Jane Austin's "Emma" retold! This book was fantastic! Alice McVeigh did a wonderful job re-vamping and bringing to life characters that we all know from long ago. Jane Fairfax, Emma Woodhouse and Harriet Smith dance across the pages in this retelling.
This time around, Harriet, who becomes friends with Emma is a bit more cunning and pretends to play into Emma's hands, all the while knowing exactly what she is doing, and is anything but naive about it. Emma. os the one who seems to have her head in the sand most of the time, not recognizing what is right in front of her the whole time.
This novel captures the spirit of the decade, with descriptive passages setting the scene and transporting the reader back in time. I felt propelled into a different era, with all the glamour and glitter of high society of the victorian age.
I highly recommend to all classic fans, this book is excellent and will hold your interest throughout.
Thank you to Net Galley and Warleigh Hall Press for the free ARC, I am leaving my honest review in return.

I just loved this book, with a perfectly Jane Fairfax-ish but beautifully fleshed-out Jane Fairfax, and an almost Becky Sharp-ish (without the psychopathy) Harriet Smith. Very well written with only a single anachronism that I noted, my only complaint is that I didn’t realize it was the second in a series. I’m a bit obsessive about reading series in order, but by the time I realized I’d missed the first book, I was too far into the second to be willing to put it down. In any case, it read fine as a stand-alone. That said, I’m moving immediately to Susan (first in the series) and already looking forward to reading the rest as they are released.

Thanks to Net Galley for providing an ARC copy for my review.

I must admit to having been equal parts curious and skeptical when I first viewed this novel. A “variation” of Jane Austen’s Emma? As an admirer of all things Jane Austen, I did somewhat worry the author might not do justice to a well-loved novel. Luckily, my fears were quickly allayed.

From the very first pages, I was completely enthralled by this retelling of Emma through the perspectives of two relatively minor characters, Harriet Smith and Jane Fairfax. The writing was beautiful and the observations by these characters as they narrated this familiar story from their own perspectives was enchanting.

McVeigh has managed to create a fascinating character in Harriet, with a sharp intellect and powers of observation that adds a fun, new perspective to the story. While Emma is trying to amuse herself by shaping Harriet, Harriet is skillfully playing the part of ingénue, while simultaneously delivering biting insight into the character of Miss Woodhouse and all those around her. Although, while I liked the newly devious and razor-sharp Harriet, I wasn’t fully onboard with the final twist regarding her parentage.

Alongside Harriet’s tale, we also follow the story from the perspective of Miss Jane Fairfax, including the backstory of her original meeting with Frank Churchill.

Miss Bates, Mrs Elton and Mr. Woodhouse were such spectacular secondary characters in Austen’s novel, and I love how McVeigh developed them further in her work. Every scene in which they appeared was pitch perfect.
This is a must-read for Austen fans, but can be easily enjoyed even by those unfamiliar with her work. Absolutely loved this novel!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this novel, in exchange for an honest review.

Jane Austen prequels, sequels and variations are a popular genre, and some work better than others.

‘Harriet’ (and surely it should be called ‘Harriet & Jane’) is a highly successful variation on ‘Emma’ from the perspective of Harriet Smith and Jane Fairfax. What if Harriet were not the naïve air-head she appears, rather a young woman of unknown family with only her own wits to rely on to get on in society. In this world, Harriet, rather than Emma, becomes the puppeteer, even manipulator. Why does highly intelligent and talented Jane Fairfax fall for a ‘himbo’ like Frank Churchill?

Those of us who love the original will have filled in the gaps for ourselves, such as speculating on what actually happened when Frank Churchill encountered an overwrought Jane Fairfax in the lane, coming away from Donwell Abbey. What was said? Now the author recreates the scene for us and it’s much more vivid than this reader could have imagined.

It has been said that the novel should be called ‘Highbury’, not ‘Emma’, as the little town is so well realised in the original. Here, the author brings it – and the community of secondary characters – to life, with all its gradations in wealth, class and standing in the social hierarchy. It also brings home quite how impossible Emma would have been to live with.

In short, I found the novel an absolute page-turner and will be back for more.

Harriet is a delightful retelling of Jane Austen's Emma from the perspective of Harriet Smith and Jane Fairfax. Harriet Smith is in a girl's school and becomes Emma's protege in hopes of improving her chances in live. Jane Fairfax is Emma's contemporary but without parents and money. In Emma we only know these characters from Emma's perspective. This story gives us more insight into these characters. There is even a twist which you won't expect. If you love to read Jane Austen you will enjoy this variation very much.

Thank you to #netgalley, @AliceMcVeigh, and @WarleighHallpress for a copy of this book.

I was immediately intrigued by the premise for Alice McVeigh’s Harriet. Having watched the recent Emma adaptation and read the book afterwards, I was at times infuriated by how naïve Harriet was. I loved McVeigh’s take on Harriet as we realize that she isn’t quite as dim as she originally appeared. This was a fun read and I felt as though I was in on the joke with Harriet as we watched her subtlely manipulate her friendship with Emma to her advantage. McVeigh's Harriet has a lot more agency and consequently, I was firmly invested in her story and her romances! McVeigh perfectly captures the spirit of the original, but also put her own spin on it. I also loved the twist in regards to Harriet's background. It was also great to see Emma from Harriet's perspective. I loved Jane's pov as I always thought that she was given a short-shrift in the book. Harriet is wonderfully written and I love how McVeigh does something new by reimagining Jane Austen’s side characters for the better. I highly recommend this and I'm definitely excited to read more of the author’s Austen-style re-imaginings.

Every once in a while I like to set aside my feminist leanings and just read a beautiful story. This time I chose Harriet by Alice McVeigh, a retelling of Jane Austen's Emma. The setting is the same as the original, nineteenth century Britain. There are dual narrators; the lovely, weak-constitutioned and musically gifted Jane Fairfax and the attractive, intelligent but manipulative Harriet Smith. Emma is much as Jane Austen painted her: beautiful, rich, spoiled, and flighty. She incorrectly imagines herself a talented match-maker. Each character in Harriet is flawed but mostly good intentioned and they prove themselves capable of personal growth.

There are several love stories here as well as a bit of scandal. Each storyline is carefully crafted and fully developed while highlighting the restricted life choices of women and the resulting social maneuverings. The story is replete with clever repartee in the language of the period which is often lacking in retellings. At times I forgot I wasn't reading the immortal Jane Austen herself! It is fitting that I finished reading Harriet (with a satisfied sigh) on Valentine's day.

Thank you to the author, Alice McVeigh, and Warleigh Hall Press for a complimentary copy of Harriet for my enjoyment and review.

A delightful retelling, faithful and very enchanting! This is a thoroughly enjoyable read that I definitely recommend.

A dynamic take on a revered classic…. Brilliant writing and more importantly, riveting reading. This was a brilliant read. Set aside plenty of time to read in without a workday.

I found Harriet to be an intriguing read that's a unique and interesting story. I fully enjoyed that half the story was told from Jane Fairfax's point of view. They were both vivid, well drawn and three dimensional characters that held my attention throughout.
A definite refreshing tale that I would recommend to anyone who loves an original and entertaining story.
Thanks to the author and Netgalley.

I love a Jane Austen so was really excited to receive a copy of Harriet in exchange for my honest review.
Alice McVeigh focuses on the characters of Harriet Smith and Jane Fairfax from Austen’s Emma. Ms. McVeigh has captured the essence of Jane Austen's work by giving us the story of the more background characters. This book brings them to life and develops their stories and personalities and give the reader a new dimension to the characters in a beloved book.
I’m looking forward to reading more from this author.

Harriet
A Jane Austen Variation (Warleigh Hall Press Jane Austen Series)
by Alice McVeigh
BooksGoSocial
Out now.

Alice McVeigh has written a charming reimagining of two characters from Jane Austen's Emma: Harriet, the boarding school student whom Emma mentors, and Jane Fairfax, the orphan secretly engaged to Frank Churchill.

I just saw the 2020 movie adaptation of Emma., and when I read the synopsis and others' keen reviews of HARRIET, I knew I had to read it too.

Absolutely loved the depth and twists added to these two characters, brilliantly conceived and executed. Highly recommended for any Janeite wanting a unique treatment of one of Austen's most beloved books.

#Harriet #AliceMcVeigh #BooksGoSocial #NetGalley #VariationonAustensEmma
#historicalfictionnovel #HarrietandJaneFairfaxreimagined
#bookstagramcommunity

Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with this uncorrected proof for review.

Harriet A Jane Austen Variation by Alice McVeigh continues her delightful work on alerting readers to fascinating new interpretations of Jane Austen's characters. They do not need to be the heroines of Austen's novels. For example, in this case, Harriet usurps Austen's Emma. Although Susan: A Jane Austen Prequel, is an interpretation of Austen's main character in Lady Susan, young Susan's appearance again usurps Austen's character of the older woman. Even more importantly than appearance, although the making of her sharp practices is abundantly apparent in the younger version, she is a more sympathetic character.

The cast of characters at the beginning of Harriet is so useful - we see clearly the age difference between Emma Woodhouse and George Knightly, and the magnitude of being the youngest unmarried daughter of a man of 72.. The youth of the characters who become embroiled in Emma's machinations, love affairs, misunderstandings and friendships is glaringly apparent. How does a twenty one year old Emma wield so much influence? Immediately Harriet's age, seventeen, provides an answer to why she is almost deprived of her suitable lover. As well as age, property ownership, place of residence and marital status is clarified. As readers, we begin with so much useful knowledge.

The first chapter , Harriet Smith, behoves us to cast Emma as the most important character in the novel aside (although she does not go easily, remaining wholeheartedly Austen's Emma) . This is Harriet's story, and it is one to relish. However, other characters, who in Emma, are almost pushed aside to give that ebullient character centre stage, are also given a place. Jane Fairfax converses with Frank Churchill, with Emma's role being only to pass by and force the two to a pretended concern with friends, rather than their intimacy.

Harriet does not reduce Emma, but sees her as part of a community in which others lives operate independently of her. This rewriting of her role, through Harriet's story, continues McVeigh's work which enhances the way in which Austen's characters can be experienced. McVeigh's thorough understanding of Austen, her characters and their environment, and deft hand in her reinterpretation proves invaluable in the two Warleigh Hall Jane Austen series novels I have read so far.

Harriet is another excellent read, as an enticing novel in its own right, and as an encouragement to dip once more into Austen's Emma. I look forward to reading more of McVeigh's Warleigh Hall Press Jane Austen series, and am thrilled to see that she is currently finishing Pride and Prejudice with Darcy as its focus.

A lovely retelling of Jane Austen's classic Emma, this book has a spin of telling the familiar tale from the points of view of Harriet Smith and the beloved Jane Fairfax. With a clever twist of making Harriet Smith an intelligent social climber rather than the ditzy friend of Emma Woodhouse, this was certainly an engaging version to read. In addition to being intrigued by Harriet's thought process and actions as she tries to manipulate her way into the marriage of a gentleman, I loved being able to see what exactly took place during Jane's stay at Weymouth and how her attachment to Frank Churchill formed. There are so many hidden scenes from the original that are given words in this retelling making it so much fun to read. And while I didn't love the twist at the end, it certainly didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book. McVeigh's prose also mirrored Austen's so well that I never felt jarred out of the story. I can see many Austen fans enjoying this in the future.

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. A beautiful cover. Highly recommend.