This is a sweet novel, slightly inspired by Jane Austen's works (but the inspiration is light).
The content is romantic - finding the true love even if your experience shows you that, given, the pain, there is nothing for you at that store (but there is).
Unfortunately, while this is a sweet novel, it is also vanilla blind, without the deeper content and more developed characters. But some readers might need exactly this in the difficult covid times, and then they should give this uncomplicated, romantic novel a try.

This book was utterly fantastic. I’m going to take a few breaths and collect my thoughts before I dive into this review, because I want to do it right. So first I’ll tell you a little on what the story is about.

Three sisters have to deal with the repercussions of their businessman father’s major scandal, but they manage to make the best of the situation by creating a business of their own–a cute tea shop in San Francisco. Years late when their landlord passes away, his nephew forces them out of their beloved shop. Needing a fresh start, Jane, Celia and Margot find themselves staying with a distant cousin from their late mother’s side and starting over…in Austin, Texas. Thus begins an adventure of a lifetime for the three girls, one that involves both heartbreak and beautiful love.

A story steeped in romance, sisterly love, and a passion for tea–Jane of Austin had me in tears, sometimes in laughter and other times from all the feels. I want more! There are a million things to love about this book, one of them being the charming and witty characters. Even the side characters were a delight! Jane was quirky and cute and her affinity for baking made her downright lovable. Her relationship with her sisters was incredibly sweet and the communication issues that arose between her and Celia were relatable and raw. Each sister’s separate approaches to moving and life in general was incredibly well done and realistic, which leads me to the writing. This author has quickly become a favorite of mine. Everything from the beautiful writing style to the chapter-ending recipes made me love this story all the more. It was like all of my favorite things in one story! Warning–you will be hungry during and after reading this. Be prepared and make some scones beforehand. 😉 Let’s not forget the delicious romance either. Two words–Callum. Beckett. If there is a more swoon-worthy hero in a contemporary romance novel, I’d like to know, because Callum was downright perfect. The slow relationship that develops between him and Jane had that intangible thing that just tugged at my heartstrings. Can one say the words perfect and love too many times in a book review?! Because I feel like I’m approaching that line.

Jane of Austin is a must-read for both Austen and contemporary romance lovers alike. I hope I did this book justice with my review, because it is one of those reads that’ll stick with me. I’ll say it again, I loved this book. Go read it! It’s perfect for summer, reading along with friends, or bringing on vacation. The ending is similar to sipping your favorite cup of tea, in the way that’ll it leave you with a highly contented sigh. Ahhh.

*I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.
http://www.willbakeforbooks.com/2017/06/review-jane-austin-hillary-manton-lodge/

As someone from Austin, I wasn't a big fan of the depiction. It was either like the author knew nothing about the city or just tried to encapsulate all the tourist traps only.

A very well written rendition of Jane Austen's Sense & Sensibility. I really enjoyed this retelling of the story and found myself cheering the sisters along. I liked the spin that Ms. Lodge did with the characters of Celia, Jane, Margot, Sean, and Callum. The story moved along beautifully and I was happy with the ending.

This book would be great to use for a class that is studying Jane Austin and using this as a modern look at Pride and Prejudice. But I would also recommend this book to anyone that enjoys Jane Austin and a good romance novel.

Celia, Jane and Margot were without parents; their mother passed away and their father was running away from the law since he did bad business and may have embezzled money from the company he worked at. What could they do? Celia was working at a financial firm, Jane was in college and Margot was still school aged and they didn't want to run away like their father was. So they stayed in San Francisco, started up a tea house business and made a go of things. Then their landlord passes away and leave the building that they lease from to his nephew and his wife. They're wanting too much money and now the girls have to start all over again. What's going to happen now? There are no affordable location for them to move to in their area. So Celia reaches out to family to see if anyone can help. One of their mother's cousins wants them to move out to Austin, TX to see if they can make a go of things there. He and his family are willing to have them stay with them as they get on their feet and try to start again for the second time.

The bond of love between these sisters are strong and it shows that today's woman can pave her own way with or without a man.

This novel is a modern take on Sense and Sensibility, featuring three sisters whose father embezzled money from his firm and disappears to avoid the repercussions. The sisters ultimately have to relocate to Austin, where they hope to re-open their tea shop. It's a fun read, and the modern twists were creative, including shifting the Colonel Brandon character to a disabled war veteran.

Lodge makes the interesting decision to tell the story through Jane (the Marianne character) and Callum (the Colonel Brandon character). Austen's original emphasizes Elinor's story and point of view, so this adds another perspective and makes Marianne's point of view easier to understand.

I had no idea that this was published by a Christian imprint until I read a few other reviews. It doesn't come through strongly in the novel, so I'm wondering what makes it specifically Christian.

Overall, I found this a light and enjoyable read, and I plan to make some of the recipes that are included (not the tea, though. Way too fussy.).

This book was middle of the road for me. I enjoyed getting to know Jane and her sisters. Their dynamic was realistic and sweet; however, the romantic relationships did not feel realistic or sweet. The romance fell pretty flat. Overall, this book was an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon.

Jane of Austin by Hilary Manton Lodge is my new favorite book! And Callum Beckett is my latest literary love! Jane, Celia and Margot are the daughters of a disgraced CEO father, who is out of town living offshore on a small island with the money he has hidden there. When their landlord in San Francisco raises their rent, they are forced to find another home and location for their tea shop. Celia contacts their deceased mothers cousin, Ian, in Austin, TX who provides the answer to their prayers in the form of a guesthouse on his land in Austin. The three sisters pack up and head East. But their truck breaks down en route. Enter handsome stranger, and upcoming musician, Sean Willis, who happens to be staying with an Aunt, a mile or so away from the girls cousin in Austin. Sean gets them and their belongings safely to Austin and wins the favor of Jane in the process. But Ian has another houseguest, retired Marine Callum Beckett. Callum has recently been injured and has lost his father also. Callum returns to town to take over the BBQ business his father founded. Jane quickly gains Callum’s attention, but she’s solely focused on Sean. Celia is dealing with her own romantic woes, and then there’s Lila, Callum’s high school sweetheart, and ex-sister in-law, who’s missing. So much drama but Ms. Manson Lodge tells such an engrossing story that all the storylines engage and are easy to follow.

What I loved about this story: Callum Beckett! Who doesn’t love a hero who rescues a damsel in distress?! Austin! I loved that the girls ate at Torchy’s Tacos! Dash, the three-legged Great Dane! All books are better with a dog! And I loved Nina, Ian’s larger than life mother-in-law who is just one of the best characters!

What I didn’t love: oh who am I kidding? I loved 99.9 % of this book. The only flaw was that it had to end.

If you’re looking for a great, easy pick this book up NOW!

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for the free e-copy to review! #netgalley #janeofaustin

brief summary
Sisters Celia, Jane, and Margot are uprooted from their California home and forced to settle in Austin, Texas. In the process of trying to find their place in this new locale, they might just find love in this charming modern re-imagining of Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility.

full review
The story of Sense and Sensibility is probably familiar in broad strokes, even if the particulars may escape casual readers, and so I see no real need to delve too deeply into summarizing the events of this book. By following Austen's plot relatively closely, Hillary Manton Lodge has ensured that the plot is sound and engaging. Instead, I will do my best to point out similarities and felicities which pleased me as I was reading.

In this story the sisters' father is an infamous embezzler living in a non-extradition country, forcing the three of them to be responsible for their own futures despite his foul reputation looming over them. They manage tolerably while running a tea shop until the landlord dies and his relatives (Phoebe and family) raise the rent and force the shop out of the space. Thus, they end up relocating their tea crop and dwelling in their cousin Ian's guest house in Austin, Texas, at the same time that his wounded veteran friend, Callum, returns to the city to take care of his father's affairs following his death. He, too, is staying with Ian.

Jane in this version seems a good deal less prone to histrionics than Marianne was in the original, perhaps because she is one of the narrators and it is difficult for readers to grow fond of hysterical narrators, but a passage in which she compares herself to Mary Lennox struck me as odd. I know the author was probably thinking of the characters' shared tendency to garden, but Mary Lennox and Marianne Dashwood possess radically different temperaments. Little sister Margot is a dancer who has a thing about online reviews which I am going to say is meant to be analogous to Margaret Dashwood's fondness for geography. Celia is not much in this story, though it is clear that there are things going on in her life, too, that Jane doesn't seem to care quite enough to learn about, being too wrapped up in her own emotions.

The other point of view character is Callum, and that was truly refreshing, because it provides readers with a sense of what Colonel Brandon might have been doing when he was not paying court to Marianne Dashwood. It was also encouraging to see positive behaviors like therapy being modeled (and to see a female psychologist who reads comics!). He does, at one point, name all the soldiers in his squad who died in the calamity which sent him home without half a leg, and in so doing he uses rank abbreviations which might confuse readers who are unfamiliar with the conventions. In many respects, this point of view is more welcome than Jane's because it tells a more novel story rather than rehashing the plot of Sense and Sensibility with a purely Marianne-centric focus. Also, Callum seems to be one of the best men ever: he reads The Princess Bride to Jane while she is recuperating and jokes with Nina about paramedics being insufficiently strapping nowadays.

Because Jane is the protagonist and not Celia, Celia's beau Teddy really does not come across well in this version. Edward Ferrars always read as a little too conflict-avoidant, but Teddy mostly reads as a weak-willed sop. Lodge was unwilling to deviate enough from Austen to afford Celia a happy ending without a man who behaved as Teddy did, although Celia almost certainly would have shone had she done so. That's too bad, because his behavior toward Celia strikes me as far less forgivable than Edward Ferrars' behavior toward Elinor, and he still receives forgiveness.

There are a few errors in the text, but this is a galley copy and I hope they were fixed prior to publication (because one rarely does ballet at a bar, preferring instead to use a barre, which is designed for dancers' use). The readers guide's thoughtful questions and the numerous recipes included at the ends of many chapters more or less makes up for the errata. The recipes include scones, Frito pie, fancy cole slaw, pear and Earl Grey tea pies, Texas sheet cake with black tea twist, mini strawberry tartlets, corn bread, and shrimp tacos.

Overall, this book is easy to recommend, particularly because it lacks any graphic descriptions of sexual activity. It is mostly fade to black, even when it comes to particularly enthusiastic kissing, which may leave some readers disappointed, but is more likely to appeal to readers who prefer period pieces which focus on repartee rather than raunch for titillation. (Don't get me wrong, I'm happy to have both in my romance novels, but many of the Austen fans I've met are staunchly anti-raunch.) It should definitely be included on more Jane Austen adaptation lists.

Okay, I must admit that I haven't read Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austin, but I have seen almost every movie adaptation and I don't like the characters much. However, when I saw this reimagining that included a tea shop with pastries I was intrigued and on board.

Three sisters deserted by their father and one who experienced heartbreak they decide to move to Texas to stay with relatives and start anew. The story is told by Jane the middle sister. Jane is a bit reckless in love and doesn't know or want caution. Celia the eldest sister only understand caution and responsibility for herself and her sisters. I enjoyed the plot and all the twist and turns with the three men in the ladies lives. Callum is "the man". Also, those recipes included in the book seem absolutely yummy. My mouth was salivating as I read.

Celia and her tea plants and concoction of specialty teas opened my palate to expand what I drink. Jane of Austin was entertaining and informative. I enjoyed it and it's a book I will read again.

Thank you to Waterbrook for the eArc.

Jane of Austin Review
<p>I came across this book in 2017, when it was first released. I loved Manton Lodge’s modern adaptation of Sense and Sensibility. The plot follows the original Austen story, but this book adds so much more. With recipes running the gambit of tea preparation to sweet treats to Texas favorites, and a virtual vacation returning me to some of my favorite Austin locales, this novel hit every note for me.</p>

<p>In fact, I used this fun title as the focus of a gift basket for one of my library’s fundraisers. Not only was the winner impressed with the contents (teas, mugs and accessories, and treats), they came back with a rave review of the book as well! </p>
<p>There’s something for everyone in this updated classic- adventure, travel, romance, family and friendship- and if I didn’t mention it before- lots of food! I’m rating <u>Jane of Austen</u> five stars. It’s a well-written, well-considered retelling of an old favorite. After a second reading over a year later, I’ve found that this version is a classic all on its own. </p>

<p>Follow the tale of three sisters, left on their own after their father’s escapades, as they make their way in life. The girls start a tea shop in their native San Francisco, but when life further intervenes, they set out for Texas. With the assistance of friends and family, Jane, Celia, and Margot each come into their own as they find hope and home, while keeping the “Weird” in Austin. </p>

<p>I received a copy of <u>Jane of Austin</u> by Hilary Manton Lodge from the publisher via <i>Netgalley</i> in exchange for an honest review. </p>

This was a lovely retelling of Jane Austen, probably my favourite so far. And I'm a sucker for a book with recipes included. This book is such a nice cozy read that calls for a good cup of tea and a fabulous pastry to go with it.

Read this book now!! It was so good. A fun story full of surprises and love. Shows the deep bond of sisterhood throughout anything life throws at you.

Jane of Austin was a cute, light read. I enjoyed the the details about Jane's love of tea and botany. I didn't love this novel though but I can't really put my finger on why.

I found Jane of Austin a surprisingly fun take on Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility. And I, the true Austen-fan I am, couldn’t help but laugh out loud when I found that other Austen reference (kudo’s to Ms Lodge for finding a way to add THAT scene into the story).

Jane’s character is the Marianne’s POV, which makes Callum, a veteran, Colonel Brandon’s counterpart. I liked Jane, and her relationship with her sisters. She was, I found, well thought out and interesting to read about. Sadly, to me, Callum’s character felt a little flat, and I would have liked more showing about him on the page.

The story is a ‘clean’ one, which means no sex, or references to sex, on the page. I’m not a principled clean reader, and I didn’t miss it. It’s mostly the characters, banter and sparks between characters that keeps me reading, and between the fun Austen-references and the writing, I was much entertained.

I enjoyed the story over all, but if you’re not an Austen fan, I don’t know if you’d enjoy the book for all it has to offer; you’d likely not catch some of the references.

Sense and sensibility is one of my favorites and I loved this retelling of a classic story. It was such a quirky fun read. Thank you Netgalley for this book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Hillary Manton Lodge for allowing me to read and review Jane of Austen. I really enjoyed this novel! It was super fun and cute and I'll be recommending it to all of the Janeites I know!

This is super fun! Adaptions of S&S are hit and miss for me, but this one is certainly a hit. I loved how the basics of the plot were updated but stayed true.

Jane of Austin was a sweet modern tale about sisters, tea, and Texas. I loved the similarities to Jane Austen books and would recommend to other Austen fans. It also made me miss real Texan barbecue.

Sorry for the late review. I'm a big Austen fan. Modern books based on Austen famous books are either a love them or leave them. This one I loved! A nice way to spend a snowy weekend with a good book and tea.