Bestselling author Staci Hart brings you another installment of the Austen Series, inspired by theworks of Jane Austen, with a heartfelt contemporary retelling of Sense and Sensibility.The second Annie Daschle tumbles into my arms, I’m a goner.When she asks if we’re hiring at Wasted Words, I can only say yes, even though we aren’t—it’s that early on that I realize I can’t say no to her. Not when … can’t say no to her. Not when she asks me to show her around New York, even though I already know I should stay away. Not when she asks if we’re friends because I want her so much more than that.
But she isn’t mine, and she never can be.
She’s ten years younger than me–fresh out of high school, never been kissed. She’s my employee, just a kid with a heart condition that’s stopped her from living out loud like she’s always wanted. She’s never dated, never had a boyfriend, never lived, and I can’t be the one to break her heart the first time. I can’t be the one to show her what could be.
But God, how I want to.
Within a few staggering heartbeats, Annie and I are caught in the middle of something we can’t find our way out of, with no clear answers and no rules. And the moment she’s in my arms again, I realize she can’t control her heart. Not the decisions it makes.
Not the moment it stops.
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I’m a huge fan of Jane Austen, my mum brought me up watching the BBC tv movies and reading the books, so to have one of my all time favourite authors recreate Sense and Sensibility, a childhood favourite, was purely magical for me.
I love how true to the original Staci made this, whilst still keeping it modern and making it her own. I’m truly in awe of how she achieved this because it seems like such an impossibility to me. The beautiful and reserved sensuality of Sense and Sensibility is conveyed so clearly in this book, the perfect slow burn romance that teases you unrelentingly and leaves you breathless by the raw emotions the characters experience.
Greg is such a beautiful hero, his selflessness and kindness and the way we get to see Annie through his eyes had me swooning and doing those inner fangirl screams at Annie, our heroine, to just be with him already. Annie has this never ending positivity and hope that made me feel like the Grinch after his heart grows three sizes. And even the secondary and background characters that were inspired by Sense and Sensibility were perfectly constructed, making me wish I could get to know them even more.
As always with Staci’s books, the writing is emotive, lyrical, and completely immerses you in the story, enough that your own world falls apart and all that exists in your brain is the world she’s created. I also really adore that we’re getting Elle and Ward’s story separate because it means we get the focus of the book on just one couple, and I can’t wait to see how Staci slots in the sequel with it happening over the same timeline. Often in these cases plot holes form, but I wait with bated breath for The Sound of Silence and with complete confidence that Staci will pull this off flawlessly. Thank you Staci Hart, for yet another heart wrenching masterpiece, now I just need to figure out what to do with the feels overload.
“You’ve been in my heart ever since I met you…”
I was pleasantly surprised with this coming-of-age romance. At eighteen, Annie Daschle, along with her two sisters and mom, has moved to Manhattan to live with her aunt and uncle. With the passing of her father, life’s taken a drastic change and fallen times, although have the fortune of leaning on relatives for support.
Meanwhile, Annie sees the opportunity to discover new experiences in the city that her little town in Texas could ever give. Annie makes a list and entitles it “Living Out Loud.” And the first thing is to find a job.
She meets handsome Greg Brandon at Wasted Words, a bookstore/bar. He is so taken by Annie he offers her a job. There is an instant attraction but Greg is circumspect when he finds out she’s way too young for him, as he’s ten years older than Annie. They remain friends, but the more they spend time together checking things off her list, the more Greg wants Annie for himself. Grey loves the sunshine Annie brings to work and her refreshing sweetness. I love how patient and giving Greg is with Annie. He’s solid and loyal and honorable, and always puts Annie’s happiness first.
When Annie is swept off her feet from a known nemesis, Will Bailey, Greg feels he’s lost his chance. How to convince Annie her charming boyfriend is not what he seems, and that he will end up hurting her? Annie realizes too late in attempts to flee from danger, but her life-threatening heart condition renders her weak. The story is very sweet but has a satisfying romantic ending. There is a great cast of secondary characters that lend depth to this story, and I love the author’s style of writing that made this story a reading pleasure. I am looking forward to Elle’s story next.
~5 ++ Stars~
What an absolutely stunning, beautiful, heartwarming romance. Living Out Loud is the very reason why I love romance, and why I love to read!
Annie has lost almost everything…her father and her home. She started life at a loss when she was born with a heart defect, but she doesn’t let those things stop her. She has a list for “living out loud,” get a job, meet a boy who will take her out on a real date and kiss her, and maybe be her boyfriend. These are just a couple of things she hasn’t done but is more than ready to do. She may just get her chance to mark some items off of her list when she, her sisters, and her mother move to NYC to live with her aunt and uncle.
Greg works at Wasted Words, a bookstore that also sells booze and coffee. He, like Annie, has suffered loss and has had to give up some dreams for his family. He is totally unprepared when Annie literally runs into him. She has come to Wasted Words to mark something off of her list, getting a job. Greg realizes from the very beginning that Annie is special. Her sweet essence radiates from her. When he realizes she is much younger than him, he knows he needs to stay away. Yet, there is something that keeps pulling him towards her. Maybe Annie will get to cross some other things off of her list with Greg.
I’m in complete awe of Annie. Hart really captures who she is. Her personality leaps off the pages. She hasn’t experienced the things normal teenagers have because of her health, but she never lets that get her down. She has immersed herself in her music. She is incredibly talented on the piano. Most people would be cynical and bitter, not Annie.
Greg is also very special. His loyalty and love for his family is incredible. He and Annie recognize something in each other, and what transpires is a magical love story! His is definitely a swoon-worthy hero.
In addition to Annie and Greg, the secondary characters made this story so wonderful and heartfelt. I adored Annie’s mother. She suffered the loss of her husband, and a devastating injury as well. Like her daughter, she is not bitter or resentful either. She loves her daughters passionately, and is everything a mother should be. She made me appreciate my own mother. I have read very few books in which a person who has died is such a pivotal character, but Annie’s father is. He still has such an influence on his daughters, and that was a beautiful part of the story. It was nice to read about a family that loved and supported each other, and Annie’s aunt and uncle were a perfect example of that.
I haven’t read the other books in the Austen series, but you better believe I will be in the very near future. What a wonderful and genius concept to do a modern re-telling of Jane Austen’s works. Hart does a phenomenal job of making the story and characters her own, but takes nothing away from Austen’s works themselves! Hart is also a master with words. She leaves me speechless and in awe whenever I read anything by her.
4.5 Stars!
Living Out Loud is the 3rd book in the Austen series; it’s a Standalone, inspired by the works of Jane Austen. It’s beautifully written, a modern twist of a favorite tale, told in a romantic and emotional story. This is Ms Hart’s version of Sense and Sensibility and you’re going to love it!
The Daschle family had their lives turned upside down by a cruel twist of fate. They’ve had to leave their humble but loving home, in a small town in Texas, and move to New York City, to live with their mother’s brother and his wife, virtual strangers. Annie, the middle child, was born with a heart condition and knows she will need another surgery sometime in the future, to repair a defective valve. At eighteen, she hadn’t been allowed to do very much living, due to her condition, but she now knows life can change in an instant and she wants to live out loud, so to speak. Armed with a list of things she wants to accomplish she’s able to cross getting a job off her list after being hired at Wasted Words, a Book Store/Bar. Annie was hired by the head bartender/bar manager, Greg, after colliding into him on her way in to inquire about a job there. They soon become friends and he begins to introduce Annie to new and wondrous experiences, not all from her list, some things he just wants to share with her.
Greg Brandon is a manager at Wasted Words, just not the book store one, but he hires the beautiful girl with mittens on her hands anyway, after crashing into her. He’s unexplainably drawn to her and when he finds out, by accident, about her list of things she’s never done he offers to help her out. He’s attracted to Annie, but he’s aware of the age difference, and she apparently has put him in the friend zone. He’s “almost an old man, close to thirty” as she tells her sisters. Maybe he should confess his feeling for her and see if she’d like to try dating him. Sounds like a plan, until it’s too late.
“I’d tried to convince myself I could be her friend and nothing more. I’d considered the earnestness of her feelings, the depths I knew to be true; she cared for me and wanted me, just not in the way I wanted her.”
When Annie meets Will, by accident, she’s attracted to him as he sweeps her off her feet and she tells her friend Greg all about him. Now Greg thinks he shouldn’t have hesitated. Why couldn’t she see what was directly in front of her? Maybe she needs a little convincing. He decides he should try a grand gesture. Surely that will do the trick.
I loved Greg! He was perfect for Annie and she just needed to fully open her star filled eyes to see him. This is one of those sweet HEA that leave you taking a joyful sigh at the end!
Absolutely, without question my favorite book ever written by The author. I’m drawn to books that make me feel. And this story made me so feel so happy.
Annie is a burst of sunshine. It was impossible not to feel her emotions while reading. This made connecting with her character effortless. She’s coming into her own and figuring out who she is. The excitement and joy of her character leaps off the pages, and it made me remember how amazing experiencing things for the first time really is.
I already knew Greg was a good guy when he was in Last Call but this story solidified him in swoon worthy status. I’m a sucker for the good guys, always have been. Greg is one of the best good guys I’ve ever read. How can you not love a man that puts his love interest first in every way.
I loved the friendship this pair formed. The connection was instant and felt so natural. But the build up, oh my gosh the build up between them was soooo good. That first kiss was just something else.
If you’re a romantic at heart then you will fall in love with this story. It left me with a smile on my face and it was so refreshing to read something where the love and excitement for life was so pure. I could read about these two over and over again
I’ve read a few Staci Hart books now, but admittedly, none of them were ‘The Austen series’. I was pulled in by the awesome cover and the blurb didn’t really show how the story would be written.
I have read the original books by Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility being one of them. Maybe that’s why I spent most of the story feeling like I’d read it before. I could ‘feel’ the story inside my head, and it kinda got in the way of this adaption.
It was a really good book though and if you’ve liked the others in this particular series, then I’m sure you’ll love this one too.
Jane Austen lovers, congregate and rejoice. For there is a new retelling in town. And what a phenomenal one it is.
The story of Marianne.. Annie.. told through the lens of the 21st century. And all the things that annoyed me about 19th century Marianne, I love 21st century Annie. Sigh.
Staci Hart manages to tell a story that is filled with hopes and dreams, of first experiences and second chances. Of capturing and of letting go. Of trust and naivety, and of love and loss. Of new memories and unexpected surprises.
Greg and Annie are an unlikely couple.. there are lots of things to overcome, sickness, age, relationship statuses.. but the little seed of their love is planted and nurtured. As great as their feelings for each other are, so is the impact they have on the other’s life. A true new start, which they must only grasp, and start Living Out Loud. Inspiring, heart-warming and truly a book to curl up with, yet, in hindsight tells truths that ring true and important. Lovely. Amazing. And I can’t wait for Elinor’s story.
Annie has an amazing spirit that is captivating. She lives with a heart condition that has kept isolated in some ways but she finds way to explore and expand her universe. When tragedy happens, she has to move to New York with her mother and sisters to live with an aunt and uncle. Her excitement at exploring New York is infectious. Even with her limitations, she decides she needs to Live Out Loud. She really wants a job and ends up at a bookstore, crashing into Greg. Greg is entranced by Annie’s spirit but realizing he is 10 years older than her, works to keep their relationship friendly. Annie and Greg have that comfortable connection, able to talk about anything, share anything without fear of judgement. When Annie is swept off her feet by Will, it seems Greg may have lost his chance once he allows his heart to truly feel. Will introduces new challenges for Annie, she wants the knight in shining armor but her innocence may lead her down the wrong path. This is truly a wonderful journey of finding your path, embracing your dreams and opening your heart to what’s in front of you. I road every emotional up and down with both Annie and Greg, wanting to give them both a hug. Blown away by how much this story pulled me in and wouldn’t let go to the very end. I voluntarily read an ARC of this book and this is my honest review.
First can we PLEASE just look this cover? I mean, goodness gracious, I love every single aspect of it. Besides the colors and the font… her smile and his smile… the look on their faces as they look at each other, can we just recognize the fact that these people are real people? She doesn’t look like some fake Barbie, even though she looks gorgeous, she looks real. He looks like a real man. They look like they’ve spend a Sunday hanging out… no shaving, no showering, just lounging in their comfy clothes and spending the day together. I like that thought process, I’m not sure if that was Staci Hart’s hope but it’s how I perceive it. Just like “Wasted Words” and “A Little Too Late”… “Living Out Loud” needs to be on my book shelf with her sisters.
I was so excited for another Staci Hart book. She writes from her soul or at least that’s how it feels to me. How else could her words touch me deep inside my heart? I am in love with the flow of her words and how she writes her stories. Annie and Greg are two characters that I felt an instant like for. Annie was so sheltered. It was a bit fun watching her live in the big city and checking things off her lists. I’m absolutely thrilled to see Greg again. He’s just perfect for Annie. He’s so patient and kind with her. Their journey is beautiful and one-of-a-kind! I almost felt like my child was stepping out on her own with Annie. Hart does a fantastic job of making her characters relatable, of making them people you end up caring for!
Don’t miss this story; it’s just as beautiful as the cover! Staci Hart is an author that should be followed on her writing journey. It’s one that is going to take us far and wide with her at the helm!
I received an ARC of this book with the hope that I will leave an Unbiased Opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… my opinions.
“I think to love is to burn, and I want to set my heart on fire. Like Tristan and Isolde or Romeo and Juliet.”
I’m glad that my second book by Staci Hart was such a beautiful read! Even more so, that I have no idea of Sense and Sensibility and my mind wasn’t based.
“I was high from the contact, hungry for the feeling, desperate for more.”
I can only repeat myself by saying that Staci has a wonderful talent working with words. They totally get to you and your heart so easily.
Again she created a heartbreaking story with characters that feel so real and down to earth. I’m in love how Staci breathes live into her characters.
“The end is just a beginning in disguise.”
Living Out Loud is about the experience of first love. It’s about how to deal with unexpected and new feelings. It’s about selfless love and it’s about loss. A loss that scatters your life to the bones and how we can learn to live with the pain. To grow from it and live out loud again.
“Daydreaming is fun and free and makes me happy. And if reality isn’t what I’ve imagined, I’ll just dream up something.”
Annie is a character full of wonder and magic. I kind of see my younger self in her as well as my now. I love the optimism of her soul, the lightness of her heart and her lust for life. I love how she dreams about first love and falling in love because she expects that romance books come to live. Even though Annie’s heart was broken in more ways than one, she showed a strength and maturity hat goes way above her age. However, at the same time she acts like a eighteen year old, inexperienced girl should act.
Staci found a great balance in showing us those different sides of Annie which compliment each other perfectly.
“When happiness lifted her up like a kite, I knew I’d do anything for her. Even if it meant the end of me.”
Greg seems too good to be true. He’s funny, smart, kind, caring and super hot. Greg is wearing his soul and his heart within his eyes, within the joy of his laughter and within the way he cares. As soon as he allows his feelings for Annie to be real, he cares more for her happiness than his own. Even it means that he would break. Isn’t that what love should be about?
“Not all love is loud and assuming. Sometimes it’s silent, especially when it puts someone else’s happiness above its own.”
Greg and Annie have a great chemistry and connection. It was obvious to everyone but Annie. But sometimes love takes detours we are unable to influence or foresee. Sometimes we need those detours to see more clearly.
“Love gives itself without condition or expectation simply because it must. Love is devotion.”
Living Out Loud takes some turns I didn’t expect and I wish we could have explored some situations a little deeper. Some things went a little to fast for my taste even though the story itself had a steady slow pace.
If you want to experience the innocence of first love all over again, through the eyes of a shining and strong personality, this book is a perfect way to do it!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this wonderful book.
This story was quite original and had me hooked from the very first page read to the last one. A beautifully written story inspired by Jane Austen, Sense & Sensibility.
Annie and her family move to New York with their uncle and aunt. Life for them hasn’t been easy. Annie likes to make lists in order to try to keep control in her chaotic life. Born with an heart defect, she has had to live her life according to it. Naive 18 year old meets Greg who’s 10 years older then her. Greg shouldn’t feel anything for her because he thinks it’s wrong on so many levels. But love is love.