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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
JANE & EDWARD by Melodie Edwards is a reimagining of JANE EYRE (by Charlotte Brontë) set in modern-day Toronto.
Jane Raine has had a difficult life. Her father died when she was 13 and he left her penniless and without any family. She survived the foster care system and then spent several years working as a waitress. When she overhears a coworker talking about becoming a law secretary by attending night school, she hopes it may be her ticket to a more stable life.
She begins working for Edward Rosen, the head of a Bay Street law firm in downtown Toronto. Edward is known for his temper, caustic behavior, and making the firm lots of money. He can't keep a secretary, but Jane thinks his yelling is "just noise."
As they work together, they develop a close relationship and fall in love. Edward, however, has a big secret. (Is it a wife in the attic? No, it's a wife in California.) Jane refuses to be a mistress and leaves the law firm and Edward.
She leaves Toronto as well and finally finds a way to go back to the beloved university where her father taught and was revered. It is there she meets British professor Daniel. They share a love of literature and a respect for Jane's father, but Daniel sees more than that in Jane.
When Jane learns about her father's legacy, she makes it her mission to finally have the life she believes she deserves and her father intended. She understands her past has primed her for the next hardship, the next fight. "If you could reinterpret a story in different ways, then you could reinterpret your life as well. Instead of stringing together all your tragedies and clinging to your will to keep walking, why not look at it as something that kept making you stronger? Resilience."
When Jane learns about her father's legacy, she makes it her mission to finally have the life she believes she deserves and her father intended. She understands her past has primed her for the next hardship, the next fight. "If you could reinterpret a story in different ways, then you could reinterpret your life as well. Instead of stringing together all your tragedies and clinging to your will to keep walking, why not look at it as something that kept making you stronger? Resilience."
This was a delight to read, clever, and respectful of the original text. It's clear the author knows both Toronto and Jane Eyre intimately. I cannot wait to read her other book - a retelling of Jane Austen's PERSUASION.
Loved it.
4.5!
I ate this up!!! If you aren’t a Jane Erye lover I don’t think you would feel as passionately about this as I did but this was GOOD. Melodie did a perfect job of encapsulating Brontë in a modern setting. This felt like a love letter to the classic, it was true to the story, sprinkled with originality. If you’re open to a modern retelling give this a read!
I ate this up!!! If you aren’t a Jane Erye lover I don’t think you would feel as passionately about this as I did but this was GOOD. Melodie did a perfect job of encapsulating Brontë in a modern setting. This felt like a love letter to the classic, it was true to the story, sprinkled with originality. If you’re open to a modern retelling give this a read!
medium-paced
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
A sweet romance, not spicy
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I love Jane Eyre. It is my favorite read ever. I do enjoy the retellings. All are so different. This one was more romance than novel. I enjoyed it.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
This is an easy 5 star for me. I’ve just finished it and I’m actually feeling kinda sad because I know I’m gonna miss these characters and this setting.
I have always loved Jane Eyre and when I heard about this modern reimagining of the classic I was fascinated by the idea of how one of my favourite characters of all time would be in modern day. This books Jane is so reminiscent of the strong, clever, loving woman Charlotte Brontë wrote and Edward!! Well I might love Edward Rosen even more than Edward Rochester!!
If you are a classics fan but also love contemporary romance I think you’re gonna love this.
I have always loved Jane Eyre and when I heard about this modern reimagining of the classic I was fascinated by the idea of how one of my favourite characters of all time would be in modern day. This books Jane is so reminiscent of the strong, clever, loving woman Charlotte Brontë wrote and Edward!! Well I might love Edward Rosen even more than Edward Rochester!!
If you are a classics fan but also love contemporary romance I think you’re gonna love this.