Anne of Manhattan: A Novel (2021) by Brina Starler is an adaptation of L.M. Montgomery's novel Anne of the Island, the third book in the Anne of Green Gables series. This romance novel and coming-of-age story is 336 pages in length, and it is a modern re-imagining of the classic tale.
In Starler's retelling, Anne Shirley is a graduate student working towards her master’s degree in education at Redmond College in Manhattan. When Anne's old rival Gilbert Blythe transfers to Redmond from Berkeley, Anne must come to terms with her feelings towards him.
Here is the description of the book from HarperCollins Publishers:
L. M. Montgomery’s classic tale, Anne of Green Gables, gets a romantic, charming, and hilarious modern adaptation, set in New York City.
After an idyllic girlhood in Avonlea, Long Island, Anne has packed up her trunk, said goodbye to her foster parents, Marilla and Matthew, and moved to the isle of Manhattan for grad school. Together with her best friend, Diana Barry, she’s ready to take on the world and find her voice as a writer.
When her long-time archrival Gilbert Blythe shows up at Redmond College for their final year, Anne gets the shock of her life. Gil has been in California for the last five years—since he kissed her during a beach bonfire, and she ghosted him. Now the handsome brunette is flashing his dimples at her like he hasn’t a care in the world and she isn’t buying it.
Paired with the same professor for their thesis, the two former competitors come to a grudging peace that turns into something so much deeper...and sexier than either intended. But when Gil seemingly betrays her to get ahead, Anne realizes she was right all along—she should never have trusted Gilbert Blythe.
While Gil must prove to Anne that they’re meant to be together, she must come to terms with her old fears if she wants a happily-ever-after with the boy she’s always (secretly) loved.
"Full of warmth—and heat!—Anne of Manhattan is a blast for fans of the original Anne books. What fun to recognize “our” Anne, with all her quirks and passions, in this story of a thoroughly modern woman."
—Jenny Holiday, author of A Prince for Christmas
"If you grew up reading Anne of Green Gables, you won't want to miss Brina Starler's Anne of Manhattan, a contemporary retelling of the classic love story…. Starler brings in many of the high points of the original series, and she delivers the snap and spark between Anne and Gilbert — as well as his slow burn love for Anne. Like the original, this isn't a story of two people falling in love, it's about two people realizing they've been in love the whole damn time."
—Maya Rodale, NPR (full review)
"This is a sweet update to a classic story with an Anne Shirley fans will recognize and a Gilbert Blythe as dreamy as ever."
—Publishers Weekly (full review)
ISBN-13: 9780063020740
Image credit:
Book cover of Anne of Manhattan: A Novel.
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Created June 18, 2021. Last updated September 18, 2025.
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