Book review: After a Fashion by Jen Turano

Harriet Peabody works as a hat maker in 1880s New York City.  She works in the back of the shop, never customer-facing.  Then on her birthday, her employer assigns her to deliver a sizable number of hats to a rich, young society woman at the home of one of the most influential, affluent businessmen of the day.  What starts out as a simple delivery turns into a rumpus that results in her dismissal from her job.  And in the midst of that altercation Harriet meets Oliver Addleshaw, who insists on hiring Harriet to be his companion during a series of upcoming business engagements with the Duke of Westmoore.  Each page of the book then reveals a new adventure, misunderstanding, challenge, or surprise as Harriet prepares for her new role.

This was a fun book to read!  Although Harriet was of questionable parentage and upbringing, the sum of her experiences made her a well-spoken, knowledgeable, and capable woman.  The repartee between Harriet, Oliver, and other characters was just delightful, and so entertaining!  The plot twists kept the book moving forward at just the right pace, and the surprise ending was just wonderful!  I highly recommend this lighthearted book, and hope that you will laugh as much as I did!

This is the first book in Turano’s A Class of Their Own series, and I am certainly looking forward to reading more from this author.

I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher in exchange for my honest review, which I have given.

To read more about Jen Turano or her books, go to http://jenturano.com.