Christian Fiction Devourers discussion

Miss Harriet Peabody dreams of the day she can open up a shop selling refashioned gowns to independent working women like herself. Unfortunately, when an errand for her millinery shop job goes sadly awry due to a difficult customer, she finds herself out of an income.

Mr. Oliver Addleshaw is on the verge of his biggest business deal yet when he learns his potential partner prefers to deal with men who are settled down and wed. When Oliver witnesses his ex not-quite-fiance cause the hapless Harriet to lose her job, he tries to make it up to her by enlisting her help in making a good impression on his business partner.

Harriet quickly finds her love of fashion can't make her fashionable. She'll never truly fit into Oliver's world, but just as she's ready to call off the fake relationship, fancy dinners, and elegant balls, a threat from her past forces both Oliver and Harriet to discover that love can come in the most surprising packages.

Hope lots of you will join in the discussion on this wonderful book.

I must say I absolutely loved this book. Great combination of humor, romance, and a touch of suspense. I have invited Jen Turano to join us mid-month for our discussion.

I loved this book also, I laughed out so many times people around me stared especially when Oliver met Harriet the whole scene was hilarious!!

Juli wrote: "I loved this book also, I laughed out so many times people around me stared especially when Oliver met Harriet the whole scene was hilarious!!"

I know exactly what you mean!

I just received a wonderful e-mail from Jen and she will be popping in and out to join our discussion beginning mid-month. Let's make her very welcome!!!!

I put a hold on this one at the library...

I am reading it now and loving it! Already several laugh out loud scenes!

I really enjoyed this one!!! I liked In Good Company even more, but After a Fashion was a great read!

This is my first book by Turano. I read a lot of historical fiction but most of it isn't flat-out funny, so this is a change.

I like the main characters so far. :)

I am so excited for both of our groups reads this month. I love Jen Turano books, they're so fun to read.

I loved this book.

I'm about 70% of the way in, and I really like the addition of Mrs. Hart. I guess I'm fond of opinionated older ladies who enjoy meddling. :) I think they can be a great way to stir up a story, and she's done that here.

Yes I agree I love Miss Hart and sometimes these older ladies see us as we truly are!!

I loved Miss Hart. Older ladies always have wisdom they can impart to us younger ones. I belong to a ladies group at church. I am the baby and the rest are all in the late 70's to 90's. They are such faithful women and so wise. I always tell them I want to grow up to be just like them.

I have not read this book yet but have heard such fabulous things about it. I may just start it today. I needed something lighter to read. :-)

Kristen wrote: "I have not read this book yet but have heard such fabulous things about it. I may just start it today. I needed something lighter to read. :-)"

This is a good choice if you need a lighter book. I always have several books going at once, and two of my main books right now are quite sad. (One is about the Dust Bowl, the other about shell-shocked WWI soldiers.) So this book is just right to pick up when I need something fun.

Loraine wrote: "I loved Miss Hart. Older ladies always have wisdom they can impart to us younger ones. I belong to a ladies group at church. I am the baby and the rest are all in the late 70's to 90's. They are..."

Lol! That's awesome Lorraine. I love being around and getting advice from the older women at my church too.

I finished the book - it needed to go back to the library tomorrow. I enjoyed the action at the ball, except for (view spoiler)[the fact that she turned out to be a Duke's missing daughter. I have a pet peeve against that kind of thing that goes back to when I was young. It seemed like every book I read about a simple girl ended up turning her into a princess or something. As a farmer's daughter I resented the fact that I couldn't be good enough as I was. lol But I don't hold that against this book. :) (hide spoiler)]

I was thinking about the "older woman who goes against society", and I think there's some real truth to that stereotype. I'm in my 50's, and I've ceased to worry so much about what people think about me these days. It seems easier to do what I think is right than it used to be. When I was young I really, really cared how my actions looked to others. Now I care more that they actually are right. :)

I too usually have multiple books going at once. I have read several lately that have been heavy/sad. so this book has been perfect for a change of pace! I am about 60% done and have really enjoyed it so far.

Kristen wrote: "I too usually have multiple books going at once. I have read several lately that have been heavy/sad. so this book has been perfect for a change of pace! I am about 60% done and have really enjoyed..."

I know exactly how you feel, Kristen. I'm glad you're enjoying it, too. :)

I plan on reading this and participating. It has been on my TBR shelf for a while. I need a lighter read after some heavy stuff so this sounds perfect:) it will be my first book by Jen Turano.

I think all of you who have been reading the heavy stuff will thoroughly enjoy the lighter note you will find in this delightful romp!

You're making me want to read this and I'm still on the waiting list! To make things worse, I got the second, and now I'm worried it'll expire before the first comes.

Hannah, the second is even better than the first one! I do recommend reading them in order though.

I keep finding myself giggling while reading this, Its so nice to have a fun read...

So glad laughter is the best medicine as everyone seems to be getting a good laugh out of this book!

I finished this a couple of days ago and loved it! The humor was definitely the best part and I loved Harriet and her spitfire personality!

I finished this yesterday (needed to go back to the library) and it was a fun light read. I am ready to discuss and interested to know if anyone picked up on one of themes I did.

This is my first group read so I'm not sure when I can discuss without revealing too much.

Finally got it...three chapters in.

Kierra wrote: "I finished this yesterday (needed to go back to the library) and it was a fun light read. I am ready to discuss and interested to know if anyone picked up on one of themes I did.

This is my firs..."

Kierra - we open up for discussion usually about the 15th of the month.

I finished it this morning and I loved this book so much!! I could read it again! I am looking forward to the discussion. :-)

Finished! Got to read the second now. :)

Hannah wrote: "Finished! Got to read the second now. :)"

Me too!

Hannah wrote: "Finished! Got to read the second now. :)"

Yes - I want to read the other two in this trilogy as well!

So delighted to join in my first discussion here--especially about such a great book! I started book 2 last night. Talk to you all on the 15th!

I really enjoyed this book and I am looking forward to reading the second book as well. it was a fun, light read which I needed at the time.

Glad to have new people joining us for discussion....welcome!

I just started this book and, after reading the first chapter, I have a good feeling about this one!

Hope Jen will be checking in with us soon. I'll start the discussion off with a question. If you have any you would like to post for discussion, feel free to jump in.

What was your favorite laugh out loud moment involving Harriet?

Oh my, there were so many! I love the parts with Harriet and Oliver.
The one I remember right now is the scene at the Arnold Constable & Company, and Harriet and Oliver were arguing about the details of their "engagement". And when Oliver opened the door the staff of the shop tumbled in on the floor because they were eavesdropping, Lol!

Chantel wrote: "Oh my, there were so many! I love the parts with Harriet and Oliver.
The one I remember right now is the scene at the Arnold Constable & Company, and Harriet and Oliver were arguing about the detai..."

I agree there were so many funny scenes. That was a good one. I think my favorite was when Harriet tumbled out of the moving carriage using her circus training and Oliver couldn't figure out what had happened!

Loraine wrote: "Chantel wrote: "Oh my, there were so many! I love the parts with Harriet and Oliver.
The one I remember right now is the scene at the Arnold Constable & Company, and Harriet and Oliver were arguing..."

Haha!! That part was funny. I didn't know why he thought could attempt it too and nearly killed himself.

Chantel wrote: "Oh my, there were so many! I love the parts with Harriet and Oliver.
The one I remember right now is the scene at the Arnold Constable & Company, and Harriet and Oliver were arguing about the detai..."


I agree Chantel, that was a truly laugh out loud moment!

What were your thoughts on Harriet's idea of repurposing gowns for those with less money than the upper class?

Such a great idea! That really showed Harriet's heart and she was green before green was in!

I think the only problem would be if the new wearer was in the same social setting. The original owner could be bothered by it.

I agree Staci that Harriet was into recycling long before it became popular. Although I remember often receiving clothes from my Godsister who was 3 years older than me. and not minding at all. Her clothes were always in fashion and well cared for.

I got the impression that Harriet intended them for women who would definitely not be in the same social status as those of the upper crust.

Loraine wrote: "I agree Staci that Harriet was into recycling long before it became popular. Although I remember often receiving clothes from my Godsister who was 3 years older than me. and not minding at all. Her..."

I loved how Harriet up-cycled dresses she found at her church's donation bin. I thought it was a great business idea that she wanted restyle dresses to make them affordable for lower class women. That's what I liked about Harriet She was resourceful and considerate of others.

Loraine wrote: "What were your thoughts on Harriet's idea of repurposing gowns for those with less money than the upper class?"

I thought it was a great idea and showed Harriet's understanding of the needs of the less-well-off women. And the social stratification of the times; it was pretty unlikely that a very rich woman would encounter a poorer one and recognize the fabric of her dress, since the styles would have to be very different for them to be practical. Some fancy fabrics wouldn't be practical, but they could make shawls or fancy pillows or use it for crazy quilts or something.

In fact I liked the idea so much I was sorry we didn't see it happen. And I kind of didn't like how Oliver changed the idea into a dress shop for rich women. Did that difference of opinion ever really get resolved? I had to return my book to the library and I don't specifically remember.

Teri-k wrote: "Loraine wrote: "What were your thoughts on Harriet's idea of repurposing gowns for those with less money than the upper class?"

I thought it was a great idea and showed Harriet's understanding of ..."

Your right Teri-K, I don't remember it being resolved what type dress shop Harriet ended up opening. Maybe that might be explained in the upcoming books in the series.

I would imagine that she would go with her original idea. Or have something for both classes of women.

I am hoping as well that it will be resolved in the next book/books in the series.