Thursday, July 26, 2012

Review: Persuade Me by Juliet Archer


From the Publisher:
When do you let your heart rule your head?
When it comes to love, Anna Elliot is stuck in the past. No one can compare to Rick Wentworth, the man she gave up ten years ago at the insistence of her disapproving family. What if she’s missed her only chance for real happiness?
Since Anna broke his heart, Rick has moved on – or so he thinks. Out in Australia, he’s worked hard to build a successful career – and a solid wall around his feelings.
The words ‘forgive and forget’ aren’t in Rick's vocabulary. The word ‘regret’ is definitely in Anna’s. So, when they meet again on his book tour of England, it’s an opportunity for closure.
But memories intrude – the pure sensuality of what they once shared, the pain of parting … And she has to deal with another man from her past, while his celebrity status makes him the focus of unwanted attention.
With Anna’s image-obsessed family still ready to interfere and Rick poised to return to Australia, can she persuade him to risk his heart again?

“Never forgive, never forget” has been Dr. Rick Wentworth’s mantra for the last ten years. However, after a decade, Rick believes it’s time to forget the past. And what better way to do that than to meet it head on? After publishing his first book, Sex in the Sea, Rick Wentworth decides to return to England promoting his book, and proving to himself that he is capable of forgetting the past.

Upon hearing that Rick Wentworth is back in town, Anna Elliot’s mind is aflutter. She has not forgotten Rick these ten years. Yet, unlike Rick who holds onto the past with bitterness, Anna holds onto it with something like regret. What will their first encounter be like? What will they say to each other? Anna is all anticipation and fear at their imminent meeting.

Their reunion goes worse than Anna expected. Gone are Rick’s chocolate fudge-cake eyes, dark and delicious, and so deadly to Anna. Instead, they’re replaced with coolness and distance, and manners leaving Anna feeling anything but wanted. Can Anna convince Rick she regrets her decision and that she still is the one for him? Or has Rick moved on to more lively women? The varying emotions and thoughts each character has are tangible.

Ms. Archer writes not only an amazing modern adaptation of Persuasion, but she also writes a to-die-for Rick Wentworth! As I read, I could feel all of his conflicting emotions. Wentworth shows a more competitive side when he believes Charles Musgrove is Anna’s husband, eager to prove he is the better man…in all regards. Yet, unable to let go of the heartache Anna caused, Rick uses their intimate past to say some pretty hurtful things to Anna, even I was feeling the full force of his words. However, try as he may to remain angry and bitter, Wentworth finds himself showing unexpected kindness to Anna at various times. With all of these differing emotions, which one will win out in the end? Jealousy, anger, or something deeper?

Persuade Me is a fast-paced, emotion-filled, humor-laden modern Persuasion adaptation that I could not put down, a must read for any Persuasion lover. 

Connect with Juliet Archer

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Kindle | Nook

17 comments:

  1. This sounds fantastic! Fast-paced + emotion-filled + humor-laden = awesomeness! This must go on my TBR list! :)

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    1. Do put it in your TBR pile, Candy! It truly was great! Hope you get to read it soon & enjoy it!

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  2. Jakki, what a beautiful review - thank you! I will be 'Discovering Darcy' next and hope he gets an equally warm reception from you.
    Candy, I hope you enjoy Persuade Me!

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    1. Juliet, thanks so much for stopping by! This book was wonderful! I am very much looking forward to "Discovering Darcy" next year! Do you know if it will be released towards the beginning of the year or later on?

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  3. I LOVE Persuade Me! It definitly my favourite from all the Austenesque novels I have read so far.
    At the moment a friend of mine has my copy, but she already told me she enjoyed it too, and so I hope I get it back soon - your review has made me want to reread my favourite parts again ;).

    Looking forward to seeing how the modern Darcy is going to be!! :)

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    1. Katrin, I just love moderns. I love seeing how an author will transform events, situations, occupations, and so on into the modern setting. Finding the parallels and unique aspects are my favorites! iLife you, I cannot wait to see what Juliet does with Darcy! :)
      I am so glad you love this book too! Hope you get your copy back soon & get a chance to reread your favorite parts!

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    2. A met the friend yesterday evening and she had it with her and gave it back :))
      I looove the modern letter, THE letter! *haaah* *dreamysmile*

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  4. One of the best modern takes of Persuasion I ever read! I'm so happy to see you give it warm praise too! Rick is certainly "to die for," but I think I still prefer Juliet's Mark Knightley over him! I loved being inside his head!

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    1. I agree, Meredith! :) I am trying to figure out how soon I can squeeze in The Importance of Being Emma! Mark Knightley does sound wonderful! :)

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  5. Ladies, I am thrilled by your comments - thank you! Jakki, you asked about Discovering Darcy - I'm not sure about its publication date but it definitely won't be early 2013.

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    1. Well then, Juliet, I guess I will just have to patiently (read: anxiously) wait for this! ;)

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  6. Great review! I'll definitely put Ms. Archer's books on my time-to-treat-me list!

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  7. I really loved this book. I don't think it's easy to capture Anne Elliot's character at all, she's so gentle, that some takes on her make her seem a bit boring, but I thought it was done really well in this book, she's lovely. Sir Walter and the sisters are well done too. In fact it's all well done! I have the Importance of Being Emma too, and that is also excellent. Can't wait for the Darcy one now!

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    1. Hi Ceri! Thanks for stopping by! I am so glad you enjoyed this book, too! I agree; all the characters are so well done! I will be waiting with you on the Darcy one! :)

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  8. I'm glad we felt the same way about this one!

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  9. I love Persuasion and have had this on my TBR list for awhile now, I'll move it up, Thanks!

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    1. Oh, you should, June! This is one of my favorite Persuasion variations! I hope you enjoy it! :)

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