ENCHANTED STORIES: The Next Great Jane

The Next Great Jane
By K.L. Going
New York: Dial Books for Young Readers, 2020. Fiction.

Jane Brannen aspires to be the "next great Jane" -- following in the literary footsteps of Jane Austen. Unfortunately, that's easier said than done. So when famous romance novelist J.E. Fairfax moves to the tiny town of Whickett Harbor, Maine, Jane is keen to learn her secret of literary success. Too bad J.E. Fairfax also brings with her Devon, her annoying and snobbish son, who happens to be Jane's new lab partner. And, if things weren't bad enough, Jane's absentee mother has returned from Hollywood with her new fiance to sue for custody and bring Jane back to California with her. The only solution to all this drama is for Jane to spin a matchmaking plot worthy of the great J. Austen herself and set up her plankton-obsessed oceanographer father with J.E. Fairfax.

This well-balanced story features a fiery main character, a supporting cast of interesting characters, a lot of ocean facts, and a charming (if obvious) romantic twist. This is a good, squeaky-clean contemporary romance for older middle grade readers not quite ready for Jenny Han or Becky Albertalli. And, if readers are anything like me, it will inspire a deep need to re-watch and re-read all things Austen which is never a bad thing.

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