Shannon Hale’s Midnight in Austenland is the perfect book for an afternoon or evening in when you just want to curl up under a blanket with your favorite beverage and snack.
Midnight in Austenland is not a direct sequel to Austenland, and though you don’t really need to read Austenland first, I’d highly recommend that you do so you can become acquainted with Pembrook Park and its charming cast of characters that also appear in Midnight in Austenland.
Charlotte Kinder is the heroine of Midnight in Austenland; she needs a vacation after going through an unpleasant divorce. Her travel agency suggests Pembrook Park, where she will be totally immersed in another time period and will find romance. Unfamiliar with the works of Jane Austen, Charlotte dutifully reads them all before leaving for her trip so she can get an inkling of what is in store for her.
When she first arrives, Charlotte feels awkward and clumsy as she tries to be witty like Austen heroine Elizabeth Bennet. But once a mystery game is introduced to the guests at Pembrook Park, Charlotte discovers a new side to herself. Though the light hearted mystery is solved in record time, Charlotte imagines that something more sinister has occurred at Pembrook Park. One of their own has gone missing, and Charlotte is certain that she did not imagine a dead body squirreled away in a secret room. But is this just part of the game at Pembrook Park, or is there a true murderer in their midst?
Midnight in Austenland is exactly the type of book that I have been needing to read: it’s funny, smart, cute, romantic…and so many other adjectives as well. This was the second book that I’ve read by Shannon Hale, and it did not disappoint. Like Charlotte, I completely became caught up in the Pembrook Park mystery. I went back and forth on who the “murderer” might be, and whether or not a murder really did take place at Pembrook Park. If you loved Northanger Abbey, then you will adore this book.
I am totally in awe of Shannon Hale for being able to write about two very heavy subjects, adultery and murder, in such a light, fun manner. What Charlotte went through with her husband is certainly no laughing matter, but we know that everything is going to turn out perfectly for her in the end.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher for reviewing purposes only. My honest opinions are expressed in this review, and may differ greatly from others who have read–or are planning to read–this book.
Literally Jen 
Reblogged this on Confessional Blog of Swaniel Rose Angel Harrienger.
Midnight in Austenland is not quite a sequel to Austenland; it’s really more of just a second novel in the same universe. Mrs. Wattlesbrook is back, but unfortunately her business has fallen on hard times and she’s down to just one property. The hero and heroine of the first novel are alluded to, briefly, toward the very end of the book. Other than that, it almost seems as more of a stand-alone novel rather than a true sequel, so reading Austenland isn’t a prerequisite for book two. I really enjoyed this book and hope Ms. Hale will consider taking us back to Austenland again in the future.