After reading the description for Deathline, I had a feeling it was exactly what I was in the mood to read! Jane Aiken Hodge did a great job writing an entertaining women’s fiction (with a little romance mixed in) that warmed my heart. The characters were endearing and the storyline was well paced, so much so that I finished the book in about a day! I really enjoy cozy reads and this novel definitely fit the bill! Being that this is the first book I’ve read from Jane Aiken Hodge, I am looking forward to reading more from her in the future!

As I began reading I expected to be bored with the characters, subject and setting. I couldn’t be more wrong. Beatrice, Helen, Jan and Francis create a family of strangers with humor and love. I especially love the ending. The last laugh

Deathline by Jane Aiken Hodge
Reminiscence of an earlier time, a sweet cozy read. Heartwarming to read this author again after so many years. She used to write Gothic suspense novels during the 1970s.

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

I finished reading Deathline by Jane Aiken Hodge. When Helen’s mother passes away, her childhood house goes up on the market and she needs new place to live. She answers an ad in the paper - “Angry old woman with house seeks companion with some money.” Helen is on her doorstep the next day. Neither of them have much of a family left, so they create their own. I enjoyed this book and thank you to @netgalley for the copy in exchange for a review.

I'm ashamed to admit that it took me far too long to see that Deathline is a homage to those Austen novels we all know and love. Helen is shafted out of her only home by her much older brother when her mother passes away. Having spent the majority of her life (and lets remember she's in her 30's, not in her 50's like the writing would have you believe) caring for her mother, Helen is left with little plans and cash to move and looks to an ad in a ladies magazine for inspiration.

From the pages of this archaic magazine comes an advertisement for an 'angry old lady seeking assistance'. Helen decides YOLO, and hops on a train to live with an elderly stranger.

As soon as you realise who the love interest is for Helen, the Pride and Prejudice similarities pop right up. Keep an eye out for Helen's Mr Darcy, and the rest of the plot will fall into place rather quickly for you.

I think the best way to describe Deathline is that it is rather twee. It's sweet, rather inoffensive and well written. If you're an Austen fan, I'm sure you'll enjoy a somewhat modern interpretation.