Jane Austen's First Love by Syrie James

Jane Austen's First Love

by Syrie James

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Published by: Berkley on August 5, 2014
Genres: Regency period, Jane Austen spinoff
Source: ARC from Publisher
Rating: 3 Stars

NOTICE: I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Fifteen-year-old Jane Austen dreams of three things: doing something useful, writing something worthy, and falling madly in love. When she visits her brother in Kent to celebrate his engagement, she meets wealthy, devilishly handsome Edward Taylor—a fascinating young man who is truly worthy of her affections. Jane knows a match between her and Edward is unlikely, but every moment she spends with him makes her heart race—and he seems to return her interest. Much to her displeasure, however, there is another seeking his attention

Unsure of her budding relationship, Jane seeks distraction by attempting to correct the pairings of three other prospective couples. But when her matchmaking aspirations do not all turn out as anticipated, Jane discovers the danger of relying on first impressions. The human heart cannot be easily deciphered, nor can it be directed or managed. And if others must be left to their own devices in matters of love and matrimony, can Jane even hope to satisfy her own heart?

As I'm a rabid Jane Austen fan, I was excited to receive this book to review. The book blurb suggested that an element of "Emma" with her matchmaking schemes had made it into this story, but I was disappointed that it was more of a "I think so and so likes you, Cassandra" than an "I'm scheming to connect these two young people," kind of way. That section of the plot didn't hold it together for me. I wanted more - in fact, I kept wanting more during the entire story. Although there were a few nice scenes between Jane and her would-be-match, Edward Taylor, overall, I kept skipping the rest, trying to get to those few Jane/Edward sections.

It was a quick read and edited nicely (grammatically), but I wouldn't read it again or have picked it up in the first place if I knew how dull it would be.