I really enjoyed the character explorations on the cruise and the island, but I wish we got to see a bit more of life on the cruise ship itself. It felt like a lot of the daily details were skimmed over, and the days seemed to jump by quickly. That said, I really liked Margaret’s narration style—she has a very down-to-earth, funny tone that made her easy to relate to.

Margaret’s personal growth was one of my favorite parts. I loved how she realized she doesn’t need to adopt parts of other people's personalities to feel whole. The connections she builds with her brother-in-laws and the way she strengthens her relationships with her sisters were really heartwarming. It was a great reminder that family isn’t just about blood—it’s about the people who care for you.

The romance with Gabe was sweet, and I liked how it put a fresh spin on the typical grumpy/sunshine dynamic. Overall, it was a cute summer romance, but it didn’t quite blow me away or have any big surprises. Still, it was a lovely read that captured the spirit of summer.

#ARC #netgalley

Dashed
Amanda Quain

A Sense and Sensibility retelling, yes please, but I think it could have been a little bit stronger. All in all, the book was boring and I found myself losing interest in the story.

I had a hard time connecting to any of the characters. I found them all really unlikable. I wish I had a different experience with the book.

Thank you to St. Marting’s Press and NetGalley for an advanced ebook in exchange for my honest opinions.

Dashed is a modern day version of Sense and Sensibility, and as a Jane Austen lover, I thought this interpretation was cute and enjoyable. While it's not a faithful re-telling, I thought that made the book more interesting as it wasn't just a typical wash and repeat retelling that many are. The characters were quirky and fun and I enjoyed the story.

Thanks to netgalley for the copy in exchange for an honest and fair review.

This was an enjoyable read! I struggled at first to connect with the characters and the stir but definitely ended up enjoying this cute fun read! I enjoyed the relationship between the sisters and how it developed as well!

I'd like to thank St. Martin's Press | Wednesday Books and Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

It's a cute YA romance but my only hang up was the immaturity of the FMC. Granted she is 18 and having an 18 year old myself, I get it. I'm sure if I were younger and reading this I would have no problem with her. As far as the story line and being relatable to Sense and Sensibility, I loved it. Recommended for those who like YA Romance.

I really wanted to like this and this could easily be a case of "its me, not you". This was the last YA romance/coming of age that I have read that really brought home the fact that I am not the target audience for these kinds of stories anymore. I just don't enjoy them as much as I use to so I will not be reading this genre anymore. Overall I found the main character to be very immature and over the top with pretty much everything, she could not see past her own needs and interpretations and just kept blundering over everyone's feelings. I was super frustrated by her, and this is where the self-reflection comes in where I don't think I'm the target reader here. I am sure a younger teen audience will love the drama and ridiculous antics that take place here and enjoy the story.

This was such a witty, smart revamp of Sense and Sensibility! Every retelling of Quain's helps me see the original more clearly, but the books totally stand on their own as delightful reads. She writes books for me and me only!

Fun rom-com that shows how life doesn't always go according to plan. Creating fake dates for her friend is when Marianne and Margaret discover what is truly happening. This story tests their friendship and their love life.

I was hoping to like this more than I actually did. I felt disconnected from the main character and her sisters didn't give me much to work with either. The premise was good, but I just didn't think this book was for me. This might be the perfect lighthearted read for someone else, though.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Decent read but I'm not sure who the intended audience was. The 17 year old MC is so clearly written by someone in their 30s.

Amanda Quain's "Dashed" is a delightful and modern take on Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility. It offers a fresh perspective through the eyes of the often-overlooked youngest Dashwood sister, Margaret. While it successfully captures the spirit of Austen's work with its witty dialogue and social commentary, it occasionally needs to improve its pacing and character development.

Tropes and Familiar Territory:
As a modern retelling, "Dashed" embraces many classic tropes in Austen's novels and contemporary romantic comedies. We have the contrasting sisters with differing views on love, the charming yet potentially deceptive love interests, and the meddling family members. Quain cleverly weaves these familiar elements into a modern setting, creating a comfortable and recognizable framework for the story.

Strengths:
Fresh Perspective: Focusing on Margaret allows a new exploration of the Dashwood family dynamics and offers a unique coming-of-age story within the familiar Sense and Sensibility framework.
Witty Dialogue: Quain shines in her ability to craft witty and engaging dialogue that captures the spirit of Austen's writing while feeling fresh and contemporary.
Modern Relevance: The novel successfully translates the social commentary of Austen's time into a contemporary context, exploring themes of class, privilege, and societal expectations with a light touch. This modern relevance will resonate with readers, making the story feel more relatable and engaging.

Problem Areas:
Uneven Pacing: The story sometimes feels uneven, with specific plot points feeling rushed while others linger. This can disrupt the flow and engagement of the narrative.
Character Development: While Margaret is a charming and relatable protagonist, some secondary characters, particularly the love interests, could benefit from more depth and complexity.
Predictability: Given its adherence to classic tropes and the familiar source material, the story occasionally veers into predictable territory. This predictability may leave some readers craving more surprises and twists that could elevate the story further.

Overall: "Dashed" is a charming and enjoyable read for fans of Austen and contemporary romance alike. It offers a lighthearted and witty escape with a fresh perspective on a beloved classic. While it may not reinvent the wheel, it delivers a satisfying and entertaining experience. 3 stars.

This is a really fun contemporary retelling of Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen, starring the youngest Dashwood sister, Margaret. When all three Dashwood sisters go on a summer long cruise, they are forced to face love and heartbreak and their misconceptions about their sisters’ strengths and weaknesses. I thought this was a really fun read on audio.

Amanda Quain has become one of my favorite YA authors! If I'm looking for a good contemporary novel, I know I can pick up one of her books and like it. I would definitely recommend reading it!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

This book is if "miscommunication" were the sole plot, and yet I did not find it to be wholly objectionable. Margaret Dashwood is on the cruise from hell when her flighty middle sister Marianne shows up, partnerless and adrift. While Margaret has been strenuously emulating their oldest sister Elinor ever since That Year, her heart is more torn between her sisters than she cares to admit. The thing I like about Dashed is that it's not just familial miscommunication (though there's plenty of that, too), it's about the miscommunication between Margaret's head and heart, and how being more open with family helps her in bridging the disconnect and starting to become her own person.

In Dashed Margaret Dashwood is accompanying her sister Elinor and husband Edward on a cruise where Edward will be the ship's pastor for the summer. Margaret is looking forward to being away from her sister Marianne who has just gone through another breakup. When Marianne, who is wallowing in misery, decides to join them on the cruise, Margaret has to share her cabin with her. She is determined to find Marianne another boyfriend, so she will stop crying. She enlists the help of Gabe, the ship's theatrical lighting expert, to find eligible men. Along the way Margaret develops feelings for Gabe, which she tries desperately to deny. Add to the mix a hurricane on the horizon and Margaret is in for a stormy summer.

This retelling of Sense and Sensibility fell flat. I had hoped for a good retelling of Austen’s classic story, but I found that I didn’t enjoy these characters and never really connected to them. I finished the book but would not recommend it.

As much as I enjoy sense and sensibility retellings I feel like this one just happened to miss the mark for me. I found it really hard to connect with the characters and truly get invested in the plot.

This was a pretty cute story. I liked the family and sister element and that romance wasn't the main focus. I would read more from this author.

Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.

This was a great book, with discussions of how grief and love can change the way you view your life. I also liked the setting of a cruise ship, it made things seem more chaotic and fun. A cute and fast-paced story following Margaret as she tries to help her sister get over heartbreak on a cruise ship. The setting was fun and the three sisters had an interesting relationship. Seeing their sibling bonds be tested and grow throughout the book was my favorite part of the book.

A great read from the author Amanda Quain!!!

I loved the story, the world building and meeting the different characters. I felt completely immersed in the story and couldn't stop reading it.