Book Review: The Particular Charm of Miss Jane Austen by Cass Grafton and Ada Bright.

Release Date: 24th June 2016.

Publisher: Brown Dog Books.

Twitter: @CassGrafton  

I received a copy of 'The Particular Charm of Miss Jane Austen' in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I must admit that I wasn't completely sure if this book would be up my alley, I'm not well versed in the works of Jane Austen (I know that's probably terrible for a bookworm) so I didn't think it would capture my full attention. How wrong was I? Very wrong! I was completely captivated by this story and the characters, so much so that there was a huge void in my world when I finished it. I missed the characters so much and visiting their world each day like you wouldn't believe!

The authors of 'The Particular Charm of Miss Jane Austen,' Cass Grafton and Ada Bright are two best friends who met online and who actually wrote this book together, whilst living in different countries, with a nine hour time difference. That in itself is quite amazing to me. I wouldn't have guessed from the writing that the story was being put together by two people who weren't even in the same place at the same time writing it. The story flowed with ease and was a delight to read. Having read about Cass and Ada's story, it was lovely to see how they captured their friendship, as well as their own story, with the characters lives in the book. Rose Wallace has been eagerly awaiting the arrival of her American friend, Morgan, who she is meeting for the first time, the weekend of the Jane Austen festival in Bath. They met on a Harry Potter forum (like our wonderful authors) and have been friends for years, but have never met until now. What Rose doesn't realize is that someone else she knows quite well, who plays a big role in the The Jane Austen festival, has also shown up in Bath on this particular week. Someone who is about to flip her world upside down. What will happen to Rose and Morgan's friendship? Or her job and her lovely boss James? What about the wonderful Doctor Aiden Trevellyan? A life without him would be unbearable to say the least, or would it be better? These are all questions that Rose will soon find the answer to thanks to a Miss Jane Austen who, with the help of a charmed necklace, seems to have appeared in the wrong century.

Firstly, this book was just so much fun. It really felt like I was on a mystery tour, so everyday I couldn't wait to curl up and pick up where I left off. Part of me feels that me not knowing much about Jane Austen was actually more fun because I felt like I was learning so much from this story, which just made it more exciting because I love my history. All of the places in Bath, that are mentioned in the book, I now want to visit, as the descriptions just sounded so beautiful and interesting. I want to walk where Rose walked and to visit the streets and the cafe's. I also really want to look into the tour of Jane Austen's home and find out more about her.

I adored the friendship between Rose and Morgan and how they were so close even before they met. They just belonged together and it made me smile. The fact that the authors knew exactly how the characters felt really made it more realistic and emotional. I got such a sense of happiness that they were finally together and getting to spend time with each other.

The men in this book were also a huge plus. They were utterly adorable and downright gentlemen. James, Rose's boss was sweet, kind and cute and I liked that he and Rose got on so well outside of work and that he looked after her. As for Doctor Aiden Trevellyan, there was just something irresistible about him, maybe it was the passion he had for his work and his good looks, or maybe it was the fact that he was so unaware of Rose's feelings, which in turn made him seem a little mysterious. I don't know, but whatever it was, I loved him and I still miss him.....

See book hangover for sure! If you are looking for a book that has a bit of everything from history, romance to mystery, then this is the book you need to pick up. 'The Particular Charm ofMiss Jane Austen,' had me glued to my seat and I highly recommend it. Thank you so much Cass and Ada for sending it me.

Happy Reading!