Intrigue a la Mode

Harvey House Brides

by Regina Jennings

Willow finds herself drawn to the hotel's new busboy, Graham, but little does she know he's a railroad heir working undercover to track down criminals using his trains. As he sets out to find the truth, another truth soon becomes equally urgent--will the Harvey Girl he has come to love care for the railroad heir as much as she cared for the lowly busboy?

Genres: Romance, Historical, Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Novella, Christian, Historical Romance

79 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2020

About the author

Regina Jennings is a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University with a degree in English and a history minor. She has worked at The Mustang News and First Baptist Church of Mustang, along with time at the Oklahoma National Stockyards and various livestock shows. She now lives outside Oklahoma City with her husband and four children.

Reviews

[Malia Saldaña · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so cute! I’m enjoying reading about the Harvey House girls. I liked how this book had some mystery in it too. I do feel like the romance was so abrupt and kinda random, but it was still a good book.

[Melmo2610 · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun mystery! This story was neat since it had a mystery element, an undercover Pinkerton detective as well as another undercover player. I really liked Willow and Graham and I hope to see Calista get her own story. Fun read!

[Chanel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Intrigue a la Mode was an okay read. The mystery was good and I really liked Willow (she vocalized so many of my thoughts). However, I didn't really like the romance and how Graham withheld information about himself from Willow and didn't trust her by sharing about himself, especially toward the end. I also couldn't believe them to be in love either when Willow knew little to nothing personal about him - although they spent time together, their relationship definitely lacked emotional intimacy even for a novella. 2.5 stars.

[Loraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A humorous historical read as Willow Kentworth, a Harvey House girl, connects with Graham, the new busboy who doesn't seem very good at his job. Little does Willow know that he is actually the son of the railroad owner, and he is undercover trying to discover who's pilfering the goods that should be going to the Harvey House Restaurants. Will Willow help or hinder Graham in his search and will love sparks fly between the two or not?

As always, Regina Jennings pens a delightful mix of history, romance, and suspense. Very enjoyable read.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rich railroader Graham goes undercover as a busboy to try to sniff out a smuggling operation. While trying to catch the thieves, he doesn't expect to have his own heart stolen by hardworking Harvey Girl Willow.

This novella sets the stage for Jennings' upcoming new series to be released in 2020. I can't wait to learn more about the Kentworth cousins!

[Kimberly Burkhardt · Rating 4 out of 5]

"She was as pure and consistent as a bar of gold."
Intrigue a la Mode is a Christian romance novella that is one of four novellas in the Harvey House Brides.
I found this book a fast but enjoyable read. The main characters, Willow Kentworth and Graham Buchanan were likable. Graham's easy going personality paired well with Willow's strict personality.
I did feel the ending was too abrupt. It could have been fleshed out more but I understand with novellas that it is hard to do because of word count.
Overall, I would highly recommend this novella to anyone who enjoys a little mystery, the Harvey House girls, and a sweet romance.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Regina Jennings is one of my top ten authors. I can count on her writing a sweet, clean romance. I love the way she has a faith thread woven throughout her stories. This one was especially fun because it had a touch of mystery added to two wonderful characters Willow and Graham. If you like clean, sweet Historical Romance you can't go wrong with this or any book by Regina Jennings.

[Leonie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Een leuk, spannend boek met een verrassende plot door de nicht

[Kai · Rating 5 out of 5]

I immediately liked Graham and Willow and found their story very engaging. I also liked the historical details and descriptions about the Harvey Girls.

The pace was perfect and the story seemed well developed for a novella. Though it felt complete, I would love to know more about Calista’s adventures and their legendary family tree.

Graham’s secret way in to the depot was funny. He also had some other funny lines.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet Historical Romance

There are lots of things going on, and it's a bit hard to follow the storyline with so many half truths and unknowns that are so common with mystery and intrigue boks. But, one thing is for sure, and that's the fact that Graham has found his match! Nothing is going to stop his pursuit of the perfect woman for him, as soon as he catches the bad guys!

[Heidi Morrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

What surprises in each little chapter, that added up to a very sweet Christian fiction novella--in the setting of one of the Harvey Houses. I wish they still existed today!

[annabeth ☼ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my gosh, this was so good! The mystery aspect made it so much fun, and the romance was just *chef’s kiss* perfect.

It definitely wasn’t a perfect novella. The suddenness of the romantic elements starting to happen was a little jarring to me, and I didn’t like Willow in the first chapter at all (but after that, I began to love her). But, all in all, this was a really fun story to follow along with.

An incredibly good novella! I was really surprised that I didn’t feel like it needed to be longer, as I almost always do with novellas in this genre, but it somehow fit right in there. I do think this would be one of my new favorite books if it had been a full length novel, though, with more time to fall even more in love with the characters and mystery plot.

And can I just say! Who was behind the mystery thing!! Did Not see that coming. (Although, to be fair, I totally should’ve cause there were obvious clues, I just wasn’t paying attention, lol)

[BlueJeansAndTeacups · Rating 5 out of 5]

•*• Good mystery which is hard to do in a novella •*•
[OPENING] Emporia, Kansas, 1898
The breakfast rush had ended, and Willow Kentworth had already reset her station. There was nothing to do now except patrol her table and guard against horseflies dying on the starched tablecloth… (5 stars - Loved the cousin! She needs her own story!)

I don’t often find a novella collection where all the stories are 5 stars, so this was a great surprise!
This story appears in Serving Up Love – Four (unrelated) Harvey House Brides Novellas / Bethany House Publishing. Each story is now available for separate download if preferable.
Karen Witemeyer kindly sent me a complimentary book in the hopes of a favorable review, with no further compensation. All opinions are mine alone.

[Connie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this as part of the Serving Up Love novella collection. I am glad to be able to review this on its own. This is the story of Willow and Graham. Willow works to help her struggling family. Graham is the son of a railroad tycoon who goes undercover at the Harvey House where Willow works to investigate some allegations of smuggling. There is also a Pinkerton agent trying to work the case, unbeknownst to our main characters.

This was a cute story, but it wasn’t as tight as a novella should be. It felt a bit messy. I think there was just too much going on here for one little novella. I did enjoy it in spite of that, however.

[Val · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now that was a great story 😊! Willow and Graham were perfect together. The back and forth between them was genuine and easy. I kinda thought the bad guy was who it was and I was just waiting for them to be caught. ☺ Cousin Calista at first was a annoying interference but after they went to Gran's farm I kinda liked her. Loved the whole rich guy fell in love with the waitress angle of the story but I really, really loved that the waitress still wanted to do everything she could for her family. 😁 Just because she married money didn't mean she forgot where she came from. 😉

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think the premise of this novella was a good one (and executed well) ~ a rich man going under cover to see who was, in essence, sabotaging his family's business. I liked Willow . . . that she was kind to people, no matter their 'station' in life, and determined to do her best at her job so that her wages could go to help her chronically ill mother. I also thought the interaction between Willow and Graham was sweet.
I do wish there had been a bit more of a faith thread, but as even just simply a 'clean read' this definitely fit the bill.

[Terressa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super fun story! Reading about the Harvey House girls is super interesting. I enjoy the mystery mixed with the adventure and romance.

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including Netgalley. 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.

[Ollie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intrigue on the Railway

Being a server at a railway stop may seem boring but with accusations of smuggling, railway baron Graham is looking for answers! In the process he finds Willow and she is a unexpected distraction... is it possible she could help him find the smugglers? Or will he find her secret means she is part of the smuggling. This was a clean, fun read! Enjoyable for all ages!

[Mehsi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mijn eerste Regina Jennings boek en ik heb GENOTEN! Wat was dit een heerlijk boek zeg! Romantiek, verlangens, spanning, een mysterie, en meer! De twee hoofdpersonen waren erg leuk geschreven en ik vond Willow echt een geweldige meid.
Ik ben blij dat mijn biebs dichtbij nog een paar andere novelles hebben door de schrijfster, kan ik gewoon lekker blijven lezen!

[Megan Schaulis · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading a few of her novellas, Regina Jennings has won me over. Worlds collide in this sweet romance where a railroad heir attempts to blend in as a busboy at the Harvey House. Jennings shows how the tiniest things set apart the classes, from which door they used to their freedom to ask questions—a fun way to engage with history without feeling like you're reading a school report!

[Margaret Chind]

[kathleen g morand · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really not my style but a very sweet book.I'm sure the authors followers look.forward to her next book!

It's a good choice for young girls .nothing objectionable .it reflects a time in history and the social mores .

[Jody Blair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun Read

Adventure, fun characters, and interesting plot. Regina Jennings is now one of my favorite writers. I enjoyed diving into the world of a Harvey girl. I recommend this story and the one that follows. 😀

[Katrina Lybbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was so nice to read Willow's story. Having read Courting Misfortune already, it was fun to see Calista in the this story and learn about what happened before her book. A great series to keep reading!

[Debbie Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun mystery romance

I lived the characters. Willow was hard working and very family faithful. Buck/Graham was determined and also hardworking.... even when the bad guys were trying to kill him.

[emyrose8 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delicious mystery with a kind of backwards Cinderella story... the rich boss’s son goes undercover to solve a mystery and finds love with a poor, hardworking girl.

[Terra Cross · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great Harvey House mystery!

If you're looking for a little romance and mystery than look no further! This has a little Cinderella mixed in with it too!

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bravo Regina Jennings! Bravo!! I loved this story! The romance was sweet but the mystery is what kept me turning the pages!! It was wonderful, absolutely wonderful! I love Willow and her family and can’t wait to read Calista’s story!!

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intrigue a la Mode – Regina Jennings – Lots of danger and mystery for this Harvey Girl!! Regina Jennings keeps you on your toes! Happy Reading!

[Chaya Rosen · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars