“She had been forced into prudence in her youth, she learned romance as she grew older: the natural sequel of an unnatural beginning.”

FINAL DECISION: Finally, a Jane Austen book that I really liked.  I know that I am a heretic because Austen has never really appealed to me.  This second chance at love book, however, struck me because I really felt for Anne because she made a mistake in her youth and she grew from the experience.  And there is a happy ending!

THE STORY:  Eight years ago, Anne Elliot was to marry Captain Frederick Wentworth before she was dissuaded by her family that he was not an appropriate man for her to marry because of his lack of standing and wealth.  Now Frederick and Anne meet again.  At the age of 27, Anne has never married and deeply regrets her decision years ago.  Now Frederick intends on finding a bride, but it will not be Anne.

OPINION: Up front I will confess that I’m not a Jane Austen fan.  I can appreciate that they are classics, but, for the most part, I find the stories too filled with social conventions and discussions whereas I am more interested in the characters and emotions of the story.  I often find that I like the main story but get bored by all the surrounding events.

For some reason, this book hit me much better.  The story seemed more focused, the heroine more appealing to me.  Perhaps because Anne’s mistakes were years ago and she has had time to reflect and regret and grow, I could understand what had led her to make a mistake and liked her better because of it.

I also liked the Anne and Frederick’s relationship and liked watching them work their way back to one another.

WORTH MENTIONING:  PERSUASION is the last of Austen’s completed novels and was not published until after her death.

CONNECTED BOOKS:  PERSUASION is a standalone.

STAR RATING:  I give this book 4 stars.