Caitlin S.

Caitlin Sheehan

Rumors

Anna Godbersen

Historical Fiction

Just Right

Page 318

1. Right now, in my book, there are several things going on. Penelope Hayes, the malicious but determined former best friend of Elizabeth Holland, is after Elizabeth’s former fiancé, Henry Schoonmaker. After Elizabeth fakes her own death to runaway with her love, Will Keller, Penelope creates a devious plan to marry Henry. However, Elizabeth’s younger sister, Diana Holland, is in love with Henry. Penelope, however, has recently found out of a scandal concerning Diana and Henry. This she learned from Diana’s former maid, Carolina Broad, another rising star in society. Penelope threatens to disclose this scandal, a scandal that would ruin both Diana and Henry, unless he agrees to marry her. Will Henry risk everything for true love?

2. So far, I greatly enjoy this book. The plot is complex, with twists and turns on every page. For example, all of the characters manipulate the expectations of society in order to gain their own ends. Penelope manipulates the expectation that Henry cannot marry Diana because he was previously her sister’s fiancé in order to force Henry to marry her. Also, Henry manipulates the expectation that he must be in mourning for Elizabeth in order to avoid marrying Penelope. Another reason I enjoy this book are the intricate descriptions. On every page there are descriptions from everything from the curtains to a person’s eye color. These descriptions are not overly lengthy, and do not get boring. I would give this book a 9 out of 10.

3. One theme I have noticed in this book is the theme of courage. For example, courage is seen when Carolina Broad, the former maid, set herself out to make her own way in the world, and ending up in the very height of society. Also, courage is seen when Henry stands up to his domineering father, who is using Elizabeth’s supposed death as a political platform to run for city mayor. Finally, courage is seen when Elizabeth returns to New York from California despite all of the danger it will put her in. She could be separated from Will if she is caught, but returns anyway out of concern for her ailing mother.

4. My favorite character so far is Diana. Diana is the only character who does not attempt to take advantage of her friends and family, even though this is done to her many times. She is not one of the girls who follow the strict rules set out for her to follow by society, and even though she can be looked down on for it, she always carries herself with a sort of pride. Also, even though Diana knows that Elizabeth is alive, she keeps her word to her sister to not tell anyone that Elizabeth is alive.

5. My least favorite character is Penelope. This is because she is a manipulative brat, who always gets what she wants, or forces it. She was, in fact the one who forced Elizabeth to run away, threatening that she would tell the city that Elizabeth is in love with her coachman, which would send her family into financial and reputational ruin. Also, she is attempting to force Henry’s hand in marriage, under the threat of ruining Diana’s reputation, something that he could never let happen. She is so self absorbed that she never takes the time to realize how her actions will ruin the lives of other people.

I predict that Henry, in an attempt to save Diana, will marry Penelope. I think that he could never live with himself if Diana had to suffer on his account. Also, I think that Diana will try to do everything in her power to get him back