Book Review: Inventing Vivian

Inventing Vivian is the next installment in the Blue Orchid Society series and I was really excited to read this one. Jennifer Moore is one of my favorite authors and she doesn't disappoint in this Victorian romance.

Vivian loves science and experiments, but of course her brilliant mind is not accepted in society. In fact, she has felt the sting of being asked to leave a club for young scientists when she was a girl, but now she is grown and has dreamed of going to the International Exhibition of Industry and Science. She needs a recommendation from a peer of the realm and is struggling to find someone to help her, when she receives an anonymous benefactor. 

Lord Benedict has returned from China upon the death of his older brother. He is trying to find his footing as the new heir, when he meets Vivian in a most unusual way. He is attracted to her uniqueness, but because of an unfortunate event when they were children, she is not anxious to be more than acquaintances. Lord Benedict finds a way he can help her by being her anonymous sponsor at the Exhibition, but when the secret is revealed, will it ruin his hopes regarding Vivian?

I really enjoyed Vivian's character and her inventions. She is such a memorable character, with depth and passion for her craft. I loved her interactions with Lord Benedict as they begin to see each other in a different light. There really were some laugh-out-loud moments between those two! There is also a little murder mystery near the end of the book which also showcases Vivian's talents and her deepening feelings for Lord Benedict. 

I thought the author did a wonderful job with the details and setting, especially bringing in a little bit of Chinese culture through Lord Benedict's best friend Zhang Wei. Lord Benedict was a hero who needed a bit of guidance, but wasn't afraid to ask for it. He wanted to do right by those around him, and was so endearing in his attempts to woo Vivian. Inventing Vivian is a wonderful addition to the series, and one for my rainy day shelf!  

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Here's the back copy:

Ladies of London’s High Society are known for their social graces and poise. Vivian Kirby boasts neither of these enviable qualities, though she does offer impressive conversation on chemical compositions. Unfortunately, it appears that not many men want a brilliant wife. So it is that Vivian finds kinship with a group of young women who embrace each other’s differences: The Blue Orchid Society.

After an extended stay in China, Lord Benedict has returned transformed to his family’s estate, where an encounter with Vivian, whose scientific knowledge he once undermined, leaves him determined to make amends. He arranges to help forward her research—anonymously, of course. Through letters, Vivian establishes a warm friendship with her secret benefactor, even as she’s unexpectedly drawn into a murder investigation that forces her to work alongside Benedict to unearth the truth. Soon, Vivian fears she may be falling in love with two men, never suspecting that they are one and the same.