3 out of 4 stars
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The Unforgettable Miss Baldwin (Gilded Age Heiresses Book 1), by Gail Ingis, centers on Allie Baldwin, a young woman from a wealthy New York family who is dedicating her life to improving women's rights, particularly their right to vote. Allie’s father owns a paper, and she is lucky enough to work as one of his journalists. Though Mr. Baldwin would prefer Allie write society pieces, her goal is to push boundaries and create more meaningful articles about the important political movement going on around her. Unfortunately, not all of Allie’s readers are happy with the focus of her nontraditional writing. As Allie works to learn more about the importance of women earning the vote, her father hires Peter, a handsome security agent, as Allie’s protector. Although Allie is steadfast in her political ideas, she can’t help but be taken with Peter’s dashing good looks.
This book is well written, and Ingis shows a knack for writing historical fiction. Most notably, the author’s descriptions and use of dialogue create an immersive setting by staying true to the time period. Details about garments, food, and New York City help transport the reader to the past in a fluid manner, without taking away from the storytelling. Further, the conversations between Allie and her family, and Allie and Peter, were appropriate given the societal rules of the period. Additionally, the narrative was mostly error free.
Throughout the novel, there is a mystery about the identity of a person sending threatening letters and packages to Allie. The content of the mysterious mail makes it clear Allie is being targeted for her forward-thinking articles. The use of an overarching plot created intrigue and aided the story’s pacing. The author also included a couple of enjoyable peripheral characters that added an entertaining touch to the narrative: Captyn, Allie’s Great Dane, and Mia, Allie’s sister, accompany Allie and Peter on multiple adventures. The two characters provide a humorous break from the on-going tension between Allie and Peter.
However, Allie’s character proved tiresome at times. Her enthusiasm about women’s suffrage, though commendable, wasn’t wholly believable. Allie comes from a wealthy family and has a revolutionary job, considering the time period. Though her career adds to her persona as a strong-willed woman wanting to create change, Allie never encounters trying experiences or intrinsic hardships that would strengthen her convictions and show the reader why she feels so strongly about the movement. The character comes across as a privileged young woman who has made women’s suffrage her hobby. Further, Allie gets out of sticky situations easily; her family goes along with Allie's ideas even though they may not fully agree; and Allie's inner struggle regarding the handsome Peter and the idea of marriage is resolved too easily. By the end of the novel, it is clear Allie isn’t truly willing to break out of the role society deems fit for her.
Although this novel doesn’t work as an in-depth look at women’s suffrage or as an accurate portrayal of a woman fighting for her ideals, the book succeeds as a casual read: the plotting and historical setting are engaging, and the pacing is enjoyable. Readers will enjoy this book if they are looking for a light read that's well written, has a touch of romance, and focuses on a strong-willed female protagonist. Since I enjoyed the overall plot arc of this story and found merit in the writing, The Unforgettable Miss Baldwin earns 3 out of 4 stars. If Allie was a more in-depth character, I would have considered a higher rating.
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The Unforgettable Miss Baldwin
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