Sometime This Century by Samantha Silva
Sometime This Century is an enchanting fusion between Regency romantic comedy of manners and time-travel adventure vividly executed by author Samantha Silva. Protagonist Annabel Blake, age 22, aspiring novelist and obsessive Jane Austen fanatic, daydreams about living in early 19th-century England. She is introverted and dateless and has a penchant for wearing empire or vintage Laura Ashley floral tea dresses with a parasol accessory, for whom real-life romance remains strictly aspirational. As the lowest-paid, most capable associate at the Stella Barron Literary Agency, her duties include fetching tea and cleaning up after the owner’s ancient, perpetually puking cat. Annabel lives at home with her parents; Dad is supportive while Mom cajoles her to give up writing and obtain a Realtor’s license. Two-year-old sister Cassie earns grousing from Dad as he continues to pay for her massive Bloomingdale’s charges. Tall, blond, and extroverted Cassie strives to become a branded influencer by crashing parties and club-hopping with her happy-go-lucky sidekick Billy. She has temporarily returned home while searching for illusive sponsorships and an agent.
British ex-pat boss Stella Barron recently inherited her mother’s ancestral Regency-era home, Kidlington House, along with the aforementioned cat, and wants to divest herself of these inconveniences. However, Aunty Bunty has commanded her return to England, which would spoil her planned Hamptons vacation, to coordinate the Sotheby auction valuations and sale of Hepplewhite furniture and other antique household goods prior to sale of the home.
Stella offloads this sorting-out responsibility on trustworthy Annabel by awarding her an expense-paid “vacation” to the village of Wakefield in Jane Austen country. The verdant English countryside enchants Annabel, as does smiling Aunt Bunty welcoming her with flowers and provisions before touring the premises. The house and garden are rundown; maintenance has been neglected, but the later additions of plumbing and electricity are functional. The worn interior yet retains an aura of grace and elegance. The library dazzles with a working fireplace, comfortable furniture and floor-to-ceiling bookcases packed with early editions of literature and an enchantingly delicate satinwood writing desk with its single drawer thoughtfully stocked with paper and pens. Returning to the village, Bunty mentions their Regency Society will soon commence a season with authentic period balls and parties. Conveniently, the attic is overflowing with trunks of near-pristine Regency clothing for men and women, including glorious ball gowns.
A Jane Austen Dream Comes to Life
Magic is in the air when Annabel discovers an invitation on the desk for a ball that very evening. Delighted, she dons a costume and steps outside to find a coachman ready to drive her to an evening of dancing and conversing by candlelight with well-mannered, elegantly attired gentry. Impressed by the uncanny authenticity of these reenactors who seemingly never step out of character, her extensive education and love for this era make her feel comfortably at home. She nearly swoons, instantly smitten, after a genteel flirtation with the wealthy, handsome Henry Leighton D’Evercy.
Following an evening feeling she could have danced all night, morning brings a rude awakening with the stunning sight of her sister Cassie and companion Billy standing on her doorstep expecting to stay. Cassie’s “sponsored” influencer trip had characteristically failed to materialize after they arrived at Heathrow Airport. The trio enjoys an afternoon of dress-up before Annabel, resigned to be hospitable, discovers another invitation for dinner and dancing. Her clueless companions attempt to stumble through the evening with aplomb while their awkward behavior is chalked up to them being visiting Americans. It did seem odd that when Annabel inquired, no one seems to be acquainted with Stella’s Aunt Bunty. It was a grand lark until the trio awoke to find themselves actually living in another century in near-mint condition Kidlington House, naturally bereft of electricity and indoor plumbing, with a jolly housekeeper/cook in the kitchen preparing breakfast.
Be Careful What You Wish For
It becomes a hard lesson in “be careful of what you wish for” as realization dawns that the adorable desk, an otherworldly portal, was mistakenly taken by Sotheby’s appraisers, and unless somehow recovered, they will remain trapped in patriarchal Regency England, a legendary land sans dentistry.
Sometime This Century has it all: humor, heart, romance, time travel fantasy and a coming-of-age story for intrepid heroine Annabel as she endeavors to rise to all occasions. Samantha Silva has delivered a beautifully written, delightful froth of a novel.
