Thoughtfully and Cleverly Updated

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Source: Review Copy from Author

TYPE OF NOVEL: Modern Day Adaptation of Sense and Sensibility

SERIES: Pemberley Estates #3

SETTING: New York and Washington State

SYNOPSIS: Told from just Elinor Dashwood’s point-of-view, readers see how she copes with her dad’s debilitating condition and attempts to save her start-up company from being sold by her half-brother’s family, who currently have power-of-attorney over all of her father’s assets. Brought in to help evaluate and prepare Norland – the business Elinor currently runs for her father – for a potential buyer is none other than her sister-in-law’s brother, Edward Ferrars. Elinor is immediately attracted to the shy, dorky, and caring Edward Ferrars, and she is hoping that he might be able to help her buy Norland (for a way under-market price). But every time Elinor begins to think that Edward might return her feelings, he pulls back and acts cold and distant. Is his heart not engaged? Is it his controlling mother? Or is it something else?

WHAT I LOVED:

• Creative Updates: I completely agree with Keena Richins about the S&S being such a challenging Jane Austen novel to bring to present-day. And I am so glad she found a plausible way to update this story so that it parallels the same conflicts as the original, but also make sense in our modern world. With Mr. Dashwood suffering from post-stroke dementia, John and Fanny having power-of-attorney, and Lucy Steele possessing a stronger hold over Edward, Ms. Richins modern-day translations of the conflicts and obstacles in Sense and Sensibility are some of the most creative and believable I’ve seen.

• Professional Women: I love that, not only does Elinor run one of her father’s companies, but that she is running it with great capability and success. Which is even more impressive because she is nineteen in this book! In addition, I appreciated that Mrs. Dashwood pitched in and returned to work as well to help support her family during this time. Instead of being passive and having her daughters take care of her, this Mrs. Dashwood shared the responsibilities and procured jobs and a living situation.

• In Elinor’s Head: Poor Elinor must conceal so much from her family, who is already burdened with their own disappointment and troubles. But she doesn’t conceal it from the reader! I loved being privy to all Elinor was thinking and feeling. I especially enjoyed seeing her ruminations about Edward and his puzzling mixed signals. I also appreciated observing how Elinor internally processed her own disappointment and heartache. Just because she doesn’t do it externally doesn’t mean she is unfeeling.

• Crossing Paths and Novels: I enjoyed seeing Anne and Rick Wentworth pop up in this story (as well as Charles Bingley!) It looks like Keena Richins is creating a whole world/community where all the principal characters of her series cross paths and know of one another. (I love it when authors do this!) I also sensed there were some events from the previous books alluded to in this book. But since I didn’t read them yet, I don’t know for sure.

WHAT I WASN’T TOO FOND OF:

• Marianne: I am wondering if in the future the author will be coming out with a book from just Marianne’s point-of-view (and maybe also Brandon?), because her story has a lot of details missing. Her character doesn’t do much except scowl and act rudely to Brandon – to the point where he tries to avoid inflicting his presence on her! 😢 I was not a fan of this Marianne and couldn’t understand how Brandon could like such uncaring and unpleasant person.

• Just A Number?: I loved so many of the updates in this story, but I wished the author would have updated the ages for Marianne and Elinor. I didn’t love that Marianne was seventeen and catching the eye of men in their thirties. Also, it sometimes felt like these characters didn’t act like or were treated like the ages they were – Wouldn’t they have some gaps in knowledge or experience? Wouldn’t meeting a nineteen year old CEO cause some remark or skepticism?

CONCLUSION:

Sense without Sensibility is an excellent choice for readers who love Jane Austen’s quiet heroines or want to mix in some Sense and Sensibility reads with their steady consumption of Pride and Prejudice inspired stories. I’m eager to check out the rest of the Pemberley Estates series, especially because the next book – Smitten with Sense – is told from Edward Ferrar’s point-of-view (which is a rarity!)

Add to Cart   I   Add to Shelf