This year, in an effort to blog more, to become more involved with the blogging community, and to keep up with the latest publications, I thought I’d create a monthly post about the ARCs I’ve received. These ARCs will be read and reviewed a month prior to the publishing date. The Advance Excitement at a Glance posts will feature one or two (or more, depending on what happens this year) books to look forward to, and it will motivate me to keep my to-read list on track.

Tyringham Park by Rosemary McLoughlin
(Atria Books, February 25)

Tyringham Park is the Blackshaws’ magnificent country house in the south of Ireland. It is a haven of wealth and privilege until its peace is shattered by a devastating event which reveals the chaos of jealousy and deceit beneath its surface.

Charlotte is eight years old when her younger sister Victoria vanishes. She grieves alone, without the support of her harsh mother and terrible nanny. Instead, she finds some solitude with the servants as she grows, learning to cope with being the “lesser loved” daughter and attempting to move on with life. But the mystery of Victoria’s disappearance continues to haunt Tyringham Park.

I should preface with the disclaimer that although I’m a Downton Abbey fan I typically do not read books with blurbs stating it’s perfect for DA fans. The Edwardian period and the whole upstairs/downstairs concept does not appeal to my bookish side. But this book screams perfection for Kate Morton fans. It even seems to have a hint of The Thirteenth Tale going on. For these reasons, I’m anxious to begin and see how Charlotte fares!

The Daring Ladies of Lowell by Kate Alcott
(Doubleday, February 25)

The warm-hearted and enthralling saga of a bold young woman caught between two worlds — the vibrant camaraderie of factory life and the opulence that a budding romance with the mill owner’s son affords — as the murder of her best friend sends shock waves throughout the town.

Alice Barrow joins legions of young women seeking independence and worth by becoming a Mill Girl, working in a fabrics factory. But the working conditions are extremely poor and Alice finds herself an emissary for these women. The mill owner, Fiske, invites her to his home to discuss her case — and it is there she meets his eldest son Samuel Fiske. As the romance blossoms, Alice’s best friend is strangled in a field, creating a rift between the lovers and their respective classes.

I enjoyed Alcott’s The Dressmaker, and am excited that she’s publishing another class divide romance with factories and fashion in the background. Her writing style is engaging, and I fully expect to enjoy this one too.

What ARCs are you reading? What books are you looking forward to in February?