Lady Jayne Disappears is not only a unique story, it's a beautifully written story that I couldn't break away from. Politano is such an amazing writer, and I cannot believe this is some of her early work. If you're looking for a Victorian read, this is for you.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel and was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The idea aboit this book is wonderful, very intriguing. The authoress is obviously very smart in the area of the plot ideas! But the execution is not so smooth as I would wish. Despite the witty ideas, I often had the feeling that I has read this story before, that I has knew this environment, that the story could have been done freshier and maybe more era-appropriate. Also the main character Aurelie is a bit self-absorbed for my taste.
But I will read more of this authoress! Anyone with such a sense of plotting is worth following.

Lady Jayne Disappears is by far one of the best historical fiction books I’ve read this year. It has a great Downton Abbey feel with a suspenseful twist. Joanna Davidson Politano does an incredible job of making the story come alive.
Aurelie Harcourt is a brilliant author forced to write under a surname. In writing, Aurelie digs into her own personal longings to know her mother and discovers more than she bargained for. Silas Rotherham is the hero we can easily swoon over. He’s kind and smart and everything Aurelie shouldn’t want.
Lady Jayne Disappears was a page turning story that is not easily forgotten. I look forward to Ms. Politano’s next book.

I struggled to get through this book for a week, but finally gave up at about 60%. I probably could have finished it, but life is too short to read bad books.

I had a couple of issues with this book. The main one was that it was so boring. I read 258 pages before giving up, and nothing happened in said 258 pages, except for the heroine Aurelie writing, praying, and having really obnoxious self-doubting monologues. It's marketed as a gothic mystery, and at first I thought that's what it was going to be. I expect Aurelie to sleuth around and uncover the great mystery of what happened to Lady Jayne, but at 60% into the book, she hadn't done anything like that. I skimmed the last bit of the book and the great mystery was all revealed in about the last 10 pages of the book, without even the true benefit of a "reveal." The other characters basically just told her what happened, finally. Politano wasted roughly 400 pages by choosing that as the method of reveal in my opinion. I also felt like the twist at the end was supposed to be this huge shock, but it also fell flat even as I skimmed through to the end.

I also didn't enjoy the Jasper story line, and to be honest, I'm not sure what purpose it served at all, except to create unnecessary conflict. If Politano had focused more on the mystery aspect and worried less about conflict between Juliette and Aurelie (and everyone else), the story would have been much better. That conflict, like so much of the book, simply felt like filler. However, all the filler meant that the plot line that could have really been interesting was neglected and not nearly as good as it could have been.

This falls into the category of Christian fiction, although there's no way to know that until you've started. That in and of itself wouldn't be a problem, but the faith element is written so poorly. There's no naturalness to it; the prayers/invocation of God are dropped into the story often seemingly at random, in such a clunky and awkward way, it really interrupted the flow of the story. Along with that, much of the dialogue and especially the dialogue regarding faith is so sappy-sweet it made my teeth hurt.

I really tried to like this one, but in the end, it just wasn't for me. Thank you to NetGalley for a review copy of this book.

Lady Jayne Disappears is the first book I have read by Joanna Davidson Politano and I sincerely hope it won't be the last. I love the way Ms. Politano crafted her story. The element of suspense with some romance makes for an intriguing story. The characters are quite believable and well developed. Ms. Politano also wove her faith into the story without being "preachy". certainly look forward to reading more from her in the future. So grab a steamy mug of Earl Grey and settle in for a good read.
I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley.com with no expectations. All thoughts are my own.

This book was wonderfully written and I could not put it down, I loved the story and considering this is the authors debut novel I cannot wait to read more from her.

A very interesting story within a story. Very intriguing and a solid first novel from this author.
I enjoyed the atmospheric writing and the idea. Despite a few writing and style quirks, I would read future novels by this author. 3.5 stars

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I’m not the biggest fan of writers writing novels about writers—it seems to take the advice to “write what you know” a little too literally for my taste. But Lady Jayne Disappears worked in spite of this, perhaps because Aurelie Harcourt is the transcriber for author Nathaniel Droll rather than the author himself … although that changes as the story moves forward.

Aurelie is trying to find the identity of her mother, who disappeared from her ancestral home of Lyndhurst Manor when she was a baby. Mr Rotherham is trying to find the identity of Nathaniel Droll (great name, by the way). And various members of the Harcourt household are keeping their own secrets as well …

Lady Jayne Disappears has a strong plot with an intriguing mystery and more than a hint of romance. The characters are strong and likeable, and many have their own secrets which adds to the overall mystery. The writing was excellent. I especially liked the many lines about reading and writing.

I also liked the strong Christian thread. My one problem with Lady Jayne Disappears was the number of anachronisms. I’m a history fan and a marketing major, and a character discussing book marketing in Victorian England isn’t right (my dictionary confirms my marketing lecturer was right: “marketing” in Victorian England was the activity of going to the market). Victorian English residents were also unlikely to “schlep”, and didn’t write checks (okay, that’s an Americanism rather than an anachronism). I also suspect they were more likely to eat French pastries than Danish.

I know, I know. Most people won’t notice these things, and they certainly shouldn’t allow them to detract from a solid debut novel with a unique twist. I hope to see more of Aurelie and Nathaniel Droll in future.

Thanks to Revell and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

A beautifully written debut novel....The story line captivated me...and would not let go. Looking forward to reading more of Joanna Davidson Politano's work. Five Stars!

An intricate tapestry of Victorian social norms infused with a nod to the popular melodramatic serials of the time, Lady Jayne Disappears establishes Politano as a surefire option for readers of Jaime Jo Wright and Jessica Dotta.

The historical voice and verisimilitude are mostly on point and the only anachronisms seem to be meted for accessibility.

While it took me a little while to settle into the pace and the back and forth of the blurred line between the fictional world sewn and the mystery unfolding, I applaud Politano for her fresh and captivating return to the Victorian historical world that seems now a rare CBA undertaking.

I look forward to book 2

Lady Jayne Disappears by Joanna Davidson Politano is an exciting and complex debut. I've been anticipating this book for a LONG time! In fact, I added it to my TBR "shelf" way early in the year. The premise of a young lady in Victorian England secretly writing under a pen name while trying to solve a mystery connected to her own family just sounded so intriguing! And, it was.

The one word that sums up the feeling of this story: ALLURING. From start to finish, I was impressed by the character growth, vibrancy of setting, and well-told mystery arc.

While Aurelie’s naivete was frustrating at times (to me, the reader), it truly is an asset to the story. It both excuses her innocence when it comes to her almost nonexistent knowledge of society norms and justifies her experience and manner when she’s faced with the realistic plight of common people whom society deems inferior. These seemingly contradictory facets of her character made me like her all the more — and, they are what drew the hero of the story to recognize her unique and compassionate nature.

My two favorite aspects of this story were the romance and the wonderfully deep love of literature acknowledged by the characters and observed by the reader ;). The romance cannot be commented on *no spoilers here* past saying it is as sweet as I hoped it would be and as surprising at times with its tenderness and depth. The book and story love, however, are wonderful bookworm tendencies for the people of that time AND a nod to story in itself. It’s delightful.

Victorian society is the perfect backdrop for the many twists, secrets, and mystery of Lady Jayne Disappears. All this combine with the romance to form a Dickensian-like tale of belonging and purpose. It’s a treat for lovers of historical romance and drama! I eagerly look forward to whatever Joanne pens next.

Thank you to Revell publishers and Netgalley for a complimentary copy of this novel. This is my honest review.

Ok, so I could not put this one down, who needs sleep anyway? Aurelie Harcourt is one of a kind and she has a strong and rich imagination. A storyteller by nature learned from her father, it's fun to see how her mind works. Her insecurities and fears are somewhat familiar, if you know any authors, you will hear them talk about a lot of the same things. One of the strong themes in this book was belonging, fitting in, and I strongly related to this. Then, of course, there is Mr. Rotherham who is a calming influence on her, a rescuer of sorts, but he is also in search of answers to some secrets.

The other characters play their part to bring in adventure, intrigue, and drama, but Aurelie remains the strong focus, and her struggle with the elusive Nathaniel Droll. I can't say too much because it will give it away, but through the plot twists and turns, you will find yourself rooting for Aurelie and praying her dreams come true, especially when things are not looking good. Well done to Joanna Davidson Politano.

Once you begin reading the cover will make way more sense to you.

I am looking forward to her next book, A Rumored Fortune (you get the first chapter at the end of Lady Jayne Disappears! I am hooked)

I don't how to say it but this book I just could not get into as it was not interesting story to me. But to someone else it might be good.

Aurelie Harcourt grew up in a debtor's prison with her father, and spending most of her time among the other prisoners. Aurelie has a vivid imagination and loves to share her stories with the children. When her father dies he leaves her the unfinished story of her mother's disappearance, and a wealthy family that wants nothing to do with her. As Aurelie navigates her new life she takes up her father's pen name, Nathaniel Droll, and sets out to finish his last novel.



When Silas Rotherham comes to pick up the late Woolf Harcourt's belongings, he is surprised to find a girl waiting for him. He is intrigued by her story and her thoughtful answers to his simple questions.



Will Aurelie be able to solve the mystery of her mother?



Silas becomes Aurelie's rescuer, guiding her through the maze of high society rules, he enjoys her stories and encourages her to be herself. I like how Silas respects Aurelie's past, and how she doesn't fit into the world of the wealthy. Silas also happens to be courting Juliette, Aurelie's newfound cousin.



Juliette welcomes Aurelie, and takes her under her wing, accepting her into her family almost immediately. Aurelie also finds a friend in the seamstress, Nelle.



Aurelie writes her stories from the heart and draws on her experiences in the debtor's prison and her new life, but as she writes the family begins to believe that Nathaniel Droll is spying on them. As imposters show up claiming to be Nathaniel, Aurelie has a line to walk, discrediting the imposters while keeping her identity a secret.



I loved the book from beginning to end, it is by far one of the best regency books that I have read, I was stunned that this was debut novel. Full of mystery, romance, secrets, and a full cast of intriguing characters. I loved the quick wit and engaging style of this writing. It was impossible to put down, ful of poignancy, surprises and romance. Highly recommend! Stunning read!



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."

Absolutely loved the book. Keen to read more from this author. The author immediately hooks you into the story that is about to unfold the mystery that is carefully woven throughout the book, weaving in and out of many characters. The author clearly demonstrates that one mustn't assume another's thoughts and actions. Lady Jayne is suddenly placed into a situation that she is not prepared for, leaving a home that was like none other. As Lady Jayne experiences grief, finds support from an unexpected aquaintance and facing rejection by her distant family. The reader along with Lady Jayne is kept in suspense as she reveals the mystery of the written notes and her deceased father's intentions.

A masterpiece of Regency romance, Lady Jayne Disappears by Joanna Davidson Politano is a real treat.

"God, where do I belong?" This is the desperate cry of Aurelie Harcourt, daughter of the famous author, Nathaniel Droll, who dies in debtor's prison.

Aurelie is then taken in by rich relatives. Trying to hide her past and her identity, Aurelie searches for her mother, Lady Jayne, and her sense of belonging throughout the book.

I loved so many characters in this book, both good and bad. Or maybe it was how Politano eventually showed us the deeper workings of each individual's heart. Nelle, a servant, shows the love of Jesus when the rich, religious relatives are standoffish and cruel. Other people had surprising character traits that are best discovered by reading the book, rather than spoilers.

God is woven in and out of the story with the ease of an accomplished basketmaker who deftly pulls each reed throughout the latticework of the others. Aurelie believes Him to be Sovereign and capable of answering the prayers of her confused heart.

Lady Jayne Disappears is chock full of quotables. A few are here:

"Shame is reserved for those who disappoint God, not people."

"If books were alcohol, he'd be the worst drunk in history."

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and Netgalley. I was not required to leave a positive review and all opinions are my own.

I loved this debut from Joanna Davidson Politano! Aurelie has grown up a very different life from what she finds herself living after the passing of her father. Her father has written books under a pen name and Aurelie decides to complete the writing of his last book; however she must rely on the help of a houseguest. Aurelie wants to find out the truth about her mother and also what took place at the estate around that time and the time of her birth.
Aurelie is a great main character, I loved how she is portrayed and her character overall. This is a great story that really brings to life the time period and society at this time in England and the way of life. This is such a nice blend of historical details as far as the setting, the suspenseful story, the characters and the romance. I highly recommend this book for historical fiction fans!

Lady Jayne Disappears by Joanna Davidson Politano

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

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Story Notes

Joanna Politano offers her readers a story of a young woman who is seeking her purpose and place in life while also trying to solve her mother’s disappearance.

I “snatched” this book right up when I saw it available to me for review for two reasons: First, Lady Jayne Disappears – just the name brings to mind all kinds of possible storylines and deep characters hoping for a voice; and second, the description reminded me forcefully of my favorite Charles Dickens book, Little Dorrit. Ms. Politano introduced me to a wonderful heroine named Aurelie Rosette Harcourt who is looking for a place to belong. Her father has recently passed away and she is being sent to live with her wealthy Aunt Eudora at Lynhurst Manor. Despite finding little welcome from her relatives, Auralie hopes she will still find a way to be at home in her new situation. She does, however, carry a secret with her into her new life: the pen name and avid literary following of her father, Nathaniel Droll. For years, Auralie was the transcriber of her father’s famous stories which were printed as serials but his death has left his latest story unfinished. Knowing God has given her the gift of storytelling, Auralie decides she will finish her father’s work and perhaps solve the mystery of her mother’s disappearance – given that her disappearance is the plot of the story. But finding the courage to write as her father did eludes Auralie at first, especially as she is trying to speak and act as her wealthy relatives expect if she is to remain in their home. Finding a friend in Silas Rotherham, the houseguest who brought Auralie to Lynhurst, and a co-conspirator in the seamstress Nelle Wicke, Auralie determines to use the talents she possesses to teach her readers about love, kindness, compassion and sacrifice. And God will use her writing to grow her not only as a writer but as a person who can extend His Love to those around her who desperately need it. But Auralie’s resolve will be put to the test as she slowly uncovers the truth of her birth and early life and she will have to decide if she will be willing to offer forgiveness and love those who did much to wrong her. While I did find several similarities in this story and Dicken’s Little Dorrit, I have to applaud Ms. Politano for making this story quite original in the development of the plot. She kept the idea of a girl who had grown up in a debtor’s prison and moved into a life of luxury but having her heroine be one who bends societal expectations was a wonderful twist. And to have said heroine not only discover her purpose in life but also learn her personal history while solving the mystery of her father’s unexpected death, that ensured that I would enjoy this story very much. I was further delighted to find out that Ms. Politano created a complicated and well-developed romance that she wove into each chapter of this wonderful story. Silas Rotherham was an incredibly attractive literary character – especially as there was no picture of him available. I would be hard pressed not to give my heart away to a man such as him if we were to meet in real life. How interesting that we find some of the best people we will ever meet to be fictional characters! It is hard for me to write this review and tell what is necessary while also not spoiling the best parts of the story. So, I will conclude now with a pleading for everyone to go and get a copy of this story for yourself and anyone who loves to read. This will for sure be going on my “re-read soon” list and I will pass it on to my friends and family as well. I’m greatly looking forward to Ms. Politano’s next story that is set to release in July and hope this will be the start of her long and excellent career of writing.

I received this E-book free of charge from Revell Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. I will receive no fiscal compensation from either company for this review.

Lady Jayne Disappears is masterfully written and completely captivating. Each page is an indulgence of beautiful words, every chapter hints at hidden meanings and elusive truths. 

Aurelie Harcourt is a heroine worthy of readerly adoration. She is genuine, compassionate, and (despite her insecurities) an enormously talented storyteller. Silas Rotherham is observant, receptive, and protective. He plays his role as leading man with excellence and intelligence.

This book is simply extraordinary! I highly recommend it and eagerly anticipate future works from this promising author.

I requested the opportunity to read this through the publisher. The opinions expressed are my own.

This is a book about “should”. I should have disliked the book for the author plundering bits of Dickens (debtors’ prison, dissolute rich family, endearing poor characters) and I should have disliked it for its style that is at times precariously teetering on the cliff above the Mills and Boone abyss....and yet, and yet, I liked it very much. Aurelie, the heroine, is quite the fresh breath of air in the stuffy family home that she comes to live in after her father’s death in debtor’s prison. Now she has grieve for her father, to brave to continue writing her father’s last novel, getting to know her ghastly relatives, dealing with her past and unraveling the mysterious case of Lady Jane’s disappearance. And if that wasn’t enough, she also desperately tries not to fall in love with the ever-present tall dark stranger. Go and read it, you might just fall under Aurelie’s spell!