The Bracelet

The Bracelet #1

by Jennie Hansen

England, 1844

As a servant for the wealthy Lady Burton, Georgiana Fenwick is both surprised and flattered when her mistress's son Sydney pursues her. However, he insists on a hushed romance. To prove his love, and in celebration of their planned elopement, Sydney gives her a stunning bracelet. But Georgiana quickly discovers the truth about Sydney and the cruel plan he has for her. In desperation, Georgiana decides she must flee.

When Georgiana's journey is delayed, she finds herself frantically hiding from Sydney and his deadly need to save face and exact revenge. Will a sea captain and two strangers preaching a peculiar new religion provide deliverance?

Best-selling author Jennie Hansen weaves a thrilling story set in nineteenth-century England. Brimming with romance, deception, forgiveness, and the redeeming power of truth, The Bracelet is a compelling novel not soon to be forgotten.

Genres: Lds Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance, Lds, Historical Romance, Fiction, Adult

Audio CD

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

weird read for me. The story line was good and had a lot of potential there was mystery, murder, suspence,and romance, but it just didn't work. A lot of cheesiness (which normally I can handle)and religion thrown in the middle of the book, which changed the whole feel of the story and made it cheesier. The weird thing is that despite all of this I had to finish it to find out what happened at the end. And weirder still is that upon adding this book to my list I discovered that it is the first book in a series, and I kind of want to read the others. I don't know all very weird!!!

[Jenny]

This was the last book I read before I got so sick. The Bracelet was so wonderful, that I read it in 2 days. The story is about a young woman who's given a bracelet, along with promises by a deceitful man. She works for his mother. Her hopes are to be with this man. When the events of a ball show her that she has been decieved, she escapes in haste to get away. Opportunity to exchange the fake stones of the bracelet for real ones come her way. Now she takes a journey into hiding from this deceitful man while working for a wonderful woman. Life begans to change as she learns about The church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Along the way she finds love with someone who will treat her right. The story is so wonderful, at the end some thing happens to the Bracelet which has me wanting to read the next book in this series.

[Elaine · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story was fun, but the author struggled and apparently the editor struggled as well with numerous typos (which always frustrate me in a book) and inconsistencies. I get to the end of a paragraph that doesn't quite make sense, so read it again and it is still irregular.

Cute story to read, but don't expect too much.

[Regina · Rating 1 out of 5]

Would not recommend this book to a serious reader. I invested $1 for this book at fundraiser/book sale and a few hours reading time so I cannot complain. Be prepared for religious content snd simple and predictable story line and dialog.

[Kathy * Bookworm Nation · Rating 3 out of 5]

Georgiana starts our really naïve and I had a hard time liking her at first. We learn quickly that Sydney isn’t all that he seems and Georgiana is soon running for her life. She mentions numerous times how she has been transferred from job to job because of men making unwanted advances on her, and then with her experience with Sydney I would have expected her to be a little doubtful or cautious when it came to men, but she’s not. As soon as she meets Robert she is in love and I found that a little hard to believe. Even if Robert is a fantastic guy, with everything she had been through I would expect her to be a little guarded in falling in love again, especially so soon. The only other thing that bothered me was how she would be faced with an impossible situation and things would just be resolved too quickly. There were so many things that happen to Georgiana in the first 100 pages that would normally take a while to get resolved, so that was a bit irksome.

I knew this was a Christian author and did except there to be some talk of religion, but when I had read a few chapters it seemed that it was just going to be a novel and not really include any religious talk. So, I was surprised when more than half-way through the book took a big turn into the whole religion aspect. The last part of the book really focuses on religion and Georgiana’s conversion. In a way this was nice, Georgiana is really able to grow as a character (and true to format, is converted rather quickly), and started making the right choices to finally start living the life that she wants to live.

It probably sounds like I hate the book, but I actually enjoyed it. I thought the main story idea was fun and the adventures the characters go on are engaging. The book moved along nicely and would recommend it as a fun read.

[Joanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I say... Not a bad book, not bad at all. The story was intriguing, the characters were well developed, and for the most part, the plot was believable!
There are a few interesting plot points to discuss. First, the way she obtained the gems to her bracelet. Interesting, and highly entertaining, but a bit to coincidental. However, I was already too invested into the story to let that distract me.
Second, this book would stand on its own plot line as a good book in my opinion, that it didn't require a conversion story to go with it. It felt slightly out of place in a action packed romance novel. However, I could totally imagine a conversion happening in that way. It was very believable in my opinion. I suppose that helps the author market the book specifically to the lds crowd.

All points considered, I did enjoy my time reading this book and will be reading the next in the series.

[Angee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this one up randomly at the library and was surprised that I really liked this one. The author kept me on edge the whole time. And I loved how the characters were all connected.

I had a hard time at times keeping track of the different characters. Sometimes she would use first names, then she'd change it to a title, like "Lady" or "Captain." Until I really got to know the characters, it would mess up my rhythm in reading, which I didn't like.

I am excited to read the next in the series! I'm not sure if I should expect the same characters, or if it's more of the journey of the jewels in the bracelet, or if it's completely unrelated, but I'm looking forward to seeing what it's about!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very refreshing to read a book set in England in early 1900's where the unfair social structure of supposed "upper class" and "service class" is not glamorized. The main character goes through many challenges that would drive most people to revenge and hatred as it does her but she meets rich, engaging characters that teach her how to love, and forgive herself and others.

A real page turner. There is some new plot twist on almost every page and I found it really hard to put this book down. I did find the end to be a little slow but still good. I gave it 5 stars because I would definitely read this book again.

[Lisa Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jennie Hansen creates an engaging character in this historical fiction book. As a servant for the wealthy Lady Burton, Georgiana Fenwick is flattered that the son of her employer shows a romantic interest in her. It surprises her that he insists on it being a hushed relationship. HIs true colors soon surface as she finds out his cruel plan for her and is forced to flee for her life. In desperation she takes the bracelet he gave her and runs. The adventure begins as she desperately tries to find peace! Will a sea captain and two strangers preaching a peculiar new religion provide deliverance?

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good novel--different from any other of Hansen's I have read--about Georgiana who was a lady's maid in England in the 1800's. She thought the son of the rich people she worked for was in love with her, but, of course, he was just using her and planned to have her sold when he announced his engagement to a wealthy landowner's daughter. Georgiana had to flee for her life, but she managed to steal some really valuable stones before she did and put them into the worthless bracelet the man had given her.

It's a very suspenseful love story and also has a sweet conversion story in it.

[Kristelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book up from Deseret Book without knowing anything about it. I loved the story. My only misgiving was that her ablity to find jewels that matched her fakes stones and was able to switch them so easily was a little over the top. The rest of the story was a great read and I loved that Georgianna kept her morals while she was in London. The conversion stories make the book move forward and I am excited to see what happens next.

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

I couldn't finish this book. Human trafficking doesn't lend itself well to a novel and the "link" to the bracelet, from the opening scene of the book, still wasn't established by the time I was more than half way through. I got bored. Additionally, the characters are predictable.

I would give this a 2.5. but didn't have that as an option. I just can't give it a 3.0.

Kinda hard to think is supposed to be the first book in a series.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating 4.5

Strange that this is the hardback edition (which I am reading btw) but the summary for this edition on goodreads is just a blurb about the length of the audio version. Too bad I do not have permission to fix that.

I have finished the book and think it is a good and engaging story, plenty of action along with a cast of good characters. I suspect that book 2 leaves these characters behind to follow the path of the bracelet. Alas.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little corndog/cheesy for me, but it wasn't too bad. Parts of the book seemed pretty contrived also, which was a bit irritating. I don't tend to rate LDS fiction as strictly as maybe some other books; normally I'd rate a book like this something close to a 1. But for an LDS fiction book I'm giving it a 3.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book swept me up into the plot right off making it all the more addicting. In the middle it kind of slows down but not enough to dissuade me from continuing on. Loved the story line and I liked how the gospel was introduced. Although, I did feel the ending was wrapped up to quickly...I wanted more. If you’re looking for adventure, mystery, & romance this is the book and it's wholesome too!

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to an audio CD, in which I really didn't like the reader. I think I would have liked the book better if either I had read it myself, or a different voice actor read it. For one thing, she pronounced the word valet in a way that rhymed with palate, instead of rhyming with ballet. Drove me nuts.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always like a Jennie Hansen story, and this one begins her four-book series. I love Georgiana--beautiful of course, but smart. Even though she feels remorse for stealing the real jewels for her bracelet (after being taught by the missionaries), I thought it was great! And, I'm anxious to follow the bracelet through the series.

[MJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a decent book, I was disappointed in the ending - it seemed rushed to me, especially after the detailed information on costumes and etiquette for the era (important) it seems the author could have written a few more pages of the adventure/suspenseful part (more important!)I will still read the others in the series if they are like this one.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

While running from her former mistress's son Sydney, Georgiana meets an actress Olivia, who was also running from Sydney. While hiding from Sydney they meet two strangers preaching a peculiar new religion provide deliverance.

[Kristyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was such a surprise. By the cover, I expected some kind of love story, which it had, but I didn't expect an exciting adventure. It was adventurous from beginning to end, and I really enjoyed the characters in it. This was book 1 in the series.

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a pretty exciting adventure set in England in the 1800's. I liked the story in general, and the plot was original (if not believable).

I didn't like the main character at the beginning, but she grew on me.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this author. Her writing keeps me interested and wanting to read more. This had some excitement and intrigue in the story line. It has some religious story line also. Fast and enjoyable listen- I had the library CD - and enjoyed listening to it.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Relatively good story. A bit slow in places, but overall fun to read. It ends in an odd place, but hopefully that's because the author plans to catch up with everyone and tie up loose ends in the sequel books.

[Mallory · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a fun, dramatic, adventure filled LDS novel. It took me a while to read because I was listening to it as an audiobook, then I moved and had to return it. But I liked it enough to find a copy in order to finish it. And I'll probably read the next book in the series...

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really fun book. It has some church history rolled into a romantic story. I really enjoyed it and it was a really quick, easy read.

[Jenifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quite disapointed in this book. I enjoyed her earlier books. This one was to simplistic and unbelievable.

[Caisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the 3 books currently out in this historical fiction series. I like this author, but thought the plots were a little melodramatic, but perhaps no more than her modern suspense romances.

[Nichole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this story! It was a great page turner and I can't wait to read the other books! Fantastic and easy read!

[Jonni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book, thanks Stacey.

[Deana Jennings · Rating 3 out of 5]

It has been awhile since I read this book, but I recall enjoying it.