The Dashwood Sisters Tell All by Beth Pattillo

*In an effort to spread the word about my favorite type of book - inspirational romance - I'm doing Christian Fiction Fridays here on my blog where I share my recommendations for books in this genre.

The Dashwood Sisters Tell All by Beth Pattillo

What It's About:
Ellen and Mimi Dodge have never been close, but their mother’s dying wish sends them on a walking tour of Hampshire, England that follows in the footsteps of Jane Austen.  Their mother also left them a mysterious diary that belonged to Jane’s sister, Cassandra.  These private pages shed light on the secrets that nearly tore the Austen sisters apart and inspired one of the greatest love stories of all time.

As the Dodge sisters visit sites important to the Austen sisters, they are drawn together in unexpected ways. They also discover that Cassandra’s diary holds clues to the greatest Austen treasure of all: Jane’s diary.  But someone doesn’t want the sisters to discover Jane’s secrets and will go to great lengths to keep Ellen and Mimi from uncovering the truth. As the sisters stumble along their own paths toward love, they discover how Jane and Cassandra inspired the characters of Marianne and Elinor Dashwood.  Ellen and Mimi come to realize that despite their different sensibilities, they are a vital part of each other’s happy endings.

My Thoughts:
I loved this book - it was one of my favorites last year! And while there aren't any faith elements in the story, the romance is clean and enjoyable. If you're looking for a Jane Austen story with a modern twist, then this book fits the bill. There's humor, sibling drama and a lost love that shows up at the beginning. The sisters' relationship is authentic and the book explores deeper themes while still maintaining a light-hearted feel. It's a fast and fun read!

Find this book here on Amazon or here at Barnes & Noble.