Hey Reader Friends! I’m so excited to be a part of the book tour for Linda Corbett’s What Would Jane Austen Do? Thanks to Linda Corbett, HarperCollins, and Austen Prose for the opportunity to participate in this tour! I devoured this story and read it in one sitting. Maddy and her fun band of neighbors and villagers make me want to move to a small English village…but honestly, these days, what doesn’t? I’ve included the synopsis, and scroll to see my thoughts!
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 skeptic – Cameron Massey as her new neighbor.
When Maddy challenges Cameron to write romantic fiction, which he claims is so easy to do, sparks fly both on and off the page…
In short, this book is absolutely adorable. I was hooked immediately and never had a desire to “put it aside for a bit” as I sometimes am wont to do. While there is a lot happening in the book, nothing felt extraneous and all of the little plot lines came together sweetly. Every chapter starts with a different Jane Austen quote which I LOVED. Maddy is endearing and I want to be friends with her. Seriously, is she real? I think we’d get along well. I particularly enjoy her ability to quote Jane Austen in conversations. I loved the life and purpose she found in her new village, and I will say, that while she definitely faces some hardships, overall this is a low-angst story. Basically…is there anyone who wants to leave me an idyllic country home in their will?
Maddy’s romance with Cameron (aka Luke) is definitely what I would consider a slow burn (definitely “enemies” to friends to lovers) and this is strictly a closed-door romance besides some kisses. The unfolding of their friendship was a highlight of this book and I got the impression that they truly cared for each other. Plus, Buster the dog is an absolute scene-stealer and I love him to pieces.
Okay, critiques. I will say it–I don’t like the cover. Personally, I think there are those who would see this cover and immediately dismiss it, and therefore miss out on a sweet, fun story. I’m a fan of the font…and that’s pretty much it. Additionally, I think the synopsis is a bit misleading, but not in a way that ruined my enjoyment of the story. Also, for someone who is so anti-romance, Luke didn’t seem to have a problem with the romantic aspect of his and Maddy’s relationship. This is nitpicky of me, but here we are. I really wish this was a dual POV–I think seeing the story from Luke’s perspective might have helped with this. Or a conversation between the two. I don’t know. Again, I’m being picky, because overall, this story was lovely.
AUTHOR BIO
Linda Corbett lives in Surrey with her husband Andrew and three permanently hungry guinea pigs. As well as being an author, Linda is treasurer and fundraiser for Shine Surrey – a volunteer-led charity that supports individuals and families living with spina bifida and hydrocephalus. For many years she also wrote a regular column for Link, a disability magazine, illustrating the humorous aspects of life with a complex disability and she is a passionate advocate of disability representation in fiction. Love You From A-Z is her first published novel.
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If you want a lighthearted, sweet story with LOTS of Jane Austen references (and a literary festival!) I definitely recommend this one. I’m excited to read more by Corbett!
The Bookish Bird 