Book Review: Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict by Laurie Viera Rigler

Jane Mansfield, a gentleman's daughter in 1813 England, has long wished to escape a life in which career choices are limited to wife or maiden aunt. But awakening one morning in twenty-first-century Los Angeles- in the body of someone called Courtney Stone- is not exactly what she had in mind.

Jane must quickly get to grips with a world in which everyone thinks she is Courtney Stone: a dizzying world of horseless metal carriages, unrestricted clothing, tiny apartments, all manner of flirting and unheard of liberties for womankind. The only thing that Jane appears to have in common with Courtney is a love for the novels of Jane Austen. But are the wise words of her favourite novelist enough to guide her through this bewildering new world? And what is she to make of Courtney's attentive friend Wes, who is as attractive and confusing as the man who broke her heart back home?

As Courtney's romantic entanglements become her own, Jane wonders: would she actually be better off back in Regency England- and will she ever be able to return?

Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict is the parallel book to Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict which I reviewed here. Confessions follows Courtney Stone falling into the life of Jane Mansfield in Regency England and Rude Awakenings is the opposite as we see what happens when Jane Mansfield takes over Courtney Stone's life in the present day. I would urge you to read both books as they are great but you do not need to he read one of them to understand the other if you know what I mean.
As well as adjusting to being somebody completely new, Jane Mansfield also has to deal with all the modern surroundings in her new life. Used to travelling in horse-drawn carriages, Jane is petrified during her first outing in the car. She has no idea what a computer is and marvels at the cupboard in the kitchen that magically keeps the food cool.
Jane's new friends (believing Courtney has concussion) have to fill in the gaps. They explain how she has recently broken off her engagement to Frank as she caught him with her wedding cake designer. They explain how she has a seriously demanding boss with a job she hates but won't leave and also a very annoying mother. The one person who goes out of his way to help Courtney/Jane is Wes; he helps her get her life back on track and more importantly, how to use Google. However, Jane discovers that Wes covered up for Frank's cheating and now she doesn't know what to do. The only man she was beginning to have feelings for appears to be the last person she should trust.
Laurie Viera Rigler has written another highly entertaining book, I think it is a great idea to tell the story from Jane's perspective. This book makes you think twice about all of the home comforts and equality for women that we take for granted by seeing it through the eyes of a woman who previously wouldn't have imagined these things.
This book will appeal to many readers, especially those Jane Austen addicts out there, it's a really lovely read.

Many thanks to Bloomsbury for sending me a copy to review, Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict is out now.

Book Review: Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict by Laurie Viera Rigler

This lovely book from Bloomsbury is a must read for any Jane Austen fan. It is reminiscent of the ITV series Lost in Austen which I and I know many of you enjoyed watching. Courtney Stone is a single, thirty year old living in 21st century L.A. However, one morning she wakes up in the body of Jane Mansfield, also a single thirty year old, the big difference being that Jane lives in Regency England. Courtney is sure that she is dreaming at first but she slowly has to come round to the idea that it might all be real and that she is now living the kind of Jane Austen life that she had always dreamed about.
Courtney's new life as Jane is interesting enough but then the dashing and exceedingly rich Charles Edgeworth is thrown into the mix. Both Courtney and the reader have to decide whether Charles is a dastardly Wickham character not to be trusted or whether he is a beloved Darcy.
Laurie Viera Rigler recreates Regency England very well and she treats us to visits in Bath and London within the story. My favourite part of the book is when Courtney as Jane Mansfield bumps into the real-life Jane Austen and can't help but be a slightly scary and over-enthusiastic fan.
This book is a lot of fun, we watch Courtney Stone as she has to adapt her 21st century attitude and mannerisms to fit in with the etiquette of a lady at that time. It is very interesting to consider the vast differences between a 21st century single thirty year old and a woman of the same predicament in Jane Austen's time. Both women have different pressures placed upon them by society but they are identical in their desire to marry for true love.
Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict is a really lovely, light read. It has you laughing in many places whilst still offering you plenty to think about.