Perhaps More About Rose Wallace’s Past Than Jane Austen’s
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Source: Review Copy from Authors
TYPE OF NOVEL: Austen-Inspired Original, Jane Austen as a Fictional Character, Time Travel/Time Slip
SERIES: Austen Adventures Book 2
NOTE: Potential readers should read The Particular Charm of Miss Jane Austen first to fully appreciate and understand all that is taking place in this second book of the series.
SETTING: Technically, Bath, England present day, but also Chawton, England 1813
SYNOPSIS: Similar to Doc Brown at the end of Back to the Future, a time traveling Jane Austen arrives in the future to urge Rose Wallace to travel back to 1813 with her to help unravel a mystery. Rose, and her long-time crush-turned-sorta-new-boyfriend, Dr. Aiden Trevellyan, accompany Jane to 1813 and her home in Chawton. Meeting other Austens, seeing Jane Austen in her world, and discovering a secret about Rose’s history send Rose and Aiden on quite the adventure! One that brings about new discoveries, blossoming relationships, and unexpected troubles…
WHAT I LOVED:
- Well-Balanced: Such seamless writing! Cass Grafton and Ada Bright are such a fantastic writing duo. Once again, their prose feels even and consistent the whole way through the story. In addition, I enjoyed that there was a good balance between the elements of mystery, history, time travel, and romance in this tale.
- Staying with the Austens: I love the idea of being an unexpected houseguest at Chawton, don’t you? It was a lot of fun to see how Mrs. Austen and Cassandra interacted with these newcomers. And to witness an authentic portrayal of their daily lives – what chores they would undertake, what routines were a part of their day. I also enjoyed seeing more of Captain Charles Austen and Edward Knight in this story – I cannot help but feel that Jane Austen was very lucky to have such brothers. 🥰
- Chawton in 1813: Through visits, research, and discussions with residents/experts of the area the authors take great pains to give accurate details and descriptions of both Chawton Cottage and the Great House in 1813. I greatly appreciated this meticulous attention to detail and accuracy. In addition, readers are thoughtfully reminded of the challenges us modern-day folk would face in living in 1813 – with water being unsafe to drink, food being less appetizing, strict rules of propriety, and of course, all the issues with hygiene.
- Relationships: In the first book of this series I fell in love with the relationships between Rose and Morgan, and Rose and Jane (also loved Morgan and James). In this story we see those close bonds of friendship continue to strengthen. I also loved seeing some new relationships develop between Rose and other characters – which may have sometimes felt quickly formed, but they were so heartwarming to witness that I didn’t mind.
WHAT I WASN’T TOO FOND OF:
- Hard to Compare: It might be because I am comparing this book to the first book in this series, which was such a spectacular adventure, but there were some moments where I was hoping for a little more action or activity in this tale. This story focused mainly on Rose and her coming to terms with some discoveries. I wouldn’t have minded seeing some more attention or development with some of the other characters.
CONCLUSION:
I think the moral of these stories should be that you should not attempt any sort of time travel unless you have the support of some dear friends! I thoroughly enjoyed this journey back into 1813 with my dear favorite authoress, and I cannot wait to see what could happen next for Rose, Morgan, Aiden, James, Jane, and this beguiling, magical charm! This series is a fantastic choice for readers who enjoy time travel tales, sweet stories about friendships, and seeing Jane Austen as a main character!
I have not read the first book in this series. So many good books…what can I say? Great review, Meredith.
Oh Sheila, I think you would love it! Definitely give it a go if you can fit it in!!
Thanks for yet another lovely and well-balanced review, Meredith. I totally loved the first book and once I get my hands on a copy of the second, I think I shall have to read them back-to-back. Having visited 21st century Chawton myself, I can’t wait to see what Rose thinks of the 19th century version.
Sheila, you should definitely read The Particular Charm! Not only is it a throughly good story, it’s a very good guidebook to Bath as well.
Definitely a good plan, Anji! I didn’t read them back to back, but I did reread the first book prior to reading this one and it was so much fun to revisit with these lovely friends!
Can’t wait to hear your thoughts!
Thank you so much for the lovely and balanced review, Meredith. (I actually agree re the title, but we weren’t allowed any say in it. I think it was the publisher’s marketing perspective that made them choose the one they did. We feel the one they chose fits the third, as yet unwritten, book more).
Really appreciate your taking the time to read and review and then share your thoughts! <3
My pleasure, Cass! Thank YOU and Ada for writing such a diverting series for us to enjoy! I completely understand about the title….it is important to have JA’s name in it!
Very excited to hear about the third book and that it might include more about Jane Austen’s past!!
sounds like a great book
d
I thought so!
While reading this review, I realized I hadn’t read the 1st in the series, so I quickly bought it to remedy that problem! Thank you for continuing to keep us abreast of great “new” releases. And congratulations to Cass and Ada for another successful joint enterprise.
Yay! I hope you enjoy reading both of these stories, Anngela! They are lovely adventures with good friends!
Wasn’t this a good one? I am leery of time travel stories, but this series is a favorite now. Yes, time travel with friends to support you. 🙂
I feel the same way, Sophia…they aren’t what I typically enjoy reading. But I am having so much fun with this series that I am eagerly anticipating the next book! Glad to hear you feel the same way!
I can’t wait to read this series! It sounds really fun in addition to being Austenesque.
Yes it is! I hope you get the chance to read this series soon, Sarah!
I’m looking forward to this as I thoroughly enjoyed the first one. Time travel is a favorite genre of mine but of late I’ve been finding it harder and harder to get a good one. Great review as usual Meredith.
Oh wonderful! So happy to hear you are into time travel and eager to read this story, Teresa! I hope you get the chance soon!
Thanks Meredith! I haven’t read either of these books so your review has me motivated.
Oh so glad to hear you are motivated to give these lovely books I try! Hope you enjoy them as much as I did!