This second volume follows the continuing adventures of Jane and Vincent as they embark on their honeymoon to Belgium to visit a glamourist friend of Vincent’s. While there, news arrives that Napoleon has returned from exile; Jane and Vincent are faced with the problem of how to get back to England safely.
Glamour in Glass is a lot less Austen-esque then Shades of Milk and Honey, and also far more serious. Imminent war takes over the second half of the story, and there is more realistic exploration of Jane and Vincent’s relationship personally and professionally. Jane discovers a potentially revolutionary new glamour technique, but also has to contend with being a professional woman in a time and place that usually meant one was lower class.
The most significant and second-least Austen component of the story is the presentation of Jane and Vincent disagreeing, keeping things from each other, and questioning each other. I don’t think of this as a betrayal of the Austen tone of the first book; rather it seems like more of an extension that adds a more modern, realistic touch. We get everything from Jane’s perspective, and much less from Vincent which can at times make the arguments seem unfair. However, the presentation of a recently married woman learning that marriage is not all romance and sweetness is refreshing. The other thing I liked about Jane’s character development was how she reacted to the foreign-ness of the people she was meeting.
The most un-Austen element of this story is the presentation of the early stages of pregnancy. Jane is faced with how this affects her glamour, and her struggles with trying to adjust to the changes result in some major self-questioning, especially towards the end.
I usually don’t like it when a series starts off fluffy and then takes a sudden serious turn, but here, knowing that there are several more installments, I appreciate the character development and potential for real growth. I look forward to finding out what Jane and Vincent get up to, and I hope a few of the characters from the first book reappear because I want to know what happens to them too. Foreshadowing in the first book and a brief reference in the second suggest that such info might eventually be presented; I really hope these instances not just a tease or quick tying up of loose ends.
