The Austen Escape by Katherine Reay
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Things at Mary’s job aren’t going great. The project on which she’s chief engineer is being shelved. The cute contractor she has a crush on is moving on to another assignment. She’s pretty miserable.
Enter her childhood friend, Isabel. Wealthy and gorgeous, Isabel is finishing her doctoral thesis on Jane Austen … and she’s offering Mary a chance to do an immersive experience in Bath, all expenses paid. Mary turns it down flat; she just can’t imagine that it would be any fun. Then, Isabel gets Mary’s inventor father to help wheedle her into going along.
Just when Mary thinks the trip might be okay, something strange happens to Isabel. She wakes up after not feeling well, and really believes she’s in Regency England. Her entire personality changes from the haughty demeanor she displayed at home to someone fun-loving and kind. Mary’s in constant contact with her family and Isabel’s doctor … because this isn’t the first time something like this has happened.
The book was entertaining and lively, with well-drawn characters throughout. Some of the plot twists were obvious but others were not. I enjoyed the read and would consider it light chick-lit with overtones that will make the Janeites happy.
