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kylieelyse's review
3.0
Very cute. Easy read. Not so keen on how easily the author throws around the word love as if you really can fall in love with someone at first sight without getting to know them. A good read however if you need a break from reading heavier stories. I will probably eventually read the other 2 books in this set.
kraley's review
2.0
The heroine is stupid and vapid. Unlike a true Austen heroine in practically every way. The plot was thin too. This author would have to receive some really great reviews before I read another from her.
laura_reads_and_crochets's review
4.0
I enjoyed this story. Persuasion is my favorite Jane Austen followed by Emma, and this story had enough elements of both to keep me content. I was initially concerned because I didn't really care for this author's previous book, A Weekend With Mr. Darcy, but the style and story were much improved this time around. I would reread this book.
lifeand100books's review
3.0
There are many readers in the Jane Austen fan fiction world that appreciate a good, clean love story. Author Victoria Connelly obviously appreciates them as well, as she publishes contemporary novels that fit those parameters. Her popular Austen Addicts trilogy seems to have really struck a chord with Austen lovers the world over. The second book in her trilogy, Dreaming of Mr. Darcy, has a plot influenced by Pride and Prejudice and Emma, with a location taken directly from the pages of Persuasion!
Kay Ashton has struck it rich. After receiving an unexpected cash windfall, she decides to indulge a lifelong dream of hers to live in the Regency Era world that Jane Austen’s characters enjoyed so many years ago. Ashton purchases a decrepit bed and breakfast in Lyme Regis, and begins the processes of restoring it to its former glory. Halfway through the renovation, all of the available rooms are booked by producers of a movie adaptation of Persuasion. In time, Kay begins to fall for Oli Wade Owen, the actor slated to play Captain Wentworth. However, a writer by the name of Adam Craig has fallen for Kay despite her feelings for Mr. Owen. Will Adam ever tell Kay about his true feelings? When will Kay realize that Oli is hiding a big secret?
It took me a really long time to get into this story, but when I did I connected. Connelly’s strongest suit as a writer is unquestionably her ability to create uniquely appealing and relatable characters. Kay is a dreamer- one who creates really vivid imaginings. Even though she spends a lot of time up in the clouds (much like Emma and maybe a bit like Catherine Morland too?), she still stays rooted to the ground with the rest of us, experiencing amazing new things with Adam. Adam is that nice guy who girls become friends with, yet never date (he’s got a bit of Darcy, Bingley, and Knightley all thrown in). He’s kind, considerate, and completely selfless. The supporting cast of characters (most notable are Oli and Gemma) also have their own character quirks that have been influenced by other Austen characters. All in all, these characters combine to form a wonderful mix of personalities and traits that Connelly draws from to form the plot.
With this great character description I became extremely invested in the lives of the characters, only to be disappointed in the end. I felt like so much time had been spent getting to know these characters (300 pages) that I was faced with a very short conclusion. It left me feeling bereft to be honest! Gemma’s story was probably my favorite out of the whole novel, and unfortunately it is never really “officially” wrapped up. This caused a gaping hole in my heart (yes, a gaping hole I have filled by creating my own happy ending for her!).
All in all this was a fun book. Even with the shortened ending it was still a good, clean love story that any romance reader (Austen fan or not) can enjoy. Even though the character buildup was met with a shortened ending, you may be able to imagine a more substantial ending if you give it a try. So, I suggest you pick up a copy and get reading! The Third novel in the Austen Addicts trilogy, Mr. Darcy Forever, will be released April 1st, 2012.
Kimberly (Reflections of a Book Addict)
http://wp.me/p18lIL-Qo
Kay Ashton has struck it rich. After receiving an unexpected cash windfall, she decides to indulge a lifelong dream of hers to live in the Regency Era world that Jane Austen’s characters enjoyed so many years ago. Ashton purchases a decrepit bed and breakfast in Lyme Regis, and begins the processes of restoring it to its former glory. Halfway through the renovation, all of the available rooms are booked by producers of a movie adaptation of Persuasion. In time, Kay begins to fall for Oli Wade Owen, the actor slated to play Captain Wentworth. However, a writer by the name of Adam Craig has fallen for Kay despite her feelings for Mr. Owen. Will Adam ever tell Kay about his true feelings? When will Kay realize that Oli is hiding a big secret?
It took me a really long time to get into this story, but when I did I connected. Connelly’s strongest suit as a writer is unquestionably her ability to create uniquely appealing and relatable characters. Kay is a dreamer- one who creates really vivid imaginings. Even though she spends a lot of time up in the clouds (much like Emma and maybe a bit like Catherine Morland too?), she still stays rooted to the ground with the rest of us, experiencing amazing new things with Adam. Adam is that nice guy who girls become friends with, yet never date (he’s got a bit of Darcy, Bingley, and Knightley all thrown in). He’s kind, considerate, and completely selfless. The supporting cast of characters (most notable are Oli and Gemma) also have their own character quirks that have been influenced by other Austen characters. All in all, these characters combine to form a wonderful mix of personalities and traits that Connelly draws from to form the plot.
With this great character description I became extremely invested in the lives of the characters, only to be disappointed in the end. I felt like so much time had been spent getting to know these characters (300 pages) that I was faced with a very short conclusion. It left me feeling bereft to be honest! Gemma’s story was probably my favorite out of the whole novel, and unfortunately it is never really “officially” wrapped up. This caused a gaping hole in my heart (yes, a gaping hole I have filled by creating my own happy ending for her!).
All in all this was a fun book. Even with the shortened ending it was still a good, clean love story that any romance reader (Austen fan or not) can enjoy. Even though the character buildup was met with a shortened ending, you may be able to imagine a more substantial ending if you give it a try. So, I suggest you pick up a copy and get reading! The Third novel in the Austen Addicts trilogy, Mr. Darcy Forever, will be released April 1st, 2012.
Kimberly (Reflections of a Book Addict)
http://wp.me/p18lIL-Qo
meeks3's review
2.0
When I read a book like this I know that I'm not going to be reading anything too crazy. There really won't be any plot twists and I can always spot the ending within the first quarter of the book. I'm good with that. There's a reason that I like to read books like these because it's an easy read and something that I don't have to think about.
With that said, I still found this story to be mediocre and it's mostly because of Kay. I had serious problems with the fact that she is just so completely oblivious to everything and lives in such a fantasy world. Yes, I like to daydream about men and things that will never happen in my life but I also don't meet a man and the next day think we're completely in love. I understand the context that Victoria Connelly was going for (Jane Austen writes all these amazing love stories and women who read them possibly have unrealistic expectations about love), but do real women actually think/act in the way that Kay does? She was just so unrealistic to me in how much of a fantasy world she lived in.
Gemma was a lovely character and part of me wishes the book was more focused around her. I enjoyed reading about her insecurities and how she worked through what she was truly passionate about. Finally being able to realize that by telling her mom off was a fun scene to read.
A previous complaint I had about the first Austen Addicts book was that it was so Jane Austen focused. None of the characters were able to do anything without it relating to Jane in one way or another. That was different in this book and it was something I appreciated. Jane Austen played a role and the characters appreciated her/her works, but I did not feel like the characters were only focused on Jane.
Overall, it's a mediocre chick lit book. If you like stories that have a strong female lead this book is probably not for you. But if you want an easy beach read that has a Jane Austen flair then this is up your alley.
With that said, I still found this story to be mediocre and it's mostly because of Kay. I had serious problems with the fact that she is just so completely oblivious to everything and lives in such a fantasy world. Yes, I like to daydream about men and things that will never happen in my life but I also don't meet a man and the next day think we're completely in love. I understand the context that Victoria Connelly was going for (Jane Austen writes all these amazing love stories and women who read them possibly have unrealistic expectations about love), but do real women actually think/act in the way that Kay does? She was just so unrealistic to me in how much of a fantasy world she lived in.
Gemma was a lovely character and part of me wishes the book was more focused around her. I enjoyed reading about her insecurities and how she worked through what she was truly passionate about. Finally being able to realize that by telling her mom off was a fun scene to read.
A previous complaint I had about the first Austen Addicts book was that it was so Jane Austen focused. None of the characters were able to do anything without it relating to Jane in one way or another. That was different in this book and it was something I appreciated. Jane Austen played a role and the characters appreciated her/her works, but I did not feel like the characters were only focused on Jane.
Overall, it's a mediocre chick lit book. If you like stories that have a strong female lead this book is probably not for you. But if you want an easy beach read that has a Jane Austen flair then this is up your alley.
blodeuedd's review
3.0
This was a bit different from my usual JA stuff, but it still deals with the love of Austen. Kay, our heroine, truly loves Jane Austen. Truly loves is the word. But then our hero loves JA too, talk about a match made in heaven...or not.
This was a bit of an Emma novel. Kay is clueless (but in a good way) that Adam likes her. Because she is oogling hottie actor Oli who is playing Captain Wentworth. And this is where the Emma story comes in. She is smitten by someone who is just playing with her. And she is trying to hook up a friend with Adam. Not a good matchmaker, and neither was Emma. But it does make for a delightful story. She is dreaming about her actor, and poor poor Adam can't do anything about it.
I liked Kay, cos she was not clueless in a bad way. Come one, if Colin Firth hang around my house then of course I would stare at him and not the shy nerd who tries to talk to me. So it was understandable that she did not notice. I also liked who silly she was and how her mind went to babies and weddings at once. She was such a daydreamer. While our hero was a lovely shy guy who, aww, hugs. I do like a good shy guy.
Conclusion:
It was a cute story about not seeing that which is right in front of you. But true love always win.
This was a bit of an Emma novel. Kay is clueless (but in a good way) that Adam likes her. Because she is oogling hottie actor Oli who is playing Captain Wentworth. And this is where the Emma story comes in. She is smitten by someone who is just playing with her. And she is trying to hook up a friend with Adam. Not a good matchmaker, and neither was Emma. But it does make for a delightful story. She is dreaming about her actor, and poor poor Adam can't do anything about it.
I liked Kay, cos she was not clueless in a bad way. Come one, if Colin Firth hang around my house then of course I would stare at him and not the shy nerd who tries to talk to me. So it was understandable that she did not notice. I also liked who silly she was and how her mind went to babies and weddings at once. She was such a daydreamer. While our hero was a lovely shy guy who, aww, hugs. I do like a good shy guy.
Conclusion:
It was a cute story about not seeing that which is right in front of you. But true love always win.
kortirion's review
1.0
Are women really this silly? I hope not. It might've been better as a romantic comedy film, but there was too much telling and not enough showing for a book.
misscandice's review
3.0
I give it a solid C
I read this book because it sucked me in just enough to keep going to the next page but I wasn't happy about it. The characters were a bunch of ninnies.
I read this book because it sucked me in just enough to keep going to the next page but I wasn't happy about it. The characters were a bunch of ninnies.
greenvillemelissa's review
5.0
Fans of Jane Austen would love this series. Good, not too cheesy romance book.
melissadegraffbooks's review
I thought the beginning was promising, but I am giving up halfway through because all the characters are acting like clueless teenagers.