Jane & Edward: A Modern Reimagining of Jane Eyre (Paperback)
Staff Reviews
Jane Raine has had nobody but herself to depend on since her father, a noted author and professor, left her alone and penniless at the tender age of 13. Her experience as a foster kid and her dead-end job as a waitress have uniquely prepared her for her new career path as the assistant to the volatile and demanding Edward Rosen, a preeminent Toronto lawyer who has scared off every other assistant to date. Jane is the first assistant he's had who is capable of volleying his banter back. After the first couple of rocky weeks, the two strike up a friendship. Both with their own complicated pasts, Edward and Jane are both slowly learning that they can lean on each other - until a secret from Edward's past threatens to blow up everything they love. Will Jane continue to rely only on herself, or can she learn to forgive the mistakes of the past and forge a new path forward?
Jane Eyre was the first classic I truly fell in love with as a young reader. I find myself justifying the story to those who see it as a direct contradiction to the modern idea of what love and partnerships should look like. Melodie Edwards not only manages to pay homage to the original story but also interprets the dynamics of Jane and Edwards's courtship in the context of mutual trauma and healing. Full of the caustic, witty banter and longing that attracted me to this story in the first place, I have to say I enjoyed this retelling almost as much as the original!
-Megan
— From Juicy June Staff Picks
Description
This powerful reimagining of Jane Eyre, set in a modern-day law firm, is full of romance and hope as it follows the echoing heartbeats of the classic story.
A former foster kid, Jane has led a solitary life as a waitress in the suburbs, working hard to get by. Tired of years of barely scraping together a living, Jane takes classes to become a legal assistant and shortly after graduating accepts a job offer at a distinguished law firm in downtown Toronto. Everyone at the firm thinks she is destined for failure because her boss is the notoriously difficult Edward Rosen, the majority stakeholder of Rosen, Haythe & Thornfield LLP. But Jane has known far worse trials and refuses to back down when economic freedom is so close at hand.
Edward has never been able to keep an assistant—he’s too loud, too messy, too ill-tempered. There’s something about the quietly competent, delightfully sharp-witted Jane that intrigues him though. As their orbits overlap, their feelings begin to develop—first comes fondness and then something more. But when Edward’s secrets put Jane’s independence in jeopardy, she must face long-ignored ghosts from her past and decide if opening her heart is a risk worth taking.
About the Author
Melodie Edwards has a BA from the University of Toronto, a master’s degree from McMaster University and Syracuse University (2023), studied comedy writing at the Second City Training Centre, and works in communications. Jane & Edward is her first novel.
Praise For…
“I adored this book! Jane & Edward is instantly captivating and utterly charming. I found myself smiling (sometimes through tears) from start to finish. This sexy, funny, razor-sharp rom-com is one of the best books I’ve read all year. Melodie Edwards delivers a first-rate, modern take on the classic Jane Eyre, so deliciously romantic that Charlotte Brontë herself would be dazzled.”
—Lori Nelson Spielman, New York Times bestselling author of The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany
“Razor sharp, wickedly funny, and touchingly poignant, I was thoroughly beguiled by Melodie Edwards's debut novel Jane & Edward. Rarely have I been so thoroughly invested in a novel's outcome. This is an absolute must read!”
—Jenn McKinlay, New York Times bestselling author of Wait for It
"Melodie Edwards’ witty reimagining of Jane Eyre gives us a pitch-perfect protagonist who’s somehow even more endearing than the original. Edwards’ elegant, slyly funny prose makes it so you can’t help but cheer on the pragmatic Jane as she moves through the high-stakes worlds of corporate law and academia, learning to assert her value. Like any classic worth its salt, this book is brimming with heart, characters that stick with you, and smart, timeless insights about life and love."
—Ashley Winstead, author of Fool Me Once and The Boyfriend Candidate
“[T]ruly a masterpiece that will set the bar impossibly high for other future retellings….“[A] beautifully heart-warming and enchanting story destined to be a comfort read for countless bookworms.”
—The Nerd Daily
"A charming and delightful debut. In this dazzling modern reimagining of Jane Eyre, Melodie Edwards seamlessly balances depth with smart and witty dialogue and straight-up laugh-out-loud moments. Whether or not you're familiar with the original Jane Eyre, you will be a fan of Jane and Edward and root for their happily ever after."
—Meredith Schorr, author of As Seen on TV
“A jaunty homage to the beloved classic novel.”
—Danielle Jackson, author of The Accidental Pinup
"Melodie Edwards delivers the Jane that we’ve all been dying for—a thoroughly modern, pragmatic and droll heroine we can all adore. Set in the savagely funny ecosystem of a storied Toronto law firm, Jane & Edward is a sophisticated, sexy and hilarious retelling that nails the intricacies and idiosyncrasies of workplace relationships and forging your own path in the world."
—Jessica Martin, author of For the Love of the Bard
“Masterfully weaves a layered love story between an irresistibly irritable hero and a spirited young woman finding her place. Exquisitely written and full of big emotions, this fresh take on timeless themes is both swoon-worthy and empowering. Just like its resilient heroine, this modern reimagining can stand firmly on its own.”
—Holly James, author of Nothing But The Truth
"Fans of Jane Eyre will enjoy spotting the Easter eggs…More importantly, the love story stays faithful to the original, with the addition of some spice... Edwards's debut is a retelling that will please both diehard Brontë devotees and contemporary romance readers."
—Library Journal
"[P]erfect for Brontë readers or anyone looking for a romance with depth."
—Shelf Awareness
