The Austen Escape, Katherine Reay
The Austen Escape, Katherine Reay
List: $24.99 | Sale: $17.50
Club: $12.49

The Austen Escape

Author: Katherine Reay

Narrator: Emily Sutton-Smith

Unabridged: 8 hr 38 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Published: 11/07/2017


Synopsis

When Mary Davies travels to Jane Austen’s Bath for a historical getaway, she expects a luxurious escape from reality. Instead she finds her friendship at a crossroads, her love life upended, and her heart on a journey she never expected.Mary Davies finds safety in her ordered and productive life. Working as an engineer, she genuinely enjoys her job and her colleagues—particularly a certain adorable and intelligent consultant. But something is missing. When Mary’s estranged childhood friend, Isabel Dwyer, offers her a two-week stay in a gorgeous manor house in England, she reluctantly agrees in hopes that the holiday will shake up her quiet life in just the right ways.But Mary gets more than she bargained for when Isabel loses her memory and fully believes she lives in Jane Austen’s Bath. While Isabel rests and delights in the leisure of a Regency lady, attended by other costume-clad guests, Mary uncovers startling truths about their shared past, who Isabel was, who she seems to be, and the man who now stands between them.Outings are undertaken, misunderstandings arise, and dancing ensues as this company of clever, well-informed people, who have a great deal of conversation, work out their lives and hearts.“Admirers of Jane Austen, especially, will delight in the delicious descriptions and elegant prose as the protagonist is transported to the English countryside, taking readers along for the ride. Both cleverly written and nicely layered, Reay’s latest proves to be a charming escape!” —Denise Hunter, bestselling author of Lake Season on The Austen Escape“At once sophisticated and smart . . . Clever and classy . . . Whether for the first-time Pride and Prejudice reader or the devotee with an ardent affection for all things Austen . . . The Austen Escape is an equally satisfying retreat into the wilds of Jane’s beloved Regency world. In scenes brilliantly woven with Austen’s classic characterization, Reay goes beyond courtship and manners to explore modern-day scenarios, grappling with themes of brokenness and loss, the weight of decisions and consequences, and the anchor of faith through difficult circumstances. As amiable as an Austen novelist could be—but with a pen just as witty—Katherine Reay proves she’s ready to become Jane to a whole new generation of women.” —Kristy Cambron, bestselling author of The Painted Castle“Wildly imaginative and deeply moving, The Austen Escape is Katherine Reay at her very best.” —Billy Coffey, author of Steal Away Home“The Austen Escape has the remarkable ability to be both lighthearted and gripping. The dramatic elements are first rate, the characters even finer. Wonderful writing. Highly recommended.” —Davis Bunn, bestselling authorSweet and thoughtful contemporary readStand-alone novelBook length: 80,000 wordsIncludes a discussion questions and an excerpt from Dear Mr. Knightley

About Katherine Reay

Katherine Reay is a national bestselling and award-winning author who has enjoyed a lifelong affair with books. She publishes both fiction and nonfiction, holds a BA and MS from Northwestern University, and currently lives outside Bozeman, MT, with her husband and three children. You can meet her online at katherinereay.com; Facebook: @KatherineReayBooks; X: @katherine_reay; Instagram: @katherinereay


Reviews

Goodreads review by Suzanne on November 24, 2017

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......more

Goodreads review by Sarah on June 21, 2017

I have read every single Katherine Reay book written so I know her style. When the beginning started a little slow, I just sat back and got comfortable, knowing she was setting the stage and aligning her characters in a way that was going to stretch my understanding of human emotional journeys throu......more

Goodreads review by Rachel on June 08, 2017

"When there are serious matters to discuss, Austen women walk. And it has the side benefit of keeping our figures so light and pleasing." I have to admit I have been getting a little tired of Austen everything. So many updates. So many re-imaginings--- But, if anyone can do Austen, Reay can. Especial......more

Goodreads review by Heidi on November 07, 2017

Another book to add to my top favorites of the year! At first I wondered if this book would be similar to others that have the characters dressing up and playacting in Regency form, but I needn't have worried- while there is a bit of that, it is taken to a higher level by Katherine Reay's unique wri......more


Quotes

'Reay handles. . .scenes with tenderness and a light touch, allowing the drama to come as much from internal conflict as external, rom-com--type misunderstandings. . .Thoughtful escapism.' Kirkus

'Dripping with period detail but fundamentally a modern story, The Austen Escape is a clever, warmhearted homage to Austen and her fans.' Shelf Awareness

'Reay's exquisite phrasing will resonate with readers and provide much fodder for pondering. . .this is a beautifully written novel and one to be savored and enjoyed.' RT Book Revies, 4 stars

'Unlike many books written in homage to Austen, this is not a modern retelling of any of her stories, but rather a romp among contemporary Austen fanatics. Readers eager for anything Austen-related will enjoy this clean romance that explores the concept of escapism and what it may reveal about our real lives.' Publishers Weekly