The century-old Gentlewoman’s Guide to Love and Courtship is no ordinary book club choice. But for the little book club in Smitten, Vermont, it might be their best pick yet!
The thick, leathery tome Heather pulled out of the dusty cardboard box was definitely coming home with her. Not only was The Gentlewoman’s Guide to Love and Courtship an appealing curiosity by virtue of its title; it was also written by Smitten, Vermont native Pearl Chambers, a local gentlewoman from three generations back.
Little did Heather know the repercussions this little curiosity would have on her and her friends’ romantic exploits.
When Heather and her fellow book club members begin passing the book around, their respective interpretations are unleashed on their respective love lives . . . for better or for worse. Is it a mystery? An idealist fantasy? An intimation of Jane Austen? As romantic love finds its way to each woman, the Guide proves itself both surprisingly prescient and hilariously irrelevant.
What’s more, a handwritten inscription indicates that the arcane book might hold the only extant clues leading to buried gold—exactly what one of the members needs to keep her house. How could they not go treasure hunting?
In this remarkable collaborative novel, besties Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Denise Hunter, and Diann Hunt tackle the tale of the Gentlewoman’s Guide by writing for one book club member apiece. Smitten Book Club is a hopeful, hilarious story of friendship and healing, written by friends for friends.
Book Info:
- Sales Rank: #49196 in Books
- Published on: 2014-01-14
- Original language:
English
- Number of items: 1
- Dimensions: 1.10″ h x
5.40″ w x
8.30″ l,
.95 pounds
- Binding: Paperback
- 384 pages
The century-old Gentlewoman’s Guide to Love and Courtship is no ordinary book club choice. But for the little book club in Smitten, Vermont, it might be their best pick yet!
The thick, leathery tome Heather pulled out of the dusty cardboard box was definitely coming home with her. Not only was The Gentlewoman’s Guide to Love and Courtship an appealing curiosity by virtue of its title; it was also written by Smitten, Vermont native Pearl Chambers, a local gentlewoman from three generations back.
Little did Heather know the repercussions this little curiosity would have on her and her friends’ romantic exploits.
When Heather and her fellow book club members begin passing the book around, their respective interpretations are unleashed on their respective love lives . . . for better or for worse. Is it a mystery? An idealist fantasy? An intimation of Jane Austen? As romantic love finds its way to each woman, the Guide proves itself both surprisingly prescient and hilariously irrelevant.
What’s more, a handwritten inscription indicates that the arcane book might hold the only extant clues leading to buried gold—exactly what one of the members needs to keep her house. How could they not go treasure hunting?
In this remarkable collaborative novel, besties Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Denise Hunter, and Diann Hunt tackle the tale of the Gentlewoman’s Guide by writing for one book club member apiece. Smitten Book Club is a hopeful, hilarious story of friendship and healing, written by friends for friends.
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful.
Smitten mystery + Smitten romance X 4 = Smitten readers
By Harold Wolf
Falling in love only happens this fast in novellas. But it is Smitten, a Vermont town known for rapid romance. A carry-through mystery plot-links 4 love stories, all using many of the same characters. Amorous novellas by skilled Christian writers. These authors collaborate so well they turn New English lumberjacks into romance-reading fanatics. Like the 4-couple protagonists, readers get Smitten. Fast-paced adventurous courting that will make you swoon.Publishers typically release trilogies. “Smitten Book Club” is #3. Can we have a “quadruplogy”–a Smitten 4? Is Smitten, VT, Romance Capitol of the World, love exhausted? I hope not. Romantics clamor for amore.A Smitten smidgen on each novella:Novella 1- “Love by the Book” by Colleen CobleA discarded copy of “The Gentlewoman’s Guide to Love and Courtship” is found containing a note to the author’s descendants saying the book contains clues to lost gold. In Smitten, VT, when a book has potential for romance and money–well, that’s a book of a different cover. An old unrequited love flame returns as a Smitten flicker to Heather. Is it possible to unite 2 spirits so previously devastated by rejection and abandonment?2- “Shelved Under Romance” by Kristin Billerbeck”Gentlewoman’s Guide” now in Abby’s hands, continues to reveal nuggets of romantic wisdom, but can Abby find a lovely cache that can be `taken to the bank?’ Wyatt invites her out creating an immediate use for the book’s teachings, plus her stylish make-over. Her chai tea and his java don’t exactly blend amiably, even if he is super-smitten. A quest for gold through the book’s clues is taken in hand by Abby.3- “A New Chapter” by Diann HuntLia’s lost filling repaired by her childhood heartthrob, Dr. Joey, recently returned to Smitten. The Smitten Book Club, knowing of her secret youth obsession, forces the “Gentlewoman’s Guide” romance tips book her way. She also tries her hand at decoding the “lost gold” passages said to be hidden in the text. Can Lia simultaneously use its romantic truths to cap-off, pull-off a filling romance with a dentist?4- “Happily Ever After” by Denise HunterMolly’s Expeditions business inherited from her husbands death has been rappelling downward toward bankruptcy. Her last hope for solvency comes from the most unlikely source. Gage is her competition. Why would he help her? Gosh he’s cute. Molly’s last to read the romance book of courting gems with clues to find her deceased husband’s ancestral lost gold. More than one plot comes to a sweetly smitten finale.Links:SmittenSecretly Smitten
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful.
REVIEW
By A.F. Washburn
Smitten Book Club Thomas Nelson January 14, 2014 5 stars!! [About the Book]“Consider that your beau is like a coveted novel whose compelling first lines you’ve just begun to read.” –A Gentlewoman’s Guide to Love and Courtship”At a rummage sale, Heather, a member of the Fireside Book Club, discovers a turn-of-the-century romantic advice book written by a once-famous Smitten, Vermont, resident. When she shares the precious volume with her friends in the club, they find clues about a hidden treasure rumored to be buried in their tiny town.As Heather, Abby, Lia, and Molly take turns reading the book, each projects onto it her own literary tastes. Heather sees it as a mystery. Abby discovers delicious dashes of Jane Austen. Lia sees in it the idealism of a bygone day. And Molly just wishes they’d made the book into a movie!One by one, each of the women finds romantic love–often in spite of the historic book’s advice. And in searching for the legendary gold, the friends discover the best kind of treasure. The kind that brings hope and healing to each of their hearts. [Review]Smitten Book Club was written by various Christian authors, including the late Diann Hunt, who recently lost her battle with cancer. Smitten Book club follows four women who take turns reading, “A Gentlewoman’s Guide to Love and Courtship”, and the four women see the book differently. For example, Heather sees the book as a mystery. While they each read the book they also find their own romantic love along the way.If you want a great pick-me-up, cute, and romantic book to read during an open afternoon I suggest you buy Smitten Book Club.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful.
Smitten by a Great read!
By Tammy’s Book Parlor
Love is in the air! February is coming and with this cold.stay.indoors.month the reader will want books that are fun and uplifting! So here’s a great “love month” read!It’s interesting that four authors wrote stories about four ladies – Heather, Abby, Molly and Elliana (Lia)- who live in Smitten, Vermont and they all belong to the Smitten Book Club.The story centers around a book found at a rummage sale titled the Gentlewoman’s Guide to Love & Courtship. It’s a treasure hunt of sorts as Heather, Abby, Molly and Lia try to find “clues” that will help them become better women (wives/friends). The “clues” are interesting and give a lot of character development. There’s an ongoing mystery throughout the read. When the ladies gather together for this Smitten Book Club they also cook some fine food together. A fun community of book lovers and friends.This is such a fun, light read. Each character is unique and adds to the “life” of this read.On a sad note, this is the last of the Smitten reads that these four friends will write together because in November 2013 Diann Hunt passed away.*This book was provided for review by BookSneeze*
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