After a Fashion: A Class of Their Own, Book 1

I’m a huge fan of this author yet this book was the least favorite of this particular author. It was jarring how whiplash the feelings came and went, and everyone was pretty well all over the place. She comes across as unable to put herself into society, then seems to be so competent that she’s hired, then is back to being terrified. A man of business would be pretty put out with his investment. Then she’s always contemplating flinging herself out of carriage’s? It’s not quite endearing as it seems. Even the end, she decided to move, then all of a sudden she changes her plans and gives up what she’s always wanted just for business. Back and forth till the end.

After the past several suspense novels, I was in the mood for something that would make me laugh and so even though I have other books that have a deadline for reading, I was craving a Jen Turano book. So I pulled this one from my TBR stack, and it was everything that I needed! This book was so much fun - with great characters, witty banter, hilarious antics, a fun dog, a solid plot line, and a couple of bonus twists! I enjoyed the character development and had several laugh out loud moments. In a busy stressful week, this was just the escape I needed!

What a delightful book! I was 10% of the way through the book when I found myself laughing so hard that my stomach hurt and at times, I had tears about to run down my cheeks. I couldn't put my kindle down except to rest my eyes for a bit and then I had to pick up the kindle and finish the book before going to sleep because I just couldn't go to sleep without knowing how it ended. The amazing part was that the big climax...where we find out something major about the heroine - was a total shock to me! I literally didn't see it coming.Let me share a bit about the story though. Miss Harriet Peabody is a hat-girl. Mr. Oliver Addleshaw is a very rich man who wants to continue to grow richer. He is getting ready for a major business deal but what he needs is an attractive woman on his arm as he goes to events. After seeing Harriet deal with a difficult customer, he sees something in her that makes him realize she could be an asset to his business and he offers her a deal because he realizes she just lost her job partly due to him. Basically, for the next few weeks, she is to attend dinners with him and meet that social need for a partner. But things escalate from there. Within days, she becomes his "fiancee'" - even if it is fake and the more Oliver tries to do things to please Harriet, the more he displeases her. As the book continues, things go from bad to worse, and yet the reader can't help but laugh as things go more and more wrong.Normally, I don't read many books from this time period, so that was something new for me. But between the characters, the dog, and the situations that the heroine found herself in ... I simply couldn't stop reading.I've never read a book by this author before but I can guarantee that I am going to seek out some of her books now.

"After a Fashion" by Jen Turano is the first of the series, "A Class of Their Own". After Ms. Turano's first series, "Ladies of Distinction" (several of whom I've reviewed), I was looking forward to diving into After a Fashion. I won't go into details about her first series (which each book can be a standalone book). With After a Fashion, we encounter Miss Harriet Peabody. What a name?! The name itself gives me a smile. Through comedic circumstances, Harriet and one of the wealthiest man in town, Mr. Oliver Addleshaw comes together to put on a show for the elite and tongue-wagging society of New York City.If you know Ms. Turano's works, you know she brings a sense of humor to her novels. The imagery of how vivid a scenario in her books just makes you laugh out loud. That is the case with Harriet's and Oliver's very first encounter. With a mentally unstable "lady", a shocked gentleman (Oliver) and a no-nonsense hat girl (Harriet), the first meeting was one of chaos and delightful dialogue. How does the author come up with this stuff?!!The rest of the plot was intriguing and full of fun and also chaotic personalities and scenes, it just keeps you reading and reading until you realize it was the end. Ms. Turano builds her characters with the use of other supporting characters, which gives you a sense of fullness when it comes to her characters' development. The various twists in the storyline also gives you a strong picture of what After a Fashion is about and will elude to. Give this one a read. Just look at the vivacious colors of her cover, you will see how "fashionable" After a Fashion is and will continue to be.NOTE: I won a copy of this book through a sweepstakes. A review was not mandatory.

Warning! Do not read this where you will disturb someone with your laughter. Jen Turano always knows how to bring moments of humor in a way it is very difficult not to truly “laugh out loud”! This novel takes you on an unexpected journey into the lives of Harriet the hat maker and Oliver the wealthy business man. The directions their lives go in is beyond belief in a fun way.

Harriet summoned to the office to delivery hats to the fiancé of a wealthy gentleman. The owner with her ample figure couldn’t, the woman didn’t want to see her again. The fiancé is known to throw things, and oh by the way be sure you get payment in full for the hats. She looses her job, and the gentleman that he is, and also when told they prefer the men to be married. He seeks her out, feeling he owed her something, and this would also help him. The world of fashion she has not known being an orphan, can she learn and be what he wants.

One of the things I love most about Jen Turano's books is the characters. They each have a clever, quirky and unique personality that delights me. They are complex and complicated and I am always in awe as to how she creates such a masterpiece. When I begin her books, it does take me awhile to get used to the heavy reliance on dialogue and the way the characters get distracted and lose focus. But that's probably what makes them so endearing, they are like real people, they are like me. I can't wait for the next book in this series to come out....so excited that I may need to go back and re-read some of her previous books.

I enjoyed reading this book as it kept my imagination ticking over. I simple could not put it down as it was awesome