My Bookshelf: Playing the Part by Jen Turano

        Lucetta Plum is an actress on the rise in New York City, but is forced to abandon her starring role when a fan’s interest turns threatening. Lucetta’s widowed friend, Abigail Hart, is delighted at the opportunity to meddle in Lucetta’s life and promptly whisks her away to her grandson’s estate to hide out.

        Bram Haverstein may appear to simply be a somewhat eccentric gentleman of means, but a mysterious career and a secret fascination with a certain actress mean there’s much more to him than society knows.

        Lucetta, who has no interest in Abigail’s matchmaking machinations, has the best intentions of remaining cordial but coolly distant to Bram. But when she can’t ignore the strange and mysterious things going on in his house, it’ll take more than good intentions to keep her from trying to discover who Bram is behind the part he plays.

        Playing the Part is the third book in Jen Turano’s A Class of Their Own series, coming behind After a Fashion and In Good Company. I am a HUGE fan of Jen’s, and absolutely loved both of the previous novels in this series, so I was extremely excited when I got the opportunity to read and review this book. Especially since Jen’s stories always keep me in stitches. I have to say, I’m not entirely sure which of the three is my favorite—either this one or In Good Company—though I’m leaning a bit more towards this one. Lucetta and Bram are just too perfect to resist.

        Lucetta has always been one of my favorite of the three girls this series focuses on, though I do love all of them, simply because she is so smart, so talented, and when she knows what she wants, she goes after it. I would have to say she’s definitely confident. I also love how she never lets the fame and attention that goes along with being an actress make her into a snobby woman who constantly abuses the feelings of all of her admirers. In fact, the way that she abhors being admired is one of my favorite things about her. Not only that, but she keeps a cool head throughout all of the trials that she faces throughout the course of this book, and that goes a long way to show just how perfect she is.

        Bram Haverstein is by far one of my favorite heroes. I know, I know, I say that way too often, but he really is one amazing character. Always swooping in and saving the day, giving so many people—and animals—another chance at life, Bram is the definition of hero. He is also incredibly sweet, extremely protective, and more creative than you would ever imagine. I immediately fell in love with him, despite his somewhat questionable actions, and I knew he would be absolutely perfect for Lucetta. I was right, of course, and the truth is, he’s definitely my favorite hero of this series.

        All in all, I absolutely loved this book. I laughed, I melted, I hated when it ended, and I find myself unable to stop thinking about this story. The last chapter, and the epilogue, were absolutely perfect, as was the rest of the book of course, and I cannot help but want to read it again and again. I am happy to give this novel all five bookshelves, and a permanent place on my all-time favorites list. I highly recommend this, as it is wonderful reading, but I would suggest reading the other two books first. Jen is an extremely talented writer, who will keep you laughing even while melting you into a little puddle, and I can promise you you’ll enjoy this story!

        Happy reading!

I received a copy of this book from the Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for only my honest review.

To see where I’m linking up, check out my Where I Party page.

Photo credits go to my amazingly talented sister, Allie, whose blog you can visit here.

All credit for the italicized synopsis goes to Jen Turano and Bethany House Publishers.