09/11/2017
Reay (A Portrait of Emily Price) adds to the ever-expanding genre of Jane Austen–themed literature with her latest offering. Mary Davies, an industrial engineer from Texas, has been working on augmented reality glasses for years but her work has been for naught and she has been downgraded to working on batteries. She is also secretly enamored with Nathan Hillam, a consultant working at her engineering firm who will soon be moving on to his next assignment. Her father convinces her to leave it all temporarily behind and head to Bath, England, with her emotionally fragile best friend, Isabel Dwyer. There they will immerse themselves in Austen escapism for two weeks so that Isabel can do research for her doctoral dissertation. Mary and Isabel dress up in Regency clothes and act as characters from Austen’s books, and then things quickly get complicated: Isabel suffers memory loss and believes she really is part of the past. In this world of grown-up make-believe, Mary will discover much more than she ever expected about both Isabel and herself, including that Nathan is an important part of both their lives. When he hurries to Bath to help them both, will Mary make her feelings known? Unlike many books written in homage to Austen, this is not a modern retelling of any of her stories, but rather a romp among contemporary Austen fanatics. Readers eager for anything Austen-related will enjoy this clean romance that explores the concept of escapism and what it may reveal about our real lives. (Nov.)
When Mary Davies travels to Jane Austen's Bath for a historical getaway, she expects a luxurious escape from reality. Instead she finds her friendship at a crossroads, her love life upended, and her heart on a journey she never expected.
Mary Davies finds safety in her ordered and productive life. Working as an engineer, she genuinely enjoys her job and her colleagues-particularly a certain adorable and intelligent consultant. But something is missing. When Mary's estranged childhood friend, Isabel Dwyer, offers her a two-week stay in a gorgeous manor house in England, she reluctantly agrees in hopes that the holiday will shake up her quiet life in just the right ways.
But Mary gets more than she bargained for when Isabel loses her memory and fully believes she lives in Jane Austen's Bath. While Isabel rests and delights in the leisure of a Regency lady, attended by other costume-clad guests, Mary uncovers startling truths about their shared past, who Isabel was, who she seems to be, and the man who now stands between them.
Outings are undertaken, misunderstandings arise, and dancing ensues as this company of clever, well-informed people, who have a great deal of conversation, work out their lives and hearts.
“Admirers of Jane Austen, especially, will delight in the delicious descriptions and elegant prose as the protagonist is transported to the English countryside, taking readers along for the ride. Both cleverly written and nicely layered, Reay's latest proves to be a charming escape!” -Denise Hunter, bestselling author of Lake Season*on*The Austen Escape
“At once sophisticated and smart*.*.*. Clever and classy*.*.*. Whether for the first-time*Pride and Prejudice*reader or the devotee with an ardent affection for all things Austen*.*.*.*The Austen Escape*is an equally satisfying retreat into the wilds of Jane's beloved Regency world. In scenes brilliantly woven with Austen's classic characterization, Reay goes beyond courtship and manners to explore modern-day scenarios, grappling with themes of brokenness and loss, the weight of decisions and consequences, and the anchor of faith through difficult circumstances. As amiable as an Austen novelist could be-but with a pen just as witty-Katherine Reay proves she's ready to become Jane to a whole new generation of women.” -Kristy*Cambron, bestselling author of*The*Painted*Castle
“Wildly imaginative and deeply moving,*The Austen Escape*is Katherine Reay at her very best.” -Billy*Coffey, author of*Steal Away Home
“The Austen Escape*has the remarkable ability to be both lighthearted and gripping. The dramatic elements are first rate, the characters even finer. Wonderful writing. Highly recommended.” -Davis*Bunn,*bestselling author
- Sweet and thoughtful contemporary read
- Stand-alone novel
- Book length: 80,000 words
- Includes a discussion questions and an excerpt from Dear Mr. Knightley
When Mary Davies travels to Jane Austen's Bath for a historical getaway, she expects a luxurious escape from reality. Instead she finds her friendship at a crossroads, her love life upended, and her heart on a journey she never expected.
Mary Davies finds safety in her ordered and productive life. Working as an engineer, she genuinely enjoys her job and her colleagues-particularly a certain adorable and intelligent consultant. But something is missing. When Mary's estranged childhood friend, Isabel Dwyer, offers her a two-week stay in a gorgeous manor house in England, she reluctantly agrees in hopes that the holiday will shake up her quiet life in just the right ways.
But Mary gets more than she bargained for when Isabel loses her memory and fully believes she lives in Jane Austen's Bath. While Isabel rests and delights in the leisure of a Regency lady, attended by other costume-clad guests, Mary uncovers startling truths about their shared past, who Isabel was, who she seems to be, and the man who now stands between them.
Outings are undertaken, misunderstandings arise, and dancing ensues as this company of clever, well-informed people, who have a great deal of conversation, work out their lives and hearts.
“Admirers of Jane Austen, especially, will delight in the delicious descriptions and elegant prose as the protagonist is transported to the English countryside, taking readers along for the ride. Both cleverly written and nicely layered, Reay's latest proves to be a charming escape!” -Denise Hunter, bestselling author of Lake Season*on*The Austen Escape
“At once sophisticated and smart*.*.*. Clever and classy*.*.*. Whether for the first-time*Pride and Prejudice*reader or the devotee with an ardent affection for all things Austen*.*.*.*The Austen Escape*is an equally satisfying retreat into the wilds of Jane's beloved Regency world. In scenes brilliantly woven with Austen's classic characterization, Reay goes beyond courtship and manners to explore modern-day scenarios, grappling with themes of brokenness and loss, the weight of decisions and consequences, and the anchor of faith through difficult circumstances. As amiable as an Austen novelist could be-but with a pen just as witty-Katherine Reay proves she's ready to become Jane to a whole new generation of women.” -Kristy*Cambron, bestselling author of*The*Painted*Castle
“Wildly imaginative and deeply moving,*The Austen Escape*is Katherine Reay at her very best.” -Billy*Coffey, author of*Steal Away Home
“The Austen Escape*has the remarkable ability to be both lighthearted and gripping. The dramatic elements are first rate, the characters even finer. Wonderful writing. Highly recommended.” -Davis*Bunn,*bestselling author
- Sweet and thoughtful contemporary read
- Stand-alone novel
- Book length: 80,000 words
- Includes a discussion questions and an excerpt from Dear Mr. Knightley
Editorial Reviews
Product Details
| BN ID: | 2940171161965 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Nelson, Thomas, Inc. |
| Publication date: | 11/07/2017 |
| Edition description: | Unabridged |
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