Now a soft kiss. Aye, by that kiss, I vow an endless bliss. - John Keats.British author Jayne Fresina has already delighted Regency fans with her Sydney Dovedale series of "beleaguered heroes and unstoppable heroines". She comes roaring back with a bold new series, the Book Club Belles Society, featuring her trademark humor and healtfelt storytelling that would impresss Jane Austen. In fact, the Book Club Belles Society - five refined ladies tucked away in the country - are reading Austen's PRIDE AND PREJUDICE. Four readers are swooning over Mr. Darcy while Justina Penny thinks Mr. Wickham is more exciting. Adding fuel to the club's fire is the arrival of Mr. Darius Wainwright, heir to a crumbling estate outside the village (and where Justina is hiding a pet pig). His appearance mirrors the plot of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE as the townfolk scramble to impress him ... except for Justina. She is simply a woman ahead of her time. Justina would rather keep her independence by becoming a writer. Fate has other plans for Justina, Darius, and the other villagers folded into drama.Fresina delivers an ingenious way to pay tribute to the beloved Jane Austen while still crafting her own unique story, characters, and setting. Everyday is an adventure with Justina flaunting convention, to a point, while trying to keep her heart under control every time she encounters Darius. Fresina keeps readers' attention with Justina's over-the-top behavior and Darius' quick witted dialogue. ONCE UPON A KISS is a must read for Regency fans ... and an intoxicating start to a new series that is sure to please with future installments.ONCE UPON A KISS is easily one of the top 14 memorable books from 2014. I received an ARC from Sourcebooks for an honest review. I can’t imagine the kerfuffle at the time of Jane Austen’s release of Pride and Prejudice: wholly skewering of societal conventions. Jayne Fresina uses the book club and the story to contrast and inform the relationship that finds Justina with her first real beau.As the book club meanders through the book, Justina (or Jussy) is wholly unconstrained: she is as different to prim and proper as can be described: always slightly disheveled, with a wonderful lack of self-consciousness and sense of fun. While she holds out no real hope that she will ever please her mother, or rival the number of admirers her elder sister has, she is more concerned with her own imaginings and pens ideas and dreams into her journal every evening. When Darius Wainwright arrives in the small town, the marriage minded mamas are thrown into full speed ahead: jostling for position and regard for their as yet, unmarried daughters. But Jussy had met the man, in not one of her better days, and neither made a particularly favorable impression. Wainwright is serious, stoic and far too impressed with proper and decorous behavior. He can’t, however, get the hoydenish Jussy out of his thoughts.A nice mix with a very obvious Mr. Darcy in Wainwright, the simple contrast between the classic novel and this story are well laid out, using humor and description to keep readers solidly grounded in the story of Justine and Darius.With enough characters meddling and aiding the couple, readers will find several to cheer and jeer as the story proceeds, and is sure to keep you whipping through the pages with a smile on your face. This is a wonderful introduction to the series, with a well-matched pair with plenty of adventures yet to be had in their happy ever after. Whether they become recurring characters as the series continues, or are just left to their own devices, I feel confident that the pairing of Justine and Darius is full of adventures and excitement.I enjoyed this story from beginning to end, with plenty of heartwarming moments and humor, this story kept me entertained and amused.I received a copy of this title from Net Galley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
What do You think about Once Upon A Kiss (2014)?
One of the best historical romance authors around.
—jonelle
