Anne of Manhattan

Trigger warning: sexual harassment

Anne of Green Gables is a graduate student in Manhattan.

Let me first admit that I've never read Anne of Green Gables or seen any television or movie adaptation. Therefore, I cannot give you a fangirl's reaction, or even an informed one, to this updated version of Anne's story.

Anne was adopted by a family in Green Gables as a teenager and currently lives in Manhattan while studying for her Master's in Education. Her childhood friend Diana studies fashion at a nearby university.

The story flips back and forth between Anne's graduate studies in Manhattan and her years on the farm at Green Gables. Through the flashbacks, the reader sees the beginning of her friendship with Diana and the onset of her animosity towards Gilbert, who has returned to New York and haunts her. The narrator occasionally switches to Gilbert.

The romance between Anne and Gilbert is definitely adult, although the sex is not explicit. This update is definitely not for young readers.

Carly Robins is a good narrator who perfectly captures adolescent Anne's attitude and injects the story with emotion.

Recommended for fans of contemporary women's fiction and happily ever after romances, regardless of whether or not they're familiar with the original story.

Brina Starler is the author (and reader) of romance novels and romantic fiction. She lives in North Carolina.

Publisher: William Morrow (print); HarperAudio

Narrator: Carly Robins

Running Time: 8 hours, 50 minutes

Length: 336 pages

Release Date: June 1, 2021

I received an electronic audio recording of this title from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I also received a digital audio recording of this title from the publisher through Libro.fm as a librarian review copy.