heirloom video book review

Heirloom video books are the perfect sentimental gift

Here at Rave & Review, we talk a lot about sentimental gifts. That’s because they are my absolute favorite to gift. There’s just something special about choosing the perfect gift for a friend or family member and then seeing their eyes light up when they realize what it is. Heirloom video books check every single one of my boxes when it comes to sentimental gift perfection, and I love how surprised everyone is when they open one the first time.

What is an Heirloom video book?

An Heirloom video book looks just like a physical book from the cover, but this is definitely a case where you should not judge a book by its cover. As soon as you flip open the customizable Heirloom video book, you will be greeted by a personalized video that plays automatically {or automagically, as we call it} on the integrated video player .

On the sendheirloom.com site, you can choose the length of your video book, choosing either the 10- or 20-minute version. Then you can choose the cover, or customize your own with your own pictures. Your Heirloom video book can be filled with photos, video clips, and your choice of music or audio files. Simply upload videos and photos from your computer, your phone, or directly from Facebook to start designing.

The online builder includes easy-to-use tools to help you arrange your videos and photos, select your cover {or design your own}, add music {from their library or yours}, create an inside message and then enjoy a preview of your final product. Once you’re happy with your book, the Heirloom team will create your book, package it in a giftable box with a charging cord, and then ship it to you or directly to your loved one.

If you want something to gift right away but would like to add videos later, you also have the option of ordering a “blank” Heirloom video book that you can connect to your computer and download the video to the book later. This option is ideal if you’re collaborating with family or creating a sentimental project that you need input on before, or if you want to work with your recipient to create a special book together. This blank book option will still ship with the Heirloom promo video so you can see just how incredibly cool the video player is, even without loading a video. The cover will also not be attached to the player so you can choose the orientation as you edit your Heirloom video.

And, if you change your mind on your video or want to add more media? Heirloom books are designed to be customizable over and over again. Just utilize the video builder to change, add, remove and reorganize your media as many times as you’d like. Simply visit  sendheirloom.com/load-my-book  to follow step-by-step instructions. If you are interested in manually loading your book, without using the Heirloom website, just connect your Heirloom book to any computer and transfer your video files just as you would load them onto a USB drive.

Who are Heirloom video books for?

Honestly, they are for anyone. They would be amazing for making important videos accessible from anywhere, which would be perfect for wedding videos, family footage, or for special vacations, and more. They are also perfect for those without high tech know-how, like children or the elderly who may not have computers or smartphones. Because once the video is loaded to the book you don’t need WiFi to play, your recipient can watch them anytime they’d like – no internet connection, power cord or technological skills required.

I like to call them the highest tech gift for low tech people because literally anyone can enjoy them without any special tools or players. Since it’s all integrated into the book, you can basically enjoy your special movies just like you can your books, and you can store it just like you do your favorite books as well. Just charge it every now and again with the included cord {video book should play for at least a full hour} and it will be good to go whenever your loved one opens the cover.

Not sure if you’re ready to buy yet?

You’re in luck because you can try the Heirloom video book builder before purchasing a video book. Just visit  make.sendheirloom.com  to access the builder before you make a purchase. Simply design a custom cover or upload some media, just to see how easy and fun it can be. And, if you decide you like what you see, you can complete the check out from there, too.

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Review: Heirloom Video Book

Quick links hide, what is it , how do i use it , would i recommend it .

Listen to our honest review featured on the ‘Unscaled Travel Show’ radio program: 

From time to time, marketing agencies will provide us with samples of products that they represent in the travel space. We are under no obligation to write or talk about these products, and we receive absolutely zero financial compensation for our thoughts.

We only review products that we actually use and feel as though this product may help someone else.

If we, in the future, ever enter into a financial deal with a company that has products related to travel, and we speak on them, we will disclose this upfront.

We always, always, always strive to maintain transparency when / if we recommend products to our audience. We take this relationship seriously.

A customizable photo and video-playing book that puts your memories into your hands. 

The folks at Send Heirloom have made it incredibly simple to order and use. Just visit the Send Heirloom website, buy the book, build your book through a simple-to-use online builder via email, then Heirloom mails your book. 

The book then arrives within five business days and you’ve created a timeless keepsake. 

They have 16 ready-to-use designs for your cover, from birthdays to new babies or engagement announcements. Or you can design your own for a small price, which really puts a personal feel on the video book. 

A strong yes . While digital and video picture frames have been on the market for a number of years, the Heirloom video book feels like a giant leap forward in terms of quality and ease of use. 

Also, the ease in which you can switch out photos and videos to keep the memories fresh and new means the Heirloom video book will be a cherished addition to your home and not just another dusty old album you keep on a shelf.

Jeremy Long

Jeremy Long is a writer and content creator based in Las Vegas. The Full Metal Traveler can be found on many travel websites including FullMetalTraveler.com, Matador Network, Hilton, Wanderlust, The Travel, and more. He is the host of a weekly radio program called Unscaled on KSHP 107.1FM / 1400AM in Las Vegas, where he discusses all things travel. He is also the author of several published books including the ‘Ghost Snare’ paranormal humor series.

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Reviews 4.8.

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I made an anniversary book for my husband

I made an anniversary book for my husband. It was our 20th year so I put together pictures from our wedding until now. However, I have very little technical ability but the process was easy and user friendly. The best part was, if I got stuck or had a question, I spoke directly to the owner of the company. She helped me so much and it was refreshing to talk to a real person who truly cares. The book turned out really well and I am so grateful that the process was easy and fun.

Date of experience : June 26, 2024

This is the best

This is the best! It’s not only a wonderful product which will surprise all recipients, you get all the help you need from a very friendly staff and owners. Easy to do even for non tech people like me. Will definitely be doing again and surprising more people!

Date of experience : June 12, 2024

AMAZING gift for my mom's 70th

I made a video for my mom's 70th birthday and I am so happy we went with Heirloom motion book! The quality of the package was great and the communication with the team/owner was fantastic. Our first copy arrived damaged and they were so wonderful about making sure they got us another version before my moms birthday. Quality work and quality people make the world of difference. So thank you for everything and I would recommend them and this product to anyone. My mom has watched the video over and over again. Even my whole family was so impressed by it. Thanks so much!

Date of experience : June 22, 2024

I recently had an outstanding experience

I recently had an outstanding experience this company and have been amazed by its excellent customer support. I am not technically skilled, but I loved the idea of the Heirloom Book so I decided to give it a try. I had a little trouble at first so I reached out to the company for assistance. From the moment I contacted them, the support team and customer service team was incredibly responsive, friendly, and knowledgeable. They listened attentively to my concerns and provided clear, step-by-step guidance that resolved my issue swiftly. What impressed me the most was their genuine willingness to help and ensure my satisfaction. In fact, after numerous emails back-and-forth, they called me directly to resolve the issue - ON A SATURDAY MORNING!!! They followed up to make sure everything was running smoothly and even offered additional tips to enhance my experience. The professionalism and dedication of the support staff exceeded my expectations, turning a potentially frustrating situation into a positive one. I highly recommend this company for its exceptional customer service, which truly goes WAY above and beyond to take care of its customers.

Date of experience : June 29, 2024

Very attentive staff

Very attentive staff, assisted me to find and track my package, kept checking in to see that I received it. This is the second book I ordered, what an excellent gift idea for those that have everything! Very creative

Date of experience : June 24, 2024

Previous gift for Father's day

Ordered a video book for Father's day and was so happy with the entire experience of ordering the book. The video upload process was very simple and loved the feature of adding our own background music. And with only 3 days left before Father's day, Randee was so helpful and patient in explaining the available options to get the book on time. And the book did arrive on time, and it was so beautiful. Was so precious to see the smile on my husband's face! Thank you for creative a lifetime memory :)

Date of experience : June 17, 2024

Wonderful product, experience and customer service

I had a wonderful experience ordering the Heirloom video book. It was easy to work on it adding videos, pictures and music. Randee and all the people from this company were exceptional and they went above and beyond to make sure that everything was perfect and on time; they exceeded my expectations. What a beautiful way to remember any events in our lives! I will definitely use this company again and warmly recommend it to my friends and family.

Date of experience : June 14, 2024

I bought this Heirloom Book for our daughter's wedding anniversary

I bought this Heirloom Book for our daughter's third wedding anniversary, and wanted to add their wedding video to it. The cover of the book is perfect for the theme! Starting out was easy enough, but somehow I couldn't get the project to finalize. I was able to contact customer support, and they responded very quickly with more instruction. Tried again, but still wouldn't finalize for me. I was able to speak with customer support (thank you, Randee!) and she walked me through the whole process step by step, confirming all my steps with me along the way. Turns out there was one small thing I skipped in the process. The 17 minute video was transferred successfully! Even though I had seen the video numerous times before, seeing it in the setting of this Heirloom Book made me cry all over again! Such a beautiful and thoughtful product! The book is an impressive and well thought out piece, with control buttons on the side (volume, pause, etc.) If you are thinking about getting one of these, and are hesitant, don't be! Go ahead and get it with confidence that support will be there for you! I can't wait to get another one and use it for other life's special events!

Date of experience : June 20, 2024

Ordered a book for Father's Day

Ordered a book for Father's Day. The whole process was seamless. I'm not tech savvy and I found it very easy to add pictures and videos. The customer service was great. They were very responsive when I had an issue with my video and were able to fix the problem quickly. I loved that you can add background music. I was able to add an original song my husband played. He loved the book and it is something we will treasure forever!

Date of experience : June 16, 2024

Wonderful customer service!

This company is absolutely amazing. I found them online and when I saw they had a promo code for Father's Day I decided to give them a shot and order my husband a gift. Their site made it so easy to create such a meaningful gift and I love that it ships with all the images loaded and ready to go. After I checked out I realized I had forgotten to enter the promo code so I reached out to their customer service to see if anything could be done. Randee was so wonderful! She reached out immediately and credited me back the amount that would have been saved using the coupon code no questions asked! Best customer service and I will recommend them to anyone needing a thoughtful gift idea in the future.

Date of experience : May 29, 2024

Absolutely top-notch customer service

Absolutely top-notch customer service! I had an issue with my order and received an email from customer service within hours. They were very helpful and worked with me to correct the order. (Which was an ordering error on my part) If you are thinking of ordering a video book, I would highly recommend Heirloom.

Date of experience : June 04, 2024

Randle at Send Heirloom was so helpful…

Randle at Send Heirloom was so helpful when I was having an issue uploading my song. She walked me through the process stop by step and made sure I was fully satisfied with the product. I can’t wait to get my book in the mail!

Date of experience : June 06, 2024

I would absolutely recommend…

I would absolutely recommend Sendheirloom. The product works great. Recently my mother received this product as a gift from her grandchildren, but misplaced the charging cable. I emailed them simply for the information on the type of cable they used, so I could replace it. Instead they emailed me back immediately offering to replace it for free. Within a week they had sent me 2 free charging cables, and my mom was able to rewatch her memories on the device.

Date of experience : May 22, 2024

Daughters high school graduation

My daughters high school graduation is coming up and I wanted to make her a keepsake. I came across Heirloom after Googling and checked their site and found that it was exactly what I wanted to do, a video message in a book. Everything looked very straight forward so I looked at some reviews and decided to go ahead. I did have a question that wasn't in their FAQ so I called the 800# but wasn't able to speak with anyone. Shortly after Randee called and left me a voicemail saying she saw that I called and said to email or call back and we could schedule a call, I was impressed with the level of response calling me back as I had not left a message. I did not need that call as I figured out what I wanted to know. I recorded my video on my cell phone, uploaded it using their detailed instructions and link in the email that was generated at order, I uploaded a front cover picture and a back cover picture for the book, chose my shipping and that was it. I bought the 10 minute video package and still had 3 minutes left of time. A day after submitting I reached out to Randee and asked if I could add another video to the end that was less than the remaining time, she got back right away and said it wasn't a problem and I sent her the video to add on. I was able to preview the project online with the links they sent in order to proof it before production. The next hurdle was shipping, I thought of this idea a little late so I did pay for a more expidited shipping, even still I really didn't think it would get here on time (would have been my fault if it didnt as I did this very close to the event date) as I did custom covers and they take a little more time for printing. I asked Randee about the shipping time frame and she said it does show that they can get it to me on time however there is a holiday (June 19) in there. It was shipped on Thursday from the US and delivered to me the NEXT day in Canada, getting it to me 2 business days earlier than I needed it. The book is FANTASTIC, the covers are beautiful with the pictures, excellent print job or how ever they transfer them and the videos are excellent on a nice clear screen with the additional video I sent being added on seemlessly after the first. The book has charging capability (came with cable usb to c I believe) volume controls etc....All I can say is Randee and her team are doing excellent work from communication to product to shipping and helping along the way, OUTSTANDING! Thanks Randee, I am very excited to give this to my daughter!

Great experience

I ordered a video book for my mom for Mother’s Day. The ordering process was pretty easy and loading the content instructions were easy to understand. Randee was super helpful every time I call for customer support and even offered something special to do for mom. My mom loved it and her eyes got watery, she’s rarely shows emotion so I know it worked.

Date of experience : May 11, 2024

very responsible

very responsible, respond quickly and agreed to correct some details in the book. I will definitely come back to Sendhairloom!!!!Thanks !!!

Date of experience : June 05, 2024

I recently purchased a heirloom video…

I recently purchased a heirloom video books as a farewell gift for my friend moving aboard and I couldn’t be more impressed with both the product and service. The video book was beautifully crafted and the ability to include video clips made of an unforgettable gift. My friend was speechless and deeply touched by the personalized videos. What truly sets Heirloom apart is their outstanding customer service. After my son accidentally smudged a note, I reached out to see if they can send a replacement. Randee responded promptly and sent a new note, ensuring that the gift was perfect. I highly recommend heirloom video for anyone looking for a unique and heartfelt gift. The quality of the memory book and exceptional customer service have earned them a loyal customer in me.

Date of experience : April 22, 2024

Best new product around

This is one of the best products I have ever bought. My daughter wanted a way to watch her dance recital videos and I found this through a Google search. It is just awesome! So many way to use it! Will definitely buy more.

AMAZING!!!!!

I was hesitant to try to put a video book together but the simplicity of the website and AMAZING customer service made this process very easy. I cannot stress how helpful they were in working me through step by step and the finished product was priceless!! I would recommend Heirloom to anyone, amazing product and company!

Date of experience : May 09, 2024

I am so impressed with this product and…

I am so impressed with this product and the company! I ordered the heirloom book for my daughter-in-law’s first Mother’s Day gift. I’m 67 yrs old and only somewhat computer literate, but thought I knew enough to manage this project. It would have helped if a read the directions first! I called the toll free number for help and was pleasantly surprised when one of the owners answered my call! How impressive is that??? We had a very nice conversation and she was absolutely wonderful and so patient ! This is an awesome product and a great gift idea. My daughter-in-law loved this gift and I plan on purchasing more of these books to give as gifts. What a creative concept! This is a small family business that focuses on customer service and satisfaction. I was extremely satisfied and impressed with the product and company! Thank you Randee!

Date of experience : May 06, 2024

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Heirloom Video Book

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A physical book mailed to loved ones filled with meaningful videos of your family and friends.

The videos play automatically when the cover is opened, making them perfect gifts for people without smartphones.

About the books.

Video books come fully charged and loaded with your home videos. Your recipient just opens it and your videos play.

If you can open a greeting card, you can receive a video book.

No technical knowledge, computer, smartphone, or Internet is required.

5” HD screen, delivered directly to your recipient already loaded with up to 10 min of your home movies.

Made for seniors.

Heirloom helps keep families close, even when reality forces them to be far apart. Many seniors don't have the technology they need to stay connected right now.

Share the moment.

Your phone has already captured wonderful moments. Heirloom video books can bring these moments to friends and family who couldn’t be there, or want to remember them forever.

Send your baby’s first steps, child’s silly moments, fun times in the pool and at the beach. Send birthday greetings or engagements, wedding ceremonies, and graduations.

How it works.

Place your order here for any number of video books. We will email you shortly with instructions for how to upload your videos and choose the cover design you prefer. We will load your book or books with your videos, add a gift note if you desire, and ship them directly to your loved ones.

The $49 price includes free shipping within the US.

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Thanks to Heirloom for sending me this amazing video book! As always, all opinions are my own.

This spring we took an epic week-long trip to Universal Studios and Walt Disney World with my mother-in-law. She hadn’t been to either before, so seeing her reaction to the magic of everything was amazing. It was especially wonderful because we and our kids got to experience it with her! As usual, I took a million photos and videos. I made an Heirloom Video Book for my parents for Christmas and I knew that making a Florida trip video book for my mother-in-law would be the perfect Mother’s Day gift this year! 

Heirloom Video Books

The premise for Heirloom Video Book s is fairly simple; you select photos, videos, and music that you want to include in your completed book. Then you send them to Heirloom via their website, and they will clip everything together to make a beautiful, cohesive project. For the book I created for my mother-in-law, I mostly used videos from our trip. I also included a few photos and then I chose a few songs that fit well with Universal and Disney. I’m absolutely in love with how it turned out and now I need to make a copy for myself! 

When you’re building your book, you can choose from a horizontal or vertical layout for the video. Since I take the majority of my videos in a vertical layout for Instagram, that’s what I chose for this book. The video area is 5 inches tall and the videos play in HD. Your video can be up to 20 minutes long, but you can choose from up to 10 minutes or 10-20 minutes for your completed project and the pricing varies a little depending on length. I think my video ended up about 18 minutes long. 

You can customize your Heirloom Video Book using the cover options that they have available, or you can design your own cover. Another way to customize your book is to put a personal message on the interior cover! The book comes with a charger so when the battery gets low, simply plug it in to recharge it. The book should play a minimum of six times before needing a charge, so rest assured your recipient will be able to watch their video (a few times!) once they receive it. 

I love how simple Heirloom makes the whole process of making this video book from start to finish. What you end up with is a beautifully curated, personalized gift that can be treasured for years and passed down between families and generations. My mother-in-law lives in Idaho so we won’t be able to see her watch the video for the first time, but I know that she will love it. I hope it brings back all of the memories we made in February. We’re already talking about planning a trip back to Florida in a couple of years and I think this will keep the excitement alive until then! 

Heirloom offers expedited shipping and their production/shipping process is really quite fast regularly too. Check out their site for any questions you may have, or get working on a video book for Mother’s Day today! 

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Hi there! I’m Amber, a 34 year old wife and mom of two from central Minnesota. I love to be outside with my family anywhere the weather is warm (which means I spend half the year freezing). We’re a homeschooling family that loves to travel as often as possible! When I have a spare free moment, I love to read, take photos, and scrapbook. I’m interested in anything that makes life more fun; I also love socializing and sharing about my favorite products!

This post currently has 3 responses.

OH this is perfect! My brother and sister in law are taking our mother on a cruise. Going to tell my sister in law about this so she can get lots of pictures and videos.

YES! That’s an awesome idea. Such a great way to preserve special memories 🙂

I have several photo books like this from family events and I love to look back at them and enjoy the memories of times together.

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Book Review: 'John Quincy Adams' gives the sixth president's life the sweep and scope it deserves

Randall Woods chronicles the life of the nation's sixth president in “John Quincy Adams: A Man for the Whole People.”

To be clear, Randall Woods' “John Quincy Adams: A Man for the Whole People” is not a leisurely read designed for the beach or airport. Clocking in at more than 700 pages, Woods' biography of the sixth president is massive in both length and scope.

But that's the type of book Adams deserves for a life and legacy that stretches well beyond his time as commander in chief and includes his years as a diplomat, senator and congressman. Readers could come away from the book feeling as though it could have easily been a multivolume series.

Woods, a history professor at the University of Arkansas, expertly profiles a president whose life was defined by contradictions. Much like his father, Adams despised politics but spent his life entrenched in public service. His championing of the nation's expansion came at the cost of allowing the spread of slavery.

The most compelling portions of the book, in fact, focus on his years outside the White House. This includes his post-presidency years in Congress where he became an ally — albeit a tenuous one — of abolitionists and an outspoken opponent of the “gag rule” in the House that prevented the discussion of slavery.

It also displays that influence that Adams' father, the nation's second president, and the other Founding Fathers had on his view of the country and public service.

The biography sheds light on Adams' relationships with figures throughout history, from Andrew Jackson to Daniel Webster. But what's even more enlightening is his personal relationships, especially with his family, as Woods demonstrates the strain that his years of service had.

Woods uses Adams' life to also tell the story of the country's evolution, and his descriptions of life in the nation's capital are some of the most entertaining. This includes a tale of Adams as president nearly drowning in the Potomac River, where he would swim regularly.

In his later years, the book describes, Adams exchanges letters with a British actor about the merits of William Shakespeare's play "Hamlet." As Woods writes, Adams “identified completely with Shakespeare's fallen angel” and viewed the play as a cautionary tale for the country.

Whether or not readers view Adams' life as a cautionary tale, Woods' biography is a sweeping look not just at his life but at the early years of the republic.

AP book reviews: https://apnews.com/hub/book-reviews

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'My Lady Jane' Review: Prime Video's Revisionist, Romantic Look at the Nine-Day Queen

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The Big Picture

• Lady Jane Grey's story gets a modern twist in Prime Video's My Lady Jane , embracing its lead's independence without sacrificing her romantic plot.
• The series mixes comedy and heart through nods to history as well as its diverse ensemble cast.
• Emily Bader and Edward Bluemel shine with fantastic chemistry in this delightful, alternate-history tale.

I can't remember when I first heard the story of Lady Jane Grey . At first, I thought it was included in the historical notes of Scholastic's Royal Diaries book about Elizabeth I, but it's not (and yes, I did just go check). All I know is 1) I was young, probably not much older than 11, and 2) It freaked me out to no end. An unwilling young woman suddenly made Queen of England, and, within nine days, found guilty of crimes and executed by her cousins? It seemed supremely unfair. It wouldn't be until 2016 that the Nine Days Queen finally earned an opportunity for some justice with Bodi Ashton, Cynthia Hand , and Jodi Meadows ' novel My Lady Jane , which has now been adapted as a delightful new series for Prime Video .

My Lady Jane (2024)

What is 'my lady jane' about.

Like the novel, My Lady Jane makes it clear from the jump that it is an ahistorical retelling of the life of Lady Jane Grey ( Emily Bader ). The series kicks off with a quick summary of history as we know it, then immediately and explicitly dismisses it in favor of the story it wants to tell instead. Things begin in the lead-up to Jane's marriage to Lord Guildford Dudley ( Edward Bluemel ) , an affair arranged by her extremely meddlesome mother, Lady Frances Grey ( Anna Chancellor ), and Guildford's scheming father, Lord Dudley ( Rob Brydon ).

With no way out of this arrangement — fortunately for them, they're both hot — the show then follows Jane as she and her husband try to make the best of their new circumstances. She's named heir to the throne of England by her cousin Edward VI ( Jordan Peters ), much to the chagrin of his sister, Princess Mary ( Kate O'Flynn ), and her chief advisor, Lord Seymour ( Dominic Cooper ). Jane also becomes mired in the ideological tensions of this alternate timeline — the tensions between Ethians (those who can change into animals at will) and Veritys (those who cannot).

'My Lady Jane' Doesn't Sacrifice Romance in the Name of Independence

Something I've seen happen far too often for my liking — be it in general discourse with people in my day-to-day life, or in media itself — is the idea that romance and independence/character growth are somehow mutually exclusive. Look no further than the "subversion" of the princess trope we see in Hulu's The Princess or Netflix's Damsel , or the fact that early concept art for Disney's Wish included a romantic subplot for its heroine, all because it would undermine their respective story arcs somehow. There's also commentary we hear from actors, or from viewers, indicating that a heroine cannot possibly want love because she is "more" than that; she doesn't need a romantic interest, she's simply too independent. Any romance novel , particularly one published in this day and age, is proof enough that, when written well, a love plot and a strong sense of character can actually work hand-in-hand to strengthen the story.

Our introduction to Jane comes as she's working in her little at-home laboratory, with simply no time or inclination for marriage. Her personal wishes were not a concern in and of themselves. My only worry was that the show would pursue this girlboss angle to its tried-and-true conclusion: sacrificing romance in the name of personal independence, as though the two cannot possibly coexist. And before anyone throws the "well, historically speaking" at me, this is a story where people also turn into animals on a whim. Imagine my surprise when her arranged marriage to Guildford — who is about 17 different book boyfriend tropes wrapped into one charming package —is given equal importance to everything else going on.

Trust me, the marketing is not luring you in with false promises. When it plays up the swooniness of Jane and Guildford's relationship, that's because it's a huge part of the story. Their feelings for each other are actually inextricable from the drama at large. The plot does not work without the romance. On the flip side, the romance does not work without Jane's interests and aspirations, which is part of what not only brings them together but keeps them together. I wish I could say that this is something we can just take for granted, but I really can't. It's a massive advantage for the show to really lean into the romance, as well as all the delicious tropes — forced proximity and arranged marriage chief among them — because Bader and Bluemel have fantastic, simmering chemistry that would have been utterly wasted on a story that saw no value in spotlighting it at every turn.

'My Lady Jane' Balances Comedy With Heart

With story elements like "people turn into animals sometimes" and "real history is stupid, let's do it our way," it's safe to say that My Lady Jane is not a series that takes itself too seriously , and every single actor is wonderfully in on the joke. O'Flynn and Cooper are wonderfully over-the-top villains, and Chancellor and Brydon's scheming would put the likes of Bridgerton 's Portia Featherington ( Polly Walker ) to shame. Save for a few less successful toilet humor jokes, the series' comedy is absurd and laugh-out-loud funny. It's anachronistic in the vein of A Knight's Tale , most obviously reflected in the music and the language, and in the sort of way more productions should embrace.

My Lady Jane also follows the modern — and honestly overdue — trend of presenting a historical setting populated by a diverse ensemble . Unlike something like Bridgerton , however, which made that diversity a part of the story — sometimes successfully, sometimes less so — My Lady Jane takes more of a 1997 Cinderella approach: it is what it is, and you will roll with it, as the narrative will not stop and hold your hand through the idea that history was not lily-white. I cannot speak for everyone, but I personally enjoy seeing myself and others like me reflected in a story incidentally: a part of the world, but not so strange a part of it that we feel it must be drawn attention to within the narrative.

It's been a long time since I read the book, so I don't remember it well. The humor of the series does fall in line with that of the book, some of the story elements are similar, though I can't recall the source material well enough to speak to how good an "adaptation" the series is. What I can say is I walked away with the same feeling I had then. My Lady Jane fully embraces the heart and the message of the story it is trying to tell , with comedy and romance woven in masterfully. In the end, isn't that all we want in an adaptation, anyway?

Prime Video's My Lady Jane is a delightful, romantic series that presents an alternate take on English history.

• Emily Bader and Edward Bluemel have fantastic, romance novel-level chemistry.
• The concepts of Jane's desire for independence and for romance are not mutually exclusive.
• The series is laugh-out-loud funny but also clearly has something to say.

My Lady Jane premieres June 27 on Prime Video.

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‘my lady jane’ review: emily bader reinvents a luckless royal in prime video’s amusing if insubstantial historical romp.

Everyone knows Jane Grey was beheaded for claiming the throne after the death of King Edward VI. This alt-history fantasy presupposes: Maybe she wasn't?

By Angie Han

Television Critic

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Really, “different” doesn’t begin to describe it. A few minutes later, My Lady Jane reveals that it is less an alt-history than a full-on fantasy. The biggest split in 16th century England is not between Catholics and Protestants, but Verities, i.e., regular humans, and Ethians, a violently persecuted underclass of people who — pause for dramatic effect — have the ability to shapeshift into animals . While Jane is a Verity, her increasing sympathy for the Ethians’ cause will prove to be especially dangerous during her sudden and unexpected rise to power, especially once she lands in the crosshairs of the virulently anti-Ethian Mary.

My Lady Jane leans hard on the idea of Jane as an “intellectual rebel” who bucks against the conventions of her era (which really just means she falls right in line with the more recent stereotype of a Strong Female Character).

Alas, her mother, Frances (Anna Chancellor), has other ideas, and quickly marries her off to Guildford (Edward Bluemel), the rakish son of a prominent lord ( Rob Brydon ‘s Dudley). Though she demands a divorce basically from day one — “How modern,” retorts Guildford — it hardly takes a diehard romantic to guess that their obvious mutual attraction might complicate those plans.

But Jane isn’t the only part of My Lady Jane that eschews stuffy period-piece cliches. Its storytelling is puckish and irreverent, and eager to remind you that it’s puckish and irreverent.

An Alan Cumming-lite narrator (Ollie Chris) comments on every plot beat with slang-infused snark. The soundtrack is stuffed with female-led covers of iconic rock songs like “Rebel Rebel” and “Tainted Love.” The courtly intrigue frequently takes on a goofy, vulgar bent. Mary is portrayed as a vicious brat whose entire bid for power rests on the fact that Edward’s adviser Seymour ( Dominic Cooper ) can’t get enough of ye olde S&M play, while Frances gets all her best intel from younger noblemen who pop boners at the sight of her.

And while the narration is overused, the unnamed voice does get in some good cracks. “If therapists were invented in 1553, our brooding tortured hero would be a different man and this would be a different story,” he sighs in mock sympathy as Guildford mopes about a formative childhood trauma. “But they weren’t. And he isn’t. And it can’t be. So here we are.”

For all the talk of how uniquely brave and brilliant and empathetic Jane is, however, My Lady Jane lacks the substance to match. Jane and Guildford’s delicious sexual tension aside — Bader and Bluemel give great annoyed-but-turned-on face — none of the relationships run deep enough to provoke real emotion. At times, it’s difficult to tell if they’re even meant to be sincere.

Jane’s social justice mission rings hollow as well. Unlike, say, its Prime Video sibling The Boys , My Lady Jane has no interest in drawing direct parallels to our world. But it has little interest in the Ethians as their own culture or community, either, give or take a few supporting individuals like Jane’s erstwhile friend Susannah ( Extraordinary ‘s Máiréad Tyers). Jane plays the part of the righteous freedom fighter without any of the pesky complications of real history, but also without the gravitas that a more richly developed fictional universe might have provided.

But somewhere in all this breathless reinterpreting, Jane Grey herself gets lost. Rather than expand on a life that could have been, My Lady Jane shoves her instead into someone else’s idea of a cheeky little fairy tale.

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PIece of Me

Kevin Kwan’s Art Deco Heirloom

The author, who received the ring from his favorite aunt, described himself as its custodian “for this generation.”

Credit... Photographs by Maiwenn Raoult

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By Amelia Diamond

Amelia Diamond reported for Piece of Me, a column about personal talismans and heirloom accessories.

• June 22, 2024

Kevin Kwan used to do some of his best napping in jewelry stores.

This was decades before Mr. Kwan, 50, wrote his new novel “Lies and Weddings” ; before the three books in his “Crazy Rich Asians” trilogy became best-sellers; before it was announced that Jon M. Chu, the director of the “Crazy Rich Asians” movie, would also direct its Broadway adaptation. It was even before Mr. Kwan’s previous job as a photo editor for Elizabeth Taylor’s 2002 book “My Love Affair With Jewelry.”

“In the strangest way, jewelry has always been a part of my life,” Mr. Kwan said on a recent video call. He recalled being “dragged to jewelry stores around the world” by his mother, grandmother and aunts. He grew up helping these women select precious stones — and occasionally falling asleep under stores’ counters.

In “Lies and Weddings,” characters gossip about a set of mothball-size pearls so large that they are said to either cost millions or be fake. Descriptions of jewels have become such a trademark of Mr. Kwan’s writing, he said, that strangers will often approach him to show off their jewelry.

In this interview, which has been edited and condensed, Mr. Kwan discussed his own jewelry — specifically, an Art-Deco-cut imperial jade ring that he doesn’t wear, but has held close to his heart ever since it was passed down to the author by an aunt who helped him develop his love of writing.

Talk about this ring.

The ring belonged to my grandmother: A lozenge-shaped imperial jade piece, flanked on each side by three small diamonds. What really gives it its Art Deco style is the silver band; it has this detailing that looks like a ribbon that’s been cinched. I think a jeweler would better be able to describe it.

When I opened the box for the first time and saw the ring, I gasped because it’s a huge piece of imperial jade. They say jade has to be worn against your body because it reacts to the oils and the warmth, and that it actually gets greener the longer you wear it. This ring was such a beautiful, intense green.

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