Another absolutely delightful gem from Jen Turano! I thoroughly enjoyed my journey to Chicago with Beatrix and Norman. Their adventures are filled with action, humor, and developing romance. The pacing is rapid and the characters are well-defined and entertaining. There are interesting historical details balanced with a bit of mystery and a great deal of hilarious antics (Mort and the cats are my particular favorites in this novel!) You don't need to have read the previous books in this series before this, but you will want to because the books are so wonderful.

Storing Up Trouble is book number three in Jen Turano's American Heiresses series. If you have read the previous books, you'll be happy to know we get a brief glimpse at some of the previous characters in that series in this book. Still, if you've not read them yet, this can certainly be read as a standalone... though I have my suspicions you are going to want to read them all.

Jen Turano is such a delightfully unique voice in historical fiction... and one that I absolutely cannot get enough of. Her books are full of humor and sass that I don't typically see a whole lot within this genre. She has a knack at creating unique characters that I personally cannot help but fall in love with. Storing Up Trouble proves this once again!

Right from the start, the humorous mishaps begin as we meet Beatrix Waterbury unknowingly being held up on a train. The quirky and perhaps a bit aloof scientist Norman Nesbit comes to her aid, and the two form a rather unlikely friendship. They seem to annoy each other endlessly, and yet still are drawn to one another. One can assume of course that this makes for a pretty fantastic and enjoyable romance. While Beatrix was a fantastic character whom I truly enjoyed getting to know, I must admit that it was Norman and his best friend and trusty sidekick Theodosia that really made this one for me. I loved their quirky personalities and their ignorance of social graces of the time, despite their amazing intelligence. I loved them... as well as the many other unique characters we got to meet as well. I personally hope that we get to see more from Theodosia in future books, because she truly was the greatest character in the whole thing for me. (And can we talk for a minute about Jen Turano's amazing character names? Perfection!)

Overall, this was a fantastic read and one that fans of historical fiction are sure to enjoy. I also believe that those who don't typically go for that genre but enjoy headstrong female leads and romantic comedies will find themselves loving this one as well!

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley for consideration. All thoughts are 100% my own.

Jen Turano has delivered another quirky and unpredictable story in her last eat release Storing Up Trouble.
This book is filled with an eclectic cast of characters that will definitely keep the reader on their toes! Beatrix and Norman are an unlikely pair who learn a lot about themselves by experiencing the differences in each other’s personalities. As one would guess, their combination brings about a variety of unpredictably humorous circumstances all with Jen Turano’s trademark wit and humor infused into each scene. This lighthearted story addresses some women’s rights issues from the time period, incorporates a little mystery and of course, a bit of an interesting romance as well! If you are looking for a historical romance with unique and charming personalities Storing Up Trouble will not disappoint!

Such a fun book to read! It was much needed right now. I laughed along with the characters. This particular book is mainly set in Chicago. It starts off with antics right away. Definitely recommend this one! I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All views stated here are my own.

I throughly enjoyed the book “Storing Up Trouble” by Jen Turano. Her stories are always fun. Full of entertaining plots and characters. Sometimes I’ve fallen in love with a side character and wish they had their own book. In this case, my hopes came true! Beatrix is great friends with Isadora and Poppy who are the main leads from the first 2 books in the “American Heiress” series. She kind of pops in & out of their tales. (I’m hoping the Huxley sisters get a book too! They’re great fun. Anyhoo, getting back to Beatrix!) While this is the third book in a series, it works as a stand alone as well. I don’t want to give any spoilers but will try to give a bit of info on the book.

“Storing up Trouble” opens with Beatrix on the train headed for a visit with her aunt in Chicago. She has been in and out of bits of trouble with her suffrage support (short jail stints) and is a debutante that is not very interested in securing herself a husband. Her Mother has decided a change might be just the thing so she sends her from New York to visit her Aunt Gladys.

Beatrix is an independent young woman in the social set during the gilded age. She is an avid horsewomen and always jumps in to help those she sees in need. Even though she’s part of the New York 400, she doesn’t really care what people think but is rather graceful about it all.

When Beatrix meets Norman, they are immediately both fascinated by and irritated by each other. He is a sheltered “great mind” of Chicago society and a scientist. I love seeing people grow in depth and character in books and both definitely do. The ‘opposites attract’ saying is true of these two. Throughout the book they annoy each other but also grow close. Both of them make some great self revelations and find greater purpose.

As always, the side characters add so much to the story! They are amusing sidekicks to Beatrix and Norman. The plot includes a bit of intrigue, personal development for a few of them & several laughs. I have found myself giggling aloud during each of Jen Turano’s books and this did not disappoint. I read an interview once with Turano and she was basically asked how she came up with so much comedy in her writing. She replied with a hilarious story from her teenage years about being swept up in an umbrella while life guarding & being blown into the pool... The comedy is in her life experiences and the way she sees things. Such a funny outlook.

“Storing Up Trouble” is highly recommended by me! It is a lighthearted read and inspirational.

I received an advance copy of this book for reviewing purposes. This is my honest opinion.

Storing Up Trouble by Jen Turano is the third book in her American Heiresses series. Beatrix Waterbury is sent to stay with her eccentric aunt in Chicago. On the train ride there she encounters a group of robbers. Norman Nesbit, a wealthy scientist comes to her aid. This story was so delightful! It had me laughing out-loud so many times. Beatrix and Theo were a great pair. I loved the way their friendship developed throughout the story. Norman’s absentmindedness was adorable. I think this is my favorite so far!


I received this book from the author for my honest review.

Jen Turano writes romances about women who use their wits to stay ahead of their own machinations. The shenanigans of these women are enough to make a mother superior say, "What do we do about a problem like (inset heroine's name here)?" There is always a reason why these women act the way they do: they are not cut of the same cloth as every one else, their thought processes are not the usual empty-headed thoughts of debutantes, and they are too forward thinking for their times.

These reasons are exactly why Beatrix Waterbury was sent to stay with her Aunt Gladys in Chicago. She wasn't precisely sure why she was being banished from New York society, but she was determined to make the best of the situation, until she was set upon by train robbers on the way to Chicago. The robbers were really after some papers that Norman Nesbitt carried with him, but used the robbery as a ruse to get to those papers. Beatrix and Norman are thrown together often after the train episode, and begin to see something in each other that others don't see.

Storing Up Trouble is a five star book, two thumbs up, and something from the Bargain Basement at Marshall Fields.

Bethany House and NetGalley.com provided the copy I read for this review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Miss Beatrix Waterbury’s parents have banished her to Chicago to stay with her Aunt Gladys because she’s ended up in jail one too many times. They hope a respite from New York society will help her settle down and forget about the suffragette movement. But her train ride proves most unsettling. Robbers board the train and when Beatrix tries to take things in hand (why DO men think a woman can’t shoot a gun?), she ends up having to escape the train with Mr. Norman Nesbit, the most infuriating man she has ever met.

When she finally arrives in Chicago, Mr. Nesbit insists on escorting her to her aunt’s residence. He even picks her up and carries her across the hallway when he questions her aunt’s suitability to act as guardian for Beatrix. While Beatrix admits that her aunt doesn’t seem conventional, she certainly seems harmless enough.

When Aunt Gladys challenges Beatrix to take a job at Marshal Field’s Department Store to experience life as a working girl, Beatrix agrees. She can’t seem to avoid trouble, though, and discovers just how unfairly the store treats women. And for some odd reason, the annoying Mr. Nesbit keeps showing up. Along with more trouble.

Norman Nesbit has grown up believing in his special status as a man who above-average intelligence. He has wanted for nothing his entire life. Something about Miss Beatrix Waterbury shakes him out of his normal routines and causes him to make changes that shock his indulgent family. Now, if he could just figure out who wants to steal his important research, he could set his mind to figuring out the problem of Miss Waterbury.

Why I Love This Book

I love how Turano’s tight prose keeps the story moving along with rollicking scenes of mishaps. Her characters have quirks and foibles that make them both endearing and relatable. Readers who’ve enjoyed the first two books in the American Heiress series (Flights of Fancy and Diamond in the Rough) will adore this third installment.

Storing up Trouble is a delightfully whimsical book about a young wealthy woman named Beatrix who is sent to Chicago to stay with her eccentric aunt. This book will keep you grinning from beginning to end, as Beatrix finds herself in all kinds of amusing situations, exacerbated by a man of science, Norman, who meets Beatrix on a train in the beginning of the book. Although whimsical, there is also depth in the book that keeps it grounded in the midst of the fun. Another fantastic book by Jen Turano!

This third book in Jen Turano’s American Heiresses series is just as fun and a delightful read like the books preceding it. Readers don’t have to worry about having read the first two books, Storing Up Trouble reads well as a stand-alone (though our heroines from the others make cameos).
The opening scene throws our hero and heroine into a dangerous situation in which the true colours of both characters are exposed. We find our hero to be socially awkward and our heroine is a complete extrovert and has an uncanny ability to attract disaster wherever she goes.
It’s an interesting expose on the treatment of working class women during the suffragette movement. Our heroine comes from a New York 400 family, but is sent to Chicago to live with another wealthy relative. Her aunt secures her a position and our heroine learns what it really is like to be considered one of the working class. We see her eyes opened to the treatment of those who are considered in the lower class by the upper class where she’s from.
I love the final chapter where those of the Chicago elite receive their comeuppance when they realize who our heroine really is.
A fun, light read with a light spiritual thread and a cast of colourful characters readers can’t help but to fall in love with.
I received an ecopy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

'Ladies, I'll have you know, don't care for men who embrace criminal activity.'

Where do I begin to tell you just how much of a forever fan I am of Jen Turano? With each book of hers that I read, I grow even more fond of her work. It's not long after beginning one of her enchanting novels that I am roaring with laughter! Seriously, she has a wit that will not quit. I can't imagine anyone being able to write such hilarious work! I am completely captivated when I read he3r books. Totally.

'You're acting beyond peculiar, which is peculiar in and of itself since peculiar seems to be a common state for you.'

Turano gives us Miss Beatrix Waterbury and Mr. Norman Nesbit in her third book in the American Heiresses series. Beatrix and Norman just happen to be on the same train when train robbers come on board. Norman comes to her aid, which she does not need nor welcome. They make an escape, and after that, just put down anything you're holding because you will drop it when you start laughing to beat the band. Truly. I can most highly recommend this author.

*My thanks to Bethany House Publishers for a copy of this book via Net Galley. The opinions in this review are entirely my own. (less)

What a rip-roaring funny novel!! Jen Turano did it again with her newest novel, Storing Up Trouble. From the first chapter, she had me laughing and wondering why her heroines try to act so brave, but end up doing silly little things. From then on, Beatrix finds herself in more trouble. There is a donkey with his own mind to gloves in the store that cause Beatrix to get into some trouble. I enjoyed learning about how women workers were treated. No wonder the women were up in arms. The romance is sweet. Progressing naturally. Overall, Jen Turano's newest novel, Storing Up Trouble, is a delightful way to spend a couple of hours. I can't wait to go back and re-read all three books in this series again. Highly recommend Jen Turano to every reader!

I received a complimentary copy of Storing Up Trouble by Jen Turano from Bethany House Publishers, but the opinions stated are all my own.

•*• Loved Every Minute •*•
1886, Chicago
“Miss Beatrix Waterbury had been banished from New York, and all because she’d had the great misfortune of landing herself in jail… twice.” Another great opening line.
A train, a robbery, a scientist, a suffragist, Pinkertons, Chicago’s Marshall Field & Co., a butler named Lurch – but not really (ha ha), a wacky, cat-loving aunt with keen insight and a helpful nature, a stubborn mule named Mort, a houseful of ladies in training, and a host of other characters.

“You’re very tenacious – which is not a compliment, if you’re wondering-” – Norman Nesbit
“I always find it best to gather pertinent information about one’s nemesis because you never know when such information might be useful.” – Aunt Gladys

TEA MOMENT: “I’m of the belief that a nice cup of tea, paired with an even nicer meal, does wonders for clearing a person’s head.” –Norman Nesbit

FAITH MOMENT: Knowing God, who’d always been by her side, would be walking beside her, giving her his blessing… I loved this very sweet moment.

I enjoy everything Jen Turano writes and this is no exception. Another 5 star read.

Bethany House Publishing - American Heiresses Series:
Flights of Fancy – book 1 Jan 1, 2019
Diamond in the Rough – book 2 Sept 3, 2019
Storing Up Trouble – book 3 coming May 5, 2020 (dependent upon COVID-19 delays)

I received a complimentary eBook through Netgalley and the Publisher for an honest review. All opinions are my own without further compensation or expectation.

Storing Up Trouble is yet another example of why Jen Turano is the queen of humor. From the first page, she pulls you into the world of Beatrix, Norman, and their hilarious escapades. As usual, she crafts relatable characters experiencing unusual circumstances. And once again, Turano provides an entertaining, heartwarming read that is the perfect conclusion to her American Heiresses series.

Beatrix is a lovable character, even if you haven’t read Flights of Fancy or Diamond in the Rough (books 1 and 2 of the series). Not afraid to go against social conventions, she throws herself wholeheartedly into her new job at a department store. This creates a wonderful irony as the very people from her social set treat her as an underling.

Her eccentric aunt and the band of women staying at the mansion adds an extra layer of humor to the novel. I must say, though, that Beatrix and Norman’s interactions are the best. Norman possesses an unusual mind, and Beatrix has an unparalleled wit. When they’re together, their verbal spats make you chuckle out loud. But my favorite parts were Norman’s interactions with his family after his spats with Beatrix. Their relationship is more than physical attraction but a true appreciation of each other’s personalities and character.

Norman quickly became one of my favorite heroes of all time. Not just because he’s quirky but because when he’s passionate about something, he goes all in. His niece and her best friend are lovable sidekicks, but the best sidekick in the whole novel is Theodosia, Norman’s best friend who quickly becomes friends with Beatrix. Theo’s penchant for reading etiquette books and forming social experiments endeared her to me from the beginning. And I won’t spoil anything, but her romantic subplot is so sweet.

Overall, this was one of Jen Turano’s best books so far. From the humorous beginning to the sweet conclusion, this book is hard to put down.

(review goes live on the blog on April 24 at 5:00 PM)

Jen Turano offers up another fantastic book, cementing herself not only as the master of humorous historical fiction but also as a wonderful storyteller. From the opening sentence, I found myself both chuckling at the situations that the characters found themselves and being totally invested in finding out where the book would take them. At the outset, Norman was incredibly frustrating--I wished I could reach through the book and bash him over the head--but I loved seeing the changes he made throughout the book and how he actually took to heart what Beatrix said and made significant changes in how he treated people--and the sweet gestures he made for others totally won me over. I also enjoyed seeing how Beatrix came to find her purpose, with focused actions she could take to further the cause of women. Secondary characters (particularly Theodosia) were also endearing. While there were plenty of madcap adventures and eccentric characters, the context of women's rights (or lack thereof) provided an engaging backdrop for the story. With tons of humor, great dialogue, a light mystery, and a quick pace, this book was just a ton of fun to read.
4.5 stars.
I read an ARC provided by the publisher via #NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This is the third book in this series but I had not read either of the two that came before and I can honestly say I thoroughly enjoyed Storing Up Trouble.
This quirky cast of characters is guaranteed to brighten your day! Norman reminded me of one if my favorite tv personalities, Sheldon Cooper. I laughed out loud as he and his acquaintance navigated uncharted territory, conducting a wild experiment not in their original field of study. As you can imagine the potential for chaos and hilarity when this happens is all but certain! Initially I thoroughly enjoyed the banter between the main characters until there came a point where I was just as annoyed at Norman as Beatrix. The story moved along at a good pace with a interesting development in the plot that I never saw coming.

This book reminded me a little bit of Full Steam Ahead by Karen Witemeyer. Jen Turano writes with a similar flair for fun, humorous storylines with characters you will love to journey alongside This was a lighthearted read and I found the last half nearly impossible to put down.

Thank you Bethany House and NetGalley for the free copy. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Turano is known for her humour and inspirational stories and this title does not disappoint on that front. If it were a person, I’d describe it as that loud, sweet, somewhat chaotic friend that brings liveliness and occasional puzzlement in every encounter. It’s a delightful whirlwind of enjoyment!

With a blend of adventure, snicker-inducing scenarios and dialogue, danger, oddball characters, and sweet romance this book is a fast-paced get-ready-for-a-ride work of art. It also manages to romp through the very pivotal history of suffrage and worker’s rights in North America in a delicate balance of important facts and quirky situations.

As it is inspirational fiction, faith and purpose play a foundational role in the overall story. It is a clean, sassy, sweet work of historical romance. Overall, I can do nothing but recommend this title. My only complaint is that I binged my way through it and now I feel a little lonely.

My thanks for the complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

Fun, Danger & Opposites Attract!

Norman Nesbit is a clueless scientist unaware of the many social blunders he makes and the proper Beatrix Waterbury, part of the New York City social set, are thrown together during a train robbery. Together, the differences between the two of them make for some zany situations. Add in eccentric Aunt Gladys, a pack of unusual house cats along with a child prodigy, and chuckles abound.

However, there are serious subjects including the plight of working women, the suffragette movement, and the very real danger that follows Norman at every turn.

Never the less, Norman’s habit of unwittingly offending scores of people, along with Beatrix’s attempt to remain incognito at Chicago’s famous Marshall Field’s Department Store, makes for some entertaining reading.

This fast-moving tale will keep your interest from the first page until the revelation at the book's end of the one behind all the danger. The character’s faith is an attractive part of the story, and despite being part of a series, this installment stands on its own. I recommend this 5-star book to those who like well-written historical, adventures with a sprinkle of humor.

Bethany House Publishing through NetGalley has provided bookreadingtic with a complimentary copy of, Storing Up Trouble, for the purpose of review. I have not been compensated in any other manner. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Oh how I needed a good laugh and wonderful story! I love the humor in Jen Turano’s books!!! I can always count on the characters bringing a smile to my face and leave me wanting the next book ASAP!!!

Storing Up Trouble
by Jen Turano
In effort to suppress the gossip, Beatrix Waterbury finds herself being sent to live with her aunt in Chicago after being arrested twice supporting her suffragette ideas. Trouble seems to follow Beatrix as she finds herself being ever so bold during a train robbery and joining forces with a Norman Nesbit, scientist extraordinaire to escape.
Undeterred by the train hold up, Beatrix continues her suffragette cause by posing as a shop girl at Marshal Field and Company department store once she arrives in Chicago. Surprisingly Beatrix finds that she and Norman are not to part ways as there is someone out to get them. Working together or rather Norman “stalking” Beatrix at her new job has the couple playing detective. This book holds much excitement and amusing romance as Norman and Beatrix discover love.
I found this book delightful, however, I question the ignorance of Beatrix’s wealth and social status throughout the book. I fell her attitude and ability to live in both worlds seamlessly unlikely and I imagine she would be unaware of some of her refinement and privilege causing issue. I will admit I find it easy to look past such issues once I’ve begun reading.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.