Recently I have been completely hooked on sweet historical romances. I burned through Mimi Matthews books and was eager to fill the void with an author who could encapsulate a sweet romance with some humor.
When I read the summary of this one, my first thought that this could be the author to fill that void in my TBR list. I have been absolutely craving more sweet romances and this book sounded like it would be able to satisfy my sweet tooth..This book came across at the perfect time and I couldn’t wait to sink my teeth into it. This book is from Christian publisher, Bethany House, but for me it read less like a Christian romance with obvious religions references and more like a proper, chaste, sweet romance which was exactly what I was hoping for..
This is the second in a series but it could easily be read as a stand alone book and for me that’s exactly what it was, a stand alone. But I would be open to reading the other book in the series because the characters were a hoot and I loved each person I encountered.
Summary
To save her family from financial ruin, Miss Poppy Garrison accepts an unusual proposition to participate in the New York social season in exchange for her grandmother settling a family loan that has unexpectedly come due. Ill-equipped to handle the intricacies of mingling within the New York Four Hundred, Poppy becomes embroiled in one hilarious fiasco after another, doomed to suffer a grand societal failure instead of being deemed the diamond of the first water her grandmother longs for her to become.
Reginald Blackburn, second son of a duke, has been forced to travel to America to help his cousin, Charles Wynn, Earl of Lonsdale, find an American heiress to wed in order to shore up his family estate that is in desperate need of funds. Reginald himself has no interest in finding an heiress to marry, but when Poppy’s grandmother asks him to give etiquette lessons to Poppy, he swiftly discovers he may be in for much more than he bargained for (summary from Goodreads).
Review
What in the world did I just read? I say that with a laugh on my lips and a smile because this book was so much fun and unexpected. I was hoping that it would be a fun read on par with Mimi Matthews, but what I found was an author with her own unique voice and talent. I smiled and laughed my way through this novel and throughly enjoyed every single chapter! Turano is a truly gifted story teller and I eagerly look forward to reading more books by her! In fact, I ordered the first book in this series immediately following this one!
Turno has written a number of other books and series and that experience shows in this novel. While I have only read this one book, I am eager to explore her other books and series because her talent is undeniable and I couldn’t get enough of this book!
The thing that stands out in this book for me is Poppy. She is an incredible character—witty, razor sharp, and she knows who she is. I absolutely love her and want to hang out with her. She is unique and refreshing. In a sea of classic heroines, Poppy stand out like a beacon and I love her! She made this book for me with her humor.
Once I started this one I couldn’t put it down and breezed through it which left me wanting more from Turno. The setting was enjoyable but it’s the banter and characters that make this book. The romance was more of a slow building one rather than an instant attraction. If this book hadn’t been so charming and funny, I don’t know that I would have appreciated the slow burn romance, but since it was so charming and funny, I thought the slow burn romance worked just fine indeed.
If you love sweet romances with a strong, humorous heroine then this book needs to be on your radar! I absolutely loved this book and can’t wait to read more by Turno in the future!
Book Info and Rating
The Lit Bitch 
Historical romances never used to be my thing but I’m finding myself picking them up more often and I always enjoy them- I should just jump all the way in! Thank you for being on this tour. Sara @ TLC Book Tours