Book Review: A Grand Tour

I've had A Grand Tour The Timeless Victorian Collection on my to-read list for a little while and I finally read it. I love having novellas that are just the right size for when I have a bit of reading time!

The first one is by Anthea Lawson. She's a new author to me and I enjoyed her story. I'll definitely be looking for more from her. Miss Isabelle Strathmore has been burned by love and has decided she won't risk her heart again. Being on a cruise with the Earl of Jasper complicates that vow, however, as she gets to know the man behind the title. I liked the little adventure they went on and how this couple learned to trust each other. A cute romance!

The second one is by Jennifer Moore, one of my favorite authors. Eleanor Doyle is chaperoning two young ladies on their grand tour, attempting to keep them entertained and within propriety's bounds at all times, but that is a nearly impossible feat. She meets Professor Russell Kendrick who is shepherding some young gentlemen around Rome and the two groups meet up often. The professor is drawn to Eleanor, and her knowledge and skills in academia pull him in further. Their love story has some difficult challenges, however, because of society's restrictions, and it was fun to see how it all was resolved. Loved the historical details in this one!

The third one is by Heather Moore, another favorite author of mine. Evelyn Tucker is finally going home to her aunt after completing her time at finishing school. Only her aunt has other ideas. She takes Evelyn on a grand tour, trying to spend all her husband's money before it can go to some distant relative. That distant relative is Henry Gaiman, who has been called home from his archaeological dig to settle the estate's affairs. He tracks the women down and ends up traveling with them for a short while. He is pulled into a bit of drama, however, when his benefactress gives him an ultimatum that is unacceptable---but how can he risk his archaeological dig? In a surprising turn of events, Henry finds himself in a pretend engagement with Evelyn, but by the time he realizes he's not pretending, will it be too late?

I enjoyed all three stories and thought they were well-developed in both characters and story, despite the shorter length. A wonderful read for when you need a little romance, but don't have a lot of time!

You can download your copy here

Here's the back copy:

A LORD’S CHANCE by Anthea Lawson: After her first romance ends in disaster, Miss Isabelle Strathmore vows never to fall in love again. She will travel, certainly, and see the world, but it will be a spinster’s life for her. She has learned the most painful lesson of all—that her heart simply cannot be trusted. Gavin Reed, the Earl of Jasper, is unexpectedly charmed by Isabelle. Past encounters have made him wary of taking a chance on love, but by the end of the Grand Tour, he is determined to make Miss Strathmore his wife. But fate has more in store than either of them guesses. Beneath the Mediterranean sun, can Isabelle and Lord Jasper find their happily ever after before disaster strikes?

FALLING IN ROME by Jennifer Moore: Chaperoning two young women on their grand tour is the opportunity of a lifetime for Eleanor Doyle. Although she’s an expert in many languages, her gender has made further education impossible. If the tour is successful, the young women’s parents have promised her a position at a university in London. Eleanor hopes to instill her charges with a love of Rome, but not until they meet up with a group of young gentlemen and their fascinating professor, Russell Kendrick, do the young ladies show any interest at all. Attraction blossoms between Eleanor and Ken, but Eleanor’s future depends on maintaining propriety. The headstrong charges have other ideas, and Ken and Eleanor will have to decide which is most important, accolades in the academic world, or being with the one they love.

A SECRET ARRANGEMENT by Heather B. Moore: Evelyn Tucker has finally graduated from finishing school, but dreads living with her widowed aunt. On the appointed day, Aunt Margaret comes to collect Evelyn, and Margaret informs her that they’re going on a Grand Tour to spend as much of the estate money they can before a distant cousin inherits all. When Henry Gaiman discovers he’s inherited his distant uncle’s estate, he loathes the thought of returning to England since he’d rather continue with his archaeology dig in Egypt. Return he must, and there, he meets Evelyn, a woman who will change his world in more ways than one.