Goodreads Summary:
When Charlotte Kinder treats herself to a two-week vacation at Austenland, she happily leaves behind her ex-husband and his delightful new wife, her ever-grateful children, and all the rest of her real life in America. She dons a bonnet and stays at a country manor house that provides an immersive Austen experience, complete with gentleman actors who cater to the guests' Austen fantasies.
Everyone at Pembrook Park is playing a role, but increasingly, Charlotte isn't sure where roles end and reality begins. And as the parlor games turn a little bit menacing, she finds she needs more than a good corset to keep herself safe. Is the brooding Mr. Mallery as sinister as he seems? What is Miss Gardenside's mysterious ailment? Was that an actual dead body in the secret attic room? And-perhaps of the most lasting importance-could the stirrings in Charlotte's heart be a sign of real-life love?
The follow-up to reader favorite Austenland provides the same perfectly plotted pleasures, with a feisty new heroine, plenty of fresh and frightening twists, and the possibility of a romance that might just go beyond the proper bounds of Austen's world. How could it not turn out right in the end?
My Thoughts:
Shannon Hale takes on both Northanger Abbey and Mansfield Park in this fun romp! If you've read Austenland you'll know that Hale does a great job at creating light-hearted modern takes on classic Austen novels. She accomplishes this and more with Midnight in Austenland! Hale had me biting my nails on the edge of my couch with all of the fun plot twists and turns. I enjoy modern spins on either Northanger or Mansfield, as they are often overlooked for their more popular counterparts (shout out to P&P and S&S!). Mansfield Park happens to be one of my favorite Austen novels so I really enjoyed Hale's updated version.
I highly recommend this not only to Austen lovers but to anyone in the mood for a fun and lighthearted mystery/romance!
4/5 stars.
*Disclosure: received a free ARC for review from the publisher
Yay! SO glad to hear that you enjoyed it! I LOVED Austenland so I'm really excited for this one!
ReplyDeleteI read this one already too and I actually found that I liked the first one more than this one. I wasn't all that thrilled with the mystery. I'm glad to hear you enjoyed it so much. I think I read they are making the first one into a movie soon!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the first novel and now, thanks to your lovely review, I'm excited to try the second.
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