In Good Company by Jen Turano

I’ve had this book for a couple of weeks but decided if I was going to get anything done, I’d better not pick it up yet. As I guessed, once I started this book, I didn’t want to put it down. If you read, After a Fashion, you will remember Millie Longfellow. The quirky character who had a penchant for using the wrong word and looking up words she didn’t know in her ever present dictionary. For those who have not yet had the pleasure of reading this book, don’t worry, you won’t get lost in the new one. While the characters in the previous book are mentioned, they aren’t present.

After getting fired from another nanny position, Millie Longfellow returns to the hiring service. Parents misunderstand her unique way of watching children. She is not of the opinion children should be seen and not heard. They should be allowed to play and express themselves. Everett Mulberry’s nanny has quit (or another nanny has quit). Exasperated with the two of them, the employment agency makes them work together. Everett’s uncomfortable with this quirky woman who seems to get herself into mischief keeping the children he has been assigned as guardian but what choice does he have? The woman he plans to spend his future with is frustrated with his lack of success in this area, he is leaving for Newport for the summer, and the children need supervision. While the children attempt to run the Millie off, they endear themselves to her, as does Everett to her chagrin. Will Everett come to realize what (or more precisely who) is most important in life? And was there more behind the deaths of the children’s parents than meets the eyes?

Jen Turano is a master at writing humorous yet lovable characters. Millie’s escapades brought laughter (even to Everett a few times). While her misuse of words had the potential to become a running gag, Turano used them just enough to humor the reader and not make them roll their eyes that it was happening one more time. Add in the meddling elderly matron Abigail Hart, actress and Millie’s friend Lucetta Plum, a scheming girlfriend, a flock of peacocks, a trio of puppies, and Everett’s mother (along with a few members of the staff), and there is no end to the amusement as Everett and Millie realize and admit their attraction. If you are looking for some laughter with your humor—and a few references to our dear Jane Austen—then don’t miss In Good Company.

***Bethany House Publishers provided me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review. All opinions expressed are my own.