Today, I am doing a first for More Agreeably Engaged! I have a guest reviewer! Yes, that's right. Sophia Rose is sharing her review of the novella, The Journey Home: A 1932 Sidequel, by Karen M. Cox. Sophia, thank you so much for your willingness to visit and tell us your thoughts. I love having you here as a guest vs. a commenter! :)
*****
#1.5 ‘1932’
Historical Romance, Austenesque
Publisher: Pronoun
Published: 8.1.17
Pages: 115
Rating: 4.5
Format: eARC
Source: Author
Sellers: Amazon
Blurb:
Georgiana Darcy has left girlhood far behind her. A young,
single mother with two small daughters, she escaped a precarious existence. Now
she has returned to her ancestral home, ready to rebuild her life. Her brother,
William, welcomed her with open arms and helped her back on her feet. But home
is more than a place—it’s a state of mind, and Georgiana has a journey of the
heart ahead of her. As her brother falls in love with Elizabeth, the new girl
in town, Georgiana finds herself drawn to William’s long-time friend, Sheriff
Richard Fitzwilliam, a widower fifteen years her senior. Richard would never
want her, or so she believes, but when he’s near, her sorrow vanishes. When
Georgiana’s past comes roaring back to haunt her, can Richard and his kind,
gentle ways help see her through?
The Journey Home, a companion piece to the award-winning novel 1932, is a stand-alone “sidequel” novella—a story of self-discovery, acceptance, and romance that details one woman’s journey back from despair and forward to her future.
The Journey Home, a companion piece to the award-winning novel 1932, is a stand-alone “sidequel” novella—a story of self-discovery, acceptance, and romance that details one woman’s journey back from despair and forward to her future.
Review:
Starting over after a terrible mistake, a young single
mother attempts to get past her shame and guilt while rearing her young girls
and watching her stalwart and serious older brother find love. She doesn't see her own inner strength and
worth though she has learned to love again and this time, he's a man worthy of
her love.
This gently-paced parallel story to the original Pride &
Prejudice other historical era retelling, 1932, was a sweet and heartwarming
follow-up giving a few of 1932's important and engaging side characters their
own story.
Georgiana narrates from her first person perspective. The way she is developed as a character drew
out my deeper emotions. I adored her and
her children and I really wanted her to get her own second chance at happiness.
The author cleverly wraps this story around and through
'1932' with William and Elizabeth's story set in Kentucky farmlands of the
1930's so that this works best with that story being read ahead of time, but
can also stand alone as its own independent piece.
It's novella-length and reads swiftly, but it doesn't chintz
on the development of plot or characters.
The writing was superb and the heartwarming, redemptive tones were
lovely. I finished this one with a smile
of satisfaction. I can easily recommend
it to those who love sweet historical romance retellings and variations, but
particularly Austenesque lovers.
My thanks to the author for the opportunity to read this
book in exchange for an honest review.
Author’s Bio:
Karen M Cox is an award-wining author of four novels
accented with romance and history: 1932, Originally from Everett, WA, Karen now lives in Central Kentucky with her husband, where she works as a pediatric speech pathologist, encourages her children, and spoils her granddaughter. Like Austen’s Emma, Karen has many hobbies and projects she doesn’t quite finish, but like Elizabeth Bennet, she aspires to be a great reader and an excellent walker.
Author’s Social Media Links:
Twitter:
@KarenMCox1932
Sophia’s Bio:
Sophia is a quiet though curious gal who dabbles in cooking,
book reviewing, and gardening.
Encouraged and supported by an incredible man
and loving family. A Northern Californian transplant to the Great Lakes Region
of the US. Lover of Jane Austen, Baseball, Cats, Scooby Doo, and Chocolate.
looking forward to reading this very soon
ReplyDeleteMe, too! Worth it. :)
DeleteI am too, Susan. It sounds good! Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteThank you so much for letting me drop by with a review, Janet. It was fun to put my thoughts together and share them. :)
ReplyDeleteSophia, this was such fun! I truly enjoyed having you stop by and talk about Karen's novella. I look forward to doing this again.
DeleteLovely review,Sophia!
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed this one so much!
I'm looking forward to reading this and finding out how Georgiana and Richard end up together!
Janet,great idea to invite a guest reviewer!
I want to know how they end up together too. Sounds interesting, doesn't it!
DeleteI thought this would be a fun thing to do and be something different. Maybe you can post a review here someday too! :)
Their meet up and subsequent moments together had me eagerly anticipating each scene they shared, Mary. :) I think you'll enjoy it when you get the chance.
DeleteI totally agree with your review Sophia! I too loved this book and the growth and resilience of Georgiana. Little Maggie was such delight as well. Great idea Janet for inviting a guest reviewer!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear that you loved the book too, Carole. It sounds delightful!
DeleteI thought this would be something different and fun. Sophia and I have talked about it before but never did it. Now we have. You may need to have your turn some day! :)
Oh man, Carole! Maggie was adorable especially her match-making attempts. LOL
DeleteWhat a wonderful surprise! And a great idea, too - to have a guest review :) Thank you, Janet, for hosting, and Sophia, for your kind words for The Journey Home. I love Georgiana's story, and she's wanted to tell it for years. So I let her - lol.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Karen. Glad you like the idea and enjoyed the surprise. It's neat that you 'let' Georgiana tell her story! :)
DeleteHaha! Gotcha, Karen. I was tickled when we decided to go for it and especially since I was excited to share about Georginana's story. :)
DeleteWhat a thoughtful review! Couldn't agree more!
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by, Christina.
DeleteThanks, lady! :)
DeleteLooking forward to reading this book.
ReplyDeleteYou're in for a treat, Deborah. :)
DeleteMe too, Debbie.
DeleteI commented but it didn't post so I am trying again! I loved 1932 and have this at the top of my 'must buy next' list. Thanks for this lovely review Sophia. Thanks for hosting Janet. Oh and thanks for writing it Karen ��
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you tried again, Glynis. It was my pleasure to host and fun to do something a little different.
DeleteI think you will love this even more after loving 1932. It's like the same story from a different angle in ways so you get all the stuff that happened in between. :)
Delete