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Small Town Swains #2
Something Shady
A Rita Award Winner by USA Today bestselling author Pamela Morsi.
Miss Gertrude Barkley, local spinster, takes pride in shocking the locals now and then. Her latest scandal is the decision to get her hair bobbed. Her brother blames such behavior on her career as a novelist, giving her wild ideas. But brickyards owner, Mikolai Stefanski likes the look. He's liked a lot of things about Gertrude for a very long time. But Venice Missouri in 1916 is not like his homeland, Poland. The rules of the old world don't work in this new one, especially not in matters of love.
When two teenagers, Gertrude's niece and Mikolai's son discover what seems to be Aunt Gertrude's diary, they believe they have unearthed a scandal for real. Moonlight dances, steetcar rides and the early days of high school athletics evoke a time gone by in a small town America.
“Her stories are gently humorous, wise and wonderful.” -- Susan Elizabeth Phillips, New York Times Bestselling Author
380 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1995
301 people are currently reading
378 people want to read
About the author
Pamela Morsi
61 books450 followersPamela Morsi was an American writer. She was the author of 29 romance novels, beginning in 1991.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
May 8, 2017
"My life is my future," he told her. "A few weeks ago I didn't even understand that my future still existed."
Utterly charming, absolutely.
Early twentieth century in Venice, Missouri we watch the evolving romance between Gertrude Barkley, daughter of the town's banker, and Mikolai Stefanski, the successful businessman from humble immigrant roots. All the elements for angst and hair-pulling drama are in place, but the approach is gentler, as the humorous machinations of younger family members attempt to draw the two together.
"But at least it didn't keep me awake all night. I sleep the sleep of the guiltless," she said. Teddy snorted. "More like the sleep of the conscienceless," he said.
The trials and consequences of actions are real in the story, but the characters persevere and through the schemings of the determined Claire and her loyal if hopelessly steamrolled friend, Teddy they realize truths; which is terribly ironic as the whole story hinges on a wrong assumption. So, the whole calamitous wheel comes full circle and everyone is better off then when they began. Just as it should be in a romance.
The writing is smooth and just filled with humor.
He said the bones of 'agrarian peons' always knit well." Teddy snorted in disgust. "I'd like to pee on him!" Claire giggled. "You're laughing," he accused. "You're laughing, and I thought that idiot was likely to kill me."
And suggestions that make me feel jealous that I've never done them:
"Candlelight croquet is simply a different game altogether. It's terrific!"
December 8, 2013
This book is just straight up adorable!
Mikolai and Gertrude are older than the typical romance novel protagonists- they're both nearly 40- and their maturity is reflected in their romance. They're pretty forthright about what they want and how they feel, and there are no stupid misunderstandings that could be cleared up by a simple conversation. They've been friendly for years by the time the story starts, so there's already a sense of trust and comfort between the two of them. Plus, no arguments! It can be fun to watch the hero and heroine bicker, but it's a nice change of pace to see a couple that just teases each other and jokes around with no one yelling or stamping their feet.
The main conflict actually doesn't have much of a negative impact on the hero and heroine. It's not really a spoiler because it's in the first chapter, but .
The characters are fabulous. All too often, I read books where I'm told that the heroine is independent, and then she makes all kinds of dumb decisions and needs someone to bail her out, or that she 'doesn't care what anyone thinks of her,' and then she's selfish and rude. Gertrude doesn't fall into either of those traps. She's a grown woman who leads her own life and makes her own happiness. She's spirited and unconventional, but she's also dignified and aware that her actions and the reputation she makes for herself can affect other people, too. I especially love the way she approaches sex; she doesn't seem to know a whole lot about it, and she's a little nervous, but there's none of that 'OMG, he can't see me naked!' or 'If if I like it, that means I'm a whore!' type stuff. She dives right in there like a champ, and everybody has a good, guilt-free time.
As for Mikolai... It mentions at one point that he kind of has a unibrow thing going, and now I think I like guys with unibrows. He's a man with big dreams who had the drive to make them a reality. He's hardworking, practical, and stays a little distant from his neighbors, but he's not at all cold or arrogant. His relationship with his son is wonderful (there's no infidelity, he's a widower). He's quiet and gentle and passionate and worldly wise. Mikolai is a total dreamboat.
The reasons I gave this four stars instead of five is because firstly, I felt like there wasn't enough resolution to the relationship between Claire and Teddy. They're so young that I thought leaving things a little ambiguous would be very realistic, but I felt like I was left hanging. . Secondly, I did not like George, Gertrude's brother. He was pretty nasty to his wife, and even though there was an explanation that was supposed to make him seem like an OK guy after all, I didn't buy it. Some of the stuff he said to her was downright cruel, and part of his grand revelation made me want to punch him in the face.
Overall, though, this is a lovely story that I would strongly recommend to any Morsi fans!
Mikolai and Gertrude are older than the typical romance novel protagonists- they're both nearly 40- and their maturity is reflected in their romance. They're pretty forthright about what they want and how they feel, and there are no stupid misunderstandings that could be cleared up by a simple conversation. They've been friendly for years by the time the story starts, so there's already a sense of trust and comfort between the two of them. Plus, no arguments! It can be fun to watch the hero and heroine bicker, but it's a nice change of pace to see a couple that just teases each other and jokes around with no one yelling or stamping their feet.
The main conflict actually doesn't have much of a negative impact on the hero and heroine. It's not really a spoiler because it's in the first chapter, but .
The characters are fabulous. All too often, I read books where I'm told that the heroine is independent, and then she makes all kinds of dumb decisions and needs someone to bail her out, or that she 'doesn't care what anyone thinks of her,' and then she's selfish and rude. Gertrude doesn't fall into either of those traps. She's a grown woman who leads her own life and makes her own happiness. She's spirited and unconventional, but she's also dignified and aware that her actions and the reputation she makes for herself can affect other people, too. I especially love the way she approaches sex; she doesn't seem to know a whole lot about it, and she's a little nervous, but there's none of that 'OMG, he can't see me naked!' or 'If if I like it, that means I'm a whore!' type stuff. She dives right in there like a champ, and everybody has a good, guilt-free time.
As for Mikolai... It mentions at one point that he kind of has a unibrow thing going, and now I think I like guys with unibrows. He's a man with big dreams who had the drive to make them a reality. He's hardworking, practical, and stays a little distant from his neighbors, but he's not at all cold or arrogant. His relationship with his son is wonderful (there's no infidelity, he's a widower). He's quiet and gentle and passionate and worldly wise. Mikolai is a total dreamboat.
The reasons I gave this four stars instead of five is because firstly, I felt like there wasn't enough resolution to the relationship between Claire and Teddy. They're so young that I thought leaving things a little ambiguous would be very realistic, but I felt like I was left hanging. . Secondly, I did not like George, Gertrude's brother. He was pretty nasty to his wife, and even though there was an explanation that was supposed to make him seem like an OK guy after all, I didn't buy it. Some of the stuff he said to her was downright cruel, and part of his grand revelation made me want to punch him in the face.
Overall, though, this is a lovely story that I would strongly recommend to any Morsi fans!
March 14, 2025
This is a HIDDEN GEM of a book. Come for the 1915 small town Missouri vibes, stay for the "my wife" and chicken pox moments, and a gorgeous romance with a couple in their late 30s!
Mikolai Stefanski, a Polish immigrant and young widower and single father, moved in next door to Gertrude Barkley in 1898. Gertrude is an odd duck in a small town. Now, in 1915, Gertrude is a spinster still living in her childhood home with her brother, sister-in-law, niece, and nephew, though as a best-selling author with her own income and Mikolai owns a successful brickyard and is the wealthiest man in town. Gertrude's niece Claire and Mikolai's son Teddy have uncovered something they think may be the biggest scandal of their generation, but to prove their point they'll need to get Mikolai and Gertrude [back?] together.
This is a hard one to pitch, because it doesn't have flashy tropes or big conflict. What it has is a lot of heart. It's a historical romance that captures the idea of the American Dream. With beautiful prose and characters with depth, Something Shady was a joy to read. I can't recommend it enough, and I can't wait to pick up another book from Morsi.
Mikolai Stefanski, a Polish immigrant and young widower and single father, moved in next door to Gertrude Barkley in 1898. Gertrude is an odd duck in a small town. Now, in 1915, Gertrude is a spinster still living in her childhood home with her brother, sister-in-law, niece, and nephew, though as a best-selling author with her own income and Mikolai owns a successful brickyard and is the wealthiest man in town. Gertrude's niece Claire and Mikolai's son Teddy have uncovered something they think may be the biggest scandal of their generation, but to prove their point they'll need to get Mikolai and Gertrude [back?] together.
This is a hard one to pitch, because it doesn't have flashy tropes or big conflict. What it has is a lot of heart. It's a historical romance that captures the idea of the American Dream. With beautiful prose and characters with depth, Something Shady was a joy to read. I can't recommend it enough, and I can't wait to pick up another book from Morsi.
June 8, 2015
The opening chapters of Something Shady by Pamela Morsi bring Venice, Missouri alive. As a Midwesterner and someone who has more than a passing nod of acquaintance with historic architecture and early 20th century community development, I found her descriptions of Mikolai's brickyard, the fine houses at the end of inter-urban line, the brick streets and the new high school were detailed and accurate. Add in the teenage girls' middy blouses, a central-city park with fringe woods and party structures, and the fascination with football, and Morsi continued to set a very realistic stage. She paints a beautiful picture of a mid-size, Missouri town in 1915.
It is rare I read a historic romance novel whose main love interest is an immigrant. My ancestor immigrated from a country bordering Prussia about the same time as Stefanski. My ancestor, too, was a Catholic teenager who spoke no English, worked as a manual laborer, eventually became a community leader and sent his only son to university. Morsi made Mikolai Stefanski proud, hard-working, without vice and a wonderful father. His innate power was demonstrated throughout the book, and was very, very attractive. He commanded any space he was in without resorting to alpha behavior, whether it be in his brickyards or the bank.
Gertrude Barclay was his perfect foil - wealthy, quirkily sophisticated, confident, educated and writer of romance novels. They are clearly attracted to one another as young adults, but lack of confidence on both their parts mean their moment has to wait. Edging into their late 30s, they both come to the realization that their highly successful work has consumed them. With a few nudges from his 17-year-old son and her 15-year-old niece, they begin to pay attention to affairs of the heart. Old scandals, new scandals, gossips and misunderstandings swirl everyone's emotions into a tornado. Steadfast in the middle is Mikolai's and Gertrude's growing regard for one another.
Finally, I loved the double entendre title - Something Shady. Morsi is referring both to the symbolic hazel tree planted on the border of the Stefanski and Barclay properties and the scandalous goings-on that might - or might not - have actually happened.
It is rare I read a historic romance novel whose main love interest is an immigrant. My ancestor immigrated from a country bordering Prussia about the same time as Stefanski. My ancestor, too, was a Catholic teenager who spoke no English, worked as a manual laborer, eventually became a community leader and sent his only son to university. Morsi made Mikolai Stefanski proud, hard-working, without vice and a wonderful father. His innate power was demonstrated throughout the book, and was very, very attractive. He commanded any space he was in without resorting to alpha behavior, whether it be in his brickyards or the bank.
Gertrude Barclay was his perfect foil - wealthy, quirkily sophisticated, confident, educated and writer of romance novels. They are clearly attracted to one another as young adults, but lack of confidence on both their parts mean their moment has to wait. Edging into their late 30s, they both come to the realization that their highly successful work has consumed them. With a few nudges from his 17-year-old son and her 15-year-old niece, they begin to pay attention to affairs of the heart. Old scandals, new scandals, gossips and misunderstandings swirl everyone's emotions into a tornado. Steadfast in the middle is Mikolai's and Gertrude's growing regard for one another.
Finally, I loved the double entendre title - Something Shady. Morsi is referring both to the symbolic hazel tree planted on the border of the Stefanski and Barclay properties and the scandalous goings-on that might - or might not - have actually happened.
December 15, 2019
The storytelling was engaging in this story, but I can't say I enjoyed the story itself much.
What didn't work for me:
1) The h loved the H from afar for seventeen years and never told him or did anything about it.
2) The H had discreet liaisons with various women, plus some interactions with prostitutes (not stated outright, but I'm probably right, and was the h's teacher on pleasure. Ugh. Enough with that already.
3) The h clearly was affected by the town gossip surrounding her, but went ahead and had a sexual relationship with the H anyway. I mean, I'm not sure about small towns back then, but busybodies find out everything.
4) The epilogue showed that Teddy went on to marry someone who is not Claire, had nine children with her, and then after she died, married Claire. I don't know why the author felt the need to tell us that.
Overall, I appreciated that there were no run-ins with OW or wannabe OW. The H seemed like a stand up guy for the most part, which is more than can be said for many HR Hs. I also found the humour to be quite adorable, and the insight into traditional Polish courting customs. However, I didn't like this story much. All that time wasted. The h could've had a loving husband, children, and her writing career, if she'd only said something to the H. I think he was half in love with her all those years without ever acknowledging it. Ah well.
What didn't work for me:
1) The h loved the H from afar for seventeen years and never told him or did anything about it.
2) The H had discreet liaisons with various women, plus some interactions with prostitutes (not stated outright, but I'm probably right, and was the h's teacher on pleasure. Ugh. Enough with that already.
3) The h clearly was affected by the town gossip surrounding her, but went ahead and had a sexual relationship with the H anyway. I mean, I'm not sure about small towns back then, but busybodies find out everything.
4) The epilogue showed that Teddy went on to marry someone who is not Claire, had nine children with her, and then after she died, married Claire. I don't know why the author felt the need to tell us that.
Overall, I appreciated that there were no run-ins with OW or wannabe OW. The H seemed like a stand up guy for the most part, which is more than can be said for many HR Hs. I also found the humour to be quite adorable, and the insight into traditional Polish courting customs. However, I didn't like this story much. All that time wasted. The h could've had a loving husband, children, and her writing career, if she'd only said something to the H. I think he was half in love with her all those years without ever acknowledging it. Ah well.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 3, 2018
Îmi place foarte mult stilul unic, inconfundabil de scriere al Pamelei Morsi - fermecător, plin de duioșie și naturalețe şi cu un umor fin.
În cartea de față acțiunea se petrece pe la 1900 în Venice, Missouri, povestea avându-i ca protagoniști pe Mikolai Stefanski și Gertrude Barkley.
Mikolai Stefanski, cel mai important și realizat om din comunitate, ale cărui afaceri cu cărămidăria mențineau prosperitatea întregului orășel, era un imigrant polonez, care sosise în state în urmă cu șaptesprezece ani, văduv şi sărac lipit cu un copil mic în brațe -fiul său Teddy.
Gertrude Barkley era o scriitoare excentrică, considerată fată bătrână la cei 37 de ani ai ei.
Într-o zi, Clare, nepoata Gertrudei, descoperă în podul casei un jurnal al mătușii sale, iar ceea ce citește acolo îi va da viața peste cap, ca și pe a tuturor din jur.
https://www.delicateseliterare.ro/cev...
În cartea de față acțiunea se petrece pe la 1900 în Venice, Missouri, povestea avându-i ca protagoniști pe Mikolai Stefanski și Gertrude Barkley.
Mikolai Stefanski, cel mai important și realizat om din comunitate, ale cărui afaceri cu cărămidăria mențineau prosperitatea întregului orășel, era un imigrant polonez, care sosise în state în urmă cu șaptesprezece ani, văduv şi sărac lipit cu un copil mic în brațe -fiul său Teddy.
Gertrude Barkley era o scriitoare excentrică, considerată fată bătrână la cei 37 de ani ai ei.
Într-o zi, Clare, nepoata Gertrudei, descoperă în podul casei un jurnal al mătușii sale, iar ceea ce citește acolo îi va da viața peste cap, ca și pe a tuturor din jur.
https://www.delicateseliterare.ro/cev...
June 2, 2018
Excellent pining and long-time crush action happening, along with a strong heroine. However, something about it just didn't hold my attention. It normally takes me about an hour or two to read a book, but I limped along through this for days! It's not that I didn't like it, but it just didn't grab me like it should have. There just wasn't a whole lot of meat to it.
Want to read
April 21, 20184/21/2018 Currently 99c via Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Something-Shad...
October 20, 2014
Rating 3.25 stars
March 18, 2025
I've been feeling extremely slumpey lately, but I nominated this book for my online book club (hiii, KALMTC gals!) so I knew I had to reread it before our discussion. And I slammed it in one afternoon. Something Shady is a 1995 historical romance set in Venice, Missouri in 1915. It features a "mature" couple in their late 30s: Gertrude is an unconventional spinster aunt who's also a successful novelist; Mikolai is a Polish immigrant/single dad who runs a profitable brickyard. These next door neighbors are good friends who've both been pining for each other for years.
Mikolai has admired Gertrude for decades; Gertrude has been in love with him for just as long. But it's not until Mikolai's son and Gertrude's niece decide to play matchmaker that the older couple decide to take the next step in their relationship.
I loved Gertrude's complex feelings about her spinsterhood: she is proud of her books, but she also knows that following one path in the road necessarily means she can't follow the other. And Mikolai is also realizing later in life that his professional ambitions mean that he hasn't made time for his personal life. (They're both realizing they can't have it all and I kind of love it.)
I also love the recurring theme of the title: Gertrude and Mikolai plant a tree together for a little "something shady" in their shared yard. But they also engage in a little something shady when they start sneaking around together in the book. And it's all brought together again in the unconventional epilogue 🥹
I am once again urging all historical romance fans to read Pamela Morsi! Her books are sooooo good. Whenever I rec her, though, I feel like it's hard to describe the appeal. I mean, she writes these wholesome Americana romances with things like high school football games, dance chaperones, small town politics, and scandalous haircuts. What I like the most about her books are the complex characters who get to be the heroes of their own stories. (She hits my sweet spot - decent people trying to do the right thing even when they're not sure what that is - every time.)
Mikolai has admired Gertrude for decades; Gertrude has been in love with him for just as long. But it's not until Mikolai's son and Gertrude's niece decide to play matchmaker that the older couple decide to take the next step in their relationship.
I loved Gertrude's complex feelings about her spinsterhood: she is proud of her books, but she also knows that following one path in the road necessarily means she can't follow the other. And Mikolai is also realizing later in life that his professional ambitions mean that he hasn't made time for his personal life. (They're both realizing they can't have it all and I kind of love it.)
I also love the recurring theme of the title: Gertrude and Mikolai plant a tree together for a little "something shady" in their shared yard. But they also engage in a little something shady when they start sneaking around together in the book. And it's all brought together again in the unconventional epilogue 🥹
I am once again urging all historical romance fans to read Pamela Morsi! Her books are sooooo good. Whenever I rec her, though, I feel like it's hard to describe the appeal. I mean, she writes these wholesome Americana romances with things like high school football games, dance chaperones, small town politics, and scandalous haircuts. What I like the most about her books are the complex characters who get to be the heroes of their own stories. (She hits my sweet spot - decent people trying to do the right thing even when they're not sure what that is - every time.)
March 24, 2021
3.75 I loved the second half of this book. I wish that the first half had been pared down so that we could have had more scenes of the build up between Mikolai and Gertrude, since that was the true magic of this book.
The setup was creatively done, with her niece finding her “diary” and thinking that she was her illegitimate daughter with Mikolai. However, I couldn’t stand her niece and could have done with less scenes with her. One aspect I think could have been fleshed out more was Mikolai falling for Gertrude. He had practically zero interest in her in the beginning of the book, even though he admits later on that he had attempted to propose to her father when he was new in town. It would have been more swoon worthy if he had secretly been pining after her all these years, just as Gertrude had been pining after him.
However, once they get together it is so beautiful. Mikolai is such a considerate and gentle lover it’s just 🥰! I love forbidden romances since they heighten the pining and longing, which is essential to all romance in my opinion.
Morsi always delivers all the feels and this book was no exception! The poignant romance between Mikolai and Gertrude was so beautifully crafted and definitely worth the slow build. I also loved the fact that they were an older couple (37/39) since they are so few and far between in the world of romance novels.
Also, learning about Polish traditions when it comes to love and marriage was so interesting. I had no idea that fathers painted polka dots on their houses to signal that they had a marriageable daughter inside, so cute 😊 hence why this quote was adorable:
"Tarantowate," he said. "Dappling the house so that the suitor knows there is a marriageable female inside. From heaven your father could not dapple the house. So he has dappled you, with chicken pox." 😍😍
The setup was creatively done, with her niece finding her “diary” and thinking that she was her illegitimate daughter with Mikolai. However, I couldn’t stand her niece and could have done with less scenes with her. One aspect I think could have been fleshed out more was Mikolai falling for Gertrude. He had practically zero interest in her in the beginning of the book, even though he admits later on that he had attempted to propose to her father when he was new in town. It would have been more swoon worthy if he had secretly been pining after her all these years, just as Gertrude had been pining after him.
However, once they get together it is so beautiful. Mikolai is such a considerate and gentle lover it’s just 🥰! I love forbidden romances since they heighten the pining and longing, which is essential to all romance in my opinion.
Morsi always delivers all the feels and this book was no exception! The poignant romance between Mikolai and Gertrude was so beautifully crafted and definitely worth the slow build. I also loved the fact that they were an older couple (37/39) since they are so few and far between in the world of romance novels.
Also, learning about Polish traditions when it comes to love and marriage was so interesting. I had no idea that fathers painted polka dots on their houses to signal that they had a marriageable daughter inside, so cute 😊 hence why this quote was adorable:
"Tarantowate," he said. "Dappling the house so that the suitor knows there is a marriageable female inside. From heaven your father could not dapple the house. So he has dappled you, with chicken pox." 😍😍
December 8, 2023
This is a really beautiful book and unique historic romance in that the main characters are both in their late 30s, are each successful working people, and the setting is early 20th century Americana. It also has some beautiful long term unrequited pining on the part of the heroine (and some early squashed marriage/attraction hopes on the part of the hero), but both characters are fully developed people who have been really successful in careers- the heroine wasn’t miserable or languishing in unrequited love- she poured all those feelings into characters in her novels and was happily independent. Against this backdrop, when they finally come together, they fall for each other quite fast, and their sexual chemistry is explosive- this is beautiful and convincing given their latent attractions and sincere friendship, and the timing for them approaching 40 when they both felt that a chance at love had passed them by because they’d been focused on their careers. It was just *real,* - a true, real, romance that you could see playing out in real life. I also loved that it depicted a positive parental relationship between the hero and his teenage son- they had a mature, communicative, and understanding relationship that added another layer of depth to the hero, and made him (for this reader), that much more swoony as a person. (Devoted single father? Yes that is extremely attractive!)
A really refreshing romance that is quiet and unassuming in some ways, but packs such poetic depth, characterization, and just heart fluttering romantic moments I loved it.
A really refreshing romance that is quiet and unassuming in some ways, but packs such poetic depth, characterization, and just heart fluttering romantic moments I loved it.
April 19, 2024
It's a charming story and I enjoyed reading it. I just felt like 17 years is A LOT of time to secretly love someone and not do anything about it, even when that person is just within your reach and also single.
Both the main characters had the freedom to pursue a relationship together, nothing and no one at all to hinder them in my opinion, but they kept their feelings to themselves and I just couldn't help but think that they wasted a lot of time when they could have been together a long time ago.
I also didn't like the epilogue, and that's one less star for me. I didn't like that Teddy married some other woman and had NINE children with her. Because even though I'm still confused about Claire's and Teddy's real feelings for each other, I found them cute together, and I didn't like that the first wife, Olive, needed to die first before Claire and Teddy ended up together. Why ruin their potentially adorable love story in my mind? I was also looking forward for Gertrude to have a child of her own because she was literally dreaming about cuddling her own baby with the man she loves and I was disappointed that she didn't get to experience that with Mikolai in the end.
It was a delightful and amusing story but the epilogue just ruined it for me.
Both the main characters had the freedom to pursue a relationship together, nothing and no one at all to hinder them in my opinion, but they kept their feelings to themselves and I just couldn't help but think that they wasted a lot of time when they could have been together a long time ago.
I also didn't like the epilogue, and that's one less star for me. I didn't like that Teddy married some other woman and had NINE children with her. Because even though I'm still confused about Claire's and Teddy's real feelings for each other, I found them cute together, and I didn't like that the first wife, Olive, needed to die first before Claire and Teddy ended up together. Why ruin their potentially adorable love story in my mind? I was also looking forward for Gertrude to have a child of her own because she was literally dreaming about cuddling her own baby with the man she loves and I was disappointed that she didn't get to experience that with Mikolai in the end.
It was a delightful and amusing story but the epilogue just ruined it for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 18, 2025
This was such an intriguing book, it had me invested right from the start! I enjoyed seeing the different methods Claire and Teddy came up with to try and pull Gertrude and Mikolai together. I liked that they were both older (37 & 38 I believe) and it was refreshing to see a historical romance approached more maturely.
The title of this book, “Something Shady” couldn’t be more appropriate for this story. The hazelnut tree, their affair, the continuous stress on scandals—I loved it all! I also really liked how the immigrant experience in America is presented.
However, I do think that the conflict between Claire & Teddy and Gertrude & Mikolai could’ve been made much shorter. It dragged for the entirety of the book and I kept stubbornly hoping for them to communicate and lay it all out there. I don’t think the conflict between Pru and George made much sense either, but what do I know 🤷♀️. Many weird choices were made in the epilogue as well—I honestly don’t think an epilogue was needed for this book, it’s already quite obvious how things will end up. If there’s one thing I did like about the epilogue, it was the final line which allowed everything to come full circle. Loved the way the title of the book weaved its way into so many moments.
4.5 ⭐️
The title of this book, “Something Shady” couldn’t be more appropriate for this story. The hazelnut tree, their affair, the continuous stress on scandals—I loved it all! I also really liked how the immigrant experience in America is presented.
However, I do think that the conflict between Claire & Teddy and Gertrude & Mikolai could’ve been made much shorter. It dragged for the entirety of the book and I kept stubbornly hoping for them to communicate and lay it all out there. I don’t think the conflict between Pru and George made much sense either, but what do I know 🤷♀️. Many weird choices were made in the epilogue as well—I honestly don’t think an epilogue was needed for this book, it’s already quite obvious how things will end up. If there’s one thing I did like about the epilogue, it was the final line which allowed everything to come full circle. Loved the way the title of the book weaved its way into so many moments.
4.5 ⭐️
November 17, 2019
Something Shady, vencedor do RITA Ward (1996) é uma graça de leitura. É um livro que fala que tudo tem o seu tempo certo para acontecer. Um romance maduro entre a escritora Gertrude Barkley e o imigrante polonês Mikolai Stefabski. O ano é 1915, e Miss Gertrude, moradora ilustre da pequena Veneza, solteira e independente, é o escândalo do local. Até mesmo um corte de cabelo causa comoção aos moradores, os quais adoram falar sobre a vida da jovem senhora. O que todos ignoram é que a heroína nutre uma paixão platônica há dezessete anos pelo vizinho Mikolai, viúvo, pai de um adolescente, e o homem mais rico da cidade e, de certa forma, ela deu vazão a essa paixão, porém apenas em seus livros, pois seus heróis de alguma forma eram inspirados no belo polonês. Porém, a sobrinha de Gertrude, Claire, encontra um suposto diário da tia e compreende que, na verdade, ela é a filha não reconhecida de Gertrude e Mikolai. A partir daí a confusão se estabelece, e Claire juntamente com Teddy (filho de Mikolai) buscam unir o casal outrora amantes. Uma leitura deliciosa, terna, romântica, inspiradora, com a marca da simplicidade que move a autora, porém que fala com profundidade aos nossos corações.
November 4, 2021
Pamela Morsi has quickly become one of my favorite authors after having read 3 5 star novels consequtively by her 😁 However, this one was slightly lower rated because of a few reasons.
1) I'd have liked to see more pining from the hero's side tbh. One way unrequited love is really hard to be patient with.
2) The added story of Claire and Teddy could have been better considering how it went on for so long. I mean, it would've beeb nice to see sparks there as well.
3) The misunderstanding between Gertrude and Mikalo about marriage was kind of unnecessary. They both expressed their love way too quickly but both thought the other did not want marriage? I dont get it.
But like all Pamela Morsi books, the sentimentality of the story, its memorability and uniqueness, the coming together of two flawed people, all were absolutely wonderful.
1) I'd have liked to see more pining from the hero's side tbh. One way unrequited love is really hard to be patient with.
2) The added story of Claire and Teddy could have been better considering how it went on for so long. I mean, it would've beeb nice to see sparks there as well.
3) The misunderstanding between Gertrude and Mikalo about marriage was kind of unnecessary. They both expressed their love way too quickly but both thought the other did not want marriage? I dont get it.
But like all Pamela Morsi books, the sentimentality of the story, its memorability and uniqueness, the coming together of two flawed people, all were absolutely wonderful.
May 12, 2022
This story is Terrific! The main characters are in their late thirties but act like they are in their fifties; which is probably explained by the time period, people probably matured at a quicker pace than they do nowadays. The setting is somewhat unfamiliar to me: pre-WWI America, I liked that aspect; even though the writer skirts around a few sensitive matters, without quite making her mind about actually broaching the subject: there is a line about black people being tired of standing at the back of the church; also a single line about segregated secret societies. I appreciate that the author wanted to acknowledge and not ignore ugly truths of the past, without weighing down an otherwise light and funny story.
This writer has a knack for very realistic; happy endings. The little epilogue almost brought me to tears when we get to find out what becomes of young Claire and Teddy.
This writer has a knack for very realistic; happy endings. The little epilogue almost brought me to tears when we get to find out what becomes of young Claire and Teddy.
September 26, 2018
Very sweet novel, but very slow burn and much pining. I think it went a tad long, I couldn't understand why it didn't conclude when the H and h admitted that they loved each other, but it did have a satisfactory ending. I got a little frustrated with the character of Claire, and all her scheming, I just wanted her to talk to her aunt about the perceived scandal, but do understand that she was supposed to be young and foolish. It could have been tightened up a little, but overall it was an enjoyable read.
September 25, 2023
Revisiting an old favorite
I had read Something Shady probably 20 years ago, when I was on a Pamela Morsi kick, and I really loved it. She has a way with writing characters who are homespun, heart-warming and real. Gertrude and Mikolai were one of my favorite pairings of hers.
I just finished rereading this book for the first time in all these years and I enjoyed it just as much the first time.
I had read Something Shady probably 20 years ago, when I was on a Pamela Morsi kick, and I really loved it. She has a way with writing characters who are homespun, heart-warming and real. Gertrude and Mikolai were one of my favorite pairings of hers.
I just finished rereading this book for the first time in all these years and I enjoyed it just as much the first time.
October 22, 2025
Dammit, made me cry a lot, despite wanting to hit every other American in this story.
There's a deep understanding of the sacrifices of immigration here, which I like.
And here are MCs in their late thirties which was a bonus. They had some very meaningful conversations which proper adults have.
I have to say, Catholic shame should burn in their fiery pits of Hell, as well as classism and idiotic notions of family values of the era, but can't have a historical without it...
There's a deep understanding of the sacrifices of immigration here, which I like.
And here are MCs in their late thirties which was a bonus. They had some very meaningful conversations which proper adults have.
I have to say, Catholic shame should burn in their fiery pits of Hell, as well as classism and idiotic notions of family values of the era, but can't have a historical without it...
July 6, 2020
Re-reading old favorites from my bookcase. This one was still a nice, romantic read. Skimmed through some of the parts about the misunderstanding with the teenagers. Claire was a bit overdone, but if everyone admitted their true feelings and lived happily ever after in the first two chapters, then it would all be too short and we would want more.
September 15, 2023
I absolutely loved this book! “Something Shady” by Pamela Morsi is a sweet, whimsical, nostalgic slow burn romance set in small town Missouri in the early 1900’s. It’s funny, sexy and oh so romantic. Morsi has a knack for making the mundane spectacular and for turning seemingly regular folks into heartthrobs and sex symbols! I highly recommend her books!!!
October 6, 2023
5 stars
This was a very enjoyable story. Then characters were believable and draw you into the story. Having been married to a man who was half Polish I enjoyed reading about a Polish immigrant and his experiences upon immigrating to the US. The book was well written and I have enjoyed Ms Morsi's writing. I recommend this book to people who appreciate historical novels.
This was a very enjoyable story. Then characters were believable and draw you into the story. Having been married to a man who was half Polish I enjoyed reading about a Polish immigrant and his experiences upon immigrating to the US. The book was well written and I have enjoyed Ms Morsi's writing. I recommend this book to people who appreciate historical novels.
August 30, 2024
of all her books
This is my least favorite. Not sure why, it didn’t feel like the same author wrote it. Usually the flow of her stories is really good but this book felt so redundant. The ending was kinda strange. Overall, I forced myself to read it but any other book by her has always been worthwhile!
This is my least favorite. Not sure why, it didn’t feel like the same author wrote it. Usually the flow of her stories is really good but this book felt so redundant. The ending was kinda strange. Overall, I forced myself to read it but any other book by her has always been worthwhile!
December 17, 2019
3.5 ish
This was pleasant. The language was a little flowery or over the top or too obvious sometimes, but I continued to read because the characters were enjoyable and I wanted to know how things wrapped up.
This was pleasant. The language was a little flowery or over the top or too obvious sometimes, but I continued to read because the characters were enjoyable and I wanted to know how things wrapped up.
August 3, 2020
Another good time
I just finished Something Shady and I enjoyed the book very much. I had just finished Book 1 of another series and thot that this the next in the series...It wasn't but I went ahead anyway...I'm glad I did, it was great! Thanks for writing it for me.
I just finished Something Shady and I enjoyed the book very much. I had just finished Book 1 of another series and thot that this the next in the series...It wasn't but I went ahead anyway...I'm glad I did, it was great! Thanks for writing it for me.
May 10, 2021
Something Shady ( Small Town Swains)
A very good story about a young girl that finds a book her aunt wrote a story in and she thinks the man next door is her father and her aunt is her mother when the truth is revealed the aunt and neighbor are in love
A very good story about a young girl that finds a book her aunt wrote a story in and she thinks the man next door is her father and her aunt is her mother when the truth is revealed the aunt and neighbor are in love
December 22, 2021
Love Pamela Morsi's books
I love her books that take place in the late 1800 and early 1900`s don't care for the ones in more modern times. You are a wonderful writer Pamela I have read some of your books 2to3 times
I love her books that take place in the late 1800 and early 1900`s don't care for the ones in more modern times. You are a wonderful writer Pamela I have read some of your books 2to3 times
July 13, 2025
Loved it!
This is story of love everlasting. A beautiful woman and handsome man whom loved each other for years. A niece that thought a book of love involved something and someone wrongly.
This is story of love everlasting. A beautiful woman and handsome man whom loved each other for years. A niece that thought a book of love involved something and someone wrongly.
May 2, 2018
Loved this book. The slow burn relationship between Gertrude and Mikolai is well written . The other characters in the novel, Claire and Teddy have an interesting love story waiting to happen.
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