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Jane Austen's Formidables #3
The Dashwood Sisters Tell All
Following Jane Austen Ruined My Life and Mr. Darcy Broke My Heart , Beth Pattillo returns with her new novel. Inspired by Sense and Sensibility , The Dashwood Sisters Tell All follows two modern-day sisters as they set out on a walking tour of Jane Austen's England and uncover what might actually be Jane's long-lost diary. Ellen and Mimi Dodge have never been close, but their mother's dying wish sends them on a walking tour of Hampshire, England, that follows in the footsteps of Jane Austen. Their mother also left them something a diary that belonged to Jane's sister Cassandra. These pages shed light on the secrets that nearly tore the Austen sisters apart and inspired one of the greatest love stories of all time. They also bring Jane to life in a way that no one has ever seen through the eyes of her sister. As the Dodge sisters embark on their walking tour, they too are drawn together in ways they never expected. They also discover that Cassandra's diary holds secrets, and someone doesn't want Ellen and Mimi to discover the truth. As they stumble on their way toward love, the women learn how Jane and Cassandra Austen inspired the original Marianne and Elinor Dashwood and come to realize that despite their very different personalities, they are a vital part of each other's happy endings.
260 pages, Paperback
First published March 25, 2011
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August 21, 2011
Great fun - nourishing Jane Austen fans sense and romance readers sensibilities!
Following Jane Austen Ruined My Life (2009) and Mr. Darcy Broke My Heart (2010), Austenesque author Beth Pattillo presents the third book in the “Formidables Series,” The Dashwood Sisters Tell All. If you are wondering what “Formidables” are, besides being the thread that binds all three of these modern Jane Austen themed novels together, it is a clever play on Jane’s own stern moniker for herself and her sister Cassandra in their later years, and, the appropriately named secret society of devoted Janeites safekeeping Austen manuscripts and letters thought to have been destroyed ages ago. Each of the novels involves an American heroine (or in this case heroines) thrown into the investigation of Austen documents held (or wanted) by the society while she is visiting England. They are Jane Austen meets the Da Vinci Code; light-hearted mysteries/Austenalia/romances that have become one of my favorite light, bright and sparkly indulgences to loose myself in with a cup of tea and a little fantasy.
Inspired by Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, the plot of The Dashwood Sisters Tell All parallels many elements in Austen original story. Any Janeite worthy of their set of The Oxford Illustrated Jane Austen will recognize siblings Ellen and Mimi Dodge as Austen’s divergent protagonists Elinor and Marianne Dashwood. These two modern thirty-something Dashwood’s don’t have much in common personality wise, nor do they like each other very much, but to honor their mother’s dying wish they travel to England for a walking tour of Hampshire. Taking the Jane Austen pilgrimage to Steventon Rectory, Chawton Cottage, and the Chawton Great House, their journey concludes at her final resting place, Winchester Cathedral. Along the way they must decide where they want to scatter their mother’s ashes and what to do with a diary she gave them that may have been written by Jane’s sister Cassandra. Each of the sisters reacts differently to the realization that the diary may be authentic and valuable. Shallow and vain Mimi smells money to fund her desire to open a fashion boutique in New York City, and practical and stoic Ellen wants to read, understand and discover if the diary is indeed authentic and if they want to sell it.
Mysteriously, others in the tour group, especially the Jane Austen expert Mrs. Gwendolyn Parrot, seem to know who the sisters are and why they are there, even though they have not shared any of the details with her. Also popping back into Ellen’s life after fifteen years, and into the tour group is Daniel, her college heartthrob and the only man she has ever loved, even though he never knew it. He is now an antiques dealer and Ellen assumes that her mother also sent him on the tour to help her daughters with the diary, and rekindle the unrequited love that Ellen never pursued. On the other hand, Mimi who fails in and out of love as quickly as the changing fashion season immediately hooks up with another enigmatic gentleman on the tour, the hunky Ethan Blakemore, a descendant of Jane Austen who has recently inherited a local estate. Ellen secretly questions why a local would take a walking tour in his own backyard? Mimi doesn’t wonder anything about Ethan, except when he will propose.
As the sisters travel through the countryside following in Austen’s path, they also read the diary revealing secrets in Jane and her sister Cassandra’s relationship that so tested their love and friendship for each other that it nearly tore them apart forever. While Ellen and Mimi have their own Elinor and Marianne Dashwood romantic entanglements and disappointments, they are drawn together when they question if the plot in Sense and Sensibility is based on the author’s real life experiences, and others in their group who are part of the “Formidables” go to great lengths to prevent them from discovering the truth.
Anyone eager for a vacation from the usual Austenesque fare inspired by Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy will appreciate the creative, unique, and intriguing contemporary theme and snap this novel up without a second thought. Pattillo has the clever knack of combining a romantic contemporary tale with historical connections centered around Austen lore. The Dashwood Sisters Tell All nourishes Jane Austen fans senses, and romance readers sensibilities! Come for the Austen travelogue and get lost in the romance and adventure.
P.S. – we are still patiently awaiting the invitation to become a Formidable.
Laurel Ann, Austenprose
Following Jane Austen Ruined My Life (2009) and Mr. Darcy Broke My Heart (2010), Austenesque author Beth Pattillo presents the third book in the “Formidables Series,” The Dashwood Sisters Tell All. If you are wondering what “Formidables” are, besides being the thread that binds all three of these modern Jane Austen themed novels together, it is a clever play on Jane’s own stern moniker for herself and her sister Cassandra in their later years, and, the appropriately named secret society of devoted Janeites safekeeping Austen manuscripts and letters thought to have been destroyed ages ago. Each of the novels involves an American heroine (or in this case heroines) thrown into the investigation of Austen documents held (or wanted) by the society while she is visiting England. They are Jane Austen meets the Da Vinci Code; light-hearted mysteries/Austenalia/romances that have become one of my favorite light, bright and sparkly indulgences to loose myself in with a cup of tea and a little fantasy.
Inspired by Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, the plot of The Dashwood Sisters Tell All parallels many elements in Austen original story. Any Janeite worthy of their set of The Oxford Illustrated Jane Austen will recognize siblings Ellen and Mimi Dodge as Austen’s divergent protagonists Elinor and Marianne Dashwood. These two modern thirty-something Dashwood’s don’t have much in common personality wise, nor do they like each other very much, but to honor their mother’s dying wish they travel to England for a walking tour of Hampshire. Taking the Jane Austen pilgrimage to Steventon Rectory, Chawton Cottage, and the Chawton Great House, their journey concludes at her final resting place, Winchester Cathedral. Along the way they must decide where they want to scatter their mother’s ashes and what to do with a diary she gave them that may have been written by Jane’s sister Cassandra. Each of the sisters reacts differently to the realization that the diary may be authentic and valuable. Shallow and vain Mimi smells money to fund her desire to open a fashion boutique in New York City, and practical and stoic Ellen wants to read, understand and discover if the diary is indeed authentic and if they want to sell it.
Mysteriously, others in the tour group, especially the Jane Austen expert Mrs. Gwendolyn Parrot, seem to know who the sisters are and why they are there, even though they have not shared any of the details with her. Also popping back into Ellen’s life after fifteen years, and into the tour group is Daniel, her college heartthrob and the only man she has ever loved, even though he never knew it. He is now an antiques dealer and Ellen assumes that her mother also sent him on the tour to help her daughters with the diary, and rekindle the unrequited love that Ellen never pursued. On the other hand, Mimi who fails in and out of love as quickly as the changing fashion season immediately hooks up with another enigmatic gentleman on the tour, the hunky Ethan Blakemore, a descendant of Jane Austen who has recently inherited a local estate. Ellen secretly questions why a local would take a walking tour in his own backyard? Mimi doesn’t wonder anything about Ethan, except when he will propose.
As the sisters travel through the countryside following in Austen’s path, they also read the diary revealing secrets in Jane and her sister Cassandra’s relationship that so tested their love and friendship for each other that it nearly tore them apart forever. While Ellen and Mimi have their own Elinor and Marianne Dashwood romantic entanglements and disappointments, they are drawn together when they question if the plot in Sense and Sensibility is based on the author’s real life experiences, and others in their group who are part of the “Formidables” go to great lengths to prevent them from discovering the truth.
Anyone eager for a vacation from the usual Austenesque fare inspired by Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy will appreciate the creative, unique, and intriguing contemporary theme and snap this novel up without a second thought. Pattillo has the clever knack of combining a romantic contemporary tale with historical connections centered around Austen lore. The Dashwood Sisters Tell All nourishes Jane Austen fans senses, and romance readers sensibilities! Come for the Austen travelogue and get lost in the romance and adventure.
P.S. – we are still patiently awaiting the invitation to become a Formidable.
Laurel Ann, Austenprose
April 27, 2011
Beth Pattillo knows how to make me feel better in stressful times. The same happened while reading Mr Dracy Broke My Heart last year, I found relief and escapism in a well-written, all-delight modern Austenesque tale.
Beth Pattillo follows the same successful "recipe" she used for her previous work and the result is a delicious, tasty new novel, released at the beginning of this month and celebrating the bicentenary of Sense and Sensibility. What are the "ingredients" I recognized in The Dashwood Sisters Tell All? The double-layered narration: the present story of the American Dodge sisters and the 18th century story of the Austen sisters conveyed through a diary which the 21st century protagonists read, the mysterious "Formidables" protecting Jane Austen's reputation at all cost, beautiful English settings for very romantic love stories, dashing but very down-to-earth male heroes, fascinating very modern heroines and all of them are mixed with an Austen-can-do-magic wand. The result? A delightful modern fairy-tale with the familiar features of Sense and Sensibility.
The plot is in fact based on Elinor and Marianne's Dashwood's story but set in Hampshire, England, nowadays.
Ellen and Mimi Dodge have never been close, but their mother's dying wish sends them on a walking tour of Hampshire that follows in the footsteps of Jane Austen (Beth Pattillo went on the same pleasant errands while writing this book). Their mother also left them something: a mysterious diary that belonged to Jane's sister Cassandra. These private pages shed light on the secrets that nearly tore the Austen sisters apart and inspired one of the greatest love stories of all time.
As the Dodge sisters visit sites that were important to the Austen sisters, from Steventon Rectory to Chawton Great House to Winchester Cathedral, they are drawn together in ways they never expected. They also discover that Cassandra's diary holds clues that will ultimately lead them to Jane's own diary. But someone doesn't want the Dodge sisters to discover Jane's secrets and will stop at nothing to keep Ellen and Mimi from finding the truth.
There's an Edward/Elinor thread (Daniel and Ellen), a Willoughby/Marianne unfortunate encounter (Ethan and Mimi) and, of course, a Brandon/Marianne happy ending (Tom and Mimi), with none of the bittersweet closing of Sense and Sensibility (I've always thought that ending the least happy among Austen very gratifying six epilogues).
The story is told in a smart, convincing, amusing style with magic moments of romance and a bit of mystery. A great fun read. If you fancy something which is light and enjoyable and Austenesque, this is perfect for you.
Beth Pattillo follows the same successful "recipe" she used for her previous work and the result is a delicious, tasty new novel, released at the beginning of this month and celebrating the bicentenary of Sense and Sensibility. What are the "ingredients" I recognized in The Dashwood Sisters Tell All? The double-layered narration: the present story of the American Dodge sisters and the 18th century story of the Austen sisters conveyed through a diary which the 21st century protagonists read, the mysterious "Formidables" protecting Jane Austen's reputation at all cost, beautiful English settings for very romantic love stories, dashing but very down-to-earth male heroes, fascinating very modern heroines and all of them are mixed with an Austen-can-do-magic wand. The result? A delightful modern fairy-tale with the familiar features of Sense and Sensibility.
The plot is in fact based on Elinor and Marianne's Dashwood's story but set in Hampshire, England, nowadays.
Ellen and Mimi Dodge have never been close, but their mother's dying wish sends them on a walking tour of Hampshire that follows in the footsteps of Jane Austen (Beth Pattillo went on the same pleasant errands while writing this book). Their mother also left them something: a mysterious diary that belonged to Jane's sister Cassandra. These private pages shed light on the secrets that nearly tore the Austen sisters apart and inspired one of the greatest love stories of all time.
As the Dodge sisters visit sites that were important to the Austen sisters, from Steventon Rectory to Chawton Great House to Winchester Cathedral, they are drawn together in ways they never expected. They also discover that Cassandra's diary holds clues that will ultimately lead them to Jane's own diary. But someone doesn't want the Dodge sisters to discover Jane's secrets and will stop at nothing to keep Ellen and Mimi from finding the truth.
There's an Edward/Elinor thread (Daniel and Ellen), a Willoughby/Marianne unfortunate encounter (Ethan and Mimi) and, of course, a Brandon/Marianne happy ending (Tom and Mimi), with none of the bittersweet closing of Sense and Sensibility (I've always thought that ending the least happy among Austen very gratifying six epilogues).
The story is told in a smart, convincing, amusing style with magic moments of romance and a bit of mystery. A great fun read. If you fancy something which is light and enjoyable and Austenesque, this is perfect for you.
December 26, 2011
Ellen and Mimi Dodge are two sisters with personalities that do not mesh well together. Separated by several states, they've grown apart and their relationship has somewhat deteriorated over the years. But since it is their mother's last wish, Ellen and Mimi are traveling to England together to find an appropriate place to scatter their mother's ashes. Their mother, anticipating her death from cancer, prepared for her daughters to take a Jane Austen walking tour of Hampshire, England, which includes walks to Stevenson Rectory, Jane Austen's House Museum, and Winchester Cathedral. It was her greatest desire that her daughters would discover the greatness of Jane Austen and establish a strong sisterly bond. And so, Ellen and Mimi, neither of them Jane Austen fans, embark on this overseas adventure with very little enthusiasm or excitement, completely unaware of all the adventure, romance, and self-discovery that awaits them!
The Dashwood Sisters Tell All is the third book in Beth Pattillo's “Formidable” series. In previous books, our heroines have encountered members of the Formidables (a secret society of select Austen scholars that safely guard and conserve a massive collection of letters and documents that belonged to Jane Austen) and have unearthed the “secrets” of Jane Austen's life. In this tale, Ellen and Mimi find something that belongs to Cassandra Austen that discloses some unknown truths about her relationship with Jane.
To continue reading, go to: http://janeaustenreviews.blogspot.com...
The Dashwood Sisters Tell All is the third book in Beth Pattillo's “Formidable” series. In previous books, our heroines have encountered members of the Formidables (a secret society of select Austen scholars that safely guard and conserve a massive collection of letters and documents that belonged to Jane Austen) and have unearthed the “secrets” of Jane Austen's life. In this tale, Ellen and Mimi find something that belongs to Cassandra Austen that discloses some unknown truths about her relationship with Jane.
To continue reading, go to: http://janeaustenreviews.blogspot.com...
May 12, 2021
Un retelling moderno di Sense and Sensibility ambientato in Hampshire con due sorelle americane non più giovanissime, Ellen e Mimi Dodge, che si ritrovano a fare un ultimo viaggio per l'estremo saluto alla madre, che era un'appassionata di Jane Austen e che è morta dopo una lunga malattia. Solo Ellen si è occupata di lei a Dallas, Mimi era a tre stati di distanza, ad Atlanta, a inseguire un qualche suo sogno. Adesso le due sorelle devono spargere le sue ceneri - di nascosto, perché in teoria sarebbe vietato senza un'autorizzazione - in un qualche luogo collegato con Jane Austen. Per farlo, sono partite per un tour organizzato che toccherà diverse località tipicamente austeniane. Ellen riceve anche la sorpresa di ritrovare Daniel Edwards (Edward Ferrars), mandato da sua madre per vegliare su di lei e per portarle un suo ultimo lascito, in qualità di antiquario. Ellen era innamorata di Daniel fin dai tempi dell'università, ma lui era fidanzato con un'altra ragazza, con cui si è poi sposato e ha avuto due figlie, ma da cui ha di recente divorziato.
L'ultimo lascito di Mrs. Dodge si rivela essere un'autentica bomba a orologeria: il diario di Cassandra Austen, un diario che potrebbe valere moltissimo in quanto potrebbe rivelare molti dei segreti di Jane.
Mimi comincia a fare progetti: da sempre le piacerebbe aprire un negozio tutto suo a New York, e la vendita all'asta del diario le potrebbe fornire il capitale che le serve.
Mimi ha messo gli occhi addosso a un uomo piuttosto affascinante, Ethan Blakemore, che scopre essere un discendente di Jane Austen e collezionista di oggetti che possono essere collegati a lei. L'uomo abita in una casa piuttosto lussuosa a Deane, in cui ha una stanza che è quasi un museo. L'atteggiamento di Ethan nei confronti di Mimi è alquanto ambiguo; il lettore capisce subito che lui è Willoughby in questa storia.
Invece Mimi ha da subito affascinato la guida del tour, Tom Braddock, un ex ufficiale delle Forze Armate americane, che è andato a vivere in Inghilterra dopo la morte della moglie (il Colonnello Brandon).
Il carattere di Mimi mi è sembrato differente da quello di Marianne, in effetti e, a parte le dinamiche tra questi cinque personaggi, la storia non c'entra nulla con Sense and Sensibility, mentre invece si incentra soprattutto sul diario di Cassandra e sui misteri che vi sono contenuti, e sulla presenza dei Formidables, un gruppo di persone che compare in questa serie della Pattillo, fondato dalla stessa Cassandra Austen (gli Austen stessi si definivano The Formidables), che si occupa di preservare la privacy di Jane, custodendo suoi manoscritti, che possono essere delle lettere, dei diari, dei manoscritti originali dei suoi romanzi. Ciascun membro custodisce uno solo di questi tesori, e infatti nei due precedenti romanzi della serie (io ho letto solo il secondo, Mr. Darcy Broke My Heart) compaiono manoscritti diversi e Formidables diversi.
Dopo numerosi colpi di scena, la storia si conclude con un lieto fine à la Jane Austen, naturalmente.
Una storia davvero affascinante e molto originale, che mi ha fatto venir voglia di leggere quanto prima Jane Austen Ruined My Life.
L'ultimo lascito di Mrs. Dodge si rivela essere un'autentica bomba a orologeria: il diario di Cassandra Austen, un diario che potrebbe valere moltissimo in quanto potrebbe rivelare molti dei segreti di Jane.
Mimi comincia a fare progetti: da sempre le piacerebbe aprire un negozio tutto suo a New York, e la vendita all'asta del diario le potrebbe fornire il capitale che le serve.
Mimi ha messo gli occhi addosso a un uomo piuttosto affascinante, Ethan Blakemore, che scopre essere un discendente di Jane Austen e collezionista di oggetti che possono essere collegati a lei. L'uomo abita in una casa piuttosto lussuosa a Deane, in cui ha una stanza che è quasi un museo. L'atteggiamento di Ethan nei confronti di Mimi è alquanto ambiguo; il lettore capisce subito che lui è Willoughby in questa storia.
Invece Mimi ha da subito affascinato la guida del tour, Tom Braddock, un ex ufficiale delle Forze Armate americane, che è andato a vivere in Inghilterra dopo la morte della moglie (il Colonnello Brandon).
Il carattere di Mimi mi è sembrato differente da quello di Marianne, in effetti e, a parte le dinamiche tra questi cinque personaggi, la storia non c'entra nulla con Sense and Sensibility, mentre invece si incentra soprattutto sul diario di Cassandra e sui misteri che vi sono contenuti, e sulla presenza dei Formidables, un gruppo di persone che compare in questa serie della Pattillo, fondato dalla stessa Cassandra Austen (gli Austen stessi si definivano The Formidables), che si occupa di preservare la privacy di Jane, custodendo suoi manoscritti, che possono essere delle lettere, dei diari, dei manoscritti originali dei suoi romanzi. Ciascun membro custodisce uno solo di questi tesori, e infatti nei due precedenti romanzi della serie (io ho letto solo il secondo, Mr. Darcy Broke My Heart) compaiono manoscritti diversi e Formidables diversi.
Dopo numerosi colpi di scena, la storia si conclude con un lieto fine à la Jane Austen, naturalmente.
Una storia davvero affascinante e molto originale, che mi ha fatto venir voglia di leggere quanto prima Jane Austen Ruined My Life.
August 6, 2021
This is one of those stories I read before I retired and began reviewing every book I read. I do want to reread all those stories which I did not review but as time has slipped by and I haven't done so, I just want to mark all those stories as "read" so I have a record of the true number of books in the JAFF sub-genre I have read. I am using the average rating at this time as I do not remember how I rated this story back when I read it. If I ever get around to rereading it I will look at my rating to make sure it is true to my opinion. It was published in 2011 so that is most likely when I read it.
March 17, 2011
My Comments:
This was a treadmill book and I'm quickly coming to the conclusion that good treadmill books are easy reads with fast-moving plots--nothing I have to think about too much and something that makes me want to keep reading rather that to save it for tomorrow. The Dashwood Sisters Tell All fit the bill perfectly.
Ellen and Mimi are sisters. Ellen is practical, Mimi is not. Both are in their 30's and single. They don't hate each other, but there is always friction when they are together. Their mom is a great Jane Austen fan who always tried to interest them in her, and failed. When she dies, she makes them traveling to England on a Jane Austen tour to scatter her ashes a condition of them inheriting. This is the story of the trip.
When they get to England they learn that Ellen's first (and only) love is on the tour as well, and he has a gift for them from their mother--Cassandra Austen's diary. The sisters soon discover there is a mystery to be solved. Of course too, there is Daniel to deal with, and some other men on the tour (after all there are two sisters). Mrs. Parrot from Pattillo's other Jane Austen novels makes an appearance as well. (Read my review of Mr. Darcy Broke My Heart)
Pattillo does a great job (I guess because I've never been there) of describing the places they visited, and how they related to Jane and Cassandra Austen. She has clearly either done her research or is a very creative writer. As the book progresses, the sisters realize how universal the experience of sisterhood is--for good and for bad, and, as would be expected in a book published by Guideposts, everyone lives happily ever after, and the only bedroom scenes involve the sisters lying on the beds talking.
I'd like to thank publicist Maryann Palumbo for sending me a review copy of this book. Grade: B+
This was a treadmill book and I'm quickly coming to the conclusion that good treadmill books are easy reads with fast-moving plots--nothing I have to think about too much and something that makes me want to keep reading rather that to save it for tomorrow. The Dashwood Sisters Tell All fit the bill perfectly.
Ellen and Mimi are sisters. Ellen is practical, Mimi is not. Both are in their 30's and single. They don't hate each other, but there is always friction when they are together. Their mom is a great Jane Austen fan who always tried to interest them in her, and failed. When she dies, she makes them traveling to England on a Jane Austen tour to scatter her ashes a condition of them inheriting. This is the story of the trip.
When they get to England they learn that Ellen's first (and only) love is on the tour as well, and he has a gift for them from their mother--Cassandra Austen's diary. The sisters soon discover there is a mystery to be solved. Of course too, there is Daniel to deal with, and some other men on the tour (after all there are two sisters). Mrs. Parrot from Pattillo's other Jane Austen novels makes an appearance as well. (Read my review of Mr. Darcy Broke My Heart)
Pattillo does a great job (I guess because I've never been there) of describing the places they visited, and how they related to Jane and Cassandra Austen. She has clearly either done her research or is a very creative writer. As the book progresses, the sisters realize how universal the experience of sisterhood is--for good and for bad, and, as would be expected in a book published by Guideposts, everyone lives happily ever after, and the only bedroom scenes involve the sisters lying on the beds talking.
I'd like to thank publicist Maryann Palumbo for sending me a review copy of this book. Grade: B+
June 28, 2011
This was my first Austen inspired book so I had high expectations...but my thoughts are a bit mixed. Of course, it's fun to relive a beloved story; yet, the retelling is a bit too similar to the original for me. Obviously, set in the modern times gives it a new edge but I knew exactly what was going to happen the entire time I was reading - no fun! Ellen = Elinor, Mimi = Marianne, Colonel Tom = Colonel Brandon, Ethan = Willoughby, Daniel = Edward...and this is not at all a spoiler because the author blatantly models the modern characters after the originals - is this what all Austen-inspired books are like? Also, Austen's masterful romantic tension is absent in this novel...the relationships just didn't have as much depth.
If you don't mind basically rereading a contemporary Sense and Sensibility with a few tweaks, then I'm sure you'll really enjoy this novel. However, if you want the author to take a bit more creative license with the original story, I'm afraid you'll be disappointed with the book.
3/5 stars
If you don't mind basically rereading a contemporary Sense and Sensibility with a few tweaks, then I'm sure you'll really enjoy this novel. However, if you want the author to take a bit more creative license with the original story, I'm afraid you'll be disappointed with the book.
3/5 stars
July 5, 2016
A quick easy read. The premise was interesting, the Austen sisters' secret diaries, etc. It loosely follows Sense & Sensibility with the modern day sisters. It was nice to read about a DIFFERENT Austen book, for a change.
June 14, 2024
This is an easy read but with a predictable plot as from the start we are told that it is a Sense and Sensibility retelling in a way. So I think that kind of took away the fun part of figuring out who was the good guy and who wasn’t.
September 12, 2018
Could have added a ton more to the ending!
September 6, 2011
Ellen and Mimi are fulfilling their mother's last wish by embarking on a walking tour of Hampshire, England. Their mother was a Jane Austen fan and her dying wish was for her daughters to walk the countryside that Jane herself had lived in.
Ellen and Mimi have never been close. Ellen is the sensible sister and Mimi has always been the flighty sister. Neither woman has been lucky in love. Ellen feels that she has always had to clean up Mimi's romantic disasters and Ellen herself lost the love of her life while she was in college.
After arriving at their first hotel Ellen receives a package containing what appears to be the diary of Jane Austen's sister Cassandra. Shortly after that Daniel arrives on the scene. He is the only man that Ellen has ever loved. He is now divorced and his presence causes Ellen much stress.
Mimi in her usual fashion starts flirting with their tour guide Tom. She doesn't mean anything by it as he is way too old for her taste. She really falls for Ethan though and mistakenly tells him about Cassandra's diary. While the girls are studying the diary they soon find a sort of code in the words that Cassandra has written. It becomes obvious to them that Cassandra has left clues to a second hidden diary. One that could be worth much more than Cassandra's. When the diary disappears both girls have suspicions of who took it and for what reason.
What I enjoyed most about The Dashwood Sisters Tell All is the development of Ellen and Mimi's relationship. How it compared with Elinore and Marianne Dashwood's relationship in Sense and Sensibility and then to how it compared to even Jane and her sister Cassandra. I have really enjoyed reading Beth Pattillo's trips into Austen-land!
Ellen and Mimi have never been close. Ellen is the sensible sister and Mimi has always been the flighty sister. Neither woman has been lucky in love. Ellen feels that she has always had to clean up Mimi's romantic disasters and Ellen herself lost the love of her life while she was in college.
After arriving at their first hotel Ellen receives a package containing what appears to be the diary of Jane Austen's sister Cassandra. Shortly after that Daniel arrives on the scene. He is the only man that Ellen has ever loved. He is now divorced and his presence causes Ellen much stress.
Mimi in her usual fashion starts flirting with their tour guide Tom. She doesn't mean anything by it as he is way too old for her taste. She really falls for Ethan though and mistakenly tells him about Cassandra's diary. While the girls are studying the diary they soon find a sort of code in the words that Cassandra has written. It becomes obvious to them that Cassandra has left clues to a second hidden diary. One that could be worth much more than Cassandra's. When the diary disappears both girls have suspicions of who took it and for what reason.
What I enjoyed most about The Dashwood Sisters Tell All is the development of Ellen and Mimi's relationship. How it compared with Elinore and Marianne Dashwood's relationship in Sense and Sensibility and then to how it compared to even Jane and her sister Cassandra. I have really enjoyed reading Beth Pattillo's trips into Austen-land!
April 9, 2020
Firtly, all of the books I've read by Beth Pattillo I've read in a matter of days. They're very quick reads and the language definitely (in my opinion) classifies them as young adult books. The characters in all of her books are very...steriotypical and immature. The characters have a few traits that make them stand out but all of them are on the surface. Such as Ellen in "sensible" and Mimi is "fashionable" that's really all the character of them that we see.
While I do see some improvement in Beth's writing when it comes to humor and making dialogue more natural her plots need a lot of work. The "happenstances" that occur in the book are so unrealistic its offensive and dumb. People don't seem to have any motive to do what they do and their relationships are just too interconnected for the book to make sense.
Another thing that bugged me a bit was how inconsistent it was trying to figure out who the speaker was. It wasn't Mimi and Ellen switching off consistently every chapter and there was no indication over who was speaking so that got confusing- especially around the end it felt sloppier.
I guess overall this whole series is very sweet and a good rainy day romance book to read in a few hours but it's full of cliches that are almost a little cringe-worthy. I think a Jane Austen fan would appreciate it and I can definitely see improvements in her word choice and style as she goes along. But classifying all older sisters as serious and younger ones as rebellious and making them both fall in love in a week and all is very very cheesy.
While I do see some improvement in Beth's writing when it comes to humor and making dialogue more natural her plots need a lot of work. The "happenstances" that occur in the book are so unrealistic its offensive and dumb. People don't seem to have any motive to do what they do and their relationships are just too interconnected for the book to make sense.
Another thing that bugged me a bit was how inconsistent it was trying to figure out who the speaker was. It wasn't Mimi and Ellen switching off consistently every chapter and there was no indication over who was speaking so that got confusing- especially around the end it felt sloppier.
I guess overall this whole series is very sweet and a good rainy day romance book to read in a few hours but it's full of cliches that are almost a little cringe-worthy. I think a Jane Austen fan would appreciate it and I can definitely see improvements in her word choice and style as she goes along. But classifying all older sisters as serious and younger ones as rebellious and making them both fall in love in a week and all is very very cheesy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 23, 2013
The story of the Dodge sisters Ellen and Mimi is a light fun read. It is told alternately from Ellen’s point of view and Mimi’s. They are not close sisters by any stretch of the imagination and are only on the trip to England and on the Jane Austen tour because of their mother’s request looking for the perfect place to scatter her ashes. Their mother was an avid Jane Austen fan. The novel was amusing at times but certainly not in the calibre of Jane Austen. Good to amuse for an hour or so but fairly predictable.
February 4, 2015
2.25 stars.
This was a cute, easy-read of a book...definitely chick lit. I liked the sisters very much, and seeing their relationship change was great growth. However, most of this book was rushed or extremely unrealistic. All the twists just seemed silly, so I couldn't buy into anything that was being said.
This book is like eating candy ...it might make you happy in the moment, but you'll realize afterwards that there's nothing of substance.
This was a cute, easy-read of a book...definitely chick lit. I liked the sisters very much, and seeing their relationship change was great growth. However, most of this book was rushed or extremely unrealistic. All the twists just seemed silly, so I couldn't buy into anything that was being said.
This book is like eating candy ...it might make you happy in the moment, but you'll realize afterwards that there's nothing of substance.
October 31, 2015
Patillo found a formal and in this book wore it down to a nub. All enthusiasm I may have had for the first two dwindled away as I raced to read this book almost to get it over with. The characters were flat and stereotypical. The romance was cheesy and forced. Things got a little better in parts, but it was mostly predictable, especially if you have any knowledge of Sense and Sensibility. 1.5 stars.
November 26, 2012
A Modern Day novel, of the Dashwood Sisters from Sense and Sensibility. As much as I love Jane Austen, Sense & Sensibility, is not my favorite book.
That being said, this was a mysterious, romance, set on a Jane Austen walking touring, and it was ok. Unfortunately predictable. On the upside, it's a really quick read.
That being said, this was a mysterious, romance, set on a Jane Austen walking touring, and it was ok. Unfortunately predictable. On the upside, it's a really quick read.
January 14, 2014
Can't wait to read this next book in the series. I loved "Jane Austen ruined my life" and "Mr Darcy broke my heart!". Great stories and great covers.
April 26, 2016
A little bit predictable since it follows Sense and Sensibility, but such fun I didn't mind. This was my favorite book of hers so far.
August 25, 2017
Ellen Dodge lives in sensible stretch shorts and the cold hard reality that her true love married someone else ten years ago. Mimi Dodge lives in tight pink miniskirts and the arms of this week’s doomed romance. The sisters share nothing in common–except that they’re related of course.
When Ellen’s and Mimi’s Jane Austen obsessed mother dies and requests they spread her ashes in the English countryside, the sisters find themselves on an adventure that will either help them bond or drive the two even further apart.
A modern retelling of Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, I found THE DASHWOOD SISTERS TELL ALL a quick and enjoyable read. It centers on Ellen and Mimi’s journey, not only through the English countryside as part of a walking tour of Austen’s homeland, but also on their journey as sisters. Can they overcome their temperment differences and forge a close bond with all the family they have left–each other?
When I first began reading THE DASHWOOD SISTERS, I found the characters somewhat shallow, both in their personalities and their characterizations. I had just finished reading several incredibly written works and it took me a few chapters to adjust to the quick read, chick lit style of The Dashwood Sisters. However, once I did, I began to enjoy the story plot line very much. This is a fun read, not a deep read. Which, sometimes is just what a reader needs.
I appreciated the interesting facts about Jane Austen, her works and the area in which she grew up that I found scattered throughout the story. Recognizing cherished Sense and Sensibility characters in their modern day roles made me smile with delight. Brandon, Edward, and Willoughby all show up quickly in the book.
The mystery plotline that develops surrounding a very valuable diary drew me into the story. Was the plot completely realistic and believable? Not particularly, but with suspension of belief, it was still fun to read.
The romances in the book move extremely quickly. While Ellen’s and the incarnation of Edward’s relationship had the excuse that they were old college friends to build off of to make it more believable, Mimi’s relationship look shallow and desperate. Can one really fall in love with two different guys in a week? I suppose so. Should one? No, probably not.
One of my biggest problems with the book was the characterization of Mimi. Marianne Dashwood in Sense and Sensibility loves literature, deep thought and has extremely exacting intellectual standards when it comes to men. She grows by learning that having strong character is more important than sharing similar poetic interests. Yet, nothing about Marianne bespeaks desperation. In fact, she declares she would rather stay single if she cannot find the right one. Meanwhile, Mimi’s character is desperate for male attention, shallow in her dating requirements, and vapid in her interests. I ended up liking her anyway by the end of the book, but she does not just to Marianne’s true nature.
Recommendation: Overall, I appreciated the modern retelling of one of Jane Austen’s most beloved stories. The plotline drew me in and enjoyed watching the characters learn about themselves and grow. If you want an easy, Jane Austen inspired, chick lit read, this might be the book for you.
When Ellen’s and Mimi’s Jane Austen obsessed mother dies and requests they spread her ashes in the English countryside, the sisters find themselves on an adventure that will either help them bond or drive the two even further apart.
A modern retelling of Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, I found THE DASHWOOD SISTERS TELL ALL a quick and enjoyable read. It centers on Ellen and Mimi’s journey, not only through the English countryside as part of a walking tour of Austen’s homeland, but also on their journey as sisters. Can they overcome their temperment differences and forge a close bond with all the family they have left–each other?
When I first began reading THE DASHWOOD SISTERS, I found the characters somewhat shallow, both in their personalities and their characterizations. I had just finished reading several incredibly written works and it took me a few chapters to adjust to the quick read, chick lit style of The Dashwood Sisters. However, once I did, I began to enjoy the story plot line very much. This is a fun read, not a deep read. Which, sometimes is just what a reader needs.
I appreciated the interesting facts about Jane Austen, her works and the area in which she grew up that I found scattered throughout the story. Recognizing cherished Sense and Sensibility characters in their modern day roles made me smile with delight. Brandon, Edward, and Willoughby all show up quickly in the book.
The mystery plotline that develops surrounding a very valuable diary drew me into the story. Was the plot completely realistic and believable? Not particularly, but with suspension of belief, it was still fun to read.
The romances in the book move extremely quickly. While Ellen’s and the incarnation of Edward’s relationship had the excuse that they were old college friends to build off of to make it more believable, Mimi’s relationship look shallow and desperate. Can one really fall in love with two different guys in a week? I suppose so. Should one? No, probably not.
One of my biggest problems with the book was the characterization of Mimi. Marianne Dashwood in Sense and Sensibility loves literature, deep thought and has extremely exacting intellectual standards when it comes to men. She grows by learning that having strong character is more important than sharing similar poetic interests. Yet, nothing about Marianne bespeaks desperation. In fact, she declares she would rather stay single if she cannot find the right one. Meanwhile, Mimi’s character is desperate for male attention, shallow in her dating requirements, and vapid in her interests. I ended up liking her anyway by the end of the book, but she does not just to Marianne’s true nature.
Recommendation: Overall, I appreciated the modern retelling of one of Jane Austen’s most beloved stories. The plotline drew me in and enjoyed watching the characters learn about themselves and grow. If you want an easy, Jane Austen inspired, chick lit read, this might be the book for you.
November 12, 2016
OK, I was torn between 2 and 3 stars but decided to go with 3 because I did enjoy parts of it and it is a quick, light read. Certainly not the best Austen-inspired book I have read but not the worst.
My main issues with this are the female characters are soooo sterotypical and brainless in parts that it made me roll my eyes. My other huge issue is that the sisters keep saying their mother ruined them for real relationships because of her love of Austen novels. That she taught them to expect perfect, knight in shining armor men. Huh???? This could not make less sense. The men in the Austen novels are all flawed. Darcy and Elizabeth hate each other when they first meet because he is so insufferable, rude and proud (hello, the title pretty much spells it out). Pretty sure a man calling you "tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me" is not the stuff of which romantic dreams are made. Bingley breaks Jane's heart because he is such a pushover and lacks self-confidence. Knightley talks down to Emma and scolds her like a child (not that she doesn't sometimes deserve it). Edmund passes over Fanny who is perfect for him because his eye is caught by beautiful, scheming Mary. And these are just some examples. So how this author who claims to be an Austen expert can keep bringing this up baffles me.
Another issue is it is often difficult to tell who is speaking, which as a reader is very irritating.
My main issues with this are the female characters are soooo sterotypical and brainless in parts that it made me roll my eyes. My other huge issue is that the sisters keep saying their mother ruined them for real relationships because of her love of Austen novels. That she taught them to expect perfect, knight in shining armor men. Huh???? This could not make less sense. The men in the Austen novels are all flawed. Darcy and Elizabeth hate each other when they first meet because he is so insufferable, rude and proud (hello, the title pretty much spells it out). Pretty sure a man calling you "tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me" is not the stuff of which romantic dreams are made. Bingley breaks Jane's heart because he is such a pushover and lacks self-confidence. Knightley talks down to Emma and scolds her like a child (not that she doesn't sometimes deserve it). Edmund passes over Fanny who is perfect for him because his eye is caught by beautiful, scheming Mary. And these are just some examples. So how this author who claims to be an Austen expert can keep bringing this up baffles me.
Another issue is it is often difficult to tell who is speaking, which as a reader is very irritating.
August 24, 2017
My Recommendation: It's a light read to finish out the trilogy and it goes by quick. It's a pretty good modernization of Sense and Sensibility with some real life Austen fact and fiction sprinkled in. If you've read the first two in the trilogy you may as well finish it out. I finished it and had a goofy grin on my face, so it's worth that at least.
My Response: Another weekend, another great beach read! If you're keeping track, which only I am, that's three Jane Austen fan-fiction novels and one male-male romance novel. Talk about a great summer at the beach :-D
This is the third and final installment in Beth Pattillo's Adventures with Jane Austen and Her Legacy series, following Jane Austen Ruined My Life and Mr. Darcy Broke My Heart.
This felt like the weakest of the three books when it comes to narrative and characters, but I have to give Pattillo kudos for trying something new. Rather than focusing on one primary character and their voice/point-of-view, she split the book and moved back and forth between the characters Ellen and Mimi (not too much of a stretch from Elinor and Marianne am I right? - Pattillo nods to this).
Click here to continue reading on my blog The Oddness of Moving Things.
My Response: Another weekend, another great beach read! If you're keeping track, which only I am, that's three Jane Austen fan-fiction novels and one male-male romance novel. Talk about a great summer at the beach :-D
This is the third and final installment in Beth Pattillo's Adventures with Jane Austen and Her Legacy series, following Jane Austen Ruined My Life and Mr. Darcy Broke My Heart.
This felt like the weakest of the three books when it comes to narrative and characters, but I have to give Pattillo kudos for trying something new. Rather than focusing on one primary character and their voice/point-of-view, she split the book and moved back and forth between the characters Ellen and Mimi (not too much of a stretch from Elinor and Marianne am I right? - Pattillo nods to this).
Click here to continue reading on my blog The Oddness of Moving Things.
June 24, 2019
This is a light, fun read! I rated it 2 stars because it was so light! I wanted it to delve a bit deeper into one of the many elements (the sisters' relationship with each other, with their mother, or the mystery about the diary, or even the bit of romance between the ladies and gentlemen in this story). I found that it was spread too thin and as a result it didn't really hook me the way I had hoped that it would. I thought Pattillo's characterization was great, and that's probably why I was disappointed in the fact that it didn't go deep enough. I wanted to read more, and really see them unpack these bumps in their relationships.
This is a perfect read for someone who enjoyed Austen, but doesn't want to be sucked into the deep world of JAFF.
This is a perfect read for someone who enjoyed Austen, but doesn't want to be sucked into the deep world of JAFF.
December 18, 2022
found this to be a sweet read. Like the two previous books, the love of Jane Austen and her books is woven into a modern story. While this one has a couple of romance themes, the relationship between sisters Ellen and Mimi is the bigger draw. The sisters go to England on an Austen tour as a homage to their mother who has recently passed away. The reparation of the sisterly bond reads in a believable way and I grew to appreciate both sisters. The book draws heavily from Sense and Sensibility for the parallel love stories, but overall a satisfying read.
April 23, 2023
found this to be a sweet read. Like the two previous books, the love of Jane Austen and her books is woven into a modern story. While this one has a couple of romance themes, the relationship between sisters Ellen and Mimi is the bigger draw. The sisters go to England on an Austen tour as a homage to their mother who has recently passed away. The reparation of the sisterly bond reads in a believable way and I grew to appreciate both sisters. The book draws heavily from Sense and Sensibility for the parallel love stories, but overall a satisfying read.
May 16, 2017
This book was okay. Honestly, there was nothing truly significant about this modernization of Sense and Sensibility. It was pleasant to read, but it doesn't stand out.
I don't have a sister, but this didn't feel like a genuine story about two sisters that become closer and form a stronger bond. It felt too quick for me. I definitely think portions of the novel could have been expanded or even added to in order to make those emotional punches more meaningful.
I don't have a sister, but this didn't feel like a genuine story about two sisters that become closer and form a stronger bond. It felt too quick for me. I definitely think portions of the novel could have been expanded or even added to in order to make those emotional punches more meaningful.
August 28, 2017
I liked Ellen and Mimi's characters . I found Ethan an easy " villian". I didn't really feel like Ellen and Daniel really felt like were together even in the end . I liked how Tom was the under dog and that Mimi choses him . Really didn't find the whole Mrs . Parrot thing in the end believeable. There is more to that story that needed explaining , but it was more like " Hey surpise !" and as the reader I was suppose to be like " yup that makes sense" when it was totally out of no where.
March 1, 2017
This is by far my favorite Beth Patillo book I've read so far, probably because there was actually quite a happy ending and not much bitterness. In previous books I'd read by her, they left me wanting more sweetness, more gentleness, and I felt like this provided that. I quite enjoyed it, especially the relationship between the sisters, and how they both changed throughout the book.
5 stars.
5 stars.
May 15, 2017
I have read her other two Austen books and I think I liked this one the least. Although, I do enjoy the parallels between Ellen & Mimi to the Dashwood sisters with Daniel being Edward and Tom being the Captain. It was a sweet book and her imagery is wonderful to read, the story between the sisters was kinda dry for me but all ends well. Eh?
October 14, 2017
I obviously adore Jane Austen (how could you not), so I generally love reading adaptations to her works and while this one was "ok", I wouldn't choose it again. The positive of this book is that it's a super easy and quick read, so it's great for filling in gaps of time in waiting rooms or on a commute. I didn't really end up liking any of the characters though and found the plot to be "so so"
October 26, 2017
I'm spoiled by the real Jane. This was cute. For me to say there was "too much romance" is quite the statement. Frankly, the plot would have been more interesting if the author had just left out the relationship drama. The usual modern-day similarities to Austen characters (Tom=Colonel Brandon, Ethan=Wickham/Willoughby, etc.)
Quick read.
Quick read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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