Disclosure: I received this book to review. The opinions shared here are 100% mine.

The busy back-to-school season always calls for a level of comfort.  Comfort foods, comfortable clothes, and familiar books.  Jane Austen’s books are as cozy as a pair of worn jeans for me.  I love to revisit the characters of Longbourn and Pemberley.  Sipping tea at Donwell Abbey would be utterly divine.  This beautiful azalea walk in Charleston, SC reminds me of the Austen world.  As for the men of Austen’s books…..well, there are many that caught my heart before my own Mr. Savingsinseconds.  One of those was Mr. Wentworth.

While I appreciate the steamy goodness of a book boyfriend, a good Austen man is my preference.  Mr. Darcy was the original Edward Cullen, if I may say.  Anytime there’s an opportunity to relive the Austenesque world, I’m there.  When given the opportunity to read Persuasion, Captain Wentworth and Cracklin’ Cornbread by Mary Jane Hathaway, my info was submitted right away!

This book is just as adorable as the cover might suggest.  As sweet as Southern tea, the story carries us through a lost-love plot.  There’s a Downton Abbey-esque mentality going on, with the “old money” entitlement resonating loud and clear.  My heart broke and soared for Lucy Crawford.  She was a great main character, trying to hold together the fraying pieces of her family’s reputation while maintaining her own sense of pride.   Hathaway did a great job of tying in the Austen love story without completely copying the writing style.  The book was different enough to stand on its own, yet had subtle references that will draw a sigh from Austenites.   You can grab a copy of Persuasion, Captain Wentworth, and Cracklin’ Cornbread when it releases in November.  If you’ve got a lucky streak, you might just win a copy here!!