Three years after the conclusion of Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, domestic bliss is not always easy to achieve. Colonel Brandon’s responsibilities for Eliza, the daughter of his first love, regularly take him away from home, and Marianne’s passionate, jealous nature threatens to rock the foundations of their marriage.

Now Willoughby and his wife have returned to the West Country. When Brandon is called away, Marianne meets Willoughby at a dinner and feels herself once again succumbing to his charm. The more she sees him, the more she’s in danger of giving in to her passion. Willoughby has everything to gain in driving a wedge between them. Will Brandon realize in time that his passionate young wife’s feelings of neglect may drive her into scandal? Can Marianne find the courage to turn her back on her first love? Or is it too late to save themselves and their marriage?

*Summary provided by Fantastic Fiction

I openly admit that I’m a Pride and Prejudice fan. I know Pride and Prejudice inside out, and it is one of my most beloved books in my bookcase. Having said that I do have a soft spot for Jane Austen’s other novels, and in particular to the tale of Sense and Sensibility. Of all of Jane Austen’s heroine’s Elinor Dashwood is right up there alongside Eliza Bennet as one of my favorites.

Imagine my delight when I was asked to review an upcoming sequel to Sense and Sensibility called Willoughby’s Return by the lovely Jane Odiwe.  A chance to dive back into the sweet story of Sense and Sensibility, with the impetuous Marianne and the strong, beautiful Elinor. Of course I had to say yes, and thus started a wonderful reading journey back into the world of the Dashwoods.

Willoughby’s Return sets the scene three years after Sense and Sensibility, and sees Marianne and Elinor happily married, with a few bumps in the road occurring when John Willoughby re-enters their lives.

Jane Odiwe writes with such eloquence and style that you can’t be helped for thinking that you are reading a Jane Austen book, but no it is definitely Jane Odiwe’s name on the cover!

In characters, plot and style, Willoughby’s Return is so beautifully written, that there is barely a seam between Sense and Sensibilty and Willoughby’s Return.

Despite the premise on the back-cover, this story centers more around Margaret Dashwood, as Marianne plays matchmaker and tries to set her up with the wealthy Henry Lawrence.

I loved the plot, and the way that Margaret is cast into the spotlight. For me, it kept the storyline fresh and interesting, and between Margaret and Marianne I was glued right through to the last pages.

This is Jane Odiwe’s second book, and it is clear that her skills as a writer are developing and becoming better and better. I thoroughly enjoyed Willoughby’s Return and will definitely be keeping my eyes peeled for her next novel.

Willoughby’s Return is available November 1, 2009.

Authors Website: http://www.austeneffusions.com/

Thankyou to Sourcebooks
for forwarding this book for review.
Check out their website for amazing, new releases coming this Fall.

Tags: book review, jane odiwe, willoughby's return

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