Noela Nancarrow reviews AFTER A FASHION by Jen Turano

After A Fashion

After A Fashion (A Class of Their Own – Book #1)

by Jen Turano

Bethany House Publishers (February 24, 2015)

Reviewed by Noela Nancarrow

5 Stars *****

If you enjoy being entertained by what you read, I’d look no further! Replete with uproariously funny scenes, sparkling dialogue embracing brilliant wit and rich sarcasm, and delightfully quirky characters--- this energized and fast-paced novel with its animated mayhem will have you racing through the pages to the surprising but perfect ending!

It all began when hat-maker Harriet Peabody was sent by her employer to deliver some hats to an unpredictable and might I say, somewhat maniacal society woman. After subsequently losing her job, Harriet realizes her dreams of opening her own store selling refashioned gowns to working-class women, are pushed further away than ever. Unless, she accepts the daunting job that the ridiculously wealthy Mr. Oliver Addleshaw has offered her.

When Oliver meets the fetching Harriet, he is impressed with her self-sufficiency and unflappable nature and deems her the perfect woman to have at his side when entertaining the Duke while negotiating an important business deal. Relieved that Harriet won’t press him into marriage like most society ladies would, it was the perfect solution. Thinking a bit of training in the rules of society would suffice; Oliver had no idea how much this charming woman would be like a fish out water! Nor was he prepared for this stubborn and intriguing woman to get under his skin so much. Or to have chased her around the streets so many times! But this is only a business arrangement and they are worlds apart... or are they?

I was enamored with the burgeoning romance that the characters tried to ignore, the well-executed plot climaxing with a deadly threat from Harriet’s past, along with more pandemonium of course, and the laughs that never stopped coming!! Complementing that were the unique and colorful characters which included the irrational Miss Birmingham, the dictionary-challenged friend, the slobbering Buford, and the kindly reverend. With a feel of the movie Pretty Woman about it, this spectacular tale is not only incredibly entertaining but spiritually uplifting as it perfectly portrays the value in us all.

**Thanks to Bethany House and NetGalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion, which I have given.**

* * * * * * * * 

You can find this and Jen Turano's other outstanding books at Amazon, CBD, Barnes and Noble, and Books A Million!

GIVEAWAY: We are giving away THREE copies of this amazing book this week!!! Leave a comment on any of the reviews this week of After A Fashion and/or on Bonnie's post on gratitude, to be entered! Winner's choice of paperback or ebook. (International - ebook or paperback through Book Depository.)