Book Review: Jane of Austin by Hillary Manton Lodge

Just a few years after their father’s business scandal shatters their lives, Jane and Celia Woodward find themselves forced out of their San Francisco tea shop. The last thing Jane wants is to leave their beloved shop on Valencia Street, but when Celia insists on a move to Austin, Texas, the sisters pack up their kid sister Margot and Jane’s tea plants, determined to start over yet again.

But life in Austin isn’t all sweet tea and breakfast tacos. Their unusual living situation is challenging and unspoken words begin to fester between Jane and Celia. When Jane meets and falls for up-and-coming musician Sean Willis, the chasm grows deeper.

While Sean seems to charm everyone in his path, one person is immune – retired Marine Captain Callum Beckett. Callum never meant to leave the military, but the twin losses of his father and his left leg have returned him to the place he least expected—Texas. 

In this modern spin on the Austen classic, Sense and Sensibility, the Woodward sisters must contend with new ingredients in unfamiliar kitchens, a dash of heartbreak, and the fragile hope that maybe home isn’t so far away.

My Thoughts: From the very first page there was a strong Sense and Sensibility vibe. Lodge had done an excellent job retelling this classic story in a whole new way. And I especially liked the way Lodge was able to bring a deeper focus on the relationship between the sisters. This was something that I felt like was missing more from the classic version.
There were times when the characters were a bit too perceptive for my liking but other than that it was a delightful read from start to finish.
One of the highlights were all the recipes Lodge added into the story. There are a couple that I’m looking forward to trying out.
Jane of Austin isn’t a Christian novel but it is a clean one. The difference is that the characters never focused their lives on God or sought Him out when in trouble. However, there wasn’t anything damaging to the Christian faith either. I feel comfortable recommending it to my friends.

Rating and Recommendation: I’m giving Jane of Austin 5 stars and I recommend it to those who enjoy clean contemporary fiction or Jane Austen retellings.

~I received a copy from Blogging for Books through Net Galley. I was not compensated for my review. All thoughts are my own.