Whew! Thank goodness this book finally ended. With characters I didn't care about, a story that went nowhere fast and was too repetitive, this book was a chore to read.

This book started out ok but I quickly found the same things repeated over and over. The pace of the story was very slow and there were too many characters and plot twists.

I have read other books by this author and quite enjoyed them but this book was definitely a miss for me.

Love Jen's books, just don't have time to write a review. Love the relationship between the main characters, the clean romance, and the setting. It's what I look for in a book when I need to relax.

Jen Turano never disappoints! Her historical screwball comedies are in a class of their own, Caught by Surprise is chock full of all the wit, zany antics, and sweet romance Turano's fans have come to expect. Highly recommend!

Jen's latest release, Caught By Surprise, is a fun story about Miss Temperance Flowerdew and is the final book in the Apart from the Crowd series. Temperance has had no choice in her current circumstances which haven proven quite a trial in her life. When she is mysteriously kidnapped, it begins a chain of events that help unravel the mystery surrounding why she was left in the care of relatives who don't really want her around, and also brings her friend, Gilbert Cavendish into her life again. Gilbert and Temperance have been friends since childhood, but could there be any hope of their relationship becoming more?

This is a series that would be best to read in order. It's a great way to be introduced to all the characters that are throughout the books. I thought this story was a fun addition to the series. Jen Turano is great at crafting a story. Her wit and humor bring a smile to my face as I read. I never spend more than a few days reading Jen's books because the story moves at a great pace, and I keep wanting to read one more chapter! I liked that this story had some mystery to it with trying to figure out what really happened with Temperance's family and why she was left penniless.

If you're looking for a fun, romantic story filled with humor and mystery, pick up Jen's series, Apart from the Crowd!

*I received this free e-book from Bethany House Publishers through Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Man, I love Jen Turano’s books!! They’re somehow period-accurate, while also being witty and sassy and funny!

This book is book 3 in the Apart From the Crowd series, and I think it might be my favorite! Temperance and Gilbert are bantery, and there’s suspense, and fancy dresses, and EEEE it’s all just so fun! I also enjoyed the guest appearances that the characters from previous books in the series made. One of my favorite thing about this series is how each of the characters is so distinct, even in the time frame they’re in. Most books/people in that time period emphasize on being conventional, and fitting in, and whatever, but all of the characters in this book have their own personalities, and are memorable in their own way!

The story itself was also really fun: from kidnappings to shootings to really really bad “villains,” there were just twists and turns all around that made the book so fun! The ending was also SO FUN!

This book is the last book in the trilogy, and I definitely recommend reading the trilogy in order, so that you can catch all of the inside jokes/references!

My Rating-
8/10

Thank you to the publisher, Bethany House, for providing me with a free e-copy of this book via NetGalley in excahnge for an honest review; I was not required to write a positive review.

This review first appeared on- https://losingthebusyness.wordpress.com/2018/09/05/book-review-caught-by-surprise-by-jen-turano-apart-from-the-crowd-3/

4.5/5 stars. This was a great deal longer than it needed to be. xP I was about 25% in and thinking it should be more like ... done. It was just so packed, I suppose!

That aside, Gilbert was my favorite character! He was fantastic. I just loved his lists and his organized way of looking at things. Now, I'm not generally a very organized person, but I am a bit organized, and I find organized people amusing. And sweet.

HONESTLY THE WHOLE THING WITH HIM LEARNING ABOUT ROMANCE AND HOW TO BE ROMANTIC AND WINNING TEMPERANCE'S HEART IS THE BEST EVER. Like, it's so adorable? The very fact that he was so determined, even if he was terrible at it, was proof that he deserved her. <3

Temperance was also loads and loads of fun! Like, I cannot not love this girl.

It's weird that two people could be SO opposite, and I could still love them both! Usually that doesn't happen, especially with protagonists in these sorts of novels. Usually I'm either "eh" about one of them or desperately hate one of them.

This is book 3 of a series by Jen Turano and I really enjoy her writing. It starts out with, what I thought, a great cover. This book has action and adventure in it. There are twists and turns that are fun to follow. There is romance in the devotion that Gilbert has for Temperance. It was enjoyable to watch their relationship go up and down and up and down and up throughout the book. If you’re in for a LONG book that takes a while to complete, then this just might be the book for you. Actually, you might want to start with book 1 and work your way through the whole series.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.


***Also posted on B&N and CBD

Miss Temperance Flowerdew isn’t quite a penniless orphan, but she’s certainly close to it. The only reason she’s ever been invited to society happenings is as an escort for her cousin, but relations have soured with her extended family due to previous events. Now, she spends her time at Miss Snook’s School for the Education of the Feminine Mind, teaching those even less fortunate than herself.

When she’s abducted, a former good friend comes to her rescue but his solution to their problem isn’t exactly romantic. This is a man known for planning everything meticulously, right down to lists and charts. His friends, engaged to be married to Temperance’s friends, chide him for his lack of spontaneity. But he’s more concerned with wanting to know why he’s being shot at. Cue the Pinkerton agents, including one friend’s sister and her would be suitor. Who’s the target of violence here: Gilbert or Temperance?

For those unfamiliar with Jen Turano’s work, this is the type of tale where the characters refer to each other as Mister and Miss, because it’s the proper thing. The names are often ‘out there.’ I mean, Flowerdew? Miss Snook? The school in the narrative is almost always called by its full name (see above). There are elderly benevolent eccentrics with male servants who act as accomplices in their schemes. Oh, and the police (or detectives such as the Pinkerton agents) usually appear at some point as well. Like previous books, Caught by Surprise is an enjoyable Gilded Age romp. There are mentions of THE Mrs. Astor, cottages in Newport, and wealthy American heiresses marrying members of the British aristocracy.

This is the third in Turano’s Apart From the Crowd series. It probably could be read on its own, but you probably should read the others first. Because otherwise you’ll be left wondering about the stolen painting and the outlandish fashion designs one society matron would create. They aren’t pivotal to the plot in this book, but they are mentioned and they are important parts of those previous novels. You’ll also discover that you can’t just read ONE Jen Turano novel. You’ll want to read them ALL. The good news is that the first in a brand new Jen Turano series starts in January.

Thank you to Bethany House for my complimentary electronic copy of Caught by Surprise, which I downloaded from NetGalley. No review was required.

Caught by Surprise is book three from Apart From the Crowd series. I believe this one is my favorite of the series. Temperance and Gilbert were great together. The book made me laugh so hard at times. What a delightful story.
I give Caught by Surprise a well deserved five plus stars. I can not wait to find out where else Jen Turano's imagination takes her readers to next.
I highly recommend Caught by Surprise.
I received this book from the publisher, but was not required to write a review. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

If you are looking for a historical rom-com, this book is sure to delight. I wasn't sure what to expect in this historical fiction, but quickly realized that it was full of laughs, suspense and unpredictable characters. The story begins with a kidnapping of Temperance Flowerdew that quickly turns into a comedic train ride to Chicago with two not-so-clever kidnappers. The characters interactions will take you on a roller coaster ride of laughing and questioning the predicaments they find themselves in. You are not sure if you should dislike the kidnapping duo or try to understand their viewpoint as Temperance Flowerdew attempts. Temperance finds herself being "rescued" by an old friend, Gilbert Cavendish, and they soon find themselves in awkward and damaging dilemma. Temperance has finally found her independence and does not want anyone telling her what to do, especially Gilbert. All the while Gilbert is trying to keep her safe and find out who and why she was kidnapped in the first place. The story takes a sharp turn when they arrive back in New York and begin to unravel the mystery. This book is light hearted, but not lacking in plot or character. It's a fun read that will have you picking the book up just to see what could possibly happen next. Even though this book is the third in a series, I was unaware of that when I first read it and didn't feel as though I was missing anything.

*Thank you to NetGalley & Bethany House Publishers  for my e-copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.*

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 mismatched 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.

Caught by Surprise.
I have a love hate relationship with this book. I love Temperance Flowerdew. Her strong grit. Her grace in putting up with her cousin no matter what she did to her. I love the fact that she is so strong and she stands up for her friends. She always does the next right thing. I love visiting with The other wallflwowers. You can read this book as a stand alone but it is so much more fun to start with the first of the series…..
I hate that it is the end of the series. I love Jen Turano. I have read every book that she has written at least twice. Maybe I shouldn’t hate it because she already has another in the works.

I always enjoy Jen Turano’s books because of the character interactions and this one was no different. The interactions between Temperance and Gilbert were enjoyable and I found myself laughing throughout the book. The humor starts off right away as Temperance is kidnapped by two incompetent kidnappers when they had meant to kidnap someone else. The characters are lovable and quirky and people I would enjoy having as friends. Watching the antics of the two childhood friends with one trying to convince the other to marry him was delightful. Overall the book was a light and amusing read.

I had never read a book by Jen Turano before but I really enjoyed this one. Caught by Surprise was very entertaining and kept me guessing. The story starts with Temperance being grabbed from the street. The characters and the story were interesting. The book was not at all what I expected but not in a bad way. If you are looking for an entertaining book, I recommend this one.

Realistic? No. Serious? No. Flat out entertaining? Absolutely yes! This book was honestly one of the most fun and interesting books that I have read in a very long time. It was a historical romance, but it was so much more. It kept me interested and turning the pages. I simply enjoyed it tremendously.

Oh how I enjoyed the humor in this book. The dialogue was filled with wittiness! The characters would be in dangerous situations and randomly begin talking about something making the scene quite humorous in my opinion. The book has the mystery and danger component to it and will until the end. Honestly, I was a little surprised! But shh! Read it and see if you can figure out the mystery and have a few laughs along the way! I so enjoyed how Gertrude found her voice with Gilbert. Watching their journey of friendship was a delight! And just the character names are enough to make one smile!

A Great Conclusion to the Behind the Scenes Series.

Caught by Surprise is fun and light-hearted. It was great to see Temperance Flowerdew a wallflower hiding her true self, find who she really is and let go of expectations, through a whirlwind of circumstances that is filled with humor, mystery, and sweet romance. By far my favorite book of the series.

I wasn't sure how much I would like this book since it took place in the city, but I was very surprised that I did enjoy it. Temperance endured a lot at the hands of her relatives but that doesn't stop her from still finding the good in life. Her best friend, Gilbert comes to her rescue more times than not. He has his sites set on her but she isn't making it easy. I enjoyed the ending of this book a lot! Keep reading to the end.

My Review of Caught by Surprise

Genre: Historical Fiction

My Rating: 4 Star.

Recommendation: 13 up.

My favorite character/s: Temperance and Gilbert are one of my favorite sets of Jen Turno's books! Temperance is an exciting and trying character that makes you want to knock some sense into her!

My Verse for Temperance is Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. English Standard Version.

My thoughts: This is a great book! I've read several of Mrs. Turno's books and enjoyed them very much. I can't wait for the next one!

On the opening lines of Caught by Surprise, the latest from Jen Turano, you will find Miss Temperance Flowerdew, being kidnapped on the streets of New York City as she is walking to work. You expect the details of this tale will blossom into something out of the ordinary!

When Temperance's childhood friend, Mr. Gilbert Cavendish, shows up on the scene and ends up rescuing her, you know this tale will be full of unexpected events. Especially with characters like the vivacious Temperance and the sedate and always in-control Gilbert!

Hold on until the final page to see where Temperance and Gilbert will land at the end of all of the chaos. There will be a lot of secrets revealed along the way!