I’ve only read through book 6 of this series– but I have to share it with you now, since the author plans for 24 or 25 of them (!), each covering about two months of the heroine’s life (she’s working on volume #9 now).  I’m absolutely loving it!  This is the thing that is keeping me sane right now.

I picked this up when I heard it compared to a cross between Pride and Prejudice and Anne of Green Gables.  That is a exceptionally high recommendation, which I’m surprised to say, doesn’t feel overblown.

This is compelling on audio, and I’m listening to it in every spare moment, as a great counterpoint to the news. The audio is done well, while expensively gobbling up all my Christmas-bestowed Libro.fm credits (although the first one is wisely discounted to get you hooked).

This plucky, would-be bluestocking, is an orphan in her early twenties, in London in the early 1880’s, and she greets the world by her own terms. I adore her. And even though there are some unlikely aspects to this tale, I do not find them troublesome. Droll, is a word that comes to me, which I rarely use, but seems to apply. There is some banter, some escapades, some interesting friends, some quirky relatives, some reading of good books, some social situations, and “the season.”

It is clean reading, even for young teens, and fun enough for everybody. It would be a great gift if you can afford it; I can think of all sorts of people to give a set to, but the expense quickly gets is steep! (And my great interlibrary loan system does not offer it yet; so I’m not sure about yours.)

I feel it is especially wonderful for reading from this January snowbank, but honestly, I’d find it welcome any time. It is both lighthearted and substantial feeling, simultaneously.

Anyway, I commend this series to you, and will circle back to confirm a satisfying ending when I get there. I galloped through the first six of these, but I find now that I want to slow down and savor this story as it unspools. So, meanwhile, I bequeath it unto you, already giving it a hearty five stars. How will I read anything else so enjoyable this year?

Give that first short volume a try and see what you think. (I think you’ll thank me.)