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3.09 AVERAGE
3.09 AVERAGE
Thank you so much for an advanced copy of Blame It On the Brontes.
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Pub Date: May 3, 2022
This was a fun book, and it was also a quick read. I read this one in less than 24 hours, and I thought it was a quirky take on including classic novels into a contemporary romance. I thought the romance was fun and the characters were fairly engaging. As a faculty member myself, I really related to the "publish or perish" struggle of the main character.
That being said, while this was a fun read, it wasn't particularly special. I found myself skimming at several points just to move the story along, and I wasn't completely invested in the outcome of the story. I figured out the "twist" within the first thirty pages, and I just felt underwhelmed by the connection between the two main characters. The romance was fun, but I'm still not sure it was believable.
Overall, this was a fun book, though, and I'm glad I read it. I definitely won't re-read it, though. I rated this one three stars, and that was a generous rating IMO. I ended up going with three stars because I feel like others will enjoy it, especially readers who enjoy this topic area. I could have easily rated it two stars, even with the enjoyability factor because I just didn't find the book that interesting.
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Pub Date: May 3, 2022
This was a fun book, and it was also a quick read. I read this one in less than 24 hours, and I thought it was a quirky take on including classic novels into a contemporary romance. I thought the romance was fun and the characters were fairly engaging. As a faculty member myself, I really related to the "publish or perish" struggle of the main character.
That being said, while this was a fun read, it wasn't particularly special. I found myself skimming at several points just to move the story along, and I wasn't completely invested in the outcome of the story. I figured out the "twist" within the first thirty pages, and I just felt underwhelmed by the connection between the two main characters. The romance was fun, but I'm still not sure it was believable.
Overall, this was a fun book, though, and I'm glad I read it. I definitely won't re-read it, though. I rated this one three stars, and that was a generous rating IMO. I ended up going with three stars because I feel like others will enjoy it, especially readers who enjoy this topic area. I could have easily rated it two stars, even with the enjoyability factor because I just didn't find the book that interesting.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
This was just the break I needed between my other reads. As Fall approaches I read more and more Rom-Coms and this is a good start.
If you love small towns, men who cook (yes please!!), second chance romances and witty banter...then you will probably love this one too.
I appreciate the publisher and Books Forward for providing a review copy. While a review wasn't expected, I have offered my opinion and these are my own thoughts.
If you love small towns, men who cook (yes please!!), second chance romances and witty banter...then you will probably love this one too.
I appreciate the publisher and Books Forward for providing a review copy. While a review wasn't expected, I have offered my opinion and these are my own thoughts.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Unique premise - I loved the academia theme and the Brontes' involvement! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.
Publication Date: 03rd May 2022
3.5 Stars
One Liner: Entertaining
Athena Murphy is an assistant English professor and an authority on Bronte novels. When her university gives her an ultimatum to publish or leave her job, she decides to uncover the identity of the mysterious CL Garland and write her biography. No one knows CL Garland, who writes spicy (read erotic) retellings of classic literature. The mysterious author seems to be from her hometown, Laurel.
The trip back home leads her straight to Thorne, her love from her university days. Everyone thought they were a perfect match, but life didn’t work that way. Thorne has given up his lawyering career to become a café owner in Laurel. It’s the same café Athena was supposed to waitress as a part-timer.
She is determined to act mature and focus on finding that one person who will save her job. But when things don’t go the way she plans, professionally and personally, can Athena and Throne get another chance to rebuild their relationship?
What I Like:
• The writing is easy, even if the book isn’t fast-paced. That makes it easy to read faster despite the plot not really going anywhere.
• Some secondary characters were rather interesting. For once, I didn’t mind so many characters (nor did I keep track of them).
• I don’t, as such, look for deep or heavy stuff from romcoms. I want lighthearted fluff. This book gives me that despite dealing with a few themes.
• Some antics were OTT and made me roll my eyes at the characters, but it was mindless fun and entertaining.
• Some one-liners and dialogues were cheeky and made me chuckle.
What Didn’t Work for Me:
• The chemistry between the characters went hot and cold. There also wasn’t much romance per se.
• Some aspects were mentioned a couple of times but didn’t really make much difference to the overall plot.
• Athena’s determination to continue her job, which even she knew was in a toxic workplace, is confusing. She is obviously talented and passionate about teaching. She could find a better place that valued her.
• The miscommunication drags from the start to the climax. It was boring at times. I wish they acted like the adults they were (both are in their 30s).
• The chapters are too long. I’d have preferred a book with 35 short chapters to 17 long ones, especially in a rom-com. Makes it easier to stop reading for the day.
• Some actions in the second half seem contradictory to what’s presented in the first half. This could be because the plot needed to move ahead (eventually), but the tone needs to match.
•
To sum up, Blame It on the Brontes is an entertaining rom-com with some funny moments. Go with no expectations and enjoy it as a light read.
Thank you, NetGalley, Gallery Books, and Gallery/Scout Press, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
#NetGalley
3.5 Stars
One Liner: Entertaining
Athena Murphy is an assistant English professor and an authority on Bronte novels. When her university gives her an ultimatum to publish or leave her job, she decides to uncover the identity of the mysterious CL Garland and write her biography. No one knows CL Garland, who writes spicy (read erotic) retellings of classic literature. The mysterious author seems to be from her hometown, Laurel.
The trip back home leads her straight to Thorne, her love from her university days. Everyone thought they were a perfect match, but life didn’t work that way. Thorne has given up his lawyering career to become a café owner in Laurel. It’s the same café Athena was supposed to waitress as a part-timer.
She is determined to act mature and focus on finding that one person who will save her job. But when things don’t go the way she plans, professionally and personally, can Athena and Throne get another chance to rebuild their relationship?
What I Like:
• The writing is easy, even if the book isn’t fast-paced. That makes it easy to read faster despite the plot not really going anywhere.
• Some secondary characters were rather interesting. For once, I didn’t mind so many characters (nor did I keep track of them).
• I don’t, as such, look for deep or heavy stuff from romcoms. I want lighthearted fluff. This book gives me that despite dealing with a few themes.
• Some antics were OTT and made me roll my eyes at the characters, but it was mindless fun and entertaining.
• Some one-liners and dialogues were cheeky and made me chuckle.
What Didn’t Work for Me:
• The chemistry between the characters went hot and cold. There also wasn’t much romance per se.
• Some aspects were mentioned a couple of times but didn’t really make much difference to the overall plot.
• Athena’s determination to continue her job, which even she knew was in a toxic workplace, is confusing. She is obviously talented and passionate about teaching. She could find a better place that valued her.
• The miscommunication drags from the start to the climax. It was boring at times. I wish they acted like the adults they were (both are in their 30s).
• The chapters are too long. I’d have preferred a book with 35 short chapters to 17 long ones, especially in a rom-com. Makes it easier to stop reading for the day.
• Some actions in the second half seem contradictory to what’s presented in the first half. This could be because the plot needed to move ahead (eventually), but the tone needs to match.
•
Spoiler
The friends with benefits part is such a bummer. It went nowhere except trying to create a sense of anticipation (that didn’t hit the mark either).To sum up, Blame It on the Brontes is an entertaining rom-com with some funny moments. Go with no expectations and enjoy it as a light read.
Thank you, NetGalley, Gallery Books, and Gallery/Scout Press, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
#NetGalley
I really loved the beginning of this book, the idea of trying to find this anonymous author from her hometown was a neat idea for an almost mystery amongst a second (or third) chance love story. I am a huge fan of Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre, so the many references to the Bronte sisters was my jam.
What started as a really fun idea for a love story kind of stalled around the half way mark for me. Eventually I found myself liking all of the side characters more than our main pairing, and the entire mystery of who our anonymous author was fell flat for me.
I think that this book had great potential, it just wasn't for me.
Thanks so much to Forever Publishing for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
What started as a really fun idea for a love story kind of stalled around the half way mark for me. Eventually I found myself liking all of the side characters more than our main pairing, and the entire mystery of who our anonymous author was fell flat for me.
I think that this book had great potential, it just wasn't for me.
Thanks so much to Forever Publishing for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
The concept of this one - and some of the themes - were more interesting to me than the actual execution of the story. For some reason, I didn't really get sucked in - the flow was kind of choppy, there were areas with maybe too much detail that wasn't relevant to the plot. I found myself drifting and bored in a few places.
I did really enjoy the idea of the erotica re-takes of classics. I actually kind of want to read those! Otherwise, there was a lot of meandering through this will they/won't they second (third) chance relationship that came to a natural conclusion as the story wrapped up.
Overall, a decent idea/story, but I didn't really enjoy it as much as I was hoping to. Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher & the author for an advance copy of this book for me to read and review.
I did really enjoy the idea of the erotica re-takes of classics. I actually kind of want to read those! Otherwise, there was a lot of meandering through this will they/won't they second (third) chance relationship that came to a natural conclusion as the story wrapped up.
Overall, a decent idea/story, but I didn't really enjoy it as much as I was hoping to. Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher & the author for an advance copy of this book for me to read and review.