Volume 2 of Sanctuary picks up exactly where Volume 1 left off, and we get to see how Elizabeth handles the information Richard has provided her with, and the aftermath of what he tries to accomplish. I was pleasantly surprised with how this actually played out for our main characters, and I was ready to jump into the rest of the story. In the past I have read multi-volume stories inspired by P&P where I almost felt I could skip the whole middle volume, that while interesting the second volume didn’t particularly move the plot along all that much, but that is definitely NOT the case for Ms. Andrew’s Sanctuary! Here’s what I really LOVED about it:
1) First and foremost, for me, is the author’s writing style. Her narrative continues to be full and fleshed-out, without ever feeling repetitive or forced. She paints such vivid pictures of the island, Portland, and Boston that I felt as if I was right there alongside the characters. I’ve been super busy lately, so I wasn’t able to just plow right through it the way I would have wanted to, but every time I had to walk away it would only take a few moments and she would have me right back in her world, savoring every little detail of their lives, feeling each moment was important, and wanting to continue to learn more about this Darcy and Lizzy.
2) You’ll have to read it to experience it, but Darcy and Lizzy’s special day together. Jack has gone off with his best friend for the day, Lizzy has switched shifts with Mary at work, and she and Darcy finally have the time and space needed to cross that last line in their growing intimacy, which is so important to someone who has survived an abusive situation. The whole day, which covers more than one chapter I believe, is so beautifully and delicately done by Ms. Andrews. It felt incredibly true to how those first days of love with the right person really feel, how each step and moment feels so important and life-changing. You’ll want to savor each moment right along with the characters.
3) In Volume 1 I fell in love with Will not only through his care and love for Lizzy, but in watching the way he loved and cared for his son. In Volume 2, it was all about the heart-melting way Lizzy and Jack come to figure out their roles in each other’s lives, and how Lizzy learns to embrace the love she realizes isn’t just directed at Darcy, but if for his son as well. As she says, she realizes she wants them both, forever, and the scenes are incredibly touching. There definitely were some good tears happening after Jack’s first day of school.
4) It was so unexpected, but I am absolutely loving Lydia in this story! And it’s not often I can say that, but the liberties the author has taken with the supporting cast of characters definitely spice things up a little, and gives you something new, while still having that feeling of being at home with these characters that I read JAFF for.
What I think you should know before reading (this really is the same list as Volume I):
1) This is not a short, light read. This is the story you read when you want to make deep and lasting connections to the characters. It is so long it had to be divided into 3 volumes or the paper copy would have been incredibly unwieldy.
2) This is an Austen-inspired tale, but it is not a retelling, and it is not true to cannon. It’s lovely and beautiful and totally worth taking a risk on, but if you’re a purist who wants the author to stick close to the original this might not be the story for you.
3) I said it in my review of the first volume, but it bears repeating that this is the story of an adult couple, in modern times, who have both been married in the past and are finding love again, almost like it were the first time. That includes all the mature scenes that would go along with a passionate modern adult relationship. They are in my opinion very tastefully and respectfully done, but if that is not your thing, and those types of scenes being included in anything Austen-inspired upsets you, then maybe this isn’t the book for you. While those scenes could be skipped over without missing the heart of the story, nothing is more upsetting to me than to see a beautifully written story receive a 1-star review because of mature content after the author has made sure to specify the work contains adult material.
4) While I received an advance reader copy of this work, I have been impatiently waiting for the final version to release, and I have just ordered a paper copy to include on my shelf of JAFF favorites, because I know I’ll revisit these characters like old friends over and over again!
Disclosure: I received an ARC with no promise of a review, favorable or otherwise.
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- Reviewed in the United States on September 9, 2020
- Reviewed in the United States on October 26, 2020
Top reviews from other countries
- Debra PerrinReviewed in the United Kingdom on September 10, 2020
Just as good as volume 1!
