Fans of traditional regencies will definitely LOVE Jen Turano's latest novel Behind the Scenes! Miss Permilia Griswold is what society has deemed a wallflower, but she has the spirit to not let anyone tell her what she can and can't do, especially since her stepmother, Ida and stepsister, Lucy seem intent on making sure that she finds a suitable match and if not, to do nothing to embarrass their attempts to secure the right man for Lucy. Mrs. Ida Webster, a formidable lady one learned rather quickly not to cross - and a lady who staunchly believed a woman's place was in the home, not traveling around the country participating in...business.
For Permilia she loved being considered a wallflower. It was the only time she could travel with ease behind the scenes, observing society without anyone noticing. This would help her to blend in better at all the society functions Ida and Lucy insist she attend and one that would allow her to gather facts to write about in her society column under the pseudo name of Miss Quill. Only in this circumstance at the Vanderbilt ball, Permilia is about to face her greatest challenge, Mr. Asher Rutherford of Rutherford and Company. He is a self-made man who is society's greatest eligible bachelor who finds the untamed and unconventional spirit of Permilia to his liking for some odd reason. She holds nothing back and isn't about to conform to what Ida or Lucy deem appropriate for her. All she desires is to work with her father in his mining business and has taken it upon herself to learn all she can about the business world.
When she learns of a plot to murder Asher Rutherford while hiding in the Vanderbilt mansion, she will do whatever it takes to ensure that no harm comes to him, even if it means tarnishing her reputation. She even manages to gain some help from other wallflowers in an effort to be taken serious, of which Asher is convinced that Permilia has simply jumped to conclusions. Nevertheless, he finds simply being in her company to be like a moth to a flame only he needs to make sure that he doesn't get burned in the process. After all, most of society shops within the doors of Rutherford and Company for all their latest fashions and he needs to ensure that he doesn't do anything rash to make headlines in the local gossip columns.
I received Behind the Scenes by Jen Turano compliments of Baker Publishing Group and Net Galley. There is something to Jen Turano's writing style that casts a hook into you and you don't want this novel to end. Her character of Permilia is well-conceived, strong and determined and willing to not be a role model for what society deems is appropriate. She wants more out of life and isn't waiting around for a man to provide it. While she definitely has gumption, she also walks a tight-rope to ensure she doesn't embarrass her father and cause undo harm to his business while she seeks to find her own way in the world. I easily give this one a 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion and find myself relating to Permilia as that would likely be how I would have been in her world. No fear, bold and full of passion! This is the first novel in the Apart From The Crowd series and one I am looking forward to!
For more information about Behind the Scenes, Jen Turano, or where you can pre-order a copy of this novel due out in April, please click on the links below:
You can find Jen Turano on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.
To read more reviews on Behind the Scenes, please visit Baker Publishing Group's website.
