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| Cover retrieved from Goodreads |
My Goodreads review can be found here.
As per usual, anything that does not directly relate to the topic at hand will be written in this color.
This is a unique story as it is both a stand-alone, but is also a part of the Vintage Jane Austen series. This series has retellings of Austen's six major stories as standalones and then an anthology book with, I believe, short stories also retelling those major six stories.
Though this may be odd, I appreciate how Ms. Benedict was able to mimic the emotional tone of Persuasion. Retellings have an interesting problem: the reader wants the retelling to match the original well, but not match completely as then one wants to go read the original instead. Ms. Benedict was able to match the emotional tone while still making this retelling her own.
One of my favorite things about this story is the introduction. In Austen's version, the reader doesn't get to see the relationship dissolve the first time. This version opens with the ending of the relationship and final moments they have before the separation and it is glorious. The tight balance of having an emotional scene that does not slip into campiness or soul-crushing sadness is well done and I love that chapter so much.
This retelling focuses a lot on secondary characters to add depth to both the story and allows for the characters to be their own in the midst of what the reader is used to. Bonnie, the sister of our Wentworth character Freddy, is a big part of Freddy's life and in this story, she brings out a side of him the reader doesn't get to see in the Austen version. I appreciate this because it gives agency to his character in that the reader can have an understanding of how the relationship affected him.
On Anne/Abbey's side, the sisters-in-law of the annoying sister get personalities. In Austen's version, it is obvious that they are young but there is nothing to connect with while reading. This version has them being characters and, while they're slightly annoying because everyone knows they're here to wreck the desired relationship, one can have actual sympathy for their actions because you get to see the motivations.
One of the topics mentioned in Austen's version is the social stigmas that came with being an older single woman. However, it is very minor due to focus on other topics. In this version, there is a heavy focus on what a single woman went through as she ages. There is also focus on what a woman's options were outside of the home, along with the options that were starting due to the changing societal beliefs about women and their place in the world. Both topics are done with joy and in a way that encourages the discussion rather than making the reader choose whether they agree with the character or author.
Another topic that is expounded upon is the looks of Abbey. In Austen's version, there is plenty of mentions that Anne is very average (Wikipedia says she's attractive but I'm pressing X on that due to some of the conversations in Austen's version). In this version, Abbey gets to experience a glow-up that is both exciting and natural. Not only do we get the glow-up so the guy will see what he missed trope, you also get it done in a way that matches real life: the change comes in how one changes the styling of their clothes and hair, how they carry themselves, and finding how to highlight your good features.
It does not come from a magic moment that forces Abbey to change personalities. It does not expect her to be any different and then forces the reader to accept the change. It it all within the character and is a natural growth.
Finally, I loved that this retelling had a big focus on friendship. While this is in Austen's version, it is once again a secondary topic. Ms. Benedict did a wonderful job in adding friendship as another layer to the story; the friendship complements the story rather than distracting, which in turns gives the reader something to focus on while waiting for Abbey and Freddy to get together.
Unfortunately, there are a few things I believe could have been adjusted to keep the flow going a bit better. For one thing, Abbey's thoughts can get wordy. I appreciate the care put in to make sure the reader understands what is going on in her mind, but it wouldn't have hurt to cut a few sentences here and there.
There are mentions that between Abbey and Freddy getting together and the end of the book, there are times where they go on dates 'off camera.' Just one scene of them being together would have been wonderful to read.
Finally, there was a literary reference that...didn't quite fit. I'm not going to spoil who it was, but it was oddly placed in a scene that should have been all about the MCs.
I'm not against references like this. I read and write fanfiction occasionally and I'm going to be so excited in 2022 when all of the Sherlock Holmes stories will finally be in the public domain. But one has to do this well so the reference(s) don't overshadow the story they are trying to tell.
This is one of my favorite retellings and I hope you'll check it out.
*****
Next week I'll be reviewing The Innocent by Willowy Whisper/Hannah Linder. See you then!
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