Hooray for well-done Austen adaptations! I’m only mad that we don’t immediately have Persuasion’s adaptation available to us, but all in good time I guess. My main criticism is that the spice feels like it comes out of nowhere compared to the first 75% of the book and is completely unnecessary in my opinion. It doesn’t move plot forward, it doesn’t add anything emotionally to the characters. It just felt like the authors really wanted to add spice to Austen. So if that’s not your thing, feel free to skim or skip.

With that being said, I feel like the rest of the book is really great. I liked all the ways the authors changed the original story line. Lydia was especially an intriguing change. The only sister I didn’t really care for was Mary. She felt a little stereotypical for what her character was supposed to be and seemed less connected to the rest of the sisters.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and think I would have even without any knowledge of Austen. I’ll be first in line to read the Persuasion retelling. Now excuse me while I try to get my hands on the Bennet Sour Cherry Muffin recipe.