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lifeand100books's review against another edition
4.0
Originally Appeared on Austenprose: http://austenprose.com/2014/05/15/passionate-persuasion-a-date-by-mistake-novella-by-rosemary-clement-moore-a-review/
Perhaps one of the most relatable parts of any book is heartbreak. Most of us have experienced it, and it leaves one with such sorrow and sadness that won’t soon be forgotten. Such is what makes the story between Anne and Frederick in Jane Austen’s Persuasion so riveting. When considering a modern retelling of this story, why not try and imagine it from a flipped perspective, with the man doing the heartbreaking and the woman being wooed. Such is the case with Rosemary Clement-Moore’s Passionate Persuasion, where we meet Alex and Kiara, an everyday couple who experience their own version of heartbreak and rekindled affections.
Alex and Kiara have a past not unlike many couples in today’s society. After having dated for a while in college, Alex unexpectedly and suddenly ended their relationship, and the two drift apart, losing contact after graduation. Nothing about this past is extraordinary, except for the fact that it all comes roaring back eight years later, after Kiara and Alex meet again at what Kiara thought was supposed to be a blind date at a bar. While trying to compose herself from the shock of seeing Alex after so much time has passed, Kiara has to try even harder to maintain her composure after she realizes Alex is coming on to her with no reservations. Will drudging up old emotions bring back the fire of their relationship, or is it destined to bring up the pain of their breakup all over again?
So what roped me into this novella was definitely the character of Kiara (Anne Elliot.) She’s pretty badass and snarky from the moment we first meet her. Having gone through heartbreak myself, I could totally relate to how she built walls up around her heart for protective purposes. From the moment that Kiara and Alex meet again, the dialogue filled with snark and double-entendres was both hot and hysterical at the same time. Alex has a great way of interjecting statements into their dialogue that forces Kiara to realize that he knows her and to remember what she was like before all those walls were erected. A great example of this was this particular exchange between Alex and Kiara:
What was most enjoyable to me was that everything was based in modern reality. In a lot of relationships today you meet someone at a younger age, and you’re both not in the correct mindset and don’t possess the correct maturity level to deal with the emotions you’re experiencing. Once you get older and you do have the experience to fully form your expectations of a relationship, it’s much easier to immediately fall into a deep and fulfilling relationship, just as Alex and Kiara do. It’s realistic because both of them have had the time to develop their own needs and therefore they’re able to communicate better and hit the ground running. Overall, Passionate Persuasion, like Jane Austen’s Persuasion, is filled with sharp dialogue and two very likeable and realistic characters which will have you finishing this 65-page novella in a heartbeat.
Perhaps one of the most relatable parts of any book is heartbreak. Most of us have experienced it, and it leaves one with such sorrow and sadness that won’t soon be forgotten. Such is what makes the story between Anne and Frederick in Jane Austen’s Persuasion so riveting. When considering a modern retelling of this story, why not try and imagine it from a flipped perspective, with the man doing the heartbreaking and the woman being wooed. Such is the case with Rosemary Clement-Moore’s Passionate Persuasion, where we meet Alex and Kiara, an everyday couple who experience their own version of heartbreak and rekindled affections.
Alex and Kiara have a past not unlike many couples in today’s society. After having dated for a while in college, Alex unexpectedly and suddenly ended their relationship, and the two drift apart, losing contact after graduation. Nothing about this past is extraordinary, except for the fact that it all comes roaring back eight years later, after Kiara and Alex meet again at what Kiara thought was supposed to be a blind date at a bar. While trying to compose herself from the shock of seeing Alex after so much time has passed, Kiara has to try even harder to maintain her composure after she realizes Alex is coming on to her with no reservations. Will drudging up old emotions bring back the fire of their relationship, or is it destined to bring up the pain of their breakup all over again?
So what roped me into this novella was definitely the character of Kiara (Anne Elliot.) She’s pretty badass and snarky from the moment we first meet her. Having gone through heartbreak myself, I could totally relate to how she built walls up around her heart for protective purposes. From the moment that Kiara and Alex meet again, the dialogue filled with snark and double-entendres was both hot and hysterical at the same time. Alex has a great way of interjecting statements into their dialogue that forces Kiara to realize that he knows her and to remember what she was like before all those walls were erected. A great example of this was this particular exchange between Alex and Kiara:
“Well, I wouldn’t say it to just anyone,” he said, leaning an elbow on the bar. “We have history.”
“Ancient history,” she hissed, with a glance to assure herself that it only felt like everyone was staring. No one in the busy bar was actually paying attention.
Alex gave an innocent shrug, “If you’re going to sit there all ice maiden, I’m going to remind you that I know you’re not.”
She blushed even deeper, feeling gauche and young again, feeling – heaven help her – the ghost of arousals past. “By reminding me you’re a Neanderthal?” (8)
What was most enjoyable to me was that everything was based in modern reality. In a lot of relationships today you meet someone at a younger age, and you’re both not in the correct mindset and don’t possess the correct maturity level to deal with the emotions you’re experiencing. Once you get older and you do have the experience to fully form your expectations of a relationship, it’s much easier to immediately fall into a deep and fulfilling relationship, just as Alex and Kiara do. It’s realistic because both of them have had the time to develop their own needs and therefore they’re able to communicate better and hit the ground running. Overall, Passionate Persuasion, like Jane Austen’s Persuasion, is filled with sharp dialogue and two very likeable and realistic characters which will have you finishing this 65-page novella in a heartbeat.
jasmyn9's review against another edition
3.0
Remember the one that got away? What if you found a way to have a second chance years later - and found out that they had grown in a way that made you want them even more. Enter Alex, determined to prove to Kiara that he has what it takes to be boyfriend material. Kiara, on the other hand, isn't so sure.
This sweet but sexy novella follows them as Alex tries to prove himself to her. It was cute and I loved Kiara's character. She was quite the diverse one with a mix of likes and features that I hadn't really seen before. With such a short novella it's hard to get too much story in, but Rosemary Clement-Moore does a pretty good job by giving us just what we need without a lot of fluff inbetween.
*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*
- See more at: http://www.bittenbyromance.com/2014/03/review-passionate-persuasion-by.html#sthash.0Cb4yW9F.dpuf
This sweet but sexy novella follows them as Alex tries to prove himself to her. It was cute and I loved Kiara's character. She was quite the diverse one with a mix of likes and features that I hadn't really seen before. With such a short novella it's hard to get too much story in, but Rosemary Clement-Moore does a pretty good job by giving us just what we need without a lot of fluff inbetween.
*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*
- See more at: http://www.bittenbyromance.com/2014/03/review-passionate-persuasion-by.html#sthash.0Cb4yW9F.dpuf
haveloved's review
3.0
This one needed to be longer for me to fully buy into it. "Passionate" Persuasion is right--the story was sexy and not in a gratuitous way, which I appreciated, but ultimately I wanted a bit more talking and a bit less flirting. I was also really disappointed at having been left without resolution on a key point borrowed from Austen's Persuasion (spoilers blocked out for those who haven't read it, but if you know your Austen, you're safe): . Overall, I really wish this had been a full novel. Even with the length requirements imposed on category romances, I think it could've done with the extra fleshing out. I wanted more development of the two leads and less "time passed and this happened." I wanted more honest discussion between Alex and Kiara about the relationship and their potential future plans. I enjoyed the time I spent on this, it was a fun diversion, but the lack of depth stops me from classifying it as more than that.
Spoiler
that the reason for Alex breaking up with Kiara was Sophie Russell, Kiara's older sorority sister. It was both noble and annoying of Alex to leave Kiara in the dark on that crucial point: that while he'd had his own insecurities about the relationship, he was ultimately persuaded out of it by another, someone who purports to be Kiara's friend. In the original, both parties are fully aware of Lady Russell's actions but Anne cannot, years later, fully regret breaking off the engagement. I think it's a little different here. Kiara should've been made aware of her friend's deception and been able to tell her off about it--she reacted strongly enough to the thought that Greg, Alex's own friend, could've talked him out of it that I think she would've had a few words to say to Sophie. She should have been allowed the chance to stand up for herself, or at the very least, give Alex a scene where he and Sophie talk about what happened and why things are different nowcheryls's review
4.0
Waiting on a blind date, set up by a friend, Kiara sees HIM walk in the door of the pub. It can't be! Alex Drake broke her heart 8 years ago. Turns out he's her blind date. After a little conversation, he tries to apologize and only seems to make it worse. She throws a drink in his face and storms off. He's not giving up this time.
Fantastic short, fun romance. Characters had sizzling chemistry. This was a sweet and sexy afternoon read.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Fantastic short, fun romance. Characters had sizzling chemistry. This was a sweet and sexy afternoon read.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
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