Tiffany Girl

by Deeanne Gist

From the bestselling author of It Happened at the Fair and Fair Play comes a compelling historical novel about a progressive “New Woman”—the girl behind Tiffany’s chapel—and the love that threatens it all.As preparations for the 1893 World’s Fair set Chicago and the nation on fire, Louis Tiffany—heir to the exclusive Fifth Avenue jewelry empire—seizes the opportunity to unveil his state-of-the-art, stained glass, mosaic chapel, the likes of which the world has never seen. But when Louis’s dream is threatened by a glassworkers’ strike months before the Fair opens, he turns to an unforeseen source for the female students at the Art Students League of New York. Eager for adventure, the young women pick up their skirts, move to boarding houses, take up steel cutters, and assume new identities as the “Tiffany Girls.” Tiffany Girl is the heartwarming story of the impetuous Flossie Jayne, a beautiful, budding artist who is handpicked by Louis to help complete the Tiffany chapel. Though excited to live in a boarding house when most women stayed home, she quickly finds the world is less welcoming than anticipated. From a Casanova male, to an unconventional married couple, and a condescending singing master, she takes on a colorful cast of characters to transform the boarding house into a home while racing to complete the Tiffany chapel and make a name for herself in the art world. As challenges mount, her ambitions become threatened from an unexpected her own heart. Who will claim victory? Her dreams or the captivating boarder next door?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance, Historical, Christian Fiction, Fiction, Historical Romance, Adult

545 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2015

About the author

With over a million copies of her books sold, international bestselling, award-winning author Deeanne Gist has rocketed up bestseller lists and captured readers everywhere with her original, captivating historicals. Her latest release, Tiffany Girl, was touted as a “Must Year of the Year!” by USA Today, was one of the Top 10 Most Anticipated Books of 2015 by Huffington Post, and one of WikiEzvid's 10 Must-Read Novels That Take Place in the Past.

Not familiar with her work? Take a quiz to figure out which Deeanne Gist novel you'd like best.

Published by Simon & Schuster, Gist's awards include a RITA for Best Long Historical of the Year, National Readers’ Choice Award, Best Historical of the Year (RT Reviewers), Librarians’ Choice, Book Buyers’ Best, Golden Quill, Books*A*Million Pick of the Month, Seal of Excellent and Award of Excellence.

Her most recent series takes readers into the heart of the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, where USA Today says …

“The historical details are absorbing, never intrusive and always eye-opening ... The characterization is rich and authentic ... The narrative is a treat, the tempo impeccable.”

Gist's credits including People Magazine, Parents, and Parenting. Her entertaining and informative presentations have been featured on the front page of the Wall Street Journal. Deeanne lives in South Carolina with her husband. When not writing, she enjoys boating and keeping up with her readers via www.IWantHerBook.com and her very active online community on her blog, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and on her YouTube channel.

Reviews

[Lyuda · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

A coming of age story that takes place at the end of 19th century - interesting time when woman’s role in society began to change.

Louis Tiffany, a head of a famous jewelry and glass making empire, wanted to impress the world by producing a state-of-the-art stained-glass mosaic chapel for the 1893 World’s Fair. When his plans were threatened by a glass-workers’ strike shortly before the fair to be opened, he decided to hire women as replacements. Florence (Flossie) Jayne, an inspiring artist, was one of the five woman handpicked by Mr. Tiffany to complete the job. She jumps to the opportunity to join the ranks of “New Women” women who worked and lived on their own, who forged their path to independence through largely disapproving male dominated business world. Flossie leaves home, takes up residence in a boardinghouse, and begins employment as a “Tiffany Girl”.
Reeve Wilder isn't impressed with the chatty magpie who has moved into the room next to his at the boardinghouse. He’s a reporter who distrusts “New Women” and writes scathing articles about them and what they represent. But soon he finds himself smack in the middle of Flossie Jayne’s world. In a love-hate relationship, he can’t seem to define, Reeve is forced to face his own secrets and regrets.

The story covers about 2 years. It’s an ambitious effort and, with 500 pages, it provides plenty of opportunity to showcase not only an interesting time period in history but relatively unknown subject of stained-glass making and “Tiffany Girls” in particular. The historical research of the steps in creating the windows were detailed and impeccable. There were numerous photographs and artwork dispersed throughout the book which provided great visual of the time and place.

As for the story itself, I have to say, I expected more. There were essentially two plots running in parallel and rarely intersected – one with Flossie working as "Tiffany girl" and another describing her life in the boardinghouse. Both settings offered a great premise with potentially interesting cast of characters but only one -the boardinghouse - felt developed and explored. The quirks and eccentricities of the boardinghouse characters were delightful. Despite a hefty page count, there was actually very little about Tiffany girl’s interactions, interworking of business. I felt like the author dangled a carrot in front of me with very interesting subject matter but somewhere along the way snatched it and left me wonder about missing opportunity.

I also have to say that the writing style didn’t particularly worked for me. It was not only a lot more tell than show with significant events skipping but it was somewhat uneven where some very good passages intermingled with abrupt writing.

And finally, I can’t end my review without mentioning this. The novel is my first read by the author. From what I gathered, Ms. Gist is a popular Christian fiction author who recently changed her publisher and started to write a secular fiction. It looks like majority of reviewers who gave the story 1-2 stars were lamenting the fact that the book didn’t meet their expectation of being Christian fiction. I have to say that nowhere in the book description nor in any editorial reviews the story was identified as such. As for the steam level (another complaint), on a scale of 0-5, I would give this novel 0.25

[Lyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

http://larmstrong73.blogspot.com

With this book, Ms. Gist is officially one of my favorite authors. One that I will wait impatiently for and preorder books months before they're released. This was not luck; this was not lightning striking twice. This was carefully researched, lovingly crafted. Though it saddens me that I can only expect one of her brilliant novels per year, as this book points out, quality is worth waiting for.

In my opinion, there is a large gap between the style of books that she used to write and the ones that are in this series. I am aware that she "switched publishers and went secular". That's not the change I'm referring to. Side note: apparently not being published by a Christian publisher means that you and your work are no longer Christian. (<- heavy sarcasm people) This could have been done for a million different reasons and all I really have to say about it is that I think Christian themes, questions, challenges etc, would have only made this book stronger.

But I digress. If you loved her previous novel, you will love this book too. This book deals with something I had wished for before: an average heroine. And better yet, she doesn't realize it until halfway through. So much to love. I loved the raw honesty, even the honest delusions. I loved that Ms. Gist gave her characters time apart (and didn't waste too much of the readers time in the process) and gave them reservations. I loved that I understood and agreed with where both of them were coming from. But the thing I loved the most was the growth. I loved the changes. I loved the maturity and the humility. I loved that Flossie made mistakes. So many mistakes, that anyone else could have easily made. I loved that she learned from them and became better for them. I loved that she was annoying sometimes. I loved that, through Reeve's eyes, we could love her anyway.

Wonderful characters and a wonderful storyline. What more could you want? Well for me, a heavy dose of time travel. Once again, Ms. Gist has so thoroughly researched and seamlessly written history into her pages that I found myself back in 1893. Fascinating. I thought I had been so immersed in her last book that I was pretty familiar with that year. Nope. Still so much to uncover. Oh and her author's notes are... ah just, again, fascinating for a history geek like me.

The only thing that I didn't get was Nan. I never understood why she balked at Flossie's mention of friendship. Or why she seemed personally out to put/keep her down. I didn't understand Elizabeth was called instead of Flossie; didn't they just say it was teams? Why didn't Flossie speak up and say, "um, actually, I'm Nan's partner?" And why was Nan so upset that she refused to join Flossie at the end of the speech? I didn't get hung up on these points but if I ever got the chance, I would ask the author for clarity. Other than those few minor issues, there's nothing lacking.

There are some who won't like this book because they're boycotting or very sensitive to any kind of written intimacy. I would just like to remind you though, that whatever your comfort level, that doesn't make a wedding night scene unbiblical. If that is your opinion, I suggest you read your Bible again and pay closer attention to Song of Solomon (aka Song of Songs). What God created between husband and wife is beautiful. It is glorifying to Him. The brief scene was not at all graphic. On the contrary, it was very tasteful and sweet.

I can't wait until this book is officially released and I can get a copy for my mantle, because this is a book I will want to read again and again. In the meantime, I will be checking out some of the references Ms. Gist mentioned at the back of the book, in particular: A New Light On Tiffany: Clara Driscoll and the Tiffany Girls (http://www.amazon.com/New-Light-Tiffa...)

[Cathy Geha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this novel! For some reason it reminded me of books in parents’ library that were written by Gene Stratton-Porter. And, they were some of my favorite books of all time.

Ms Gist has created a well written detailed story of what it might have been like to be a Tiffany Girl working to achieve something women had never done before. She has peopled her story with believable intriguing characters in a setting that draws the reader in. I consumed the pages of this book as quickly as possible and enjoyed reading what it might have been like for a woman to leave her family, live in a boardinghouse and work in a job considered to be that of a man. Going against custom and society is never easy and Flossie definitely ran up against some interesting obstacles as she took control of her life.

I appreciated that information was woven into the text of the book rather than presented in textbook format - information that told of how glass was made and turned into huge stained glass windows, how the women might have worked to create these windows, how period clothing looked and was made, what travel on a streetcar was like for a woman on her own, what life in a boardinghouse might have been like, the price of various items available for purchase at the time, what customs and expectations of men and womenwere, and a bit about what it might have been like to be involved in the Chicago World’s Fair.

The story of Flossie and Reeve was built over time with a sense of caring and interest in the two of them and how they might have spent time together while getting to know one another. They both learned and grew throughout the story and both became stronger people as a result of their experiences.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a good historical read that has been well researched and presented in a lovely way.

I received this book from the publisher through Net Galley.

[Charity Andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 1892, as the World Fair was coming to Chicago, Tiffany (as in glass, not diamonds) was preparing to enter gorgeous, stained glass windows and other displays. The men were on strike, so Mr. Tiffany decided to hire women, for the first time in history. These women endured mistreatment, groping, being spit at and a number of other atrocities. They were not considered women of “good repute” if they had jobs, so men figured that they didn’t have to treat them as ladies.

Much to her parents dismay, Flossie decides to move out of her home to become one of the “Tiffany Girls”. What a BEAUTIFUL story unfolds as we see her grow up and mature through the harsh realities of life. Her new “family” at the boarding house and the prestigious job she holds is what will bring her happiness; or so she thought.

The hero in this story is also grappling with loss, fear and growth. It’s an absolutely wonderful book. I read it through in one day and didn’t want to put it down. It is full of so much rich history, colorful, intriguing characters, and windows into the world of the “New Woman”.

Solid Five Stars. I encourage you to pick up a copy!

Thank you, netgalley, for this wonderful read. As always, this is my honest opinion. Here’s to many more!!

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

“Sweet” is the first word that comes to mind when attempting to describe Deeanne Gist’s novel “Tiffany Girl.” It’s just a sweet, pleasant, lovely story. It’s the kind of book that’s perfect for cuddling up on the couch in your favorite slippers with a cup of hot beverage of your choice to read for hours on a rainy day.

The story is about a spunky young woman named Flossie (the eponymous Tiffany Girl) and a guarded, some-what cynical young man named Reeve. The story takes place in the late 19th Century, when the women’s revolution was underway, and Flossie, a self-described “New Woman” desires to make her own way in the world. She moves out of her parents’ house and into a boarding house, where she meets Reeve, her neighbor and a journalist. Flossie, a painter at heart, gains employment with the famous glass designer Louis Tiffany. Male glass workers have gone on strike, and Tiffany needs to finish a major project, so he hires several women. Reeve is assigned by his editor to cover the events of the strike and the women who have crossed the picket line. All the while, Flossie and Reeve get to know each other, and the result is a beautiful love story about characters who seem so real, I missed them when the book was over.

Gist has created characters that are immediately relatable and likeable, but she carefully and skillfully peels away the layers of who they are so we get to know them deeply as the story progresses. Flossie and Reeve end up feeling like good friends we’ve known for years by the time the book wraps up. I felt like I was a shoulder to cry on as Flossie sheds her youthful naiveté and learns life isn’t as simple as someone as pure of heart as she is would hope. I felt so proud of Reeve as he conquered the demons a tough life bestowed upon him and took control of his destiny.

The historical setting in the book is realistic, and Gist skillfully plops us right into 1890s New York. She describes scenes, mannerisms and everyday life so well, it’s easy to be lost in another time and place while reading this book. Gist’s easy, conversational writing style flows without a bump, and the story is tight and never dragged for me. I would also mention the drawings that begin some chapters. I thought the illustrations of women’s fashion, Tiffany glass, paintings Flossie creates in the book, etc. were very interesting.

“Tiffany Girl” truly was wonderful to read. It was sweet without being sappy, heartwarming without being mushy and one I look forward to reading again so I can spend time with Flossie and Reeve and experience their story all over again.

[Mrs. Mickaelson · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you are looking for a CLEAN and or CHRISTIAN read DO NOT read Deeanne Gist books. She writes wedding night scenes as well as other sexually laced scenes and comments. I find it hard to see how anyone is considering her a Christian author. I get it, sex sells..sexy romance books sell. Mrs. Gist YOU are claiming to be a Christian though and there is no way I am seeing your Christian fruits when you are writing books that are un Christian. Would it be ok to go to my neighbors house and look into their bedroom? NO!!! (nor would I want to :O)..) Mrs. Gist needs to decide where she stands in her walk with God and write accordingly, but DO NOT lead others astray who are trying to stay clean in their walk.


Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:1-2

Philippians 4:8: “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

[Anna's Herding Cats · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mini Review: Breathtakingly beautiful. If you only pick up one book I recommend this year this is the one to grab. Tiffany Girl left me completely wrecked but in the most stunningly amazing way.

Full Review:



Breathtakingly beautiful. It's not often that a novel leaves me stunned. Where I find myself closing the book and looking around the room with tears in my eyes wondering what in the world I'm going to do with myself next because I've just read something so overwhelmingly moving I'm simply stunned trying to process all of the emotions it's ripped out of me. Tiffany Girl..joined the ranks of the elite few that left me completely spent and raised the bar to near impossible heights for any future reads. Even weeks later as I'm sitting here editing this post one last time it has me fighting back tears just thinking about Flossie and everything she went through.

The quick of it is that Flossie has left home after the men working on a stained glass chapel for the Chicago World's Fair go on strike and the Tiffany Company decides to hire women to finish the display. She wants to follow her passions, make her own decisions and not have the men in her life rule every aspect of it. So she takes that leap. She becomes a Tiffany Girl. Moving into a boarding home, deciding to work and learning skills that very few women were allowed to explore. And maybe falls for a man living at her boarding home in the process. A man who is very outspoken about women staying in traditional roles and adamant that women like Flossie must be stopped.

Flossie was delightful and lovely and someone I wholeheartedly wish was real. She's a young woman taking her first steps into the world and she's innocent and naive but has such a spirit about her you can't help but smile and adore her. Her journey was so hard and could be heartbreaking as she learned hard lessons, was hurt and had her eyes opened to the realities of the world.

And Reeve. He was a man who had just as much to learn from meeting Flossie. And his journey was just as touching and heartbreaking. I loved seeing his battles and how knowing Flossie changed him little by little.

The romance was beautiful as well. These two start off on such opposite sides of everything and have a very rough go at first. But it almost made their journey all the better. Their romance was incredible and made me ache for them as they slowly found their way to each other. And here's where I'll shock. This is a clean romance. There's a little kissing and tension between them but nothing more than that. But I loved it.

There was a lot happening in Tiffany Girl. It takes place over a couple years as Flossie joins the Tiffany Girls in creating a stained glass chapel for the Chicago Worlds Fair. As Reeve works at his newspaper and begins writing fiction as well as opinion pieces and those pieces start to change as he gets to know the real New Women (women like Flossie who were working and making their own decisions). As the two grow close and then everything falls apart and they go their separate ways. Through job losses and betrayals and having to start over. It had me reeling as I turned the pages and watched their lives unfold. As I read the struggles of Flossie and the other women who were searching for a little independence and dealt with a society that looked down on them and treated them horribly because of it. I can't imagine life back then. How hard it would have been to be a woman with so few choices. I found myself in tears multiple times and just staggered by these women and the strength they had to keep going day after day.

This is historical fiction which is different than your typical historical romance. It's based on real life facts and events. Some of the people in the story were real, locations and events actually happened but liberties taken with the story as well. So it's very different in feel compared to historical romance. I loved that history though. It was fascinating and has me so curious about the time and everything that happened then. It really brought the story a new layer of life knowing so many bits were based in reality.

Tiffany Girl left me completely wrecked but in the most stunningly amazing way. From page one everything about it grabbed hold of me and just wouldn't let go. The journey, the romance, the characters and everything about them just touched me deeply. Gist has an amazing talent that really must be experienced. If you only pick up one book I recommend this year...this is the one to grab. No question. It was an experience I'll not soon forget.

**This one is a little expensive but I think worth every penny. I'll be buying a hard copy actually. I have a print arc but it didn't have the photos or author note in them and that's something I very much want. There are photos included with lots of the chapters of buildings and places and people that are real and I've loved those in previous reads.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars (Good)! I admit, I had my qualms about reading any new Deeanne Gist novels after "It Happened at the Fair" felt so laughably below par compared to the Bethany House-published novels that launched Dee's career. I also admit that I skipped "Fair Play" for that very reason. But this premise about women working for Tiffany Glass was just too compelling for a history nerd like me to ignore! So, with not a little fear and trembling, I dove into "Tiffany Girl." And now, 86 chapters (no, that's not a typo!) later, I can breathe a sigh of relief and say, whew! "Tiffany Girl" wasn't a perfect read -- some plot lines felt arbitrary, the plot tried to focus on too much more besides the actual Tiffany Girl premise, and the story jumped forward quite a bit throughout a two-year span -- but it was the most enjoyable one Dee's yet produced for her new publisher, Howard.

A word of caution: Dee once touted that her romances "keep the bedroom door closed." I will warn conservative readers that that is no longer the case. Instead, these stories do enter the marital bedroom, but while the bed stays made, there are prolonged scenes and descriptions -- in this case, multiple chapters -- of couples undressing and making out which feel a bit extraneous to the plot and could be construed by conservative readers as being included only for arousal, in the manner of mainstream romances (which Dee has publicly stated she is transitioning toward).

[M. Monahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tiffany Girl by Deeanne Gist

Genre: Historical Fiction
Published: Howard Books
Number of Pages: 544
Rated:✭✭✭✭✭

Summary:
As preparations for the 1893 World’s Fair set Chicago and the nation on fire, Louis Tiffany—heir to the exclusive Fifth Avenue jewelry empire—seizes the opportunity to unveil his state-of-the-art, stained glass, mosaic chapel, the likes of which the world has never seen.
Tiffany Girl is the heartwarming story of the impetuous Flossie Jayne, a beautiful, budding artist who is handpicked by Louis to help complete the Tiffany chapel. Though excited to live in a boarding house when most women stayed home, she quickly finds the world is less welcoming than anticipated. From a Casanova male, to an unconventional married couple, and a condescending singing master, she takes on a colorful cast of characters to transform the boarding house into a home while racing to complete the Tiffany chapel and make a name for herself in the art world.


I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley
Release Date: May 5, 2015

Review:
I was so excited to received this book. I have long been a fan of Deeanne Gist’s work and often find myself rereading most of her novels. Gist was even featured in one of my Author Spotlights. Like many of her other works, they feature unique and spunky women. I was definitely not disappointed with her newest work Tiffany Girl.
As stated in the summary, Tiffany Girl follows a young woman by the name of Florence Jayne, Flossie to her family and friends. Flossie has an avid passion for painting and when she is no longer able to pay for her art classes she accepts a job working for Louis Tiffany. Tiffany is in much need of new workers due to a labor strike. Flossie and a selected group of other young women are to help create the much coveted stain glass work that will be featured at the Chicago World’s Fair.
I was completely riveted by this book. The characters were so fascinating and multidimensional. If I had to pick a favorite character it would have to be Reeve Wilder. Mr. Wilder is a boarder alongside our heroine. He is a newpaper writer and tends to prefer solitude. Flossie represents nearly everything opposite when it comes to the characteristics of Wilder. Where she is talkative like a magpie, Reeve rarely speaks sentences longer than three words. In the beginning, I personally detested Wilder. Throughout the book you see how dispiriting and awful he is towards New Women, women like Flossie. Eventually though, you see him learn about what it really means to be a woman in his day and age. He is no longer disillusioned about their standings in society. You see how much he matures and develops as a person. It really is fascinating to me when the writer is able to create such character and do so in a realistic and believable way. This isn’t a feat that all writers are able to accomplish.
Another reason I love Gist’s work is the level of detail and historical accuracy she places in her works. Many of the other Tiffany Girls that worked alongside Flossie were real women. In the appendix of her book, she gives a full bibliography of all sources she researched and even writes differences she might have diverted from so as to make her story work. That is dedication that having been a history major in college and truly love. Now having read Tiffany Girl, I have had my interestests peaked in the art of stain glass and now have a place to start looking.
Tiffany Girl was simply a beautifully crafted story. Once I started reading, I couldn’t stop. I even stayed up till 4 in the morning to finish it, despite having work early the next morning. I can’t remember the last book I read where I was that enthralled. I highly recommend reading this Tiffany Girl and other of Gist’s works. You will not be disappointed.

Rated:✭✭✭✭✭

[Rebecca Morales · Rating 5 out of 5]

This my first historical fiction! This isn't the first time I am reading something historical, it is just that the other have had magic, a supernatural element, or has been a straight up biography.

This story begins in 1892, with the main character Flossie being told that her parents couldn't afford for her to continue going to the art institution. Her mother is a seamstress to the rich families of New York and her father is a barber. Money has been tight since her father has started using their wages to feed his growing gambling addiction. Flossie wants the ability to keep the money she has earned and pursue art.

When the men who do the glass work at Tiffany's go on strike, Mr. Louis Tiffany seek a group of women to help complete 12 stained glass windows in time for the Chicago World Fair. Flossie jumps at the chance, she takes the position and moves into a boarding house. Her parents disapprove of becoming one of these New Women that the paper has been writing about. Women who want work and abandon their homes.

When she moves into 437 she meets Reeves, he is a journalist covering the Tiffany Girl story as well as the New Woman movement. At the beginning he finds Flossie annoying and pushy. He finds her so irritating that he made her into a caricature for a fictional story that ended up running in the paper.

The books is really about these two growing up. I thought the writer did an amazing job developing them. At the beginning Flossie is very naive and a bit starry eyed, while Reeves is a lot quieter. As the story progresses we see them start to almost trade personalities, Reeves becomes more confident in himself and opens up to more people while Flossie becomes more reserved.

I thought it writing was well done. Gist did a lot of research about this time period and it shows in the way the characters interacted with other another and to their environment. This is a longer book with over 50 chapters, but a lot of the chapters are between 10 - 15 pages.

I just loved this book so much. I thought it was a great to see the beginning of evolution of feminism.

I am giving this book an A.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Florence "Flossie" R. Jayne considers herself a "new woman"in the making! Tired of suffocating scrutiny by her parents and working tirelessly for no monetary gain within her own household, the opportunity to work for Louis Comfort Tiffany seems providential, a sure stepping stone to her dream of artistic recognition. She promptly leaves her home and rents a small room in the Klausmeyer Boarding House, engaging the other tenants with creative dialogue and after-dinner games in the house parlor. Everyone seems to be utterly smitten with their new housemate; everyone except Reeve Wilder.

Flossie cannot seem to scale the seemingly impenetrable walls that the handsome Reeve Wilder has constructed around himself; even her garrulous nature is outmatched against his brooding, satirical, philosophical personality. A newspaper journalist, Reeve is ironically instructed to write about the city's "new women" who trade traditional social roles for a chance to be employed and work outside the home. As he studies Flossie, he begins to take note of her many unique habits, gathering notes of interest that ultimately lead Wilder to write weekly episodes about a "Merry Maid of Mumford Street", which instantly takes off and showers Wilder(writing as I. D. Claire) with professional accolades. It's when Flossie and Reeve begin to realize that they have more in common than originally thought and a mutual attraction begins to take root, that Flossie abruptly has to face reality about many things; her talent, her family, her boardinghouse friends, and yes, even Reeve's true intentions.

"Tiffany Girl" is a masterful display of writing skill , from an author who is extremely comfortable weaving fascinating history into a hard-to-put-down story. The gentle romance between the overly sheltered Flossie and the bitterly disillusioned Reeve plays itself out like a beautiful waltz; with perfect tempo and an impeccable finish.

It was my pleasure to receive an advance copy of this manuscript. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

[Wenona · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of reading Tiffany Girl before the official release on May 5, 2015. Deeanne Gist is by far 1 of my favorite authors of all time! I work in a library and see (and read) a lot of authors and genres on a daily basis. The first time I came across on of Deeanne Gist's books - I had yet to read Historical Fiction. Let me say, she had me hooked line and sunk!

Tiffany Girl did not let me down for a moment! Do not let the size of the book scare you - with a little over 500 pages, you would have thought the book was only 200 pages. From the first page to the last, it left you wanting/craving more of the story of Flossie and her life as a New Woman working for Tiffany.

I felt like I was back there with Flossie as she is becoming a New Woman living her life away from the shelter of her father or a husband. This was an uncommon thing to say the least - but Flossie is a strong lady with her head held high and is one character you would want as a friend!

The worst part of the story and yes, every story has one - was when it ended. The story was so great and fulfilling (a non-stop read) that when it ended you were ready for part 2.

I find that everyone of Deeanne Gist's books are this way - love 'em & hate to see them end! She is a very talented author for sure & so glad to be able to read and share my love of her books with everyone else.

So, what will your next book be?
Tiffany Girl by Deeanne Gist
Happy Reading!

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tiffany Girl is a sweet ,light hearted look at 1892 and 1893. The opening of the great exhibition in Chicago looms near. Mr Tiffany( of tiffany glass) is hard pressed to complete his grand windows exibit as the glass fitters in his company have gone on strike. Mr Tiffany shockingly hires female art students to by pass the strike and learn men's work. The push pull of early womans suffrigete movement identifies unmarried working women as "new women". All this sets up a story of self discovery of self worth and a romance between Flossie, a budding artist and Reeve, a newspaper man. This kind of book is gentle distraction that also exposes bits of history of the 1800's.

[C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I totally enjoyed this book. I was very drawn into the characters, especially Flossie the main character, but the historical info was also very engaging. I really liked that Flossie was determined to move out of her parent's home and out on her own, so that she could be in control of the money she earned ,instead of handing it over to her father, who had taken to gambling. I enjoyed the info about the world's fair, and the Tiffany Glass company, and the social norms of that era.
The romance for Flossie was sweet, and I liked the way it developed slowly.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

TIFFANY GIRL is Ms. Gist’s newest historical romance. I love her historicals, but the last book of hers I read went over the top in “titillating” ways. I heard she was going ABA and I thought probably I wouldn’t read her books any more since I try to stick to strictly CBA books. When TIFFANY GIRL came available from a publisher I know and trust, I opted to review it.

I have read other reviews about this book and some have complained about certain scenes, but they didn’t bother me in this book. Yes, sexual tension was high in parts. But nothing was done, seen, or touched that might raise eyebrows.

The faith message was weak, but even so, there are vague references to God and a Deity. I came to a complete stop when Flossie referred to a verse in Revelations, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come. Even though it is there alone and no worship on the part of the character took place, in my heart there was worship.

The book is very long, but it was easy reading. I fell in love with both Reeve and Flossie, and a secondary character who plays a key role. If you like historical romances, then pick up TIFFANY GIRL. Ms. Gist did extensive research on this novel and has pages of author notes, footnotes, and more included. There are also lovely drawings of some of the scenes. Highly recommended.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tiffany Girl
by: Deeanne Gist
I was thrilled to be able to receive an advance copy of Tiffany Girl before it released May 5, 2015. I really, really enjoyed Tiffany Girl and Deeanne Gist did a terrific job of penning the story and the characters . I felt like I was right there with all the character, they were so alive. Tiffany Girl is a historical fiction novel of a heart warming young woman who leaves her home and her parents to strike out on her own to be a New Woman in a man’s world. Does her parents approve of their daughter, Flossie Jayne, going out on her own? Mr. Tiffany hires Flossie as a “Tiffany Girl” in his glass company . Reeve is a young journalist and does not have much to say. At times I wanted to smack him up side the head . I laughed and cried while reading Tiffany Girl . I loved the illustrations all through the novel and they were a plus for Deeanne Gist. This is a large book over 500 plus pages, but it goes fast when you are reading and turning the pages faster to see what is happening on the next page, then there is the end, and you are wanting more. A wonderful novel and I highly recommend it . Thanks Deeanne Gist.
I was given an advance copy of this book for my honest review, which I have given.

[Robyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an engaging read! I have long enjoyed Deeanne Gist books although I didn't love 'It Happened At The Fair'. It really did capture my attention for the entire book. It had a wonderful depth that I did not expect. The characters were very well rounded and both main characters seemed to undergo a transformation. The history was seamlessly intertwined within the story and did not detract from the story line at all. Very much recommended!

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much! I cried several times just plain happy tears because it got so romantic at the end ! And I am not a happy tears crier! Nor do I think I’m particularly romantic. This book was swoon worthy. I loved the authors notes in the end on the real people portrayed in the story and the research done. Also loved the illustrations throughout the book. Numbered so you can refer to the back to see where they are from. My goodness; everything was so well done!!

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

Tiffany Girl by Deeanne Gist is another delightfully charming and meticulously researched historical novel set against the backdrop of the Chicago World's Fair. This story takes place in New York and focuses on the "Tiffany Girls"-the women hired by Louis Tiffany to complete the stained glass windows for his exhibit for the World's Fair after the male workers go on strike.

Flossie Jayne is a typical young woman of the time period who is expected to marry and raise a family. Her discontent over having to hand all of her earnings to her father coincides with the newly changing roles of women in society so she eagerly accepts the opportunity to work for Tiffany. In order to keep her salary, she moves into a respectable boardinghouse where she immediately shakes things up by engaging her fellow boarders in playful activities. The only person who refuses to participate in the nightly parlor games is Reeve Wilder, a reporter for one of the local papers. Reeve is a traditional man of the times and he is not in favor of women entering the workforce.

Flossie is sheltered and naive but she has a good heart. Her parents adore her and they effusively praise her artistic endeavors. Flossie is a hard worker but she is a little surprised by how slowly she moves through the Tiffany Girl ranks. Her innocence is endearing, but this becomes her greatest weakness as her lack of experience leaves her vulnerable to exploitation.

Reeve is a bit standoffish and keeps to himself. He is also a bit cynical and at first, he finds Flossie annoying and pushy. Reeve cannot help but be concerned for her but his warnings to not be so trusting fall on deaf ears. Although the pair form an unlikely friendship, both of them have some growing up to do before they can take their relationship to the next level.

Once again, one of the best parts of reading a novel by Deeanne Gist is how she incorporates history into the plot. With Tiffany Girl, she changes the setting but she still utilizes the Chicago World's Fair to gently educate readers about a little known piece of history. The resulting story is informative and quite fascinating, but it is the richly developed cast of characters that brings this enchanting tale vibrantly to life. They are multi-dimensional with relatable flaws and their experiences throughout the novel provide them the opportunity to grow and mature. While there is a romantic element to the storyline, it is very understated. An absolutely marvelous novel that fans of historical fiction are sure to enjoy.

[Shelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was an absolute treat to read Tiffany Girl by Deeanne Gist just a few days before it is released on May 5, 2015.

A treat because not only does it live up to the standards she has previously set, but also, because Tiffany Girl touches on so many themes that are relevant today while shedding light on a topic I had previously known very little about.

The main characters, Miss Flossie Jayne and Mr. Reeve Wilder are perfect in their characterizations. Over the course of the novel, they go through a remarkable character arc, which shows tremendous growth and change. Flossie starts out as a naive young woman, with aspirations to simply make money that she can keep for herself, turning into a "New Woman", working for Mr. Tiffany as a glass cutter--a man's job, though not being filled by men while they strike. Reeve is a journalist and writer who fears and misunderstands what the New Women want. What they are asking for and what they are fighting for. He dislikes Flossie based on his assumptions. And yet, throughout the novel, they develop a friendship, and each influences and educates the other for the better.

Gist has a talent for research and putting that research in her novels without dumping it on the reader. (For more information, one only has to read through her author's notes.) So while she is educating the reader on the history of the time period, she's also weaving in feminist elements that are so applicable today, it's hard to remember if we've made any progress at all, and yet, inspire us to continue moving forward and fighting for what is right.

And then there's the romance.

Deeanne started her career as a Christian author, and from some of the reviews I've read, has been accused of not being "clean" or even Christian. Tiffany Girl is a mainstream novel, with no Christian themes, save for the fact that the characters by their nature are good, God-fearing people. I will dispute that with anyone who wants to accuse of Gist of writing scenes that are not clean. She writes about attraction, temptation, and love, and how her characters deal with each of these things. She writes characters that go through the same things we as readers go through in our own lives and quests for companionship and love. This does not make her books dirty or erotic. It makes them real. It makes them worth reading.

I recommend everyone go and get Tiffany Girl. And then, catch up on her other novels. Fair Play and It Happened at the Fair are good reads. Her books published by Bethany House are all worth reading as well. I am and will continue to be a Deeanne Gist fan--as an author and as a woman who knows where her books are needed most.

[Julianna Rowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all I had no intention of finishing it all at once. Unlike most books I read I had decided to savor this one. But, somewhere along the way, the story latched on to me and wouldn't let go until the book came to a close. I am rather certain that you too will find it quite difficult to put down once you begin. It is an unforgettable story about change and life in the 19th century.

Tiffany Girl, a intriguing historical fiction novel, is a spellbinding tale that gives us a glimpse into what life may have been like for the real life Tiffany Girls. If some of the letters from one of the girls had not discovered in 2005, no one would know the story of these talented and intrepid women of the 19th century. In 1892, months before the Chicago World's Fair was due to open, Tiffany's glass workers went on strike, leaving him without workers to finish his stained glass windows for the fair. He threw all of the strikers into an uproar when he decided to hire women to replace them. Those he hired endured all sorts of mistreatment at their hands, especially since women of "good repute" did not work outside of the home. This time period marked the start the "New Woman" movement.

Upon opening the pages of Tiffany Girl, the very first people you will meet are Reeve Wilder and Flossie Jayne, the story's central characters. Flossie is an art student whose fortune changes when she receives a job offer from Tiffany that she cannot resist. From thence, she moves into a boarding house to be closer to her place of work. It is there that she meets Reeve, who is a local journalist, and a host of others who lodge there as well. They all prove to be quite an interesting lot and undertake a rather fascinating journey together. But, as all things go in life, they run into some roadblocks along the way and their faith is sorely tested.

Personally, what drew me into the story was the complexity, emotional depth, and growth of the hero throughout the entirety of the book. The heroine also undergoes a transformation as she is faced with reality in all its ugliness. The author's masterful gift for storytelling really shines throughout every page, especially in her attention to historical detail. I truly enjoyed reading this rich, vibrant novel and would recommend it to readers of historical fiction. On an aside note, the author did switch to writing for the general market several books ago, but I have found her books to still be a good read.



* I was given an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Lynn Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the moment I reached the end of the prologue, I knew this was going to be an extraordinary read. Even though it clocks in at 500+ pages, Tiffany Girl absolutely flew by for me. Though set during the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago, most of the action in this book takes place in New York.

Flossie Jayne lives at home with her parents and follows her passion of studying art. However, when money for her art lessons runs out, Flossie scandalizes her traditional parents by taking a job in Louis Tiffany's glass studio and moving into a boardinghouse. She fancies herself a New Woman, thereby entering one of the controversies of her time. As one of the growing number of unmarried women taking jobs and living independently in the city, Flossie is one of a group of women who are by turns brave pioneers and objects of scorn and censure in the popular media.

In her boardinghouse, Flossie meets and frequently clashes with her next-door neighbor Reeve Wilder. A newspaper writer, Reeve finds Flossie by turns exasperating and intriguing. In addition to upending his personal life, she inspires his writing in all kinds of ways.

One thing I liked about this book is that while the scenes between Reeve and Flossie grow ever more romantic (and that ending - loved it!), they both have plenty of scenes alone in the book. This helps readers to get to know each of the characters as individuals so that when they get together we can see why they are so good for one another as opposed to simply being told they belong with each other. In addition, I appreciated that neither one of them is perfect.

And then there was the boardinghouse. The secondary characters throughout the book are fabulous, but I particularly enjoyed the group that Reeve and Flossie room with. They help make this novel a wonderful read. This one is definitely worth picking up, and now that I've read it, I can see why it won a RITA.

[Andrea Boyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deeanne Gist is one of my favorite authors. I have been anticipating the opportunity of reading Tiffany Girl for a while now, and let me tell you, I was not disappointed! Each of Deeanne’s books are unique. I haven’t read one yet that I did not like. I have seen her writing improve over the years. I think this one is her best yet.
Flossie Jayne has lived a charmed life. Both of her parents doted on their only child, giving her constant affirmation about everything she has set out to do—that is, until she decided to become a New Woman. She was expected to get married and raise a family. Instead, she declared her independence by getting a job as a Tiffany Girl and moving into a boarding house. It didn't take long for her to find out that being a New Woman was not all it was cracked up to be.
A not-so-great childhood had turned Reeve Wilder into a loner. His only friend was a seventy-year-old neighbor in the boarding house where he lived. He is satisfied with his solitary life until Flossie forced him to see how exciting life can be outside of his lonely shell.
I believe the history of the Tiffany Girls was given accurately in a way that was entertaining rather than boring. And of course the romance was steamy, as it is in all of Deeanne’s books. I would recommend this book to anyone.

[Christa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think that Deeanne Gist's books keep getting better and better, and I loved this story of Flossie Jayne, who became a Tiffany Girl. I didn't know anything about the Tiffany Girls, so this book was very interesting and eye opening for me. I enjoyed the storyline that revolved around Flossie being one of these glass working girls, and I really liked her character. The book had plenty of other good characters, and Reeve was the best of these. He made a great love interest for the intrepid Flossie. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC in return for an honest review.

[Rachel McMillan · Rating 5 out of 5]

from A Fair Substitute for Heaven:



WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17, 2015
book gush! Tiffany Girl by Deeanne Gist
Rambly Rambly Book Gush


I am going to go straight out and say that Deeanne Gist hasn’t always been a favourite read of mine. Not her writing ability, so much as her heroines and the conventional wrap-up and message of her stories. But,I read them all. I guess because I saw some spark I knew might be one day fully realized.


I followed her from her Bethany House days to Howard and found that I enjoyed the Fair books more than I had her previous books. We are, thought I, on the right track. Maybe because she had moved away from ( there's nothing wrong with this ) a more conservative inspirational publisher and had a little more wiggle room.

Then, Tiffany Girl came along. And this is the book that, I think, Gist was meant to write and it makes the statements I wish she had made throughout her entire fictional career. You see, Gist’s previous romances hedged on the happy ending. As was part and parcel of the demographic she was writing for and the convention she was writing in ( again, nothing wrong with this) but both present an odd paradox for a romantically inclined feminist. I often find myself at a bit of a complicated odds in my reading life: for while I love romance, I am a bit of a complex contradiction, sad often that the heroine’s life really STARTS when she weds and the independence and spirit that saw her to that eventuality sometimes gets tucked under a carpet of domesticity. Of course---and slightly tangential here---we have series like Thoene’s Zion Covenant where Elisa and Murphy are just as exciting to watch after marriage as before. Raybourn's City of Jasmine is another example of this trope working well. The same with the Scarlet Pimpernel, where the marriage off-sets a romance more dazzling than before.
But, for the most part, the happily ever after sealed the deal with Gist’s heroines and I found myself thinking a bit of them had died. The prose and story waltzed around the eventuality of marriage. Rightly so, as this was the focal point of so many women’s stories in historical periods. But, I digress....

Here, Gist decides to invert the trope that she so long fictionally subscribed to and, in what I find a brilliant tongue-in-cheek colouring outside the lines ( brilliantly paired, here, with the artistry motif) she writes a treatise on the very thing that made her career: the romance ending in marriage.

Flossie is not your ordinary girl. Instead, she is believably complex. Like so many women she is torn between her desire for her husband and children as well as her passion for her art. When she is offered the chance to be a Tiffany Girl: to work the stained glass for the grand exhibit at the Chicago World’s Fair, she grabs it at the reins. (Note: this is brilliant because while so much fiction in the CBA market focuses on the actual fair, this is in the periphery ---art meant to be displayed there that gives us a bustling New York backdrop). Despite the reservations of her parents, who have supported her interest in art and her artistic schooling to this point in hopes she would give it up for a husband and babies, she moves out to become a New Woman and takes up residence in a boarding house.

For the first half or so of the novel what we see realized is one of my favourite types of story: an almost bildungsroman of a woman trying to fit into a mould that she is not meant for. Flossie is certain that her intrinsic ideals are well-matched with the New Woman archetype and yet she is not a character who can be fit into a type. She immediately falls back on cordial hospitality: befriending the boarders and setting up little dinner parties and games.

Reeve Wilder ( note: by far Gist’s best hero and one of my favs of the year) is not under Flossie’s spell. He thinks New Women are like to undermine and overhaul all that is sacred about motherhood, home life and family. His dark and lonely past help realistically inform his distrust of this new model of women and he speaks out quite plainly against Flossie. Yet, they are neighbours, and while he cannot advocate for her lifestyle, he is intrigued by the light that surrounds her, her artistic sensibility and the warmth that imbues every single person in the boarding house.

There are charming scenes where Flossie pricks away at Reeve’s icy exterior just as there are scenes involving Reeve and an elderly widow --- where we get to see the true treasure behind the New Woman rant and spiels.


Both characters are --as I feel so often as a reader/ woman ---contradictions. Brilliant, befuddling contradictions as so many of us! Real, fleshy human beings with hopes and flaws. Do they grow? Absolutely.
When Reeve begins writing a fictionalized serial about a New Woman, modeled on Flossie, of course, the book's ideologies slowly start to shift and its stern yet subtly woven statement begins to emerge.

Everyone wants a happy ending for the fictional heroine. And a happy ending for fictional serialized girl means giving up her photography business ( for what married woman can work!) and falling into marital bliss. The editor basically tells Reeve he has set the story up for this moment. This trapping is the only seeming resolution for two characters of 1890s New York. Of course, the readers expect the same. But something has changed. Reeve has begun to understand why women want to make their own money, why women want to pursue their passions and leave their indelible marks outside of the expectations and industry of men. Reeve has begun to see why Flossie wants what she wants.

The desire is not to overthrow him, the desire is for her to be herself—have her own passion and dreams.

In ingenious parallel, meta-fictional and fictional worlds collide and intertwine.

There is some confusion, some dancing, some spats, some cute moments and a few kisses ( much hotter, with innuendo-ed language that far outweighs any further descriptive) and the metaphor of doors being open and closed.

There are ups and downs as Flossie learns that her passion for her art and her natural skills are at odds with each other. She recognizes that she is average. Quite remarkable for a woman in a historical fiction novel, where we pride ourselves on women who break boundaries and excel. She does these things, yes, but on a small scale.

And Reeve....well Reeve.... learns what it is to let his guard down. And he writes some more and she finds herself in his words – and not in words crafted around her caricature, where her flaws and contradictions are paraded, but in soft, dulcet tones.

And romance ensues.

Real, toe-tingly romance.


And we whirl and twirl and Blue Danube our way into a pattern that is so familiar and that is exhumed so expertly into marital and domestic certainty…..and yet….

Yet....

This book may have lost me if it had not been able to maintain its equilibrium between the two characters. This book is romantic feminism at its best when it works with the often explored theme of shared marital finances.


Reeve and Flossie are not of a time period where they can shake the world to such extent it turns on its ear. Reeve and Flossie are not of a time where women can work and still be married. But, Gist is brilliant enough to assuage convention by carefully threading what true independence and collaboration mean. And, for her, and for her characters, this is deftly interwoven in terms of money, earnings and how married couples divide property. There are limitations, but these are not the days of pin money and rescinded property.

So she makes her statement and it is better still because it is historically plausible. We know that Reeve and Flossie are part of a chugging motion that will echo into the future and bring us to the point where we are at today: a point where women with independent passions and means outside of familial life are advocated for as much as those who choose marriage and families.


I suppose ( and I thought of this continually while writing) , part of the reason I always read Gist’s books is because the historical accuracy and research is resplendent. From basketball to trolley assaults, she outdoes herself here.

I also want to make note of the inspirational content. Gist was indeed an inspirational author. This is very much a general market book. There is nothing christian about this story. Save in its subtle themes ( i.e., Reeve pays Flossie’s debt at one point, anonymously and without wanting payment). However, she keeps all *ahem* action behind closed doors. That doesn’t detract from the sexual tension, though. It is palpable. (okay, so there’s this hot scene where Flossie arrives in the middle of the night chilled to the bone from wandering in a blizzard and boarding house mate Reeve has waited up for her and he rubs her feet so they don’t get frostbite. And this is, like, the sexiest thing since Willoughby helped Marianne Dashwood with a sprained ankle or since Dick Dewy and Fancy Day washed their hands together in Under the Greenwood Tree)



QUOTES!


"She did want that, there was no denying it. For years, all she'd ever dreamed of was growing up and becoming a wife and mother, but that was before women had any choices. Now they were earning degrees. They were asking for the vote. They were even securing jobs in professions never before accessible to them."


"Managing comes naturally to a woman. She has been managing homes since the beginning of time. But the quality we, of the stronger sex, assume she lacks is business ability. Yet this writer had an opportunity to sit with the head of the only shop of woman glasscutters in the world. She and the dozen young women who work under her direction made--without any assistance from men---the award-winning windows of the Tiffany's chapel.

"Their eggs are all in one basket, and when you've only one basket, it stands to reason that it had better be a good one."


"Instead, he found her mouth again and wrapped his arms clear around her. "Open your mouth, magpie."
"What?"
He kissed her, really kissed her. She made mewling sounds. She raked her fingers through his hair. She twisted against him. Bracketing his ears, she pushed his mouth away. "I thought I was going to die during the photos!"

"That's the whole point of being a New Woman. They don't want to be reduced to housewifery. They feel it would take away everything that is special about them."

"Well, now she really was a New Woman and also in love. Neither looked even remotely like her fantasies."

[Sherri Ferguson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tiffany Girl is one of my all-time favorite books. There is so much fascinating history wrapped around a wonderful story with unforgettable characters in this novel. It has a permanent place on my favorite shelf.

[Kathleen (Kat) Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love when authors use historical facts as the basis for their novels and in Tiffany Girl the latest novel from best-selling author Deeanne Gist, I got to learn a bit more about the wonderful women who were called upon by Louis Tiffany to help complete his stained glass chapel that he had planned on debuting. When the men went on strike, Mr. Tiffany relied upon the most unconventional help at that time, employing women to help cut and assemble the fantastic pieces of stained glass. It helped them during the struggles of single women in 1893 who often times found themselves working to hand over their money to the men in their lives, be it there fathers or husbands.


Often times had it not been for the money women made doing odd jobs like sewing or in this case working at the Tiffany Glass Company, many of them would be out on the streets. Work was becoming difficult for men and with the demands to work longer hours for very little money, some of them went on strike. But when women were called to take their places temporarily, many of the men made sure the women knew that they were less than pleased.


Florence Jayne is one of those young girls who has seen how the money her mother and her work so hard to bring in, is being gambled away by her father. Her mother is unwilling to stand up and demand that the money remain theirs, so Flossie takes it upon herself to become a "New Woman." A title designated for the women who believe in more than simply staying at home, marrying and starting their own families. Flossie feels that the only way that will happen is if she moves into a boarding house as she works for Mr. Tiffany.


While she is staying at the boarding house, she finds a family she never dreamed of having and sets to work to ensure that the people who live at the boarding house, feel just like family, so she incorporates various seating arrangements so people are forced to talk with someone new, she prepares questions to leave under their plate to help them get to know one another and encourages them to come together in the evening in the parlor. Reeve Wilder is an up and coming reporter who is tasked at sharing his time in the boarding house with the people who live there in a fictionalized story that is geared to help the newspaper continue to sell papers. Reeve is also a stanch advocate of women remaining at home and not part of the New Women movement. Soon sparks begin to fly in various ways as Flossie stays determine to not let men have the upper hand in everything she has to deal with, but will Mr. Wilder be able to tame the wild beast inside?


I receive Tiffany Girl by Deeanne Gist compliments of Howard Books, a division of Simon and Schuster for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions contained here are strictly my own. Seeing as I have a Tiffany Lamp on my desk, it was a great journey into the history behind how these lamps came to be and the history behind the working conditions for women in the late 1800's. For fans of Deeanne's others novels, It Happened at the Fair and Fair Play, you will definitely want to add this to your collection. There are so many great individual stories within this novel that it is hard to figure out which was my favorite, from Reeve's fictional stories, to Flossie's love of art that winds up virtually everywhere in the story. There are so amazing pictures that open much of each chapter that give the reader the essence of what is happening in this novel. Well done and a well-deserved 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion. There is a great Author's Note section that defines what is historical fact from fiction and a Reader's Discussion Guide as well.

[Sharyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this is a historical romance set in 1893 New York City, there is also a lot of historical fiction as well. In fact, I'd say a good portion of the (very) long book highlights what life was like working for Tiffany Glass company as a "New Woman" at the end of the 19th Century.

Flossie Jayne didn't mean to become a new "liberated" woman; the opportunity presented itself and she took it. She moved out of her parents house and moved into a boarding house so that she could be closer to work and not have to deal with her father taking her wages. At the boarding house, she meets Reeve Wilder, a fellow boarder and reporter for one of the New York newspapers. She is happy-go-lucky and optimistic about everything and he is a borderline hermit and extremely shy. He dislikes her immediately. She likes him, because of course she likes everyone.

There were several things o didn't like about this book which stopped it from being a 5 star. First the length of the book. It's a good thing I was listening to the audio version because I don't know if I would have been able to make it through without skipping ahead. Secondly, based on the blurb and the cover, I assumed the entire story takes place leading up to the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. So I was very surprised to be only about a third of the way through the book and the Fair was already over! That might have made me think the book was too long as well. The romance is VERY slow moving, but it probably happened in more real time than many romance novels today where the hero and heroine meet and suddenly they are together. HOWEVER, I had a big problem with the huge gap at the end of the story where Flossie and Reeve don't see or speak to each other for 15 MONTHS!! That, to me, is just too long a time period, especially when there was no real reason they couldn't see each other except for each not being sure what the other felt. I especially blame Reeve for this part as he really could have seen Flossie at any time. That kind of gave me a bad taste about their relationship, and right at the end of the book as well. In fact, if just that part had been removed or the gap shortened to a couple of months, I think I would have had a much better feeling at the end.

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always found the whole stained glass making process fascinating. I'm pretty sure I fell in love with this book before I even read it. The beautiful cover featuring a workshop and Tiffany style glass is stunning. The pages in between are pretty great too. Deeanne Gist has made a name for herself writing edgy romances for the inspirational genre and in this book she continues with her tradition of penning fabulous, clean fiction.

Flossie Jayne is a woman of the new century. At the dawn of the 20th century, a new era was approaching for women and Flossie is a great example of who many working class women were and what they had to face in a man's world. She's a "New Woman". Forced to give up her beloved classes at art school and give up her and her mother's hard earned wages to her father were the last straw. Deeanne does a wonderful job at making Flossie seem relatable to today's woman while maintaining an authentic 1890s feel. It can be a fine line, but I think Dee had it well in hand. Reeve, our protagonist, is a bit gruff and stubborn at first especially when it comes to Flossie and the idea of women at work. Thankfully, he's not a complete man and admits his mistakes.

Tiffany Girl is a cute story about a woman learning to make it on her own after being dependent on men for so long. The scenes at the Tiffany studios were some of my favorites. The time and care that went into putting together just one lamp or window pane is incredible. Even if you're not necessarily a fan of romance, this story could be a captivating read. I've loved Dee's books from the get go and this one is no different. Tiffany Girl is a smashing story!

*I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.*

[SuperWendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story a lot. The Tiffany "stuff" is interesting but by far my favorite parts of the story revolved around the boardinghouse. I would love to see historical romances utilize this setting more! I loved that the heroine never fell into a Mary Sue trap (in other words, not everything she touches turns to gold!) and I really liked how both the hero and heroine "grew up" over the course of the story. The slow build of their romance is great, and I loved how much tension and chemistry the author was able to convey in a romance novel with no sex scenes.

I think it strains to consider this an inspirational romance, and for me, it fits more into Americana. I think the reason some readers keep throwing the "porn" label around is that the author does more with one passionate kissing scene (both characters fully clothed, both characters jumping apart when they hear a door slam) and a wedding night scene (which entails the hero very slowly undressing the heroine with the multitude of tiny buttons on her dress and the layers upon layers of undergarments women wore in 1893) that ends 1) before either gets totally naked and 2) before Tab A can be inserted into Slot B. If this is your definition of pornography I don't know whether to laugh at you or cry for you. Although I think I understand (OK, not really) - I've read erotic romances that weren't nearly as "hot" as those few "gentle" scenes the author writes into this story.

Mileage will vary (of course), but I think this is one of those rare books you can easily recommend to your teenage daughter or your elderly, pious, grandmother and not get burned at the stake for. A big thumbs up for me.