Behind the Scenes

Apart from the Crowd, Book 1

By: Jen Turano

Narrated by: Lauren Ezzo

Start of a delightful new series from historical romance author Jen Turano.

Miss Permilia Griswold may have been given the opportunity of a debut into New York high society, but no one warned her she wasn't guaranteed to "take". After spending the last six years banished to the wallflower section of the ballroom, she's finally putting her status on the fringes of society to good use by penning anonymous society gossip columns under the pseudonym "Miss Quill".

Mr. Asher Rutherford has managed to maintain his status as a reputable gentleman of society despite opening his own department store. While pretending it's simply a lark to fill his time, he has quite legitimate reasons for needing to make his store the most successful in the country.

When Permilia overhears a threat against the estimable Mr. Rutherford, she's determined to find and warn the man. Disgruntled at a first meeting that goes quite poorly and results in Asher not believing her, she decides to take matters into her own hands, never realizing she'll end up at risk as well.

As Asher and Permilia are forced to work together and spend time away from the spotlight of society, perhaps there's more going on behind the scenes than they ever could have anticipated....

©2017 Jen Turano (P)2017 Two Words Publishing

Fun and novel read

Quirky and funny! Word choice was brilliant and easy to picture the events taking place.

The Gilded Age!

A titter here, a grin there, and several outright guffaws later I found myself absolutely delighted not only with the narrative but the narration (by Lauren Ezzo). Barons of Industry provide the wealth but the Knickerbocker Set wields as much power in New York as ever did the ton in London. No titles, but prominent hostesses hold sway and the fit and style of a gown and the bloodlines of its owner remain fodder for gossip. Our heroine Permilia is a confirmed Wall Flower who would rather be helping her father manage his mines than finding a spouse. A suffragist and strong supporter of women's equality, she nonetheless becomes tongue-tied in the presence of society gentlemen. Spicing the action is a murder plot, tours of the Vanderbilt mansion, and a mad-cap ride in a dumb waiter. In fact the whole story is a delightful mad-cap ride with a sweet Christian twist!

A bit too much preaching…

But still a good listen. The writer has her characters speaking religious dogma. It didn’t not add to the story and it would have been better left out.

Extremely Entertaining!

Warning...this book will make you laugh out loud!
I absolutely adore Permilla Griswold! I loved the detailed descriptions of the clothing, the rooms, the people. I loved the "wallflowers!"
Oh, and the handsome gentleman Mr. Asher Rutherford. Have a fainting couch at the ready, he is swoon-worthy.
I loved this book!
*Sorry for the short review, I got Out of The Ordinary on Audible and HAD to listen to it right away.

Enchanting

This story was so much fun. You will love the female lead and laugh out loud.