Midnight in Austenland - Shannon Hale

I have already said that I love Shannon Hale.  I realized today that I have read almost all of her books.  This is very different from her youth fiction books, and that is where her talent and imagination shine.  However, I do enjoy her Austenland books as well.  This is her second one.  She writes these books for Jane Austen fans.  I have not read any Jane Austen books all the way through, but I have watched the movies and love them.

This book takes us a second time to an estate where you become part of a Jane Austen type story.  You become a character for two weeks.  The book is silly, on purpose, and serious as well.  The main character, Charlotte, is going through some tough things in her real life.  She has money to spend and time to take a vacation.  She has found some relief from reading Jane Austen, so why not go to this place and experience it first hand.  There are crazy twist, a mystery, a murder, and of course romance.  Most of it is pretty predictable, especially if you read Austenland.  There was one big surprise though, and it was a very nice one at that.

I read this book while traveling to and from San Antonio, and found it delightful.  I am still a Shannon Hale fan!