The Earl and the Austenite

By Miranda Markwell

Josie's romantic relationships seem to always follow the same storyline: The guy is initially interested in her quirky, literary sensibilities, but right when things start to get serious with a gentleman caller, Josie has to take the risk of disclosing her nerdiest secret: She's a Regency era reenactor, complete with the gowns, the country dancing, the teatime spectacle, and the Complete Works of Jane Austen lovingly displayed on her mantelpiece. Once they see her spare room — dedicated entirely to sewing dresses modeled after Austen's heroines — they inevitably stop texting back.

But when Josie befriends an awkward history professor who joins her reenactors' group to bolster his own research on the Napoleonic Wars, she starts to wonder why it is that Sam seems to be so natural at playing the part of the Regency gentleman. (It could just be his British accent.) Her suspicions only increase when Sam offers to use a "research grant" to bring a few friends on a trip to an historic estate in the English countryside. But Josie can't get over how friendly everyone who works at the estate seems to be with Sam, as if they've known him all his life.

What secret is he hiding from her? And why does he seem so unbothered by her own Austen-loving quirks? Is it possible that Josie's life-long fascination with Austen's stories of human frailty and affection have prepared her to fall in love with… an earl?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bryant Street Shorts
• Release date: Jul 14, 2020
• ISBN: 9781094412139

Book preview

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Reviews for The Earl and the Austenite

[dienuta06 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Awkward, not well written. The story doesn't flow. Waste of time.

[Robin Bailey · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Better than any Hallmark movie! Another great read. I sense a little bit of the author’s personality in each of her main characters.

[Wendy · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a lovely blend of regency and contemporary romance all in one!

[emma · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is SO GOOD. All of the yearning of a traditional historical romance but with the quick communication and comfort of the modern rom-com. The characters are so sweet, fun, and dreamy! Plus, a bearded dragon.

[Jo Boyd · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I liked this but wanted more. A full novel would allow the story to become full or Ed instead of an express version of events until the end. It would be more natural and Sam could offer Josie work to use the property for regency events.

Again, maxim of “show don't tell” applies but the short format hardly helps with that. I think I will give a full novel a go by this author because I love the ideas just not the execution.