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helenaferreira's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
english_lady03's review against another edition
3.0
On one level, I liked this book better than Lady Jayne Disappears. The setting was atmospheric, and I liked the way that the family vineyard was used as a basis for moral and spiritual lessons. It was certainly a well-written story full of family drama and mystery, with plenty of twists and turns.
I also liked the central story line about a young woman who loved her distant father and her home, and only sets about finding the rumoured ancestral treasure to save it. She never expects to be confronted with some apparently shocking revelations about her father, and desires above all else to clear his name, so her image of him will not be shattered. Through the search, she learns to trust her Heavenly Father as well, and what real treasure means.
Maybe the hero was a little too perfect, and even Tressa at times. Another reviewer mentioned there were times when she wanted to shake her. Don't think I did at the time, but looking back, she was bit silly on occasion.
So why the lower rating? A couple of reasons. One was some apparent contradictions. Early in the story, I'm fairly sure it said Tressa and her mother had returned home after a long sojourn 'abroad': but afterwards it said they had simply been in London.
The constant Americanisms also contribute to it. The characters used the American 'trunk' and the British term 'chest' to describe wooden box believed to contain the family fortune interchangeably, sometimes in the same sentence.
Also, the characters sometimes referred to an area of the castle/stately home Tressa grew up in as a 'Hall Block'. I have no idea what that is. Is it a made up term? Never heard of anything called that before in a castle, or manor house, or any building, whatever its meant to be.
The audiobook narrator was good though. Liked her West Country accent. I requested this title from Netgalley, and purchased the Audible version of my own volition. I was not required to write a positive one and all opinions expressed are my own.
I also liked the central story line about a young woman who loved her distant father and her home, and only sets about finding the rumoured ancestral treasure to save it. She never expects to be confronted with some apparently shocking revelations about her father, and desires above all else to clear his name, so her image of him will not be shattered. Through the search, she learns to trust her Heavenly Father as well, and what real treasure means.
Maybe the hero was a little too perfect, and even Tressa at times. Another reviewer mentioned there were times when she wanted to shake her. Don't think I did at the time, but looking back, she was bit silly on occasion.
So why the lower rating? A couple of reasons. One was some apparent contradictions. Early in the story, I'm fairly sure it said Tressa and her mother had returned home after a long sojourn 'abroad': but afterwards it said they had simply been in London.
The constant Americanisms also contribute to it. The characters used the American 'trunk' and the British term 'chest' to describe wooden box believed to contain the family fortune interchangeably, sometimes in the same sentence.
Also, the characters sometimes referred to an area of the castle/stately home Tressa grew up in as a 'Hall Block'. I have no idea what that is. Is it a made up term? Never heard of anything called that before in a castle, or manor house, or any building, whatever its meant to be.
The audiobook narrator was good though. Liked her West Country accent. I requested this title from Netgalley, and purchased the Audible version of my own volition. I was not required to write a positive one and all opinions expressed are my own.
vibeke_hiatt's review against another edition
4.0
This was a great book to start the year with. Setting the story in the Victorian period, Politano does an excellent job writing in a semi-Victorian style with enough modern touches to keep a modern audience engaged. The story is reminiscent of the works of Gaskell or Scott. Part mystery, part romance, part Christian fiction, this story has depth and wisdom that I found appealing. I need to get my hands on some of Politano's other books now!
tessakris's review against another edition
3.0
3rd book this summer that involves the main character dealing with things after the death of their father. 2nd book this summer that has a main setting involving vineyards. 1st book this summer read on my new Kindle (thanks Brian!). Reading a book like this continues to make me think that historical fiction isn't one of my favorite genres haha. The religious touch was surprising to me but it was nice. It shocked me how many times the word "niggled" was used (3) haha. But bringing all these random thoughts together, I liked it OK, but didn't like it much. Almost wished I had spent my time reading something else. However, I think it all tied together pretty well in the end.
Jena's recommendation
Jena's recommendation
beastreader's review against another edition
3.0
This is the first book I have read by this author. It is a good one. I liked the storyline. The cast of characters are fine. Although, I wish that I could have said that the characters were great. This is what I was hoping for. There were glimpses of this but not enough throughout the story. For which is a shame; as the story would have been brought to life better if I had felt a stronger connection to the characters.
Tressa was likable. She really did try her best to help people even if she had to get her hands dirty. There was a romance that did form in this story. It was sweet but had feelings. However, it didn't matter as again, I could not really feel that emotional connection to the characters. While, I may have only "liked" this book, I would read another one by this author.
Tressa was likable. She really did try her best to help people even if she had to get her hands dirty. There was a romance that did form in this story. It was sweet but had feelings. However, it didn't matter as again, I could not really feel that emotional connection to the characters. While, I may have only "liked" this book, I would read another one by this author.
jennbehindthebooks's review against another edition
5.0
Okay so I've had my eye on Joanna Davidson Politano's books for quite some time and am now regretting that it took me so long to dive in! This is the first of hers that I've read but I guarantee it won't be the last!
A Rumored Fortune has a plot like no other! I don't want to spoil things, so I'll keep it simple but let's just say I spent a portion of the book with a sneaking suspicion, but always quickly dismissing it because it just couldn't be so!
Needless to say, this was a fabulous book! The characters are witty and charming and the plot was more than intriguing. I highly recommend this to anyone who loves a good regency mystery or who enjoys novels by Julie Klassen, Abigail Wilson, or Hannah Linder.
A Rumored Fortune has a plot like no other! I don't want to spoil things, so I'll keep it simple but let's just say I spent a portion of the book with a sneaking suspicion, but always quickly dismissing it because it just couldn't be so!
Needless to say, this was a fabulous book! The characters are witty and charming and the plot was more than intriguing. I highly recommend this to anyone who loves a good regency mystery or who enjoys novels by Julie Klassen, Abigail Wilson, or Hannah Linder.
paperbacksandpines's review against another edition
3.0
[b:A Rumored Fortune|36394907|A Rumored Fortune|Joanna Davidson Politano|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1507901130l/36394907._SY75_.jpg|57350542] had been on my TBR for a few years now and I was determined to read it before spring was over. I wasn't expecting much when I picked it up but I ended up being pleasantly surprised.
Written in the same vein as [b:An Inquiry Into Love and Death|15808471|An Inquiry Into Love and Death|Simone St. James|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1354726547l/15808471._SX50_.jpg|21533111] and other such novels, [b:A Rumored Fortune|36394907|A Rumored Fortune|Joanna Davidson Politano|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1507901130l/36394907._SY75_.jpg|57350542] tells the story of the disappearance (and presumed death) of
Tressa Harlowe's father. As an aloof and enigmatic man, his relationship with his daughter was distant. Tressa and her mother had been away from home at the time of her father's disappearance. Upon returning after a prolonged absence, gold diggers from family and surrounding acquaintances alike descended upon the family home. Tressa struggles with determining who to trust and who to avoid.
This book was an equal mix of historical fiction, mystery, and romance. Tressa was the heroine to root for. A product of both her parents, she luckily inherited neither her mother's obsession with wealth and class nor her father's cold and aloof personality. Tressa's faith in God was touched upon in a way that did not characterize her as a fool, which is a feature that seldom appears in books nowadays.
For an interesting read, I would recommend this to readers who appreciate historical fiction, mystery, and romance.
Written in the same vein as [b:An Inquiry Into Love and Death|15808471|An Inquiry Into Love and Death|Simone St. James|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1354726547l/15808471._SX50_.jpg|21533111] and other such novels, [b:A Rumored Fortune|36394907|A Rumored Fortune|Joanna Davidson Politano|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1507901130l/36394907._SY75_.jpg|57350542] tells the story of the disappearance (and presumed death) of
Tressa Harlowe's father. As an aloof and enigmatic man, his relationship with his daughter was distant. Tressa and her mother had been away from home at the time of her father's disappearance. Upon returning after a prolonged absence, gold diggers from family and surrounding acquaintances alike descended upon the family home. Tressa struggles with determining who to trust and who to avoid.
This book was an equal mix of historical fiction, mystery, and romance. Tressa was the heroine to root for. A product of both her parents, she luckily inherited neither her mother's obsession with wealth and class nor her father's cold and aloof personality. Tressa's faith in God was touched upon in a way that did not characterize her as a fool, which is a feature that seldom appears in books nowadays.
For an interesting read, I would recommend this to readers who appreciate historical fiction, mystery, and romance.
seaton44's review against another edition
5.0
This was a tale filled with mystery and intrigue, friends and enemies, love and loss, mistakes and forgiveness. Joanna Davidson Politano's second novel is just as suspenseful as her first ("Lady Jayne Disappears"), making you wonder until the very end what the outcome will be. With all of the twists and turns throughout the story, I never wanted to put the book down. This story will turn you into a fan of Joanna's writing. I have her most recent novel, "Finding Lady Enderly", on my bookshelf and can't wait to read it soon!
morgangiesbrecht's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 ⭐️
It’s been a while since I’ve read anything from Politano, and I’d forgotten just how much I love her writing! The way she weaves mystery, history, and scriptural truths together leave me spellbound & thoughtful every time.
In this tale of a missing rumoured fortune & a dead man whose body has yet to be discovered, fortune hunters & secrets abound.
Tressa & Donegan were lovely, and I loved how their relationship progressed from enemies to reluctant allies to friends to lovers. It was a case of opposites-attract & class differences, yet so touching. Together, they learned that truth needs to be spoken with *both* honesty & love.
And the themes.
It’s been a while since I’ve read anything from Politano, and I’d forgotten just how much I love her writing! The way she weaves mystery, history, and scriptural truths together leave me spellbound & thoughtful every time.
In this tale of a missing rumoured fortune & a dead man whose body has yet to be discovered, fortune hunters & secrets abound.
Tressa & Donegan were lovely, and I loved how their relationship progressed from enemies to reluctant allies to friends to lovers. It was a case of opposites-attract & class differences, yet so touching. Together, they learned that truth needs to be spoken with *both* honesty & love.
And the themes.
maridotbooks's review against another edition
super slow start, still introducing characters in chapter 6 with little advancement in the plot.