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.
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Jen Turano has done it again. What a wonderful, quirky romp! I loved the nerdy engineer hero and watching him mature from self-absorbed scientist to a man who seeks to use his intellect to benefit others. And the courageous (and slightly outrageous) suffragette heroine who was willing to see how the other half lived and let those experiences stimulate compassion for women who didn’t have the luxury of a rich daddy to fall back on. I loved the supporting cast of dedicated family and friends who were always there to lend support and encouragement. (Beware the turban brigade!) A delightful romance and a great reminder that relationships are what matter most in life.
Storing Up Trouble by Jen Turano is fantastic. I know I say this about all the novels I love, but I really did struggle to put this book down. In fact, I stayed up until 2 AM the other night to finish it. I just enjoyed this book so much — it was exactly the novel I needed. Life has been a tad painful and insane lately, so I purposely picked up this book because I know that Turano novels are guaranteed to be light-hearted, hilarious, and romantic. Turano stories are the perfect books to escape into, and Storing Up Trouble proved to be just the medicine I needed at this time.
I really did love everything about this novel — the romance builds slowly, realistically, and so sweetly, and the humor is perfect. I laughed out loud several times and forced my husband to listen as I read several passages to him so he could laugh too! I also thoroughly enjoyed the bit of mystery and the several “street brawls” that broke out. Watching Norman ride to Beatrix’s rescue several times are some of the best moments in the book. Norman is my absolute favorite character. He stole my reader’s heart the moment he attempted to save Beatrix from her “crazy” aunt. I appreciate Norman’s journey from arrogant, self-centered scientist to selfless, considerate knight-in-shining-armor. I love how his friendship with his best friend, Theodosia, went from something he used to something he cherished and learned to appreciate. And, I love, love, love that Beatrix is the catalyst to Norman’s character transformation. Because isn’t it the truth — when we find our “one” on this earth we really do want to become the best version of ourselves that we possibly can. Every page of this novel is superb storytelling, but for me, Norman is what made Storing Up Trouble the best story in the American Heiresses series.
I have enjoyed every novel in the American Heiresses series, but Storing Up Trouble is my favorite and I highly recommend it. It’s well written, it’s highly engaging, it’s sweet and romantic, and it’s absolutely hilarious. If you are in the need for a historical romance to escape into, then purchase a copy of Storing Up Trouble. You will love every minute of this one!
I purchased a copy of this novel in eBook form from Amazon.com on May 4, 2020, in order to review. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Storing Up Trouble is another delightful book by Jen Turano. Her books are always well researched and full of fun!
The escapades of Beatrix Waterbury and Norman Nesbit, along with Norman’s assistant, Theo, will have you smiling and laughing quite frequently. Add in Beatrix’s eccentric and non-conformist Aunt Gladys and her odd companions, not to mention her 20 cats, and you have a recipe for great entertainment, enjoyment and amusement.
Lest you think it’s all fun and games, let me assure you it’s not. There are very real and important issues covered. Turano addresses inequality in the workplace for women, their inability to vote and society’s cruelty to those they consider inferior. Additionally, there is an element of mystery and suspense, too.
Turano included a small “cameo” featuring Mr. Selfridge, pioneer of the modern department store. I saw a fascinating show highlighting his forward and visionary thinking. Now, I have enjoyed seeing another side to him.
Norman, and later Beatrix’s family seemed to change a little too quickly for my tastes. But that is just a feeling on my part, as I like to see the transformation as it progresses, not after it happens.
Storing Up Trouble is book 3 of the American Heiresses series by Jan Turano. However, it can work as a stand-alone. I read and reviewed book 1 Flights of Fancy.
I received this book from NetGalley. However, I was under no obligation to write a review.
#StoringUpTrouble #NetGalley
Can they see what’s right in front them?
Oh, gosh, did I have fun reading this book! But, it’s a Jen Turano so could I really do anything else? Probably not. OK, that’s more like definitely not! But that doesn’t negate my sheer enjoyment of this rollicking good story. Storing Up Trouble captured me from the very first line. I laughed out loud, shook my head at the characters’ antics, and did some thinking about the life and faith lessons that Beatrix and Norman must learn.
Speaking of Norman and Beatrix, they were hysterical! Hysterically funny that is! He’s such a clueless windbag, too full of himself, and she’s an accident prone do-gooder with no idea how difficult it is for lower class women. But, oh boy do they get a clue! And Jen Turano runs them through a little bit of a wringer along the way.
I’ve enjoyed every bit of the American Heiresses series but I took special delight in Storing Up Trouble. It lived up to my eager anticipation, and more, and I think it may be my favorite in the series. As a conclusion to the series this book was perfect but I’m just sorry to be saying goodbye to the characters that I’ve come to love. While on the topic of characters, I just have to mention two of my favorites, the stubborn Mort and the inscrutable Phantom. Those two stole any scene they were in!
From a train robbery to a famous department store, from behind jail bars to a dangerous rescue, Storing Up Trouble takes readers on a charming adventure of romance, comedy, and even a dash of suspense. If this spunds like it’s up your alley you really shouldn’t hesitate to check out the conclusion to Jen Turano’s exquisite American Heiresses series…
(I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)
Storing Up Trouble by Jen Turano is the 3rd delightful tale in the American Heiresses series. Each book can be read on its own, but you will be missing out if you do not read all three. I look forward to reading Jen Turano’s novels because I am guaranteed a fun time from beginning to end. Storing Up Trouble is a well-written story that moves along at a fast clip and includes quirky characters. The author captured the time-period and the city of Chicago. We get a glimpse at what life is like for ladies working at Marshall Field’s and Company as well as what suffragists endured. I was tickled that Harry Selfridge was included in the story. Beatrix Waterbury and Norman Nesbit are great characters. Beatrix is an unusual woman for her era which I just loved. Norman is like an absent-minded professor with money. Add in Beatrix’s eccentric aunt, the women living with said aunt, Theodosia Robinson, Edgar (aka Lurch), Norman’s precocious niece, Mort, and the cats. I laughed so often while reading Storing Up Trouble. I enjoyed the author’s descriptions which allowed me to visualize the characters and scenes. There was one escapade after another starting with the robbing of the train. I could just picture Norman hanging off the horse and the cats chasing after the burglars. The dialogue between Norman and Beatrix was amusing. These two were meant to be together. Storing Up Trouble has drama, action, humor, mystery, and romance. I was sorry for this entertaining story to end. Storing Up Trouble is a whimsical historical novel with a train theft, a bevy of bloomers, two tenacious thieves, bothersome beauty blends, working woes, the complexities of chit chat, and a problematic pistol.
In Jen Turano’s signature style with quirky characters, witty banter, eccentric secondary characters and one very cute niece you have a book that will keep you laughing from the first page to the last.
I’ve never met a Jen Turano book I haven’t loved and this book is no different! The suffrage movement would never be the same after meeting with Beatrix, and Norman’s scientific experiments were like a comedy of errors more than experiments.
Jen Turano ends her American Heiresses series on a very high comedic note but it’s not all about comedy. Ms. Turano weaves truths about the suffrage movement from that time and while science is a big part of life here on earth science can’t take the place of God because He doesn’t fit the scientific mold.
I highly recommend this book!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book via the publisher. I was not required to write a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Beatrix. Beatrix. Beatrix. She’s been a favorite secondary character of mine throughout the entire American Heiress series and I can’t deny she’s a simply delightful heroine! Her straight forward, yet optimistic ways endear her to the reader. And, any woman who packs a pistol purse and saves her man during a train heist is Aces in my book!
That brings us to the hero, one Mr. Norman Nesbit. I must admit, this sweet awkward man stole my heart early on. While gifted with intelligence a plenty, Norman struggles with normal every day social graces. And while Beatrix originally is a bit of a thorn in his side, their banter sparks an attraction to her his scientific formulas just can’t explain and he slowly realizes how her influence has made him realize that he’s been more concerned about his own research more than people—a situation he determines to rectify.
One of my favorite aspects of Storing Up Trouble was learning about life as a sales girl in a Gilded Age department store. When Beatrix is forced to visit her Aunt Gladys, she is required to get a job at Marshall Field & Company so she can relate to the problems of the working class. Determined to keep her identity as part of the New York Four Hundred under wraps, Chicago elite make many improper assumptions about Beatrix and she realizes for the first time just how unfair life can be for those not born to life of privilege.
Turano delights the reader with with a trifecta of well-developed characters, lush historical details, and rich, vivid settings. Those familiar with Turano’s writing know they’re in for a comedic romp through the Gilded Age and Storing Up Trouble delivers not only laugh out loud scenes, but a sweet romance as well.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to leave a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
“That Norman wasn’t dumbstruck by the sight of a man scrambling over the fortress-like fence that surrounded Gladys’s house with a pack of cats leaping over that fence after him spoke volumes about the state of his life of late.”
Jen Turano is known for her amusing, cleverly written, laugh-out-loud historical rom-coms and this book had me in stitches from the opening chapter. Beatrix, one of the New York Four Hundred, is impulsive, stubborn, and prone to trouble even when she’s not looking for it. Norman is a wealthy Chicago gentleman scientist who is socially unaware and indeed peculiar due to having been holed up in his scientific world. Their worlds literally collide over and over again as Beatrix travels to Chicago as a consequence of her most recent mishap and Norman suddenly finds himself intrigued by the woman. Though they are complete opposites, their shared compassion and kindness for the underdog draw them together as more trouble than either bargained for doggedly follow their steps. By spending time together, Norman starts to understand the beauty of friendship and family relationships while Beatrix learns to empathize with the working class as she struggles as an employee of a department store. Throw in a good dose of suspense as to who could be targeting Norman for his work on electricity and plenty of chase scenes to the hilarious encounters and dialogues, and you have a perfectly delightful rom-com set in 1886, complete with suffrage movement, rapidly expanding railroad and steel industry, and solid assurance of God’s presence and guiding hand.
And the secondary characters! Such an eclectic yet lovable group of friends and family members that Norman and Beatrix have that makes the story so satisfying.
Though this is book 3 in American Heiresses series, it can be read as a stand alone. Fans of the series will be delighted to encounter Izzy and Poppy again from the previous books in their cameo appearances. If you love historical rom-com, you have to read this book!
I received a copy of the book from Bethany House via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
Take one spunky heroine ahead of her time, add an absent-minded hero, plus an eccentric cast of particular secondary characters and of course you must have the creative mastermind of Jen Turano herself, and presto, you have the makings of one dazzling, masterfully written story that is sure to engage and delight even the most persnickety of readers.
Even though this is the third book in the series, those new to the American Heiresses will be delighted just the same. Of course if there are cameo appearances of past characters that those familiar with the series will be trilled to have a glimpse at where life has taken them.
I especially enjoyed my time reading this fabulous story. Cover to cover, these vibrant characters and the energetic plot is one that you won’t want to miss! Be sure to snag your copy today!
(I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. I am not required to write a positive review. My thoughts and opinions are my own.)
I get giddy with excitement when I start reading a book by Jan Turano because I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that it’s going to be amusing and hard to put down. In Storing Up Trouble, Miss Beatrix Waterbury is on a train to Chicago to stay with her eccentric aunt when she encounters robbers but thanks to her refusal to hand over a cherished possession and assistance from a fellow passenger named Norman Nesbitt, they are able to thwart this most dangerous not to mention inconvenient situation.
Norman is a sheltered gentleman, he’s great with math equations but sorely lacking in other skills such as small talk and horseback riding as Beatrix soon learns when they hop off of the train to escape the robbers who are trying to steal Normans research. No worries though because Beatrix is there to help him maneuver the things he needs help with. The description of him riding a horse had me laughing so loud that I woke my cat up. Speaking of cats there are a lot of cats in the storyline which is another humorous and clever aspect.
We all need a pleasant diversion these days and I cannot think of a better one right now than reading this book by Ms. Turano. I absolutely adored Beatrix, Norman and every other character in this book. The story flows at a perfect pace, there’s a bit of mystery with hilarious situations all blended perfectly in this must-read novel. Jen Turano is a masterful storyteller and one of my must-read authors. This is the third book in the series but can be read as a standalone but I recommend reading all three because they are truly fantastic.
I received a copy from the publisher through Netgalley. All opinions are completely my own.
This book had me laughing, angry, and (almost) crying all throughout it!!
I loved Beatrix ever since she was in Flights of Fancy, so I couldn’t wait for the WHOLE book dedicated to her! And Norman of course, who was also exceptionally AMAZING!! I just adored Norman, his hilarious antics, how he was always being annoying without even realizing it. And Beatrix loving him, even though he was annoying!
I was soo excited when Isadora and Poppy reappeared! And with kids? It made me want to re-read the series right there!
I thought it was so sweet how Beatrix really changed Norman, he was still Norman, but in a new amazing way. She brought out the good in him, making him realize the important things in life that he had neglected without even realizing it!
Jen Turano did a great job with this one, and I can’t wait to read her future books!
Storing Up Trouble by Jen Turano is a delightfully humorous historical fiction novel set at the turn of the 20th century. Misadventure, whimsical dialogue, appealing characters, and a diabolical scheme make reading this well written book a laugh out loud experience.
I loved all the characters in this story. It was full of intrigue, hilarity and romance. This was a great read!!
A bunch of fun, laughs, and craziness the whole way through!
There are plenty of surprises in Storing Up Trouble, not the least of which – for me – was that this quickly became my favorite of Jen Turano’s American Heiresses series. Set during the Gilded Age and liberally sprinkled with humor, Turano has brought together another seemingly unlikely pair in heiress/suffragette Beatrix Waterbury and gentleman scientist Norman Nesbit.
While Beatrix and her efforts to avoid fortune hunters was introduced earlier in the series, Norman is made of whole cloth, and from their first meeting the stage is set for that wonderful push-pull of misunderstandings and resisted attraction. With a plot filled with danger, humor, and two delightful lead characters, this is another must read for fans of Jen Turano and Historical Romance. Highly recommended.
This review refers to a digital galley read through NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher. A positive review was not required and this review contains only my own honest opinions.
I love Jen Turano’s voice. She has such a distinctive way of writing dialog. Such a gift and I always LOVE her books. These characters were wonderful to meet and so charming.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel via audiobook. The narrator did a great job at switching back and forth between voices. Loved all the witty banter and humor throughout which brought on many laugh-out-loud moments and enjoyed the underlying mystery surrounding the hero’s research papers. While this is the third and final book in the series, it can definitely be read as a stand-alone. I have not yet read the first two books in the series but am very eager to do so!
I’ve yet to read a Jen Turano book that doesn’t have me either smiling like a goon or laughing out loud and this one was no exception. There’s never a dull moment and this book hits the ground running with a hilarious meet-cute.
Norman is adorably clueless, all brains and very little social tact. Beatrix is passionate and her own brand of brilliant. Watching both of them grow, individually and closer to one another, was a highlight of this book. Though they are certainly stubborn knuckleheads at times, they’re cute.
The story is captivating and the cast of characters are just fantastic! Jen’s side characters are just as dear and beloved as her main characters and I love that. Fans of historical romances with a good dose of humor will adore this book!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All expresses opinions belong to me.
This book was delightfully hilarious! It fit so perfectly in the series as well. Jen Turano does an amazing job at writing hilarious situations that totally could have happened into the book.
I love Beatrix and although it took me a couple of chapters, I ended up loving Norman as well. The fact that they annoyed the crap out of each other was hilarious as well as all of Norman and Theo’s experiments. The characters were absolutely marvelous in this story.
Was truly disappointed! This book was silly!