Influence by Ruth Mitchell

 

What classic novel would you like to be retold in a modern-day setting?

April Rain was a superstar singer when she fell in love with a surfer boy one summer.  Her father and agent persuaded her to break things off with Freddy.  Five years later, Freddy is a superstar while April is a “has been” that has focused on college rather than her career. Freddy has moved next door for the summer.  Freddy and April are assigned to write a duet for the marriage of April’s sister and Freddy’s best friend.  Will these two find a second chance at romance?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       This was a great modern-day retelling of Persuasion by Jane Austen. It was true to the original characters with a good contemporary story that made sense.

·       The story is a romantic comedy.

·       It is told through a dual point of view and is a second chance romance.  I liked that Freddy and April narrated the book and I enjoyed getting Freddy’s point of view, which you do not get in the original novel.

·       I read this delightful book back in September.

·       This is the first in a series of modern-day retellings of Jane Austen’s novels and I can’t wait to read the rest.

·       The story was clever, funny, and romantic.  I enjoyed the witty banter.

·       I loved April’s Dad.  He was a washed-up actor who is very into himself.  It was so true to the original character!  The author did a great job of modernizing all the characters. 

·       I loved the romance between Freddy and April.

·       I also enjoyed that April was the inspiration for many of Freddy’s songs.

·       This book is set in California.

·       The story was very engaging, and I read it quickly.

·       This would make a great movie!

·       It was a clean read.

Overall, Influence by Ruth Mitchell is a very engaging, witty, and romantic retelling of Persuasion by Jane Austen.

Book Source:  Thank-you to @literally.ruth.mitchell @austenprose for a review copy of this novel as part of the Austenprose PR Book Tour.