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Josette
This book is no longer available from this publisher. New B0754X6VTM
184 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2010
92 people are currently reading
217 people want to read
About the author
Danielle Thorne
54 books505 followersDanielle Thorne is a Publishers Weekly bestselling author of inspirational small town romance. She also writes historical romance and YA non-fiction. A graduate of BYU-Idaho and Ricks College, she has over twenty-five years of experience in her wordcraft. Danielle lives south of Atlanta, Georgia, with family, friends and felines. Find out more about her and her books at daniellethorne.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
January 18, 2018
Kindle freebie at the time of download
GoodReads ate my review! I'll try to keep this short then.
Josette Price is devoted to her home at Beddingfield Park. She has so many happy memories there of romping with her brother George and cousin Edward and teasing her little sister Amy. She secretly hopes George will keep her on as chatelaine when he inherits the Park someday hopefully not too soon. However, George has gone away to join the Royal Navy in their blockade of France, leaving his parents and sisters to deal with a crumbling estate and money matters. When George's captain, Philip Carter comes to call with bad news, Josette is devastated. How could George go off and get himself killed and how could Carter let it happen? How dare this cold, unfeeling man show up and dispassionately tell them the bad news and then stick around in the neighborhood? When their cousin Edward comes to stay as the heir for the first time, Josette and Amy know one of them must marry him if they don't wish to lose their beloved home. When Carter's aunt, Lady Berclair invites the Price girls to London, Josette is unhappy at leaving her beloved home. At least she'll have cousin Edward to amuse her. While Edward is charming and fun, Josette feels nothing for him though she isn't opposed to marrying him. She's very concerned and confused by how a certain naval captain makes her feel however. Can she give up her heart to someone knowing it will cost her her beloved home?
This story is inspired by characters and situations in Jane Austen's novels but lacks the cohesion and witty dialogue that makes Austen's novels stand out. Where Austen was master of social satire and subtle nuances, this book is a straight up Regency romance. It doesn't quite work for me. The romance happens largely off page where characters learn about each other from other characters and discover feelings. There's a bit of Pride and Prejudice, a bit of Sense and Sensibility with the naval flare of Persuasion and it doesn't gel. Overall, this isn't a BAD novel, it's just not a great one. I really would have liked part of the story to be from the hero's point-of-view. It would have made the romance more believable.
I found it hard to like Josette. She hated Carter for no good reason. I get she's grieving and angry but her mother should have shut her down and her father explain just how many of those visits and letters an officer has to make/write in the course of a career. Of course he appears a little cold. Plus, there's the whole war thing! I'd like to know how that affects Philip. He seems like a nice man and not cold and unfeeling at all but it's hard to tell from Josette's point-of-view.
I didn't like Amy at all. She's a spoiled, selfish brat of 17 who thinks only of pleasure. Then the story takes a left turn at the end with shades of Sense & Sensibility. I didn't really feel bad for Amy. She's just stupid.
Edward is not a rake, just immature and selfish. He seems to be modeled after Frank Churchill in Emma. I liked him as an amusing, fun relative.
Lady B and her daughter Caroline reminded me strongly of characters in Pride and Prejudice but at least the author has enough imagination to make this story wholly her own. That surprised me.
This is a decent book. I didn't love it but I didn't hate it. Don't ask me questions about it in the future because I know I won't remember it!
GoodReads ate my review! I'll try to keep this short then.
Josette Price is devoted to her home at Beddingfield Park. She has so many happy memories there of romping with her brother George and cousin Edward and teasing her little sister Amy. She secretly hopes George will keep her on as chatelaine when he inherits the Park someday hopefully not too soon. However, George has gone away to join the Royal Navy in their blockade of France, leaving his parents and sisters to deal with a crumbling estate and money matters. When George's captain, Philip Carter comes to call with bad news, Josette is devastated. How could George go off and get himself killed and how could Carter let it happen? How dare this cold, unfeeling man show up and dispassionately tell them the bad news and then stick around in the neighborhood? When their cousin Edward comes to stay as the heir for the first time, Josette and Amy know one of them must marry him if they don't wish to lose their beloved home. When Carter's aunt, Lady Berclair invites the Price girls to London, Josette is unhappy at leaving her beloved home. At least she'll have cousin Edward to amuse her. While Edward is charming and fun, Josette feels nothing for him though she isn't opposed to marrying him. She's very concerned and confused by how a certain naval captain makes her feel however. Can she give up her heart to someone knowing it will cost her her beloved home?
This story is inspired by characters and situations in Jane Austen's novels but lacks the cohesion and witty dialogue that makes Austen's novels stand out. Where Austen was master of social satire and subtle nuances, this book is a straight up Regency romance. It doesn't quite work for me. The romance happens largely off page where characters learn about each other from other characters and discover feelings. There's a bit of Pride and Prejudice, a bit of Sense and Sensibility with the naval flare of Persuasion and it doesn't gel. Overall, this isn't a BAD novel, it's just not a great one. I really would have liked part of the story to be from the hero's point-of-view. It would have made the romance more believable.
I found it hard to like Josette. She hated Carter for no good reason. I get she's grieving and angry but her mother should have shut her down and her father explain just how many of those visits and letters an officer has to make/write in the course of a career. Of course he appears a little cold. Plus, there's the whole war thing! I'd like to know how that affects Philip. He seems like a nice man and not cold and unfeeling at all but it's hard to tell from Josette's point-of-view.
I didn't like Amy at all. She's a spoiled, selfish brat of 17 who thinks only of pleasure. Then the story takes a left turn at the end with shades of Sense & Sensibility. I didn't really feel bad for Amy. She's just stupid.
Edward is not a rake, just immature and selfish. He seems to be modeled after Frank Churchill in Emma. I liked him as an amusing, fun relative.
Lady B and her daughter Caroline reminded me strongly of characters in Pride and Prejudice but at least the author has enough imagination to make this story wholly her own. That surprised me.
This is a decent book. I didn't love it but I didn't hate it. Don't ask me questions about it in the future because I know I won't remember it!
February 10, 2018
This is a well written story. It is very much an older regency style book. Like a Jane Austen and I am afraid this author loved Jane so much that she decided to put her most loved books together in one book. There was a little of Persuasion, Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility all wrapped up in one book. This would have been fine if she had built a better love story, but the love story was lost in the mix. The main characters spent very little time talking to each other. The interactions they did have were sad. I could not imagine how these two feel in love. I had to finish reading it to find out how she was going to wrap it up and bring these two together. It was Squeaky clean.
November 11, 2022
It was a nice, clean romance with many similarities (I am sure intentionally) with P&P. I agree completely with Nellie:
[I have found it for free on Amazon. I am not sure it is worth a standard price.]
This was a good story. Well written. Editing lacked a bit. Clean romance. I liked it, but didn't LOVE it. (...) Worth the read, but not awesome.
[I have found it for free on Amazon. I am not sure it is worth a standard price.]
February 1, 2012
This was a good story. Well written. Editing lacked a bit. Clean romance. I liked it, but didn't LOVE it. It was worth reading, but it smacked of Pride and Predjudice envy. Josette rejects Captain Carter, and then finds out her initial assumptions were wrong, and he really had saved her family from ruin several times. Worth the read, but not awesome.
January 31, 2011
4.5/5.0 - and I'm stuck right in the middle as whether to bump it or not...
The 5 star argument:
This is an incredibly well written, engaging, lovely story that is almost impossible to put down. Josette's character can be completely infuriating while still managing to be endearing. All the characters are fleshed out so well that even when they are behaving badly, the reader can understand and sympathize with them. Ms. Thorne has also done an exquisite job of creating extreme sexual tension without stooping to graphics. It's completely clean but stirs up enough heat in the telling that those who like steam would not be disappointed.
The 4 star argument:
(My publisher's voice screams in my head) "Never give 5 stars to a plot line that isn't original! The storyline in "Josette" is so closely reminiscent of "Pride and Prejudice" that one can almost guess what will happen next, and most assuredly predict the major conflict and resolution of the H/h long before the ending. Although not exact, the cast and design are close enough to suffer constant comparisons while reading.
Georgetet Heyer and Jane Austing fans, this is definitely a must read book! The fact that it comes so close to Regency perfection ends up trumping even those nay-saying voices in my head :D
The 5 star argument:
This is an incredibly well written, engaging, lovely story that is almost impossible to put down. Josette's character can be completely infuriating while still managing to be endearing. All the characters are fleshed out so well that even when they are behaving badly, the reader can understand and sympathize with them. Ms. Thorne has also done an exquisite job of creating extreme sexual tension without stooping to graphics. It's completely clean but stirs up enough heat in the telling that those who like steam would not be disappointed.
The 4 star argument:
(My publisher's voice screams in my head) "Never give 5 stars to a plot line that isn't original! The storyline in "Josette" is so closely reminiscent of "Pride and Prejudice" that one can almost guess what will happen next, and most assuredly predict the major conflict and resolution of the H/h long before the ending. Although not exact, the cast and design are close enough to suffer constant comparisons while reading.
Georgetet Heyer and Jane Austing fans, this is definitely a must read book! The fact that it comes so close to Regency perfection ends up trumping even those nay-saying voices in my head :D
October 30, 2017
First of all, the new cover is sooo much better than the older one. Second, I've had this on my TBR pile for eons, I mean it is number #28, of a bathousand....so check!
I really enjoyed this one. Carter and Josette were great characters. Can't wait to read more by this author.
Moral Note: There is the "b" word in reference to a dog, and a scandal with a couple, doesn't give much details.
I really enjoyed this one. Carter and Josette were great characters. Can't wait to read more by this author.
Moral Note: There is the "b" word in reference to a dog, and a scandal with a couple, doesn't give much details.
November 7, 2017
This is basically a horrible mashup of every Jane Austen novel. The plot is all over the place, and the characters are chameleons, changing their colors at every turn. There is some brain-candy enjoyment to be had, but the reader will have to suspend a lot of higher reasoning power to obtain it.
May 14, 2020
Cute read.
January 10, 2011
“Josette”, the newest novel by author Danielle Thorne, is a refreshing and satisfying read à la Jane Austin. Prepare to be swept away by the charm of the heroine/title character, Josette, who discovers love with a dashing sailor under not the most ideal of circumstances, and who always maintains her individuality within the confines of a very restrained society. The author’s use of setting is superb. She envelops her readers and through her masterful familiarity with the customs, speech, dress and furnishings of the time, and completely transports her readers right back into these days, not once weighing her story down with details. I guarantee you will love the author’s use of characterization, as well, as she deftly weaves a developing romance in among the changing relationships between Josette and her sister as well as Josette and her mother…and others. All of the personal dynamics, so important to good Regency, and a good romance, are handled affectionately and sympathetically in this author’s skillful hands, so they become ‘real’ and the reader can easily relate to the characters. Danielle Thorne totally captivated me with “Josette” and provided a wonderful escape from the 21st century. I can honestly say I procrastinated finishing this work, just because I didn’t want it to be over. It was that good. Hopefully, Ms. Thorne is working on Regency even as we speak, for she’s an author who certainly has much more to offer in this vein. Regency romance lovers, rejoice! And everyone else, prepare to be converted to fans of the Regency as well, thanks to the wonderfully talented Danielle Thorne.
Regina Andrews
Regina Andrews
February 2, 2011
Enter to win a copy at Fire and Ice http://fireandicephoto.blogspot.com/2... ends 3/2/11
If you are a fan of Jane Austen and Regency Romance you will be smitten by Josette. The tension between the characters and fast paced plot made it an outstanding pick. A cross between Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility, the story captures two sisters in the season of their most important decisions. Sprinkled with deception, intrigue, and slow building romance, Josette was all I hoped for and more. I would recommend it with our highest rating to all readers as it's the best Regency romance I've read yet.
If you are a fan of Jane Austen and Regency Romance you will be smitten by Josette. The tension between the characters and fast paced plot made it an outstanding pick. A cross between Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility, the story captures two sisters in the season of their most important decisions. Sprinkled with deception, intrigue, and slow building romance, Josette was all I hoped for and more. I would recommend it with our highest rating to all readers as it's the best Regency romance I've read yet.
March 5, 2011
I am addicted to old English romances!! I enjoyed the story!! Josette is devestated at the loss of her brother George and is resentful of Captain Carter who brought the family the news of her brothers death.
Josette finds out that the estate is to be entailed to her cousin Edward; whom she has no desire to marry and who her sister Amy has decided she will try to win over. Because of the loss of their brotherAmy is afraid that she will miss her season in the city. Josette is a story I would read again.
Josette finds out that the estate is to be entailed to her cousin Edward; whom she has no desire to marry and who her sister Amy has decided she will try to win over. Because of the loss of their brotherAmy is afraid that she will miss her season in the city. Josette is a story I would read again.
November 6, 2017
I wasn't sure what to expect from this book. The cover was beautiful and it sounded like something I would love. I started reading it and finished in a couple hours it was so fun to read. There was so much action right off and you just want to know what is going on and why and I loved finding out all the answers. This was different and fun to read and I really liked Julia after getting to know her. This was an clean, adventure, regency romance and I wish it had been longer:} I am going to check out more by this author.
February 1, 2012
This was such a rip-off of Jane Austen's Sense & Sensibility and Pride & Prejudice, it felt like plagiarism. Everything from characters to key scenes was so obviously from one of Jane's books, it was distracting. Bummer! I'd been looking forward to this one...
December 4, 2020
I enjoyed this book but it didn't move me, at all.
The crossovers intrigued me, as we start the book with a Jane Eyre intro of "rider thrown by horse," and move into a Little Women, where Amy and Jo's (Josette's pet name) have some drama over their childhood friend, Edward.
The overall plot however is a Pride and Predjudice adaption. and Captian Carter plays the role of Darcy.
I love a good haters to lovers romance but this one didn't really draw me in.
I didn't like Josette. She comes across as very irritable and judgmental to begin with. She hated Captain Carter for not protecting her brother at sea. Which at first I understand; she was grieving so that played a part, but come on, you can hardly expect him to keep a protective wing on a grown man who chose a risky profession and paid for it with his life.
And then slapping her sister for a thoughtless remark she made? Not something that'll make her a beloved heroine in my books. (I guess the author was trying to draw out Jo's personality by highlighting her impulsivity, hot temper and aversion to marriage.)
I liked Captain Carter but I never got to know him. It felt like the author expected me to already know him as Darcy and didn't bother giving him a personality other than "a man of few words", respectable, gruff and kindhearted.
I love crossovers and adaptions but there are so many, it can be difficult for the author to keep it fresh so it doesn't get lost in the sea of adaptions. I feel like there's nothing to set this one apart, other than the fact that it borrows from other classics as well.
3/5 I'm not planning on rereading but I did enjoy it and it kept me engaged.
The crossovers intrigued me, as we start the book with a Jane Eyre intro of "rider thrown by horse," and move into a Little Women, where Amy and Jo's (Josette's pet name) have some drama over their childhood friend, Edward.
The overall plot however is a Pride and Predjudice adaption. and Captian Carter plays the role of Darcy.
I love a good haters to lovers romance but this one didn't really draw me in.
I didn't like Josette. She comes across as very irritable and judgmental to begin with. She hated Captain Carter for not protecting her brother at sea. Which at first I understand; she was grieving so that played a part, but come on, you can hardly expect him to keep a protective wing on a grown man who chose a risky profession and paid for it with his life.
And then slapping her sister for a thoughtless remark she made? Not something that'll make her a beloved heroine in my books. (I guess the author was trying to draw out Jo's personality by highlighting her impulsivity, hot temper and aversion to marriage.)
I liked Captain Carter but I never got to know him. It felt like the author expected me to already know him as Darcy and didn't bother giving him a personality other than "a man of few words", respectable, gruff and kindhearted.
I love crossovers and adaptions but there are so many, it can be difficult for the author to keep it fresh so it doesn't get lost in the sea of adaptions. I feel like there's nothing to set this one apart, other than the fact that it borrows from other classics as well.
3/5 I'm not planning on rereading but I did enjoy it and it kept me engaged.
April 8, 2018
I had high expectations for this book because I loved Proper Attire so much. But, I found myself disconnected from the main character Josette.
Spoiler***
She was mean and the moment she slapped her sister in front of Carter I knew that their relationship wouldn't be believable to me. All the positive things he said about her just fell flat. They barely talked to each other and then all of a sudden they have strong feelings for each other. It just wasn't believable. Also, the most enjoyable part only lasted a couple pages at the very end. I hate when the romance is quick and then the book ends. I give it 3 1/2 stars. I really hope that this author makes the main characters a little more likeable in her future books. I like strong independent women but, Josette was just mean until half way through the book and then had a personality change and was pleasant. This author writes well and I love her sense of humor. I'm hopeful for future books.
September 7, 2020
This sweet and clean Regency romance involved the scenario of a family whose son had died aboard a ship, leaving the family awry with two daughters and a roguish nephew to inherit the estate. Everyone is interrelated which becomes somewhat confusing, however the brother's captain who personally comes to bear the bad news, falls for Josette in the midst of her grief. Both daughters somewhat compete for the nephew so the estate wouldn't be lost once their father passes. But Edward isn't ready to settle down with anyone. In the meantime, Jo mistakenly believes the captain bore an illegitimate son which clouds their relationship, until she learns it was her brother's boy. Surprising, if that were so and the boy would be recognized, the estate should have been inherited by him and solved all their issues. Though, many questions were not answered upon the conclusion of the story.
August 27, 2020
*3.5 stars*
I enjoyed reading this book. There are veins of Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility in the story, which Austen fans will appreciate. I appreciated the clean romance and the regency setting. The heroine was independent and tended to speak her mind. Although I didn't really like her the first part of the story, she grew on me. It was a little difficult to understand how the hero and heroine fell in love based on her behavior around him and their interactions, but I still found myself rooting for them! (I think the addition of some witty banter between the two would help.) I enjoyed the supporting characters and would love to find out what happens to Amy and Caroline. This was the first book I have read by Danielle Thorne and I look forward to reading more.
I enjoyed reading this book. There are veins of Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility in the story, which Austen fans will appreciate. I appreciated the clean romance and the regency setting. The heroine was independent and tended to speak her mind. Although I didn't really like her the first part of the story, she grew on me. It was a little difficult to understand how the hero and heroine fell in love based on her behavior around him and their interactions, but I still found myself rooting for them! (I think the addition of some witty banter between the two would help.) I enjoyed the supporting characters and would love to find out what happens to Amy and Caroline. This was the first book I have read by Danielle Thorne and I look forward to reading more.
July 27, 2017
Sweet little story. It borrows some elements of Pride and Prejudice, which I of course love. I usually feel like books need to be trimmed down, this one could actually do with some fattening up. Philip barely said a word to her! I did love the whole letter mix up, that he was trying again even without encouragement. And I loved that he fell for her even before he knew her. Overall, just a sweet little story.
September 1, 2017
A good historical romance.
I liked the main characters, Josette and Captain Carter, and the way the fall I n love. The story reminded me of Pride and Prejudice.
There were a couple of typos but it didn't detract from my enjoyment of this story.
I'm hoping Amy has her own happily-ever-after.
I liked the main characters, Josette and Captain Carter, and the way the fall I n love. The story reminded me of Pride and Prejudice.
There were a couple of typos but it didn't detract from my enjoyment of this story.
I'm hoping Amy has her own happily-ever-after.
February 24, 2019
This is the first book I've read by this author and I got this ebook free from Amazon. It took a while for me to get into the book. I never really liked the MC Josette or understood why she was upset at Carter at the beginning.
It's a clean romance, but too slow of a story. I was surprised that the author is also an editor and would've expected more.
It's a clean romance, but too slow of a story. I was surprised that the author is also an editor and would've expected more.
June 26, 2021
Home is where the heart is!
Josette loved her home so much and spent a lot of time walking around on it, enjoying all that grew on the land. Thoughts of losing her home to her cousin was hard to bare. After losing her brother she blamed the man who came to tell them of his death. After nearly losing her sister she realized home is where the heart is.
Josette loved her home so much and spent a lot of time walking around on it, enjoying all that grew on the land. Thoughts of losing her home to her cousin was hard to bare. After losing her brother she blamed the man who came to tell them of his death. After nearly losing her sister she realized home is where the heart is.
September 10, 2020
Great Family Dynamics
I enjoyed this romance full of intense emotions after Josette's family learn of her brother's death. The characters are interesting, with surprises. The family dynamics of more than one family kept me interested. Wee written.
I enjoyed this romance full of intense emotions after Josette's family learn of her brother's death. The characters are interesting, with surprises. The family dynamics of more than one family kept me interested. Wee written.
September 11, 2020
The potential was there
I really didn't like the main character. It wasn't until the end that I sorta like her. This was like a bad reimagining of pride and prejudice with some sense and sensibility thrown in. With that said, the captain was charming.
I really didn't like the main character. It wasn't until the end that I sorta like her. This was like a bad reimagining of pride and prejudice with some sense and sensibility thrown in. With that said, the captain was charming.
February 14, 2019
Pride and prejudice
Twist the details a bit and you have Jane Austen 's classic.
Good quick easy read. A sweet story, good diversion.
Twist the details a bit and you have Jane Austen 's classic.
Good quick easy read. A sweet story, good diversion.
February 20, 2019
A sweet Regency romance to compliment Pride & Prejudice/Sense & Sensibility in it's romantic misunderstandings.
November 26, 2019
Great book
September 16, 2020
I enjoyed this story and how the story developed. Good characters, some conflict, nice romance.
September 26, 2020
Wonderful
A very well written book that endedway to soon. I wasn't ready to quit the story. Another well done book by Danielle Thorne.
A very well written book that endedway to soon. I wasn't ready to quit the story. Another well done book by Danielle Thorne.
April 12, 2023
Really enjoyed it.
January 19, 2019
Regency Recalled
Readers who yearn for a traditional Regency, the kind they rarely write anymore will relish Josette. F all of the cherished elements are wrapped up in a nice package that make you happy to read. Thorne keeps her happy ending hidden until the very end
Readers who yearn for a traditional Regency, the kind they rarely write anymore will relish Josette. F all of the cherished elements are wrapped up in a nice package that make you happy to read. Thorne keeps her happy ending hidden until the very end
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews