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. ( )

In a modern day take on Jane Austen's Persuasion, Jane Austen In Scarsdale tells the story of guidance counselor Anne Ehrlich who hails from rich blood and is generally happy with her life with the exception of one major regret. As a young woman, at the advice of her family, she broke off a relationship with Ben Cutler, a man she was very much in love with.

Anne's current life consists of helping students - and their neurotic parents - make the best decisions about college. True to Austen, Cutler reappears in Anne's life as his nephew is one of her newest charges. Anne's feelings for Ben are reignited, however, he has changed from the young boy that her family deemed not good enough for her. She fears that she has missed her chance at true love and made a huge mistake now that he is a successful world traveler with a new life and a fiancee of his own.

This book is a sweet and adorable love story. It has all the charm of Austen's classic infused with modern humor and a fresh telling. It is a lighthearted and enjoyable novel for those that have long loved Austen and those that are new to her tales as well! ( )

The plot is based off of Jane Austen's 'Persuasion.' Anne is a high school guidance councilor who's job it is to get her students accepted at the desired college. The nephew of her former flame moves into the school which paves the way to all sorts of drama. Some cute parts, but overall I thought it was kind of boring. ( )

Some of the best and most intellegent writing in this century. More chick lit authors should be like Cohen. Women like intelligent romance! ( )