Book Review: Playing the Part by Jen Turano

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Synopsis of the book:

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

At first glance, Bram Haverstein appears to be a gentleman of means — albeit an eccentric one — but a mysterious career and a secret fascination with a certain actress mean there’s much more to him than society knows.

While Lucetta has no interest in Abigail’s matchmaking machinations, she can’t ignore the strange things going on in Bram’s house and the secrets he hides. As the hijinks and hilarity that Bram, Lucetta, and their friends are swept into take a more dangerous turn, can they accept who they are behind the parts they play in time to save the day?

My review:

I know I am in for a treat every time I pick up a story by this author. This one delivered just what I’ve come to expect. It had me laughing out loud with the funny circumstances that the characters find themselves in. It had me sighing in delight over the romance. It had me cheering for the hero to win his lady’s hand. Plus there was a reunion of characters to end this series.

I was so excited to read Lucetta’s story. I love how the author takes an independent lady (who does not need a man, thank you very much) and gives her a man that makes her think twice about her independent status. Lucetta learns that a relationship between a man and a woman can be a wonderful partnership instead of a place where she could lose herself.

Bram was just too funny. Without giving anything away, I love how his occupation makes him appear to those who don’t know him. It made for some really fun parts when he is misunderstood by everyone. When we meet him, he is fascinated with the person he believes that Lucetta is and I loved watching him get to know the real Lucetta.

Of course there are animals and quirky characters. Just when I think this author has done all of that, she finds new and refreshing ways to add humor to the story. My favorite part though was the reunion of the characters from the other books in the series. It not only completed the series well, but it emphasized the relationship between Lucetta and her two best friends.

What I enjoyed most about this book:

Bram’s profession and how he dealt with it. It made for mystery, fun, and made me love him more.

What I didn’t like about this book:

The only thing that stood out to me (and it was a very minor thing) was that the circumstances surrounding how Bram and Lucetta met had to be repeated two other times to get other characters up to speed. Since I already knew how they met, I didn’t need the reminder.

My rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Would I recommend this book to others? Definitely. You cannot go wrong with a book by this author. This is the third and final book in this series. It can be read as a standalone, but I would recommend reading the other two so that you can appreciate the secondary characters better. Plus there are little hints about Lucetta and her troubles in the other two books that round her character out more.

Note: I received this book in a giveaway. I was not required to give a positive review. All of the opinions I have expressed are my own.

Where can I learn more about this author and their books?

Jen Turano, author website

-Loraine Nunley

Playing the Part by Jen Turano (4 out of 5 stars) #BookReview #amreading

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