Jane Austen's "Persuasion" Samplera Cross Stitch Pattern by Twin Peak Primitives

I really like the design but the charts are nearly impossible. It would have been so much better if the designer had stuck with symbols instead of also coloring the pattern. I have to use a magnifying light in day time to copy those areas before actually getting down to the needlework. I hate to write negative reviews but this project is taking so much more time than it should have (including significant ripping out and re-working.)

Hi, Is the Persuasion cross stitch A counted cross stitch project? Is it difficult to do? Thanks, Kim