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chelseadenn34's review
4.0
Brief Synopsis: Hollywood starlet Emma has a knack for matchmaking. She’s only failed once. So she decides her stylist Annie needs a match and Randall who works on set would be perfect. However, Emma’s attempts at setting the two up are less than perfect. Will she add another botched matchmaking attempt to her list?
This novella was so stinking cute. It’s a prequel novella to GiGi Blume’s Backstage Romance series. The books in this series are inspired by Jane Austen classics. So if you haven’t already guessed, this is inspired by the Austen classic Emma. Book 2 in the series, Secrets of a Hollywood Matchmaker is also inspired by Emma. And after reading this novella, I can’t wait to read Emma’s full length novel.
I adored Emma. Like within the first chapter I was completely enamored by her character. She’s a meddler (aren’t all matchmakers) and I hated that she wouldn’t tell her best friend Jaxson what she was up to. But she knew Jaxson would put a stop to her matchmaking scheme so it was better left to leave him in the dark. This novella was super cute and I can’t wait to read the rest of Emma’s (and Jaxson’s) story.
4⭐️
This novella was so stinking cute. It’s a prequel novella to GiGi Blume’s Backstage Romance series. The books in this series are inspired by Jane Austen classics. So if you haven’t already guessed, this is inspired by the Austen classic Emma. Book 2 in the series, Secrets of a Hollywood Matchmaker is also inspired by Emma. And after reading this novella, I can’t wait to read Emma’s full length novel.
I adored Emma. Like within the first chapter I was completely enamored by her character. She’s a meddler (aren’t all matchmakers) and I hated that she wouldn’t tell her best friend Jaxson what she was up to. But she knew Jaxson would put a stop to her matchmaking scheme so it was better left to leave him in the dark. This novella was super cute and I can’t wait to read the rest of Emma’s (and Jaxson’s) story.
4⭐️
midnightwritelight's review
4.0
Absolutely adorable Austen-esque romance!
This was an fun, adorable read. It would recommend it for older audiences that are fans of Jane Austen and love pop culture references!
This was an fun, adorable read. It would recommend it for older audiences that are fans of Jane Austen and love pop culture references!
megma1717's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
Loved the storyline and the characters. Thought the writing was a bit flowery but I still enjoyed it.
annamidnightwritelight's review
4.0
Absolutely adorable Austen-esque romance!
This was an fun, adorable read. It would recommend it for older audiences that are fans of Jane Austen and love pop culture references!
This was an fun, adorable read. It would recommend it for older audiences that are fans of Jane Austen and love pop culture references!
littlecornerreads's review
3.0
I'll let you in on a secret. I have a superpower. Not just any superpower like flying or x-ray vision. Pointless parlor tricks in my opinion. I use my skill set for a far more noble cause. I give people their happily ever after.
Call me a philanthropist of the heart. The Mother Teresa of matchmaking if you will-but with snazzier footwear. Emma Woods, actress by day, Cupid in stilettos by night. It was my selfless charity. every other actor in Hollywood had a charity. Some raised money for libraries or animal shelters. All worthy causes, yes. But me, I volunteered countless hours to bring lonely hearts together. And I was bloody good at it.
It should be a truth universally acknowledged that a market saturated with Pride and Prejudice variations must be in want of other Austen retellings...right? Somehow P&P gets all the love and, Emma and Persuasion are left by the wayside. Don't get me wrong, I love a good P&P (if you've seen my recent reviews, IKYK), I am always, always, always looking for modern Emma in my life.*
The opening paragraphs had me hooked, because if Emma Woodhouse lived in the 21st century, she would be a self-assured actress ready to bestow the gift of love to all the poor singles of Hollywood. Sadly, the rest of it didn't quite live up to my expectations. It wasn't a bad story per se--I've been burned by short stories touted as prequels or sequels or companion pieces before, and this was a surprisingly good one--it just wasn't really Emma. I know this wasn't meant to be a full retelling, despite a few nods to the original, but my main issue was the Emma-Knightley relationship. Their dynamic was cute, but Emma seemed a little too cognizant of Knightley's attractiveness. She's also weirdly obsessed with his teeth and annoyingly sappy. Like "I have a soft spot for hot cocoa, shortbread bickies, and fuzzy socks. And Jaxson’s smile was a fuzzy sock for my soul." sappy.I don't mean to be overly critical; it's a pretty good short-story that actually pretty engaging and enjoyable. Here's hoping the follow-up is even better and satisfies my modern-Emma craving.
*Also Persuasion, but we just met, so my struggle hasn't been quite as long.
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