Jane Austen is the OG romance writer. Emma and Pride and Prejudice are just about flawless. But what about her final novel, Persuasion? When I began my WIP, I Bet You Think About Me, (a VERY LOOSE modern retelling of Persuasion), I realized what a quiet, contemplative novel it is. Sure, it’s got Austen’s signature wit and charm. But (warning – shocking statement ahead) I don’t think it could get published today.
That’s not to say it isn’t good.
But it WOULD FALL SHORT of today’s romance readers’ expectations.
Here are four reasons I think Persuasion would never make its way out of the slush pile:
#1: Anne Elliot Needs More Pluck
First, there’s the protagonist, Anne Elliot. Anne is a well-written and relatable character, but she lacks spark and agency. In 2025, the first rule of contemporary romance is having a strong heroine. That’s not Anne. You could argue that her tendency to let others dictate her life choices was a reflection of societal expectations for women during that era. Sure. But nowadays, we expect our heroines to have pluck.
#2: Anne Doesn’t Change Much
Let’s talk about Anne’s lack of growth and development. Unlike Austen’s other heroines who are forced to confront and overcome their flaws, Anne remains largely unchanged. Can you think of a single contemporary novel written in the last twenty years where the heroine starts out passive and stays that way? If so, please comment because I’m very curious!
#3: Where’s the Conflict?
I doubt that editors would appreciate Persuasion’s lack of a central conflict. What keeps Anne and Frederick apart, other than their own miscommunications? Not much, and I believe that today’s readers would find that frustrating.
#4 Lack of Romantic Tropes & Conventions
Before writing my first contemporary romance, I read lots of advice. Like…
- Interactions between the male and female protagonists should be 70% of your novel. (I wanted way more “screen time” between Anne & Frederick.)
- There should be a meet-cute early on. (It’s chapter 5 before they’re in the same room and even then, no dialogue between them.)
- Provide lots of witty banter! (Most of the witty banter is between Anne and any character other than Frederick.)
- Always end with a grand gesture. (Persuasion fans would argue that Frederick’s letter is the grandest of grand gestures ever, and it is moving and poetic. But what does he sacrifice for her by writing it?)
Okay, you diehard Austen fans, before drafting your detailed plans to cancel me, hear me out. Persuasion showcases Austen’s mastery of wit, satire, and social commentary. Her sharp observations on societal expectations, particularly for women, are still relevant today. The novel also highlights the importance of self-reflection and the dangers of blindly following the opinions of others. Austen’s writing is as delightful and charming as ever, with clever dialogue and memorable quotes that have stood the test of time.
I just don’t see it getting published today. Does that say more about our short attention spans and the messed-up state of the publishing industry than it does about Jane Austen’s classic novel? I expect so. But as I write my VERY LOOSE contemporary Persuasion retelling, I find myself making lots of changes to meet the expectations of today’s readers.
P.S. This review of Persuasion is just some musings about how things change over the course of two centuries. There is no question that my effort will pale a million times over in comparison to the original.
But if you’re curious, you can now read my Austen-inspired novella, I Bet You Think About Me, for FREE.
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