Dashed

How FUN! Really enjoyed this contemporary retelling of Jane Austen's "Sense & Sensibility", but with the Dashwood sisters on boats & beaches!! I also read the author's "Ghosted" last summer, which was an updated & very different "Northhanger Abbey" & also enjoyed it a lot. Amanda Quain has found a fun new spin on some old personal favorites & I will check out what's she does next for sure! My sincere thanks to Net Galley & the publisher for the complimentary DRC - my pleasure to review it!

I am absolutely over the moon about Amanda Quain's Austen-inspired series, and "Dashed" is like a burst of joy in book form! Picture this: we're back with the Dashwood family, riding the waves of excitement post-"Sense and Sensibility." Life has thrown some curveballs their way, what with losing their dad and Marianne's rollercoaster romance. But fear not, because the Dashwoods are setting sail on a cruise, courtesy of the serene ship pastor Edward – cue the adventure!

Margaret, the once-upon-a-time fan of Marianne's wild ways, is now channeling her inner Elinor vibes. Picture this serene family cruise suddenly rocked by Hurricane Marianne, who's fresh from a breakup and ready to spice things up. Margaret, determined to keep her chill summer intact, hatches a plan to distract her drama-loving sister. And oh boy, does it involve an intriguing male crew member!

Quain's genius shines through in "Dashed" as she spins her magic with a contemporary Austen twist. Taking a character from the sidelines and giving them the spotlight? Genius! The cruise ship becomes the modern-day equivalent of a summer in Bath, complete with social whirlwinds, concerts, and the potential for wonderfully awkward encounters.

"Dashed" is not just a YA romance; it's a bubbly, sparkling, and utterly charming take on "Sense and Sensibility." Even if you haven't dipped your toes into Austen's world, this book is a standalone gem. I couldn't get enough of the delightful twists and turns, and now I'm practically dancing with anticipation for Quain's spin on the rest of Austen's tales. Trust me, this book is like a fizzy concoction of love and laughter – an absolute delight!

I like it when a book billed as retelling surprises me by being something a little different, and this one definitely succeeded in that.nothing. The plot was well-developed and romance was sweet, perfect for a YA book! I can’t wait to re-read this in the summer time!

A special thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

After her second book, Amanda Quain had become a must read author for me... and Dashed did not disappoint.

I actually went on my first ever cruise this year, so I was extra excited to see Jane Austen characters reworked into a modern setting on a cruise!

I also love the idea of taking a character I tend to forget even existed (Margaret Dashwood) and making her the centre. And as a fellow Margaret who is affectionately called Mags... that thrilled me as well.

The romance is sweet and once again I found myself rereading passages because they were just so delightful.

Most of all, though, I really enjoy how the author treats Edward. It felt like an excellent capture of his character and was a reworking/modernization done perfectly - in my opinion.