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Austen #3
Persuading the Captain
How can you run from someone who already has your heart?
Romance at a family reunion is usually the start of a bad joke, but when the hunky neighbor everyone’s talking about turns out to be Anne’s ex, her plans for a relaxing cabin retreat fly out the window. Eight years ago, Anne broke off their engagement, afraid they were too young. It was a decision she’s regretted ever since. But Eric seems fine, and even suggests they stop avoiding each other and enjoy their time with mutual friends.
Eric Wentworth is not fine. He’s sort of accidentally dating one of Anne’s relatives. He’s introduced his lovelorn best friend to Anne and they’ve hit it off. Worst of all, they won’t be parting at the end of week like he thought. Anne lives in the city he’s moving to, and cutting her out of his life is impossible when she’s taken over his.
Part of a contemporary Austen series with all the characters you know and love.
1. Engaging Mr. Darcy
2. Emma the Matchmaker
3. Persuading the Captain.
Romance at a family reunion is usually the start of a bad joke, but when the hunky neighbor everyone’s talking about turns out to be Anne’s ex, her plans for a relaxing cabin retreat fly out the window. Eight years ago, Anne broke off their engagement, afraid they were too young. It was a decision she’s regretted ever since. But Eric seems fine, and even suggests they stop avoiding each other and enjoy their time with mutual friends.
Eric Wentworth is not fine. He’s sort of accidentally dating one of Anne’s relatives. He’s introduced his lovelorn best friend to Anne and they’ve hit it off. Worst of all, they won’t be parting at the end of week like he thought. Anne lives in the city he’s moving to, and cutting her out of his life is impossible when she’s taken over his.
Part of a contemporary Austen series with all the characters you know and love.
1. Engaging Mr. Darcy
2. Emma the Matchmaker
3. Persuading the Captain.
151 pages, ebook
First published May 1, 2020
206 people are currently reading
516 people want to read
About the author
Rachel John
52 books517 followersRachel John is the author of books filled with awkward humor and sigh-inducing romance. When not burning dinner or chasing kids, Rachel can be found working on family history, writing, reading, or putting off writing by staring at Facebook. She lives in Arizona with her husband, four crazy kids, and her desert tortoise.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews
May 23, 2020
This was sweet. I love the movie Persuasion, the book needs more interaction between the couple and I was hoping we would get that. We got a little but still not enough. I was also sad that Anne was still this girl who gets run over. John tried to make this more of a quiet strength but I just didn't see it. I can see this couple having serious problems when she marries and has to find the time between her man and her demanding sisters and father. Heaven forbid she ever have children of her own and can't take care of her sisters. Maybe I'm just 40 and am too practical......my problem with contemporaries. I am constantly thinking ahead wondering how things will work out in the real world. The story followed the movie well and she made very believable parallels. John is a good author for a simple, sweet romance.
January 19, 2021
Modernizing a classic through a retelling can be fraught with authorial peril. One must do more than simply slap a pair of blue jeans on a heroine and put some slang on her lips, but at the same time, one has a duty to the legacy of the classic and the reader should recognize the original story within the fresh tale. Did this latest release in the light-hearted romantic comedy series of standalones avoid these pitfalls? Stick around and see.
Anne is about to start a new chapter in her life when her family must leave her childhood home in Hollywood because her actor father isn’t getting as many hit gigs and her dad and older sister stayed as extravagant as ever. Anne is done catering to their whims and has taken a step away toward her own dreams by getting a dinosaur museum job up in San Francisco and also taking on part-time babysitting for her younger sister Mary in exchange for room and board. She is joining Mary and her husband’s family for their family reunion up at a lake cabin before it all begins. Naturally, the reunion brings some family excitement when Carl’s younger sisters corral one of their cabin neighbors into joining some family camping activities because the hottie neighbor is her ex, Eric Wentworth. And, she is definitely not over him as hard as she tries.
Eric knew Anne’s family were snobs toward a guy who grew up far from Hollywood, but he never thought she’d pick her family over him. Breaking off their engagement left him at a loss so he threw himself into his work. His commercial pilot job has taken him all over the world and rarely staying in one place. But, now after all these years, he’s taken a job for his brother in law in a new commercial venture to do air charters for the wealthy and the venture is based in San Francisco. His sister and brother in law have invited him to enjoy the cabin and the lake before diving back into their new work. He thought he put her in the rear-view mirror, but being near Anne and seeing all the wonderful traits he appreciated and loved about her is a danger to him and he struggles hard to keep away from her and hide by hanging out with vibrant Lucy. Then a drastic situation makes the choice for him and Anne is further away than ever.
Persuading the Captain is sweet, heartwarming, and full of humor. The bittersweet flavor of regret and longing are there, but there are more light-hearted moments layered with it. Much of this story lines up with the classic and the characters are recognizable to those in Persuasion. However, the author has placed them well in the 21st Century and she didn’t hesitate to drop characters and bits that were superfluous or didn’t jive with the plot and pace of her own story. For instance, the reader will look in vain for a Lady Russell figure and there was no cousin looking to secure the family time and estate by cozying up to Anne. And, while Mary is a tad hypochondriac, there is a sisterly connection at times and even with Lizzie the oldest sister who is self-absorbed.
The tone of the story is light and fun and even the conflicts throughout are easily dealt with- perhaps too easily at times. Eric’s best friend, Benneck, is a flirty adorable scene-stealer who had some heartache, but he is a hundred percent committed to kicking Eric in the butt when he’s about to screw up his own happiness and he’s a great friend to Anne when she needs one. Anne’s family’s antics are eye-rollingly funny much of the time. But there are some gentle romantic moments too. Who knew a mud fight could be a courtship move?
I liked seeing the same gentle, kind, and thoughtful Anne who regrets her choice, but at the same time, she is more assertive than the original when it comes to the point. Mary even gets in on a girl power moment at just the right time.
All in all, I thought this was an excellent retelling in a modern romcom format and it was the best in the series so far for me. I would recommend this for Austen lovers who don’t mind contemporary settings, but also this will appeal to all sweet romantic comedy fans in general.
Anne is about to start a new chapter in her life when her family must leave her childhood home in Hollywood because her actor father isn’t getting as many hit gigs and her dad and older sister stayed as extravagant as ever. Anne is done catering to their whims and has taken a step away toward her own dreams by getting a dinosaur museum job up in San Francisco and also taking on part-time babysitting for her younger sister Mary in exchange for room and board. She is joining Mary and her husband’s family for their family reunion up at a lake cabin before it all begins. Naturally, the reunion brings some family excitement when Carl’s younger sisters corral one of their cabin neighbors into joining some family camping activities because the hottie neighbor is her ex, Eric Wentworth. And, she is definitely not over him as hard as she tries.
Eric knew Anne’s family were snobs toward a guy who grew up far from Hollywood, but he never thought she’d pick her family over him. Breaking off their engagement left him at a loss so he threw himself into his work. His commercial pilot job has taken him all over the world and rarely staying in one place. But, now after all these years, he’s taken a job for his brother in law in a new commercial venture to do air charters for the wealthy and the venture is based in San Francisco. His sister and brother in law have invited him to enjoy the cabin and the lake before diving back into their new work. He thought he put her in the rear-view mirror, but being near Anne and seeing all the wonderful traits he appreciated and loved about her is a danger to him and he struggles hard to keep away from her and hide by hanging out with vibrant Lucy. Then a drastic situation makes the choice for him and Anne is further away than ever.
Persuading the Captain is sweet, heartwarming, and full of humor. The bittersweet flavor of regret and longing are there, but there are more light-hearted moments layered with it. Much of this story lines up with the classic and the characters are recognizable to those in Persuasion. However, the author has placed them well in the 21st Century and she didn’t hesitate to drop characters and bits that were superfluous or didn’t jive with the plot and pace of her own story. For instance, the reader will look in vain for a Lady Russell figure and there was no cousin looking to secure the family time and estate by cozying up to Anne. And, while Mary is a tad hypochondriac, there is a sisterly connection at times and even with Lizzie the oldest sister who is self-absorbed.
The tone of the story is light and fun and even the conflicts throughout are easily dealt with- perhaps too easily at times. Eric’s best friend, Benneck, is a flirty adorable scene-stealer who had some heartache, but he is a hundred percent committed to kicking Eric in the butt when he’s about to screw up his own happiness and he’s a great friend to Anne when she needs one. Anne’s family’s antics are eye-rollingly funny much of the time. But there are some gentle romantic moments too. Who knew a mud fight could be a courtship move?
I liked seeing the same gentle, kind, and thoughtful Anne who regrets her choice, but at the same time, she is more assertive than the original when it comes to the point. Mary even gets in on a girl power moment at just the right time.
All in all, I thought this was an excellent retelling in a modern romcom format and it was the best in the series so far for me. I would recommend this for Austen lovers who don’t mind contemporary settings, but also this will appeal to all sweet romantic comedy fans in general.
May 19, 2020
Give me all the Jane Austen retellings! I am a sucker for retellings, especially ones from the classics and especially Jane Austen. After reading Engaging Mr. Darcy and Emma the Matchmaker, I essentially book stalked Rachel John for more. I even read other series by her that are not Jane Austen related because I was hooked. However, when I saw Persuading the Captain (based on Persuasion) was available to read, I did a happy dance and I had to read it as soon as possible.
What I really enjoy about this retelling is that is has definitely been modernized, but I can clearly see pieces of the original story: the guy who's "not good enough," the girl being persuaded away from the relationship, the awkward antics of meeting again 8 years later, and the most adorable "please take me back" letter in the history of ever. I've always just said Pride and Prejudice is my favorite classic, but honestly I think Persuasion kind of edges it out. Unpopular opinion or no? Reading this retelling of Persuasion helped solidify that. I absolutely loved how Rachel John kept the overall feeling of Persuasion and the letter Eric writes to mirror the one Frederick wrote is just great.
This book was clean, but also funny which ticked two big check boxes for me. I felt Eric and Anne were true to their Persuasion counterparts. All the supporting characters also gave off the vibes I would expect from a Persuasion retelling. So Sense and Sensibility is next right? Or Mansfield Park? Seriously, I will keep reading them all.
I received a complimentary copy of this book, but I am leaving an honest and voluntary review.
What I really enjoy about this retelling is that is has definitely been modernized, but I can clearly see pieces of the original story: the guy who's "not good enough," the girl being persuaded away from the relationship, the awkward antics of meeting again 8 years later, and the most adorable "please take me back" letter in the history of ever. I've always just said Pride and Prejudice is my favorite classic, but honestly I think Persuasion kind of edges it out. Unpopular opinion or no? Reading this retelling of Persuasion helped solidify that. I absolutely loved how Rachel John kept the overall feeling of Persuasion and the letter Eric writes to mirror the one Frederick wrote is just great.
This book was clean, but also funny which ticked two big check boxes for me. I felt Eric and Anne were true to their Persuasion counterparts. All the supporting characters also gave off the vibes I would expect from a Persuasion retelling. So Sense and Sensibility is next right? Or Mansfield Park? Seriously, I will keep reading them all.
I received a complimentary copy of this book, but I am leaving an honest and voluntary review.
January 27, 2022
Rachel John has the talent to create modern versions of Jane Austen's stories. Like Engaging Mr. Darcy and Emma the Matchmaker this novel really had a core, an atmosphere of the original.
It was, if I remember it correctly, a bit less fanny than the two mentioned. And I was a little bit less gripped by it. Still, I have an appreciation for a good job. 3.5 stars, but I want to point out I had not as good a time as with the previous two, so I am rounding it down.
It was, if I remember it correctly, a bit less fanny than the two mentioned. And I was a little bit less gripped by it. Still, I have an appreciation for a good job. 3.5 stars, but I want to point out I had not as good a time as with the previous two, so I am rounding it down.
January 21, 2021
Writing a MODERN version of Persuasion couldn't be easy - but Rachel Johns made it feel effortless. She did an amazing job of making this second chance romance work, of creating believable tension with two characters who can't just say what they feel for GOOD reason. If you love Anne Elliot, if you love Wentworth, come to this story expecting glimpses of the original tale in a way that makes this retelling enchanting.
June 3, 2020
4.5 stars rounded up to 5 RTC
May 23, 2025
Swoon-worthy
I love Persuasion....it is my favorite Jane Austen novel...this adaptation was so sweet and romantic. Most of the main characters were there....Anne was as sweet and long-suffering as ever....Eric ( Frederick) was as swoon-worthy and as in love with Anne as ever. Wentworth is my favorite romantic hero....and the letter he wrote Anne is so tender and touching. Highly recommend this book!
I love Persuasion....it is my favorite Jane Austen novel...this adaptation was so sweet and romantic. Most of the main characters were there....Anne was as sweet and long-suffering as ever....Eric ( Frederick) was as swoon-worthy and as in love with Anne as ever. Wentworth is my favorite romantic hero....and the letter he wrote Anne is so tender and touching. Highly recommend this book!
January 24, 2021
Nice comfort read
I had no idea a modern rom-com style version of Persuasion would be so satisfying, yet it really worked! It hit all the main points and captured the characters of the original while still being different enough to be interesting. A very comfortable, stress free read.
Sweet and charming, with nothing sensitive content wise.
I had no idea a modern rom-com style version of Persuasion would be so satisfying, yet it really worked! It hit all the main points and captured the characters of the original while still being different enough to be interesting. A very comfortable, stress free read.
Sweet and charming, with nothing sensitive content wise.
July 16, 2021
... hehe, I swear I didn't "plan" to read two consecutive books titles that had "captain" in them. What would have been freaky is if they BOTH had been adaptations of Persuasion...eh, it's possible.
Anyway, once again, what a highly imaginative and thought-provoking modern-take on one of my TOP Austen faves. And again, Rachel John is doing something here that some writer's would have soured or taken a grand misstep--...how does one say "direct interpretations". Kind of like, in Persuasion, Wentworth has built his career aboard a ship--even when he was with young Anne Elliot and then of course he has come up in ranks to be Ol' CAP-ee-TAHN.
The glorious situation here is... Eric Wentworth, our illustrious Frederick is still a CAPTAIN, but a pilot--???
Seriously, I never would have transferred that kind of career, but it does something to the OG-text of Austen. I think what put the Fear of God in poor Anne was her godmother's [Lady Russel] lamenting about how AWFUL of a life she would have being the wife of someone whose lifelong career would be tied to a ship. And it translates perfectly, for Modern Times, in that the life of a career pilot for commercial airlines is... horrific. It's more The Bachelor Life, ya know.
Think about this...you cannot genuinely transfer that to "fit" the same extremes and awfulness in a Modern take on a Ship's Captain-that life is just not the same like in Regency Era. And something like an Airline Pilot...who lives out of a single suitcase and has perm-a-residences in Hotels--gone who knows where for who knows for how long...possibly sleeps around with flight attendants and maybe even passengers??
There was no "bug" in Anne's ear. This time she really did make up her own mind that she and Eric were too young. Mostly, though, it is her judgmental family--mainly her father, and older sister, Lizzie. They were too hoity-toity and stared down their noses at EVERYONE. But also, the training Eric had to go through to BE a pilot to then eventually get a job to jumpstart his flying career? it was a culmination of too much--too soon. Better to let him go and not derail his pursuit of a substantial career as a pilot, to get the experiences, too, without her hanging on.
What is even more difficult to transfer or interpret is Anne... Anne's life in the aftermath for 7/8yrs and of course just how to bend, shape and create how her family roles and the overall atmosphere was like years ago and then in the interim on into TODAY--Present Time
Anne and Wentworth's relationship is probably one of the most challenging, if not something of a thinky-thought when it comes to people's personal judgments. Was it right to break a heart now...or go through a horrible marriage and ruins two lives, plus what could have been a great marriage? so you can end up breaking that same heart later?
Certainly on how it feels like Anne easily gives up on Wentworth to then crumble under such sage advice?? of older Adults in her ear telling her what her future will be like if she dares to take a risk at such a young age.
Then you turn around and 7/8yrs later...Anne appears to have had NO LIFE or at least a life of passive servitude to her deplorable siblings and Parent. Dad and older sister are stuck on BEING RICH and FAMOUS...while the younger sister is married off and has children, but she kind of has this fatalist/pessimist outlook where she cannot bear her life as Wife and Mother...Anne seems to have taken the reigns off EVERYBODY who was supposed to be there for her, in her time of need.
When you come upon the older Anne, even when you get to see Wentworth see Anne after such a longtime of thriving off her memory and haunted by her, just churning that anger and resentment...it becomes kind of wrenching because...HOW COULD ANNE HAVE LEFT THE LOVE OF HER LIFE? FOR WHAT SHE HAS NOW?
But there is something wonderful that has happened to Anne I think some readers miss the mark of... caught up empathizing with Wentworth or thinking that Anne sacrificed nearly a decade of her life for naught. If you look closer, Anne has taught herself to endure. Not just lifelong tolerance, but also...her heart...ardently loving Frederick until she comes upon him once again.
What is amazing here, in this story, is that... the same feeling Austen cultivates in her text works so well here, too.
Our Anne is just...so competent but growing weary and extremely tiresome, yet confident. Dad and Lizzie are watered-down famous people, still hobnobbing with lower celebrities, having to scale down their living conditions. Anne moves from house to house, but for a majority of this story she is there for Mary...and willing to be a wonderful Aunt/2nd Mom because Mary's two boys never want to listen to their Mom. But they will obey Anne.
Anne also...wow, never thought this would be cool about Anne, but here she has a love of Dinosaurs and wanted to be a Paleontologist. She managed to work her way to employment at a Natural History Museum, often being a great tour guide for school children tours. It gave Anne such awesome new ground to roam around amid-gave her outward agency and autonomy to a version of Self. That even when Eric was gone...and all she had left was her selfish family...Anne found a peace of mind to pursue HER interests, halfway there. Granted, she would have loved to have gone to college/university to get a degree, maybe History/Paleontology or Archaeology...but wow, what a cool way to upgrade Anne Elliot and not show that she DID NOTHING with 8yrs of her life, wasted.
Uhm, let's see... there are some missing roles, which is fine--Lady Russell, for one [good riddance!]. And there are some existing roles--like the 2nd suitor for Anne when Wentworth returns. Wyatt, a young up-and-coming actor who kind of 'sloppily romances' Anne, but it's kind of obvious he's not honestly pursuing her. He wants the adjacent fame of being amid Anne's family [Dad & Lizzie]. Plus, there is a change in HIS excuse for wanting Anne in his life and he is somewhat connected to Anne's older sister, Lizzie, from in the past [like from school]. And Dad is simply trying to re-start his fledgling acting career, starring in low-budget flops--still being OLD, yet Young At Heart and trying to stay relevant.
Mary's husband does have two younger sisters, Lucy & Etta, whom Eric will almost vie for at the start until it works out that he simply pursues Lucy, singularly. And then if one recalls Austen's text...when an old friend of Wentworth's drops by, during a seaside vacay...one of those sisters becomes enamored then engaged to THAT dear friend, a fellow shipmate [James Benwick]. The same situation will happen in this story, shockingly almost in a similar way...which was fascinating to watch unfold.
Then walks in one of MY most favorite minor characters, Benneck. In Austen's OG-text he is James Benwick...who is a great friend of Wentworth who lost his fiance before they could marry. In this Modern-take, his name is Benneck...and he is the sweetest darling who could've been a Godsend to give to Eric and Anne as it pressurizes into the 2nd chance they much needed.
In Austen's text, Benwick is...oft waxing poetic license. Lamenting about lost loves and also sharing his words with Anne... and Wentworth often overhears what the two talk about. But it's a nice diversion or a breather for Anne, because Benwick was able to notice Wentworth had a certain verve or drive about him to become CAPTAIN of the waters, with no wife by his side. When Benwick returns to Wentworth's side I think it's almost like Benwick can see or bear witness to the shield being dropped around this "Anne Elliot" and watch his old shipmate react around such a indescribable mysterious woman...not the two young women he appears to be "fake" pursuing.
Eric is leaving commercial airlines to go into a private jet company with TWO colleagues [other pilots] of his...and one is Benneck. When Benneck shows up to Eric's side, it is obvious there is more than just a friendship between the men. Eric knew true heartbreak [w/Anne] but had to witness Benneck suffer genuine loss and gut-wrenching death in a loved one.
Benneck is actually this wonderful glue, between Anne and Eric...like a fairy Godfather. He will manage to befriend Anne because she is JUST THAT AWESOME...and his brotherhood with Eric is sometimes genuinely Bros [Benneck must be a huge beefy guy because the amount of times Eric felt shattering pain from one of those shoulder punches Benneck gave him... hehehe, it had me rolling with laughter] and other times the swift-kick-in-the-ass needed, but Benneck has common sense about love. He also keeps trumping Eric in the love department, because if Eric wants to whine and bemoan his love regrets... Benneck has a "my fiance died' card he can always show him...Eric always shuts up at that point because, DAMMIT!...Benneck always makes so much damn sense!
And again, Rachel John knows how to weave in and out of sweet romance, into LOL-worthy moments...and some truly gut wrenching scenes. It's tough to take one down an unknown journey unless you read the book yourself.
Out of all three in this series...I am going to say...it is fine to read them out of order. These are not connected. They stand alone. But I would say to read the books in order of YOUR favorites...since mine are Number 1's being P&P and Persuasion...I would let my brain duke it out which one to read first, then Emma.
I want more. But I have several other works and book series by Rachel John which I WILL BE reading and reviewing... but man, do I want more of her versions of Austen...oh, yeah, even a crappy Northanger Abbey, which is my least liked. Look, if Rachel John can get me to enjoy and see EMMA in a new light...I trust her with my firstborn...hehehe...
I have fallen back in love with Persuasion and can totally see so many untraveled avenues you can take Wentworth and Anne down after reading this adaption. What I love most, I think...is being able to have that bird's eye view of All of Austen's heroes...Darcy, Knightley and Wentworth...moreso because I have always been curious as a writer at just WHAT POV these men would have while the OG-story is unfolding. And especially in a Modern-setting, how that would change but then also how that could look or feel similar in various ways.
Rachel John has the skill as a Writer who obviously loves the original texts, but then gives you a twist or a spin you were never expecting. And I will always be HERE for it. Always.
Anyway, once again, what a highly imaginative and thought-provoking modern-take on one of my TOP Austen faves. And again, Rachel John is doing something here that some writer's would have soured or taken a grand misstep--...how does one say "direct interpretations". Kind of like, in Persuasion, Wentworth has built his career aboard a ship--even when he was with young Anne Elliot and then of course he has come up in ranks to be Ol' CAP-ee-TAHN.
The glorious situation here is... Eric Wentworth, our illustrious Frederick is still a CAPTAIN, but a pilot--???
Seriously, I never would have transferred that kind of career, but it does something to the OG-text of Austen. I think what put the Fear of God in poor Anne was her godmother's [Lady Russel] lamenting about how AWFUL of a life she would have being the wife of someone whose lifelong career would be tied to a ship. And it translates perfectly, for Modern Times, in that the life of a career pilot for commercial airlines is... horrific. It's more The Bachelor Life, ya know.
Think about this...you cannot genuinely transfer that to "fit" the same extremes and awfulness in a Modern take on a Ship's Captain-that life is just not the same like in Regency Era. And something like an Airline Pilot...who lives out of a single suitcase and has perm-a-residences in Hotels--gone who knows where for who knows for how long...possibly sleeps around with flight attendants and maybe even passengers??
There was no "bug" in Anne's ear. This time she really did make up her own mind that she and Eric were too young. Mostly, though, it is her judgmental family--mainly her father, and older sister, Lizzie. They were too hoity-toity and stared down their noses at EVERYONE. But also, the training Eric had to go through to BE a pilot to then eventually get a job to jumpstart his flying career? it was a culmination of too much--too soon. Better to let him go and not derail his pursuit of a substantial career as a pilot, to get the experiences, too, without her hanging on.
What is even more difficult to transfer or interpret is Anne... Anne's life in the aftermath for 7/8yrs and of course just how to bend, shape and create how her family roles and the overall atmosphere was like years ago and then in the interim on into TODAY--Present Time
Anne and Wentworth's relationship is probably one of the most challenging, if not something of a thinky-thought when it comes to people's personal judgments. Was it right to break a heart now...or go through a horrible marriage and ruins two lives, plus what could have been a great marriage? so you can end up breaking that same heart later?
Certainly on how it feels like Anne easily gives up on Wentworth to then crumble under such sage advice?? of older Adults in her ear telling her what her future will be like if she dares to take a risk at such a young age.
Then you turn around and 7/8yrs later...Anne appears to have had NO LIFE or at least a life of passive servitude to her deplorable siblings and Parent. Dad and older sister are stuck on BEING RICH and FAMOUS...while the younger sister is married off and has children, but she kind of has this fatalist/pessimist outlook where she cannot bear her life as Wife and Mother...Anne seems to have taken the reigns off EVERYBODY who was supposed to be there for her, in her time of need.
When you come upon the older Anne, even when you get to see Wentworth see Anne after such a longtime of thriving off her memory and haunted by her, just churning that anger and resentment...it becomes kind of wrenching because...HOW COULD ANNE HAVE LEFT THE LOVE OF HER LIFE? FOR WHAT SHE HAS NOW?
But there is something wonderful that has happened to Anne I think some readers miss the mark of... caught up empathizing with Wentworth or thinking that Anne sacrificed nearly a decade of her life for naught. If you look closer, Anne has taught herself to endure. Not just lifelong tolerance, but also...her heart...ardently loving Frederick until she comes upon him once again.
What is amazing here, in this story, is that... the same feeling Austen cultivates in her text works so well here, too.
Our Anne is just...so competent but growing weary and extremely tiresome, yet confident. Dad and Lizzie are watered-down famous people, still hobnobbing with lower celebrities, having to scale down their living conditions. Anne moves from house to house, but for a majority of this story she is there for Mary...and willing to be a wonderful Aunt/2nd Mom because Mary's two boys never want to listen to their Mom. But they will obey Anne.
Anne also...wow, never thought this would be cool about Anne, but here she has a love of Dinosaurs and wanted to be a Paleontologist. She managed to work her way to employment at a Natural History Museum, often being a great tour guide for school children tours. It gave Anne such awesome new ground to roam around amid-gave her outward agency and autonomy to a version of Self. That even when Eric was gone...and all she had left was her selfish family...Anne found a peace of mind to pursue HER interests, halfway there. Granted, she would have loved to have gone to college/university to get a degree, maybe History/Paleontology or Archaeology...but wow, what a cool way to upgrade Anne Elliot and not show that she DID NOTHING with 8yrs of her life, wasted.
Uhm, let's see... there are some missing roles, which is fine--Lady Russell, for one [good riddance!]. And there are some existing roles--like the 2nd suitor for Anne when Wentworth returns. Wyatt, a young up-and-coming actor who kind of 'sloppily romances' Anne, but it's kind of obvious he's not honestly pursuing her. He wants the adjacent fame of being amid Anne's family [Dad & Lizzie]. Plus, there is a change in HIS excuse for wanting Anne in his life and he is somewhat connected to Anne's older sister, Lizzie, from in the past [like from school]. And Dad is simply trying to re-start his fledgling acting career, starring in low-budget flops--still being OLD, yet Young At Heart and trying to stay relevant.
Mary's husband does have two younger sisters, Lucy & Etta, whom Eric will almost vie for at the start until it works out that he simply pursues Lucy, singularly. And then if one recalls Austen's text...when an old friend of Wentworth's drops by, during a seaside vacay...one of those sisters becomes enamored then engaged to THAT dear friend, a fellow shipmate [James Benwick]. The same situation will happen in this story, shockingly almost in a similar way...which was fascinating to watch unfold.
Then walks in one of MY most favorite minor characters, Benneck. In Austen's OG-text he is James Benwick...who is a great friend of Wentworth who lost his fiance before they could marry. In this Modern-take, his name is Benneck...and he is the sweetest darling who could've been a Godsend to give to Eric and Anne as it pressurizes into the 2nd chance they much needed.
In Austen's text, Benwick is...oft waxing poetic license. Lamenting about lost loves and also sharing his words with Anne... and Wentworth often overhears what the two talk about. But it's a nice diversion or a breather for Anne, because Benwick was able to notice Wentworth had a certain verve or drive about him to become CAPTAIN of the waters, with no wife by his side. When Benwick returns to Wentworth's side I think it's almost like Benwick can see or bear witness to the shield being dropped around this "Anne Elliot" and watch his old shipmate react around such a indescribable mysterious woman...not the two young women he appears to be "fake" pursuing.
Eric is leaving commercial airlines to go into a private jet company with TWO colleagues [other pilots] of his...and one is Benneck. When Benneck shows up to Eric's side, it is obvious there is more than just a friendship between the men. Eric knew true heartbreak [w/Anne] but had to witness Benneck suffer genuine loss and gut-wrenching death in a loved one.
Benneck is actually this wonderful glue, between Anne and Eric...like a fairy Godfather. He will manage to befriend Anne because she is JUST THAT AWESOME...and his brotherhood with Eric is sometimes genuinely Bros [Benneck must be a huge beefy guy because the amount of times Eric felt shattering pain from one of those shoulder punches Benneck gave him... hehehe, it had me rolling with laughter] and other times the swift-kick-in-the-ass needed, but Benneck has common sense about love. He also keeps trumping Eric in the love department, because if Eric wants to whine and bemoan his love regrets... Benneck has a "my fiance died' card he can always show him...Eric always shuts up at that point because, DAMMIT!...Benneck always makes so much damn sense!
And again, Rachel John knows how to weave in and out of sweet romance, into LOL-worthy moments...and some truly gut wrenching scenes. It's tough to take one down an unknown journey unless you read the book yourself.
Out of all three in this series...I am going to say...it is fine to read them out of order. These are not connected. They stand alone. But I would say to read the books in order of YOUR favorites...since mine are Number 1's being P&P and Persuasion...I would let my brain duke it out which one to read first, then Emma.
I want more. But I have several other works and book series by Rachel John which I WILL BE reading and reviewing... but man, do I want more of her versions of Austen...oh, yeah, even a crappy Northanger Abbey, which is my least liked. Look, if Rachel John can get me to enjoy and see EMMA in a new light...I trust her with my firstborn...hehehe...
I have fallen back in love with Persuasion and can totally see so many untraveled avenues you can take Wentworth and Anne down after reading this adaption. What I love most, I think...is being able to have that bird's eye view of All of Austen's heroes...Darcy, Knightley and Wentworth...moreso because I have always been curious as a writer at just WHAT POV these men would have while the OG-story is unfolding. And especially in a Modern-setting, how that would change but then also how that could look or feel similar in various ways.
Rachel John has the skill as a Writer who obviously loves the original texts, but then gives you a twist or a spin you were never expecting. And I will always be HERE for it. Always.
June 1, 2020
Really fun.
This is a really fun story with a lot of great characters. What crazy friends and family! This is a really sweet, clean romance about second chances.
This is a really fun story with a lot of great characters. What crazy friends and family! This is a really sweet, clean romance about second chances.
May 21, 2020
While this wasn't my favorite of Rachel John's Jane Austen retellings this one is still a good story and writing. (I think it's not my favorite just because of the original story. The h is walked over by her unfeeling family and I wish the H would declare himself already sometimes, lol.) The bones, heart and theme of Persuassion was kept. However, there were some deviations to the story that made it the authors own and original. There were some moments between the h & H that made me smile and laugh a bit. I thought the dialog was good. The flow of the story was nice and matched the original. The "villians" were spot on as well as the good supporting characters. I really like what Rachel John has done with these reteliings. Thery're fun reads. Good for a relaxing and unwinding time.
May 20, 2020
4.5* This was a great story, full of twists and turns. The side characters were strongly developed and the chemistry between the main characters was spot on! I enjoyed the heroine's perspective and the finding herself moments as well.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
May 20, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed this modern take of Jane Austen’s Novel, Persuasion.
Not sure why, but I enjoy reading modern versions of Austen’s novels. This book is one of my favourites! I can highly recommend it. It’s clean and wholesome while being fun and engaging. It follows the essence of Austen’s work whilst incorporating a modern taste and the authors own sense of style to it.
I’ve read one other book from this authors “Austen Inspired Romance Comedy” series. I’m looking forward to reading more and searching out the ones I’ve missed.
I received an ARC copy of this particular book. This has in no way influenced my opinion of this book and I am under no obligation to leave this review.
Not sure why, but I enjoy reading modern versions of Austen’s novels. This book is one of my favourites! I can highly recommend it. It’s clean and wholesome while being fun and engaging. It follows the essence of Austen’s work whilst incorporating a modern taste and the authors own sense of style to it.
I’ve read one other book from this authors “Austen Inspired Romance Comedy” series. I’m looking forward to reading more and searching out the ones I’ve missed.
I received an ARC copy of this particular book. This has in no way influenced my opinion of this book and I am under no obligation to leave this review.
June 15, 2020
"𝑮𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒉𝒊𝒎 𝒂 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒅𝒂𝒚 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈."
—𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒍𝒆𝒔 𝑴𝒖𝒔𝒈𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒆, 𝑷𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒖𝒂𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏
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Rachel John has done it again!
The way she adapts Jane Austens classics, beautifully done!!👏👏👏 Loved how the story translated so well. If you're looking for a short and sweet book I highly recommend this one and all of her Austen retellings !
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
—𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒍𝒆𝒔 𝑴𝒖𝒔𝒈𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒆, 𝑷𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒖𝒂𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏
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.
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Rachel John has done it again!
The way she adapts Jane Austens classics, beautifully done!!👏👏👏 Loved how the story translated so well. If you're looking for a short and sweet book I highly recommend this one and all of her Austen retellings !
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
April 20, 2021
Adorable!
I’m recommending this series to everyone lately! I’m trying to be good about going to sleep on time, but this series isn’t helping. I can’t put these books down!
You know the drill, Anne and Captain Wentworth (Eric) are engaged. She breaks it off. They both regret it. He’s a little more bitter about it. They meet up again years later.
I love the progression from I need to forget her and move on to I never want to be without her. Rachel John is great with pacing. The chemistry is off the charts, and the build up delightful. I absolutely loved the mud fight!
I’m only sad that I’m almost done catching up on this series. Only one book left and I have to wait for the next releases.
Content: clean (some kisses, no language, no violence)
I’m recommending this series to everyone lately! I’m trying to be good about going to sleep on time, but this series isn’t helping. I can’t put these books down!
You know the drill, Anne and Captain Wentworth (Eric) are engaged. She breaks it off. They both regret it. He’s a little more bitter about it. They meet up again years later.
I love the progression from I need to forget her and move on to I never want to be without her. Rachel John is great with pacing. The chemistry is off the charts, and the build up delightful. I absolutely loved the mud fight!
I’m only sad that I’m almost done catching up on this series. Only one book left and I have to wait for the next releases.
Content: clean (some kisses, no language, no violence)
June 18, 2025
This book is not a romantic comedy.
DNF. I made at 23% of the way in, and the book just didn’t hold my interest. And just struck me as too sad. Anne does seem to fit the stereotype of Jane Austen‘s character in the novel Persuasion. The whole thing was just kind of sad for me. But I’ve read other books by Rachel John, and have enjoyed them, especially her Zombie Love Story, which I highly recommend.
Edited to add: I decided to give this book another try. I made it 39% of the way through. It’s just not a comedy. It’s a regular romance. I liked all the characters. But this book just does not have anything that makes me wanna scream or go gaga over it.
DNF. I made at 23% of the way in, and the book just didn’t hold my interest. And just struck me as too sad. Anne does seem to fit the stereotype of Jane Austen‘s character in the novel Persuasion. The whole thing was just kind of sad for me. But I’ve read other books by Rachel John, and have enjoyed them, especially her Zombie Love Story, which I highly recommend.
Edited to add: I decided to give this book another try. I made it 39% of the way through. It’s just not a comedy. It’s a regular romance. I liked all the characters. But this book just does not have anything that makes me wanna scream or go gaga over it.
February 24, 2022
4.5 stars. I’m not as familiar with Persuasion (watched the movie before reading this bc it’s been so long since I’ve read it—not my favorite JA), and it’s no P&P or Emma, but still fine. If I hadn’t watched the movie beforehand or known it was an Austen retelling, I’m not sure I would’ve recognized it as such. But it still would’ve been a fun read. Rachel John did a great job of redeeming Mary, which the movie didn’t do and I don’t remember about the original.
September 16, 2022
What!
The hero in this book is something. Eric dealt with meeting his ex at her family reunion by dating one of her relatives. In the first place, he didn’t have to go to the house where her family were staying, because he was just a neighbor. No, he had to stick it to her by dating her relative. Overall this is an insipid story.
The hero in this book is something. Eric dealt with meeting his ex at her family reunion by dating one of her relatives. In the first place, he didn’t have to go to the house where her family were staying, because he was just a neighbor. No, he had to stick it to her by dating her relative. Overall this is an insipid story.
June 2, 2020
Nice second chance romance
I have never read Persuasion, but I've read a few retellings and this one is my favorite so far. I felt it didn't get as bogged down with all the other parts. Eric and Anne are both wonderful people, but even more wonderful together. I'm glad Anne got some backbone, but I still worry about her family's influence.
I have never read Persuasion, but I've read a few retellings and this one is my favorite so far. I felt it didn't get as bogged down with all the other parts. Eric and Anne are both wonderful people, but even more wonderful together. I'm glad Anne got some backbone, but I still worry about her family's influence.
September 25, 2021
Almost 4 stars. I really like how this author takes Jane Austen's characters and basic storyline and adapts then to modern life. She does a great job. I can't quite pinpoint why I don't rate them higher...
June 4, 2021
Cute modernization
I love persuasion and this was adorable. I read all the modernizations and I loved the spin on this one with Benneck. Very low angst and followed the story well.
I love persuasion and this was adorable. I read all the modernizations and I loved the spin on this one with Benneck. Very low angst and followed the story well.
September 27, 2021
Loved this modern Persuasion retelling!
October 5, 2022
Cute, light, and kind of fluffy. All i could want right now when I can concentrate on heavier books. I liked some of the changes the author made with the story in terms of the relationships between the sisters.
May 24, 2020
I’ve read a lot of this authors books and this is by far my favorite. Original story by Jane Austen Persuasion, which I love, is a drama. It ends happy but there’s a definite melancholy that goes to the whole story. This book on the other hand is more of a romcom that is overall lighthearted and fun to read. It’s a modern story but it stays very true to the original storyline in a cool unique way. I really love this story. There is a little bit of the feeling of sadness as the original but overall it feels like hope, new beginnings, and the ability to see possibilities.
It’s a great book that I just want to read all over again.
Rating: G/PG, clean family friendly, would love to see this in a movie format.
It’s a great book that I just want to read all over again.
Rating: G/PG, clean family friendly, would love to see this in a movie format.
May 29, 2020
Great Jane Austen retelling
This was such a fun read! I really enjoyed this contemporary spin on Persuasion. I would recommend this to Jane Austen and contemporary romance lovers.
This was such a fun read! I really enjoyed this contemporary spin on Persuasion. I would recommend this to Jane Austen and contemporary romance lovers.
May 25, 2020
I am love with this series! This is a contemporary retelling of Jane Austen's persuasion and was very well done. Rachel John manages to stay true to the original story while also adding twists that make the story unique. This was a lighthearted romantic comedy that made me laugh and smile and simply put, was just so much fun to read. Great characters, fun plot, and a happy ending!
If you love Jane Austen, you have to give this series a try! I cannot wait to see what book comes next.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book but all opinions are my own.
If you love Jane Austen, you have to give this series a try! I cannot wait to see what book comes next.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book but all opinions are my own.
May 19, 2020
Persuading the Captain is a cute adaptation to Jane Eyre’s “Persuasion.” Set in the modern-day world, Anne—an adorable, dino-loving young woman who is just amazing with her two hilariously wild and destructive nephews—is thrust back into society with airplane pilot and ex-fiancé Eric. Full of adorable moments and great one-liners, this book was tons of fun to read!
May 19, 2020
This 21st century retelling of Jane Austen's Persuasion is delightful. The characters are engaging and the story line a classic. I always enjoy a clean and sometimes comic romance. Austen does this so well throwing in insights into human nature. Rachel John does this just as well with a modern twist. Another hit for Rachel John.
July 4, 2020
I am a huge fan of Jane Austen's Persuasion and have enjoyed Rachel John's other Austen inspired romantic comedies so I was super excited to read Persuading the Captain. This book was exactly what I was in the mood for and I easily read it in one sitting. I rate it 4.5 stars (almost 5 but not quite there for me). The characters were fabulous and I absolutely loved that the story was told from both Anne and Eric's perspectives which I think made it that much more enjoyable. Their chemistry was legit and there were lots of great moments between the too. The part in the mud was hilarious and swoon worthy. Great clean content, I almost wish it was longer I was enjoying it so much.
June 23, 2020
Persuasion is my favorite Austen novel. Wentworth is my favorite Austen hero. Rachel John did such an amazing job of bringing the characters and story into the modern day and making it wholly her own. One thing I lament about the original is how little Anne and Wentworth are together, but in this version they get to spend much more time together. I liked that. I enjoyed the humor of the story, especially the humorous situations Anne found herself in.
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