Received a prepublication copy of this book from NetGalley. An interesting spin on the use of Jane Austen characters in a modern tale. The book moves from an entirely modern setting to a modern day Regency adventure and then back again. The main character and her love interest add the element of romance but the diverse range of minor characters also add greatly to the tale. I suspect this book will be more appealing to those who who are familiar with the Austen novels. A good, light read and I will read more books by the same author in future if the opportunity arises.

I read The Bronte Plot last year and really enjoyed it, so it made sense to give The Austen Escape a try, and it did not disappoint.

Katherine Reay writes novels about American's who love English Literature. As the title may give away, this one is about all things Jane Austen.

Mary is an engineer for a start up company called WATT, she loves her job and she's in love with a colleague Nathan who never seems to look at her that way. On top of that she's beginning to fear that the new hardcore CEO Karen is going to fire her. Unrequited love and fear of losing her job come to a head when her latest project becomes a failure and she snatches up the opportunity to visit Bath, England with her friend Isabel who is writing her dissertation on Austen's novels. Cue adults playing dress up at an old regency style house and many shenanigans going down.

But things take a sinister turn as well and then a very unexpected one. The plot twist is cleverly laid out. One of those that makes you go 'doh!' For not realising it was obvious what was going on all along.

The novel is well written, it's very light and fun, it's not by any means a serious book but that doesn't stop it from being enjoyable. Sometimes light and fun is exactly what a reader needs! I love the play on the historical literature in a modern day setting as well and it's definitely inspired me further to visit Bath! Another lovely read from author Katherine Reay.

Mary Davies is an engineer for a start-up tech company that is growing rapidly, and experiencing some not-so-great growing pains. Mary's future there feels uncertain, as the new hire in charge of growing the company doesn't appreciate Mary or her methods. Mary's childhood friend, Isabel, has invited Mary to accompany her on a trip to England, where they'll escape into Jane Austen's world together as part of Isabel's thesis. Initially, Mary refuses, but the uncertainty at work, along with a confusing potential relationship leads her to accept the invitation. Once they've arrived, complications arise, and Mary is left reeling and caught in the middle of helping her friend and making decisions about her own life, relationships, and future.

I must confess that I am not a Jane Austen fan. And yet, I cannot help but pick up every one of Katherine Reay's Austen books. And I cannot help but enjoy them, even though I am certain that they would feel even richer if I were to understand the background and references that are so tidily woven into them. This book, in particular, drew me in with its female engineer as the main character. I am not an electrical-gizmo type engineer, but I am mathematically and scientifically minded. I enjoyed watching the character's academic and practical nature contrast with her romantic inclinations and how she tied her memories of her past with her inventions and dreams for the future.

The relationship with Isabel was complicated, and could have served as its own story, but the pressures there, and the hurts that hadn't healed, all served to develop Mary's character and to help her to see herself as she should. Additionally, the relationship with Nathan wasn't as fleshed out as it could have been, but that wasn't the purpose of the book. Instead, Mary learned to deal with her past, and to realize how to make her future richer and to include the people around her to enable it to be so.

I give this book 4 stars. I always hesitate to pick up these Austen books, because I feel like I'm doing them a disservice, having not read Austen herself, and yet I am never disappointed.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.

This book didn't resonate with me like I thought it would. Maybe the stakes weren't high enough. I did like the tender relationship Mary had with her father, but nothing else in the novel captivated me.

Another outstanding book by such an exceptional author, I devoured this book in a day it was that good! I love how the author loves Austen but creates her own unique story lines that are interesting and witty. I loved how the characters developed over the book and how the author developed the secondary characters as well which I always appreciate.
Another outstanding read that I highly recommend!