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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. . . .

Available 4/4/17 (eBook) and 4/18/17 (print)

Throughout this entire book, I found myself smiling, giggling, and even laughing out loud once or twice. Permilia and Asher play off each other and navigate the perfect comedic dance. From the first pages of Behind the Scenes, I liked Permilia. Snubbed by society but unwilling to let that determine her worth, she finds other occupations to keep her entertained during the many times she’s not asked to dance. While she’s a strong woman, she also has a shy side with most men that is endearing.

The one man she has no problem speaking…her mind…with is Asher Rutherford. A business man with whom her previous interactions would cause her stepmother palpitations if she knew the entire tale. Yet Asher’s attentiveness and kind words cause her to view him in a different light.

As she and Asher try to unravel the murder plot against him, and the threat to her now as well, will spending more time together make them appreciate the other more or will Permilia’s headstrong willfulness and Asher’s stodgy opinions tear their budding relationship apart?

The first full-length book in the Apart from the Crowd series, Behind the Scenes delivers Turano’s spot on humor, a peek inside high society during the gilded age, and the fashions of the time. A truly delightful read.

My Rating:

Disclosure statement:

I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including Netgalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

If you love this book, check out others by Jen Turano: After a Fashion, In Good Company, Playing the Part

As hotel heiress Estella Everstone poses as a companion to an elderly widow after the death of her brother, Will, she struggles with her new position. When her employer announces they will be spending some time at Everston, one of her father’s hotels, Estella (living under the alias of Elle Stoneburner) is both excited and anxious. Excited because of all of her father’s hotels, this is the one she is most fond of, the one she longs to own someday. Anxious because she is Estella Everstone, visited the hotel when she was younger, and may be recognized. On the way to the hotel, Estella meets Dexter Blakeley, the manager of the hotel. His caring and kindness toward not only her but some other young ladies is both humbling and aggravating. But somehow Dexter is able to accomplish what no one else in Estella’s life has. He sees herself for who she truly is—not some society maiden, not the daughter of Bram Everstone, not the sister of Natalia, Nathan, Vance or, Will. And that is something she didn’t realize she’d wanted so desperately. But when the truth of who she comes out is revealed, will Dexter still look at her with affection or will the attachment and mutual respect that has grown between them be irreparably severed?

Book three of The Everstone Chronicles offers much desired insight into the elusive Estella Everstone. In the first two books, I could never decide if she was just so painfully shy she kept to herself or such a snob she didn’t believe others were worth her time (it’s neither of these things in case you’re wondering). Dawn Crandall’s characters are well-developed and the more I read of her, the more I want to read. Fingers crossed this isn’t the final book in the series. Estella’s struggle with how others see her and how she longs to be seen is heartfelt and genuine, her friendship with Dexter’s sister is sweet, and the chemistry between her and Dexter is undeniable. The Captive Imposter is a must read for fans of historical fiction, romance, or a good, engaging read (you’ll have a hard time putting it down).

Available now

Visit Dawn Crandall’s blog during release month (through April 23) and enter to win a copy of The Captive Imposter and other great reads!

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

High Society

Behind the Scenes by Jen Turano Review

The Captive Imposter by Dawn Crandall