Persuading Him: A Modern Persuasion Retelling

Pemberley Estates #1

by Keena Richins

At seventeen, Anne found the love of her life in an ambitious, yet troubled ex-foster boy. However, her wealthy family persuaded her to keep on her path to a prestigious career instead of running away with a boy with no future. Eight years later, she finds herself with no career, little money, and a heart still pining for that ex-foster boy. When she accidentally runs into him--now handsome, rich, and completely over her--she determines to either change her life or change his mind. "Persuading Him" is a stand-alone, clean/sweet, second-chance romance with a guaranteed happily ever after. In the world of Pemberley Estates, Jane Austen's characters mingle with each other in a modern setting. Check out the rest of the series and see where your favorite character pops Persuasion Persuading Him - Anne's Side Persuading Her - Rick's Side Sense And Sensibility Sense Without Sensibility - Elinor's Side Smitten With Sense - Edward's Side Sensibility Without Sense - Marianne's Side (Coming Soon) Surrendering to Sensibility - Brandon's Side (Coming Soon)

Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Chick Lit, Clean Romance, Retellings, Second Chance

270 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 18, 2018

About the author

Keena Richins has a curse: she must write the stories bubbling in her head or go mad. Seriously. You should see the hordes of characters in her head constantly babbling about their lives. When she needs a break, Keena will delve into books and her favorite are the Jane Austen books, so it is only fitting for her first debut to be a modern twist on one of those classics. And many more are soon to come. Enjoy!

Reviews

[N.N. Heaven · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book because I love Austen's Persuasion. The reality is, I didn't. It came across as forced in some scenes and lagging in others. Too bad.

My Rating: 3 stars

Reviewed by: Mrs. N

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let me start by saying I LOve Persuasion(the Movie) if you haven't seen the version with Rupert Penery-Jones you need too. I have never read the book. I know myself too well, I like lots of interaction between the love interest and we all know there is not much of that. I gave this a shot hoping it would be a little different. This author is a good writer. I was immediately sucked in. About 40% threw tho the dreaded feelings of frustration set in. They just had very little interaction and in the movie you get to see there looks to each other, you get to see that gentle shift of there relationship. You miss that in this book. They have very little interaction that would lead either of them to believe there could be something still there. The ending fell a little flat with all that build up! This was more a story about Anne learning about herself and what she really wants from life. Being able to be kind and nice is a great quality but when you allow others to walk all over you it's no longer kindness, it's fear. I am glad Anne found strength within herself to find what she wanted in the end. This is a chaste romance. Much like the original.

[Mara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've never read Jane Austen's Persuasion nor have I watched any of the movies made from the book, so I had no preconceived ideas whether the author "stuck to the story".

Anne fell in love with Rick when she was only seventeen and he was nineteen. Their love didn't have to be doomed from the start, although she's the middle daughter of a wealthy attorney and he grew up in foster care, but having never stood up for herself Anne let her father and her godmother Russelle, persuade her to turn him away. Eight years later she still loves Rick which has kept her from moving onto another serious relationship, and her family still persuades her to do things she doesn't want to do. Meanwhile Rick matured from the angry nineteen year old foster child into a handsome, wealthy man who works for a prestigious company.

When they meet for the first time in 8 years all of their feelings come flooding back but the other doesn't know that. Anne thinks Rick didn't remember her, when he's just trying to come to grips with his feelings for her coming back after such a long time. Can Anne persuade Rick to give her a second chance at love?

I enjoyed the storyline, although most of the characters drove me crazy. Anne's older sister and father treated her terribly, and her younger sister was so spoiled and determined to get her way. I thought the younger sister, her husband and his sisters' antics were a bit much, but then the author was retelling a Jane Austen novel so the characteristics and actions of these modern characters fit.

I kept wondering when Anne was going to grow a backbone and finally stand up for herself--do what she wanted to do with her life, not what everyone around her expected. I think she spent so long trying to keep the peace in her family it became a natural for her to do whatever would cause the least amount of trouble. Her older sister was very demanding and thought she could do no wrong, her younger sister wasn't happy unless she got her way, and Anne seemed to be the forgotten middle child unless something went wrong and they needed someone to blame.

I was happy when Anne finally had the guts to talk to Russelle and tell her what she really wanted to do--which was NOT to be a lawyer, but to into social services work. At last she had some type of support. I was thrilled when Anne and Rick finally started to talk about the elephant in the room and I loved the piano in the mall scene. So sweet and adorable. I also like Anne's friend from college and was happy for her when they reconnected.

I offered to read this book for an honest review and look forward to reading Rick's story. Thanks ebooks for my complimentary copy.

[Katie (hiding in the pages) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Persuasion is such a classic and I enjoyed the modern spin on this beloved favorite. This version, though modernized, follows the Austen tale quite closely and while that's a good thing, I always expect a little more out of contemporary stories. I wanted a little more romance and a little less whine. That said, Anne's family was vividly terrible and Anne's coming into herself was sweet and satisfying.

It was so much fun to see other Austen characters show up in this story, even in name only. The connections and relationships were complicated, tangled, and interesting to sort out. Overall, this was an entertaining read.

Content: mild romance

*I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*

[Julie Carpenter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jane Austen's book, Persuasion, is one of my absolute favorites. I remember the first time I heard about it and being encouraged to read it. Then picking it up and devouring it quickly. I was enamored, completely. I've loved watching adaptions, especially the Masterpiece 2006 version and The Lake House. And I've enjoyed reading retellings of it.

I have mixed feelings for this book. I really enjoyed it. I liked the contemporary setting and characters. It followed Austen's book perfectly. And while I loved that, I was also wishing that the author had made a few more changes than just the time period. Don't get me wrong, I think she did a good job, I enjoyed her writing style, and she added some little twists in that will connect it with other books in this series. But I felt like I was reading Austen's book more so than I had anticipated going into. Now that's not necessarily a bad thing either, since I adore Austen's Persuasion.

I think most readers who enjoy retellings of Austen's novels, will either absolutely adore this one, or be middle ground for enjoying this one. I did really like the appearance of other characters from Austen's other books. The author did a great job incorporating them into this story, to create a connection between all the books so she can do retellings of all of the Austen novels.

Anne's family definitely didn't disappoint with their lack of kindness and love and their overabundance of selfishness and vanity, Narcissus anyone? I think Anne's dad was a great student of Narcissus. Hee Hee! I did have a few moments of feeling sorry for Anne's dad and sister, Elizabeth. But not a lot. I liked Elizabeth's friend Mrs. Clay (I think that's her name in this version). Whereas I didn't care for her in Austen's version (of course that's how you're supposed to feel about her in Austen's novel). But I liked the twisting and turning of her character in this book.

So, my final recommendation would be that if you're at all interested in this one, grab it and try it. Don't make any judgements from my review or others that you may have looked it. You might find that you absolutely adore it and this modern version is more your cup of tea than Austen's old English version. If you've never read Persuasion before, I think you're in for a real treat!

Content: Clean

I received a copy from ebooks. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

[Lynda · Rating 3 out of 5]

For those who may not be familiar with Jane Austen's Persuasion, the story is largely one of a second chance at love with the same person. It is about how we allow others to influence our decisions for good or for bad, and giving and receiving forgiveness when necessary. Happily, those elements all remain in this updated version.

Aside from that, I was not entirely sure what to expect from this modern retelling. What contemporary struggles might correspond to the challenges Anne faced in Austen's version? I think the author did a good job of making the story her own while still remaining true to the original tale.

I became frustrated with the main characters, but that is not really a criticism—my reactions were much the same with the original story. And those annoyances were quickly forgotten as soon as the characters turned the corner and began communicating with each other. Their later interactions are sweet and satisfying, making up for the painful earlier pages.

My only real complaint is this book needs a thorough edit to catch extra words, wrong words, and typos. It gives the novel a bit of an unfinished feel. There are enough of them that it did impact my enjoyment, which is a shame since the ideas are solid enough and the writing is good.

This is a nice take on what Persuasion may have looked like in a modern setting. While the editing was lacking, if a reader can look beyond that, this is a fun way to revisit familiar characters. I look forward to reading the companion novel soon, from Rick's perspective this time.

I received a review copy of this book but was under no obligation to post a positive review. The opinions expressed are both honest and my own.

[Elin Eriksen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Modern variation of Persuasion

A sweet story that kept close to the timeline of the original, yet it was well and plausibly adapted into the modern era.
It dragged though, mainly because of the repetitiveness. Facts were repeated 3 and 4 times in a row while I was impatient for the story to move on...

Worthwhile

Rated: chaste

[Leslie Books and Socks Rock · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have never read Austen's Persuasion or seen any movie adaptation. So I went into this knowing nothing of the plot. It was okay, the first half of the book was kind of boring, not a lot of interaction with really anyone. The MC was so blah, no one appreciated her and she was always an afterthought which made it hard for the reader to want to know her story. Towards the end she did start to stand up for herself so that was better. I did like how the author used other names by Austen as characters so it was all in the same world. I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a hard choice, debating between giving 4 or 5 stars for this book. I believe this book is well written and was mostly enjoyable to read. The author did a very good job of writing a modern day version of Jane Austen's 'Persuasion'. There are so many details that are the same or closely mirror Austen's novel- character names, cities, events, etc. It was cleverly done. Of course, not everything in today's modern world would have been the same as in Austen's 1800's, so some changes had to be made to the modern retelling. The idea that William Elliott being conniving because he is the male that stands to inherit Anne's home wouldn't hold up in today's modern world so the author, (Richins), created a twist to his story to make him more of a villain and added a mystery to the story that was interesting to read.

The hard part about closely retelling another story, especially a classic, is that if you didn't enjoy the original, you may not like the updated version. Such as is the case with this book. Some of the side characters were annoying and I really did not like them. It was a little hard to read at times as their behavior was over the top and pretty much the same throughout the book. It got a little tiresome. I couldn't understand why Anne, the main character, put up with it and was basically a doormat. She repeatedly let herself be ignored, blamed for everything, was unappreciated, taken advantage of and she didn't stand up for herself. But, I also understood that that is just how the characters were originally written and supposed to be. You can imagine more eccentrically written characters and them getting away with their poor behavior in these historical fiction books than you can in today's novels. (Like Mrs. Bennett and her nerves in Pride and Prejudice). In this version, Anne did make strides in letting go of some of her reservations and changed her behavior/attitude. She tried to cut the strings of some of the unhealthy relationships in her life.

Knowing what 'Persuasion' is about, you know that there is angst, turmoil, uncertainty and anger that the main characters experience based on a choice from 7 years prior. That is how the novel opens and led the characters to this point in the story. Knowing that before you even pick up the book, knowing that you will feel the characters frustrations for a good majority of the book, I was still really hoping for more emotion from them in this updated version. You have to be patient through almost the whole story to get them to even really communicate with each other. There weren't any humorous moments or moments that took my breath away, squealed over or got excited about, even when they finally get together at the end. The ending was rather quick and abrupt with storylines unfinished or not cleared up. Rick sends her an email and I wish that message could have been relayed in person, but in Austen's version, a letter was sent so I understand the need for an email in order to be consistent with the original story. I like the piano scene that followed and felt like that was the most touching part of the novel, but there still was not a lot of emotion. It's been 7 or 8 years- you'd think there would be more happiness or crying or something! There wasn't much intensity or romance between the characters and I guess I wished for a happily ever after that was greater or exceeded the level of anxiety and sadness that they had felt for all those years.

The author threw in connections to characters from Austen's others stories and it was fun at first, but then it was kind of distracting. It made me wonder if the author had actually written other stories with these characters where they all existed together, (other modern retellings they were in), and I was supposed to have known about or read before this one.

If you like Jane Austen's 'Persuasion' I have do doubt you would this one as well. It was an easy read that kept my attention and I read it in one sitting. I can't get enough of Austen's stories so it was fun to read one set in our day. As well written as it was though, I don't know that this is a book that I would read over and over again. I would enjoy looking at the companion novel from Rick's POV to see how it differs.

[Donna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Alas...

If I read that word again in the next week, I may break something! The word was way over used! There were many typo’s and the story just didn’t make me happy.

[Elizabeth S · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful modern-day retelling of the classic Austen book Persuasion.

[The Flipped Page (Susan K) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Romance, clean;
This was a fun retelling of Persuasion with a modern setting. The author got lots of things right with this, but had some weak things for me as a reader. There were many little nuances and parts of the original that were redone well. Anne and Rick the two main characters, the setting with his career and with his sister and her husband, the family dynamics, were all very well done. A little better flow would have made this a very good read. It is still a fun read for anyone who enjoys a modern, clean Jane Austen retelling of her novel "Persuasion". I will look forward to seeing what else she writes and see her development as a writer.
I received a copy in exchange for a fair and honest review from the author via "I Am a Reader" in exchange for a fair and honest review. My opinions are my own.

[Yana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free ebook review copy of this book but was under no obligation to post a positive review

As an Austen fan, when I came across the opportunity to read and review a Persuasion retelling, I practically jumped at the chance. Persuasion is one of my all time favorite books and I always felt it was slightly overlooked amongst all other Austen novels. So, naturally I felt so excited by the fact that someone else loved the story so much that they decided to write a retelling of it.

Just like the original, Persuading Him tells the Story of one Anne Elliot, who eight years ago gave up the love of her life due to her family’s objections. What she didn’t know at the time was that she will always regret that decision and will never forget him.
Now, a chance encounter between the two might hold the key to correcting past mistakes.

I loved how the author managed to keep Persuasion’s main themes and plot, yet integrate it into our modern times and add another level of mystery to it.
The story flowed smoothly and conveyed a lot of emotions throughout. I always could feel exactly what Anne felt at the moment and connected with her on a very personal level.

Another fun fact about Persuading Him- fans of Austen will meet and hear about a lot of our favorite characters from all of Austen novels. From Emma Woodhouse to Mr. Wickham, the amount of cameos here is very amusing. It did take some getting used to because to me it felt a little distracting from time to time.
Another point that felt a little weird to me was the ending. It felt very abrupt and too open ended. I felt like the story could have ended on a more resolved note, since toward the ending we are exposed to a rather mysterious and new plot point, I expected to follow through with it till the end but to my surprise we only get to hear about the characters’ plan to deal with it, but never saw if anything came out of it and what was the characters’ fate.

Other than that- Persuading Him is an absolutely great book for any Austen fan and for anyone who is partial to second chance love stories :)

Lastly, I would like to thank Kathy from “I am a Reader” for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Alisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Jane Austen and Persuasion is one of my favorites. This was a cute modern-day retelling; I also enjoyed reading Persuading Her, where we got Rick Wentworth's point of view. I think I would have liked it better if we got both points of view throughout the story instead of as two separate books.

[Sydney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Persuading Him: A Modern Persuasion Retelling by author Keena Richins is a sweet contemporary retelling of Jane Austen’s Persuasion. Richins story follows Austen’s original story pretty closely throughout the entire novel. This story is a women’s fiction novel detailing the coming to know and stand up for oneself with a touch of slow romance. Although the first half the book is a bit slow, the story does pick up in the second half and still a sweet, enjoyable, and entertaining read. Readers that enjoy modern Jane Austen retellings will enjoy this novel.

Series: Pemberley Estates
Genre: contemporary, women’s fiction, chick lit, clean romance
Publisher: Indie
Publication date: September 18, 2018
Number of pages: 257

Other books in the series:
2-Persuading Her

A review copy of this book was provided by the Clean Wholesome Romance Street Team. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

[Shinae Wyckoff · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was fine, a fun re-telling, but it was so close to the original it was almost merely a translation. Unfortunately, lovers of the original will miss Austen’s characteristic depth of thought and analysis.
So, for me, it’s just alright. Will be interested to read the perspective-change version.

[Christi · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I sat down to write this review, I was torn between what I loved and what frustrated me about Persuading Him. I did love the heroine, Anna. Everyone needs an Anna in their life, the woman who truly has a heart of gold, fiercely loyal, and would do anything for her friends and family. What made me cringe throughout the book was how Anna was treated by her family and how she took the abuse without fighting back. I wanted to scream into the pages for her to speak up, fight back, and not be in her head so much, which is another one of the complaints I had with this narrative. It made the book feel a lot more drawn out than I thought it should've been.

The plus of this book having so many details was the incredible character development, leaving the reader with no questions about any of the characters points of view or the motives behind their actions. Being a lover of the piano myself, I appreciated how the ivory keys brought Anna and her ex-boyfriend Rick together, and I loved the imagery of the scenery throughout the book.

As I read, I was craving to know Rick's side of the story, which is why I have already started reading Persuading Her, so I can finally hear his side of the story.

Despite my few complaints about Persuading Him, I enjoyed this re-telling of Jane Austen's Persuasion, and would recommend this book, and hope that in the continuation I will hear more of Anna's voice and fight for herself and her happiness.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I confess, I've never read a Jane Austen novel. I've seen a few movies based on the novels, but haven't had a chance to read one yet. I know I need to change that soon. So, with that said, I can't rate this book on how well she retold the story of Persuasion, because all I know about that story is what Sandra Bullock shares in the movie Lake House. However, this was an intriguing story and it was fun having characters from Pride and Prejudice involved, as I do know those names.

I enjoyed this story, but I didn't like what a pushover Anne was. It made me sad, partly because I can be the same way. I like to be a peacemaker and for everyone to be happy. So, I can understand how she would let it happen, but it was still sad to read. Anne is a wonderful woman whose talents are undervalued. Rick is a great guy as well, but obviously has been hurting as well. The story at times felt like it was really drawn out, but other parts seemed rushed. Overall I enjoyed the book and was really wanting Rick's POV, but apparently a companion book is coming out from his perspective. I'm hoping I will like it a lot more after I read that one, because I felt having his POV as well would have made this a lot better story. I felt it lacked the depth I wanted in their relationship and maybe I'll feel that more when I read his side.

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5 ⭐ It's been a while since I've read Persuasion by Jane Austen. This book took me back to this wonderful story of second chances. All the characters from the original book are here, but situated in a modern society, dealing with modern problems. We get to peek into Anne's thoughts and emotions and her growth as an independent woman, fighting for what's important for her. Although the events take place in the present, the novel has a Regency feeling and sounding to it.
I love it how the author has combined together many Austen characters in one common Universe - Darcy, Bingley, Emma, Knightley and Brandon are all mentioned, so hopefully retellings of these books are also coming.
I would have preferred it if there were more deviations from the original story. Sometimes it was all to predictable what would happen. But I guess this is just me... maybe others prefer these kind of retellings to be faithful to the original plot, as is the case with this novel.
I saw that there is a novel with Rick's Point of view - this will be a real treat. I'll be definitely checking it out and waiting for other Austen retellings by Ms. Richins.
Sensuality: squeaky clean
Religion: none
Narrative: 3rd person, following Anne

[Mummy Cat Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an updated version of the famous Persuasion by Jane Austen. If you are familiar with the original story, this version won't be terribly surprising but the author did change some things.

Anne Elliott works with her father at Pemberly Estate law firm in Boston. Their family is put into turmoil when "someone had stolen one of the corporation's inventions yet again."

Eliza Elliot is Anne's sister and every bit as haughty and materialistically driven. Being as Eliza and their father are all about status, to fall into financial disaster was a horrid prospect. Russelle is an old family friend. She helps Anne's family cut back and saves their family.

Anne hates Boston, so she helped Eliza and her father pack up and sent them on their way. Anne went to the country to attend to her sister, Mary. There she dwells with Mary and her family and also her in-laws. While there, she is surprised to meet her old boyfriend, Rick. Rick comes around looking at Charles's invention. He then seeks out the interest in Louisa. Anne hasn't seen Rick in 8 years and their break up was very difficult for her.

Anne does her best to ignore Rick and seeks out to avoid him. She isn't vocal about her feelings on anything because her family is too selfish to realize her pain. "...her face hadn't survived eight years very well. Just look at the lines along her forehead. When did those move in? She tied on a smile, but it didn't hide the sorrow in her eyes. How was it that he could improve with age, becoming more like that regal king who'd fiercely defend his people while she only worsened, turning into a tired, beggar girl, hoping for some crumbs from that regal king?"

Relying on her Godmother's advice, Anne broke up with Rick. Ever since, she has believed it to be her biggest mistake and regret. "Anne sighed. How did she get into this situation? Because she let others persuade her to do things she didn't want to do."

I enjoyed this modern take on the old classic. I think the author did a pretty good job in bringing the characters into the present. Some things don't translate well but I think the author did a good job in arranging situations to match today's world.

The author added in a decent amount of depressive mood for Anne. I felt like Austen didn't dwell on the past as much as she concentrated on the present. I also think Austen addressed the humor in the hypocrisy and silliness of Anne's relatives. This version adds in more feelings from the past and how Anne feels so very alone in her pain. It's not a total downer but there are parts when Anne's pain is at the center.

Overall, I would certainly recommend this book to Austen fans.

Content: clean

[Suzie Waltner · Rating 3 out of 5]

My absolute favorite Jane Austen book is Persuasion. There’s just something about a love that lasts through years of separation. So, of course, was thrilled to read this modern-day retelling.

Persuading Him follows the original well. Maybe a little too well because I was over Anne’s whiny younger sister Mary well before the book shifted out of that setting. Yes, Mary is the same way in Austen’s version—selfish and attention-seeking. But for some reason, it was more annoying in Keena Richins’ version.

Once Anne moved on from visiting her sister and carrying for her nephews, things got much better. Now Anne has more pressing issues to focus on and is beginning to stand up for herself. I would have loved to read more interaction between Rick and Anne (but again, Richins stays true to Austen in the interactions of the two main characters).

Not to worry, though, Richins has also written Persuading Her which is the same story from Rick’s perspective. Since I’ve always wondered what went on in Wentworth’s head, I will definitely be delving into this one soon.

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would give the story 3 1/2 stars. The story was fairly strong, but the editing needs work. Wrong words, like fair well instead of fare well, along with places where words were repeated or accidentally deleted, were noticeable enough to pull you from the story line.

That being said, the book was a fairly straight, modern retelling of Jane Austen's Persuasion. There's much more explanation of Anne's thoughts and feelings, such as why she gives in to her family. Of course, in this story, people have jobs instead of being part of the "idle rich" classes. I think the story did a good job of imagining their lives as they might be in a modern setting in the US. Anne's discontent is more obvious, and her family is as difficult (if not more so) than ever. Will Elliott's motives are also updated and handled fairly well. I felt a little confused by Rick Wentworth's profession in the book and how he kept popping up because of somewhat vague business dealings. That felt a bit contrived. The book, though, is enjoyable and a clean and relaxing read.

I was given this book in exchange for a review, but all opinions are my own.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't totally sure how I'd like this book when I first started it, to be frank. I am a fan of Jane Austen, but wouldn't say that Persuasion is my favorite work of hers. I was very pleasantly surprised.
Persuading Him is a faithful, yet completely modern take on the classic. Anne displayed more depth than the original and I enjoyed experiencing her perspective and general outlook on life. The author did a fantastic job of translating the various characters into believable, contemporary people. Little details, like Mary disconnecting from her reality through the playing of computer games, made the book come alive in a new way. Another fun detail was the addition of persons from other Austen works. I loved trying to catch all the cameos, such as Emma Woodhouse, Mr. Bingley, and Mr. Knightly, that are scattered throughout the book.
Overall, I found this novel to be delightful, interesting read and find myself very intrigued with the idea of Rick's POV in the companion novel. Read it; you'll be glad you did.

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

For anyone who loves Jane Austen’s works & is intrigued by modern day retellings, this is the book for you! This is the first time I have read anything by this author but I am already eager to read her next one (Persuading Her)!
I was intrigued how the author would incorporate the many essential scenes from Ms. Austen’s novel & I was not disappointed. There are of course some differences - you can have everything the same after all but it was well done in my opinion. There were a few areas that didn’t quite do it for me (but I don’t want to give away any spoilers) & that’s the only reason this isn’t 5 stars - but I wouldn’t be surprised to discover that eventually I might just change my mind - at this point though I’m still getting used to the author’s style of plotting/writing. However, this is a completely clean story. I am happy to safely recommend it to anyone who appreciates & prefers sweet & clean novels. If you haven’t already read Ms. Austen’s Persuasion, do yourself a favour & read it if not before then by all means after. I think you’ll enjoy comparing them :)

[Krista · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was alright.

I like the story of Persuasion. This was a different take and I liked aspects of it. I liked Ann and for the most part I liked Rick. I thought it was kinda funny the author used names from author Jane Austen works. I liked the whole piano/music aspect. How some of the relationships were described didn't make sense to me. For example, how Ann kept saying Russelle was her best friend but in my opinion she never did anything that backed up the claim. There were parts where I got a little lost and confused. Kinda got annoying that Ann kept saying the fates were against her. The line just got old. I thought the part in the hospital with the piano was cute. Didn't love the end. This thing with will was exposed toward the end of the book but then never resolved. Also I guess I wanted the shock factor of Ann and Rick getting back together in front of Ann's family so I was disappointed that didn't happen. Overall I liked the story though.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so excited to read this book. Persuasion is my favorite Jane Austen novel, and I love reading spin offs. This one didn't disappoint. It was well written, and I loved how the characters were portrayed. It was fun to see how the author modified the elements from the original story to fit the modern world. And with all the references to other Jane Austen characters, I hope the author writes other Jane Austen spin offs. I look forward to reading more books by this author.

There were a number of editing mistakes; however, I was reading a review copy, so I hope those aren't in the final.

Content: clean
Source: Review Copy
Rating: 4.5 stars

[Desiree · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it stayed true to the story line of the original story of Persuassion. I think it's good to be familiar with that story or you might be frustrated with how horrible the family was and with the h for being a doormat. It had a solid story line but sometimes phrases felt overused. If that was changed & using different ways to describe how the people feel I could see giving it more stars. I think if it was a ya novel it was good. I didn't hate it though. Some places it held my attention and other times I felt is more ya. However, that's just me and other people love ya.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun retelling of Persuasion. I am really looking forward to the companion novel coming out soon. I feel like there was some things that were missing that really would have helped the story (such as his motivations and feelings at certain times) that will most likely be addressed in the companion novel. And as that was my only complaint of the novel, I am happy to see that she is coming out with it. Loved this novel otherwise!

[Our Book Confessions · Rating 3 out of 5]

Keena Richins did a fabulous job writing Anne. You felt her feelings of inadequacies, her shyness and her strength through out the novel. There were more editing errors than I like to see in published novels but not enough to be too distracting from the story. The author kept me interested through out the book while pulling off a modern setting and weaving in other characters, gearing you up for more Austen from her in the future.

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[Mei Li · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most Brilliant Retelling

This is the most accurate and brilliant retelling of Jane Austen’s Persuasion I have read! The attention to detail and characterization were unmatched. I loved how the author made the events and scenes very realistic and appropriate for a modern day story but was true to the original characters’ personalities. I loved Anne. She embodied a disciplined and caring soul despite the people who surrounded her—a completely true heroine.