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julokel's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
erinandllama's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
lizbeth12's review
5.0
Fabulous entry in the London Celebrities series. Really enjoyed following Freddie through her HEA and cannot wait for her sister's story.
encyclopediabritanika's review
I really enjoy Parker’s London Celebrities series, and this may be my favorite one yet. It has the West End actress romance story but also a dose of family secrets.
ndouglas11's review
5.0
What a delight. Almost everything I could want from a Slytherin and Hufflepuff falling in love. Plus, Austen!
nipomuki's review
5.0
When I started the book I was afraid that this one would not hold up to the rest of the series, as there seemed to be too many similarities to the other books. Also I stumbled over some small irregularities in the writing.
But after a very short time this became completely irrelevant. I hardly stopped reading, I had to take special care not to miss trains and bus stops, I cried and laughed in public places, and I was lost in the story in the way I love so much, but that not many books can provide.
Freddy was a darling in earlier books, and I admire how Parker pulled off the story of a former child actor with a very bubbly personality and not only make it sexy, but also give it depth.
I liked the mystery plot, the family dynamics and - as always in this series - the behind the scenes look at show biz.
The conflicts were real and completely stressed me out. I loved how the relationships in both families improved. It was almost as much a book about family relationships as it was about romance, and this was where I did most of the crying.
It was great fun watching Freddy turn Griff‘s life upside down in a way that is good for both of them. The romance plot progresses super fast, and both the couple and the author are very aware of it. I had my doubts but ended up believing in it.
What I also really really liked is how they both never falter in their quest for each other, even though the situation is complicated and there are some big setbacks. But they grab every chance they get to clear the air and unravel any possible misunderstandings.
They do not change their personalities for each other, but support each other in a way that brings out the best they have to offer. And they love each others imperfections.
Usually contemporaries are not as romantic to me as historicals, but this is so not true with this series.
When Freddy calls her sister an egg, I nearly fell out of my chair. I recently learned that this was a specific expression from New Zealand. So was this a mistake, or would a Londoner really say that?
A word about the sex: I like how personal and different the sex is in each book. Some authors seem to have a kind of trademark sex scene, if you have read one book, you kind of know how it goes. And this is definitely not the case with Parker. I believe the sex in this book took a little more space than in previous volumes of the series. The sex scenes were realistic and did a good job with developing the characters and their relationship. And I adored that there was laughter.
There were three villains, two actors and one tv presenter, whose motivations were a complete mystery to me. Maybe they will be in future books? Or they just are that way and I‘ll have to live with it.
But after a very short time this became completely irrelevant. I hardly stopped reading, I had to take special care not to miss trains and bus stops, I cried and laughed in public places, and I was lost in the story in the way I love so much, but that not many books can provide.
Freddy was a darling in earlier books, and I admire how Parker pulled off the story of a former child actor with a very bubbly personality and not only make it sexy, but also give it depth.
I liked the mystery plot, the family dynamics and - as always in this series - the behind the scenes look at show biz.
The conflicts were real and completely stressed me out. I loved how the relationships in both families improved. It was almost as much a book about family relationships as it was about romance, and this was where I did most of the crying.
It was great fun watching Freddy turn Griff‘s life upside down in a way that is good for both of them. The romance plot progresses super fast, and both the couple and the author are very aware of it. I had my doubts but ended up believing in it.
What I also really really liked is how they both never falter in their quest for each other, even though the situation is complicated and there are some big setbacks. But they grab every chance they get to clear the air and unravel any possible misunderstandings.
They do not change their personalities for each other, but support each other in a way that brings out the best they have to offer. And they love each others imperfections.
Usually contemporaries are not as romantic to me as historicals, but this is so not true with this series.
When Freddy calls her sister an egg, I nearly fell out of my chair. I recently learned that this was a specific expression from New Zealand. So was this a mistake, or would a Londoner really say that?
A word about the sex: I like how personal and different the sex is in each book. Some authors seem to have a kind of trademark sex scene, if you have read one book, you kind of know how it goes. And this is definitely not the case with Parker. I believe the sex in this book took a little more space than in previous volumes of the series. The sex scenes were realistic and did a good job with developing the characters and their relationship. And I adored that there was laughter.
There were three villains, two actors and one tv presenter, whose motivations were a complete mystery to me. Maybe they will be in future books? Or they just are that way and I‘ll have to live with it.
stephsromancebooktalk's review
5.0
5 STARS, HUGE STARS / 2 Steam Fans
This book was all kinds of fun, sweet, swoony, mysterious, touching and just all around lovely! I didn't know much about Jane Austen's work but even though this story revolves around her very real works you don't feel left out with this modern play into Jane's works. Freddie is an actress that has some family issues and secrets trying to follow in her grandmother’s footsteps of being a well-known actress. Griff is a straight laced journalist that has been taking care of his free spirited family members and estate. Freddie and Griff have this undeniable chemistry in a super fun way. There are a lot of fun pop culture references to keep things interesting. Overall, I can't gush enough about my enjoyment of this story!
This specific video book review will be included in the April 2019 wrap-up.
For other video book reviiews check out my YouTube Channel: Steph's Romance Book Talk.
This book was all kinds of fun, sweet, swoony, mysterious, touching and just all around lovely! I didn't know much about Jane Austen's work but even though this story revolves around her very real works you don't feel left out with this modern play into Jane's works. Freddie is an actress that has some family issues and secrets trying to follow in her grandmother’s footsteps of being a well-known actress. Griff is a straight laced journalist that has been taking care of his free spirited family members and estate. Freddie and Griff have this undeniable chemistry in a super fun way. There are a lot of fun pop culture references to keep things interesting. Overall, I can't gush enough about my enjoyment of this story!
This specific video book review will be included in the April 2019 wrap-up.
For other video book reviiews check out my YouTube Channel: Steph's Romance Book Talk.
melindamoor's review
4.0
"Chin up, Darling. Nobody handles a PR crisis like a Slytherin."
"Let it be pointed out however, that while the Slytherins in the bunch had jacked up the price, it had been a Hufflepuff to spot the obvious opportunity."
Isn't that sweet?! AWWWW! :)
I highly appreciate it when books/authors don't take themselves too seriously, especially when it comes to the romance genre.
Considering the title I expected a comfortably entertaining, run-of-the-mill Jane Austen rip-off, but [b:The Austen Playbook|42279630|The Austen Playbook (London Celebrities, #4)|Lucy Parker|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1550200262l/42279630._SY75_.jpg|63884092] proved to be such a nice surprise on all kinds of levels.
Of course there is undeniable homage and a definite wink to [a:Jane Austen|1265|Jane Austen|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1588941810p2/1265.jpg], but even if you removed it all, the story would still have stood on its own and would have still been great fun. (As it happens, I wanted get some more Austen-playbook stuff and was a bit disappointed that it did not happen.)
There is some resemblance of Darcy in Griff's character, but it's utterly funny how Freddy compares him to a Slytherin guy, claiming that he gives off Lucius/Draco Malfoy vibes.
Freddy, on the other hand, is more like a caring, generous and vulnerable version of a Lydia Bennet, if you want to put a sticker on her.
Anyway, on to all things I loved about this book
✔️ Both MCs are utterly likeable, relatable and genuine. They are far from perfect.
✔️ There is character development as they get to know and influence each other in the right direction.
✔️ They talk about problems and are honest with each other.
✔️ There are sex scenes, but they are still within my tolerance level AND as far as I remember, are the most realistic to date I have ever come across without being gross or OTT. And once again, the MCs voice their needs as they don't get everything right bang on the first time.
✔️ The writing & the story is sound. There is lots of humour and the banter and the secondary characters are also fun.
Well .. apart form the "villainess", Sadie, who was OTT, a total charicature and I didn't get why one of the other actresses, Maya, was so mightily afraid of her. (Maya's terror implied that she at least murdered somebody and Sadie knew about it. So when it turns out what her actual "sin" was, it was anticlimactic to say the least and the whole thing was overblown.)
There were also a bit too many climaxes crowded into the story towards the end, even though one of the side plots obviously leads to the next book in the series (which I intend to read, BTW), but all in all, it is a delightful read and much recommended.
"Let it be pointed out however, that while the Slytherins in the bunch had jacked up the price, it had been a Hufflepuff to spot the obvious opportunity."
Isn't that sweet?! AWWWW! :)
I highly appreciate it when books/authors don't take themselves too seriously, especially when it comes to the romance genre.
Considering the title I expected a comfortably entertaining, run-of-the-mill Jane Austen rip-off, but [b:The Austen Playbook|42279630|The Austen Playbook (London Celebrities, #4)|Lucy Parker|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1550200262l/42279630._SY75_.jpg|63884092] proved to be such a nice surprise on all kinds of levels.
Of course there is undeniable homage and a definite wink to [a:Jane Austen|1265|Jane Austen|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1588941810p2/1265.jpg], but even if you removed it all, the story would still have stood on its own and would have still been great fun. (As it happens, I wanted get some more Austen-playbook stuff and was a bit disappointed that it did not happen.)
There is some resemblance of Darcy in Griff's character, but it's utterly funny how Freddy compares him to a Slytherin guy, claiming that he gives off Lucius/Draco Malfoy vibes.
Freddy, on the other hand, is more like a caring, generous and vulnerable version of a Lydia Bennet, if you want to put a sticker on her.
Anyway, on to all things I loved about this book
✔️ Both MCs are utterly likeable, relatable and genuine. They are far from perfect.
✔️ There is character development as they get to know and influence each other in the right direction.
✔️ They talk about problems and are honest with each other.
✔️ There are sex scenes, but they are still within my tolerance level AND as far as I remember, are the most realistic to date I have ever come across without being gross or OTT. And once again, the MCs voice their needs as they don't get everything right bang on the first time.
✔️ The writing & the story is sound. There is lots of humour and the banter and the secondary characters are also fun.
Well .. apart form the "villainess", Sadie, who was OTT, a total charicature and I didn't get why one of the other actresses, Maya, was so mightily afraid of her. (Maya's terror implied that she at least murdered somebody and Sadie knew about it. So when it turns out what her actual "sin" was, it was anticlimactic to say the least and the whole thing was overblown.)
There were also a bit too many climaxes crowded into the story towards the end, even though one of the side plots obviously leads to the next book in the series (which I intend to read, BTW), but all in all, it is a delightful read and much recommended.
shogins's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this a lot more than the last one in the series! Freddy is the scion of a venerable West End acting family, and her father who manages her career wants her to stick to dramatic acting, particularly since a revival of her grandmother Henrietta's renowned play is casting soon. Griff is notoriously curmudgeonly theatre critic whose grandfather happened to have an affair with the notorious Henrietta. When Freddy is cast in an interactive Austen adaptation filming at Griff's family's crumbling estate, sparks fly! I liked the romance, and found the mystery well done. Sadie was an excessively villainous villain, but every other character hit realistic notes.
I read an e-ARC from NetGalley.
I read an e-ARC from NetGalley.