To say Lizzie and Dante are polar opposites is the understatement of the century. He’s a snooty Exeter transfer with more money than Google. She’s a driven study-a-holic barely keeping up with tuition. It’s obvious that Dante thinks he’s way too good for Lizzie. And Lizzie knows Dante is a snob with a gift for pushing her buttons.
But things are changing fast this year at the Academy. And when Lizzie’s quest to stop those changes blows up in her face, taking her oldest friendship with it, she has nowhere else to turn but to Dante, with his killer blue eyes, his crazy-sexy smile, and his secrets… Secrets Lizzie can’t seem to leave alone, no matter how hard she tries…
But things are changing fast this year at the Academy. And when Lizzie’s quest to stop those changes blows up in her face, taking her oldest friendship with it, she has nowhere else to turn but to Dante, with his killer blue eyes, his crazy-sexy smile, and his secrets… Secrets Lizzie can’t seem to leave alone, no matter how hard she tries…
Lizzie Egmont
is determined to become the first Junior in Jane Austen Academy history to
become the school's newspaper Managing Editor--even if it means reneging on a
roommate promise with her best friend, Ellie Dvorak, as well as
"[ruffling] some feathers" among the new school administration along
the way. Yet, as promising as this year
is for Lizzie's journalism career, the current enrollment of a male student
body into a once all female academy and the new unpleasant/high-fashioned
headmaster, Katherine Berg (a.k.a. Bergie) really makes Lizzie's blood
boil. And, as much as she would like to
admit that the impressive male population at Jane Auction Academy does not
damper her spirits in achieving her Ivy League acceptance spot into Georgetown,
a "mussy brown [haired]" boy, name Dante Braxton, does begin to cast
a shadow on Lizzie's long-term goals.
Now, Lizzie is on a mission to expose the new proprietor in the first switch of ownership since 1873 and challenge their corrupt decision to change the school's name and tradition -- in Lizzie's term "the new administration's evil plans to destroy her beloved Academy." But, at what costs will her determination to closely follow the school's motto ("We Will Be Heard") by printing her findings as a feature in the Gazette effect her (and those close to her) future at Jane Austen Academy?
This series is a great hodgepodge of Jane Austen's beloved characters, for the reader is treated to a retelling of Austen's well-known characters as modern teenagers attending the same high school. Overall, it is quite enjoyable to witness how well their original tales become entangled in the current setting and to see all their blended interactions/struggles. I was most excited about the characters from my favorite Austen book Persuasion--the sweet-tempted Anne Escober, whose family just recently lost the Jane Austen Academy to new owners and Rick Wright, who has just transferred from the Naval academy and shares a secretive past with Anne. Then you have the chic, knows-everything-about-everybody Emma and nice, puppy-eyed Edward (from Emma). The blonde, Cali-girl Ellie Dvorak (from Sense & Sensibility) plays a prominent role as Lizzie's best bud. Lastly, if you are a fan of the Pride and Prejudice novel, you will recognize fellow characters like Josh Wickham and Georgiana throughout Fall For You--and some of their secrets might catch you by surprise!
All in all, be prepared for lots of teenage angst, sweet budding romance, and some self-centered (i.e. prideful) characteristics. But, if you enjoy modern classical stories, are an Austen enthusiast, and have a passion for the young-adult genre--you will find the Jane Austen Academy series to be a refreshing read!
Now, Lizzie is on a mission to expose the new proprietor in the first switch of ownership since 1873 and challenge their corrupt decision to change the school's name and tradition -- in Lizzie's term "the new administration's evil plans to destroy her beloved Academy." But, at what costs will her determination to closely follow the school's motto ("We Will Be Heard") by printing her findings as a feature in the Gazette effect her (and those close to her) future at Jane Austen Academy?
This series is a great hodgepodge of Jane Austen's beloved characters, for the reader is treated to a retelling of Austen's well-known characters as modern teenagers attending the same high school. Overall, it is quite enjoyable to witness how well their original tales become entangled in the current setting and to see all their blended interactions/struggles. I was most excited about the characters from my favorite Austen book Persuasion--the sweet-tempted Anne Escober, whose family just recently lost the Jane Austen Academy to new owners and Rick Wright, who has just transferred from the Naval academy and shares a secretive past with Anne. Then you have the chic, knows-everything-about-everybody Emma and nice, puppy-eyed Edward (from Emma). The blonde, Cali-girl Ellie Dvorak (from Sense & Sensibility) plays a prominent role as Lizzie's best bud. Lastly, if you are a fan of the Pride and Prejudice novel, you will recognize fellow characters like Josh Wickham and Georgiana throughout Fall For You--and some of their secrets might catch you by surprise!
All in all, be prepared for lots of teenage angst, sweet budding romance, and some self-centered (i.e. prideful) characteristics. But, if you enjoy modern classical stories, are an Austen enthusiast, and have a passion for the young-adult genre--you will find the Jane Austen Academy series to be a refreshing read!
Review: Goodreads | Barnes & Noble | Shelfari | Library Thing | Amazon
Likes: Personally, I am a fan of classical remakes and found this book to have a very interesting and unique concept. I am even tempted to check out Anne and Rick's story in the series!
Dislikes: Lizzie could occasionally come off as fair or polite (ex. toward her newspaper staff) but mostly all her good traits were overshadowed by her dogmatic/unwavering actions and her dramatic egotistical mannerisms...almost annoyingly so! Sadly, she was not a very likable character for me and I did no find myself warming up to her tough outer shell throughout much of the book either. Basically, she was just too over the top for my taste!
Chapter One/Paragraph One: "Lizzie dragged her red suitcase behind her as she weaved through the crowded hallway searching for Ellie in the chaos that was the first day back in California at Jane Austen Academy. Or Jasta --rhymes with pasta-- as she and her friends affectionately called it, although affection had not been the sentiment of the day."
Favorite { Scene, Character or Setting }: Scene
"Want to play a game to make the ride go faster?" Edward asked.
Yes!" Lizzie sat straight in her seat. "How about Truth or Dare?"
"Um, I was thinking more like Twenty Questions...or I Spy...."
"I'll go first," Lizzie said. "Dare."
"Um..." Edward's eyes darted around nervously. "I dare you to stick your head out the window?"
"No! I don't want to, which means we're back to truth, and I get to ask you a question."
"I don't think that's how--"
"Why is Rick avoiding Anne?"
Edward glanced around nervously. "Are you sure this is how the game works?"
"Don't be a sore loser, Edward," Lizzie pushed on. "I asked a question, now you have to answer it. Those are the rules. Why is Rick avoiding Anne? And don't pretend you don't know what I'm taking about."
"I wouldn't say he's avoiding her."
"Don't make me break out a thesaurus, Edward."
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