This is a modern adaptation of Jane Austen’s Persuasion.

Annie and Jake were dating when they were 19; Annie thought she was pregnant, but it turns out that she was mistaken. Jake, however, believing that Annie had lied to him about being pregnant in the first place and ran out on her. Seven years pass, and then all of a sudden Jake is back in Annie’s life.

Jake is now working as a management consultant – has his own company – and has been hired to help out with Annie’s family’s buisiness, which is on the verge of bankruptcy. Neither have quite gotten over what happened to them in college, and are both rather bitter at the other person. But, circumstances have them not only working together, but spending a good deal of their social lives together (Annie’s younger cousins have a bit of a thing for Jake, and invite him everywhere with them.)

This was very entertaining as far as chick lit goes. It helped that the story was so familiar – Persuasion is quite possibly one of my favourite Austen stories. And even though the story was a modern adaptation, the characters weren’t flakey or completely ditzy. A good, easy Sunday afternoon read.

Nathan wrote one other Jane Austen adaptation, Pride, Prejuduce and Jasmine Field, and if it’s as enjoyable as this one then I’m highly looking forward to it as well.