Author: Janet Evanovich & Dorien Kelly
Read by: Lorelei King
Publisher: MacMillan Audio
Length: Approximately 8.5 hours (7 CDs)
Source: Kewaunee Public Library
The Husband List is not your typical Janet Evanovich novel. It is not set in the modern day with a sassy detective named Stephanie Plum caught in a love triangle. It is set in 1894 Gilded Age New York with a sassy heiress, Caroline Maxwell and a love triangle between the Irish-American man of her dreams Jack Culhane and the English Lord Bremerton.
The Maxwell family is one of the premier American families during the Gilded Age on level with the Vanderbilts and Rockefellers. Caroline’s mother has her sights set on getting Caroline married into English nobility. Lord Bremerton is the heir to a Dukedom, and in need of funds that he can get from marrying a rich heiress. As Mrs. Maxwell orchestrates a match between Caroline and Lord Bremerton, Caroline longs for the freedom to marry for love, explore the world, or even to explore her intellectual pursuits. As she begins to develop feelings for her brother’s handsome friend, Jack Culhane, she also meets Lord Bremerton and realizes that he is a cold, calculating man with a dark secret. Will Caroline fulfill her family obligations, or will she be able to find her own happy ending?
This book was the April pick for the FLICKS Book and Movie club. Sadly we were supposed to discuss it last night, but the meeting was cancelled due to freezing rain. I listened to this book on audiobook as that is where I seem to do the majority of my reading these days. It was read by my favorite audiobook narrator, Lorelei King. As usual, King did a superb job as a narrator for this novel. She has unique, fantastic voices for each of the characters, complete with accents. The witty writing and excellent narration lead to a few laugh out loud moments on my trips to and from work.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. I love this time period in general and the characters were all fantastic, especially Caroline and Jack. The dialogue and witty play between the two as their feelings for each other grew was wonderful. Bremerton and Mrs. Maxwell were a bit one dimensional, but that added to their humor.
If you are a fan of Downton Abbey and wonder about the life that Cora could have possibly lived, The Husband List is your answer.
Oh, I like this time period too, especially if the story includes a feisty heroine and witty dialogue. I will check my library to see if they have this on audio.
ReplyDeleteThis does seem to be a big departure from Janet Evanovich's normal type of writing. I have heard so little about it though, and so I guess I just assumed it wasn't very good.
ReplyDeleteLaura, this sounds like an audio book I'd also enjoy. Thanks for your wonderful review.
ReplyDeleteI hope your weather warms up soon. Where is spring? Even here, it's cool and gloomy today.
I am still waiting for spring too Suko! I especially feel bad as I keep taking my students out to sample in the cold rain. I was getting out the kids outside toys this weekend and they were happy playing on them . . . untilit snowed!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great book - I love this time period. I highly recommend if you are a fan of the Gilded age. I need to get Lorelei King's complete listing fo audiobooks - I love her!