Midnight in Austenland by Shannon Hale Published by A&C Black on January 1, 2013
Genres: Fiction / Crime, Fiction / General, Fiction / Humorous / Black Humor, Fiction / Mystery & Detective / Cozy / General, Fiction / Romance / Clean & Wholesome, Fiction / Romance / Contemporary, Fiction / Romance / Historical / Regency
Pages: 288
Format: eBook
Source: Library
Buy on Amazon
Charlotte Kinder is in need of true escape when she heads from Ohio to Pembrook Park, a Jane Austen-themed retreat in the British countryside. But as it turns out, this vacation is no time to relax. Hearts are racing and stomachs fluttering in a tangle of intrigues - real and pretend, sinister and romantic - increasingly tough to sort out. It's midnight in Austenland, and Charlotte is about to prove herself a heroine worthy of Austen herself.
After watching Austenland, I happened to spy this sequel at my digital library and thought it might be a fun read. Its not exactly a historical romance, and more of a cozy mystery than romance, but being set at an Austen themed destination with lots of periodic re-enactments, I figured it might be fun for readers, too, looking from a slight deviation from the norm.
Hale serves up Austenland, this time with a mystery. MC Charlotte is recovering from a divorce, at sixes and sevens, and ready for a change. After finally getting around to reading Austen, she happens to also discover Austenland and decides it may be just the thing to get her mojo back. The only issue is things aren’t what they seem (including our heroine, who makes some big self discoveries along the way) and what starts as a fantasy vacation quickly falls into Agatha Christie territory — which Charlotte is also a fan of.
This book is alive with characters, Austen silliness, a little romance, and a mystery on the cozier side–as well as a gothic mystery staged for the guest. It also delivers excellent character growth, ideas about love, and a satisfying romance. There are elements of Northanger Abbey, teasing a heroine’s overactive imagination and a romance that is less about the brooding, unflappable hero and more about the solid, kindness of a hero.
The book is kisses only, with a few on page but not graphic violent scenes. I rated it a bit higher than a typical kisses only because some of the content and language is mature and won’t be for all readers.
There are some great twists to the story, and a delightful look at a would-be immersive Austen experience. I think this is a quick, fun read when you need a bit of a break from historical romance but still want your Regency twist.
