Publisher: 16th June 2023 by HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter
Pages: 332 pages
Genre: romance, contemporary
My Rating: 3.5 cups
Synopsis:
It's a truth often acknowledged that when a journalist and Jane Austen fan girl ends up living next door to a cynical but handsome crime writer, romantic sparks will fly!
When Maddy Shaw is told her Dear Jane column has been cancelled she has no choice but to look outside of London’s rental market. That is until she’s left an idyllic country home by the black sheep of the family, long-not-so-lost Cousin Nigel.
But of course there’s a stipulation… and not only is Maddy made chair of the committee for the annual village literary festival, she also has to put up with bestselling crime author –and romance sceptic – Cameron Massey as her new neighbour.
When Maddy challenges Cameron to write romantic fiction, which he claims is so easy to do, sparks fly both on and off the page…
My Thoughts
‘Her experience of women inhabiting country houses was limited to reading - and watching televised adaptations of - Jane Austen books, along with reruns of Downton Abbey. So what would Jane Austen do with her day?’
With Jane Austen in the book title, how could I resist? What Would Jane Austen Do? is a fun, light romance read with an enemies to lovers trope - just right for that inbetween read.
‘… after all, Elizabeth Bennet didn’t get her first glance of Pemberley and think, ooh, I bet that will involve a lot of dusting.’
Jane Austen fans will appreciate the carefully selected quotes at the start of each chapter that lightly align with the given theme. However, given the book title, I was expecting stronger Jane Austen ties that in reality were only fleetingly mentioned. This book could easily remove that draw card name and present as a standalone.
‘Jane Austen would say that if you like someone, make it clear that you do, but don’t put your feelings on public display unless you’re sure they’re reciprocated. Otherwise you’re heading straight into Marianne Dashwood territory.’
‘Who’s she?’
Maddy inherits an English manor but of course there is a stipulation that she must live for one year in the home. Intrigued with the inheritance, she investigates this distant cousin and the surrounding mystery; she gets involved in the local literary festival and takes on a cranky lodger and this is where the light romance comes into play. All these aspects come together for an easy paced read and when you add in an adorable dog there is enough to engage readers.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.
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