Captive Hearts

by Kelly Miller

Will Captain Wentworth realize too late that he has a second chance at love?
With a successful naval career and a fortune to his name, Frederick Wentworth receives a hero’s welcome from his sister’s neighbours.

One person, though, presents a source of vexation. Years earlier, Miss Anne Elliot had reneged on her promise to marry Wentworth, revealing a significant character flaw. Yet Anne’s unmarried state at the age of seven and twenty, her altered demeanour, and her resolute avoidance of Wentworth raise questions that gnaw at his composure.

In this Regency variation of Jane Austen’s Persuasion, the captain follows the advice of a respected new friend and re-examines the agonizing circumstances of his bitter break from Anne, reaching a novel conclusion. But before he can act upon his new resolve, a dire twist of fate threatens Anne’s life.

Genres: Romance, Regency

363 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 24, 2022

About the author

When not writing, Award-winning Regency romance author Kelly Miller spends her free time singing, playing the piano, reading, and amusing her dogs. Like a much loved Jane Austen character, she is an excellent walker.

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Her Austenesque Regency romances have won first place honors from: Chanticleer International Book Awards, Royal Dragonfly Book Awards, Indies Today Book Awards, Incipere Book Awards, and Firebird Book Awards.

Reviews

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am such a huge fan of author Kelly Miller’s Jane Austen variations. Her historical romances are so beautifully rendered, with period appropriate language, wonderfully researched settings, and characters and scenes that make each book a treat to relax with and savor. In this Persuasion variation, we follow Anne and Captain Wentworth through a retelling of their early history (which I enjoyed) and then to a big twist from the original novel, where Louisa falls and Anne is injured. I loved the mix of suspenseful scenes and slower paced ones. I also loved the appearance of Darcy and Elizabeth! Watching Anne and Captain Wentworth find their way to their happy ending was so rewarding and I love the way in Miller’s variations that many of the side characters find a way to grow into the best versions of themselves. For this avid romance reader, a happy ending is always welcome. Beautifully done!

[Sam H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have not read many Persuasion variations, but this story is the balm for JA's original and all the pain and angst it always puts me through.

I loved that it was mainly in Captain Wentworth's voice. We get to hear him process through his anger, bitterness to acknowledging he is still in love with Anne (Thank you Mr. Darcy!)

The lovely camaraderie between Sophia Croft, Elizabeth Darcy and Anne adds a great balance to a strongly masculine voice at the beginning of the book.

After the Lyme event and ODC come to an understanding, there was still more than half of the book to go. Somehow I knew the big bad/or just slightly insane (?) Elliot was going to be a problem.

This Wentworth was seriously swoon-worthy and the added gift of Anne's getting to a better understanding with her father was the cream on top of the cherries.

Well written, I found myself with a smile through much of it.

[Sheila Majczan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read and enjoyed all of Kelly's published stories.

The beginning of this variation is a rewriting of Jane Austen's story, basically, until we get to the accident on the Cobb in Bath. There, when Louisa Musgrove, falls off the steps she lands on and injures Anne Elliot. Anne is knocked unconscious and besides some cuts and bruises suffers injuries to her ribs, necessitating a time resting and not venturing forth. Louisa stays to tend to her and Frederick Wentworth also stays. At this point in the narrative he finally decides that he can no longer fight or try to deny his continued love for Anne after their 8 years apart and it is soon afterwards that the two reunite.

At this point in the story little angst has occurred and I was wondering what could happen as there was still half the book to read.

Fear not, my fine friends, the author soon brings the angst I love into the tale.

William Elliot has, as in canon, come back into the picture. Strangely, he sends disturbing vibes Anne's way, even as he seems to pay welcomed attentions to Elizabeth, her sister. Anne questions her doubts about him and rues the she has shared these opinions with Frederick.

What she doesn't know is that Frederick has decided to look into Mr. William Elliot's background on his own. This turn of events plays a big part in the rest of the story. I am not going to say anything further as it would spoil the tale for others.

There are few new characters in this variation. There is a Dr. Bartholomew who, not only consults about Anne's injuries, but also is called in when Mrs. Smith comes back into Anne's life. There is, also, the investigator hired by Frederick who not only presents his report but takes action to bring justice. We meet and get to know Frederick's brother also and his sister and her husband, Croft, are again present.

I enjoyed this story. It is well edited, which is always a pleasure added to the joy of reading a good story. I find it difficult to "highlight" anything other than one word on my Kindle, so, as I received as a gift the Kindle version which I could only send to my actual Kindle (as opposed to the Kindle app on my computer), I could not highlight any section until the story was released under KU and I opened that version on my computer.

I did receive this story as a gift with no strings attached. Thus I am freely leaving a review with only my opinions and views stated therein. I highly recommend this story. (Persuasion in my second favorite of JA's stories.)

[J. W. Garrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Love is hard to find, hard to keep, and hard to forget.” –Alysha Speer

>>Rating: clean
>>Angst Level: low-to-medium as the accident progressed and the reader was unsure of the outcome.
>>Source: I received an ARC [1-23-22] from Meryton Press with no expectations of a review. The views and opinions expressed are my own.
>>Recommendation: For the Persuasion lovers out there… this story has a new twist that will rock your world.

SPOILER ALERT: This review may contain *** SPOILERS ***

Persuasion has not been my favorite of Austen’s work. That position belongs to Pride and Prejudice and will always stand out as my favorite love story. I was pleasantly surprised when we had a crossover visit from P&P to Kellynch Hall. What a unique twist. Unfortunately, it drew me out of the story for a bit. Surprisingly, their presence seemed out of place and I was glad when they left the area. Go figure.

“Be careful that the decisions that you ‘make’ are not forging the chains that you cannot ‘unmake’ because those are the chains that will eventually ‘unmake’ you.” –Craig D. Lounsbrough

Our story followed closely the original story arc. The short prologue gave us a background of the connection between Anne and Wentworth. We then followed his return to Kellynch Hall eight years later. He was still bitter and hurt from what he perceived as her desertion and betrayal of his love and their betrothal. In that bitterness, he paid more attention to the Musgrove girls than was proper.

“Don’t get what is supposedly socially required or labeled as the right standard of love mixed up with what is true for you. Your true path to ecstasy is what sets the standard for what true love is for YOU. There’s a concept ‘Love in captivity.’ I’m for ‘Love in ecstasy.’” –Lebo Grand

The twist came at Lyme on the cobb when Louisa fell and it was Anne who was injured. This was so shocking. I was immediately gripped with the ramifications this new shift had in the storyline. Goodness, I was not prepared for Mary’s behavior… although, I should have known this was her personality. I wanted to shake her senseless. I don’t think it would have helped; she was already senseless. Sorry, I’m not very charitable toward her or her attitude at the moment. The other characters were wonderful and I loved them in their various appearances.

Everything changed from that point on and I like how the author brought all the players to their proper course. What fun. Again, not my favorite; however, I enjoyed watching Anne and her Captain Wentworth regain their love and devotion to each other.

[wosedwew · Rating 5 out of 5]

A merry heart is a good medicine; but a broken spirit drieth the bones. ~ Proverbs 17:22

Quote from the book: Why had Anne never married? Her father and Lady Russell must have introduced Anne to men of wealth and good lineage over the years. Had she never received another proposal?

“Captive Heart” is a variation on canon “Persuasion” with events seen through the eyes and emotions of Frederick Wentworth. The story closely follows the original until the visit to Lyme where Louisa’s foolishness takes a much different turn.

Familiar characters visit the Musgroves: the newlywed Mr. and Mrs. Darcy of Pemberley, Derbyshire.

Wentworth receives advice from a man who once made a similar mistake.

Quote from the book: “I wonder whether you have attempted to contemplate your past with this lady from her point of view.”

Go to your bosom;
Knock there, and ask your heart what it doth know...
~ William Shakespeare

Quote from the book: She possessed every attribute that would make her an exceptional wife and mother — except for her damnable lack of constancy.

Anne Elliot’s injury causes Wentworth to re-evaluate his negative opinions. Happy ending music starts to play. Interference comes from an unlikely source in Bath. Is Anne in danger?

I loved this new look at “Persuasion”. The author earns another 5 Stars!

Be the master of your fate, be the captain of your soul, but do not hesitate, should the chance befall you, to be the slave of your heart. ~ Robert Brault

I received a free copy of this book with no promise of a review.

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

"Before she had uttered a word, a grim intuition seized him; his hopes, dreams, and plans would be burnt to cinders." (quote from the book)

The title of this book is so apt...for Captain Wentworth's and Anne Elliot's hearts have been held captive for eight long years. Eight years of brooding and pain has Captain Wentworth fighting the pull of his heart towards Anne when he returns to visit his sister and her husband, Admiral Croft and Mrs. Sophie Croft, at Kellynch Hall.

"This would not do; he would not dwell on painful memories of the past." (quote from the book)

I found this variation from Captain Wentworth's point of view enlightening and very well written. It is so poignant and at times frustrating for how can he not see Anne's pain? Things follow canon to a point, except for a small but significant change at the beginning when Mr. and Mrs. Darcy visit the elder Musgroves, and a major twist in Lyme and another in Bath. I will admit to being surprised with how well done certain characters were portrayed or thoughts revealed that had me changing my opinion of them...Lady Russell to be exact. I definitely had a strong urge to boot Mary Musgrove in the derriere or at least have someone take her in hand and shake some sense into her. But that might be asking too much!

"Vainglory had disguised each instance of his recent foolishness, but this new insight elucidated every regrettable act." (quote from the book)

There was a subtle tension to the story that kept me captive throughout. The twists and turns that took place in Lyme and Bath were well executed. The chemistry between Anne and Frederick was everything it should be. But there is a reason Captain Wentworth was so successful...when he sets out to re-capture Anne's heart, nothing will stand in his way. He was a force to be reckoned with and I loved him for it!

I highly recommend this unique Persuasion variation. I was fortunate and thrilled to receive a promotional copy with no expectation for a review.

[Ree · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Sweet Persuasion Variation
I really enjoyed this Persuasion retelling, enticed with the addition of Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth Darcy. While their inclusion is brief, a question posed by Darcy to Wentworth has life altering consequences for the dear couple of this story.

I still disliked the characters I disliked in the original work, but there are redemptive qualities in some that were able to warm my heart a bit towards them.

The imagined love for others, a life-threatening accident and, the reckless deceit of a scoundrel, all add an element of angst to the story. The dialogue flows well and the endearing words of Anne and the Captain held back for years are at long last expressed to one another.

The writing is excellent as in all Kelly Miller books. It’s such a joy to read well-structured sentences and proper grammar. I highly recommend this book to Persuasion fans.

August 1, 2022 - Audiobook
Excellent narration and performance by a new-to-me narrator, Alan Aldsersley-Byrne. Very well done. If you loved this book,which I certainly did, you’ll also love the audiobook. Highly recommend.

[Sophia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A classic second chance romance is given a poignant, fresh look in this variation that tells Jane Austen’s Persuasion from Captain Wentworth’s point of view and puts a few new twists for reader to enjoy.

Captive Hearts opens with a sweet and romantic prologue full of young lovers and hope. Eight years later, the story continues when youth and hope are no longer to be had between the handsome naval officer and the gentle woman who ended their courtship. However, Captain Frederick Wentworth finds that his bitterness about the past is tested by his curiosity and reluctant interest when he visits his sister and her husband in Somersetshire and encounters Anne Elliot once again. Each new encounter breaks down his walls and a near-death experience might prove the catalyst to bring them a second chance if a capricious enemy and her family don’t separate them for good.

Paced out easy and covering bittersweet memories and moments with a lightness that I appreciated. I was rooting for this pair to get over the past pain and uncertainty because they really are perfect for one another. There are aspirers toward both Frederick and Anne, but I never felt they had serious rivals. The suspense caused by the villain built nicely and the climax part of the story was exciting though yes, this is a sweet and gentle historical romance for the most part.

I felt the author captured the tone of Austen’s story and was true to the time period, but still infused the tale with her own writing and plot elements. Frederick’s disappointment and bitterness as well as Anne’s regrets were not overblown and moved at a natural pace toward a new understanding, respect, and rekindled love.
I liked what she did to expand some characters and storylines from the original like with Louisa and Bennick and especially the surprising alteration to Anne’s father, Sir Walter. I loved that surprise toward the end. The Bow Street runner was a good side character and I have the urge to see him in his own book now.

And so, it was a grand story for a comfy coze, a solid tribute to Austen’s Persuasion, and most of all, a heartwarming swoony romance. I recommend it to those in the mood for a sweet historical romantic variation on a classic. No familiarity with the classic required though it does enhance the experience.

I rec’d an eARC from Meryton Press to read in exchange for an honest review.

[Meredith (Austenesque Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

What If Captain Wentworth Learned to Think of Anne’s Perspective

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Source: Gift from Publisher

TYPE OF NOVEL: Persuasion Variation

THE PREMISE: While externally enjoying the adulation and attention from his sister and her new neighbors, Captain Frederick Wentworth is preoccupied with the one person who seems to be avoidant and distant with him. The same one person who dealt him the most painful blow he has ever experienced. As much as he tries to fight it, he can’t seem to get Anne Elliot out of his mind or his heart…but is the same true for Anne…?

WHAT I LOVED:

- Wentworth POV: Yes! I loved seeing all these early scenes during Anne’s and Wentworth’s first encounters solely from Wentworth’s point-of-view. While spending time in Wentworth’s head, readers see all the little things he notices about Anne – how he spends time ruminating and interpreting her actions and thoughts, and how he is not at all as aloof or careless as he appears to be. I loved the conceit of Captain Wentworth being frustrated with Anne’s avoidance and lack of reaction and how that propels him to bask more in the attention of the Musgrove sisters and make some more resentful or pointed comments. It was interesting to witness all his internal challenges and feelings.

- Familiar Faces: I don’t want to spoil the surprise – because it was a delightful surprise for me. But the hospitable Musgroves welcome a visiting couple, and it was wonderful to see this couple interact with and become known to the Musgroves, the Crofts, Captain Wentworth, and Anne. I especially enjoyed witnessing the camaraderie that developed between Charles Musgrove, Captain Wentworth, and this gentleman and the support and affinity that grew between Mrs. Croft, Anne, and his lady. In addition, I enjoyed witnessing these two characters serve as a catalyst for some changes.

- Analyzing and Understanding Anne: With Captain Wentworth’s introspection and covert study of Anne, there comes some new revelations. Captain Wentworth realizes the errors in judgment and expectations he made in 1806, and new understanding dawns. Anne was not wrongfully persuaded to give him up. She was not weak. He was not yet worthy.

- The Crofts, Mrs. Smith, and Sir Walter: Persuasion is full of terrific secondary characters, and I really loved seeing what Kelly Miller did with some of them. The Crofts were as wonderful and supportive as always, Mrs. Smith’s future takes a few interesting turns, and Sir Walter has his own revelation of his past mistakes. All such inventive and gratifying new developments for these characters.

- Surprising Twists: I’ve already alluded to so many of the clever twists Ms. Miller implemented in this tale, but there are still more – including one involving the most famous scene in Persuasion! This change was a very exciting and startling new development. And I almost wished it had a bigger/longer impact. Such a change could have brought on some new conflicts or challenges. But instead things developed very smoothly and sweetly.

WHAT I WASN’T TOO FOND OF:

- The Middle: With our dear couple coming to an understanding after 120 pages and the next obstacle they face together being introduced around page 270, there was a lengthy middle to this story that didn’t seem to have a lot of action or purpose. The beginning and conclusion of this tale were full of such creativity, originality, and excitement. But I would characterize the middle 150 pages as an uneventful chapters where characters paid visits, news was shared, and daily “busy nothings” took place. I think with this story reaching a heightened climax so early in the overall arc, this lengthy middle felt a little out of proportion.

CONCLUSION: It is not every day that a talented Austenesque author looks to Jane Austen’s other novels and pens a variation that is equal parts perceptive and playful! Well done, Kelly Miller! Captive Hearts is a compelling and well-crafted tale that is sure to captivate many Austenesque/JAFF readers and admirers.

Austenesque Reviews

[Lali Love · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captive Hearts is an incredibly refined interpretation of Pride and Prejudice's unrealized potential. Author Miller has achieved excellence once again with another captivating novel! Her enthusiasm for Austen's work, combined with the insightful perception of character dynamics, has resulted in a delightful read for fans of period-style storytelling.

Author Miller's writing is one of my favorites, hence, I've recently become a fan of Jane Austen spin-offs. Her historical romances are exquisitely written, with period vernacular, meticulously researched settings, and scenes that make her books a joy to read and appreciate.

This novel will appeal to fans of Regency romance and is recommended for everyone. Bravo!

[Rita Deodato · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review Published at:
https://frompemberleytomilton.wordpre...

Captive Hearts is a sweet Persuasion variation where the path to second chances is easier and smoother. In this story Captain Wentworth returns to Anne Elliot’s life eight years after their separation, but he realizes much sooner than in the original story that he needs to fight for her. This realization will be the foundation of a low angst romance where love and trust are put to the test.

I found it surprising and curious that Mr. and Mrs. Darcy are visiting the Musgroves right in the beginning of the story and playing a somewhat important role in the development of the romance. I loved seeing these characters in the Persuasion setting, and especially seeing Mr. Darcy helping Captain Wentworth challenge his perceptions. We may even say that Mr. Darcy was responsible for the entire direction the tale took, which is a very interesting detail.

But the Darcy’s were not the major deviance from the original story in this book, Kelly Miller changed a very important element in the narrative when the characters are at Lyme, and I must say I absolutely loved this alteration! She altered a pivotal moment that changed the entire storyline, something we don’t usually see in Persuasion variations, which often struggle to deviate from the original. After that exciting change, the story progresses slowly with not much happening in the lives of the characters, and the pace seemed a little uneven in the middle of the book because of this lack of action. However, even though I was a little put off with the mundane events in the characters’ lives in the middle of the book, towards the end there is an unexpected twist that refocused my attention and pulled me back into the story, so the pace picked up again.

One aspect I really enjoyed in this book was Sir Elliot’s character. I loved the fact that he was not simply portrayed as a vain person, Kelly Miller gave him depth, and that made him more likable and appealing, definitely one of the best aspects of this story 😊

Summing up, Captive Hearts is a very sweet and very low angst novel that is perfect for Persuasion fans who like to see Anne and Captain Wentworth together early in the story. The book has some interesting details that make it unique such as the events that occur in Lyme, Sir Walter’s character and the Darcy’s and I recommend it to readers who love Austen’s Persuasion.

[Amanda Kai · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute treat for any Jane Austen fan! Kelly Miller’s retelling of Persuasion opened my eyes to the story from Captain Wentworth’s perspective and gave me a new appreciation for him. The narrative is beautifully told in a style that conveys the language and period of the Regency era. I loved that Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth from Pride and Prejudice had a featured role in the story. The plot starts out much the same as Austen’s novel, but a clever twist of fate sends the story in an unexpected direction. I was not expecting the plot complication that occurs in the final act, but it made for an exciting climax. If you love second-chance romance and seeing more of your favorite Persuasion characters, then give Captive Hearts a try!

[T.R. Hamby · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really great read! I’m a big P&P fan and this book hits the mark. It was great to see Anne and the Captain finally get back together after a rough past. And I really enjoyed the Darcy’s making an appearance.
I highly recommend this book. Such a tender love story.

[Helena Craggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply delightful

I adore Ms Miller’s P&P variations, and was intrigued to read her Persuasion retelling, and Captive Hearts was, in my opinion, one of her best yet. Sympathetically written, Miller takes this Austen novel and makes it her own. The relationship between Anne and Fredrick is beautifully done, and the plots twists have you turning the pages fervently. I loved the inclusion of the Darcy’s too—expertly done! An enchanting and sublime retelling of a wonderful Austen classic.

[E.P. Stavs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This artful reimagining of Austen's "Persuasion" is simply delightful. The first half stays fairly true to the original, only told from Captain Wentworth's perspective, a fact I absolutely LOVED. The constant fighting of his feelings, the LONGING. Gah, so good.

The second half of the story takes the concept of Mr. Elliott's relationship with Anne's family and spins it into an exciting conclusion, told in dual POV from both Anne and Wentworth. Overall, another great success from author Kelly Miller. Brava!

[CAS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing one

Kelly Miller has done it again in this amazing P&P Variation. I love her writing and her books on all of our P & P characters

OMG Swoon on Captain Wentworth, can he get any better.


I loved the second courting between him and Anne. As they made amends with the past and their quick engagement to not want to waste anymore time that they had already wasted with their years apart.

When you look at Annne's character in this book, it makes you wonder how she became some a thoughtful and considerate woman especially growing up with her two sisters. They couldn't be any different if they tried.

Mary who thought everyone should bow down to her needs and wait on her or be at her beck and call and used poor Anne for whatever she needed or her sister Elizabeth who appeared to never have anything nice to say.

I do love though how Anne and her father hashed out their relationship towards the end. Anne truly understood then her father's indifference towards her not that it was indifference but painful memories. Not that it made it better but that now she could understand and now move past to a better relationship in their future.

Then Anne having to go to Mr. Elliot's evil plan. He could have been successful if it wasn't for Captain Wentworth. I loved his devotion and his quick work of smashing the plan to pieces that could of destroyed Anne.

This was such an amazing story and I loved every single page. I can't wait for new stories to come so I can once again read the P & P characters told from Kelly's perspective. I love her story lines!

[MichelleH H · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book over a week ago and being kind of a crazy week did not review it right away, I'm sorry to say. Unlike some reads, the details have stuck with me and I get all the great feelings again when thinking about it. I know that just like all of Kelly Miller's books, I will want to reread this multiple times and eagerly look forward to the audio version.

All of my favorite reviewers have already written fantastic reviews and I can only add praise with mine. The twists in this Persuasion variation kept me turning pages to see what Miller was going to do with each familiar subplot next. The earlier-than-the-original-story-arc of Anne Elliot and Captain Wentworth coming together was beautifully satisfying. The angst in the story thereafter came from other sources and the tension of waiting for the 'other shoe to drop' was the chief source. There are some delightful changes in this variation from the original, most wonderfully Sir Walter Elliot. I love how Miller changed the lives of Mrs. Smith, Elizabeth Elliot and even Mrs. Clay. My favorite twist from the original was the advice Wentworth got from Mr Darcy!

I highly recommend this book as well as all of Kelly Miller's variations. I borrowed this through KU but will want a copy for my own library.

[Anya Pavelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off, the cover for Captive Hearts is gorgeous. We see hints of the main characters’ faces illuminated by the light. The fonts in the title capture the tension between the two characters, the tense space between their faces. Kelly Miller’s stories capture Austen’s mood without merely copying it. Miller usually writes Pride and Prejudice adaptations, but Captive Hearts is a rendition of Austen’s Persuasion. I read Persuasion decades ago and went into Captive Hearts with few specific memories of the original work.

Captive Hearts has a breathtaking amount of tension. The book ponders issues of regret, longing, and love. The aristocratic drama of the Regency period saturates every page. I highly recommend Captive Hearts for Austen fans and lovers of historical romance.

[Kimberly Mullins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it from the first paragraph. Kelly draws you into that word and you cannot wait to see what will happen to the characters. So romantic--I cared about what happened to each character--and loved how each got their happy ending. Such a lovely book.

[Richard Cezar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written!
I listened to the audio version of this book and was completely engaged by this wonderful adaptation of Jane Austin’s novel, ‘Persuasion’. Miller’s take on it grabbed me from the very beginning and held my interest throughout. Carefully woven characters and scenes made me feel I was actually there. I could relate to the story of a second chance at love in my own life.
This well-crated work shows how family and others can, and do, affect our relationships. I would recommend this book to anyone, not just those who are into Jane Austin.

[Danalynn Donovan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great period romance with twists and turns galore!

I enjoyed reading Captive Hearts so much! This was such a fun exploration of love and loss, forgiveness and healing, all wrapped up in a bygone era. Kelly does an expert job of capturing the language, mannerisms, and period clothing of the times. The scenes and settings were so well described and the dialogue so well written that you feel like you're there with the characters, walking around and witnessing their lives firsthand. I LOVED the lost and re-found romance between Anne and Frederick! Their emotional journey was both heartbreaking and inspirational. I was so happy when they were able to put their pasts behind them and move forward together. The inclusion of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth was such a fun surprise, and they didn't steal the spotlight or take away from the story, but really added to it!

The twists and turns throughout the story made this a highly enjoyable experience and kept me turning the pages. Kelly Miller is a master Austenian storyteller, and this variation does such a great job of exploring the "has been's" as well as the "what if's" in a new and refreshing way.
I look forward to reading more of Kelly's works!

HIGHLY RECOMMEND this wonderful book!

[Lubov Leonova · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyable classic romance

This novel is a unique blend of a sweet classic romance and bitterness of human tragedy.
From the first pages, it was very engaging. After the very first meeting of Anne and Fredrick, I kept guessing what happened to this couple and why the things unrolled in this way.

The novel itself has a slow pace, reflecting the style of classic novels. I enjoyed the descriptions of 18th century England landscapes with all the old streets, gardens, and traditional tea parties.
There are multiple side characters in this novel, and each of them help deepen the plot and show the main characters in the true light - with all their flaws and insecurities.

I admired a beautiful writing style which matches Jane Austen novels. I was pleasantly surprised to meet Mr. Darcy from ‘Persuasion’ and look at his character from a different angle. I recommend this book to all lovers of romance and history.

[Sherri Lupton Hollister · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captive Hearts A Persuasion Variation by Kelly Miller, Narrated by Alan Aldersley-Byrne
When I started listening to Captive Hearts, I’d just watched the Netflix Persuasion and at first found myself comparing the two. While Ms. Miller starts off with the traditional retelling of the familiar story, she adds her own interpretation, and I was fascinated when I neared the middle of the book to see it had taken on a more sinister twist. The added suspense and drama heightened the enjoyment of the story and gave it just enough of a different twist to make it unique while still holding onto the original premise of the story it was modeled after.
Ms. Miller’s ending was both refreshing and satisfying for any romance reader.
The narrator, Alan Aldersley-Byrne has the kind of voice one expects from a regency narrator, rich and cultured. His interpretation added a delightful richness to the story. He was a perfect addition to Captive Hearts and portrayed the characters admirably.

[A.C. Merkel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Miller has done it again. By it, I mean gotten me to enter the world of another regency romance novel that I had no prior experience of. Persuasion wasn’t even one I had really noticed.
With her Pride and Prejudice variants, I was at least sort of familiar with the images of the characters set forth by movies.

I loved Anne and Frederick. They felt so right. And all the settings made themselves manifest in my imagination. And the school friend Lucy! I may have giggled at the end of that plot thread. :swoon:

Sweet love for everyone and a touch of intrigue with one of the characters make this more than a simple romance. Fantastic work as usual. And I might even have to grab a copy of Persuasion now to see where the inspiration came from.

[Caron Pescatore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal!

OMG! I have been waiting with bated breath for this book! Ms. Kelly is one of my favorite authors; I have read and loved all her novels! Her other books are variations of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice; this book is her first variation of Persuasion, and it is just as delightful as I expected. 😊😊

Told from a perspective that gives insight into both Anne's and Captain Wentworth's thoughts and feelings, the story allowed me to gain a new appreciation for Frederick and his devotion to Ann. 🤗
At first, the book parallels Austen's Persuasion. Frederick and Ann fall in love, and their romance ends precipitously when Ann, taking the advice of her dear friend, Mrs. Russell, refuses Frederick's suit. Eight years later, Frederick and Ann reunite when he returns to the area to visit his sister and brother-in-law, who are tenants at Kellynch Hall. But before long, the author takes the story in an unexpected direction.

Ms. Kelly has a talent for taking the classic story and making it her own. Captive Hearts was no exception, as she adds unexpected twists and turns that give new depth to the tale. Overall, this is a phenomenal story that far surpassed my expectations! In my mind, it is even better than the original. I would love to see this version in a movie! Enjoy!

[Ann Perdew · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exciting new take on Jane Austen's classic.

Told in 3rd person, dual POV.

I loved the new perspective the author has developed through Frederick's eyes, and the insights that brought to his character. It fleshes out the story so well and adds a depth that works beautifully. If Jane were writing her stories today, I can thoroughly imagine this coming from her pen.

As a big fan of Austen's work, I'm slightly ashamed to admit that I actually enjoyed this adaptation more than I did the original. This is so much more than a character study, or even a reworking. It's a masterful example of taking a tale that two steps beyond what it is and breathing the freshest of new lives into it. In the end, we're given a classic style Regency, but where the romance, action, and unexpected twists drive the story to new heights of enjoyment.

A 5 star recommended read for fans of clean romance, historical fiction, and fans of Austen.

[Eve Koguce · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Captive Hearts” by Kelly Miller is an absolutely delightful “Persuasion” variation. In my opinion, among the author’s books “Captive Hearts” is the book that Jane Austen could have written herself. While reading, I was enchanted by the elegance of writing style, and I virtually could feel the stiffness of societal rules of that period. Kelly Miller has managed to convey the mood of the Regency era.

“Persuasion” is my second favourite Jane Austen novel. I’ve always liked it more than the more popular “Sense and Sensibility” or “Emma”. There was something special in the story of Miss Elliot and Captain Wentworth that drew me in and made me return to the book and reread it again and again. It’s possible that “Persuasion” is the reflection of Austen’s dreams that have never come true. She was twenty when she met a young man she – presumably, of course – fell in love with but couldn’t marry because of financial considerations of their families. And she was twenty-seven, like Anne Elliot, when she received the only known about marriage proposal. Maybe the love story of Anne and Frederick Wentworth was her secret dream, and she even accepted the marriage proposal from the man she didn’t love influenced by it. As if she thought that getting married would be a kind of revanche for the love match she was denied to make. She withdrew her acceptance, but who knows what initial impulse made her say yes.

“Captive Hearts” offers a more complete story of how Anne Elliot and Captain Wentworth broke up and then reunited again. It also draws more nuanced portraits of secondary characters. With her trademark style to add a bit of spice to the narrative – strictly within the limits of acceptable plotlines for the Regency era – Kelly Miller makes readers clutch their books or Kindles worrying about the characters’ well-being when an unexpected twist puts them in danger.

[Harmony Kent · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy, regency romance read with some suspense

Having read and enjoyed a few books by this author, I grabbed a copy of Captive Hearts as soon as I saw it.

As in this writer's previous books, wonderful humour and banter permeate the verbal interactions between the characters. Despite this, however, the characters felt flat for me and I struggled to connect or care. After a slow build on mild love-foiled-frought-emotions tension, the pacing fizzled out massively between roughly the 50% and 80% parts of the story, and then the tension really ramped up and turned this regency romance into somewhat of a thriller. At that point, I raced through the rest of the book. Added to this, overuse of exclamation marks distracted me time and again, as did the at-times confusing use of vague pronouns, which I've come across in Miller's previous works. This made for some interesting sentences, such as: 'Croft embraced Anne and greeted him with a hearty handshake.' For clarity, this could at least do with a comma between 'Anne' and 'and greeted'. Even better would be to replace 'him' with 'Wentworth' so the reader can take in the intended characters without having to stop and reread it to make sense of it--especially when a number of people occupy the scene at once.

This time around, I struggled to find pull quotes for the review as no lines struck me enough to stay with me or resonate in particular. All in all, I found this to be an easy read with some suspense toward the end. Captive Hearts gets a strong 3 stars from me. For fans of Jane Austen, regency romance, and historical romance in general, I would say go and read this book!

***

NOTE ON RATINGS: I consider a 3-star rating a positive review. Picky about which books I give 5 stars to, I reserve this highest rating for the stories I find stunning and which moved me.
5 STARS: IT WAS AMAZING! I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! — Highly Recommended.
4 STARS: I WOULD PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER — Go read this book.
3 STARS: IT WAS GOOD! — An okay read. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it.
2 STARS: I MAY HAVE LIKED A FEW THINGS —Lacking in some areas: writing, characterisation, and/or problematic plot lines.
1 STAR: NOT MY CUP OF TEA —Lots of issues with this book.

[Billy Buttons · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:
Title: Captive Heart
Author: Kelly Miller

Star Rating: 4 Stars
Number of Readers: 16
Stats
Editing: 8/10
Writing Style: 7/10
Content: 7/10
Cover: 3/5

Of the 16 readers:
12 would read another book by this author.
9 thought the cover was good or excellent.
16 felt it was easy to follow.
12 would recommend this book to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 5 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
Of all the readers, 7 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
Of all the readers, 4 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
10 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
12 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.

Readers’ Comments
“Fans of Jane Austen will get a lot from this book. It´s skilfully plotted, and the chemistry between Frederick and Anne is vibrant! Enjoyed it very much.” Female reader, aged 54
“Interesting story, the writing style reflecting the setting and time. I felt a few of the secondary characters were redundant to the plot, but it´s a very enjoyable novel. If you like historical novels, this might be for you.” Female reader, aged 39
“I did like this novel very much although the pace is slow and the Pride and Prejudice intrusion didn´t work for me. Jane Austen’s Persuasion is not her best novel, but I think this author did a fine job of putting over the historical setting and the complexity of the character.” Female reader, aged 47
“An interesting retelling with a twist. Loved it!” Male reader, aged 31
“A little romance, a little drama, Jane Austen fans will be in paradise!” Female reader, aged 67

To Sum It Up:
‘A skilfully plotted retelling of Jane Austen´s novel. A RED RIBBON WINNER AND HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards

[Charity Tober · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captive Hearts by Kelly Miller is a variation of the classic novel Persuasion by Jane Austen. The theme of the original story is still present in this one - taking a second chance at love and waiting for the right time for a relationship - but Ms. Miller presents the material is a fresh way that doesn’t feel like you are just reading the original story again.

The plot centers around Anne Elliott and Frederick Wentworth. The pair had a broken engagement eight years earlier and are now (in present time of the story) seeing each other again for the first time since their last meeting. The story is told in dual POV (from both Anne and Frederick’s eyes) and although readers know that both character’s feel at fault for their messy past of broken engagements and (seemingly) lost love, they both yearn for a second chance with each other. Thankfully, we only have to endure to about the halfway point of the book for confessed feelings and an end to the tortured angst of regret, but don’t think that this is an end to the building drama and challenges to the relationship. The second half of the book includes many trials and new (and old) faces that make both Anne and Frederick have to be strong and finish their journey to their own happily ever after.

I enjoyed reading Captive Hearts. I thought Ms. Miller did a good job of keeping with the regency/historical type writing style and tone, but also keeping the text smooth and easy to read. Both Anne and Frederick were well written and their love and emotional connection was very clear and easy to see through their thoughts, words, and actions.