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3.95 AVERAGE
3.95 AVERAGE
3 stars. This was generally enjoyable. Thinking back though, I do wonder why I continued reading this series at all. High praise indeed.
#11 on my high rating reread project and I didn't have words, and I still really don't.
I reread this at a slow pace, sneaking in a chapter, here and there. Sometimes I reread passages and pages, and sometimes this book kicked off a daydream….They were just so pleasant.
And I thought, well, there’s still nothing to say, even on reread. It’s gush good, it’s speechless good, I’m trying to find a happy balance here.
I’m seeking it...maybe a list. Yeah, a list:
-Want a heroine with swoony lines. Few come close to Freddy.
-Want the big misunderstanding to be what they thought they knew about each other and a couple that instead throughout the novel acts like..equals?
-How about great and complex family relationships and some good friendships. Here too.
-Basically an adult version of summer camp. Summer camp for adults is hot.
-What about two people that don’t fight their feelings at all, don’t jump away when others walk in the room and own it magnificently, embrace it quickly and move the hell on
-Super sweet interactions?
-Some good spicy interactions?
There’s more. I could quote endlessly. This book is delightful. Freddy, as Gaufre pointed out in our buddy read, is a grounded but happy free spirit rather than edging on flaky-and I think this is so true, and probably my favorite part about the book. Besides the unapologetic critic in Griff. Cause he’s total shelf material.
I reread this at a slow pace, sneaking in a chapter, here and there. Sometimes I reread passages and pages, and sometimes this book kicked off a daydream….They were just so pleasant.
And I thought, well, there’s still nothing to say, even on reread. It’s gush good, it’s speechless good, I’m trying to find a happy balance here.
I’m seeking it...maybe a list. Yeah, a list:
-Want a heroine with swoony lines. Few come close to Freddy.
-Want the big misunderstanding to be what they thought they knew about each other and a couple that instead throughout the novel acts like..equals?
-How about great and complex family relationships and some good friendships. Here too.
-Basically an adult version of summer camp. Summer camp for adults is hot.
-What about two people that don’t fight their feelings at all, don’t jump away when others walk in the room and own it magnificently, embrace it quickly and move the hell on
-Super sweet interactions?
-Some good spicy interactions?
There’s more. I could quote endlessly. This book is delightful. Freddy, as Gaufre pointed out in our buddy read, is a grounded but happy free spirit rather than edging on flaky-and I think this is so true, and probably my favorite part about the book. Besides the unapologetic critic in Griff. Cause he’s total shelf material.
The Austen Playbook is filled to bursting with brilliant comic writing like this.
"In the warm light, the decrepit parts of the main house took on a charmingly lived-in appearance, the gardens smelled divine, and there were even two peacocks strutting about the lawn. One of the avian variety. One of a more ubiquitous species. Far from his usual habitat, a prime example of the classic Homo sapiens fuckboy, in rampant mating phase."
I loved it to distraction. And frequent rereading. Now a winner of the 1st annual Ripped Bodice Awards for Excellence in Romantic Fiction.
"In the warm light, the decrepit parts of the main house took on a charmingly lived-in appearance, the gardens smelled divine, and there were even two peacocks strutting about the lawn. One of the avian variety. One of a more ubiquitous species. Far from his usual habitat, a prime example of the classic Homo sapiens fuckboy, in rampant mating phase."
I loved it to distraction. And frequent rereading. Now a winner of the 1st annual Ripped Bodice Awards for Excellence in Romantic Fiction.
This might be my favorite of Parker's romance novels set in London's theatre scene. Great characters, good romance, some terrific Austen references along with a kind of Bloomsbury group mystery/scandal that adds a layer that wasn't quite in the previous books.
The long awaited fourth installment in the London Celebrities series by Lucy Parker has surpassed any praise imaginable. The well-written and enticing plot laced with witty dialogues produce another magnificent achievement by the author. The book certainly spoke to me in another level and I was swooped into this alluring, albeit complex, story from the very first page. These West-End characters entered a summer filled with suspenseful drama, mystery, and romantic setting on and off screen in the rural esteemed boutique theater that birthed an infamous masterpiece and legacy that paved ways to fame and fortune from generation to generation.
West End up-and-coming actress, Frederica- Freddy-Carlton has lived up to everyone's expectation but her own. Through with playing emotionally draining characters, she quickly jumps at the offer to play the frivolous and strong-willed Lydia Bennett in a live-action TV adaptation of Jane Austen's novels; The Austen Playbook. The summer takes her to the rural side of Highbrook Wells and to the decorated historical site where an impassioned affair between her grandmother and the owner created a legendary script that has been the Carlton biggest claim to fame.
Fate takes part in her life as she forms her own heated affair with James Ford-Griffin; the highly acclaimed—not to mention ruthless— critic who happens to own the said site the TV Adaptation takes place. Griff was rigid in his belief and was appalled at the idea of using the estate for the show, but he found no other way to saving it.
Griff was a formidable character at best while Freddy is lively and unique in her own ways. A romance between such contrast personalities develops into a warm and heated relationship. It was skittish at first but there were moments where my heart leaped whenever these two were involved.
The book also offers an intriguing plot filled with mystery and unveiled past. It builds up with stable and consistent pace. Stocked with moderate-to-pleasant suspense, the resolution might not come too shocking, but it was a thrill ride from start to finish.
*e-ARC kindly provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
This might be the best enemies-to-lovers I’ve ever read. Chock full of incredible quotable bits, polly-ana characters that are choosing to focus on the positive and don’t appreciate the implication of naïveté since it’s actually quite a bold and brave choice, witty wankers that are full of integrity and actually try to make amends that are meaningful to people they’ve harmed, and a hot mess of a plot that just keeps getting zanier. Sure there are jerks in this, including an asshole that shattered my hopes for a subsequent novella bit, but at no point did I feel conflicted about rooting for the MCs & their HEA. A breath of fresh air.
An ode to Lucy Parker:
After finishing her latest release, The Austen Playbook, I am in absolute awe of Lucy Parker’s talents (though given that this is the 4th book I’ve read by her, I should have zero reason to be surprised).
Her heroes are grumpy. Not marshmallows exactly, they are grumpy through the entire book, before, during, and even after falling for their heroines. They don’t suddenly become soft, sappy, romantics. No, they stay grumpy and have the same acerbic wit they had prior to the start of the romance. And yet, they’re never cruel, mean-spirited assholes either. For all their curmudgeonly grumpy ways, you can’t help but love them, empathize with them, root them on, and finally, cheer when they do finally manage to pull themselves together and get the girl. James Ford-Griffin (referred to henceforth as Griff), you are a grumpy, rude, control freak....and an utter delight and I love you so so much. Your high handed, overbearing ways are annoying yes, but you come from a place of love and always want to take care of and protect those you love.
Her heroines are equally delightful, plucky, humorous, chipper, with a cheerful top coat that covers a hidden reserve of depth and emotional fortitude and sheer brilliance. They are both headstrong and heartstrong, fearlessly willing to lay themselves bare and give their heart away on a silver platter. Frederica Carlton (Freddie to her friends, she of the type who makes friends wherever she goes) is an effervescent ray of sunshine...with an internal conflict that forces her to choose finally whether to live for her father’s dreams or her own. Watching her grow up and come into her own and find her inner strength to stand up for herself and what she loves (and who she loves) is just the most rewarding moment.
The plot is always funny and sweet and in this instance, there’s a mystery which in some parts, made me confused until Lucy Parker reminded me she’s a brilliant mastermind and pulled it all together with the genius of a Grandmaster chess champion. Not one part of this book was pointless or extra - every single scene, every plot point, every extraneous character served to further the story meticulously well.
The romance between Freddie and Griff was unexpected and seemingly came out of nowhere but that didn’t lessen its impact or make me root any less for them. They were two sides of the same coin, a perfect counterpoint to each other, balancing each other, supporting each other, the ultimate partnership of two people who had each other’s backs.
One final note: I don’t normally say much about the sex scenes in a book beyond “it was hot and plentiful” but I must for this book. It wasn’t particularly hot and steamy - in fact, I’ve read steamier. However, it was absolutely sexy and realistic. It was funny and sweet and awkward and hilarious and in one particular scene, when our plucky heroine declines to have penetrative sex with our grumpy hero, his reaction of “Ever again? Or just tonight?” and then refusing to let her apologize for not wanting sex and never needing a reason say no, is both hilarious and heartwarming and downright sexy. Consent is sexy, acceptance of a woman’s choice is sexy (and also, like the base minimum), understanding what your woman needs and wants and trying your level best to give it to her, is sexy.
So, in case it wasn’t made clear in this ridiculously long review, 5 stars. Really all the stars. Lucy Parker, I adore you and your words.
After finishing her latest release, The Austen Playbook, I am in absolute awe of Lucy Parker’s talents (though given that this is the 4th book I’ve read by her, I should have zero reason to be surprised).
Her heroes are grumpy. Not marshmallows exactly, they are grumpy through the entire book, before, during, and even after falling for their heroines. They don’t suddenly become soft, sappy, romantics. No, they stay grumpy and have the same acerbic wit they had prior to the start of the romance. And yet, they’re never cruel, mean-spirited assholes either. For all their curmudgeonly grumpy ways, you can’t help but love them, empathize with them, root them on, and finally, cheer when they do finally manage to pull themselves together and get the girl. James Ford-Griffin (referred to henceforth as Griff), you are a grumpy, rude, control freak....and an utter delight and I love you so so much. Your high handed, overbearing ways are annoying yes, but you come from a place of love and always want to take care of and protect those you love.
Her heroines are equally delightful, plucky, humorous, chipper, with a cheerful top coat that covers a hidden reserve of depth and emotional fortitude and sheer brilliance. They are both headstrong and heartstrong, fearlessly willing to lay themselves bare and give their heart away on a silver platter. Frederica Carlton (Freddie to her friends, she of the type who makes friends wherever she goes) is an effervescent ray of sunshine...with an internal conflict that forces her to choose finally whether to live for her father’s dreams or her own. Watching her grow up and come into her own and find her inner strength to stand up for herself and what she loves (and who she loves) is just the most rewarding moment.
The plot is always funny and sweet and in this instance, there’s a mystery which in some parts, made me confused until Lucy Parker reminded me she’s a brilliant mastermind and pulled it all together with the genius of a Grandmaster chess champion. Not one part of this book was pointless or extra - every single scene, every plot point, every extraneous character served to further the story meticulously well.
The romance between Freddie and Griff was unexpected and seemingly came out of nowhere but that didn’t lessen its impact or make me root any less for them. They were two sides of the same coin, a perfect counterpoint to each other, balancing each other, supporting each other, the ultimate partnership of two people who had each other’s backs.
One final note: I don’t normally say much about the sex scenes in a book beyond “it was hot and plentiful” but I must for this book. It wasn’t particularly hot and steamy - in fact, I’ve read steamier. However, it was absolutely sexy and realistic. It was funny and sweet and awkward and hilarious and in one particular scene, when our plucky heroine declines to have penetrative sex with our grumpy hero, his reaction of “Ever again? Or just tonight?” and then refusing to let her apologize for not wanting sex and never needing a reason say no, is both hilarious and heartwarming and downright sexy. Consent is sexy, acceptance of a woman’s choice is sexy (and also, like the base minimum), understanding what your woman needs and wants and trying your level best to give it to her, is sexy.
So, in case it wasn’t made clear in this ridiculously long review, 5 stars. Really all the stars. Lucy Parker, I adore you and your words.
Lucy Parker does not waste words, she's an exceptional writer, I never highlight this much. Her main characters are multi-faceted, hilariously and vulnerably honest. They are all brilliant, man and woman alike! Her plots are still going strong - unique, fun and picturesque. For these reasons I have rated this book quite highly, regardless of my issues. It’s a classic situation - it’s me not you. I have no idea why I thought this was going to be more of a slow burn series.
The relationship between Griff and Freddy was set up to be pure gold. I love ‘opposites attract’, tension, animosity and especially a grumpy hero who’s going to go all soft at the edges for his one true love. Now, all of that happened but, why it happen so soon I can’t understand?! They bounced off each other with banter. They were developing this kind of knight-in-shining-armour damsel-in-distress thing. But then BAM, I was caught so off guard by the rushing of it. They had some freaky instant chemistry that was written really well in the moment, though.
''I don’t know why I find you so beautiful now.' He’d regained control over his pitch and he said it like he was commenting on the weather.
‘I don’t know why I fancy you so much', she said with equal frankness.'
I hate myself for this, I really do but, I felt like all I was doing was reading this amazing connection rather than being able to feel it. I read to EXPERIENCE these things, so when I don’t get there in time, because I’m not invested enough yet.. it's disappointing.
To sum up, it was still wonderful, a step back up from Making Up, not as special as Act Like It and Pretty Face. I adored Griff, Freddy and Charlie. I can’t wait to dive into Sabrina and Nick’s story, Headliners.
The relationship between Griff and Freddy was set up to be pure gold. I love ‘opposites attract’, tension, animosity and especially a grumpy hero who’s going to go all soft at the edges for his one true love. Now, all of that happened but, why it happen so soon I can’t understand?! They bounced off each other with banter. They were developing this kind of knight-in-shining-armour damsel-in-distress thing. But then BAM, I was caught so off guard by the rushing of it. They had some freaky instant chemistry that was written really well in the moment, though.
''I don’t know why I find you so beautiful now.' He’d regained control over his pitch and he said it like he was commenting on the weather.
‘I don’t know why I fancy you so much', she said with equal frankness.'
I hate myself for this, I really do but, I felt like all I was doing was reading this amazing connection rather than being able to feel it. I read to EXPERIENCE these things, so when I don’t get there in time, because I’m not invested enough yet.. it's disappointing.
To sum up, it was still wonderful, a step back up from Making Up, not as special as Act Like It and Pretty Face. I adored Griff, Freddy and Charlie. I can’t wait to dive into Sabrina and Nick’s story, Headliners.