Category: shannon hale

Book Review, midnight in austenland, shannon hale

Book Review: Midnight in Austenland by Shannon Hale

Kathryn Cooper

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?

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!

review 1
Reviewed by Kathryn Cooper
Creator of Clean Adult Fiction

Advertisement
austenland, Book Review, shannon hale

Book Review: Austenland by Shannon Hale

Kathryn Cooper

Title: Austenland
Author: Shannon Hale
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Release Date: May 2007
Pages: 197
Series: Austenland #1
Source: library
4 Stars: I Really Liked It

Jane Hayes is a seemingly normal young New Yorker, but she has a secret. Her obsession with Mr. Darcy, as played by Colin Firth in the BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, is ruining her love life: no real man can compare. But when a wealthy relative bequeaths her a trip to an English resort catering to Austen-crazed women, Jane’s fantasies of meeting the perfect Regency-era gentleman suddenly become realer than she ever could have imagined.

Decked out in empire-waist gowns, Jane struggles to master Regency etiquette and flirts with gardeners and gentlemen;or maybe even, she suspects, with the actors who are playing them. It’s all a game, Jane knows. And yet the longer she stays, the more her insecurities seem to fall away, and the more she wonders: Is she about to kick the Austen obsession for good, or could all her dreams actually culminate in a Mr. Darcy of her own?

My Thoughts:
This was my second time to read Austenland, and I liked it even better this time. Jane’s obsession with the romance in the BBC Pride and Prejudice movie made me want to watch it. I found some clips on the BBCWorldWide channel on You Tube if you’re interested.

Jane is someone you really want to root for. The poor girl (woman actually since she’s 32) has had a rough love life. Boyfriend after boyfriend turn out to be disappointments. Before the chapters there’s a story about each of Jane’s “boyfriends” from 4 years old to present. Some were hilarious, some embarrassing, and some just plain sad. I so wanted Jane to be able to find true love.

I’m a huge fan of Jane Austen’s books. I’ve read them all, some multiple times. I would love to go to an Austenland, but maybe one with married couples allowed. I just want to go dress up and learn the dances and go to a ball.

If you haven’t read this book you need. It’s plain fun, and a short read too. There’s a movie being made so get it read before it comes out. With Jennifer Coolage as Miss Charming it is bound to be HILARIOUS!! CLICK HERE to see some movie details on imdb. This is an all star cast! Stephenie Meyer is one of the producers even. The official website for the movie is coming soon, CLICK HERE.

Have you read Austenland? Did you like it? Will you go see the movie when it comes out?

Content Ratings: highlight between ( ) to view details
Sexual Content: mild/moderate ( hint of side characters’ infidelity, talk of cleavage and breasts, kissing, necking, making out not too detailed )
Language: mild ( d***-4, h***, jacka**-1 )
Violence: very mild ( girl kneed a man in the groin, short tussle between 2 guys )

Buy it!

review 1
Reviewed by Kathryn Cooper
Creator of Clean Adult Fiction