Join Clara and a mysterious one-legged gentleman as they follow her eccentric grandfather's clues all over Europe! I loved this book so so so so much. Think steampunk Mary Poppins meets Jules Verne, with the characters from The Nutcracker Ballet and classic literature. This was the kind of book I didn't want to put down--but I also didn't want it to end. The setting was so captivating and vibrant that I hope it becomes a movie (with the vibe of Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium) someday. There were so many literary Easter eggs in here that I know I'll be re-reading it to find them all..

Thanks to the publisher for a complementary advance copy of this book.

Thank you so much to the publisher for my gifted copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

In 1860 London Clara's family stands out. Her animal activist mother, her bookish father, and her inventor grandfather are all sources of gossip for the ton. Add in a vindictive and money hungry ex fiance, and Clara must work overtime to stop the rumor mill from churning new rumors. Born with her grandfather's wanderlust, Clara wishes for security and peace and the chance to see the world. One day her grandfather decides to take one of his inventions, a flying machine, and leader her on a scavenger hunt across Europe. She is joined by her mother and her grandfather's new apprentice, Theo, who has many secrets of his own. But her ex fiance is on their trail and won't stop until her secures Clara's fortune.

This was a fun adventure. I loved the characters and all their quirkiness as well as the various European destinations. I could have used a little more development in the romantic relationship but still enjoyed the book!

Read if you love:
-Enemies to more trope
-Rescue animals
-Around the World in 80 Days
-Fierce female characters
-A small touch of faith

A failed engagement leaves Clara playing protector to her family of eccentrics, lest her ex-fiance have them committed as insane. When her grandfather takes in an apprentice for his clockmaking shop, a broken vagabond with a false name, Clara is certain he’s a spy sent by her ex-fiance. Then her grandfather takes to the skies in a flying machine he invented, bidding both Clara and Theodore, his apprentice, to follow his clues in a scavenger hunt across Europe. As Clara attempts to find her grandfather before the wrong people do, she may just have to let go of the idea that protecting everyone she loves is entirely up to her.

This book has everything I love in this genre and then some. Both of the main characters are complex, well-crafted characters. Side characters are colorful and fun. There’s adventure, symbolism, and romance that doesn’t take over the story. Though perhaps the heavy burdens that both Clara and Theodore carry throughout much of the story is a bit overdone, they both separately culminate in ways that I loved. There’s one scene in particular on Theodore’s side that brought tears to my eyes. There is quite a bit of Christian-related content in this book, but to me, it’s not the amount of references to God or the Bible that can make that content feel forced or preachy but the way it’s used, whether it’s well-infused with the story being told or not, and I felt Bell did a great job of having it all work together.

What really made this book fun and adventurous was the side characters, namely Clara’s mother (lovingly denoted “Mrs. S.” by Theodore), with her penchant for collecting abandoned or broken critters, and Clara’s grandfather (“Grand” to her and “Drosselmeyer” to Theodore), who isn’t present for much of the story overall, but drives the plot with his scavenger hunt and words of wisdom about Clara’s tendency toward self-reliance. I don’t know how realistic Grand’s automaton inventions were for that time period (or for modern times, even), but I truly do not care. They appealed to my escape-room-loving heart and added so much whimsy to the story.

I’m a fairly picky reader, but I loved this book and recommend it for fans of historical Christian fiction. If you enjoy this book, I strongly suggest checking out the author’s contribution to The Lassoed by Marriage Romance Collection, a book of short stories by different authors. Her story was my favorite in that collection (and also involved automatons) and what led me to look for other writings of hers just in time to read this debut novel, and I’m so glad I did!

A Lady’s Guide to Marvels And Misadventure gives a nod to several literary treasures, including The Nutcracker, Around The World in Eighty Days, and Heidi. But this debut by Angela Bell is no knock-off! With its steampunk vibe, fabulously fun Victorian settings and whimsy, and charming and colorful characters, this novel is so very good! Clara is burdened by many things, taking her grandfather’s childhood nickname, Little Atlas, to heart as she shoulders the family griefs and scandals. But her grandfather has other plans for her as he sets her on an adventure accompanied by his apprentice Arthur and chaperoned by her mother, the animal-activist Mrs. S. It takes some doing for Clara to lighten up, but she finally embraces the adventure as she solves a treasure hunt across Europe. I loved both main characters — the grumpy Clara and sunshine-y Arthur — as they made their way to each other and towards a God who provides, protects, and keeps His promises. The group travels by boat and train, with stops in fascinating cities all orchestrated by Drosslemeyer to delight and enlighten. It certainly delighted me! I admit to googling places and foods as I sought to immerse myself in this book. A dastardly villain keeps the characters on their toes as well — I gasped along with them. As the raucous romp continues, a strong faith thread is developed. This novel is full of surprises, not the least being the profound truths that made me stop and think about my own journey through life.

Fun and fabulous are two descriptors that fit A Lady’s Guide to Marvels And Misadventure. You are going to want to go along on this ride. I laughed, shed a few tears, and definitely learned a thing or two!

Highly Recommended.

Audience: Adults

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.