Jane in Love: A Novel

by Rachel Givney

Overview

"Artfully written and engaging, Jane in Love is a lively effusion of wit and humor."—Graeme Simsion, New York Times bestselling author of The Rosie Project

A charming, romantic debut novel in which Jane Austen, heralded author, ends up time-traveling almost 200 years in the future. There she finds the love she's written about and the destiny she's dreamed of...but is it worth her legacy?

Bath, England, 1803. At 28, Jane Austen prefers walking and reading to balls and assemblies; she dreams of someday publishing her carefully crafted stories. Already on the shelf and in grave danger of becoming a spinster, Jane goes searching for a radical solution—and as a result, seemingly by accident, time-travels. She lands in...

Bath, England, present day. The film set of Northanger Abbey. Sofia Wentworth is a Hollywood actress starring in a new period film, an attempt to reinvent her flagging career and, secretly, an attempt to reinvent her failing marriage. When Sofia meets Jane, she marvels at the young actress who can’t seem to "break character," even off set. And Jane—acquainting herself with the horseless steel carriages and seriously shocking fashion of the twenty-first century— meets Sofia, a woman unlike anyone she’s ever met before. Then she meets Fred, Sofia’s brother, who has the audacity to be handsome, clever, and kind-hearted.

What happens when Jane, against her better judgement, falls in love with Fred? And when Sofia learns the truth about her new friend Jane? And worst of all, if Jane stays with Fred, will she ever achieve her dream, the one she's now seen come true?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780063019096
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	02/27/2024
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	444
Sales rank:	8,334
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Rachel Givneyis from Sydney, Australia. She’s built her career in the film and television industry as a writer and director. Jane in Love is her first novel.

Editorial Reviews

10/19/2020

What Givney’s debut lacks in style compared to the works of Jane Austen, its eponymous heroine, it makes up for in its infectious enthusiasm. At 28, Jane is acutely aware that if she does not secure a husband soon, she will face the financial uncertainty and shame of spinsterhood. When her latest marital prospect ends in disaster, Jane turns to a mysterious London matchmaker and abruptly finds herself transported to present-day Bath, landing on the film set of an adaptation of Northanger Abbey. Though bewildered by the technology and customs of this new time, Jane is relieved to find a true friend in the romantically-challenged Sofia Wentworth, the film’s star, and an unexpected affection for Sofia’s kindhearted brother, Fred. But as Jane realizes true love, her books begin to disappear from shelves, forcing her to choose between the past and the present. Givney’s clever plot suffers from awkward pacing and stilted prose, particularly apparent in the lackluster dialogue of Jane herself, but there is no doubt that the real love story here is for Austen’s enduring literary legacy. Readers will come away eager to rediscover Austen’s books. (Oct.)

Publishers Weekly

"Artfully written and engaging, Jane in Love is a lively effusion of wit and humor." — Graeme Simsion, New York Times bestselling author of The Rosie Project

“Australian filmmaker, and debut writer, Rachel Givney brings us a whimsical time travel romantic adventure for none other than Jane Austen herself with her new novel, Jane in Love.… entertaining and engaging.”  — Austenprose

“I enjoyed Jane Austen as a curious and insightful character, and I enjoyed the arc of Sofia, a modern actress…Her character is insightful and interesting, and deeply interested in everything around her...Her friendship with Sofia becomes delightful and her experience in a modern hospital which can’t fix everything despite all its modern technology is poignant.” — Smart Bitches, Trashy Bitches

“Givney also works contrasts between the two time periods into the plot that will inspire contemplation or discussion involving changes in family and romantic relationships, the intricate balance of a woman’s choices and how society determines her worth, and the inequitable impacts of aging on men and women. An engaging blend of thoughtful topics and funny moments, cleverness and charm, this is a must-read for Janeites, those wondering what the fuss is about Austen, and all readers who like lively, smart, and provocative fiction.”
— Booklist (starred review)

From the Publisher

Australian filmmaker, and debut writer, Rachel Givney brings us a whimsical time travel romantic adventure for none other than Jane Austen herself with her new novel, Jane in Love.… entertaining and engaging.” 

Austenprose

"Artfully written and engaging, Jane in Love is a lively effusion of wit and humor."

Graeme Simsion

I enjoyed Jane Austen as a curious and insightful character, and I enjoyed the arc of Sofia, a modern actress…Her character is insightful and interesting, and deeply interested in everything around her...Her friendship with Sofia becomes delightful and her experience in a modern hospital which can’t fix everything despite all its modern technology is poignant.

Smart Bitches

Givney also works contrasts between the two time periods into the plot that will inspire contemplation or discussion involving changes in family and romantic relationships, the intricate balance of a woman’s choices and how society determines her worth, and the inequitable impacts of aging on men and women. An engaging blend of thoughtful topics and funny moments, cleverness and charm, this is a must-read for Janeites, those wondering what the fuss is about Austen, and all readers who like lively, smart, and provocative fiction.”

Booklist (starred review)

Narrator Billie Fulford-Brown's British accent and charmingly quaint delivery provide the perfect vehicle for this romantic time-traveler's tale. Author Jane Austen finds herself transported 200 years into the future. Starting out in 1803 Bath, England, she soon finds herself in a future she no longer recognizes, complete with motorized vehicles and movies of books she has yet to write. With the help of Sofia Wentworth, a famous actress who is struggling with estrangement from her husband, a director, Jane must find her way back in history to prevent her life's work from literally disappearing. But in the future she has found the love of her life. Can she bring herself to leave him? Fulford-Brown delivers a superlative performance, captivating the listener from the moment she first speaks. This lovely story is not to be missed. A.C.P. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine

DECEMBER 2020 - AudioFile

Narrator Billie Fulford-Brown's British accent and charmingly quaint delivery provide the perfect vehicle for this romantic time-traveler's tale. Author Jane Austen finds herself transported 200 years into the future. Starting out in 1803 Bath, England, she soon finds herself in a future she no longer recognizes, complete with motorized vehicles and movies of books she has yet to write. With the help of Sofia Wentworth, a famous actress who is struggling with estrangement from her husband, a director, Jane must find her way back in history to prevent her life's work from literally disappearing. But in the future she has found the love of her life. Can she bring herself to leave him? Fulford-Brown delivers a superlative performance, captivating the listener from the moment she first speaks. This lovely story is not to be missed. A.C.P. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine

DECEMBER 2020 - AudioFile