Someone to Love

A rags to riches regency romance that reminds me of a reverse Cinderella story. Anna Snow is summoned to London from the orphanage that she grew up in and now teaches in. She has no idea who her family is and she's hoping when she arrives in London that she'll finally know more about her the circumstances that led her to being raised in an orphanage. She's desperate to be loved and to have a family. What she discovers is that her father was a Duke! He recently died, but  she has a stepmother and three siblings, now she has a family that she's always dreamed of having! It's all quite complicated though and no one is very happy about the new "interloper." Her recently discovered siblings want nothing to do with her and the one person who takes an interest in her is her haughty and well dressed step cousin. He along with some of the extended family decide she needs a makeover and a lesson in manners and etiquette. Anna's curious circumstances have made her the talk of London! Slow burn romance, the first few chapters are hard to adjust to the language and extensive family names - but once you get past that it's smooth sailing. I didn't love all the characters (or care about them) hence the low rating. The ending was... interesting. 

Northanger Abbey

Not nearly as strong as Jane Austen's other novels, this one is a little lacking but makes up for it with beautiful prose and well developed characters. This novel attempts to be gothic in points and I don't believe that is Austen's strong suit; I'm more about deception, societal roles, and romance. This story centers on Catherine, a smart sensible girl of 18 who gets to spend several weeks in Bath with her childless neighbors. While there she becomes best friends with Isabelle and finds herself always going on double dates with Isabelle, her older brother, John, and James, Catherine's older brother. John quite fancies Catherine but she has her eye on Mr. Tinley and she's determined to make his and his younger sister's acquaintance. What's a girl to do (hint, get a husband... but which man to choose?!?!?) Good ol' fashioned regency era romance.

Sense and Sensibility

Re-reading this book just solidified my opinion that it is the best of the Jane Austen novels. I know everyone has their hearts set on Pride and Prejudice and Mr. Darcy, but I believe that her first novel is raw and real and much more relatable. It truly remains as fresh a cautionary tale today as it ever was. The Dashwood sisters learn that the path to love isn't always straight and narrow and sometimes you're heart has to be broken for you to appreciate how whole a heart can be. Filled with memorable characters, witty dialogue, and unforgettable romance, this is a book readers won't soon forget.

I really enjoyed discussing the book with my library Jane Austen Book and Film Club, we talked about how societal obligations have changed but the heart has remained the same and then we watched the Masterpiece Theater version. Overall, a must read. And if you haven't watch the 1995 movie version. It's amazing and you won't regret it.

A Heart's Rebellion

Although the beginning of the book nearly dissuaded me, I was very glad I kept with it, because I dearly enjoyed this book. I hadn't read a regency romance in ages so this really re-opened the floodgates for me. Ruth Axtell brings together a cast of characters that are flawed, vain individuals but makes them immensely likable. You root for them when they're down, chide them when they're misbehaving, and feel their sorrow when they're suffering. Jessamine Berry and her best friend Megan are enjoying their first season in London. Although not from the rich upper class, they intend to enjoy themselves to the best of their ability. Jessamine is determined that a season in the summer will help her forget about her heartbreak involving Megan's older brother. Almost immediately, they make the acquaintance of Mr. Marfleet, a young vicar who has his eyes set on Jessamine. Feeling that he is too intolerable, too rude, and too much like her father, Jessamine rebuffs his advances and tries to find someone more dashing for the season. But sometimes the heart can be a fickle thing, maybe Mr. Marfleet is what the doctor ordered?

Well written and enjoyable, this novel is well researched and true to the period. For fans of Jane Austen and other regency romances.

I received this book for free from Revell Reads in return for my honest, unbiased opinion.