Dashed

May 1, 2024
Margaret Dashwood gets her day in the sun in this tropical contemporary spin on Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility. Five years ago, trauma shook the Dashwood sisters when the death of their father was compounded by one sister's heartbreak-fueled car crash. In the time since, eldest sister Elinor and middle sister Marianne have each seemingly achieved their own versions of happily-ever-after, leaving Margaret, who's now 18, to carve a niche for herself from the disparate examples they've set. Still deeply affected by the frightening events of their family history, the youngest Dashwood has hewed closely to Elinor's sensible example, repressing the giddier, more romantic impulses she associates with "tornado of chaos and energy" Marianne. Joining Elinor and her husband on a Caribbean cruise over the summer before college, Margaret has plans for a drama-free, romance-free vacation--until Marianne's unexpected arrival throws a wrench in the works. Add to that Gabe Monteiro, a frustratingly handsome young crew member, and Margaret's careful boundaries blow away with the salty breeze. Quain moves the story along with ease and charm, spinning a tale that's as much about the love between sisters as the intrigues of unexpected romance. Characters and key themes maintain the Austen connection, but Margaret's journey of healing from trauma and accepting herself is a Quain original. The Dashwoods are cued white; Gabe is Brazilian American. Warm and witty. (Fiction. 13-18)

COPYRIGHT(2024) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

May 6, 2024
Quain (Ghosted) focuses on the youngest Dashwood sibling in this freewheeling Sense and Sensibility reimagining. Having watched her older sisters Elinor and Marianne live through contemporary versions of the trials and tribulations Austen’s readers will be familiar with, 18-year-
old Margaret has vowed to avoid love entirely, modeling herself after sensible Elinor rather than newly single Marianne. But when Marianne invites herself on the cruise that Margaret, Elinor, and Elinor’s husband are vacationing on, that staunch avoidance starts to change. Wanting to boost impulsive Marianne’s spirits, Margaret enlists charming crew member Gabe to help her find dates for her sister. As the duo set Marianne up for a romantic tropical experience, a series of antics results in Margaret and Gabe fake-dating each other. Disaster ensues amid their schemes, but in the process, Margaret begins questioning who she is when
not comparing herself to her sisters
and whether love is so bad after all. Lengthy character study surrounding Margaret’s examinations of her sisters’ lives sometimes slows down what is otherwise a smart remix of classic Austenian themes and values depicting one teen girl’s endeavor to develop a more assured sense of self. The Dashwoods read as white; Gabe is Brazilian American.
Ages 13–up. Agent: Moe Ferrara, BookEnds Literary.

July 1, 2024
Grades 9-12 In a story inspired by the Dashwood sisters at the heart of Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility, Quain's fun and playful take features perfectly fleshed-out characters with wildly different personalities and a plot dashed with romance and comedy. Protagonist Margaret Dashwood, always with a plan and determined to not be distracted by romance after love destroyed her family, is eager to soak up the sun on a cruise with older sister Elinor and brother-in-law Edward, but when chaotic middle sister Marianne, fresh off a devastating breakup, needs a break and crashes their vacation, Margaret's careful plans go out the window. Now, they have to deal with Marianne's moping, so Margaret plans to cure her sister's heartache with a series of fake dates with cute boys, all with the help of her new very handsome friend, Gabe. Readers will giggle at the sisters' antics and cheer when Margaret starts to change her attitude about love as her banter with Gabe shines. A fun romp full of heart that reimagines a classic.

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July 12, 2024

Gr 9 Up-A fun, light retelling of Sense and Sensibility. Margaret Dashwood doesn't do love after it wreaked havoc on her family years ago. It's especially hard to separate love from her life with her hopeless romantic sister Marianne going on and on about it. Fortunately, Margaret's older sister Elinor invites her on a summer cruise to separate herself from the drama that is Marianne. Soon, heartbroken again, Marianne crashes the cruise trip much to the sisters' chagrin. Soon, Elinor's husband and a cute crew member are enlisted to help distract Marianne. As the cruise is underway, Margaret will have to wrestle with the idea of changing her life's images about love, or staying the course. And, maybe she will find love after all. Even those who aren't Austen fans will appreciate this fun retelling set on a cruise ship. The characters are relatable, fun, and quirky. Readers are able to see the relationship growth between the sisters, which is endearing. The writing is accessible and easy to jump back into, and great for readers seeking a lighthearted rom-com. VERDICT Perfect as a summer read and for fans of Jane Austen.-Maeve Dodds

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