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PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY REVIEW July 18, 2005

A Jane Austen–obsessed heroine navigates life and love in Santini’s (A Swell Style of Murder) sprightly third novel. Raised by a feminist mother who preached independence and a romantic father who called her Princess, Lizzie Parsons, as an adult, spends her days crunching out film reviews for a Manhattan newspaper and her nights worshipping Jane Austen with fellow “JANO” members who believe that recreating the decorum of Austen’s novels is the only way to live. Lizzie also struggles between two alluring men—Gabriel, a fellow JANO (Jane-o-holics) member, and Harry, her should-be-off-limits boss who reminds her of Austen’s Fitzwilliam Darcy. In the midst of her Pride & Prejudice meets Sex and the City world, Lizzie is also beholden to her own mantra, “Don’t Be The Girl,” which has to do with flouting society’s expectations of women. What a lot of rules and regulations to live by! Will Lizzie figure out what—and who—she wants? Of course, but she’ll have to learn that life is all about negotiation—between freedom and dependence, fantasy and reality. With Lizzie, Santini has created a neurotic, zany, plotting character full of kick and spunk. (Sept.)

AFFAIRE de COEUR MAGAZINE
September/October 2005

Manhattan based film critic Lizzie Parsons is the ultimate JANO (Jane-o-holics adulating Jane Austin).  She classifies people by their favorite Austin novel and cherishes decorating in accordance with her Goddess' novel descriptions. 

She has two potential men in her life. Gabriel Graves meets the key requirement of being a card carrying JANO member while her boss Harry Archer, so filled with PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, is the reincarnation of Fitzwilliam Darcy.  Lizzie, having been raised by a fiery independent feminist and a film producing daddy who always calls her his princess, cannot make up her mind which man she wants.  Of course, the visiting British actor Darling Lad makes the decision that much more difficult as he seems to be the epitome of Jane Austin's male characters yet also appears to scorn the JANO world. 

Fans of Jane Austin or madcap Manhattan chick lit tales that make Sex in the City seem like it is set in a monastery will want to read the wacky adventures of charmingly absurd, fixated, yet passionate Lizzie.  The heroine makes Sex and Sensibility quite a fun tale as she struggles between three hunks measured against JANO standards while also debating whether she truly wants to give up her freedom to a relationship.  Rosemarie Santini provides marvelously merry Manhattan misadventures.

Finally a heroine any single girl can relate to.
January 5, 2006

I really enjoyed this book. It captures the real life dilemma of a single independent girl trying to make it in the modern world without letting go of all her romantic ideals. This book is a quick, fun read that will leave you wanting more.

BookGirl

MALE PERSPECTIVE
January 4, 2006

I read Santini's Sex & Sensibility on a business flight recently from Paris to New York City. I am happy to report that this novel made the hours 'fly' (sorry) by. I am a single male in my 30's living in Manhattan and the bottom line is that Santini has nailed NYC, nailed it's men, nailed it's women and nailed is strange, convoluted and intricate social/business vibe. The protagonist, her friends and her acquaintances ARE the people I know in Manhattan and her professional dynamic reveals Manhattan in it's true naked silliness. I'm not an Austenite but suffice it to say that if you are fascinated by the men and women who inhabit, socialize and work on the little strip of land between the Hudson and East rivers, then this is your book. And don't wait to get onto a transatlantic flight before reading it!

Mark

a fast happy read
December 19, 2005

If you are a lover of Jane Austen you might wonder how you could live in today's world and still adhere to the values expressed in her novels. This is what Rosemarie Santini does so successfully in this enchanting book. A bright accomplished young career woman perplexed by the complexities of her life looks back to the Austen heroines for a path to follow. Funny and fast moving, this is a book for a happy read that you will long remember.

Ivy S. Berchuck

Fantastic!
December 14, 2005

Kudos to Rosemarie Santini for "Sex & Sensibility. I eagerly followed the triumphs and tragedies of our very today girl Lizzie in all her trials and tribulations. It's a joy to see such a liberated female character who embraces sexuality AND career. This is a book that appeals to Austen fans or those that just love quick banter and a fun plot in a terrific NYC backdrop.

Sharon "Romy" Nordlinger

It's Not a Sequel
December 12, 2005

People who want a Jane Austen sequel are looking in the wrong place. Santini's novel is about a very modern young woman who is trying to lead a Jane-Austen inspired life in the 21st century. She is torn between the more traditional values, represented by her father, and the feminist values of her mother. Lizzie is searching for love, and you'll just have to read the book to see if she finds it.

J. Melito

ALL YOU NEED IS A SENSE OF HUMOR
December 11, 2005

Love's a funny thing, and Sex and Sensibility is a funny book that hilariously sends up the morals and lifestyles of New York's would-be glam set while presenting a comic romance. Maybe some people want to believe that love is serious stuff, but it certainly makes people do crazy things. You may even see a funhouse reflection of yourself as heroine Lizzie Parsons goes looking for love in some pretty goofy places. For myself, I was laughing all the way.

constantreader

Dear, oh Dear!
September 2, 2005

Sex and Sensibility: the adventures of a Jane Austen addict is a hilarious book with a soulful message.

Sex is everywhere in Manhattan. It's a city where everyone cheats, and honesty is a handicap. What do you do, however, when you are honest, especially in the treacherous game of love? If you're Lizzie Parsons, heroine of Rosemarie Santini's hilarious new book, you use wit and common sense to confront, and to conquer.

In her quest to become an "authentic" woman, Lizzie has many guides: how-to bestsellers, quirky friends, a feminist mother, and a sexually progressive grandmother. These guides, however, fail. Her relationship with her oh-so-British bad boy, Harry, continues to falter.

Lizzie has to reach further back, to another century, where rules reigned. With help from Jane Austen, Lizzie finds that a true heart and a wicked tongue cut through the dishonesty of any time, any place. Honesty, with a lot of humor, is a strength.

When you travel with Lizzie, you get a fun guide.

B. Wilson

A Jane Austen addict in today's New York
August 31, 2005

Rosemarie Santini's novel, SEX & SENSIBILITY; the adventures of a Jane Austen addict, is an affectionate social satire for today. I haven't had so much fun since I first read Trollope.

Here's the scoop: Lizzie Parsons lives life in the fast lane as a Manhattan film reviewer but yearns for a Jane Austen sensibility. The daughter of a romantic film producer and a feminist author, Lizzie - along with several devoted Jane-o-holics - tries to reinvent her life to give her Austen imagination full throttle - but someone or something always undermines her.

Her love life is a mess, too. Lizzie's devotion to a certain blue-eyed British actor frustrates a devoted ex-beau and a very sexy boss. Like Bridget Jones, she can't quite manage her fantasies.

As adorable Lizzie struggles to realize her dreams, we root for her as well as for all of Santini's wonderful characters in this well written novel.

This charming book is lots of fun!!!

Joan Glick

A winner
August 28, 2005

Manhattan based film critic Lizzie Parsons is the ultimate JANO (Jane-o-holics adulating Jane Austin). She classifies people by their favorite Austin novel and cherishes decorating in accordance with her Goddess' novel descriptions.

She has two potential men in her life. Gabriel Graves meets the key requirement of being a card carrying JANO member while her boss Harry Archer, so filled with PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, is the reincarnation of Fitzwilliam Darcy. Lizzie, having been raised by a fiery independent feminist and a film producing daddy who always calls her his princess, cannot make up her mind which man she wants. Of course the visiting British actor Darling Lad makes the decision that much more difficult as he seems to be the epitome of Jane Austin's male characters yet also appears to scorn the JANO world. Will she give up the freedom of going
solo or turn to one of the hunks, but if so who is her ideal leading man.

SEX AND SENSIBILITY is a terrific Jane Austin meets chick lit madcap Manhattan romance starring a delightfully irrational, obsessed, and wacky heroine, whose wild Sex in the City-like escapades make for a fun and fine story. Readers will appreciate dizzy Lizzie who classifies everyone in accordance with the rules of Jane Austin with JANOs obviously at the top rung of her pantheon. Chick lit fans and those who enjoy a rather deep character study will want to read Rosemarie Santini's fabulous freedom frolic.

Harriet Klausner

I highly recommend this book
August 28, 2005

I loved this book. Sex and Sensibility: The Adventures of a Jane Austen addict gave me a laugh-out-loud experience from start to finish.

Protagonist Lizzie Parsons, native New Yorker and Jane Austen worshipper extraordinaire, tries to achieve a life of Austen civility while searching for a perfect soul mate. This is almost impossible in a city that's more about sex than romance. Or is it?

Add an eccentric Mom, a fantasy-inducing Brit actor, an ex who wants to get her back (or is that get back at her?) a hunky boss, oddball friends and a wild collection of fellow Austen addicts, and you've got a cast of characters that adds a lot of spice to the story. Then there's the setting - New York's film and journalism scene, where the major question seem to be who has the biggest scandal brewing this week? No wonder Lizzie's life has more skids, swoops, and plunges than a theme park roller coaster!

This book is definitely a fun ride. Sex and Sensibility pushes the envelope while offering a great read along the way. Author Rosemarie Santini has masterfully crafted a witty, engaging tale that was impossible to put down once I started it. What I liked most was that along with all the humor and the hijinx, at its heart this story has a great deal of soul and empathy. In Jane Austen, Lizzie the protagonist has found her mentor; in Lizzie, author Rosemarie Santini has given us a modern-day muse.

J. Baranello