Autumn with Persuasion

Welcome to The Primrose Tales Literary Club’s seasonal at-home retreats, celebrating our shared love for classic works and the authors who penned them. As this year marks the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birthday, we have an exciting lineup of cozy self-guided retreats featuring some of her most beloved novels.

Complete with themed giveaways, printable bookish retreat kits, suggestions for tea pairings, journal prompts, and period inspired crafts, these retreats are curated experiences that allow you to experience the atmosphere of a bookish retreat from the comfort of your home, blending reading with relaxation, creativity, and connection.

At the end of each retreat, grab your favorite hot beverage, cozy up in your reading spot, and invite your friends to join you for a virtual or in-person tea party as you discuss the featured book and author. (Party invitations included with the free download.)

As a participant in any of our seasonal self-guided bookish retreats, you’re automatically entered to win the seasonal giveaways, and eligible for any other surprises that may come along the way.

This autumn we step into Jane Austen’s most poignant novel, Persuasion. Inspired by Anne Elliot’s journey, I invite you to take this time and slow down as we sip afternoon tea, read Jane’s beautiful work, and create season-inspired crafts, all designed to bring Austen’s world into your own. Whether you’re revisiting an old favorite or reading (watching) Persuasion for the first time, this retreat offers a gentle space to embrace the season of change and new beginnings. Happy reading, and thank you for stopping by!

Autumn with Persuasion Retreat Schedule

During this three day Autumn with Persuasion self-guided retreat we will read the book, watch the movies (or both), have tea and treats, take walks among the falling leaves, journal, and create a lovely Regency-inspired pressed leaf album. You can extend this retreat to more than three days, for the entire season even, by using the printable kit and suggestions in this post and creating your own seasonal tea and treat pairings, adding to the journal prompts, and reading fewer chapters per day. Below are helpful links and recommendations to enhance your experience. For the complete itinerary, a welcome letter, and more, don’t forget to download your complimentary printable 9-page retreat kit found at the bottom of this page.

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Day 1

Read the first 8 chapters of Persuasion. Watch the 1971 BBC mini-series adaptation of the novel, or both. The show features Ann Firbank ass Ann Eliot & Bryan Marshall as Captain Wentworth.

Have your first tea and treat pairing: Anne’s Autumn Spice Blend tea and Baked pear with honey.

Answer the journal prompt included in your kit and take a leisurely autumn walk or sit on the porch for a breath of fresh air.

Day 2

Read chapters 9-18 and watch the 1995 film adaptation of the novel featuring Amanda Root and Ciaran Hinds.

Light a seasonal candle and write a letter to your past or future self. This time, enjoy Captain Wentworth’s Smoky Earl Grey tea blend with Maple Scones.

Enjoy the outdoors and collect an assortment of autumn leaves for your cozy Regency-inspired craft the next day. Journal or paint outside in a garden or by the shore, if you happen to leave near a lake or the sea.

Day 3

Finish the book and/or watch the 1997 adaptation of Persuasion featuring Sally Hawkins and Rupert Penry-Jones.

Enjoy your read and movie with the third tea and treat pairing: Lady Russel’s Cinnamon Whisper tea and dark chocolate truffles. If you prefer to make your own at home, these Orio cookie truffles are a favorite with my family, and we have a ton of fun making them. Pair those a sunset reading or gazing session.

For an optional Regency period pastime activity, make your very own pressed leaves album or art while you listen to a favorite cozy playlist.

In closing…

Thank you for spending your autumn in the company of Anne Elliot and Captain Wentworth. As your retreat concludes, take a moment to reflect on this experience and what it meant to you. Whether you journaled every day or simply read quietly with tea in hand, even if just a few minutes, I hope this retreat has brought you a few moments of joy and it has been uplifting and inspirational. As Anne learned—time, though slow, is kind to those who wait with grace.

Opt in below to receive your free downloadable retreat kit and a chance to win a free copy of this gorgeous collectable edition of Persuasion complete with removable replicas of the characters’ letters and other paper ephemera. Giveaway closes at the end of the season on Nov 30th. No purchase necessary and winner will be announced on our official Instagram account.

Thank you for spending your autumn with us. We hope this retreat brought peace, insight, and the thrill of quiet transformation.