How to Read The Austens Series
Staci Hart’s contemporary romance series, The Austens, brings the witty banter, intense longing, and social complications of Jane Austen’s classic works into modern-day settings. Spanning from 2016 to 2020, this series of companion novels reimagines iconic romantic dynamics for the 21st-century reader.
Because the novels are written as companion stories, they can generally be enjoyed as standalones. However, characters frequently cross over, and reading them in their chronological release order is highly recommended to appreciate character developments and reference points. In particular, the third book is a direct spinoff of the second, making order important for those specific entries.
The Recommended Reading Order
Below is the recommended reading path for the series, utilizing the updated titles that the author established in later editions:
- Wasted Words (2016) – Inspired by Emma
- A Thousand Letters (2017) – Inspired by Persuasion
- Love, Hannah (2017/2020) – Originally published as A Little Too Late (Spinoff of A Thousand Letters)
- Love Notes (2018/2020) – Originally published as Living Out Loud (Inspired by Sense and Sensibility)
- Pride and Papercuts (2020) – Inspired by Pride and Prejudice
Detailed Book Breakdown and Austen Inspirations
1. Wasted Words (2016)
The series opens with Wasted Words, a modern romantic comedy retelling of Jane Austen’s Emma. The story introduces Cam Emerson, a quirky bookshop employee and self-appointed matchmaker who is blissfully blind to her own romantic needs. When she finds herself living with Tyler Knight, a charming sports agent, their natural chemistry begins to test the boundaries of their friendship. It features the classic Emma-and-Knightley dynamic, packed with slow-burn tension and playful banter.
2. A Thousand Letters (2017)
Inspired by Persuasion, A Thousand Letters takes a more emotional, poignant turn. It tells the story of Elliot and Wade, former sweethearts who were torn apart years earlier by family pressure and miscommunication. When Wade returns to Elliot’s life, both must confront years of regret, unspoken feelings, and lingering grief. This second-chance romance captures the quiet intensity and emotional maturity of Austen's original novel.
3. Love, Hannah / A Little Too Late (2017/2020)
Unlike the other books in the series, Love, Hannah is not a direct adaptation of a specific Jane Austen novel. Instead, it serves as a contemporary spinoff of A Thousand Letters. The story follows Charlie Parker, a single father struggling to manage his life and children after a painful divorce. When Hannah, an au pair from the Netherlands, enters their lives, she brings warmth and healing back to the household. This forbidden employer-employee romance is deeply emotional and features cross-character continuity from Wade and Elliot’s story.
4. Love Notes / Living Out Loud (2018/2020)
This entry is a modern retelling of Sense and Sensibility. It centers on Annie Daschle, a vibrant young woman living with a serious heart condition who is determined to check items off her bucket list in New York City after her father's passing. She meets Greg Brandon, whose structured world is turned upside down by Annie's spontaneous nature. The book beautifully contrasts the rational, cautious approach to life against passionate, emotional vulnerability.
5. Pride and Papercuts (2020)
The series culminates with Pride and Papercuts, a workplace-romance reimagining of Pride and Prejudice. Laney Bennet and Liam Darcy are immediate rivals in the office, clashing over their opposing philosophies and personal styles. Their sharp wits and intense animosity mask a deep, undeniable attraction. This enemies-to-lovers story is celebrated by fans of the series for its sizzle, snappy dialogue, and faithful modern adaptation of Austen’s most famous couple.
Understanding the Title Changes
Readers exploring the series may occasionally find themselves confused by alternate titles in circulation. To create a unified aesthetic, Staci Hart retitled and republished two books in the series in 2020:
- A Little Too Late was renamed Love, Hannah. The narrative remains the same, focusing on the nanny and single-dad romance.
- Living Out Loud was renamed Love Notes: Inspired by Jane Austen's Sense & Sensibility.
When purchasing or borrowing these books, keep these naming changes in mind to avoid accidentally acquiring duplicate copies under different titles.
What to Know Before You Start
The Austens series is perfect for readers who enjoy character-driven contemporary romance, emotional healing, and clever nods to classic literature. While the stories include steamier elements than Jane Austen's original 19th-century works, they preserve the core emotional journeys, social misunderstandings, and ultimate triumphs of love that have kept Austen's works beloved for centuries.