Merriweather Academy for Young Ladies Series: Book 1
Publication Date: May 20, 2025
LESSON ONE: Stand in the way of the Windy City’s criminal world and expect a most improper proposal from an eligible gentleman in return.
With her father dead, her fortune stolen, and her fiancé casting her aside, Miss Drusilla Merriweather’s privileged life has been upended. She is left with only one option: to provide for her family by opening a finishing school in the allegedly haunted castle she’s inherited from her eccentric aunt. However, her plan is immediately threatened by unscrupulous developers keen on claiming the coveted estate for themselves by any means necessary.
Mr. Rhenick Wittenbecker, a dashing architect with a tendency to charm his way out of trouble, is convinced he can protect Drusilla but is challenged by her fierce independence. Yet when strange occurrences–walking suits of armor and unexpected ghostly visitors–arise within the castle’s grounds, Drusilla must decide whether to risk her family’s safety and her school on the gallant architect who seems to have found his way into her heart.
Laugh-out-loud witty banter, swoon-worthy romance, and delightful mischief in the Gilded Age string together this entrancing series starter. Fans of clean romance, Christian fiction, and strong female characters will enjoy this read.
Establishing the Merriweather Academy for Young Ladies is a far cry from Drusilla’s initial plans of marriage and a place among New York City’s elite.
Instead, she and her sister travel to Chicago to set up the school in their newly inherited home (aka a castle) that is allegedly haunted.
From the first page of A Lesson in Propriety, author Jen Turano grabs attention with Drusilla’s exchange with Elbert. Although Drusilla is every inch a genteel, educated young woman, she is quite plucky. In the late 19th century, that’s a valuable attribute.
It especially comes in handy when Drusilla is confronted by some dastardly men set on scooping up the property for their own benefit. Even though Drusilla is perfectly capable of handling most things, ghosts are an exception.
That’s where Rhenick Whittenbecker comes in handy. Captivated by Drusilla from the moment he spots her, he will do anything to keep her safe, even if it means fighting against Chicago’s criminals.
With the blend of humor, multi-faceted characters, and some very unusual pets, this marks a phenomenal start to the series. I can’t wait to read about Annaliese in an upcoming installment.
A Lesson in Propriety delivers a Gilded Age inspirational romance with two characters brought together by a series of unfortunate events.
Named one of the funniest voices in inspirational romance by Booklist, Jen Turano is a USA Today bestselling author known for penning quirky historical romances set in the Gilded Age. Her books have earned Publishers Weekly and Booklist starred reviews, top picks from RT Book Reviews, and praise from Library Journal. She’s been a finalist twice for the RT Reviewers’ Choice Awards and had two of her books listed in the top 100 romances of the past decade from Booklist. She and her family live outside of Denver, Colorado.
