Austen is well known for her perceptive satirizing of human nature. Alexis Hall is similarly skilled at breathing life and likeability into characters I wouldn't get along with in the real world. Jonathan is not a nice man, but goddamn if I wasn't rooting for him and Sam by the turning point in the narrative. A compelling story with well developed characters and dry wit-- I'll happily suspend my disbelief and prejudice for the happily ever after.