Book Review: Midnight in Austenland by Shannon Hale

Title: Midnight in Austenland
Author: Shannon Hale
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA
Release Date: January 2012
Pages: 277
Series: Austenland #2
Source: library
5 Stars: I LOVED IT!!!

When Charlotte Kinder treats herself to a two-week vacation at Austenland, she happily leaves behind her ex-husband and his delightful new wife, her ever-grateful children, and all the rest of her real life in America. She dons a bonnet and stays at a country manor house that provides an immersive Austen experience, complete with gentleman actors who cater to the guests’ Austen fantasies.

Everyone at Pembrook Park is playing a role, but increasingly, Charlotte isn’t sure where roles end and reality begins. And as the parlor games turn a little bit menacing, she finds she needs more than a good corset to keep herself safe. Is the brooding Mr. Mallery as sinister as he seems? What is Miss Gardenside’s mysterious ailment? Was that an actual dead body in the secret attic room? And-perhaps of the most lasting importance-could the stirrings in Charlotte’s heart be a sign of real-life love?

The follow-up to reader favorite Austenland provides the same perfectly plotted pleasures, with a feisty new heroine, plenty of fresh and frightening twists, and the possibility of a romance that might just go beyond the proper bounds of Austen’s world. How could it not turn out right in the end?

add to your GoodReads

My Thoughts:
I need to stop reading books set in Europe! Now I’m desperate to vacation there. One of these days my husband and I will have to take a European tour. Until then, I’ll have to be satisfied with visiting Europe through books.

I loved this book!! I read it every spare chance I had. It was so fun! I’m at a loss for words to describe how much I enjoyed relaxing and reading this book.

Charlotte was in her late 30s, divorced, and had two children. Early on in the story she read Jane Austen and decided to take a trip to Austenland while her kids were with their dad for part of the summer. If you’ve read Austenland you’ll remember Miss Charming. Well, she was back and as funny as ever with perfect comedic timing — hilarious. There were a few other characters returning from Austenland. I enjoyed the continuation of their stories.

I really liked Austenland, but I loved Midnight in Austenland even more. The mystery added to the fun. I felt so uncomfortable for Charlotte at times, but in the end I was attached to the character and wanted to see her happy with her life. I recommend this book to everyone!

Content Ratings: highlight between ( ) to view details
Sexual Content: mild ( mention of affair, mild talk mostly by Ms Charming- hilarious, kissing )
Language: very mild ( effin-1, d***-2, h***-1, a**-1 )
Violence: mild ( attempted strangle, hitting and kicking, murder )

Buy it!

[ Amazon / Barnes & Noble / The Book Depository ]

review 1
Reviewed by Kathryn Cooper
Creator of Clean Adult Fiction