The Austen Escape by Katherine Reay

                   From the publisher:Mary Davies finds safety in her ordered and productive life. Working as an engineer, she genuinely enjoys her job and her colleagues—particularly a certain adorable and intelligent consultant. But something is missing. When Mary’s estranged childhood friend, Isabel Dwyer offers her a two-week stay in a gorgeous manor house in England, she reluctantly agrees in hopes that the holiday will shake up her quiet life in just the right ways.
But Mary gets more than she bargained for when Isabel loses her memory and fully believes she lives in Jane Austen’s Bath. While Isabel rests and delights in the leisure of a Regency lady, attended by other costume-clad guests, Mary uncovers startling truths about their shared past, who Isabel was, who she seems to be, and the man who now stands between them.
Outings are undertaken, misunderstandings arise, and dancing ensues as this company of clever, well-informed people, who have a great deal of conversation, work out their lives and hearts.

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You don't have to be a fan of Jane Austen to enjoy this book but if you are an Austen fan you will absolutely adore this tale!  It's a delish mix of the past and present.  Modern day Mary Davies has work pressures mounting in the possibility of her losing her hard fought for job in technological design.  At the same time her estranged best friend Isabel begs her to go on a once in a life time trip to "Austen Land" where they can live as characters in the Jane Austen novels.  Mary has no intention of going along until her father pleads with her to have mercy on Isabel.  Upon arrival at the beautiful estate in England Mary immediately begins to feel the tension and distance intensely between herself and Isabel.  As Isabel tries to break down the barriers between them Mary shuts the gate to her heart.  An unexpected incident causes Isabel to lose her memory but strangely during this time many hidden truths are finally brought out to the open.  The way this changes things for Mary and Isabel make the ending chapters of this book an amazing and profound look into what it means to love, forgive and cherish one another.  This book is fun but definetly not frivolous.  It's adorable but not trite