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Jane Austen's Diary
Austentatious
Goodnight's breezy style with a believable heroine, lively conflicts and lots of best-friend confidences elevates this above the usual chick lit fare. --"Publishers Weekly""AUSTENTATIOUS is a fresh romantic adventure with a cast of characters who kept me turning pages way past my bedtime." --Cindy Jones, "My Jane Austen Summer"
"This humorous romance will appeal to all Austen fans while bringing a fresh twist with its magic journal." --"Booklist"
"Janeites and chick lit fans alike will enjoy this wonderful romp into modern day romance with the ideal Miss Matchmaker from the past leading the way." --Courtney Webb for "New York Journal of Books"
"Magnetic, compelling, and comedic - Austentatious is a novel you should not miss! This romantic and magical adventure is sure to entertain and delight fans of Jane Austen and the Austenesque genre!" --"Austenesque Reviews "
"This humorous romance will appeal to all Austen fans while bringing a fresh twist with its magic journal." --"Booklist"
"Janeites and chick lit fans alike will enjoy this wonderful romp into modern day romance with the ideal Miss Matchmaker from the past leading the way." --Courtney Webb for "New York Journal of Books"
"Magnetic, compelling, and comedic - Austentatious is a novel you should not miss! This romantic and magical adventure is sure to entertain and delight fans of Jane Austen and the Austenesque genre!" --"Austenesque Reviews "
305 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2012
12 people are currently reading
1800 people want to read
About the author
Alyssa Goodnight
8 books184 followersAlyssa Goodnight also writes as Stephanie Graves and has a new mystery out in December: OLIVE BRIGHT, PIGEONEER.
Alyssa Goodnight is the author of the Jane Austen's Diary series (AUSTENTATIOUS, AUSTENSIBLY ORDINARY), a romance with a touch of magical realism, JUST SAY YES, and a Regency historical, UNLADYLIKE PURSUITS. Her books have been mentioned in FIRST for Women, Woman's World, and Entertainment Weekly.
Alyssa is a Texas girl who dreams of British accents (and gets her fix watching Acorn TV and Masterpiece Mystery). Keep up with her on her website at alyssagoodnight.com
Or visit her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Alyssa Goodnight is the author of the Jane Austen's Diary series (AUSTENTATIOUS, AUSTENSIBLY ORDINARY), a romance with a touch of magical realism, JUST SAY YES, and a Regency historical, UNLADYLIKE PURSUITS. Her books have been mentioned in FIRST for Women, Woman's World, and Entertainment Weekly.
Alyssa is a Texas girl who dreams of British accents (and gets her fix watching Acorn TV and Masterpiece Mystery). Keep up with her on her website at alyssagoodnight.com
Or visit her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 176 reviews
June 30, 2013
Either I am too picky or my expectations were too high after reading all of the rave reviews for this novel. I was so excited to get my hands on a copy so I could devour it myself. Oh, how disappointed I was. It was a chore to get through. The writing was painful to me and the story was only mediocre. I loved the premise of a magical journal that allowed a correspondence between Austen and today but that is where the creativity ended. I could have cared less about the main character and found it hard to accept that someone with so much goals and focus would totally change her life over a guy she knows for ONE week. Oh and the writing.. a simile in nearly every sentence, way too many references to the lesbian neighbors and their wiles to recruit another "team player", this obsession with being "Austin weird", comparing the love interest to Mr.Darcy, when she is the proud and stubborn one concerned with rules and propriety. He was much more of a Wickham with his charm, good looks, and easy going ways. I am so disappointed..
July 14, 2012
Note to self: No more books with a Jane Austen tie-in, or where the author is heralded as "the modern Jane Austen" or maybe even evokes Jane Austen in the review or the cover copy. To a one, they always disappoint.
To be clear, I think Alyssa Goodnight can write, and someday down the road, I'll perhaps peruse one of her books and see if she has (A) found an editor and (b) quit writing like she is getting paid by the word (see A).
I didn't find Nicola James likable, and was unsure if she was a 30something engineer or a teenager in heat. As for the rest of the story, I felt like the author had a checklist of very recent popular culture she wanted to pack into the book (cupcakes, SxSW, et al). But my main complaint, beyond the vapidity of the protagonist, is the overuse of the word "tip" in all tenses. Someone never opens a book, they always tip open a book. They always tip a book closed. And then everything else starts tipping ... her head tips up to look at him, his head tips down to kiss her, he tips the wineglass to his mouth, she tips the last of the cupcake into her mouth, a box is tipped shut, etc., etc. etc. Like I said, she needs an editor.
To be clear, I think Alyssa Goodnight can write, and someday down the road, I'll perhaps peruse one of her books and see if she has (A) found an editor and (b) quit writing like she is getting paid by the word (see A).
I didn't find Nicola James likable, and was unsure if she was a 30something engineer or a teenager in heat. As for the rest of the story, I felt like the author had a checklist of very recent popular culture she wanted to pack into the book (cupcakes, SxSW, et al). But my main complaint, beyond the vapidity of the protagonist, is the overuse of the word "tip" in all tenses. Someone never opens a book, they always tip open a book. They always tip a book closed. And then everything else starts tipping ... her head tips up to look at him, his head tips down to kiss her, he tips the wineglass to his mouth, she tips the last of the cupcake into her mouth, a box is tipped shut, etc., etc. etc. Like I said, she needs an editor.
July 12, 2015
Nicola James is a girl with "A Plan." Literally she has a plan, and has stayed on track since she was 13. She is an engineer living in Austin, Texas, and even amongst its weirdness "The Plan" has not managed to derail. She finds a journal in an antique shop, and it has a mind of its own. After writing in the journal it transforms her entries into messages, and advice. After much convincing of a friend, and a suggestion that the journal is embodied with the spirit of Jane Austen, Nicola decides to follow the advice, although with some skepticism. The advice of "Fairy Jane" leads her to a chance encounter with a devastatingly sexy musician from Scotland, Sean MacInnes, in town for the SXSW music festival. It seems that Fairy Jane, and Sean have something in common, a penchant for interfering with "The Plan."
First of all I cant help but think that this would make an adorable romantic comedy chick flick. Seriously someone should get on the phone to Gary Marshall. The author said she was inspired by Lauren Henderson's Jane Austen's Guide to Dating, and the story is a loose modern adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. The book is laden with Jane Austen, her spirit and wit, and quotes written by the woman herself. It is clearly an homage to her brilliance.
It was very well done. I loved the characters, especially Sean. Who doesn't love gorgeous, cunning, musicians with an accent? Her writing was full of wit, and satire to make it a charming read. I recommend to anyone who needs a little romance in their life.
First of all I cant help but think that this would make an adorable romantic comedy chick flick. Seriously someone should get on the phone to Gary Marshall. The author said she was inspired by Lauren Henderson's Jane Austen's Guide to Dating, and the story is a loose modern adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. The book is laden with Jane Austen, her spirit and wit, and quotes written by the woman herself. It is clearly an homage to her brilliance.
It was very well done. I loved the characters, especially Sean. Who doesn't love gorgeous, cunning, musicians with an accent? Her writing was full of wit, and satire to make it a charming read. I recommend to anyone who needs a little romance in their life.
April 17, 2013
There was a lot I enjoyed about Austentatious, but also a fair bit I found problematic. The novel scored big points with me early on by dropping a reference to The Princess Bride without belaboring it with an explanation. And I enjoyed its breezy, nerd-culture-reference-spiked tone throughout. I'm generally favorably inclined toward modern spins on classic Austen plots, and I was distinctly intrigued by the notion of Austen's voice being brought literally into the 21st century by a supernatural conceit.
But I was distracted by copy-editing/continuity gaffes --the suddenly appearing motorcycle! the table setting with people simultaneously next to and across from one another! More substantively, the romantic lead seemed smarmy and player-like; it was hard for me to fathom the protagonist's attraction to him. And although the plot device that brings Austen's personality to our time is clever, for better or worse it provides no opportunity for Goodnight to mimic Austen's singular wit and acidic verve, and it also provides no explanation or context for the drastic changes in Austen's personality.
But I was distracted by copy-editing/continuity gaffes --the suddenly appearing motorcycle! the table setting with people simultaneously next to and across from one another! More substantively, the romantic lead seemed smarmy and player-like; it was hard for me to fathom the protagonist's attraction to him. And although the plot device that brings Austen's personality to our time is clever, for better or worse it provides no opportunity for Goodnight to mimic Austen's singular wit and acidic verve, and it also provides no explanation or context for the drastic changes in Austen's personality.
September 27, 2022
I really expected to like this book since I'd previously enjoyed another of this author's books. Well, it was okay at best, thus the three star rating.
I write technical reviews, attempting to comment on the items where other reviewers don't comment yet reviewers are still niggled into dropping stars.
The plot comes from a clever concept, but the application is wanting. The pace is too slow and the style of writing makes the actual story around the female protagonist become dull as dishwater for a great deal of the time we're reading. A lot of redundancy is utilized to press details to the reader, not respecting that the reader will remember what they had been told the first time. It's not all boring, though. The prose is sharp and quirky as in most chick lit. It's a strange situation when that lively banter is unable to prop up the plot, though.
Editing is excellent, with only a couple of errors. The author included a canon error referring to Elizabeth Bennet as Lizzie when Austen spelled it Lizzy. Pouring/poured were used for poring/pored, a mistake that makes me grind my teeth every time. There were some formatting issues in the way of alignment of paragraphs, too.
The author utilizes analogies to Austen, and a couple of times, they seem forced. However, most fit nicely. Anyone who tells you this is a Darcy and Elizabeth book, though--well, ask them what recreational drugs they took before they read it, because it would take a trip to somewhere fantastical to make that analogy.
The romance didn't seem to work for me. I found I couldn't believe in it for at least the first 50% of the time the protagonists were together, and not because of the doubts the author stated, but because they just didn't go together well intellectually. I kept expecting Sean to be revealed as a Wickham and the true Darcy to come out of the woodwork because Sean sure didn't seem to fit Nicola. It was only in the last 20% of the book where I was reluctantly turned around to believe in them as a couple, and it was still hard to swallow, given that I just didn't see them together. I smell an early divorce.
One problem that may have contributed to my having a problem seeing the protagonists as a couple is that I didn't like Sean. I didn't much like Nicola either, to tell you the truth. Oh, she had the good smarty pants banter, but she was whiney and had no true pizzazz about her character, something you need in chick lit. Sean was bossy and bland. He didn't have the smoldering attraction of an Austen hero.
Tropes included Nicola's inability in the kitchen, the motorcycle, the wedding meeting, and the coffee shop as a place to powwow. They were beat out by some excellent original scenes such as the boating scene, the mushroom scene, the music festival, and the Mexican restaurant scene.
Scene-setting was nicely done--descriptions added to the feel of of the book quite well, even if the rest of the prose broke it up at times. The mushroom scene, for example, could have been drawn out even more, but it was still excellent with its use of the senses.
The author had to be very clever to figure out the word games with the journal. That really impressed me. Now I know the author is an engineer like Nicola, and like me. But that doesn't always mean ability with word games. I'm officially awestruck.
The cover is interesting, but I'm not sure what a laptop has to do with this story to get centre billing in the collage. All the red implies a Christmas novel. It's eye-catching enough to cause a buyer to stop and take a look, and that's the goal.
In summary, I'd say this book is a decent read, but I wish it had been better. It has its moments, e.g., the mushroom scene; however, too much of the story is the heroine babbling about her own inability to make a decision, and that gets boring fast. I didn't see the romantic couple as a match until the last second, which is a huge problem since this is a romance novel. It was okay, not stellar.
I usually write a disclaimer because I write JAFF, but I don't write modern novels (so far), and this is a stretch as being a JAFF book as it is. So I don't see a conflict of interest in my review.
I write technical reviews, attempting to comment on the items where other reviewers don't comment yet reviewers are still niggled into dropping stars.
The plot comes from a clever concept, but the application is wanting. The pace is too slow and the style of writing makes the actual story around the female protagonist become dull as dishwater for a great deal of the time we're reading. A lot of redundancy is utilized to press details to the reader, not respecting that the reader will remember what they had been told the first time. It's not all boring, though. The prose is sharp and quirky as in most chick lit. It's a strange situation when that lively banter is unable to prop up the plot, though.
Editing is excellent, with only a couple of errors. The author included a canon error referring to Elizabeth Bennet as Lizzie when Austen spelled it Lizzy. Pouring/poured were used for poring/pored, a mistake that makes me grind my teeth every time. There were some formatting issues in the way of alignment of paragraphs, too.
The author utilizes analogies to Austen, and a couple of times, they seem forced. However, most fit nicely. Anyone who tells you this is a Darcy and Elizabeth book, though--well, ask them what recreational drugs they took before they read it, because it would take a trip to somewhere fantastical to make that analogy.
The romance didn't seem to work for me. I found I couldn't believe in it for at least the first 50% of the time the protagonists were together, and not because of the doubts the author stated, but because they just didn't go together well intellectually. I kept expecting Sean to be revealed as a Wickham and the true Darcy to come out of the woodwork because Sean sure didn't seem to fit Nicola. It was only in the last 20% of the book where I was reluctantly turned around to believe in them as a couple, and it was still hard to swallow, given that I just didn't see them together. I smell an early divorce.
One problem that may have contributed to my having a problem seeing the protagonists as a couple is that I didn't like Sean. I didn't much like Nicola either, to tell you the truth. Oh, she had the good smarty pants banter, but she was whiney and had no true pizzazz about her character, something you need in chick lit. Sean was bossy and bland. He didn't have the smoldering attraction of an Austen hero.
Tropes included Nicola's inability in the kitchen, the motorcycle, the wedding meeting, and the coffee shop as a place to powwow. They were beat out by some excellent original scenes such as the boating scene, the mushroom scene, the music festival, and the Mexican restaurant scene.
Scene-setting was nicely done--descriptions added to the feel of of the book quite well, even if the rest of the prose broke it up at times. The mushroom scene, for example, could have been drawn out even more, but it was still excellent with its use of the senses.
The author had to be very clever to figure out the word games with the journal. That really impressed me. Now I know the author is an engineer like Nicola, and like me. But that doesn't always mean ability with word games. I'm officially awestruck.
The cover is interesting, but I'm not sure what a laptop has to do with this story to get centre billing in the collage. All the red implies a Christmas novel. It's eye-catching enough to cause a buyer to stop and take a look, and that's the goal.
In summary, I'd say this book is a decent read, but I wish it had been better. It has its moments, e.g., the mushroom scene; however, too much of the story is the heroine babbling about her own inability to make a decision, and that gets boring fast. I didn't see the romantic couple as a match until the last second, which is a huge problem since this is a romance novel. It was okay, not stellar.
I usually write a disclaimer because I write JAFF, but I don't write modern novels (so far), and this is a stretch as being a JAFF book as it is. So I don't see a conflict of interest in my review.
July 22, 2012
Nicola James is a serious, career-minded woman. She is on a path that she set as a teenager. The only things missing are love and romance but, practical and sensible, she is not about to risk it all with fool hardy risks.
When Nicola finds a beautiful blank journal in a boutique in Austen, Texas, she is intrigued. It is shelved alongside Jane Austen novels, her favourite. She buys the journal, initially as a gift. She is so drawn to the journal that she decides to use it herself, and once she does, everything she thought she knew changes. As she writes in the journal, it seems to be magically writing back to her, in the persona of Jane Austen herself!
Life, as Nicola knew it, starts to reveal new paths, offering new possibilities and altering her once predictable life. This magical diary has much to offer. Nicola begins to follow the guidance the journal is offering to her. She finds herself opening herself up, allowing herself to take chances.
The characters in this unique book are quirky, fun and unforgettable. Along with Nicola, there is a cast of eclectic friends, including a colourful Scottish Rocker, who adds unexpected spice to Nicola's life.
If you are a fan of romance and mystical charm, fun and adventure, and especially of Jane Austen, you will enjoy reading this book. I recommend that you put this in your summer book bag, and be prepared for the magic of Alyssa Goodnight! She offers all of this in her unique novel, Austentatious.
When Nicola finds a beautiful blank journal in a boutique in Austen, Texas, she is intrigued. It is shelved alongside Jane Austen novels, her favourite. She buys the journal, initially as a gift. She is so drawn to the journal that she decides to use it herself, and once she does, everything she thought she knew changes. As she writes in the journal, it seems to be magically writing back to her, in the persona of Jane Austen herself!
Life, as Nicola knew it, starts to reveal new paths, offering new possibilities and altering her once predictable life. This magical diary has much to offer. Nicola begins to follow the guidance the journal is offering to her. She finds herself opening herself up, allowing herself to take chances.
The characters in this unique book are quirky, fun and unforgettable. Along with Nicola, there is a cast of eclectic friends, including a colourful Scottish Rocker, who adds unexpected spice to Nicola's life.
If you are a fan of romance and mystical charm, fun and adventure, and especially of Jane Austen, you will enjoy reading this book. I recommend that you put this in your summer book bag, and be prepared for the magic of Alyssa Goodnight! She offers all of this in her unique novel, Austentatious.
January 24, 2013
Ever since I first read Pride and Prejudice, back when I was somewhere around twelve or thirteen, I've been an unmitigated Austen fangirl. Dear readers, I know that right now, you are probably all either pumping the air in sisterly solidarity or rolling your eyes at how trite it is to be obsessed with Jane Austen. For me, there can never be anything remotely hackneyed in appreciating some of the wittiest, best-written literature ever composed, so you can say what you want, but you will not change my mind. As part of my obsession, I simply cannot resist any of these Austen-inspired novels, be they spin-offs, retellings, continuations, or merely quirky Austen-referencing romance novels, as is the case here. No matter how many bad ones I read, and believe me I've read some serious stinkers, I keep coming back for more. Thankfully, Austentatious proved to be entertaining and not to fall anywhere near the designation of 'stinker.'
The basic premise here is that Nicola James, scientist and Austen fan, has always lived her life according to plan. She does not believe in wasting time on Wentworths or Crawfords, and does not intend to step foot outside her carefully ordered life. In her early- to mid-twenties, Nicola's focusing on her promising career and has no interest in getting bogged down in a relationship just yet, as it might distract her and derail her from her ambitions. Life, of course, has other plans, because this is a romance novel; in real life, not being distracted by romance is laughably simple.
Nicola's character proved a bit difficult for me to really relate to, largely because I think the launching off point of the story should have been a bit earlier than it was. Because we meet her only just as her life is about to be thrown into chaos, we really only have Nicola's assertions, backed up by her friends', about how her life used to be. We don't get to see her being a capable scientist at work or turning down a possible romantic prospect because he doesn't fit her timeline. Nor do we really have any idea what her Plan looks like in detail or why men can't be a part of it. Personally, I think a prologue of her thirteen-year-old self creating the plan, and why the plan means so much to her, might have been really helpful in establishing her character.
Anyway, she finds this weird little journal at an antiques shop and buys it to give as a present. Then she spills on it, thus deciding to keep the journal for herself. She writes an entry and heads off to bed. Later, when she opens up the journal, she discovers that most of her entry has been erased, leaving only these words: "Miss Nicola James will be sensible and indulge in a little romance." Basically, this diary has apparently been channeled by the spirit of Jane Austen and wants to be her matchmaker or fairy godmother.
Listen, as I've already stressed, I love Austen, but I thought the Austen references were a bit weak, and not that well thought out. The quote-a-day Austen calendar was well-used, but the other references were mostly just to characters and really did not feel especially apt. I mean, Nicola compares Sean, her love interest, to Darcy, and he just is NOT a Darcy. I like him well enough, embarrassing tendency to serenade people in places not intended for such activities aside, but nothing about his personality says Darcy; he's outgoing and flirty, and convinced from moment one that he wants to be with Nic. Calling him a Darcy is a serious Austen gaffe. He's closest to Henry Tilney actually, though with a good dose of Willoughby or Crawford (only not the asshole bits). The journal's snippets did not read like Jane Austen either. I would have been happier had the journal been just a random spirit that Nicola chose to think of as Jane, rather than it actually being Jane, because that felt wrong to me.
Nicola did definitely need an invasion of excitement into her life, and a sexy Scottish man certainly fits the bill. I do like him as an influx into her life, to keep her from crushing on that awful boring guy at her office, but I'm not convinced of their compatibility. Of course, I might have more faith in their relationship if they weren't confessing love after just a couple of days. Instalove automatically lowers my belief in your actual feelings, guys. Go for it, by all means, but you do not need to be in love before you can decide to make space in your lives for one another. Try each other on for a while first, okay. Austen's heroines didn't immediately fall in love, did they? No, they didn't, except for Marianne, and we ALL know how that turned out.
Though I obviously had a lot of issues, Austentatious was an entertaining and quick read. Some of my three star reviews just come out sounding a lot more negative than they really are, but, honestly, this is one of the better Austen-inspired books I've read, if not in the use of said Austen. A lot of my problems stemmed from Nicola herself, and I hope that, in the next installment, I'll be able to relate more to the heroine. So far, I would recommend these books more for chick lit readers than hardcore Austen fans.
The basic premise here is that Nicola James, scientist and Austen fan, has always lived her life according to plan. She does not believe in wasting time on Wentworths or Crawfords, and does not intend to step foot outside her carefully ordered life. In her early- to mid-twenties, Nicola's focusing on her promising career and has no interest in getting bogged down in a relationship just yet, as it might distract her and derail her from her ambitions. Life, of course, has other plans, because this is a romance novel; in real life, not being distracted by romance is laughably simple.
Nicola's character proved a bit difficult for me to really relate to, largely because I think the launching off point of the story should have been a bit earlier than it was. Because we meet her only just as her life is about to be thrown into chaos, we really only have Nicola's assertions, backed up by her friends', about how her life used to be. We don't get to see her being a capable scientist at work or turning down a possible romantic prospect because he doesn't fit her timeline. Nor do we really have any idea what her Plan looks like in detail or why men can't be a part of it. Personally, I think a prologue of her thirteen-year-old self creating the plan, and why the plan means so much to her, might have been really helpful in establishing her character.
Anyway, she finds this weird little journal at an antiques shop and buys it to give as a present. Then she spills on it, thus deciding to keep the journal for herself. She writes an entry and heads off to bed. Later, when she opens up the journal, she discovers that most of her entry has been erased, leaving only these words: "Miss Nicola James will be sensible and indulge in a little romance." Basically, this diary has apparently been channeled by the spirit of Jane Austen and wants to be her matchmaker or fairy godmother.
Listen, as I've already stressed, I love Austen, but I thought the Austen references were a bit weak, and not that well thought out. The quote-a-day Austen calendar was well-used, but the other references were mostly just to characters and really did not feel especially apt. I mean, Nicola compares Sean, her love interest, to Darcy, and he just is NOT a Darcy. I like him well enough, embarrassing tendency to serenade people in places not intended for such activities aside, but nothing about his personality says Darcy; he's outgoing and flirty, and convinced from moment one that he wants to be with Nic. Calling him a Darcy is a serious Austen gaffe. He's closest to Henry Tilney actually, though with a good dose of Willoughby or Crawford (only not the asshole bits). The journal's snippets did not read like Jane Austen either. I would have been happier had the journal been just a random spirit that Nicola chose to think of as Jane, rather than it actually being Jane, because that felt wrong to me.
Nicola did definitely need an invasion of excitement into her life, and a sexy Scottish man certainly fits the bill. I do like him as an influx into her life, to keep her from crushing on that awful boring guy at her office, but I'm not convinced of their compatibility. Of course, I might have more faith in their relationship if they weren't confessing love after just a couple of days. Instalove automatically lowers my belief in your actual feelings, guys. Go for it, by all means, but you do not need to be in love before you can decide to make space in your lives for one another. Try each other on for a while first, okay. Austen's heroines didn't immediately fall in love, did they? No, they didn't, except for Marianne, and we ALL know how that turned out.
Though I obviously had a lot of issues, Austentatious was an entertaining and quick read. Some of my three star reviews just come out sounding a lot more negative than they really are, but, honestly, this is one of the better Austen-inspired books I've read, if not in the use of said Austen. A lot of my problems stemmed from Nicola herself, and I hope that, in the next installment, I'll be able to relate more to the heroine. So far, I would recommend these books more for chick lit readers than hardcore Austen fans.
February 8, 2012
Nicola who is the main character in this story, is an engineer and a very goal oriented person. She has planned her life since she was thirteen! Then she stumbles on a journal in an antiques store and all her life plans start to go out the door. This journal is a little magical and she dubs it fairygod mother Jane. The journal guides her by using Nic's words that she writes in the journal. At first Nic doesn't want to believe that the journal is doing this, but she enlists her mentee who encourges her to believe. That's when Mr Tall,Blond,blue eyed handsome rock star comes in. But he's from Scotland and he's just all wrong for!! What should she do? This is where the journey begins and Nic has to let go. Wonderful journey and I fell in love with the Scottish Rock star. My heart be stilled. Wonderful read and would definitely recomend this book especially to anyone needing a little romance. Oh by the way Nic finds out the journey was given to a niece by Jane Austen her self!! Lots of little tidbits to go along that story line!!! :) Enjoy everyone
January 25, 2012
While some of us may make general life plans and long-term goals, our heroine Nicola James has taken planning her life to the extreme. Creating a “Life Plan” at the age of thirteen and strictly adhering to it for the rest of their life is not something most people are in the practice of doing. But because Nicola's dad made promises he never kept and plans he never followed through on, Nicola has decided that everything in her life must strictly coincide and adhere to her Life Plan. Which includes: getting a MBA, buying a home, being promoted to management, and finding a sensible, sturdy, like-minded man to marry.
But Nicola's Life Plan is put to the ultimate test when a magical journal and a sexy Scottish rocker come into the picture. Nicola must let her viselike grip on life loosen and embrace the magical, unpredictable, and weird that surrounds her...
To continue reading, go to: http://janeaustenreviews.blogspot.com...
But Nicola's Life Plan is put to the ultimate test when a magical journal and a sexy Scottish rocker come into the picture. Nicola must let her viselike grip on life loosen and embrace the magical, unpredictable, and weird that surrounds her...
To continue reading, go to: http://janeaustenreviews.blogspot.com...
September 2, 2013
4.5
I listened to this one on audiobook, so you guys are actually going to get 2 reviews in 1, here: my thoughts on the story, and my thoughts on Janine Hegarty's narration of it. And I might as well just jump the gun and tell you I loved both. Okay, so yes, I may have made it pointless for you to read the rest of this review now, but I trust you'll stick around for my dazzling wit.
No? Unceasing charm?
Nothing.
Because you've got nothing else to do, and reading & commenting on this review earns you an extra entry in the Austentatious giveaway?
Ahh, there we go...
Now, as I was saying, I couldn't really help but love this. The only thing I was torn on was whether I wanted to experience the book on audio - those voices! That sly humor! - or on the typed page, where I could tab all the things I found funny. Which was basically all the things. I already knew I liked Goodnight's style from having read Austensibly Ordinary, but you never know if something's a one-off, or, since AO is the 2nd book, maybe she Goodnight had dramatically improved and the first one was...dramatically unimproved, or something. Basically, you never know. And with an audio, you also don't know how well the narrator is going to convey any humor that is there, or how well you'll connect to the narration style. Added to the fact that I just don't do audios often... it wouldn't be inaccurate to say I had reservations, especially once I began the book and the narrator sounded a little too "documentarian" for my tastes. This was only in the beginning, though, and it actually worked really well with Nic's character; it changed beautifully (but subtly) as the character loosened up, and I got a better sense of who Nic was as a result. It didn't take me long to decide the audio was worth my time, and by the first time Hegarty did a Brit accent, she had won me over. By the time she got around to doing a Scottish accent as well, I was thoroughly smitten. She conveyed emotion, humor and a number of personalities with ease, and I was always able to not only keep them straight but instantly recognize them. It was kinda fantastic.
I'm sure it helped that Hegarty had a very engaging story to narrate. There was lots of emotion, lots of humor, and just a shitload of personality. Excuse me, Janeites. How crass of me. It had a well-trimmed bonnet-ful of personality.
But seriously - Goodnight's style is personable and hilarious, and Hegarty conveys every drop of it. I was smiling so much while listening to this that my face hurt. My face actually hurt.
Listening to this while doing dishes? ---> Grinning like a loon in the kitchen window.---> Face hurts.
Listening while checking the mail? ---> Laughing out loud for no apparent reason. ---> Face hurts.
My neighbors had to have thought I'd lost my mind. But I don't even care,* Nic's combination of buttoned-up neuroses and Sean's casually-sexy prodding was delicious, and I ate up every minute of it. [I like Sean MacInnes. I want one.] I liked Nic and Sean together, I liked the side characters, I liked the romances and the magical realist aspect. I liked the style and I liked the narration, and I liked all the bursting-at-the-seams personality, and - there's really just nothing negative I have to say.
It was cute, it was charming, and it won me over just as easily as Austensibly Ordinary did. And hell, as much as I liked Cate from AO, I might like Nicola more, and that's saying something. When it comes to Sean or Ethan, though... Well, I'll just take one of each, please! ;)
*Who am I kidding, they already knew.
I listened to this one on audiobook, so you guys are actually going to get 2 reviews in 1, here: my thoughts on the story, and my thoughts on Janine Hegarty's narration of it. And I might as well just jump the gun and tell you I loved both. Okay, so yes, I may have made it pointless for you to read the rest of this review now, but I trust you'll stick around for my dazzling wit.
No? Unceasing charm?
Nothing.
Because you've got nothing else to do, and reading & commenting on this review earns you an extra entry in the Austentatious giveaway?
Ahh, there we go...
Now, as I was saying, I couldn't really help but love this. The only thing I was torn on was whether I wanted to experience the book on audio - those voices! That sly humor! - or on the typed page, where I could tab all the things I found funny. Which was basically all the things. I already knew I liked Goodnight's style from having read Austensibly Ordinary, but you never know if something's a one-off, or, since AO is the 2nd book, maybe she Goodnight had dramatically improved and the first one was...dramatically unimproved, or something. Basically, you never know. And with an audio, you also don't know how well the narrator is going to convey any humor that is there, or how well you'll connect to the narration style. Added to the fact that I just don't do audios often... it wouldn't be inaccurate to say I had reservations, especially once I began the book and the narrator sounded a little too "documentarian" for my tastes. This was only in the beginning, though, and it actually worked really well with Nic's character; it changed beautifully (but subtly) as the character loosened up, and I got a better sense of who Nic was as a result. It didn't take me long to decide the audio was worth my time, and by the first time Hegarty did a Brit accent, she had won me over. By the time she got around to doing a Scottish accent as well, I was thoroughly smitten. She conveyed emotion, humor and a number of personalities with ease, and I was always able to not only keep them straight but instantly recognize them. It was kinda fantastic.
I'm sure it helped that Hegarty had a very engaging story to narrate. There was lots of emotion, lots of humor, and just a shitload of personality. Excuse me, Janeites. How crass of me. It had a well-trimmed bonnet-ful of personality.
But seriously - Goodnight's style is personable and hilarious, and Hegarty conveys every drop of it. I was smiling so much while listening to this that my face hurt. My face actually hurt.
Listening to this while doing dishes? ---> Grinning like a loon in the kitchen window.---> Face hurts.
Listening while checking the mail? ---> Laughing out loud for no apparent reason. ---> Face hurts.
My neighbors had to have thought I'd lost my mind. But I don't even care,* Nic's combination of buttoned-up neuroses and Sean's casually-sexy prodding was delicious, and I ate up every minute of it. [I like Sean MacInnes. I want one.] I liked Nic and Sean together, I liked the side characters, I liked the romances and the magical realist aspect. I liked the style and I liked the narration, and I liked all the bursting-at-the-seams personality, and - there's really just nothing negative I have to say.
It was cute, it was charming, and it won me over just as easily as Austensibly Ordinary did. And hell, as much as I liked Cate from AO, I might like Nicola more, and that's saying something. When it comes to Sean or Ethan, though... Well, I'll just take one of each, please! ;)
*Who am I kidding, they already knew.
November 14, 2012
There was very little I didn't love about this book. So little, in fact, that I am having trouble coming up with anything that didn't strike a chord.
Ms. Nicola James is sensible. On the fast track to management within her engineering job, Nic has had her life planned since she was 13. Furthermore, despite the fact that Nic has lived in Austin, Texas (whose slogan "Keep Austin Weird" is proudly flaunted throughout the whole book), Ms. Nicola James has done very little in the way of weird. Even her Friday nights baking cupcakes and hanging out with the lesbian crowd singing karaoke next door is safe since Nic is neither lesbian nor karaoke singer.
All that changes with the purchase of one little antique leather journal with a charming little keylock on the front cover. Ms. Nicola James had been planning to give it as a gift until she accidentally spilled cinnamon chai tea on it thereby rendering it ungiftable. So Nic dutifully jotted one entry into the journal: about her upcoming solo attendance at a coworker's wedding. When she opens the journal next, almost a week later she finds her single entry to have been changed, most of the words erased leaving only a few of Nic's original words scattered about. The leftover words read like the beginnings of an Austen-esque missive: Ms. Nicola James will be sensible and indulge in a bit of romance.
At first Nicola freaks out. Her sensible mind, in an effort to cope, lists all the possibilities of how her journal entry could have been edited - and she comes up with very few answers. In retaliation Nic writes another entry and the journal, whom Nicola dubs "Fairy Jane," writes back with "cleavage is as cleavage does." And the next entry Fairy Jane edits down to "Have your cake but meet him too."
In this way, at the wedding of her coworker, Nicola meets Sean MacInness. Sean is the lead singer of a Scottish band in town for a huge music festival and they couldn't be more dissimilar (which is probably why they click so well). With a little more help and encouragement from Fairy Jane (who begins to branch out into fortune cookies and quotes on Nic's day-to-day calendar), Ms. Nicola James finally begins to ease up on her almighty "Plan" in favor of a little romance. And sexy, charming, persistent, willing-to-wear-a-kilt Sean MacInness is definitely a worthy incentive for a little Plan deviation.
The book is quirkily written with references to Harry Potter, The Princess Bride, the Lord of the Rings, Seinfeld and about a dozen other geeky cameos that made me smile (Inconceivable!). The text, especially in the latter half of the book, is sprinkled with pertinent quotes from Jane Austen's works and Nicola frequently tries to compare and contrast the characters in her own life to that of Austen's characters - something I have done a time or twelve myself.
Even the cast of side characters was well done although if anything was to be added to the book it would have maybe been a little more closure on what happened between Gabe and Beck and whatever did she end up telling Brett??
I appreciated Ms. Nicola James' character because parts of it match so closely with my own. I could connect with her personality, smile over her quips, drool over the ganache for her cupcakes and cheer for her happy ending. I love happy endings.
Ms. Nicola James is sensible. On the fast track to management within her engineering job, Nic has had her life planned since she was 13. Furthermore, despite the fact that Nic has lived in Austin, Texas (whose slogan "Keep Austin Weird" is proudly flaunted throughout the whole book), Ms. Nicola James has done very little in the way of weird. Even her Friday nights baking cupcakes and hanging out with the lesbian crowd singing karaoke next door is safe since Nic is neither lesbian nor karaoke singer.
All that changes with the purchase of one little antique leather journal with a charming little keylock on the front cover. Ms. Nicola James had been planning to give it as a gift until she accidentally spilled cinnamon chai tea on it thereby rendering it ungiftable. So Nic dutifully jotted one entry into the journal: about her upcoming solo attendance at a coworker's wedding. When she opens the journal next, almost a week later she finds her single entry to have been changed, most of the words erased leaving only a few of Nic's original words scattered about. The leftover words read like the beginnings of an Austen-esque missive: Ms. Nicola James will be sensible and indulge in a bit of romance.
At first Nicola freaks out. Her sensible mind, in an effort to cope, lists all the possibilities of how her journal entry could have been edited - and she comes up with very few answers. In retaliation Nic writes another entry and the journal, whom Nicola dubs "Fairy Jane," writes back with "cleavage is as cleavage does." And the next entry Fairy Jane edits down to "Have your cake but meet him too."
In this way, at the wedding of her coworker, Nicola meets Sean MacInness. Sean is the lead singer of a Scottish band in town for a huge music festival and they couldn't be more dissimilar (which is probably why they click so well). With a little more help and encouragement from Fairy Jane (who begins to branch out into fortune cookies and quotes on Nic's day-to-day calendar), Ms. Nicola James finally begins to ease up on her almighty "Plan" in favor of a little romance. And sexy, charming, persistent, willing-to-wear-a-kilt Sean MacInness is definitely a worthy incentive for a little Plan deviation.
The book is quirkily written with references to Harry Potter, The Princess Bride, the Lord of the Rings, Seinfeld and about a dozen other geeky cameos that made me smile (Inconceivable!). The text, especially in the latter half of the book, is sprinkled with pertinent quotes from Jane Austen's works and Nicola frequently tries to compare and contrast the characters in her own life to that of Austen's characters - something I have done a time or twelve myself.
Even the cast of side characters was well done although if anything was to be added to the book it would have maybe been a little more closure on what happened between Gabe and Beck and whatever did she end up telling Brett??
I appreciated Ms. Nicola James' character because parts of it match so closely with my own. I could connect with her personality, smile over her quips, drool over the ganache for her cupcakes and cheer for her happy ending. I love happy endings.
February 18, 2013
Nicola James is an engineer with an MBA whose life follows The Plan she made at age 13. Except she's got no life and no romance; she's too busy following The Plan.
Enter a quaint-looking diary with a mysterious quote from Jane Austen inside:
"...I dedicate to You the following Miscellaneous Morsels, convinced that if you seriously attend to them, You will derive from them very important Instructions, with regard to your Conduct in Life."
Nicola buys it for a vintage-obsessed younger cousin, but while perusing the journal, she manages to spill her chai tea all over it. So the journal quickly becomes her journal. While she's not the sort to write in journals, usually, she IS a Jane Austen fan (who isnt'?). So Nicola takes a chance and writes in the journal... only to discover the next day that most of her words have disappeared; all that's left reads like a Jane Austen fortune cookie: "Miss Nicola James will be sensible and indulge in a little romance."
Nicola's real-world mind goes a little bonkers. Trying to figure out what's going on drives her (and us, the readers) a little nuts until she finally confides in Beck (Rebecca), the gal she's mentoring. Beck, along with Nicola's friend Gabe and her next-door lesbian neighbors Leslie and Laura, have been trying to get Nicola to live a little. Gabe even called to invite her to see some hot bands at the South by Southwest annual concert. But Nicola turns him down to write in her journal and bake cupcakes. (She never met a cupcake she didn't like.)
A few days later and 2 more Jane Austen fortune cookie sayings trying to get her to indulge in said romance later, Nicola finds herself at a wedding of a co-worker... where she manages to get a stuffed mushroom stuck in her cleavage! While trying to retrieve the mushroom, a sexy Scot discovers her, aids her (he says it's his "super hero powers" that told him she needed rescuing), and gives her the slow dance of her life. Flirting, yet scared, Nicola manages to run off.
But sexy Scot Sean isn't so easily bowed. Neither is the spirit of Miss Jane Austen (or Fairy Jane, short for Fairy Godmother Jane), and with the help of Beck, Nicola tries some experimentation, only to find herself falling madly for the sexy Scot, who's the lead singer and guitarist of one of the bands in SXSW. Totally not her type! He rides a motorcycle for heavens' sake!
Will Nicola indulge in romance or play it safe?
===================
Personally, I thought Nicola should ditch the engineering job and open her own cupcake shop. This gal's got a thing for sweets, but especially cupcakes!
Nicola is a little irritating at first, but that's because she's so darned logical and has to overthink everything. The concept of magic or fate or whatever is beyond The Plan.
Sean is almost too-good-to-be-true. I kept waiting for him to have fangs or something! But he's Mr. Darcy to Nicola's Elizabeth Bennet. And she's got to overcome her prejudices and pride to figure it all out.
Beck is especially fun; she finds her own romance, which is great! And Leslie of Leslie and Laura is almost too acidic in her humor, but that venomous bite is what spurs Nicola on at times.
Fun book! I've already read the 2nd book (read it 1st not realizing there was a 1st book). The two stories are only joined by the journal, so no worries about reading them in any special order.
Enter a quaint-looking diary with a mysterious quote from Jane Austen inside:
"...I dedicate to You the following Miscellaneous Morsels, convinced that if you seriously attend to them, You will derive from them very important Instructions, with regard to your Conduct in Life."
Nicola buys it for a vintage-obsessed younger cousin, but while perusing the journal, she manages to spill her chai tea all over it. So the journal quickly becomes her journal. While she's not the sort to write in journals, usually, she IS a Jane Austen fan (who isnt'?). So Nicola takes a chance and writes in the journal... only to discover the next day that most of her words have disappeared; all that's left reads like a Jane Austen fortune cookie: "Miss Nicola James will be sensible and indulge in a little romance."
Nicola's real-world mind goes a little bonkers. Trying to figure out what's going on drives her (and us, the readers) a little nuts until she finally confides in Beck (Rebecca), the gal she's mentoring. Beck, along with Nicola's friend Gabe and her next-door lesbian neighbors Leslie and Laura, have been trying to get Nicola to live a little. Gabe even called to invite her to see some hot bands at the South by Southwest annual concert. But Nicola turns him down to write in her journal and bake cupcakes. (She never met a cupcake she didn't like.)
A few days later and 2 more Jane Austen fortune cookie sayings trying to get her to indulge in said romance later, Nicola finds herself at a wedding of a co-worker... where she manages to get a stuffed mushroom stuck in her cleavage! While trying to retrieve the mushroom, a sexy Scot discovers her, aids her (he says it's his "super hero powers" that told him she needed rescuing), and gives her the slow dance of her life. Flirting, yet scared, Nicola manages to run off.
But sexy Scot Sean isn't so easily bowed. Neither is the spirit of Miss Jane Austen (or Fairy Jane, short for Fairy Godmother Jane), and with the help of Beck, Nicola tries some experimentation, only to find herself falling madly for the sexy Scot, who's the lead singer and guitarist of one of the bands in SXSW. Totally not her type! He rides a motorcycle for heavens' sake!
Will Nicola indulge in romance or play it safe?
===================
Personally, I thought Nicola should ditch the engineering job and open her own cupcake shop. This gal's got a thing for sweets, but especially cupcakes!
Nicola is a little irritating at first, but that's because she's so darned logical and has to overthink everything. The concept of magic or fate or whatever is beyond The Plan.
Sean is almost too-good-to-be-true. I kept waiting for him to have fangs or something! But he's Mr. Darcy to Nicola's Elizabeth Bennet. And she's got to overcome her prejudices and pride to figure it all out.
Beck is especially fun; she finds her own romance, which is great! And Leslie of Leslie and Laura is almost too acidic in her humor, but that venomous bite is what spurs Nicola on at times.
Fun book! I've already read the 2nd book (read it 1st not realizing there was a 1st book). The two stories are only joined by the journal, so no worries about reading them in any special order.
June 9, 2012
Anyone who knows me knows how I am a Jane Austen fan, specifically for her Pride and Prejudice novel; It is even my all time favorite movie and any book that has any relation to Jane Austen grabs my attention immediately! Austentatious, from its title, had me sold. Picture you finding an old journal at a used shop and then writing in it, normal right? then the next time you open it to write some more, you find a REPLY BACK to your journal entry! and by none other than the lovely Jane Austen herself! Would you be thrilled? I know I would! However, the protagonist, Nicola, is anything but thrilled. She is an engineer with a one mind track and that is to stick to her "Plan". The plan basically outlines Nicola's rise to the managerial position she always wanted and the type of man that Nicola 'can' fall for and date.
When she meets the ever so hot Sean MacInnes in the most embarrassing of coincidences she can't seem to accept that maybe this is fate and that a musician CAN be compatible with an engineer. Throughout the whole book she has this tug of war with herself where one side tells her this courtship is set to fail because, well he's a musician! and the other side tell her that maybe, just maybe, the annoying advices she's been getting in the journal were the change she needed to amend her life plan. Now this is where I start to have problems with Nicola. I adored her from the beginning because she is an engineer, and I am an undergraduate chemical engineer which made me like her instantly! Do we have many female protagonists who kick butt in their profession? who aren't damsel's in distress? But then, she starts this whole 'I'm an engineer, I must date nerds like me' and 'how can a musician like ME? an ENGINEER?". This was the whole complication in the book; Nicola not feeling like she should date Ian because they're not compatible. See, I did enjoy her dilemma's, but they were strung for a bit too long and the ending felt a bit too rushed. She suddenly is hit by a realization that makes her decide. I just hoped she reached it sooner.
I also liked how Alyssa showed the readers that even though you're an engineer, it doesn't mean you need to stick to that stereotype through Nicola's intern, Beck. She had magenta hair, a sparkly pink nose stud and a spunk attitude, basically the opposite of what a 'typical' engineer is. I would have loved if we had more pages with Beck and explored her side of the story, because in the book, she also snagged a nerd of her own. Overall, Austentatious was an enjoyable book, with a lost heroine that needed Jane Austen's guidance to find her own fairytale ending. Now the only question left to ask is: Can I please get my hands on that journal?
When she meets the ever so hot Sean MacInnes in the most embarrassing of coincidences she can't seem to accept that maybe this is fate and that a musician CAN be compatible with an engineer. Throughout the whole book she has this tug of war with herself where one side tells her this courtship is set to fail because, well he's a musician! and the other side tell her that maybe, just maybe, the annoying advices she's been getting in the journal were the change she needed to amend her life plan. Now this is where I start to have problems with Nicola. I adored her from the beginning because she is an engineer, and I am an undergraduate chemical engineer which made me like her instantly! Do we have many female protagonists who kick butt in their profession? who aren't damsel's in distress? But then, she starts this whole 'I'm an engineer, I must date nerds like me' and 'how can a musician like ME? an ENGINEER?". This was the whole complication in the book; Nicola not feeling like she should date Ian because they're not compatible. See, I did enjoy her dilemma's, but they were strung for a bit too long and the ending felt a bit too rushed. She suddenly is hit by a realization that makes her decide. I just hoped she reached it sooner.
I also liked how Alyssa showed the readers that even though you're an engineer, it doesn't mean you need to stick to that stereotype through Nicola's intern, Beck. She had magenta hair, a sparkly pink nose stud and a spunk attitude, basically the opposite of what a 'typical' engineer is. I would have loved if we had more pages with Beck and explored her side of the story, because in the book, she also snagged a nerd of her own. Overall, Austentatious was an enjoyable book, with a lost heroine that needed Jane Austen's guidance to find her own fairytale ending. Now the only question left to ask is: Can I please get my hands on that journal?
Read
November 3, 2017In Austentatious, Alyssa Goodnight transforms Jane Austen into a fairy godmother of sorts, dispensing “Miscellanious Morsels” through a magical journal. Our heroine, Nicola James, is an engineer intent on earning the right to wear a “Keep Austin Weird” shirt — except the only weird thing about Nic is her unwavering commitment to the Life Plan she crafted when she was 13 years old. This plan is all about job security and “sensible” romance with an equally geeky engineer with a 401(k) plan.
Nic’s life plan begins to unravel when she writes in the old journal she found at an antique shop and discovers that Fairy Jane can manipulate her entries, leaving behind vague advice that Nic just doesn’t understand. And somehow the Jane of the journal puts Nic in the path of Sean MacInnes, a fun-loving, sexy Scot who sings in a band and isn’t afraid to wear a kilt. Even though Nic knows there’s no room for Sean in her Plan, she’s determined to solve the mystery of the journal and finds herself giving in to some fun along the way.
Austentatious is quirky and fun, so long as readers are willing to suspend disbelief and believe in the power of Fairy Jane. I loved the idea of Jane Austen creatively twisting words and offering advice, as she was so perceptive when it came to people and relationships. I’ve read a ton of modern-day Austenesque novels, but Goodnight’s stands out with the help of that magical journal. She did a great job making the advice sound like it came straight from Austen’s pen — and most importantly, she made me believe in the journal (and want one of my own).
At first, I found Nic a bit irritating with her droning on and on about her Plan, but she grew on me by the end. The first person narrative makes it feel like you’re chatting with a friend, particularly one who doesn’t realize how crazy-exciting her life actually is. Like the journal, Nic feels real, with lofty dreams that always seem out of reach, a fear of putting herself out there when failure is a possibility, and a knack for embarrassing herself. Goodnight’s secondary characters are just as fun, especially Beck, Nic’s feisty mentee-turned-friend, and Leslie, Nic’s lesbian professor neighbor who spars with Nic over her lack of a personal life.
Loosely based on Pride and Prejudice, Austentatious shows the troubles that ensue when a strong-minded woman makes assumptions about other people and tries too hard to control her life. It’s about how being insensible sometimes makes sense. And interestingly enough, it’s about how an old journal, a mushroom, and karaoke just might change your life.
Review posted on Diary of an Eccentric
Nic’s life plan begins to unravel when she writes in the old journal she found at an antique shop and discovers that Fairy Jane can manipulate her entries, leaving behind vague advice that Nic just doesn’t understand. And somehow the Jane of the journal puts Nic in the path of Sean MacInnes, a fun-loving, sexy Scot who sings in a band and isn’t afraid to wear a kilt. Even though Nic knows there’s no room for Sean in her Plan, she’s determined to solve the mystery of the journal and finds herself giving in to some fun along the way.
Austentatious is quirky and fun, so long as readers are willing to suspend disbelief and believe in the power of Fairy Jane. I loved the idea of Jane Austen creatively twisting words and offering advice, as she was so perceptive when it came to people and relationships. I’ve read a ton of modern-day Austenesque novels, but Goodnight’s stands out with the help of that magical journal. She did a great job making the advice sound like it came straight from Austen’s pen — and most importantly, she made me believe in the journal (and want one of my own).
At first, I found Nic a bit irritating with her droning on and on about her Plan, but she grew on me by the end. The first person narrative makes it feel like you’re chatting with a friend, particularly one who doesn’t realize how crazy-exciting her life actually is. Like the journal, Nic feels real, with lofty dreams that always seem out of reach, a fear of putting herself out there when failure is a possibility, and a knack for embarrassing herself. Goodnight’s secondary characters are just as fun, especially Beck, Nic’s feisty mentee-turned-friend, and Leslie, Nic’s lesbian professor neighbor who spars with Nic over her lack of a personal life.
Loosely based on Pride and Prejudice, Austentatious shows the troubles that ensue when a strong-minded woman makes assumptions about other people and tries too hard to control her life. It’s about how being insensible sometimes makes sense. And interestingly enough, it’s about how an old journal, a mushroom, and karaoke just might change your life.
Review posted on Diary of an Eccentric
January 13, 2012
I will have to say that Austentatious absolutely captured my heart and wouldn’t let go and I couldn’t be happier!
Nicola James is a woman with a plan. This plan is well laid out and pretty much written in stone. She has her life mapped out and by golly she is going to make it happen. All that changed the moment she purchased a vintage journal for her cousin. When a cup of chai tea latte met the journal, all things changed. With the gift ruined and now owned by Nicola by default, she can’t help but be drawn to it. She writes one entry and all her well laid out plans are changing and she can’t seem to stop it.
Nicola is a skeptic. She has a scientific mind and there is no way that a book is giving her advice. Advice she has no intention of following. One cleavage seeking stuffed mushroom, a hunky Scotsman with a delicious accent and a piece of wedding cake later, Nicola’s views are wavering. With the help of her friend and mentee, Beck, she is starting to come around. Life is pounding on her door and she can’t help but let it in.
The journal, otherwise known as “Fairy Jane”, takes on a life of its own; pushing or rather shoving Nicola into finding romance. Sean, the hunky Scotsman, is a wonderful hero and just the man to show Nicola a whole new world. I enjoyed their courtship immensely.
I will have to be honest here. This book had me a bit freaked out in the beginning, but in a great way. I just returned from a trip to Austin, so it was nice to revisit this fun city. Not long after starting the book though, like by page seven to be exact, I was texting my girlfriend in Austin. I had to find out what kind of engineer she was and to see if her lesbian neighbor’s name started with an “L”, just to name a few things. I was almost tempted to email Ms. Goodnight and ask her if she knew my friend.
I loved the laugh out loud moments and felt all the emotions Ms. Goodnight conveyed in this book. The feeling of awe and excitement was prevalent and the heartbreak and dismay leaped off the pages. I was captured by the tale and could not walk away from it.
Ms. Goodnight has reignited my love of Jane Austen and I couldn’t be happier. She did a fabulous job blending in snippets of Jane Austen, without feeling like she was trying to copy the author’s works. The story felt absolutely original. I loved it!
This is a great feel good book that shouldn’t be missed. It makes me wish that there were more shenanigans for “Fairy Jane” to get into.
Oh and for the curious out there. My friend’s neighbors name DOES start with an “L”. See what I mean….freaky!!
Nicola James is a woman with a plan. This plan is well laid out and pretty much written in stone. She has her life mapped out and by golly she is going to make it happen. All that changed the moment she purchased a vintage journal for her cousin. When a cup of chai tea latte met the journal, all things changed. With the gift ruined and now owned by Nicola by default, she can’t help but be drawn to it. She writes one entry and all her well laid out plans are changing and she can’t seem to stop it.
Nicola is a skeptic. She has a scientific mind and there is no way that a book is giving her advice. Advice she has no intention of following. One cleavage seeking stuffed mushroom, a hunky Scotsman with a delicious accent and a piece of wedding cake later, Nicola’s views are wavering. With the help of her friend and mentee, Beck, she is starting to come around. Life is pounding on her door and she can’t help but let it in.
The journal, otherwise known as “Fairy Jane”, takes on a life of its own; pushing or rather shoving Nicola into finding romance. Sean, the hunky Scotsman, is a wonderful hero and just the man to show Nicola a whole new world. I enjoyed their courtship immensely.
I will have to be honest here. This book had me a bit freaked out in the beginning, but in a great way. I just returned from a trip to Austin, so it was nice to revisit this fun city. Not long after starting the book though, like by page seven to be exact, I was texting my girlfriend in Austin. I had to find out what kind of engineer she was and to see if her lesbian neighbor’s name started with an “L”, just to name a few things. I was almost tempted to email Ms. Goodnight and ask her if she knew my friend.
I loved the laugh out loud moments and felt all the emotions Ms. Goodnight conveyed in this book. The feeling of awe and excitement was prevalent and the heartbreak and dismay leaped off the pages. I was captured by the tale and could not walk away from it.
Ms. Goodnight has reignited my love of Jane Austen and I couldn’t be happier. She did a fabulous job blending in snippets of Jane Austen, without feeling like she was trying to copy the author’s works. The story felt absolutely original. I loved it!
This is a great feel good book that shouldn’t be missed. It makes me wish that there were more shenanigans for “Fairy Jane” to get into.
Oh and for the curious out there. My friend’s neighbors name DOES start with an “L”. See what I mean….freaky!!
March 6, 2012
Austentatious! What a fun, hot novel! I was swept up in a whirlwind of kooky advice, humorous characters and steamy romance.
When Nicola James beings writing in an antique-looking diary, her life begins to change. Once her journal begins writing back, she must decide if she is going to cling to normalcy, predictability, and her life plan, or throw caution to the wind and cross over to the weird side. After all, the unofficial motto of her hometown, Austin, Texas, is “Keep Austin Weird.” And who knows, maybe she will finally get her “weird” t-shirt.
Helping Nicola along her journey are her friends, who truly added to the exuberance and humor of the story. For starters, there are Nic’s neighbors, Leslie and Laura. Leslie’s salacious humor and superfluous use of clichés garnered many laughs and shakes of the head accompanied by eye rolls. Throw in Nic’s mentee Bec, best friend Gabe, and co-worker Brett, and the smiles and laughs abound. Finally, there is Sean MacInnes with his wealth of innuendoes and one-liners, guaranteed to make any girl blush.
I enjoyed watching Nic’s inner struggle as her life is turned upside down by Fairy Jane’s wisdom. Here, Nic must decide if she should pursue the logical and sensible Brett, who conveniently fits into her life plan, or take a chance on the charming and confident Sean MacInnes, who may just be another Henry Crawford.
Speaking of men. Oh! My! Word! Can Alyssa Goodnight write some steamy and sexy scenes?! We’re talking heart beating out of my chest, palms getting sweaty, feeling a little hot reaction here (and nothing physical has even happened). I was so wrapped up in the romance and action of the book that I seriously felt I was the one being asked out on a first date. All of those heart-fluttering emotions a girl feels at this moment, the excitement, the anticipation, the uncertainty, came rushing back. I may have even swooned a time or two!
Not only does Goodnight write hot characters and fully engage my passion, but she is overall a talented writer. The literary elements were well-delivered, yet not overdone. Her alliterative words add to the humor, and she takes an analogy or two and carries them through the entire plot, further solidifying those connections. I enjoyed seeing the connection between the analogies and events in the book as it helped me to further understand what the characters were experiencing.
Austentatious was the first book by Alyssa Goodnight that I read, and it will certainly not be my last! I look forward to reading her other novel, Unladylike Pursuits.
When Nicola James beings writing in an antique-looking diary, her life begins to change. Once her journal begins writing back, she must decide if she is going to cling to normalcy, predictability, and her life plan, or throw caution to the wind and cross over to the weird side. After all, the unofficial motto of her hometown, Austin, Texas, is “Keep Austin Weird.” And who knows, maybe she will finally get her “weird” t-shirt.
Helping Nicola along her journey are her friends, who truly added to the exuberance and humor of the story. For starters, there are Nic’s neighbors, Leslie and Laura. Leslie’s salacious humor and superfluous use of clichés garnered many laughs and shakes of the head accompanied by eye rolls. Throw in Nic’s mentee Bec, best friend Gabe, and co-worker Brett, and the smiles and laughs abound. Finally, there is Sean MacInnes with his wealth of innuendoes and one-liners, guaranteed to make any girl blush.
I enjoyed watching Nic’s inner struggle as her life is turned upside down by Fairy Jane’s wisdom. Here, Nic must decide if she should pursue the logical and sensible Brett, who conveniently fits into her life plan, or take a chance on the charming and confident Sean MacInnes, who may just be another Henry Crawford.
Speaking of men. Oh! My! Word! Can Alyssa Goodnight write some steamy and sexy scenes?! We’re talking heart beating out of my chest, palms getting sweaty, feeling a little hot reaction here (and nothing physical has even happened). I was so wrapped up in the romance and action of the book that I seriously felt I was the one being asked out on a first date. All of those heart-fluttering emotions a girl feels at this moment, the excitement, the anticipation, the uncertainty, came rushing back. I may have even swooned a time or two!
Not only does Goodnight write hot characters and fully engage my passion, but she is overall a talented writer. The literary elements were well-delivered, yet not overdone. Her alliterative words add to the humor, and she takes an analogy or two and carries them through the entire plot, further solidifying those connections. I enjoyed seeing the connection between the analogies and events in the book as it helped me to further understand what the characters were experiencing.
Austentatious was the first book by Alyssa Goodnight that I read, and it will certainly not be my last! I look forward to reading her other novel, Unladylike Pursuits.
February 29, 2012
GENRE: YA Fiction
THEME: Romance/Drama
RECEIVED: For Review for The Teen Book Scene Tour
BLOG: http://seeingnight.blogspot.com/
REVIEW:
I’m such a sap when it comes to anything Jane Austen; I always love the strong female lead and the wonderfully crafted romance. Alyssa Goodnight has written a story that every Jane Austen fan would love to have happened to them, Jane Austen herself giving advice, especially romantic advice. I immensely enjoyed Austentatious and look forward to reading more from Alyssa Goodnight.
Nicola James is an engineer in Austin Texas. She has always gone by her plan on how she wants her life. But her life is about to get a whole lot more interesting when she comes across a magic journal, which seems to answering anything she writes in it. Soon she realizes the possibility that Jane Austen herself is writing her back as well as helping her along the way in a new relationship. It seems like Nicola’s “Plan” for her life is about to change in a big way.
Nicola in a way reminded me a little of myself. I always had a plan in life and went by it completely until I met my soul mate. She finds herself falling for Sean, a man who is not apart of her plan but it just feels right whenever she’s with him. Of course she guided by her magical journal, which changed her skeptical views into truly wanting the journal aka Fairy Jane’s advice. I really enjoyed Nicola’s little freak out moments when the journal starts writing back to her. I can only imagine what my reaction would be to that.
Sean, a Scottish and very good looking motorcycle riding man who captures Nicola’s heart, was wonderful. I loved how he pushed her out of her safe zone and challenged her in just the right way.
Overall I was thrilled to read this light hearted and humorous novel. The main characters were fun and witty, along with some hilarious secondary characters who guide Nicola as well in her new romance. Oh and of course there is some great romance, let just say that there is a Kilt involved…enough said! I highly recommend this novel to Austen fans.
RECOMMENDATION:
This is an adult romance that lightens your heart and makes you want to read all of Jane Austen’s books again and again. Fans of author Jane Green and Sarah Mason will love Austentatious by Alyssa Goodnight.
THEME: Romance/Drama
RECEIVED: For Review for The Teen Book Scene Tour
BLOG: http://seeingnight.blogspot.com/
REVIEW:
I’m such a sap when it comes to anything Jane Austen; I always love the strong female lead and the wonderfully crafted romance. Alyssa Goodnight has written a story that every Jane Austen fan would love to have happened to them, Jane Austen herself giving advice, especially romantic advice. I immensely enjoyed Austentatious and look forward to reading more from Alyssa Goodnight.
Nicola James is an engineer in Austin Texas. She has always gone by her plan on how she wants her life. But her life is about to get a whole lot more interesting when she comes across a magic journal, which seems to answering anything she writes in it. Soon she realizes the possibility that Jane Austen herself is writing her back as well as helping her along the way in a new relationship. It seems like Nicola’s “Plan” for her life is about to change in a big way.
Nicola in a way reminded me a little of myself. I always had a plan in life and went by it completely until I met my soul mate. She finds herself falling for Sean, a man who is not apart of her plan but it just feels right whenever she’s with him. Of course she guided by her magical journal, which changed her skeptical views into truly wanting the journal aka Fairy Jane’s advice. I really enjoyed Nicola’s little freak out moments when the journal starts writing back to her. I can only imagine what my reaction would be to that.
Sean, a Scottish and very good looking motorcycle riding man who captures Nicola’s heart, was wonderful. I loved how he pushed her out of her safe zone and challenged her in just the right way.
Overall I was thrilled to read this light hearted and humorous novel. The main characters were fun and witty, along with some hilarious secondary characters who guide Nicola as well in her new romance. Oh and of course there is some great romance, let just say that there is a Kilt involved…enough said! I highly recommend this novel to Austen fans.
RECOMMENDATION:
This is an adult romance that lightens your heart and makes you want to read all of Jane Austen’s books again and again. Fans of author Jane Green and Sarah Mason will love Austentatious by Alyssa Goodnight.
February 29, 2012
I really, really loved this book! It hooked me from the very beginning and didn't release me until the very end.
When I first read the synopsis of this book, I immediately thought of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. (I am a huge Harry Potter geek fan. So anytime a connection can be made, it usually pops in my head.) I loved that once I hit chapter 3 of this book, there was a Harry Potter reference and Luna Lovegood zing! But, this book was so much more than my initial thought and so much better.
The journal wisdom from "Fairy Jane" was really creative. The wisdom helped Nicola do things she would not normally do...especially if those things deviated from her "Plan." I kept rooting for Sean ever since his first appearance at the wedding. I wanted Nicola to chuck "the Plan" and follow her heart and "Fairy Jane's" advice. I cared and I wanted her to find her happiness. And Sean was a great character. I could hear his accent, see his smirk (and him in a kilt!), and I could feel the emotions that he sent through Nicola.
When Nicola kept going for Brett, I wanted to smack her upside the head. Really? Brett? Really?!? The lunch date was enough to stop any of that crazy talk about how perfect Brett is.
The supporting characters were fun. Beck was a great confidante and it was enjoyable to see the mentor turn into the mentee when things went beyond her comfort zone. The neighbors were a bit annoying but fit in well with the story. Gabe was Gabe...that perfect guy friend.
And really, anyone who can reference The Princess Bride, Harry Potter, and The Gods Must Be Crazy along side the great Jane Austen all within the first 5 chapters is okay in my book!
Would I recommend it: I would definitely recommend it, especially if you are a fan of Jane Austen and you enjoy books that are about Jane Austen. (Who doesn't love Jane Austen?!?!?)
Will I read it again: This book has most definitely made my to be reread every year list...up there with Pride and Prejudice, the Harry Potter series, and a few others!
http://everyfreechancebookreviews.blo...
When I first read the synopsis of this book, I immediately thought of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. (I am a huge Harry Potter geek fan. So anytime a connection can be made, it usually pops in my head.) I loved that once I hit chapter 3 of this book, there was a Harry Potter reference and Luna Lovegood zing! But, this book was so much more than my initial thought and so much better.
The journal wisdom from "Fairy Jane" was really creative. The wisdom helped Nicola do things she would not normally do...especially if those things deviated from her "Plan." I kept rooting for Sean ever since his first appearance at the wedding. I wanted Nicola to chuck "the Plan" and follow her heart and "Fairy Jane's" advice. I cared and I wanted her to find her happiness. And Sean was a great character. I could hear his accent, see his smirk (and him in a kilt!), and I could feel the emotions that he sent through Nicola.
When Nicola kept going for Brett, I wanted to smack her upside the head. Really? Brett? Really?!? The lunch date was enough to stop any of that crazy talk about how perfect Brett is.
The supporting characters were fun. Beck was a great confidante and it was enjoyable to see the mentor turn into the mentee when things went beyond her comfort zone. The neighbors were a bit annoying but fit in well with the story. Gabe was Gabe...that perfect guy friend.
And really, anyone who can reference The Princess Bride, Harry Potter, and The Gods Must Be Crazy along side the great Jane Austen all within the first 5 chapters is okay in my book!
Would I recommend it: I would definitely recommend it, especially if you are a fan of Jane Austen and you enjoy books that are about Jane Austen. (Who doesn't love Jane Austen?!?!?)
Will I read it again: This book has most definitely made my to be reread every year list...up there with Pride and Prejudice, the Harry Potter series, and a few others!
http://everyfreechancebookreviews.blo...
May 20, 2012
As a fan of Jane Austen (especially Pride and Prejudice!), I love coming across books that take a bit of Austen into the story without trying to rewrite or add to the original (sorry, not a fan of the "sequels" written about Mr. Darcy or Elizabeth Bennett). Usually these types of books are a lot of fun and seem to be written with the rabid fan in mind. This author is obviously a Jane Austen fan herself, and she wrote a really cute little story here. I liked most of the characters overall, and an Austen-esque romance is always fun. I wasn't wowed by this book, however. Some plot points just happened to quickly, without any kind of real conflict. There seems to be a crazy obsession with lesbians (and I find it odd that all the lesbians talk about "switching teams", as if they were all straight at one point and made a conscious decision to give up men and be a lesbian. Ummm, doesn't seem to actually work that way). There were a LOT of pop culture references, and while I liked them (I feel like a cool geek when I "get it"... and I got all of it!), it also really dates the story. No way this could ever turn into any kind of a classic like that. The writing felt like a first novel (is it? I think it may be), and honestly reminded me a lot of Stephenie Meyer. Now, I'm a fan of Stephenie Meyer, so I don't mean it as a bad thing at all. It's just that I don't think of her as a particularly strong writer. Great story-teller... yes! But not the greatest writing. Oh, and while I love the idea of the hot, Scottish, love-interest in Sean, I think I've been reading too much of the Outlander series because I didn't hear that beautiful brogue in Sean like I hear with Jamie. I wish his accent had been written in a bit (because seriously, what girl doesn't melt at the sound of a Scottish accent??). The book was pretty clean (so little bad language, I honestly can't remember if there was any. And while yes, there is sex, you get all the hot lead up and not disgusting over-sharing of details! Yay!) so I can comfortably recommend this to everyone I know without being embarrassed. It's a quick read. It's kind of fun. Just don't expect a whole lot.
February 17, 2012
“ Miss Nicola James will be sensible and indulge in a little romance.” Twelve little words in a journal, the problem being that Nicola had written several paragraphs earlier and this is all that was left. Nicola is a straight-laced engineer living in Austin Texas. She is probably one of very few people who doesn’t own one of the city’s signature Weird t-shirts. She has a PLAN for her life and she is going to stick to it.
The plan starts to derail when she purchases a small antique journal that seems to be taking her words and shrinking them magically down into advice about her life. Where are the phrases coming from? Nicola ‘s plan takes a hit when she doesn’t get a hoped for work promotion and then her potential romance with a co-worker gets pushed aside when she meets Sean McInnes, a sexy Scotsman who sings in a band. Sean in in Austin to sing is a music festival and meets Nicola at a wedding. There is instant chemistry between them but he is not part of the plan and has to work hard to get Nicola to agree to the first date.
This is a lovely romance between a woman who never deviates from her plan and a man who is a motorcycle driving free wheeler. The journal gives Nicola permission to do things she wouldn’t have done on her own. When she finds out more about the journal and discovers just how magical it really is, her faith in the advice gets stronger. Sean is a sexy, irrepressible man who makes Nicola enjoy her life and rely less on the plan. He even agrees to her request that he wear a kilt on one of their dates. Be still my heart!
Nicola has a sensibility relapse and that causes some problems but it all works out. Nicola and Sean make a great couple and the reader enjoys watching their romance unfold. The whole journal plot adds another layer to the story and is totally believable. I wish I could find a journal like that. Being an Austen fan, I enjoyed the concept of Jane passing on her sage advice to someone who really needed it. That said, this romance will work for all types of readers not just Austen fans. Enjoy!
The plan starts to derail when she purchases a small antique journal that seems to be taking her words and shrinking them magically down into advice about her life. Where are the phrases coming from? Nicola ‘s plan takes a hit when she doesn’t get a hoped for work promotion and then her potential romance with a co-worker gets pushed aside when she meets Sean McInnes, a sexy Scotsman who sings in a band. Sean in in Austin to sing is a music festival and meets Nicola at a wedding. There is instant chemistry between them but he is not part of the plan and has to work hard to get Nicola to agree to the first date.
This is a lovely romance between a woman who never deviates from her plan and a man who is a motorcycle driving free wheeler. The journal gives Nicola permission to do things she wouldn’t have done on her own. When she finds out more about the journal and discovers just how magical it really is, her faith in the advice gets stronger. Sean is a sexy, irrepressible man who makes Nicola enjoy her life and rely less on the plan. He even agrees to her request that he wear a kilt on one of their dates. Be still my heart!
Nicola has a sensibility relapse and that causes some problems but it all works out. Nicola and Sean make a great couple and the reader enjoys watching their romance unfold. The whole journal plot adds another layer to the story and is totally believable. I wish I could find a journal like that. Being an Austen fan, I enjoyed the concept of Jane passing on her sage advice to someone who really needed it. That said, this romance will work for all types of readers not just Austen fans. Enjoy!
January 18, 2012
This clever, witty, and quick-paced novel was a joy to read! Nicola James, an engineer in Austin, Texas, created a Life Plan when she was 13 years old, and was still (begrudgingly?) sticking to it when she came across a magical journal that led her down a path least expected. I don’t think I have laughed out loud with any book as much as I did with Austentatious!
Alyssa Goodnight has created a character so human and so funny, that I instantly fell in love with her and wanted her to be my new best friend. I also loved how geeky she is…loved so many of the references only us geeks probably know! (Princess Bride is one that definitely comes to mind!) Nicola is also an avid cupcake baker and eater! Girl after my own heart – and would love to make some of these different types of decadent yumminess! I was actually saddened when the book ended, as I wouldn’t have any more funny vignettes to hear about! Nicola James is a young woman who is science-minded, with a little piece of her heart wishing for a happily-ever-after – just like the ones that Jane Austen wrote. She knows it will most likely not fit in to The Plan, but she can hope. Knowingly, though, she has her plan and nothing will deter her from it; or so she thinks.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good laugh, wants to find a new best friend in Nicola, has enjoyed the witticisms of Jane Austen, and would like to learn more about the best city in Texas. It is a wonderful read that immediately draws the reader in, and you can’t help but fall into Nicola’s world to find out what happens next. Do yourself a favor, read Austentatious, and learn to believe in Magic!
Please visit my site to read the full review.
The book was provided by the author through a giveaway and will be part of the Blog event for the Book Launch!
Alyssa Goodnight has created a character so human and so funny, that I instantly fell in love with her and wanted her to be my new best friend. I also loved how geeky she is…loved so many of the references only us geeks probably know! (Princess Bride is one that definitely comes to mind!) Nicola is also an avid cupcake baker and eater! Girl after my own heart – and would love to make some of these different types of decadent yumminess! I was actually saddened when the book ended, as I wouldn’t have any more funny vignettes to hear about! Nicola James is a young woman who is science-minded, with a little piece of her heart wishing for a happily-ever-after – just like the ones that Jane Austen wrote. She knows it will most likely not fit in to The Plan, but she can hope. Knowingly, though, she has her plan and nothing will deter her from it; or so she thinks.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good laugh, wants to find a new best friend in Nicola, has enjoyed the witticisms of Jane Austen, and would like to learn more about the best city in Texas. It is a wonderful read that immediately draws the reader in, and you can’t help but fall into Nicola’s world to find out what happens next. Do yourself a favor, read Austentatious, and learn to believe in Magic!
Please visit my site to read the full review.
The book was provided by the author through a giveaway and will be part of the Blog event for the Book Launch!
August 13, 2016
I really like the premise of this story. The plot, writing style, and many of the characters really delivered. It has a large dose of Jane Austen, but you need not know a thing about Austen or her books to appreciate this story.
Obsessive Test Engineer, Nicola James, who has everything plotted down to the crossed 't's and dotted 'i's in her life stumbles upon a magic journal in a curiosity shop. The journal leads her on a little romantic adventure kicking and screaming all the way. Her romantic adventure is devastingly charming Scottish rock singer, Sean MacInnes, who has no trouble just going with it thus making him her opposite and a huge square peg in the round hole of her PLAN. I use all caps because the annoying woman is all about her plan in the face of everyone- friends, friendly neighbors, co-workers, her own heart and a magical journal trying to persuade her differently.
If you haven't caught on, I was not a big fan of Nicola James until probably the very end of the book when she smartened up. I truly get her hangups, but at some point she struck me as just plain willfully blind and stubborn (translate that stupid). It was an utter pleasure to meet her friends Beck and Gabe along with the hilarious 'L's next door. I was in love with Sean and not just his looks. He was more than just a pretty face. Seeing all these great people liking her and attracted to her, I figured I should stick it out and see if she'd grow on me and just do some growing. Glad I did because when she finally 'got it' and wholeheartedly took the plunge into life, she did it with a Pow! Zam! Bang!
As to backdrop, I felt like the City of Austin and its life was almost a character in and of itself. Brief warning, this book is loaded with talk of food and cupcakes. Don't read it on an empty stomach.
Cute, imaginative storyline with a truly magical romance!
Obsessive Test Engineer, Nicola James, who has everything plotted down to the crossed 't's and dotted 'i's in her life stumbles upon a magic journal in a curiosity shop. The journal leads her on a little romantic adventure kicking and screaming all the way. Her romantic adventure is devastingly charming Scottish rock singer, Sean MacInnes, who has no trouble just going with it thus making him her opposite and a huge square peg in the round hole of her PLAN. I use all caps because the annoying woman is all about her plan in the face of everyone- friends, friendly neighbors, co-workers, her own heart and a magical journal trying to persuade her differently.
If you haven't caught on, I was not a big fan of Nicola James until probably the very end of the book when she smartened up. I truly get her hangups, but at some point she struck me as just plain willfully blind and stubborn (translate that stupid). It was an utter pleasure to meet her friends Beck and Gabe along with the hilarious 'L's next door. I was in love with Sean and not just his looks. He was more than just a pretty face. Seeing all these great people liking her and attracted to her, I figured I should stick it out and see if she'd grow on me and just do some growing. Glad I did because when she finally 'got it' and wholeheartedly took the plunge into life, she did it with a Pow! Zam! Bang!
As to backdrop, I felt like the City of Austin and its life was almost a character in and of itself. Brief warning, this book is loaded with talk of food and cupcakes. Don't read it on an empty stomach.
Cute, imaginative storyline with a truly magical romance!
January 23, 2012
Two words. Sean MacInnes. ... kilt. Sean Macinnes in a kilt. I think this review is complete.
I am kidding. (Not about him though- yowzas!) This was not at all what I expected, and it exceeded my expectations. This is a contemporary romance that has the feel of a Bridget Jones Diary. Nic reminds me of many of my friends- that is what makes her character so wonderful. The author had me caring for Nic from chapter one- she is a realistic character that could be a sister or friend.
I love the magic element in this book- it is fun and light and is the extra touch that sets this book apart from other romances out there right now. The way that the author created the conversation between Jane and Nic was brilliant! I love that there was no time travel, no falling into books, and that Jane communicated through "cutting and pasting" what Nic had written. It makes me wonder if Jane works on a subconscious level with Nic (there is crazy logic working through me).
If you read this for any reason- read it for Sean- ::fans self:: I wish I could see him, because he sounds smoking! I have the utmost respect for the author. She wrote a steamy romance with no scenes that made me uncomfortable. Yes, the two main characters become intimate. But the author takes the humorous road when talking about doing "the deed".
There are so many little parts to this book that I want to tell you how much I love- but I think the best part of this book was discovering all the fun "touches" that the author snuck in. I loved this story and I KNOW you will love it too! Go get this book- NOW!
I am kidding. (Not about him though- yowzas!) This was not at all what I expected, and it exceeded my expectations. This is a contemporary romance that has the feel of a Bridget Jones Diary. Nic reminds me of many of my friends- that is what makes her character so wonderful. The author had me caring for Nic from chapter one- she is a realistic character that could be a sister or friend.
I love the magic element in this book- it is fun and light and is the extra touch that sets this book apart from other romances out there right now. The way that the author created the conversation between Jane and Nic was brilliant! I love that there was no time travel, no falling into books, and that Jane communicated through "cutting and pasting" what Nic had written. It makes me wonder if Jane works on a subconscious level with Nic (there is crazy logic working through me).
If you read this for any reason- read it for Sean- ::fans self:: I wish I could see him, because he sounds smoking! I have the utmost respect for the author. She wrote a steamy romance with no scenes that made me uncomfortable. Yes, the two main characters become intimate. But the author takes the humorous road when talking about doing "the deed".
There are so many little parts to this book that I want to tell you how much I love- but I think the best part of this book was discovering all the fun "touches" that the author snuck in. I loved this story and I KNOW you will love it too! Go get this book- NOW!
January 15, 2012
This book is so Magical! I seriously could not stop smiling and laughing while I was reading it. I didn't want it to end at all. I loved that the chapter titles were the bits of advice from the journal and I loved the Jane Austen Quotes. This books makes me want to pick up the Collected works of Jane Austen and rediscover their magic.
Nicola James is one of my favorite female main characters that I have read about in a long time. She is funny and quirky, awkward and geeky and I loved all of her off-beat traits. She is just so freaking adorable and I loved how awkward she was in most of the situations involving Sean. It made her so likable to me. Although I must say, I'm not sure I'm 100% sold on the kilt. (but if anyone could pull it off it would be Sean, that's for sure.)
Beck and Gabe are such great side characters too. I really enjoyed reading about them and Beck cracked me up! But the real start of this book was Sean. Oh boy, I need to get myself a Sean! I don't think they make them like him anymore. He has it all, a sexy accent, determined, super yummy, and best of all he is a sweet gentleman! How could you not like him? I was honestly shocked that Nic held out for as long as she did.
The Jane Austen journal was such a cute touch of magic to the book, and I loved learning about it. I will admit that I thought some of the older background entries were a bit too much, and I caught myself skimming some of the later ones. But other than that, the book was so awesome! I loved it. It is such a fun, cute read and the romance in it is excellently sweet! Check out this book ASAP.
Nicola James is one of my favorite female main characters that I have read about in a long time. She is funny and quirky, awkward and geeky and I loved all of her off-beat traits. She is just so freaking adorable and I loved how awkward she was in most of the situations involving Sean. It made her so likable to me. Although I must say, I'm not sure I'm 100% sold on the kilt. (but if anyone could pull it off it would be Sean, that's for sure.)
Beck and Gabe are such great side characters too. I really enjoyed reading about them and Beck cracked me up! But the real start of this book was Sean. Oh boy, I need to get myself a Sean! I don't think they make them like him anymore. He has it all, a sexy accent, determined, super yummy, and best of all he is a sweet gentleman! How could you not like him? I was honestly shocked that Nic held out for as long as she did.
The Jane Austen journal was such a cute touch of magic to the book, and I loved learning about it. I will admit that I thought some of the older background entries were a bit too much, and I caught myself skimming some of the later ones. But other than that, the book was so awesome! I loved it. It is such a fun, cute read and the romance in it is excellently sweet! Check out this book ASAP.
May 29, 2012
Austentatious is an awesome story!! What happens when a nerdy engineer meets a HOT Scottish musician? Throw a magical journal into the mix and life can get a little out of control! All of which makes a humorous story that I couldn’t put down!
The day Nicola James begins writing in an antique journal, her "Life Plan" begins to unravel. Her entries disappear only to be replaced with tidbits of advice on life and romance. Very skeptical, Nic tries to ignore the advice “Fairy Jane” is giving her because magic can’t possibly exist...can it?
Sean MacInnes is determined to get to know Nicola. They meet at a wedding after he rescues her from a near disastrous mushroom incident. He immediately melts my, oh, I mean, her heart with his charming and playful personality. But he cannot possibly be the one....a Hot musician? Romance right now is not part of her plan.
I adored Nic’s friends Beck and Gabe, as well as her kooky neighbors! Beck, her mentee, is totally open to “Fairy Jane’s” advice and the magic of the journal. She encourages Nic to listen to its wisdom. Her nosey neighbors, Leslie and Laura, are a hoot and are not above giving advice of their own.
There is so much I loved about this book that I can’t possibly cover it all. I loved the language and random Star Wars, Batman, and other movie references sprinkled through out the story. I found myself wishing I could speak to Nic about what was in the journal, about her decisions and her “Life Plan.”
Austentatious is a romantic, laugh out loud funny story and it is written in such a way I could see everything so clearly in my mind! It would make a great film! I would definitely recommend reading this one!
The day Nicola James begins writing in an antique journal, her "Life Plan" begins to unravel. Her entries disappear only to be replaced with tidbits of advice on life and romance. Very skeptical, Nic tries to ignore the advice “Fairy Jane” is giving her because magic can’t possibly exist...can it?
Sean MacInnes is determined to get to know Nicola. They meet at a wedding after he rescues her from a near disastrous mushroom incident. He immediately melts my, oh, I mean, her heart with his charming and playful personality. But he cannot possibly be the one....a Hot musician? Romance right now is not part of her plan.
I adored Nic’s friends Beck and Gabe, as well as her kooky neighbors! Beck, her mentee, is totally open to “Fairy Jane’s” advice and the magic of the journal. She encourages Nic to listen to its wisdom. Her nosey neighbors, Leslie and Laura, are a hoot and are not above giving advice of their own.
There is so much I loved about this book that I can’t possibly cover it all. I loved the language and random Star Wars, Batman, and other movie references sprinkled through out the story. I found myself wishing I could speak to Nic about what was in the journal, about her decisions and her “Life Plan.”
Austentatious is a romantic, laugh out loud funny story and it is written in such a way I could see everything so clearly in my mind! It would make a great film! I would definitely recommend reading this one!
April 28, 2012
Backstory on this book: I was at Goodwill and ran into the sister of this author. Somehow, we ended up talking about Jane Austen (doesn't everyone at Goodwill do this?) and she mentioned that her sister had a book coming out, with Jane Austen as a current day woman's fairy godmother. I love Austen, and am known in certain circles as a fairy godmother, plus I ended up corresponding with the author, so it seemed a natural for me to pick up.
Not bad in a chick-lit sort of way. I did feel as if the author was truly trying to show Austin to the reader, as well as a bit of Austen, too, both of which were appreciated. And I'm all for magical journals and gairy godmothers. I think that had my reading of this not been interrupted by receiving another Austen-esque book, that completely blew me away, I might have been more enchanted. As it is, I enjoyed the story,including the saucy advice dished out by a diary, the mushroom down the dress retrieval, and the burgeoning recognition of love. While there was enough to keep the main characters, for the most part (with the exception of one), from falling into my pet peeve of being incredibly beautiful/handsome/hormonally right, some of the scenes didn't click with me. But there were some nice touches: Nic breaking into daring cupcake recipes, the poor fellow bemused by his date's choice at lunch not to have the special, the attempt at "girl talk" in a bowling alley, for example.
All in all, I don't think Austen would have been offended, except possibly by the overuse of the word "sexy."
Not bad in a chick-lit sort of way. I did feel as if the author was truly trying to show Austin to the reader, as well as a bit of Austen, too, both of which were appreciated. And I'm all for magical journals and gairy godmothers. I think that had my reading of this not been interrupted by receiving another Austen-esque book, that completely blew me away, I might have been more enchanted. As it is, I enjoyed the story,including the saucy advice dished out by a diary, the mushroom down the dress retrieval, and the burgeoning recognition of love. While there was enough to keep the main characters, for the most part (with the exception of one), from falling into my pet peeve of being incredibly beautiful/handsome/hormonally right, some of the scenes didn't click with me. But there were some nice touches: Nic breaking into daring cupcake recipes, the poor fellow bemused by his date's choice at lunch not to have the special, the attempt at "girl talk" in a bowling alley, for example.
All in all, I don't think Austen would have been offended, except possibly by the overuse of the word "sexy."
March 24, 2012
"Slightly envious, I splayed my fingers over the bumpy back leather cover and had even gone so far as to dip my unpolished, trimmed-short fingernail into the tiny keyhole. I'd instantly felt an unexpected little zing that had sent goosebumps chasing each other up my arms and nerves spiraling down like a roller coaster into the pit of my stomach. Startled, I jumped back, jostling my full-to-the-brim cup and sending a cascade of warm, spiced tea down onto the little book, staining the pages, buckling the edges, and rendering it ungiftable in all one fell swoop." Thus begins Austentatious, a entertaining romp. This book is definitely going on my 2012 favorite list. Who doesn't love a good fairy tale, and with Jane Austen?
Nic is a very scientific (she is a scientist after all), n0-nonsense, rather prudish 20 something that is dedicated to following "The Plan" until a journal comes into her possession. She originally buys it as a gift, but after the tea spillage she keeps it as her own. She writes her first entry, and when she goes to pick up the journal again, her entry is missing, and in it's place "Miss Nicola James will be sensible, and indulge in a little romance." And with that begins a journey that includes a Scottish rock-star, a new job, an impromptu karaoke performance, and the decimation of "The Plan." Fantastically written, great characters all around, I HIGHLY recommend this cozy, quick read. And according to the back, a sequel is in the works. Swoon!
Nic is a very scientific (she is a scientist after all), n0-nonsense, rather prudish 20 something that is dedicated to following "The Plan" until a journal comes into her possession. She originally buys it as a gift, but after the tea spillage she keeps it as her own. She writes her first entry, and when she goes to pick up the journal again, her entry is missing, and in it's place "Miss Nicola James will be sensible, and indulge in a little romance." And with that begins a journey that includes a Scottish rock-star, a new job, an impromptu karaoke performance, and the decimation of "The Plan." Fantastically written, great characters all around, I HIGHLY recommend this cozy, quick read. And according to the back, a sequel is in the works. Swoon!
July 12, 2013
Austentatious is my second attempt in the audiobook realm and I finally found one that I love! This book is so much fun. So much fun, I found myself smiling and giggling throughout the entire book. It truly was a joy to listen to it.
Nicola James is a girl after my own heart. She wants organization, security, and predictability. Plus, she’s the girl with a Plan. I loved that one little book could wreck such havoc over every aspect of her life, personal and professional. Ms. Goodnight’s use of the journal is a brilliant tool to completely unravel Nic’s life. I, also, loved the daily calendar of Jane Austen quotes. I can’t imagine how long it took to select each quote. The journal and the calendar worked in complete synchronicity with each other and almost drove Nic to complete insanity. I loved it!
Sean is a wonderful love interest for Nic; the complete opposite that she desperately needs. He’s sweet, honest, and completely taken in by Nic. However, is he her Mr. Darcy or is he the dreaded Wickham? Well, only Nic can decide that and YOU will have to listen to find out.
Lastly, Janine Hegarty did a wonderful job narrating this story. Once I got used to her voice, she fit perfectly with Nic’s character. Even her Scottish accent wasn’t too bad.
I’m so happy that I listened to this audiobook because I was about to up on the whole format. Now that I know that there are some really good audiobooks out there, I plan to listen to a whole lot more!
Nicola James is a girl after my own heart. She wants organization, security, and predictability. Plus, she’s the girl with a Plan. I loved that one little book could wreck such havoc over every aspect of her life, personal and professional. Ms. Goodnight’s use of the journal is a brilliant tool to completely unravel Nic’s life. I, also, loved the daily calendar of Jane Austen quotes. I can’t imagine how long it took to select each quote. The journal and the calendar worked in complete synchronicity with each other and almost drove Nic to complete insanity. I loved it!
Sean is a wonderful love interest for Nic; the complete opposite that she desperately needs. He’s sweet, honest, and completely taken in by Nic. However, is he her Mr. Darcy or is he the dreaded Wickham? Well, only Nic can decide that and YOU will have to listen to find out.
Lastly, Janine Hegarty did a wonderful job narrating this story. Once I got used to her voice, she fit perfectly with Nic’s character. Even her Scottish accent wasn’t too bad.
I’m so happy that I listened to this audiobook because I was about to up on the whole format. Now that I know that there are some really good audiobooks out there, I plan to listen to a whole lot more!
March 7, 2012
I heard about Austentatious while en route to Philadelphia. Two women sitting behind me on my British Airways flight to Philly were talking about it--one was raving about it, the other was in complete agreement. The first woman swore any fan of Jane Austen ought to read this book. I don't know if I would go that far--I know many Jane Austen purists who would be totally against anything derived from Austen's original novels--but it was an enjoyable read and it accompanied me on many a visit to Starbucks for coffee, lemon pound cake and a little quality time.
Austentatious tells the story of how an innocent-looking journal changes the life of engineer and Austin, Texas resident Nicola James. Nic's life revolves around the Plan--her carefully thought-out guideline for life--but the Plan is no match for a journal that seems to channel romantic advice from the spirit of Jane Austen. And no matter how hard Nic tries to resist this unwanted injection of magic in her life, her fairy Jane-mother makes sure her presence is known and shows Nic just what happens when you dare to open yourself to an unpredictable dose of romance.
Austentatious tells the story of how an innocent-looking journal changes the life of engineer and Austin, Texas resident Nicola James. Nic's life revolves around the Plan--her carefully thought-out guideline for life--but the Plan is no match for a journal that seems to channel romantic advice from the spirit of Jane Austen. And no matter how hard Nic tries to resist this unwanted injection of magic in her life, her fairy Jane-mother makes sure her presence is known and shows Nic just what happens when you dare to open yourself to an unpredictable dose of romance.
March 26, 2012
Fabulous!
This one was such fun and edge of your seat what will she do now? Both what will Nicola, the main character, do now, but also her "Fairy Jane" who posts in her antique journal with instructions to follow. Whether Nic follows them or not and how very serious-minded, down-to-earth Nic can wrap her mind around the possibility of the journal's magic is half the fun.
I think to really get the full enjoyment of this one, you should be at least passingly familiar with Jane Austen's works, the characters and general plots. I think if you've read Austen you'd love this one. If you haven't, some of the references won't work so well. As Nic considers whether a man is a Darcy, a Willoughby or a Bingley, etc. There are various quotes throughout from Austen books, too and Goodnight manages to make each one fit perfectly with the action of the story.
There is wonderful character development and plotlines that involve secondary characters. I always liked when the other characters tend to have lives that don't revolve around the main character, makes the story feel more real.
Whatever Alyssa Goodnight writes next, I'll read it. It will be hard to top this one, though.
This one was such fun and edge of your seat what will she do now? Both what will Nicola, the main character, do now, but also her "Fairy Jane" who posts in her antique journal with instructions to follow. Whether Nic follows them or not and how very serious-minded, down-to-earth Nic can wrap her mind around the possibility of the journal's magic is half the fun.
I think to really get the full enjoyment of this one, you should be at least passingly familiar with Jane Austen's works, the characters and general plots. I think if you've read Austen you'd love this one. If you haven't, some of the references won't work so well. As Nic considers whether a man is a Darcy, a Willoughby or a Bingley, etc. There are various quotes throughout from Austen books, too and Goodnight manages to make each one fit perfectly with the action of the story.
There is wonderful character development and plotlines that involve secondary characters. I always liked when the other characters tend to have lives that don't revolve around the main character, makes the story feel more real.
Whatever Alyssa Goodnight writes next, I'll read it. It will be hard to top this one, though.
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