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A review by nglofile
The Austen Playbook by Lucy Parker
4.0
Addictive, escapist fun ideal for the reader with hearts in his/her eyes.
The hallmarks of Parker's series are on full display: theatre world, English setting, some degree of snappy dialogue, lighthearted banter, intense chemistry, and both pop culture and lit references. Then there's the couple: a hero who can be stiff/reserved/prideful and a heroine who is sassy/irrepressible/dreamgirl-like. [I'm holding out hope for one in which those roles are flipped]
The premise for this story is an interactive TV special in which characters from all Austen books are part of a house party that turns murderous, and audience voting determines story turns. So, P.D. James' Death Comes to Pemberley layered with elements of Bill Willingham's Fables series along with (depending on your age of reference) Choose Your Own Adventure or Bandersnatch twists. Not bad! There are additional facets, but this is the draw.
I won't be the first to say so, but the character of Sadie was gratingly one-dimensional in her myopic mean girl-ness. Griff's parents, too, were...problematic, but none of these complaints will spoil the fun and heart of the story. The relationship may not be as hard-won as others, but I appreciate that they mostly act like adults and don't allow secrets or misunderstandings to be stretched out interminably -- also, that they talk frankly about issues of intimacy is refreshing. These are elements not only that I personally appreciate, but also that often come up as I advise new readers, so I am pleased to discover that this series can keep its place among my contemporary romance go-tos, especially when a mix of humor and spice is sought.
The hallmarks of Parker's series are on full display: theatre world, English setting, some degree of snappy dialogue, lighthearted banter, intense chemistry, and both pop culture and lit references. Then there's the couple: a hero who can be stiff/reserved/prideful and a heroine who is sassy/irrepressible/dreamgirl-like. [I'm holding out hope for one in which those roles are flipped]
The premise for this story is an interactive TV special in which characters from all Austen books are part of a house party that turns murderous, and audience voting determines story turns. So, P.D. James' Death Comes to Pemberley layered with elements of Bill Willingham's Fables series along with (depending on your age of reference) Choose Your Own Adventure or Bandersnatch twists. Not bad! There are additional facets, but this is the draw.
I won't be the first to say so, but the character of Sadie was gratingly one-dimensional in her myopic mean girl-ness. Griff's parents, too, were...problematic, but none of these complaints will spoil the fun and heart of the story. The relationship may not be as hard-won as others, but I appreciate that they mostly act like adults and don't allow secrets or misunderstandings to be stretched out interminably -- also, that they talk frankly about issues of intimacy is refreshing. These are elements not only that I personally appreciate, but also that often come up as I advise new readers, so I am pleased to discover that this series can keep its place among my contemporary romance go-tos, especially when a mix of humor and spice is sought.