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hollybg's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
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? Yes
4.25
mehrangezmr's review against another edition
3.0
Cute modern-day retelling of [b:Sense and Sensibility|14935|Sense and Sensibility|Jane Austen|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1397245675s/14935.jpg|2809709]. I have a real soft spot for S&S and I tend to enjoy modern-day retellings of classics so I felt very much like the target audience for this novel. I enjoyed Elliot (Elinor)'s character but felt Marianne's story was given short shrift and her character seemed much more grounded than Austen's Marianne. So that was a bit of a shame. But I liked the way the novel dealt with other aspects of the story, grief and especially the conflicted grief you feel when the person you're missing had some serious flaws. I wouldn't really recommend it as a proper 'romance' novel as Ned and Elliot barely get much time together, but as a emotionally satisfying, light read, sure.
suze_1624's review against another edition
4.0
Good old JA, Sense and Sensibility retelling. To be fair, and probably to the author’s disgust S&S is not a favourite classic. However, I did enjoy this retelling and from memory it does stick fairly well to the original story.
Liked that Col Brandon was a woman. Abby’s ditsy family were as suitably supportive as Henry’s were not.
Elliot is the downtrodden hero and does hold his family together.
Enjoyed
Liked that Col Brandon was a woman. Abby’s ditsy family were as suitably supportive as Henry’s were not.
Elliot is the downtrodden hero and does hold his family together.
Enjoyed
cadiva's review against another edition
4.0
Not your typical romance, more an examination of what makes us human, what keeps families together, and what sets them apart.
And how we should never let what other people do or think influence our own behaviours or thoughts.
This modern retelling of Austen's Sense & Sensibility doesn't stray from the original's formula, it just switches up Elinor Dashwood for the masculine Elliott and gives Marianne a bit of a twist with her Colonel Brandon (Alan Rickman in the Oscar winning adaptation is still my benchmark ;) which was a nice surprise.
If you liked the original, you're not going to be disappointed with Lisa Henry's switch to an MM contemporary romance.
#ARC kindly provided by the author in return for an honest and unbiased review
And how we should never let what other people do or think influence our own behaviours or thoughts.
This modern retelling of Austen's Sense & Sensibility doesn't stray from the original's formula, it just switches up Elinor Dashwood for the masculine Elliott and gives Marianne a bit of a twist with her Colonel Brandon (Alan Rickman in the Oscar winning adaptation is still my benchmark ;) which was a nice surprise.
If you liked the original, you're not going to be disappointed with Lisa Henry's switch to an MM contemporary romance.
#ARC kindly provided by the author in return for an honest and unbiased review
shelbanuadh's review
4.0
In general, I'm not a fan of retellings, especially not of stories and/or authors that I love. I did enjoy this though. Lisa Henry did a good job of using the bones of the story while making it her own, not just swapping genders or time periods.
Sense & Sensibility is a story I love, though I've always related more with the sensibility part of it, which was just as true in this retelling.
I think I would have enjoyed the ending more if it ended one chapter earlier, but I'm not distraught with how things wrapped up.
This is one of my favourite Lisa Henry books to date.
Sense & Sensibility is a story I love, though I've always related more with the sensibility part of it, which was just as true in this retelling.
I think I would have enjoyed the ending more if it ended one chapter earlier, but I'm not distraught with how things wrapped up.
This is one of my favourite Lisa Henry books to date.
cadiva's review against another edition
4.0
Not your typical romance, more an examination of what makes us human, what keeps families together, and what sets them apart.
And how we should never let what other people do or think influence our own behaviours or thoughts.
This modern retelling of Austen's Sense & Sensibility doesn't stray from the original's formula, it just switches up Elinor Dashwood for the masculine Elliott and gives Marianne a bit of a twist with her Colonel Brandon (Alan Rickman in the Oscar winning adaptation is still my benchmark ;) which was a nice surprise.
If you liked the original, you're not going to be disappointed with Lisa Henry's switch to an MM contemporary romance.
#ARC kindly provided by the author in return for an honest and unbiased review
And how we should never let what other people do or think influence our own behaviours or thoughts.
This modern retelling of Austen's Sense & Sensibility doesn't stray from the original's formula, it just switches up Elinor Dashwood for the masculine Elliott and gives Marianne a bit of a twist with her Colonel Brandon (Alan Rickman in the Oscar winning adaptation is still my benchmark ;) which was a nice surprise.
If you liked the original, you're not going to be disappointed with Lisa Henry's switch to an MM contemporary romance.
#ARC kindly provided by the author in return for an honest and unbiased review
jdbracknell's review
4.0
This was the perfect bank holiday read, offering a balance of serious stuff, art talk, and romance. Sense and Sensibility translates so well into this setting.
Sensible Elliott’s not so sensible encounters with Ned were perfectly pitched as a moment of recklessness while grieving, and Marianne was translated wonderfully into a modern day romantic. When Colonel Brandon appeared I let out the most delighted gasp, a bisexual Marianne falling for an older woman? Yes please (if I ask Lisa Henry nicely do you think she might write me an entire novel about Deanna and Marianne?). I also greatly enjoyed the setting of Barton Lake and the New York section with Odette and Lucien, and although it’s hard to have suspense about what will happen with the Lucien/Ned engagement if you’re familiar with the original, the twist was nicely done.
Heartily recommend if you want a fun read that doesn’t lack substance. Some of Elliott’s observations about his father and life made me tear up.
Sensible Elliott’s not so sensible encounters with Ned were perfectly pitched as a moment of recklessness while grieving, and Marianne was translated wonderfully into a modern day romantic. When Colonel Brandon appeared I let out the most delighted gasp, a bisexual Marianne falling for an older woman? Yes please (if I ask Lisa Henry nicely do you think she might write me an entire novel about Deanna and Marianne?). I also greatly enjoyed the setting of Barton Lake and the New York section with Odette and Lucien, and although it’s hard to have suspense about what will happen with the Lucien/Ned engagement if you’re familiar with the original, the twist was nicely done.
Heartily recommend if you want a fun read that doesn’t lack substance. Some of Elliott’s observations about his father and life made me tear up.
adelikal's review
1.0
Ohhh I hate this novel so much. The entire story revolves around Elliott’s sad sack feelings, his hippie floaty parents who never concerned themselves with the future, and at least 3 cheating assholes. There is not a single character I like in this story. I hate them all.
Henry Dashwood (father) is a dick who cheated on his wife with another woman, left his first son behind, and then asked his son to help take care of the family he was leaving behind, sort of penniless, because he and his wife never fuckin’ learned how to save. I wouldn’t even have gone to see Henry at his deathbed if I were John, to be honest.
Jack Willoughby was engaged but led Marianne Dashwood (Elliott’s sister) on a merry chase. This, you could see from about a mile away. He got what was coming to him, but mostly at the expense of Marianne, who was humiliated in public and also got injured. Then he showed up at the hospital pretending to be sorry, when all he was sorry for was that 1) he got caught and 2) he was feeling guilty. Eat a bag of dirty dicks, Willoughby. Eat them and CHOKE ON THEM.
Ned Ferrars had been engaged for at least 2 years to another man when he showed up for Henry Dashwood’s funeral and fooled around with Henry Dashwood’s son Elliott, and also showed up in California later on to like … I dunno, confirm to himself that he still loved Elliott and he was still unavailable? And then 95% into the book he shows up and Elliot forgives him when Elliot hears the magic words: “Lucien eloped with Robert.”
How convenient! And also super convenient that Elliott still “loved” Ned Ferrars to let him back in? When they barely spent any time together? When the only proof of Elliott’s feelings is that for some reason he kept mooning and sulking over Ned? What the fuck? And that goddamned fucking bullshit ending:
Ned, you will be surprised, but — I, too, understand your puzzlement, for I, too, am puzzled. I am puzzled by the fact that I spent an hour reading this bullshit story. You think name-dropping weeaboo animes in this story is going to make me like this better? I AM STRONGER THAN ANY MENTION OF SAYONARA ZETSUBOU-SENSEI. If you’d name-dropped Oofuri or Fukigen na Mononokean on the other hand, then I might’ve borne grudging respect for you. As it is, Sayonara Zetsubou-sensei and Assassination Classroom are barely a tier above Naruto or Boruto.
Half-hearted apologies and the author’s desire to wrap up this story led to all hurts and grievances being resolved with zero begging or grovelling. I hate Ned Ferrars, and I hate Elliott Dashwood. I hate them both.
In the wake of the ending this one thing is nothing more than a mere blip on the radar of my annoyances — I dislike the almost two-decade age gap between Marianne and Deanna. If Marianne had been older it would’ve been whatever for me. But she’s like 18 or something and that puts Deanna at 38/almost 40. Like, can you fuckin’ at least wait until she’s like 25 or something. Jesus on a stick almighty.
If he cheated on Lucien, he’ll cheat on you, Elliott, you dumbshit. I have no sympathy for you and I hate your romance.
In the end, I cannot express how glad I am that this was on Kindle Unlimited so that I didn’t have to pay for this. J-e-s-u-s.
Henry Dashwood (father) is a dick who cheated on his wife with another woman, left his first son behind, and then asked his son to help take care of the family he was leaving behind, sort of penniless, because he and his wife never fuckin’ learned how to save. I wouldn’t even have gone to see Henry at his deathbed if I were John, to be honest.
Jack Willoughby was engaged but led Marianne Dashwood (Elliott’s sister) on a merry chase. This, you could see from about a mile away. He got what was coming to him, but mostly at the expense of Marianne, who was humiliated in public and also got injured. Then he showed up at the hospital pretending to be sorry, when all he was sorry for was that 1) he got caught and 2) he was feeling guilty. Eat a bag of dirty dicks, Willoughby. Eat them and CHOKE ON THEM.
Ned Ferrars had been engaged for at least 2 years to another man when he showed up for Henry Dashwood’s funeral and fooled around with Henry Dashwood’s son Elliott, and also showed up in California later on to like … I dunno, confirm to himself that he still loved Elliott and he was still unavailable? And then 95% into the book he shows up and Elliot forgives him when Elliot hears the magic words: “Lucien eloped with Robert.”
How convenient! And also super convenient that Elliott still “loved” Ned Ferrars to let him back in? When they barely spent any time together? When the only proof of Elliott’s feelings is that for some reason he kept mooning and sulking over Ned? What the fuck? And that goddamned fucking bullshit ending:
“I wanted you, Elliott. I wanted you all over again.”
…
“Okay,” [Elliott] said, lifting the corner of his mouth in a wry smile.
Ned’s brows drew together. “Okay?” he asked, sounding puzzled.
Ned, you will be surprised, but — I, too, understand your puzzlement, for I, too, am puzzled. I am puzzled by the fact that I spent an hour reading this bullshit story. You think name-dropping weeaboo animes in this story is going to make me like this better? I AM STRONGER THAN ANY MENTION OF SAYONARA ZETSUBOU-SENSEI. If you’d name-dropped Oofuri or Fukigen na Mononokean on the other hand, then I might’ve borne grudging respect for you. As it is, Sayonara Zetsubou-sensei and Assassination Classroom are barely a tier above Naruto or Boruto.
Half-hearted apologies and the author’s desire to wrap up this story led to all hurts and grievances being resolved with zero begging or grovelling. I hate Ned Ferrars, and I hate Elliott Dashwood. I hate them both.
In the wake of the ending this one thing is nothing more than a mere blip on the radar of my annoyances — I dislike the almost two-decade age gap between Marianne and Deanna. If Marianne had been older it would’ve been whatever for me. But she’s like 18 or something and that puts Deanna at 38/almost 40. Like, can you fuckin’ at least wait until she’s like 25 or something. Jesus on a stick almighty.
If he cheated on Lucien, he’ll cheat on you, Elliott, you dumbshit. I have no sympathy for you and I hate your romance.
In the end, I cannot express how glad I am that this was on Kindle Unlimited so that I didn’t have to pay for this. J-e-s-u-s.
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