period drama aesthetic // credit below

[ taken from Goodreads ]

Lady Victoria Aston has everything she could want: an older sister happily wed, the future of her family estate secure, and ample opportunity to while her time away in the fields around her home.

But now Vicky must marry—or find herself and her family destitute. Armed only with the wisdom she has gained from her beloved novels by Jane Austen, she enters society’s treacherous season.

Sadly, Miss Austen has little to say about Vicky’s exact circumstances: whether the roguish Mr. Carmichael is indeed a scoundrel, if her former best friend, Tom Sherborne, is out for her dowry or for her heart, or even how to fend off the attentions of the foppish Mr. Silby, he of the unfortunate fashion sensibility.

Most unfortunately of all, Vicky’s books are silent on the topic of the mysterious accidents cropping up around her…ones that could prevent her from surviving until her wedding day.




Yep, I REALLYYY enjoyed this!!!



Although my preferred fictional genres to read are neither romance or historical fiction nor have I indulged into Jane Austen’s works, I REALLY LOVED THIS!!!

When I had started to read this, I first thought that I loved it because of the setting. It was different, but something that I know I have enjoyed (Downton Abbey, Sanditon, and other period dramas etc).

But then I realised, no, it was not just the setting, it was the writing style too.

Sometimes, I find it somewhat difficult to really engage myself when I’m reading a new classic because of the difference in writing style from when was published to contemporary literature; however, I found the writing style really enjoyable. It was descriptive, and I loved how it managed to mirror Austen era literature whilst maintaining a modern twist.

Then, I realised the characters played a BIG part in the likeability. Victoria ‘Vicky’ is our head strong protagonist; Althea ‘Thea’ is Vicky’s older sister who I sympathised with and made me want to personally smack Dain in the face (very hard). But the character who stole the position as my favourite character…

Tom Sherbourne, by a mile.

Who, by the way, also reminds me of Will Herondale! Did anyone else get that feeling?

When Tom walked into the ball after returning from his travels abroad—oh my—I can’t remember the last time I fangirled that hard!

I loved and supported him throughout the book, and then when I found at the truth of what he had been through—I very nearly almost cried (okay maybe a little). I won’t spoil why he feels this way but Tom feels as if his emotions are needless. I JUST WANTED TO JUMP INTO THE BOOK AND GIVE HIM A MASSIVE HUG (and smack Dain while I’m there lol). His character was so complex, and one of the best that I’ve had the joy of reading about in a while.

In addition to reading this, I also made notes on the characters and the motif of feminism as I am citing this book in a project I am doing for school: my extended project qualification, more commonly known as the EPQ (I shall be going into more detail about this in a future Ha’way Hannah post).

In a society of oppression, secrecy and male dominance, the protagonist Victoria Aston subverts herself from what is typically expected of her but still does what she has to (e.g. find a husband). I envisioned her to look like Rose Williams who plays Charlotte from the Sanditon drama but behaved in a similar, and sometimes less mature (because Vicky is younger), way of Mary from Downton Abbey.

charlotte heywood in sandition -1.04 // gif below

Unfortunately, this is a standalone so we won't get the continuation of Vicky's adventures. But no fear! I can always reread this if I ever wanted to pay a visit to the fantastic characters.

Did you fall in love with Tom just as I did? Or perhaps someone caught your eye? I'm dying to hear what you thought in the comments!!!

Thank you for reading,

As always, stay awesome,





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Image Credit:

* Period drama aesthetic GIF - weheartit
* Charlotte Heywood in Sanditon - 1.04