Once Persuaded, Twice Shy by Melodie Edwards is a modern reimagining of Jane Austen’s Persuasion.
Once Persuaded, Twice Shy by Melodie Edwards
Genre/Categories/Setting: Contemporary Women’s Fiction, (second chance) Romance, Canadian Tourist Town
*This post contains Amazon affiliate links.
My Summary of Once Persuaded, Twice Shy:
Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for Once Persuaded, Twice Shy by Melodie Edwards. Thanks #NetGalley @BerkleyPub @PenguinRandom #BerkleyBuddyReads for a complimentary e ARC of #OncePersuadedTwiceShy upon my request. All opinions are my own.
In this modern reimagining of Persuasion, Anne Elliott lives in Niagra-on-the-Lake and is the executive director of a theater company. When a nearby winery is bought by her ex-boyfriend’s aunt and uncle, she realizes that she has not gotten over Ben Wentworth. A joint project between the winery and the theater company forces Anne and Ben to work together and face their complicated history and matters of the heart.
My Thoughts:
The Tropes
Second-chance romance and a forced working relationship are tropes that drive this story full of romantic angst, witty banter, pop culture references (Taylor Swift), complicated family, and colorful locals.
Multi-layered
I appreciate a well-paced, multi-layered story with thoughtful themes. We meet Anne who is a competent professional, responsible community leader, and dutiful daughter but her personal life is lacking. Can she reconnect with her ex-boyfriend, help her dysfunctional father, be a competent leader in the community, strike a smart business deal, and continue to help the theater company flourish? Anne has a lot on her plate.
Retelling
While I don’t gravitate toward retellings as a rule, Once Persuaded Twice Shy is engaging and well executed. It can also be enjoyed if you’ve never read Persuasion.
Recommending Once Persuaded, Twice Shy
If you enjoy a reimagining of a classic and angsty second-chance romance, I can recommend Once Persuaded, Twice Shy. Book clubs might find interesting discussion topics (especially if members have read the classic). Content notes: scattered profanity and fade-to-black romance.
Related: You might also enjoy Jane & Edward (a modern reimagining of Jane Eyre) by Melodie Edwards
My Rating: 4 Stars
Meet the Author of Once Persuaded, Twice Shy, Melodie Edwards
Melodie Edwards has a BA in English from the University of Toronto, a Master’s degree in communications from McMaster University and Syracuse University, and studied comedy writing at the Second City Training Centre.
Her writing has been featured in Writer’s Digest, GI60 UK Theatre Festival, the Austin Film Festival Playwright Competition, and the Hart House Drama Festival.
QOTD:
Do you love retellings”
Is this modern reimagining on your TBR?
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Niagara on the Lake is so pretty!
Fun setting!
Thanks, Carol – I love Persuassion, Niagara-on-the-Lake and I have a soft-spot for Canadian authors. Thank you for this recommendation. I will check it out!
Happy reading!
As a general rule, I don’t like retellings. But, if I just view them as a new story, I enjoy it more. There are lots of things that sound promising in this one – the main character’s job, the setting, main character as competent, but with social life lacking, dysfunctional father – all things that lend depth to a story. I might give this one a try.
It’s not a retelling that tries too hard and stand on its own, so in that sense I appreciated it!
I have never read a modern reimagining Carol, but recently picked up Northanger Abbey by Val McDermid which I intend to read next month. 🤞Glad you enjoyed this and I will keep it in mind. 💕📚
Enjoy!
Thanks Carol. 💕📚