DARK BLUE WAVES

A scholar torn between her father’s expectations and her own passion for literature finds herself unexpectedly transported to Regency-era England in Sullivan’s novel.

Janet Roberts is a college student living her dream during her semester abroad in Bath, England, where she’ll be able to take a prestigious Jane Austen seminar. Not even her overbearing father’s stipulation that she intern at an architectural firm of his choosing can dampen her excitement. When a stray cricket ball somehow knocks her out of the present and back into the year 1813, she wonders if she’s hit her head harder than she thought (“Maybe she was in a coma. Do people dream in a coma?”). While waking up in the Regency era might seem like an Austen fan’s dream, the reality is anything but: Janet finds herself woefully out of her depth navigating the strict social codes and expectations of the time period. Her only lifeline, as she struggles to adjust, is the sweet and friendly Emma Huntington, an ancestor of Charles Huntington, who donated one of his properties to the academic program Janet is in. Emma’s brother, the dashing yet aloof Sir Edward, isn’t as welcoming but is just as intriguing. While hiding her true identity and seeking a way back to her own time, Janet must answer an increasingly difficult question: Does she truly want to return? The novel’s incorporation of art, poetry, and architecture creates a vivid and immersive homage to the 19th-century setting; the author’s clear passion for the period shines through and enhances the story without ever overwhelming it. One of the most impressive aspects of the book is the dialogue’s seamless transitions between modern and Regency-era speech, with each character sounding true to their time. However, Janet’s internal thoughts often feel repetitive, particularly in the early and middle parts of the story, which slows down the narrative’s momentum. In the later sections, chronology occasionally shifts between scenes without warning, which can be confusing. Despite these flaws, the novel is distinguished by its rich historical detail and its thoughtful explorations of identity, personal agency, and the tension between obligation and desire.

A rewarding read for lovers of historical fiction and Jane Austen.