After her father lost the family’s fortune, Wilhelmina was cast out of the fashionable set and banished to the wallflower section. Taking a position as a social secretary to help support her family, she’s mostly come to terms with her new status. But when her old friend Edgar returns to New York society for the first time since she rejected his marriage proposal, she’s newly ashamed at how far … she’s fallen–and how hastily she dismissed him years ago. Her strategy is to avoid a face-to-face encounter at all costs, but he seems to have other plans. Will Edgar take advantage of their now reversed positions and make her regret her refusal, or is there still hope for a friendship between them–or something more?
At Your Request is an e-only novella that gives an exciting introduction to Jen Turano’s new Gilded Age historical romance series, Apart From the Crowd! Includes an extended excerpt of the first full-length novel in the series, Behind the Scenes.
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Need to inject some good humor and merriment into your reading? Then I recommend Jen Turano’s historical fiction stories. The characters are delightful, some sweet, some feisty, but all prone to amusing incidents that usually land them into trouble and perhaps into love with their gentlemen heros. At Your Request is an intro novella to the Apart from the Crowd series and I’m looking forward to meeting each of the heroines in their own full story.
This was so much fun to read! When Wilhelmina Radcliff’s father lost his fortune in a bad investment, Wilhelmina was relegated to the ranks of the paid companions at society balls. Known as the Wallflowers, the group of young ladies only have one thing in common – all are poor or poor relations, or they have been passed over season after season. Serving as a social secretary to a society matron, Wilhelmina is horrified when Edgar, her best friend from childhood, strolls into the ball. She doesn’t want him to see how far her fortunes have fallen since Edgar is the only man who has ever actually proposed to her. Her refusal sent him away where he made his fortune. Now he’s back and, could he possibly be looking for her?
Edgar has loved Wilhelmina since he was 10 and sees no reason to change now. Can he use an out of control situation to his advantage and bring her heart in line with his?
This story was short, sweet and one comedy routine after another. Romance readers will especially enjoy this lighter story.
My only complaint is that it was too short It is such a delightfully hilarious story. I absolutely love how the characters get into such crazy situations. They are such fun encouraging reads.
Another great read from Jen Turano. Within the first 10 pages I was laughing out loud. Her wit and wonderful writing style never disappoints. And what’s not to love about childhood sweethearts finding each other and still being in love. Like Miss Quill said “the most charming romance of the season”
The characters were delightful and a bit quirky. Engaging characters and funny situations. A quick fun read that ended too soon. Looking forward to the series.
I had finished the series Apart From the Crowd, but missed At Your Request somehow. Jen’s books are always so fun to read and hard to put down. Her characters are amazing. I think my favorite part was the “tussle with the bustle.” Definitely keeps the reader on one’s toes! So glad to have found it; The story was wonderful! Starting a new series now!
This is a quick read and a nice introduction to the ‘Apart From the Crowd’ series. It is sweet, romantic, and funny. Also a great introduction to this author if you have never read her work.
A great novella and beginning to the series. It introduces wonderful characters that only Jen Turano can create.
This was my first Jen Turano read but it certainly won’t be my last! I guess I’d have to ask myself what took me so long to discover her writing? Witty and engaging dialogue, quirky and lovable characters and a little uncoventionalism all play a part into fully bringing the reader a story that’s so hard to put down! This is a prequel novella to introduce you to her “Apart From the Crowd” series books, to which I will be reading. I have to know more about the rest of the wallflower women; Miss Permilia Griswold, Miss Gertrude Cadwalader, and Miss Temperance Flowerdew (out July 2018) and their perspective love interests.
Wilhelmina and Edgar were lifelong friends until a proposal by Edgar six years before ruined that! He left brokenhearted but now he’s back and wishes to test the waters again. Will they take the plunge or will it end dead in the water? These two had such witty banter that it was hard not to laugh out loud, especially as each scene played out in my imagination just as Jen described it. I loved the glimpse she gave us as to what it was like to be a “wallflower” back in 1883. Living on the edge of society, all but forgotten and certainly shunned by high class ladies. I like how Wilhelmina picked herself up and brushed herself off after her father’s mishaps made her status fall. Edgar is just the sweetest! I think Wilhelmina finally saw him for what he really was, a true gentleman where it counts…in the heart. I have a strong feeling that these two will have a lifetime of love just from reading their happily-ever-after story! A little faith, a lot of love and laughter will make you come back for more of Jen’s witty writing.
Jen Turano out did herself in “At Your Request.” I have read many different novels which were set within this time frame, but this one has taken the cake for it has been one of the best. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of reading this story, for the different scenarios that were portrayed was sometimes laugh out loud funny.
Needless to say, I will share one spoiler! The main character, who was a refined lady turned embarrassing wall flower, decided to get stuck under her chair along the wall in one of the opening scenes. Why she did it will remain a mystery until you decide to pick up this novel and read it for yourself?
I have to start by mentioning the names of the characters in this charming novella. I got a chuckle out of quite a few of them just by reading them out loud. I know that different names were popular at different times in history, but I think that the author had to have put extra effort into coming up with some very funny combinations.
The rules that people were expected to follow within society when attending a ball seemed strange to me. I was surprised to find that there were definite class distinctions within the upper class. I didn’t realize that there was a special area for “wallflowers” and that they were supposed to behave differently.
I thoroughly enjoyed getting to meet Miss Wilhelmina Radcliff and Mr. Edgar Wanamaker. They were well developed and their background as childhood friends was very sweet. I’m very glad that I will have a chance to learn more about the other ladies in the wallflower section in the other books in this series.