There was really nothing special about this book. I didn’t hate it or love it. I likely won’t remember anything about it this time next year.

The main character annoyed me, but her friend was tolerable. I really hated the flashbacks from Beatrice’s perspective. Without those I may have given a 3.5 or 4. ( )

"Mrs. Rochester's Ghost" is a reimagining of the classic "Jane Eyre," which is the first adult book I read as a child. The Kindle edition is free to Prime readers, so I read it.

The thriller aspect of the plot falls flat, and the novelty of comparing characters with the original wears off quickly. I should've just re-read "Jane Eyre."







( )

I don't read many thrillers but this one interested me because I love Jane Eyre.
Overall, it was fine, not great. I didn't feel this Jane reflects the Jane from the original and I didn't care much for the writing, but I usually don't care for contemporary settings anyway.
I loved the chapters from Beatrice's perspective. It was creepy and sad to see the perspective of someone so mentally ill, however, I think it was interesting to see her story slowly come together throughout the book.
The Mr. Rochester character from this retelling was not nearly as dreamy as the original. Although they are both flawed and lie, Evan is much worse. Mr. Rochester only pretended to like another girl; it was wrong to use her but he only cared for Jane. While Evan openly admitted to cheating on his wife and planning to cheat on Jane.
It was entertaining, but I don't think I'd read it again. ( )

I love a good "gothic romance" so this sounded right up my alley. I'd say it was average, even a bit unbelievable in parts. But I read pretty far into it, so that's usually a good sign. No time for bad books!

But... then the diversity drop! For some unknown reason, I kept reading after the first eyerolling moment at Loc 1971 with, "She removed the vase from the shelf and placed it on a long viewing table. 'It’s by Grayson Perry. He’s British. A cross-dresser, very flamboyant. And brilliant. As you can see.'" Because of course every novel these days has to have a "non normal" character.

But then finally pulled the ripcord on the parachute at Loc 3234: "... remember once I played a joke. I put my hand between his legs, just to see what would happen. But nothing did. He gave me a wink. 'Sorry, Mrs. R., wrong tree,' he said. 'I’m gay as pink.' ( )

You do not have to have read Jane Eyre to appreciate Mrs. Rochester’s Ghost. That being written if you have read the classic novel it will enhance your appreciation of this clever mash up of the original. The story is brought into the present and to the state of California.

Jane goes to work as a nanny for her friend’s employer, Evan. It seems to be the perfect job; a gorgeous location, one child to care for and a schedule of her own making but all is not as it seems. Evan is accused of murdering his wife but he insists he did not kill her, nor does he know where she is. She went swimming in the ocean one night and never came back.

Suspicion falls on Evan but with no body found he lives in a kind of limbo. Jane finds her life there to be challenging because she doesn’t know what to believe – she finds herself falling for Evan but what if?

All of this made for a slightly spooky but very good read for anyone who enjoys a bit of romance with their spooky. It definitely made for great reading while in the car as the hubby drove from here to there. ( )