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City of Jasmine #0.5
Whisper of Jasmine
New York Times bestselling author Deanna Raybourn transports readers to a magical New Year's Eve party in 1914, where two guests will discover the passion of a lifetime in this prequel novella…
Notorious socialite Delilah Drummond won't be deterred by the war. Instead, she decides to throw the event of the year, and she's handing out invitations with an eye for wanton fun and wild abandon.
There is the dashing explorer and archaeologist Gabriel Stark, a man at a crossroads in his life. Brilliant and restless, he's just committed to a secret enterprise that forces him to play a public role very different from the man he truly is.
And then there is the charming if flighty Evangeline Merriweather. Evie has dreamed her whole life of adventure. Little does she know, she's about to get more than she bargained for. Especially after her vivacious Aunt Dove acts as fairy godmother, if a saucy one, providing a scandalous gown and a whisper of jasmine on her skin….
Evie will shake cool Gabriel to his core, but just how far are they willing to take love at first sight?
One seductive night will change Evie forever. Watch for her next adventure, in the City of Jasmine.
Notorious socialite Delilah Drummond won't be deterred by the war. Instead, she decides to throw the event of the year, and she's handing out invitations with an eye for wanton fun and wild abandon.
There is the dashing explorer and archaeologist Gabriel Stark, a man at a crossroads in his life. Brilliant and restless, he's just committed to a secret enterprise that forces him to play a public role very different from the man he truly is.
And then there is the charming if flighty Evangeline Merriweather. Evie has dreamed her whole life of adventure. Little does she know, she's about to get more than she bargained for. Especially after her vivacious Aunt Dove acts as fairy godmother, if a saucy one, providing a scandalous gown and a whisper of jasmine on her skin….
Evie will shake cool Gabriel to his core, but just how far are they willing to take love at first sight?
One seductive night will change Evie forever. Watch for her next adventure, in the City of Jasmine.
53 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 20, 2013
237 people are currently reading
946 people want to read
About the author
Deanna Raybourn
40 books9,491 followersNew York Times and USA Today bestselling novelist Deanna Raybourn is a 6th-generation native Texan. She graduated with a double major in English and history from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Married to her college sweetheart and the mother of one, Raybourn makes her home in Virginia. Her novels have been nominated for numerous awards including two RT Reviewers’ Choice awards, the Agatha, two Dilys Winns, a Last Laugh, three du Mauriers, and most recently the 2019 Edgar Award for Best Novel. She launched a new Victorian mystery series with the 2015 release of A CURIOUS BEGINNING, featuring intrepid butterfly-hunter and amateur sleuth, Veronica Speedwell. Veronica has returned in several more adventures, most recently AN IMPOSSIBLE IMPOSTOR, book seven, which released in early 2022. Deanna's first contemporary novel, KILLERS OF A CERTAIN AGE, about four female assassins on the cusp of retirement publishes in September 2022. (Please note: Deanna is not active on GR.)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
August 10, 2025
Real rating: 3.5
Very nice short story even if a little implausible at times.
What thrilled me was the introduction to espionage, beyond the romance, of the actual novel that follows this story.
"Whisper of Jasmine" serves as a simple introduction to the bigger story in "City of Jasmine," telling how the main characters, Eve and Gabriel, first met.
___ PLOT IN SHORT ___ England, December 1914.
Notorious socialite Delilah Drummond won't be deterred by the war. Instead, she decides to throw the event of the year, and she's handing out invitations with an eye for wanton fun and wild abandon.
There is the dashing explorer and archaeologist Gabriel Stark, a man at a crossroads in his life and then there is the charming if flighty Evangeline Merriweather, who has dreamed her whole life of adventure.
After her vivacious Aunt Dove acts as fairy godmother, if a saucy one, providing a scandalous gown and a whisper of jasmine on her skin.... Evie will shake cool Gabriel to his core...
One seductive night that will change their life forever.
_________ ******* __________
Right from the start, this novella brings readers into a strong connection between Eve and Gabriel.
THE ONLY FLAW:
Their meeting and the ensuing passionate, instant romance, which leads to are certainly disconcerting.
In my opinion, while this very speed makes their love seem like something written by destiny and suited to characters with bizarre and adventurous lives, it also makes the love story seem unbelievable, even for fiction.
I would have preferred a description of a passionate encounter and the characters giving in to their emotions, seizing the moment. Then an epilogue that tells how after six months (three would have been enough) of passionate dating,
That would have been more reasonable and plausible.
What makes this little book more than just a love story is the small hint of mystery at the end:
This hints at the spy story that comes later in "City of Jasmine."
This prequel isn’t only about how Eve and Gabriel met but also sets up the exciting story to come.
It leaves readers wanting to read the full novel to learn more.
My mother is a big fan of Raybourn and her "Lady Julia mystery-romance series", she says the author has great talent for writing funny, detailed historical stories with captivating characters and plots.
I want to believe my mother, indeed "Whisper of Jasmine" is a good short read giving an interesting background about Eve and Gabriel’s love and a taste of the adventures ahead.
A lovely and exciting short story which convinces you to read the following main novel.
Thanks for reading my opinion :-) and please forgive me any English grammar errors in my text, it's not my native language.
Very nice short story even if a little implausible at times.
What thrilled me was the introduction to espionage, beyond the romance, of the actual novel that follows this story.
"Whisper of Jasmine" serves as a simple introduction to the bigger story in "City of Jasmine," telling how the main characters, Eve and Gabriel, first met.
___ PLOT IN SHORT ___ England, December 1914.
Notorious socialite Delilah Drummond won't be deterred by the war. Instead, she decides to throw the event of the year, and she's handing out invitations with an eye for wanton fun and wild abandon.
There is the dashing explorer and archaeologist Gabriel Stark, a man at a crossroads in his life and then there is the charming if flighty Evangeline Merriweather, who has dreamed her whole life of adventure.
After her vivacious Aunt Dove acts as fairy godmother, if a saucy one, providing a scandalous gown and a whisper of jasmine on her skin.... Evie will shake cool Gabriel to his core...
One seductive night that will change their life forever.
_________ ******* __________
Right from the start, this novella brings readers into a strong connection between Eve and Gabriel.
THE ONLY FLAW:
Their meeting and the ensuing passionate, instant romance, which leads to are certainly disconcerting.
In my opinion, while this very speed makes their love seem like something written by destiny and suited to characters with bizarre and adventurous lives, it also makes the love story seem unbelievable, even for fiction.
I would have preferred a description of a passionate encounter and the characters giving in to their emotions, seizing the moment. Then an epilogue that tells how after six months (three would have been enough) of passionate dating,
That would have been more reasonable and plausible.
What makes this little book more than just a love story is the small hint of mystery at the end:
This hints at the spy story that comes later in "City of Jasmine."
This prequel isn’t only about how Eve and Gabriel met but also sets up the exciting story to come.
It leaves readers wanting to read the full novel to learn more.
My mother is a big fan of Raybourn and her "Lady Julia mystery-romance series", she says the author has great talent for writing funny, detailed historical stories with captivating characters and plots.
I want to believe my mother, indeed "Whisper of Jasmine" is a good short read giving an interesting background about Eve and Gabriel’s love and a taste of the adventures ahead.
A lovely and exciting short story which convinces you to read the following main novel.
Thanks for reading my opinion :-) and please forgive me any English grammar errors in my text, it's not my native language.
April 12, 2017
I'm not usually a big reader of novellas because they're too short to be satisfying, but this leads up to the actual book I want to read. (Seems like it could have been included as a prologue instead???)
As far as novellas go, I think this was a good one. We see Delilah from Spear of Summer Grass before her husband goes off to the war, so if you've read that book this will mean a lot more. Delilah also introduces us to a new character for City of Jasmine, which I can't wait to read. So this was a nice teaser, I suppose.
It was free when I bought it, but is now $.90. I don't think I would actually pay for it at 50 pages. On to the main feature...
Edit: After reading City of Jasmine, I would recommend saving this prequel for afterwards. This novella gives you some background information that spoils it a bit. I still enjoyed it, but if I hadn't known what is revealed here it would have been even better.
As far as novellas go, I think this was a good one. We see Delilah from Spear of Summer Grass before her husband goes off to the war, so if you've read that book this will mean a lot more. Delilah also introduces us to a new character for City of Jasmine, which I can't wait to read. So this was a nice teaser, I suppose.
It was free when I bought it, but is now $.90. I don't think I would actually pay for it at 50 pages. On to the main feature...
Edit: After reading City of Jasmine, I would recommend saving this prequel for afterwards. This novella gives you some background information that spoils it a bit. I still enjoyed it, but if I hadn't known what is revealed here it would have been even better.
July 29, 2016
I am not a big fan of novellas – but this one broke all the rules! This was more than just a fill in, a prequel, a teaser. It had a good strong plot, developed characters, a sense of completeness yet cleverly left you wanting more. And luckily there is! This book serves as a prequel to City of Jasmine and also has connections with Raybourn’s Spear of Summer Grass, which I have read and highly recommend.
Whisper of Jasmine is a romantic tale with some humour and a sense of intrigue and mystery of what is to come in the sequel. How Raybourn managed to pack so much into so little is testament to her writing finesse.
This tale of the meeting of Evie and Gabriel was the stuff movies are made of: “Does that mean a memory is all I’ll have?”....She needed an excuse for the things she wanted to say to him
…”You haven’t just met me,” he said his voice low and mesmerising, “you’ve know me all of your life haven’t you? I’ve always known you, it just took a while to find you”.
Yet somehow this ‘grand happiness, a joy so indescribable that it must be followed by a terrible calamity’ is lurking. Little snippets that there was more here than met the eye was clear - “It pierced him to know there were things he could not tell her, could never tell her…. he’d have to make a choice”.
I have NEVER come across such an enticing novella - it was BRILLIANT! Raybourn just makes you want to grab City of Jasmine and dive into it. So, now onward to City of Jasmine and the promise of more Gabriel and Evie and the delightful Aunt Dove.
Whisper of Jasmine is a romantic tale with some humour and a sense of intrigue and mystery of what is to come in the sequel. How Raybourn managed to pack so much into so little is testament to her writing finesse.
This tale of the meeting of Evie and Gabriel was the stuff movies are made of: “Does that mean a memory is all I’ll have?”....She needed an excuse for the things she wanted to say to him
…”You haven’t just met me,” he said his voice low and mesmerising, “you’ve know me all of your life haven’t you? I’ve always known you, it just took a while to find you”.
Yet somehow this ‘grand happiness, a joy so indescribable that it must be followed by a terrible calamity’ is lurking. Little snippets that there was more here than met the eye was clear - “It pierced him to know there were things he could not tell her, could never tell her…. he’d have to make a choice”.
I have NEVER come across such an enticing novella - it was BRILLIANT! Raybourn just makes you want to grab City of Jasmine and dive into it. So, now onward to City of Jasmine and the promise of more Gabriel and Evie and the delightful Aunt Dove.
February 1, 2014
Find this and other reviews at: http://flashlightcommentary.blogspot....
Deanna Raybourn's prequel novella, Whisper of Jasmine, is a delightful short and an amusing lead-in to City of Jasmine. Building a foundation for the larger story, Raybourn hints at many of the larger novel's motifs in this humorous six chapter narrative.
Having developed a bit of a crush on Gabriel Stark while reading City of Jasmine, I was only too happy to see a bit of his carefree impetuousness in this piece, but I also loved how Raybourn used the novella to showcase Aunt Dove's eccentricities and Delilah's burgeoning self-confidence, independence and sass.
Infused with Raybourn's signature wit, I couldn't help chuckling at her playful dialogue and clever characterizations. A fun and flirtatious romance, Whisper of Jasmine plays beautifully into the exotic intrigue that follows.
Deanna Raybourn's prequel novella, Whisper of Jasmine, is a delightful short and an amusing lead-in to City of Jasmine. Building a foundation for the larger story, Raybourn hints at many of the larger novel's motifs in this humorous six chapter narrative.
Having developed a bit of a crush on Gabriel Stark while reading City of Jasmine, I was only too happy to see a bit of his carefree impetuousness in this piece, but I also loved how Raybourn used the novella to showcase Aunt Dove's eccentricities and Delilah's burgeoning self-confidence, independence and sass.
Infused with Raybourn's signature wit, I couldn't help chuckling at her playful dialogue and clever characterizations. A fun and flirtatious romance, Whisper of Jasmine plays beautifully into the exotic intrigue that follows.
January 23, 2024
The plot was interesting as were the characters, but book was quite short and over before I was ready. It works more as a short story rather than a complete book.
February 3, 2014
A short review for a short book, but remember, short doesn't always mean not adequate. In this case, it was. Though quick, it's but enjoyable and serves as a great prequel. I feel I’ve been adequately introduced to the characters and am dying to know more, meaning I will certainly read the novel, City of Jasmine. We’re in England. There’s a war on, the Great War, the men are getting ready to leave and possibly die. It’s NY’s Eve with a party and some potent punch. Gabriel, the male love interest…there’s something going on here not quite explained, very intriguing though. Could he be a spy?
Love Evie. Very spunky. But I love her aunt more. I certainly hope she appears in the novel. She made me smile.
The romance was way too spontaneous for me. They were talking marriage before they even knew each other’s names and eloped within in two hours. Bit fast.
Full review: http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2014/...
Love Evie. Very spunky. But I love her aunt more. I certainly hope she appears in the novel. She made me smile.
The romance was way too spontaneous for me. They were talking marriage before they even knew each other’s names and eloped within in two hours. Bit fast.
Full review: http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2014/...
February 25, 2014
What a great little appetizer to the main book, and what a delight to see Delilah from A Spear of Summer Grass in 1914.
Read
June 22, 2020REREAD!
February 3, 2014
Whisper of Jasmine is a novella that introduces readers to characters from Deanna Raybourn's forthcoming full length novel of 2014, City of Jasmine.
I haven't read A Spear of Summer Grass, Raybourn's second novel independent of the Lady Julia Grey series, so I was unfamiliar with Delilah Drummond and her husband Johnny, the couple who throw the party in Whisper of Jasmine that brings together Evangeline Merriweather and Gabriel Stark. I didn't mind Delilah and Johnny in this novella. Some reviews of A Spear of Summer Grass indicated Delilah was kind of horrible and that is part of teh reason I decided not to read it. In this novella, she seemed spontaneous and light-hearted and ready to throw away money on a big New Year's Eve party, despite the fact that her husband was off to war in a matter of days. It didn't bother me in this brief story, but I'm sure that kind of thing would have bugged me in a novel.
Neither did I mind the other characters we were introduced to, like Evie's delightful Aunt Dove, the mysterious Quentin Harkness (who I believe is in another novella I own by Raybourn) and even more mysterious Tarquin March.
I did, however, have a problem with Evie and Gabriel. Enough of a problem that I started reading early reviews of City of Jasmine to try to find out whether I should cancel my preorder. Because Evie and Gabriel's scenes are full of schlock and ridiculous dialogue that made me cringe, and I can't imagine reading an entire book of it.
The only reason I haven't canceled the preorder yet is because it seems Evie and Gabriel don't spend a lot of time together in City of Jasmine, and since Evie was very tolerable in her scenes with Aunt Dove, I might enjoy them together. I'm also kind of fascinated by the plot, and possibly learning more about Tarquin March, since I love the March family. I can't work out from any of the early reviews if City of Jasmine is written in first or third person. This novella is written in third person and jumps from Evie's POV to Delilah's to Gabriel's to Tarquin's. I didn't mind it here, but I may take issue with it in the longer novel.
This was my first time reading a prequel novella and I'm not sure I should do it again!
I haven't read A Spear of Summer Grass, Raybourn's second novel independent of the Lady Julia Grey series, so I was unfamiliar with Delilah Drummond and her husband Johnny, the couple who throw the party in Whisper of Jasmine that brings together Evangeline Merriweather and Gabriel Stark. I didn't mind Delilah and Johnny in this novella. Some reviews of A Spear of Summer Grass indicated Delilah was kind of horrible and that is part of teh reason I decided not to read it. In this novella, she seemed spontaneous and light-hearted and ready to throw away money on a big New Year's Eve party, despite the fact that her husband was off to war in a matter of days. It didn't bother me in this brief story, but I'm sure that kind of thing would have bugged me in a novel.
Neither did I mind the other characters we were introduced to, like Evie's delightful Aunt Dove, the mysterious Quentin Harkness (who I believe is in another novella I own by Raybourn) and even more mysterious Tarquin March.
I did, however, have a problem with Evie and Gabriel. Enough of a problem that I started reading early reviews of City of Jasmine to try to find out whether I should cancel my preorder. Because Evie and Gabriel's scenes are full of schlock and ridiculous dialogue that made me cringe, and I can't imagine reading an entire book of it.
The only reason I haven't canceled the preorder yet is because it seems Evie and Gabriel don't spend a lot of time together in City of Jasmine, and since Evie was very tolerable in her scenes with Aunt Dove, I might enjoy them together. I'm also kind of fascinated by the plot, and possibly learning more about Tarquin March, since I love the March family. I can't work out from any of the early reviews if City of Jasmine is written in first or third person. This novella is written in third person and jumps from Evie's POV to Delilah's to Gabriel's to Tarquin's. I didn't mind it here, but I may take issue with it in the longer novel.
This was my first time reading a prequel novella and I'm not sure I should do it again!
February 11, 2014
The early 1900's just happen to be one of my most favorite time periods to read about and when you combine that with one of my most favorite historical writers, you have a win win situation.
Raybourn is truly a master at her craft. She is just an amazing writer that creates amazing storylines and characters and her Lady Julia Grey series happens to be one of my all time favorite series.
I just knew with that series being put on hold (at least I am really hoping it is only being put on hold) I missed her writing and decided that it was about time that I branched out and tried another one of her books. When I saw this prequel to a book set during WWI I knew I had found the one to try.
And can I say for the record that I loved it? It has all the magic from her Julia series but in a completely different era with completely different characters. It was fabulous. This may be a novella but it is packed full of goodness that by the end, leaves you craving the next book.
With romance in the air and mystery and dangers afoot, I can not wait to dive into City of Jasmine.
Once again I am blown away by Raybourn's talent and skill. I just know this will be one of those books that will stay with me long after I have read it and one that I will eagerly devour when it is released.
Raybourn is truly a master at her craft. She is just an amazing writer that creates amazing storylines and characters and her Lady Julia Grey series happens to be one of my all time favorite series.
I just knew with that series being put on hold (at least I am really hoping it is only being put on hold) I missed her writing and decided that it was about time that I branched out and tried another one of her books. When I saw this prequel to a book set during WWI I knew I had found the one to try.
And can I say for the record that I loved it? It has all the magic from her Julia series but in a completely different era with completely different characters. It was fabulous. This may be a novella but it is packed full of goodness that by the end, leaves you craving the next book.
With romance in the air and mystery and dangers afoot, I can not wait to dive into City of Jasmine.
Once again I am blown away by Raybourn's talent and skill. I just know this will be one of those books that will stay with me long after I have read it and one that I will eagerly devour when it is released.
December 21, 2024
Sweet Cinderella story. I enjoyed it and it definitely whets the appetite to see what is going to happen next, I can't help but wonder what is the story between Gabriel and Tarquin and Perdita. I also want to know how is Tarquin related to the March's and who is his father and his relation to Lady Julia. I also loved seeing Delilah and Johnny so happy together, only making it more heartbreaking knowing what happens there.
July 26, 2016
Interesting set up of a bigger story. Wasn't that fond of the rush marriage and the impetuosity of the characters but the mystery of what Tarquin and his sister want Gabriel to do let me craving for City of Jasmine.
November 28, 2014
I am typically less than impressed by novellas, but this one is absolutely BRILLIANT! Raybourn packs an incredible amount into this small package and leaves you dying to read the subsequent full-length novel!
Full review on the blog: http://greatreadsandtealeaves.blogspo...
Full review on the blog: http://greatreadsandtealeaves.blogspo...
June 15, 2015
I've read two of Deanna Raybourn's introductory novellas and none of them enticed me to pick up the main novel. Both novellas had somewhat intriguing set-ups but my aversion of the early 20th century era might have reduced my enthusiasm. And unlike the Lady Julia Series, these characters aren't interesting enough for me to care, let alone want to learn more about them.
October 1, 2015
Loved this novella!
June 16, 2024
Whisper of Jasmine by Deanna Raybourn is the prequel to City of Jasmine. set in London on New Year's Eve 1914. Socialite Delilah Drummond throws a spectacular party. She invites certain guests with matchmaking intent. A couple falls in love at first sight; however not the pairing she had intended.
A lovely story of sassy Aunt Dove transforming Evie from 'ugly duckling' (or at least unremarkable woman) to 'beautiful swan' for the grand party. A short, sweet backstory to whet the appetite for not only City of Jasmine, but for Far in the Wilds and A Spear of Summer Grass (Delilah's story).
Delightful quotes abound:
Getting Delilah to change course once she got the bit between her teeth was like trying to hold back a storm. Far easier just to go along for the ride--and far more fun.
Evie had agreed to share [a flat] with Marjorie on the recommendation of a mutual friend--a friend who had been firmly struck from her Christmas card list after the first fortnight of living with Marjorie.
Nothing had prepared her for the sheer grimness of living with someone wholly lacking in humour.
The best training for good posture is a nice, heavy tiara. Nothing to make you hold your spine straight like the fear of dropping a few thousand pounds' worth of diamonds onto the floor.
In the Nilgiri Hills, there's a flower called a kurinji flower. It doesn't bloom often. Infact, you can go a dozen years or more without seeing a single blossom. But then, just when you've given up hope of ever seeing one, they burst into flower, whole mountainsides at the same time, carpeted in the most astonishing shades of purple. It's as if God himself shook out a rug of petals and spread it at your feet. It's unexpected and magnificent, very much worth the wait.
A bowlful of rather bad decisions waiting to happen.
A blonde from Scandinavia with a shocking reputation. She's an artist's model and tall, like something out of a Norse storybook for very naughty boys.
Jasmine is one of the most seductive scents imaginable, and the stuff from Grasse is the finest in the world. In the little village where I collected that, the farmers won't even let their nubile daughters walk through the fields when the flowers are ripe for fear they won't be able to control themselves.
A hint of vulgarity is just the thing. It makes people wonder what you've been up to.
If you dance slowly with a fellow, you can usually tell if he knows what he's about in the bedroom.
Johnny would go off to war with only Delilah's smile and not her tears, an act of breathtaking bravery on her part.
Talking to Delilah was always like trying to capture lightning in a bottle.
Now that he had found her, giving her up would be too much to ask of any man.
Sometimes the merest whisper on the wind was enough to change your fate; sometimes the thing you wanted so badly your heart burnt cold was not to be.
A lovely story of sassy Aunt Dove transforming Evie from 'ugly duckling' (or at least unremarkable woman) to 'beautiful swan' for the grand party. A short, sweet backstory to whet the appetite for not only City of Jasmine, but for Far in the Wilds and A Spear of Summer Grass (Delilah's story).
Delightful quotes abound:
Getting Delilah to change course once she got the bit between her teeth was like trying to hold back a storm. Far easier just to go along for the ride--and far more fun.
Evie had agreed to share [a flat] with Marjorie on the recommendation of a mutual friend--a friend who had been firmly struck from her Christmas card list after the first fortnight of living with Marjorie.
Nothing had prepared her for the sheer grimness of living with someone wholly lacking in humour.
The best training for good posture is a nice, heavy tiara. Nothing to make you hold your spine straight like the fear of dropping a few thousand pounds' worth of diamonds onto the floor.
In the Nilgiri Hills, there's a flower called a kurinji flower. It doesn't bloom often. Infact, you can go a dozen years or more without seeing a single blossom. But then, just when you've given up hope of ever seeing one, they burst into flower, whole mountainsides at the same time, carpeted in the most astonishing shades of purple. It's as if God himself shook out a rug of petals and spread it at your feet. It's unexpected and magnificent, very much worth the wait.
A bowlful of rather bad decisions waiting to happen.
A blonde from Scandinavia with a shocking reputation. She's an artist's model and tall, like something out of a Norse storybook for very naughty boys.
Jasmine is one of the most seductive scents imaginable, and the stuff from Grasse is the finest in the world. In the little village where I collected that, the farmers won't even let their nubile daughters walk through the fields when the flowers are ripe for fear they won't be able to control themselves.
A hint of vulgarity is just the thing. It makes people wonder what you've been up to.
If you dance slowly with a fellow, you can usually tell if he knows what he's about in the bedroom.
Johnny would go off to war with only Delilah's smile and not her tears, an act of breathtaking bravery on her part.
Talking to Delilah was always like trying to capture lightning in a bottle.
Now that he had found her, giving her up would be too much to ask of any man.
Sometimes the merest whisper on the wind was enough to change your fate; sometimes the thing you wanted so badly your heart burnt cold was not to be.
February 11, 2019
A Whisper of Jasmine by Deanna Raybourn was the novella I read for our bonus review this week. It’s the prequel to both A Spear of Summer Grass and City of Jasmine. It was wonderful to see Delilah and Evie again, as well as a few other characters that had been mentioned previously but you’d never met, like Delilah’s husband Johnny.
The story starts with Delilah and Johnny before he goes to war in 1915 and their last New Year’s party together. It also brings together Evie and Gabriel from City of Jasmine, fleshing out how they met and eloped together. While I loved seeing Evie’s “fairy tale” happen, I was almost more pleased to see Delilah truly happy with her first husband. A Spear of Summer Grass presents her after her first husband’s death, and while I can relate to the sardonic, sarcastic woman she is, it was pleasant to see her experience true happiness before the weight of the world hit her.
Evie and Gabriel’s meeting and elopement was very well written and gave a true fairy tale sense to the story, even including a fairy godmother in Aunt Dove. I thoroughly enjoyed the novella and highly recommend it, even if you haven’t read the other two novels. This will probably make you want to read them!
The story starts with Delilah and Johnny before he goes to war in 1915 and their last New Year’s party together. It also brings together Evie and Gabriel from City of Jasmine, fleshing out how they met and eloped together. While I loved seeing Evie’s “fairy tale” happen, I was almost more pleased to see Delilah truly happy with her first husband. A Spear of Summer Grass presents her after her first husband’s death, and while I can relate to the sardonic, sarcastic woman she is, it was pleasant to see her experience true happiness before the weight of the world hit her.
Evie and Gabriel’s meeting and elopement was very well written and gave a true fairy tale sense to the story, even including a fairy godmother in Aunt Dove. I thoroughly enjoyed the novella and highly recommend it, even if you haven’t read the other two novels. This will probably make you want to read them!
June 29, 2020
Delilah Drummond, a London socialite, determines to have a last big bash before her husband, Johnny, sets off for the war. And it's New Year's Eve, an ideal date for such a party. Delilah is determined to set up a number of her friends with each other so they can be deliriously happy as she is having now find Johnny.
Enter Evangeline Merriwether and Gabriel Starke. Evangeline is a bit of a recluse but has a feisty and fun Aunt Dove who happens to have a way with needles and thread so she dresses her niece in an extravagant gown for the night. Aunt Dove is quite the character and a number of her tips on how to choose the right man certainly made me laugh.
Gabriel is a mountaineer without much of an income to his name but he is charming and chivalrous.
Evangeline and Gabriel bump into each other at the party (literally) and it's not long before fireworks go off within the newly acquainted twosome's hearts as they watch the ones full of colour and noise erupt in the air over London as the clock strikes midnight.
A delightful short tale that serves as an introduction to a longer story that I understand features our two new lovebirds and the state of their union.
Enter Evangeline Merriwether and Gabriel Starke. Evangeline is a bit of a recluse but has a feisty and fun Aunt Dove who happens to have a way with needles and thread so she dresses her niece in an extravagant gown for the night. Aunt Dove is quite the character and a number of her tips on how to choose the right man certainly made me laugh.
Gabriel is a mountaineer without much of an income to his name but he is charming and chivalrous.
Evangeline and Gabriel bump into each other at the party (literally) and it's not long before fireworks go off within the newly acquainted twosome's hearts as they watch the ones full of colour and noise erupt in the air over London as the clock strikes midnight.
A delightful short tale that serves as an introduction to a longer story that I understand features our two new lovebirds and the state of their union.
July 14, 2025
Let me start by saying that I love Deanna Raybourn's work- her Veronica Speedwell and her Lady Jane books. I gave every one of them 5 stars. I guess that this book was a prequel to a Jasmine series? Since I've not read any of those, I'm not sure what or who Jasmine is, except that it was briefly mentioned as an exotic aphrodisiac perfume. This book was okay, and it kept my interest, but I really had a problem figuring out who was the main character. Delilah, whose husband is about too go off to World War I, and who I think features in any other books in this series, or an acquaintance named Evie. Evie seems to have taken front and center stage.
It's England on New Year's Eve 1914 when Delilah decides to throw a big New Year's Eve party to send her husband, Johnny, off to World War I. She chose guests with the object of a little matchmaking, but the pairs she matches don't match. Instead, others match, especially a quiet little girl named Evie who longs for adventure, but is poor and has been passed from one relative to another. She is basically the protagonist of this story.
So does the series continue with Delilah or Evie? I'm not sure if I want to know.
It's England on New Year's Eve 1914 when Delilah decides to throw a big New Year's Eve party to send her husband, Johnny, off to World War I. She chose guests with the object of a little matchmaking, but the pairs she matches don't match. Instead, others match, especially a quiet little girl named Evie who longs for adventure, but is poor and has been passed from one relative to another. She is basically the protagonist of this story.
So does the series continue with Delilah or Evie? I'm not sure if I want to know.
April 15, 2024
Disappointment
Two parts:
Part 1 consists of the main character falling in love at a New Years Eve party and eloping with the man.
The dialogue is too flippant to be believable.
I did, however, want to like her.
Before part 1 ended there was an annoying page asking how I liked the story so far. I didn't answer, just like I don't participate in telephone political surveys.
Part 2 is a teaser excerpt of the next book. It's years later and the couple from part 1 had been about to divorce, but he'd died. She finds a newspaper clipping picture of him. She's sure not dead. The excerpt ends with her deciding whether to track him down.
Kind of a waste of time.
Two parts:
Part 1 consists of the main character falling in love at a New Years Eve party and eloping with the man.
The dialogue is too flippant to be believable.
I did, however, want to like her.
Before part 1 ended there was an annoying page asking how I liked the story so far. I didn't answer, just like I don't participate in telephone political surveys.
Part 2 is a teaser excerpt of the next book. It's years later and the couple from part 1 had been about to divorce, but he'd died. She finds a newspaper clipping picture of him. She's sure not dead. The excerpt ends with her deciding whether to track him down.
Kind of a waste of time.
September 16, 2017
I've never read anything by this author before, but I'm intrigued enough to read more. I didn't really buy the insta-love of the main couple as it just takes one conversation to agree on marriage. But I loved all the interconnecting stories and characters. And OMG does Aunt Dove have stories? Because she's the coolest.
June 24, 2019
A nice novella set at the beginning of WWI apparently setting up a series by Raybourn. In it, a couple runs off to get married after meeting at a party thrown by another couple. The party is thrown by the wife in that couple to send her new husband off to war with a smile. There are other portents and foreshadowing of the stories to come. A nice little piece. I liked it.
August 1, 2019
I always enjoy Raybourn's writing and this was not a disappointment. I plan on reading City of Jasmine soon and wanted to check out the prequel. It has sparked my interest and I'm looking forward to the novel.
December 29, 2021
I've read another raybourne series that i thoroughly enjoyed so i was intrigued. however this is a very short story of how the heroine meets her man. i think the excerpt from the next book seemed longer than this particular story. I'm still interested enough to read another book in the series, but if i hadn't had the extra bit of the next installment i would have dropped it.
December 24, 2019
Ok, so maybe I'm padding my reading stats at the end of the year. I've read all of the other books that surround this one. The romance was a little silly and I've never been a big fan of insta-love but it was still fun to get a little peek into these characters' lives on this wild night.
October 10, 2020
A 0.5 prequel novella to another series. We see Evie & Gabriel fall in love while ushering in 1915 at a New Year's Eve party. Hints of intrigue & adventure to come.
Plus cameo by Julia Grey's nephew Tarquin!
Plus cameo by Julia Grey's nephew Tarquin!
June 14, 2024
3.5+ stars
Quick read... a New Year's Eve party in London on the brink of England entering WW2. A whirlwind romance. An American heiress throwing one last big party. It's fun, frantic, and bittersweet. And oh yeah, there's a mystery in here somewhere.
Quick read... a New Year's Eve party in London on the brink of England entering WW2. A whirlwind romance. An American heiress throwing one last big party. It's fun, frantic, and bittersweet. And oh yeah, there's a mystery in here somewhere.
May 29, 2017
Cute intro to the next (real) book that I had seriously enjoyed. Will Evie and Gabriel come back? Would love to.
December 3, 2018
Whisper of Jasmine is a prequel novella to City of Jasmine. I read both last August. I'm a fan of Deanna Raybourn and love her books.
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