Clarissa: A Clean & Wholesome American Historical Romance by Jean Jacobsen (Chronicles of the Hudson River Valley #1)
A book blog tour from iRead Book Tours.
Thank you to the author, publisher, & Lauren at iRead for providing me with the information for this tour. 
Book Details
Clarissa by Jean Jacobsen
Series: Chronicles of the Hudson River Valley #1
Published by Independent Publisher on 02/25/2020
Genres: Clean Romance, Historical Fiction, Romance
Format: Audiobook, eBook, Paperback
Pages: 324
Tragedy brings them together. Will love tear them apart?
In this second edition, you will find an updated and expanded story which is now clean and wholesome. The first edition, The Reluctant Debutante is sweet with a sprinkle of spice. New York City, 1832. Clarissa Tanner is carefree and lighthearted until the sudden death of her parents.
Forced to pay off family debts or lose her horse farm, she's given one choice: auction off her beloved horses or reluctantly enter the 1830s New York Society social season to face the dreaded marriage market.
Nicholas is a man on a mission, searching for his missing brother. Fearing Liam may be the victim of foul play, Nicholas needs to keep a low-profile while conducting his search. He takes a position as a dance instructor, providing refresher lessons to the beautiful but distracted Clarissa.Clarissa and Nicholas find a connection through grief and movement as they fight their attraction to one another. Will they give in to their desires and find true love or will family obligations keep them apart?
Source: iRead Book Tours, Kindle Unlimited
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Purchase Links for Clarissa
Amazon-OneLink for all countries
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My thoughts on Clarissa
Clarissa: A Clean & Wholesome American Historical Romance by Jean Jacobsen takes readers on an enchanting exploration of tragedy, love, and the societal constraints of 1830s New York City. The story revolves around Clarissa Tanner, a carefree young woman whose life takes an unexpected turn when her parents pass away, leaving her burdened with family debts. Forced to make a difficult choice between auctioning off her beloved horse farm or reluctantly entering New York Society’s social scene, Clarissa finds herself navigating the treacherous waters of the marriage market.
Amidst this turmoil, Nicholas, a determined man searching for his missing brother, assumes the role of her dance instructor, and an unexpected connection blossoms between them. Together, they face grief, attraction, and the pressures of society, challenging their path to true love.
One aspect that slightly detracts from the overall experience of the story is its inconsistent flow. The narrative occasionally jumps abruptly, leaving the reader momentarily disoriented. Some important events, such as Clarissa’s best friend eloping without prior discussion, the mysterious appearances and disappearances of Liam, and the subplot involving the eavesdropping maid, feel rushed and lack depth.
These sudden shifts in story and character development might briefly disrupt the reader’s immersion in the tale. However, upon reaching the end, it becomes apparent that these narrative breaks serve a purpose, offering unique perspectives and setting the stage for future books in the series. Nevertheless, during the initial reading, the reasoning behind these interruptions might not be immediately clear, especially to those unfamiliar with the author and the series.
Despite these minor flaws, Clarissa: A Clean & Wholesome American Historical Romance delivers an enjoyable and refreshing love story. Jean Jacobsen skillfully crafts the chemistry between Clarissa and Nicholas, creating a captivating dynamic that keeps readers emotionally invested in their relationship. The romance is tastefully depicted, striking the perfect balance between passion and discretion, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a cleaner reading experience.
Clarissa emerges as a relatable and engaging protagonist, captivating readers as she navigates the challenges of her circumstances with resilience and grace. Nicholas, too, shines as a strong and compassionate character, adding depth and intrigue to the story. However, I believe the supporting character Abigail steals the show, leaving readers longing for more of her presence. The revelation that each character will have their own book in the Chronicles of the Hudson River Valley series sparks anticipation, especially for more of Abigail’s story, which holds great promise for further exploration.
In conclusion, Clarissa: A Clean & Wholesome American Historical Romance by Jean Jacobsen is a captivating tale that skillfully combines love, loss, and societal pressures in the backdrop of 1830s New York City. The novel offers an enjoyable and clean romance, leaving a lasting impression on readers. Engaging characters, such as Clarissa, Nicholas, and the unforgettable Abigail, fuel anticipation for future installments in the series.
This book provides a satisfactory reading experience for fans of American Historical Romance, general historical fiction, and clean romance. Despite my somewhat critical approach towards historical fiction, my favorite genre, I wholeheartedly recommend readers pick up a copy of this enchanting story. I rate it a solid 4 out of 5 stars and eagerly await the next installment in the series.
I received a copy of the book for the tour. This review is my honest, unbiased opinion.
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I love to read books through my Amazon Kindle Unlimited subscription.
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About Jean Jacobsen
Jean Jacobsen is an award-winning storyteller of Sweet, Historical Romance featuring strong female characters, roguish heroes, and 19th Century adventure tales. She pens stories that transcend the heart and always have a happy ending.
Because of Jean’s deep passion for history, she includes real events from the time period, making her stories come to life as they transport you to a bygone era. Join her on the next adventure.
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Guest Post by Jean Jacobsen, author of the Hudson River Valley series.
Best-selling and award-winning author Jean Jacobsen is an up-and-coming author.
Clarissa takes place in the picturesque Hudson River Valley, just outside of bustling New York City in the 1830s. After Clarissa Tanner’s parents’ sudden and tragic death, she and her grandmother struggle to keep their horse farm afloat. They face losing their beloved estate to the conniving and villainous Alex Kilpatrick. Here is a passage from the book:
“Ah, yes, a…” he started slowly. “This is not a social call.” He moved from his casual position to a parade rest stance as the ladies seated themselves near the fire. “I have come to inform you that I have just purchased all of Mr. Tanner’s outstanding financial notes. I alone control the fate of Lochwood Estates now.” A sinister grin creased his face as he waited for their reaction.
Taken aback, Abigail stiffened as she sat up straighter and glared into his dark eyes. “you say you have purchased our notes? Do tell, Mr. Kilpatrick, how did you come by this financial arrangement?”
“My contacts are my business, Madam. Suffice it to say, you have ninety days to pay the notes in full, or I will foreclose, and Lochwood will be mine.” The gleam in his eyes could not have been brighter as he anticipated their answer.
Forced to enter New York’s High Society marriage mart, Clarissa prepares by taking refresher dance lessons from Nicholas Granger, their house guest and family friend. Through grief and movement, Clarissa and Nicholas find an attraction they can’t deny.
What sets Clarissa apart is the depth of character development. Jacobsen creates multi-dimensional characters, each with their own motivations and struggles.
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Easy Amazon Links
Amazon-OneLink for all countries
If the above link does not take you to your country, here are a few more:
Please send me a note if your country isn’t listed and you would like to purchase using my links. Using my link does not change the price you pay. Amazon pays me a minimal amount out of their share.
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Giveaway!
Win a $25 Starbucks Gift Card courtesy of the author of Clarissa: A Clean & Wholesome American Historical Romance (USA only) (ends Jun 2)
Please visit more stops on the tour for extra chances to win!
Official Tour Page for Clarissa
Clarissa by Jean Jacobsen Book Tour Giveaway
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Reviews similar to Clarissa:
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Sounds like a great book.
Sounds like a good story. The cover is lovely.