The Particular Charm of Miss Jane Austen

Austen Adventures #1

by Cass Grafton, Ada Bright, Cassandra Grafton

What would life be like if something had prevented Jane Austen from ever publishing any of her books? Dedicated Janeite, Rose, is about to find out!

It’s September, and the city of Bath is playing host to the annual Jane Austen Festival, a celebration of the famous author and her works.

Rose Wallace, Bath resident and avid Jane Austen fan, can’t wait for her friends to arrive and the Festival to start, unaware one of the recently arrived guests will turn her life upside down by sharing with her a secret that ultimately puts Jane Austen’s entire literary legacy at risk.

With the support of a displaced two hundred year old author and a charmed necklace, can Rose help to bring back some of the most beloved stories of all time and turn her own life around in the process?

Genres: Time Travel, Fiction, Audiobook, Romance, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Science Fiction

385 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 24, 2016

About the author

Cass began her writing life in Regency England, enlisted Jane Austen’s help to time-travel between then and the present day and is now happily ensconced in 21st century Cornwall.

Well, in her imagination and soul; her heart and physical presence reside in northern England with her ever-patient husband and Tig and Tag, their cute but exceptionally demanding moggies.

A bit of a nomad, Cass has called three countries home, as well as six different English counties, but her aspiration is to one day reunite with her beloved West Country.

In the meantime, she writes feel-good contemporary romances set in Cornwall and, in doing so, manages to live there vicariously through her characters and settings.

An Ambassador for the Jane Austen Literacy Foundation, Cass is also a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, the Jane Austen Society UK and the Society of Authors.

Reviews

[Meredith (Austenesque Reviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

TYPE OF AUSTENESQUE NOVEL: Austen-Inspired Original, Jane Austen as a Fictional Character

SETTING: Bath, England present day (in September during the Jane Austen Festival to be more specific)

MAIN CHARACTERS:

- Rose – a die-hard Janeite living in the basement flat at No. 4 Sydney Place.

- Morgan – her American friend who she is meeting in person for the first time.

- James – her boss who seems to have become besotted with her American friend.

- Dr. Aiden Trevellyan – her longtime secret crush who doesn’t really know she exists.

- Jane Austen – her favorite author with whom she goes on an unexpected adventure with!

SYNOPSIS:

In the midst of attending the Jane Austen Festival in Bath, devoted Jane Austen fan, Rose Wallace notices something a little peculiar about one of the festival’s attendees she keeps running into. Is she merely obsessed fan? Is she corrupt or crazy? When she finds out the answer, it is too incredible to believe! And Rose finds herself facing the question every Janeite has wondered – what would their life be like if Jane Austen never published her books…

WHAT I LOVED:

- Beautifully Blended In Every Sense: A tale of dear friends coming together, a mystery turned adventure, and more than one budding romance – Ada Bright and Cass Grafton seamlessly blended and perfectly balanced every ingredient of this novel. Each component was well-crafted and it is impossible to tell where one author’s writing ends and one begins. Hats off to such a stellar writing team!

- Realistic and Accessible: I adored the characters in this story! They were easy to relate to (especially Rose and Morgan), entertaining, and intriguing. Jane Austen was delightful with her observations and forthright manner; and I found both men, James and Aiden, equally adorable in some Bingley-esque and Darcy-esque ways!

- Life Without Jane: *sigh* can you imagine?!? I know, it is painful to think about! But I really enjoyed seeing how the absence of Jane Austen’s books would effect so many different aspects of a person’s life – not just what they read and watch, but bigger things like relationships and careers. It is amazing to see the different direction life would go if it weren’t for dear Jane.

- Jane Austen Festival: Sadly I’ve never been to the festival and celebrations in Bath, but I love stories like this that make me feel like I have! The promenade, dance classes, guest speakers, and workshops – it’s like a Janeite’s dream experience! And it is wonderful to see all the details and descriptions of everything that goes into this special tribute!

- Harry and Frodo: I love it when characters geek out over Jane Austen! Not only did this book show that in abundance, but they threw in some Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings geekery for us multi-fandom book lovers! Readers who love these series will be pleased to find so many references and nods to these stories. I loved how they all tied together.

- Ending: I can’t say much because I don’t want to spoil anything, but I adored how the story ended and left a door open for more… Also, totally made me think of Back to the Future…

WHAT I WASN’T TOO FOND OF: The only thing I can think of to say is that perhaps the exposition felt just a teeny bit long. But that didn’t bother me much since I soon became swept up in the adventure!

CONCLUSION:

Thought-provoking and inventive this story presents readers with a fascinating journey about great friends, adventure, and romance. But more importantly, The Particular Charm of Miss Jane Austen is a splendid homage to Jane Austen and her books. The world would definitely not be the same without them!

Austenesque Reviews

[Sophia · Rating 5 out of 5]

In The Particular Charm of Miss Jane Austen, a strange though quietly desperate adventure unfolds for a modern yet shy woman who crushes on a certain dashing archeologist and fangirls over Harry Potter and Jane Austen, who loves her job setting people up in holiday rentals around her city, and is excited to meet a long-time online friend in person. Rose finds her life turned upside down when faced with one of those 'what would my life be without...' scenarios. Literally.

I was delighted by this tale and read it with a smile and eagerness because I share Rose's interests (even an archeologist crush, though that is neither here nor there). I love that she has a best friend that she has never met in person is now come for a visit and the visit is in Rose's home town of Bath during the annual Jane Austen Festival (on my bucket list). Morgan is vivacious and openly friendly, delightfully American and Rose's opposite, but their real life meeting cements the long-time friendship. They share a variety of interests, but the focus setting for this story is their shared love of Jane Austen.

The biggest element is Rose learning she must not hesitate when life gives her opportunities especially after a bit of magic in the form of a magical charm and Miss Jane Austen herself show her what her life would be like without the pleasures she either takes for granted or refuses to try for. Poor Rose has been beaten down in the self-esteem department by a mother who only nags and points out her faults and an ex-boyfriend who made her feel worthless and unattractive. Morgan is a shot in the arm and between her and the intrepid Jane Austen, they help Rose see herself so very differently.

Rose's boss, James, draws the eye of Morgan and Jame's friend, Aiden who is in town to do a lecture, have both the ladies' swooning. While Morgan, initially is outgoing and friendly and able to approach James, Rose can't do more than get tongue-tied and act awkward around Aiden and assumes he doesn't even know she exists. There are hints that he does, but he is just as socially awkward as Rose- the adorable guy can only talk about his digs and history though he does finally make a few awkward tries that are lost on Rose. Let's just say I 'ahhhed' over this one sweet scene and wanted to shake Rose when she missed it because she was too busy convincing herself that he was just this, that, and the other with no romantic attentions toward her.

The Jane Austen element was whimsical and fun. I loved how the lady was portrayed. She is parts accepting of the modern day and parts shocked, but it's Jane so she is also wry and witty about her experiences.

The alternative storyline for Rose and Jane Austen was well thought. It was like what George Bailey had to experience in It's a Wonderful Life when Charlie the angel showed him the world without him in it or Dickens with his ghostly visit through Christmas past. And while I'm on a roll with book and movie comparisons, that last scene cracked me up and reminded me of the end to Back to the Future. Oh yes, I did love that open-ended moment of promise for much more adventure for Rose and the rest.

But in all seriousness, this was a gently-paced, thoughtful, and heartwarming story of a woman and her simple life which grows richer for having her friends, her daydream romance maybe come to life, and her love of Jane Austen and her stories in it. I would recommend this to Austenesque lovers, of course, but also fans of contemporary romance and women's fiction who don't mind a bit of magical realism.

[Sheila Majczan · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are a number of excellent reviews already posted so forgive me if I repeat comments that have been made before.

I have read a number of time travel stories; not only Outlander but some in this JAFF community. Set in modern day Bath, England, this is the first one that has not only a Janeite but also the lady author herself traveling thusly. And how fortunate it is for Rose Wallace that she meets and spends time with Jane this way although she can’t at first quite figure this almost ghostly upstairs neighbor out. But on the other hand as the story progresses how unfortunate that they seem doomed to forever spend time in Rose's earlier years and that it also means that JA has disappeared in 1803 - before any of her books were published. Horrors! As others said, "Can you imagine a life without Jane Austen's books?"

I have to say that some things befuddled me. Rose seems to have a partial loss of memory in going back in time: why can't she remember how to perform her previous job in the library when so many other things are remembered in detail? And how did she have a reputation of being a good baker in her earlier years? That seemed also doomed for a disaster from the onset.

The American (‘revolutionary’ according to JA) friend, Morgan Taylor, seems to almost be a matter of opposites attracting but then in canon Jane and Elizabeth are quite different also. Aiden seems dreamy and how differently were portrayed the two relationships with him for Rose set a few years apart. I could see how Rose would think he took no notice of her. James, Rose’s boss, and Morgan on the other hand, had no problem make immediate connections…sort of like Jane and Bingley.

The two authors did write this story seamlessly IMHO. The details about unraveling the mystery of the missing wall safe are well laid out. And also the history of the topaz cross & chain Jane's brother brings back with him from his travels with the warnings about its use. (Frankly, I would have been worried and then afraid to use it at all knowing of its powers.) Then there is the search for the ‘missing woman’ - how to keep these threads untangled?

Although I have never attended a Jane Austen festival I have been to Bath. So it was that I was searching my memory for some of the sites mentioned. I am sure this story means even more for those who either live there or visit there often enough to be familiar with the streets and shops and sights spoken of in this book.

The authors had to have spent a good deal of time and used a few charts to map out present times, a few years in the past and then the times in which Jane and Cassandra Austen lived.

Jane Austen, in this book, learns much about her place in history and it is ironic that she has a chance to stay in modern days and seek medical help or go back, reunite with her dear sister, Cassandra, and publish her books. What would you elect to do?

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Imagine a world without Jane Austen? Impossible! Yet these authors pull it off beautifully and really make you feel Rose's despair. And the ending... Oh my gosh! What a great story.

[Claudine DiMuzio / Just Jane 1813 · Rating 5 out of 5]

How does our love of the past help to shape our very own future?

I have become rather fond of fictional stories that bring Jane Austen to life as a true flesh and blood character, especially when they are as charming and insightful as Cass Grafton’s and Ada Bright’s latest collaboration, The Particular Charm of Miss Jane Austen. Even though I have not been to England, this story truly immersed me in the many joys and the pleasures that Janeites are able to take pleasure in within the glorious city of Bath.

As the story opens up we meet the two main characters, Rose and Morgan, two close friends who connect with each other in Bath, England for the Jane Austen Festival, after the two ladies have developed a close friendship through many their virtual exchanges. I quickly became immersed in the easy-going friendship that these ladies shared between themselves, and as they become better acquainted with each other, the reader also befriends them through their shared experiences in the story. As someone who has made several good friends through my own online exchanges, I could easily relate to their growing friendship.

We also learn that the two friends have some serious crushes going on with two of the men in this story. For Rose, Dr. Aidan Trevellyan, an archaeologist who loves digging up the past, plays an important role in her present life, as well as in her past, when she’s desperately seeking answers for Jane. Even though he’s a bit aloof and serious, which reminded me a bit of my favorite Austen hero, Fitzwilliam Darcy, he’s also kind and sincere, but her own inhibitions don’t allow her to read him very well. Morgan’s eye is caught by Rose’s boss, James, whose gregarious by nature and seems taken with her early in their relationship, which reminded me of another Austen hero, Charles Bingley. I loved watching their relationships with these men unfold within the story and how Rose was able to grow more confident in herself through the lessons she learned throughout the story and her relatiosnhip with Aidan.

However, there’s an unsettling feeling that grows within both of the ladies when they observe that a woman who has a striking resemblance to Jane Austen seems to be following them throughout Bath. Eventually, Rose decides that she must investigate this mysterious woman a little closer, which eventually leads them both to travel back in time through the magic contained in a particular charm.

our-charm-copy

Yet, the worst part for Rose isn’t the fact that she’s living back at home with her mother again, or that she can’t remember even the simplest information related to her daily life; it’s that events from the past have unfolded in a way which made Jane Austen herself go missing in 1803, before she ever published any of her beloved novels. So now Rose, and millions of other people, must live in a world without Jane’s stories, unless Rose and Jane can work together to find a way back to the present-day. Is there a worse fate than that for such a devoted Janeite?

It was true. How could she have known what a love of Jane Austen’s writing had brought her: the friends, the life choices which had led to a job she loved, a slow but steadily growing confidence in herself as someone of value?

She felt like someone had died, the sense of loss was so severe. Time and again she had turned to Google and searched: Jane Austen, the names of her oh-so-famous novels, Chawton House, the museum in what was her last home, the Jane Austen Society – nothing. It was all gone.

So had the many forums and blogs she had religiously visited and followed, where she had met people – made friends – who could talk as endlessly as she about all things Jane Austen. This is where she and Morgan had built on their early acquaintance and become the very best of friends, soul sisters for each other, because for all her extended, multicultural family, Morgan had confessed years ago to Rose about how adrift she felt, even amidst the loving family around her.

How many of us can imagine how our lives have been changed for the better through Austen’s work?

I loved spending time with Miss Jane Austen in this book, and particularly witnessing her acclimate herself to living in our modern-day world. How does one who has lived so long ago adjust to our “conveniences” and culture without any preparation for this new role? Naturally, Jane handles her peculiar situation with a bit of humor and optimism, which were some of my favorite parts of this story.

‘Do not be despondent, Rose.’ Jane patted her reassuringly on the shoulder. ‘Three of the stories you know so well remain firmly in my head, and I am just as capable of writing in this century as I was in the past – perchance even more so with such modern conveniences.’ Jane frowned. ‘Or perhaps not, for here, young women are obliged to complete all manner of chores in addition to their profession. Household duties I am somewhat familiar with, but I do not care for these convenience stores.’ Jane’s voice perked up. ‘How much pecuniary recompense must I command in order to pay someone to procure my provisions?’

The writing flowed really well between these two writers; one can’t tell where one starts up or leaves off. Ada Bright and Cass Grafton communicate their shared vision and passion for this story through their seamless collaboration. As an ardent Austen admirer, I could certainly relate to their love for Austen and the sheer despair their characters experienced in a world void of Austen’s work. My hope is that they’ve written this ending with a sequel in mind, even though the ending wraps this story up quite nicely.

My only quibble is that the pace of the story was a bit slow for the first several chapters; however, this did serve to establish the background of the story and made the development of the Rose’s and Morgan’s lives feel more realistic to me, which ultimately led to a more fulfilling reading experience. I highly recommend this story to Janeites who want to experience the pleasures of Bath alongside the lovely Jane Austen and friends, as well as for readers who enjoy stories that allow us to explore the possibilities offered to us through friendship, shared optimism, and the bond we can share with other people through our love for the treasures found in the past.

[Les · Rating 4 out of 5]

There were parts of this book I loved -Jane Austen, Bath, Festival week, the time travel element. But, and this is a big, but I just couldn't stand the main character, Rose, or her friend, Morgan. Every time Rose went into her low self esteem, self loathing crap it was like nails on my mental chalkboard. And Morgan was just an annoying stereotypical ugly American.

The ending leaves a "back to the future' type cliffhanger. Is a sequel in the works.

[L.L. Diamond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in the midst of the Jane Austen Festival in Bath, Cass Grafton and Ada Bright give a tale different than what I expected, but by no means unwelcome. These two talented ladies mix their loves for different fandoms, their knowledge of Jane Austen, and their wonderful humour into a book you shouldn't miss!

[Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a truth universally acknowledged that when you love Jane Austen you are always trying to find a new story about her or about her characters to read. Well, look no further. This is the book you were looking for EVEN if you don't like variations. It is a completely original story that you don't want to end. If you have been to Bath and plan to go at least once it is especially diverting because you immerse yourself in all the important landmarks of the city. It is time-travel time for Jane and for you. I also think the fans of the "Doctor" will particularly enjoy this adventure. There is no Tardis but there is a special magic charm that allows Jane to visit us in the present. But things go wrong and then they go right again. It is a great ride. I am trying to tell you how great this book is without giving away the plot because to me the twists and turns are the most fun. BTW, Jane Austen has a companion as well. Her name is Rose and she is adorable. She is such a clever character that no matter who you are she lets you take over the character and travel with Jane yourself.and have a wonderful crush on a certain doctor...

[Carole (in Canada) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now I really want to go to Bath for the Jane Austen Festival! This was a delightfully, charming story with a twist. What was Jane Austen doing in Bath in the 21st Century! The writing of this story by two authors was completely seamless and flowed beautifully. The premise was unique and intriguing though at times I did find the beginning a bit slow. I completely enjoyed the friendship between the main character, Rose and her online friend, Morgan, very touching and completely believable. How they enjoy the Jane Austen Festival as well as dealing with their love lives was fun, entertaining and you wanted to give them just a bit of a push into the arms of the men they love. I must say though, I enjoyed Jane most of all!

[Hazel Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a gem of a book! Although written by two authors the book is seamless with absolutely no clue as who had written which passages.
The characters are beautifully drawn and I soon began to care about the main protagonists and, of course, a certain author. The story held me from beginning to end and was one of those books I couldn't wait to see how it turned out and was at the same time disappointed the journey was over.
You don't have to be a Jane Austen fan and know her works inside out to thoroughly enjoy this book, but for those like me who do, there are some delicious titbits here and there from the Juvenilia and from the extended history of the Austen family producing a wonderful 'link'.
The book ends very satisfyingly with more than a hint to a sequel, for which I cannot wait. I hope this is the beginning of a long and fruitful partnership if this first book is anything to go by!

[Dawnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was fun but a bit too long for me to really have loved it, since it just felt a bit overly stretched out especially since it’s an open ending.

i did enjoy how jane austen the thought how someone from 200 years back trying to find her way out our times and finding out that her books are still very much read and even loved!
though i do wish it would have been a bit more talk about her difficulties for her finding herself in such a completely different time. not only in the why people speak but behave, let alone how everyone is dressed and the entirety different environment from houses to cars, even shops! it was all so very different in jane austen’s time and it seems a bit too easy how fast and seemingly effortless she manages to find her way other than a few small mishaps.

and while i really enjoyed rose am a bit perplexed as tow why get american friend was necessary in the story overall?

all in all it’s an entertaining read but you have to really not try and think about anything while reading it since there are quiet a few moments that i found a bit strange.

still if you love jane austen? this is a nice read and a different little snippet of how she might have been as a person. and that is always something interesting, to me at least, to see how other people think someone was and behaved.

[Anna]

In The Particular Charm of Miss Jane Austen, Ada Bright and Cass Grafton ponder what the world, and one woman’s life in particular, would be like if Jane Austen never existed. The novel is set in Bath during the annual Jane Austen Festival and centers on Rose Wallace, who lives in a basement apartment in the building the Austen family occupied in Bath. Rose is happy with her job at a company that rents out luxury apartments in the city for people on holiday, and she is ecstatic that her online friend, Morgan, is coming from California to meet her in person and attend the festival.

Rose and Morgan’s friendship is a testament to the welcoming online community that has been created around a mutual love for Jane Austen’s novels. Rose is quiet and reserved, especially around her crush, Dr. Aidan Trevellyan, who she sees only once a year during the festival. Morgan’s outgoing personality, and her ability to make friends everywhere and anywhere she goes, takes Rose out of her comfort zone but complements her perfectly. And it is this friendship, as well as the novels of Jane Austen, that could be lost forever when Rose meets a mysterious, intriguing stranger.

If I hadn’t been so busy the last couple of weeks, I would’ve devoured this book in a day! Bright and Grafton give readers a little of everything: friendship, romance, time travel, and plenty of humor to keep the sense of despair from weighing down the story. The Particular Charm of Miss Jane Austen is an endearing tale that had me pondering how my life would be different without the influence of Jane Austen — from the novels I love so much that I read them over and over again to the fan fiction that means I never have to say goodbye to my favorite characters, from the friends I’ve made in the JAFF community to the novel I’m working on right now.

I loved everything about this book: the characters, the relationships, the setting, the writing. I especially enjoyed how Bright and Grafton opened the door for a sequel, and I am dying to see what happens next! Definitely a contender for my list of favorite books read this year.

Review posted on Diary of an Eccentric

I received a free copy of this book for review.

[Anji · Rating 5 out of 5]

What if circumstances conspired to bring Jane Austen to 21st century Bath during the Regency Festival and again to prevent her getting back to her own time to produce the works we all know and love?  What if there was just one person who knew what the world had lost? Then add in two friends who only met, online, because of their love for Jane Austen's books. One is a Brit, Rose, who lives and works in Bath, the other, Morgan, is from the US and has a propensity for getting lost whilst travelling even short distances.

How would things change? What would remain the same? How will Rose cope living a life with so many changes and where her family and friends have no idea why she appears to have forgotten so many routine details of her life? Most importantly, how does Jane get back to the 19th century.  Obviously, I'm not going to tell you!  You really need to read this wonderful book to find out.

I will give you a few non-spoilery teases though. Jane's use of, and comments on, post-it notes are so witty. So is her description of the so-called convenience store. The relationship between Rose and Morgan leads to some really funny situations and there are a couple of rather delicious sounding leading men as well.

The writing of this book, a collaborative project, is so seamless that you wouldn't know it's written by two people. It can be read as a standalone but there's just enough details at the end to hint that a sequel may be on the cards. I really hope so!

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not generally speaking a fan of romantic fiction; this though was an exception. Extremely well written with a tight narrative, it was at once deeply moving and cleverly constructed. I loved the characterisation and was deeply invested in their adventure. Loving Jane Austen and Bath helped but it was the quality of the writing, an original narrative married to good storytelling that held me to the last page - loved it!

[Shannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 maybe merely because I enjoy the Jane Austen aspects but overall was kind of boring. Unless you're a die-hard must read anything remotely related to Jane Austen fan I would skip this one.

[Leeya · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

You have disappeared in 1803 – eight years before your first novel was published. If there is no way back, then you were never published at all. The world has never heard of you, or any of your characters – this is a world without Mr Darcy?

What the blurb promised: A time traveling Jane Austen getting stuck in the future before any of her books are published. If she doesn’t find a way back to her own time, all her works will be lost to the world.

What I expected: An entertaining romantic comedy where Jane Austen, stranded in the 21st century, gets into all kinds of comic situations due to misunderstandings and not knowing her way around all the “modern contraptions”. I also expected some typical JA elements, such as matchmaking, a love interest, and some story writing. Moreover, I expected to find our world – or at least England – greatly changed, socially as well as politically.

What I got: Little romance and even less comedy. No politics, a little bit of writing, and minimal changes to our world. The impact was mostly apparent in Jane’s and the other protagonists’ personal lives (different job, living situation, and friends). The rest of the world was quite fine and exactly as we know it.

And anyway, the story does not begin with Jane and neither is she the focus of it. The first 10 % of the book establishes the cast and focuses on … Rose. So let’s do the same.

Rose is a sophisticated but shy, self-conscious young woman who does not know how pretty and amiable she really is. She lives in Bath and works for a company that rents out houses that have a connection to JA. Rose is an avid JA fan and attending the JA festival in Bath with her friend Morgan. She has been in love with Dr Aiden Trevellyan for years but is sure that he doesn’t even notice her. Rose is very sweet and relatable and I actually quite liked her as a character.

Morgan is Rose’s chirpy best friend. She is visiting from the USA to attend the festival with Rose. I think she was supposed to be the character who lightens up the novel but I often found her silly rather than funny and a little bit too much.

James is Rose’s boss and very likeable.

Dr Aiden Trevellyan is a smart and handsome but sometimes awkward and withdrawn archeologist and JA expert. He is Rose’s love interest.

Jane Austen makes up only 50-60% of the book which surprised me. I expected her to be smart, witty, and charming. But she is a rather flat character and I found her portrayal rather unrealistic.

I LOVE science fiction and particularly time travel stories but this one was disappointing. I expected Jane Austen to stumble through a portal or to find the charmed necklace mentioned in the blurb by accident. But no, JA has had the necklace for a while, and she has been using it to time travel for quite some time. This just felt odd.

When Rose unexpectedly meets JA, her own world unravels and she is determined to bring everything back to normal to ensure that Jane’s writings are saved but mostly just to get her old life back. JA, on the other hand, isn’t shocked or devastated in the least but she’s extremely nonchalant about the whole situation like she doesn’t even care. I find this very unlikely.

During the next 50-60% of the book, Rose tries to cope with her new life (which is not comical, mostly just awkward or boring) while looking for a way to return JA to her own timeline. Rose is pining after her old life, so much so that she does not really care that JANE FREAKING AUSTEN is staying at her place. She could ask her sooo many personal questions and get to know her, befriend her. But she treats her mostly like a liability or like a child you don’t want to play with. (“Jane Austen was turning out to be more than a handful.”) And then, finally, Jane and Rose find their first clue and for a while the plot picks up a little. But that is just a small portion of the book. The rest is mostly Rose.

What I disliked: The authors do a lot of telling instead of showing. So there are lengthy descriptions (with a lot of unimportant and uninteresting detail) of what happens instead of actually letting it happen. This leads to a lack of dialogues and the ones that are there, sometimes felt strange, forced, or scripted. And I could not always follow. The characters seem to change their mind for no apparent reason which feels incoherent and is annoying. Also strange was the unexpected appearance of Rose’s other friends. We never read about them until they suddenly show up at the festival. Most of their names are mentioned once and never again. I was like, who is this? And this? And this? And this? It was just unnecessary and confusing.

What I did like: I really liked that the cast stayed the same. The authors managed to bring all protagonists together in the new timeline under different circumstances which felt improbable but it was fun to read about the changed relationship dynamics.
The language aspect was cool, too. Due to Jane’s visit, we have a constant switch between modern English and Jane Austen’s old fashioned expressions.
It was also interesting to read about actual places and details. For people who know Bath well, this could be very enjoyable.
I read the 2019 kindle edition and I like this cover much better than the previous one. The other cover looks like this could be a gothic story which it is absolutely not.

Funny enough, what I enjoyed the most was the romance between Rose and Dr Aiden Trevellyan. (The love story of Morgen and James was cheesy and boring.) Rose and Aiden are very sweet and cute and awkward. I would have liked more of that. But then, you won’t believe it, when they finally kiss, the authors even manage to spoil this scene by TELLING INSTEAD OF SHOWING AGAIN!!! Instead of showing what Rose felt during and after the kiss, which works best with short sentences to create immediacy, a fast pace and breathlessness, they add TWO long sentences with sub clauses:

Before Rose had time to speculate on what was coming, he closed the remaining gap between them and claimed her lips with his own and without hesitation, she returned the kiss. It was one of those moments when time slows down, but Rose’s heartbeat started to race, although she could hear nothing but a funny echo of what it once sounded like. In contrast, her senses were fully alert as a heady mix of incredulousness and excitement coalesced inside.

Wait, whaaaat? I had just started to “feel” the kiss but … uh, nope, feeling’s gone.

The story did have some funny moments as well. One of my favorites is Jane Austen reading … well, you’ll see. Here’s the quote:

Rose had caught a glimpse of the cover of the book, and her heart leapt into her throat.
"What are you doing?" She croaked.
"Partaking of some tea. The taste is most particular, but I find I am becoming accustomed to it."
Rose shook her head. "No – I meant, what on earth are you reading?"
Jane turned her book to show the cover to Rose, who paled further and grabbed it from her.
"This is not polite behaviour, Miss Wallace – Rose."
"I’m sorry. Really, I am, but I just don’t think you’re ready for this one yet!" She dropped the copy of Fifty Shades of Grey on the table.

All in all, I think the word I keep using is: boring. And that sums it. The story could have been a lot of fun but alas, it was only okay.

However, let’s finish on a positive not with this quote:
“You couldn’t be cautious and change the world, right?”

Thank you NetGalley and Canelo for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so excited about this one and I loved all the characters! ♥️ I’m a huge fan of JAFF and this was sweet, funny and very cleverly written!

What would I do if I met Jane Austen??? Lots and lots of things! I would follow her and take lots of selfies with her and want to find out more about her inspiration for Elizabeth and Darcy! This is a great summer read if you’re a huge fan of Jane Austen.

This was a NETGALLEY gift and all opinions are my own.

[Bruna Oliveira · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks Netgalley for the digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

Rate: 3.75/4

Rose lives in Bath - where Jane Austen lived - and there is an annual festival to celebrate the author. Everything's going well until she finds out Jane Austen managed to time travel and is stuck in the present and as a consequence of that, a new timeline where the author never wrote the books is created.

Since I love everything about Jane Austen, the book's concept really intrigued me. It reminded me of a miniseries I recommend a lot: Lost in Austen, in which the protagonist goes back to the past and the writer to the present.

The writing is good and gripping, so the book goes by very quickly. The characters that I liked the most are the protagonist's best friend, Morgan, and Miss Jane Austen herself. It's almost impossible to know how a historical figure really was, but the authors managed to create an authentic character that gets really close to being the Jane Austen we all imagined she was.

The consequences of a world without Jane Austen are very interesting, since a lot of people were affected by it, even if in small ways and it was really nice to see this metaphor for the power of literature.

My problem with it was mostly the romance, which wasn't well developed since it didn't even have much space, so for me it was pretty much irrelevant.

This is a book almost exclusively for Jane Austen fans, since there are plenty of references, although it still works as a fun book for people interested in time travel.

[Sakhile · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Particular Charm of Miss Jane Austen is a whimsical novel about books, time travel and friendship. Upon reading the summary I was immediately intrigued. I love contemporary fiction with a splash of the otherworldly. Rose works in property and is an avid fan of Jane Austen, she lives in Bath in the same building where Jane Austen lived. There’s a Jane Austen festival happening in town.

Her internet best friend and fellow Janeite, Morgan, is visiting for the duration of the festival. It’s hard to explain the book without giving it away completely but it’s the literal Jane Austen in the 21st century, time travel shenanigans and a library.

I loved the friendship between Rose and Morgan because I’m made so many friends on the internet through my love of books and TV shows that I’d love to meet in real life one day. Rose and Morgan’s friendship was so, so amazing! Internet friends raise your hands!!

The ending of the story kind of threw me off from a four-star rating. It wasn’t very well-rounded and the book seemed to drag for many unnecessary chapters before the last page. The plot had been resolved but the book went on after for romance’s sake and it just felt boring and unneeded.

Full review on my blog here

ARC provided in exchange of an honest review by Netgalley (less)

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!!! Took me awhile to read this book. I couldn't quite get into it at the beginning and then I was away for a few days and didn't pick it up. However, I then picked it up again at 28% read and just continued on to the end.
Once Jane came into it properly I really started to enjoy it. I don't read contemporary novels and it was reading like this until the advent of Jane. I loved the way she was portrayed but she slotted into the present maybe a bit too easily for my liking. I very much enjoyed the friendship between Rose and Morgan. They were such opposite characters but went so well together. Aiden I wasn't so sure of. A bit too stand offish (while explained at the end) and I didn't really warm to him. James was a joy and perfect in evey way for who he ended up with.
I certainly hope there is a sequel, otherwise I will be 'seriously displeased'!!
Having just recently just visited the Jane Austen Festival, I loved remembering all the places mentioned here. I went off on my own one morning and saw all the places mentioned in this book. I could see it all again in my minds eye as I was reading.
Anyone who loves Austenesque will thoroughly enjoy this book.

[Georgiana 1792 · Rating 5 out of 5]

ITA
Non immaginavo proprio che questo libro mi sarebbe piaciuto così tanto! Innanzi tutto l'ambientazione di Bath a settembre, durante il periodo del Jane Austen Festival è particolarmente entusiasmante, anche perché le protagoniste, l'inglese Rose e l'americana Morgan (e le autrici), non sono fan dell'ultima ora, ma conoscono davvero bene Jane Austen, le sue opere e tutto ciò che a lei è collegato, lasciando soddisfatti anche i lettori più scrupolosi. Finalmente un romanzo che - nonostante la svolta fantascientifica - si sa muovere nei luoghi e nella vita di Jane Austen.
Persino lo pseudonimo che viene scelto per la scrittrice, Jenny Ashton, ha una spiegazione molto logica.
Bath e il periodo che Jane Austen trascorse in quella città sono protagonisti del romanzo, dato che, tra l'altro, Rose lavora in un'agenzia che affitta case d'epoca ai turisti (e che quindi durante il periodo del Festival è più indaffarata che mai); ma ci sono spostamenti anche in Hampshire, che interessano i più importanti luoghi austeniani. E per chi è stato lì, è proprio come ritrovarsi in quei posti e percorrere con Rose, Morgan e Aiden percorsi che i fan di Jane Austen conoscono e amano.
Detto questo, il romanzo fa riflettere molto su quanto Jane Austen abbia influenzato la storia e le vite dei suoi estimatori (e non solo), soprattutto quando, a causa di un effetto farfalla alla rovescia, Jane resterà bloccata ai giorni nostri scomparendo nel 1803, ovvero prima di pubblicare i suoi romanzi, e Rose - l'unica che si ricordi della sua esistenza e che rimpianga amaramente la perdita - si troverà in un mondo molto più desolato perché non ha conosciuto lo spirito di Jane Austen e dei suoi scritti.
La parte in cui Rose deve vivere il disagio di un mondo che non ha conosciuto Jane Austen ha messo a disagio anche me. Ho pensato a tutte le persone che ho conosciuto grazie alla cara zia Jane e mi sono sentita fortunata che lei sia esistita e ancora esista nel mio mondo.
E credo che lo scopo del romanzo fosse proprio questo, mettere in evidenza la grande forza di quella piccola grande scrittrice che, a due secoli di distanza, riesce ancora a far conoscere e a mettere insieme tante persone diverse, da diverse parti del mondo, creando amicizie sincere e stimoli culturali.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Canelo for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

ENG
I didn't think I'd cherish so much this book. First and foremost, the setting in Bath in September, during The Jane Austen Festival is particularly exciting, especially since the main characters, the British Rose and the American Morgan (and obviously the authors) are not eleventh hour Janeites; in fact, they are very familiar with Jane Austen and her works, and everything related to her, meeting even the most dedicated connoisseur's tastes. At last a novel that - in spite of the sci-fi turn - knows how to move in Jane Austen's sites and life!
Even the pseudonym picked for Jane - Jenny Ashton - is easily explainable; a very good choice.
Bath and the time Jane Austen spent in it are paramount in this novel, even because, incidentally, Rose has a job at the Luxury Lettings of Bath, renting Historical Houses to tourists; but the novel moves to Hampshire, too. And everyone who's been there, feels there, walking with Rose, Morgan and Aiden on trails that every Janeite recognizes and cherishes.
Having said that, this novel made me reflect on how much Jane Austen affected history, literature and the lives of her fans, especially when, as a result of a backwards butterfly effect, Jane is trapped in our own day, vanishing in 1803, so before publishing her novels, and Rose - the only one who remembers of her existence and mourns the loss - will end up in a very bleak world, where nobody has known about Jane Austen's wit and her wonderful works.
When Rose has to come to terms with the unease of a world that has never known Jane Austen, I, too, sensed the same unease. I thought to all the wonderful people I met because of Jane Austen, and I felt very lucky that she existed and still exists in my world.
And I believe that this is the meaning of this novel: emphasise the great power of our favourite writer, that after two centuries, still manages to put together different people from different places in the world, establishing true friendships and cultural stimuli.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Canelo for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Berls · Rating 5 out of 5]

My top thoughts:
I pretty much never hesitate to pick up a Jane Austen retelling or spin-off, since I adore her writing. I think this may possibly be the best Jane Austen retelling (adaptation, spin off? I’m struggling to find the right word) that I’ve read. And I’m even more pleased to realize it’s book 1 of a series! It actually ends on a bit of cliff and I will probably begin the next book immediately.

What I liked/didn’t like:
If you’re a Jane Austen fan like myself, you will ADORE the references to her writing – Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, and Persuasion seemed to have the greatest number of references (good picks!) – along with the historical references to the author and her family. It was quite easy for me to imagine myself there, close friends with these huge fans. In fact, Morgan and Rose’s friendship reminds me quite a lot of mine and Michelle’s – they met through a mutual love of books, became best friends but are meeting for the first time in person in this book… and besides the initial shock at how short Morgan is (ahem, Michelle), it’s so natural as if they’ve always been able to spend time together.

Beyond that natural affinity, this book doesn’t stand merely on obsession with Jane Austen. There is a very solid story here. Without giving up too much, I’ll say that Rose and Jane Austen get trapped in a world where Jane never wrote her books and the world is very altered. The author does a great job of capturing Jane adjusting to life 200 years in the future, as well as Rose’s displacement to an alternate reality. it was comical and sometimes heart wrenching. And, as a sub story there are two romances, primarily Rose’s and secondarily Morgan’s. I was very caught up in both the plot of how/if they would ever be able to return Jane to her proper time and if Rose would manage to begin her romance with Aiden.

I was surprised by how much of the book remained after what I assumed was the central plot had been presumably resolved. But I enjoyed every page and something new- I don’t yet know what – has happened. I can’t wait to find out what and how they’ll solve it! I really LOVED this book for a light, heartwarming read and can’t recommend it to Jane Austen fans enough.

Narrator thoughts:
I had planned to read this, but I ran out of time if I was going to review it for My TBR List. And, as I’m much faster audiobook reader, I was excited to see it was available on Scribd. Alison Larkin was a new-to-me narrator (I think) and I think she delivered an excellent performance. I enjoyed the variation in voices between Rose (present day British), Morgan (present day Californian) and Jane (1800s British). I am excited that the next book is also on Scribd and plan to listen pretty much immediately.

[Scarlett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Canelo for an ARC of this book! Release date - September 12, 2019

I really liked the premise of this book! A time traveling Jane Austen gets stuck in our day and throws the world into an alternate timeline where she disappeared before her novels were published. I REALLY liked this part of the story and based on the ending, it seems like there's going to be a sequel. I love time travel books and I love classics and Jane Austen, so this was right up my alley. I'm also usually critical of time travel, it has to make sense, and with very few exceptions, this book really did it right. I also loved that apart from the time travel (as far as we know) some true unexplained events in Jane Austen's life and the places she lived inspired the fictional parts of this novel.

My one complaint is that the first 20% and the last 20% were almost completely unnecessary to the overall storyline. The beginning is SO much setup with Rose and her job and her friend visiting her, it could easily have been condensed into one or two chapters. And then the final 20%, once the Jane Austen storyline is basically ended, seemed to go on FOREVER with nothing happening until the very end. The last chapter and a few details from previous chapters could have been a great epilogue without dragging on so much.

That being said, the middle 60% (am I doing my math right here) was actually really excellent and I loved it. Didn't want to put it down. And the very end made me excited about where a sequel will go.

I definitely liked this book. The writing style was great, the characters were great, the storyline was great, and I'm looking forward to the next one!

[Browntigerdog's Papermoon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This fascinating book blends two of my favorite genres, Time travel and Jane Austen:)
Also it features Bath and the annual Jane Austen Festival.

I was lucky enough in 2017 to travel to Bath for the Jane Austen Festival on the 200 anniversary of her death! So I delighted to get this Xmas gift!

The main character is Rose who
has been obsessed with Jane Austen for years. She has read every Austen book and has made friends with other Austen fans around the world!

She is even living in a flat in a building Jane Austen herself lived in!

When one night she sees her new neighbor in regency dress as she’s putting out her trash. But this lady seems to disappear!

She’s obviously in the flat above as Rose hears her moving about. But it’s when the neighbor’s smoke alarm goes off incessantly that she goes up to introduce herself and try to help.

Since no real photographs exist of Jane Austen she doesn’t immediately know who this strange woman is!

But she takes this strange young lady under her wing and tries to familiarize her with the city.

Eventually she figures out the real identity of her new friend. And tries to help her return to 1803 so she can write all her novels.

Highlights are a tour of Chawton which brought back memories of my own visit.

There is also a promise of romance for Rose.

The book was a fun read in spite of the cliffhanger at the end:). So off to the next volume!

◦

[Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm sad to say that I really struggled to get through the majority of this book. It would seem to take off and I'd think..."Here we go, it's getting started now." Unfortunately, it would end up falling flat again.

Our leading lady, Rose finds herself in a world where Jane Austen never published a book because she was time traveling and was trapped outside of her own time period in the modern day. Rose's entire life is different because of this one change. Not only Rose's life, but many others as well. The only difference is that Rose is very much aware who Jane Austen is where others have no recollection of her whatsoever.

I thought this book had a clever premise. Sadly, I wish it had delivered the "feels" I was expecting. For me, I'm being generous by giving it a 3 star rating. At least from my viewpoint.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up to 4 stars

There's a lot that I really, really enjoy about this book. I love that the story, like Elizabeth Bennet's, is limited to the heroine's (Rose's) experiences and observations. I love the obvious influence of Back to the Future on this plot, where Rose is shown what her own life as well as the rest of the world would be like without Jane Austen's writings to influence the past two centuries. Can she and Jane manage to find a way to set things back the way they should be? Great premise!

I love the idea of Jane Austen in our world: her reactions to modern conveniences (such as Post-It notes!), her astonishment at the way her stories have been embraced by generations of readers, and her indomitable wit and spirit when faced with difficulties. It's wonderful to imagine actually meeting her in the flesh, isn't it? This Jane Austen is fairly young, which means most of her works are yet to be written and none have been published. And I'm usually a sucker for a well-written book that has some element of magic in it, so the magic time-travel pendant she owns pleased me immensely.

I was less satisfied with both of the romances. All four people involved seem just too clueless to be believed. Morgan (Rose's online friend from America, newly arrived in Bath) is spending a great deal of time with James (Rose's boss) or texting back and forth with him, and he even adopts a cat he doesn't really want at her insistence, yet she's not sure he thinks of her as more than a fling. Her insecurity pops up at odd times with no explanation about why she's suddenly so uncertain about him.

As for Rose and Dr. Aiden Trevellyan, I was very confused about an apparently pivotal moment in their history, when she first saw him three years previously at his archaeological dig in Bath during his first filming for the program Time Travellers. It's described all-too-briefly in about two paragraphs early in the story. When it turns out to have so much significance, I had to find and re-read it to understand what the big deal was. Even after reading it again, I don't see why the incident among the two couples late in the story makes Aiden so certain Rose remembers the past. It was such an implausibly thin thread linking two very, very different situations.

Also, at the end of the book, I was not really convinced they were in love with each other. Supposedly, Aiden has been in love with her for three years, yet his shyness around her goes beyond being quiet; he also turns down opportunities to be with her. Why?? And neither is ever comfortable and able to act normally around each other except in the alternate non-Jane universe where they meet under different circumstances. Their obsessive attraction for each other strikes me more as lust rather than love.

The stage seems to be set for a sequel, with a very Back To The Future kind of ending. If Morgan stays, will she become more confident about James? Will we ever learn what triggers her episodes of anxiety about their relationship? And what's the deal with Roger? He's a co-worker of Rose's who doesn't pull his weight at his job and puts the moves on Morgan. I don't see a reason for him to be so strongly featured in several early scenes only to disappear. I suspect he's a Mr. Wickham-type of character who will turn up again. If not, he's an extraneous character here. And, most importantly, will Aiden ever get to finish his semi-romantic declaration to Rose without getting interrupted?

The imaginative spin on Jane Austen as a time traveler stuck in our present makes this a great read. I wish that part of the story had been embellished with the romantic bits left out OR that the romances resonated more with me.

[Hristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very charming read. Time travel and Jane Austen seems like an odd mix, but the execution of this book was excellent. I loved the writing, I thought it flowed very well. The characters were great, and the relationships set between the characters were amazing, dynamic and organic. Everything about this book was enjoyable. I recommend it.

*Copy received through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
*Rating: 4.5/5 stars

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished this incredible story and I could probably write a more coherent review if I let my emotions settle a bit, but I loved it so much that I felt the need to say so right away!

I am notoriously spoiler-free in real life, so I won't give any plot points away in my review. Suffice it to say, if you love Jane Austen and if her works and life have made an impact on your own, then you will absolutely love this story. Beautifully written, humorous and heartwarming, original and thought-provoking, Ada Bright and Cass Grafton take their readers on a journey through Bath and the annual Jane Austen Festival - so real that one feels as if they have experienced it first-hand.

This is a story of friends brought together and influenced by the life and works of Jane Austen, and what would happen in an alternate time where Jane Austen never published her works or became known the world over. We get to meet Jane Austen herself, and it is obvious that Ms. Bright and Ms. Grafton know and love her dearly with the voice they have given her here. There is a scene set in Chawton Cottage that moved me to tears, so exquisite in its reflection of Jane's last years there with her beloved sister, Cassandra.

The loving bond between the Austen sisters, unbreakable by time or death, and the bonds of friendship that have been formed between 'Janeites' for centuries after, are a running theme in this beautiful book. I found myself examining my own life and experiences and wondering where I would be today in a world where Jane Austen was never known. I'm so glad I will never know the answer. But that's not to say Ms. Bright and Ms. Grafton don't give their readers a delightful, humorous romp and a real page-turner (I couldn't put it down!) in their imagining of what that world would look like. There are plenty of giggles at the lost pop culture references and celebrities related to Jane Austen's legacy and also a true sense of mourning for what the world and history would have missed.

This novel is a true homage to Jane Austen, showing so clearly why her works, her letters and her life have endured for centuries and inspired so many, that more and more people each year come together to celebrate her impact on the world and their own lives. It's also a testament to the power of friendship and the courage it gives to live the life of your dreams without regret, thankful for the technology and the twists of fate that bring special people into your life. Of the hundreds of stories that I have read over the years inspired by Jane Austen and/or her characters, this one will stay with me forever.

[Elizabeth BD · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book caught my attention straightaway because it felt quite different.
To start with, the cover certainly attracts one’s eye – unpretentiously stylish, in warm gold tones on black background – what’s not to like? The famed cross of Jane Austen right there in the prominent position. Or is it? Without giving too much away, I invite you to take a closer look at it – and you are hooked. You will not put the book down until you discover the secret of this cross. And you will not be disappointed.
It is a charming novel set in Bath, with an abundance of references to Bath's iconic attractions as well as its lesser known sites, with humour, romance, time-travelling and mystery. If that was not enough - there are many references to well-loved books and historical events for the eager reader to spot. The particular twist that bewitched my imagination was a notion about our world WITHOUT Jane Austen. I do not think I've ever read anything that explores such an extraordinary (and somewhat distressing) idea. Furthermore, there is one character in the book that, I think, might have been particularly challenging for the authors to deal with. Again, without giving too much away, I confess that that character quickly became my favourite. She (for it was a she!) felt real, not too sweet, intelligent, sometimes abrupt, not suffering fools gladly, her own woman. How wonderfully refreshing!
To conclude: I liked the book very much indeed, am looking forward to the sequel and want to see it on the big (or small – to start with) screen.
An absolute must for any Jane Austen enthusiast, but will be a very pleasant read for anyone – whether you are into Jane Austen or not.

[Mira Magdo · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, I always wondered how more than one author can work on a novel, and the reader not to be able to recognize the two voices even if it’s similar.

The story takes place in Bath, which is my favourite city in the UK, and luckily the authors’ love of Bath screams from the pages as well. How wonderful it is to read about streets, places, buildings which you are familiar with and the writers have the same tenderness.

The 2 main characters are Rose (British) and Morgan (American). I think or hope everyone has a friend like Morgan. She is very American – in a good way. All the main characters (Rose, Morgan, James, the Doc, Jenny) are well developed and I almost miss more of some of the minor characters.

It almost starts like a romance, but it isn’t the priority. I believe it is more of a mystery than romance but when it comes to describing the affairs it’s well developed and the scenes are beautiful.

In the beginning of the book you might want to jump up to the end to find out what’s happened, but at the same time you want to absorb in the mystery and not rushing to solve it.

If you have ever attended the Jane Austen Festival, you’ll be glad to know that those scenes will make you definitely want to go back right now or if you haven’t been there, you will want to.

The ending indicates there will be a sequel, which I dearly hope, as the authors can’t be so heartless to finish it with a paragraph they did and let the explicit story hang.