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Jillian Dare: A Novel

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Jillian Dare leaves her Shenandoah Valley foster home behind and strikes out on her own as a nanny at a large country estate in northern Virginia. She is delighted with the beauty of her new home, the affection of her young charge Cadence Remington, and the opportunity for frequent travel to the Remington castle in England. She is less certain about her feelings for her handsome but moody employer, Ethan. In spite of herself, Jillian realizes she is falling for her boss. But how can a humble girl ever hope to win a wealthy man of the world? And what dark secrets from the past is he hiding? This contemporary story, inspired by the well-loved classic Jane Eyre, will capture readers' hearts.

288 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2009

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122 people want to read

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Melanie M. Jeschke

6 books31 followers

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5 stars
48 (25%)
4 stars
47 (25%)
3 stars
60 (31%)
2 stars
27 (14%)
1 star
6 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
Profile Image for Elizabeth Coleman.
71 reviews
March 10, 2021
Jillian Dare was a refreshing book to read after reading so many depressing books for school! I am familiar with the story of Jane Eyre although I have not read the book myself yet. I was enchanted how the book was so close to Jane Eyre yet in the modern world and recognized many of the similar scenes. Actually, I liked the story of Jillian Dare better than Jane Eyre! I was curious how Jeschke would solve the dilemmas of the story and was thrilled with the result! The morals of the book went right alongside my beliefs. I would recommend anyone who is a lover of clean romances or a lover of Jane Eyre to read this book!
Profile Image for Sarah.
Author 46 books460 followers
February 22, 2016
I never really connected with this story of the characters. I always felt I was missing something. I think that, despite the author's intentions, you really need to have read or watched Jane Eyre to get the most out of it.

One of the things I didn't like about the story was Mr. Remington. He was nice to Jillian, but didn't seem as worried about being pure or avoiding the appearance of doing wrong as much as Jillian. By the end of the book, I really didn't think very highly of him and thought Jillian was stupid for marrying him.

Though not a horrible book, it was not one I enjoyed very much or will plan to read again.
Profile Image for Lynn Spencer.
1,437 reviews84 followers
February 26, 2018
2.5 stars This book is intended as homage to Jane Eyre. That, and its Virginia setting, drew me right in. The basic story will feel a little familiar to anyone who has read Charlotte Bronte's classic. A young woman, in this case Jillian Dare who has recently aged out of foster care, is hired to serve as a nanny to the young daughter of Ethan Remington, a wealthy telecom executive.

Jillian takes to Cadence right away, and settles into the household. Her initial meeting with Mr. Remington is a tad awkward, but a friendship grows from there. And that's where it all starts to go off the rails. In Jane Eyre, there is obviously a gulf of both age and experience between Jane and Rochester. However, in the modern day setting of this novel, those differences felt downright creepy. Ethan treats Jillian kindly, but there is an emphasis on how very young she is that just made the story feel rather uncomfortable.

Part of that likely arises from my other major issue with the book. Everything in this story seems to happen rather abruptly. I felt like I never really got to know the characters and even as I looked for subtle signals of their inner lives, I just couldn't seem to find much. The effect became one of watching an improbable story happening to distant characters, and so it was hard for me to really feel invested in the story.

I love homages to classic literature, but I think Katherine Reay does a far more effective job of bringing these to life.
Profile Image for Sarah.
1,663 reviews81 followers
September 11, 2011
Christian author Jeschke's latest tells the story of young orphan Jillian Dare. After surviving a procession of mostly dreadful foster homes, Jillian finally decides to take a position as nanny to wealthy telecommunications executive Ethan Remington's young daughter, Cadence. Despite his moodiness, Jillian soon finds herself developing quite a crush on her significantly older employer. Will the secrets of his past destroy any hope of a future they may have together?

If the plot sounds familiar, that's because Jeschke has decided to adapt Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre for a modern audience. There's not much surprising in this contemporary retelling, but that's not all bad. Jane Eyre became a classic because it's a compelling story, whether it's set in the 1800's or the 2000's.

The Good

The best thing about Jeschke's retelling is that she starts the story as our heroine enters Mr. Remington's employ, rather than going on for chapters about her Dickensian upbringing. There are other equally tedious parts of the orginal that Jeschke mercifully skips over as well, and in general, her choices of which details from the original are important and which can be left out is superb.

I was also impressed with the creative liberties she took with the story in order to update it and to fit her writing style. Mr. Remington's main estate is in Jeschke's native Virginia, while his ancestral family home is still in England & the two homes together resemble Mr. Rochester's Thornfield, without losing anything essential.

The Not So Good

On the other hand, Jane Eyre is also a classic because Bronte's writing is impeccable. While, Jeschke does a serviceable job with her story and I was enthralled to the end, she's no Bronte and the constant comparison between the two does not help the contemporary story.

I was also less than thrilled about the stronger Christian emphasis in this one. While the Christian side of things isn't overwhelming, when it did start to surface toward the end, it felt a bit clumsy and forced. Or maybe it's just that I'm really picky about my Christian fiction.

Overall, the book was good, certainly makes me want to read Jane Eyre yet again (even though I just finished it for the second time a few months ago), but it's hard to beat a classic, and so I'm not sure that I'd ever want to reread this retelling of one.
1 review
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October 6, 2021
A wonderful read! Charlotte Bronte would be honored.

Jillian Dare is an engaging page-turning adaptation of Charlotte Bronte’s seminal work - wonderfully reimagined for a contemporary audience. The novel honors the original and treads new ground with imagination and wit.

I loved being able to start reading it on kindle before the physical book arrives in the mail. Can’t beat that new book feel/smell!
5 reviews1 follower
October 6, 2021
Bronte Brilliance

This book was a "gleam of sunshine"! Such a wonderful re-telling of a classic story. A must read for those with romantic souls.
Profile Image for Carmen Liffengren.
909 reviews38 followers
August 11, 2009
Having read several contemporary treatments of Jane Austen's novels and having enjoyed some of them, I thought I'd branch out and read Jillian Dare which is a re-telling of Jane Eyre in Virginia. I read this novel rather quickly, but I never really got engrossed in it. Rather, I read it to see how certain key scenes would play out in this modern version as compared to the original. Now, to be honest, Jane Eyre is just not my favorite novel. There were aspects that I really loved, but it was a little too spooky for me. Also, I could never really get behind Mr. Rochester and his moodiness. Jillian Dare hits all the main story points of Jane Eyre, but there just isn't enough detail and substance to make this novel noteworthy.
Profile Image for Renee.
166 reviews
March 12, 2010
Although I have not read Jane Ere in its entirety, I was aquainted with the story line well enough to appreciate and enjoy Jeschke's Jillian Dare. Although not as unique as Melanie Jeschke's Oxford Chronicles, it was a pleasant, awesome "get away" book into the world of Jillian Dare's! I loved how I could see how Jane's story would be different in today's world, and I absolutely loved the Christian message! For anyone who knows Jane Ere's story or just loves a clean romance, I highly recommend Jillian Dare! It is a quick, easy, and joyous read!
Profile Image for AXJ.
326 reviews6 followers
August 31, 2009
I won this book as a goodreads giveaway.

This book was a good fast read, but it wasn't written well. It jumped around in the plot and the characters were wishy-washy. This book lacked a lot of detail that would have made it a good book. If you just want to read something - it'll do the trick. If you want a story that grabs you and makes you feel like you are a part of it - I wouldn't suggest this book.
14 reviews3 followers
July 16, 2009
Great modern version of Jane Eyre. I love the descriptive style and the author's choices that keep the book close to its precursor, but there is still some innovation. Plus, I met this author in England, and she's so amazing!!
Profile Image for Cara .
13 reviews
May 9, 2009
It was excellent! A great contemporary parallel to the classic Jane Eyre, which is suspenseful romance. A definite must-read!
Profile Image for Nancy DeValve.
461 reviews2 followers
August 4, 2020
I picked this book up at the library and almost put it back when I realized it's a rewrite of Jane Eyre. You can't just rewrite my favorite, most read book next to the Bible! But I thought I'd give it a try. I didn't love this book, but I didn't hate it either. I thought the author did an admirable job resetting the story in a modern era. I couldn't decide on three stars or four, so I gave it four because I enjoyed the story. But I felt like the characters were a bit flat. I mean how can you improve on Jane and Mr Rochester's original characters, the tension and then the love that you felt between them? I just didn't feel that same connection in this book.
Profile Image for Carlie Pinkston Schulte.
44 reviews
November 27, 2021
A fair, modern retelling of Jane Eyre. Of course nothing could ever actually compete with Jane Eyre, but it was fun to read a version of it with a more modern twist. It just wasn't very well-written. I felt like I had to force myself to trudge through and finish it. The book was short and the characters a bit one-dimensional IMO. The book had some Christian undertones, as does Jane Eyre, and I did enjoy that bit.
1,146 reviews5 followers
September 7, 2019
The story itself was good and enjoyable, but the writing was a little stilted. The writing didn't just didn't flow like other books I have read . I kept falling out the story when things were phrased oddly. Also the quickness of Jillian feelings toward Ethan seem a little over the top. I did finish the book,
301 reviews1 follower
July 14, 2020
This story is a contemporary take on Jane Eyre. I think that the author did a decent job taking a classic and making it her own without taking anything away from it's inspiration. It reads very quickly, there is some intrigue, romance, family, hurts and healing. It is great for summer reading!
Profile Image for Christy.
560 reviews1 follower
November 7, 2021
“The only person who did not come and go was he I most longed to see.”

There were moments that I was taken in by this retelling. Overall the homage paid to bringing this classic into modern times succeeds in many ways. However, for me the overtly Christian influence is not true to the original. I suppose this makes me a Jane Eyre purist.

Jane Eyre is the novel I love best in the world. I see Jane as someone that acknowledges God but does not put all faith in him for every outcome, rather that she learns to put faith in herself…in her goodness, worth, and value. The strength she has despite the challenges in her life always leaves me in awe. She also respects others that commit to God and tries to lead a moral and virtuous life herself…so I can see how the author leans on this for her version.

When I reflect, I wasn’t as taken in by some of the basic dialogue exchanges amongst characters nor the gothic beauty that was in the original but missing here. I did still enjoy this novel and would look to other Jane Eyre aficionados for their take.

Kudos bringing in another classic, The Woman in White for the Bertha/Crystal character. I enjoyed those parallels blended in to the Jane Eyre storyline rather than going with the full lunatic in the attic angle that would not have been believable for bringing this into modern day.
152 reviews2 followers
December 30, 2021
Good

This was a nice variation of Jane Eyre. I particularly like the fact that the author stayed true to Charlotte Bronte's depiction of Jane as a young woman devout in her faith and commitment to God.
136 reviews3 followers
April 8, 2022
Well, I’ll put this in the brainless romance section. Such an easy and fun read. Clean romance and set in the Virginia countryside.
Profile Image for Kimberly Campbell.
30 reviews1 follower
November 4, 2021
captivating and worth a few reads.

I just re read this book and loved it still. I love the intrigue but also the warmth of the main character
Profile Image for Julie.
1,088 reviews75 followers
January 1, 2010
Jillian is a foster child turned nanny in this book that resembles a Jane Eyre time period. I must let you know that I have never read Jane Eyre (gasp!) and this is the second book that I've read that has been a comparison to that one. I guess it's high time I read that book!

I just loved this story...from beginning to end! This is a fairly fast reading story about Jillian's transformation from foster child to nanny. She is hired by the esteemed Ethan Remington to care for his child Cadence. Ethan is a film producer who travels alot. Cadence is a ball full of 18 month energy!

Jillian is accepted as family from day one by everyone. She has many new experiences while caring for Cadence that she might not otherwise have had. She is very appreciative of the care that the Brooke family has provided her the previous 5 years.

Many things begin to change for the Remington's, Jillian included. Who is the mysterious "Woman in White"? Why are all of these strange things happening around them?

I loved the element of mystery to this book...just loved it! I can not compare this to Jane Eyre since I've not read it, but I found it very intriguing. I would love to be in Jillian's shoes for the majority of this book (If only we could pick and choose our life events out of a book!) I am still not sure how I feel about Ethan...I had a love/hate relationship with him throughout the book. Cadence stole my heart from the very beginning!

I recommend this read to anyone who enjoys Christian fiction with an element of mystery. This isn't an overly preachy book but there are a couple of chapters that seem a little heavier on the religious side than others. Nothing that should be offensive to the reader though!

Thank you to the publisher and Goodreads for providing my copy of this book that I won in the giveaway!! It is much appreciated!

As far as challenges for 2010 go, I have completed my "J" book for the author and title A-Z book challenge. This is also book #1 of 100 for the 100+ book challenge. Seems like 2010 is off to a good start for me so far!!
Profile Image for Sarah Hickner.
Author 10 books47 followers
October 14, 2021
This book reeled me in from the start when a beautiful girl lands a nannying job with the Uber wealthy Ethan Remington. Within the first few pages the threats begin, and you’re pulled into a rollercoaster of suspense and love, secrets and faith.
I loved it and was honored to have the author guest on my podcast- Author Shenanigans Podcast! Here’s the link if you’re interested in listening https://anchor.fm/sarah-hickner4/epis...
Profile Image for Margaret Chind.
3,212 reviews268 followers
May 26, 2009
Jillian Dare is a fabulous contemporary adaptation of the classic story of Jane Eyre and I enjoyed it thoroughly. In the authors letter at the end of the book, Melanie tells us that she wrote this book not for the Bronte purists, but for three different types of people: those that love romantic suspense, those that have yet to read Jane Eyre and now will want to, and the category I fit in - those that have read the story and love to find the comparisons between the two stores and make conjectures as to how the contemporary twist plot will unfold. I have to admit, with each turn of the page I was fascinated by how in the world could the next main scene unfold.

Other things that I really enjoyed in this book were the bits and pieces that alluded to the personal life of the author as well as to her previous book "Evasions". It made me smile quite often. Also, the brought in pieces of Dickens literature as well as references to Broadway plays that I am familiar with such as "The Woman in White". As a reader, I am not one that usually leans toward reading and enjoying a story of contemporary fiction. But Melanie does more than that, she ties the bits and bobs of history in that make it worthwhile, page-turning, and fun.

In the last quarter of the book, there was a topic brought up that has been in theological debate as long as their has been theology and although at first it was a good point, after a few chapters I tired of it. But other than that slight imperfection, I heartily the entire book and could hardly bare to put it down until completion. I had to wait too many years before this for more fabulous fiction from Melanie Jeschke, and I do hope to read more from her in the future sooner rather than later. Although, I will wait quite impatiently for later if need be. *wink*
Profile Image for Charlene.
Author 1 book95 followers
April 6, 2012
With this book there are alot of updates to the original "Jane Eyre" that worked really well for me - mostly to do with Mr. Remington's secret and the way the mystery was suspensefully unfolded. Having Jillian come from a foster care family and one particular abusive foster parent made the bad childhood portion fit better into the modern world. On the whole, I was drawn into this novel because the changes the author made to the story were varied and inventive enough so that I didn't always know what would happen. The main characters all felt so nice, and courteous, and pleasant, which was in keeping perhaps with what I think is the author's Christian values. Jillian Dare is very religious and constantly appealing to God, and her caring foster family (the Rivers substitutes) are rightly also very religious. Which for the story is fine and I'm sure many would like that and even see that as evident in the original novel. For myself, I felt it was a little too heavy-handed sometimes; I feel like with the original "Jane Eyre" there is a fine balance of Jane doing what she feels is best for herself and what she feels God wants her to do. The fine line between humanism and religious dogma. I suppose I find it more interesting when a character does something based on what their core morality is rather than pulling quotes from the Bible to support their reasoning. The only real complaint I have though is that [non-major spoiler!!!] Mr. Remington could and was going to get a divorce. I never understand why, if a divorce is imminent, Jane has to leave. (I'm looking at you Jane from the 1934 film adaptation!)
Profile Image for Christen Jeschke.
Author 3 books4 followers
October 8, 2021
This book is fantastic! I couldn't put it down. It is an enthralling retelling of the book, Jane Eyre, filled with unique twists and turns--much like the original gothic tale. This book is a captivating and delightful read. I highly recommend it!
Profile Image for IrenesBookReviews.
1,047 reviews28 followers
October 12, 2010
A classic love story with all its twists and turns would describe this book perfectly. Jillian goes to a job to be a live in nanny and finds the love of her life, or is he? Jillian must decide if truth and honor are important in a relationship and whether to put her feelings above the Lords will.

The cover describes this book as a retelling of the classic Jane Eyre. If you liked reading the classics then that is an encouragement however, if you did not like them don’t let that discourage you from this story! Told in first person you follow Jillian as she falls in love with her employer. She learns about herself and the Lord as she finds all is not as it seems concerning this man of her dreams. Will she follow her heart or stand for what is right and make some hard decisions that will affect the rest of her life?

Taking place in modern times the story is easy to follow. You go from the hills of Virginia to a castle in England. You will find love, joy, sorrow and a touch of reality in this modern day love story. A fun and exciting read that I did not want to put down!

I was given this book by christianreviewofbooks.com to review

Profile Image for Michelle Griep.
Author 42 books2,615 followers
December 7, 2009
There are 2 reasons I picked up this book (contemporary is not my usual novel of choice). Number one: a friend 'dared' me to read it. And two: it's based on Jane Eyre, my all-time favorite classic.

If you've not read the Bronte original, then you just might like Jillian Dare because it does follow the general plot structure. That being said, I was not enthralled by Jeschke's version because it did not go into depth with the characters. I didn't even come close to being connected with Jillian/Ethan as I did with Jane/Mr. Rochester.

This is a light read, somewhat superficial, yet pleasant enough for a quick diversion. However, be forewarned...if you're a Jane Eyre fanatic such as myself, I have to say this read was a bit of a disappointment.
Profile Image for Rupine.
42 reviews34 followers
September 5, 2013


A classic tale of a young girl jillian dare ing head over heels in love with her employee Ethan. Somewhat following the footsteps of Jane austen's Jane Eyre the story grips the reader with suspense at times. Jillian is the nanny for 13 month old cladence, Ethan's daughter and altho much younger than him she is applauded for her strength of charachter & high moral standards. Gods love plays a major role in this novel with the hero changing his ways in pursuit of The Lord.
Profile Image for Piepie | The Napping Bibliophile.
2,174 reviews133 followers
December 24, 2015
Though this book was maybe a little bit cheesy and simple, I loved the parallels between Jillian's story and the classic tale of Jane Eyre, that I've read over and over and of which I've watched several film adaptations. I love the modern pointers in Jillian Dare as well - references to computers, technology, pop culture. This is a great contemporary twist on an old classic, perfect for anyone who finds themselves in love with Jane Eyre, just as I am.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews

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