I love the model's expression! She very nicely reflects what I imagined Millie's expression would look like. Though, I do have to confess that my favorite part of this cover is definitely the back - it's gorgeous! I really appreciate how Bethany House is focusing more on the back and making sure it's distinctive.
Description:
After spending her childhood in an orphanage, Millie Longfellow is determined to become the best nanny the East Coast has ever seen. Unfortunately, her enthusiasm for her job tends to bring about situations that have employers looking askance at her methods. After her most recent dismissal, Millie is forced to return yet again to an employment agency.
Everett Mulberry has suddenly and quite unexpectedly found himself responsible for three children he barely knows. Attempting fatherhood while also pacifying the less-than-thrilled socialite he intends to marry is made even more complicated when the children scare off every nanny he hires. About to depart for Newport, Rhode Island, for the summer, he’s desperate for competent childcare.
Jen Turano, author of six books, is a graduate of the University of Akron with a degree in clothing and textiles. She is a member of ACFW and lives in a suburb of Denver, Colorado. Visit her website at www.jenturano.com.
My Review: 5 stars
A thoroughly wonderful book!
In Good Company is the second book in Jen Turano’s, A Class of Their Own series. I’ve become a huge fan of Jen’s books, especially after absolutely adoring the first book, so I was of course, supremely excited to read this one. I can very happily say that it lived up to all of my expectations.
I always adore Jen’s writing. Her details and descriptions are fantastic and it’s obvious that she puts a lot of time and research into each story. I love how she brings each character and setting to life. Her humor comes across on almost every page and had me chuckling or full-blown laughing several times. The story never lags or stalls. There was never a moment that I wanted to skip pages, unless it was to find out what was going to happen next! I can see Jen’s writing changing a bit with each book. Where her first series focused more on the humorous situations the characters found themselves in, as well as the mystery, these books are a bit more serious. They still focus on the characters and there is humor, but there more depth to them. She digs deeper into the shallow society of the day and where they occasionally went astray, rather than keeping the focus on humor. This is in no way a negative point for me, though I know a few of her readers may be rather disappointed. I personally love the deeper moments that give me pause and cause me to stop and think, if only for a few seconds (because I can‘t possibly put it down for longer than that). I was vaguely dismayed in the beginning of the book that the mystery was being cut back, but I have to say that the story works wonderfully as it is. So many things would have been glossed over or completely removed from the story, had Jen changed the focus. I wouldn’t wish that change, so I just took a moment to readjust my expectations.
I absolutely fell in love with Millie Longfellow! I had enjoyed meeting her in “After a Fashion” and had been anxiously anticipating her story. She is such a sweet heroine, though with a strong dose of spice thrown in. I appreciated her unconventional teaching methods and had to laugh out loud at the mischief she often found herself involved in. She is the type of character that I could see myself being great friends with. She is quirky and cute, but also has a strong backbone and doesn’t allow anyone to walk all over her. I also loved her faith. In her own quirky way, she reminded me how important it is to trust God, especially when you don’t understand what He’s doing.
Everett Mulberry is an excellent hero. Strong, stubborn, but with a soft spot not many see. I confess, I found him rather annoying at the start of the book, but that made falling in love even more fun. He is definitely the character I saw the most growth in and I loved watching his eyes be opened to the world around him. He is something of a snob in the beginning (not that he would admit it) and is very self centered. Then, I saw him slowly come to the realization that some things were so much more important that what society thought. He also must consider if he’s truly someone to be proud of. That journey is what sold me on him. It isn’t a sudden change, but it was the little moments, where he’s trying so hard, that made me fall in love with him.
Their romance was incredibly sweet, too! There are the usual social standings discussions and things that conspire to keep them apart, but it was never overdone. They had legitimate concerns that were handled expertly. I always tire of drawn out issues that never seem to be reconciled, but that never happens in this book, much to my relief. I loved watching them slowly fall in love, despite that they both fought it with all they had. And Abigail is such a dear, doing her best to play matchmaker, then taking all of the credit for their “happily ever after.”
As the five stars probably already informed you, I have absolutely no complaints about this book! I loved every moment of it, even those in which Everett was a bit annoying! Because there was hope for him. If readers of this book don’t take away anything else, I truly pray that they will be reminded that there is always hope, even in their darkest moments.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for my honest review, which I have given. I was not required to write a positive review and have not been compensated for it in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read my review! I hope you enjoyed it!
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