First I LOVE steampunk, so I’m going to go ahead and classify this as Christian steampunk lol I don’t know if that’s a thing or not. The author is probably cringing lol 😂

Clara is the main character and she is really struggling with letting others help her. 😬 I don’t know about you all but this hit all kinds of nerves with me. My favorite line out of the book was probably “Miss Clara Marie Stanton did not require smelling salts in the face of crisis. She did not swoon. She did not blubber. She was resilient and self sufficient woman because life had molded her into one after “sharing her dream and burdens” provided disastrous”. Mmmhmm yup that just described me.

And my husband would appreciate this one “If your sarcasm ever dulls, it shant be from lack of use ” lol guilty as charged again.

Honestly there were so many quotes I saved. I had this on my kindle but will be getting a physical copy because it was so good.

This was an incredibly fun and unusual book! It took me a bit to get into it at first, but after the first few chapters the pace definitely picks up. The mother's obsession with animals gets a little old at times, though it does add comedic relief at the oddest moments. But the combination of Victorian England (and beyond across the rest of Europe with their adventures) with a slight steampunk vibe just makes for a fun and unique story that has some beautiful Scriptural lessons along the way. I'll definitely be adding this one to my church library shelves!

This is the first by this author that I have read. It is not what I expected. I loved the steampunk and Christian undertones. The characters were well written and had amazing personalities . The story followed well but I did find it a bit heavy in the reading. I loved the humour, I have never read anything like this before. I will look forward to reading more by this author. I received this as an ARC from netgalley and freely give my review.

This was not my usual read, but it was fun to branch out. It was nothing I was expecting, but still an enjoyable read. I liked it.

A rollicking story filled with quirky characters and lots of heart, A Lady's Guide to Marvels and Misadventure is a smashing debut. I loved Clara; she has a sweet and kindhearted nature, but it's tempered with cleverness and a good dose of adventure. Theodore was the perfect match for her. He was sweet and intelligent and adventurous. With a layered cast of background characters and sweeping adventure taking place in varied locations lovingly detailed, Angela Bell pens a debut that is not only sure to please fans of inspirational historical fiction, but also ensures that this book should not be her last.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

It's an entertaining and well plotted story that kept me reading and turning pages. I liked the characters and appreciated the style of writing.
One note: the last part was a bit too heavy on the religious side making the storytelling more clunky.
There's potential but the I found the last part a bit slow.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

WONDERFULLY WRITTEN; A NEW GO-TO-AUTHOR

I was so fully entertained while reading "A Lady's Guide to Marvels and Misadventures", from the cover that draws you right in to the fantastical descriptions throughout the book! There were so many nods to beloved stories of whimsy from Around the World in 80 Days to Alice in Wonderland, to every Beatrix Potter tale, to Jane Austen and more. There was even a nod to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles which I laughed right out loud at! Add a dash of steam-punk and
some unlikely characters, plus such a beautiful interspersing of faith and wisdom that you will be sighing at close of this tale you'll want to revisit again and again.

Tea Quote (& there are plenty - huzzah!): "Clara had tossed and turned, dreaming of teapots steaming with Darjeeling and plates towering with chocolate éclairs."

Quotable: “You’ve given me an idea, Mr. Theodore, and it just might work too. It would employ our individual talents and involve a great deal of absurdity. Are you willing to give it a go?”

I really don't know how Angela Bell can possibly top this book, but I certainly look forward to finding out!!!!

I received an eVersion from the publisher and NetGalley. All opinions are mine alone without expectation or compensation.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I don’t know if it’s just me but books set in 1800s just don’t do it for me. I had a super hard time getting myself to want to pick this one up. The summary seemed really good but stories set that far back just isn’t my cup of tea.

It didn't take long for me to be drawn in by Bell's whimsical voice. It's tremendous. I so wanted to turn the pages and hear more of her 19th century story world.

Clara Stanton and Theodore Kingsley are marvellous characters, far from perfect but easy to love and cheer on. I especially appreciated how Bell had a male amputee as her hero, even though in my mind, Clara is really the star. Well, perhaps their love story is the star!

Clara has recently broken off her engagement to a treacherous man, who is now desperately pursuing her for future inheritance. Clara's grandfather is an inventor and clockmaker. His inventions keep us amused throughout the story. At times I wondered if I was reading a steampunk novel, the inventions being so other worldly.

Having set off in his marvellous owl flying machine, Grand sends Clara off on a wonderful wacky pursuit across Europe. Accompanying her are Theodore as he holds an essential timepiece that serves to attract Grand's inventions and Mrs Stanton, Clara's mother, who is quite hilarious. Mrs S., as Theodore calls her, is a passionate advocate for animals in general and will pick up stray anything and everything along their travels. Her home is a veritable menagerie and mini-zoo with all the strays she's taken in.

It is a delightful romp through Europe, as the intrepid threesome track down Grand, only to be pursued by Forrester, the dastardly ex-fiance who will do anything to ensure he can get his hands on Grand's wealth or fabulous flying machine.

Clara, initially skeptical of Theodore's intentions taking employment with Grand, resists him. Still hurting from her entanglement with Forrester, she also questions her ability to know a person. Theodore, meanwhile continues to be the charming protector of both ladies. Slowly but surely, his bravery and genuine affection for Clara and her mother, bring Clara around.

I did enjoy Theodore. Struggling with a deep familial pain caused by his father, he believed himself unloveable. Cleverly, Bell uses both Clara and Mrs.'s faith to help Theodore to discover how loved he is by his creator. I felt both ladies and Grand's faiths were very natural and encouraged Theodore to look to God and discover Him afresh.

I really didn't know what to expect when I picked this story up. I'm delighted I did and am so looking forward to Bell's follow-up especially if it involves Clara and Theodore in another thrilling and wacky adventure.

I'm so appreciative that Bethany House approved my Net Galley request for an early ebook copy of this excellent debut. This has had no bearing on my review.

This was such a fun read. It had me laughing from the beginning when we’re introduced to a friendly ermine that pretends to be a stole, and the whimsical story captivated me from start to finish.

I love when a debut is a great and fun read, and this is one of those cases! I can’t wait to read more from Angela Bell in the future!

A Lady’s Guide to Marvels and Misadventure is unlike anything else I’ve come across in Christian fiction. It’s a historical fiction featuring a mysterious scavenger hunt with a steampunk feel. Had I known about the steampunk element, I probably wouldn’t have picked this one up, and that would have been a huge mistake. The themes addressed in this book of trying to control every situation, holding others at arm’s length, and refusing to accept help from others are skillfully addressed while being seamlessly integrated into the story. If you’re looking for a story that has adventure, romance, and humor from an unabashedly Christian point of view, you’ll want to check this one out!

Thanks go to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

What a fun adventure! I really loved the whimsical world that Bell created with this story. Bell has crafted a story that takes readers on an exciting journey and characters that are full of heart and soul. I really loved the play on themes from the Nutcracker, with names like Drosselmeyer and Clara and Theodore's experience as a soldier. I am not religious so that part of the story didn't particularly appeal to me but it wasn't overly done or preachy. Overall, a very well-written, charming book. Bravo, Ms. Bell!

p.s. This Narrator was fantastic!

Clara is sent on a wild scavenger hunt across Europe with her animal-rescuing mother and grandfather’s apprentice. Along the way she learns a lot about herself and explores some truly fascinating places while being pursued by a dastardly ex.

This was such a delightful and surprising read from this debut author. Not surprising in that the author wrote a fascinating and solidly engaging story, but the plotline itself is fresh and engaging. The research is spot on, at least for the places I’ve visited overseas. My favorite secondary character has got to be the Mum and her antics. There is a steady thread of depending on God and his grace and learning from experiences. The violence is very mild combined with a lovely romance that remains sweet.

This book is definitely recommended for those who enjoy historical fiction and are looking for something fresh besides the same tried and true plotlines.

This book is delightful and oh so charming! There were so many great one-liners and I loved the wacky and fun elements. Definitely will read more from Angela in the future.

Thank you to @bethanyhousefiction for the #gifted copy. All thoughts are my own.

Read for:
🕰️ Victorian Adventure & Romance
🕰️ Steampunk-lite
🕰️ Hidden Identity
🕰️ Grumpy Heroine & Charming Hero

Funny, sweet, charming, and full of adventure. I had no idea what to expect exactly before starting this book, but it was a fun ride to go on. Full of quirkiness and heart.

A delightfully whimsical adventure, with a full cast of endearingly original characters, that you won't want to put down!

Set in the Victorian Era tinged with steampunk, this imaginative novel has it all, strong protagonists that you can cheer for all the way through, quirky but endearing characters, along with strong themes of faith, forgiveness, and family. Clara is a spunky and adventurous heroine, who loves her unorthodox family dearly, and is very protective of them. Theodore is a man with a secret that haunts him, looking for acceptance, he is a man true to his word who takes his duties seriously. I admired his never give up attitude, when Clara kept trying to run him off.

I think one of my favorite characters was Clara's mother, a woman unashamed of her convictions with a heart for all of God's creatures, who despite her eccentric tendencies is actually quite wise.

There is so much to love about this whimsically delightful novel, full of humor, faith, lively dialogue, and adventure. Highly enjoyable read that I won't soon forget!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A Lady’s Guide to Marvels and Misadventures is a Christian-based novel that follows Clara and Theodore. She’s been jaded and doesn’t trust anyone to be near her parents or grandfather— people who are as endearing as they are eccentric. Theodore is a lost man who fixes clocks while trying to find his place in the world.

This book is funny and filled with adventure. I loved the time period, the journey, and the human and animal characters. Clara grated on my nerves with how openly rude she was for about the first 40 percent of the book, but she redeemed herself.

I want more books like this. This is definitely a favorite so far this year. I received this ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.

Dear Ms. Bell,
I am wholly and utterly charmed by this delightful book. The entire thing was lovely, from the cast of characters to the personal menagerie, from the exclamations and turns of phrase to the depth and wit. Absolutely delightful.
I loved how you balanced depth and heartache with lightheartedness and fun. The Christian faith-filled elements were inspiring and deep, but not overdone. And I chuckled aloud many times at funny witticisms and quirks of the characters.
The characters in this book have my heart. I loved every single one (save for the villain, who was very much a man one loves to hate, as he was much too cunning and sneaky and ruthless) and I am sad the book is over and I have had to say goodbye to them for now. I will be revisiting this one because i love it so much! Mum is hilarious, with her menagerie and love of animals, but she is also full of depth and love for Clara that is beautiful. Grand’s quirky personality and inventions are delightful (how many times is too many times to say delightful in one review?) and I adore him. I want him to adopt me as his own granddaughter and have mechanical butterflies flutter around my own head.
The character arcs of both Clara and Theodore were perfection. The road wasn’t easy for either of them, and they had to do a lot of faith reconciliation and learning to trust. It’s interesting that they both needed the same things for different reasons, and that they found their way together but not because of being pushed by each other. Also, their little enemies to friends to more progression in their love story was so good. I was absolutely swooning by the end. I’m obsessed with the entirety of chapter 39 and that proposal scene! *swoonswoonswoon*
So many tabs now fill the sides of my book, because I want to remember all the wonderful, charming, funny, *delightful* things I have fallen in love with. As far as I’m concerned, this book deserves alllll the stars and I’ll be telling anyone I know to read it.
Your newest fan,
Jessica
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AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: the audio narrator for this book was fantastic! Her voices and moods were perfect, and on point every single time. She made the book even more delightful and I loved every moment!
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**Many thanks to the publisher @bethanyhousefiction and tour host [author:laurel-ann-nattress] for the copy. A positive review was not required and these thoughts are mine.

This book was a blast to read and kept me turning the pages. I was so sad to see it end. The main characters are quirky but lovable and all are well ahead of their time in what they believe in. This story was a great combination of themes , think "Around the World in 80 Days" & "The Nutcracker" and was so well written. I really enjoyed the dialogue as well as both the main characters growth through out. I highly recommend this book!




I received a free E-ARC from Bethany House, Bethany House Publishers & NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

“My dear Miss Stanton, I’d much rather be absurd with you than normal with anyone else.”

What a refreshingly unique novel!

I absolutely adored Clara’s Grandfather, the endearing clockmaker with an affinity for constructing intricate machines and automatons, including a flying conveyance in the likeness of an owl. These play a significant role in the story, and I loved every minute of this subplot. While my own grandfather was not a clockmaker, he did have an affection for inventing gadgets and gizmos and I felt an instant connection to Clara’s Grand. I also loved his loving, kind heart and his ready friendship with Theodore/Arthur – another character I immediately liked. He’s a different sort of romantic hero at first glance… and yet ultimately he’s perhaps one of the most heroic I’ve met on the page in a while. And though Clara would certainly disagree with me for a good chunk of the book, he’s also exactly the sort of hero – and friend – that she needs.

“What-ifs are not acquainted with what-is, and they spread horrid falsehoods about what will-be, so why bother entertaining them?”

Clara had to grow on me, to be honest, though it’s probably because we’re more alike than I’d care to admit. Both of us have a tendency to shoulder anxious burdens we were never intended to carry, and both of us are reluctant to believe anyone can bear those burdens better than we can. Her early treatment of Theodore is pretty harsh, but I understand the fear driving it and I really enjoyed watching her begin to warm up to him on their shared journey. The author also does a wonderful job of showing in Clara’s words, actions, and concerns how much she loves her quirky family, including her endearingly-and-exasperatingly eccentric mother who would make my hair fall out overnight from stress, I suspect. Don’t get me wrong – I loved Mrs. Stanton but if I’d had to go around the world with her and an ever-increasing menagerie of misfit creatures I might very well end up in those asylums Clara is trying to keep her family out of. Haha!

Bottom Line: A Lady’s Guide to Marvels and Misadventure by Angela Bell is such a delightfully unexpected historical romance! With its eccentric characters (of the 2 and 4 legged variety), steampunk vibes, Victorian time period, European scavenger hunt, sweet romance, dash of danger, meaningful themes, and nods to The Nutcracker, Around the World in 80 Days, and even Heidi, it entertains as well as inspires. The reminder that we are in God’s hands, that He wants to bear our burdens, that He wants us to enjoy life and all that He has created – including love – touched my heart more than once over the course of the novel. I laughed, I swooned, I nearly pulled out my hair… and I enjoyed it all! A great choice for fans of Jen Turano, Jules Verne, and Morgan L. Busse!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)