Book Review: Lady Jayne Disappears by Joanna Davidson Politano

8 Comments Edit


"So many people are closed up, all tucked inside themselves, yet they bloom open in beautiful ways if you would only take interest in them." (19)

Title: Lady Jayne Disappears
Author: Joanna Davidson Politano
Publisher: Revell
Release Date: September 19, 2017
Genre: Inspirational Historical Fiction 


Lynhurst Manor is a house built on secrets . . . and the arrival of Aurelie Harcourt might reveal them all.

 When Aurelie Harcourt's father dies suddenly, he leaves her just two things: his famous pen name, Nathaniel Droll, and his wealthy family--who want very little to do with her.

 As Aurelie struggles to find a home with her father's family and learn the rules of society, she relishes in his parting gift--the beginning of his last story. The story she always wanted to hear, about her mother's mysterious disappearance from the home where she now lives. To complete the novel, she'll have to extract clues from relatives--and one enigmatic houseguest--who often seem reluctant to give them up.



"Books are essential nourishment to the mind." (18)

Sigh. Yes, indeed. I am overtaken by what I've read in Joanna Davidson Politano's debut novel, Lady Jayne Disappears.  With such vigor in her love for stories, the author had beautifully woven that into this historical novel cloaked in mystery and the many secrets that makes humanity.

Page after page, question marks seems to miraculously appear around my head, but there's also the drive to find out more. Silas, a different type of hero that amazed me by how much I was drawn to him like our heroine, Aurelie from the start. I didn't know what to expect and kudos to the author for a debut that nourished this mind, as well as induced an element of genuine surprise to how things will play out.

". . . if you fit into this world, this very broken, selfish place, it would be you who was the wrong size." (383)

In all, Lady Jayne Disappears astonishes even the most seasoned readers and definitely in a good way. 

"It's a living, breathing story that I'm passing on to you." (33)

A story that lives and breathes, that is what place Lady Jayne Disappears as one of my favorite debuts out there, and on the top list for this year's release.

"Books are not always an escape. Sometimes they untangle real life miraculously well." (385)

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and have not been compensated for this. This is my honest opinion.

For my review policy, please see my Disclosure page.

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Joanna Davidson Politano freelances for a small nonfiction publisher but spends much of her time spinning tales that capture the colorful, exquisite details in ordinary lives. Her manuscript for Lady Jayne Disappears was a finalist for several contests, including the 2016 Genesis Award from ACFW, and won the OCW Cascade Award and the Maggie Award for Excellence. She is always on the hunt for random acts of kindness, people willing to share their deepest secrets with a stranger, and hidden stashes of sweets. She lives with her husband and their two babies in a house in the woods near Lake Michigan and shares stories that move her at www.jdpstories.com.

TO CONNECT WITH JOANNA:  website,  facebook,  twitter,  goodreads


                                                                                                                                              

CONVERSATION

8 comments:

  1. Emilee DouglasNovember 16, 2017 at 11:11:00 AM EST

    I would like to read this one.

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    Replies
    1. justcommonlyNovember 19, 2017 at 11:28:00 AM EST

      O Emilee, it's really good. I hope you'll get the change soon!

      Delete
  2. Caryl KaneNovember 16, 2017 at 7:52:00 PM EST

    Superb review, Annie! I'm looking forward to reading this one!

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  3. Lucy Reynolds November 17, 2017 at 1:55:00 PM EST

    Sounds great and the cover is so pretty.

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  4. RissiNovember 23, 2017 at 10:13:00 PM EST

    I'm not reading your review (because I only just finished this one and have yet to write mine), but I get the sense you enjoyed this one! I'm so glad. It's always lovely to discover debut authors, and all the more wonderful when the novel turns out to be a good one. :)

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    Replies
    1. justcommonlyNovember 24, 2017 at 8:24:00 AM EST

      Lol Rissi. I do that too, so no worries. Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete

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