Please Note:  I received an advance copy of this novel from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.

Synopsis:

The youngest of four daughters, Primrose Ainsworth is used to getting lost in the shuffle. But when her parents decide to delay her debut into English society, Prim hatches a plan to go rogue on the night of her sixteenth birthday.

Donning a mask, Prim escapes to the infamous Vauxhall Gardens for one wild night. When her cover is nearly blown, a mysterious stranger intercedes, and Prim finds an unexpected partner in mischief . . . and romance. But when it’s revealed her new ally isn’t who he says he is, her one night of fun may last past dawn.

In this frothy regency romp perfect for fans of Austen-esque flirtation and Shakespearean hijinks, sometimes a little scandal can be a good thing.

Review:

I read a lot of books.  Some are deeply serious, and while I love those books, they can be emotionally draining.  After such a book, I need an emotional reset, something easy to read and fun.  Sixteen Scandals, by Sophie Jordan, is one such book.  Is it historically accurate?  In some ways, not at all.  But, with a wonderful main character, it was really entertaining, and a great escape.

What I Liked:

Premise:

Like Sixteen Candles (the movie that the book's title was inspired by), Prim's family doesn't acknowledge her sixteenth birthday.  When she realizes that there will not only be no celebration, but she will also be kept out of society for another year, Prim decides she will sneak out of the house for one wild night on the town.

Would any girl in Regency Era London actually do this?  Um, no.  This kind of behavior would be social suicide at that time. No young lady of the time would risk being cut off from her family for such a small taste of freedom.  And this is addressed in the book.  But even of it was unlikely, Prim's odyssey is so much fun (think of the wild night in the move Sixteen Candles).

Characters:

Prim is a young woman who is painfully aware of how limited her life has been, and will be in the future.  At first, she is really frustrated with having to wait for her sister to find a husband, before she is allowed out into society.  No evenings out, no parties, just a life at home.  But, she gradually starts to understand that she is actually getting a reprieve from the marriage march.  Once her sister becomes engaged, the pressure from her mother to find a rich husband will be unrelenting. I love that Prim is so self-aware.  But she is also stuck without any way to change her situation.  

Prim's friend, Olympia, has won the social jackpot by having a mother who is a famous opera singer.  Since her mother can support them without relying on a man, she has a level of freedom that Prim can only dream of.  Olympia also has a wonderful relationship with her own mother.  This contrast to Prim's mother illustrates just how alone she is, and is probably why she decides to risk everything for a little bit of happiness.

Story:

When Prim decides to go out and enjoy a night on the town, she needs to make sure to go where no one will know her.  But her simple night goes quickly wrong when she gets seperated from her friend Olympia, and doesn't know what to do.  Should she look for her friend, and get even more lost, or should she try and find her own way home?  

She also meets a dashing young man, who may be an aristocrat.  As he helps her look for Olympia, they get to know each other, and share quite a few adventures.  I was reminded of that movie, Before Sunrise, where two people meet on a train, and get to know each other over the course of a night (so many movie inspirations!).  Their interactions were quite romantic, and sweet.

Social Consequences:

As unlikely as the premise is, the book does follow through with showing what the risks and consequences would be for a girl acting out in that society.  It's amazing to think that girls were not allowed to go out of the home, at all, unless they had a chaperone.  Even a trip to a tea shop without a chaperone could lead to a girl being labelled as unmarriagable.  If anyone recognizes Prim, her family will disown her.  She not only wouldn't get married, she might be left destitute. 

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Release Date:  May 25th, 2021

Author:  Sophie Jordan 

Publisher:  HMH Books for Young Readers

Genre:  YA Historical Fiction

Page Length:  256 Pages

Source:  NetGalley

Format: E-Book

Recommendation:  A fun period piece that was super enjoyable.  

Please Note:  I received an advance copy of this novel from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

New York Times bestselling author Paula Brackston's second novel in the Found Things series, Secrets of the Chocolate House, was called a "time-swapping romance [that] will please fans of Alice Hoffman" (Publishers Weekly). Now, Brackston returns to the Found Things series with a third book, The Garden of Promises and Lies.

As the bustle of the winter holidays in the Little Shop of Found Things gives way to spring, Xanthe is left to reflect on the strange events of the past year. While she's tried to keep her time-traveling talents a secret from those close to her, she is forced to take responsibility for having inadvertently transported the dangerous Benedict Fairfax to her own time. Xanthe comes to see that she must use her skills as a Spinner if she and Flora are ever to be safe, and turns to the Spinners book for help.

It is then that a beautiful antique wedding dress sings to her. Realizing the dress and her adversary are connected in some way, she answers the call. She finds herself in Bradford-on-Avon in 1815, as if she has stepped into a Jane Austen story.

Now in Xanthe's time, Fairfax is threatening Xanthe into helping him with his evil doings, and demonstrates all too clearly how much damage he is capable of causing. With Fairfax growing ever more powerful, Xanthe enlists the help of her boyfriend Liam, taking him back in time with her. It is a decision that might just ensure she prevails over her foe, but only by putting her life—and his—on the line.

Review:

I don't normally enjoy time travel books, but this series,  starting with The Little Shop of Found Things, is the exception.  It has so many great aspects going for it.  It begins as a sweet story about a little antique shop in England.  But Xanthe, the daughter of the shop owner, has a special ability.  Some items with historical significance call to her.  Once she buys them, she learns the object's secrets, and then goes back in time to solve a mystery.  Then the fun really begins, as Xanthe must find a way to navigate a different historical time period.  This is a really fun series, that is getting better with each succeeding installment.

What I Liked:

Premise:

I love learning about the ins and outs of the antiques business.  What seems like a romantic job going to estate sales, really is a challenging business.  Xanthe and her mother must constantly look at items not for their sentimental value, but for how well they will sell.  I enjoyed seeing all these behind the scenes of this world.

Then there's the time travel aspect of the story.  Rather than gloss over all the logistics of how one could blend into an period hundreds of years ago, this book revels in all the possible issues that would crop up.  How can one find clothes that would look authentic to the time period?  Would you know the appropriate way to speak?  Would you recognize where you were?  All these small, but important details add so much to the story.

Characters:

Although Xanthe is obviously a risk-taker, she also feels a great responsibility towards her mother,  Flora, and I love their relationship.  Since her parent's divorce, Xanthe and Flora are rebuilding their life in a relatively new town, and with a new antiques business.  Xanthe knows if she isn't careful she could be left behind in time, and she doesn't want to leave her mother alone.  But Flora is a survivor, who knows the business like no other.  Xanthe truly respects her. 

Xanthe has a complex adversary in Benedict Fairfax.  This is a character who has continued in all three books.  When he learns he is also a "Spinner" (someone who can spin time), he wants to use this skill to enrich himself.  He sees Xanthe as the key to understanding how to master time travel.  Knowing how close she is to Flora, Fairfax uses this knowledge to motivate Xanthe to do what he wants.  But Flora is about to fight back...

Story:

I particularly liked this story.  Xanthe finds a wedding dress at an estate sale that "sings" to her.  She knows the dress has something to do with Fairfax, and must determine what it is.  She has to travel back to the Regency period (Jane Austin's time) and befriend the bride.  When she realizes that the bride is marrying Fairfax, she has a dilemma.  Does she let the wedding go on as planned, or should she warn her new friend of Farifax's true nature?  Would it even make a difference?  It's the old time travel quandary, can you change historical events, or will your actions only make events happen anyway?

Rating: 

Release Date:  December 15th, 2020

Author:  Paula Brackston

Genre:  Fantasy

Publisher:   St. Martins Press

Page Length: 320 Pages

Source:  NetGalley

Format:  E-Book

Recommendation:  This is a wonderful addition to the series.  But start at the beginning with The Little Shop of Found Things.