Jane of Austin

GIVEAWAY

LODGE, HILLARY MANTON
JANE OF AUSTIN

"Know your own happiness. You want nothing but patience -- or give it a more fascinating name, call it hope." Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility

Just a few years after their father's business scandal shatters their lives, Jane Woodward and Celia Woodward find themselves forced out of their San Francisco tea shop. The last thing Jane wants is to leave their beloved shop on Valencia Street, but when Celia insists on a move to Austin, Texas, the sisters pack up their kid sister, Margot, and Jane's tea plants, determined to start over yet again.

But life in Austin isn't all sweet tea and breakfast tacos. Their unusual living situation is challenging, and unspoken words begin to fester between Jane and Celia. When Jane meets and falls for up-and-coming musician Sean Willis, the chasm grows deeper.

While Sean seems to charm everyone in his path, one person is immune -- retired Marie Captain Callum Beckett. Callum never meant to leave the military, but the twin losses of his father and his left leg have returned him to the place he least expected -- Texas.

In this modern spin on the Austen classic, Sense and Sensibility, the Woodward sisters must contend with new ingredients to unfamiliar kitchens, a dash of heartbreak, and the fragile hope that maybe home isn't so far away.

My Review:

Jane Austen make way for Hillary Manton Lodge! Absolutely love this modern take on the classic Sense and Sensibility -- in fact I actually prefer it to the original! And now that I've offended die-hard Jane Austen fans I'll continue with my review. :-)

Love the dynamics between these three sisters. They've dealt with some pretty intense stuff and yet they've stuck together and created a soft place to land...until their life is disrupted in a major way all over again. The Woodwards are nothing if not resilient! Even when that includes an unexpected move to Texas.

Which brings me to another thing I love about this version -- the setting! It takes on a life of its own -- at least to this non-Texan-never-been-to-Texas reader anyway. And the author has some interesting quotes that head up every chapter -- some on Texas and some on tea which made the read all the more fun. Plus every chapter ends with a delectable recipe, which, I think, has become a trademark for Hillary Manton Lodge.

The story follows along the lines of Austen's book though the author does include her own unique flair -- and some surprising twists. I was gobsmacked by one in particular, though in hindsight I shouldn't have been, but I'm glad it took me by surprise just the same.

And speaking of surprising twists. Dash! Be still my heart!  Is that not the perfect hero name or what? I won't say another word about him -- you'll just have to read the book to discover why I'm still hyperventilating. (insert sneaky laughter here.)

The story is told in first person point of view, alternating between Jane and Callum. It's rife with sardonic wit and piercing heartbreak. And a great cast of secondary characters that help...or hinder...the potential happily ever after.

Of note to readers who enjoy an inspirational thread in their Christian fiction -- you won't find it here. It's a a clean read though.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Jane of Austin, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easier for me to spot your comment. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday October 3 2017. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!