How can you run from someone who already has your heart?Romance at a family reunion is usually the start of a bad joke, but when the hunky neighbor everyone’s talking about turns out to be Anne’s ex, her plans for a relaxing cabin retreat fly out the window. Eight years ago, Anne broke off their engagement, afraid they were too young. It was a decision she’s regretted ever since. But Eric seems … since. But Eric seems fine, and even suggests they stop avoiding each other and enjoy having mutual friends.
Eric Wentworth is not fine. He’s sort of accidentally dating one of Anne’s relatives. He’s introduced his lovelorn best friend to Anne and they’ve hit it off. Worst of all, they won’t be parting at the end of week like he thought. Anne lives in the city he’s moving to, and cutting her out of his life is impossible when she’s taken over his.
They swore they’d never give each other a second chance, but sometimes life has other plans…
Don’t miss this modern take on Jane Austen’s Persuasion with all the characters you know and love.
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Anne’s ex, Eric has come crashing back into her life. She never thought their paths would cross again, but yet here he is.
Eric was burned by Anne, yet he wonders if she is the same girl as before.
In true Jane Austin form, the romance between Eric and Anne is a push and pull of feelings. Denial in its best form, all the while still being prim and proper.
Eric pushes Anne away so much, it’s heartbreaking. Yet as he denies what he knows to be true, he can’t help himself. But if he keeps up, she may just finally move on for good.
This book was an interesting and sweet romantic book. The characters are definitely interesting and entertaining. To me I felt Anne is used a lot in the book. I felt that people take advantage of her sweetness. That irritated me. But a backbone she will grow. I have faith.
Writing a MODERN version of Persuasion couldn’t be easy – but Rachel Johns made it feel effortless. She did an amazing job of making this second chance romance work, of creating believable tension with two characters who can’t just say what they feel for GOOD reason. If you love Anne Elliot, if you love Wentworth, come to this story expecting glimpses of the original tale in a way that makes this retelling enchanting.
I think this might be my favorite of this author’s modernization of Austen series. And as is the case with the first two, I loved the cover.
The story parallels the original pretty closely but puts it all in a modern setting, adapting as needed to make sense in this time period. I liked the characterizations of her modern version. I was amazed at how much I liked Benneck. He seemed to have a lot more personality than Austen’s morose version. This Benneck was still devastated by his lost love but actively played matchmaker and talked about more than poetry. I liked him. And I actually liked Mary in this one. She wasn’t just whiny. She was still demanding and took advantage of Anne but I liked her.
I liked having the two POV so we knew what was going on in Eric’s mind and heart as well as Anne’s. And I liked both of them. The friction and awkwardness was often palpable between them. And I liked the way that Anne handled her nephews. We saw a lot of her prowess in handling unruly children and showed her personality too.
I thought this was a fun read for a little taste of Austen in a modern setting.
No sex, language or violence
*I won this book in a giveaway and voluntarily chose to review it.
I am a huge fan of Jane Austen’s Persuasion and have enjoyed Rachel John’s other Austen inspired romantic comedies so I was super excited to read Persuading the Captain. This book was exactly what I was in the mood for and I easily read it in one sitting. I rate it 4.5 stars (almost 5 but not quite there for me). The characters were fabulous and I absolutely loved that the story was told from both Anne and Eric’s perspectives which I think made it that much more enjoyable. Their chemistry was great and there were lots of great moments between the too. The part in the mud was hilarious and swoon worthy. Great clean content, I almost wish it was longer I was enjoying it so much.
If you want a sweet and easy read, this was a great book. I loved the characters and even though I know the “Persuasion” story-line, it still found ways to surprise me. I love Rachel John’s writing! She does a great job at keeping me engaged and enthralled with the romance without getting graphic. Can’t wait to read whatever she comes up with next!
I love books that feature a large cast of crazy, well-developed, supporting characters. This modern take on Jane Austen’s Persuasion hits the nail on the head. It’s been more than a decade since I’ve read the original, so I don’t think you need to be familiar with it to enjoy Rachel John’s adaptation. Anne and Eric have a great, second-chance love story set during a family reunion. This is a clean read that’s perfect for enjoying on a sunny afternoon.
Rachel John does such a good job with her Jane Austen re-tellings. She gives them her own contemporary twist while still staying true to the iconic story you love. Persuasion is one my favs and this was a light and fun version with just the right amount of tension and growth.
I’ve read a lot of this authors books and this is by far my favorite. Original story by Jane Austen Persuasion, which I love, is a drama. It ends happy but there’s a definite melancholy that goes to the whole story. This book on the other hand is more of a romcom that is overall lighthearted and fun to read. It’s a modern story but it stays very true to the original storyline in a cool unique way. I really love this story. There is a little bit of the feeling of sadness as the original but overall it feels like hope, new beginnings, and the ability to see possibilities.
It’s a great book that I just want to read all over again.
Rating: G/PG, clean family friendly, would love to see this in a movie format.
I am love with this series! This is a contemporary retelling of Jane Austen’s persuasion and was really well done. Rachel John manages to stay true to the original story while also adding twists that make the story unique. This was a lighthearted romantic comedy that made me laugh and smile and was so much fun to read. Great characters, fun plot, and a happy ending!
If you love Jane Austen, you have to give this series a try! I cannot wait to see what book comes next.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book but all opinions are my own.
While this wasn’t my favorite of Rachel John’s Jane Austen retellings this one is still a good story and writing. (I think it’s not my favorite just because of the original story. The h is walked over by her unfeeling family and I wish the H would declare himself already sometimes, lol.) The bones, heart and theme of Persuassion was kept. However, there were some deviations to the story that made it the authors own and original. There were some moments between the h & H that made me smile and laugh a bit. I thought the dialog was good. The flow of the story was nice and matched the original. The “villians” were spot on as well as the good supporting characters. I really like what Rachel John has done with these reteliings. Thery’re fun reads. Good for a relaxing and unwinding time.
4.5* This was a great story, full of twists and turns. The side characters were strongly developed and the chemistry between the main characters was spot on! I enjoyed the heroine’s perspective and the finding herself moments as well.