Hello my dear readers! I am so excited to announce that the lovely Syrie James is stopping by Austenesque Reviews today to chat about her latest release, Jane Austen’s First Love! Syrie has been one of my favorite authors for quite some time now, and many of her books (both 
Austenesque and non-Austenesque) have been recognized as favorite reads during my End of the Year Summary and Awards posts. Thank you so much, Syrie for letting Austenesque Reviews be a part of your blog tour! I’m so excited to learn more about your new release!
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Who would be your Hollywood cast for Jane Austen’s First Love? I love this question. With every book I write, I see and hear the action playing out like a movie inside my head. More than one reader has mentioned that the novel feels cinematic, which is music to my ears! Here are some actors who I think would be fabulous if Jane Austen’s First Love becomes a film. What do you think? Please leave a comment! I’d love to hear who you’d like to see as the teenage Jane Austen and Edward Taylor, as well as the others!
Jane Austen: Take your pick from these talented beauties: Saoirse Ronan (Susie, The Lovely Bones); Hailee Steinfeld (Violet, Begin Again, Juliet, Romeo and Juliet 2013, Oscar-nominated, True Grit); or Hannah Murray (Gilly, Game of Thrones) ; or Skye Bennett (Young Martha in Pillars of the Earth); or Kaya Scodelario (Cathy, Wuthering Heights)
Edward Taylor: Douglas Booth (Romeo in Romeo and Juliet, 2013) (swoon!)
Cassandra Austen: Jessica Brown Findlay (Sybil in Downton Abbey)
Fanny Bridges: Mia Wasikowska (Jane Eyre) or Keira Knightley
Elizabeth Bridges: Any of the young ladies named above!
Sophia Bridges: Emma Watson
Charlotte Payler: Ella Purnell (young Maleficent)
Thomas Watkinson Payler: Jamie Bell (Billy Elliott)
Mrs. Austen: Emma Thompson (wouldn’t she be hilarious!)
Charles Austen: Asa Butterfield (Hugo)
Mr. Knight: Jeremy Irons
Mrs. Knight: Emily Watson
Sir Brook Bridges: Tom Wilkinson
Lady Bridges: Tilda Swinton
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Jane Austen’s First Love
Fifteen-year-old Jane Austen dreams of three things: doing something useful, writing something worthy, and falling madly in love. When she visits her brother in Kent to celebrate his engagement, she meets wealthy, devilishly handsome Edward Taylor—a fascinating young man who is truly worthy of her affections. Jane knows a match between her and Edward is unlikely, but every moment she spends with him makes her heart race—and he seems to return her interest. Much to her displeasure, however, there is another seeking his attention
Unsure of her budding relationship, Jane seeks distraction by attempting to correct the pairings of three other prospective couples. But when her matchmaking aspirations do not all turn out as anticipated, Jane discovers the danger of relying on first impressions. The human heart cannot be easily deciphered, nor can it be directed or managed. And if others must be left to their own devices in matters of love and matrimony, can Jane even hope to satisfy her own heart?
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GIVEAWAY TIME!!!
The kind people at Berkley Books have kindly donated ONE lovely copy of Jane Austen’s First Love for me to give away to ONE lucky winner!
To enter this giveaway, leave a comment, question, or some love for Syrie!
- This giveaway is open for US residents. Thank you, Berkley Books!
- This giveaway ends August 18th!
I am so excited about your new book! I can not wait to read it, and would love my own copy!!
Becky
I am reading The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen right now. I absolutely love this book. Can’t wait to read the next one!
Love the casting photos. That sort of puts a face to the characters. I like your choices too. Can’t wait to read this book.
I have read all of Syrie James books and would love a copy of this new book.
Hi, Syrie. Congrats again for the release of Jane Austen’s First Love. Forgive my impertinence but you seem to have left out Jane’s brother, Edward Austen-Knight. I have not read the book so I’m not sure if he makes an appearance.
Much as I would love to win the book but I don’t qualify for the giveaway. 🙁
What fun, to cast the characters! For the young Jane, my pick would be Hailee Steinfeld, for her acting chops, though Hannah Murray perhaps looks more like Jane Austen.
“The Missing Manuscript of Jane Austen” is one of my favorite adaptations! Can’t wait to read the new book.
Thank you so much, Meredith, for hosting me today, and thank you all for your comments! Jane’s brother Edward certainly does make an appearance in the story, as does her youngest brother Charles and a lot of others! I only chose to highlight actors for the main characters in the novel–there were too many people to feature otherwise. Good luck on the giveaway, and I hope you all enjoy the novel!
This sounds so fun–I’d love to read it!
I really enjoyed reading the premise of this book. It’s rather unique. I would love to read it. Since I don’t recognize some of the names I don’t know who would be best as what.
a definite ‘must-read’ for me!!!
thank you for the giveaway!!!
this book is fascinating and captivates my interest. Wishing you happiness and continued success.
Syrie James has written such memorable novels. This book would be unforgettable and beautiful.
Thanks for this interesting feature and wonderful giveaway. I enjoy Syrie James’ books.
What an intriguing book which is to be treasured and read over and over. Congratulations.
Please do not enter me as I have your book, Syrie. Great calls for casting. I love to do the same when writing my characters. Sometimes my Mr. Darcy is Richard Armitage and others it is Henry Cavill or Matthew Macfadyen. Bingley is a combination of Sam Heughen, a young David Beckham, and Carey Elwes when he played Wesley in The Princess Bride. Colonel Fitzwilliam is ALWAYS Gerard Butler. I really like your choices very much. Thanks for sharing the photos. Great mental images. (Notice I didn’t chose for the female roles – it’s always ME!)
Joy, I am delighted that you already have the book and hope you enjoy it. It was such fun to dream up a cast for this novel, although a bit of a challenge since the actors had to be able to play late teens or early twenties. I would cast Richard Armitage in anything in a heart beat!! Too bad he’s the wrong age range for this book!
Wow! Sybil and Keira Knightley look like twins. Cannot wait to read this book!
Haven’t read any of your books but I’d like to. This sounds like an interesting one.
I am so excited to read this new book. I loved the post and enjoyed your casting choices! Thanks for the giveaway!!:)
Douglas Booth– oh yes! Loved him in Great Expectations!
I really liked Syrie’s other Austenesque books so I’m sure this one is great as well. Thank you for the giveaway chance!
I liked your choices and the added pictures for the casting. Of all the young ladies above, my image of Jane is Hannah Murray. I agree with Joy that Gerard Butler would be a great Colonel Fitzwilliam. I am so looking forward to reading this book. I can’t wait to see Jane as a teenager.
Nice casting choices
I love how you put together a dream cast! It was amusing to look through all those great choices.