A School for Brides

Gr 7 Up—The Winthrop Hopkins Female Academy is a finishing school devoted to educating young ladies in the feminine arts and preparing them for marriage. The young ladies in question come from distinguished families and are expected to find equally respectable suitors. The anticipated matches are complicated by the fact that the school is located in the remote Yorkshire village of Lesser Hoo, which has a serious shortage of eligible men. Listeners follow the exploits of the prospective brides as an amusing series of missteps and mishaps lead them to their true loves. The mystery of a missing necklace, unknown intentions of several of the suitors, and witty humor contribute to a delightfully Austen-esque drama. The audiobook surpasses the print due to Bianca Amato's divine narration. Her ability to create unique character voices will help listeners keep track of the lengthy cast of characters, and her lovely British accent makes listening a delight.