
Member Reviews

Very cute and quirky romance re-telling. I enjoyed this book as it made me laugh a few times. However, the pacing struggled a bit and I felt bored at times. I recommend for a quick read or something easy!

When you need a great story with laughs and "awww" moments; look no further and blindly pick this up because this was so good! I devoured it.

Dashed by Amanda Quinn is a story about family, sisterhood, and finding yourself. This Jane Austen "Sense & Sensibility" inspired novel was the perfect read to satiate my desire for summer! I enjoyed the dynamic between the three sisters and how Quinn wrote the quirks that often come from a sibling relationship. As a younger sibling myself, I found the main character Margret was relatable in her pursuit to find where she stood in her family dynamic as well as her goal of finding herself once she went to college.
If you're looking for a wholesome summer read, this is perfect!

Thank you @netgalley and @wednesdaybooks for the eARC of Dashed by @quainiac in exchange for an honest review!
📖📖 Book Review 📖📖 Dashed is an utterly adorable and fun read! This contemporary retelling of Sense and Sensibility is the gentle and frequent reminder to myself that I really do need to pick up that classic and read it. However, this seems like a wonderful homage and the perfect read for young adults or geriatric millennials like myself. Margaret is so excited for an amazing cruise with her laid back family members, the seas get rocky when her dramatic sister, Marianne crashes the vacation. Tropical adventure, family drama, the chance for love…and a storm on the horizon almost as threatening as Marianne’s presence- sign me up!
Review is posted on Goodreads and will be on Instagram well ahead of the publication date!

I enjoyed the "living on a cruise" aspect of this. And I thought the writing was good. I just felt like I was missing something. Maybe it's because I've never read "Sense and Sensibility"?

I went into this book looking forward to how it played off of Sense and Sensibility but the story was dragged out and caused me to lose interest several times during the read. It was a struggle to finish. I don’t know if a middle or high schooler would catch the Jane Austen connection or stay interested long enough to see how it ends. I did like how this is a “clean” book and isn’t overly sexualized.

If you’re looking for a light version of sense and sensibility, look no further. Margaret Dashwood is intent on finding herself before she goes to college. Instead, her sister shows up unannounced to wreck havoc. The story required the reader to suspend the leaf on several fronts. It’s not like people can just show up and stay in the same room as you. As comedies, a little communication would go along way. But the story is OK and relatable.

this was such a fun adaptation and anyone who knows me knows i love a good adaptation. the grief and loss and figuring out who you are in the aftermath was so beautifully done. and margaret and gabe were so cute from the get go.
though i must say edward might just be my favorite character in the whole book.
some places it felt like it took ages to get the story moving and the dynamic between the sisters felt extra stilted but overall the story was wonderful and i’d absolutely recommend it to anyone who’s looking for a cute fun read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!
This was a fun retelling, and a fun romcom in its own right. I’m not sure it added much to the Austen-universe, but I have a hard time with most Austen Retellings because I love the originals so much. But this book stands on its own pretty well and was an enjoyable read.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the arc of this book. All opinions are my own.
I will give my thoughts once SMP addresses their readers with an explanation. Until then, all my reviews will be withheld.

Dashed is a fun and easy-to-read book about a young woman finding independence and a place in life. The author Amanda Quain based Dashed on Sense and Sensibility; however, it’s been so long since I’ve read any Jane Austen novels that I don’t quite remember the exact details. Remembering S & S or reading S & S is not necessary to enjoy Dashed. I found the writing quite immersive, and the writer dealt with some tough topics in such a way that made me feel for the characters, but I never felt depressed or overly sad, as the author made heavy topics feel lighter than expected.
The novel takes place aboard a cruise, which I found interesting. The environment is fun, and the characters go on many adventures. Interestingly, the characters are aboard the cruise for six weeks because a family member is a contractor for the cruise. Never imagining what it would be like to go on a cruise for this many days, I really appreciated all the nuances of cruise life.
The only drawback to this novel is that I got invested in the relationship with Mags and Gabe. However, the book ends right as the relationship is beginning (in some ways—not adding too much to not spoil anything). I know it’s nice to imagine and not have the author write out the happily ever after ending (if there is to be one). I wanted the book to continue for longer, which is a testament to how good this book is.
I highly recommend Dashed, especially to read on your next mini- or regular vacation. Thank you to NetGalley, Amanda Quain, and St. Martin’s Press for the advance copy!

This was a cute young adult coming of age series. I think a lot of young adults between high school and college can relate about trying to be on your own and becoming an adult when you go off to college.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for a review,
Retellings are difficult. It's so easy to miss the mark by making the characters literal copies of their originals or taking them so far away it would make more sense to just write a new story. This story fell fairly in the middle of that for me. I thought it was so fun and interesting to focus on Margaret, but it was so far away from the original text I forgot a couple times that this even was a retelling. On its own, this story was interesting and a fun rom-com, but I don't know that it added anything to the life of the Dashwood sisters. Sense and Sensability is also not one of my faves which makes these retellings especially hard for me to get into.
The author did a good job of telling a unique and fun story, but I might've liked it more if it was removed from Austen's work.
Margaret Dashwood lives her life according to plan, and it involves absolutely zero heartbreak, thank you very much. Five years ago, love tore her family apart, and since then, she’s kept her own heart as safe as possible. It hasn’t been easy, especially since her sister Marianne—the world’s biggest romantic—has conveniently forgotten that love burned her so badly she literally almost died. So when their oldest sister Elinor invites Margaret along for a Marianne-free summer cruise, she can’t wait to soak up every scheduled moment with sensible Elinor before heading off to college.
But just before they set sail, a newly-single Marianne announces that she’s crashing their vacation. Suddenly, Margaret’s itineraries are thrown overboard, and the ship’s cabin feels even tinier with her sister wailing about her breakup from the bottom bunk. The only solution? Find Marianne a dose of love to tide her over until they reach land.
With help from Elinor, her husband Edward, and Gabe—a distractingly handsome new friend on the crew—Margaret sets out to create a series of elaborate fake dates that will give Marianne the spontaneously curated summer romance of a lifetime. But between a chaotic sister, the growing storm of feelings between Margaret and Gabe, and an actual storm on the horizon, this summer is destined to go off course. Margaret will have to decide what’s more important—following the plan, or following her heart.

This book delivers on what it promises -- a light rom-com based on the classic Austen novel Sense & Sensibility. As a YA novel, and perhaps also to make the romantic elements work, you do need to suspend reality a bit. For example -- what sisters get to accompany a family member on a cruise for the whole summer? What cruise allows one sister to show up somewhat unexpected? Etc. If you ignore those "could this really happen?" pieces this is a fun, breezy novel that would appeal to adults but is definitely all about the teenage romance. As it's centered around the youngest of the Dashwood sisters, newly graduated from high school, there's also a bit of coming-of-age and learning about oneself that comes into the plot. A quick enjoyable read perfect for summer.

Margaret has found herself on a six week cruise, rooming with her heartbroken sister. All she wants is a calming summer, so she decides to make a plan to get her sister to fall in love again. But will Margaret find love instead?
My favorite quote: "Elinor threw her hands up in the air and laughed, and for a second she looked like she had when she was younger, before the weight of the entire family had landed on her shoulders."
Dashed is such a cute summer read with a fake dating trope based on Jane Austen's "Sense and Sensibility". I loved reading this book, and it really kept me entertained (especially the last few chapters). I absolutely loved seeing Margaret realizing her flaws and finding who she really is without trying to be one of her sisters.
This book had an incredibly impactful message that really resonated with me. Everything about Margaret's backstory was just perfect and I love that she's not a perfect character. I hate when characters are too quirky, but I also dislike when the main character has a seemingly perfect personality. Margaret Dashwood is a perfect in-between, with her habit of helping other people before herself and blocking herself away from any type of love.
The reason I didn't give this book five stars, was because sometimes I really had to push myself to finish the chapters. There were also many times, though, where I would be reading for an hour straight and not even realize it. I think it just could have had a little more plot in the beginning, but besides that, I absolutely adored this book.
Gabe was also an amazing addition to this book, and I loved how he didn't force Margaret to be with him, but he also helped her figure out what she wanted to do with her life. He helped her realize that holding people at arm's length can have even more consequences than being close to people.
Amanda Quain has this way of describing the setting that makes it feel like the most desirable picturesque place ever.
I definitely recommend this book, especially if you're looking for a summer romance with a twist!

This is a modern Sense and Sensibility retelling on a cruise ship during summer vacation.
Margaret Dashwood was looking forward to spending the summer on a cruise ship with Elinor and Edward before starting college. Unfortunately her chaotic sister Marianne shows up unexpectedly. According to her, Brandon broke up with her. Margaret plans to find her a rebound so that she won’t ruin the whole trip. To help her out, Margaret fake dates Gabe, who is an amazing guy. In fake dating Gabe, Margaret falls for him. The Dashwoods also find out that Marianne lied- she broke up with Brandon to “find herself.” Now there’s an approaching hurricane- will the sisters be able repair their relationships by the time the storm hits?

This was such a fun ride! Following Margaret, Marianne, and Elinor through their summer vacation upon the Queen Mab made me feel like I was back on vacation myself. Amanda Quain does a wonderful job describing not only a beautiful cruise ship vacation (to which I can attest from personal experience was very 1:1 with a real modern cruise liner experience), but also does an amazing job portraying each characters emotions and personalities. I felt emotionally involved in each of their journeys and their emotions as they navigate not only finding love, but finding out more about who they are throughout their summer. Through the immense character growth, you can find both highs and lows with each of their characters that are extremely relatable. I give this a solid 4 stars because it was a super fun read, but some situations seemed a bit far fetched. However, I enjoyed how the author tied everything together and I think she did great justice to the characters. Easy book to recommend for anyone wanting to find a book about navigating yourself and the highs and lows to finding it.
Thank you to NetGalley for this advanced copy!

I am absolutely over the moon about Amanda Quain's Austen-inspired series, and "Dashed" is like a burst of joy in book form! Picture this: we're back with the Dashwood family, riding the waves of excitement post-"Sense and Sensibility." Life has thrown some curveballs their way, what with losing their dad and Marianne's rollercoaster romance. But fear not, because the Dashwoods are setting sail on a cruise, courtesy of the serene ship pastor Edward – cue the adventure!
Margaret, the once-upon-a-time fan of Marianne's wild ways, is now channeling her inner Elinor vibes. Picture this serene family cruise suddenly rocked by Hurricane Marianne, who's fresh from a breakup and ready to spice things up. Margaret, determined to keep her chill summer intact, hatches a plan to distract her drama-loving sister. And oh boy, does it involve an intriguing male crew member!
Quain's genius shines through in "Dashed" as she spins her magic with a contemporary Austen twist. Taking a character from the sidelines and giving them the spotlight? Genius! The cruise ship becomes the modern-day equivalent of a summer in Bath, complete with social whirlwinds, concerts, and the potential for wonderfully awkward encounters.
"Dashed" is not just a YA romance; it's a bubbly, sparkling, and utterly charming take on "Sense and Sensibility." Even if you haven't dipped your toes into Austen's world, this book is a standalone gem. I couldn't get enough of the delightful twists and turns, and now I'm practically dancing with anticipation for Quain's spin on the rest of Austen's tales. Trust me, this book is like a fizzy concoction of love and laughter – an absolute delight!

Margaret Dashwood just wants to spend the next six weeks peacefully cruising aboard the Queen Mab with her sister Elinor and brother in law Edward before heading to college in the fall. Then Margaret’s middle sister Hurricane Marianne shows up on the cruise and blows Mags’ calm, perfectly planned summer out of the water. Marianne is suffering through a breakup with her long term boyfriend, a man who always managed to temper Marianne’s more chaotic tendencies. For the last five years, Mags has modeled her life after even-keeled, responsible Elinor and is desperate not to return to her dramatic early years emulating Marianne. So she concocts a plan to find Marianne a new summer boyfriend aboard the ship. It’ll be a win/win. Marianne will have a distraction from her breakup and someone to hang out with and Mags can continue on with her well organized plans. Only Marianne won’t go along with the plan unless Mags looks for a boyfriend too, which horrifies Mags. That is until she meets crew member Gabe Montiero and convinces him to be her fake boyfriend and help with her scheme. A new plan in place, Mags is certain her summer will be smooth sailing. But what happens when things aren’t quite how the seem and fake feelings become all to real?
Amanda Quain’s Dashed is a cute, heartfelt reimagining of Jane Austen’s Sense & Sensibility told from the youngest Dashwood sister’s perspective. What a fun concept setting the book on a cruise ship! It’s a unique take and pushes the plot and characters in interesting ways. On a ship you’re confined and only have a certain amount of space, which means you can’t get away from your problems. Drama! The family dynamics in Dashed are fascinating and the sister relationships are on point and well written. Mags is a typical teenager and youngest sibling. She starts off a little self-centered and self-obsessed, but starts to see her sisters as real people which forces her to look at things outside of herself. Gabe is a good balance for Mags and her constant need to plan. He helps her find a happy medium and is a strong support as she grows into her own person and not a copy of her sisters. A delightfully sweet book about love, both familial and romantic.

It should not come as a surprise to you that I love a good Jane Austen retelling, and I have read many over the years. I decided that I wanted to reread all of Austen’s work in 2023, and I’ve gotten through five of her six books so far. (I am dawdling on picking up Mansfield Park again…). I fell in love with Accomplished and Ghosted, the first two books in the series of Austen retellings by Amanda Quain. I was so excited to pick up Dashed.
Quain does an excellent job flipping the script on the Austen novels she’s retelling. I loved that Accomplished took a “side character” of Pride and Prejudice, Georgiana Darcy, and refocused the story on her, and Ghosted is a gender bent version of Northanger Abbey. Margaret Dashwood is the younger sister of the central Marianne and Elinor Dashwood in Sense and Sensibility, but she is the protagonist and narrator of Dashed. I loved getting to know Margaret and to get a different point of view on the story.
I’ve always loved the way Sense and Sensibility centers the sibling relationships just as much as the romantic ones. As a younger sister myself, I thought Quain captures what it means to look up to your older sibling perfectly. Without spoiling too much, there is a beautiful scene at the end of the book where Margaret tells Marianne and Elinor how much she wanted to be like them, which leads to a moment of deep connection between them.
Fake dating is one of my favorite romance tropes, and I found its use in Dashed so much fun. Margaret starts the book claiming she will never date, but she ends up pretending to date Gabe, a member of the ship’s crew, as part of a scheme to set up Marianne. I loved Gabe pretty instantly. He compliments Margaret so well, and he is willing to call her out when necessary. They are easy to like and root for as a couple.
Austen’s novels end with the happily ever after. Elinor and Marianne end Sense and Sensibility each having found their perfect match. I loved that Dashed addressed what happens after that. Marianne and Brandon begin this story having broken up after being together for a long time. There is also exploration of what it means for Elinor and Edward to be in a happy marriage. I loved that expansion of the narrative for these beloved characters.
I’m already eagerly awating the next installment of this series. Emma is my favorite Austen novel, and I’m hoping Quain tackles that one next. Wednesday books, if you’re listening?