Author: Melissa Pimentel
Series: Stand Alone
Published By: Penguin (August 22, 2017)
Source: ARC Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: Women's Contemporary/Retelling
My Rating: 3 Stars
Book Description:
'A smart, funny retelling of Jane Austen's Persuasion that's perfect for a poolside read' Red
'An easy, breezy read' Daily Mail
Ruby and Ethan were perfect for each other. Until the day they suddenly weren't.
Now, ten years later, Ruby is single, having spent the last decade focusing on her demanding career and hectic life in Manhattan. There's barely time for a trip to England for her little sister's wedding. And there's certainly not time to think about what it will be like to see Ethan again, who just so happens to be the best man.
But as the family frantically prepare for the big day, Ruby can't help but wonder if she made the right choice all those years ago. Because there is nothing like a wedding for stirring up the past . . .
I've loved Jane Austen since I read my first book by her years ago and after that, I was hooked and had to read all of them. And while Pride and Prejudice will always be a favorite of mine, Persuasion is right up there with it. It is hard to resist Captain Wentworth and all his charm.
I am never one to turn down the chance to visit an old classic with a new modern spin and even though ore often than not I've been burned by Pride and Prejudice retellings, I thought it was just about time that I read a Persuasion retelling.
This was a cute and a very much modern take on the classic and while it was a good weekend escape read, it didn't quite live up to Anne and Wentworth but then again, that really is something very much hard to accomplish.
I sort of wish the author instead of calling this a retelling would have just called it a second chance romance because after all, more than anything, that is what this story is and I think lovers of Austen. While they will like it, will have a hard time comparing the two stories with each other and not feeling the slightest bit disappointed that it isn't something more.
But if you can look past all of that and instead focus on the heart of the story, two people who meet too young and just weren't ready for each other yet, to later come back together and try again, you will enjoy this story and maybe even love it.
*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*
I love Jane Auten reteling but well I don't know about this one...
ReplyDeleteI do too for the most part. ;)
DeleteHrm. Some retellings are slim connections to the source material and seem to rest their hook solely on a famous story. I'll pass on this one.
ReplyDelete;)
DeleteI was very curious about this one initially, because I love a good Persuasion retelling. Reading your review though, I know I'd be just as disappointed as you. I can definitely see how calling it a retelling was a bad idea. Thanks for the review, Ali!
ReplyDeleteIt was a good story but it would have been better all on its own versus labeled as a retelling. ;)
DeleteThanks Kindlemom, unfortunately sometimes its the publishers who push the authors to "advertise" the novel in ways they don't really want to. Glad you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteI can see that Debbie. ;)
DeleteYeah too often marketing does not match the content of books, but this seems like a really cute romance!!
ReplyDeleteTori @ In Tori Lex
It was still a cute read. ;)
DeleteI really enjoy finding classic story retellings particularly Austen ones. Bummer this one was only so-so.
ReplyDeleteI really do too!
DeleteI've never been a big Austen fan but this does seem to have potential.
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't bad. ;)
DeleteI am ducking for cover right now, but I have never been and Austen fan. I know everyone in the book world is, I just cannot get into them. This sounds super cute though. It seems like my wall goes up as soon as someone compares it to Austen. The same thing happens when people compare it to John Green also. Great review though :)
ReplyDeleteI have a love hate with Green so I completely understand LOL!
DeleteI have been burned by Pride and Prejudice re-tellings. I read one recently that was just horrible. I don't think I've read a Persuasion re-telling, but it sounds like this would've came off better if they didn't call it a re-telling. Just a second chance romance. :)
ReplyDeleteYes exactly, second chance would have been so much better and I would have had smaller expectations.
DeleteThere's only been one or two books that I've read based on a reselling of a classic, and they really doesn't do them any justice! But I guess you have to forget the real telling and just go with the book otherwise you wouldn't enjoy it as much. That's why I'm a little reluctant with retellings. Great honest review. :)
ReplyDeleteI agree, with classics it's really hard to get it right. Fairy tales aren't as tricky but still need to be done well.
DeleteThere are SO MANY Austen retellings. Sounds like maybe the author used that to bring in fans of Austen instead of letting it stand on its own. Still sounds fun.
ReplyDeleteI know, it happens though. It was a good story either way though.
DeleteThis sounds sweet and enjoyable but like you mentioned, a better suited second chance romance rather than a Persuasion retelling which can be hard shoes to fill for fans. Lovely review, Ali. Happy Friday!! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Kim, you too!
DeleteI do like a good second chances story once in a while, and this one sounds great. Yeah it's probably tough to call it a reimagining of Persuasion because it's hard to live up to those expectations! Glad it was good!
ReplyDeleteYeah, I agree. ;)
DeleteI have actually never read Jane Austen which I know is awful. This sounds cute but retellings/inspired from a classic stories are so hard because of comparison to the original. Great review!
ReplyDeleteShe isn't for everyone so now shame in that. ;)
DeleteI love second chance romance and to be honest I've never read Persuasion so I would have nothing to compare it to. Did the 3 stars have more to do with not being anything like Austin's work or was it truly not that great?
ReplyDeleteI think more because of the not being like Austen than anything else. Once you have that idea in your head, it is very hard to veer from it.
DeleteYou've perfectly described my hesitation for picking up a Jane Austen retelling. The only Austen retelling that I enjoyed is For Darkness Shows the Stars which is a YA Persuasion scifi retelling. If you haven't read it I would highly recommend it.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the recommendation, I will look that one up!
DeleteI've been seeing this book around a lot lately. It appeals to me more so because it's a second chance romance than that it's a Jane Austen retelling (I haven't read anything by Jane before so I wouldn't be able to truly compare the two). From that, I think I'd probably like it, but I'm sorry to hear it wasn't always the book for you. Great review!
ReplyDeleteYou would probably like this then. ;)
DeleteEven though you didn't see this as a complete retelling, I enjoy those kind of homages to Jane Austin as well. This sounds interesting!
ReplyDeleteI do love seeing and hearing about other fans. It's nice to know so many people still appreciate and love her work.
DeleteDisclosing it as second chance romance would have me reading it quicker than stating it is a retelling of a Jane Austen's story.
ReplyDeleteI hear ya. ;) You might like this then, even more than I did.
DeleteI have never read Pride and Prejudice... I am really liking contemporary womens fiction but your review doesn't make me want to read this one...
ReplyDeleteI think it would actually be better without having something to compare it with, if that helps at all. ;)
DeleteHi, Ali! Sorry I haven’t visited your blog for so long, I’ve been on hiatus since April.
DeleteI haven’t heard about this book before, and in truth I’m not inclined to pick it up. I agree with you that marketing a book as a retelling sometimes a bad idea.
That's okay, it is so good to see you!
Delete