Magic and Matchmaking

The Jane Austen Fairy Tales: Emma #1

by Nina Clare

Three godmother trainees are given matchmaking assignments, but when stolen magic is used in Highbury, all kinds of mischief breaks out, and no one is falling in love with the right person. Unless they find the thief and undo the trouble, they'll fail to graduate, and the village will be invaded by a vengeful witch and other dark folk from Faerie.

Genres: Fantasy, Retellings, Fairy Tales, Fiction

Unknown Binding

First published August 1, 2020

About the author

When she’s not writing stories or thinking up stories or reading other people’s stories, Nina likes to paint and collage pictures, get taken for long walks by her adorable dogs, and cook all things plant-based. She also does other things, like office work, but that’s the boring bit. She lives very happily in rural Cornwall, England with her family.

Reviews

[Beka]

To say I’m ridiculously excited for this would be an understatement.

[♥️nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

*2.75 STARS*

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Emma, but with Harriet as the main character, along with magic and godmothers. I'm intrigued, but it's a bit slow-going to begin.

[Kathryn McConaughy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is fun! I'm slowly getting used to Harriet being the main character.

[Samantha Carter]

*cries* yes!

[Desert Pearl · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful read but beware of a cliffhanger!


I have not read Jane Austin’s “Emma” in several years, which may have been a good thing, for I was able to thoroughly enjoy this version.


For the magical aspects of the story the idea of magic matchmaking was indeed an amusing storyline, there are also fairy folk Fae and Darklings sprinkled throughout the story and one character’s backstory is quite similar to Rapunzel. The only magical concept that was probably introduced in a slight misleading way would be (Dust) which when first mentioned the first impression to me was Fairy Drugs.

There are also no swear words or improper scenes so the entire family can enjoy this fanciful read.

[Abby Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my gosh!

Just when I started to lose faith in Jane Austen Fanfiction as a genre, I finish this little gem!

This book is so cute! And THIS is how you write a more proactive Harriet Smith without making her out of character! Nina Clare did a wonderful job retelling Emma as a fairytale that feels like all the good parts of Disney's Descendants and A Simple Wish without the corniness.



Yes, yes, a million times yes! More JAFF books like this one please!

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't say that Emma is my favorite of the Jane Austen stories, but I thought I would give this a try anyway. As I was reading it followed too closely to the Emma story and I was often picturing the original and then something magical would happen and I was jolted back into the new one - I just felt lost as I read the story. The writing was good, the premise was good, the characters were good, thus the four stars, I just couldn't separate the two stories in my mind, so I gave up.

[Mary Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting Magical Mashups

This is a quaint story of three Godmothers in training, who make Flora, Fauna, and Merriweather of Disney fame look like geniuses. There is quite the cliffhanger this book; there are sequel books.

[joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This whole series was sooo good. I love Jane Austen and I love fantasy. Nina Clare did an absolutely perfect job combining my two loves. These books are true to the Austen story line with the most delightful fairy twist. I hope and pray Ms Clare writes more Austen fairy tales.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

An Emma variation but with magic. Harriet is training to be a Godmother and is using her limited magical abilities to find a match for George Knightly as instructed. Emma of course believes she doesn't need any training to do her own matchmaking.
I have no problems with Harriet being a main character, it was that the story just did not grab my interest.

[Christina]

DNF @ 20%

I might come back to this book later.

[Laiba M · Rating 2 out of 5]

So boring madien master

[Sherri Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a standalone

I was enjoying it till I hit the cliffhanger at the end. Not cool! Good writing and an interesting story, just be prepared to treat it as part 1.