From Rodeos to Regency Dancing

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Source: Review Copy from Author

TYPE OF NOVEL: Modern Day Persuasion

THE PREMISE: The first part of the story explores Isobel defying her family’s wishes by moving to Nebraska to attend a creative writing program at The University of Nebraska. It is there she meets Eric Worth and falls in love. The second part  displays what happens seven years later – Isobel has pushed aside her literary ambitions and caters to the whims of her selfish family… That is until she enters and wins a Jane Austen writing contest.

MY THOUGHTS: I’ve read so many contemporary Persuasion stories – they are one of my favorite types of Austenesque works. I was eager for this one since the heroine, in addition to being a modern-day Anne Elliot, is also an avid Janeite. She rereads the book, watches the movies, reads and writes Jane Austen Fan Fiction – she is our kind of people. 😉

I enjoyed how this story covered two timelines – when Isobel first meets Eric and seven years later when they unexpectedly cross paths. I always love to see the genesis of a relationship and experience the swirl of emotions of each encounter. So part of me is glad the first half of the book was devoted to that time of their relationship. However, the trade off is that the events in the second half of the book were a little condensed. Their reunion follows a similar progression to that of Anne’s and Wentworth’s, but it take place in the span of a long weekend.

I love that Isobel and Eric share writing in common. I also enjoyed the premise of a Jane Austen writing contest, and that the prize is a trip to Bath. Jane Austen and travel – what could be better? It was wonderful to witness Isobel seize this opportunity, and do something for herself. Although, it ends up being pretty different from what she expected… 

While I appreciated that both parts of the book are eventful, I overall missed seeing these characters and their relationship together develop more. Isobel and Eric only date for 3-4 months before parting ways and are reunited for a long weekend, so it felt like their relationship only had so much time to deepen. It felt a little surface level. The depth of their love, mutual regret, and poignant heartache wasn’t as strongly felt in this tale. In addition, there were a few moments that felt a little off or forced – like Isobel not knowing where she was, the William Elliot subplot, the Baroness’s intense animosity, and Isobel’s reception of Eric’s letter.

Despite these quibbles, The Jane Austen Contest is a fun and light-hearted diversion. While it doesn’t rank as one of my top favorite modern Persuasion adaptations, it is a great choice for readers who love contemporary Austenesque and Persuasion inspired stories and are intrigued by the idea of these characters bonding over writing and Jane Austen.

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