Jen Turano’s delightful book, Out of the Ordinary, reintroduces us to Gertrude Cadwalader whom we met in At Your Request (Apart From the Crowd): An Apart From the Crowd Novella and in Behind the Scenes (Apart From the Crowd Book #1).

Out of the Ordinary is an out of the ordinary story. I laughed so hard at some sections; I literally had tears running down my eyes. I would be hard-pressed to explain which comedic moment was my favorite as they all have their own laugh-out-loud, crack up moments. However, don’t let that mislead you. There are some very serious aspects to the story.

Gertrude is paid to be a companion to Mrs. Davenport, an eccentric lady with a propensity to take things that aren’t hers, thereby creating many precarious situations for Gertrude to correct. I really felt sorry for poor Gertrude when one situation leads to a disastrous misunderstanding and a less than ideal situation for unfortunate Gertrude.

Harrison Sinclair is a lovable hero. He has absolutely no fashion sense, and his problems with being able to see colors as others do lead to some unusual combinations of clothing. He loves his family, is loyal to his friends and overall, makes a great champion for those he cares about.

Jen Turano has written another historical novel with quirky characters, messages of faith and humor interspersed between serious subjects.

I enjoyed catching up with other characters from earlier stories. In spite of the fact that there is overlap of characters in the series, Out of the Ordinary works easily as a stand-alone.

I received this book from Bethany House and NetGalley. However, I was not required to write a review.

Out of the Ordinary by Jen Turano

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

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Story Notes

Jen Turano brings her hilarious ability to entertain into the life of a couple who are both just looking for someone to love them just as they are – odd quirks and all!

After literally laughing my way through Ms. Turano’s first installment of her Apart From The Crowd series, I was actively looking for the opportunity to read and review her second – Out of the Ordinary. Ms. Turano has the wonderful ability to create humorous circumstances that lead to necessary personal or spiritual revelations. And further, she creates characters that storm those circumstances with determined attitudes and a sense of humor that provides spicy dialogue and phrasing. Gertrude Cadwalader is the paid companion for a older society matron by the name of Mrs. Davenport – a woman who has a peculiar habit of taking things that don’t belong to her. Not that she couldn’t afford to purchase the items in question herself, she simply cannot keep her hands to herself. Often taking it upon herself to return the pilfered items before they are discovered missing, Gertrude is quickly coming to regret taking a job she thought would be fairly easy. Relieved that Mrs. Davenport’s annual trip to Newport is fast approaching and she will soon have a break from the thievery, Gertrude is frustrated and a bit resentful when Mrs. Davenport announces she will instead remain in the city and take on the societal coming out of a new-found young friend. Said young friend just happens to be the little sister of the man that Gertrude is coming to love – Harrison Sinclair. And it will be while Gertrude is attempting to return items Mrs. Davenport took from Harrison’s family that all the real trouble starts. To start with, Gertrude finds herself removing her outer clothes in order to free herself from the sofa to which she became attached due to the breakage of Mrs. Davenport’s “new bustle”. During which time Harrison happens to come into the room trying to find his friend’s fiance Permilia, causing Gertrude to leap behind the sofa in order to hide herself – wedging herself quite tightly into the space. Embarrassed, sore and now without proper clothing, Gertrude finds herself the further victim of “helping friends” who strap her into a dress 2 sizes too small – a circumstance that will lead to comical happenings in the very near future. Trying to keep herself out of trouble, out of jail and away from Mrs. Davenport’s additional ideas, Gertrude turns to Harrison, hoping for help in keeping her sanity and job. What happens next is a hilarious run through the city including another thief, stolen paintings, stolen tiaras and lots of confused identities that will all lead both Gertrude and Harrison to realize they have fallen in love through all the madness they’ve endured. They will also find that God is the love they have been looking for all along – and with Him they will discover that they are lovable just the way they are. Ms. Turano’s books are ones that her readers always look forward to reading. She has a unique ability to bring humor to situations that could be very dark and depressing – she uses those situations instead for moments of light and joy. She invites you fully into the story to walk alongside Gertrude, Harrison and their friends to experience laughter, frustration, love, friendship and spiritual growth. Ms. Turano will bring you tears of mirth with Gertrude and Harrison’s misadventures and tears of sorrow as you see them almost give up the love neither knows the other has for them. And the last few chapters as Harrison tries to show Gertrude his true feelings for her will have you rolling on the floor.Please read this book and share it will others as I will – it is one you will also want to reread one day when you need a lifting of spirits. I am eagerly awaiting Ms. Turano’s next book and cannot wait to who she will turn her focus to next!

I received this book free of charge from Bethany House Publishers both in print and in ebook form from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. I will receive no fiscal compensation from either company for this review.

There is never a dull moment with a Jen Turano book! With lively characters full of charm and fun quirks, you are sure to make new friends and enjoy a few laughs along the way. A delightful cast of endearing characters that will surely find their way into your heart. When I reached the end of the story, I wanted to flip back and start it all over again!

Gertrude is such an interesting character. She is a kind and generous young woman, who doesn’t seem to mind in the least the peculiar notions of her employer and companion. However, there is an unexpected history and depth to Gertrude that I didn’t expect, yet one I fully appreciated.

Harrison Sinclair is as down to earth as he is flamboyant. With 4 sisters he is confident that he has a fair understanding of women, however, Gertrude is a puzzle that he enjoys solving. He is such a lovable hero, one who looks out for the well-being of others and is kind and generous.

This is the perfect book to pick up when you are looking for a fun, enjoyable read, with just the right hint of suspense and action to keep you turning pages, and fascinating characters that will bring a smile to your face. I give this story 4.5 stars. I’m positive that you will enjoy reading it as much as I have.

(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.)

This book was so enjoyable. Not the high intensity of suspense and not over the top romance. Just a well-written story with interesting and sometimes peculiar characters with an engaging story.

This story offers a little bit of everything. There is a sweet romance between Gertrude and Harrison that include some funny moments. There are adventure and mystery surrounding the events at the engagement party. All in all a fun and relaxing story to read.

If you enjoy lighthearted historical fiction I think you’d enjoy this book. The author creates characters that are easy to like along with a few that you won’t like.

Disclaimer: I did receive a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, I was not required to give a review and the opinions here are my own.

Miss Gertrude Cadwalader works as a companion for the wealthy Mrs. Davenport, who secretly and impulsively pilfers other people’s personal belongings. One of Gertrude’s tasks is to return the stolen items. The wealthy Mrs. Sinclair, catches Gertrude trying to return the items, and jumps to the wrong conclusion. Harrison Sinclair is the son of Mrs. Sinclair and tries to convince his mother that his friend Gertrude is not a thief. He finds helping Gertrude is anything-but-ordinary.

This is the second book in this series. It isn't necessary to read the first book. But it helps explain some of the comments in book two. The book started out a little slow but picked up speed as it went along. Mrs. Davenport's bizarre behavior gets explained towards the end of the book.

This is an entertaining book. If you enjoy a light read, this is for you.

So we are back in the wonderful world created by Jen Turano in Behind the Scenes. Out of The Ordinary is the second in the Apart From the Crowd series and this one is even better than the first. I just loved it from the moment I opened the e-cover. In this one, we dig into the characters of Harrison and Gertrude as well as Harrison’s family. We finally come to understand Mrs Davenport and her complexities! There is a mystery wrapped in, a little Austen on the side (my favourite) and all in all a great adventure! It’s a five on the en-JOY-moment scale.

Favourite line:
“Perhaps Harrison has arranged all of this as your very own of a Northanger Abbey mystery, one complete with an actual mystery…”

I have always enjoyed Jen Turano's books and this did not disappoint. I like story lines where the characters go against the norm and Harrison and Gertrude do just that! I love their interaction and the humor that Jen brings. Always a pleasure to read a book from her! I'm excited for the next one in the series.

This is book two in the Apart From the Crowd series. Like the first book in the series and all of her others this book caused me to be in a fit of giggles. Attempting to read in bed at night and not wake my husband while laughing was a challenge.

Taking what would be considered misfits in the Gilded age, Wallflowers, Ms. Turano crafts a story full of faith, romance, mystery, and a healthy dose of shenanigans.

I have had the pleasure of reading Ms. Turano's work since her first book, A Change of Fortune was published in 2012. Her writing is crisp, and incredibly visual. Adding antics that will have you clutching your side with laughter.

While the characters from the previous book, and novella carry over, this book can be read as a stand alone. I do however recommend that you read the others first.

A throughly enjoyable romp through Gilded Age NYC with an unexpected hero and delightful heroine.

If you read and enjoyed Turano’s first book in the Apart From the Crowd series, you’ll love this book, too. You don’t have to read them in order, because Turano does a great job of tying up the loose ends in each book before moving on to the next one.

Gertrude Cadwalader, has few choices in life as an impoverished female with a good education. Her job as the faithful companion to the sticky-fingered Mrs. Davenport provides her security—along with a fair amount of embarrassment and adventure. Not every companion gets died orange or stuck to a fainting couch by a birdcage repurposed as a bustle.

Harrison Sinclair, shipping magnate and handsome friend of Gertrude’s best friend’s fiancé, wonders how he can avoid greedy girls looking for a rich husband. The more time he spends in Gertrude’s company, the more he wants to know about her. Despite having three sisters, he feels a bit bewildered by the fairer sex. He blunders in his friendship with Gertrude and sets out to woo her—with unexpected results.

The dialogue sparkles and the circumstances the characters experience had me giggling out loud. If you love historical fiction, quirky characters, and action, you’ll love Jen Turano’s latest book.

I've read many Jen Turano books now, and she continues with 'Out of the Ordinary' in a similar fashion that's very unique to her. The characters are always quirky and fun. The dialogue differs from other books in this genre in that there's always a lot of sparring, with humor. I have not enjoyed this series however, and I'm putting it down to the oddness of the character name choices. I stated this last time but when reading a name and it's something you have to fall over in your head, it takes away flow. This probably works for the author because she has carved a place out that's unique for her, and likely this doesn't bother some readers, but it does for me.

After that I start to disconnect from the story and I found it a fairly mediocre plot. Probably because I lacked engagement with the main characters already. I think this might give the final book a miss, and see where she goes with her next series.

If you are a fan of this time period and locale, then you are sure to love the story. Gertrude certainly finds herself in a difficult position due to trying to cover for Mrs Davenport, her employer, all the time. Likewise Harrison in his efforts to assist is endearing. This is a clean Christian fiction novel.

Thanks to Netgalley for the eARC. This is my honest review.

After reading the first Apart From the Crowd novel, Behind the Scenes, I suspected that I would enjoy the second novel even more.  I was so right.  

Gertrude Cadwalader (I do love the nearly horrible but ultimately charming names for the heroines in this series) and Harrison Sinclair are the most personable protagonists I've encountered in a Jen Turano book.  I liked them as secondary characters, but I adored them as the leads.

Revealing more of Gertrude's back story allows the reader to finally understand why it is she is so very dedicated to Mrs. Harrison, constantly getting her out of scrapes, returning items she's taken, and wearing her outlandish creations.  Even in the Golden Age, Princess Leia buns were not exactly fashionable, and bustles were made from specific materials for a reason.  Harrison is also provided with more dimension, and his stunningly bright and mismatched personal style explained, partly through the welcome inclusion of the female members of his family.

The laugh out loud moments, the adorable quirkiness of Gertrude, Harrison and the various secondary characters, as well as the mischief of Miss Temperance Flowerdew's cousin and the main mystery story arc that helps to keep the plot moving forward, all lend themselves to a frenetically paced read.

Definitely a trilogy to read in order, starting with the prequel novella At Your Request, as many characters make very welcome repeat appearances.  I'm definitely looking forward to the third book, when the final wallflower, Temperance Flowerdew, takes center stage.  It promises to be a delight.

Highly recommended for current and future fans of Jen Turano, sweet romance filled with humor, quirky characters, and faith, all spiced up by a bit of a mystery.  This is quite possibly my favorite Jen Turano book so far.

This review refers to a NetGalley e-galley read courtesy of the publisher.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Out of the Ordinary by Jen Turano is the second book in Apart from the Crowd series. Miss Gertrude Cadwalader is companion to Mrs. Davenport which is not an easy task. Mrs. Davenport is known for helping herself to other people’s belongings while they are at parties and events (which Gertrude returns). Gertrude and Mrs. Davenport are attending the engagement party of Permilia Griswold and Asher Rutherford on the yacht of Harrison Sinclair. The next day Mrs. Davenport confesses that she left her reticule on board the yacht with stolen contraband inside. Gertrude tries rescue it, but is caught by Harrison’s mother before she can depart. Gertrude is arrested and accused of stealing from the Manhattan Beach Hotel as well. Harrison works with Gertrude to clear her name (and Mrs. Davenport’s) and find the true culprit (and true love along the way).

Out of the Ordinary is easy to read and nicely written. Out of the Ordinary can be read alone. If you enjoy humorous historical novels, then I suggest picking up a copy of Behind the Scenes (first book in Apart from the Crowd series). There is one laugh out loud moment after another in Out of the Ordinary. I was happy to see growth in Mrs. Davenport and Gertrude by the end of the novel. At times I wanted to shake Gertrude and tell her to develop a backbone (especially after she wore the birdcage for a bustle). I felt that Ms. Turano captured the era with the fashions, dialogue and mannerisms. There is some predictability to the romance portion of the story (that seems inevitable in romance novels) and I felt the first night (night of engagement party) went on too long. That night alone took up 48% of the book. The mystery was interesting and I enjoyed figuring out the culprit. Out of the Ordinary is a quirky novel that will appeal to readers of historical romance novels and fans of Jen Turano.

It does not matter what is going on in my life or how busy I am when a Jen Turano book comes out I drop everything and do what I need to do to get my grubby little hands on it. Her books are guaranteed to make me laugh out loud and this one was no exception. Oh My! I laughed so hard at Asher and Harrison's antics in this book, and they had the best of intentions.

Gertrude is one of the wallflower set and her antics, adorable personality and frankly, the issues she is wrestling with make her one of my favourite characters of the series so far, wheezing and stitches in her side, and all. What I love the best about her is that she loves Harrison for who he is, green jackets, or er...are those orange jackets?—and all.

Of course, it would not be a Jen Turano novel without an ornery animal and Harrison's horse fits the bill.

Without any spoilers, the epilogue was a pure delight and truly unexpected. Out of the Ordinary is definitely a keeper and one I will re-read.

4.5 Stars

I love the writing style of Jen Turano, she has so much spunk, sparks and laughter in her novels. I fell in love with the characters in the first novel in this series, Behind the Scenes, I was so excited to finally be able to catch up with those characters again. Even though this is book two in the Apart From the Crowd series, it is a stand alone book. You will miss some history in many of the characters and they refer to things that happened in book one, yet you do not have to read it to love this one. I would recommend it though because after all it is a great book also.

The focus of book two is on the beautiful, yet quirky wallflower, Gertrude Cadwalader. Her character is so full of life, she is quick witted and loving. I love the relationship she has with her employer, who has a unique personality of her own.

We also learn more from the handsome, uniquely dressed, Harrison Sinclair. He is a little oblivious to his good looks and charm, he has never really sought after romance. When his friendship with Gertrude puts a little twist on his thinking, all the fun begins.

I always look forward to Turano's books and can't wait for the next one in this series to come out.

This fun novel lives up to its title as we follow Gertrude Cadwalader in her forays into 1880s society and her misadventures trying to curb her mischievous employer, Mrs. Davenport. How can an orphaned young woman find her way among the privileged, or will she be doomed to remain forever in someone’s employ? Gertrude thinks she’s too ordinary to consider romance and marriage for herself. The lively scenes provoke laughter at times, and the unfair trials evoke sympathy. I doubt anyone could read this rollicking story without some emotional reaction. I think it would have helped me understand the backstory better in the beginning if I had read the first novel in the series prior to this one. The author also has a free prequel, Behind the Scenes, which is worthwhile and introduces many of the characters that people this series so uniquely. I received a copy from Celebrate Lit. All opinions are my own.

Once again the author has written a beautiful story with characters that are so likeable you want to be their friend. Gertrude is funny, loyal and full of life. She has her hands full trying to keep up with Mrs Davenport. It isn’t easy to be a companion to an elderly lady that has a habit of “borrowing” trinkets and such. There is one scene that had me rolling on the floor laughing. I’m not sure what possessed Mrs. Davenport to make such a hideous dress for Gertrude to wear. The outrageous dress with a little extra in the back causes Gertrude to become trapped in an embarrassing way. The exploits that Mrs. Davenport puts Gertrude through is beyond the norm for a hired companion.

Harrison is one handsome man who is quite wealthy. His politeness and honesty is honorable. All the ladies are hammering to become his wife. I must say he has a strange way of dressing. I could see the stripped pants and odd color combinations as he walked into a room. It’s a good thing he is handsome, because he lacks any style of fashion. I loved how he came to Gertrude’s aide and never once doubted her guilt of things being said about her.

I loved the beautiful story that Gertrude shared about her past with Harrison. For so long she has held onto the shame of something she had no control over. I loved how forgiveness was presented in the story. It is hard to forgive yourself , but sometimes it’s even harder to think that God would forgive you. The lessons in the book are many and were well written by an author who has a knack for sharing compassionate words that encourage and fill readers with hope. Don’t miss this great adventure and see if Gertrude can forgive herself of a past that has held her back. Will Mrs. Davenport open up about her past? Can she find peace ? Grab your copy today .

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

I LOVE this book and this series! Jen Turano is a master at creating characters, situations and dialogues that are delightful, poignant, and hilarious. I laughed out loud several times in this book. I didn’t want it to end.

Gertrude is a magnificent woman. She is willing to go to great lengths to serve her eccentric employer….even to the point of wearing a bustle made out of a birdcage! She is full of kindness and compassion and has a taste for adventure….which she needs working for Mrs. Davenport.

Harrison reads his sister’s romance novels to see what romantic gestures women enjoy. Whether they work in real life is the question. He has his own unique fashion sense. What I appreciate most about Harrison is how he looks past the surface of people to what they need and who they are.

As with other Turano books, the writing is witty and funny. Some of the situations are ridiculous and yet fit the characters. The characters are quirky. I loved how the butler stereotype is turned upside down in Barclay with his flair for the dramatic and a desire for adventure.

I can’t recommend this book highly enough. It can be read as a stand-alone but the backstories in the other books add to the fun and lay a foundation for what is happening here. Thank you to Bethany House for providing me with a free copy of this book. I was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Apart From the Crowd series:

Novella: At Your Request

Book 1: Behind the Scenes

Book 2: Out of the Ordinary

This book. Out of the Ordinary. The title fits it so well. It has fun, out of the ordinary characters.

Gertrude, in spite of living in the day & age when young ladies were expected to do everything a particular way, she did her own thing. She works for a quirky, eccentric older lady, Mrs. Davenport, as a paid companion. She finds herself in all kinds of unusual circumstances.

Like the time when her peculiar bustle, created by Mrs. Davenport herself, out of a large bird cage, comes apart, and she gets caught on a fainting couch in the library (I think) of the Sinclair yacht.

Her good friend Harrison Sinclair. The catch of the year, or decade. Some people keep making hints to one or the other of them that they should get married. But each one persists in continuing in the belief that the other would never dream of such a thing. And the insist they are only friends.

Unpredictable, fun, intriguing, and delightful are only a few of the words I’d use to describe this book.

This book is a wonderful way to pass an hour or two…or more, during these fall days. It’s light-hearted and fun, and will not disappoint!