, interesting characters. I’m excited to read more of their adventures in subsequent books!

Mini-Reviews: Player, Curses, Porter

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Stella Riley, The Player

Due to a scandalous tragedy, Adrian Devereux has spent the past 10 years living abroad, working as an actor and gambler. But now his brother, the Earl of Sarre, has died, so he must return to England and assume the title. There he learns that Marcus Sheringham, the man who betrayed him and forced him into exile, has huge gambling debts and must marry an heiress to avoid ruin. As Adrian gets to know Caroline, the heiress in question, he becomes convinced she’s too good for Marcus — and he certainly isn’t averse to a little revenge — so he devises an elaborate plot to marry Caroline himself. I’m so glad I discovered Stella Riley, because I’ve been loving her books — I devoured this one in a single sitting! While the plot is absurdly melodramatic, and I’m not usually a fan of the revenge-seduction trope, I loved Adrian and Caroline so much that I didn’t care. The most important thing for me in a romance is that I believe the main characters are truly right for each other, and I definitely got that with this book. Can’t wait for the next one!

Lish McBride, Curses

Lady Merit Cravan has been cursed to take the form of a beast, and she can only break the curse if she marries before her 18th birthday. Though Merit doesn’t expect love, she’s worried about making a bad choice, so she asks Tevin DuMont, a handsome but penniless con artist, for help evaluating her suitors. He’s made his living by charming rich young women, then accepting bribes from their parents to stay away, so he’s the perfect person to help unmask insincere fortune hunters. But as Merit and Tevin get to know each other better, their inconvenient feelings may ruin everything. I love a good Beauty and the Beast retelling, and this one is unique in that the genders are flipped. But much as I liked Merit, I was far more interested in Tevin and the rest of his ramshackle family. (Especially his brother, Amaury — fingers crossed for a sequel where he’s the hero!) Instead of following the curse/marriage drama, I’d rather have followed the DuMonts on their adventures! Still, this is a fun read, and I’d definitely recommend it to fans of the fairy tale.

AJ Pearce, Mrs. Porter Calling

In the spring of 1943, things are going well for Emmy Lake. Though her husband, Charles, is away at war, she enjoys living with her friends Bunty and Thelma, and she finds fulfillment in her job at Woman’s Friend magazine. That changes, however, when the magazine’s new publisher, a rich socialite named Mrs. Porter, begins suggesting changes that cater to the frivolous concerns of the wealthy rather than the issues the magazine’s readers really care about. As Emmy and her friends fight to save the magazine, another tragedy of war strikes, forcing them to reexamine their priorities. I’m continuing to enjoy this series, which manages to be upbeat and positive without sugarcoating the war’s harsh realities. Emmy and her friends are lovable characters worth rooting for. Her editor, Guy Collins, remains a favorite, and I hope I smell a hint of romance for him in future books! I’d definitely recommend this series to fans of the period, but start with book #1, Dear Mrs. Bird.

Mini-Reviews: Phillip, Private, Do-Over

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Julia Quinn, To Sir Phillip, with Love

This installment of the Bridgerton series features Eloise, a lively and opinionated young woman who has never lacked suitors, but who somehow finds herself still unmarried at 28. She strikes up a correspondence with Sir Phillip Crane, who was married to her distant cousin Marina until the latter’s death, and is intrigued when he asks her to visit and see whether they might be well suited for marriage. But when Eloise meets Sir Phillip, he’s nothing like she imagined — he’s gruff and taciturn and distant, even from his two children, who are clearly desperate for his attention. Can such a man be a good match for the talkative, affectionate Eloise? The Bridgerton books have been hit or miss for me, but I really liked this one. Phillip’s backstory is difficult, and his reactions (especially to the death of his first wife) are not always sympathetic, but they are understandable. I loved him and Eloise together, and I think they bring out the best in each other. I also liked the brief appearance of several of the Bridgerton brothers; it was nice to be reminded of Eloise’s close relationships with her siblings. This is definitely one of my favorites in the series thus far!

Darcie Wilde, A Purely Private Matter

Rosalind Thorne once again finds herself embroiled in mystery and scandal when Margaretta Seymore appeals to her for help. Her husband is convinced she’s having an affair with the famous actor Fletcher Cavendish — and he’s planning to sue Cavendish to get monetary damages for the harm caused by the alleged adultery. Margaretta denies the affair and wants Rosalind to stop the accusation from causing a public scandal. But things get more complicated when Cavendish is murdered and suspicion inevitably falls on the Seymores. I liked book one in this series, but I think my enthusiasm is already starting to wane a bit. The mystery plot felt too cluttered, and the book needed a better editor — I noticed not only typos but a few significant continuity errors. Still, I like Rosalind and am curious to see how her personal life will unfold, so I’ll continue with the series for now.

Lynn Painter, The Do-Over

Emilie has planned the perfect Valentine’s Day, but things go wrong almost immediately when she gets into a car accident with Nick, her surly chemistry lab partner. Then she gets passed over for an internship she was counting on, and worst of all, she spies her boyfriend kissing his ex. Emilie is relieved when the awful day is done — but when she wakes up the next morning, it’s February 14 again, and she ends up reliving her awful Valentine’s Day over and over. As she tries to escape the time loop, she learns some important things about herself — and about Nick, who always seems to be along for the ride. I’ve enjoyed all of Lynn Painter’s books, and this YA romance is no exception. I especially liked the banter between Emilie and Nick, although he’s a bit too dreamy to be a realistic teenage boy. The book touches on some serious topics like divorce and grief, but the overall tone is upbeat and fun. Recommended if you just want to read something that puts a smile on your face!

Mini-Reviews: Sounded, Only, Wed

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Nina Kenwood, It Sounded Better in My Head

Eighteen-year-old Natalie is having a rough time: She’s waiting to find out whether she’s been accepted to university. Her best friends, Zach and Lucy, have recently begun dating each other, making her feel like a third wheel. Worst of all, her parents have just told her they’re breaking up, and she never suspected a thing. As she deals with these challenges and her overwhelming feelings about them, she also develops an unexpected crush on Zach’s older brother, Alex. But her insecurities and lack of experience threaten to derail their romance before it begins. This YA novel, told from Natalie’s POV, really captures the big and urgent and sometimes painful feelings of adolescence. It’s also quite funny, and I both liked and related to Natalie. So if you enjoy the occasional young adult book with a bit of romance, I’d recommend this one.

Lacie Waldon, The Only Game in Town

The idyllic town of Redford, Georgia, gets a shake-up when its eccentric benefactor, Jasper Wilhelm, dies. His will leaves $10 million to an unspecified Redford resident, and the townspeople must compete in a series of bizarre challenges to win the fortune. Freelance editor Jess Reid has big plans for that money, but she’s dismayed to be teamed up with her longtime nemesis, Nikki. Meanwhile, Jasper’s grandson, Carter, is visiting from Atlanta and gets roped into the game also. Jess and Carter are drawn to each other, but the competition, plus the fact that Carter will eventually leave town, may prevent their romance. This novel really goes all in on small-town charm and quirky-yet-lovable townspeople. I thought it was cute (caveat, I’ve never lived in a small town), but others may find it too saccharine or too unrealistic. I liked that the book jumps between several points of view, including that of seemingly villainous Nikki. And the Jess/Carter romance is sweet, though a bit sidelined for all the Westing Game-esque hijinks. Overall, I liked this one and may try another book by the author.

Susanna Craig, Better Off Wed

Outraged by men who sexually harass and rape their female servants, Laura Hopkins has decided to fight back. Using the alias Lady Sterling, she infiltrates the lives of these men and learns their blackmail-worthy secrets so that they’ll never repeat their crimes. En route to her latest target, Laura meets British intelligence officer Jeremy Addison — who also happens to be Lord Sterling. His assignment is to find out what she’s up to and possibly offer her a job. As the two work together, they’re forced to pretend to be married, but their fake relationship soon becomes all too real. I’ve enjoyed the previous books in this series, and I liked this one too, but nothing about it really stands out to me. Fans of historical romance who want a light, undemanding read they can finish in an afternoon will probably enjoy the book, but I’m not feeling particularly enthusiastic about it.

Mini-Reviews: Mischief, Magic, Useful

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Lauren Willig, The Mischief of the Mistletoe

Arabella Dempsey has been a “poor relation” for years, and now she has no choice but to become a teacher at a young ladies’ academy. There she literally runs into Reginald “Turnip” Fitzhugh, who is visiting his sister, Sally. In the ensuing chaos, Arabella picks up a dropped Christmas pudding and discovers a mysterious French message inside. It might be just a lovers’ assignation — but what if it’s something more sinister? Arabella and Turnip team up to investigate and fall for each other in the process. This is an adorable installment of the Pink Carnation series! Turnip is a big dumb lovable sweetheart, and Arabella is someone who both needs and appreciates his kindness. The spy plot is a mere wisp of a thing, but who cares when the book is so much fun? This is right up there with The Seduction of the Crimson Rose as one of my favorites in the series thus far.

Emma Mills, Something Close to Magic

Aurelie is a baker’s apprentice with a magical gift for seeking and a secret thirst for adventure. So when bounty hunter Iliana asks her for help in finding a particularly elusive target, Aurelie agrees, even when the job takes her away for her bakery and into the dangerous Underwood. There they encounter Prince Hapless and his entourage just in time to foil a kidnapping attempt. Aurelie soon finds herself falling for Hapless, but can she give up the stability of her life as an apprentice for the uncertainties of love? I really enjoyed this YA fantasy novel. The plot isn’t particularly original, but the banter between the main characters is delightful, and the romance between Aurelie and Hapless is very sweet. The book cheekily promises a sequel, and I will definitely seek it out once it’s published!

Darcie Wilde, A Useful Woman

Rosalind Thorne was born into high society, but after a family scandal several years ago, she’s barely clinging to the fringes. Because ladies seek her help in navigating various social situations, she has a reputation as a “useful woman.” When young gentleman Jasper Aimesworth is found dead in the Almack’s ballroom, his sister Honoria begs Rosalind to investigate his death. I previously read this book and remember liking it, and I’m happy to say my positive opinion still holds. Obviously I’m going to read any book whose premise is “murder at Almack’s,” and I really enjoyed the book’s portrayal of just how difficult it was to behave properly in Regency society, where a single wrong step could mean disaster. Rosalind is a sympathetic character, and I look forward to seeing how her family drama and romantic life develop in subsequent books!

Mini-Reviews: Web, Kiss, Again

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Mary Balogh, The Gilded Web

When Alexandra Purnell steps outside a crowded ballroom to get some air, she is kidnapped and locked in the Earl of Amberley’s house overnight. The incident is a total misunderstanding — the kidnappers are friends of Amberley’s younger brother, and they thought they were kidnapping his sister as a prank. But now Alex has been compromised, so Amberley (as head of the family) feels obligated to marry her. As a Balogh fan, I was expecting to enjoy this book more than I did. It’s a perfectly fine read, but I wanted it to focus more on the main couple. Instead, a lot of space is given to Amberley’s brother (who feels he should marry Alex himself, since he’s the one who arranged the kidnapping) and sister (who is both annoyed by and attracted to Alex’s brother). The obvious sequel bait was distracting and made the central romance less compelling. Still not a bad book by any means, but it’s not one of my favorites by Balogh.

Erin Beaty, The Traitor’s Kiss

Sixteen-year-old Sage Fowler is excited to start her adult life as an apprentice but dismayed to learn she’s been hired by the local matchmaker. Sage disapproves of the whole concept of matching, but her observational skills are undeniably useful in pairing people off. Meanwhile, Captain Alex Quinn of the royal army is gathering intelligence on a potential rebellion. When he encounters Sage, he and his soldiers enlist her help, but their need for secrecy means they can’t be fully honest with her. This novel has a lot of my catnip — fantasy world plus political intrigue plus romance — and I was surprised by a late-game plot twist that made me reconsider all that had gone before. But I didn’t fully connect with the book; Sage is a bit too much “not like other girls,” and some of the plot threads didn’t quite make sense to me. Overall, this is a good read, but I’m not sure I’ll continue with the series.

Kathleen Gilles Seidel, Again

Jenny Cotton is the creator and head writer of a popular historical soap opera. Her longtime boyfriend, Brian, is an actor on the show, but he has only a minor part because he won’t commit to a contract longer than six months. When veteran soap actor Alec Cameron joins the cast, Jenny is shocked to realize that he’s basing his character’s speech and mannerisms on Brian — and in doing so, he’s revealed the character as cold, distant, and unlikable. But Alec himself is kind and talented, and he seems to understand Jenny in a way no one else does, including Brian. I quite enjoyed this one, especially the behind-the-scenes aspects of producing a soap opera set in the Regency era! I also liked how Jenny works through her feelings about Brian and Alec through the soap’s characters. Alec’s feelings seem to escalate really quickly, and everyone except the three main characters is pretty one-note. But those quibbles aside, I liked this one a lot and am glad I stumbled across it!

Mini-Reviews: Safe, Hero, Willoughby

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Ashley Weaver, Playing It Safe

As bombs fall on London in the autumn of 1940, Ellie McDonnell is summoned to the port city of Sunderland by her handler, Major Ramsey. She doesn’t know the details of her mission, but things get complicated fast when a man dies right in front of her the day she arrives. She and Ramsey both suspect the man has been murdered, possibly because of shady spy activities. As Ellie befriends the dead man’s social circle, she uncovers many secrets and endangers her life in the process. I’m continuing to enjoy this series, mainly for the likable main characters and WW2 setting. I wasn’t as compelled by the mystery — the murderer’s identity seems to come out of nowhere — but there are some good suspenseful scenes. I also liked the developments in Ellie’s relationship with Ramsey. This book just came out, but I’m already impatient for the next one!

Robin McKinley, The Hero and the Crown

Aerin has always felt like an outsider who doesn’t belong. She’s the daughter of the king’s second wife, a reputed witch who supposedly died of disappointment that Aerin wasn’t a boy. She doesn’t have the magical Gift that’s shared by all people of royal blood. Most of her cousins despise her, and she’d rather ride her father’s old warhorse or practice swordplay than be a courtier. But when dragons and demon-magic from the North threaten her kingdom, Aerin discovers she has a crucial role to play. This is a book of my heart; I loved it as a child and am delighted to discover it’s just as good as I remember. Aerin is surprisingly relatable for someone who slays dragons, and Robin McKinley’s writing is pure magic. I’m really happy I revisited this one!

Claudia Gray, The Late Mrs. Willoughby

***Warning: SPOILERS for Sense and Sensibility***

Jonathan Darcy has been invited to Allenham, the estate his old schoolmate John Willoughby has just inherited. Willoughby was a bully during their school days, so Jonathan isn’t particularly excited about the visit — until he meets Juliet Tilney again, who’s staying nearby with her friend Marianne Brandon. He and Juliet are both eager to renew their acquaintance, but things take a dark turn when Willoughby’s wife is murdered. Could Willoughby or Marianne be the culprit? I don’t usually love Austen pastiches, but so far this series has impressed me with its fidelity to Austen’s characters even as it places them within a murder mystery. I was able to identify the murderer pretty early on, but I still enjoyed the plot, and I liked the development of Jonathan and Juliet’s relationship. To get the most out of this book, you definitely have to be familiar with both The Murder of Mr. Wickham and Sense and Sensibility, but if you liked book #1 of the series, you’ll enjoy this one too.