Miss Temperance Flowerdew is on her way to work when a stranger suddenly grabs her off the street and sends her on a Chicago-bound train before she can figure out what happened.When Mr. Gilbert Cavendish is called upon to rescue a missing woman, he follows the trail to Chicago only to discover that the woman is his good friend Temperance. Before they can discover who was behind the abduction, … abduction, they’re seen alone together by a New York society matron, putting their reputations at risk.
Gilbert is willing to propose marriage–except Temperance will have none of it. She’s finally stepped out of the shadow of her relations and won’t give up her independence. But when it becomes clear the misunderstanding in Chicago has escalated into a threat on her life and followed her to New York, accepting Gilbert’s help in solving the mystery may lead to more than she ever could have dreamed.
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I read the three books in the series, but loved this one. The story had twists and turns, humor, and keep me interested throughout. I highly recommend it.
Another great story!
Jen Turano is a name I turn to when I need a light-hearted, whimsical, and thoroughly entertaining book. Caught by Surprise does not disappoint. With preposterous situations and amazingly mis-matched protagonists, Turano has recreated her hilarious world, and we all want to enter for the rollicking ride she provides.
Turano starts her tale by giving her heroine the rather oxymoronic-name, Temperance. Temperance is anything but. Impetuosity could be her middle name. Gilbert Cavendish, on the other hand, lives by lists. Starting with a botched abduction, this fanciful novel moves along smoothly with breaks only for howls of laughter. Highly recommended! It is not imperative to read the books that come before, but if you do, you will enjoy meeting up with old friends.
I was gifted a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. No positive review was required and all opinions are solely my own.
You will not be caught by surprise at how much you will enjoy the characters as you read the story of wallflower Miss Temperance Flowerdew and her adventures. Temperance is kidnapped in New York and taken to Chicago only to be rescued by Mr. Gilbert Cavendish. Gilbert was sent to find Temperance’s cousin who was reported missing and now finds out it was mistaken identity in the kidnapping. When Gilbert hears from Temperance it was a ruse so Temperance’s cousin could force him into marriage he does not believe the tale. While leaving the hotel Temperance was placed after the kidnapping they happen to run into a New York Society Matron which of course means marriage will have to be their next step. Not so fast! Plenty of fun and adventure as Gilbert and Temperance find their way to each other as more than friends. Characters from other books in the series appear but this is definitely a book that may stand alone. Enjoy this fun filled romance that will have you cheering on the young couple towards Mr. and Mrs.
.
If you are familiar with the author you know that her characters are fun, independent and very opinionated. Well I’m talking about the women in her stories. I love how she makes them strong, funny, and at times unpredictable. Temperance is a perfect name for our main character. Her temper is quick but she knows what she wants. Now how did she find herself kidnapped ? Temperance loves adventure but I’m sure this is not what she had in mind. I laughed so hard as she is whisked away on an adventure that will keep readers entertained with her shenanigans. The author has created a character that is such fun I have decided I want to join her on her trip. She would be such a hoot to travel with.
Gilbert takes it upon himself to save the damsel in distress. Has anyone told Gilbert that Temperance can handle herself just fine? He is in for some real fun and games as he travels with Temperance. I loved when Gilbert asked Temperance, ” You’ll stay out of trouble?’ Oh Temperance you have stolen my heart with your full of life heart and adventure that will send you on a journey you will not expect.
Now lets examine this tangled tale before we go any further in the story. Did you miss the part where Temperance was kidnapped, but the wrong woman was kidnapped. So who was the real person who was to be kidnapped and why? Gilbert is so focused on marrying Temperance to keep people from talking about why they were traveling on the train together, that he forgot to investigate why it even happened in the first place. Now on to the story folks. I see a mystery has emerged and it is getting good. Someone is not telling the truth and just what are they hiding? Is it time to take this kidnapping serious? Well I for one want to tell Temperance to watch her back. Something fishy is going on and it doesn’t look good for Temperance right now.
One of the best parts of the entire story is the tug of war between Temperance and Gilbert. He is all for protecting her and, well we know Temperance. She is fighting him all the way. Just a little advice, Temperance, I love your independence, but for goodness sake let the poor man protect you. I don’t know why but they remind me of Lucy and Ricky. I am enjoying every moment of this book and love how gifted the author is by giving us characters we can laugh with, cheer for and pray with.
This story is filled with intrigue, is unpredictable and danger lurking around every corner. Can Temperance and Gilbert solve the mystery before they get hurt? Why are family members out to get them? It’s getting harder to trust family members when they seem to be deceitful. Don’t miss this great adventure that will keep you entertained while trying to unravel the mystery surrounding Temperance.
I received a copy of this book from the author and Bethany House. The review is my own opinion.
Any time I could use a good dose of humor I know I can depend on a book by Jen Turano to bring on the laughter. This author has a talent for putting her characters into unusual and often rib-splitting situations. I also believe she has a rare talent for coming up with outrageous names for her characters. Miss Temperance Flowerdew’s name is as uncommon as her temperament! The moniker of her hero, Mr. Gilbert Cavendish is not quite as outrageous but nevertheless somewhat unique. Needless to say, readers will find these unique characters starring in a plot quite as uncommon as their names.
First of all, the dialogue between Gilbert and Temperance can seem to get almost out of hand. Their witty conversations tend to get off track and sometimes even a bit confusing, but that is part of the author’s genius. There is nothing accidental about her tales. It was fun to follow this pair through their adventures filled with danger and mystery. I loved Temperance’s approach to life and the way she seemed mostly unflappable throughout awkward and trying circumstances. Of course everything turns out at the end but what a delightful and sometimes surprising journey to get there.
Caught by Surprise was eveything I expected and more. It is just one more example why I try my best not to miss anything published by Jen Turano.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by the author through Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group. A favorable review was not required.All views expressed are my own.
Caught by Surprise by Jen Turano
Apart from the Crowd Series Book Three
Miss Temperance Flowerdew had forgotten how she used to love life and live it to the fullest. As a child, she would get into all kinds of trouble with her best friend, Gilbert. Then, her parents died, their fortune was gone, and she became a poor relative to distant cousins who treated her as their servant. But once she reunited with Gilbert at a party…the old Temperance came back. So did trouble.
Mr. Gilbert Cavendish was a follow the rule guy. Lists, graphs, everything in his life was precise and by the book. Until he was asked to go and rescue an abducted daughter…Temperance’s cousin. Suddenly life was all askew. And just as when they were kids, he found himself needing to rescue Temperance—from herself and others.
I love Jen Turano’s stories. She has fabulous characters that you just fall in love with. Great adventures that usually end up quite humorous. This story had a little more angst in it…what with the death of her parents and the mean extended family…but, it was as lively as ever and as always, a page-turner that I couldn’t set down.
**Received through NetGalley for an honest review
#CaughtbySurprise #NetGalley
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I’m usually a huge fan of Jen Turano’s witty dialogue and bordering-on-ridiculous plots. But Caught by Surprise didn’t work for me. It has many strengths: strong characters who are definitely individuals. Quirky individuals. A romance plot. A mystery/suspense subplot. Plenty of humour. A Christian message that’s clear yet understated and not at all preachy. All delivered in Jen Turano’s unique writing style.
And yet it didn’t work for me. This could be a sign of the times. #MeToo remains in the news, and it’s hard to find anything amusing about a society that forced a man and woman to marry simply because they’d been caught in a compromising position. (Specifically, being together for longer than a millisecond without a chaperone). And yes, I know that was how society worked back then. It doesn’t make it right.
I also found the breakneck pace and non-stop dialogue left me feeling as though there was never time to breathe.
Things kept happening.
This is a novel,so things happening is good. But there was never a chance to have a break and gather my thoughts and decide if Temperance and Gilbert were really meant to be together. They both seem to have come to that conclusion, as does everyone of their (fictional) aquaintance, but I’m not convinced.
Oh, I’m sure they’ll have an eventful marriage and I’m all for marriages based on friendship that builds into love (as opposed to attraction that builds into lust). But perhaps that was what was missing—the tripping from friendship into attraction. After all, it takes both to build a successful marriage. I suspect it was in there. But it was buried beneath that non-stop dialogue and breakneck pace. Not to mention plenty of misunderstandings and bullets.
Jen Turano fans will want to buy and read this to round out the series. But those who haven’t read and loved Behind the Scenes and Out of the Ordinary will probably prefer to begin at the beginning. Otherwise they have very little chance of following the quirks of the many characters in Caught by Surprise.
Thanks to Bethany House and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.
It may sound trite, but this book was so difficult to put down! Mystery, intrigue, shady individuals, and lots of laughter make for a great read.
Wacky characters, loveable characters, characters that make you wonder “what were they thinking?!” They were all great. And author Jen Turano is a master at putting the reader in each scene of the book.
Set in the Gilded Age (late 19th Century), if you enjoy historical fiction with light romance and enjoy laughing out loud then you have to read this book!
I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.
Caught by Surprise by Jen Turano
Mystery, attempted murder and mayhem
My rating is 4.5 stars
Temperance couldn’t care less that her reputation could end up in tatters after the compromising situation she and Gilbert were found in. (After all, it is the 1880’s and being found outside a hotel alone with a man is scandalous!) She wants much more than a marriage to avoid scandal. Even if said marriage is with her best friend since childhood. She wants love and romance and adventure! How in the world would that be possible with straight-laced, rule-following Gilbert?
I loved Gilbert and the way he was so confounded by Temperance declining his proposal. Err, suggestion. After all, what matters more than doing what is expected and avoiding stirring up gossip and scandal? The poor man was pulled out of his comfort zone so many times in this story.
Temperance was delightful. With her artistic nature and love of freedom, romance and adventure, she may have appeared a bit flighty, but she was truly resilient, having overcome quite a bit of hardship. Her zeal for life and the way she threw herself so completely into each thing she did made her very endearing. Her stubborn nature and temper not so much. Except to Gilbert, when he was honest with himself.
This story was full of whimsical adventure, ridiculous situations (I mean that in a good way), mystery, attempted murder and plenty of mayhem. The bumbling criminals and devious relatives added to the interest. Characters from the previous books of the series played large parts in this story in a very welcome way. I found myself laughing out loud throughout the story.
My only criticism was that the epilogue had too many loose ends to tie up and ended up cramming what appeared to be too many things into a short chapter. It seemed out of place with the delightful way the rest of the story was told.
While it appears this may be the last of the books in this series, I am looking forward to whatever this author writes next.
Read the full review of Caught by Surprise by Jen Turano with a Preview at AmongTheReads.net
I would like to thank Netgalley for giving me a copy of this book. This gift did not influence my opinion or review.
This is such a fun and engaging story! I was hooked from the very first page when Temperance is kidnapped right off the street and finds herself whisked away on a train bound for Chicago.
Temperance Flowerdew quickly became my favorite wallflower. Hidden behind her quiet reserve beats the heart of a lioness. The loss of her parents affected her deeply and as a result, she hid within herself. It is only at being reunited with a childhood friend that she blooms and returns to her feisty personality. She is independent, impulsive and sassy!
With a fun lively cast of characters, a mystery to solve and lots of laughs, this a story you will want on your keeper shelf to pull out to enjoy again and again! I give this delightful book 5-stars and strongly encourage you to pick up a copy!
(I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including Netgalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own.)
I can always count on this author supplying me a fun story with quirky characters, laugh out loud situations, and sweet romance. This story was all of that. It was also a roller coaster ride the entire way. Just when I thought Temperance and Gilbert would find their way out of trouble, more would find them. In the end love conquers all and we get to enjoy a happy ever after for a beloved couple. Full review is at my website.
I received this book complimentary from the author. I was not required to give a review. All of the opinions I have expressed here are my own.
If you want to read a book that will make you giggle, laugh, chuckle, and snort, then grab this one. I know I’m in for a good time when I read one of Jen Turano’s stories, but I was “caught by surprise” by how much I loved Temperance Flowerdew and all her cohorts. Temperance tickled my funny bone with her sassy, dry wit and her endearing mannerisms, while Gilbert stole my heart with his lists and his loyalty and devotion to Temperance. Fellow “wallflowers”, Gertrude Cadwalader and Permilia Griswold, make appearances in this book and add to the fun. I just love the names the author dreams up for her characters. They are so delightful and fit the personalities of the characters so well. Their attempts to navigate New York society in the Gilded Age kept me laughing through the entire book. A brilliantly funny story peopled with amusing, entertaining characters I won’t soon forget, Caught by Surprise is headed straight for my “keeper shelf!”
This is the third and last book in the Apart From the Crowd series and can be read as a stand alone book, but why would you want to do that? Read all three of them to get the full impact of these three charming ladies and their friends.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Jen Turano is a talented author that I have greatly enjoyed in the past. Despite missing two earlier books in this series, I still eagerly began turning the pages of this novel as soon as it was in my hands. Within the first ten pages, I was already laughing out loud, firmly hooked and immersed in Temperance’s delightful escapades.
Part of the charm of Turano’s work is her quirky and often stubborn heroines. Temperance is no different. She has many talents and a fun-loving nature, but calling her strong-willed would be a definite understatement. Both funny and annoying, that trait gets her into trouble as often as it helps her out of it–through perseverance.
The Gilded Age setting is entertaining and the details that sprinkle the story help to make it unique. Opulent locations of the wealthy are described so well that I can see them in my mind even though the world the characters inhabit is so different from my own. The rules guiding proper society remind me of Regency strictures, which can create some messy tangles. Combined with Turano’s humor, the situations become comic, often physically so.
Somehow, in the process of telling a thoroughly entertaining and humorous tale, Turano manages to gently pull at threads of profound significance. Considering how our pasts shape who we become, for example, and how we can then use that to form a wonderful future, even one we may never before have considered. She had me both laughing and crying over the course of the novel, and threw in a few surprising twists that I did not see coming.
Every time I read a new book by Jen Turano, I declare it to be my new favorite. But this one—this one is different. Perhaps it’s the sweet romance of childhood friends who discover each other again, or the innocent yet not naïve Temperance, but this story has captured my heart. It’s going to be hard to write a better novel than this, but if anyone can, Turano’s the one to do it. Fans will not be disappointed, and new readers have a treat ahead of them.
I received a review copy of this book from the author and publisher but was not required to write a positive review. The thoughts expressed are both honest and my own.
One of the great things about a Jen Turano book is the smiles and laughs it elicits while reading. In Caught by Surprise, the third and final installment of the Apart from the Crowd series, Turano’s trademark humor is alive and well from the first pages to the last.
Temperance Flowerdew is a free spirit, independent woman with the heart on an artist. Gilbert Cavendish is a man who always has a plan…and a list..and sometimes a graph. Despite their childhood friendship, these two characters are complete opposites (and know the other’s tendencies well).
Mistaken identity, attempted murder, subterfuge from Temperance’s family, and plenty of unsolicited advice from Gilbert’s and Temperance’s friends make Caught by Surprise one of Turano’s best books yet.
In the midst of the humorous banter, the many matchmakers, and the hilarious attempts at romantic gestures, Temperance is grateful for the depths of her friendships as she discovers life’s joys and passions. There are some heart-tugging scenes in this book in between the laughter.
A friends-to-more, opposites-attract story that is a pure reading delight. If you have not yet had the pleasure of experiencing a book written by Turano, Caught by Surprise is proof positive of her God-given talent.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Author Jen Turano writes novels with quirky characters readers soon love. In her latest novel, Caught by Surprise, we find Miss Temperance Feverdew, kidnapped from the streets of New York, by a rather inept pair. Dosed with a powerful sleeping potion, Temperance awakes to find herself in a coffin, being transported in a Pullman car, and listening to the pair argue about how to handle this young women who just might not ever wake up. When Temperance alerts them, they begin to discuss what names they need to go by to protect their identities, all while a Temperance listens from the nailed coffin.
Finally released from the coffin, Temperance Feverfew finds two bumbling kidnappers, one female despite her beard which is sitting rather haphazardly on her face, determined to complete their crime. When the train reaches Chicago, the kidnappers deliver the young woman to The Palmer Hotel, a rather elite establishment, quickly leaving her behind.
Back in New York, the Feverdew family is in an uproar as their daughter has simply vanished. A ransom note has been delivered. Setting their sights on Gilbert Cavendish, he is tasked with going to Chicago to rescue their daughter. Upon his arrival to The Palmer, Gilbert is astonished, and not a little confused, to find a rather disheveled Temperance Feverdew, an old childhood friend he has not seen in years. Quickly putting two and two together, the couple determine to send Gilbert to the room reserved by the kidnappers. Unfortunately, the porter addresses them as Mr and Mrs, leaving them no option but to go to the room together.
Concerned they might be seen together, in a hotel in a city far from New York and all societal rules broken, Temperance and Gilbert attempt to examine the room for clues, there are none, and get back to home before they are seen. Unfortunately, they are seen by one of the top societal women of New York. Adding traveling via a Pullman car, alone, leaves Gilbert with no other choice but to announce he and Temperance are betrothed, despite her protestations.
Upon their return, both begin to investigate the entire fiasco, coming to the conclusion that the kidnapping was arranged by none other than Temperance’s aunt and uncle, with whom she had been living since the death of her parents three years ago. As it turned out, the kidnappers grabbed the wrong girl; cousin Clementine was the intended target.
As Temperance and Gilbert set out to determine the whys and wherefores, the bullets start flying and knives begin flashing. Who is trying to kill them and why? Guarded by numerous Pinkerton detectives, the couple is not dissuaded from continuing their investigation. Just as Gilbert is not dissuaded of his determination that they must wed, Temperance is determined that they must not.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. It’s quirky, but most lovable characters. It’s mystery. It’s romances; yes reader, more than one!
Caught by Surprise is the last in the series, Apart from the Crowd. Despite it being the last, this reader is hoping some of these quirky and lovable characters show up in a series of their own.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel from Bethany House Publishing, and am not required to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions, therein, are solely my own.
You can never go wrong with a book written by Jen Turano! I have read all of her books and have never been disappointed. She will be coming out with a new series in January 2019!!!!! Yay!!!!!
Jen Turano’s writing just keeps getting better and better. In the third book of this series, she continues to deliver her marvelous brand of humor, which is just one of the reasons that I keep reading. Turano includes strong unique characters in this engaging historical fiction storyline. Behind this entertaining novel, Turano reminds readers that as a person embraces and enjoys their own identity and personality, life becomes fuller. Her characters continue to discover individual purpose to benefit society. Along the way, wonderful healthy friendships are established, which could provide a good example for teen readers. I also recommend Caught By Surprise for a lively book club discussion group. Although this book can be read on its own, the first two books are just as fun. I will continue to read anything Jen Turano writes in the future. I was given a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.
‘You’re not going to shoot your relatives. You don’t have the stomach for that nasty business.’
I am absolutely a forever fan of Jen Turano’s work! When I read her first book, I was just captivated. She has the most wonderful and dry sense of humor, which is evident in abundance in her books. This sense of humor will have you rolling in the floor laughing. I have honestly laughed so much reading one of her books, it scared my dog, who was sitting with me in the chair. He got up and left. Seriously.
In this book, one of her Apart From The Crowd series, Miss Temperance Flowerdew, formerly one of the wallflowers, is enjoying some freedom away from her overbearing and decidedly hateful relations. Then one day, while strolling down the street, Temperance is kidnapped and put aboard a Chicago bound train. What in the world?
Mr. Gilbert Cavendish is asked to rescue a missing woman, not Temperance, and he follows the trail to Chicago, only to discover Temperance. They put their heads together and try to discover what is afoot. Then they are spotted by a seriously stoic New York society matron, and their reputations are put at risk. Gilbert immediately proposes marriage and Temperance immediately rejects him. Then threats on their lives begin happening at an alarming rate and the book takes off! Actually, it takes off on the first page, but when you’re laughing all the way through a book, you lose count of how much you do laugh.
Jen Turano has a wonderful way of creating characters that just leap into the reader’s imagination and plot right down. You just can’t stop until you finish the book. These folks are quirky in their own right and have the most interesting conversations. Even all the secondary characters are amazing! I always eagerly anticipate a new Turano novel, and it starts when I close the last page of the book I’m currently reading. It’s so hard to wait another year for one of her delightful books. And this one is one in which Jen Turano has absolutely outdone herself! One of her very, if not the, best! Highly recommended. Don’t miss this book.
*My thanks to the publisher for an early copy of this book. My opinion is entirely my own.