This was a delightful book! I loved the whimsical steampunk style, and the story reminded me of a combination of Around the World in 80 Days and The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey, which is admittedly sounds like an odd combination, but totally works here.

The Christian components of this story were beautifully done so that the messages were poignant without being preachy. There were so many quotes that I underlined, some because they were impactful and some because the vocabulary and comedy made me giggle. Here are some of my favorites:

"Don't confuse the character of your heavenly Father with the voice of your earthly one."

"I'm not a good Christian woman until after my tea and toast."

"Almighty had a penchant for answering him with a particularly profane four-letter word. Wait."

The only two (super minor) downsides of this book is that 1) it took me several chapters to get into the story, and 2) I was expecting more of a Nutcracker tie-in since two of the main characters are named Clara and Drosselmeyer.

A Lady's Guide to Marvels and Misadventure is a really entertaining adventure story!! It follows Miss Clara Stanton, who sets off on a whimsical adventure to protect her slightly eccentric and a little bit quirky family from her ex-fiancé's malicious schemes and society's prejudice.
A fabulous debut that would make an amazing TV series 📚📺

"When Clara Marie Stanton's ex-fiancé begins to spread rumors that her family suffers from hereditary insanity, it's all Clara can do to protect them from his desperate schemes and society's prejudice. Her family may be eccentric, yes, but they certainly aren't insane. Then Clara's Grandfather Drosselmeyer brings on an apprentice with a mechanical leg, and all pretense of normalcy takes wing.

Theodore Kingsley, a shame-chased vagabond skilled in repairing clocks, wants a fresh start far from Kingsley Court and the disappointed father who declared him dead. Upon returning to England, Theodore meets clockmaker Drosselmeyer, who hires him as an apprentice, much to Clara's dismay. When Drosselmeyer spontaneously disappears in his secret flying owl machine, he leaves behind a note for Clara, beseeching her to make her dreams of adventure a reality by joining him on a merry scavenger hunt. Together, Clara and Theodore set off to follow Drosselmeyer's trail of clues, but they will have to stay one step ahead of a villain who wants the flying machine for himself - at any cost."

So we're going Steampunk Nutcracker now?

A Lady's Guide to Marvels and Misadventure is a fun and adventurous debut novel. There's a little bit of romance, mystery, suspense, and travel. The underlying theme of feeling isolated and doing life alone was relatable and real. The book is fun and adventurous but also has a positive message of Christ. It was quite an enjoyable read!

Thanks to Netgalley and Bethany House, Bethany House Publishers for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

An amazing debut author! I was really looking forward to reading this novel and was totally blown away by her writing ability! From the very beginning, I was drawn to her amazing vocabulary and the intricate weaving of an amazing tale. Clara Marie Stanton's family is a wonderful eclectic mix of fun, eccentricity, and genius. But is greatly underappreciated. Due to an ex-fiancé who has broken her trust and now desires to ruin her family, she has determined she will trust no one. Clara's grandfather takes on a new apprentice, Theodore Kingsley, in his clockmaking shop but she is suspicious of him from the outset. Follow these two as they set off on a scavenger hunt designed by her grandfather and chaperoned by her mother. With each twist and turn, Clara and Theodore will learn valuable life lessons, but can they outwit their nemesis? You will be delighted and captivated by their tale. A definite must-read for 2024!

I was gifted this novel by the publisher through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed are solely my own.

Victorian whimsy with a hint of steam punk. Historical romance heavy on wonder and fun. Mystery with a tinge of suspense. Romance with a dollup of travel. Around the World in 80 Days with the sweetness of the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies. This debut novel is so many things rolled into one, but for me it was unexpected fun. There is unexpected depth to the hero and heroine as they both wrestle with the demons of feeling isolated and alone. The reality of having to do life alone and taking care of those they care for. There's also an element of not being albe to trust others to do for them - -for good reason. The fantastical journey they embark on is a wonderous race around 1860 Europe, but it's also an exploration to learn about themselves. I so loved this carefully constructed, intricately timed journey of exploration and fun with hints of suspense and fun. Well worth the read.

Oh what a thrilling and delightfully fun frolicsome caper across Victorian England and the continent this story was.

Clara, a young lady who recently dismissed her less than honorable fiancé, is rattled by his disingenuous nature. As married women of that era are deemed mere chattel, Clara swears that she will stay strong and independent in an effort to protect her eccentric family from the machinations of men. When she meets her horologist grandfather's new apprentice Arthur, she fears that he is a nefarious agent of the former fiancé. How can this sweet kind young man convince her otherwise? The grandfather forces the issue by leading her on an expansive scavenger hunt, just not in person. The travels require the accompaniment of the apprentice and Clara's mother as chaperone. Grandfather drops clues at famous destinations across the continent in his attempt to get his granddaughter to have fun, trust again and plunge the depths of her faith.

The story is exciting, imaginative, thought-provoking and well crafted. The burgeoning romance is chaste and tender. The character development is lovely and extraordinarily creative. The scene settings are rich and well delivered. If a thrilling adventure rich with steampunk whimsy, a bit of soul searching and a touch of chaste romance appeals, then this could well be a book for you.

I am grateful to Bethany House Publishers for having provided a complimentary uncorrected e-copy of this book through LibraryThing Early Reviewers and NetGalley. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone.

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Publication date: February 27, 2024
Number of Pages: 384
ISBN: 978-0764242717

This was the first book I've read from this author and I really enjoyed it! The plot was engaging with a great balance of romantic tension and suspense. The character development of Clara and Theodore was very well done. I also really appreciated that this story touched on forgiveness, especially forgiving oneself for past mistakes and relying on God to help overcome those mistakes. Overall, it was a great read!

Do yourself a favor and trot around the world with Claire, her mother and an unexpected tag along as they follow her grandfather's clues as to where he is going next. All while staying one step ahead of Claire's ex-fiancé, who is determined to get the prize money.
A funny and entertaining story that has laugh out loud parts, some intriguing parts and just general fun. Even though at times I wanted to slap the main character. (It made for good reading) I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to more by Angela Bell.

A delightful romp across Victorian England and Europe begins with a dream and an avid imagination. Clara lives in an unusual family ; her mother is an avid and outspoken animal rights spokeswoman with a charming array of distressed rescue animals, her grandfather is a watchmaker of renown as well as a maker of mechanical automatons (birds butterflies, owls) all made of metal and gears. (Wondrous creations!).
Clara's world is shattered when she breaks off her engagement and her ex-fiancee sets out to ruin her family's reputation by any means necessary. She becomes an overprotective, responsible bearer of all her families well-being.
Meanwhile her Grandfather decides to take off on an adventure in his mechanical Owl. He sets up a scavenger hunt of sorts to get Clara out to see the world and find him in the process. She is accompanied on this journey by her mother and by Arthur, her grandfather's new apprentice.
The story that follows their travels is a delight with fascinating sights and a new mechanical creature with the next clue at every stop.
There is danger, romance and spiritual awakenings as well as animals to be rescued and lots of hi-jinks along the way. This is a delightful read!!!!!

If you like quirky Victoria era meet Steampunk with a puzzle-like adventure/mystery – then you’ll enjoy this book.
I personally had a hard time getting started with the story as the opening chapter plops the reader head-first in the middle of a very animated scene and for the first couple of chapters I had this odd feeling I was missing something. But as the back story unveiled itself and the world and characters were placed on the stage I fell in love. My favorite character in the story was probably the quirky genius grandfather who makes almost magical machines and automatons – including a flying owl machine. His last name is Drosselmeyer and the heroine's name is Clara, which is a beautiful nod to the Nutcracker, and its story loosely gets interwoven.
My second favorite part of this book was that it was Christian. And I’m not sure if I’ve ever read a book quite like this one that had a strong element of faith and the importance of our Savior while not compromising plot or characters. Excellent work Angela Bell on your first full-length debut novel.
Thank you NetGalley for the free advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I’d not heard of this author before, so wasn’t sure what to expect.

This was an…interesting read.

If you like steampunk Victorian era, quirky characters, ex’s set on revenge, tinkering inventors, wounded heroes, and scavenger hunts, then this would be the book for you.

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this ARC in return for my honest opinions.

Angela Bell is a new author for me and I really enjoyed this fun and fast-paced read. I loved the unique Victorian era setting and the hints of steampunk throughout the novel. I also loved her spunky heroine and the scavenger hunt style adventure she took her readers on. The romance was very sweet as well. 4.5 stars, rounded up.

I really enjoyed this book so much! I flew through this book and I was so upset when it was over. The plot was fast paced but not much which is what I really enjoy. I am obsessed with the characters and can not wait to read more by this author. I will be recommending this book to all of my friends and family.

This was my first time reading anything by Angela Bell outside of her contributions to some great novella collections. I think A Lady's Guide to Marvels and Misadventurethis is her full length novel debut?? And I'm hooked!

Here are the highlights:

1. Victorian era with a touch of steampunk.

2. Strong feisty young lady with a passion (obsession?) for protecting her family from the world--most specifically her ex-fiancé who wants them all committed to the insane asylum so he can take their fortune by forcing her to marry him.

3. Jilted fiancé out for revenge...in his canary yellow waistcoat.

4. Quirky genius grandfather who makes almost magical machines and automatons...including a...flying owl machine? Oh and he has white whiskers and wears brown flying goggles.

5. An eccentric mother who passionately defends God's animal creatures from humanity...including the ermine named Fred who she has trained to pretend to be dead and just an ermine collar...even sticks his tongue out. A one-woman PETA member. But touch her family and she will wish she had a gun to shoot you so you "can't reproduce".

6. A young tormented by PTSD veteran amputee running from his past and nightmares until he finds peace working in the grandfather's shop and a passion for carrying for this one-of-a-kind family...did I mention grandfather makes him an automaton leg? And that Clara is sure he's a spy?

7. An Around the World in 80 Days-ish scavenger hunt allowing you to see and taste cities in Europe.

8. Nods to the classic novel Heidi scattered throughout the book.

And the most important...

9. A gut wrenching faith message that will have you stop and read and re-read whole pages. Highlighting every word. As you wipe the leaks coming from your eyes.

So, please. Go right now and pre-order this delightful, inspiring book. The author will take you on a journey with these lovable quirky God-fearing characters as grandfather endeavors to use the scavenger hunt to teach Clara how relinquish control of the uncontrollable and trust in the arms of her Savoir and God.

**I received this ARC from the publishers and NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions are (obviously) 100% my own!

A Lady’s Guide to Marvels and Misadventure by Angela Bell is a unique, exploring historical novel. I have read some steampunk novels, but not a lot, but I do not believe I have read a story with this plot before. Yes, there is a search for adventure through clues places in unique places around Europe, but the way the clues are realized is different, yet adorable. While on the surface, the family appears to be eccentric, Bell does a wonderful job at allowing the readers to see that an outsider’s perspective is not always true. This family is close knit and has a heart for others and God’s little creatures. The settings in the story are fascinating, and Bell does a wonderful job at allowing me to dive into the European settings even though I have never been there personally. The settings are a character by themselves. Full of life and adventure. As for the romance, Bell does have a change of heart for the heroine, but personally, I have an issue with characters who actually completing falling in love in a matter of days. Makes me doubt their feelings for each other. More lust than lifelong romance. Overall, A Lady’s Guide to Marvels and Misadventure by Angela Bell captured my adventure spirit as the heroine searches for the clues left by her Grand. A special story that will spark interest from the readers.

I received a complimentary copy of A Lady’s Guide to Marvels and Misadventure by Angela Bell from Bethany House Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.