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Saturday 14 April 2012

The Jane Austen Marriage Manual by Kim Izzo

The Jane Austen Marriage Manual

It's a truth universally acknowledged that Jane Austen knew more about marriage than anyone else. (Never mind that she never got married herself...) It's in the midst of the recession when Kate, a freelance journalist and self-professed Jane Austen addict, finds herself single, unemployed and soon-to-be homeless (not to mention about to turn 40). In desperation she accepts a writing assignment to prove a theory that in the toughest economic times a wealthy man is the only must-have accessory. So, with just Jane Austen's advice for company, she sets off to see if Mr Rich can ever become Mr Right. Her mission takes her to Palm Beach, St Moritz and London. Where, in keeping company with the elite, she meets billionaires, oil tycoons, and generally men who make Mr Darcy look like an amateur. But will rubbing shoulders with men of good fortune ever actually lead her to love?

This is the debut novel by Kim Izzo. I was taken by this book as soon as I saw the cover - it is beautiful,simple and perfect! 

I am a fan of Jane Austen and love Austen inspired novels. I have been really enjoying Victoria Connelly books  and so was interested to see what other authors do with this genre.

This book starts on Kate's wedding day as an introduction to the book, before the story starts properly, some six months earlier. I like this idea, giving a insight into how the story plays out, but this story isn't as simple as that. There are so many twists and turns in this book and I was never sure how the story would end but I loved the ending and I think the best man won Kate's heart!

Kate has a bad time at the start of the book, fails to secure another contract for temporary work, looses a very close family relative and her home within a very short time. That is when she takes on an assignment - to write an article about marrying a rich man and decides to take Jane Austen as her inspiration! What follows is an adventure which leads to her leaving her mother and sister and travelling to Palm Beach, St Moritz and London. She has a roller coaster of emotions throughout the book but never looses sight of her goal - to marry a rich man, but her chosen man, is he all that he seems?

There are many Austen similarities within the book and I loved the quotes from Austen's many pieces of work at the start of each chapter. Izzo has taken a great idea and produced a fantastic read. However you do not need to be an Austen fan to enjoy this book

I really enjoyed this book and I am definitely looking forward to seeing what Kim Izzo comes up with next and I hope her next book is as fantastic as this one!

Thank you to the publishers, Hodder, for sending me the book to review.


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