Book Review: The Passion of the Purple Plumeria by Lauren Willig

Pages: 468

Genre: Adult Historical Fiction

Pub. Date: August 6, 2013

Source: Publisher for review

Series: Pink Carnation

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "Colonel William Reid has returned home from India to retire near his children, who are safely stowed in an academy in Bath. Upon his return to the Isles, however, he finds that one of his daughters has vanished, along with one of her classmates. Having served as second-in-command to the Pink Carnation, one of England’s most intrepid spies, it would be impossible for Gwendolyn Meadows to give up the intrigue of Paris for a quiet life in the English countryside—especially when she’s just overheard news of an alliance forming between Napoleon and an Ottoman Sultan. But, when the Pink Carnation’s little sister goes missing from her English boarding school, Gwen reluctantly returns home to investigate the girl’s disappearance. Thrown together by circumstance, Gwen and William must cooperate to track down the young ladies before others with nefarious intent get their hands on them. But Gwen’s partnership with quick-tongued, roguish William may prove to be even more of an adventure for her than finding the lost girls…"

The year is 1805 and Gwen, lady companion to Jane (The Pink Carnation) isn't what she appears to be.  She is also a spy and a good one at that.  At night, in Paris, she masquerades as a man and spies on Napoleon's foreign minister.  Meanwhile, Jane and Gwen are called back to England to receive some bad news about Jane's sister, Agnes.  While at boarding school, it seems that she has "disappeared."  While investigating the situation, Gwen meets Col. Reid, whose daughter has also disappeared along with Agnes.  What is even more sad is the fact that Reid has been waiting to be reunited with his daughter as he sent her away to be educated and for her safety many years ago.  He is hoping the girls are merely visiting his daughter's older sister in Bristol; however, much to his dismay, that it is not the case. Thankfully, Gwen accepts the task of finding the two girls along with the handsome Col. Reid.  Then the plot thickens! Lauren Willig's latest installment in the Pink Carnation series, The Passion of the Purple Plumeria, is a fun and light historical read that I enjoyed getting lost in.

Gwen is the kind of herioine that I love in The Passion of the Purple Plumeria. She can hold her own, she's clever, witty, and a lot of fun.  I thoroughly enjoyed her.  One of my favorite aspects of the book was following Gwen's gothic novel, The Convent of Orsino, which is a tell-all of her adventures as Purple Plumeria, her alter-ego.

Willig is such a fantastic author. Although I have read her before (The Ashford Affair) this novel was a lot different in that it was pure fun.  There were even moments that made me giggle.  Also, one thing I really enjoy about Willig's writing is that she frames her historical part of the novel with a present day story.   In The Passion of the Purple Plumeria, readers become familiar with Colin, a descendent of the Pink Carnation, and a historian, Eloise.  I love how Willig uses this technique in her books; it works really well.

Who doesn't love a romance/spy series? My only regret is that I haven't read the other books in the series and while I could keep up, there is no denying that there is definitely an involved back story in The Passion of the Purple Plumeria, specifically with the character of Eloise.  Either way, this book was pure entertainment and I can't wait to check out the other books in the series. If you like historical fiction, spy stories, and some romance, The Passion of the Purple Plumeria will be right up your alley. 

Be sure to check back on Thursday for my exclusive interivew with Lauren Willig!