Olivia Twist

by Lorie Langdon

Olivia Twist is an innovative reimagining of Charles Dickens’ classic tale Oliver Twist, exploring what might have happened if Oliver had actually been a girl disguised for her own safety, who grows up to confront her tangled past. Perfect for fans, young and old, of Shakespeare, Mark Twain, Jane Austen, Oscar Wilde, and Edgar Allan Poe.

Olivia Brownlow is no damsel in distress. Born in a workhouse and raised as a boy among thieving London street gangs, she is as tough and cunning as they come. When she is taken in by her uncle after a caper gone wrong, her life goes from fighting and stealing on the streets to lavish dinners and soirees as a debutante in high society. But she can’t seem to escape her memories … or forget the teeming slums where children just like her are still scraping by just to survive.

Jack MacCarron rose from his place in London’s East End to become the adopted “nephew” of a society matron. Little does society know that MacCarron is a false name for a boy once known among London gangs as the Artful Dodger, and that he and his “aunt” are robbing them blind every chance they get. When Jack encounters Olivia Brownlow in places he least expects, his curiosity is piqued. Why is a society girl helping a bunch of homeless orphan thieves? Even more intriguing, why does she remind him so much of someone he once knew? When a villain from his past threatens Olivia’s future, Jack finds himself wondering if going legit and risking it all might be worth it for love.

“This clever retelling of Dickens’ Oliver Twist is perfect for readers who love romance, adventure, historical settings, and heroines who can kick butt in formal gowns.” – Booklist, starred review

• ISBN10: 0310763487
• ISBN13: 9780310763482
• Publish Date: 14 March 2024 (first published 6 March 2018)
• Publish Status: Active
• Out of Print: 19 May 2021
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: Zondervan
• Imprint: Blink
• Format: Paperback
• Pages: 336
• Language: English

Reviews

[Sam@WLABB]

I am such a fan of Oliver Twist in all its incarnations. I loved the book, the film, the play, and I always want some more. I was very interested in seeing Langdon put her spin on this story, and I must say, I was very pleased with the results.

•Pro: I was delighted that Langdon did not try to rewrite the original story, but rather, took us to a point after the end of Oliver Twist. We get small peeks into the past, which will seem familiar to anyone acquainted with the original story, and even get an appearance from a familiar face.

•Pro: Olivia was a great heroine. She was fierce, feisty, and fabulous and had the biggest heart. She was essentially the anti-Victorian woman, and I loved her.

•Pro: Jack was so swoony. He would say these things to Olivia that absolutely made me melt. He was also working so hard to be the best that he could be all for her. He wanted to be worthy of Olivia, and I am a sap for that sort of thing.

•Pro: I absolutely loved being in Victorian London. Langdon did a wonderful job painting the picture of life in that day and age, and it was fun doing the party circuit with Olivia.

•Pro: There was a lot going on this story, yet I never felt like it was too much. Langdon let it unfold in such a way and at a great pace, that it flowed nicely.

•Pro: I loved the orphan boys. I really thought it was fabulous that Olivia had that link to her past, and sort of kept Olivia walking a fine line between her former street life and her posh upbringing.

•Pro: I was a fan of the romance (of course). There was a lot of tension and electricity between these two, and they shared so much in their past, that they had a solid foundation to build upon.

•Pro: Loved the ending! It was quite lovely and made me smile.

Love? The word smashed into his chest like a cannon ball. Who was he kidding? Every street kid knew love was nothing but a myth. But to have her by his side - to know she was his - would be enough.

Overall: A new take on a old favorite, that kept me flipping the pages with its mystery and suspense, but mostly with its romance.

*ARC provided in exchange for a full review.

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