Shades of Milk and Honey by Mary Robinette Kowal

Jane and her sister, Melody, are in many ways opposites.  While Jane is plain but accomplished, Melody is beautiful but only has a rudimentary skill with the womanly arts of playing the piano-forte, watercolor painting, and the creation of glamour.  The creation of glamour is especially prized by Mr. Dunkirk, the local eligible bachelor, and Melody is at first jealous of his regard for Jane's talent.  In walks eligible bachelor, number two, and then number three.  With no lack of suitors, who will end up with whom?

This is an interesting book.  It reads like a Jane Austen fan fiction.  It was as if Kowal thought, "What would Sense and Sensibility be like if you added a magic element.  There were so many scenes stolen right out of Jane Austen.  At one point Melody falls and twists an ankle, just like Marianne Dashwood, and rival suitors bring her flowers just like in Sense and Sensibility.  Miss Dunkirk's past is much like Georgiana Darcy's.  There are two many similarities to count.  The adding of the magic element was kind of cute.  It at least accounted for young ladies always fainting like they do in the Regency books.  All in all I enjoyed the book, though I thought the ending a little contrived.  Still, I  may read another in the series some time, just for fun. (304 p. 2010)