I really enjoyed reading Jane of Austin -- a cute, funny, and modern telling of Sense & Sensibility. I couldn't help but compare how the characters were similar/different to those in Jane Austen's novel, but I soon gave up -- I wanted to read Jane of Austin as a standalone book.

Middle sister Jane, older sister Celia, and youngest sister Margot move to Austin, Texas from their beloved San Francisco home and tea parlor. The sisters try to restart their tea business and life away from the stain their father left on their good name. In Austin, they come across dashing Sean, handsome veteran Captain Beckett, and loving but loud family members.

The book is interspersed with interesting recipes (which I will be replicating for sure) and it was a pleasantly clean read, without graphic language and/or scenes. It's a book that I am comfortable recommending to anyone who's looking for a quaint read.

The story is the same ageless one, of love and betrayal and guys who don’t text you back/try to gaslight you when you confront them, of nice guys finishing last (but winning) and of commitment phobic men.

While Austen’s novel was set in Victorian England, this is set in contemporary USA (San Francisco and Austin, Texas) with all the conveniences and obstructions of modern technology. The story alone wasn’t unique or earth shattering, but I loved two things about this version. First, the fact that it explains Colonel Brandon (lost track of the new characters’ names and kept calling them by their original monikers halfway into the book) and Marianne’s side of the story so much better. Austen’s writing could be a little distant and lacking in immediate detail at times, which was probably in keeping with the times she lived in and I always wished for a more personal connection with this couple. Check. Second, all the TEA. As someone who practically worships a well brewed cup of tea, I unashamedly smiled and sniggered out loud at the tea quotes, recipes and tea-obsessed heroine.

I haven’t reread Austen in a while, and this was a perfect, cosy way to revisit that universe. Tea, girl bonding, Frisco, ballet and vintage shops – these are a few of my favorite things. Props to the author for imbuing the sisters with an entrepreneurial spirit and allowing them more professional latitude than Austen heroines ever had.

Jane of Austin: A Novel of Sweet Tea and Sensibility was my first book by Hillary Manton Lodge. The title was genius as it is a spin on Sense and Sensibility.but with a modern take. Starting anew in Austin, Texas, the Woodward sisters face the trials of new love, adjusting to Texas, and trying to open a tea shop. Follow their adventures as they discover who they are and find happiness.

Totally loved this book! i am a Jane Austen addict and this is a delightful modern spin on Sense and Sensibility. Told in alternate pov's between Callum and Jane, this book made my heart swell. i loved seeing how each character dealt with their problems as well as how they interacted around others concerning them. This story was sweet and endearing. Each of the three sisters brought a refreshing take on this classic story. The book is very close to Jane Austen's writing, just with a more updated twist. I appreciated the homage to one of my favorite classics. The dynamic between the sisters was delightful and I could not put this book down!  I read it all in one day. One thing I thoroughly enjoyed was how the author included recipes of foods, and drinks mentioned throughout the book! I'm eagerly anticipating making them all. The other thing I enjoyed were all the quotes at the beginning of each chapter! I love quotes like that in books! I truly can not say enough good things about this book! 5 stars from me!

<b>Received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review</b>

The description of this book is what drew me in, along with the fact that I will pretty much read anything to do with Jane Austen. I know that makes me weird but one can I say.

This book is a quick read, which I did appreciate because if it had been slower paced I probably would have set it aside as I have many times before. The characters, and the relationship between the sisters was what really kept me reading. Callum was also a surprisingly warm character, without being the stereotypical male leads which is something I also appreciated.

I would recommend this book if you like Jane Austen, or if you are looking for a nice, fun, and bake inspiring novel. The author weaves together a tight plot which had me turning the digital pages quite quickly to find out how it would end.

The passion for baking in this novel made me wish I actually knew how to bake. Also I have to admit, not being a religious person there was certain aspects of this book which confused me a little.

A lovely take on the classic Austen novel- for fans of Jane Austen, this will definitely be your cup of tea.

4 stars

This book surprised me.

I'm a big fan of Jane Austen, and most of the time when I read an Austen centered book, I don't like it very much. I always feel like the author of the book is a) trying too hard to make their book sound like a Jane Austen novel or b) stuffing so many Austen references into their book that you feel like you're being slapped in the face.

But this book was the perfect combination of Austen and modern day. I picked up on all the Austen parts of the book, but they were inserted subtly enough that they blended in smoothly with the storyline.

There were quite a few reasons I loved this book, namely:

There was variety in the voices telling the story.
Jane and Callum, the alternating POVs of the story, were different enough that I never lost track of who was talking, which was always nice. I thought Jane was a bit careless at times, but her character made me smile and I loved her obsession with tea.

There were recipes included at the end of the chapters.
A lot of food was mentioned in this book. A lot. Jane runs a tea salon and Calum inherits his father's chain of barbecue restaurants, and they both make some very delicious sounding foods/teas. When a food was mentioned, the recipe was included at the end of the chapter. (Sometimes reading the recipes made my stomach growl, but that's beside the point.)

It was a very clever and unique aspect of the story. Plus, it'll be useful if I ever want to make some yummy food. As soon as, you know. I learn how to actually cook.

Family.
There are three sisters in this book, Celia, Jane and Margot. Early on in the novel, they are ditched by their dirtbag of a father and must learn how to get by on their own. Jane jokes with Margot that she and Celia are like her "sister parents," but it's kind of true. The two older girls look out for both each other and their younger sister. Although some boy problems get in between Jane and Celia, they have an unbreakable sister bond.

This book is worth your time, very very cute.

Book: Jane of Austin
Author: Hillary Manton Lodge
Rating: 4/5

Jane and her two sisters are forced to relocate their beloved teashop and themselves after their financial crises kick in. Jane’s cousin Ian, up in Austin- Texas offers to help. Considering their situation that not only involves their crises but also their fathers reputation.. Jane and her sisters decide it best to start off fresh somewhere far and new. With not much choice they begin their journey towards Austin. Ian’s bestfriend Callum an ex-militant who is else coming back to his hometown Austin after he wakes up from his accident not only to find out that one of his leg has been amputated but also that his father has passed away and left a chain of restaurants for him back in Austin. Callum falls in love with Jane in a blink of an eye. But Jane is already in love with a guy named Sean. How will it turn for Callum? Will Jane ever like him despite him being an amputee?
The story picks up slow, but it was worth it; it’s a drama/ romance genre. Showing how strong sister to sister relationships are. A novel of sweet tea and sensibility; It had a lot of good recipes in it (mostly sweet) slowly shaping the love-story of Jane and Callum. I definitely see myself recommending this book to anyone who loves tea and good soothing romantic books; it was short and had sweet satisfying end to it. Absolutely loved it!

An advanced ebook was sent to me for review by #bloggingforbooks and #Netgalley and it release today June, 13th! Happy Reading! 

If you love Jane Austen, then this new book by Hillary Manton Lodge is for you. You'll find a delightful combination in the gracious habit that is taking afternoon tea, the Willoughbyness of a certain character and the largess that is the state of Texas. It's a lot of fun! A tale of 3 loving but misplaced sisters needing a new place to land and the journey that takes them home, complete with attachments lost and found.