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The Jane Austen Diaries #6
Sensible and Sensational
Can a sensible girl learn to find her own kind of sensational?
When Ellyn Dashwood’s family moves to Bloomfield, New Mexico, she’s not sure if she’ll fit in as easily as her wildly popular twin sister, Maralyn, will. Though they’re identical, the two sisters are exact opposites. Maralyn attracts people to her like bees to a hive. However, because Ellyn has autism, she’s positive she’ll never be considered more than awkward. That is, until she meets the totally hot Zane Ferrars.
Zane is the tall, smart, hot, athletic, kind—and did we mention hot?—neighbor who has made it his mission to uncover Ellyn's secrets. She's a puzzle he's eager to solve. However, she soon finds out he’s got a few secrets of his own—secrets that will break her cautious heart if she’s not sensible enough to be careful.
This eagerly awaited new installment of the Jane Austen Diaries is a contemporary retelling of the classic novel Sense and Sensibility.
When Ellyn Dashwood’s family moves to Bloomfield, New Mexico, she’s not sure if she’ll fit in as easily as her wildly popular twin sister, Maralyn, will. Though they’re identical, the two sisters are exact opposites. Maralyn attracts people to her like bees to a hive. However, because Ellyn has autism, she’s positive she’ll never be considered more than awkward. That is, until she meets the totally hot Zane Ferrars.
Zane is the tall, smart, hot, athletic, kind—and did we mention hot?—neighbor who has made it his mission to uncover Ellyn's secrets. She's a puzzle he's eager to solve. However, she soon finds out he’s got a few secrets of his own—secrets that will break her cautious heart if she’s not sensible enough to be careful.
This eagerly awaited new installment of the Jane Austen Diaries is a contemporary retelling of the classic novel Sense and Sensibility.
226 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 30, 2015
26 people are currently reading
893 people want to read
About the author
Jenni James
77 books1,276 followersCLEAN ROMANCE FOR TEENS:
*The Jane Austen Diaries*
Pride & Popularity (Aug 2011)
Persuaded (Aug. 2012)
Emmalee (Jan 2013)
Mansfield Ranch (Dec 2013)
Northanger Alibi (Feb. 2012)
Sensible & Sensational (July 2015)
Sand & Sun (2016)
The Wilsons
Queen Sydney
*Jenni James Faerie Tale Collection*
Beauty and the Beast
Sleeping Beauty
Rumplestiltskin
Cinderella
Hansel and Gretel
Jack and the Beanstalk
Snow White
The Frog Prince
Twelve Dancing Princesses
Rapunzel
The Little Mermaid
Peter Pan
Return to Neverland
The Forgotten Princess
The Princess With the Golden Touch
Little Red Riding Hood
(and more...)
MIDDLE GRADE READERS:
Prince Tennyson (May 2012)
EARLY READERS:
*Andy & Annie Collection*
A Ghost Story
Greeny Meany
WOMEN'S FICTION:
*Revitalizing Jane Series*
Drowning
Swimming
Crawling
Walking
Running
Soaring
CLEAN ROMANCE FOR ADULTS:
*Eternal Realm Series*
Eternity
Destiny
Divinity
*The Jane Austen Diaries*
Pride & Popularity (Aug 2011)
Persuaded (Aug. 2012)
Emmalee (Jan 2013)
Mansfield Ranch (Dec 2013)
Northanger Alibi (Feb. 2012)
Sensible & Sensational (July 2015)
Sand & Sun (2016)
The Wilsons
Queen Sydney
*Jenni James Faerie Tale Collection*
Beauty and the Beast
Sleeping Beauty
Rumplestiltskin
Cinderella
Hansel and Gretel
Jack and the Beanstalk
Snow White
The Frog Prince
Twelve Dancing Princesses
Rapunzel
The Little Mermaid
Peter Pan
Return to Neverland
The Forgotten Princess
The Princess With the Golden Touch
Little Red Riding Hood
(and more...)
MIDDLE GRADE READERS:
Prince Tennyson (May 2012)
EARLY READERS:
*Andy & Annie Collection*
A Ghost Story
Greeny Meany
WOMEN'S FICTION:
*Revitalizing Jane Series*
Drowning
Swimming
Crawling
Walking
Running
Soaring
CLEAN ROMANCE FOR ADULTS:
*Eternal Realm Series*
Eternity
Destiny
Divinity
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
June 30, 2015
FINALLY! Book 6 of 9 is here!!!
Ellyn Dashwood has high functioning autism. Her world is centered around an orderly pattern. She uses logic, caution and sense to understand everything she faces. Meanwhile, her identical twin sister is an incredibly popular, smart, drama-loving teen--the direct opposite.
My middle son is on the autism spectrum, so this has been a fascinating journey to write a book that can take you to the heart of a main character with autism and truly learn to relate to her. I hope to show the world--and perhaps bring a bit of understanding in what Ellyn and others like her might face. It's been an amazing point in my career, to be able to take a best selling series like this--and use it to change the world for good.
I hope you all love this book as much as I do. <3
October 22, 2016
I want to say this has been my favorite of the Jane Austen Diaries written by Jenni James, but I've loved them all about equally. I think it's the fact that the story is from Ellyn's point of view and I totally loved both Skyler and Zane.
April 15, 2018
It's cute and fun to read, but not my favorite of The Jane Austen's Diaries Series. It supposed to be a quick read but I kinda struggled in the middle so I put it aside for awhile. But overall, it's a good story :)
May 13, 2016
Another fun one to this series. I absolutely adored Zane even with his having the secret girlfriend. Having a nephew with aspergers my heart ached for Ellyn and helped me understand my him more. Great addition, glad to hear more are coming.
Moral Note: clean
Moral Note: clean
August 17, 2015
love anything she writes
September 13, 2015
Actual rating:3.5 stars
December 29, 2016
it was good,
nothing like the 1st 3 books. readers could be diappointed
nothing like the 1st 3 books. readers could be diappointed
December 4, 2017
Ok so this obviously is not a book that was published very professionally. While I think the writing is alright, the editing in the book is just plain awful. As far as a Jane Austen retelling goes, this is no masterpiece. The pacing is quick and the characters are hardly fleshed out. But it’s cute.
I bought it for my 7th grade students who are interested in reading Jane Austen, but just aren’t quite at the level to be able to understand her writing yet. I want them to have the opportunity to understand her stories and have fun doing it. This book did just that.
Like I said, it’s no masterpiece, but it is quick, easily accessible, and very romantic. You fall into the story almost immediately, and for most of my students that is essential. It’s a great book for reluctant readers who we hope will someday move onto to reading Jane Austen’s actual works.
I bought it for my 7th grade students who are interested in reading Jane Austen, but just aren’t quite at the level to be able to understand her writing yet. I want them to have the opportunity to understand her stories and have fun doing it. This book did just that.
Like I said, it’s no masterpiece, but it is quick, easily accessible, and very romantic. You fall into the story almost immediately, and for most of my students that is essential. It’s a great book for reluctant readers who we hope will someday move onto to reading Jane Austen’s actual works.
August 24, 2018
jane Austen is one of my favourite authors, so when i discovered that there was a book retelling two of my favourtie heroines could not wait to see how the charactors where dealt with.
the story started out quite good, the sisters are now twins and the whole section with the older half brother has been written out. the story did build up quite well certain parts i felt dragged a bit i felt that some of the emotions that the sister went through in the original story where not full captured.
overrall it was a good book.
the story started out quite good, the sisters are now twins and the whole section with the older half brother has been written out. the story did build up quite well certain parts i felt dragged a bit i felt that some of the emotions that the sister went through in the original story where not full captured.
overrall it was a good book.
May 23, 2018
Autism in Love
This book has a special place in my heart because the heroine had autism and I have a son with autism. I loved how the heroine was portrayed, a sweet natured, gifted, thoughtful young lady that falls in love. I love that the hero could see who she REALLY was and felt her autism was a gift and made her the special young lady she was. Very enjoyable young adult read. Highly recommended for young and old a like. So sweet!!
This book has a special place in my heart because the heroine had autism and I have a son with autism. I loved how the heroine was portrayed, a sweet natured, gifted, thoughtful young lady that falls in love. I love that the hero could see who she REALLY was and felt her autism was a gift and made her the special young lady she was. Very enjoyable young adult read. Highly recommended for young and old a like. So sweet!!
June 12, 2017
This book was amazing, just like all of Jenni James' other books. I loved that the main character had autism though, because I had no idea what that's like. The romance was clean and it was perfect for my age! I loved the characters and all the surprises in the plot. Anyone looking for a clean romance needs to read this one!
May 29, 2018
Sensible and Sensational by Jenni James
I really loved this sweet little twin love story from Jenni James. I was so upset to see Harrison return, but am super excited for his departure. Let's hope he stays gone. I very much enjoyed how James address Autism in all kinds of relationships in this one. I do so love how she always gives us an HEA, this time two.
I really loved this sweet little twin love story from Jenni James. I was so upset to see Harrison return, but am super excited for his departure. Let's hope he stays gone. I very much enjoyed how James address Autism in all kinds of relationships in this one. I do so love how she always gives us an HEA, this time two.
September 29, 2017
Loved how autism made it make sense
August 7, 2018
Well done
I enjoyed how J. James dealt with autism in this story. She did a marvelous job of creating a new story based on Austen’s masterpiece.
I enjoyed how J. James dealt with autism in this story. She did a marvelous job of creating a new story based on Austen’s masterpiece.
November 10, 2018
Eh. This book didn't do much for me. I felt it was abrupt and the story line didn't flow. The relationship building between characters felt like a stretch. Not my favorite book by Jenni James.
April 29, 2020
Inspirational Jane Austen for YA. I find the Pride and Prejudice one a nice little adaptation. This is not quite as strong, but the choice to adapt Elinor as autistic is interesting.
May 13, 2020
This book was OK, but a bit of a disappointment compared to the others in the series.
February 17, 2023
beautiful
This was a beautiful story, full of love and caring and understanding. It was sweet to see how the character into herself.
This was a beautiful story, full of love and caring and understanding. It was sweet to see how the character into herself.
July 22, 2024
Another good book by Jennie James, (I kind of like saying her name). I think this may be my favorite of the series. Definitely a teen girl read. Very YA.
February 2, 2017
LOVED IT
March 1, 2020
Perfect ending
Loved this perfectly heart felt , true love , and friendship story , it's a must read series , even reading them out of chronological order I loved the,my all
Loved this perfectly heart felt , true love , and friendship story , it's a must read series , even reading them out of chronological order I loved the,my all
March 20, 2017
It was really cute! The only problem I had was with the writing:/
July 21, 2015
It had been so long since the last book was published, I almost forgot about this series. If fact, the only book I have a fairly clear memory of is Mansfield Ranch which was my least favorite of the series. Unless my memory is way off, I'm pretty sure it is the only book that this one shares characters with too, which is a shame since I fell in love with this series because of the characters in the first 4 books published. (Update: I went back and re-read the books in order to see if any others connected to this one. Sydney, the bratty sister from Persaded, makes a brief appearance and then the character from Mansfield Ranch have small parts as well. Otherwise, no on else is in this one because it is mostly set in Bloomfield rather than Farmington.)
All of that said, I did like this book. The contemporary take on Sense and Sensibility was well done but mostly what I liked about it was Ellyn. She was awkward, caring, and an overall good person. I loved being in her head as she struggled with her dad's passing, her new feelings for an unavailable guy, the changes her family was going through and a new school. Her character was easy to love. I do wish the book tied better with the first 4 but I suppose the good news is that it would be really easy to read this one as a stand alone without really feeling like you were missing out on anything. In any case, I do recommend it and I will probably read the last three of the series.
All of that said, I did like this book. The contemporary take on Sense and Sensibility was well done but mostly what I liked about it was Ellyn. She was awkward, caring, and an overall good person. I loved being in her head as she struggled with her dad's passing, her new feelings for an unavailable guy, the changes her family was going through and a new school. Her character was easy to love. I do wish the book tied better with the first 4 but I suppose the good news is that it would be really easy to read this one as a stand alone without really feeling like you were missing out on anything. In any case, I do recommend it and I will probably read the last three of the series.
April 29, 2016
Un nouveau tome de Jenni James qui reprend (certains points) de Sense and sensibility. Globalement, c'était sympa mais j'avoue que beaucoup de choses m'ont déplues, autant j'ai trouvé les personnages masculins (Zane Ferras, Skyler Brandon et Harrisson) très réussis, autant les personnages féminins ne m'ont pas convaincue. Déjà, pourquoi faire de Elly une autiste ? Ok je n'aime pas ce personnage à la base mais je trouve que c'est out of character de la rendre autiste... Idem pour Marianne, dans cette version, Mara est une vraie peste sans coeur et je ne la trouve pas du tout sympathique. Les relations entre les deux soeurs n'ont rien de l'affection et de la fluidité de l'original. Je n'ai pas non plus aimé ce que Skyler reproche à Harrisson, j'ai trouvé ça trop gros. Bref, pas convaincue
Ce que j'aime : les deux héros masculins
Ce que j'aime moins : les deux soeurs peu ressemblantes à leurs modèles, l'adaptation de certains événements, les relations entre Ellyn et Mara
En bref : Une version young adult qui se suit avec plaisir mais qui ne m'a pas convaincue, dommage
Ma note
5/10
February 9, 2017
I was instantly drawn to this story because the main character has Autism. And she's a girl. High functioning Autism in girls is quite rare. I was intrigued, as a mom of kids with H.F ASD kids myself, to read a romance of this nature. I'm glad I read it. The author did a pretty good job of portraying it. I enjoyed it.
August 18, 2015
ASD & Jane Austen Birth New Perspectives
This book, like the rest in the series, is a straight forward modern day telling of Austen's book. Jenni James is always fun and really gives the characters in this story their own voices. I love that the main character, Ellyn, has high functioning autism. The author takes us into her mind and shows us what makes sense and doesn't, what is a challenge to her and how she deals with it. Everyone that sees the world through autism is different, but I love how seeing this story though Ellyn's eyes sheds light on this corner of the spectrum. I love books that bring awareness to ASD.
I loved it and would recommend it to all ages.
This book, like the rest in the series, is a straight forward modern day telling of Austen's book. Jenni James is always fun and really gives the characters in this story their own voices. I love that the main character, Ellyn, has high functioning autism. The author takes us into her mind and shows us what makes sense and doesn't, what is a challenge to her and how she deals with it. Everyone that sees the world through autism is different, but I love how seeing this story though Ellyn's eyes sheds light on this corner of the spectrum. I love books that bring awareness to ASD.
I loved it and would recommend it to all ages.
December 3, 2015
The book opens with Ellyn and her family moving. Ellyn has autism and is positive she'll be overlooked in the shadow of her identical twin, Maralyn, who's outgoing, flirtatious, and popular--no matter where she is. Then Zane comes along and prefers Ellyn, much to her surprise. He's kind attractive, smart, strong--everything a girl could want. But he also has a history that could tear them apart. This was a fun, short read. I'm not sure I could pull off a main character having autism, but Jenni James does it very well, and it was so much fun to relive a high school version of Sense and Sensibility
April 13, 2016
This is probably my most favorite book out of the Jane Austen Diaries!! In certain aspects, I could really relate to Ellyn and her struggles with acceptance. Zane is such a great guy and depicts the "perfect" boyfriend. I teared up at the end and simply felt all of Ellyn's emotions in all that she went through. Once I started this book, I could not stop. It is a beautiful story and certainly one to be cherished. The romance did not feel rushed, but perfectly paced, in my opinion. The characters feel so real and the writing is addicting. It has, by far, earned itself a spot in one-of-my-most-favorite-books-of-all-time list!
September 16, 2015
Wow what a fantastic book!This is about twins teenage girls and their mom moving into a new place after their dad died. one of the twins is autistic. It definitely takes you inside of an autistic person. Just reading how this teenager thinks and acts to stuff opens my eyes to what my son is dealing with since he has sensory disorder. This is such a sweet, fun, silly, charming and wonderful read. Thanks for a wonderful read!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews