"How It Happened" by Kate Langley Bosher is a captivating Southern romance that delves into intricate family dynamics against the backdrop of a traditional Southern setting. Set in the heart of the American South, the novel intricately weaves together themes of coming-of-age, friendship, and the complexities of love in a society governed by strict social class and tradition. At its core, the story revolves around a compelling love triangle, where secrets and betrayal threaten to unravel the fabric of familial and societal bonds. Against the backdrop of the genteel South, the characters navigate through layers of intrigue and tradition, revealing the depth of their character development as they confront challenges and forge unexpected alliances. Bosher's masterful portrayal of the Southern belle archetype adds richness to the narrative, evoking the charm and grace of the Old South. Through vivid descriptions and rich dialogue, the novel immerses readers in the timeless allure of Southern literature, while exploring themes that resonate with universal truths about love, loyalty, and the complexities of human relationships. "How It Happened" is a compelling Southern tale that captures the essence of the region while offering a timeless exploration of love and society.
Kate Langley Bosher was a Virginia-based American novelist best known for her books Mary Cary (1910) and Miss Gibbie Gault (1911). She was also a suffragist, having founded and served as an officer of the Equal Suffrage League of Virginia. Kate Langley was born in Norfolk, Virginia, to Charles Henry and Portia Victoria (Deming) Langley in 1865. She graduated from Norfolk College for Young Ladies in 1882. She married Richmonder Charles Gideon Bosher, a co-owner of a carriage manufacturing company, on October 12, 1887. The Boshers resided in downtown Richmond until relocating to Monument Avenue following World War I. The couple had no children. Bosher was most known for her popular fiction, which was often set in Virginia or other regions in the American South and centered on southerners' lives following the Civil War. Bosher's first book, Bobbie (1899), was published while she lived in Richmond under the alias Kate Cairns, and the remainder of her writings were written under her true name. Her most successful novels include Miss Gibbie Gault (1911), Kitty Canary (1918), His Friend Miss McFarlane (1919), and Mary Cary, Frequently Martha (1910). Mary Cary, Frequently Martha was the most successful, selling over 100,000 copies within a year of its debut.
