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Austen Falls #1
Persuaded
They were worse than strangers, now he's the only one who can save her...
Allie Elliot is broke, single, and stuck in her hometown of Austen Falls, Minnesota.
After a suspicious accident leaves her injured, Allie is forced to accept the help of self-made millionaire, Derek Wentworth, the same man she betrayed eight years ago.
As danger circles closer and closer, the two must work together to solve the crime that tore them apart.
But Allie's stalker always seems to be a step ahead, which can only mean one thing - it’s someone they know and trust. Faced with a second chance at love and justice, Allie must forgive herself and reclaim her future with Derek before the crimes of the past destroy them both.
Enjoy this sweet and clean Jane Austen modern-day retelling with a true crime twist!
Allie Elliot is broke, single, and stuck in her hometown of Austen Falls, Minnesota.
After a suspicious accident leaves her injured, Allie is forced to accept the help of self-made millionaire, Derek Wentworth, the same man she betrayed eight years ago.
As danger circles closer and closer, the two must work together to solve the crime that tore them apart.
But Allie's stalker always seems to be a step ahead, which can only mean one thing - it’s someone they know and trust. Faced with a second chance at love and justice, Allie must forgive herself and reclaim her future with Derek before the crimes of the past destroy them both.
Enjoy this sweet and clean Jane Austen modern-day retelling with a true crime twist!
253 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2021
21 people are currently reading
43 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
November 7, 2021
Again, I really wish half stars were a thing! I rounded up in this case, but it felt more like a 3.5. Listen, I fully enjoyed this read. It kept my attention without a doubt. It had a really strong start, really the first 60% or so was really great. Then I started feeling a bit like it was a Hallmark movie: pretty cheesy. However! I really enjoy those movies, cheese and all! It was predictable, but in a fun way. It did bother me how both main characters were clueless about how the other felt. Like, super obnoxious to the point where I didn’t find it believable enough to enjoy it as much as I was in the beginning.
There’s some good lines and strong points, and again, it’s just fun. The mystery mixed in was nice to sift through, but I will admit I couldn’t even remember much about a handful of the characters, almost as if there were too many.
Overall, definitely worth the read if it sounds interesting to you. It’s essentially a Hallmark Mystery. ☺️
There’s some good lines and strong points, and again, it’s just fun. The mystery mixed in was nice to sift through, but I will admit I couldn’t even remember much about a handful of the characters, almost as if there were too many.
Overall, definitely worth the read if it sounds interesting to you. It’s essentially a Hallmark Mystery. ☺️
October 25, 2021
I finished the book about 30 seconds ago, so sorry if my words don’t make sense 😂 What an amazing novel! The romance was PERFECT! I knew in my heart that the couple would end up together one day, but the twists and turns kept be guessing as to how. I did not guess any part of the ending whatsoever. It was a punch in the gut for sure. I cannot wait to read more from this author and this series.
October 6, 2021
Perfect mix of mystery, romance and some snark!
5 stars! Persuaded was full of mystery- with twists and turns you don’t see coming! The love story between main characters Derek and Allie was heartbreaking and beautiful. What a great first novel to a series. I can’t wait to see what happens next.
5 stars! Persuaded was full of mystery- with twists and turns you don’t see coming! The love story between main characters Derek and Allie was heartbreaking and beautiful. What a great first novel to a series. I can’t wait to see what happens next.
March 13, 2022
Great book, worth the read! This was my first book in the “sweet suspense” category and I would say it’s akin to a hallmark mystery, if you’re new to the genre as well. Definitely a page-turner that kept me wanting just one more chapter. Twists and turns were abundant and the last several chapters had mg stomach in knots. Looking forward to book 2!
March 31, 2022
Truth has a way of coming out
Allie and Derek fell in love in high school and got married. No one knew about the marriage. He was an Indian and her father ran him off. Now many years later he has returned, a wealthy man. Allie felt someone was watching her everywhere she went. Derek had been receiving blackmail letters from someone and thought it could be Allie. Different things began to happen to Allie. She received a gift in her bedroom with a note, she was poisoned, then kidnapped and the building was set on fire. A file cabinet fell on her, breaking her leg. Will she be found in time or will it be too late?
Allie and Derek fell in love in high school and got married. No one knew about the marriage. He was an Indian and her father ran him off. Now many years later he has returned, a wealthy man. Allie felt someone was watching her everywhere she went. Derek had been receiving blackmail letters from someone and thought it could be Allie. Different things began to happen to Allie. She received a gift in her bedroom with a note, she was poisoned, then kidnapped and the building was set on fire. A file cabinet fell on her, breaking her leg. Will she be found in time or will it be too late?
October 11, 2021
Loved this Jane Austen retelling, with a suspense twist
I really enjoyed this! It’s a retelling of Jane Austen’s Persuasion with a true crime twist. I especially loved the creativity in reimagining some of Austen’s well-loved characters. The story was truly suspenseful and surprising in how it all came together. I’m excited for the next book in the series.
I really enjoyed this! It’s a retelling of Jane Austen’s Persuasion with a true crime twist. I especially loved the creativity in reimagining some of Austen’s well-loved characters. The story was truly suspenseful and surprising in how it all came together. I’m excited for the next book in the series.
April 17, 2022
It may not be the author's fault but Amazon has this book listed under inspirational. It is not. There is nothing of that in it.
I usually avoid 2nd chance romances because I don't like the "angry woman" motif. There is a lot of that in this book. Hero and heroine both angry at each other and pushing each other away. Yuchh. I won't be reading any more in this series.
I usually avoid 2nd chance romances because I don't like the "angry woman" motif. There is a lot of that in this book. Hero and heroine both angry at each other and pushing each other away. Yuchh. I won't be reading any more in this series.
April 3, 2025
This book had a great mix of suspense and romance. Once I began reading, it was hard to put down. The story had somewhat of a Hallmark type plot. The now millionaire ex returns to his hometown to solve the mystery of who is blackmailing him and his ex. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
October 9, 2021
Loved it!
Such a great read! I really enjoyed the characters and the suspense in the plot twists. It was definitely one of those books I couldn't put down and I may have finished it in a day. Looking forward to the upcoming books!
Such a great read! I really enjoyed the characters and the suspense in the plot twists. It was definitely one of those books I couldn't put down and I may have finished it in a day. Looking forward to the upcoming books!
March 20, 2022
Not a Christian suspense like I expectEd
The writer is good, but not one thing about the story encouraged me as a believer. This could sell as a worldly romance...including unnecessary curse words.
The writer is good, but not one thing about the story encouraged me as a believer. This could sell as a worldly romance...including unnecessary curse words.
October 16, 2021
Awesome story and great suspense!
I couldn’t put it down! The story moves quickly and the suspense has great twists and turns. Definitely worth the read!
I couldn’t put it down! The story moves quickly and the suspense has great twists and turns. Definitely worth the read!
December 3, 2021
I loved Emily's debut novel & look forward to the sequels!
May 27, 2022
This book was awesome. The slow burn, the suspense, the chemistry!? Very well written! I’d never read Levault before, but I’ll definitely continue! I loved it!
June 16, 2022
This book was so slow moving, full of too much dialogue and cheesy romance. The mystery of the stalker/blackmailer kept my interest, but it wasn’t enough for a better review.
May 6, 2023
Black mail. Stalkers. Second chance love. What else could you want in a book? This was a great read!
November 4, 2021
I was hooked from the beginning. The characters are wonderful and it's so well written! Perfect amount of romance and suspense. Can't wait for the next one in the series!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews