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
*
**
*
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!
*
**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)

I didn’t know what to think of this book from the cover alone. I wasn’t sure what kind of misadventure I was about to embark on. In a way, this book reminds me a little of Jen Turano, and Pepper Basham. Both authors are witty, funny, and write about strong women and their misadventures.

I was surprised by how imaginative and enjoyable the author's scavenger hunt was. I had no idea that Clara and Theodore would meet so many endearing and eccentric people while searching for clues on the Drosselmeyer's trail. I enjoyed this incredible journey that often had me giggle. I liked the sweet, and uplifting romance in this charming Victorian steampunk type story.

If you adore how this surprising team approaches this extraordinary mission if you enjoy this genre, quirky characters, and Victorian adventures. You'll enjoy this debut novel. You won't want to put down.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book by the publisher and NetGalley. 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.”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog https://psalm516.blogspot.com/

A new all time favorite for me. I want to stay here and continue to see their inventions, travels and marvels. I was captivated. Thoroughly. London, England, 1860. All seems teetering on the edge for Clara and her family, with threats of the family's eccentricities being exposed unless she marries a ruthless suitor so he can have access to their funds. Theodore wandered into her Grandfather's clockwork shop and all things flew into motion. This story would be fabulous on the screen with the automatons and with the lessons of Christian faith. Beyond fabulous read. I think I'll always picture the miniature bee and butterfly automatons in her Grandfather's hair.

I received this book free from the author, publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

#ALadysGuidetoMarvelsandMisadventure #NetGalley #BethanyHouse #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #ChristianHistoricalFiction #FiveStarBooks #AngelaBell

One word: brilliant!

More words: I am endlessly excited when I discover a new author with a pitch-perfect voice and a storytelling talent that shines. Angela Bell's A Lady's Guide to Marvels and Misadventure is such a delight! I adored the humor, the unique plotline and just the sense of whimsy and wonder that was threaded throughout the whole story. There's a lovely romance and touching emotional growth for the main characters, and the steampunk slant just adds another layer of fun. Charming all around!

I just really, really loved this and can't wait to see what Angela writes next!

We humans can be a complicated lot. Many of us have been damaged emotionally, and we take those injuries into all corners of our lives. Because of hurtful words from others, we might come to believe that we are “less than” or “unworthy” of success, strength or even love. On the other hand, many of us are determined to be strong and self-sufficient, never showing weakness or the need for assistance. In either scenario, hearts can become closed off. We don’t allow ourselves to be truly seen and loved, either because we feel unworthy, or because we could be seen as weak. When this happens, our lives become smaller. We try to maintain control over what is actually uncontrollable, and we reject the love that will soothe our aching souls.

The lead characters in A Lady’s Guide to Marvels and Misadventure by Angela Bell exhibit these same tendencies. Clara Marie Stanton has been hurt by a former fiancé. Not only has she vowed to never be hurt in matters of romance ever again, but she also feels a strong compulsion to control her environment as much as possible. This includes shouldering the burden of protecting and providing for her family as much as she is able. The compulsion is so strong, that her grandfather refers to her as her “Little Atlas”, as she tries to bear the weight of the world on her shoulders.

Clara comes to know Theodore Kingsley, an apprentice of her grandfather’s who is adept in clock repair. His heart is closed as well, but due to reasons of insecurity rather than self-sufficiency. Rejected by his family and a failure as a soldier, he feels unworthy of love. Due to his service on the battlefield, he is an amputee, and his injury also manifests itself emotionally as he sees himself as “damaged goods.” He struggles to determine his place in the world, almost like a broken cog that needs mending and purpose.

Clara and Theodore find themselves on a fantastic journey, not only on a whirlwind scavenger hunt laid out by her grandfather, but also in a race to outwit a cunning adversary who would do anything to acquire important assets of the Stanton family. Along the way they learn lessons about human self-sufficiency (or lack thereof) as well as the inherent worthiness that we carry to be loved by others and by God.

A Lady’s Guide to Marvels and Misadventure was such a joyful novel. Much like Jules Verne’s Around the World in Eighty Days, Angela Bell’s tale takes her readers to wondrous locations around the globe. There is a bit of a steampunk feel to the story, as certain elements would certainly have been impossible (or certainly not invented yet) in 19th century Europe. If readers can buy into the notion of a huge, flying automaton owl and similar creatures, then this story is a wonder to behold. Bell’s descriptions of the many mechanical creatures are lush and bring the whimsical items to life. I thoroughly enjoyed playing along with Drosselmeyer’s inventions and adventures.

Readers of classic fiction will find many winks to some of our favorite novels. Of course there are many tips of the hat to The Nutcracker, given Clara Marie’s name, her grandfather Drosselmeyer, the great Owl and other elements. I also spotted acknowledgements of Jane Austen, C. S. Lewis, Beatrix Potter, Clement Moore, Dumas, and King Arthur. The modern Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles even have a cameo with one particular character. This was especially amusing.

Author Angela Bell weaves a delightful tale of adventure, romance, whimsy, and redemption. Her worldview is unmistakably Christian, as God’s saving grace is mentioned on numerous occasions. It is especially applicable in the lives of Clara and Theodore. Clara is so self-reliant, her heart is closed to the possibility of romance, and she struggles with trusting God with the many obstacles she faces. She must come to learn that we need each other as well as our Heavenly Father in order to flourish in this life. Theodore’s lessons lie in understanding God’s love for him. Clara’s mother says to him, “Don’t confuse the character of your heavenly Father with the voice of your earthly one.” This is a difficult truth for Theodore, as he believed the lie that he was broken and worthless. Watching the development of Clara and Theodore, both as individuals and as partners in a grand escapade was as enriching as it was entertaining.

Given the perspective of the author, the content of A Lady’s Guide is decidedly family-friendly, but there are moments when Bell does not shy away from difficult issues. On more than one occasion Theodore recalls moments of abuse and trauma from his past. I found one scene in particular to be difficult to read, in fact. This type of material isn’t pervasive, but if the reader finds family conflict to be triggering, I would proceed with caution. That said, the darker material was handled very carefully and could have been far more graphic and troubling. The scenes that are shared merely illustrate the depth at which Theordore’s pain has reached, and it also therefore demonstrates the levels to which he can be healed.

As a debut author, Angela Bell has produced a strong and enchanting first novel. A Lady’s Guide to Marvels and Misadventure seems primed for the possibility of a sequel. Given the richness of the narrative and the possibilities inherent in Bell’s steampunkian world, the options are really almost endless. My hope is that A Lady’s Guide takes off to grand success, and readers are treated to yet another international, spectacular adventure with her delightful characters.

I enjoyed this book. I love quirky characters and this one has a gem in Mrs. Stanton. She is an extreme animal activist and can regularly be found rescuing animals or protesting outside of hat stores. She tries to convince her daughter..."'Each little bird that sings,' why don't you pipe in with a convicting chant such as 'They sing no more, dead in your store?' That will ruffle some feathers of conscience (location 69)." She sneaks animals into places they ought not be and that adds to the mayhem in the book. It was delightful.

Clara has long felt she needed to protect her family from those who might declare their eccentricities insanity. When her grandfather forces her on a scavenger hunt spanning Europe with his new apprentice, she is not happy. The allure of the beauty and the grand things she sees have a softening affect. Theodore carries his own shame. One of my favorite parts of the book was watching Clara and Theodore interact and seeing them both be set free from a lot of weight they carried inside. It was beautiful.

There are some incredible marvels and adventures to be had in this book. I wish I could have seen the owl and the carousel horse and the other automatons. It was a fun, unique read. I'd recommend it.

Thank you to Bethany House for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

A Lady's Guide to Marvels and Misadventure - Angela Bell 🦉🌍 ✨

"Just as Grand would never expect a clock to mend its own windings, God would never expect us to mend our own hearts."

🦉🌍 ✨What a fun, whimsical story with great quirky characters that go on an adventure together! This is a Christian Historical Romance that has some steampunk-ish vibes and is a great read for lovers of The Nutcracker or Around the World in 80 Days! 4 stars!

This book starts off with our main character of Clara Stanton trying to protect her family from her ex-fiancé's schemes and society's prejudice about them because they are very different! Her Grandfather brings on an apprentice with a mechanical leg and boy do things get wild from here!

We see Theodore Kingsley, the apprentice who repairs clocks, desperate for a fresh start from his disappointed father who wants nothing to do with him and declared him dead. When Clara's Grandfather disappears in his secret flying owl machine, he leaves a note behind and she goes on an quite the adventure/scavenger hunt with Theodore...

I had a fun time reading this one! It made me laugh several times throughout the story and the premise is such a unique one that I haven't seen before in the Christian Fiction market! While the first 40% took me a little bit to warm up to Clara as she was very hesitant to trust anyone, including Theodore and had quite a bit of sass with him, once she started opening up and realizing she misjudged him, I really liked her character arc and where things went, especially in the faith developments. While I am not the biggest enemies to lovers person, the ending of this was very well done and I really appreciate the romance and faith elements in the end.

Grand was also absolutely precious and chapter 27 was probably my favorite. I think anyone who loves a fun, whimsical story with unique characters, great historical background and beautiful faith content will enjoy this one! Excited to see what Angela comes up with next!

Thank you to the publisher for a copy to honestly read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This Victorian book was wonderful. It was full of fun and adventure. It had a little romance and a little mystery. It was a little steampunk with automatons.

Clara is a part of a wealthy family and she is trying to hold that family together after the death of her grandmother. Her grandfather hires an apprentice who goes by Mr. Arthur as he has his own secrets and is trying to reinvent himself.

Grandfather fancies himself a matchmaker and sends the two, along with Clara's mother on the trip of a lifetime, It is a mystery to figure out, but also there to figure out is Clara learning to live again, Mr. Arthur learning to trust again, and both of them discovering truths about God and themselves.

This is a Christian fiction with a strong message about trusting in God even in the darkest moments. With all the wonder of the story, the lessons about God are well done and a perfect fit within the story. It is a magical tale with a few twists and turns along the way.

I hated to put this one down for the real world around me. It was a beautifully written escape to a world of wonder and possibility within Clara's life.

This is definitely on a list to read again. I received an early copy from the publisher through NetGalley and this is my honest review.,

This was a new to me author and I was greatly influenced to give it a try! The cover is so enticing and fun! I enjoyed the quirky and a bit eccentric characters. I had no idea at the time I read this book that there would be steampunk or slight fantasy elements in this story, so admittedly it took me a minute to wrap my head around that concept! However, the authors writing is creative and engaging and the story really had me invested right from the beginning. I found this to be entertaining and enjoyable and was happy to have given this new author a try!

I enjoyed this story! The characters were a tad extreme, but I found them likeable (for the most part). The journey was very special, and the lessons learned by Clara and Theodore touched my heart and caused me to pray my own prayers. The animals were a nice, unique touch to the story. I actually found the villain and that story line unnecessary (other than the character development in Clara); the journey was enough for me. That being said, I did enjoy this story and look forward to reading more from the author. Recommend!

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

Oh MY Gosh !!! this book made my belly chuckle so many times .

I really loved the quirky and different feelings this book gave me. For historic fiction it really made the book for me it really did give it that edge to story which was just PERFECT !!

The plot to the story overall i thought was the perfect enemies to lovers romance , i love also so much of the mystery and thrilling moment it would pull the carpet from under your feet the connection between every character was brilliant you could not ask for more .

i thought that Angela writing over all was great and very well paced , her character and world building was on point and as she did touch on some very hard subjects to like P.T.S.D ill be honest that had to write about but i think she she wrote about it very carefully which i think is perfect .

I really did love the story so much Clara as a character is a very strong female i really love that from a historic book . also Theodore my gosh the chemistry between the two hello !! just what you need from the perfect enemies to lovers read .

im giving this masterpiece of thrilling love 5 stars

A Lady's Guide to Marvels and Misadventure proved to be such a wonderful mix of Victorian whimsy and steampunk! With nods and inspiration drawn from the likes of Around the World in 80 Days and The Nutcracker (two of the main characters are named Clara and Drosselmeyer) there is much to delight readers in this tale.

‘…her ever-amused family found their new title of “dangerous loons” quite hilarious and saw no reason to temper their eccentric habits.’

It’s whimsical. It’s full of adventure. A scavenger hunt across Victorian Europe with a cast of quirky characters and a wide variety of automatons to boot! An adventure mystery that is eccentric, humourous and somewhat bizarre. Anything is possible and more than likely probable in this larger than life story.

‘Crafted of weighty silver, the pen was outfitted with a lid, hook, and chain for attaching to a chatelaine, while the pocket-size journal, bound in crimson leather, was embossed with the words ‘An Adventurous Lady’s Guide to Travel’.

There is also a more serious side where readers contemplate how Grandfather’s clues are his way of encouraging Clara - a bit of soul searching and learning to believe again through her trust in God. This story has strong faith connections and trusting that God will sort things out.

If quirky Victorian, a touch of Steampuch and a scavenger hunt mystery sound appealing, look no further. A Lady's Guide to Marvels and Misadventure will prove the perfect escape.











This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

Oh my goodness, this book was SO MUCH FUN!!! 😆😂😍 I don’t think any other book has made me laugh so much or so hard (I was seriously cackling)!!

Combine The Nutcracker, Around the World in 80 Days, a healthy dose of whimsy, bucketload of humor, and some sweet enemies-to-lovers romance with tons of witty banter, and you get A Lady’s Guide to Marvels and Misadventure! From the first chapter, I fell in love with Clara’s eccentric family, especially her mother who is **extremely** passionate about animal rights and has a house full of disabled pets including a blind monkey named Bartimaeus 😂 I absolutely loved every second of following Clara and company on her grandfather Drosselmeyer’s scavenger hunt around Europe, and I was honestly sad to see the adventure end!

There were so many hilarious moments I wish I could quote here, but there’s too many to fit in this review and you won’t be able to get the full effect unless you read the book!! So just go read it, and I promise you will have a delightful time 😂😆😍👏🏻 Mrs. S and her living ermine “stole”, Fred, were my favorite characters in the book for sure 🤣 and most of my favorite moments/scenes involved them! LOL

What makes this book even better is that it’s not just fantastical and hilarious. It’s also filled with beautiful faith content from cover to cover! Clara and Theodore are each transformed spiritually as they travel the continent together, and all of the nuggets of truth woven in along the way were so good. I found myself wanting to highlight several really great quotes! 🩵

A brilliant debut, and one that will be on my top reads of 2024 list, without a doubt!! I’m so excited to see what other stories Angela brings to the world!

**I received a copy of this book from the publisher for review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

A Lady’s Guide to Marvels and Misadventure is a historical fantasy novel set in 1860s London. Clara feels the weight of the world on her shoulders. Her engagement is broken, and her fiancé has been spreading the rumor that madness runs in her family. Her family is …eccentric. When her Grandfather Drosselmeyer sets off on a European trip on his flying owl, he leaves her clues to find him. She sets off on an adventure around Europe with her mother, and her Grandfather’s apprentice, Mr. Arthur. Will they be able to find her grandfather before it is too late?

My thoughts on this novel:
• The adventure, clues, and travel made this a very fun read.

• Clara’s eccentric mother was a hoot. She was an animal activist before her time. There was no creature too small for her care.

• Mr. Arthur has a sad back story of his own and is really Mr. Theodore Kingsley. He is a former soldier that struggles with a leg disability and with PTSD. His family had shunned him because of this. There was little support for veterans during the Victorian age.

• Clara and Theodore had wonderful enemies to lovers’ romance.

• I enjoyed the Christian message in the novel that Clara and Theodore needed to give their worries to the lord and move on with their lives. The message was a part of the plot, and it was a larger focus in the second half of the novel.

• This was a wonderful debut novel, and I can’t wait to see what author Angela Bell works on next.

• This novel is a clean romance.

• I loved the steampunk vibe with the automatons that grandfather invented including the giant owl that he flies around Europe on. He also invents an automaton that hatches from an egg and other neat items. This leant a fantasy/sci fi element to an otherwise historical fiction novel.

• The only weakness in the novel to me was the villain. His back story and actions didn’t quite make sense to me.

• I read the first half of this book physically and finished it on audiobook as I had a lot of driving to do for work. I enjoyed both formats!

Overall, A Lady’s Guide to Marvels and Misadventures is a fun, unique adventure and I highly recommend it.