The Austen Escape by Katherine Reay

*Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

About the book-

Mary Davies finds safety in her ordered and productive life. Working as an engineer, she genuinely enjoys her job and her colleagues – particularly a certain adorable and intelligent consultant. But something is missing. When Mary’s estranged childhood friend, Isabel Dwyer offers her a two-week stay in a gorgeous manor house in England, she reluctantly agrees in hopes that the holiday will shake up her quiet life in just the right ways.

But Mary gets more than she bargained for when Isabel loses her memory and fully believes she lives in Jane Austen’s Bath.  While Isabel rests and delights in the leisure of a Regency lady, attended by the other costume-clad guests, Mary uncovers startling truths about their shared past, who Isabel was, who she seems to be, and the man who now stands between them. 

Outings are undertaken, misunderstandings play out, and dancing ensues as this company of clever, well-informed people, who have a great deal of conversation, work out their lives and hearts. 

My thoughts-

I will pretty much read anything that is any kind of take on anything Jane Austen. The Austen Escape was super fun because it wasn't just a retelling of one book, it had aspects of them all and Regency era role playing to boot! I wanted to be in Bath at the  Braithwaite house role playing along with Mary and Isabel. This book was everything a good Jane Austen book would be, full of equal parts drama and romance. My favorite character was definitely Nathan. I would recommend this book to any Austen fan!