Three Avid JAFF Readers (Unabashed Fans of Christina Morland) Review her latest novel, The Year In Between + Giveaway!!

Late last month, my friend Gina authored a guest post that featured an interview with author Christina Morland about her latest novel, "The Year In Between." Gina is one of the two fellow readers who, along with Wendy, I consider my "JAFF Soul Sisters." We met through the Austen Readers Facebook page and found common ground in our love for Christina Morland's novel "Seasons of Waiting." We began talking regularly through the Facebook messenger app and found that our individual tastes in JAFF (typically high angst P&P variations) are very similar though different enough to expand each other's horizons. This past summer, we were lucky enough to get to Zoom with Christina to discuss Seasons of Waiting. During that meeting, she told us about "The Year In Between" (from here on out referred to as TYIB) which was then a work in progress. We were chomping at the proverbial bit to read it, and Gina often checked in with Christina to check on her progress. We were surprised and flattered when Christina graciously mentioned the three of us in the Acknowledgments page of TYIB.

Although I've already featured TYIB in a past post, the girls and I wanted to also post a review of the book. Given our love of  her previous works (especially Seasons of Waiting and A Remedy Against Sin), we were certainly predisposed to like this newest novel. Since the three of us prefer Pride and Prejudice variations, we weren't sure how much we would like a variation of another of Jane Austen's novels. 

Upon finishing the book, each of us gave it 5 Stars! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The format of our review is a bit unconventional. We decided to address its content by each of us providing an answer to a series of questions. If you have any questions we did not address, please post them in the comments, and each of us will eagerly reply!

We hope you enjoy it and feel inclined to give this book a try. Christina has graciously offered to give away one eBook copy to a reader who comments on this post. Information about the giveaway is at the end of this post.    

                                            

What was your biggest surprise or enjoyment in the book?

kkGina- I loved watching Elinor’s growth in this book. I’m more like Elinor and love that S&S is filtered through her point of view. I have always enjoyed reading more of the action around Marianne with her eagerness, sincerity, and impetuosity because her growth towards maturity is that much better. In TYIB both sisters are allowed space for growth. I loved the time spent with Elinor that really reflected her in a deeper way. Her housekeeping journal was just perfection for me.  Austen gave her a great sense of humor, but in canon Elinor restrains her humor to internal dialogue. Christina gives us an Elinor learning to allow her humor to be heard by more than just her family.  

Gina- I loved watching Elinor’s growth in this book.  I’m more like Elinor and love that S&S is filtered through her point of view. I have always enjoyed reading more of the action around Marianne with her eagerness, sincerity, and impetuosity because her growth towards maturity is that much better. In TYIB both sisters are allowed space for growth. I loved the time spent with Elinor that really reflected her in a deeper way. Her housekeeping journal was just perfection for me.  Austen gave her a great sense of humor, but in canon Elinor restrains her humor to internal dialogue. Christina gives us an Elinor learning to allow her humor to be heard by more than just her family. 

Wendy- Gina, you mention Elinor, but my greatest enjoyment in this book was getting to know Marianne more. I also am more like Elinor than Marianne and in reading Sense and Sensibility found I connected much less to Marianne. She’s a poetry lover, a fan of the outdoors, and so bold and emotionally charged. It was easy for me to overlook her to a degree. The Year In Between (TYIB) allows more time with both sisters and more opportunities to hear their thoughts and musings. Through this, I saw Marianne, more clearly and really began to appreciate her and like her. In the story she struggled, due to her past with Willoughby, but in a way that was completely unexpected to me and was the drive beneath the growth she strove for in herself. I came to truly respect her and understand her. 

Paige- I agree with you both. I also greatly enjoyed witnessing so much growth in each sister but Marianne most of all. I must confess that Marianne often got on my nerves in Sense and Sensibility. Although I found her immaturity and flights of fancy to be grating, I failed to consider how those adolescent characteristics might blossom given time. As TYIB progressed, I found myself more drawn to and invested in Marianne than even Elinor. Marianne’s metamorphosis and changing perspective on Colonel Brandon was a delight to behold and, to me, a believable portrayal of how her heart could have done such an about face where he is concerned.

  

How does the book vary from canon? Or do you find the book canon compliant?

Gina-I would call this a variation even though it is almost completely canon compliant.  There are a couple of shifts, one enormous, that make it a variation and not a continuation or missing scenes. It’s definitely its own story, but it doesn’t fight the source material. 

Wendy- In the last paragraphs of Sense and Sensibility, Austen wraps up her story with a quick summary of Elinor’s marriage to Edward and Marianne’s to Brandon. TYIB stops the story at this point and tells us about Elinor and Edward’s 1st year of marriage, all the ups and downs a 1st year can be, and how in the world Marianne and Brandon ever came to the point of marrying. It’s like when I use my fingers on my iPhone to zoom in at this particular point in the story, expanding on what Austen wrote. It’s Christina’s view of what could have happened, varied from what Austen wrote, making it more of a variation. The characters are consistent with who they are in canon and the story is believable. 

Paige- I LOVE Wendy’s iPhone screen metaphor, and I don’t believe I can articulate it any better. I’ve often wondered why Jane left this piece of the story for her readers to make out for themselves. It took a talent like Christina to do justice to it in a way that truly honored Jane. Although TYIB fills a void left in Sense and Sensibility, I love that it also does stand on its own as a novel. 

                                         

Why did you want to read a non P&P variation? And did it fulfill those expectations?

Gina-I was in a bit of a P&P rut and S&S is my next favorite Austen, so this was super exciting to read.  There are very few published S&S variations out there, and even fewer good ones. This one sits at the top.  

Wendy- I wanted to read it because Christina Morland wrote it. Simple as that. Her other books top my JAFF list. I know what I’m getting when I read one of her books- a deeply layered story that draws me in and makes me think and feel, with characters fully developed in all their complexity. This definitely met my expectations and I found myself delighted to expand my JAFF reading beyond P&P.

Paige- By choice, I’ve read very few non-Pride and Prejudice variations. I wanted to read this book, because I love Christina’s writing. As such, I will probably be one of the first in line to ready any JAFF novel she releases. Although I seldom go for other variations, my interest was piqued as I re-watched the films and listened to Sense and Sensibility again on Audible in preparation for the release of TYIB.

Did you miss Darcy? Why or why not?

Gina-Nope. This Colonel Brandon fills the page with a quietly intense energy, and I really couldn’t get enough of him. Edward really sparked as well. He was a great surprise for me. 

Wendy- Surprisingly no! Colonel Brandon was exquisite. We know him from Sense and Sensibility as honorable, generous and helpful. In TYIB, we see his passion and emotional depth. Truly swoon-worthy! In reality, we get very little of both Brandon and Edward in S&S. Here they were both fleshed out in ways I thought consistent with their characters in canon. 

Paige- I can’t say as though I did, because I was so anxious to learn more about Colonel Brandon. Like Darcy, Christina portrays his many layers, some of which he shares with Darcy including his reserve and subtle emotionality.  

Why should a die hard P&P fan take a gamble on a 700+page Sense and Sensibility variation?

Gina-If you like characters trying to understand themselves and people around them in a deeper and meaningful way this book is for you.  If you like Christina’s other books, this book is for you. If you like to experience a lot of emotion and a slow build story, then this is for you! Have I convinced you to read it?

Wendy- Exactly Gina! A Christina Morland book is likely to be long, but exudes so much depth and meaning. We see the many layers of each character and these layers unfold through the book. The characters struggle, which leads them to grow and change and to me, this is an exciting and stimulating ride to go on. These struggles are all realistic too, truly consistent with struggles we all have. Without going into detail, there is a very personal experience in the story that is similar to an experience I have had, and the writing of it was so true to my experiences but in a way that was so validating. 

Paige- I am a diehard P&P fan. I can count on one hand the number of non-P&P variations I’ve read, and I’ve been a JAFF junkie for many years now. With that being said, if you like and feel even somewhat connected to the book Sense & Sensibility, I’m confident you’ll love TYIB. It will make you think differently about Sense and Sensibility and produce a deeper appreciation for and understanding of each character.

                                        

Do all the characters act in keeping with their character or is anyone out of character?

Gina-I found the characters pretty compliant.  Eliza, young and old, were presented in a new way for me, but nothing that is actually out of character or unbelievable. 

Wendy- I think the characters were consistent with S&S. We just got to know some of them in a deeper, more personal way.

Paige- Definitely. I cannot think of any examples in which the characters seems “off” or inconsistent with the original novel. Not only were they consistent, but their personalities, senses of humor, and quirks were on full display as TYIB brought them through different situations, some humorous and others harrowing.

                                           

What was your favorite relationship?

Gina-so tough. The romance is really great in this book, which seems like something most people look for in variations since it’s a little lacking in most of the canon. I would give this a pretty high heat level, but without being graphic.  That said, my favorite relationship would be the one that I rate highest in S&S--the one between Elinor and Marianne. 

Wendy- I really adored the relationship b/w Marianne and Brandon. In S&S, we don’t get to see how Marianne made the decision to marry Colonel Brandon and I really want to know! Christina’s vision of this is different from Austen’s, (since Austen has Marianne marrying Brandon with only “strong esteem and lively friendship”) but I truly found it an exciting ride to go on with Marianne! Through different means, Christina shows this relationship develop, struggle and grow.

Paige- I’m in agreement with Wendy here. The reason I wanted to see the full development of Marianne and Colonel Brandon’s relationship was twofold. First, I wanted to get inside the Colonel’s head, heart and soul. Second, I was hoping to read a plausible depiction of how Marianne’s opinion of Brandon changed so completely. My hopes were met in both regards. I came to learn that the Colonel is a feeling man who is capable of expressing deep emotions. I also found that Marianne, with time and deep reflection, matured and developed a practical side that complemented her passionate nature.

                                          

Gina’s final thoughts- I liked the usual suspects being included, and it felt like getting to know all of them a little bit better.  If you really like S&S, you will love this.  If you have been disappointed in the believability of the romance between the heroes and heroines this will help fill in the gaps.

Wendy’s final thoughts- This book has what I love most in JAFF books...romance, believable characters and scenarios, a deep and layered story. It has a slow start but if you stick with it, you will be rewarded. The ending also was perfect...perhaps not pleasing to  everyone, but perfect because, just like Sense and Sensibility, the focus is squarely on the sisters and their sister relationship.

Paige’s final thoughts- I loved many things about this book ranging from the style of writing, use of literary quotations, to the humorous and heartfelt, and gut-wrenching dialogue between characters. The stories of both Marianne and Elinor were told so well. After reading this book, I even started another author’s Sense and Sensibility variation--which is saying a lot since I almost exclusively read Pride and Prejudice variations.

We'd again like to thank Christina Morland for this wonderful novel. We are very excited to hear her read part of her work in progress, a Pride and Prejudice variation, at March's Jane Austen Reader/Writer Get Together via Zoom. 

Now it's time for the giveaway! In order to have a chance to win a free copy of The Year In Between, 1) leave a comment on this blog post and 2) click on this Rafflecopter Link to submit your entry. Thanks for taking the time to visit the Jane Austen State of Mind blog!