Isadora Delafield is a beautiful, wealthy young woman. Her family is well-known in the New Yorker high society world of the 1880s. No wonder that an English duke has decided that Isadora shall be his fourth wife, the first three wives having died under mysterious circumstances. Isadora is not interested, but she fears the duke will not take no as an answer. Her mother can’t understand why she would be hesitant to marry the duke. As her father is traveling, Isadora needs to hide until he gets back and can save her from this unwanted marriage. But how does a well-known socialite hide?

With some help, the heiress Isadora turns into the housekeeper Izzie. Glory Manor sounds like a good place to use her wonderful organizing skills. But as it turns out, her new job requires her to perform tasks she had never before imagined, such as boiling water or ironing.

Ian MacKenzie, her new employer, cannot help but see that Izzie is not at all qualified for her new position. But something about her fascinates him, and he can’t stop thinking about her. Coming from a rough background, Uncle Amos and Aunt Birdie adopted him when he was a child. Never wanting to return to poverty, he has spent most of his life achieving his goal to be well-off and recognized by high society.

Amos and Birdie have recently taken in four young children, who were left to fend for themselves. Together with all the beloved animals at Glory Manor, a forgetful uncle and a newbie housekeeper, there are a lot of funny mishaps. But besides all that, someone seems to be trying to harm the residents of Glory Manor.

This delightful book is a fun read. Lots of humorous scenes and unforgettable pets make this book different than your normal historical romance story. While the reader gets a very good picture of the social issues of the time, the fun and lovable characters guarantee an enjoyable read. Both Ian and Isadora search for God’s purpose in their lives, and in that process, they learn more about what is really important in life.

Highly recommended! A story filled with love and laughter, bringing the Gilded Age to life, and exploring questions of faith and purpose.

FLIGHTS OF FANCY by JEN TURANO is a most enjoyable read. Very funny in parts and quite serious in others. The dialogue is clever and witty and the characters interesting. There is a good Christian message in that both Izzie and Ian take a good look at their lives and priorities and feel that the Lord is asking them to choose His way rather than running after riches and the never ending social scene.
The rich and beautiful Isadora Delafield runs away from home when an obnoxious and dangerous English duke is determined to marry her. Disguised as Mrs Delmont, she is employed by the rich and handsome Ian MacKenzie at Glory Manor as a housekeeper, where she valiantly sets out to learn how to run a house.
Add Aunt Birdie and Uncle Amos, four orphan children, Buttercup the cow and Elmer the chicken to the mix and the result is hilarious.
I was given a copy of the book by NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

Isadora Delafield has found herself in a position that many would envy, from the outside. She has caught the attention of a duke, to the delight of her mother. However, when she rebuff's the duke's intentions, she inadvertently places herself in danger, and suddenly becomes part of an insane plan to get her out of harm's way. The plan involves hiding this great American heiress as a servant in an out of the way household in Pennsylvania. The household in question is that of Ian MacKenzie, an industrial attorney who has worked hard to draw himself out of the poverty and abuse of his childhood. Having worked his way into the circles of rich investors and industrial owners, his last goal is to marry up to gain entrance into the social circles of Pittsburgh. However, a strange housekeeper with a distinct lack of housekeeping skills, and growing tension between the laborers and those who profit off of them may have Ian reevaluating his goals in life.

I have long enjoyed Jen Turano's books, but this may be one of my favorites. The characters are delightful, and their journeys of self-discovery are so well intertwined that even though you know where the story is headed, you can't help but enjoy the road to get there. As Isadora, Izzy in her new life, opens her eyes to the world she was always told she was above, she finds out parts of herself that she never knew were there - some good, and some to be left behind with her old life. At one point, she has this realization about herself:
"She'd grown up in the lap of luxury, spoiled by her parents and raised with the expectation that her every whim would be met by people paid to see to her creature comforts. She'd never once considered that her demands cast her in a less-than-pleasant light, but now, after having that brought to her attention, and rather matter-of-factly at that, she really had no choice but to agree that she, Isadora Delafield, was a demanding woman, which then suggested that she might not be very...likeable."
To her credit, Izzy takes this revelation and turns those parts of herself around, becoming not just "likeable," but beloved by everyone around her.

As Ian tries to figure out exactly why he's drawn to this oddly bespectacled house manager of his, "house manager" being a position he didn't realize existed, he also finds that perhaps he has let his new position in society cloud his view of the life he has been so desperate to escape. With Izzy worming her way under his skin, and his Aunt and Uncle taking in orphans that will need his care, and his discomfort with his side of negotiations in the factory disputes, Ian also realizes he may need to make some changes.

Between Izzy and Ian's life-changing journeys, Aunt Birdie and Uncle Amos, the four Duffy children who come to live with them, and the animals on the farm who have such distinct personalities as to be their own characters in the book (including a cow who likes to come indoors), this book is filled with enjoyable characters and relationships. There are, of course, several unsavory characters to drive the plot, but as hateful as they are, they provide a sharp contrast to the loving and God-seeking lives of the main characters.

I give this book 5 stars; it was such a delighful read, and I cannot wait to see what the rest of the series holds!

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.

I thought it was fabulous! I think Flights of Fancy is one of my favorite books by Jen Turano. The story was engaging and fun. I giggled a lot. I really liked the cast of character's in this story.  Each day was an adventure and I had a hard time putting this story down. I had to find out what was going to happen next especially with Isadora and Ian. I especially love Buttercup and Elmer.  Jen Turano's regency romances will keep you entertained and smiling long after you've finished.

I recommend this book to my family and friends.

I received this book from the publisher to read and give my honest review.

What a fun start to a new series! Flights of Fancy was a cute romantic read with relatable characters and witty dialogue. This book was an entertaining, easy read.

It was impossible for me to not like the two main characters of the book. The author creates a wonderful scene at the beginning of the book to draw readers to Isadora, or Izzie, and make them instantly sympathize with and like her. Ian is equally as instantly likable and the two together are so much fun. It was nice seeing them form a friendship and then seeing a sweet romance blossom. Besides the two main characters, there are several secondary characters that add to the mayhem that takes place within the pages of the book.

This was a well-written story and moves along at a pace that kept the story interesting. There is plenty of humor and light-hearted banter keeping the story a light read. After reading this book I'm wondering why the author isn't higher on my must-read list. I like her writing style and the way she creates down-to-earth, real characters that are easy to relate to.

I definitely recommend this book for fans of historical fiction. It's an easy read and one that will have you looking for more from this author. I'm anxious to see what happens in the next book in the series. I can't wait for more from these characters.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was not obligated to write a review. All opinions are mine.

Oh to see this on the silver screen! Movies today aren't what they used to be, so this would be an excellent comeback. A full, rich story about poised Isadora, a society girl who ran away to be a housekeeper when her life was put in danger. Since it was the most unexpected thing for her to do, she should have been safe. But then she was expecting a Manor to run, not a farm, and of course she didn't really seem at first to fit in. I love the tomboy skills she has that are allowed to shine. Ian is a social climber looking to increase his fortune after being raised at Glory Manor. He was not expecting quite the disruptions that kept him in the country running the farm and out of the city where his best connections would be. In typical Jen Turano style, it's filled to the top with hilarious, rolling misevents and tender loving moments. Deeply satisfying to the end, which you won't want to happen. Don't you just love the cover? Honestly I think they need to allow 10 stars for some books.
I've said it before: Cheer up! Read a Jen Turano book!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher and Netgalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

This is an absolutely hilarious historical romantic comedy!

This wonderful book is filled with laugh-out-loud moments. There were times I laughed so hard I was crying. Anytime you take a character that lives at one end of the social scale and drop them in a position near the other end there are plenty of opportunities to laugh. Then throw in an eccentric elderly person and a group of children under 10 years old and the possibilities are multiplied.

I love all of the characters, obviously except for the villains, they are so incredibly well developed. I just plain loved to hate the villains.

The plot was fantastic. I was thrilled with the journeys that both Isadora and Ian took to figure out what purpose God had for them and what was truly important to them. This is the type of journey that we all need to take so it was easy to relate to.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and through NetGalley. I have chosen to write this review to express my personal opinion.

I was not ready for this story to end. I easily fell in love with the characters who were so unlike any I’ve read before. Turano is the only author I can say with out a doubt that I will laugh out loud several times while reading one of her books. Flights of Fancy was a blast to read. I can’t wait to see what story she comes up with next. This story is set in 1885 in America, and takes us to several different cities along the way. I loved getting to know Izzie and Ian, and those that they call family. It was fun getting to watch Izzie as she leaves the life she knows for one that is so completely different. Adjusting to a life of labor after being given every luxury couldn’t have been an easy task. Yet she had the most fun can-do attitude, even if she wasn’t capable of completing what it was she set out to do. And of course that made me love her all the more. Ian had such a great heart and attitude and made the perfect hero. I sincerely hope this isn’t the last we’ll see of these two.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Historical Romance. It was so fun watching Izzie learn about who she really is, and who God created her to be. The other characters in the story charmed me and I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to them either. This book will give you hours of enjoyment, and I have no doubt you will enjoy every minute of it. I was blessed to receive a copy of this book and was in no way forced to post a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I really enjoyed this book. Both characters were likeable without trying too hard. There were some amusing scenes, the romance 80% of the book was sweet, and the plot was pretty good. However, I didn’t like that the children and secondary characters were forced on the end scene. I think the hero and heroine should have had a private moment without involving a complicated cast in their dialogue. That took away the romance between the characters. The cast should have been on a brief epilogue.

I am a BIG fan of Jen Turano. She writes about one of my favorite historical eras – the Gilded Age – and she keeps a reader entertained with the antics of young socialites. Her books follow a formula but are always different. There is a group of bright young things who usually have time on their hands, elderly eccentric spinsters who humor, hinder, or help them, menservants who also humor and/or help, and an encounter with local police.

Flights of Fancy starts in the same vein, during the summer season in Newport, Rhode Island. It is implied that Miss Delafield’s mother might be a member of “the four hundred” as she name drops the man who coined that term, Ward McAllister. Miss Delafield is the very definition of the American heiresses whose parents sought to marry them off to cash-poor yet land-rich members of the British gentry. Mother Delafield’s choice for her daughter is a suspect British duke who may or may not have disposed of his three previous wives. And so, two butlers conspire to remove Miss Delafield from New York society for her own safety.

This is where the narrative departs from the tried and true formula. Instead of the action taking place in the city, it happens in a small town in western Pennsylvania. (There are a couple of scenes in Pittsburgh.) Miss Delafield’s companions for the majority of the story consist of four children, a chicken called Elmer, and a cow named Buttercup. Her best friend from society appears only at the beginning and the end. It’s a fish out of water tale with fewer hijinks than one would expect in a Turano novel. It also has a grittier, darker feel than her previous releases.

As a Turano fan, I was a little disappointed with this book because I felt it lacked her signature style. It felt, dare I say it, ordinary. But, I’m also a casual student of both the Gilded Age and western Pennsylvania history. I loved the look at 19th century Pittsburgh with its industry and perpetual smog, and it was great to see how ordinary people might’ve lived during a time of such excess. This is the first in a series called American Heiresses and I can guess that the next book might involve the society best friend. But where it will be set, who knows? And, as much as I love Turano’s New York City, part of me also hopes it will take place in western Pennsylvania.

Thank you to Bethany House for my complimentary electronic copy of Flights of Fancy.

Delightful! I found myself laughing out loud often. The characters from hero to heroine to children and animals were wonderful. Ian is a wonderful hero and I adore the way that Isadora rises to the occasion when thrust into circumstances so far outside her realm of reality.

Flights of Fancy is the first in Jen Turano's new series, American Heiresses, and it certainly starts off the series with a bang (or I guess as Elmer would say, with a cluck). Izzie has always been a proper but intelligent daughter of a wealthy family who knows she will marry well but intent on marrying the right person. When her mother tries to set her up with a man rumored to have down away his previous wives, Isadora takes the only option she can think of...run away to be a housekeeper in the country. The following escapades and disasters that occur are exceedingly entertaining...who knew doing laundry could be so dangerous... and the lessons that Izzie learns along the way, extremely valuable. The other more minor characters, such as Aunt Bertha and Uncle Amos, add their own wonderful quirks and advice to the story, and the four young orphans that Ian finds in his homes are adorable, rambunctious, and all too willing to help Buttercup learn to climb stairs and to open doors (yes, Buttercup is a cow).

I heartily enjoyed the adventures that both Isadora and Ian found themselves in the middle of, their hilarious dialogue and interactions, and the growth that both main characters experienced as they learned to let go of selfish plans and to be willing to grow their goals to meet the needs of others as well. The ending of the novel was simultaneously amusing (Elmer really leaves no other option) and heartwarming, and I cannot wait to see which American Heiress is next (my fingers are crossed for Isadora's best friend)!

I received this novel from Jen Turano and Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.

Flights of Fancy
By Jen Turano
“What’s been planned for her seems to be an adventure of impressive proportions.”
I have a soft spot for romances of spunky women. Perhaps it is because I see myself in them. I like a good adventure and in this story that is what I found. Miss Isadora Delafield is not as accustom to adventure but that did not stop her as her life now depends on it. Threatened by a rejected Duke, Isadora finds herself in disguise from Isadora to Izzie and American heiress to “Household Manager” on a farm. Izzie finds she is suited to adventure quite well, finding that there is so much more in the world beyond her sheltered life of privilege worth knowing, including love.

I always love Jen Turano’s books and this was no exception. I laughed and I cried but mostly laughed. These books are always very funny. I also love the history and the romance. I like that this was written about Pittsburgh. I think this was the first book I have read that told about Pittsburgh. I can’t wait to read the next book in the American Heiresses series. I love all the crazy farm animals in this one also. I received a copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

Isadora Delafield, one of the most sought-after heiresses in New York's high society, has been raised to be the perfect lady. When a disgusting and dangerous duke decides he will have Isadora as his wife at any cost, Isadora has to get away. With help from her butler, she sets out for Pennsylvania, posing as a servant looking for a position as a housekeeper. When she heads for Glory Manor, she thinks it sounds like a fancy house--and is therefore surprised to find it's a country home, complete with poison ivy, attacking chickens, and cows that try to enter the house. It doesn't take her long to realize she's not at all qualified to be the housekeeper, but she also finds herself drawn to the home and the people there. Determined to stay, she makes Ian MacKenzie a deal he can't refuse so that he'll hire her, even if it's only on a temporary basis.
Ian MacKenzie, a lawyer in high demand as he negotiates between the wealthy industrialists and their works, is busy with his work in Pittsburg. He needs to hire someone to help his aging adopted parents with the farm and with the four orphans they've recently taken in so he can get back to Pittsburg, and while he isn't sure "Izzie Delmont" will even manage to keep the house standing, he also finds himself completely fascinated by her and gives her a chance--and in so doing finds that maybe the path he's been on--to acquire wealth and marry into high society--isn't the right one for him after all.

Jen Turano is the master at humorous Christian romances. If you need a book to make you laugh out loud, look no further. There are so many things to laugh at, and if I listed them all out, it would probably sound absurd, and yet, that's the beauty of Turano's writing--these incidents that should seem over the top actually totally fit into the story and are completely believable with the characters she has created. Wrapped up in all that humor, though, there are also spiritual messages about changing, growing, and find God's path, along with terrific chemistry between Izzie and Ian, both of whom are totally endearing characters. I loved watching them fall in love with each other as well as watching them fall in love with the four orphans, who are so completely heart-stealing that I wish they were real so I could hug them. This was just a delightful read from start to finish, and I cannot wait for the next book in the series!

I read an ARC from the publisher via #NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

There are so many good things to say about this book I'm not sure where to start. First I applaud the author with her delightful way to bring characters to life. She writes with a funny and subtle way that I find myself snickering at some of the characters while falling in love with them.

Let's begin with The Duke of Montrose and his uncanny ego. He is so sure of himself as a prize for any lady that he is shocked when Isadora doesn't jump into his arms and beg to be taken away to be his bride. Isadora has been brought up right and can certainly speak her mind when needed. The duke must be crazy to tell her to stop reading novels. I could hear a gasp as he says, " Novels are only suitable for the simpleminded and you would not care for anyone to believe you're simpleminded, would you?, " Now would be a good time to slap his face and walk away with grace. Isadora definitely puts him in his place with her very proper response. I love this spunky girl and know I am in for an adventure with her. Oh my the dance floor is where Isadora really shows the duke he is not in charge. Such great writing from the author I laughed so hard I cried.

The story is a grand adventure as Isadora has planned to run away and hide from the duke. There are rumors he may be desperate to do anything to have Isadora be his wife. Lets hope Isadora has thought everything out as she ventures off to become hidden from everything she knows. Is the duke dangerous? What horrible rumors of the duke would cause some to think he is capable of a crime? The story is filled with adventure and Isadora will find that " God occasionally throws obstacles our way so that we're forced to grow into the people He wants us to be." Let the journey begin.

Ian is a breath of fresh air compared to the duke. Will Isadora convince Ian to hire her so she can stay away from the dangers at home? As luck would have it, Isadora has found employment but it isn't exactly what she expected. She now has four children to look after, animals that run everywhere including inside the house and an uncle that could be a little strange.

The story is filled with laughter, characters who seek God in what he has planned for their lives, mysterious goings on at Ian's place and a blooming romance to capture the readers with a book that you will not be able to put down. Take a journey with Isadora as she seeks a new life and maybe happiness along the way.

I received a copy of this book from the author and Bethany House. The review is my own opinion.

This book was so much fun to read. In this story there’s a dastardly duke; a run-away American heiress named Isadora (who does not know the first thing about being a housekeeper); a chicken named Elmer; four adorable children; and a cow named Buttercup. The story is fun-filled and charming. There’s also a touch of suspense, as Isadora is in danger from the duke. Ian McKenzie makes the perfect hero and match for Isadora, and their story is part of the charm of this book.

Jen Turano takes all of the things I’ve listed above and turns this into a very entertaining story. It all works together in a winsome way, and it kept me turning pages to see what happens next. This is a sweet, clean story with a touch of faith to make it a great addition to her series of “comedic historical romances set in the Gilded Age”. I’ve enjoyed her books, but this one is a new favorite!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Like the other Jen Turano books that I have read, Flights of Fancy is a lighthearted, fun-filled story with a dash of intrigue. While there were a few details that seemed a bit unrealistic, it may be because it was difficult to imagine the extent of the fortune that a young man could amass in the late 1800s. The story was enjoyable and the theme of satisfaction found through purpose rather than self indulgence was well-illustrated. Turano's quirky characters are easy to love, and her villains easy to want brought down. Flights of Fancy is a great book to sandwich between meatier reads.

I appreciate receiving this copy from Bethany House through NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review and received no monetary compensation.

4.5 stars

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I looked forward to it every time I picked it up--wanting to see what would happen next with Izzie and Ian and the gang.
This is a delightful tale filled with humor and heart, with a beautiful faith message. The overall themes of loving what is on the inside rather than the trappings of the outside shines through on the pages.
The animals are a hoot, as are all of the supporting characters. The light-hearted novel has so much going for it, including a fast-paced plot and a bit of mystery surrounding what was going on at Glory Manor. I love Jen Turano's writing, she makes late 1800s America come to life with its sights, sounds, and even smells.
Izzie's development as a person was absolutely captivating. Her evolution from headstrong but compliant heiress to "household manager" (with all of the corresponding foibles and catastrophes sprinkled in along the way) was enchanting to read.
I excitedly look forward to the next installment of the series!

Flights of Fancy is yet another fun read by Jen Turano. It, also, begins a whole new series, American Heiresses. A reader is introduced to heiress Miss Isadora Delafield. Her mother wants her to marry a duke. That is, a duke, that Isadora finds disgusting and old. She runs away to a Pennsylvania farm, where she becomes a housekeeper and meets Ian Mackenzie. They are both intrigued with one another. They become a team to find out how to solve sudden mysterious events happening on the farm.
I thoroughly enjoyed Flights of Fancy. I found Isadora and Ian's story to be a fun and delightful one with plenty of laughs. I loved the mystery, adventure and romance. This is my new favorite by Jen Turano to date.
I am giving Flights of Fancy a well deserved five plus stars. I can not wait to see what happens in the second installment from the American Heiresses series.
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.