Notes from August 2013 Group

THE HUSBAND LIST By Janet Evanovich & Dorien Kelly –To be discussed on Wed Aug. 7, 2013 at Geneseo Public Library

From The New York Times bestselling writing duo Janet Evanovich and Dorien Kelly, comes the story of a young woman’s search for true love. Caroline Maxwell would like nothing more than to join her brother, Eddie, and his friend, Jack Culhane, on their adventures. While Jack and Eddie are off seeing the world, buying up businesses and building wildly successful careers, Caroline's stuck at home frightening off the men her mother hopes will ask for her hand in marriage.  When her mother sets her sights on the questionable Lord Bremerton as a possible suitor, Caroline struggles with her instincts and the true nature of her heart.  She longs for adventure, passion, love, and most of all . . . Jack Culhane, an unconventional Irish-American bachelor with new money and no title. A completely unacceptable suitor in the eyes of Caroline's mother. But Caroline's dark hair, brilliant eyes and quick wit have Jack understanding just why it is people fall in love and get married.

Set in New York City in 1894, The Husband List is an American gilded age romantic mystery. It evokes memories of the lavish lifestyles and social expectations of the Vanderbilts and Rockefellers—a time when new money from the Americas married Old World social prestige and privilege. Dresses by Worth, transcontinental ocean voyages, lavish parties, a little intrigue, and a lot of romance await in, The Husband List.

This was a different type of story for Janet Evanovich – historical romance.  Our group was very mixed feelings on this novel.  We had great discussions on American woman marrying British men for their titles, and the same men marrying the American woman for their money.  It was a hard situation for families to marry off their daughters and the daughters are left in UK with no support, family or friends.  This was an easy to read, summer read with interesting characters.