Possibilities

by Debra White Smith

Book Overview

Allie is the daughter of Willis Elton, a wealthy gentleman farmer. Although allowed to attend college & obstain a master's degree in horticulture, she is expected to marry well & take her place in... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0764230727
• ISBN13: 9780764230721
• Release Date: April 2018
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 0.84 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.5" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Very sorry to see the series end

As a Jane Austen addict, I've read many variations of Jane Austen's work including several sequels and retellings. I was beginning to despair of finding any with a good clean story line that didn't include graphic sex. I enjoyed this series so much I'm sorry to see it end.

modern version of Austen's Persuasion

Luckily, I read Possibilities before I read First Impressions (Smith's modern version of Pride and Prejudice). If it had been the other way around, I may have not read Possibilities. Possibilities follows the twists and turns of the Austen original, including Frederick's alliance with an "injured" lover he was using to get Allie's attention. The subtle ways that Smith gets the two lovers together is reminiscient of the original. The religious overtones are not as "in your face" as the previously mentioned First Impressions, a fact I appreciated because Jane Austen's comments on religion, politics, etc., were always done in a very subtle manner. Austen lovers will be satisfied by this adaptation.

Great Re-write of Jane Austen's Persuasion

If you are new to this series, it is a re-write of all Jane Austen's novels in modern times with a Christian undertone. This one of the best ones, in my opinion. It was a very gripping read. The main charachter Allie starts off in love with the gardener of her father's plantation. She works along side hime and has a degree in horticulture. Her family is very rich, the gardener Fredrick, is not. Well the two talk about marriage and then Allie goes and talks to her Aunt Landon, who has been a second mother to Allie since Allie's mom passed away. Aunt Landon was not happy with Allie's choice in men and persuaded her that if she ever got engaged to Fredrick the family would be most unhappy with her and she may be cut out of her aunt's will. So Allie, not wanting to disappoint her family does not marry, Fredrick. 10 years later he reappears in her life. She feels sad, miserable, lonely, pathetic and he feels bitter, hurt, but still love for her. Other great characters join the mix and the question is will Allie and Fredrick get back together? Read the book to find out, there are many obstacles for them to overcome and many miscommunications that just make the book a real page turner. I loved this series and recommend it to anyone who loves Jane Austen and Christian literature.

Persuading enough to read on

Reviewed by Tammy Petty Conrad for Reader Views (1/07) I can't remember if I've ever read "Persuasion," the novel by Jane Austin that this contemporary version is based on. But I know I've seen various movies by the same title and most readers will be familiar with the storyline of two lovers pulled apart by demanding family members who think they know what's best. Allie is set to accept Frederick's proposal until her meddling aunt convinces her that family, social class and the amount of money in one's bank account are more important and that Frederick, the yardman, will never amount to anything. It seems that plantation families in Georgia still think they are all that! As the reader, I wanted to shake Allie by the shoulders and say "Wake up! Do what makes you happy." The story continues ten years into the future where, of course, Frederick and his family members have improved their standing in the community and Allies' family is sinking fast. Both lovers continue to pine for each other relentlessly, but don't realize how much until they meet again under interesting circumstances. The plot thickens as they say, and it seems that the two will never actually hook up despite their best efforts. Each character introduced adds another layer to the story. Landon, Allie's aunt, comes on strong with a thick Southern accent. I had to reread the first few pages to figure out what "fathah" was. Once I got it, the device blurred into the background as the story took over. Speaking of Allie's father, Richard Elton, I could have kicked him for being so unaware of everything about his family, including his mounting debt. Allie's sisters couldn't have been more different than their practical, selflessly-devoted sister. Sarah serves the role of the cheerleading best friend to Allie's suffering soul, when no one in her own family performs up to par. Several characters get in the way of Allie's happiness and a few even try to swindle what's left of the family fortune. You'll enjoy meeting each of them. I can't imagine giving up someone I loved, but I suppose women do it all the time. Or they put up with other things, like bad marriages, for the good of others. Then there is the selfishness that some of the other characters display. I don't want to give away the conclusion, but there is a scene on an airplane that twists the plot so tightly you can't envision how Allie will come out on top. I appreciate that although "Possibilities" is categorized in the Christian genre, it isn't overly obvious when reading it. Values are discussed, but no one should feel uncomfortable if they don't happen to be of any religious persuasion. Also listed in the romance category, it is not a Harlequin-type read with ripping bodices, but a contemporary, adult love story that is enjoyable. I stayed up late a few nights because I couldn't wait to see what happened next. Evidently the author, Debra White Smith, has written a series of books based on Austen's novels. I can't wait t