This is also the second book in the Ladies of Distinction series; though it doesn’t say so on the novel itself. I wasn’t fully aware of this and read it anyway – yet I would strongly suggest starting with A Change of Fortune, if you’re able!
It’s 1880 and Miss Arabella Beckett has been traveling around the country giving speeches and spreading her strong belief in the women’s suffrage movement.
But when she lands in jail, covered in pig’s filth, well… It slows her down a bit.
There’s an explanation of course, but no explanation is good enough for the acclaimed private investigator Mr. Theodore Wilder who has been trying to track her down for longer than he expected. The idea that a woman would get herself in trouble like this – a lady, at that – confounds him.
As a friend of her brother’s, though, he’s determined to get her back home to New York – where she was planning on heading next anyway.
Once they’re back in New York, their head-butting unfortunately continues. Theodore finds her independent, outspoken personality uncouth, whereas Arabella finds his old-fashioned, narrow views irritating.
The trouble that landed her in jail back in Illinois, however, may have followed her home… And sadly that might mean they might need to suffer each other’s company a little longer.
As much as I hate to say it, I’m not much of a fan of this cover.
However, A Most Peculiar Circumstance quickly overcomes it!
Arabella is feisty, dogmatic and confident – an excellently fun heroine! It took longer for me to get a read on Theodore, but he does have an appeal of his own – even if he can often be insufferable.
A Most Peculiar Circumstance is refreshingly delightful with sparkling, witty, charming banter and characters bursting with personality! Not to mention a sizzling chemistry between the leads that manages to keep from being mushy, nor superficial. Being that is a Christian fiction book, it is suitable for a reader of any age – yet doesn’t pander or preach, which is important to my reading sensibilities!
I’m going to be honest with you: Arabella is pretty awesome.
And for you YA readers that like strong, smart, fast-talkin’ protagonists, I think you’ll find that Arabella could be our bud – if only we could travel back to this fictional 1880 setting.
There’s more to the story that romance, which I VERY much appreciate!!! There’s a bit of a mystery, lots of humor, time spent with friends – and it’s just overall grin-worthy!
Near the end there is a rather chilling turn of events, done well.
I mean, A Most Peculiar Circumstance was a blast! I’ll definitely be interested in the other books in this series – even if I doubt that all the female leads will be as entertaining as Arabella!
*I received a copy of A Most Peculiar Circumstance from the Bethany House Book Reviewers program. Their generosity in no way influenced, nor sought to influence, my opinion of the novel.
Comments