First Impressions: A Novel of Old Books, Unexpected Love, and Jane Austen - Softcover

Lovett, Charlie

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0143127721 ISBN 13: 9780143127727

Publisher: Penguin Books, 2015

Synopsis

A thrilling literary mystery costarring Jane Austen from the New York Times-bestselling author of The Bookman's Tale. Charlie Lovett's new book, The Lost Book of the Grail, is now available.

Book lover and Austen enthusiast Sophie Collingwood has recently taken a job at an antiquarian bookshop in London when two different customers request a copy of the same obscure book: the second edition of A Little Book of Allegories by Richard Mansfield. Their queries draw Sophie into a mystery that will cast doubt on the true authorship of Pride and Prejudice--and ultimately threaten Sophie's life.

In a dual narrative that alternates between Sophie's quest to uncover the truth--while choosing between two suitors--and a young Jane Austen's touching friendship with the aging cleric Richard Mansfield, Lovett weaves a romantic, suspenseful, and utterly compelling novel about love in all its forms and the joys of a life lived in books.

About this title

Review:

"A delightful novel."
--People

"[A] thrilling romance."
--Woman's Day, "WD Picks"

"A charming story."
--Christian Science Monitor

"Part mystery, part love story, First Impressions is a 100 percent thumping good read and a loving homage to one of literature's most beloved authors. Lovett takes readers on a rollicking adventure that cleverly weaves in the best elements of Austen's novels, while also giving life to Austen's own personal history in a satisfying and captivating way. It's a giddy novel that celebrates books and the people who love them as much as it entertains, making it the perfect read for bookworms and Janeites alike."
--Bookpage

"A completely captivating and charming book....the author's passion for Jane Austen and his knowledge of printing methods and practices of the 1700s truly make this book a standout. The reader gets a nice adventure story, a little bit of romance and mystery, and a real feel for book collecting and for the author's love of Jane Austen. If it's a love you share, you may well find this book irresistible."
--Mystery Scene

"This novel is both beautiful and exciting....A must-read, especially for those who love books, writing and reading!"
--Historical Novels Review

"Fans of Austen will devour the backstory. . . . Lovers of intrigue and romance will relish the presentday journey. . . . Bibliophiles will savor the interconnectedness of both stories. . . . First Impressions is an Austen appetizer--leaving the reader eager to explore or revisit works that have touched us for more than two centuries."
--The Mountain Times

"A book about books . . . an intriguing story [about] an author whose stories have not lost their romantic appeal in two hundred years."
--Suspense Magazine

"[An] ingenious novel....Ardent fans of Jane Austen and lovers of gripping stories will enjoy following Sophie's pursuit of the truth."
--Publishers Weekly

"[An] appealing combination of mystery, romance, and bibliophilism....An absolute must for Austen fans, a pleasure for others."
--Booklist

"A delightful read that Janeites will love....[Lovett] adds bookish intrigue to the life of another luminary of English literature."
--Library Journal

"Lovett's tale is a lovely and entertaining one...that lovers of Austen and antiquarian books will adore."
--Shelf Awareness

"Lovett's love of books and libraries once again energizes his storytelling."
--Kirkus Reviews

"Charlie Lovett's delightful First Impressions weaves together two stories: one about a modern young woman who loves books and the other about the friendship between nineteenth-century novelist Jane Austen and a clergyman. The result is an inventive tale with elements of romance and suspense, wrapped around a bookish mystery that will please lovers of old libraries and Austen fans."
--Deborah Harkness, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Book of Life

"Jane Austen, true love, great books, and a literary mystery of epic proportions: Charlie Lovett packs all my favorite things into a thoroughly engaging story that keeps us enthralled to the very last page. Austen herself would adore the counter-point heroine, the bright and delightful Sophie Collingwood. A pure gem."
--Katherine Reay, author of Dear Mr. Knightley

"Brimming with charm and intrigue, Charlie Lovett's new novel will leave a lasting impression on lovers of books, literary enigmas, and the eternally fascinating Jane Austen. First Impressions spans centuries, but time ceases to exist as Lovett's riveting story begins to unfold."
--Erika Robuck, author of Hemingway's Girl

"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a reader in want of a marvelous mystery and lovely literary fiction must be in want of First Impressions. With a deep understanding of Jane Austen and a deft hand at mystery, Lovett strikes the perfect chord between literature and a first rate thriller."
--Craig Johnson, New York Times bestselling author of the Walt Longmire Mysteries, the basis of A&E's hit series Longmire

About the Author:

Charlie Lovett is a former antiquarian bookseller, an avid book collector, and a member of the Grolier Club, the oldest and largest club for bibliophiles in North America. He and his wife split their time between Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and Kingham, Oxfordshire, in England.

About this edition

• Publisher: Penguin Books
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 0143127721
• ISBN 13: 9780143127727
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 336