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3.09 AVERAGE
3.09 AVERAGE
Thank you @netgalley, Forever Pub (Grand Central Publishing), and @anniesereno9 for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book was a nice, quirky surprise, and I say this as someone who went in thinking I may have a hard time getting into it (or would become too bogged down by the literary references). It’s my first novel in awhile that utilizes the Second Chance trope (it’s not that I don’t like the trope, I’m just really picky about it haha…. also, it’s more like third chance
This book was a nice, quirky surprise, and I say this as someone who went in thinking I may have a hard time getting into it (or would become too bogged down by the literary references). It’s my first novel in awhile that utilizes the Second Chance trope (it’s not that I don’t like the trope, I’m just really picky about it haha…. also, it’s more like third chance
Thank you @netgalley, Forever Pub (Grand Central Publishing), and @anniesereno9 for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book was a nice, quirky surprise, and I say this as someone who went in thinking I may have a hard time getting into it (or would become too bogged down by the literary references). It’s my first novel in awhile that utilizes the Second Chance trope (it’s not that I don’t like the trope, I’m just really picky about it haha…. also, it’s more like third chance
This book was a nice, quirky surprise, and I say this as someone who went in thinking I may have a hard time getting into it (or would become too bogged down by the literary references). It’s my first novel in awhile that utilizes the Second Chance trope (it’s not that I don’t like the trope, I’m just really picky about it haha…. also, it’s more like third chance
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
*I was able to read this book early via NetGalley thanks to Forever !*
Blame It on the Brontes was something of a mixed bag for me. On the one hand, it had some truly cute and fun moments, and more than enough literary references to delight any English major. But it also ended up feeling both slow and overstuffed, resulting in a reading experience that ended up being just sort of fine.
First, the good. Athena and Thorne were a fun leading couple, carrying the weight of their romantic history together while also trying desperately - and obviously, ultimately failing - to move past it. Their banter was punchy and their emotional moments held weight, thanks in large part to that history. The two of them also made excellent anchors for all of the café scenes, which were some of the most fun in the book. This book nails that small town vibe, with all the quirks and goofy characters that come with it.
Blame It on the Brontes also nailed the English major vibe. As the title suggests, there's plenty of Bronte love, not to mention lots of other literary silliness thanks to the LitWit series at the center of Athena's plot. It really felt like the author was having a good time with that element.
*spoilers ahead*
But while some things landed well, there was a lot about this book that didn't work for me. The pacing seemed to drag, with only the repeated mentions of what month it was to really track how much time was passing (since it didn't often feel like anything was moving forward). The plot was also overstuffed; between the personal lives of the café customers, Athena's brother's love troubles, their father's romantic happenings, and their mother turning out to be a lesbian, there was simply too much going on with the side characters. All of that was on top of Athena's work problems, the hunt for CL Garland, and Thorne's family issues, which included a sort of half-baked quest to get a mental health clinic built in town. Jettisoning some of those threads (I honestly could have done without the parent drama, although good for Lydia for finding her truth, etc.) might have helped to keep the pace moving a little more and put more focus on Athena and Thorne.
There were also a few elements that didn't quite sit well for me for other reasons. There's a weird amount of body shaming in this book, particularly in reference to Athena. I kept wondering if there was a purpose for this, like some sort of reckoning that she might have with her mother (the main perpetrator of the comments), but it never materialized, meaning those uncomfortable comments were just sort of there for no reason. Similarly, Thorne's relationship to his mentally ill half-brother felt weirdly thrown together, more of a plot device to add to his ~tragic backstory~ than anything else. And finally, Thorne turning out to be CL Garland was both deeply predictable and kind of boring. I was frustrated with him for lying to Athena about it - repeatedly! - and frustrated with the book for not letting the reader in on the secret earlier. Really, I felt myself craving more Thorne chapters to give us more of his perspective and help add some more weight and feeling to his side of the story. Instead, we mostly got Athena spinning her wheels over her book and Thorne, which got a bit bland after a while.
Looking back at this review, it's clear that I had more than a few issues with this book. But that's not to say that it wasn't a generally pleasant read. The writing is strong, the romantic plot is decent, and the central conceit is fun. It just doesn't fully deliver on its promise.
Blame It on the Brontes was something of a mixed bag for me. On the one hand, it had some truly cute and fun moments, and more than enough literary references to delight any English major. But it also ended up feeling both slow and overstuffed, resulting in a reading experience that ended up being just sort of fine.
First, the good. Athena and Thorne were a fun leading couple, carrying the weight of their romantic history together while also trying desperately - and obviously, ultimately failing - to move past it. Their banter was punchy and their emotional moments held weight, thanks in large part to that history. The two of them also made excellent anchors for all of the café scenes, which were some of the most fun in the book. This book nails that small town vibe, with all the quirks and goofy characters that come with it.
Blame It on the Brontes also nailed the English major vibe. As the title suggests, there's plenty of Bronte love, not to mention lots of other literary silliness thanks to the LitWit series at the center of Athena's plot. It really felt like the author was having a good time with that element.
*spoilers ahead*
But while some things landed well, there was a lot about this book that didn't work for me. The pacing seemed to drag, with only the repeated mentions of what month it was to really track how much time was passing (since it didn't often feel like anything was moving forward). The plot was also overstuffed; between the personal lives of the café customers, Athena's brother's love troubles, their father's romantic happenings, and their mother turning out to be a lesbian, there was simply too much going on with the side characters. All of that was on top of Athena's work problems, the hunt for CL Garland, and Thorne's family issues, which included a sort of half-baked quest to get a mental health clinic built in town. Jettisoning some of those threads (I honestly could have done without the parent drama, although good for Lydia for finding her truth, etc.) might have helped to keep the pace moving a little more and put more focus on Athena and Thorne.
There were also a few elements that didn't quite sit well for me for other reasons. There's a weird amount of body shaming in this book, particularly in reference to Athena. I kept wondering if there was a purpose for this, like some sort of reckoning that she might have with her mother (the main perpetrator of the comments), but it never materialized, meaning those uncomfortable comments were just sort of there for no reason. Similarly, Thorne's relationship to his mentally ill half-brother felt weirdly thrown together, more of a plot device to add to his ~tragic backstory~ than anything else. And finally, Thorne turning out to be CL Garland was both deeply predictable and kind of boring. I was frustrated with him for lying to Athena about it - repeatedly! - and frustrated with the book for not letting the reader in on the secret earlier. Really, I felt myself craving more Thorne chapters to give us more of his perspective and help add some more weight and feeling to his side of the story. Instead, we mostly got Athena spinning her wheels over her book and Thorne, which got a bit bland after a while.
Looking back at this review, it's clear that I had more than a few issues with this book. But that's not to say that it wasn't a generally pleasant read. The writing is strong, the romantic plot is decent, and the central conceit is fun. It just doesn't fully deliver on its promise.
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I really liked the premise to this book and I was sure I'd enjoy it greatly but sadly for some reason it didn't pull me in as much as I hoped. Don't get me wrong, this is a good book, well worth the time it takes you to read it, I just didn't fall in love with the characters or the plot as I hoped I would. When I read the blurb for this book I was immediately drawn to it and was slightly let down by the end result. The book was just a little too long, with not enough happening in it for my taste. I found myself skimming pages and I hate doing that. There were no highs or lows in this romance. What lowered the rating from me also, was Thena, the heroine. I didn't like her. I couldn't warm up to her at all. She just rubbed me the wrong way I guess. I liked Thorne, the hero, on the other hand. I also felt like their romance was forced. I didn't feel the chemistry or the attraction between them. So, I enjoyed it, but didn't love it. Something was missing for me and I enjoyed the last 20% more than the rest of the book. This story line had so much potential and I so desperately wanted to like it. It wasn't a bad book but it just didn't hold my attention as much as I hoped it would. Also, the writing style wasn't always to my liking and I didn't enjoy the long descriptions. Overall I wouldn’t call this bad but I can't bring myself to give it more than 3 stars because when I put the book down I didn't feel the urge to pick it back up. This was my first Annie Sereno book. I want to give her another try, see if this represents the level of depth or if she can go deeper.
***I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
***I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book kept me on the hook because it was so cozy. It has Gilmore Girls vibes with the eccentric townsfolk and family members, the comfy cafe, and the small-town atmosphere. This book is slow-paced and the romance was a slow burn to the point where sometimes it was a little infuriating. But to be honest, the romance was not what I liked about this book, it was the atmosphere that felt like an autumn day, it was the moments in between that were crazy and cute with Athena and the side characters.
3.5/5 stars
I was pleasantly surprised by this one! Athena Murphy, an English professor, returns to her hometown to research an anonymous romance author with the pen-name C.L. Garland who happens to be from her hometown in order to save her career at a university in San Francisco. What she doesn't expect is to run into her old flame, Thorne Kent, who broke her heart twice. She winds up becoming his employee at the cafe he now owns. Of course, this proximity brings up old feelings, unresolved issues, and the potential to rekindle things with the love of her life.
There was so much angst in this and I loved Athena's character. She's exuberant, outgoing, determined, and I especially appreciated that she is explicitly described as being a curvaceous woman. I am normally not a huge fan of second chance romances but this one was great. It was amusing, and I loved the interactions between Athena and Thorne who have great banter and between their present-day interactions and the reminiscences of these two characters, the relationship comes across as really believable between the two. There is, however, a lot of miscommunication between the two pretty much from beginning to end and I will say by the end of the book it became a little too much (hence the rating). Also, despite the chemistry, we have another sort of fade to black scene which is mindboggling to me since part of the plot is Athena's investigation into an erotica author! Like.....hello? There should be more smut. I also appreciated that we got both Athena's and Thorne's point of view in this.
I was pleasantly surprised by this one! Athena Murphy, an English professor, returns to her hometown to research an anonymous romance author with the pen-name C.L. Garland who happens to be from her hometown in order to save her career at a university in San Francisco. What she doesn't expect is to run into her old flame, Thorne Kent, who broke her heart twice. She winds up becoming his employee at the cafe he now owns. Of course, this proximity brings up old feelings, unresolved issues, and the potential to rekindle things with the love of her life.
There was so much angst in this and I loved Athena's character. She's exuberant, outgoing, determined, and I especially appreciated that she is explicitly described as being a curvaceous woman. I am normally not a huge fan of second chance romances but this one was great. It was amusing, and I loved the interactions between Athena and Thorne who have great banter and between their present-day interactions and the reminiscences of these two characters, the relationship comes across as really believable between the two. There is, however, a lot of miscommunication between the two pretty much from beginning to end and I will say by the end of the book it became a little too much (hence the rating). Also, despite the chemistry, we have another sort of fade to black scene which is mindboggling to me since part of the plot is Athena's investigation into an erotica author! Like.....hello? There should be more smut. I also appreciated that we got both Athena's and Thorne's point of view in this.
funny
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No