Northargyle Abbie by Janelle Leonard Review

 

I greatly enjoyed Northargyle Abbie, the first book in the Royally Austen series and debut novel by Janelle Leonard. I wasn't quite sure what to expect, as I have never read Northanger Abbey, or any Austen book. But I loved the idea of a romance that somehow was going to include royalty. 

I loved that there was a mystery, yet not one that included suspense and murder. Don't get me wrong, if you follow what I read and review, you know I enjoy suspense and mysteries. But I love so many other genres as well. And it is rare that I find a mystery that doesn't include murder. 

Northargyle Abbie includes a mystery that revolves around a ring, a shawl, and a inheritance which includes a deed to a cottage on the other side of the world. Which leads to an adventure for Abbie as she leaves her comfort zone to discover how her grandmother, who supposedly never left the USA, suddenly had a cottage to leave her in Australia. 

There are friendships made and betrayals. We meet a couple of different men who are interested in Abigail, or is it that they are interested in her possessions and the connection to a decades old mystery? And somehow, someone is a royal or related to royalty (I mean, the series is "Royally Austen.") But, I don't want to give away details. 

I loved being inside Abbie's head, as it is written in first person. She has a habit of daydreaming and going into her headspace. And I loved reading the selections from "Abigail's Notebook of Silly Placards." 

Family and faith are very important in this story. I love reading about the relationships Abigail has with her brothers and her parents and her aunt. Abigail is a pastor's daughter and is a Christian, but there was growth in her faith and learning to trust the Lord's plan for her life. 

I can't wait to read more from this author.

I received an e-copy of this book as a member of the review team and was not required to write a favorable review. These are my own honest thoughts.