STORING UP TROUBLE
SERIES: American Heiresses #3
GENRE: Inspirational Historical Romance
PUBLISHER: Bethany House
RELEASE DATE: May 5, 2020
PAGES: 352
When Miss Beatrix Waterbury’s Chicago-bound train ride is interrupted by a heist, Mr. Norman Nesbit, a man of science who believes his research was the target of the heist, comes to her aid. Despite the fact that they immediately butt heads, they join forces to make a quick escape.
Upon her arrival in Chicago, Beatrix is surprised to discover her supposedly querulous Aunt Gladys shares her own suffragette passions. Encouraged by Gladys to leave her sheltered world, Beatrix begins working as a salesclerk at the Marshall Field and Company department store. When she again encounters Norman on a shopping expedition, he is quickly swept up in the havoc she always seems to attract.
But when another attempt is made to part Norman from his research papers, and it becomes clear Beatrix’s safety is also at risk, they soon discover the curious way feelings can grow between two very different people in the midst of chaos.
Other Books In This Series
Turano’s American Heiresses series has a lot of ‘faves’ for me – all 3 covers are my favorites out of all of her books (and that’s saying a lot because her covers are always fab), Flights of Fancy is *almost* my favorite of her books (In Good Company still retains top billing but just barely), and Storing Up Trouble‘s Norman Nesbit may just be my very fave of her heroes.
Norman is an endearing mix of Sheldon Cooper and The Absent-Minded Professor, and he experiences the most character growth of any of Turano’s heroes, to my recollection. The same Norman you’re fondly rolling your eyes at in the first part of the book is the same Norman you’ll be cheering for by the end (and yes, still fondly rolling your eyes at too lol). Mort, his faithful mule, is a scene-stealer – as are Aunt Gladys & her hodgepodge of unorthodox friends. Norman’s quirky friend Theodosia and her story arc were another highlight for me in Storing Up Trouble.
Honestly, though, I’m not sure I would have liked (or disliked, for that matter) Beatrix one way or the other without Norman. I had a harder time connecting with her & her story arc than I did with the characters I mentioned above. There wasn’t anything wrong with her, per se, but she simply didn’t stand out to me as much as other Turano heroines have. However, the combination of her personality & Norman’s is romantic comedy gold.
The inside peek at Marshall Field’s department store was fascinating and gave somber insight into the treatment of the non-elite class by society. No one should EVER think that another group of people (whether the differences are ethnic, religious or economic) is beneath them, and we should always remember Jesus’ instruction to love our neighbor as ourselves. Turano uses the socio-economic dynamics of the setting to gently remind us of this still-timely truth.
Bottom Line: Anyone who has ever read a book by Jen Turano knows you can expect an almost continuous comedy of errors and madcap mayhem at highly entertaining levels, along with a sweet message or two lightly faith-related. Storing Up Trouble delivers all of that against the backdrop of Gilded Age Chicago, the suffrage movement, and scientific inventions. Humor, heart, a dash of suspense, and a dose of more than one sweet romance – plus the author’s unique style – make this a delightful read.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.)
My Rating: 4 stars / fun read
KissingBook Level: 3 / may forget to breathe on occasion
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Named One of the Funniest Voices in Inspirational Romance by Booklist, Jen Turano is a USA Today Best-Selling Author, known for penning quirky historical romances set in the Gilded Age. Her books have earned Publisher Weekly and Booklist starred reviews, top picks from Romantic Times, 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. When she’s not writing, she spends her time outside of Denver, CO.
Other Books by Jen Turano
What about you? What makes you want to read Storing Up Trouble?
I have read the other books in this series, and I love Beatrix! I can’t wait to read her book!!
Storing up Trouble sounds delightful!
I would really love to read this series.