An Unexpected Journey with Jane Austen
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Source: Review Copy from Authors
TYPE OF AUSTENESQUE NOVEL: Austen-Inspired Original, Jane Austen as a Fictional Character
SERIES: Austen Adventures #1
SETTING: Bath, England present day (in September during the Jane Austen Festival to be more specific)
MAIN CHARACTERS:
Rose – a die-hard Janeite living in the basement flat at No. 4 Sydney Place.
Morgan – her American friend who she is meeting in person for the first time.
James – her boss who seems to have become besotted with her American friend.
Dr. Aiden Trevellyan – her longtime secret crush who doesn’t really know she exists.
Jane Austen – her favorite author with whom she goes on an unexpected adventure with!
SYNOPSIS:
In the midst of attending the Jane Austen Festival in Bath, devoted Jane Austen fan, Rose Wallace notices something a little peculiar about one of the festival’s attendees she keeps running into. Is she merely obsessed fan? Is she corrupt or crazy? When she finds out the answer, it is too incredible to believe! And Rose finds herself facing the question every Janeite has wondered – what would their life be like if Jane Austen never published her books…
WHAT I LOVED:
- Beautifully Blended In Every Sense: A tale of dear friends coming together, a mystery turned adventure, and more than one budding romance – Ada Bright and Cass Grafton seamlessly blended and perfectly balanced every ingredient of this novel. Each component was well-crafted and it is impossible to tell where one author’s writing ends and one begins. Hats off to such a stellar writing team!
- Realistic and Accessible: I adored the characters in this story! They were easy to relate to (especially Rose and Morgan), entertaining, and intriguing. Jane Austen was delightful with her observations and forthright manner; and I found both men, James and Aiden, equally adorable in some Bingley-esque and Darcy-esque ways!
- Life Without Jane: *sigh* can you imagine?!? I know, it is painful to think about! But I really enjoyed seeing how the absence of Jane Austen’s books would effect so many different aspects of a person’s life – not just what they read and watch, but bigger things like relationships and careers. It is amazing to see the different direction life would go if it weren’t for dear Jane.
- Jane Austen Festival: Sadly I’ve never been to the festival and celebrations in Bath, but I love stories like this that make me feel like I have! The promenade, dance classes, guest speakers, and workshops – it’s like a Janeite’s dream experience! And it is wonderful to see all the details and descriptions of everything that goes into this special tribute!
- Harry and Frodo: I love it when characters geek out over Jane Austen! Not only did this book show that in abundance, but they threw in some Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings geekery for us multi-fandom book lovers! Readers who love these series will be pleased to find so many references and nods to these stories. I loved how they all tied together.
Ending: I can’t say much because I don’t want to spoil anything, but I adored how the story ended and left a door open for more… Also, totally made me think of Back to the Future… 😀
WHAT I WASN’T TOO FOND OF: The only thing I can think of to say is that perhaps the exposition felt just a teeny bit long. But that didn’t bother me much since I soon became swept up in the adventure!
CONCLUSION:
Thought-provoking and inventive this story presents readers with a fascinating journey about great friends, adventure, and romance. But more importantly, The Particular Charm of Miss Jane Austen is a splendid homage to Jane Austen and her books. The world would definitely not be the same without them!
This sounds intriguing. Thanks for your good review. When it is a high star rating it has to be added to my TBR pile/Wish List.
I think you would have a lot of fun with one, Sheila! We tend to both like a lot of the same things (even outside reading!) 😉
Sheila, you definitely have to read this one! Meredith’s review is spot on. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.
I just finished this book, Meredith, and I absolutely adored it! I began Friday on my train journey to the JA Festival and finished the last chapter on my last 15 minute train ride home. This afternoon, I compared the ending to Back to the Future when I described it to my husband. I sure hope Cass and Ada have a sequel up their sleeves… or perhaps in the bottom of their wine glass 😉
Hi Leslie! I’m so glad you adored it! And I love the idea of us both reading it around the same time! 🙂 How perfect you were reading a book about the Jane Austen Festival in Bath while you were attending the Jane Austen Festival in Bath! I love that you thought of Back to the Future too!! I did the same with my husband and he already guessed my reference before I finished. 🙂
This one is a definite TBR!
Yes, indeed!
Absolutely loved this book, seamlessly written and I really cared about the characters. Totally agree about the ending and cannot wait for the sequel!
Thanks for reading my review, Hazel! I’m so glad to hear you give this book some high praise as well!
I had just finished reading the sample of this book, and lo and behold, there was your review showing up in my inbox. How very timely of you and how fortuitous for me! My fingers are quickly pressing the “buy” button. Thank you for this review.
Aww! That is timely! I hope you enjoy reading this one as much as I have!
Meredith!! Thank you SO much for a fab review! So happy you loved the characters, but especially Jane! ❤️
I’m so envious of Rose! How I wish I could exchange places with her in this book! 🙂 Thank you so much for the fantastic read and for the virtual trip to the Jane Austen Festival!
I skimmed your review b/c I have this one, too, but woohoo, love seeing its a high rating. I’ll have to come back for your thoughts on it.
Hi Sophia! I look forward to seeing your review! Would love to compare thoughts. 🙂
Sounds utterly charming! (Though I don’t want to imagine a life without Austen’s novels . . .)
I don’t blame you!! It would definitely be a world I wouldn’t want to visit!
I bought this book just last week and looking forward to reading it as soon as my company comes and goes at the end of September! Thank you for a fabulous review!
Yay! Happy reading to you, Carole, any I hope you enjoy your company! 🙂
My TBR list grows and grows. At least DH has something to buy me for my birthday. And he says I’m hard to shop for….BOOKS!!
Oh yes book lovers are always so easy to shop for!! I just had two students (who are book lovers) tell me all about how they received lots of Barnes and Noble and Amazon gift cards for their birthdays! We all agreed that those were some great presents! LOL! 😉
Forgot to say, Meredith, I love the review title!! Nice link!
Thanks, Cass! I couldn’t resist! 😉
Bought this book last weekend. It has two things I love. Regency and time travel. Now after your review I can’t wait to get stuck into it.
Yay! Happy reading, Teresa! I never thought I would much care for time travel stories but I’ve read so many Austenesque time-travels and time-slips and loved them! Hope you get the chance to read this one soon!
Loved this Review and not just because it was positive. Really, I enjoyed seeing the book through your eyes! Thank you!
Thanks, Ada!! I am very thankful for the opportunity to read and review your story! It was such a pleasure!
Sounds like a really great read!! I guess it’s got to be added to my groaning TBR list! What’s a girl to do??
Fantastic review, Meredith. I can highly recommend Cass and Ada’s wonderful book to any lover of JAFF.
So glad to see you loved it, as I’ll be reading it soon!
Your review is spot on as always! Looking forward to book 2.