Lindsay Eland: Scones and Sensibility
Long-time readers know I'm a Jane Austen fanatic, which means I jump at the chance to read anything inspired by her novels. So, of course, I was excited to find Scones and Sensibility by Lindsay Eland at my local library!
Synopsis:
Seek tirelessly and you shall not find a contemporary heroine of middle-grade literature as refined and romantic as Miss Polly Madassa. Still swooning over the romantic conclusions of Pride & Prejudice and Anne of Green Gables, twelve-year-old Polly decides her purpose in life: helping along lonely hearts in search of love. Polly's only task this summer is to make deliveries for her parents' bakery, leaving ample time for this young cupid to find hearts to mend--beginning with the kite-store owner, Mr. Nightquist, who will pair perfectly with Miss Wiskerton (the unfairly labeled town curmudgeon). Polly's best friend Fran Fisk is in desperate need of a mother ever since hers ran off with a man she met on the Internet; Polly must find a match for Mr. Fisk. And while she's at it, it wouldn't hurt to find Clementine, Polly's teenaged sister, a beau worthy of her (so she can shed that brute, Clint). Polly's plans are in full swing, so she definitely cannot be bothered by the advances of classmate Brad Barker.
But maybe Polly should have turned her attention to Miss Austen's Emma next, because she quickly learns the pitfalls of playing matchmaker. How will Polly patch up her own relationships, while ensuring that destined love can take its course?
Polly Madassa is quite the winsome character, and I adore her. She takes her favorite novels very seriously, allowing them to inspire the way she dresses, talks, and interacts with others. With books as her guide, she tends to get lost in whimsical fantasies and has a flair for the dramatic. But her heart is in the right place.
Though she sometimes slips up and talks like a modern girl, her narration is very much like reading novels by Jane Austen and Lucy Maud Montgomery. It was refreshing. And you really can't blame a girl for wanting a world filled with chivalry, romance, and cordial behavior.
Unfortunately, Polly is only twelve years old and hasn't experienced love on her own. The only things she knows about love come from books, which leads to a comedy of errors--including breakups, arguments, and even an arrest--as she plays matchmaker around town. I laughed out loud more than once and really wanted her to make a successful match.
But, like most true heroines, Polly holds her head high, rights her wrongs, and learns about real love and happiness. She even meets a romantic suitor of her very own.
Having Polly's parents own a bakery was the cherry on top of this very sweet story. I could almost smell the delicious treats that were baked and delivered to customers.
Scones and Sensibility was a lovely story from beginning to end. I'm eagerly awaiting Lindsay Eland's next book!
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
For more information, visit Lindsay Eland at:
@lindsayeland
lindsayeland.com