Love and War in Woodhouse Hall

I am officially addicted to reading adaptations of Jane Austen's Emma, one of my favourite novels, but finding worthy successors to the original text is hit and miss. This, for me, is a miss. I was drawn by the quirky cover, even though I knew that a modern retelling set in a university campus dorm would probably not work for me.

My main issue is that I couldn't understand why everyone is drawn to Amelia, the Emma character. She's not a big fish in a small pond, like Emma, just a student government 'senator' in college, which I didn't even know was a thing (Americans are so gung-ho about everything!) I was expecting to find out that her family owned the dorm building that the students are fighting to save, but although the Woodhouse show more family are mentioned, she isn't one of them. Her Mr Knightley is Adam, a 'resident advisor' in the dorm (again, 'whaaa?'), Harriet is her younger roommate Jenna, who she tries to set up with the ever obnoxious Elton character 'Eric', and Jane Fairfax is the university president's daughter. The updating is clever enough, and the fight for affordable accommodation gives Austen's story more action, but the pacing felt a bit forced, like the author had written the original storyline down in bullet points and was determined to tick every relationship and plot twist off in order. I'm guessing this series is YA, but teens aren't idiots - some of the writing was insultingly oversimplified ('I smiled and turned on the fan I had by the window to help the air circulate better and cool me off'). The editing was also very sloppy, which threw me out of the story on occasion (what does 'Life felt frenzy even though I knew that the hectic pace will calm down' mean exactly?)

Some interesting themes - the affordability of higher education, sexual assault - let down by the plodding style of the adaptation. Maybe US teens would get more out of the setting and characters - who are nearly in their twenties but like decorating their dorm room doors and daringly drink 'adult beverages' at parties - but I'm adding college life to dating agencies for devices in modern adaptations of Emma that don't make the grade for me. show less

The blurb for this book is right to the point. It had many funny moments, it has crazy situations, mix-ups and so much more! It made me feel all the right things and for that I am more than grateful!

Amelia is experiencing the college life to its fullest. Living on campus, having a roommate, trying to find love for others instead of herself. You know, the usual stuff. She is one of the likeable characters in Woodhouse and her intentions are good, though not needed. I am not willing to divulge much more, as I may spoil things, but I can tell you that you are in for a treat!

Being an “Emma” retelling, you know more or less what to expect, but the author surprises us with elements that make the story richer and more entertaining. Not show more always things are what they seam and not always the good intentions have a good outcome. These are just some of the lessons we see in Sara Marks’ story.

I liked as well how we follow not only the romance around campus, but as well some more serious aspects, like sexual assault or trying to save a house full of students. The combination of these elements and the friendships and misunderstandings and everything else is well executed.

The quick ending is what set me back a little, I would have liked to see a more developed conclusion. But I cannot give less than 4 stars. It’s a “feel-good” book, with a positive vibe. It was relaxing to read it and I enjoyed it quite a lot. Give it a try and come back with your thoughts show less