Books for Jane Austen Fans (& one movie)

March 5, 2026March 5, 2026 Eliza NoelLeave a comment

It’s a rare occasion when I meet a woman who doesn’t love at least one of Jane Austen’s stories. Something draws us to her characters even if they are prideful, passionate, or obnoxious (what excellent boiled potatoes). When it comes to humor, I believe Jane Austen was far ahead of her time. While some people may think her stories are better left untouched, I’ll continue to be drawn to new spins on her stories (even if they don’t match up to the original). There is just something so comforting about characters and storylines that feel familiar. Here are just a few books that feel like Jane Austen in some way or another.

Books for Jane Austen Fans

Sense and Suitability by Pepper Basham

Amazon//Goodreads

Sense & Sensibility references
regency romance
matchmaking mishaps
ballroom social scenes
cute children
a scandalous secret (well, for that time period, anyways)

Not Exactly Mr. Darcy by Carolyn Miller (The Silver Teapot #1)

Amazon//Goodreads

contemporary fiction
Darcy-like male mc
restoration of a Pemberley-type home
written by an Australian author which almost makes it feel more authentically British

Dearest Josephine by Caroline George

Amazon//Goodreads

dual timeline historical/contemporary fiction
British setting
cozy-by-the-fireplace vibes
Jane Austen with a modern twist

Movie for Jane Austen Fans

Sense & Sensibility: A Modern Retelling

cheesy (but at the same time well done) modern version of Sense and Sensibility
Christmas scenes
clean girly movie
Jane Austen characters redone well

Tell Me About Your Love for Jane Austen

I’ve been a lover of Jane Austen stories since before high school. Pride and Prejudice was a long time favorite, but I’ve grown a new appreciation for Sense and Sensibility. Even Emma (whom I originally loathed) has grown on me. In case you haven’t noticed, I’m passionate about both literature and health. I even named my self-taught health coaching package Elinor Dashwood because it’s an independent course just like Elinor is an independent character. You can learn more about it below.

If you’d like to talk more about this package you can email me (eliza.noel.writes@gmail.com) or…

Without a Clue by Melissa Ferguson//Squeaky Clean Mystery Book

January 27, 2026January 27, 2026 Eliza NoelLeave a comment

Without a Clue by Melissa Ferguson is a squeaky clean mystery book that I highly recommend. It was probably one of my top fiction reads next year. Picture the perfect blend of Murder on the Orient Express, Knives Out, and Clue. It’ll be published next month, so be sure to pre-order a copy!

Audience

Older Teen Girls & Women

Genre

Squeaky Clean Mystery, Clean Contemporary Romance, Eccentric Murder Mystery, Rom-com

Author

Melissa Ferguson

Buy on Amazon

“It’s that bad isn’t it?”
“Perhaps a double shot of espresso. We don’t typically allow triple shots given the number of pacemakers on board, but just this once, I could slip you a third upon request.”

Growing up, one of my favorite books was “Cherry Ames, Cruise Nurse“. Without a Clue by Melissa Ferguson reminded me of that one. They’re both mysteries that take place on a cruise ship. I’ve read a number of Melissa Ferguson’s books now, and this one is my favorite. It tells the story of Pip, the assistant to an eclectic group of well-known authors. After organizing a cruise for them and all their fans, she finds the body of her boss, Hugh. The most likely suspects are the other authors, people she thought she knew and trusted. Overall, this book was the perfect blend of mystery, romance, and comedy! I definitely recommend it.

A few of my favorite things…

the fancy cruise ship setting
author MC’s
a protective and manly male MC
a mystery that kept me guessing the whole time

I didn’t care for…

I can’t think of anything!

Know that…

a man sleeps in a woman’s room to protect her from the lurking murderer, nothing sexual
the romance doesn’t go further than a few kisses (nothing over-the-top)

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Perfect for…

Any women looking for a lighthearted mystery that will keep them guessing!

If you love reading clean Christian fiction (especially contemporary) sign-up for my email list here. I send reviews and giveaways here and there.

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Terms and Traditions by Morgan Taylor Giesbrecht//Christian Christmas Fiction

December 4, 2025 Eliza Noel2 Comments

Terms and Traditions by Morgan Taylor Giesbrecht is a humorous Christian Christmas fiction novel that tackles some heavy topics. It tackles broken family relationships, scars from past relationships, and chronic illness. Despite all of that, somehow the tone remains light and seasonal. If you want a Christmas book that will make you laugh in the mood for the Christmas season read this one.

Audience

Older Teen Girls & Women

Genre

Christian Christmas Fiction, Christian Contemporary Romance, Closed-door Romance, Rom-com

Author

Morgan Taylor Giesbrecht

Buy on Amazon

Stephanie is perfectly organized and put together at her job as handsome millionaire Nash’s personal assistant. But her dating life- not so much. It’s anxiety-ridden and pretty much non-existent. Unless you count her 2-year crush on her boss who also happens to be part of her friend group. When Stephanie’s dad pressures her to bring a date to their very dysfunctional family Christmas trip, Stephanie speaks before thinking and asks Nash to be her fake boyfriend. Surprisingly, he says yes.

A few of my favorite things…

references to Christmas movies and songs I love
just alll the Christmas-y vibes, even the explanations and descriptions were enveloped in Christmas (for example, the exclamation “Sugarplums!” and the description “warm cocoa hug”)
Nash’s determination to not sleep with anyone but his future wife
Stephanie’s nana’s positive influence in her life, pointing her to Jesus
Stephanie’s tight friend group that walks through the ups and downs of life together
Nash being protective and deeply caring
cute kid characters
family holiday traditions

I didn’t care for…

clean, but it was still a bit kiss-y for me. At one point, characters sneak into a pantry to make out, but there’s no talk or thought of going further.

Know that…

some mean girls speculate that Stephanie slept her way to the top of the company (absolutely not true)

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Perfect for…

Any woman looking for a Hallmark-y clean Christian Christmas fiction book to read!

If you love reading clean Christian fiction (especially contemporary) sign-up for my email list here.

Christmas Gift Guide: Pure Literature

November 20, 2025November 20, 2025 Eliza NoelLeave a comment

Christmas shopping is just around the corner, especially with Black Friday and Cyber Monday coming up. Here’s some pure literature I highly recommend for each person you’re buying a Christmas gift for. If all my friends and family were readers, these are the books I would buy them as Christmas gifts. You’ll notice the books I wrote, the Dawn Chandler Series, are listed here. They actually happen to be on sale now through Christmas!

Just a heads up- I am an Amazon affiliate so I make a small commission off anything purchase through my links at no extra cost to you.

Books to Buy Your Loved Ones for Christmas

Children’s Story Book (ages 1-8)

Our Friendly Farmhouse by Melissa Ferguson

Amazon//Goodreads

homestead
sweet loving family
lots of animals
based on a true story
encourages a love for the outdoors

Children’s Chapter Books (ages 8-12)

Dawn Chandler by Eliza Noel (me 😉 )

Amazon//Goodreads

small town setting
learning Biblical contentment in the midst of a move
good family relationships
homeschooled and large family MC’s
MC who is not crush-obsessed

Dawn and the Letters by Eliza Noel

Amazon//Goodreads

bit of a mystery
the Biblical lesson of learning to love your enemies
kids doing farm chores
all the other things listed about the first book

Books for Teens

Riley + Sam by Ashley Schaller (for girls)

Amazon//Goodreads

summer setting
undercover popstar
fun little kid and dog characters
friends-to-lovers (but nothing more than a light kiss)
learning to grieve

Mammoth by Brian Mcbride (for boys)

Amazon//Goodreads

vibes similar to Indiana Jones, The Hardy Boys, and The Outsiders
beautiful PNW setting
found family
lighthouse
a mysterious death

Books for Adults

The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley by Courtney Walsh

Amazon//Goodreads

happy feel-good rom-com
A Man Called Otto vibes
comedic
lighthearted

Without a Clue by Melissa Ferguson

Amazon//Goodreads

light-hearted murder mystery
pre-orders only (it’ll be published in February)
similar to Murder on the Orient Express and Knives Out
intriguing mystery with a touch of cute romance
very protective male MC
lots of author characters

Sense and Suitability by Pepper Basham

Amazon//Goodreads

Regency Romance
Jane Austen references
humorous situations
cute kids
ballroom socializing

Trim Healthy Wisdom by Pearl Barrett and Serene Allison

Amazon//Goodreads

Health Resource
950 pages of nutritional wisdom
helpful chapter summaries
insights on weight challenges in different hormonal seasons
well-rounded healthy eating
this is the book I read to study for a health coaching test I’m hoping to take next year!

Mama Bear Apologetics by Hillary Morgan Ferrer

Amazon//Goodreads

Parenting/Apologetics Resource
written in a way that’s full of grace and truth
super helpful insight into cultural lies
discussion questions

Holy Hygge by Jamie Erickson

Amazon//Goodreads

Hospitality
practical tips for hospitality
principles from the Bible
delightful read

What books will you be giving as gifts this year? Have you read any of these? Follow my instagram or signup for my email list for more book recommendations!

6 Christian Fiction Books for Autumn Reading (in bullet-point form)

October 29, 2025November 5, 2025 Eliza NoelLeave a comment

It’s that time of year for cozy thrifted sweaters, Autumn Spice coffee, and a stack of Christian fiction books perfectly curated for Autumn reading. Here’s a quick overview of some cozy Autumn books I’ve enjoyed. You can click on the titles for longer reviews or more information.

6 Christian Fiction Books for Autumn Reading

Before We Were Us by Denise Hunter

enemies-to-friends-to-lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers (if that makes any sense, haha)
memory loss
rustic resort in New Hampshire setting
Hallmark vibes
rescue dog