Welcome to my review for Once Persuaded, Twice Shy: A Modern Reimagining of Persuasion by Melodie Edwards which just released this week! It’s a new twist on the Jane Austen classic, and Melodie’s sophomore novel after last year’s retelling of another classic, Jane & Edward (a spin on Jane Eyre).
I’m including a content guide at the end of my review with my blog audience in mind (inspy readers, specifically), noting this is a general market book with some mature content, detailed below. The context of my review focuses on the story merits and the content is something I consider separately.
This modern reimagining of Persuasion is full of witty banter, romantic angst, and compelling characters as it captures the heart of the classic Jane Austen novel.
When Anne Elliott broke up with Ben Wentworth, it seemed like the right thing to do . . . but now, eight years later, she’s not so sure.
In her scenic hometown of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Anne is comfortable focusing on her successful filling her late mother’s shoes as town councilor and executive director of her theater company. She certainly keeps busy as the all-around wrangler of eccentric locals, self-centered family members, elaborate festivals, and the occasional attacking goose. But the more she tries to convince herself that her life is fine as is, the more it all feels like a show—and not nearly as good as the ones put on by her theater company. She’s the always responsible Anne, always taken for granted and cleaning up after other people, and the memories of happier times with Ben Wentworth still haunt her.
So when the nearby Kellynch Winery is bought by Ben’s aunt and uncle, Anne’s world is set ablaze as her old flame crashes back into her life—and it’s clear he hasn’t forgiven her for breaking his heart. A joint project between the winery and Anne’s theater forces both Ben and Anne to confront their complicated history, and as they spend more time together, Anne can’t help but wonder if there might be hope for their future after all.
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Once Persuaded, Twice Shy by Melodie Edwards is a contemporary retelling of Jane Austen’s classic Persuasion, which happens to be my favorite Austen novel. It smartly retains the pillars of Austen’s material, wit, and themes while taking a different, modern slant on certain elements which serves to draw attention to different aspects of the characters. I particularly loved the autumnal, small-town Canadian setting that serves as a colorful character in itself, along with its resident menacing Goose.
One thing that comes across strongly is Anne’s growth and assertion of her independence in stages after Ben Wentworth comes back into her life. And, Wentworth’s pining and heartbreak is closely explored through moments and a few key scenes where he vocally shares his POV. While the story is completely from Anne’s POV, tiny details and moments of care serve to make Wentworth’s true affections *finally* known. I appreciate how the details of this story really make the deeper themes and dynamics shine, like Anne finding freedom and a new sense of self symbolized in her shopping for new shoes.
The romance is a slow burn as expected from Anne and Wentworth’s shared history which is revealed along the way. Wentworth 2.0, as I will call him, demonstrates his care of Anne with such wonderful, swoony gestures (like a heater! and quietly offering a car ride! and an oversized hoodie!). Like the classic novel, Anne’s family is atrocious, the Fairchilds (modern day Crofts) are endearing and charming, and the supporting cast (Anne’s friends) are –often hilariously– sources of wisdom.
Once Persuaded, Twice Shy retains all the pining and longing, with memories of an intimate rapport between Anne and Ben, that makes their finding a way back to each other sweeter. And like its inspiration material, Anne and Ben are better for each other thanks to the years between and the heartbreaks and growth both have experienced.
Content guide: the book does have closed door love scene, but it is handled in text as a tasteful lead up to the door closing (kissing and just a little more are hinted at before it fades to black). There is a medium amount of explicit language throughout, including some use of the f-word and a few instances of pairing God’s name with a swear word.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the review copy. This is my honest review.
Just for fun: One of my most popular posts here on the blog is a collection of my fav quotes from Persuasion. If you have made your way here because of your love for Jane Austen, I’ll add a link if you’d like to read them. Favorite Quotes from Persuasion by Jane Austen
The Green Mockingbird 