A Review of Susan Adriani's "Misunderstandings & Ardent Love" + Giveaway

 Today, the Jane Austen State of Mind blog brings you a review of Susan Adriani's new release, "Misunderstandings & Ardent Love." I hope my thoughts on the book whet your appetite for more and move you to read it!

First of all, I would be remiss if I did not give a nod to the beautiful cover. Ms. Adriani's work, in my opinion, has become the gold standard for JAFF cover art. If I ever finish my book, I sincerely hope she will agree to design one for me! Lord knows I've compiled quite a Pinterest page full of Regency era paintings to draw from! But, as usual, I digress.

I'm sharing my thoughts in no particular order. One thing I particularly liked about the book was the authentic interactions between the cannon and original characters. In particular, I found two new characters quite refreshing and entertaining. The first is a fine gentleman who is a relation to the Lucases as well as Lizzy's childhood friend. The second new character is an irreverent aunt-in-law. I also like the author's original take on Jane that is alluded to in the book's blurb. And let me just say this with great emphasis...

An implacably resentful Jane is a rather fearsome (and dare I say, irrational) creature! This divergent characterization of the traditionally saccharine sweet Jane is quite something to behold!!

Overall, Misunderstandings & Ardent love is an enjoyable variation that takes you through the innermost thoughts and struggles experienced by Our Dear Couple on their way to happily ever after. Although both characters recognize and acknowledge their feelings for one another from the start of the book, their journey is no less fraught with doubt, uncertainties, outside agitators.

Another thing I enjoyed about this book was Darcy's propensity and facility in speaking pretty words to his beloved. Several such passages were shared as part of the book's promotion in the lead up to its release. As with most reviews I give, I thought I'd select and share a passage of my own. Without further ado...

"I fear you will grow heartily sick of me. By now, you must know my heart if yours. I cannot pretend to sentiments I do not feel. I cannot feign indifference, not with you. I must know, I must know the depth of your feelings else I go distracted."

There is just something about an Austen man on a verge of "going distracted." Am I right?! I'm looking at you Colonel Brandon/Mr. Rickman! Overall, I definitely recommend this book  for anyone who wants to get into the heads of Darcy and Elizabeth as they navigate a bumpy road to shared happiness.
It's time to learn a bit about the author!

When she was five, Susan Adriani wanted to be an opera singer, but changed her mind when she realized she would have to perform in front of an audience instead of her bedroom mirror. She attended art school instead and became a graphic designer who spends more time writing stories and researching the social niceties of Regency England thans he does cleaning her house. She has a teenage daughter who dearly loves to laugh, and a handsome husband who is not the least bit intimidated by Mr. Darcy. She makes her home in New England, and cannot imagine a world without books, Google Maps, copious amounts of tea, or Jane Austen.
Blog Tour & Giveaway!

Although this is the last stop on the Misunderstandings & Arden Love Blog Tour, please consider going back to the previous stops to learn more. Also, you can earn a chances to win an eBook copy by commenting on this blog and/or any of the others that participated in the tour. The giveaway is open internationally.

The book is now available on Amazon (Here). Thanks again for stopping by! I look forward to reading your thoughts in the comments section. Also, please consider subscribing to the blog if you have not already!

Comments

  1. sadrianiAugust 27, 2021 at 9:07 AM

    Paige, I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate you featuring Misunderstandings & Ardent Love today on your lovely blog, and also how happy I am to have you participating in my blog tour. While I'm so glad you enjoyed reading my book, I am absolutely blown away by your generous compliment about the covers I've designed. Designing book covers is something I absolutely love doing (even more than writing, lol), so knowing that people (and other JAFF writers and readers especially) love and appreciate what I do means so much to me. Thank you for being so lovely, for sharing your thoughts on my book, and for having me as your guest!

    ReplyDelete
  2. foreverHisAugust 27, 2021 at 10:41 AM

    Looking forward to reading this book. An unforgiving Jane is a rather new concept for me. It will be very interesting to read about her effect on Lizzy. Also I'm intrigued by this aunt-in-law. Hum...
    Please enter me in the drawing. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. sadrianiAugust 27, 2021 at 12:23 PM

      I am so glad to hear that. Thank you - I hope you enjoy it :)

      Delete
  3. PattyAugust 27, 2021 at 11:22 PM

    Looking forward to reading this book. Congratulations on its release.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. sadrianiAugust 29, 2021 at 5:08 AM

      Thank you, Patty! I'm so happy to hear you're looking forward to reading my book.

      Delete
  4. Robin G.August 27, 2021 at 11:36 PM

    I am also looking forward to an unreasonable Jane. She is often presented as a saint, and rarely as really evil. This should be a nice change. Good luck with the new release, Susan!

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    Replies
    1. sadrianiAugust 29, 2021 at 5:09 AM

      Thank you, Robin! While Jane is not completely changed in my story, she does have a few things to say on the subject of MR Darcy. :)

      Delete
  5. Cyndy HenryAugust 28, 2021 at 8:41 AM

    Thanks for the review! I also love to see an Austen man on the verge of going distracted.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. sadrianiAugust 29, 2021 at 5:10 AM

      That's good to hear, Cyndy (I do, too, lol!)

      Delete
  6. Luisa1111August 28, 2021 at 11:08 AM

    Can’t wait to read a Darcy who is not afraid to express pretty words to his beloved!

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    Replies
    1. sadrianiAugust 29, 2021 at 5:11 AM

      I can't imagine this Darcy behaving any other way. Thanks so much!

      Delete
  7. ButurotAugust 28, 2021 at 4:22 PM

    Eager to know a different Jane (spiteful?). Thank you for this review. thank you for the chance to win a copy.

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    Replies
    1. sadrianiAugust 29, 2021 at 5:16 AM

      My Jane is a little bit spiteful in this story, but she is not a bad person. She is hurt and dissatisfied I guess you might say. If you have a chance to read my story, I hope you'll enjoy it! Thank you so much for stopping by!

      Delete
  8. Christina MorlandAugust 28, 2021 at 4:32 PM

    Congratulations, Susan, on your new release! Looks lovely (and fascinating-- a resentful Jane! :D). Paige, thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on the book! Good luck to those entering the giveaway! (Paige, no need to include me; I will purchase.) All the best, Christina

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. sadrianiAugust 29, 2021 at 5:18 AM

      Hi Christina, and thank you so much! I hope you'll enjoy reading my story - it's much less angsty than TTAMD. The pandemic has been angsty enough :)

      Delete
  9. Jen DAugust 28, 2021 at 10:45 PM

    I just want to say what a great and descriptive review without much if any in spoilers. Yes, I really like the idea that Jane is not just some soft-spoken person but one who is truly fired up. I want to congratulate you for being a stop on a blog tour and for Susan for her new release :-)

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    Replies
    1. sadrianiAugust 29, 2021 at 5:19 AM

      Thank you so much, Jen! I enjoyed Paige's review, too - she didn't have one spoiler in there, which is difficult to do.

      Delete
  10. GinnaAugust 29, 2021 at 4:38 PM

    I, too, have been enjoying the cover, as I read each blog post on this tour. I look forward to enjoying these new characters that you mentioned!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. sadrianiAugust 30, 2021 at 1:41 PM

      And I've been enjoying your company on my blog tour, Ginna! It's been so nice seeing you throughout the threads. Thank you so much for your company, and for letting me know you've enjoyed getting to know some of the characters in my story.

      Delete

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