I really, really loved Jane & Edward as a retelling of Jane Eyre set in present day Toronto. The plausible workplace romance situation and fitting history of the characters are high points, but what really gets me about the themes and feel of the original are the emotional revelations and depth of the characters, especially the empathy stirred for “Rochester”.

Jane is immediately likable. Reading her point of view throughout is an experience in watching her grow into herself with confidence and expression of her personality. Her childhood in the foster system is an appropriate background for her emotional state and emphasis on self-reliance, making it all the more poignant as she learns to navigate a new workplace, a few genuine friendships, and a romantic attraction to her boss, Edward.

Edward’s mercurial behavior and snarky humor are depicted in such a way that the reader can understand his magnetism (I can practically hear his voice calling for Jane from his office!). His past, too, holds tragedy and contrasts with Jane’s — both of them have struggled to overcome, and both of them tackle life and problems in different ways. Their chemistry is almost immediate, and as their professionalism gives way to friendship and a tentative romance, it’s a bittersweet experience to read of their joys and know his secrets threaten to upend Jane’s world.

Author Melodie Edwards has impressively brought timeless concepts from the original classic of trust, ethics, and faithfulness, into a modern framework and it works! Her authorial voice is unique and she paints the characters as her own, too, with their own personalities and dreams. It is not a derivative or a direct retelling, but a what-if modern imagining that highlights the best parts of its basis text and brings to light aspects of Jane and Rochester one might notice in a different light upon reading Jane Eyre or watching a movie adaptation again.

Content guide: the book does have a love scene, but it is handled in text as an almost closed door scene (kissing and just a little more are hinted at before it fades to black). There is a moderate amount of explicit language throughout, including use of the f-word and a few instances of pairing God’s name with a swear word. Per the story’s source and basis (Jane Eyre), a man does withhold the truth/the existence of a wife, in effect participating in an adulterous relationship.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the review copy. This is my honest review.

This #JaneEyre retelling had me hooked and I read it all in one sitting! Edwards did a phenomenal job of taking a classic tale and reworking it in a modern way.
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I just really loved the modern twists and even though I knew the way the story would play out I still was invested in these characters and found it completely enjoyable! This one is out in the world today!
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Huge thank you to @berkleypub @berittalksbooks @thephdivabooks @dg_reads and @netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
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First sentence: She hated burgers. Hated the smell of them, the sight of them, the over-puffed buns and leaky meat grease that dripped out of them, hated the sticky condiment bottles that shuffled from table to table to accompany them, and the ever-present customer complaints of overcooked/undercooked.

Premise/plot: Jane Raine, our protagonist, is a waitress who absolutely hates her job. She goes to school to become a legal assistant. After finishing school, she is hired to become the assistant to a difficult-to-work-for lawyer, Edward Rosen. Few assistants stick with the job long. He goes through a LOT of assistants. But Jane Raine is determined to make this job work. Over several months, these two adjust to each other and even come to enjoy one another's company. Yes, he isn't quite like the other lawyers at the law firm. But she comes to appreciate his eccentricities (or most of them). They even begin to fall in love and date...secretly. (Not coming out to HR). But his secret(s) may doom the relationship...

My thoughts: The setting for this contemporary Jane Eyre retelling is Canada. (Toronto, to be exact. Though the characters do move around a bit through the novel. So not exclusively Toronto).

Retellings can be tough. This one keeps some of the original story/details. But it also changes plenty. Don't expect a literal 'crazy' wife kept in an attic. Don't expect his brother-in-law to be stabbed. Definitely don't expect Edward to dress up as a fortune teller. And probably it's best if you don't expect literal fires--though there is a fire drill. The romance keeps obstacles, but just switches things up a bit.

As with the original novel, I found myself loving the first half more than the second half. It's just really hard to stay (as) engaged once Jane runs away.

All things considered, I enjoyed it for the most part. I am definitely glad I gave it a chance. It may not be better than the original, but it is enjoyable.

(For those that are curious, this one mainly fades to gray when it comes to intimate scenes. (Not completely clean by a long shot. But not horribly graphic either.)

Jane Raine was thrust into foster care when her father dies and there’s no will. She spends years feeling unwanted, and then just getting by on her own waitressing, until she takes classes to become a legal assistant and begins work at Rosen, Haythe & Thornfield LLP. Jane can’t believe it when she’s hired right out of school to be the assistant to one of the partners, but it soon becomes apparent she got the job because no one else wants it with Edward Rosen’s reputation of being difficult and scary. However, Jane doesn’t have the luxury of just quitting and is determined to stick it out no matter how badly Mr. Rosen behaves.

I love the original story of Jane Eyre and so when I heard of Jane & Edward, a modern reimagining of the story, I jumped at a chance to read it and was not disappointed! I liked the fact that it didn’t follow the story as closely as a re-telling would, because I didn’t know exactly how things would go and I enjoyed the differences. Melodie Edwards brought these characters to life, and I felt my heart soar right along with Jane when she found love and friends. I also felt her longing and heartbreak acutely. I loved that there was an actual physical romance (instead of just an emotional one like the original), while a fade to black on some of the encounters, the kisses were sensual and lusty!

Loved the gradual transformation of insecure, lonely Jane into someone gaining friends and confidence! I relished seeing her stand up for herself in the present and for the injustices heaped on her while young!

It's not necessary to read the original Jane Eyre to enjoy Jane & Edward. It’s a swoony, heartfelt romance with bits of humor and sweetness that stands strong on its own! A definite recommend!

I am a huge fan of Jane Eyre, so when this became available for request, I knew I had to read it!

It’s often hard to take a piece of classic literature and retell it for a modern audience. Often you are handling plot lines and circumstances that wouldn’t exist in modern society OR would just come off completely
Unhinged if found in today’s world. This retelling of Jane & Edward truly sticks to the story faithfully while modernizing the setting and characters and I must applaud the author.

We have a modern day Jane, coming into her adulthood after a harrowing journey through foster care, orphaned and penniless despite her late father’s academic success and fame. She takes a job at a high power law office, becoming the legal assistant to a powerful and older (by 10 years) lawyer that can’t seem to keep an assistant. He is surly and mean and has a reputation, but these two somehow see each other in ways that the rest of the world can’t. They form a friendship based on mutual respect and it quickly turns into romance.

But how can it survive with the power dynamic? The financial differences? OH AND, YOU KNOW, THE MODERN DAY VERSION OF THE WIFE LOCKED IN THE ATTIC?! Well. reader, you’ll have to pick this one up to find out.

But I will say, I found the plot believable and handled well. I found myself rooting not only for Jane, but the romance (something that you can’t help but fall prey to in the original despite how toxic it is).

This will absolutely be a book I plan on rereading and will be recommending!

Jane Eyre is one of my fave gothic romances so when I saw this offering from Berkley, I was both excited and apprehensive. Will it live up to the original? Will it give me something new? Will it be amazing?

And the answer to all these questions is YES, YES, and YES! Thoroughly enjoyed this one! It wasn't what I was expecting at all-- it had a very modern setting, but that only increased its appeal. Loved the two leads: they were multi-layered and complex, and I found myself invested in their relationship. And because I love my smut, I only wish this had more!

Thank you, Berkley Romance for the free book!

Retellings seem to be hit or miss for me, and this one was a hit. I read Jane Eyre so along ago that sometimes I think I don’t remember it, but then it all comes back to me. This one is pretty true to the story for being a modern retelling.

I liked both Jane and Edward, but in this version I might have liked this Edward more than the original. Maybe it was just my age when I read it, but I was always a little put off by the original and his moodiness. And I loved this Jane. She has a spunk to her. And their clever banter fit the characters.

I liked the setting of downtown Toronto and how the author could still make the story seem a little old fashioned in the modern setting.

I am normally more of a modern, light romance, but I really liked this one. I don’t think you need to be a fan of the original to like this one, but it sure wouldn’t hurt.

I really liked Jane and Edward, although I'm not a diehard Jane Eyre fan. I always found the story way too sad and never really felt invested in the romance. Luckily this retelling did make me feel swoony and this Edward was so much more likable. I also liked the legal setting. The prose felt a little wooden, but I think maybe the author was trying to give the book an old-fashioned gothic vibe. Overall, a great contemporary take on a classic.

Jane & Edward was not at all what I was expecting. In a good way. It was a little hard in the beginning, but after that my reading went smoothly. There were so many twists and turns that I wasn’t expecting but really enjoyed them.

I loved Jane & Edwards relationship. I loved the assistant/boss dynamic, the author managed to write where Jane didn’t feel like the classic naive girl who falls for the hot boss, something I’m incredibly happy about.The same thing is to be said for Edward. I loved them together and I had a great time with them!

I have to say this book was more of a women’s fiction than a romance, 1/3 was romance and the other 2/3 is about Jane discovering herself, what she wants. I usually wouldn’t go for this types of books but it was really enjoyable so I don’t regret reading it!

First off, Jane Eyre is my favorite book of all time, which made me nervous about reading this. And at the beginning, I was afraid I would dislike it because I didn’t feel that Jane was portrayed correctly. But as soon as I took a step back and remembered that this was a modern retelling, everything fell into place. Even if you're completely unfamiliar with Jane Eyre, you'll still love this work. Though having read the original, there were many fun references included that added to my enjoyment. This included some familiar names, and I loved how the author chose to rebrand these characters (Adele was perfection).

While I liked Edward in the original work, I fell in love with this Edward. He was well written and his development/growth that occurred throughout the work was stellar, though I do feel like this version was a little softer than the original. The secondary characters were just as developed and lovely as the protagonists. And Jane was a wonderful modern version of the original character. I loved how similar yet different she was, and how true the author was able to stay to Jane’s original values and character traits.

The only thing that lacked a bit in this work was some of the social commentary that was so artfully woven into the original. I would have loved to see some of that depth incorporated, but it didn’t majorly detract from my enjoyment. If you love Jane Eyre or romance, then this is a must read.

Off putting from the very first line.

"Jane & Edward" just didn't make sense. It's meant to be a contemporary retelling of Jane Eyre, but it does not read as modern at all. Our special leading lady acts like she was raised under a rock and has no idea how to navigate the world. She lives in the suburbs of a major city and has never been downtown or even seen a picture of downtown or knows what some of the most famous buildings of the downtown area are?? That seems unlikely in the age of Google and smartphones.

And Jane falls into a terrible, if classic, trope: she is better than all other women. Terrible perspective to be reading this from inside her head and constantly be presented by how much she hates women - her fellow waitresses are vapid airheads, the HR representative at work is self-absorbed and incompetent. Just yuck.

Finally, this "romance" has zero chemistry. I don't think there was anything to like here.

eARC provided via NetGalley for review.

DNF - apparently am just not a fan of literary fiction. In this retelling of Jane Eyre, the heroine has been working in a restaurant to save up money for school. When she gets a job at a law firm, she gets into a relationship with her boss.

Thank you to @berkleypub @netgalley for the #gifted copy of the book.

I must confess to not being much of a classic reader so therefore I have never read Jane Eyre. Unless I was made to read a classic in school, I have probably never read it. I do tend to enjoy retellings even though I have no basis. :)

I definitely enjoyed this one! Jane's father died when she was a teen and she was forced into foster care. When she was finally old enough to be on her own she struggles to adjust to feeling as though she never has enough - enough food, enough money etc. She is happy when she learns she gets a job at a top law firm, but skeptical at the same time. She quickly learns she isn't the only quirky one. Edward, her boss, has his own issues and if often irate and difficult, but somehow despite their issues they click.

I really enjoyed the banter between the two of them. I often found myself grinning and I love that in a book! This was definitely a sweet romance.

#JaneEdward #MelodieEdwards #BerkleyWritesStrongWomen #BerkleyBuddyRead #JaneEyre #RomanceReads #kmoreadsnc #books #reading #romance #newbook #classicreads #retellings

Thank you to Berkley, NetGalley and PRH Audio for the ARC/ALC in exchange for an honest review

This was a sweet a low steam modern Jane Eyre retelling. I liked the twist that it's set in the legal world in Canada.

What a debut! Whether you know Jane Eyre like the back of your hand -- or not (me) -- you will ADORE this book. As funny as it is moving, this modern retelling hooked me in immediately with its lovable/flawed characters, ever relevant themes, and delicious slow-burn romance. I don’t want to give away too much.... But know that the tension between Jane and Edward is you-are-the-bane-of-my-existence-and-the-object-of-all-my-desires-level (hello, Kanthony) palpable.

Also! Can we talk about the writing? Because I genuinely don’t understand how this is Melodie Edwards’ debut... Like, how? How can one’s debut be as smart, moving, and hilarious as my favourite British TV shows? It’s so good, I’m angry! Speaking of angry... There’s a monologue in here about feminine rage that’s Fleabag-esque in the way it makes me want to cry, scream, and cheer all at once. Jane & Edward made me feel all the feels -- and I love how, in addition to being an incredibly entertaining and fun read, it also packs a powerful, feminist punch. 😍

Do yourself a favor, and pick this one up!!

Wow! What a fantastic retelling of Jane Eyre. I don’t think you need to be familiar with the original story to enjoy this brilliant love story.

I’ll admit the workplace romance trope makes me nervous. The power imbalance is often problematic. But here, the romance is handled with such care, witnessing the roots of loving the person but not the situation they’re in. Individually, Jane and Edward are flawed and broken by their own traumas. Together, Jane’s optimism compliments Edward’s grumpy, quirky demeanor creating terrific dry-witted banter. Their chemistry is undeniable from their meet-cute in the break room with the coffee maker. I dare you not to laugh when you read that scene - impossible!

However, the love story I adore the most is about Jane falling in love with herself, journeying from self-doubt to self-worth. Jane grows to understand her true champion lies within herself. She is her best advocate. Jane is resilient, strong, and courageous - a perfect feminist heroine.

Jane & Edward is a terrific debut - smart writing that’s funny and romantic woven into a hopeful coming-of-age tale—a story I highly recommend.

There is no way to describe this book other than by saying it was an absolute delight. I have never read Jane Eyre, and I have never seen a retelling of it from a contemporary setting, but I loved every moment of reading this. I have said this for so many romance books I've read, but this one truly felt like a classic romantic comedy. From the sharp and witty dialogue, to all the swoon-worthy moments between Jane and Edward, each moment of this book was to-die for.

After spending years barely scraping by, Jane Raine has decided to take classes to be a legal assistant, and upon graduating is given a job at a prestigious law firm in Toronto. Little does she know that she has been assigned to Edward Rosen, the infamously ill-tempered and messy majority stakeholder at the firm. But the more time they spend together, the more the chaotic Edward is drawn to the level-headed Jane, until Jane is forced to decide whether she is willing to overcome her ghosts and open her heart to love.

I adored the dynamic between this couple. Edward is one of my new favorite book boyfriends- he is pure chaos but he is also so sweet, and I already want to reread the book because every scene with Edward had me blushing or giggling. Jane was a wonderful heroine. I could completely relate to her fear of committing to a relationship with Edward, and I loved watching her go on a journey towards finding what she wants out of life. Scenes between Jane and Edward together were pure magic. They complimented each other so well, and the chemistry between them was so strong, and I was left dying for more of them as a couple.

Overall, I wholeheartedly recommend this book. Even though I have never read Jane Eyre, but I felt like Edwards perfectly captured the energy of the original story through her beautiful writing, while also making it feel like a completely new iteration that stands strongly on its own. If you love swoon-worthy, fast-paced workplace romances with characters that are easy to fall in love with, then this is a book for you.

Happy Pub Day to Jane and Edward by Melodie Edwards! This is a modern retelling of Jane Eyre. Take the original story, plunk Jane and Edward down in a modern day law firm, where Jane is a hardworking waitress who takes classes to improve her life and become a legal assistant, and Edward is her new overbearing, messy boss who can’t keep an assistant, and you have this excellent retelling that keeps true to the heart of the original story but gives it a fresh new look.
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Work place, close proximity, grumpy/sunshine romance as well as a reimagined classic, pick your trope. The storyline kept me entertained and the witty banter was the cream on top. I think this one can be enjoyed by those who love the classic Jane Eyre and those who have never read it.

I appreciated how this showcased what it was like to grow up in foster care. Both Jane and Edward were broken and I wanted to give them hugs. The banter was amazing as was the wit

Thoughts: I really enjoyed this fresh and modern take on the Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre. Witty, engaging and fun, this slow build romance featuring so many of my favorite tropes, was just the type of love story I crave.

I loved the power dynamic between Jane and Edward and seeing how it shifted as they developed a closer relationship. Melodie Edwards writing is smart, engaging and fun and her characters are well developed and relatable.

Read if you like:
•age gap
•forced proximity
•workplace romance
•opposites attract
•grumpy/sunshine
•closed door

Thank you Berkley Romance for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.