Labels

BOOKWORM REVIEW: Blame It on the Brontë's by Annie Sereno


RATING: ⭐⭐⭐
STEAM: 🔥

Athena Murphy is on a mission as she travels back to her hometown of Laurel. She is spending her sabbatical uncovering the identity of author C.L. Garland, known for erotic retellings of classic romances. She also has no time for distractions, especially in the form of Thorne, the man who has broken her heart in the past. 

It turns out he's made his roots in Laurel, running a café, and he is Athena's temporary boss. Will their close proximity rekindle lost love, and will Athena uncover the truth behind Garland?

This was a nice easy -- albeit slow -- read. While I enjoyed the banter between Athena and Thorne, the miscommunication plot did get tedious at certain points. Thorne was the more appealing main character for me. Though she had her reasons, I found it hard to find a connection with her. While I love a good rollercoaster romance, their tug-of-war left me wanting.

The steamy moments are closed-door, so if you're looking for spice, this book might not be the right choice. 

** I am voluntarily reviewing an advance copy of this book. Thank you to Annie Sereno, Forever Publishing, and NetGalley for providing an ARC. **

ABOUT THIS BOOK

She’s going to write her own happy ending.

English professor Athena Murphy is an authority on the novels of the Brontë sisters. But as they say in academia, publish or perish. To save her job, Athena decides to write a biography of C.L. Garland, the author heating up bestseller lists with spicy retellings of classic literature. Tracking down the reclusive writer and uncovering her secret identity, though, means Athena must return to her small midwestern hometown where Garland—and her ex-boyfriend, Thorne Kent—live.

Seeing Thorne again reminds Athena that real life never lives up to fiction. He was the Heathcliff to her Catherine, the Mr. Rochester to her Jane. Not only did their college breakup shatter that illusion, but they also broke each other’s hearts again a second time. Now she has to see him nearly every...single…day.

The only solution is to find C.L. Garland as quickly as possible, write the book, and get the heck out of town. As her deadline looms and the list of potential C.L. Garlands dwindles, Athena and Thorne bicker and banter their way back to friendship. Could it really be true that the third time’s a charm?

Athena and Thorne have a love story only a Brontë could write, and the chance for their own happily-ever-after, but first, they’ll need to forgive the mistakes of the past.


MEET ANNIE SERENO

When she's not expressing her imagination with pen and paintbrush, Annie gardens, swims, and haunts art museums. In possession of a well-worn passport and memories of all the places she's called home, she shares her life with her husband and two sons.

Mildly (okay, seriously) obsessed with birds, Celtic music, and all things Australian, she believes there is no such thing as a former librarian, no time to read, or too many shoes.





Tags: