I would not consider myself a Jane Austen fan, not having read many of her books, so I’m sure a lot of this book was under-appreciated. The storyline was an interesting one, some parts were really good, others fell kind of flat and I just didn’t relate to many characters.

Though I have not yet read all of Jane Austen's work, I love the view of them I get from reading Katherine Reay's books. She inspires me to read more from Austen and fall in love with all the stories. The way Katherine Reay is able to bring both past and present classic and modern together on a page never stops amazing me. She has a true gift of words. I highly recommend her books to readers! Modern day classic in the making!

The Austen Escape was a fun book. I found it charming and a little whimsical. I didn't like it as much as Dear Mr. Knightly, but it was still a good one. Main character Mary, of Austin, Texas, reluctantly goes to stay in a manor house in Bath for two weeks with her until now estranged childhood friend, Isobel. Isobel loses her memory and believes she is really in Regency England. What follows is a fun romp with never a dull moment. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a copy of the book in return for an honest review.

Ever have a novel just leave you feeling wow??? this is the second novel I've read by Katherine and again I'm in awe!! I read her first one cause it was sent to me from a book review site...but this time it was all my choice to review it.
I love that even though its a contemporary novel Jane Austen is woven through out it. I'm gonna admit something...I've only actually read pride and prejudice(maybe 4-5 times....but still) I've watched a couple movie adaptations of a couple other of Jane's books but haven't actually read them. So I didn't know all the characters mentioned as well as I probably should have. That being said I was able to follow the story(even when they were on their get away and being characters from different novels)
This really was a great book definitely recommend others reading it!

I received a copy of this from the publisher, all opinions are my own

I honestly could tell by the writing of the first 2 chapters that it wouldn't be a good fit for our box and had to put it down. I may read it again in the future!

I am a Janeite, so I hold any book that claims to have anything to do with Jane Austen or her books to a pretty high standard. The Austen Escape was a true delight to me. Although the book reminded me a little of Shannon Hale's Austenland, this book is nothing like that one. On the surface, the book seems to be about outgrowing childhood friendships and Mary trying to decide who she really is. But the book goes much deeper than that. It started off a little slow for me, but then I found it impossible to put down. I will definitely be reading more of Reay's work.

This book was an awesome way to start the New Year. I absolutely loved it, and I'm not sure I will be able to explain all the reasons why but I will for sure give it a go.

I have a weird thing when it comes to engineering and seriously admire those who do it. I feel this way because I don't have the brain for it and what they do is kind of akin to magic to me so this was perfect for me.

Mary Davies is so awkward when it comes to realizing what is going on right in front of her, and to be honest I am much the same. Some days I wouldn't see a naked human if they danced in front of me wearing a party hat. She would probably notice that, but rather awkwardly. The guy likes you, girl. Get on it. 

Regency England. The Bath area remains one of my favourite places to this day and I haven't been there since I was 18 years old, and have been many places since. Twelve years later and I'm still as in love with that area and Austen, and Austen-esque romances as I ever have been. This book brings to life that setting and that time, and all the complications that could come with it, but none of the inconveniences. 

I want to go to a place like this, that allows you to experience those novels and that time, hopefully with less drama. But god, the drama in this book was utterly delicious, as was the bit of scandal.

Also, I never see anything wrong with someone finding their backbone and growing as a character, which this novel has in spades. I will definitely be looking into more of Katherine Reay's writing as this was wonderful.

This is a fun book for Jane Austen lovers. Set in modern day time but with the romance and flare of a typical Jane Austen story.

Mary Davies is crazy intelligent and intensely focused yet endearingly insecure. Mary's patience and compassion are her greatest virtues and especially when it comes to spending an extended period of time with her friend Isabel (bless her heart). She has a bit of a workaholic streak so joining Isabel for a literary escape is just what she needs to step back, refresh, and reevaluate.

Oh, the shenanigans! Y'all are going to love the variety of secondary characters in Mary's workplace and her fellow literary escapees. Readers don't need to be Austenites to enjoy this story (especially with the handy starter guide provided) but I would imagine those who are mega fans of Jane Austen will especially appreciate the many references.

This book is going on my all-time favorites shelf. I highly recommend this story!

I requested the opportunity to read this book through the publisher. The opinions expressed are my own.

DNF i should not have requested this, sorry netgalley. thanks anyway. i did not enjoy this author's other books, though her titles, covers and blurbs always suck me in - they simply do not deliver for me. something is missing. i don't like her writing and i don't like the religious aspects. i do not know if this book is better in that regard, i just couldn't get into it and gave up after a few chapters. sorry.

Liked the use of lots of Austen elements in the story; it wasn't a retelling of any of her stories but the characters all had traits of different Austen characters. Also, it highlighted Bath as a location very well and I liked how the contrast of Bath and Texas played as the backdrop for the sometimes complicated relationships playing out in the plot.

I love Jane Austen's novels and mixed with a bit of modern thinking and humor, I had high hopes for this book. Luckily, my expectations were met!

Katherine Reay is one of my favorite authors, and, mixed with Jane Austen, is an absolute delight! While this one isnt my favorite of hers, I really enjoyed the references to Austen's novels and the character development.
I would definitely recommend!

DNF @33%
I'm not rating this book because I haven't finished it.
I believe this read wasn't for me. I'm a huge fan of Jane Austen so it pains me but this is too slow. I first stopped at 5% into the book because I wasn't hooked. Weeks later I picked it up again, determined to get through with it and I stopped at 14% because nothing really happens. I picked it back up again because I read reviews that says the beginning is slow but it starts getting interesting after. Now 33% in and I can't continue. I feel like the story is not for me. I enjoy the references to Jane Austen's books, and I get that it deals with relationships, between friends and parents and I guess Mary's character is interesting in how she learns about herself during this first part. I like her. But there are too many unnecessary details and it's spoiling the read for me.
Maybe I'll pick it back up later but for now I can't. I tried but really can't. It's just not a story for me, or maybe just not at this time. I know I won't enjoy it right now.

I am a huge Austen fan and was looking forward to "escaping" into this book, but it all felt a little clumsy and a lot too unrealistic for me. Despite this I'm a fan of Reay and hope her next book is an original story that has nothing to do with Austen.

a fun journey through the world of Jane Austen
I'm thinking the reason why it took me so long to read this book ... but I know : it was that I took the book for the title and when I read the synopsis I saw that it had a certain love triangle, but think about a repentance, I should have left my prejudice about love triangles and get delighted with the plot .... What a wonderful and beautifully constructed book, clearly presenting all the research care the writer had.
In this delightful chicklit, Katherine Reay presents characters very well characterized with a light and fun story about trust, self-confidence, fighting for what you want and love, l only didn’t like Isabel and her selfish behavior.
Nathan is an enchanted prince, sweet and gentle and I loved how he knew how to dialogue and present his ideas in the end. I loved the Jane Austen quotes used in the scenes that were all about, I loved the walks in the Jane Austen scenery and I really loved the presentation part of each character at the beginning of the book.
A different book from everything I've read and surprising.
I only missed an epilogue with a little more of the characters.

When Mary Davies is offered the chance to go to a luxurious Jane Austen escape in a manor house near Bath by her best friend Isabel, she is reluctant to leave. However, her father persuades her and she is having problems at work and with the man to whom she is attracted, so she seizes the opportunity after all.



Although the manor is beautiful and they like the other people, the 'sharp edges' of their friendship start to get in the way. Isabel's troubled childhood led Mary's parents to help her, and Mary has often felt jealous. She also envies Isabel's attraction for men. Isabel even reminds her of the vain, sly and amoral Isabella in Northanger Abbey - not an ideal person to have for a friend! During the holiday, she discovers even more about the real Isabel, leading her to re-examine her life, her values, and what is truly important.



This is a moving and charming love story, but although I loved the way that Katherine Reay cleverly references Jane Austen stories and uses Jane Austen quotes in the novel, I didn't like it as much as some of her other books. I am not sure whether I would read it again.



I received this free ebook from Net Galley in return for an honest review.

Katherine Reay is an expert author of all things Austen. Her past novels include Dear Mr.Knightley, Lizzy & Jane, and The Bronte Plot which I had read a few years ago and really enjoyed. In The Austen Escape, she presents the ultimate escape for any Austen fan. Mary Davies and her estranged best friend go off for a two week vacation in Bath. Sounds normal until you add the manor house that allows its' guests to live, breath, and experience a full Regency England. Things go haywire though when Mary's bff starts to believe everything is real including thinking she's an Austen character. Like a true Austen plot, there's romance and misunderstandings. The book came out last month on November 7, 2017 and published by Thomas Nelson. 

At first, I was really enjoying the story with Reay's wonderful writing but unfortunately, it's the characters that made me lose interest. Mary is a smart cookie but she's a total pushover with her friend, Isabel who I found unredeemable. Reay tries to make her sympathetic with some backstory, but when Isabel goes against girl code I couldn't give her a shot. The romance is very Austen-y aka a slow burn with lots of subtle flirtations but again, it was the character that killed it for me. Overall, a pleasant read but I wouldn't reread it again since I didn't like the characters very much.

3.5 stars - I really liked the concept and thought Ms. Reay did a good job of pulling the storyline off. Likeable characters and a nice setting made this an enjoyable read.

**Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley in exchange of an honest review.**