SUMMER FESTIVAL: Time Travel with a Book: Evie’s Top 5 Victorian Novels for Summer by Maddison Michaels

Hello, my fellow readers!

Summer is upon us, and there’s no better companion for a day at the beach than a good book. This time, we’re taking our reading recommendations from none other than our own Evie Jenkins, the historical heroine from the soon to be released book “The Heiress Swap”.

So, without much ado, let’s dive into Evie’s top five Victorian novels to enjoy this summer, each as enthralling as the sound of the waves and the scent of the salty sea breeze:

“Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen: A huge favorite, this sharp-witted tale of love and societal norms never fails to captivate. Much like Austen’s heroines, Evie too finds herself navigating societal expectations with grace and gumption.
“Jane Eyre” by Charlotte Brontë: This riveting narrative of love, independence, and resilience is a must-read. Evie identifies with Jane’s courage and determination in facing life’s challenges head-on.
“Wuthering Heights” by Emily Brontë: This haunting tale of passion and revenge set against the wild Yorkshire moors holds a special place in Evie’s heart. Just as Evie finds herself swept up in a world she hardly understands, so too does the novel’s heroine, Catherine.
“Middlemarch” by George Eliot: This expansive novel is a favorite for its rich character development and intricate plot. Much like Evie, the novel’s heroine Dorothea Brooke grapples with societal expectations and her own aspirations.
“Great Expectations” by Charles Dickens: Dickens’ tale of love, ambition, and the complexities of class is another favorite of Evie’s. Like Pip, she too navigates a society steeped in class distinctions and hidden secrets.

So there you have it – Evie’s top five Victorian novels to enjoy this summer. Each of these literary gems offers a glimpse into society, identity, and love, themes that resonate deeply with Evie’s own tale. So why wait? Grab a book, find your sunny spot, and get transported back in time. Happy reading!

Stay tuned for more Victorian-era fun from your favorite characters in “The Heiress Swap!”

Evie Jenkins didn’t know what she was thinking by agreeing to switch places with her American heiress cousin. After all, she’s naught but a poor—and usually quite sensible—companion. All she has to do is spend six weeks among London society, pretending to be an heiress…and ensure that absolutely under no circumstances does she accept any proposals of marriage.

When his cousin declares himself in love with a new woman visiting from the States, Alexander Trenton—the sixth Duke of Hargrave—is determined to prove that the young lady in question is just another American “Dollar Princess” desperate for an English title. She seems innocent enough, but Alex is determined to expose her…by thoroughly seducing the lovely and fiercely intelligent heiress himself.

What he assumed would be just one simple kiss erupts into something wild, uncontrollable, and much too public. Now the duke must save her reputation with a betrothal…little knowing that his charming Princess harbors a secret that would certainly ruin them both.

Indoctrinated into a world of dashing rogues and feisty heroines when she was fourteen years old, Maddison Michaels is a prolific reader and writer of romantic suspense and historical fiction. She gets her daily dose of suspense from working as a police officer, prosecuting real-life villains in the Courts of Australia. A member of the RWA and RWA Australia, Maddison is as passionate about her writing as she is about her other two loves: her family and her cups of tea. Luckily, she gets a healthy dash of romance married to her wonderful husband, and her exercise regime is kept on track by her six-year-old daughter, who ensures Maddison is kept very busy chasing her around. Maddison’s debut novel The Devilish Duke is her way of time traveling back to Victorian London to experience a cornucopia of intrigue, romance, and debauchery all from the comfort of her living room!