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3.09 AVERAGE
3.09 AVERAGE
This was definitely a cute and fun summery read. I quite enjoyed the author’s play on classic literature. However, I expected a little more spice between the characters. Not a book I would read again, but would recommend to my girl friends!
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
slow-paced
I really enjoyed this dual perspective third chance at love story between English Professor Athena and Thorne, her college sweetheart and the man who broke her heart after he dumped her without any explanation. When Athena returns home on a sabbatical determined to write a book uncovering the mysterious C. L. Garland who writes spicy retellings of classic love stories she runs into Thorne, who has taken over the local cafe and is her new boss.
Full of witty banter and great chemistry, Athena and Thorne slowly repair their relationship. The miscommunication trope is huge in this book so if that's not your thing you might want to pass. I didn't mind it so much when you learn why Thorne kept secrets from Athena but it is a big plot device. Other strong points included the mental health and caregiver rep, small town charm and great Bronte references. The characters do definitely hook up but this is a fade to black, closed door romance which was the biggest flaw for me. The characters get us all worked up and then it's the morning after - is there anything worse??
Overall though this was a fun read that I do recommend, especially for Bronte lovers. It was also great on audio narrated by Katie Schorr. There are a couple (somewhat predictable) surprise reveals but definitely a solid, highly enjoyable story. Much thanks to NetGalley and Forever for my advance review copies!
Full of witty banter and great chemistry, Athena and Thorne slowly repair their relationship. The miscommunication trope is huge in this book so if that's not your thing you might want to pass. I didn't mind it so much when you learn why Thorne kept secrets from Athena but it is a big plot device. Other strong points included the mental health and caregiver rep, small town charm and great Bronte references. The characters do definitely hook up but this is a fade to black, closed door romance which was the biggest flaw for me. The characters get us all worked up and then it's the morning after - is there anything worse??
Overall though this was a fun read that I do recommend, especially for Bronte lovers. It was also great on audio narrated by Katie Schorr. There are a couple (somewhat predictable) surprise reveals but definitely a solid, highly enjoyable story. Much thanks to NetGalley and Forever for my advance review copies!
Thank you Edelweiss for the advanced copy!
This was cute and I enjoyed the premise. I didn't feel like there was a ton of genuine character development, it felt pretty flat. The spice was fade to black, which someone people will prefer, I however do not.
I found the language to be a little cringey but then again, reading a book inspired by the Bronte's that was to be excited and will be a huge plus for some readers.
All in all, it's cute, quirky, niche and a little cringey. If this book sounds like it's something you'll like, you'll probably like it.
*Spoiler*
By the end of the book I was so tired of the back and forth, will they be together, will they not.
And the miscommunication, which in this case is just flat out lies. Did not do it for me.
This was cute and I enjoyed the premise. I didn't feel like there was a ton of genuine character development, it felt pretty flat. The spice was fade to black, which someone people will prefer, I however do not.
I found the language to be a little cringey but then again, reading a book inspired by the Bronte's that was to be excited and will be a huge plus for some readers.
All in all, it's cute, quirky, niche and a little cringey. If this book sounds like it's something you'll like, you'll probably like it.
*Spoiler*
By the end of the book I was so tired of the back and forth, will they be together, will they not.
And the miscommunication, which in this case is just flat out lies. Did not do it for me.
medium-paced
I love the classics by the Brontë Sisters and I was looking forward to reading this take on the classics. This is not a retelling but a story where Athena, a literary professor, has to publish a book to keep her job. She decides to write a biography about a bestselling anonymous author who writes retellings of the classics with a sexy twist. To write the book and uncover the true identity of this author, she returns home where she runs into her old flame, Thorne.
This rom-com had it’s fun moments and was an easy read. My one complaint is that with all the talk of the erotic retellings Athena was researching, this was a closed door romance, that felt at odds with the storyline.
I recommend for fans of second chance romance, dual pov and a small town setting.
Thanks to Forever Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC.
This rom-com had it’s fun moments and was an easy read. My one complaint is that with all the talk of the erotic retellings Athena was researching, this was a closed door romance, that felt at odds with the storyline.
I recommend for fans of second chance romance, dual pov and a small town setting.
Thanks to Forever Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC.
A solid 3.5 ⭐️, rounded up to 4.
I fell in love with the nosy little town of Laurel, IL somewhere not far from St. Louis. A small town is the perfect place for a second chance romance to blossom, and that is just what may happen between Athena Murphy and Hawthorne Kent who find themselves back in each other’s lives after having a sudden falling out years ago. Athena is back in her hometown trying desperately to find the true identity of the mysterious C.L. Garland, author of the LitWit series (novellas of the imagined sex-life of literary figures) after discovering Garland is from her birthplace. Using Garland as research for a book she plans to write while on sabbatical and also to help save her career as an English professor, Athena finds herself needing a job to help supplement her income. This is where she encounters Thorne, who is back in town and now the owner of As You Like It Cafe.
I enjoyed the banter between Thorne and Athena and getting little glimpses into their past. Once the golden couple, very much in love, it seems that each has harbored hurt feelings and finds it difficult to admit them to each other let alone be around one another without feeling some kind of want or desire. The cafe provides a space for Thena and Thorne’s interactions and also serves as a place for us to meet the townspeople of Laurel. Blame it on the Brontës is just as much a mystery as it is a love story as Thena tries to uncover Garland’s identity. I found myself going back and forth trying to figure out who Garland might be and kind of figured it out early on. It didn’t affect the storytelling for me though as the story naturally lends itself to Thena chasing different leads. (The uncovering of C.L. Garland’s pen name/identity is very cute and worth the wait). At times I found parts a little repetitive and the miscommunication trope between Thena and Thorne became a little bothersome—I just wanted them to be honest with each other and say how they felt. each character has their reasons for not being vulnerable, but at times the reasons felt a bit stretched to me. But there’s something about rekindling a first love that warms the heart and makes for an enjoyable romance. I especially enjoyed the costume party scene, as I felt like a got more of a glimpse into Thena and Thorne’s past attraction. And the other matchmaking and romances that are created in As You Like It Cafe add to the sweetness of this book. Thank you to NetGalley and Forever Hachette Book Group for this ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.
I fell in love with the nosy little town of Laurel, IL somewhere not far from St. Louis. A small town is the perfect place for a second chance romance to blossom, and that is just what may happen between Athena Murphy and Hawthorne Kent who find themselves back in each other’s lives after having a sudden falling out years ago. Athena is back in her hometown trying desperately to find the true identity of the mysterious C.L. Garland, author of the LitWit series (novellas of the imagined sex-life of literary figures) after discovering Garland is from her birthplace. Using Garland as research for a book she plans to write while on sabbatical and also to help save her career as an English professor, Athena finds herself needing a job to help supplement her income. This is where she encounters Thorne, who is back in town and now the owner of As You Like It Cafe.
I enjoyed the banter between Thorne and Athena and getting little glimpses into their past. Once the golden couple, very much in love, it seems that each has harbored hurt feelings and finds it difficult to admit them to each other let alone be around one another without feeling some kind of want or desire. The cafe provides a space for Thena and Thorne’s interactions and also serves as a place for us to meet the townspeople of Laurel. Blame it on the Brontës is just as much a mystery as it is a love story as Thena tries to uncover Garland’s identity. I found myself going back and forth trying to figure out who Garland might be and kind of figured it out early on. It didn’t affect the storytelling for me though as the story naturally lends itself to Thena chasing different leads. (The uncovering of C.L. Garland’s pen name/identity is very cute and worth the wait). At times I found parts a little repetitive and the miscommunication trope between Thena and Thorne became a little bothersome—I just wanted them to be honest with each other and say how they felt. each character has their reasons for not being vulnerable, but at times the reasons felt a bit stretched to me. But there’s something about rekindling a first love that warms the heart and makes for an enjoyable romance. I especially enjoyed the costume party scene, as I felt like a got more of a glimpse into Thena and Thorne’s past attraction. And the other matchmaking and romances that are created in As You Like It Cafe add to the sweetness of this book. Thank you to NetGalley and Forever Hachette Book Group for this ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.