New York Times best-selling author Shannon Hale has penned numerous award-winning novels. In this follow-up to Austenland, Charlotte Kinder is eager to escape the numbness she feels after her divorce. Deciding to get away, she visits the Regency-themed Pembrook Park resort in England, where talented actors set the perfect scene. But with everyone playing a role, it's hard to distinguish reality from fantasy. So when Charlotte's heart stirs, she wonders if she's simply caught up in the experience-or if her ability to feel is finally returning.
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"I finally got my copy after waiting in line for over 2 months. I read the book in a day. I honestly liked the first book better, but that's because I'm not really into the whole "who dunnit" type plot. That being said, I obviously enjoyed myself enough to lose track of time...as I have just finished reading the book and am writing this review at 4 in the morning."
— Melissa (4 out of 5 stars)
“Hale’s fans will be thrilled to revisit Pembrook Park and reunite with its regulars. Hale provides a welcome, witty glimpse of a side of Austen rarely explored in the many contemporary riffs on her work.”
— Publishers Weekly“Hale's light romantic comedy will appeal to chick-lit fans as well as Austenites who have grown weary of the never-ending sequels to Pride and Prejudice and are looking for a fresh way to explore the author's enduring legacy.”
— Library Journal“[A] wonderful read...a quick and fun novel sure to whet the appetite to read the Austen novels if one has not, and to reread them if one has.”
— VOYA" Very easy read. Not my favorite plot, but it was clean. "
— Kendra, 2/19/2014" A lot like Austenland but with a mystery thrown in. It keeps you guessing what is staged and what is real. I ended up being disappointed because I anticipated a twist at the end which wasn't there. "
— Diana, 2/18/2014" A fun read, though it did take me about a third of the way in to get into it. I was expecting the sequel to be really similar to the first book so I liked that the author had the mystery twist in it. I'm tempted to give it 4 stars because I found myself really enjoying it toward the end, but then there were a few things here and there that bothered me. Like some of the main character's reactions to situations she found herself in and some situations that were pretty unbelievable (some of the things previous reviewers mentioned). I like Shannon Hale's writing style in general and I liked the main character, so i'm kind of torn. I realize it's not meant to be some serious murder story, so in the end those things didn't bother me too much. Anyway, cute book. "
— Lindsay, 2/15/2014" Great beach read. Just what I needed after an emotionally draining day. Lighthearted whodunit with love interest twist. "
— Stacey, 1/29/2014" I think I went into this book expecting something different and that is why I didn't like it as much. "
— Susannah, 1/27/2014" I did not expect a mystery, but satisfied my Austen craving. "
— Marissa, 1/25/2014" Not as good in my opinion as 'Austenland' but still very interesting. This one has hints of Northanger Abbey. I am even more interested to read later books in this series because of some interesting changes given towards the end of this one. "
— Jessica, 1/24/2014" This book was not as good as Austenland, but it was still a fun read. I love all things Shannon Hale. (Well, other than her graphic novels and The Actor and the Housewife) "
— Melyssa, 1/13/2014" I am a devoted Shannon Hale fan. This book sealed it for me. "
— Karie, 12/24/2013" liked it better than the first "
— Audrey, 12/21/2013" Another great book by Shannon Hale. I don't know if I liked it quite as well as the original Austenland, but it was still pretty amazing. This story takes a gothic twist on Austenland, which is something I'm not sure everyone would enjoy, but it was a definite page turner. "
— Melanie, 12/1/2013" I enjoyed this book more than Austenland. I guess I enjoy mysteries a little more. It was a good book. "
— Heather, 11/27/2013" This was a fast, fun read. I liked the main character and, for the most part, enjoyed the story. The only complaint I had was (possible spoiler alert) that I normally like to see a romantic relationship evolve over the course of a story instead of being surprised, and somewhat confused, by it. "
— Trisha, 6/20/2013" This book left me cold. The plot was thin and unlikeable. The heroine was not believable. I really liked Shannon Hale's YA books. However, her adult fiction books seem to be getting worse with each installment. Should she choose to write more in adult fiction, I'll choose not to read them. "
— Marlo, 1/24/2013" Fun to visit Austenland. This one had a lot of Agatha Christie blended with Austen. I liked the main character and her storyline, getting over a shattered marriage, etc. Lots of universal truths covered in this one. ;) "
— S.e., 11/1/2012" Fun, light, and delightful. Really a 3 and a half. "
— Robyn, 10/28/2012" Fun easy follow up to the first one. "
— Crystal, 10/3/2012" Enjoyed this. Very predictable, but a nice easy read. Good for when you need a no-brainer. "
— Natalie, 9/28/2012" Just as good as the first one! I'm hooked. The first one mirrored Pride and Prejudice; this one mirrored Northanger Abbey. I hope she makes four more - one for each Austen novel. "
— Emily, 8/10/2012" Shannon Hale is so funny! This book was a fun read. The main character had me laughing out loud. "
— Tara, 8/8/2012Shannon Hale is the author of multiple award-winning young adult novels, including Austenland and the New York Times bestselling Princess Academy, which is also a Newbery Honor book. Her first book, The Goose Girl, was an ALA Top Ten Book for Young Adults and won the Josette Frank Award. In addition to her successful young adult novels, she cowrote two graphic novels with her husband, Rapunzel’s Revenge and Calamity Jack. She received a degree in English from the University of Utah and a master’s in creative writing from the University of Montana.
Stina Nielsen is an actress and audiobook narrator. Her reading of Kevin Henke’s Junonia earned her a 2011 Best Voice from AudioFile magazine. She is the winner of three AudioFile Earphones Awards.