http://books.moonsoar.com/archives/20... ( )

All the loose ends get tied up with Anne being reunited with a lost love. A captivating account of getting wealthy American high schoolers into college, seemingly more nerve-racking for the parents and staff than students. ( )

Jane Austen in Scarsdale: Or Love, Death, and the SATs, by Paula Marantz Cohen, is one of the best Jane Austen-paralit novels I've found. I picked it up in a used bookstore for a few bucks based on the name alone, and now I really want to read Ms. Cohen's other books. Jane Austen in Scarsdale is an updated Persuasion, but knowledge of the original is not necessarily needed to enjoy it. Anne Erlich is a guidance counselor at a prep school full of students with college-obsessed parents. Her wealthy family talked her out of marrying the love of her life, Ben Cutler, believing him to be beneath her. Now her family's going broke and Ben has become a successful world traveler. He unexpectedly shows up at Anne's school to enroll his nephew, and zany romantic comedy shenanigans ensue. There's a predictably happy ending, of course, but getting there is so much fun! This was a witty modern take on Persuasion. How great is it that Austen's plots and characters are still relevant and fresh? ( )

Really disappointing with this book. I was expecting more dialog between the two main characters and in the end I ended up reading about a bunch of kids (and their parents) wanting to get into college. The few pages focusing solely on the main characters were really nicely written and kept the "essence" of persuasion.... but I wouldn't bother with this one. ( )

My name is Amber and I’m addicted to Jane Austen fan fiction. Well the author was at it again when she penned this novel, this time taking her inspiration from Jane Austen’s Persuasion.

Anne Ehrlich is a guidance counselor at Fenimore High School. Anne’s former love Ben Cutler comes to town wanting his nephew to attend Fenimore for his senior year. 13 years have passed since Anne broke up with Ben because of her family deemed Anne too good for him. Anne came from an upper-class background and graduated from Columbia University, while Ben went to Queen’s college and worked in a travel agent’s office. Sound familiar? Well, now it’s Anne’s family that is in financial straights, while Ben is the author of a world famous travel guide series (think Rick Steves) and engaged to a tall, blonde woman from Denmark.

Amidst this Persuasion-esque backdrop, the author also gives insight into the craziness that is the college application process. Anne deals with parent’s desire to have their children go to Ivey League colleges and balance that with the desires of the students. All of this is handled with the same comedic touch found in most chick lit – sarcasm. The characters are all very likable and the element of an undying love will appeal to all hopeless romantics. This would appeal to people that love Jane Austen, enjoy light comedy and a touch of romance. ( )