I’ve read and enjoyed all of Katherine Reay’s books, some more than others (isn’t that always the case?). I am an Austen fan, so I was looking forward to reading The Austen Escape. But after meeting Isabel and the other characters I suspect I’m less an Austen fan than someone who has read all her books a few times. “Fan” is apparently short for “fanatic”, and these characters are fanatics. They know their Austen.

But The Austen Escape will be fun even for those readers like me who can’t find an appropriate Austen quote for every situation. (I’ve even refused to even watch the Keira Knightley version of Pride & Prejudice, because no one can top Colin Firth’s Darcy). Once the characters arrive at Braithwaite House, they not only dress in Regency costumes but take on the identities of Austen’s characters.

This has the potential to get confusing. However, the novel starts with a useful summary of all the main Austen characters mentioned in the book—which I glossed over, and shouldn’t have. If I’d been reading a paper copy rather than a Kindle review copy, I’d probably have been flicking backwards and forwards to keep up. As it was, I also glossed over some of the identities the characters took on, and focused on Isabel and Mary.

Mary is an intelligent and competent woman, an engineer with a small start-up in Austin, Texas, designing I didn’t understand what (but it didn’t matter). I liked her passion for her work, and her quirks such as using electrical wire to tie her hair back. She’s facing conflict at work from a new boss who wants to professionalise and systematise her workplace. She doesn’t exactly jump at the offer of a two-week all-expenses-paid first-class trip to Bath, England, with her best friend, but she does agree to go.

The story lost impetus for me at this point. I’d enjoyed seeing Mary in her home environment, even with the conflict from her boss, and the not-conflict from her avoiding the consultant she had a crush on. But when they got to England, there were a couple of things which made me lose interest.

Isabel lost her memory (really, that’s a spoiler. But it’s in the book description so blame them, not me), Mary receives a phone call, and the story picked up again … and kept going full tilt until the finish. I loved the end—so much I read those last few chapters three times. The end definitely made up for the middle, and it had all the aww! factor required for a romance.

I enjoyed visiting Bath through Mary’s eyes—she didn’t have the parking problems or the disinterested husband I had when I visited. Mary also didn’t have the jetlag most of us experience after trans-Atlantic flights.

One maybe-complaint is that The Austen Escape is published by Thomas Nelson, so some readers may pick it up expecting Christian fiction. It isn’t. I didn’t notice as I was reading, but there was no faith aspect to the story—something which in hindsight seems odd, as Austen was a minister’s daughter and church played a major role in the lives of several of her characters.

On the other hand, Austen was never overt about her faith in the way many readers expect of modern Christian authors. In this way, Reay reflects Austen, and I’m sure many readers will see that as a good thing.

Overall, recommended for Austen fans and Katherine Reay fans. That should pretty much cover most people. Thanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

Engineer Mary Davies is having a difficult year. She loves her work, designing new tech at a young startup in Austin, Texas, but her new boss's demands are stifling her creativity. Her favorite project got cancelled, she's worried about getting fired, and her crush seems to be going nowhere. And then, at the worst point--or is it just in the nick of time?--her father encourages her to take her friend Isabel up on her offer of a trip to England. 

Isabel is trying to finish her doctoral thesis on Jane Austen and has planned a two-week trip to Bath and an immersive Austen experience. While Isabel and Mary were at one point as close as sisters, they have grown apart as they grew older, and Isabel wants to try to make things right. But soon after they arrive in Bath and begin their Regency experience, she becomes dissociative and truly believes that she is living in the time of Jane Austen. Her pain and fear takes her over, and it's like her recent memories were wiped out. Mary is left in a foreign country to try to take care of her friend as best she can. Although everyone else in the experience are helping as much as possible, it is up to Mary alone to break through to Isabel and bring her back to reality. 

Katherine Reay is known for her love of classic literature. Her previous novels--Lizzy and Jane, Dear Mr. Knightley, The Bronte Plot, and to a lesser extent The Portrait of Emily Price--refer heavily to many classic British novels. The Austen Escape clearly plays on her love of Jane Austen, referring to characters and plots of several Austen novels and films. It's not necessary to have read all of Austen's book to enjoy this novel, or even to have read any of them. Although I can't promise you won't be grabbing up some of Jane's best works when you've finished. 

One thing I particularly enjoyed in this is the description of the English countryside and Bath in specific. It's been many, many years since I got the chance to visit Bath, but everything she said about it reinforced my memories of the trip and made me want to go back for another visit. And even back then, after the start of the Jane Austen Renaissance but before its height, Jane Austen was a popular selling point to the tourists and a frequently dropped name. At the time I knew of her, of course, but I hadn't yet fallen in love with her work. It would be magical to go back and see it through her beautiful eyes now. 

Katherine Reay's The Austen Escape is a delightful diversion from day-to-day drudgery. It's fun and heartfelt and deals with the challenges of friendship and mental distress in a caring and compassionate way. I strongly recommend you read it with a cuppa, a warm blanket, some tasty snacks, and your best friend just a call or text away. You may need a hug when it's over. 



Galleys for The Austen Escape were provided by Thomas Nelson through NetGalley, with many thanks.

3.5 stars. I received this as an ARC through Netgalley. I went into this novel assuming it would be your standard Austen fan fic. Not that that is necessarily an issue, but the fact that it wasn't was very nice. I did feel that there were some issues with the linear telling of this story, as there seemed to be huge gaps missing here and there. I felt Isabel was a huge part of the story and then she disappeared. Mary was a good main character. She had a strong voice and finally let it be heard near the end. Otherwise, I had to try very hard not to put myself into the story. (My name is Mary and I have three brothers. It is enough to make leaps). Some of her frailties and issues felt like my own and I think the author did a good job making this story relatable.

Reay's books keep getting better and better. These are books I WOULD choose for the cover, but delving in is always satisfying. I love her allusions, and I believe her stories are a great way to pull readers into new (old books) they haven't yet enjoyed.

I've read several other Katherine Reay novels, but something about The Austen Escape makes it my favorite!

The tension and romance between Mary and Nathan is real-to-life and lengthy, which made the entire read much more of a page-turner. The characters were captivating and well thought-out. The Austen Escape is a sweet romance with a nice plot. Grab your copy today!

Katherine Reay is becoming one of my favorite authors, love her work and especially The Austen Escape.

The Austen Escape was my first Katherine Reay book, but it definitely won’t be my last. Mary Davies is an industrial engineer living in Austin, Texas. She has a fulfilling job & loves working for her small(ish) firm. She also has a not-so-small crush on the company’s consultant, Nathan. After her big project takes a turn for the worse, Mary’s best friend Isabel convinces her to embark on a two week Austen intensive experience in Bath. The trip gets off to a rocky start when a mental break has Isabel believing she really is a Jane Austen heroine. Revelations about Isabel’s life leave Mary questioning both their friendship & her choices.

There were so many things to love about this story. The themes of Austen’s works are masterfully intertwined into a modern story that still feels fresh & new. Nathan is beyond cute & totally crush-worthy. How can you resist a man that knows his Austen? However, for me the true love story was Mary & Isabel’s friendship & how it weathers ups & downs. And despite disappointments, how they find a way to move forward.

I really can’t overemphasize how much I enjoyed this novel. It worked on so many levels & totally brought the feels. I’ve seen many reviews comparing it to Austenland but, outside of the Austen intensive experience, there aren’t many similarities. Although the story will appeal to Janeophiles, those new to Austen should enjoy as well. The romantic elements are light & sweet without any explicit scenes which makes it appropriate for most age groups.

Overall, this was a highly entertaining & quick read & I’m happy that I got to spend several enjoyable hours with Mary, Isabel & Nathan.

Take a vacation to England in this sweet novel. I found this book to be both funny and serious at the same time. Not only was this an entertaining read, but one that tugged at my heart strings. I have enjoyed each one of Ms. Reay's books, and this one will be on my keeper shelf, and read again.

Maybe this just isn't my kind of book. As a huge Austen fan, I was excited at the idea of two friends going off to Bath to have an Austen escape with authentic Regency role-playing. But even further into the book, I didn't understand the friendship between Isabel and Mary, or at least why one still existed after all this time. Isabel's romance with Grant had very little substance that the reader could see; Mary's with Nathan was slightly better but the declarations of love seemed hasty. Only seeing someone at work for a year does not tell you everything you need to know about them. The Austen flavouring was superficial. It seemed layered on rather than embedded in the story and intrinsic to the plot. I had hoped for more. I think there was an attempt to make the main characters like some of Austen's, perhaps achieving realizations like Darcy and Elizabeth, but if that were the case, it missed the mark. Perhaps if I had gone in expecting a light, fun read, I would have been less disappointed. What I did enjoy were the scenes with her father. Their relationship was sweet and I enjoyed their conversations.

Austen's Escape was my first book by Katherine Reay. Mary Davis is an engineer who gets whisked away to Bath, England by her friend, Isabel Dwyer, for a vacation. Their accommodations include a Regency restored house in which everyone assumes a character from one of Jane Austen's books. Isabel is there to study this unique escapism vacation as she is an Austen scholar. In a twist of fate, she suffers a memory lapse and believes herself to actually be Austen's Emma. As Mary tries to help her friend, Isabel's life is not what is seems and shared acquaintance will change everyone's lives. Reay's quote "When in role play, characters find themselves" sums up this book. I really tried to like this book but found it hard to get into, and moved rather slowly. The plot concept was more original, but it was not really believable. I still will try Reay's other Austen inspired books, but this one fell flat for me.

I enjoyed reading this book - I couldn't put it down! Even though this book is a contemporary story, the author combined enough of Jane Austen's characters and ideas in the story to satisfy this Austen fan.
Mary Davies is dissatisfied with her job because her new boss Karen is making her life miserable. She also is interested in Nathan, a consultant who has been giving the company suggestions for growth and profitability, but she is afraid to tell him how she feels. When Mary's friend Isabel asks her to come to England for a couple of weeks at a country estate, she finally decides to go because she wants a break from work problems. As Mary deals with unexpected complications, she comes to realize what really matters in life and love.
I know there have been negative reviews for this book, but I genuinely enjoyed Mary's story. I think there are important life lessons to take away from this novel. It certainly made me think about my life. How often do I try to escape from difficult circumstances and situations instead of standing my ground? What is worth fighting for? I recommend this book to anyone who likes Jane Austen's novels and a good story.
I received a review copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I enjoyed this book more than I thought that I would. When I began reading this title I believe that I thought it would be a quick bout of "chick-lit" with a sweet romantic story covered with a double layer of Austen and England. Well, it was that--in a sense, and more. There is a depth about this title that I originally did not expect, but that I did appreciate.

Mary learns to love herself, as well as, process her griefs related to losing her mother, being hidden in her friendship and questioning her ability and worth ...throughout her life. All of this is filtered through an interesting experience with a trip with her childhood friend to a Jane Austen themed vacation. She learns to stand on her own (and how to trust others) over the course of this book and I enjoyed reading though it.

This was so very, very cute! It was exactly what I needed to read. Quick but very smart, great characters, and an Austen ending. What more can a girl ask for?

* Received from Netgalley in exchange for honest review *
Dialogue and relationships are a bit choppy and unsophisticated. The author seems to have envisioned her characters in their entirety, but fails to fully and smoothly impart characters' essence to the reader, leaving the reader to ask "huh?" fairly frequently. In spite of all this, a fun romp for fans of all things Austen.

I cannot praise this book enough. Such a fun read! Love the premise and relate to the characters. Would definitely recommend.

First, thank you to publishing house Thomas Nelson for sending me a copy via NetGalley against an honest review. The selling point was definitely the Austen component. I couldn’t help but draw a comparison with Austenland, another novel about getting immersed in the world of Austen in a special property in England. I had loved this rom-com that was also made into a fun movie. But, I must admit, the parallels aren’t numerous. Contrary to Austenland where the participants aren’t allowed to use modern technology, The Austen Escape keeps it real by allowing guests to use the Internet and maintain a connection with the outside world, which makes the whole storyline less caricatural. Moreover, I thought that the author, Katherine Reay was really onto something by creating a modern brainy chicklit heroine who happens to be an engineer keen on all things nerdy and techy. She wasn’t one to swoon over Mr. Darcy like some smitten teenager. It was a nice change for once.

Overall the book was entertaining, and I really appreciated the many references to the Austen novels. You really get a true sense of the famous characters born out of Austen’s imagination, plus some extra insight in the multilayered message they convey. To me, it really was the highlight of the book.

Unfortunately, I didn’t feel much empathy for the main characters, Mary and Isabel. For me, it is really important to feel some sort of connection with the characters, otherwise, I feel as though I’m missing out on a key element of the reading experience. In the end, I’m left with a sense of aloofness regarding these heroines. It’s a pity because at first, I really was enthused by the concept of this novel.

However, I read a lot of positive reviews about the work of this author. I’m seriously considering reading another one of her novels to deepen my knowledge of her writing style.

On the surface, this novel may seem like a Christian fiction version of Austenland. I actually haven't read that book, but saw the movie and thought the concept was very entertaining. In my single days I would've loved to have a Pride and Prejudice-like experience...dressing up in period clothing, staying in an English mansion, etc. But this book is no Austenland. Katherine Reay's novels have a uniqueness and depth all their own.

Of the books I have read of Katherine Reay's, I've noticed that the emotional and psychological journeys of the characters play a huge role in the plot. Mary and Isabel have a complicated friendship. They are almost like sisters in many ways, as they practically grew up together. Isabel can be very manipulative and Mary tends to like being out of the spotlight. There were times in this story that I was very irritated with Isabel's behavior, but as the story went on and the backstory was revealed a bit at a time, you can see why she acted the way she did. Isabel's break with reality also helped Mary to see the depth of her friend's struggles, as well as her own. I appreciated their journey and also enjoyed the romantic elements of the story.

I know there is so much more depth to this story than I'm even picking up on, but even so, I thought this novel was well-written and explores the many layers of the human heart and mind.

**I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley in order to share my honest review, which I did**

Mary Davies is single and spends most of her time working as an electrical engineer. She has always put her career first and her love life has suffered. Her latest project has been shelved by her new boss and she finds herself questioning her life choices. While Mary is evaluating her situation, she receives a timely call from her childhood friend. Isabel asks her to join her for two weeks in England where she will be completing her dissertation on Jane Austen. With her life in disarray Mary decides a change of scenery would be agreeable.

Mary and Isabel are required to dress in period appropriate attire while maintaining their roles at the Austen retreat. During their stay, Isabel gets unsettling news from her father and suffers a mini breakdown. This all happens while they are in the Jane Austen environment, leaving her stuck in character. Mary has experience with Isabel’s breakdowns from their childhood and is able to provide support. Some secrets are revealed during her care and Mary is forced to reevaluate her future.

This book is a story about a long standing friendship with themes from various Jane Austen books running throughout it. There is a nice mix of romance, historical fiction, and life's daily challenges. This is the sixth book written by Katherine Reay.

This novel is such a treat for Austen lovers! Katherine Reay is one of those authors whose books I feel like I can relax into and enjoy at a leisurely pace—a surprisingly difficult feat for rabid readers such as myself, who tend to give themselves literary indigestion more often than not! I haven’t read all of her novels yet, but she seems to excel at bringing introverted characters to life; characters who would normally be quite happy in supporting roles, even in their own stories, but who have suddenly had the spotlight turned on them. And she makes them deeply interesting, at least to me, as she challenges them and brings them out of their comfort zone.

Rather than reimagining an Austen plot, Katherine Reay has based this novel on an idea explored in Mansfield Park: It is often in role playing that we reveal (or discover) our true selves. In a more subtle way, it also explores Jane Austen’s characters—not so much what they did as who they were; their personalities and their motivations. As Mary realizes at one point: “Jane Austen understood people . . . Across two hundred years, I recognized her characters in the here and now. She wrote about people I knew.” And all of this happens in a setting I could only dream about: A country estate in Bath where people are able to pay (quite a lot, mind you!) for the experience of pretending they are in a Jane Austen novel. Clothing, accommodation, entertainment, leisure, conversation, food, everything. I was in heaven!

Given the allusions to Jane Austen, this was a story rich in subtext, and I absolutely adore stories that have that kind of depth to them. And yet, I think this would still be an enjoyable read, even if you aren’t all that familiar with Austen’s works and the themes in them. Mary and Isabel have a complicated friendship that has played a large role in shaping Mary’s sense of who she is—as demonstrated by Isabel’s nickname for her: sidekick. Mary has also been struggling at work, both operating in the environment created by her new boss, and developing her pet project ‘Golightly’: self-contained augmented virtual reality glasses to rival Microsoft and Apple, but in a slimmer format. And to top it all off, she has a crush on Nathan, the business consultant who’s been working with their CEO over the last year; a man who will soon be leaving for the next consultancy job, and in whom she has seen no evidence of any regard for her beyond friendship.

She’s tired. She does want to escape. And ironically, it is in escaping that she is forced to confront these issues head on.

Although it isn’t the focus of the story, I can't conclude this review without saying that the romance was deliciously sweet—in a 'less is more' kind of way. I could easily lose my heart to a guy like Nathan.

A thoroughly delightful read.

The Austen escape is a pure delight. Filled with allusions and inside jokes from Jane Austen's work, this contemporary romance is sure to please readers of all ages.

I enjoyed reading this book. I liked all the Jane Austin referecence. I think that it was a good setting. I wish I was able to participate in a Jane Austin story reinactment. Katherine Reay does an amazing job at describing the setting and the character's. I found myself able to picture exactly what was going on. I found the character's interesting and full of depth. Both Mary and Isabelle needed to work through things to become free and fully the person the Lord wanted them to be. I liked that there was a bit of romance throughout this story. I felt like some of the comments hinted at a backstory that was implied but not elaberated on throughout this story. All of it did come to a satisfying conclusion and the backstory was explained at the end.

I recommend this book to my family and friends
I received this complementary copy from NetGalley for my honest review.