When Abigail Morgan, a naive pastor’s daughter with an overactive imagination, inherits a cottage in Australia, she never imagines the story it will unlock. Armed with a museum studies degree and a penchant for daydreams, Abigail heads to Hyacinth Cottage to unravel the truth of her grandmother’s past—an unknown world of adventure, deception, and love.
While sifting through letters, photographs, and hidden relics, Abigail meets Colter Wellesley, a charming local who helps her navigate the labyrinth of clues with a blend of wit and charm she struggles to resist. But Colter comes with secrets of his own. As their investigation and romance deepen, Abigail wonders if Colter is more tangled up in her grandmother’s mystery—and that of the princess who vanished more than sixty years ago—than she ever imagined.
In this modern reimagining of Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey, the line between imagination and reality blurs, and every clue discovered could be the key to unlocking a royal legacy.
My Review:
This was one of my most anticipated reads this year and Janelle Leonard did not disappoint! Impressive debut novel!
Love the family history angle that sends Abigail way out of her comfort zone on the hunt for her beloved gran’s secret story. (Hello! Road trip to Australia? Yes, Please!) She’s wildly imaginative and endearingly awkward. Each chapter includes whimsical Abbie musings in classic museum placard style which gives readers a glimpse of her quirky wit.
So, insecure pastor’s daughter finds herself on the adventure of a lifetime as Leonard loosely reimagines Jane Austen’s ‘Northanger Abbey’. But make no mistake, ‘Northargyle Abbie’ is most definitely a unique story all on its own.
This is as much a coming of age story as it is a delightful contemporary romance. But, oh my, when Colter makes his appearance, well, time to clear off you fainting couch. In Abbie’s words, “Ladies and gentlemen, I just experienced a meet-cute worthy of its own chapter.” ( p 70) And the man arrives with a certain air of mystery which was all kinds of fun to sort out.
The romance is swoonaliciously unhurried, there are mysteries to solve and bad ‘uns to thwart, all with an eye on the fairy tale promise of a scrumptious happily ever after. Divine reading that was impossible to put down.
GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:
This giveaway is for a gently read paperback copy available to anyone, anywhere in the world so…woohoo…International Giveaway!
If you would like a chance to win a copy of the Northargyle Abbie, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday August 16 2025.
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