Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Sass and Serendipity

3.11 of 5 stars 3.11 · rating details · 334 ratings · 84 reviews

Daphne Rivera and her sister Gabby could not be more different.

For fifteen-year-old Daphne, the glass is always half full, a dab of lip-gloss can ward off a bad day, and the boy of her dreams—the one she's read about in all of her beloved romance novels—is waiting for her just around the corner.

But Daphne’s older sister Gabby wishes Daphne would get real. In Gabby’s world...more

Hardcover, 350 pages

Published July 12th 2011 by Delacorte Press

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

More…

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

Books to read before the end of 2012

41st out of 102 books — 18 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 1,548)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

Aug 05, 2011 Kristi (The Story Siren) rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I'm not at all familiar with the story of Sense and Sensibility... perhaps I should have read it before... or even watched the movie! Although I don't think that I was missing anything by not having read the Jane Austen version. So as much I'd like to, I can't compare this novel to the original.

I like this one. It was a easy weekend read. And it was fun at times, but I have to admit it wasn't my favorite. Mostly because I couldn't stand either of the main characters. Perhaps had they been a mix...more

like 3 likes · see review

Jan 06, 2013 Paula Phillips rated it 4 of 5 stars

Is Jane Austen's book Sense and Sensibility your favourite pick ? Do you love the story of the Dashwood Sisters ? For me personally, I have always held a torch to the different renditions of the Austen tales more so than probably the originals though that is not to say I haven't read them all as they sit nicely on my bookshelf in the new Twilight Inspired covers.
Sass and Serendipity goes into the world of the Rivera family , where Mum - Liz has just seperated from her husband and works long hou...more

like · see review

Jul 28, 2012 Briana rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I rarely stop reading a book before the end, but I just had to put this book down. It didn't take me very long to realize I wasn't going to like this reading.
The main characters are two sisters. I found them both to be quite obnoxious. One is bratty and way too obsessed with boys (for my liking), while the other is unusually bitter and crabby for a teenager. Plus, each seems to really dislike (almost hate) one of their parents. Perhaps towards the end of the book you start to see glimpses of why...more

like · see review

Feb 08, 2012 Heidi (yabibliophile) added it · review of another edition

A modern day retelling of Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility? Yes, please! You know I love me some Jane in the modern day! ;) This was a cute story loosely based on the original. When I forst started I was trying to match all the characters up with who they would represent from the original version. This was a bad idea. The author uses Sense and Sensibility as a starting point for Sass & Serendipity but this book is quite different. This is a good thing but I think I love the original too m...more

like · see review

Jan 26, 2012 Jennifer rated it 2 of 5 stars

This book did a good job of portraying the very real financial and emotional trauma that often accompanies divorce. It also showed two teenage girls who reacted in very opposite, but not atypical ways to watching their father walk out on his marriage. Gabby becomes her mother's confidant and winds up bitter and untrusting. Daphne is so desperate for male attention and affection that she creates romance where none exists. Their father (whose child support payments are erratic) is pretty honest ab...more This book did a good job of portraying the very real financial and emotional trauma that often accompanies divorce. It also showed two teenage girls who reacted in very opposite, but not atypical ways to watching their father walk out on his marriage. Gabby becomes her mother's confidant and winds up bitter and untrusting. Daphne is so desperate for male attention and affection that she creates romance where none exists. Their father (whose child support payments are erratic) is pretty honest about the fact that this is all about him. Unfortunately, this type of selfishness and resulting fall out are now common in our society.
There are quite a few things about this book that bother me. First, these sisters are really horrible to each other. And they never really figure out how cope with one another positively. Instead the solution to their interpersonal problems come in the form of boyfriends for both of them. I realize that this book is based on an Austen novel, but Austen was writing about adult women who wound up in healthy marriages during a time when that was, unfortunately, a woman's only avenue for security and safety. I find throwing two cute boys at teenage girls and hoping that their issues with their father, issues with each other, and personal demons all evaporate.....just silly. Second, I find the over all message about marriage upsetting. The teenage girls seem to come to the conclusion (and perhaps rightly so based on what they see from their parents and the adults around them) that love comes and goes and the key to happiness is simply living in the moment and accepting whatever the person you are with can give you now. While, savoring each second of love is good, I think it's incredibly sad to see a great romance novel mimicked with the idea that fleeting teen age relationships are just about as good as love gets.
I am proud of both sisters for not getting sucked into peer pressure regarding physical intimacy. Although Daphne realizes her fellow cheerleaders sleep around, she knows that's not what she wants. Gabby doesn't get involved with her boyfriend until she realizes that he's a decent human being. The morals portrayed may not exactly coincide with my own, but it is nice to see teen girls brave enough to stand apart from the crowd regarding sex.(less)

like 1 like · see review

Jan 23, 2012 Isamlq rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Oh God, my poor brain! I picked this thinking it would be a fun take on S&S. It’s not.

Or worse, poor Elinor and Marriane! Is this how they translate?

Because from what I recall while Marianne could swoony, with heart-on-sleeve and all that, she wasn’t a total brat, all the time! And while Elinor could be uptight, she was never nasty. But bratty and nasty are how the two girls are in Sass and Serendipity (and not a hint of the title in them)

But props on making the two very different from eac...more

like 1 like · see review

Oct 04, 2011 Cindy Hudson rated it 3 of 5 stars

Gabby is 17 years old and has her feet firmly planted on the ground. She holds no illusions about the imperfections of those around her, and she’s determined not to make the same mistakes her mother has by letting romance get in the way of what she wants to accomplish. Gabby’s 15-year-old sister Daphne is just the opposite. She sees the world through rose-tinted glasses, and she’s sure that the way to find true romance is to expect it.

Each girl is confident that her approach to life is the best,...more

like · see review

Aug 13, 2011 Nancy Kelley rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Teen girls looking for a funny, well-written book

Shelves: austenesque

The only thing most girls of Barton, Texas can talk about is the upcoming prom. Who's going with whom, what dress they bought, and where they'll be going for dinner beforehand--those are the hot topics at school.

Gabby Rivera couldn't care less about any of it. Prom, and everything it represents (in a word: boys), are completely beneath her. She decided when her parents divorced that love wasn't real, and believing some fairy tale prince will sweep her off her feet only keeps her from reality.

Her...more

like · see review

Aug 17, 2011 Heidi rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya-12-19, fiction, will-not-finish, character, spin-off

Blech. It had such promise, but it went no where near to what I had hoped or expected. I was very turned off by the language (and some references), enough to stop reading and skim the rest of the book to get the rest of the plot. As a story alone, not bad. But as an S&S spin-off, it was just that--OFF! Of course, I am picky about spin-offs. And I'm always wary about modern re-tellings for my own reasons. So this was very much a personal disappointment to me in that regard.

I also had a hard...more

like · see review

Aug 07, 2011 Shanyn (Chick Loves Lit) rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I received this book to review and had I not been fully expected to review it, I would not have finished it.

Daphne and Gabby are both awful, and I could find no redeeming qualities in either of them. Daphne is very very selfish, thinking only of herself for the entire 384 pages. Gabby is the opposite - extremely bossy and mean. The girls never get along with each other, and hardly get along with anyone else besides Gabby's friend Mule - and I'm not sure why he sticks around to listen to Gabby co...more

like 4 likes · see review

Apr 18, 2012 Anjelica rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I am so glad that I finally read this. I've never read any of Jane Austen's books so I can't say how good of a refueling it is but to me the story and the plot was fantastic. At first I was quite that fond of Gabby or Daphne. To me, Daphne was really whiny and never liked to do anything, spending all of her free time thinking about her latest boy ones session and Gabby just felt so mean and it felt as if she was mad at the whole world and she kept everyone else from having a good time because sh...more

like 1 like · see review

Jul 28, 2011 Kate Dana rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I’m twenty-six and have to admit it has been a long time since I have read anything in the Young Adult (YA) genre, but if everything in YA is as wonderful as Sass and Serendipity by Jennifer Ziegler then I am really missing out.

Sass and Serendipity (Sass) was inspired by Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility (S&S) and published during the 200th anniversary.

The story explores the relationship between sisters Gabby, as Elinor, and Daphne as Marianne. Both are dealing with their parents divorce...more

like · see review

Mar 21, 2011 Jeannette rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recommended to Jeannette by: linda cohen

Shelves: chick-lit, family-stories, ya, 2011-read, from-linda, books-i-own

I really liked this story of two very different sisters. Daphne is the dreamy one, looking for her Prince. Gabby is the angry one, who believes true love is an illusion. Both girls are the product of their parents' divorce and the subsequent struggles it causes for this family of three women. I really felt that the characters were very well drawn. Not only was Gabby the angry feminist, she was also the responsible big sister. And, Daphne wasn't really an airhead, but she had bought into the idea...more

like 1 like · see review

Jul 07, 2011 Elisquared rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Lovers of Sense & Sensibility

Shelves: contemporary, ya-middle-grade, fiction, owned

Looking at the cover of Sass & Serendipity I cringed a little. This book just looks like a middle grade novel with no substance except for butterflies and pretty dresses at first glance, especially due to the wording of Sass. But I couldn't have been more wrong! What drew me in and past the cover was that Jennifer Ziegler wrote this as a contemporary retelling of Sense and Sensibility, one of my favorite Jane Austen books. I absolutely love that the release coincides with the 200th anniversa...more Looking at the cover of Sass & Serendipity I cringed a little. This book just looks like a middle grade novel with no substance except for butterflies and pretty dresses at first glance, especially due to the wording of Sass. But I couldn't have been more wrong! What drew me in and past the cover was that Jennifer Ziegler wrote this as a contemporary retelling of Sense and Sensibility, one of my favorite Jane Austen books. I absolutely love that the release coincides with the 200th anniversary of the original book!

When you crack open the pages you are immediately transported into the lives of Gabriella and Daphne Rivera. Both sisters are not only years apart in age, but their personalities are worlds apart. Gabby is the eldest, cold, sneering and cynical, continually looking for an escape from their little town in Texas. Daphne is the youngest, sweet, bubbly, and happy, earnestly believing the best in people and love. One can't stand the other, and there is no love loss between them. Of course this chasm wasn't always insurmountable, but certain circumstances in the girls' lives have widen the space to ridiculous proportions.

The characterization of the girls is very well-developed. I felt both of them come alive as I read. Of course I hated some of Daphne's more frivolous, selfish moments, reliving how I myself acted at 15 (Gosh, looking back I was a little monster). But the best part of the characterization was the portrayal of the sisterly relationship.

Having an older sister myself, we could have stood in for Gabby and Daphne. The screaming matches, the careless words, the deep devotion, and the fierce protection against outsiders rang true. This careful handling of the weird relationship between sisters could have been over the top, but Ziegler navigated the edge effortlessly.

The other aspect I enjoyed was the subtle referral to the girls' Hispanic heritage. I like how it wasn't shoved in my face because that feels way more realistic then being beat over the head with their ethnicity. I feel like race, religion, gender, sexual orientation etc. should not be the focus unless it is important to the main conflict (i.e. coming out story, dealing with racism etc.) Again Ziegler handles it nicely.

The one problem I had while reading was the development of Gabby and Daphne's parents. I feel they either needed to be mentioned briefly and have the focus entirely on the girls or, due to the major conflict, made into rounded, dynamic supporting characters. Right now they both are in an in between place which at times felt as if they hindered and not helped the story.

Overall, Sass & Serendipity is an awesome retelling of a great classic. However, it definitely stands on it's own, and has it's own flavor. Don't pass this one up! Look for Sass & Serendipity by Jennifer Ziegler for sale on July 12 at your local bookstores, and on pre-order now!(less)

like · see review

May 19, 2012 Lianna rated it 2 of 5 stars

The sisters were so mean... Gabby annoyed me so much. She was so rude. And I understood it at first, but after awhile it got annoying. And her not finding out the real story about the accident. You would think someone "smart" and obsessing over something, would read up on it and figure it out. And the way she treats the father? Uh.. And the mother allows this? I know they're divorced but come on. He divorced the mother, not the kids. And I still didn't even learn about the whole situation of wha...more

like · see review

Nov 21, 2012 Mary-Megan rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book came out the year Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility turned 200. This novel plays homage to the classic with a modern twist.

Gabby and Daphne are sisters with nothing in common. Gabby, the older sister, has stepped up to help her mother after her father left them. She's the sensible sister who works hard, studies to get good grades, and does her best to make sure her sister behaves. Considering how her father broke her mother's heart, Gabby doesn't believe in love and wants nothing to...more This book came out the year Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility turned 200. This novel plays homage to the classic with a modern twist.

Gabby and Daphne are sisters with nothing in common. Gabby, the older sister, has stepped up to help her mother after her father left them. She's the sensible sister who works hard, studies to get good grades, and does her best to make sure her sister behaves. Considering how her father broke her mother's heart, Gabby doesn't believe in love and wants nothing to do with boys. Daphne, on the other hand, lives in a romantic fantasy world of happily ever afters. She meets the new boy in town and instantly believes he's her soul mate. She is spoiled and irresponsible because she's so wrapped up in her dream world to pay attention to the harsh realities of her family's situation. Then a financial crisis leaves the family dependent on the one boy in town Gabby can't stand - the person responsible for the death of the only boy Gabby ever had feelings for. When her mother has to go out of town, Gabby is forced to be even more responsible for her oblivious sister. Pretty soon everyone has boy issues, whether they want them or not.

This book does a decent job of maintaining the gist of Austen's novel. There are modern issues that fit nicely into the story that all seem realistic. However, for two-thirds of the novel I couldn't stand either main character. Daphne is a spoiled brat who desperately needed a reality check and Gabby was so narrow-minded and critical of everything she was just downright unlikeable. I could understand where each girl is coming from, but they were both so extreme that they were annoying. In the last hundred pages both girls received a bit of a slap in the face which thankfully brought them around to some resemblance of sanity.

Aside from some unbearable main characters, the book wasn't horrible. You could relate to the character even if you couldn't stand them and the book makes you believe change and happily ever afters are possible.
(less)

like · see review

Nov 09, 2012 Anastasia rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I don't like to give books a rating below three stars (I always feel mean criticizing an author's hard work), but I can't honestly say I enjoyed this one. Very loosely based on Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility, I found it difficult to get through at times. The two girls were both spoiled and selfish, have a relationship that is nothing like that of the characters on which they are based, and redeem themselves so fast at the end of the book that I got emotional whiplash. I had a hard time feel...more

like · see review

Dec 07, 2011 Carly rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

A contemporary version of Sense & Sensibility. If you're an Austen fan, this is a good one, but don't expect it to follow too closely. A story of two sisters dealing with loss in their own ways: one with her feet on the ground, responsible, a little jaded; the other with her head in the clouds, romantic, thinking that love can solve all her troubles. It also reads a little bit like a print version of "Pretty in Pink" with the financially struggling girl being inexplicably drawn to the wealth...more

like · see review

Aug 15, 2012 Book Angel Emma rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: classics-carnival

I liked it but I thought the characters were a bit OTT with there personalities

The book like the original Sense and Sensibility uses a dual plot, dual heroines and dual narrative. Although I have to say from the very beginning I did not gel with the main characters at all. I guess you could say that Gabby is the Sass to Daphne’s Serendipity; but their personalities were just too extreme for me. Gabby is grumpy and mean while Daphne is airy-fairy and lives in her own little bubble. Both are terri...more

like 1 like · see review

Dec 29, 2012 Aanchal rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book was alright, I did not enjoy this book but I did not hate it either. I could not connect to the characters or the story. None of it was convincing and I saw a lot of the plot twists coming. I felt the biggest weakness of this book was that the characters were two dimensional there was the serious mother, the unrealiable father, the serious older sister, the dreamer younger one and the reliable best friend. This book had a lot of potiential if the author made the characters more real. T...more

like · see review

Nov 24, 2011 Les rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Neither sister had any redeeming qualities. Both were so obnoxious it was hard to care whether things worked out for them or not. Younger sister is planning her wedding with a guy who hasn't even asked her for a date. Her family is about to be evicted and desperately needs money, but she repeatedly blows off a job interview to stalk the love of her life. Older sister still mourns the guy that she kissed when she was 13, blames his cousin for his death, and is basically a mega-bitch to everyone (...more

like · see review

Oct 16, 2011 Jamie rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: my students

Recommended to Jamie by: Mauser

I liked Jennifer Ziegler's new book about Gabby and Daphne. Two different sisters and their struggle within themselves and between them. I raced through the end of the book. Anxious to find out how Daphne would get over her embarrassing moment with Luke and how Gabby would learn to chill out. I like the way Ziegler chose to resolve the story. I know happy endings aren't always how things happen in real life, but the ending seemed reasonable and hopeful. The book reminded me of the musical - Into...more

like · see review

Jul 27, 2011 Snorkle rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ala-2011, read-2011, young-adult, arc, willing-to-swap, own, review-on-blog

The first couple of chapters had me laughing out loud at the witty banter and I was excited to read what else was in store. Unfortunately, the story didn't live up to those first chapters. I liked that it was a modern retelling of Sense and Sensibility, but sometimes the characters got on my nerves. I thought the interaction between the sisters was a little too dramatic, I wasn't sure how they functioned if there main relationship was Not Getting Along All The Time. I wanted the younger sister t...more

like · see review

Oct 05, 2011 Anne rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011, psc-reviews, realistic-fiction, young-adult

Daphne and Gabby are sisters – and they could not be more different. Daphne is an optimist, light-hearted, outgoing, and fun-loving. Her older sister Gabby is reserved, wary, and skeptical. Each wishes the other could be more like themselves. Things have been tough since their parents divorce, but are about to get worse as they get evicted from their home. Help comes from an unlikely source if they can open their eyes and hearts to accept it.

Supposedly a modern-day read-alike for Jane Austen. Cl...more

like · see review

May 29, 2011 Reader rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: bad-reads

Basic rip-off of Austen's classic work with a few modern family twists. Instead of eviction from the family home for inheritance, it's rising rent. Instead of a quiet father, it's a divorced household. Daphne and Gabriella have no real personality beyond the broad strokes of love sick and bossy, respectively. In addition to the mediocre writing and characterization, the cover is another strike against the book. Despite the last name Rivera and Spanish affections, the girls on the cover could in...more

like 1 like · see review

Apr 24, 2012 Shruti Fatehpuria rated it 3 of 5 stars

This is a good book with a nice story line, however it misses the charm that can categorize it as extraordinarily brilliant. the two sisters Gabrielle and Daphne bicker all the time and their quarreling gets annoying and repetitive at times, however, if there is one reason why i would love to recommend the book, it has to be the end.
The book has been nicely written and Gabrielle is indeed the main character as she is a bundle of a lot of different emotions and the way things change for her after...more

like · see review

Feb 28, 2013 Candace rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I really wanted to like this book. I did not. I could not stand either one of these sisters, until there were maybe 10 pages left in the book. By then it was way too late. The author just did not do a good job of making either of the girls a character one would sympathize with at all! In fact, there were moments where I disliked each of them so severely that I wanted to throw my book across the room. (I couldn't, because I read it on my nook!) Their friend Mule was the only redeeming character f...more

like · see review

Jul 27, 2011 Laurel rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: austen-sequel, contemporary-fiction, young-adult-novel

Sisters Daphne and Gabby Rivera are as different as night and day! Older sis Gabriella is all “straight A’s and neat-freak genes,” according to younger, impulsively romantic sister “Daffy.” Sensible Gabby works part-time to help her single mom make ends meet while studying hard for a scholarship so she can get out of Barton, Texas. On the other hand, unsensible Daphne lives in a dream world, shopping for prom dresses instead of applying for jobs and literally falling head over heels in love with...more Sisters Daphne and Gabby Rivera are as different as night and day! Older sis Gabriella is all “straight A’s and neat-freak genes,” according to younger, impulsively romantic sister “Daffy.” Sensible Gabby works part-time to help her single mom make ends meet while studying hard for a scholarship so she can get out of Barton, Texas. On the other hand, unsensible Daphne lives in a dream world, shopping for prom dresses instead of applying for jobs and literally falling head over heels in love with the new cute boy of the moment, Luke Pascal. Gabby is quite cynical about love, after witnessing her parents’ divorce. Who needs it? It only causes misery and pain. The sisters bicker and bark at each other, rarely agreeing on anything. The only stable person in their lives is dependable friend “Mule,” short for Samuel, who seems to always be there helping Gabby study and offering friendly advice.

While Daphne moons and dreams about her new heartthrob Luke, Gabby has reason to not believe in love. Sonny Hutchins, a young boy she connected romantically with one incredible brief afternoon died in a tragic accident which she is certain his rich, spoiled cousin Prentiss Applewhite is to blame for. Her deep affection for Sonny is her secret that she shares with no one, not even her best buddy Mule. Gabby is certain that the only one you can depend on life is yourself.

As Gabby retreats into her reclusive inner world of loneliness and grief, Daphne’s histrionics are abrasive and unproductive. She deals with her family’s emotional crisis’ by ignoring reality, worshiping her flake of a father and falling madly in love in a moment. Her mom tries to bring her back into reality…

“Real life, real love, isn’t the way you see it in movies or read about in books,” her mom went on. “I hate to see you risk yourself like this. I just wish you’d be more sensible.”

“Sensible.” It was one of those words Daphne hated. Something she apparently wasn’t – along with being “responsible” or “mature.” “Sensible,” she repeated, considering the term. The opposite would be “foolish,” right? “Silly.” “Idiotic.” “Stupid.” “Do you mean sensible like Gabby, who’s never even been on a real date? Or sensible like you, who couldn’t make her marriage work?” pages 99-100

When late child support payments and a steep rent increase cause a crisis for the Rivera women, they must move in a hurry. Feeling fatalistic, Gabby is certain that they would be better off homeless. Life changes for the two sisters when Daphne’s unsensible way of dealing with life challenges results in more troubles than she ever dreamed of until help from an expected source saves the day and Gabby must face facts about her fond memories of Sonny and her feelings for his cousin Prentiss before the two sisters can find happiness.

In Sass & Serendipity, author Jennifer Ziegler has given us a boldly creative tribute to 200th anniversary of Jane Austen’s classic novel, Sense and Sensibility. Her modern interpretation of the two sisters: one too sensible and the other not sensible enough mirrors Jane Austen’s Dashwood sisters beautifully. Even though the plot does not follow Austen’s storyline faithfully, the essence of the emotional dilemma that each of the sets of sisters face with life and love challenges is a great match. Ziegler reminds us that sisterly relationships are like no others, filled with friendship, rivalry, devotion, frustration, love and “strong family affection.” Read Sass & Serendipity to remember that incredible time in your life when you were on the cusp of adulthood and a sister or best friend in your life made all the difference.

"Between Barton and Delaford, there was that constant communication which strong family affection would naturally dictate; and among the merits and the happiness of Elinor and Marianne, let it not be ranked as the least considerable, that though sisters, and living almost within sight of each other, they could live without disagreement between themselves, or producing coolness between their husbands." Sense and Sensibility, Chapter 50

Laurel Ann, Austenprose(less)

like · see review

Aug 16, 2012 Cait rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-reads, jane-austen, ya-fiction

Two things that initially grabbed me about this book is 1. it's a Jane Austen Tribute published during the bicentennial of Sense and Sensibility and 2. serendipity is my all-time favorite word.

Honestly, I was very much hoping for a fortunate accident when it came to this read. I even imagined myself coming up with lesson plans and ways to integrate it into my Jane Austen unit that I also imagine myself teaching someday.

However, I'm not so sure that will actually happen.
Sass & Serendipity is...more Two things that initially grabbed me about this book is 1. it's a Jane Austen Tribute published during the bicentennial of Sense and Sensibility and 2. serendipity is my all-time favorite word.

Honestly, I was very much hoping for a fortunate accident when it came to this read. I even imagined myself coming up with lesson plans and ways to integrate it into my Jane Austen unit that I also imagine myself teaching someday.

However, I'm not so sure that will actually happen.
Sass & Serendipity is the story of Daphne and Gabby Rivera, two high school sisters (15 and 17 respectively) in the heart of Texas. If you're familiar with Ms. Austen's novel, then you'll understand the just of Ziegler's S & S. Daphne is a somewhat typical 15-year old who falls head over heels with the new boy. Her notions of romance and love don't turn out so well and she ends up being ostracized by her classmates. As for Gabby, she's a little disappointed with the men in her life and ends up taking it out on any man to cross her path--such as best friend Mule and pretty boy Prentiss. As usual with teen realism, there's a stint at the prom, a happily ever after, and some kissing involved.

I was impressed with the tribute aspect of Sass and Serendipity, and I feel that Ziegler knows her Austen. Her modern day plot fits very well with it's predecessor; however, I was not a fan of her characters. In fact, they often annoyed me. I read Daphne as a lot younger than fifteen--she was very whiny and bratty and though the naivety fits with the Marianne Dashwood character, at times she felt over dramatic. As for Gabby--that girl just frustrated me to no end. She was way too bossy, bitter, and downright mean. I didn't grow up with sisters, but if I did, I would hope beyond hope that I didn't have the kind of relationship these two did.

Despite not falling in love with the characters, I really did enjoy Ziegler's writing style and her narration device. She often shifted perspective from Daphne to Gabby to sometimes a third person outside perspective. That little trick allowed me to get into the head of both characters, but sometimes I just wanted to rattle their brains.

Though I don't see myself teaching this anytime soon, I would definitely recommended Sass & Serendipity to someone trying to get into Austen, or perhaps wanting to compare/contrast classics with modern novels. A good paper could be written on characterization.
It's a very faithful adaptation of Sense and Sensibility, and if you can appreciate Jane Austen retellings, this would be a fun weekend read for you.

Originally published on The Hopeful Heroine(less)

like · see review

Feb 18, 2012 Kathy rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: retellings, romance, young-adult, books_that_made_me_cry, contemporary-romance, realistic-fiction

I guess you could say that Sass & Serendipity was like a modern day-high school version of Sense & Sensibility (which is my 2nd favorite Jane Austen novel). Ziegler didn't follow the book to the letter, which is fine that she did her version of it, I just found it hard to pick out who the characters were supposed to be.

Gabby and Daphne are very very different in their personalities, of course and as they should be. They are like polar opposites, Daphne is a free spirit, daydreaming all...more

like · see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … 51 52 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

topics	posts	views	last activity
Jane Austen Sequels: Sass & Serendipity, by Jennifer Ziegler	1	4	Oct 06, 2012 03:50pm

combine
Other Editions (4)

Genres

Young Adult

27 users

Romance

17 users

Realistic Fiction

12 users

Contemporary

8 users

Retellings

7 users

Young Adult > Teen

6 users

Womens Fiction > Chick Lit

3 users

Young Adult > Young Adult Contemporary

2 users

Family

2 users

Young Adult > Coming Of Age

2 users

See top shelves...

Readers also enjoyed similar books

Books by Jennifer Ziegler

Dear Teen Me: Authors Write Letters to Their Teen Selves

More…

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Trivia About Sass and Serendipity

No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »

Quotes from Sass and Serendipity

“Growing up, it seemed, was just a series of disenchantments. First you find out there's no Santa Claus; then you find out there's no such thing as happily-ever-after.” — 11 people liked it

“Real life, real love, isn't the way you see it in movies or read about in books.” — 5 people liked it

More quotes…

title link	preview: Sass and Serendipity
avg rating	preview: Sass and Serendipity Goodreads rating: 3.11 (334 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9458672-sass-and-serendipity?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1286255007l/9458672.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9458672-sass-and-serendipity?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Sass and Serendipity by Jennifer Ziegler[/url]

Sass and Serendipity

Friend Reviews

Community Reviews

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website