Persuaded by Misty Dawn Pulsipher

What's worse than never getting over your first love?
How about watching him fall for someone else...

Hanna Elliot had worn the ring faithfully at first. Some part of her still clung to the hope that all was not lost. As the days turned into weeks, she finally took it off and set it atop her dresser. When weeks gave way to months, the ring finally went back into its box, where it gathered dust until it was moved to Hanna’s unmentionables drawer. For the first few years, she had taken it out on the anniversary of the day she’d received it, allowing herself to wallow in what might have been. 

She had been all but stamped out of Derick Wentworth’s mind. 
Sure, he thought about her occasionally, especially on cloudless nights when he lay on the bow of the Laconia looking up at the stars. But as time went on, Derick began to feel grateful that it hadn’t worked out, for one thing was certain: if he ever did settle down, it would be with someone who knew her own mind. Someone who went after the thing she wanted without hesitation. Someone who would never allow herself to be persuaded otherwise. 

Persuaded, a modern adaptation of Jane Austen's Persuasion.

 * Amazon * Goodreads *

Persuasion is one of my favorite Jane Austen books and I love the movie adaptations as well.  It's such a good story.  Modern adaptations of these old books are fun to read, I think, especially when they are well done and I think think this one is.  In fact, it might be my favorite version.  I really enjoyed it.

The beginning started off slowly for me but I was intrigued by the flashbacks from Hanna.  That's what kept me pressing forward until the book picked up speed a bit.  I like Hanna a lot.  She has so many good attributes that I admire in other people and wish I had more of myself.  I especially loved the moments when Hanna shows some outward strength and voices her opinion firmly.  Hanna always exudes quiet strength and compassion but I loved when she stood up for herself.  She always did it kindly but firmly.

I loved how the book didn't stray too far from the base concept of the original book.  I could feel the familiarity in the story but it still felt fresh and new to me.  That deserves a "good job" pat on the back to the author.  :)

This book is clean and one I'm happy to pass off to my teenage daughter.  She has never read the classic version of Persuasion but maybe after this one she will want to.  Oh, and isn't the cover pretty?  I love it.