Olivia Twist is an innovative reimagining of Charles Dickens’ classic tale Oliver Twist, in which Olivia was forced to live as a boy for her own safety until she was rescued from the streets. Now eighteen, Olivia finds herself at a crossroads: revealed secrets threaten to destroy the “proper” life she has built for herself, while newfound feelings for an arrogant young man she shouldn’t like … could derail her carefully laid plans for the future.
Olivia Brownlow is no damsel in distress. Born in a workhouse and raised as a boy among thieving London street gangs, she is as tough and cunning as they come. When she is taken in by her uncle after a caper gone wrong, her life goes from fighting and stealing on the streets to lavish dinners and soirees as a debutante in high society. But she can’t seem to escape her past … or forget the teeming slums where children just like her still scrabble to survive.
Jack MacCarron rose from his place in London’s East End to become the adopted “nephew” of a society matron. Little does society know that MacCarron is a false name for a boy once known among London gangs as the Artful Dodger, and that he and his “aunt” are robbing them blind every chance they get. When Jack encounters Olivia Brownlow in places he least expects, his curiosity is piqued. Why is a society girl helping a bunch of homeless orphan thieves? Even more intriguing, why does she remind him so much of someone he once knew? Jack finds himself wondering if going legit and risking it all might be worth it for love.
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As an avid reader of Dickens’ works, I was prepared to hate this book as much as the movie currently in theaters entitled, Sherlock Gnomes. I shudder to think of it. How can anyone slaughter a classic in such a way?
Thankfully readers of Lorie Langdon’s Olivia Twist do not have to worry about the story being diluted by nonsense and slap-happy gnomes. In fact, this reimagined tale is almost a tribute to the characters that Charles Dickens created and modernizes many aspects that can be better understood through the eyes of current readers, especially in that of the witty and independent Olivia. Also, the tale is not as bleak as the original classic, but still depicts the plight of women and the poor in 1800s London.
Orphaned as an infant, Olivia grew up as a London street rat, hiding under the guise of being a boy. She knew early on that a woman on the streets of London has a far less chance of making it than a man. Now under the protection of her long-lost uncle, she has left her life of thieving behind… well, mostly. When she recognizes a handsome gentleman at a society party as none other than the Artful Dodger, she is swept into an adventure of turns and literal Twists.
I absolutely adored this book. Loved the characters, the scenery, the plot! My only regret is that this book ended too soon! I ordered it off Amazon and the day it arrived, I read it in one sitting. Hah! Well, I guess I’ll just have to read it again. Here’s hoping Lorie Langdon writes more reimagined classics!
Readers from Young Adult and up will enjoy this reimagined classic full of adventure, a smidge of romance, and a wicked awesome heroine.
A fresh, fun take on a classic!
I was really hoping that I was going to love this one as I have loved Lorie’s writing since she and her co author wrote the Doon series. Unfortunately, this one just wasn’t for me. I went past my normal 100 pages because of the love I’ve had for other books from Langdon but at that point I just didn’t care about the characters and their insta-love. Yup this is one of those titles that has it and for me it didn’t do it well. I understand that Olivia and Jack knew each other but they parted ways at a young age and haven’t seen each other since then. I think if a few more chapters would have fleshed out them falling for each other than the romance at least in my eyes would have made more sense.
The flow of this one was pretty fast for the most part. But with the multiple storylines it just felt like this book didn’t know what it wanted to be. Was it about Olivia trying to save the other street kids? Was it her and the marriage she didn’t want? Or was it about keeping her Uncle safe and not out on the street? Or was it finding Jack and falling in love? It just seemed at times that the story was being pulled in so many directions. And then add a murder into the mix and a villain and I just didn’t know what to do with it.
Which comes to my next issue with this one. There were SO many side characters that I was so confused and really just stopped caring about them or really reading about them. I just kept the names of the Jack, Olivia, and a few others in my head and everyone else was just kind of there. I will say that Lorie did a wonderful job bringing each character to life as they all felt well rounded. But with the Ms. this and the Mr. that etc. It was all very tedious on keeping track of who was whom. I wished that the side characters would have been cut WAY down as most of them I don’t think were even needed as they didn’t bring anything to the story overall.
In the end this one with the characters, the bad romance, and the story that just didn’t know what it wanted to do just kind of overwhelmed me a little. And after 100 pages it just started to go downhill and I started to get bored.
Go Into This One Knowing: Dual POV, Insta-Love, Multiple storylines, Multiple Characters
I was not really impressed. The concept was good but- it was just missing something I just couln’t put my finger on.
“A life without Jack would be like a doused fire; ashy shades of gray washed of the light and heat that had created them.”
Unbelievable. It was him! The Artful Dodger; introducing himself as Jack MacCarron; “she could not believe she’d almost fainted”. It seems that they have both reinvented themselves, in spite of the fact that sordid pasts have a way of seeping through formalities and inescapable truths can prove to be formidable adversaries.
It’s always about the children for Olivia Brownlow. Her gracious benefactor, a beloved uncle, has no idea that his exquisite niece is a lady by day and a thief by night, only to support the gang of orphans who depend on “Ollie’s” generosity to funnel their sustenance. Why? She was one; and the handsome, tailored gentleman across the room taught her everything she knows.
Jack is quite enamored with the lovely Olivia Brownlow, soon realizing that she is just as subtle and skilled in subterfuge as he, maybe even more so after he becomes one of her besotted victims. Determined to get back what is “rightfully his”, Jack begins to unwrap Olivia’s myriad of secrets, finding that in spite of her spirited passion and loyal heart, she is poised to make the mistake of her life, very well losing it in the process. Must”true love mean sacrifice”?
Using razor sharp wit and lush, lyrical descriptive language, this author has demonstrated her ability to bring characters to life who would otherwise remain imaginary!
I want to start by saying I really enjoyed this book. I loved the characters in this story. When I heard Lori Langdon was coming out with a retelling of Oliver Twist I knew I had to read this. And that it was going to be with a young girl point of view instead of a male. The original story is my favorite book of all time. I wasn’t disappointed reading this story. This book is about Olivia Brownlow who was born on the streets and to pretend to be a boy. To keep herself safe on the streets. Olivia is now trying to live honest life with her uncle whom has found her. We also meet Jack and find out who he really is. This story and the characters in this book are amazing. I highly recommend this book. It’s definitely a page turner.
Totally love the ‘twist’ for this story to come about. Good easy read with interesting characters.
Wow. There are very few books that just make me go “wow. That was awesome” but this one definitely took the cake
I am still talking about this ingenious twist!
Exceptionally good reading.
This was a fun “re-telling” of Oliver Twist! Lori Langdon put some engaging twists on the original tale that kept me turning the pages. Most historicals set in this time frame focus on the upper class and this book was a nice break in that it included the realities of the lower class (and the majority of society at that time) as well. Olivia and Jack’s history made for an interesting romantic arc. A fun page-turner with plenty of action and humor!
What a charming book! The setting is in Victorian England years after the conclusion of the original Oliver Twist. The author’s explanation in the beginning of the story of how and why Oliver lied about (her) gender is believable. Now Olivia and Dodger are back with more in common than they think. They both cannot seem to leave parts of their old lives behind, and they both have insecurities because of it.
I loved the use of words describing the scenes and characters. The plot was engaging and the romance so sweet. A wonderful standalone retelling that transports you back in time to London in all its glory.
This was a fun read. I haven’t read Oliver Twist or watched any movie or play on it, so I can’t compare it to the original storyline, but I really enjoyed the story that was told. They were fun, spunky characters. I liked how strong of a character Olivia was, but Dodger was my absolute favorite.
Well written, reflecting the sensibilities and undercurrents of Dickens’ London. A peek behind the fog of the times, the glitz and grime.
This one easily made it onto my list of all-time favorites. I love the two main characters and their heart for those around them, their banter, the action, the romance… basically everything about it! Such a beautiful story of love, family, loyalty and finding God’s will amongst the craziness of reality in the streets of London. Amazing story and one whose enjoyment definitely isn’t limited to young adults. Highly recommend it!
I’m a sucker for retellings of familiar stories, so I couldn’t wait to read this book, especially because I’d already read book one of Langdon’s Doon series and was familiar with her work. I was also interested in it because I’ve seen/performed in the musical Oliver! so I already new the characters.
Olivia Twist didn’t disappoint.
I love the new spin on the story and how Langdon brought in so many of the original characters. I also appreciate that there’s more going on in Jack and Olivia’s lives than just their relationship (though I could have done with a little less will-they-or-won’t-they angst). Overall, though, the characters captured my attention and I couldn’t wait to find out what would happen to them. I’ll definitely read more books by Langdon.
A brilliant re-imagining of Oliver Twist! The prologue hooked me immediately. Langdon deftly plunges the reader into Dickens’s world of lovable orphans fighting to survive on the darker streets of London. Their plight is set in stark contrast to the sumptuous backdrop of Victorian England’s high society. Olivia Twist deals with treachery in both worlds, and proves herself as a spirited heroine worthy of admiration, while Dodger is the perfect bad boy hero. Sigh, I’ve fallen in love.
What a cute story! I didn’t know much about Oliver twist, but I didn’t feel lost reading it. I like the liberties the author took with adapting the characters. Even though you can kind of see where the plot is going, it was still fun watching it get there, and the romance was very sweet. Would recommend!
I enjoyed the twists in it
Olivia Twist takes the reader on an adventure through the elite and poor of London. From pickpocketing to high tea this book is full of action and mystery. Who is the man with the Irish accent and charming smirk? Who is Ollie? Who is Olivia? Find out in this amazing novel!