Reviews
“If you've read the book, or seen one of the two film adaptations, Jane Austen's Emma may have left you wondering about the other Jane. Jane Fairfax, the lovely, accomplished, often ill, and mostly silent woman of little means, takes center stage in Jeanette Watts' new novel My Dearest Miss Fairfax. In Austen's world, Jane serves as a foe to pot-stirring heroine Emma Woodhouse, who continually compares herself to Jane and comes up wanting in all areas but wealth. If, like me, you've often wondered what Jane Fairfax was thinking as she sat playing the pianoforte, Watts delivers this and more.” Read more →
— Debra Domal, Smile Politely
“To be sure, Emma is one of my favorite books of Jane Austen's collection, which is not the norm for most people, so to review My Dearest Miss Fairfax was a treat. However, the two main characters, Jane Fairfax and Frank Churchill are not the most endearing characters... in this one nor in the original book by Miss Austen. Yet, the author does a great job in giving the reader an excellent story with well-rounded characters.”
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— The Historical Fiction Company
“The writing is alluring in its details and creating Thomas’s world. We see what he sees with delicious detail and feel what he feels as we look at his world and life from his seat." Read more →
— Books Are Love
"Jeanette A. Watts has demonstrated a bit of literary magic with "A Woman's Persuasion": Jane Austin's 19th-century message — that love, and happiness can conquer all our personal boundaries and society's many prejudices — is thankfully de rigueur in the 21st." Read more →
— Lou Varricchio, The Sun
"I am a big fan of the classic novels by Jane Austen, the Bronte sisters, etc. I felt like I could really relate to Lizzie’s character because as a young girl it’s hard to realize that life isn’t going to end up the way it is in their books. Lizzie’s story kind of reminded me of my own youth and the eye opening drama that occurred in my life. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I know it won’t be the last one I read by Jeanette Watts."
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— All Things Bookaholic
"Jeanette Watts’ novel is well written and historically accurate with regard to the railroad uprising, President Garfield’s assassination, and the Johnstown flood. She weaves together a fascinating story of western Pennsylvania in the 1800’s, its social customs, the early industrialists, etc. If you are looking for a book that will hold your attention, this is the one." Read more →
— Karen McCarraher
"Watts does a superbly smooth and confident job of keeping her plot-lines flowing along at an enticing clip, and although her period research is obviously extensive, she incorporates it so adeptly that the novel’s large amounts of exposition – on contemporary events like the assassination of President Garfield, or the Johnstown Flood – always feel like organic parts of the story."
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— Laura Fahey
"Fun and fresh! I loved the wit and humor Jeanette Watts brought to her novel and characters." Read more →
— Novel News Network
“This novel really managed to pack a very witty and fun punch. She has written the perfect novel to get lost for a while and it is very light hearted which sometimes you really need! I loved the theme of this novel. If you are looking for a luck out loud funny and quick read, this is definitely for you." Read more →
— On A Reading Bender
“I enjoyed this humorous retelling/take on a classic Jane Austen novel. I laughed, and loved the humor Jeanette Watts uses! This is the first of her novels I have read, but I hope to read more as I loved this one!" Read more →
— Adventures Thru Wonderland
Interviews
“Jeanette Watts normally writes historic fiction set in Pittsburgh, but when she had the idea to write Jane Austen Lied to Me on the drive home from the Jane Austen Festival, she found the idea too irresistible to ignore. Her latest, refreshingly innocent, and dare I say soundtrack to a cotillion, novel is My Dearest Miss Fairfax: What Jane Austen's Emma Didn't Know. Read more →
— Play Time Playcast
“Jane Austin’s fourth novel, published in three volumes in 1815, tells the story of Emma Woodhouse, a prideful young heroine navigating the perils of misconstrued romance. Austen famously said about the character, “I’m going to take a heroine whom no one but myself will much like.” In “My Dearest Miss Fairfax,” by Jeanette Watts, readers see the story from the perspective of Jane Fairfax, the only character whom Emma envies.” Read more →
— The Historical Fiction Company
“As a reader, are you assuming that the historical fiction you are reading is accurate? Do you care? I’m assuming there are people are going to answer yes to both questions, and people who are going to answer no to both or one of the questions. But I’ve never understood why some readers bother to read historical fiction if they aren’t interested in the history— and in its accuracy.” Read more →
— Book Cave
“What makes a story a romance? This doesn’t seem like that difficult a question. But in terms of managing the expectations of readers, envel-oping all kinds of stories that involve two people falling in love under a one-word title is completely inad-equate to the job.” Read more →
— Musings and Meditations from Author Lisabet Sarai
“I’m happy to welcome author Jeanette Watts. Today, Jeanette shares ten important rules about dancing and her new release, My Dearest Miss Fairfax.” Read more →
— Joanne Guidoccio
Those of us who adore history are a tricky audience to write for. On the one hand, history buffs are the built-in audience for historical fiction. “Oh, I love anything set during the Civil War! Bring on the hoop skirts!” Or “I love the Napoleonic Wars/French and Indian War/WWI/WWII, I’d love to read that!”
Which is why sensible writers of historical fiction should do their homework. Because our audience knows their stuff. Trusting that some portion of the readership knows their stuff opens up a very useful tool in the authors’ toolbox. Read more