First Line: “Why is it so dark in here? And that smell, like dried lavender mixed with ammonia.”
One Word Review: Okay
Book Synopsis: Courtney Stone wakes up and finds herself not in her Los Angeles bedroom or even in her own body, but inside the bedchamber of a woman in Regency England. Not only is Courtney stuck in another woman's life, she is forced to pretend she actually is that woman; and despite knowing nothing about her, she manages to fool even the most astute observer. Enter the enigmatic Mr. Edgeworth, who fills Courtney's borrowed brain with confusing memories that are clearly not her own. -GoodReads
My Review:
I decided to read this book for the Everything Austen Challenge that I’m participating in. Originally I hadn’t listed this as one of my six Austen items, but the idea of a modern girl being transported back to 1813 England sounded fun to me. It reminded me a bit of Prada and Prejudice, but for a more grown up audience. Our heroine Courtney wakes up in another women’s body, in a completely different time. After awhile Courtney finally decides to play along hoping that eventually she will wake up in her apartment in LA and that everything had just been a dream. Soon Courtney starts to really take on Jane Mansfield’s life and even begins to have some of Jane’s memories. The book was just okay for me. I never really cared for Courtney that much, so I found it hard to really root for her. Once she accepted her situation it did get a little better, but it was still confusing. Her feelings for her modern-day guy made it hard to fall for Mr. Edgeworth, and the ending was just horrible. No explanations, no closure, nothin’. It has made me curious to pick up the companion book to see things from Jane’s point of view as she is transported from 1813 England to modern day LA. Maybe then we will find out what really happened and get some closure. It felt like Rigler wanted to recapture the magic found in the original Austen novels, but ended up falling short, for me anyway. I won’t give any spoilers but there was one scene that I did enjoy, a chance encounter that Courtney has with a certain lady-author. Oops, have I said too much?
There is some swearing and one short seduction scene (if you can call that), which I admit Courtney does solve in a humorous way.
Reading Order:
Book One: Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict
Book Two: Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict
Other Reviews:
Booking Mama
I agree with you whole heartedly on this book. I was so confused...and I just hated the ending. I'm holding off on reading the sequel...but hopefully it offers some closure! Thanks for your review.
ReplyDeleteI was definitely angry with the ending of this one! If it's any consolation, Rude Awakenings Of A Jane Austen Addict, Rigler's next book, does a really great job of furthering the story and tying up some loose ends. I actually liked it much better than the first!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the rest of Everything Austen -- I'm participating, too! I only have two books read thus far, but hopefully I'll change that soon!