A lovely re-telling of Emma that is very much like the original but has a quality all it's own. A sweet contemporary romance that delivers the essence of each character and the story all the way to Australia. 3.5 stars ( )

Another modern take on Jane Austen's Emma, supposedly set in Tasmania (but reads more like the author's native Texas). The characters' names link to the original - with 'Haley Schmitz' and 'Betty Cates' - but necessary changes are made to translate nineteenth century formality into today's more natural society. Emma Woodhouse becomes Amanda Wood-Priebe, twenty-five year old CEO of the family travel agency, once again educated in America (presumably to excuse the American dialogue). She lives with her diabetic father Henry, and is 'married' to her work. In the office, Amanda's secretary and closest friend is Haley Schmitz, a young orphan brought up in foster homes who is keen to 'belong' to a family (a nice touch to explain Amanda's influence). Mr Knightley becomes Nate Knighton, heir to a chain of department stores. He's ten years older than Amanda, but dresses like he's fifty, in red ties and vests, and tells embarrassing 'dad' jokes. Anne Taylor is now Angie West, lately married to stockbroker Wayne, and she is incongruously still Amanda's former governess. (Do people still have governesses?) Wayne's son Franklyn jets back and forth between his aunt in England and his father in Australia (a rather greater distance than 16 miles!) Betty Cates is the scatter-brained cleaning woman for Wood-Priebe International, who rather randomly has an adopted niece, Janet French, a beautiful and petite Asian girl.

The story is sympathetic to Austen's novel of matchmaking and misguided intentions, but also works well as a stand-alone romance, light and frothy. Amanda's motives in protecting her friend's interests are understandable, and the tangled web of who likes who generally holds up, apart from the 'illicit' pairing of Franklyn and Janet, which isn't really explained. Basically, this is Amanda and Nate's story - Nate falls for Amanda in the first chapter, before the 'competition' arrives on the scene, and spends the rest of the book angsting over their relationship. The 'brother and sister' connection between them is hammered home - 'like an elder brother whose gotten too bossy for his own good', 'she touched her hand to his face as any affectionate sister would' - and Nate's attraction to Amanda seems purely physical. He loves her red hair and green eyes (more Jolene than Emma Woodhouse). Amanda takes Nate for granted, and can't understand her feelings of jealousy, which is more in keeping with the subtlety of Austen.

One or two aspects of Debra White Smith's novel surprised me, not least that Amanda is a 'Christian' romance. Seriously, I had no idea about the genre, until Amanda started referring to her 'heavenly father' (not meaning Henry) and seeking 'prayerful' guidance and forgiveness! I thought the author was merely mirroring Austen rather too closely with Amanda, Nate and Haley all attending church - after all, 'Mason Eldridge' (Mr Elton) is still the local minister. Apart from the occasional reference to 'the Lord' and a prayer or two, however, the only noticeable influence is the distinct lack of 'romance' in the modern sense, stressing the importance of marriage over sex. Very old-fashioned, perhaps, but perfectly suitable for Austen. Nate's 'masculine glory' is constantly commented on - I particularly loved the very Victorian euphemism for physical attraction, when Nate himself observes that 'his masculinity was intrigued' - and Amanda is a very attractive redheaded Amazon (no really, she's 6' 2"!), but there is no pre-nuptial bedhopping here.

The other oddity I noticed is less helpful - when on earth is this book set? The publication date is 2006, but the fashions smack more of 1986 - perms, bronze lipstick, rhinestones, grey and pink interiors? Really? Puritanical characters and lack of style aside, Amanda is a successful update of Austen's Emma. Transplanting the social hierarchy of nineteenth century England into a contemporary story - social climbing, forbidden romances, governesses - is a difficult task, and I admire authors who can remain faithful to the original while creating their own characters and situations. I would have to say I prefer Juliet Archer's The Importance of Being Emma, simply because that story is set in a recognisable era and location, but I did enjoy reading about Amanda and Nate. ( )

If you liked the movie, "Emma", and I did, then you are going to really enjoy this more modern version of the same story (and someday I hope to read the book, "Emma" by Jane Austen). Amanda Priebe is a great friend to her secretary, Haley, and only wants the best for her and she feels she needs to help her find her perfect match. Amanda has great intentions, but is clueless on men in general and their intentions.

Nate Knighton has been Amanda's best friend, and visa versa, for years and their ability to "banter" back and forth with each other is cute, but Nate suddenly realizes his feelings for Amanda go much deeper and he has fallen in love with someone who only seems to see him as a "big brother". I loved the thought process the author shared with us on Nate. He was a man struggling to overcome feelings that he could not get under control, as hard as he might try.

This was an endearing story to read and brought a smile to my face. It was lighthearted story with a message of "all things working together for good" even when we sometimes try to "fix" the problem ourselves, instead of waiting on the Lord's timing. ( )