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In Good Company
by Jen Turano - Millie Longfellow knows she is a good nanny, but the high society mothers she has worked for don't understand her tendency to have fun with her young charges and her rather unconventional methods. As a result, she never stays employed for very long at a time. Everett Mulberry unexpectedly became guardian to three young children, and has had one nanny after another quit after the children's pranks and misbehavior. In desperation, he agrees to hire Millie because he is about to leave for his summer cottage and the employment agency has no one else available.
Millie connects with the children quickly, although there are definitely some missteps along the way, and she introduces the idea that something suspicious is afoot regarding the parents' death and their estate. To their surprise, Millie and Everett find a mutual respect and start to develop a friendly relationship, but this doesn't sit well at all with Caroline, the woman that expects Everett to marry her. In fact, Caroline resents the children's presence and is hoping to have them sent off to boarding school, and she especially scorns Millie. As the days in Newport go by, Everett starts to realize the extent of the snobbery practiced by his friends and by himself, and that perhaps the growing affection he has for the children and for Millie will trump the expectations of society and his former plans for his life.
As in the previous novel by Turano that I read (A Change of Fortune), the female lead is charming in an eccentric way, a young lady with sweet character but appallingly bad luck in life so far; and the gentleman love interest is wealthy and high-placed in society and initially uninterested in a romantic relationship. The other similarities are the series of improbable circumstances in which the couple finds themselves, and the surprising nastiness of the villain. In this one, I found Caroline's cold heart quite a bit colder than was completely believable, and the character and behavior of the children not always realistic. But the fast-paced storyline and light-hearted humour kept me turning pages, and wondering just how Everett and Millie would wind up together in the end. As with most romances, it's obvious that they will, but the twists and turns and resolution of the problems they face are what make the story fun.
This is an historical novel that could easily be a sit-com, so as long as you don't take it too seriously, it's a very enjoyable read. I had a delightful time with it, and will continue to watch for other novels by Jen Turano.
by Jen Turano - Millie Longfellow knows she is a good nanny, but the high society mothers she has worked for don't understand her tendency to have fun with her young charges and her rather unconventional methods. As a result, she never stays employed for very long at a time. Everett Mulberry unexpectedly became guardian to three young children, and has had one nanny after another quit after the children's pranks and misbehavior. In desperation, he agrees to hire Millie because he is about to leave for his summer cottage and the employment agency has no one else available.Millie connects with the children quickly, although there are definitely some missteps along the way, and she introduces the idea that something suspicious is afoot regarding the parents' death and their estate. To their surprise, Millie and Everett find a mutual respect and start to develop a friendly relationship, but this doesn't sit well at all with Caroline, the woman that expects Everett to marry her. In fact, Caroline resents the children's presence and is hoping to have them sent off to boarding school, and she especially scorns Millie. As the days in Newport go by, Everett starts to realize the extent of the snobbery practiced by his friends and by himself, and that perhaps the growing affection he has for the children and for Millie will trump the expectations of society and his former plans for his life.
As in the previous novel by Turano that I read (A Change of Fortune), the female lead is charming in an eccentric way, a young lady with sweet character but appallingly bad luck in life so far; and the gentleman love interest is wealthy and high-placed in society and initially uninterested in a romantic relationship. The other similarities are the series of improbable circumstances in which the couple finds themselves, and the surprising nastiness of the villain. In this one, I found Caroline's cold heart quite a bit colder than was completely believable, and the character and behavior of the children not always realistic. But the fast-paced storyline and light-hearted humour kept me turning pages, and wondering just how Everett and Millie would wind up together in the end. As with most romances, it's obvious that they will, but the twists and turns and resolution of the problems they face are what make the story fun.
This is an historical novel that could easily be a sit-com, so as long as you don't take it too seriously, it's a very enjoyable read. I had a delightful time with it, and will continue to watch for other novels by Jen Turano.
From the publisher:
After growing up as an orphan, Millie Longfellow is determined to become the best nanny the East Coast has ever seen. Unfortunately, her playfulness and enthusiasm aren't always well-received and she finds herself dismissed from yet another position.
Everett Mulberry has quite unexpectedly become guardian to three children that scare off every nanny he hires. About to depart for Newport, Rhode Island, for the summer, he's desperate for competent childcare.
At wit's end with both Millie and Everett, the employment agency gives them one last chance--with each other. As Millie falls in love with her mischievous charges, Everett focuses on achieving the coveted societal status of the upper echelons. But as he investigates the suspicious circumstances surrounding the death of the children's parents, will it take the loss of those he loves to learn whose company he truly wants for the rest of his life?
Everett Mulberry has quite unexpectedly become guardian to three children that scare off every nanny he hires. About to depart for Newport, Rhode Island, for the summer, he's desperate for competent childcare.
At wit's end with both Millie and Everett, the employment agency gives them one last chance--with each other. As Millie falls in love with her mischievous charges, Everett focuses on achieving the coveted societal status of the upper echelons. But as he investigates the suspicious circumstances surrounding the death of the children's parents, will it take the loss of those he loves to learn whose company he truly wants for the rest of his life?
Visit the Baker Publishing Group for info on where to buy.
By the same author: A Change of Fortune
Sounds like an entertaining read! Thanks for your thorough and enjoyable review, and for your sweet comment on Saved by Grace!
ReplyDeleteGod bless,
Laurie