Review: Mr. Darcy Forever - Victoria Connelly

Estranged sisters Sarah and Mia Castle have spent a lifetime fighting over the men in their lives. They finally begin to make amends at the annual Jane Austen Festival in Bath, England. During the festival, the sisters realize that they can't bear to be apart. They discover that their sisterhood forms a bond stronger than their mutual connection as Jane Austen addicts. And in true Jane Austen fashion, they each begin to lose their hearts to dashing gentlemen.

Series: Austen Addicts #3, Genre: Jane Austen inspired fiction,  Pages: 320, Published: April 3, 2012, Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark, Source: For review

My thoughts:

The fact that I love Jane Austen inspired books is no secret. Little things that made me smile in this one was the mentioning about Austen Authors and 3 variations I do know well. It felt so real that way. The other thing is that I would sure love to visit the Jane Austen festival in Bath.

It's a part of the Austen Addicts series, but it's also a stand alone since it's all about new people and they have nothing do do with previous one. So no need to worry there.

And now to the story, here we have more the Sense and Sensibility theme. Two sisters, Sarah who has OCD and worries about her younger sister. Mia the younger one who is full of life and passion. Best of friends until something happens. Most of this book is therefore about the two of them, but they are not together. Both come to Bath for an Jane Austen Event and since there is romance, both might meet a dashing gentleman. A perfect Colonel Brandon and well I am not sure who the other one is, I guess Ferrars then.

We do not know drove them apart at first, it's a mystery that we learn more and more about. And it's so sad since they used to be so close. I also felt so sorry for Sarah because her sister at least understood her OCD and now she does not have anyone. While Mia seemed cheerful and so sad at the same time. So as I kept hoping they would find their way back I also wondered if that would be possible.

The romance is a bit fast, but in the spirit of JA and true love I am find with that. There should be HEAs and love at first sight (or second).

Conclusion:

I do not think I will ever get tired of books like this one. They are in my blood and they just make me happy.

Cover:

Eh

Review: Midnight in Austenland- Shannon Hale

Series: Austenland #1

Genre: Modern JA adaptation. mystery, romance

Pages: 288 (hardcover)

Published: Jan 2012

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Source: NetGalley

When Charlotte Kinder treats herself to a two-week vacation at Austenland, she happily leaves behind her ex-husband and his delightful new wife, her ever-grateful children, and all the rest of her real life in America. She dons a bonnet and stays at a country manor house that provides an immersive Austen experience, complete with gentleman actors who cater to the guests' Austen fantasies. 

Everyone at Pembrook Park is playing a role, but increasingly, Charlotte isn't sure where roles end and reality begins. And as the parlor games turn a little bit menacing, she finds she needs more than a good corset to keep herself safe. Is the brooding Mr. Mallery as sinister as he seems? What is Miss Gardenside's mysterious ailment? Was that an actual dead body in the secret attic room? And-perhaps of the most lasting importance-could the stirrings in Charlotte's heart be a sign of real-life love? 

My thoughts:

I have not read Austenland 1 so I do not know if all the characters there was in here, but anyway, it works well as a stand alone.

This one has Northanger Abbey vibes as the heroine Charlotte takes a mystery game every seriously and suddenly everything is wrong. What is fact and what is made-up. Austenland is suddenly very dark.

Who would not want to do what Charlotte does, I mean she stays for 2 weeks at a mansion pretending to be in 1816 and everyone there is playing this game too. I would love to is the answer. But Charlotte needs it after her ass of a husband left her. There are also romances for all those who join so fun fun. There are three gentleman residents, her brother (not really though), a colonel, and brooding Mr.Mallery. And what would Austenland be without a brooding man?

The mystery comes from a game the play, or is it a game? Then there is Miss Gardenside whom Charlotte recognizes and who is acting strange too. That is only the beginning as Charlotte tries to come to the bottom of this. And like Charlotte I had no idea where the little game they began started and ended.

One thing I was not that happy about though, and that was there were snippets from a year back, a couple of months back and so on. All about her failure of a marriage. I would rather just have stayed in Austenland.

Conclusion:

A nice little mystery romance.

Cover:

Fits

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My flash fiction