Confusion By Cupid

Jordon Family #3

by Janet Lambert

Book 3 of the Jordon Series. Struck by Cupid's arrow, Peter, Gwenn and Alice Jordon wonder who is right for them.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Romance

194 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1950

About the author

Janet Lambert, born in Crawfordsville, Indiana, was a popular girls' story author from 1941 through 1969 (and beyond to today). She wrote 54 books during that time about a number of different girls and their families. Her most popular series were about the Parrishes and the Jordons. These stories, and many of her other series, became entwined as the various characters met each other, married, and then had children of their own!

Janet, having an interest in both the theater and writing, decided to write her own plays in which to act. She did achieve her goal and appeared on Broadway. When she married a career Army officer, her life on stage came to a close, but her stories were still flowing. Knowing well the "life of the Army," many of Ms. Lambert's books are set on Army posts throughout the United States.

Legend has it that her stories started as bedtime stories for her children while they were overseas. Each night, the author would tell the next "installment" of the series. Later, after her kids were grown, she penned one of her stories (Star Spangled Summer) and—according to legend—it was sold to a publisher the very day after she sent it to them.

Reviews

[Karen Plummer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The more I read about Gwenn Jordon, the more I dislike her and really hate the way she treats people. She's up to her old tricks in this third book in the Jordon family series. Gwenn is fighting with her brother Peter who won't date the rich, sophisticated girl that Gwenn wants as her roommate in college. She's driving her sister Alice up the wall as well, pushing poor, good-natured Alice around and making her give up things she wants to do to march to Gwenn's selfish and self-centered orders.

Peter is still mooning about over Tippy Parrish who's in Germany with her parents, but meets a young woman he's attracted to and begins dating her. Tippy's brother Bobby is meanwhile chasing after Alice and shows his jealousy when Alice begins hanging around with Jon Drayton. Gwenn is on the rebound and takes up with a one-time child actor, Bill Hanley; but is she really in love with him? Cupid has his work cut out for him with the Jordon and Parrish families!

[Dichotomy Girl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a such a nice change after the the struggles I had with Little Miss Atlas. What made this book was Gwenn. Gwenn and her evil, shallow, petty Gwenn-ness, and my moment of delight when I realized that she was none other than Lydia Bennett.

[J.M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fun story about these characters I've grown attached to--this time, those left behind when Tippy went to Germany. These stories are not action-filled, but they are fun and relaxing reading--a glimpse into the years between WWII and the Korean War.
I particularly liked the little romance developing for Jonathan Drayton. :-D

[Rebekah Morris · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book. Peter and Alice are dears. Jon is a great guy, but we have to put up with Gwenn and Bill. Those two, especially Gwenn are enough to give anyone a headache. I was glad to know that Peter and Alice both recognized that how Gwenn had been given into and appeased when she was little had a lot to do with how selfish and awful she was now.
Lots of confusion in here about who likes who and does this person really love that person or the other person. Things do get somewhat straightened out by the end.

This is not a Christian book and there is some swearing in it.

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am on a total Janet Lambert Jordon/Parrish family roll. It has been really interesting to do a deep dive into this book series that meant so much to me as an adolescent.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of Lambert's family series books. It's mostly the Jordans but some about the Parrishs too and even the Drayton teens are in it.

Although Peter Jordan, Alice Jordan, and Bobby Parrish all have their problems in the romance department, it is Gwenn Jordan who takes the cake in this story. Gwenn is spoiled, self-centered, vain, and irresponsible (and do I like her? NO!). She was insufferable as a child in earlier stories and is impossible as a young adult. Her poor sister Alice always has to cover up for her after she creates havoc. Finally in this book she does something irrevocable that just might free Alice from her clutches. I hope so.

Not only is Lambert's writing superb, but her characters are so very real. And the time period the books are set in, World War II and the years following, gives the reader a glimpse of those days in vivid color.

I highly recommend the Lambert books!

[Meg W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goodness gracious! Gwenn has reached her limit!!