4.5 stars. This book is thoroughly, completely charming. To be fair, I've never read Persuasion, the Austen book this is retelling, so I can't compare to the source material (it's one of the classics I'm planning on getting to this year! After reading this, it's probably next on deck after I finish my current classic read, which also features in this book, Jane Eyre ). However, I found it to be sweet and fun, and considering the reverential way the main character feels about books, I can only assume that the retelling is, if not thoroughly faithful, entirely good spirited. Anne is every reader who grew up clutching her beloved Austens and believing in both romance and in the power of books and language. When she discovers that her long-ago fiance is now the president of the university she's teaching at, all of her memories of their relationship and its ending are brought back.
Books about books and retellings are completely my jam, and combining them with a bit of romance in this story worked very well for me. It's been awhile since I found a story to be so thoroughly enjoyable. It's an incredibly quick read, and while I wouldn't have been sad to read more, overall the plot is tidy and well done. This is a debut novel, and I'll be watching this author in hopes she has more stories to tell.
Books about books and retellings are completely my jam, and combining them with a bit of romance in this story worked very well for me. It's been awhile since I found a story to be so thoroughly enjoyable. It's an incredibly quick read, and while I wouldn't have been sad to read more, overall the plot is tidy and well done. This is a debut novel, and I'll be watching this author in hopes she has more stories to tell.