Title: Midnight in Austenland (Austenland #2)
Author: Shannon Hale
Genre: Fiction; Mystery; Romance
Published: January 31, 2012 – Bloomsbury USA
About: (from Goodreads synopsis) When Charlotte Kinder treats herself to a two-week vacation at Austenland, she happily leaves behind her ex-husband and his delightful new wife, her ever-grateful children, and all the rest of her real life in America. She dons a bonnet and stays at a country manor house that provides an immersive Austen experience, complete with gentleman actors who cater to the guests’ Austen fantasies.
Everyone at Pembrook Park is playing a role, but increasingly, Charlotte isn’t sure where roles end and reality begins. And as the parlor games turn a little bit menacing, she finds she needs more than a good corset to keep herself safe. Is the brooding Mr. Mallery as sinister as he seems? What is Miss Gardenside’s mysterious ailment? Was that an actual dead body in the secret attic room? And-perhaps of the most lasting importance-could the stirrings in Charlotte’s heart be a sign of real-life love?
My take: Even though Charlotte is a self-made success story in the business world she’s kind of a doormat in her personal life. She’s relegated herself to a corner and just wants to be nice (and unnoticed). When she signs on for a two-week stay at Austenland she gives herself a second chance at becoming her own person.
I liked how Charlotte came into her own at Austenland as she played the part of a young, strong-minded widow in the drama and mystery that unfolded throughout the two weeks. People listened to what she had to say – something she hadn’t experienced for a while. Shannon Hale revealed Charlotte’s real life story through back flashes between the present day chapters. That really worked for me as I grew to understand how she got to her current place in life. I really liked her and found the Austenland characters enjoyable – especially when things didn’t go as scripted! Hale’s novel is at times poignant, mysterious and funny. I love a book that makes me laugh.
All in all, I really enjoyed the second novel in the Austenland series. Need to escape your day-to-day life? This could be the book for you! I also recommend the first book: Austenland.
Source: Bloomsbury USA via NetGalley
Disclaimer: See sidebar. I was not compensated for my review.
Bookfan 
I still haven’t read the first book, but I’m glad to see you liked the second one too. It’s nice to have good escapism books to look forward to.
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I read AUSTENLAND a couple of years ago and liked it very much. Looking forward to reading this one too. I love the whole premise of immersing oneself in Jane Austen’s time.
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Now I know I really need to read this series!
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Fingers crossed that I get it from NG too 😉
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I still need to read the first one. I have it on my shelf. This one sounds good and I’m glad you enjoyed it.
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This sounds like a cute series. I really should read it.
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I have not read the first one but I really want to…this one sounds very appealing, too…thank you!!!
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Having disliked this authors The Book of a Thousand Days I’d quite like to read another of her books to see if I Iike it any better, perhaps this series might be worth a look.
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I haven’t heard a lot about this book, but it does sound rather interesting, and like it blends some very different elements into a story that both satisfies and intrigues. I am going to have to add this one to my list. Thanks for the great review on this one today!
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Just finished reading Austenland and found it so much fun. I’d heard about this book but you are the first person I know who’s read it. I’m so glad to hear it’s as good as the first one. Actually, it sounds like this character might be even more likeable.
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I need to make time for this one and soon!!! Sounds like another good read 😀
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I read Austenland and I’m sure I would love this one! Thanks for such a great review!!
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Hey Mary, thanks for stopping by my blog. I wasn’t sure if you’d see my reply to you. I want you to know that you’re the reason I read the Kitchen Counter Cooking School book! I saw it on your blog and I wanted to read it. So thanks for the recommendation!
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Thanks, Lynne. I’m glad you like KCCS. And FYI, I got an email response from you (your blog) to my comment 🙂 I was happy to see your review post come through my google reader!
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I enjoyed Austenland. Now I’m looking forward to this one, too. Thanks!
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I enjoyed Austenland and this one has been on my list. I’m looking forward to it.
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Oh now this series looks like FUN!
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Charlotte sounds like a realistic character. I’ve had Austenland for a while and need to get to it.
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Romance AND mystery? Sounds like a winner to me. Glad you enjoyed it so much. : )
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Sounds like a quirky little book. 🙂
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Wow, I did NOT realize that Austenland was a series! I thought it was a stand-alone book, but how fun that we get to see how so many people have their lives changed by taking on the roles of people in historical novels 🙂
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This one sounds delightful!
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