Friday, July 16, 2010

Perfect Fit by Linda Wells and Deception by Ola Wegner

I said I would review these books back in June, having read them in May (pre-move), but I just never got around to it. So today I'm just going to give a quick review of each so they can leave my desk and finally migrate to the bookshelf.

I really enjoyed Linda Wells previous books, Chance Encounters and Fate and Consequences (read my reviews here), despite the fact that they are far too sexy for my tastes. I've actually now reread Chance Encounters twice (skipping over the sex scenes cuts it in half), and so when I decided to give a modern Pride and Prejudice adaptation a chance - a thing which I have always resisted doing - I turned again to Miss Wells and her most recent book, Perfect Fit: A Modern Tale of Pride and Prejudice. It was amusing: basically also a "What if?", like her earlier novels, with a heavy Cinderella theme. Elizabeth is a writer living with her sisters in their parents apartment building. She meets billionaire Darcy at a wedding planned by her sister, Jane, for his cousin, Anne. It's love at first sight. Together they bridge the social gap between their two worlds and help their relatives achieve happiness. Not all of the pairings work out as Austen envisioned them, which keeps the book compelling. My favorite parts involved visiting Darcy's ancestral home (Pemberley, of course), but Elizabeth and Darcy engaged in modern jet setting isn't nearly as appealing to me as visions of their life in Regency England, though it does make the sex scenes a bit more easy to take. I also didn't particularly care for Ms. Wells continuous quoting of cheesy love songs. I think I will try other modernization, but so far they are as expected. No number of Jimmy Choos will ever be as exciting for me as bonnets and muslin.

Ola Wegner recently published two books, both in the "What if?" style: Deception: A Tale of Pride and Prejudice and Apprehension and Desire: A Tale of Pride and Prejudice. I decided to buy one to read before committing myself financially to both. Unfortunately, I found Deception a bit of a disappointment. It began with great promise with the introduction of another suitor for Elizabeth's hand, a Mr. John Brooke. I thought the character very compelling at first, but Ms. Wegner's further handling of him felt inconsistent and unsatisfying, though she certainly achieved shocking. I do not want to give too much away by elaborating, but I found parts of the book (one scene in particular) appalling. Generally, I thought the first half of the book much better than the second, during which the narrative kind of falls apart as Ms. Wegner turns to plot twists and shock and awe to drive the story to its end. With a little tweaking it could be far more satisfying.

11 comments:

  1. I like the sound of Perfecet Fit! I actually haven't read any of Linda Wells's books yet! Thanks for the reviews, I'm glad you have broken down and are reading modern adpations!

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  2. Hi Meredith. Yes, I'm trying to be open minded - no easy feat for someone as opinionated as I. I'm curious to know your thoughts on Linda Wells whenever you get a chance to read her books.

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  3. Alexa, I'm so glad you liked it. Linda Wells has some wonderful novels. This was such a fun modern and I'm happy to see it featured here!

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  4. Casey loved your book. Cried so much. But loved the end. thanks so much. Please write more.

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  5. Alexa, I know how much you read. I love abigail reynolds books an decided to go back and read one of her earlier reads "The rule of reason" later rewritten and renamed to "Impulse & Initiatve" the two stories are different but I really liked the original much better. I was wondering if you read both and if so what you thought. The 1st book can only bought on LULU. charlene

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  6. Thanks, Chatty, I'll do my best to come up with something else. Maybe I won't make you cry next time!

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  7. Hi Casey! I wish I had more time to give it a more proper review, but I was in danger of forgetting what I wanted to say about it if I didn't blog it soon.

    Hi Chatty! I love Abigail Reynolds books, and Impulse and initiative was the first I read. I have not read The Rule of Reason. I wrote a post about her when I first started blogging. It's short (I hadn't gotten so long winded yet), and you can read it here: http://alexaadams.blogspot.com/2009/10/what-if-genre-part-1-abigail-reynolds.html

    I have The Man Who Loved Pride and Prejudice in my TBR pile. It will be my second modern adaptation.

    Thanks for the comments ladies!

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  8. Just read The Man Who Loved P & P. It was very good. Thought it was one of the few modern day writes that got the pride and prejudices correct. Plus it didn't hurt that it took place down the cape!! I live in NEngland. I think you will like it. Getting back to The Rule of Reason, It is the earlier version of Impulse and Initiative, the difference is that they don't precede there vows and then the book is different from that point on. Just thought this version was better. Don't know why she changed it. I have the book on my computor and could email it to you in a file if you liked. no pressure just a thought.

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  9. Hi Chatty! I really enjoyed Impulse and Initiative, but my biggest problem with it was the premarital sex. Very uncomfortable! I would love to read the original. She probably rewrote it at Sourcebooks' suggestion.

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  10. Alexa, My sentiments exactly. Original book has no premarital sex. That's why I liked it better. But it changes the whole story from that point on. But ending very similar. BTY Just bought your book on kindle and reading it now(again) Loved it the first time. I like the books that leave out the sex and leave it up to the imagination!!! But I will still read just about anything. Did try to read true fit and thought the darcy was a little to needy and put it down. Might pick it up later this summer. also, like you might pick up Harry Potter(big fan)

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  11. Hi Chatty. I'm so glad to hear that you loved the book! Thanks for telling me. And I do adore Harry Potter. I am as addicted to it as I was to Anne of Green Gables as a child. I can read it over and over again. If you want to chat at more length - about Potter or Darcy, I'm always up for either - go ahead and send me an email (it's at the bottom of the page in the disclaimer).

    I wonder if you saw my post about sex in JAFF? It is in the form of a conversation with Lory Lilian, who writes phenomenal books though they definitely include sex scenes. You should check it out. I'd love to hear your thoughts!

    http://alexaadams.blogspot.com/2010/03/sexy-jaff-conversation-with-lory-lilian.html

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