It All Started with Autumn Jones

by Jack Weyland

Dr. T. Penstock, aka Thomas the Terrible, is known as one of the hardest professors on campus. The man is opinionated, arrogant, and likely to fail anyone who disagrees with him. So it becomes Nick Baxter s plan to avoid detection, ask no questions, and raise no issues. He needs an A if he wants to get into law school. And his plan might have worked it if hadn t been for Autumn Jones. Jack Weyland s most recent novel blends a nice dose of wit and humor with his signature common sense in this story of life, love, and learning to solve problems as Autumn helps Nick find the strength to stand up for his beliefs. Together they discover what it takes to build a strong foundation for a future marriage. It s a fun story with a great message. Demonstrates for young adults the benefits of learning to give and take A touching and charming story that will appeal to young adults

Genres: Lds Fiction, Romance, Lds, Clean Romance, Fiction, Young Adult, Contemporary Romance

176 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2010

About the author

Jack Weyland is the best-selling author of young-adult fiction for the Latter-day Saint market. In fact, the modern genre of Latter-day Saint-themed popular fiction is one he is largely responsible for creating with his overwhelmingly popular novel Charly. His interest in fiction began with a correspondence course in creative writing taken during a summer at BYU where he was doing research work. Since then he has published more than two dozen books, and over fifty of his short stories have been published by the LDS Church magazine The New Era.

Born in Butte, Montana, Jack received a B.S. degree in physics from Montana State University and a Ph.D. in physics from BYU. Currently he teaches physics at BYU-Idaho. He formerly taught physics at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.

Jack and his wife, Sheryl, are the parents of five children and have four grandchildren. His hobbies include racquetball and singing.

Reviews

[Sariah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh Jack Weyland, why do you do this? I love you. I love your books. I've been a huge fan since I was 12 years old and got "Charly" for Christmas in my stocking and read it before we were even ready to open the presents under the tree. However the more books you write, I feel like the lazier you're getting. What happened to the great narration and story telling of "Peppertide" or "A New Dawn"??

This has the plot of what could have been a really great story. And I liked Autumn and Nick much more than some of your other recent main characters. I liked how convicted Autumn is of her beliefs and how Nick was still humble enough to listen to the Spirit and do what he needed to do.

I didn't like how black and white everything was. Dr. Weyland, do you remember life outside of Rexburg, Idaho? Do you remember that most members of the Church aren't THAT conservative everywhere else? And it's not a sin to be a liberal. Everything was just so extreme. I guess it's fine to be that way in a book for a 12 year old, but I'm 35 now and while I realize this is a young adult book, maybe you could have given your readers a bit more to think about. (I did, however, like the argument about Intelligent Design using monkeys typing the Gettysburg Address. It made me chuckle, too).

The whole story needed to be beefed up and rounded out. Then I could have enjoyed it more.

[Valerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh. Too Molly Mormon for me. They were too perfect. Who goes to the library to pray together after EVERYTHING that happens? Seriously? It was a good story line but too corny for my taste. But it is a good story about standing up for what you believe. So I give it a 3.

[Jody Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read many Jack Weyland stories. This is book predictable; cheesy and somewhat mushy. It lacked character development and the ending-- whoa, abrupt. In spite of all that, I enjoyed it. It has just enough of a quirky narration to keep me coming back. (It's a super-fast read.)

[Hannah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Let's do this like Autumn and Nick would:

Reasons to like "It All Started with Autumn Jones":
-Easy to read
-Appeals to target audiences
-It has a good theme at heart
-Good guy side of Dr. Penstock
-Chocolate
-What I imagine to be the typical male brain. Nick's not all perfect.

Reasons to groan at "It All Started with Autumn Jones":
-Lists!!!
-The fact that the Nick kept saying, "no, I don't love Autumn" for like half the book. Yeah, we knew right away, even without reading the back, that he was gonna fall for her, because he described her hair.
-Unrealistic expectations
-Okay, so people actually do look at people and think that they would look better with contacts, but the fact that she got them right before they got engaged (possibly to impress him? Wasn't clear) really, really irked me.
-"My problem was she looked like someone who'd served a mission." Maybe it's true, but nobody's supposed to say it!
-Basically like 2 characters, both of which are flat and two-dimensional.
-Plot points happened in rapid succession, the pace was just "LET'S FINISH THIS BOOK RIGHT HERE RIGHT NOW"
-Most plot points were very similar to each other, for at least half the book
-Anyone inconvenient to the protagonist's opinions is automatically bad.
-The fact that Autumn puts up with Nick obviously digging on Bonneville 24/7. I wouldn't even be FRIENDS with people like that
-Nick got into Harvard TWICE without knowing context clues or the definition of the word "context" (I hope that was a joke but I'm not sure)

Overall, this book probably would have been better having dropped the details and just becoming a novelette or something. It wasn't totally unlikeable, though. More of a feel-good story than anything.

[The Sweet Bookshelf · Rating 2 out of 5]

OK, I need to be honest here. I was not impressed with this book. I thought the characters needed developed badly, and their dialogue left much to be desired. Plus, it just wasn't believable. I've had some pretty strong professors in college that debated my beliefs, but this was overboard. No professor I ever came in contact with treated students with such disdain. Let alone, no student had such a lack of respect for the professor and the other students.

I did like the plot. I thought it needed to be worked out more, it was just too short. But the story line was good. Maybe that is why I finished it instead of tossing it aside. It has good bones, I just wanted so much more. But, I think all books should be 500 pages and I enjoy details!

[Suzana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it. It was an easy read, but it read like a high school journal. There were things I liked, mainly that he strives to be better because Autumn was who she was. She inspired him to try harder, to work harder, to be better. I love people like that who by just being who they are encourage others to reach higher and accomplish more.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, easy read. Lots of parts made me laugh.

[Carey · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved Weyland's older book, Charly, so I thought I'd give his most recent a try. It was so Molly Mormon/Peter Priesthood ISH. ugh.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liked this story very much. Fun fast read to brighten up the world a bit at a time.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a cute, quick, fun little read. I enjoyed the story and what the author was trying to deliver with this story. It isn't as good as his Charly, Sam, and Adam stories, but overall I thought the development of the characters relationship was really well done.

Nick has one semester left in school and all he needs to do is get an "A" in all of his classes and he will be allowed into Harvard on a provisional basis. Easily done since he was told how to pass the one evil class he has left: Attend class, Participate in class discussions by agreeing with everything the teacher says, and write a term paper supporting the ideas that the teacher has presented. Nick tells himself that should be easy, but then enters Autumn. Autumn is a girl that is not okay with bending to the will of others and she wants the teacher to know that she stands for more than having the ideas shoved down her throat - she can think for herself. Autumn takes it upon herself to stand up to the evil teacher, Dr Pentstock. Through guidance and luck Nick and Autumn learn to work together to come up with clear concise arguments to defend themselves, their beliefs, and to stand for truth and righteousness. Nick quickly develops feelings for Autumn, but Autumn has a lot of things that she needs to experience and do before she can choose between Nick and her missionary.

I would suggest this book to those readers that are Jack Weyland fans and for those that are enjoy a good, quick, clean read.

[Halle B 6 · Rating 5 out of 5]

It All Started with Autumn Jones by Jack Weyland is a a novel about two students in a college class standing up for what they believe in to matter how hard their professor makes it. These two start out as strangers and then become very good friends. This book takes you on a journey through a semester of college and it talks about some trials that could happen in college. I connected to this book because I have a sister who is in college and I pictured her in Autumn's shoes. The beliefs that Nick and Autumn are standing up for are the same beliefs that I would like to defend if I ever get the chance. It All Started With Autumn Jones taught me things that I didn't know before and it encouraged me to be a better person. In most romance novels, it is from the girl's point of view, but in this book, it is from a guy's point of view and I really liked that. It was cool to experience the story from the perspective of a boy. There was one or two times where it got a little boring and Nick would say that he didn't do anything exciting on that day and I think that was not needed, but other than that, this book was fun and it was cute and it was silly. The theme of this book is that if you work hard at fixing the problems in front of you and put some effort into it, things will turn right.

[Megan C 1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book It all started with Autumn Jones, by Jack Weyland, is about a guy who is trying to be a lawyer and needs to get really good grades. But one professor talks bad about Nicks beliefs and he has the choice to stand up for his beliefs or get a good grade. Then he meets a girl who also has the same beliefs. This book was really easy to relate to because the beliefs that Nick and Autumn decide to stand up for are the same things that I believe in. This book is different than most books in this genre because it is from the boy's perspective not the girl's. Because it was different than it was more interesting. It put me in the mind of the guy in a relationship, which is not always a good thing, but it was in this case. Some of the details that it talks about were not really that important, so it made some parts drag on, but it is cute and it taught me things that I didn't know before. The theme that I got from this book is to stand up for the things that you believe in. Even though there will be trials along the way, everything will end up the way it is supposed to.

[Mackenzie L, 5 · Rating 4 out of 5]

It All Started with Autumn Jones by Jack Weyland is about a collage student in a class he needed to pass, when Dr. Penstock stared to make accusations about his religion. He sat there hoping somebody else would say something, somebody did and that changed everything. Her name was Autumn Jones who is a outspoken girl. I felt like this book was a fast read that was easy to get into. Because it was a simple basic story. I however didn't like that it wasn't very descriptive with the way they described some things like Nick. I did like that it was a easy story to follow and that the story was based in today world. It was easy to relate to it because there were things that we use today. It was also very easy to connect to because the author referenced the LDS church, like when Autumns dad was reading a book about Boyd K. Packer. It was also fun when they kept mentioning Utah. I relate to this book because I like how Autumn and Nick work hard together to defend something important to them.

[Krystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Autumn and Nick's relationship is very believable, which is why i liked it so much. However I was even more entranced by it because it was from Nick's perspective. It's hard sometimes to understand the guys side of the story when there's no insight to their parts, but for me it makes stories like these that much more appealing when it's told from their vantage point. Nick's family relationship and his relationship with Autumn matures and is a roller coaster of miscommunication and emotional turmoil. Not every relationship book has a happliy ever after, and this book keeps you guessing.

[Josh · Rating 1 out of 5]

So I have state that my wife read this book and then read me some excerpts that bugged her. And I have to say that I agreed with her that the book repeatedly hits you over the head with cheesy stuff that people in real life don't do.

For example, in the book the main characters make a list together of why they should get married. One of the things they put on the list is that they both honor their baptismal covenants. There are repeated things like this through out the book that were weird. And my wife read enough to me that I can say I will not be reading this book.

[Ana · Rating 2 out of 5]

The trouble with Jack Weyland is that he has ONE female protagonist and ONE male that he uses over and over again (with different names of course). The plots are all pretty much the same too. Charlie was good and maybe Sam but after that it is just more of the same. I read this b/c a friend thought I would enjoy it so b/c I like her I read it. Otherwise I wouldn't have b/c like I said, I already knew what the characters would be like as well as the plot.

[Debby · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting LDS take on college life and standing up for what you believe. When Nick Baxter signs up for Dr. Penstock's class, all he wants is an A so he can go to Harvard Law. What he gets is RM Autumn Jones, who isn't afraid to disagree with the professor, and stands up for her church beliefs. Nick and Autumn strike up a relationship that takes them thru several ups and downs.

Jack Weyland seems to get better with experience.

[Gayle · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. It's been a while since I've read a Jack Weyland book and I wanted to like this more than I did. Parts of it seemed inconsistent or unrealistic and parts were a bit over-the-top. But I did like the underlying message of standing up for what you believe in and I also liked the way it portrayed Nick and Autumn's growing relationship (that part seemed more realistic than many other books).

[Aimee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this book up from the library. It is LDS fiction.

Two kids meet in a college class where they combine efforts to stand against a teacher's tirade against the things they believe to be true.

This was a quick read. My favorite part was the chocolate. That Nick boy knows. Dark chocolate with a hint of fruit flavors? I'm sold. Maybe I should have my husband read this book. :)

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always enjoy Jack Weyland's books, and this one was no exception. I kind of got annoyed with Autumn sometimes, though. I thought things were pretty obvious, but she didn't seem to see things that way. It just bugs me when characters in books or movies make things so much more complicated than they need to be, but I guess that's what makes people want to read/watch.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the kind of predictable, mushy, almost unrealistic romance that takes about an hour and a half to read. Even though it was all of those things--and despite the somewhat abrubt and lacking ending--I found myself greatly enjoying it. Sometimes, one needs a super-sweet romance to make them think all is right with the world.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

It hasn't come out yet in stores. I got to pre-read it. I actually thought it was good. I haven't read any Jack Weyland books before, but I did enjoy this one. It was a cute romance. A very quick read. This book is meant for teen/young adult.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

well, this book started off good and really interesting, but it fell apart and became pretty predictable 2/3 of the way through. That being said, it was still a fun read. How many of us have known girls like Autumn? I know that I have.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Standard Jack Weyland book but then I like Jack Weyland books. Most are young adult romances written to make a point. This one is about standing up for what you believe. Will it cost Nick to loose his chance to attend law school?

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

My sister got this one from the library and I borrowed it for a throw back to the good 'ol days when I couldn't get enough Jack Weyland. His stories are predictable and cheesy, but once in a while I still need a Jack Weyland fix.

[Momruns5 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jaylen had just read this, so I thought I would see what a modern day Weyland was doing. I remember Charly very well from my teen years. This seemed a little over the top, but Charly probably was too and I just didn't know it then.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've heard good things about this one. I'm only on chapter 2, I've only had time to read it at the Dr office. So hopefully I'll have a chance to finish it soon.

I finished! It wasn't amazing, and at times it felt rushed, but I still liked it.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very quick read. I liked that it represented standing up for your beliefs whatever they are, and not being obnoxious about it, just quietly firm. Read it all in one day with earplugs while the family destroyed the house. :)

[Lindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have a Jack Weyland book fetish. I've been reading his books since I was a kid, and even now when he has a new one, I have to read it. This one wasn't my favourite by any means, but it was a cute story. A lot of his books are very similar, but it's a quick read.

[Shavonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this much better than the last couple new Weyland books I've read. It was a cute, quick read. I loved that it was told from the guys point of view. Good story about standing up for your beliefs.