I loved this retelling of Persuasion. Definitely modernized, this was a second chance, small town romance and I was here for it all. Loved seeing the main leads' relationship progress-- the forgiveness each had to give, and the risk they had to take for a new beginning together. A must read for any Austen fan wanting a contemporary romance!

If there is a Persuasion modernization, you know I will be reading it. I always have so much fun trying to figure out who the side characters are in relation to the JA book and this one was no exception. Even if I have read the story millions of time in different variations, I still have anxiety until they are reunited at the end. Anne is more accomplished in this story than in the original version and that was refreshing. She often gets looked over, but she was in a role of power here and I liked that addition. When Ben comes back into the picture, he is the one who has changed to be almost unrecognizable. Gone is the boy with no direction and in his place is a man who built a business from the ground up and is very successful.
We see a lot of the same events and even some of the same "quotes" are thrown in for good measure. I really enjoyed seeing Ben get a taste of his own medicine with Sabrina, even if it irritates me each time. I loved Ben's aunt and uncle in this version too, they made the story so much more well rounded.
Thanks to Melodie Edwards, Netgalley and Berkley for an early copy.

Such an underrated Jane Austen storyline re-told amazingly! Okay, I must admit I have only watched Persuasion so I was aware roughly of the plot but I haven’t read the original yet and I still really enjoyed this. This had so much yearning and that specific kind of Jane Austen angst. In our current world I feel like this definition of angst is not the same. I felt twists in my gut at their emotions multiple times!!

So, I need to be honest this does contain one of my bookish pet peeves in that the main characters are with other people and not each other for a large chunk of it but in this specific case this actually didn’t bother me for several reasons. This is written in solely the FMC POV and she’s with her alternate man very briefly and distantly so you never get POV of any level of intimacy with another person besides the main love interest. I don’t want to spoil anything but after so much not talking they do air all of this out in a way that satisfied me. If I had gotten an inkling of his POV during some of that time I would not have been happy.

The second chance romance aspect of this made so much sense. And this is truly one of those times where 1 you understand why they broke up and 2 you very well may feel that it was actually necessary for them to come back together healthier in current times. I strongly feel that it was all how it was supposed to happen which makes me love this all the more because with most second chances I feel so sad for the lost time. But (again preventing spoilers) it was all for their own paths.

There’s just so many sweet moments of this and the heart of Jane Austen’s world is in this as well. Caricature family members, kooky townspeople, and the YEARNING galore. Thank you to Berkley for the ARC, I loved this.

As someone who hasn't read Jane Austen's Persuasion, I was worried that reading a modern retelling would go over my head a bit, or that I wouldn't enjoy it as much because I didn't know the original story. Boy, was I wrong! I absolutely loved Melodie Edwards's Once Persuaded, Twice Shy! It was funny, heartbreaking, feminist, and full of the classic vibe, while still being a breath of modern air. Jane Austen's stories follow a well-known formula, and it was easy to see where things met and then broke free in Edwards's version. It made me actually want to read the classic!

What a delightful read! I loved how the author stayed true to the story of Anne and Wentworth, but made it completely her own. Loved ever minute of the setting, characters, and rekindled love.

Anne grew up in Niagara-on-the-Lake, a quaint town in Ontario, Canada located across the river from New York. Although an idyllic tourist destination, Anne really never expected to return post college. But after Anne’s mother unexpectedly passes away she is offered to take over her mother’s responsibilities as executive director of the local theater company. Super organized and intelligent, Anne is also on the town council and basically finds a diplomatic solution to all their local issues, eccentric or otherwise. Her indolent father and spoiled beautiful sister continue to take advantage of her generosity and let Anne care for the entire family as her mother once had. In college Anne dated Ben Wentworth. Handsome, kind and happy go lucky type of guy, he was her first true love. When she broke up with him for his lack of ambition, she never dreamed their paths would cross again. Still single, albeit much older and wiser Anne’s world is turned upside down when Ben reappears in her life. Now a successful businessman, the long haired, free spirit she once knew is long gone. Her heart can barely contain itself after being greeted by the handsome man in her midst. As he manages his Aunt and Uncle’s new winery business, this new Ben can barely make eye contact. Anne is haunted by her their past decisions and must learn to take bold steps if she is to create a future that would have made her mother proud. Always a fan of second chances, this charming and romantic classic retelling of the beloved Persuasion, Jane Austen’s last novel is an absolute delight.

Wowwwww was this good. I do love a Jane Austen retelling and Once Persuaded, Twice Shy by Melodie Edwards is among the best I've read.

✔️ Retelling
✔️ Second Chance
✔️ Small Town
✔️ Forced Proximity

You can't help but root for the put-upon Jane from the start of the book. I'm a Capricorn so of course I love a woman with a routine, with a plan, and of course I know exactly that feeling when you realize that being capable isn't the same as being happy - punch in the gut when Jane has this epiphany.

I love the angst in a second chance read but a pet peeve is usually when one character has moved on (especially with romantic partners) will the other one is in stasis. Here, it was clear that both Jane and Ben hadn't fully recovered from
their long-ago breakup. It kind of tripled the angst and gave me an emotional stomachache - which happens every time I read an amazing romance. Hitting that low point made the soar of the swoon that much stronger and sweeter.

Talk about an earned HEA! I read and reread the last 10% of the book maybe 10 times, it was so lovely.

5⭐️. It's closed door but the physical chemistry between the characters was excellent and I didn't mind the lack of spice here.

Steam 🔥
Banter 🗣️🗣️🗣️
Swoon 💕💕💕💕💕

This is a modern reimagining of "Persuasion" and is set in a small town in Canada near Niagara Falls. It's been eight years since Anne's mother persuaded her to break up with Ben.

She's 32 but acts like she's 55+ and tries to be perfectly efficient, dependable, unflappable, and compassionate ALL the time. But what does she really want to be?

A very sweet and lovely story about expectations, discovering what makes you truly happy, and being open and able to changing your mind.

And the scene-stealer was definitely Double-Oh-Goose!

What an absolute delight. This book felt like a warm hug and I savored every page. The chemistry! The setting! All of the side characters! A perfect first book of the year.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

This was an enjoyable adaptation. The modern versions of Anne and Wentworth were good parallels to the original characters. The setting and small town was charming. The side characters were colorful and there was humor throughout. It was fun to see how the author would sprinkle in the source material as the plot went along. Jane Austen lovers and romance lovers in general should enjoy this book.

I love a Jane Austen retelling and Once Persuaded, Twice Shy is a perfect homage to Austen's ability to generate a sense of yearning (yearning for another person, yearning for something more/new/different from life...). Melodia Edwards takes Persuasion and updates it with modern day small town romance themes and weaves in second chance romance nicely. As a fan of second chance romance this really worked for me! What also works here is the setting/context, for me Austen always uses settings effectively and in memorable ways (Pemberley for example) and Edwards understood how to make use of setting, and relationships/characters, to help tell and drive the story.

Once Persuaded, Twice Shy is a modern retelling of Jane Austen's Persuasion. Now, as a big Jane Austen fan, I knew I had to get my hands on this story.

Once Persuaded, Twice Shy follows the story of Anne and Ben. Anne broke up with Ben eight years ago but now finds herself second-guessing her decision. And when Ben's family buys a nearby winery, Anne's entire world is turned upside down. Anne quickly discovers that Ben hasn't forgiven her for breaking his heart. And when fate throws these former lovers together, they're forced to confront their past.

Overall, I thought this book was an enjoyable read. I'm a sucker for second-chance, forced proximity romances. I loved the tension between Anne and Ben and couldn't wait to see how their story would play out.

Thanks to the publisher for the e-arc!! I’m so happy to have won this in a giveaway 💗 I am a notoriously slow reader, but I flew threw this one! I am a sucker for Jane Austen and “Persuasion,” mainly because of the LONGING. “Once Persuaded, Twice Shy” definitely delivered on this front. Anne and Ben’s scenes are fraught with such tension and unspoken words. The small town setting and side characters were charming, and the humor sprinkled throughout had me laughing out loud, which is rare for me while reading. If you want a cute, small town, second chance romance I would definitely recommend picking this up!

I am a SUCKER for a retelling, and Persuasian is my favorite Austen, so I loved this. I enjoyed the Canadian tourist town setting, and the way Anne's mother played a key role (in the past) in this book; unlike in the Austen version. And the funny small characters at the Shakespearean theater that Anne manages were great. 4.5 overall, but rounding up bc of my Austen love!

Once Persuaded, Twice Shy is like Jane Austen joined in a meeting with The Gilmore Girls writers and they created this sweet and cozy romcom!
Not going to lie, Persuasion and Mansfield Park may be tied for my least favorite of Jane Austen's works, but gosh, Melanie Edwards made the all of the miscommunication, the pining(...oh the pining!), second-chance romance so enjoyable! The town itself, and a persnickity and hilarious goose named Double-Oh-Goose, was a beloved character. They supporting cast was more endearing than the menagerie of Stars Hollow. I truly enjoyed the modernization of Anne and Ben Wentworth's love. I would definitely recommend to anyone who is a fan of retellings or someone looking for a romcom with a lot of heart!

Persuasion is my favorite Jane Austen novel... I guess it's no surprise that I had to read this modernization given the chance. Honestly, I read a lot of Austen modernizations, and not all are great. This one, however, was worth the read. I love how Melodie Edwards envisioned Anne for the modern world - strong, sucessful, take charge, and appreciated by everyone for those skills (except of course by her vain sister and self-centered father). To all my Austenphile friends - this is a book you'll want to read.

What to expect in this adaptation: well an epic 2nd chance romance (of course), hiking, theater, a "post-breakup" haircut, actual dating of other people (because they no longer follow regency area rules), and the required pining and soulful glances. Also, Anne has an awesome costume designer friend and a kick-ass and overzealous assistant. <spoiler> Wentworth did NOT join the military! And doesn't know how to sail a boat. </spoiler>

My only qualm with the book: Edwards changed Fredrick Wentworth's name to Benjamin Wentworth and while I agree that an author can name their characters whatever they want I wish she hadn't chosen a name so similar to the prominent side character of Captain Benwick in the original. It threw me for a loop every time he's mentioned as Benjamin or Ben.

Stars: 4.5/5 (Rounded to 5/5)
Spice: 1/5

I absolutely adored the Parks and Rec/Gilmore Girls vibes. There’s a rogue goose, wayward assistants and lots of small town antics.

Plus it’s perfect for autumn - there’s even a pumpkin festival!!

This is definitely an Angsty Romance™️ which isn’t my favorite dynamic BUT I loved what the author did with the Persuasion retelling, making it wholly her own.

I hope there’s more retellings to come!!

I really enjoyed this Persuasion retelling. A well-done modern take on a classic story with a lovely setting (Niagara-on-the-Lake), great side characters, and a satisfying second chance romance.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Randomhouse Publishing for this digital ARC. This story is wrapped around Ann & Ben and to be a modernized reimagining of Persuasion. This story involves: second chance romance trope, closed-door romance, slow burn, and forced proximity. I never read/watched the story Persuasion, so I was taking it in completely blind. I really enjoyed Ann being in a powerful position in her career and was the head of her community. I really did like the concept, but some things didn’t do it for me. I was hoping for more to happen, but felt like nothing really did happen until roughly 75% in. I was hoping maybe for a little more drama or romantic tension, but maybe this story was really aligned to Persuasion and I just haven’t looked into the older / original version.

Thank you Netgalley for the chance to read this!
I want to preface: I LOVE Persuasion. I also LOVE retellings of favorite books, specifically Jane Austen. So this was a win for me before I even opened it.
I thought this was so well done. I loved Niagara on the Lake as a setting, the town really became a focal point (almost as a character onto itself). I loved Anne's career and her interactions with Emmie and the festival. I thought all of the B storylines were built really well.
I also thought the tension between Ben and Anne was played up rather beautifully: mostly in looks and interiority and gestures, far less in words until the very end. That was a really nice balance. I didn't really want to hear them hash it out...I wanted to see it all from their perspectives.
All in all, a really nice modern retelling