Austentatious

Apr 17, 2013 Doug rated it 3 of 5 stars

There was a lot I enjoyed about Austentatious, but also a fair bit I found problematic. The novel scored big points with me early on by dropping a reference to The Princess Bride without belaboring it with an explanation. And I enjoyed its breezy, nerd-culture-reference-spiked tone throughout. I'm generally favorably inclined toward modern spins on classic Austen plots, and I was distinctly intrigued by the notion of Austen's voice being brought literally into the 21st century by a supernatural...more

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Feb 17, 2013 Lori McD rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013_read, chick-lit, contemporary-times, easy-read, fantasy, female-bonding, jane-austen, kindle-book, own, paranormal, romance, rock-band-musicians, series, jammf_2013_challenge

Nicola James is an engineer with an MBA whose life follows The Plan she made at age 13. Except she's got no life and no romance; she's too busy following The Plan.

Enter a quaint-looking diary with a mysterious quote from Jane Austen inside:
"...I dedicate to You the following Miscellaneous Morsels, convinced that if you seriously attend to them, You will derive from them very important Instructions, with regard to your Conduct in Life."

Nicola buys it for a vintage-obsessed younger cousin, but whi...more Nicola James is an engineer with an MBA whose life follows The Plan she made at age 13. Except she's got no life and no romance; she's too busy following The Plan.

Enter a quaint-looking diary with a mysterious quote from Jane Austen inside:
"...I dedicate to You the following Miscellaneous Morsels, convinced that if you seriously attend to them, You will derive from them very important Instructions, with regard to your Conduct in Life."

Nicola buys it for a vintage-obsessed younger cousin, but while perusing the journal, she manages to spill her chai tea all over it. So the journal quickly becomes her journal. While she's not the sort to write in journals, usually, she IS a Jane Austen fan (who isnt'?). So Nicola takes a chance and writes in the journal... only to discover the next day that most of her words have disappeared; all that's left reads like a Jane Austen fortune cookie: "Miss Nicola James will be sensible and indulge in a little romance."

Nicola's real-world mind goes a little bonkers. Trying to figure out what's going on drives her (and us, the readers) a little nuts until she finally confides in Beck (Rebecca), the gal she's mentoring. Beck, along with Nicola's friend Gabe and her next-door lesbian neighbors Leslie and Laura, have been trying to get Nicola to live a little. Gabe even called to invite her to see some hot bands at the South by Southwest annual concert. But Nicola turns him down to write in her journal and bake cupcakes. (She never met a cupcake she didn't like.)

A few days later and 2 more Jane Austen fortune cookie sayings trying to get her to indulge in said romance later, Nicola finds herself at a wedding of a co-worker... where she manages to get a stuffed mushroom stuck in her cleavage! While trying to retrieve the mushroom, a sexy Scot discovers her, aids her (he says it's his "super hero powers" that told him she needed rescuing), and gives her the slow dance of her life. Flirting, yet scared, Nicola manages to run off.

But sexy Scot Sean isn't so easily bowed. Neither is the spirit of Miss Jane Austen (or Fairy Jane, short for Fairy Godmother Jane), and with the help of Beck, Nicola tries some experimentation, only to find herself falling madly for the sexy Scot, who's the lead singer and guitarist of one of the bands in SXSW. Totally not her type! He rides a motorcycle for heavens' sake!

Will Nicola indulge in romance or play it safe?
===================
Personally, I thought Nicola should ditch the engineering job and open her own cupcake shop. This gal's got a thing for sweets, but especially cupcakes!

Nicola is a little irritating at first, but that's because she's so darned logical and has to overthink everything. The concept of magic or fate or whatever is beyond The Plan.

Sean is almost too-good-to-be-true. I kept waiting for him to have fangs or something! But he's Mr. Darcy to Nicola's Elizabeth Bennet. And she's got to overcome her prejudices and pride to figure it all out.

Beck is especially fun; she finds her own romance, which is great! And Leslie of Leslie and Laura is almost too acidic in her humor, but that venomous bite is what spurs Nicola on at times.

Fun book! I've already read the 2nd book (read it 1st not realizing there was a 1st book). The two stories are only joined by the journal, so no worries about reading them in any special order.(less)

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Aug 29, 2012 Stacy/GirlsInTheStacks.com added it

What a lovely romp of a read!!! I easily devoured it in one sitting – laughing and smiling.

I absolutely adore this Jane Austen-esque book. It is full of wit, comedy, magical journaling and utterly cute and ahhh worthy romance. Goodnight has done an excellent job capturing the essence of Jane Austen and her characters – creating a modern world for them to live. While there aren’t direct correlations to Austen characters (well, except for Nicola and Sean), there are plenty of references to them fo...more

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Aug 06, 2012 La Stamberga dei Lettori rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: valetta97

E' verità universalmente riconosciuta che qualsiasi prodotto letterario che vanti una qualunque forma di parentela con le opere di Jane Austen sia destinato a finire nelle mie mani. E' superfluo quindi dire che a questo Austentatious è bastato il titolo per volare senza esitazione fra i miei scaffali. I risultati di qeusta mia predilezione sono stati nel tempo altalenanti. Se la "Zia Jane" è garanzia di qualità, le sue emule si collocano invece ina una vasta gamma di definizioni che varia tra la...more

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Jul 22, 2012 McGuffy Morris rated it 3 of 5 stars

Nicola James is a serious, career-minded woman. She is on a path that she set as a teenager. The only things missing are love and romance but, practical and sensible, she is not about to risk it all with fool hardy risks.

When Nicola finds a beautiful blank journal in a boutique in Austen, Texas, she is intrigued. It is shelved alongside Jane Austen novels, her favourite. She buys the journal, initially as a gift. She is so drawn to the journal that she decides to use it herself, and once she doe...more

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Jul 17, 2012 Lydia Laceby rated it 3 of 5 stars

Originally reviewed at Novel Escapes

3.5 Star

A mystical, magical novel, Austentatious takes us on a fairy tale ride merging Jane Austen with Austin, Texas and takes a girl who has a plan and stubbornly refuses to take any detours from it until an unusual journal pops into her life and makes her question everything.

I had an extremely slow start to this novel partly due to some things in life that left me with less reading time, but I also think it was because I wasn’t entirely immersed in this nov...more Originally reviewed at Novel Escapes

3.5 Star

A mystical, magical novel, Austentatious takes us on a fairy tale ride merging Jane Austen with Austin, Texas and takes a girl who has a plan and stubbornly refuses to take any detours from it until an unusual journal pops into her life and makes her question everything.

I had an extremely slow start to this novel partly due to some things in life that left me with less reading time, but I also think it was because I wasn’t entirely immersed in this novel until later so I didn’t always rush to pick it up. My main concern initially as I read was that this novel was quite heavy with internal dialogue as well as a lot of detail with small actions. One example that stood out was the main character ordering a drink. Then paying for it. Then scanning the bar. And then walking away. And then thinking and then... Well, you get the picture. One scan as she ordered the drink maybe and omit paying because I assume the character isn’t going to skip out on the bill unless she’s flighty or a clepto or maybe her paying results in a flirtation with a hot bartender? And maybe a few less thoughts and a bit more action. Maybe her hand rattles the drink and spills it to show nerves instead of thinking it? It doesn't happen that often, but enough that I noticed and started glossing over, especially when immersed in the internal dialogue. Then again maybe it was just me and my newfound ADHD.

The dialogue between characters was also peppered heavily with tags and thoughts and I had to force myself to read them all when I found myself skimming to continue with the actual dialogue. In addition, there was some repetitiveness regarding the Plan and how she’s not spontaneous and after a few of these thoughts, I got it. It wasn’t overly much, but something I noticed and I think would have made the novel more fluid if tweaked a little.

That said, there was much about this novel I loved. There were some fantastic words, thoughts, and imagery as well as some dialogue that really popped and I definitely had a few giggles. I really enjoyed the description of Austin which I've heard is such a fabulous city, but have never visited myself. All of the characters were enjoyable, well developed and fit well into the different and odd that is Austin. Sean was an interesting character and I could never entirely figure out whether he was for real or not, especially with the magical element of this novel and Nicola’s transformation was fun to watch.

The romantic in me was grinning and ridiculously frustrated near the end when I had to get off the subway, unable to finish at an inopportune time in the story. Jane Austen fans will definitely appreciate Austentatious as will anyone who loves a mystical quality to their chick lit.(less)

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Jun 12, 2012 Liviania rated it 4 of 5 stars

AUSTENTATIOUS was not what I expected. I somehow got the impression that protagonist Nicola James was in college when I first noticed the book. Instead, she's an engineer, several years out of college, and looking to be promoted. The book starts when Nic buys a journal in a SoCo (South Congress) shop for a present, but accidentally spills her drink on it. She then uses the journal for herself and finds that words in her entries disappear to display messages from a mysterious person. She decides...more AUSTENTATIOUS was not what I expected. I somehow got the impression that protagonist Nicola James was in college when I first noticed the book. Instead, she's an engineer, several years out of college, and looking to be promoted. The book starts when Nic buys a journal in a SoCo (South Congress) shop for a present, but accidentally spills her drink on it. She then uses the journal for herself and finds that words in her entries disappear to display messages from a mysterious person. She decides the advice sounds like it comes from Jane Austen, but we'll have to agree to disagree. As much as I love Austen, I think I could have done without the Austen connection. (There is plenty of Austin, TX, which I did expect.)

Anyway, Nic is very straitlaced. She Planned out her life and doesn't like to deviate from the Plan. And honestly, it isn't a terrible plan. She wants to make money now so that she's free to travel and see the world. However, it keeps her from noticing current opportunities. But the journal shakes her out of her rut and makes her think about those possibilities.

One of those possibilities is Sean MacInnes, a Scottish rocker in town for South by (SXSW). He's charming, he cleans up well, he sings, he dances, he has an accent. It's not hard to see why Nic is attracted to him. Nor is it hard to see why he likes Nic, even though she's initially skittish about starting a relationship. She's smart, she's pretty, she can engage in witty banter. The love story was very well done. Nic and Sean date and they talk to each other on those dates. It's so simple, but sometimes romances rely too much on the wacky hijinks to focus on the basics.

There's a silly misunderstanding at the end, but it didn't mar my enjoyment of AUSTENTATIOUS too much. Alyssa Goodnight definitely has a flair for romance and I look forward to seeing what she does next. AUSTENTATIOUS might not be what Jane Austen fans are expecting, but I think they can still find something to like in the story. (less)

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Jun 09, 2012 Majibookshelf Juhina & Farah rated it 3 of 5 stars

Anyone who knows me knows how I am a Jane Austen fan, specifically for her Pride and Prejudice novel; It is even my all time favorite movie and any book that has any relation to Jane Austen grabs my attention immediately! Austentatious, from its title, had me sold. Picture you finding an old journal at a used shop and then writing in it, normal right? then the next time you open it to write some more, you find a REPLY BACK to your journal entry! and by none other than the lovely Jane Austen hers...more Anyone who knows me knows how I am a Jane Austen fan, specifically for her Pride and Prejudice novel; It is even my all time favorite movie and any book that has any relation to Jane Austen grabs my attention immediately! Austentatious, from its title, had me sold. Picture you finding an old journal at a used shop and then writing in it, normal right? then the next time you open it to write some more, you find a REPLY BACK to your journal entry! and by none other than the lovely Jane Austen herself! Would you be thrilled? I know I would! However, the protagonist, Nicola, is anything but thrilled. She is an engineer with a one mind track and that is to stick to her "Plan". The plan basically outlines Nicola's rise to the managerial position she always wanted and the type of man that Nicola 'can' fall for and date.
When she meets the ever so hot Sean MacInnes in the most embarrassing of coincidences she can't seem to accept that maybe this is fate and that a musician CAN be compatible with an engineer. Throughout the whole book she has this tug of war with herself where one side tells her this courtship is set to fail because, well he's a musician! and the other side tell her that maybe, just maybe, the annoying advices she's been getting in the journal were the change she needed to amend her life plan. Now this is where I start to have problems with Nicola. I adored her from the beginning because she is an engineer, and I am an undergraduate chemical engineer which made me like her instantly! Do we have many female protagonists who kick butt in their profession? who aren't damsel's in distress? But then, she starts this whole 'I'm an engineer, I must date nerds like me' and 'how can a musician like ME? an ENGINEER?". This was the whole complication in the book; Nicola not feeling like she should date Ian because they're not compatible. See, I did enjoy her dilemma's, but they were strung for a bit too long and the ending felt a bit too rushed. She suddenly is hit by a realization that makes her decide. I just hoped she reached it sooner.
I also liked how Alyssa showed the readers that even though you're an engineer, it doesn't mean you need to stick to that stereotype through Nicola's intern, Beck. She had magenta hair, a sparkly pink nose stud and a spunk attitude, basically the opposite of what a 'typical' engineer is. I would have loved if we had more pages with Beck and explored her side of the story, because in the book, she also snagged a nerd of her own. Overall, Austentatious was an enjoyable book, with a lost heroine that needed Jane Austen's guidance to find her own fairytale ending. Now the only question left to ask is: Can I please get my hands on that journal?(less)

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May 19, 2012 Sariah rated it 3 of 5 stars

As a fan of Jane Austen (especially Pride and Prejudice!), I love coming across books that take a bit of Austen into the story without trying to rewrite or add to the original (sorry, not a fan of the "sequels" written about Mr. Darcy or Elizabeth Bennett). Usually these types of books are a lot of fun and seem to be written with the rabid fan in mind. This author is obviously a Jane Austen fan herself, and she wrote a really cute little story here. I liked most of the characters overall, and an...more As a fan of Jane Austen (especially Pride and Prejudice!), I love coming across books that take a bit of Austen into the story without trying to rewrite or add to the original (sorry, not a fan of the "sequels" written about Mr. Darcy or Elizabeth Bennett). Usually these types of books are a lot of fun and seem to be written with the rabid fan in mind. This author is obviously a Jane Austen fan herself, and she wrote a really cute little story here. I liked most of the characters overall, and an Austen-esque romance is always fun. I wasn't wowed by this book, however. Some plot points just happened to quickly, without any kind of real conflict. There seems to be a crazy obsession with lesbians (and I find it odd that all the lesbians talk about "switching teams", as if they were all straight at one point and made a conscious decision to give up men and be a lesbian. Ummm, doesn't seem to actually work that way). There were a LOT of pop culture references, and while I liked them (I feel like a cool geek when I "get it"... and I got all of it!), it also really dates the story. No way this could ever turn into any kind of a classic like that. The writing felt like a first novel (is it? I think it may be), and honestly reminded me a lot of Stephenie Meyer. Now, I'm a fan of Stephenie Meyer, so I don't mean it as a bad thing at all. It's just that I don't think of her as a particularly strong writer. Great story-teller... yes! But not the greatest writing. Oh, and while I love the idea of the hot, Scottish, love-interest in Sean, I think I've been reading too much of the Outlander series because I didn't hear that beautiful brogue in Sean like I hear with Jamie. I wish his accent had been written in a bit (because seriously, what girl doesn't melt at the sound of a Scottish accent??). The book was pretty clean (so little bad language, I honestly can't remember if there was any. And while yes, there is sex, you get all the hot lead up and not disgusting over-sharing of details! Yay!) so I can comfortably recommend this to everyone I know without being embarrassed. It's a quick read. It's kind of fun. Just don't expect a whole lot.(less)

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May 08, 2012 Romancing the Book rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary, romance

Posted on Romancing the Book's blog
Reviewed by~Patti
Reveiw Copy Provided by~ARC from Publisher

Having never read any of Jane Austen’s books I was a little nervous that I would be totally confused and lost reading this. I am very pleased to tell you I was not; I enjoyed it very much actually. There were references to her novels, but they were made in such a way that I got the gist of what was meant. I am sure if you are a Jane Austen fan those same references would probably have more meaning to yo...more

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Mar 26, 2012 kari rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, 5-star

Fabulous!
This one was such fun and edge of your seat what will she do now? Both what will Nicola, the main character, do now, but also her "Fairy Jane" who posts in her antique journal with instructions to follow. Whether Nic follows them or not and how very serious-minded, down-to-earth Nic can wrap her mind around the possibility of the journal's magic is half the fun.
I think to really get the full enjoyment of this one, you should be at least passingly familiar with Jane Austen's works, the...more

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Mar 24, 2012 Shanna rated it 5 of 5 stars

"Slightly envious, I splayed my fingers over the bumpy back leather cover and had even gone so far as to dip my unpolished, trimmed-short fingernail into the tiny keyhole. I'd instantly felt an unexpected little zing that had sent goosebumps chasing each other up my arms and nerves spiraling down like a roller coaster into the pit of my stomach. Startled, I jumped back, jostling my full-to-the-brim cup and sending a cascade of warm, spiced tea down onto the little book, staining the pages, buckl...more

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Mar 07, 2012 Kim rated it 3 of 5 stars

I heard about Austentatious while en route to Philadelphia. Two women sitting behind me on my British Airways flight to Philly were talking about it--one was raving about it, the other was in complete agreement. The first woman swore any fan of Jane Austen ought to read this book. I don't know if I would go that far--I know many Jane Austen purists who would be totally against anything derived from Austen's original novels--but it was an enjoyable read and it accompanied me on many a visit to St...more

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Feb 17, 2012 Sharon Redfern rated it 5 of 5 stars

“ Miss Nicola James will be sensible and indulge in a little romance.” Twelve little words in a journal, the problem being that Nicola had written several paragraphs earlier and this is all that was left. Nicola is a straight-laced engineer living in Austin Texas. She is probably one of very few people who doesn’t own one of the city’s signature Weird t-shirts. She has a PLAN for her life and she is going to stick to it.
The plan starts to derail when she purchases a small antique journal that s...more “ Miss Nicola James will be sensible and indulge in a little romance.” Twelve little words in a journal, the problem being that Nicola had written several paragraphs earlier and this is all that was left. Nicola is a straight-laced engineer living in Austin Texas. She is probably one of very few people who doesn’t own one of the city’s signature Weird t-shirts. She has a PLAN for her life and she is going to stick to it.
The plan starts to derail when she purchases a small antique journal that seems to be taking her words and shrinking them magically down into advice about her life. Where are the phrases coming from? Nicola ‘s plan takes a hit when she doesn’t get a hoped for work promotion and then her potential romance with a co-worker gets pushed aside when she meets Sean McInnes, a sexy Scotsman who sings in a band. Sean in in Austin to sing is a music festival and meets Nicola at a wedding. There is instant chemistry between them but he is not part of the plan and has to work hard to get Nicola to agree to the first date.
This is a lovely romance between a woman who never deviates from her plan and a man who is a motorcycle driving free wheeler. The journal gives Nicola permission to do things she wouldn’t have done on her own. When she finds out more about the journal and discovers just how magical it really is, her faith in the advice gets stronger. Sean is a sexy, irrepressible man who makes Nicola enjoy her life and rely less on the plan. He even agrees to her request that he wear a kilt on one of their dates. Be still my heart!
Nicola has a sensibility relapse and that causes some problems but it all works out. Nicola and Sean make a great couple and the reader enjoys watching their romance unfold. The whole journal plot adds another layer to the story and is totally believable. I wish I could find a journal like that. Being an Austen fan, I enjoyed the concept of Jane passing on her sage advice to someone who really needed it. That said, this romance will work for all types of readers not just Austen fans. Enjoy!
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Mar 19, 2013 K. Bird rated it 4 of 5 stars

3.5 Stars, actually

This is a very light-hearted, geek-referenced (Princess Bride quotes and all) Austin, Texas-flavored romp of a romance.

Geek-engineer Nicola James is strait-laced, focused, and too busy for a social life (other than the Friday night lesbian karaoke parties next door.)

Enter a strange journal she picks up in an antique store that has a very strange way of altering the words she writes down. The first thing it tells her is "Nicola James will be sensible and indulge in a little rom...more

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Jan 15, 2012 Michelle rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: own, blog-tour, favorites, review-on-blog

This book is so Magical! I seriously could not stop smiling and laughing while I was reading it. I didn't want it to end at all. I loved that the chapter titles were the bits of advice from the journal and I loved the Jane Austen Quotes. This books makes me want to pick up the Collected works of Jane Austen and rediscover their magic.

Nicola James is one of my favorite female main characters that I have read about in a long time. She is funny and quirky, awkward and geeky and I loved all of her...more

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Mar 30, 2012 Mayda rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, 19th-century, romance

Nicola James is a woman who knows her own mind. She has “The Life Plan” firmly in place for her career: a managerial position is eminent. But while she is a determined engineer, she is still enamored of all things Austen-esque. Finding an aged journal with a quaint old dedication for a gift is a stroke of luck; spilling tea on it is not. Deciding to keep it for her own journaling is fate, or is it magic? Soon, nothing is going according to “The Plan.” She is passed over – again – for a promotion...more

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Feb 29, 2012 Chrissy (The Every Free Chance Reader) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed-on-blog

I really, really loved this book! It hooked me from the very beginning and didn't release me until the very end.

When I first read the synopsis of this book, I immediately thought of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. (I am a huge Harry Potter geek fan. So anytime a connection can be made, it usually pops in my head.) I loved that once I hit chapter 3 of this book, there was a Harry Potter reference and Luna Lovegood zing! But, this book was so much more than my initial thought and so much...more I really, really loved this book! It hooked me from the very beginning and didn't release me until the very end.

When I first read the synopsis of this book, I immediately thought of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. (I am a huge Harry Potter geek fan. So anytime a connection can be made, it usually pops in my head.) I loved that once I hit chapter 3 of this book, there was a Harry Potter reference and Luna Lovegood zing! But, this book was so much more than my initial thought and so much better.

The journal wisdom from "Fairy Jane" was really creative. The wisdom helped Nicola do things she would not normally do...especially if those things deviated from her "Plan." I kept rooting for Sean ever since his first appearance at the wedding. I wanted Nicola to chuck "the Plan" and follow her heart and "Fairy Jane's" advice. I cared and I wanted her to find her happiness. And Sean was a great character. I could hear his accent, see his smirk (and him in a kilt!), and I could feel the emotions that he sent through Nicola.

When Nicola kept going for Brett, I wanted to smack her upside the head. Really? Brett? Really?!? The lunch date was enough to stop any of that crazy talk about how perfect Brett is.

The supporting characters were fun. Beck was a great confidante and it was enjoyable to see the mentor turn into the mentee when things went beyond her comfort zone. The neighbors were a bit annoying but fit in well with the story. Gabe was Gabe...that perfect guy friend.

And really, anyone who can reference The Princess Bride, Harry Potter, and The Gods Must Be Crazy along side the great Jane Austen all within the first 5 chapters is okay in my book!

Would I recommend it: I would definitely recommend it, especially if you are a fan of Jane Austen and you enjoy books that are about Jane Austen. (Who doesn't love Jane Austen?!?!?)

Will I read it again: This book has most definitely made my to be reread every year list...up there with Pride and Prejudice, the Harry Potter series, and a few others!

http://everyfreechancebookreviews.blo...

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Feb 21, 2012 Gregandemy rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Either I am too picky or my expectations were too high after reading all of the rave reviews for this novel. I was so excited to get my hands on a copy so I could devour it myself. Oh, how disappointed I was. It was a chore to get through. The writing was painful to me and the story was only mediocre. I loved the premise of a magical journal that allowed a correspondence between Austen and today but that is where the creativity ended. I could have cared less about the main character and found it...more

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Jul 13, 2012 Roanne rated it 2 of 5 stars Recommends it for: die hard Austen fans that are also huge chick-lit fans

Note to self: No more books with a Jane Austen tie-in, or where the author is heralded as "the modern Jane Austen" or maybe even evokes Jane Austen in the review or the cover copy. To a one, they always disappoint.

To be clear, I think Alyssa Goodnight can write, and someday down the road, I'll perhaps peruse one of her books and see if she has (A) found an editor and (b) quit writing like she is getting paid by the word (see A).

I didn't find Nicola James likable, and was unsure if she was a 30s...more

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Mar 06, 2012 Jakki rated it 5 of 5 stars

Austentatious! What a fun, hot novel! I was swept up in a whirlwind of kooky advice, humorous characters and steamy romance.

When Nicola James beings writing in an antique-looking diary, her life begins to change. Once her journal begins writing back, she must decide if she is going to cling to normalcy, predictability, and her life plan, or throw caution to the wind and cross over to the weird side. After all, the unofficial motto of her hometown, Austin, Texas, is “Keep Austin Weird.” And who...more Austentatious! What a fun, hot novel! I was swept up in a whirlwind of kooky advice, humorous characters and steamy romance.

When Nicola James beings writing in an antique-looking diary, her life begins to change. Once her journal begins writing back, she must decide if she is going to cling to normalcy, predictability, and her life plan, or throw caution to the wind and cross over to the weird side. After all, the unofficial motto of her hometown, Austin, Texas, is “Keep Austin Weird.” And who knows, maybe she will finally get her “weird” t-shirt.

Helping Nicola along her journey are her friends, who truly added to the exuberance and humor of the story. For starters, there are Nic’s neighbors, Leslie and Laura. Leslie’s salacious humor and superfluous use of clichés garnered many laughs and shakes of the head accompanied by eye rolls. Throw in Nic’s mentee Bec, best friend Gabe, and co-worker Brett, and the smiles and laughs abound. Finally, there is Sean MacInnes with his wealth of innuendoes and one-liners, guaranteed to make any girl blush.

I enjoyed watching Nic’s inner struggle as her life is turned upside down by Fairy Jane’s wisdom. Here, Nic must decide if she should pursue the logical and sensible Brett, who conveniently fits into her life plan, or take a chance on the charming and confident Sean MacInnes, who may just be another Henry Crawford.

Speaking of men. Oh! My! Word! Can Alyssa Goodnight write some steamy and sexy scenes?! We’re talking heart beating out of my chest, palms getting sweaty, feeling a little hot reaction here (and nothing physical has even happened). I was so wrapped up in the romance and action of the book that I seriously felt I was the one being asked out on a first date. All of those heart-fluttering emotions a girl feels at this moment, the excitement, the anticipation, the uncertainty, came rushing back. I may have even swooned a time or two!

Not only does Goodnight write hot characters and fully engage my passion, but she is overall a talented writer. The literary elements were well-delivered, yet not overdone. Her alliterative words add to the humor, and she takes an analogy or two and carries them through the entire plot, further solidifying those connections. I enjoyed seeing the connection between the analogies and events in the book as it helped me to further understand what the characters were experiencing.

Austentatious was the first book by Alyssa Goodnight that I read, and it will certainly not be my last! I look forward to reading her other novel, Unladylike Pursuits.
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Feb 08, 2012 Charlene rated it 5 of 5 stars

Nicola who is the main character in this story, is an engineer and a very goal oriented person. She has planned her life since she was thirteen! Then she stumbles on a journal in an antiques store and all her life plans start to go out the door. This journal is a little magical and she dubs it fairygod mother Jane. The journal guides her by using Nic's words that she writes in the journal. At first Nic doesn't want to believe that the journal is doing this, but she enlists her mentee who encourg...more

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Jan 25, 2012 Meredith (Austenesque Reviews) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: austen-inspired, jane-austen, favorites

While some of us may make general life plans and long-term goals, our heroine Nicola James has taken planning her life to the extreme. Creating a “Life Plan” at the age of thirteen and strictly adhering to it for the rest of their life is not something most people are in the practice of doing. But because Nicola's dad made promises he never kept and plans he never followed through on, Nicola has decided that everything in her life must strictly coincide and adhere to her Life Plan. Which include...more

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May 13, 2012 Cinta rated it 4 of 5 stars

I think that I would have given 5 stars to this novel if I hadn't found some odd things (motorbikes that appear and disappear, for example), or if I were a native speaker of English. Or even better, if I were a native from Texas. The author uses acronyms a bit too much. Maybe those acronyms are clear for people whose mother tongue is English, but I didn't understand them and sometimes I was a bit lost about what they were talking about. And Nicola, the main character, is the kind of character th...more

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Mar 07, 2012 Linda rated it 4 of 5 stars

First off, let me mention that I received this book as a giveaway from Goodreads. As it's not typically the type of novel I read, I shelved it for a while as I finished up several other books. Finally, I picked it up and started reading. What a surprise! I really enjoyed this book. It was very well written and kept me interested in the story right up until its conclusion. The premise of the book is this - a self-proclaimed nerdy engineer (Nicola James) has been following a life Plan since she wa...more

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Apr 07, 2012 Rachel rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: like-austen

I'd heard a lot about this one--I thought what I heard was positive.
The book was fine. Predictable, not much conflict. The main character was a little bit annoying. I particularly disliked having the heroine tell me how her story was like Pride and Prejudice, If it was, I wouldn't need to be told. the heroine also told us how she didn't want to do anything and how skeptical she was, I would prefer to be shown the characters' actions, not told everything.
The book wasn't awful, it wasn't amazing....more

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Aug 03, 2012 Valetta rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

E' verità universalmente riconosciuta che qualsiasi prodotto letterario che vanti una qualunque forma di parentela con le opere di Jane Austen sia destinato a finire nelle mie mani. E' superfluo quindi dire che a questo Austentatios è bastato il titolo per volare senza esitazione fra i miei scaffali.
I risultati di qeusta mia predilezione sono stati nel tempo altalenanti. Se la "Zia Jane" è garanzia di qualità, le sue emule si collocano invece ina una vasta gamma di definizioni che varia tra la "...more

E' verità universalmente riconosciuta che qualsiasi prodotto letterario che vanti una qualunque forma di parentela con le opere di Jane Austen sia destinato a finire nelle mie mani. E' superfluo quindi dire che a questo Austentatios è bastato il titolo per volare senza esitazione fra i miei scaffali.
I risultati di qeusta mia predilezione sono stati nel tempo altalenanti. Se la "Zia Jane" è garanzia di qualità, le sue emule si collocano invece ina una vasta gamma di definizioni che varia tra la "simaptica iniziativa" e il "plagio ai limiti del sacrilego".
Il nostro Austentatious, in particolar modo, appartiene a quella quella categoria di romanzi che usano Jane Austen come specchietto per le allodole per attirare lettori che ricercano le atmosfere e l'ironia della grande romanziera e che invece si trovano fra le mani romanzetti d'amore dal taglio poco più che adolescenziale, con trama che alterna il banale e l'inutile, dialoghi vacui e personaggi dallo spessore psicologico inesistente.Il pretesto per coinvolgere la Austen in questo poco entusiasmante esperimento letterario è un diario segreto che la protagonista del romanzo, Nicola James, trova per caso in un negozietto d'antiquariato. Il libretto, oltre a vantare una dedica autografa della romanziera, rivela ben presto una qualità molto più sorprendente: ogni qualvolta Nicola annota un pensiero, le pagine del diario forniscono prontamente una risposta, un commento, un consiglio, con un tono e un'arguzia che lasciano intendere che sia la stessa Jane l'autrice delle frasi misteriose.
Ora il "dramma" della questione è che la nostra Nicola è ingegnere, il che, nel più classico degli stereotipi la obblica ad essere rigida, inquadrata e pianificatrice. All'età di 13 anni ella aveva già pianificato la propria vita ponendosi l'ambizioso traguardo di raggiungere una posizione manageriale entro i 30 anni. Per portare a termine questo piano la ragazza ha fatto cose altamente inquadrate e confomiste quali laurearsi entro i termini con il massimo dei voti e non fare la scansafatiche al lavoro. Il che, ci lascia intendere l'autrice, è sbagliato. Avesse Nicola lottato per diventare una grande romanziera o una ballerina famosa, i suoi sogni sarebbero stati nobili e giusti, ma avere successo come ingegnere non è "cool", si sa. L'intero romanzo è giocato sulla contrapposizione tra l'ostinata determinazione di Nicola nell'attenersi al suo piano e gli altrettanto determinati tentativi del diaro nel mandare all'aria suddetto piano in nome (ovviamente) dell'Amore. Amore che si presenta sotto formna di un affascinante cantante rock scozzese (wow, il rock utilizzato coem simbolo di trasgressione, nessuno ci avrebbe mai pensato!) che naturalmente si innamora della nostra bella all'istante.
L'eccitante e scandaloso risultato che si ottiene da questo scontro fra realtà opposte -l'ingegnere e il musicista, nientemeno!- è che la protagonista si ritrova salire su una motocicletta (ebbene sì, il nostro rocker ama le moto, ma dai?), cosa che mai prima si era sognata di fare essendo ingegnere, a saltare una giornata di lavoro fingendosi malata per fare un picnic con il suo bello e a cantare dal vivo per dichiare il suo amore pur essendo stonata come una campana, come nelle migliori commedie romantiche hollywoodiane dal 1940 ad oggi. Il tutto sotto l'occhio compiaciuto e consiscendete del trasgressivo spasimante, fiero che la sua amata si lasciata andare a fare cose tanto "bizzarre" (parole loro) come queste per amor suo.
La trama è praticamente inesistente se si considera che è per la gran parte costituita dalle piagnucolose lamentazioni della protagonista sul fatto che non può assolutamente innamorarsi di un musicista perché questo potrebbe distoglierla dal piano (???), lamentazioni che lasciano il tempo che trovano visto che la ragazza non oppone praticamente alcuna resistenza al pressante corteggaiemento del suo bello, in nome dei suoi grandi occhioni azzurri ai quali proprio non si può dire di no. Unica parvenza di colpo di scena in una trama che trasuda prevedibilità in ogni parola è la presa di coscienza da parte di Nicola che il suo amato vive in Scozia, dettaglio che a quanto pare le era finora sfuggito nonostante venisse ribadito a pagine alterne il suo esser membro di una rock band scozzese. "Scozzese" come "abitante della Scozia". Nientemeno. Ma non temete, dopo un'altra buona dose di piagnistei inutili, la cosa si risolve a tarallucci e vino, come si era capito da pagina 1.Praticamente un festival dei luoghi comuni: Nicola è ingegnere quindi inquadrata, lui è trasgressivo perchè musicista, l'amica del cuore è alternativa perchè ha i capelli tinti e un tot di tatuaggi, la vicina di casa è lesbica quindi mascolina e autoritaria. Gli altri personaggio semplicemente non "non pervenuti" e questo è il massimo dell'introspezione psiscologica che si ottiene dal romanzo. Il tutto condito con uno stile piatto e colloquiale al limite dell'infantile, il cui unico pregio è quello di essere grammaticalmente corretto.

L'idea di base del romanzo, la "zia" Jane che corrsiponde con noi tramite le pagine di un romanzo, avrebbe potuto essere intrigante se la maggior parte dei consigli di vita che l'autrice mette in bocca alla romanziera non avessero la stessa arguzia delle perle di saggezza di un "Raffaele Morelli" qualsiasi. Roba da psicologi della domenica per capirci.
La Goodnight avrebbe inoltre bisogno di dare una seria ripassata ai romanzi della Austen, considerando i numerosi e totalmente fuori luogo paragoni che ella si ostina a tracciare fra i suoi personaggi e i protagonisti dei romanzi di zia Jane. Allo stesso modo poteva anche essere apprezzato il messaggio che la vita non sempre va come vogliamo ed ostinarci a seguire un progetto ideato all'età di 13 non è la scelta più saggia che si possa fare, se l'idea non fosse stata sviluppata in modo tanto banale e prevedibile.
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Feb 26, 2012 Sophia rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: jane-austen-austenesque, contemporary-romance

I really like the premise of this story. The plot, writing style, and many of the characters really delivered. It has a large dose of Jane Austen, but you need not know a thing about Austen or her books to appreciate this story.

Obsessive Test Engineer, Nicola James, who has everything plotted down to the crossed 't's and dotted 'i's in her life stumbles upon a magic journal in a curiosity shop. The journal leads her on a little romantic adventure kicking and screaming all the way. Her romantic...more

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Apr 08, 2013 Abby rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: own

Her "current-day" cultural references will cause future readers to scratch their heads. And the author has a strange fixation with lesbians/lesbianism. I mean, just because two women go out together, the thought actually crosses the main character's mind that others might think she's a lesbian?? Really????? And near the end of the book, I read a phrase that was so offensive. I can't quote it exactly, but it was after the new boyfriend sang at the next-door neighbor's Friday gathering, which was...more

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Feb 28, 2012 Kristen rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: magical, romance, fiction

GENRE: YA Fiction
THEME: Romance/Drama
RECEIVED: For Review for The Teen Book Scene Tour
BLOG: http://seeingnight.blogspot.com/

REVIEW:
I’m such a sap when it comes to anything Jane Austen; I always love the strong female lead and the wonderfully crafted romance. Alyssa Goodnight has written a story that every Jane Austen fan would love to have happened to them, Jane Austen herself giving advice, especially romantic advice. I immensely enjoyed Austentatious and look forward to reading more from Alys...more GENRE: YA Fiction
THEME: Romance/Drama
RECEIVED: For Review for The Teen Book Scene Tour
BLOG: http://seeingnight.blogspot.com/

REVIEW:
I’m such a sap when it comes to anything Jane Austen; I always love the strong female lead and the wonderfully crafted romance. Alyssa Goodnight has written a story that every Jane Austen fan would love to have happened to them, Jane Austen herself giving advice, especially romantic advice. I immensely enjoyed Austentatious and look forward to reading more from Alyssa Goodnight.

Nicola James is an engineer in Austin Texas. She has always gone by her plan on how she wants her life. But her life is about to get a whole lot more interesting when she comes across a magic journal, which seems to answering anything she writes in it. Soon she realizes the possibility that Jane Austen herself is writing her back as well as helping her along the way in a new relationship. It seems like Nicola’s “Plan” for her life is about to change in a big way.

Nicola in a way reminded me a little of myself. I always had a plan in life and went by it completely until I met my soul mate. She finds herself falling for Sean, a man who is not apart of her plan but it just feels right whenever she’s with him. Of course she guided by her magical journal, which changed her skeptical views into truly wanting the journal aka Fairy Jane’s advice. I really enjoyed Nicola’s little freak out moments when the journal starts writing back to her. I can only imagine what my reaction would be to that.

Sean, a Scottish and very good looking motorcycle riding man who captures Nicola’s heart, was wonderful. I loved how he pushed her out of her safe zone and challenged her in just the right way.
Overall I was thrilled to read this light hearted and humorous novel. The main characters were fun and witty, along with some hilarious secondary characters who guide Nicola as well in her new romance. Oh and of course there is some great romance, let just say that there is a Kilt involved…enough said! I highly recommend this novel to Austen fans.

RECOMMENDATION:
This is an adult romance that lightens your heart and makes you want to read all of Jane Austen’s books again and again. Fans of author Jane Green and Sarah Mason will love Austentatious by Alyssa Goodnight.
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title link	preview: Austentatious
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Austentatious (Jane Austen's Diary)

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