“Jane Austen’s Persuasion is beloved for its capable, introspective heroine and the quiet romantic who’s been carrying a torch for her all these years . . . and Melodie Edwards delivers the same in her pitch-perfect modern retelling. Once Persuaded, Twice Shy will have you rooting for Anne to learn to live her own life, reading everything into the tiniest interaction with the one-who-got-away Ben Wentworth, and cackling at the antics of a certain theater-loving goose. I loved it!”
—Alicia Thompson, bestselling author of Love in the Time of Serial Killers
“Smart, swoony and hilarious, Once Persuaded, Twice Shy was the Persuasion retelling I didn’t know I needed. I fell in love with the brilliant Anne on page one and never looked back. Utterly charming!”
—Lynn Painter, New York Times bestselling author of The Love Wager
“Reading Melodie Edwards is the closest you can come to reading a modern-day Jane Austen. Fans of Austen will find Once Persuaded, Twice Shy a gorgeously romantic homage to one of history’s best second-chance romances and most relatable protagonists. Edwards’ narrative voice is exquisite, her Anne Elliot(t) perfectly rendered, her Wentworth swoonworthy, and her small-town setting (Kellynch Hall exchanged for Kellynch Winery) a place you’ll ache to visit. This gem of a story is the Persuasion update we deserve.”
—Ashley Winstead, author of The Boyfriend Candidate
“Perfectly captures the contemplative tone of Austen’s Persuasion and delivers a superbly nuanced heroine…. Combine this with a sublimely evoked Canadian small-town setting in all its autumnal glory, a charming plot that embraces everything from dealing with family expectations to the relationship wisdom embedded in Taylor Swift songs, and a bracing sense of wit, and you have the perfect read for Austen fans and every reader who enjoys artfully executed love stories.”
—Booklist (starred review)
“Melodie Edwards charmed me from start to finish with this fresh and original take on a classic tale. Once Persuaded, Twice Shy delighted me with its quirky-small-town hijinks, and the tension filled, slow burn second chance romance made me swoon. Readers will root for smart and selfless Anne to find her way back to Ben, the one who got away, and will cheer as she learns to draw boundaries with her family and take back her life.”
—Meredith Schorr, author of As Seen on TV and Someone Just Like You
“Edwards puts a 21st-century spin on Jane Austen’s Persuasion in this fast-paced second chance romance…. Edwards successfully captures some of the essence of Austen’s Anne, a woman who puts others’ needs ahead of her own, often to her detriment. Readers will have no trouble rooting for her to reunite with the one that got away.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Edwards is clever in the way she uses the main plot and themes of Persuasion to create her story without feeling like she must translate it directly to modern times… This artful novel keeps to the core of the Jane Austen source material, while allowing the updated story to soar on its own.”
—Library Journal
“Jane Austen meets Parks and Rec in this delightful second-chance romance overflowing with heart and small-town charm. With its wonderfully quirky cast of supporting characters, Melodie Edwards’ enchanting reimagining will have readers rooting for Anne to find herself as much as find her way back to Ben—and likely wanting to plan a trip to Niagara-on-the-Lake! The perfect read to cozy up and fall in love with.”
—Holly James, author of The Déjà Glitch
“With hilarious supporting characters and satisfying depth… Edwards remains true to the classic while deftly modernizing it, and I loved falling into this fresh, fun story about what happens when you regret letting The One get away.”
—Sierra Godfrey, author of The Second Chance Hotel
Praise for Jane & Edward
“I adored this book! Jane & Edward is instantly captivating and utterly charming. I found myself smiling (sometimes through tears) from start to finish. This sexy, funny, razor-sharp rom-com is one of the best books I’ve read all year. Melodie Edwards delivers a first-rate, modern take on the classic Jane Eyre, so deliciously romantic that Charlotte Brontë herself would be dazzled.”
—Lori Nelson Spielman, New York Times bestselling author of The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany
“Razor sharp, wickedly funny, and touchingly poignant…This is an absolute must read!”
—Jenn McKinlay, New York Times bestselling author of Summer Reading
“Melodie Edwards’ witty reimagining of Jane Eyre gives us a pitch-perfect protagonist who’s somehow even more endearing than the original. Edwards’ elegant, slyly funny prose makes it so you can’t help but cheer on the pragmatic Jane as she moves through the high-stakes worlds of corporate law and academia, learning to assert her value. Like any classic worth its salt, this book is brimming with heart, characters that stick with you, and smart, timeless insights about life and love.”
—Ashley Winstead, author of The Boyfriend Candidate
“[T]ruly a masterpiece that will set the bar impossibly high for other future retellings….“[A] beautifully heart-warming and enchanting story destined to be a comfort read for countless bookworms.”
—The Nerd Daily
“A jaunty homage to the beloved classic novel.”
—Danielle Jackson, author of The Accidental Pinup
“Melodie Edwards delivers the Jane that we’ve all been dying for—a thoroughly modern, pragmatic and droll heroine we can all adore. Set in the savagely funny ecosystem of a storied Toronto law firm, Jane & Edward is a sophisticated, sexy and hilarious retelling that nails the intricacies and idiosyncrasies of workplace relationships and forging your own path in the world.”
—Jessica Martin, author of For the Love of the Bard
“Masterfully weaves a layered love story between an irresistibly irritable hero and a spirited young woman finding her place. Exquisitely written and full of big emotions, this fresh take on timeless themes is both swoon-worthy and empowering. Just like its resilient heroine, this modern reimagining can stand firmly on its own.”
—Holly James, author of Nothing But The Truth
“[P]erfect for Brontë readers or anyone looking for a romance with depth.”
—Shelf Awareness
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