Review: 'The Particular Charm of Miss Jane Austen' by Ada Bright & Cass Grafton (2016)

What would life be like if something had prevented Jane Austen from ever publishing any of her books? Dedicated Janeite, Rose, is about to find out! It's September, and the city of Bath is playing host to the annual Jane Austen Festival, a celebration of the famous author and her works. Rose Wallace, Bath resident and avid Jane Austen fan, can't wait for her friends to arrive and the Festival to start, unaware one of the recently arrived guests will turn her life upside down by sharing with her a secret that ultimately puts Jane Austen's entire literary legacy at risk. With the support of a displaced two hundred year old author and a charmed necklace, can Rose help to bring back some of the most beloved stories of all time and turn her own life around in the process?
If there's one type of read I am never too tired, too stressed, or too grumpy for, it's a Jane Austen adaptation. I've been a big fan of Austen since I first read her classic novel 'Pride and Prejudice' when I was sixteen years old, and especially when I was studying English Literature at university I couldn't get enough of her. There's a whole wide world filled with Austen adaptations out there and I'd love to read them all! So when Ada Bright and Cass Grafton contacted me about their novel 'The Particular Charm of Miss Jane Austen', which was released in 2016, I was immediately excited to give the book a go. I saved it until a time when I really needed a good book to pick me up, and I had my hopes established on this one; fingers crossed it would do the trick!
Rose Wallace has been a big Jane Austen fan for as long as she can remember. Living in the beautiful city of Bath, she has the luxury of being close to the famous Jane Austen festival each September, and this year is going to be extra special since her best friend Morgan is flying over from the USA, giving them the chance to finally meet after years of online friendship. But as the festival kicks off, Rose meets the rather eccentric Jenny; a woman whom she keeps bumping into and can't help but wonder about. Before she knows it, she ends up in the middle of a big Austen-related mystery, with the real possibility of learning what it would be like to live in a world without Jane Austen's novels. Will Rose be able to bring back everything to the way it was, or are these the type of things you simply shouldn't meddle with...?
I love how authors still manage to come up with new and exciting stories focusing on Jane Austen and her classic novels, and 'The Particular Charm of Miss Jane Austen' is definitely a good example of that. The novel is set in Bath, and the fact that I've been to Bath myself several times really helped me with picturing everything in my head. Leading lady Rose is a lovely character; I could easily relate to her and I especially loved her friendship with Morgan, whom Rose met online several years ago. The two really complemented one another and make a great duo. Next to Morgan there are also some other great characters in the story, such as Rose's boss James and professor Aiden Trevellyan, whom Rose has always had a soft spot for, and the slightly peculiar Jenny whom Rose keeps bumping into.
I don't want to give too much about the plotline away, because I really loved discovering everything myself while reading and I want others to have the same experience. I did feel the story was a bit too gentle-paced at times; I wouldn't have minded if things had developed a bit quicker, but it's not as if it ruined the story for me. The ending even hints at a sequel and I'm already keeping my fingers crossed we will indeed get one...! 'The Particular Charm of Miss Jane Austen' is a charming and fun read and a great new Austen adaptation which I'm sure even a non-Jane Austen fan will be able to enjoy!

Rating:9,5/10

  For more information about this book: Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads
Thanks to the authors for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Review: 'Eligible' by Curtis Sittenfeld (2016)

This version of the Bennet family—and Mr. Darcy—is one that you have and haven’t met before: Liz is a magazine writer in her late thirties who, like her yoga instructor older sister, Jane, lives in New York City. When their father has a health scare, they return to their childhood home in Cincinnati to help—and discover that the sprawling Tudor they grew up in is crumbling and the family is in disarray.

Youngest sisters Kitty and Lydia are too busy with their CrossFit workouts and Paleo diets to get jobs. Mary, the middle sister, is earning her third online master’s degree and barely leaves her room, except for those mysterious Tuesday-night outings she won’t discuss. And Mrs. Bennet has one thing on her mind: how to marry off her daughters, especially as Jane’s fortieth birthday fast approaches.

Enter Chip Bingley, a handsome new-in-town doctor who recently appeared on the juggernaut reality TV dating show Eligible. At a Fourth of July barbecue, Chip takes an immediate interest in Jane, but Chip’s friend neurosurgeon Fitzwilliam Darcy reveals himself to Liz to be much less charming... 

And yet, first impressions can be deceiving.

It's been quite a while since I've been as excited about a book as I was for the release of Curtis Sittenfeld's 'Eligible.' As some of you might know by now I am a big Jane Austen fan and I was incredibly excited about this new modern-day retelling of her famous novel 'Pride and Prejudice.' The book was released in April this year and I was lucky enough to get a copy of the book for my birthday. I decided to save it for my summer holiday, so I would definitely have a good book to enjoy. So, when I went to the UK for my holiday a few weeks ago, I couldn't wait to get started in 'Eligible' and really hoped I would end up enjoying it as much as I expected to...!

Thirty-something Liz Bennet works as a magazine author in New York City, where she lives not far from her older sister Jane, a yoga instructor. When they receive news that their father has been in an accident, they return to their family home in Cincinnati to join their mother and three sisters. While her husband is recovering, Mrs. Bennet is solely focused on how to marry off her daughters and she immediately sees an opportunity for Jane when doctor and reality TV star Chip Bingley comes to town. Liz, on the other hand, gets distracted by his neurosurgeon friend, Fitzwilliam Darcy, whom doesn't leave the best first impression but somehow Liz can't get him out of her head...

'Eligible' is the fourth part of The Austen Project, a series of modern-day retellings of Jane Austen's classic novels, and is author Curtis Sittenfeld's own interpretation of Austen's most famous story 'Pride and Prejudice'. I'm a big fan of anything Jane Austen and have to say 'Eligible' is one of my absolute favourite adaptations of the love story so far. I loved the author's writing style (which is comfortable and consists of mainly short chapters with a few longer ones in between), the modern-day setting, and the new interpretation of some of the characters. For example, Mr. Collins has become cousin Willie, a rich whizz kid genius, and Catherine de Bourgh has turned into Kathy de Bourgh, a well-known feminist whom Liz is eager to interview. Next to that, the sisters are also a bit older; Jane is 39 and Liz 38 with the other sisters being in their early thirties and twenties, which obviously fits the modern-day setting really well.

While this is definitely a new interpretation of 'Pride and Prejudice', Curtis Sittenfeld has done a wonderful job staying close to Austen's original, especially when it comes to the witty nature of the story. It made me laugh and shake my head numerous times and I dare to say Austen herself would have loved this retelling as well. The book is quite lengthy, with more than 500 pages, but I personally couldn't get enough of it and wouldn't have minded if it had been 700 pages instead! I'm really glad this adaptation introduced me to Curtis Sittenfeld as well because I definitely plan on picking up one of her other works in the near future. On the whole, 'Eligible' is a fantastic, witty and thoroughly enjoyable modern-day interpretation of Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice', but at the same time also just a great piece of women's fiction, worth picking up whether you're a Jane Austen fan or not.
Rating:10/10

  For more information about this book: Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

Review: 'Prejudice and Pride' by Lynn Messina (2015)

You know Darcy: rich, proud, standoffish, disapproving, one of the greatest romantic heroes of all time. But you don't know this Darcy because THIS Darcy is a woman. 
In PREJUDICE & PRIDE, Lynn Messina’s modern retelling with a gender-bendy twist, everything is vaguely familiar and yet wholly new. Bingley is here, in the form of Charlotte "Bingley" Bingston, an heiress staying at the Netherfield hotel on Central Park, as is Longbourn, transformed from an ancestral home into a perennially cash-strapped art museum on the edge of the city. Naturally, it employs an audacious fundraiser with an amused glint in his eye called Bennet. 
All the favorite characters are present and cleverly updated: Providing the cringe-worthy bon mots is Mr. Meryton, the nerve-wracked executive director of the Longbourn who’s always on the lookout for heiresses to join his museum’s very important committees. (Universally acknowledged truth: Any woman in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a social committee to chair.) Collin Parsons is still in obsequious, if ironic, awe of his patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. The wicked Georgia Wickham toils as a graphic designer at Redcoat Design by day and schemes against Darcy by night.
Ever since I first read 'Pride and Prejudice' when I was a teenager, I've been a big fan of Jane Austen and almost anything connected to her in one way or another. I love checking out adaptations of her novels, whatever kind they may be: modern-day retellings, from the point of view of another character, an important change of events, featuring vampires and/or zombies (yes, even those!). So, when I found Lynn Messina's 'Prejudice and Pride' on NetGalley, I straight away requested the novel and luckily got approved! I actually already read 'Little Vampire Women', the author's adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's classic novel 'Little Women', so I was really curious to see what she had decided to do with this particular classic!
Brothers Bennet and John Bethle both live in New York City and work at the Longbourn Collection, a relatively small art museum in the city. Their boss Mr. Meryton is always on the look-out for people to help fund the museum, including young and rich socialites who can organise events and help spread the word. So when heiress Charlotte Bingston, known to her friends as Bingley, comes to town, Mr. Meryton is set on John and Bennet charming her to invest some of her money in the museum. However, Charlotte's best friend Darcy Fitzwilliam isn't amused by the brothers and particularly their boss, and their acquaintance leads to quite a bit more than both parties initially expected...
As a big Jane Austen fan I was really curious to check out Lynn Messina's 'Prejudice and Pride', which is not only a modern-day retelling of Austen's classic novel set in New York City, but also one in which the genders are swapped. I loved looking for the differences and similarities with the original novel and discovering what the author had decided to change or even do completely different. We've got a male Elizabeth and a female Mr. Darcy in the form of Bennet and Darcy, which I thought was great. I also loved what the author decided to do with Mrs. Bennet in the form of Mr. Meryton, younger brother Lydon as the infamous Lydia, and Darcy's gay cousin Collin, who was quite fabulous and a great new interpretation of the character in my opinion!
I do have to admit I missed the sparks between Darcy and Bennet; the chemistry between the two of them unfortunately wasn't really there for me, which is quite an important aspect of this romance story. In some instances the author also decided to use specific Jane Austen quotes/language which just didn't really fit in with the modern-day setting and feel of the story. However, don't get me wrong, I did really enjoy this Austen adaptation and my first gender-swap retelling and definitely recommend it to any Austen fans out there. 'Prejudice and Pride' is a fascinating and original retelling of Jane Austen's most famous novel; a thoroughly enjoyable read and new take on this classic romance that fits the modern day and age.

Rating:8/10

  For more information about this book: Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Upcoming Release: 'Eligible' by Curtis Sittenfeld!

The Bennet sisters have been summoned from New York City.

Liz and Jane are good daughters. They’ve come home to suburban Cincinnati to get their mother to stop feeding their father steak as he recovers from heart surgery, to tidy up the crumbling Tudor-style family home, and to wrench their three sisters from their various states of arrested development.

Once they are under the same roof, old patterns return fast. Soon enough they are being berated for their single status, their only respite the early morning runs they escape on together. For two successful women in their late thirties, it really is too much to bear. That is, until the Lucas family’s BBQ throws them in the way of some eligible single men...

Chip Bingley is not only a charming doctor, he’s a reality TV star too. But Chip's friend, haughty neurosurgeon Fitzwilliam Darcy, can barely stomach Cincinnati or its inhabitants. Jane is entranced by Chip; Liz, sceptical of Darcy. As Liz is consumed by her father’s mounting medical bills, her wayward sisters and Cousin Willie trying to stick his tongue down her throat, it isn’t only the local chilli that will leave a bad aftertaste.

But where there are hearts that beat and mothers that push, the mysterious course of love will resolve itself in the most entertaining and unlikely of ways. And from the hand of Curtis Sittenfeld, Pride & Prejudice is catapulted into our modern world singing out with hilarity and truth.

A completely new modern-day retelling of Jane Austen's famous novel 'Pride and Prejudice' and one I am SO excited about! I already love the sound of 'Eligible' by Curtus Sittenfeld and I can't wait to have a copy of this book in my hands. It sounds like a perfect read for any Austen fan, but I am sure women's fiction/chick lit fans might really end up enjoying this as well. Without a doubt the April 2016 release I am most excited about, CAN'T WAIT!

Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Books Every Jane Austen Fan Should Read

'Top Ten Tuesday' is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. I love making lists, so this feature fits me perfectly! If you also take part in this feature or have any additions to my lists, please get in touch; I'd love to hear from you!  

  10 Books Every Jane Austen Fan Should Read
I'm a big Jane Austen fan; she's my favourite author of all time and next to reading her own novels, I also love reading adaptations of her famous books or stories based on Austen's own life. For this week's Top Ten Tuesday I decided to go with 10 books you definitely need to read if you're a Jane Austen fan, just like me, but are also worth picking up if you like chick lit with a touch of Austen!
Be sure to share your own TTT's in the comments section below; I'd love to hear from you! 

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1. 'Austenland' - Shannon Hale

Jane is a young New York woman who can never seem to find the right man-perhaps because of her secret obsession with Mr. Darcy, as played by Colin Firth in the BBC adaptation of "Pride and Predjudice." When a wealthy relative bequeaths her a trip to an English resort catering to Austen-obsessed women, however, Jane's fantasies of meeting the perfect Regency-era gentleman suddenly become more real than she ever could have imagined. Is this total immersion in a fake Austenland enough to make Jane kick the Austen obsession for good, or could all her dreams actually culminate in a Mr. Darcy of her own?

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2. 'A Weekend with Mr. Darcy' - Victoria Connelly

Of course she's obsessed with Jane Austen... 

Surrounded by appalling exes and fawning students, the only thing keeping professor Katherine Roberts sane is Jane Austen and her personal secret love for racy Regency romance novels. She thinks the Jane Austen Addicts conference in the English countryside is the perfect opportunity to escape her chaotic life and finally relax... 

But then she encounters a devilishly handsome man at the conference who seems determined to sweep her off her feet. Is he more fiction than fact? Or could he be the hero she didn't know she was looking for?

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3. 'Me and Mr. Darcy' - Alexandra Potter

After a string of disastrous relationships, Emily Albright has had it with modern men.

She'd rather curl up with Pride and Prejudice and step into a time where men were honorable and strode across fields in breeches, their damp shirts clinging to their chests. The men she meets are more into pleated trousers, two-timing and internet porn.

So when her best friend invites her to Mexico for a week of margaritas and manhunting, Emily books a guided tour of Jane Austen country instead.

There are no dream men here. The coach is full of pensioners, apart from one Spike Hargreaves, a foul-tempered journalist writing a piece on why most women would love to date Mr Darcy.

But then she walks into a room and finds herself face-to-face with Darcy himself. And every woman's fantasy suddenly becomes one woman's reality...

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4. 'The Jane Austen Factor Series' - Katie Oliver

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5. 'Sense and Sensibility' - Joanna Trollope

Two sisters could hardly be more different.

Elinor Dashwood, an architecture student, values discretion above all. Her impulsive sister Marianne displays her creativity everywhere as she dreams of going to art school.

But when the family finds itself forced out of Norland Park, their beloved home for twenty years, their values are severely put to the test.

Can Elinor remain stoic knowing that the man she likes has been ensnared by another girl? Will Marianne’s faith in love be shaken by meeting the hottest boy in the county? And when social media is the controlling force at play, can love ever triumph over conventions and disapproval?

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6. 'The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen' - Syrie James

What if, hidden in an old attic chest, Jane Austen's memoirs were discovered after hundreds of years? What if those pages revealed the untold story of a life-changing love affair? That's the premise behind this spellbinding novel, which delves into the secrets of Jane Austen's life, giving us untold insights into her mind and heart.

Jane Austen has given up her writing when, on a fateful trip to Lyme, she meets the well-read and charming Mr. Ashford, a man who is her equal in intellect and temperament. Inspired by the people and places around her, and encouraged by his faith in her, Jane begins revising Sense and Sensibility, a book she began years earlier, hoping to be published at last.

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7. 'Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict' - Laura Viera Rigler

Sassy, smart and suddenly single Courtney Stone is a typical modern LA girl. That is, until she wakes up one morning in Regency England in the body of Jane Mansfield. At first she thinks she must be dreaming - maybe she's read all of Jane Austen's books a few too many times - but as time goes on she finds there is a lot she needs to get to grips with: a new accent, a new body, a wicked new 'mother', and most excitingly, a new man in her life: the dashing, dishy Charles Edgeworth.

But is he a Darcy, a Wickham, or merely a confusing distraction? As Courtney trips through the social minefield of life in Jane Austen's England she wonders: Will she ever get her twenty-first century, west-coast life back - and does she even want to?

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8. 'The Jane Austen Marriage Manual' - Kim Izzo

It's in the midst of the recession when Kate, a freelance journalist and Jane Austen addict, finds herself single, unemployed and soon-to-be homeless (not to mention about to turn 40). In desperation she accepts a writing assignment to prove that in the toughest economic times a wealthy man is the only must-have accessory.

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9. 'First Impressions: a Tale of Less Pride and Prejudice' - Alexa Adams

In Pride and Prejudice, Fitzwilliam Darcy begins his relationship with Elizabeth Bennet with the words: "She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me; I am in no humour at present togive consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men." 

What would have happened if Mr. Darcy had never spoken so disdainfully? First Impressions explores how the events of Jane Austen's beloved novel would have transpired if Darcy and Elizabeth had danced together at the Meryton Assembly. Jane and Bingley's relationship blossoms unimpeded, Mary makes a most fortunate match, and Lydia never sets a foot in Brighton. Austen's witty style is authentically invoked in this playful romp from Longbourn to Pemberley. 

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10. 'According to Jane' - Marilyn Brant

It begins one day in sophomore English class, just as Ellie Barnett's teacher is assigning Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice". From nowhere comes a quiet 'tsk' of displeasure. The target: Sam Blaine, the cute bad boy who's teasing Ellie mercilessly, just as he has since kindergarten. Entirely unbidden, as Jane might say, the author's ghost has taken up residence in Ellie's mind, and seems determined to stay there. Jane's wise and witty advice guides Ellie through the hell of adolescence and beyond, serving as the voice she trusts, usually far more than her own. 
Years and boyfriends come and go - sometimes a little too quickly, sometimes not nearly fast enough. But Jane's counsel is constant, and on the subject of Sam, quite insistent. Stay away, Jane demands. He is your Mr. Wickham. Still, everyone has something to learn about love - perhaps even Jane herself. And lately, the voice in Ellie's head is being drowned out by another, urging her to look beyond everything she thought she knew and seek out her very own, very unexpected, happy ending.

Review: 'Who Needs Mr Willoughby' by Katie Oliver (2016)

What should rule - your head, or your heart?
When sisters Marianne and Elinor Dashwood are forced to leave their family home to live in a rural Northumberland cottage, Marianne is convinced her social life is over. Somehow, she can’t see kitten heels coping well in the countryside – and being stuck in the middle of nowhere, miles from London, sounds about as exciting as watching paint dry. Not to mention her arrogant new boss, Dr Brandon, who doesn’t seem to think much of her city ways.
When she meets the gallant, charming and handsome Mr Willoughby, Marianne begins to think that country life might not be so bad after all…especially when he suggests that marriage might be on the cards. But the countryside still has a few tricks up its sleeve for Marianne…after all, love rarely turns blossoms in the most convenient places!
On the 24th of March the third part of Katie Oliver's latest book series, The Jane Austen Factor, was released by publisher Carina UK. 'Who Needs Mr. Willoughby' is a retelling of Jane Austen's classic 'Sense and Sensibility', which I'm sure people who know the book already managed to get out of the title. A few weeks ago I read and reviewed the second part of the series, 'The Trouble with Emma' (click here to read my review), which I really loved and is a modern-day retelling of Austen's 'Emma.' I couldn't wait to check out this last part as well, even though I have to be honest and admit I'm quite sad to see this so far great series finish!
The lives of the Dashwood family, consisting of sisters Marianne and Elinor and their mother, are suddenly changed when they are forced to leave their home and move to a cottage in rural Northumberland instead. Marianne feels there's nothing positive the countryside could possibly bring her and finds it difficult to settle in. She manages to find a job at the local veterinary office, but her new boss Mr. Brandon is quite a challenge to please. When Marianne meets the handsome Mr. Willoughby, she is over the moon; finally something to keep her distracted from her rather boring new life. But as they embark on a romance, Marianne has no idea the countryside still has quite a few unexpected events in store for her...
I still don't exactly know why it took me so long to finally pick up one of Katie Oliver's novels, but after having read this second one of hers I am convinced her books are definite must-reads for any Jane Austen fan out there! 'Who Needs Mr. Willoughby' is a modern-day retelling of Austen's 'Sense and Sensibility' and Katie Oliver decided to go with a mix of elements from both modern times and Austen's original stories. The story is told from the perspective of Marianne, the younger of the two Dashwood sisters, and I loved how the author portrayed a more modern version of the character while also staying true to her original personality (especially Marianne's love for drama!). I have to say I've always been more of an Elinor fan myself and would have liked it if a bit more focus had been put on her as well, but it didn't make me enjoy Marianne's story any less.
You don't need to be familiar with the other parts of this book series or Austen's original novel in order to understand what's going on in the book; it can definitely be read and picked up as a stand-alone. Katie Oliver's writing is really great, in my opinion. The book is well-paced and the chapters are of a good length, not too long and not too short. I am really quite sad to see this series come to an end and can only keep my fingers crossed and hope Katie Oliver will decide to turn Austen's remaining three novels into modern-day retellings as well! Overall, 'Who Needs Mr. Willoughby' is another entertaining, well-written and simply great modern retelling of an Austen classic; definitely worth picking up for any Austen or chick lit fan!

Rating:9,5/10

  For more information about this book: Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Upcoming Release: 'Who Needs Mr. Willoughby?' by Katie Oliver!

What should rule - your head, or your heart?

When sisters Marianne and Elinor Dashwood are forced to leave their family home to live in a rural Northumberland cottage, Marianne is convinced her social life is over. Somehow, she can’t see kitten heels coping well in the countryside – and being stuck in the middle of nowhere, miles from London, sounds about as exciting as watching paint dry. Not to mention her arrogant new boss, Dr Brandon, who doesn’t seem to think much of her city ways.

When she meets the gallant, charming and handsome Mr Willoughby, Marianne begins to think that country life might not be so bad after all…especially when he suggests that marriage might be on the cards. But the countryside still has a few tricks up its sleeve for Marianne…after all, love rarely turns blossoms in the most convenient places!

On the 24th of March the third part of Katie Oliver's 'The Jane Austen Factor' series will be released and it's a release I can't wait to read! 'Who Needs Mr. Willoughby?' is a retelling of Jane Austen's classic 'Sense and Sensibility' and I am really excited to see what author Katie Oliver has done with the story. I loved 'The Trouble with Emma', part two of this book series, and I have a good feeling I'll enjoy this third part just as much, if not even more!

Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

Review: 'The Trouble with Emma' by Katie Oliver (2016)

There’s a fine line between matchmaking and meddling…
Stuck in a boring job, living at home with her parents and without even a glimmer of romance on the horizon, Emma Bennet’s life isn’t turning out how she planned. And since hit reality show Mind Your Manors started being filmed at the Bennet household, she’s felt more like a spare part than ever.
Matchmaking her assistant, Martine, is just the distraction Emma needs – and, whether Martine likes it or not, Emma is determined to see her coupled up before long! But when she meets Mark Knightley, the genius behind Mind Your Manors, Emma finds her own heart on the line...
Mark is everything Emma isn’t: quiet, reserved…and forever minding his own business! And suddenly, Emma is determined to prove to Mark that she’s ready to stop thinking about other people’s love lives – and focus on her own.
Ever since I read ‘Pride and Prejudice’ when I was in secondary school, I’ve been in love with Jane Austen and her novels. I’ll give any adaptation or retelling of her works at least a try (yes, I’ve also read ‘Pride and Prejudice and Zombies’ and am still not quite sure what to think of it…), so when I discovered author Katie Oliver was releasing a new series titled ‘The Jane Austen Factor’, to be published by author Carina UK, I immediately got excited. To be honest, I have no idea why it has taken me so long to finally check out one of Katie Oliver’s books, because she’s a big Austen fan as well and this comes back in many of her works. However, I luckily managed to get a review copy of ‘The Trouble with Emma’, which is quite a new release, and I was really excited to start reading!
Emma Bennet’s life definitely isn’t as exciting as she would like it to be. She still lives at home together with her father and younger sister, there’s no special man in her life, and she has no fantastic job to keep her occupied. So, when she sees a great opportunity for matchmaking the in-house help Martine, Emma immediately considers it her new project. However, other things are about to turn Emma's life upside down when her family home is chosen to be the next country house featured on TV show 'Mind Your Manors.' When she meets Mark Knightley, who works behind the scenes of the show, Emma can't help but be intrigued and start wondering whether it might be time to start focussing on her own love life instead that of others...
I've read hardly any modern-day adaptations of Jane Austen's classic novel 'Emma', but Katie Oliver's 'The Trouble with Emma' is definitely my favourite so far. I thoroughly enjoyed this contemporary retelling from start to finish and didn't want to put it down. Of course I was already familiar with the basic plotline of the book, but author Katie Oliver really added some great modern elements and twists to the story, making it not just a great read for Austen fans but for chick lit fans as well. It's quite a challenge to have a main character who is on the one hand quite frustrating and difficult to warm to, but on the other hand you can't help but find yourself rooting for her. That's one of the strengths of Austen's original novel, in my opinion, and in this retelling the author has done a wonderful job with this as well, because I did really like Emma (but wanted to slap her in the face every now and again as well!).
The secondary characters in the novel, such as Mark Knightley, Emma's father and younger sister, and Martine, really had the author's own touch and interpretation and I loved what she did with them and how she made everything fit together. I really found myself flying through the pages of this book. Katie Oliver's writing style is fantastic; the chapters were of a perfect length and it was just a well-paced and comfortable read which I didn't want to put down. I also want to quickly mention the book covers of this series which I love; they're a great combination of modern and historical times, which suits the series really well. I'm so glad I finally got to read one of Katie Oliver's books and already can't wait to pick up the first and third instalments of her 'The Jane Austen Factor' series. 'The Trouble with Emma' is a brilliant read; a captivating and thoroughly entertaining retelling of a Jane Austen classic; I loved it!

Rating:10/10

  For more information about this book: Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Top Ten Tuesday: Top 10 Books Which Feature Characters Who Are Linked to Jane Austen!

'Top Ten Tuesday' is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. I love making lists, so this feature fits me perfectly! If you also take part in this feature or have any additions to my lists, please get in touch; I'd love to hear from you!  

  Top 10 Books Which Feature Characters Who Are Linked to Jane Austen!
Those of you who visit this blog more often will know that I'm a big Jane Austen fan. She's one of my favourite authors of all time and I love picking up books that are even in the smallest way connected to her or her novels. So, for today's Top Ten Tuesday I decided to go with 10 books that feature characters that are in one way or another linked to Jane; whether they are fans of her work or looking for their own Mr. Darcy... Books which any Austen fan should definitely pick up! :)

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1. Victoria Connelly - 'A Weekend With Mr. Darcy'

Victoria Connelly's 'Austen Addicts' series is quite simply a must-read series for any Austen fan! I love Victoria's writing style and 'A Weekend With Mr. Darcy' is still one of my favourite Austen-inspired books!

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2. Karen Joy Fowler - 'The Jane Austen Book Club'

One of the most well-known Austen-inspired novels that was also turned into a film in 2007.

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3. Shannon Hale - 'Austenland'

I love 'Austenland'; such a fun look at Austen's novels and the time she lived in. The book was also turned into a great film which is perfect for romantic comedy fans, even if you're not an Austen fan.

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4. Syrie James - 'The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen'

A novel in which Jane's hidden memoirs are found after hundreds of years and we finally get to discover what her life was like exactly... Loved it!

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5. Kim Izzo - 'The Jane Austen Marriage Manual'

I really enjoy Kim Izzo's work and 'The Jane Austen Marriage Manual' combines two of the things I love: her writing style and Jane; another fabulous Austen-inspired read! 

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6. Marilyn Brant - 'According to Jane'

Another entertaining read in which the main character is suddenly stuck with the voice of Jane Austen in her head.

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7. Alexandra Potter - 'Me and Mr. Darcy'

A thoroughly enjoyable chick lit read in which the main character goes on a guided tour of Jane Austen country.

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8.  Laurie Viera Rigler - 'Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict'

The first part of Laurie Viera Rigler's Austen-inspired novels, 'Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict' is such a fun read, and I highly recommend the second part, 'Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict' as well!

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9. Mary Lydon Simonsen - 'Searching for Pemberley'

Three love stories set at different times, with a link to Jane Austen... And a stunning book cover!

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10. Melissa Nathan - 'Acting Up'

Another great chick lit read which focuses on a journalist who is asked to play the role of Elizabeth in a Pride and Prejudice play. A fantastic read!