Finding Jane Fairfax is a prequel to Austen’s Emma in which two characters in the classic are given credible backstories.

Finding Jane Fairfax by Robbin J. Peterson

Genre/Categories/Setting: Historical Fiction, Romance, Regency, England, Classics, Austenesque.

*This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

My Summary of Finding Jane Fairfax:

Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for Finding Jane Fairfax. Thanks @AustenProse #AustenProsePR @CovenantComms for a complimentary e ARC of #FindingJaneFairfax upon my request. All opinions are my own.

A prequel to Emma…

You may remember the Jane Fairfax and Frank Churchill characters from Jane Austen’s Emma. In Finding Jane Fairfax, these characters are given a backstory.

Jane Fairfax feels fortunate even though she was orphaned at a young age. Jane was adopted by loving parents who gave her every advantage they would give a biological child. Nevertheless, Jane is unsuitable for an ideal and advantageous marriage match in Society because of the circumstances. There is one young man, a childhood friend, to whom she is attracted but she is sure Frank has forgotten her and their special connection. One day, though, a chance encounter brings Jane and Frank together. Even then, they are not free to court because of his controlling aunt who is determined to find him a perfect match. As Jane and Frank flirt and improvise ways to see each other, it quickly becomes evident that building a life together would create a scandal and require some sacrifices.

My Thoughts:

Prequel

I enjoyed this very believable and compelling backstory for two characters in Jane Austen’s Emma. Although if you haven’t read Emma, this story reads well as a stand-alone.

Meet-Cute

If you enjoy a fun “meet-cute,” Jane and Frank have a memorable one! This occurs when they are adults as they first meet in childhood.

Sisters

Jane and her sister, Cassandra, are opposite in significant ways, but they support each other and their bond is strong. If you enjoy a sisters theme, this is a strong and heartfelt aspect of the story.

Austenesque

If you enjoy the world of Jane Austen, you will appreciate Finding Jane Fairfax. From the ridiculous (by today’s norms) society rules to the slow-burn, sweet “childhood friends to lovers” trope, there’s lots to love here.

Themes and Premise

I appreciate the thoughtful theme of abandonment in childhood. Jane was adopted and Frank was raised by an aunt. Both of them have trauma in their childhoods to work through. Jane’s adoption further demonstrates the ridiculousness of Society’s rules. She was ADOPTED by lovely people who raised her as their own in every way. She should not have had those circumstances (so out of her control) held against her when making a marriage match.

I am fascinated by Society’s strict rules of finding a marriage partner during this time. Marriage controlled by parents is inconceivable in most cultures where young adults are free to choose a life partner, and more credence is given to character (we would hope!) than a family’s wealth or lack of. It can be entertaining to read a story where young lovers test the boundaries in Regency England.

Other thoughtful themes include supportive and complicated family relationships, sister loyalty, friendship, adoption, classism, controlling parent figure, absentee father, childhood abandonment, love of music, and following your heart.

Content Consideration: orphaned, loss of parents (in the past)

Recommending Finding Jane Fairfax

I’m warmly recommending Finding Jane Fairfax for Jane Austen fans and for those who might appreciate a compelling backstory to Emma. If you love regency romance in an Austenesque world and a gently-written story, this might be a wonderful addition to your TBR. For book clubs who have read Emma, this will be a discussable companion read for you.

My Rating:  4  Stars

Meet the Author of Finding Jane Fairfax, Robbin J. Peterson

I graduated from Utah State University with a Bachelor degree in English Literature. Writing is an obsessive creative outlet for me. What can I say–some women quilt and some write books about finding true love. (Some do both, but I’m not one of those women.) Some things about me: I’ve homeschooled, lived in several places: the Coachella desert with palm trees, snowy pine trees of Northern California, almond orchards of Bakersfield, and red-rock sandstone of southeastern Utah. I’ve been a wrestling mom and pageant mom (at the same time), taught violin and viola, played in several quartets, orchestras and symphonies, and currently I’m the librarian at our little elementary school–it’s the best job ever. I love teaching at writing conferences and connecting with readers and writers! Let’s be friends!

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QOTD:

Is this regency Austenesque romance on your TBR?

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