LESSON TWO: Become headmistress and expect to find yourself partnering with an attractive inventor to search for treasure.
Annaliese Merriweather has been appointed the temporary headmistress of the Merriweather Academy for Young Ladies while her sister is on her honeymoon, but she doesn’t feel cut out for the role. Especially after she loses two of her most troublesome students during an outing to a county fair and has to recruit the help of Seth McCormick, an eccentric inventor, to retrieve them.
Soon after, one of those mischievous students disappears again, intent on pursuing a pirate map. Together, Annaliese and Seth set out to find her, accompanied by a menagerie of Annaliese’s rescued animal companions. As they stumble from one chaotic situation to the next, sparks fly between Annaliese and Seth. Somehow, they’ll need to outwit dangerous individuals also intent on seeking the treasure and bring everyone back in one piece–all while deciphering what their hearts desire.
With witty characters and humorous banter, Jen Turano takes readers on a lively tale of hijinks, humor, treasure hunting, and forced proximity in her latest historical rom-com set in Chicago at a finishing school during the Gilded Age.
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Sexual Content - 1/5
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Violence - 0/5
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Language - 0/5
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Drugs and Alcohol - 0/5
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Summary
Reviewed by Donna
In Pursuit of Civility by Jen Turano is the second book in the series. While it can be read as a standalone, it’s even more enjoyable if you’ve read the first book, as many of the same characters return and the story feels like a natural continuation.
Annaliese, the sister introduced in book one, takes center stage here. She has always felt like she doesn’t quite fit in, largely due to her fierce love of animals and her desire to protect them with great enthusiasm (and often to hilarious extremes). Her unique personality adds a delightful layer of humor and heart to the story.
Seth, the hero, is an inventor who also stands apart from his peers. I especially enjoyed his creative inventions and the way Turano brings a “geeky” charm to the Gilded Age setting. Seth is both endearing and thoughtful, particularly in how he takes a genuine interest in Annaliese’s passions—something quite unconventional for the time. His desire to invent solutions to help his friends makes him a standout character.
This story is filled with a lively cast of characters—both human and animal—and plenty of adventure as they search for Annaliese’s missing aunt… and perhaps even uncover a treasure along the way.
I’m already looking forward to book three and Seraphina’s story.