Harriet: A Jane Austen Variation

by Alice McVeigh

Harriet is an intriguing and original "take" on Jane Austen's immortal Emma, by Publishers Weekly’s 2021 BookLife Prize Quarterfinalist, Alice McVeigh.


Emma, a privileged young heiress, decides to mentor Harriet Smith, a pretty boarding-school pupil, and to matchmake her as eligibly as she can… But how is she to guess that Harriet has a secret?

Meanwhile, the brilliant, penniless Jane Fairfax consents to a clandestine engagement with Frank Churchill – though not daring to confess, even to him, that she is being relentlessly pursued by her best friend’s husband.

Harriet sidelines Emma herself in favour of the ingenious Harriet and the fascinating Jane Fairfax. It is Emma – but an Emma with a surprisingly believable twist in its tail.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Fiction, Romance, Historical Romance, Regency, Ebooks

330 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 3, 2022

About the author

Alice McVeigh has been twice-published by Orion/Hachette in contemporary fiction, by UK's Unbound (using a pen name) in Kirkus-starred action adventure and by Warleigh Hall Press in her multi-award-winning Austenesque series (honoured at the last two London Book Fairs, in the 2024 and 2025 UK Selfies awards, twice finalists in FOREWORD INDIES' "Book of the Year" (2022, 2024) etc.

Alice achieved a B.Mus with distinction in performance at Jacobs Indiana University School of Music, and spent three years studying cello privately with William Pleeth, Jacqueline du Pre’s “cello daddy”. After that she freelanced with orchestras including the BBC Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic and Sir John Eliot Gardiner's Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique all over the UK, the EU, America and Asia.

In the 1990s, WHILE THE MUSIC LASTS and GHOST MUSIC were published by Orion/Hachette, to wonderful reviews. Both have since been revised, and are now available in new editions, from Smashwords as well as the author's website.
("Characters rise and fall to McVeigh's superbly controlled conductor's baton” – The Sunday Telegraph. “McVeigh succeeds in harmonising a supremely comic tone with much darker notes." - The Sunday Times.)

Her fifth Austenesque novel - MARIANNE - a new-release SENSE AND SENSBILITY SEQUEL - has so far received stellar reviews from FOREWORD INDIES, PUBLISHERS WEEKLY's BOOKLIFE, the US REVIEW OF BOOKS, SPR, the INDIEREADER, HISTORICAL FICTION COMPANY, etc. It has also won Gold in the Literary Global Book Awards (romance), the American Writing Awards (romance), and the the Coffee Pot Book Awards (literary).

The previous four have been BookLife Quarterfinalists, joint runners-up in Foreword Indies' "Book of the Year" and honoured in the final seven novels considered for the 2024 UK Selfies Book Awards at the London Book Fair.

Alice has long been married to Professor Simon McVeigh. The McVeighs have one daughter, currently working on a PhD-level Presidential Scholarship at Harvard in Chinese Literature.

When not writing or editing, Alice is likeliest to be smiting tennis balls at the Bromley Tennis Centre. (As her daughter remarked, when aged only four: "My mum hits the ball farther than anybody!")

Reviews

[Abby Rose · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ouch.



Okay, let me just be clear when I say a) I really, REALLY wanted to like this and I was so excited when I won this in a giveaway and b) on a technical (and strictly technical, I'm sorry) level I DON'T think McVeigh is a bad writer.

She can string a coherent sentence. I'll give her that.

Now that's out of the way, oh boy.



This book is horrible, just horrible, easily the worst Austen abomination I've read since Mansfield Parsonage, and I wish my brain could make it disappear from its memory. I don't merely dislike this book, I want to drop it into the fires of mount doom and watch it burn, baby, burn!!!!



Okay, but isn't this just a retelling of Emma from Harriet's POV? What could be amiss with that?

Well, first, McVeigh basically turns sweet Harriet into a conniving faker who honestly reminds me more of Mary Crawford from Mansfield Park than any character actually from the world of Emma.

I don't actually think I'm far off the mark here, either, I'd bet good money McVeigh is probably a rabid Crawford sympathizer, both from her bizarre choice to randomly bring Henry Crawford and Mrs. Rushworth into the Weymouth portions of this book (normally I'm pro-crossovers in Austen retellings but it really doesn't work in this one at all), and her weird near hatred of Anne de Bourgh from P&P (who is basically a rich Fanny Price in many ways) in her author note.

Second, there was so little actual new STORY to wring from reimagined two-faced bitchified Harriet, she had to make half the book about Jane Fairfax in a soap opera-esque plot so hackneyed even the writers of Degrassi would probably take a step back say "No one's that stupid".

Did I mention Mr. Dixon is now a borderline rapist trying to force himself on Jane?

Charming.

Also I saw at least one reviewer claim the Jane Fairfax portions of this book were better than the Aiken retelling. Well, that poor schmuck was clearly dropped on their head as a child.

Frankly:

Sadly, I haven't even mentioned the worst part yet.

There is a God-awful twist about Harriet's parentage so bad I had to read it twice to be sure I wasn't imagining it.

Here goes.

Mr. Knightley (the guy Harriet had a crush on at one point, mind you) is Harriet's FATHER.



Making Emma her future stepmom!



Ewwww.



And Knightley wants to keep it a secret forever!

The biggest problem with both the twists (Knightley being Harriet's FATHER and Harriet's amoral playing of Emma like a fiddle) is (apart from just being ewwy) rather than ADD something new, the way a good twist should, they take AWAY from the original.

One good example is Knightley dancing with Harriet when Elton snubbed her; the original is a sweet moment where a kind man feels sorry for a harmless girl, the twist makes this a bratty secretive girl being bailed out by a secret father.

If I loved the original "Emma" less, I might be able to forgive this sheetshow more...



Thank God I won this and didn't spend actual money on this awful book.

In my opinion, it's not worth a whole 99 cents (it's actually more than that now, but it was at 99 cents at the original time of this review).

And I realise I may well be the first reviewer to rate this lower than three stars let alone ONE, but, honestly...



Note: bonus drama for anyone curious about the comments under this review.

The author Alice McVeigh took strong offense to my review, in particular the fact that it contains a spoiler. My rebuttal that I in fact marked the review as having spoilers only seemed to infuriate her further; she insisted I had behaved unethically and also accused me of deleting comments in our conversation. This accusation was entirely false, and I'm unsure if she simply was having a glitch viewing comments on her end or if she was deliberately trying to make me look shady because she disliked my review.

As of the moment, I'm not seeing HER comments below, only my responses. I'm not certain if this means she has deleted them or if something else is going on with the site, but I've decided to leave mine up for the time being.

The thing is, I'm not trying to stir up trouble but I'd like potential readers/reviewers of her book to know she is not above attacking people who negatively react to the work. I know she claims it was only because of the spoiler but I find it incredibly hard to believe, had my review been enthusiastic rather than negative, she would have cared to the degree she evidently did.

Anywho, I don't intend to read/review any more of her books. So this will pretty much be it from me. I don't come on Goodreads to be told I'm an unethical person because I dislike a plot point in a BOOK.

I read an average of fifty books a year, one of them didn't HAVE to be this one: maybe a little gratitude would be nice.

Update 2024: Alice McVeigh is back in the comments and she wants mine removed.



Another 2024 update: she's deleted her comment again. Shocker.

But I would like to caution any potential reviewers of this author's work to be very, very careful as McVeigh can be extremely vindictive. I have reason to believe, even after all this time, she got Amazon reviews/community to strike my account because she disliked my review and the good folks of Goodreads obviously have enough sense to not forcibly remove this one on her entitled request.

[Sophia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Successfully debuting in the Austenesque world with Susan, Alice McVeigh continues to dazzle Austen lovers with a new retelling of Emma. Harriet sidelines that matchmaking lady and satisfies readers who ever wondered what two very different ladies were thinking as events transpired.

Miss Smith Makes Plans for Miss Woodhouse
“Mrs. Goddard said, “Harriet, I have delightful news for you.” Pg 7
Since a tender age, Harriet Smith had boarded at Mrs. Goddard’s school in Highbury. Parentage unknown, but in possession of a wealthy benefactor who makes her stay possible. Emerging into adulthood with no future beyond her home village, Harriet longs for the excitement and color of London that wealth and situation can bring. Harriet forms a long plan.
“In short, I believed there to be a vacancy – not for another governess, but for someone youthful and doe-eyed, submissive and easily led, to give the young mistress of Hartfield an object. And though supremely unqualified for the post – in that I was neither submissive nor easily led – I had faith in my powers to appear so.”pg 9

Highbury High Society Matchmaking
In point of fact, Harriet was clever and attached Emma’s companionship with entre to the rest of Highbury’s best society in hopes of finding a gentleman of wealth to marry and take her where she would wish to be. Why shouldn’t her venture bring success? Miss Woodhouse’s association has her visiting and dining with the highly eligible vicar of Highbury, Mr. Elton, and the most impressive gentleman she can imagine, Mr. Knightley, followed by the newcomer, Mr. Frank Churchill.
Any thoughts she has for the kind and comfortable and almost gentlemanly farmer, Mr. Robert Martin, are set aside as pleasant memories as she strides toward her goal with Miss Woodhouse’s matchmaking efforts aiding the cause. Emma is determined that Harriet disassociate herself with such people that she feels are beneath the friend of Miss Woodhouse.
Harriet can’t help but notice the lady’s woefully inadequate powers of observation about the people around her including Emma’s rival the enigmatic Miss Jane Fairfax and the flirting Mr. Frank Churchill. Most particularly, Harriet sees in the frequent visits of Mr. Knightley to Hartfield and Miss Woodhouse, Highbury’s highest ranking heiress, a vast deal more than the people in question. Mr. Knightley is Harriet’s ideal of the best of men and she can’t be imagining the connection they feel for one another, but she shouldn’t aim at the moon. Or should she… Miss Woodhouse is obviously not seeing her grand chance here.
Lessons Learned While Growing Up
Jane Fairfax is nothing like Harriet Smith save in her need for assistance in attaining the social sphere her family’s poverty has forced them to relinquish. Though living in London and being brought up as a lady alongside her dear friend, Miss Campbell, Jane did not forget what she owed to her widowed grandmother, garrulous spinster aunt, and the residents of Highbury.
“– I had a strong sense of obligation.” Pg 23
Her position is precarious especially when Miss Campbell is courted and accepts an offer of marriage from the dubious Mr. Dixon who makes it plain he hasn’t missed Jane’s beauty and assumes he can take liberties with his wife’s impoverished friend. The Campbell party journey to the sea shore and there Jane encounters the colorful personages of The Rushworths, Mr. Crawford, and especially, the charming Mr. Frank Churchill.
“The sweetness of that moment was beyond anything. I looked up, in wonder, in doubt, and what I saw… In short, I had imagined nothing, and exaggerated nothing, out of my own secret longing. Mr Churchill must care for me.” Pg 73

What Does Miss Fairfax’s Reserve Hide?
An unlikely romantic attachment grows between them, but Frank is beholden to his wealthy aunt for his inheritance and fears she would not approve of his courtship of Jane. Hence, after Miss Campbell’s wedding, Jane returns home to Highbury with secret engagement intact and Frank ventures there, too, in the guise of visiting his father. Frank’s skill at acting the part of an unattached man leads Jane to misery and doubt. Is this new disturbing behavior the truth or what formed between them in Weymouth? It might be best that she take the odious Mrs. Elton’s help in situating her as a governess.

The Tale of Two Orphan Opposites Was a Solid Entertainment
Harriet was an entertaining romp particularly when Harriet Smith is narrating. She is fascinating from the first pages and has a goodly amount of larceny mingled with good sense and goodness in her. Keen in her reading of people, she sees them for what they are and doesn’t miss if they possess a trait she can exploit. I enjoyed seeing her sometimes making the choice that benefits herself best as she maneuvers people, but she doesn’t sink utterly because at crucial moments she does what is best for others. I was amused that ultimately Harriet was sideswiped by her own potential courtship and a secret from her past.
Now, the Jane Fairfax perspective was no less engaging. She is made of different stuff and doesn’t leap off the page like Harriet, but chooses to involve herself with a rascally man who wreaks havoc on her feelings and still manages to charm her. Harriet wouldn’t have put up with such a situation just as Jane couldn’t have made Harriet’s plotting for worlds. Jane longs to have a friend to know her heart’s secrets and her spirit is most revealed through her musical talents of song and pianoforte. Frank is first captured by her musical magic. She is short on faults making her less interesting though I found her very worthy.

A Shining New Take on Emma
I appreciated the way Ms. McVeigh infused the Emma story with originality. There will be moments that cause some Austen-loving readers to pause and grow consternated because ‘so and so would never’ think, do, or say such and such’. Best to go in open-minded and appreciate what comes. I will confess to wanting a bit more of certain characters like Mr. Knightley teased out to understand how he came to feel attached to one lady while there seemed more evidence in the story that he was leaning toward another. The reader is treated to something sparkling and fresh that still honored Austen’s original style, plot, and most especially her beloved characters.
Whether one is new to Austen and simply fond of historical fiction or a long-time fan, Harriet can be enjoyed either way and one I encourage readers not to miss.

I rec'd an eARC through NetGalley to read in exchange for an honest review.

[James Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of reading an early copy of this Jane Austen variation. McVeigh truly channels Austen. My review: Harriet Smith and Jane Fairfax share the chapters in this meticulous adaptation of Austen’s Emma, but it is Harriet who carries the story away, perhaps chiefly because she has been raised from minor to major importance, equal to heroines Jane and Emma. No longer merely the pet project of Emma’s, Harriet—along with her deepest thoughts, dreams, perceptions—and misperceptions!—makes for an extraordinarily good time. Be assured that matchmaking and marriage endure in this Austenesque canvas, but the vibrant twists and pivots of Harriet will hold you entranced.

[Laura Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every once in a while I like to set aside my feminist leanings and just read a beautiful story. This time I chose Harriet by Alice McVeigh, a retelling of Jane Austen's Emma. The setting is the same as the original, nineteenth century Britain. There are dual narrators; the lovely, weak-constitutioned and musically gifted Jane Fairfax and the attractive, intelligent but manipulative Harriet Smith. Emma is much as Jane Austen painted her: beautiful, rich, spoiled, and flighty. She incorrectly imagines herself a talented match-maker. Each character in Harriet is flawed but mostly good intentioned and they prove themselves capable of personal growth.

There are several love stories here as well as a bit of scandal. Each storyline is carefully crafted and fully developed while highlighting the restricted life choices of women and the resulting social maneuverings. The story is replete with clever repartee in the language of the period which is often lacking in retellings. At times I forgot I wasn't reading the immortal Jane Austen herself! It is fitting that I finished reading Harriet (with a satisfied sigh) on Valentine's day.

Thank you to the author, Alice McVeigh, and Warleigh Hall Press for a complimentary copy of Harriet for my enjoyment and review.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are not enough Emma variations in the JAFF world and this lovely novel gives not only Harriet’s point of view, but Jane Fairfax’s as well. What a brilliant idea to make Harriet the real schemer. She’s a would-be social climber counting on her friendship with Emma to elevate her in society. She hopes to escape Highbury (and Mrs Goddard’s parlor) by marrying a gentleman. Though Harriet is manipulative, she is not mean, and actually comes to care about Emma’s happiness. I also think this Jane is much more sympathetic and I liked her story. I prefer her character here to the other Jane Fairfax that I’ve read by Joan Aiken. If you’re looking for a well written Emma retelling with a twist, then add this to your list. 4.5 stars, rounded up.

I received a complimentary ebook to review. A positive review was not required and all opinions are my own.

[Meredith (Austenesque Reviews) · Rating 3 out of 5]

What If Harriet Smith Only Pretended To Be Clueless?

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Source: Review Copy from Author

TYPE OF NOVEL: A Variation of Emma from the POVs of Harriet Smith and Jane Fairfax

THE PREMISE: Focusing on two secondary characters of Jane Austen’s Emma, this tale pivots back and forth to feature what these characters were experiencing, thinking, and doing during the timeline of Jane Austen’s novel. This version of Harriet Smith is privately ambitious and calculating, and this version of Jane Fairfax actually experiences some of the drama Emma speculates about…

WHAT I LOVED:

- Emma Spotlight: I love Highbury and all its charming inhabitants! I love that, just like with her first novel – Susan, Alice McVeigh shines a spotlight on some not-so-popular novels and characters. I think all of Jane Austen’s characters are worthy of having their stories told. And as much as I adore Elizabeth Bennet, Mary Bennet, and Georgiana Darcy, I’m happy to see some other women receive some attention.

- Character Deviation: I’ve read stories with a terrible Mr. Bennet, a “bad” Jane Bennet, and even a sympathetic Mary Crawford who wins our hearts, so I definitely don’t mind it when an author takes some artistic license and alters a character’s personality and history. Especially if it is handled plausibly and thoughtfully. I was really intrigued by the premise of Harriet putting on an act – that her sweetness and cluelessness were pretense. It changes her dynamic completely to think that she is artful, cunning, and using her relationship with Emma for her own gains. I was very eager to explore this new “hidden” and more complex side of Harriet Smith.

WHAT I HAVE MIXED FEELINGS ABOUT:

- Harriet’s Spotlight – But Shared: I was happy that Harriet was finally getting her own spotlight. But in actuality she didn’t. She is sharing it with Jane Fairfax. Even though the title suggests otherwise, this book is half Harriet’s story and half Jane’s. And I don’t know if the dual storyline (something I’m usually a fan of) worked so well in this situation. There is not much that connects these heroines and their storylines – other than that they occur at the same time and include some of the same events. It felt somewhat incongruous, and I would have loved for each to be their own separate works – which would have enabled the author to flesh out and develop these characters more.

- The Shocking Twist: Talk about an audible gasp! 😱 I didn’t see it coming and it is a really surprising and clever twist. While this revelation gave excellent shock value, it also gave a lot of heartache and felt a bit unresolved. I’m saddened to see the deception and omission agreed upon by these characters – especially since one of them exhibited some conflicting and disappointing developments already. But perhaps that was the author’s intent – to convey that everyone is flawed, even the people we admire and respect the most.

-Jane Fairfax’s Storyline: While I found Jane to be a much more likable heroine to follow in this story, it didn’t feel like her POV had anything really new to share. Even though we spent time with her, it didn’t feel like we got to know her any better than we previously did. There was some dramatic bits in the beginning about Mr. Dixon, but that just petered out and didn’t seem to have much effect any other change in her storyline. I wish we saw more development of Jane’s character make-up. It seems like every man was attracted to her because of her appearance, and we know she offers and possesses so much more.

WHAT I WASN’T TOO FOND OF:

- What Is Their Why?: It felt like there was some disconnect with understanding these characters and their motivations. Like with Harriet, I understand her ambitiousness and her desires – but it feels hard to root for her because we don’t feel an emotional connection to her. If we saw what is intrinsically driving her desires or tapped into her feelings on a deeper level, I feel I would have been able to connect and cheer for her more. Again, I don’t mind her character being altered, but I wish she was a heroine I felt empathy and admiration towards. In addition, I wish we gained more understanding about Jane’s and Frank’s feelings – their personalities are so dissimilar – what attracts them to each other? why does Jane put up with Frank’s behavior? – especially after she learns of who else holds her in regard…

CONCLUSION: This maybe feels like a very ambivalent review. I think while I admired the author’s creative ideas, unique focus, and thoughtful twists, I was a little less satisfied with some of the execution. However, these are just my own feelings. Other readers may be perfectly satisfied with Harriet, and find it to be everything they want it to be.

Austenesque Reviews

[Literary Redhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harriet
A Jane Austen Variation (Warleigh Hall Press Jane Austen Series)
by Alice McVeigh
BooksGoSocial
Out now.

Alice McVeigh has written a charming reimagining of two characters from Jane Austen's Emma: Harriet, the boarding school student whom Emma mentors, and Jane Fairfax, the orphan secretly engaged to Frank Churchill.

I just saw the 2020 movie adaptation of Emma., and when I read the synopsis and others' keen reviews of HARRIET, I knew I had to read it too.

Absolutely loved the depth and twists added to these two characters, brilliantly conceived and executed. Highly recommended for any Janeite wanting a unique treatment of one of Austen's most beloved books.

#Harriet #AliceMcVeigh #BooksGoSocial #NetGalley #VariationonAustensEmma
#historicalfictionnovel #HarrietandJaneFairfaxreimagined
#bookstagramcommunity

[Sandee · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a Jane Austen fan, I couldn't resist the urge to read this variation of Emma. The author does a good job of taking us into the stories of Harriet and Jane without hurting the story of Emma. I found the book to be humorous, light and fun. Chapters are told by one character or another while staying in the chronological format of the original. The only complaint I have is that the stories are told rather than shown. I prefer dialogue. But the stories are well told.

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

First thing first: This should be called Harriet and Jane, not Harriet. It switches between retelling the story of Emma from the eyes of Harriet, the lower-class and easily-led orphan Emma takes under her wing as a fun project, and Jane Fairfax, the bane of Emma's existence and stick which she fails to measure up to in the eyes of her brother -in-law. And thank God for the Jane chapters, because reading any more of the poisonous manipulative bitchery that were the Harriet chapters would have left an indelible mark on this Austen-lover's soul.

The Jane chapters really are very satisfying, because they serve as an extension of the novel, showing you what happens in the scenes and locations Emma doesn't go to, as well as meeting people Emma never meets (Mr. Dixon). The Mr. Dixon backstory actually goes a great way towards explaining a lot of Jane and Frank's goings-on in the original of Emma.

McVeigh also lifts whole swathes of dialogue direct from the original, and the seams between her own writing and Austen's are pretty subtle, which is a high compliment. Just as I started to get complacent and think I could live with Harriet's cruel judgements of Emma and Mr. Woodhouse, along comes BLASPHEMY:

How dare you take the romantic lead from one of literature's great couples and have him spend the book in love with someone else? The first almost-confession of feelings to Jane I could maybe have overlooked. When there's the second moment on horseback (when he's about three seconds away from engagement to Emma btw) felt like betrayal. And then... he's HARRIET'S FATHER!? No, no, no. Unacceptable.

Anyway, then ending was a disaster for me, and doesn't paint much promise for any of our characters. Knightley now married to Emma who he seemingly didn't love, and is weird ex-besties with his secret daughter of the same age as his new wife. And not telling Emma either. Harriet, who ends up with the guy she liked right from the beginning but it took learning that there are crowds in cities to decide love is more important than a house in the city? Jane, not disclosing the threat of assault from a man she's still sort of related to, and marrying a man who lives up to Austen's Knightley's criticism of him as irresolute and unworthy. And then Emma, living in the dark, having been puppeteered by a self-proclaimed Machiavelli in hand-me-downs.

Off to watch the 2020 Emma to repair the damage this has done (and ogle Bill Nighy's suits).

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

[Theresa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Even if this book is well written, ( I mean it would have to be using Jane Austen's framework) the amount my blood boiled pulled it down to a one. I cannot believe how many five star reviews this got.

When I saw this book I was super excited. I love Emma and I've always wanted to read any of Jane Austen's books from the view point of another character. If only that was what I got.

From practically page one I was screaming. How could anyone ruin Harriet that way? She took her from a sweet, naive girl to a conniving two faced schemer. If you hated Harriet so much why not just write your own book and write it about this girl who is not Harriet?

Of course if Harriet is a conniving wench then Emma has to be a vapid rich girl who cares for no one but her self and her freedoms. I know Emma has her faults but she was never mean spirited to be mean. She was alone with her father and heavily petted by Mrs Weston. She thinks like most upper class people.

I didn't even want to get to the Jane Fairifax part, but apparently her character would not be changed. Parts of her side story were greatly embellished for shock sake I have to guess.

Ugh.


Then the part where Harriet sets her hat at Mr. Knightley. What on earth could happen with that? This is basically the crux of when Emma starts to realize her feelings. Well. What ends up being true is somewhere between head shaking and sickening.


Well I guess I'll go back to wanting to read a book from the view of another character, because this was definitely not it.

[Judith Hale Everett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok, I’m a Jane Austen purist, so you must take that into account. That said, this book pulled me immediately in with its lovely prose—so few writers today have a grasp of true Austenesque language but this one does—and then proceeded to disappoint me with its clumsy characterization. I loved the scenes with Jane and Frank, and I enjoyed the development of their characters, but the unjust over-simplification of so many other characters just ruined it for me. Emma was stripped of all her inherent goodness and made to be entirely haughty and selfish, Mr. Woodhouse was reduced to a mere caricature of dullness and hypochondria, and Mr. Knightly, painted quite as kindly and manly as in the book, was subsequently made to be pathetic—how could such a good man stoop to marry such a proud and vain girl, no matter how “paternal” his feelings? I really did try to suspend my deep love for the original Emma and be open to possibilities but the re-imagined Harriet in this story was quite as horrid as the author made out Emma to be; she was toadying, disingenuous, and grasping, and I found her despicable. I honestly only finished the book because I enjoyed the language, and held out hope for the same lovely redemption as in the original story—but though it was attempted, it unfortunately fell quite flat in my opinion.

[Debby Sangiovanni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Could Have Been Better

IMHO this book would have been better had it been just about Harriet Smith as the title implies, and not alternated with Jane Fairfax's. Two separate books definitely would have been more enjoyable than jumping back and forth between the girls. I think another benefit to the separation would be a chance to really develop Jane as a character of her own since she hasn't a very big part in Emma.

[Hannah]

Dnf:

I’m only in the first chapter but it’s ruining Emma for me.

I think I’ll stick to the classics 👌

[Selah · Rating 1 out of 5]

I actually enjoyed this book quite a bit (3.5 stars) but discovering that the author rudely engages with negative reviews has discouraged me from reading her other Austen books.

[Lauralee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Harriet is a major supporting character in Jane Austen’s Emma. In the novel, Emma tries to pair Harriet up with the reverend John Elton. Mrs. McVeigh retells the story of Emma from Harriet’s perspective. Harriet Smith is a boarding school student who meets Emma, a rich heiress. Thus, Harriet allows Emma to matchmake her with a respectable gentleman.

In the original novel, I absolutely adored Harriet! She was a very beautiful person with a kind heart who was badly mistreated by the naive Emma. However, Harriet is very shrewd and cunning. She schemes to get what she wants and is the actual driving force in the novel. Therefore, I found it hard to associate with the original Harriet. I could not enjoy it because she was not the Harriet I came to know and love.

Overall, this novel is about first love, secrets, and ambitions. I did not find any of the characters to be close to Jane Austen except their names. I also didn’t like that half the story focused on Jane Fairfax. I thought her story should have been completely eliminated because it felt unnecessary. I also hated the reveal of Harriet’s father. This is truly what ruined the book for me. I believe even Jane Austen would agree with whom Mrs. McVeigh chose as Harriet’s father. Therefore, Harriet is not a faithful retelling of Jane Austen’s Emma. The only aspect I liked about the book was Mrs. McVeigh’s writing style. It is sad that I did not like this book as much because I enjoyed Mrs. McVeigh’s Susan immensely. This book would be interesting for readers that love to read all things Jane Austen. If you are like me who likes a mostly faithful retelling, I suggest you skip this book and read another Emma retelling instead!
(Note: I read an ARC copy of this book in courtesy of Netgalley.)

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harriet is a retelling of Austen's Emma, relating the events of that novel from the points of view of Harriet (Emma's protegee who is the subject of most of her matchmaking) and Jane Fairfax (Miss Bates's niece whom Emma has known - and somewhat disliked - since childhood).

Harriet and Jane have some similarities as characters: they are both limited by the accidents of their parentage and have a skeptical view of Emma that is apparently not shared by most of the local society. But they are very different women and their narration reflects that. Harriet, as presented in this novel, is a smart, canny striver, pretending stupidity in order to befriend Emma and put herself in the way of an advantageous marriage. Jane is more or less what she appears - talented but reserved - but she possesses a depth of emotion and, especially, observation not evident in the original novel.

Of course, the events of Emma are well-known to Austen fans. But the selection of narrators sheds light on dark corners of the story, and new light on already-bright ones, to entertaining and sometimes surprising effect. Harriet's characterization is a revelation, and her view of Highbury society is a welcome counterpoint to Emma's. Jane's chapters are more introspective, as she wrestles with the many emotions she seems to inspire and the few but deep emotions she herself feels. Together, they weave a nuanced portrayal of three young women coming of age, learning from each other, and finding love exactly as Austen intended.

I received this novel as an ARC from the author. Opinions are my own.

[Lori Sinsel Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jane Austin's "Emma" retold! This book was fantastic! Alice McVeigh did a wonderful job re-vamping and bringing to life characters that we all know from long ago. Jane Fairfax, Emma Woodhouse and Harriet Smith dance across the pages in this retelling.
This time around, Harriet, who becomes friends with Emma is a bit more cunning and pretends to play into Emma's hands, all the while knowing exactly what she is doing, and is anything but naive about it. Emma. os the one who seems to have her head in the sand most of the time, not recognizing what is right in front of her the whole time.
This novel captures the spirit of the decade, with descriptive passages setting the scene and transporting the reader back in time. I felt propelled into a different era, with all the glamour and glitter of high society of the victorian age.
I highly recommend to all classic fans, this book is excellent and will hold your interest throughout.
Thank you to Net Galley and Warleigh Hall Press for the free ARC, I am leaving my honest review in return.

[megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely retelling of Jane Austen's classic Emma, this book has a spin of telling the familiar tale from the points of view of Harriet Smith and the beloved Jane Fairfax. With a clever twist of making Harriet Smith an intelligent social climber rather than the ditzy friend of Emma Woodhouse, this was certainly an engaging version to read. In addition to being intrigued by Harriet's thought process and actions as she tries to manipulate her way into the marriage of a gentleman, I loved being able to see what exactly took place during Jane's stay at Weymouth and how her attachment to Frank Churchill formed. There are so many hidden scenes from the original that are given words in this retelling making it so much fun to read. And while I didn't love the twist at the end, it certainly didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book. McVeigh's prose also mirrored Austen's so well that I never felt jarred out of the story. I can see many Austen fans enjoying this in the future.

thank you to warleigh hall press and booksgosocial for the review copy!

[Anonymous 5]

I am always in search of a good Jane Austen variation and I definitely found it with Ms. McVeigh's Harriet. I haven't had the pleasure of reading her work before, but will certainly be looking out for more of her work in the future. This delightful variation on Emma gives us a look from Harriet and Jane Fairfax's point of view. How interesting to see Harriet as the schemer. She is trusting in her friendship with Emma to help elevate her in society and is looking to marry a gentleman in hopes of leaving Highbury. Jane's character was also brilliantly portrayed. We see both characters in a new light, but the essence of the original story is still intact. This was a very enjoyable and fun take on the original novel, with many lighthearted and fun moments and a bit of twist. I enjoyed it very much and wholeheartedly recommend for any Austen or Regency fan.
I received a complimentary copy via Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

[Tammy Buchli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just loved this book, with a perfectly Jane Fairfax-ish but beautifully fleshed-out Jane Fairfax, and an almost Becky Sharp-ish (without the psychopathy) Harriet Smith. Very well written with only a single anachronism that I noted, my only complaint is that I didn’t realize it was the second in a series. I’m a bit obsessive about reading series in order, but by the time I realized I’d missed the first book, I was too far into the second to be willing to put it down. In any case, it read fine as a stand-alone. That said, I’m moving immediately to Susan (first in the series) and already looking forward to reading the rest as they are released.

Thanks to Net Galley for providing an ARC copy for my review.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a Jane Austen so was really excited to receive a copy of Harriet in exchange for my honest review.
Alice McVeigh focuses on the characters of Harriet Smith and Jane Fairfax from Austen’s Emma. Ms. McVeigh has captured the essence of Jane Austen's work by giving us the story of the more background characters. This book brings them to life and develops their stories and personalities and give the reader a new dimension to the characters in a beloved book.

[Kimbelle Pease · Rating 4 out of 5]

The premise of this book is unique and most interesting! What I was not expecting was that half of the book to be also from Jane Fairfax's perspective. Both were woven in detail and done very well, and I enjoyed reading this mostly because there was little enough of Emma herself to make her an amusement! What a great tale, Alice!

[Bridget's Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

This came to me as a GoodReads giveaway. As a lover of Austen, I was interested to read this book. I approached it with the same hesitation that I always approach retelling with. However, I was pleasantly surprised. I really enjoyed Mrs. McVeigh's take on Harriet's character. All in all, I would recommend to Austen fans.

[Chris Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

New and innovative, but still with the feel of Austen's work, Harriet was a fresh and compelling variation of the classic. The author has a fantastic writing style with perfect pace and dialog. For me, this book was a page-turner, I loved this new point of view and was absolutely immersed in Harriet's world. Well done!

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read!

[Stacey Stearns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book, what a delightful read. I'm looking forward to more of her work.

[Joanne Micciolo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I totally enjoyed this perspective on Jane Austen’s Emma. Highly recommend!!!

[Laura Nielsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the amazing things about Jane Austen’s works (and the works of other great authors) is the way even secondary characters feel so real, each with a full story to tell if the author chose to tell it. Due to Jane Austen’s popularity, there have been many modern authors eager to try their hands at telling more of the backstory of her most popular characters or to speculate on how they would have behaved had they been modern men and women somehow transported back to the regency era.
Alice McVeigh has done something different. She takes secondary characters and makes them the stars of her story while keeping them firmly in Austen’s time and place. In Harriet, she examines two women from Jane Austen’s Emma. First, she looks at Emma’s protegee, Harriet. Was Harriet really the simple, biddable creature Emma took her for? Or did she have a perfectly functioning brain of her own, looking out for her own interests, while beating Emma at her own game (in the kindest way possible.)
And what about talented but mousy Jane Fairfax? What could possibly have induced such a proper young woman to enter into a secret engagement with Frank Churchill? Surely Jane had her own desires and goals, and didn’t exist simply as a foil to Emma! McVeigh presents very believable and sympathetic motivations for all of Jane’s actions.
All of the characters think and act as products of their own time. They never do anything simply because that’s what the modern reader or author would have done. Austen told her stories entirely from the point of view of women; she never presumed to know how men acted when no women were around. McVeigh follows this convention, although she manages to tell us a great deal about the men in the story. And she does all of this within the framework of a very well known story! I felt that I had slipped into the novel Emma, but with a lot of extra scenes and details which I thoroughly enjoyed.
We always look at friends differently from strangers. McVeigh turned Harriet and Jane into friends. She had me sympathizing with them and rooting for them. While I’m still convinced that Mrs. Elton was a vain, conceited woman, if McVeigh writes a book entitled Augusta, I will expect to find myself sympathizing with Augusta Elton as well!
I highly recommend this book.

[Shradha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most variations of Jane Austen's "Emma" tend to focus on three main characters, the well-meaning yet self-righteous Emma, the stern and chivalric Mr. Knightley, or the kind and reserved Jane Fairfax. While Alice McVeigh indulges the Jane Fairfax lovers, where she stands out from the crowd is in her exploration of the less popular character of wide-eyed and impressionable Harriet Smith. In McVeigh's version, Harriet is no submissive ingenue; rather, she matches wits with Emma herself, manipulating opinion and circumstance in her quest to climb the Regency social ladder. How she does this forms much of the appeal of "Harriet."

I love retellings that do the job of the genre: providing a unique, alternate take on a familiar story. We have seen "Pride and Prejudice" numerous times from the perspectives of Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, and I have already mentioned some of the most common variants of "Emma." But using the same characters, popular works, and tropes can make even a retelling stale. In my opinion, McVeigh avoids this by tackling one of Jane Austen's familiar yet still less popular works from the perspective of an overlooked character, in this case, Harriet. Her perspective was a delight to read through, and it reminded me a bit of Becky Sharp and Moll Flanders from "Vanity Fair" and "Moll Flanders" respectively.

Miss Jane Fairfax's perspective was a little bit less engrossing, but still enjoyable to read. I think just seeing so many authors and fanfiction writers try to tackle her perspective of the events of the novel kind of numbed my approach to those sections, making them harder to get through. There was nothing objectively wrong with it...I just have seen it too many times before. That being said, for a Jane Austen lover who has not been exposed to that perspective of "Emma" before, it does capture the elegance and charm of the Regency period for literature lovers, which is why it did not impact my overall rating.

Thank you to ReaderViews and the author for allowing me to read a free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Bookish Mom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love Alice McVeigh’s writing and this book is no exception! A wonderful variation of Jane Austen’s Emma as told from the view points of both Harriet Smith and Jane Fairfax. Like many, I am a fan of Jane Austen, but sometimes I do wonder what a story or character would look like from another viewpoint. That’s why I love what McVeigh does with her writing. Her variations take characters that normally don’t have much depth or background and give them such life! It’s almost hard for me to believe that Harriet is anything other than how she is perceived in this book.
I also love getting to experience the initial relationship and proposal of Frank Churchill and Jane Fairfax. Having a solid background to their relationship (and how Mr. Dixon might play into it) gives Jane more depth and strength. She’s is more easily relatable and likable.
All of this, plus the added glimpses and inner turmoil over Robert Martin really make this story shine. It is also so much fun to find all the hidden Easter eggs that the author adds in from other Austen novels. Big fan of this reimagined Harriet! I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.