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Book Review: In Good Company by Jen Turano

by Sandra Ardoin

Cover Art

There are certain authors whose upcoming books I look forward to with great anticipation. Jen Turano is one of those authors. Although I must confess to missing the first book in her new historical romance series, I snatched up In Good Company as soon as I could.

Poor Millie Longfellow does her best for the children in her care. Unfortunately, her way of doing things doesn’t always match the ideas of the children’s parents, and she finds herself making regular trips to the employment agency. 

Everett Mulberry, a single, on-the-verge-of-engagement gentleman, couldn’t keep a nanny for his three orphaned and troublesome godchildren if his life depended on it. But the last person he’d ever hire would be the unconventional and oft-fired Miss Longfellow.

Miss Longfellow was somewhat charming, if slightly deranged.

As usual, this story begins with a rollicking incident that has the reader laughing out loud. I loved Millie’s quirk. Raised an orphan and having lived in a tenement, she carries a dictionary with her wherever she goes. She’ll stop a conversation right in the middle to look up a word that was used or try out a new word, which isn’t always successful.

‘Has anyone ever told you that eavesdropping is unbecoming for a lady?’ 

She waved a slightly dirty hand in the air. ‘I’ve heard that numerous times, Mr. Mulberry—ususually from disintegrated ex-employers.’

Disintegrated?’

Miss Longfellow bit her lip. ‘I knew I shouldn’t have tried out a D word, especially since I haven’t studied them for a few months now.’ She whipped out what appeared to be a dictionary from her pocket, riffled through it for a second and then looked up. ‘I might have meant disenchanted, although disgruntled would probably be a better description.’

Yes, well, disintegrated, disenchanted and disgruntled aside, you still shouldn’t have been eavesdropping on me.’

Incorrigible children, a little mystery, peacocks, 19th-century Newport society, matchmakers, and (of course) romance all blend to make In Good Company the reading event of the season! Now, I must find the first book, After a Fashion.

Do you enjoy humor in your stories, or do you tend to like more drama or edge-of-the-seat suspense? What is your favorite genre?

Disclosure of Material Connection: This book came to me free from the publisher, Bethany House, with the hope that I would mention it on this blog. There was no requirement for me to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

As an author of heartwarming historical and contemporary romance, Sandra Ardoin engages readers with page-turning stories of love and faith. Rarely out of reach of a book, she's also an armchair sports enthusiast, country music listener, and seldom says no to eating out.

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