Persuasion by Jane Austen

This book is as current today as when it was written in 1816, because the themes of rekindled romance and overcoming barriers to romance are also current. At the age of 19, Anne Elliot, daughter of a baronet, falls in love with Frederick Wentworth, who has no fortune or title. Anne is persuaded by a close family friend, Lady Russell, to refuse Wentworth’s proposal of marriage. Eight years later, he returns as Captain Wentworth with his fortune made, but with some bitterness towards Anne for having let herself be talked out of marrying him. By now her family has had financial problems and must move from their family home to Bath. Without giving away all the twists and turns that keep throwing Anne and Frederick together, let me just say it is a very entertaining story, well worth your time to read.