Reviewed by Valerie

TITLE:  Elliot, Song of the Soulmate

SERIES:  Love, Austen #5

AUTHOR:  Anyta Sunday

PUBLISHER:  Self Published

LENGTH:  264 Pages

RELEASE DATE:  October 11, 2021

BLURB:

When you have the love of your life, you hold on tight.
You don’t let go.

Debate champ extraordinaire Elliot Anneston is a master in persuasion. He wins at everything. Until he meets sexy Scottish transfer Wentworth McAllister. Suddenly he doesn’t know what’s up and what’s up. The world is a whirlwind of feeling, and when it comes to the debate of his life, to lose is inevitable. How can he not, when his argument is a lie?
I can’t love you. I don’t.

When you lose the love of your life, you don’t get a second chance.
Or do you?

“Elliot, Song Of The Soulmate” is a contemporary gay retelling of Jane Austen’s “Persuasion”.

REVIEW:

I fell in love with Elliot, Song of the Soulmate. Fair warning, though – I go gaga over golden retrievers, and since I recently lost my two golden boys, I glom onto any I can find. Therefore, this book could’ve been about grass growing and I probably would’ve been delighted because the cover features a dog that looks suspiciously like a golden retriever. Even though there’s an adorable, mischievous puppy in the story, I’m happy to report there’s so much more to love about this book, so don’t fret if you’re not (gasp!) a dog lover.  

Elliot is another heartbreaking and heartwarming Jane Austen retelling by Anyta Sunday. Much like Finley Embraces Heart and Home, this novel tore me apart. Why must you do this, Ms. Sunday? I imagine this book would be easier to read if I was familiar with Persuasion, but alas, I am an Austen neophyte. I was completely blindsided by the lengthy separation between the leading men. I knew from the blurb that some type of break was coming, but the fifteen years apart gutted me. This hit me so hard because I utterly and wholly adored Elliot and Wentworth. As soon as Elliot met Wentworth on page two, I knew this book would be special.  

Young adult love is so intense and all-encompassing. These boys falling in love is inevitable. They are drawn to each other immediately, the attraction like a strong magnetic pull. Despite the intensity, there’s such an ease between them and they take things slowly. Their interaction is joyful and filled with playful banter.  

“You’re just so much fun. So good to be around. So perfect.”
“Perfect?” Wentworth looked smug. 
“And so perfectly preposterous, and so annoyingly stubborn.”
“See, the fondness in your voice makes me think you quite like those things.”
God dammit, he did. 

Elliot is a seventeen-year-old darling, innocent but not naïve. Wentworth is a new Scottish transfer student at Elliot’s school, and he’s so charming and romantic. Elliot humorously calls him incorrigible, which is perhaps his most endearing trait – he’s persistent and won’t give up on Elliot even when he coyly plays hard to get. They won’t talk specifics about the future but it’s clear that have the devotion it takes for the long haul. 

The intimacy and ease between them . . . it just kept deepening. He, he . . . He loved Wentworth. More than that. He loved Wentworth with his entire soul. 

Except, life gets in the way. When good fortune lands upon Wentworth and a golden opportunity arises in America, Elliot can’t join him but he lies about his reasons. I hate “I’m doing this for your own good” lies, so this is where the heartbreak begins. When they are reunited – both working on a Ask Austen film set – old feelings simmer but animosity stands in the way. Cue the cutie pie puppy who plays a part in bringing these men back together.  

Ms. Sunday is a great storyteller, and while the Love, Austen series novels are based on classics, they are unique enough to stand on their own. The writing in Elliot is consistent with the others in the series, yet this one feels more lyrical; weightier while at the same time fanciful. Ms. Sunday incorporates a good bit of double meaning into her dialogue, with Elliot and Wentworth speaking of their feelings while veiling them behind talk of the film or coworkers. It’s charming. There’s a well-rounded group of side characters, some you’ll love, others you’ll love to hate. 

This is a beautiful book with a wonderful happily ever after. It’s easily read as a standalone, and highly enjoyable even if, like me, you’re completely unfamiliar with Jane Austen’s work. I highly recommend you grab this book and curl up for a very satisfying read.  

RATING:

BUY LINKS: 

Amazon