A Small Town Holiday-Inspired Romance with some Jane Austen Mixed In!
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Source: Review Copy from Author
TYPE OF NOVEL: Emma-Inspired, Contemporary Romance
SETTING: Crystal Corners, Minnesota
SYNOPSIS:
Emma Westwood and Austin Knightley grew up in the same small town, but as children they were never really close. Austin, who still to this day is quiet and reserved, long ago prejudged Emma as a spoiled busybody who is used to having her way, and has purposefully kept his distance, even though he is secretly drawn to her. And Emma, after having her overtures of friendship rebuffed byAustin Knightley has always assumed he is rude and disapproving. But with less than two weeks before Christmas, Emma, desperate to save her special Christmas project for the community, turns to Austin for some much needed help. Will Austin agree to help Emma in her time of need? What happens when Austin realizes his initial judgements of Emma were greatly mistaken?
WHAT I LOVED:
- Emma Inspired: I love that this is a contemporary holiday romance inspired by Emma. I adore Emma and Mr. Knightley, and I love the idea of seeing Jane Austen’s characters in holiday stories! This story isn’t a modern-day retelling of Emma, it is a story that follows its own plot, with a few allusions and parallels to Emma along the way. I loved spotting the nods to Jane Austen’s Emma, like Emma feeling a little separate from the rest of her community and not much desiring a relationship for herself.
- The Knightley Siblings: I loved this family! Readers meet Austin’s 3 younger siblings, his parents, and his sister’s husband, Reggie. (No cranky John Knightley here!) And all these characters had distinct differences in their personalities. I loved that the Knightley family was so large and dynamic – their boisterous snowball fight, their ribbing Austin over his time spent with Emma, and their family jokes about Reggie’s spice addiction were amusing and endearing to witness. It feels like these Knightley siblings would make excellent protagonists for any future books that might take us back to Crystal Corners…
- Modern-Day Highbury: I’ve said it a thousand times now, but here I go again – I adore Highbury and want to live there! And I loved Crystal Corners, a fictitious small-town in Minnesota, (fun fact: Marilyn Brant was first inspired to write this story while traveling in Minnesota!) that represented Highbury in this story. I so want to visit Adele’s Bakery and sample everything, to meet Emma’s neighborly and kind friends, and to live in a place where there is such a heartwarming sense of community. And seeing the town gather together to celebrate Christmas only enhanced these wonderful feelings of warmth and connection.
- Emma Westwood: If you are not a fan of Emma Woodhouse, stick around…because Emma Westwood is much more likable! Emma is much more generous and altruistic in her efforts to help people, and she doesn’t an unbalanced friendship with a Harriet Smith-like character or a Jane Fairfax/Frank Churchill situation for her to display poor judgement over. Instead we witness Emma care deeply and work tirelessly for her community and fight her own loneliness during the holidays, which easily earned her my support and admiration.
WHAT I WASN’T TOO FOND OF:
- Austin/Romance: I’m sad to admit that I was not very enamored with Austin Knightley in this tale. There are some alterations with his personality (which is fine, I like an introverted Mr. Knightley!), but I also felt there were some pieces missing and that his character arc needed to be fleshed out some more. In addition, while I loved seeing a sweet romance develop between Austin and Emma, it did so rather quickly and I wouldn’t have minded a slower and more satisfying progression of their relationship.
CONCLUSION:
Fans of holiday-inspired romances and small-town settings will find plenty of good cheer and holiday spirit in this festive and merry tale! And Janeites will enjoy the virtual trip to a modern-day Highbury! I hope Marilyn Brant takes us back to Crystal Corners soon!
Thanks for reviewing, Meredith. Loved this new book when it came out. Perfect for the holidays.
My pleasure, Jennifer! Thank you so much for checking out my review!
sounds delightful
A perfect word to describe this book!
I am reading this at present and having lots of fun doing so! Thanks for the review.
Oh yay! I’m so glad to hear you are enjoying this book, Brenda! Definitely a fun read!
Thanks for your review Meredith! I do have this on my list so when I want a break from Darcy and Elizabeth??? ………..
(I recently read Falling For Mr Thornton so it is possible)
I have read an excerpt which I enjoyed even though Emma is not my favourite character. – saying that I did enjoy the film starring Kate Beckinsale!
I don’t think you would ever WANT a break from Darcy and Elizabeth, Glynis…but I will say absence makes the heart grow fonder, right…?
This Emma will definitely be one that you DO like.
I never read contemporary books but this one really appeals to me. Great review Meredith.
So glad to hear you find it appealing. It is a fun read and one that could “mix things up” for you if you ever are needing it. 🙂
It was a lovely holiday story and I do know what you mean about Austin’s feelings changing and coming on quickly.
So glad to hear you say so, Sophia! Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
That was adorable. I look forward to reading this. It is on my wish-list at the moment. Thanks, Meredith for hosting [hello to your Mr. Bingley]. Blessings to our author Marilyn, we wish you all the best on this work.
Hope you get the chance to read it soon, Jeanne! I know you will love it!
I read and enjoyed this book and look forward to the rest of the series.
So glad to hear, Shelia!
Meredith, I so enjoyed reading your thoughtful review and I’m delighted you liked the story overall. xox Thank you for reading & reviewing this holiday romance, as well as so many other books I’d written!! 🙂
Jen, Denise, Brenda, Glynis, Teresa, Sophia, J.W. & Sheila – many thanks to each one of you for your very kind comments here and your supportive sweetness around the web. I’m incredibly grateful to you!!
Wishing all of you — and anyone else who reads this — a very happy & healthy holiday season with blessings galore for 2020!!
Awww. Thank you, Marilyn! I am so happy to have had the chance to read your lovely new release! Thank you so much for the opportunity!
Hope you enjoy a wonderful 2020 as well!
I haven’t read the original book, so I am a little curious about this story. As with P & P , I was acquainted with the variation first before the original. Looking forward to reading this first and follow it up with reading Emma.
Emma is one of my favorite Jane Austen novels. I hope you like it when you get the chance to read it!