This is my first book by Jen Turano, but it will not be my last. It was a fun book to read and I enjoyed the humor immensely. The dialog was great, though perhaps a bit modern in a place or two. The beginning and end of the book were very fast-moving and interesting. I thought the story bogged down a bit in the middle, but that could have been just me.

I love the characters. Both the major and many minor characters were interesting and seemed liked real people. They often reminded me of people I have met along my path in life, so I thought they were very relatable. The plotline was a little far-fetched in places, but that added to the fun of the novel, rather than detracting from it.

This is a story of the upper class in New York City in the 1880's. If you'd like a fun, historical book, I recommend A Change of Fortune.

Share/Like this Review?

I received this book free from GoodReads First Reads.

Lady Eliza Sumner has left England, chasing after her stolen fortune and has landed in New York. Posing as plain old Eliza Sumner, Governess, she is making an honest living until she can recover her stolen money. One giant misunderstanding eventually leaves her unemployed and under the roof of Hamilton Beckett, a man who has also has a mystery to solve.

This book is a comedy of errors and mishaps, mostly caused by or centered on Eliza. She isnt your typical historical romance heroine, she is independent and headstrong. I think the best part of this book is the supporting cast of characters. Each and every character was vibrant and a little crazy completely fun to read. From the ankle biting Ben to the pistol packing Agatha I was completely entertained by each and every one of them.

The romance portion of this book could have been more detailed and the relationship cultivated more. I think the relationship between Eliza and Ben and Piper was the strongest bond created and I felt that it had more depth than that of Hamilton and Elizas. I would have liked to see more romancing between Eliza and Hamilton. Instead I felt like their relationship was more of a friendship.

I usually stay far away from Inspirational romances; I just dont enjoy the religious element in my romances. Had I known this was one of those books, I probably would have passed it up. As it was I didnt feel like I was being spoon-fed religion and I thought the mentions of faith and God to be a lot more natural than books I have read in the past. There were still times, however, when I felt the mention was overkill.

I would have liked some closure with some of the characters like Grayson, Agatha and Zayne. I am assuming the author left us hanging on purpose and plans on writing a few more books starring these people. I hope. This book wont knock you off your feet but it will definitely help you pass an afternoon enjoyably.

Cherise Everhard, October 2012

Share/Like this Review?

I was really looking forward to reading this book because I had read many reviews about the author and the quirky but wonderful characters that she writes about. This book did not disappoint me. I loved the quirkiness of the characters, the good story and the snappy fast-moving dialogue. I will definitely be reading more from this author.

Share/Like this Review?

A Change of Fortune by Jen Turano
Ladies of Distinction Series Book 1
Lady Eliza Sumner has traveled from England to New York. She just lost her father, fiance and fortune. She can not get her father back, does not want her fiance back so she can only try and get her fortune from the man who stole it away from her. So starts her adventure of going from the Tons sweetheart to a simple governess.

Hamilton Beckett is a the most eligible man in New York, oh so his mother is letting people know. A widower with two young children and not personally in a hurry to marry again, not after what his first wife did to him. But Hamilton may have a change of heart when he meets the Watson's governess at a dinner party. He immediately recognizes there is much more to this woman than what she seems.

This was a fun and fast moving book. Humorous adventures and darling kids who for being so young were quite mischievous. Eliza and her new friend, Agatha, find some pretty daring adventures that are definitely not what proper young ladies should be into. Somehow Hamilton and his brother, Zayne, end up in the middle of their adventures just in time to play the knights in shining armor. I found the story line to be new and refreshing, unique. This is the first of four in what looks to be quite an entertaining series.
**Received through Bethany House for review
http://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com/2011/10/bethany-house-publishers.html

Share/Like this Review?

I really enjoyed this fun book! The characters were interesting and witty. I especially enjoyed the children, Piper and Ben. Ben, the adorable three year old had a bad habit, biting, which brought on some particularly funny moments in the story. I highly recommend this book by Jen Turano and look forward to reading more in this series.

Share/Like this Review?

About this book:

"Lady Eliza Sumner is on a mission. Her fortune was the last thing she had left after losing her father, her fiancé, and her faith. Now, masquerading as Miss Eliza Sumner, governess-at-large, she's determined to find the man who ran off with her fortune, reclaim the money, and head straight back to London.
Mr. Hamilton Beckett, much to his chagrin, is the catch of the season, and all the eyes of New York society--all the female ones, at least--are on him. He has no plans to marry again, especially since his hands are full keeping his business afloat while raising his two children alone.
Eliza's hapless attempts to regain her fortune unexpectedly put her right in Hamilton's path. The discovery of a common nemesis causes them to join forces and, before she knows it, Eliza has a whole retinue of people helping her. Eliza's determination not to trust anyone weakens when everyone's antics and bumbling efforts to assist her make her wonder if there might be more important things than her fortune and independence.
When all of Hamilton's and Eliza's best-laid plans fall by the wayside, it will take a riot of complications for them to realize that God just might have had a better plan in mind all along."


Series: Number 1 in the "Ladies of Distinction" series {The novella prologue, "Gentleman of Her Dreams", review Here! {I would recommend reading the Prologue before this book.}}


Spiritual Content- Prayers and Agatha has a strong Faith; Talks about God, His love, trusting Him, & His plans for us; Eliza & Hamilton have to relearn to Trust God & follow Him.


Negative Content- Guns get pointed (no details)


Sexual Content- Hamilton stares at Eliza's mouth (barely above not-detailed, nothing about kissing them though); Eliza & Agatha are mistaken as prostitutes (but they are not); A not-detailed kiss; Love & Falling in love.

-Eliza Sumner
-Hamilton Beckett
P.O.V. switches between them.
Set in 1880
313 pages

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- Two Stars
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Four Stars

Oh my goodness! The witty-ness had me laughing so hard! The banter, wit, action & a bit of romance had me not wanting to put this book down! I can't wait to read Agatha's story in the fourth book "A Match of Wits".




*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.

*{{'Books for Christian Girls' reviews all genres of Christian books, writing down all the Spiritual, Negative & Sexual content and does ratings for girls ages 9-19.
Keep in mind, when reading a BFCG review, ignore the things that don't bother you, but take notice of the things that do.}}

Share/Like this Review?