Thank you Bloomsbury for this book in exchange for an honest review
Synopsis:
Anna Austen knows she has to marry rich. Her future Happiness depends upon it. While her cousin Fanny has more choice, she too is under pressure to find a suitor. But how can either know what they want? Is finding love even as option? The only person with answers is their Aunt Jane. She has never married, yet she’s perfectly happy. The time will come for each Austen girl to be the heroine of her own story. Will either of them follow in Jane’s footsteps?
Review:
The Austen Girls is based around the lives of the Austen family but in particular the young lives of Fanny and Anna. They have hit the age of being socially allowed to attend balls and find themselves a husband. Stumbling across Mr Drummer, Fanny thinks that she has found her soul mate until he is set of for a crime he didn’t commit. Fanny desperate to see Mr Drummer free, set out and investigates the crime herself. Along the way, Fanny realises that life isn’t just about finding yourself a husband as her Aunt Jane steps in to assist.
While this is a cute, fun and interesting take on one of the greatest literary minds to date, I found the pace of the book to be rather slow. But I think the book was more inclined to invite a younger audience to the Austen world and not soo much for those that already have a love and appreciation for Austen already.
The characters were likeable and bold (or as bold as females were permitted in that time anyway) but were also enjoyable as well. I more enjoyed the appearance of Jane Austen and the glimpse into the life of writing books and the strong female voice that influences Fanny and Anna’s life and their choices. Because just in case you didn’t know females have more in life then marrying and having children.
Overall it was a quick and fun-ish read, but I feel as though I have read this storyline one too many times before but again, I think this was more inclined for the younger readers out there.
Rating: 3/5
Publisher: Bloomsbury
ISBN: 9781526605450