Jane and Edward was such a strong debut from Melodie Edwards but this one did not hit the mark for me in the same way. I think it has more to do with the source material than Edwards' writing. I have never read Persuasion but from what I've gathered from this book I probably wouldn't enjoy it much. I would love to see Edwards write an original romance one day because I have a feeling it would be great!

As a fan of Jane Austen, I was interested in reading this and thoroughly enjoyed it. I was intrigued by its setting at Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (a place I visited and love) and found it the perfect place to locate the story.

I think Edwards’ writing style doesn’t grip me personally. It feels similar to her first book, so fans should be pleased and will likely rate it similarly. I stopped after chapter 1 (5%).

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC.

I’m not exaggerating when I say this book was literal perfection. The worst part about it was the fact that now it’s over. I used to be such a classics snob and Edwards feeding me modern retellings of my favorite books just speaks to my soul.

I had the pleasure of stumbling across Jane & Edward earlier this year when looking for something available now on Libby and didn’t expect to love it as much as I did. I finished it in one sitting, immediately bought the book and highlighted all my favorite passages (there’s A LOT), and listened to the audio a couple months later. Once Persuaded, Twice Shy is just as masterful of a modern retelling for Austen’s Persuasion as that one was for Brönte’s Jane Eyre. I can’t even pick a favorite because they’re both just that good.

While I love classics, that is not required to enjoy this contemporary story. If you enjoy idyllic small town settings, a cast of hilarious side characters, strong and independent heroines, second chance romance, lots of pining and romantic tension, and perfect HEAs then add this book to your TBR immediately.

Thank you Melodie Edwards for writing two of my favorite books this year and to Berkley for giving me early access in exchange for an honest opinion.

As a Jane Austen fan, I have read many books that use her characters or plots. Once Persuaded, Twice Shy nails the homage on the head! The characters have just enough in common with Anne Elliot and Captain Wentworth to resonate and make you root for them. Edwards has successfully found the key points Austen was making in her novel, and then brought them into the present. She also filled the book with the humorous characters, the supportive ones, and the nefarious plotters. The book is a romance — just as Austen’s Persuasion is — but does not throw in gratuitous sex that would spoil the retelling. This book will be an easy “sell” in any library.

Full disclosure, I received an early reader copy of this book from Netgalley. This was such a good book. Persuasion is not my favorite of Jane Austen's books, it's a difficult story, her family is just so awful and she is so sad. However, in this reimagining, it was still sad, but as the reader, I think you see more of Anne's growth, her resilience, and her determination to make a good life for herself because she is worthy of a good life. I loved the setting, I could almost picture how idyllic the small town was, so much so that now I really want to visit. I also loved that in this version Anne had a contemporary, she had a friend she could confide in. A friend helped to give her more agency, and it helped alleviate some of Anne's burdens. This was a clever, sharp, and glorious retelling of Persuasion. I am going to be looking for more books from this author from now on and I will definitely re-read this story multiple times.

A fun retelling of Jane Austen's Persuasion that captured the heart of the story in a modern setting rather adeptly. The author borrowed the characters and plot points that made sense, but wasn't ties to the original so strictly as some authors are wont to do to lead to a retelling that is just absurd. And just as Austen's books provided commentary on women's place in the world alongside the romance, so do this one: showing how women often set aside their own happiness to please others, and take care of others before themselves. The only fault of the book was that it was so short--i wanted to spend more time with it, and a little more depth to some of the characters wouldn't have hurt.

RATING: 4.5/5 STARS

PERSUASION to me is the most angsty of Austen's novels, with years and pages of build up until the culmination of pining and longing is achieved at the end. Once again, Melodie Edwards reimagined a classic romance, grasping its essence and modernizing it so well! She captured the characters' personalities and added layers to them that built on the original inspiration. I really loved ONCE PERSUADED, TWICE SHY. It had charming small-town vibes, comic relief characters, and hijinks in addition to impeccable tension between the two leads. The ending was sweet (featuring its own version of the most romantic and passionate letter in literature, of course). I hope there are many more books to come in this modern reimagining series!

Ohh I loved this one. It was hopeful, heartfelt tale that shows it’s never too late to rewrite one’s own story, or to give true love a second chance. Wonderful read!

I was lucky enough to win an eARC of ONCE PERSUADED, TWICE SHY by Melodie Edwards through a Shelf Awareness giveaway. Thank you for the early look, and have a safe and happy autumn!

Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 stars

Once Persuaded Twice Shy is the excellent modern take on Jane Austen’s Persuasion. This time Anne is the executive director of the local theater and Wentworth is the nephew of the new owners of Kellynch Winery. Wentworth returns to the small town of Niagara-on-the-Lake after finding success in the finance world and plans to help his aunt and uncle. Anne is unprepared to see her old flame and discovers she never truly got over him.

Melodie Edwards’ debut was one of my 2023 favorites and this one is just as perfect. I absolutely fell in love with Anne and Wentworth all over again. Yes, they are as frustrating as ever with their inability to communicate their feelings, but you cannot help but root for the two crazy kids. Edwards also gives us many Taylor Swift references, all the Fall vibes, an adorable town I want to live in, and just an overall cozy atmosphere. I remain obsessed.

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

"Persuasion" by Jane Austen is one of my all-time favorite books. I'm weary of retellings because I often find the original text so much better, which made me extremely skeptical of "Once Persuaded, Twice Shy." Thankfully, I loved it! I devoured this book in approximately two days and I can't wait to read it again.

Because this is a "modern reimagining" and not a retelling, there are hints of "Persuasion" and that's what makes it work. It's not trying to be Jane Austen. It's bringing an essence of Austen to present day and making classics more accessible to wary readers. Also, a Taylor Swift playlist? Yes, please! I'd love to have a full list of songs included in the finished book.

I have a couple nit-picky comments regarding language. Certain words and phrases are repeated like "make a mental note" and "the table groaned" several times. I'm wondering if other phrases could be used to avoid repetition, but it's not a make-0r-break thing for me.

Now I need to reread "Jane Eyre" and pick up Edwards' first book. I'm intrigued to see what classics the author finds inspiration in the future!

The reimagining of Austen’s Persuasion couldn't be more poignant, heartwarming, and sentimental. After Jane Eyre’s amazing modern retelling, I had no doubt that Melodie Edwards would breathe life back into Annie Elliott and Ben Wentworth in possibly the most polished and well-executed way possible. Especially Annie Elliott: that selfless, tough, resilient, smart woman became my idol! I loved her characterization with every fiber of my being.

Annie lives in her small Niagara-on-the-Lake town, taking care of her family after her overprotective mother, who may have changed the course of her life, passed away. She seems to be enjoying the secluded life she's built, working as a town councilor and executive director of her theater company, hanging out with her tight-knit circle of friends, and dealing with her father’s drinking and her sister's misbehavior. She appears content until she crosses paths with her old flame, a man she loved with every fiber of her being but let get away due to insecurities her mother injected into her. After Kellynch Winery is bought by Ben Wentworth’s uncle and aunt, the same man she broke his heart 8 years ago is back in town, and unfortunately, his cold demeanor proves he never forgave her for what she did. Seeing him dating a younger, ambitious theater actress makes her realize what she lost and breaks her heart once again. Now she’s forced to face their past filled with unaddressed questions they never dared to admit because of a joint project bringing theater and winery together.

As they spend more time together, they start to learn more about their new selves, how they've changed in 8 years, how they've matured, and what they've sacrificed to become the people they are now.

Could Annie take the risk of cracking open the shell she's hiding in to embrace the happiness she's been missing? Against all resentments, misunderstandings, excessive pride, and stubbornness, could they learn to listen to their hearts to find their way back to each other?

I can honestly say that while Persuasion might be my least favorite Jane Austen novel, this book made me enjoy it a little more! This romantic, angsty, tear-jerking, and sensitive story of Annie and Ben is everything romance addicts need. Don’t miss out on this charming small-town, enemies-to-lovers, second-chance romance!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for sharing this heartfelt book's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.