A Lesson in Propriety

Merriweather Academy for Young Ladies, Book 1

By: Jen Turano

Narrated by: Tavia Gilbert

With her father dead, her fortune stolen, and her fiancé casting her aside, Miss Drusilla Merriweather's privileged life has been upended. She is left with only one option: to provide for her family by opening a finishing school in the allegedly haunted castle she's inherited from her eccentric aunt. However, her plan is immediately threatened by unscrupulous developers keen on claiming the coveted estate for themselves, by any means necessary.

Mr. Rhenick Wittenbecker, a dashing architect with a tendency to charm his way out of trouble, is convinced he can protect Drusilla but is challenged by her fierce independence. Yet when strange occurrences—walking suits of armor and unexpected ghostly visitors—arise within castle grounds, Drusilla must decide whether to risk her family's safety and her school on the gallant architect who seems to have found his way into her heart.

In this entrancing series starter, Turano presents a tale of laugh-out-loud adventure, swoon-worthy romance, and delightful mischief in the Gilded Age.

©2025 Jen Turano (P)2025 Tantor Media

Amazing narrator!

I love Jen’s quirky style and this narrator bats it out of the park with her voice acting. She bring all the emotions, witty banter, and antics to life just as I imagine the voices in my head when reading.

The storyline is an interesting one for Jen’s stories, moving location to Chicago, and taking a haunted castle troupe in a slapstick direction.

As usual, expect the absurd, animal antics, and a happily ever after.

Good story, difficult narration

I enjoyed the storyline and characters. The narrator used screeching tones at times in delivering dialog that made it difficult to stay engaged in the story. I appreciated her attempts at changing her voice for different characters, though the delivery was harsh.

Love the storyline

It was fun, intriguing, suspicious, funny, romantic and bold with the female characters to take a stand against bullies, authoritative men, and injustice.

The Funniest Novel I have ever listened to!

First- The narrator did an amazing job! Especially Emma! The different voices She was able to capture are amazing.

If you are an I Love Lucy Fan you will love this book. My daughter and I have enjoyed listening to this author and the only disappointment I have is my daughter isn’t with me.

You will also want to have the time to listen because it is fast moving.

I had to listen to it twice because I wasn’t focused enough the first time.
I have laughed and laughed and laughed. I have been sick and this was so perfect for me.

Jen Turano did such an amazing job and I can’t wait for the sequel.
Thank you Jen for brightening up the life of this little old lady.

Fun, castle, ferrets, clean

I enjoyed this book! It was just so fun/funny! Ferrets star in it, as well as guard goats, goose, ravens. Castle, suspense, danger, developers, light romance and so much more, Reader is engaged from the first minute to the last. Enjoyed the narrator too!