Jane died an unmarried woman, which in her day was something disastrous. In my current modern-day America, married or unmarried didn’t matter much. But to be unloved…that was disastrous, and I’d spent so much of my time being unloved that I knew something had to change if I wanted a different ending from the one my once-hero author had. I had to stop believing her.
(from Lies Jane Austen Told Me)
Julie Wright’s Lies Jane Austen Told Me is a contemporary romance told from the first person point of view of Emma Pierce, a California-based marketing executive for a growing gym/lifestyle company, who is looking for love but mostly married to her work. When a weekend at her boyfriend Blake’s family home ends in disaster before it even begins, Emma is forced to rely on the kindness of her now-ex’s brother, Lucas, to make her way back home. A stop in a shady neighborhood on the way to the train station so Lucas can take care of some business has her believing the worst about him and churns up sad memories of her childhood.
When Emma’s company unexpectedly hires Lucas as a consultant, she is forced to travel to the East Coast with him to scope out new locations, and it’s not long before they grow close. Their similar upbringings and their fierce determination help them forge a bond, but Emma can’t reconcile this side of Lucas with the man she first met — and she can’t understand why he keeps trying to get her to forgive his brother and give their relationship another try. It’s almost as if her life is a modern-day Austen novel, but Emma can’t forgive Jane for making her believe heroes like Mr. Darcy really exist when such lofty expectations have always left her brokenhearted.
Lies Jane Austen Told Me is a cute book that touches on some tough topics like abandonment, homelessness, and addiction, but there is more than enough romance and humor to keep it from feeling too heavy. I liked getting to know Emma through the first person narrative, watching her make mistakes and later learn from them, and I felt as much in suspense as she was to see how it all played out. It was easy to see Austen’s influence on the plot and characters, from the strong main characters to their misunderstandings to the friendship between Emma and Silvia, who serves as Emma’s sounding board throughout much of the novel. There was a place toward the end where it felt like the drama between Emma and the brothers was a little dragged out, but the pace soon picked up again and the ending more than made up for it. I enjoyed watching Emma figure things out and find her way back to Jane.
****
Giveaway
Shadow Mountain Publishing is generously offering a paperback of Lies Jane Austen Told Me to one lucky reader. This giveaway is open to U.S. addresses only and will close on Friday, December 22, 2017. To enter, please leave a comment with your email address. I’d love to know what interests you most about this tale. The winner will be chosen randomly and announced in the comments section of this post. Good luck!
Disclosure: I received Lies Jane Austen Told Me from Shadow Mountain Publishing for review.
This sounds really good, Anna. I enjoy light fiction that has a little something more. Thank you for the giveaway opportunity.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Laura! I agree with you on the balance between light/weightier topics.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for the review. I love the cover! I had a double take when I realized it was not a total Regency cover. Well, I wonder whom Emma ends up with. It sounds humorous, although you did say some heavy issues but love the title. Thank you for the giveaway.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like the cover, too! Though it tackles some heavier issues, it remains lighthearted throughout.
LikeLike
Wonderful review. Great cover. Love the idea of Austen ish with a very unique twist! Thank you for the giveaway
Cherringtonmb at sbcglobal dot net
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Becky!
LikeLike
I’ve been wanting to read this one! I love modern retailing of any older story I am familiar with. I find it so fascinating how authors are able to do that!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wouldn’t say this is a straight retelling, but you can certainly see some resemblance to Austen’s novels. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
LikeLike
I am interested in this book because it really strikes a chord with me. So often we read about the “perfect” man in a book and over look the great guy in front of us. I would love to read this!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really think you will enjoy it then!
LikeLike
I really like the cover😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too!
LikeLike
I actually got this book at the library after waiting FOREVER for it to come in so I’ve read it already but I don’t own it. I LOVE the title. It drew me in the second I saw such a title existed in book form. And I love the idea of needing to “break up” with Jane. Very clever.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad to hear you enjoyed it! I thought that was clever as well.
LikeLike
I’ve had this on my to read list for awhile. I love anything Jane Austen. And Jane Austen re-tellings are among some of k favorite books.
LikeLike
You had me at ‘abandonment and homelessness,’ both of which I’ve experienced firsthand, as well as the disillusionment upon finding that men like Mr. Darcy don’t really exist when I was sure they should. I would love to read how Emma’s “fairy tale” ends.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope you enjoy Emma’s story!
LikeLike
I like the fact that it combines Jane Austen with modern day. I have been wanting to read this sooooo badly!!! Fingers crossed!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love modern-day Austen stories myself! Thanks for stopping by!
LikeLike
I love contemporary stories about Jane Austen in any capacity. I’m excited to read this one!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
LikeLike
I just love having any opportunity to return to anything that resembles the world of Jane Austen!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I couldn’t agree more!!
LikeLike
I like the concept of this book and the title (I mean, what modern-day woman who had an affinity for all things Austen wouldn’t think that). This book has been on my TBR list, too. Thanks for the chance to win this giveaway.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for stopping by!
LikeLike
I’d love to win this. I think I’ve read all of her books but this one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll have to check out her other books. Thanks for stopping by!
LikeLike
This book sounds awesome! Reminds me a little of Austenland, at least the general idea, and I loved that one!
Thanks for the chance!
sethdezAThotmailDOTcom
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is completely different, but I can see the similarities in the description. Hope you get a chance to read it!
LikeLike
Thanks to everyone who stopped by to check out my review!
The list randomizer has chosen Dezi A as the lucky winner. Congrats and happy reading! Dezi, please check your email.
LikeLike
This sounds like a good book.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really enjoyed it!
LikeLike