Book Review: A Most Peculiar Circumstance

Author: Jen Turano

Publication Date: June 1, 2013

Publisher: Bethany House

Series: Ladies of Distinction # 2

Miss Arabella Beckett has one driving passion: to help the downtrodden women of America. Naturally, she supports the women's suffrage movement and eagerly attends rallies and lectures across the country. On her travels, she makes a simple offer of assistance to a young woman in need that goes sadly awry and lands both ladies in more trouble than they can manage. An independent sort, Arabella is loath to admit she needs help and certainly doesn't need help from an arrogant, narrow-minded knight in shining armor.

Mr. Theodore Wilder, private investigator extraordinaire, is on a mission. A mission that began as a favor to his good friend Hamilton Beckett, but swiftly evolved into a merry chase across the country. By the time he finally tracks down Hamilton's sister, Arabella, he is in a less than pleasant mood. When the lady turns out to have radical ideas and a fiercely independent streak, he soon finds himself at his wit's end.

When they return home to New York, circumstances force their paths to continue to cross, but the most peculiar feelings growing between them certainly can't be love. When the trouble Arabella had accidentally stirred up seems to have followed her to New York and threatens her very life, the unlikely couple must face the possibility that they might have landed in the most peculiar circumstance of all: love.

It was truly unfortunate, whatever the lady’s reasoning, that Miss James apparently felt one was not complete unless one had the attention of a gentleman, even if said gentleman was one she’d never met.

As a woman who was known for having strong opinions, dealing with annoyed gentlemen seemed to be a common occurrence in her life.

Arabella began tapping her one shoe against the hard floor, immediately stilling when she teetered from the motion. “I encourage women to stand up for their rights, Mr. Wilder. We are held accountable to the same laws as men, and yet we have no say regarding the passage of these laws.”

Miss Arabella Beckett was opinionated, bossy, and not at all what Theodore had expected when he’d agreed to fetch her home.

I read Jen Turano’s debut novel, A Change of Fortune, back in the fall and I absolutely loved every second of it. I always love trying out debut novels because it gives me a chance to find a new author whose books and writing style I am in love with. This definitely was the case with Jen Turano, and as you can see I was just as thrilled to pick up her second novel as well. This book tells the story of Arabella Beckett, whose brother shows up in the first book, and a Mr. Theodore Wilder. Arabella finds herself in between a rock and a hard place when she lands herself in jail and ends up being searched out by the private investigator, Mr. Wilder. This book is just plain fun! There is no other way to describe it.

Arabella Beckett is most certainly on my list of favorite characters of the year. She is always landing herself in trouble and getting herself stuck places that she can’t seem to get out of on her own. She is a quirky, determined heroine who carries her passions on her sleeve and doesn’t care that others might not agree with her morals and beliefs. I laughed so much at Arabella and almost wish she had her own series. She is just a fun, carefree, and likeable character who has the best intentions, but may not always make the best decisions!

Everyone that knows me knows that I am a feminist, who believes in equal treatment of all women. I would even go so far to say that I believe women can reach the heights of men socially, economically, and financially. Our world, of course, is getting more and more accustomed to this happening. One reason that I was so drawn to Arabella is because of the support she gave to the Women’s Suffrage Movement. Jen Turano does a fabulous job of bringing history to life through Arabella’s eyes. She is adamant that women be treated fairly, but of course in this time her ideas are thought to be radical. She was such a fun character to follow, and I truly enjoyed the history written into her character!

***A copy of this book was provided to me by the author in exchange for my honest review***