First Impressions by Debra White Smith

First Impressions: A Contemporary Retelling of Pride and Prejudice by Debra White Smith
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a re-release of a book that was previously published. I was very excited to read it, because I enjoy both Austenesque stories and modern Austen retellings.

Some things about this book were fun: the mirroring storylines, the similar-but-not-quite-the-same names, the theater links, and the characters. I enjoyed Eddi, although at times she annoyed me and I can't quite put my finger on why.

Some things, however, felt a bit repetitive (the mirroring storylines, in some places, for example). I also felt that the character of the aunt needed a bit more consistency, because the confrontation scene felt inconsistent to me.

All in all, it's a sweet story and I enjoyed it. I recommend it for fans of Christian fiction and Austen retellings.

I was granted a NetGalley review copy of this book for my Kindle for review. All opinions are my own.

Jane of Austin - Review

Jane of Austin: A Novel of Sweet Tea and Sensibility by Hillary Manton Lodge
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this revisit of Jane Austen's "Sense and Sensibility." It's a retelling without being a page-by-page modernization of Austen's classic tale of sisters who must make their way in reduced circumstances, with wit and verve and the limitations of Edwardian England.

Having the tale told from Jane and Collum's points of view is really great (they are the Marianne and Colonel Brandon characters). It adds depth to the story and makes Jane (Marianne) a deeper and more likeable character overall.

In fact, I enjoyed everything about this book--except the subtitle. I think Jane would recoil at the fact that "sweet tea" gets a mention, because she is all about the purity of the tea leaf and in fact even states that sweet tea isn't real tea at all. (It brings to mind a quotation from NCIS's Ducky, when Dr. Mallard says tea bags aren't real tea, but "tea dust in a paper pouch.")

All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys modern-day Austen retellings, tea of any kind, romance, and/or Texas.

View all my reviews Thanks to NetGalley for a review copy. All opinions are my own.