Book Review: Persuasion by Jane Austen

Eight years ago, Anne Elliot and Frederick Wentworth fell head over heels in love. But Anne's snobbish family put a stop to their engagement, believing the young naval captain wasn't good enough for her. Pretty, intelligent Anne soon realises it was a terrible mistake, and spends her twenties in the shadow of her father and her selfish sisters. But she never forgets.

Then Captain Wentworth- by now a successful, wealthy man, looking for a wife- walks back into her life. Can he forgive her? Does he still love her? And could they ever be happy after all this time?

By turns achingly sad and intensely romantic, Persuasion is the ultimate wish-fulfilment novel about love lost and regained. It's a true Cinderella story, for anyone who's ever felt overlooked or anyone who's ever had their heart broken...

Persuasion was the only Jane Austen novel that I hadn't read. I can't say that it has taken the place of Pride and Prejudice as my favourite but I still enjoyed it.
As the blurb says, it is very much a Cinderella story, Anne Elliot is very much put upon and overlooked by her other family members. Her opinion is never sought and her feelings are very rarely considered. Anne Elliot was not allowed to marry Frederick Wentworth as he was deemed below her. She has spent the subsequent years wondering what would have been and feeling the loss of a relationship so it comes as a shock when Frederick Wentworth comes back into her life. He is now Captain Wentworth, having gained both success and a considerable fortune, he is now considered very much a catch. Anne does not find it easy to spend time in his company, especially as it appears that he is on the look out for a wife and several women in her company have their sights firmly set on him.
Persuasion is classic Jane Austen, the path of romance in no way runs smoothly. There are misunderstandings, unrequited love and the dreaded social etiquette of the day. Anne is very different from her family so it seems even harder when they are able to make decisions on her behalf. I was willing Anne to get the relationship that she yearned for. I felt that she truly deserved to be loved by someone who would appreciate who she is and what she had to offer. Captain Wentworth is a good hero, for me he is not as attractive as Mr Darcy but I did like how determined he was and I felt that he and Anne were extremely well matched.
Persuasion is a beautiful story and I am very pleased that I took the time to read it.

Book Review: The Perfect Hero by Victoria Connelly

The circus has come to town...Die-hard romantic, Kay Ashton, uses her inheritance to open a B&B in the seaside town of Lyme Regis and is dumbstruck when the cast and crew of a new production of Persuasion descend, needing a place to stay. Kay can't believe her luck- especially when she realises that heartthrob actor Oli Wade Owen will be sleeping under her very own roof! 

Meanwhile, co-star Gemma Reilly is worried that her acting isn't up to scratch, despite landing a plum role. She finds a sympathetic ear in shy producer, Adam Craig, who is as baffled by the film world as she is. Kay thinks that the two are meant for each other and can't resist a spot of matchmaking. Then Oli turns his trademark charm on Kay, it seems that she has found her real-life hero. But do heroes really exist?

I read Victoria Connelly's first book, A Weekend With Mr Darcy and thought it was great. Although The Perfect Hero is not a sequel, it does still have a heavy Jane Austen influence on the form of her book Persuasion. Unfortunately Persuasion is the only Austen book I haven't read (this is soon to be remedied) but for review purposes I can say that this wasn't a bad thing as I don't think I missed anything in The Perfect Hero.
Kay is a very likable character, she hasn't had a great life so when she unexpectedly comes into some money, she knows she has to grasp the opportunity with both hands. She has always wanted to live by the sea and Lyme Regis has a particular pull due to it featuring in Jane Austen's Persuasion. Kay is a true Austen fan and her real passion is illustrating Austen's books. She knows that her illustrations are good but she hasn't found the courage to send them to any publishers yet.
Kay buys the B&B in Lyme Regis and hasn't even finished decorating when the cast of Persuasion check in. They are filming on location and Kay finds herself surrounded by film stars that she had previously admired from afar. Oli Wade Owen has Kay completely star struck and she soon has a full on crush. Oli is happy to turn the charm on but he isn't all he seems.
Gemma Reilly is playing the lead role of Anne Elliot but she is painfully shy. She has been pushed into acting by her famous mother but her heart really isn't in it. Gemma gets on well with Kay but is confused as to why she is trying to match her up with producer Adam when it is clear that he has had a crush on Kay from the very start.
I really enjoyed The Perfect Hero, it is very reminiscent of Austen, with the gossip, intrigue, mysterious male leads and misunderstandings in love. Victoria Connelly's writing is extremely witty and I love her enthusiasm for Austen and her ability to recognise and represent a true Austen fan,
I would highly recommend both of Victoria Connelly's books. I found The Perfect Hero to be very entertaining and it has finally made me put Persuasion at the top of my TBR pile.

Many thanks to Charlotte at Avon for sending me a copy of the book to review, The Perfect Hero is out today.