MY REVIEW:
I have a terrible confession to make. For some reason I totally missed out on the Jane Austen books and if I have read any of them, I don’t remember. Of course I have probably read thousands of books during my lifetime since I have always been such a voracious reader and have been know to buy books I already own simply because I can’t keep up with what I have read or not read. All this to say that many of the quotes and allusion to certain books in “Dear Mr. Knightley” went right over my head. Despite that alarming fact, I did indeed enjoy the book.
When I realized that a large percent of the story would consist of letters written to an unknown Mr. Knightley by Samantha Moore, I was not sure I would enjoy it. It was definitely not my usual style preference. However, Samantha’s voice was so engaging that I found myself totally mesmerized by her story. I saw life through her eyes as she poured out her heart to Mr. Knightley, the only person with whom she felt safe. I loved reading along as Sam gradually and painfully began to emerge from a life buried within her favorite books and begin to interact with the people around her. I especially liked Alex, Kyle, and the Muirs. Little did I know when I began reading how involved I would get in Sam’s story and the surprises that lay just ahead.
“Dear Mr. Knightly” is superbly written and certain to be well-loved by Jane Austen fans. I thoroughly enjoyed it despite my deficiencies. I look forward to more from Katherine Reay in the future. Well done!
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
About the book: Samantha Moore has always hidden behind the words of others-namely her favorite characters in literature. Now, she will learn to write her own story-by giving that story to a complete stranger.
Growing up orphaned and alone, Sam found her best friends in the works of Austen, Dickens, and the Brontë sisters. The problem is that she now relates to others more comfortably as Elizabeth Bennet and Jane Eyre than as herself.
Sometimes we lose ourselves in the things we care about most.
But life for this twenty-three-year-old is about to get stranger than fiction, when an anonymous benefactor (calling himself “Mr. Knightley”) offers to put Sam through the prestigious Medill School of Journalism. There is only one catch: Sam must write frequent letters to the mysterious donor, detailing her progress.
As Sam’s program and peers force her to confront her past, she finds safety in her increasingly personal letters to Mr. Knightley. And when Sam meets eligible, best-selling novelist Alex Powell, those letters unfold a story of love and literature that feels as if it’s pulled from her favorite books. But when secrets come to light, Sam is — once again — made painfully aware of how easily trust can be broken.
Reay’s debut novel follows one young woman’s journey as she sheds her protective persona and embraces the person she was meant to become.
Purchase a copy HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Katherine Reay has enjoyed a life-long affair with the works of Jane Austen and her contemporaries. After earning degrees in history and marketing from Northwestern University, she worked as a marketer for Proctor & Gamble and Sears before returning to school to earn her MTS. Her works have been published in “Focus on the Family” and the “Upper Room.” Katherine currently lives with her husband and three children in Seattle. “Dear Mr. Knightley” is her first novel.
Learn more about Katherine HERE.
Debut author Katherine Reay is celebrating the release of her delightful novel, Dear Mr. Knightley, with a Kindle Fire HDX giveaway, a fun Favorite Austen Moments Pinterest contest, and an Austen-themed Facebook Party.
One winner will receive:
- A Kindle Fire HDX
- Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay
- Handmade Austen-themed items (scarf, mug, bracelet, and necklace)
But hurry, the giveaway ends on December 3rd. Winner will be announced at the “Dear Mr. Knightley” Austen-themed Facebook Author Chat Party on the 3rd. Join Katherine (and Austen fans) for an evening of book chat, prizes, and an exclusive look at Katherine’s next book.
Don’t miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today by clicking JOIN at the event page. Spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway and party via FACEBOOK, TWITTER, or PINTEREST. Hope to see you on the 3rd!
