This book was well written, but it was too long and had too much going on. It wasn't focused enough on the relationship between Athena and Thorne. Was it really necessary to have a happy ending for everyone in Athena's family all in one book? Like, I understand the author's desire to do that, but it's the editor's job to say, hey, this book is a third longer than most books in the genre—maybe we should cut some stuff.

Plus, the idea of a college professor who wants to doxx an erotica author makes me cringe. No. Just no. In the real world, this could ruin someone's life. An author should know that it's dangerous and very much not okay.

And this is sort of a small thing, but the café having a daily special sandwich honoring Christopher Columbus (presumably for Columbus Day)… I mean, how very white of you. It's culturally insensitive, and the editor should have known that.

I hate that this review is so negative, because this had the potential to be a really good book. The concept was great, the writing was smart and entertaining. The book just wasn't ready for publication yet. And that's a shame.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

I enjoyed this book but I just didn’t really like the main character. She felt whiny and everything was about her (granted she was trying to save her job). But I loved Thorne. I thought he was a really good character. The story overall was good but a tad boring. I will say I didn’t guess right away who the C. L. Garland was but it felt like it got forgotten a little in the middle of the book.

I loved the mood of this book; it gave me a feeling of home. I was always intrigued and kept turning the pages to find out what was going to happen next. Perfectly imperfect characters and one of my favorites.

*ARC Review*
Blame It On the Brontës, by Annie Serano
Pub Date: May 3, 2022
Rating: 2.5/5

With the threat of "publish or perish" weighing on her mind, English professor Athena takes a break from the world of academia to research a project that she hopes will revive her career: she plans to uncover the identity of an anonymous romance writer who's said to live in her hometown. When she gets home, she's totally blindsided by the fact that the café she'll be working at is owned by her ex-boyfriend, Thorne. Through forced proximity, Athena and Thorne have no choice but to confront their complicated history and work to find out who her mysterious novelist could be.

I'll be honest, I really struggled with this one. I just found it very hard to get into the story. There were so many background characters and side plots that didn't really seem to contribute to the main story much. The dialogue was quirky, with phrases like "okey dokey artichokey" and "howdy do" and the book repeatedly referred to sex as "banging each other's lights out". And a lot of the relationships and connections throughout the story seemed a little forced. I would have loved more romance!

That being said, the book definitely kept me interested and wanting to learn more about what actually happened in Athena and Thorne's past, and I was curious throughout the story about the mystery writer's true identity. There were lots of references to classic novels and writers throughout, and this book actually did make me more interested in revisiting and reading some of them.

Read this if you love:
📚 Second and third chance romances and forced proximity tropes
📚 Modern takes on literary classics
📚 Small town vibes

Thank you @netgalley and @readforeverpub for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I've read a lot of love Brontë inspired works and was excited for this one (plus second chance romance is one of my favourite tropes) but this book was as disappointing as Branwell Brontë.

This book is dual POV, which I always enjoy in a romance novel, but I didn't feel a lot of chemistry between Athena and Thorne. Athena felt very one-dimensional, as did many of the other characters in the book. I felt like I didn't know anything more about her as a person at the end of the book than I did at the beginning. (What was driving her? Why was keeping her current job so important?) Thorne was a bit more interesting but I also wished that I learned more about his internal struggle. Maybe first-person would have worked better for this book.

In terms of the surrounding characters, I felt that many of them were unnecessary and didn't add much to the story. I would have liked it better if the author had included fewer characters and given them more important roles rather than using them as extras.

The mystery around the identity of CL Garland could also have been more developed and helped to drive the plot forward. Additionally, I found it surprising that the book had very little steam considering Garland's stories are supposed to be erotic retellings of classic novels. I definitely wanted more there!

Lastly, as I was reading I kept noticing odd expressions and turns of phrase that seemed very out of place for 30-somethings (my age demographic) or were just plain cringe (for example "Horny Thorny in the morny").

Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for sending me an ARC on NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

As someone with a B.A in English Literature and someone who counts Wuthering Heights as one of her all-time favorite books, how could I resist a book titled "Blame it on the Brontes"?!?
Athena is an English professor and a Bronte authority. With the need to "publish or perish", she returns to her home town in search of an illusive and mysterious author (with a secret identity) so she can write a "tell all" and gain tenure (keep her job) -- she subsequently runs into her ex-boyfriend who has now set up shop literally in her home town (the As You Like It Cafe sounds delightful and delicious).

Second chance romance is a favorite trope of mine, so I really enjoyed the barbs and the banter between Thena and Thorne as they worked their was towards a friendship and potentially something more.
I really loved the fact that each chapter started with a quote from one of the Bronte's novels and I absolutely adored all of the literary references. That being said, if that isn't your jam, this novel may not have the same impact on you as it did for me.
The story is told in dual POV, which does add to the story. I did enjoy this book and the cast of supporting characters were also well developed (they are quite the lively bunch).
I rate this book 3.5/5 stars.
Thank you to the author Annie Sereno, NetGalley, and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Blame It on the Brontes will be available May 3rd 2022.

First off, I did not finish Blame It on the Brontës.

Honestly, I didn’t even finish the first chapter before I knew I couldn’t go on. Athena was a very annoying character, I could see the “secret” from a mile away, and I had no interest in reading a second chance romance about characters I already didn’t like.

Overly dramatic and excessively wordy, Blame It on the Brontës was not for me.

I loved the premise for this… but it just wasn’t my favorite.

I’m not gonna lie, Athena wasn’t a character made for me and I didn’t love reading about her. She was a little too grumpy… for me personally.

I thought the author mystery was a bit juvenile. I never fully understand why she wanted to find out who they were, and the answer was obvious the whole time.

I’m also not sure this should be categorized as a romance… nothing really happened until almost 3/4 of the way in. There was no tension or swooning or anything really.

I also don’t think the Bronte’s love interests are all that great, so I don’t know why we had to compare any men to them😂

I feel like I’m being too picky, and maybe I am! I’ve read a lot of romances lately, so I may be too judge mental towards them. I will say, it was intriguing enough for me to read the whole thing, and I have no trouble DNFing.

This book was fine at first…not great, but fine. But then, Athena and Thorne had sex and I had to read things like “triumphant penis” and “Horny Thorny” at around 64%. Um, ew? As an asexual, these words scarred me more than even the most descriptive sex scene.

"As if you can move away from memories."

Hoping to save her job as an English professor by discovering the true identity of a local bestselling author while she's on leave back in her hometown, Athena quickly realizes she'll be working with her ex. Forced proximity works so well in this story, and Thorne's cafe was the perfect setting for a book with all the Bronte sisters' references, Blame It on the Brontës releases on 5/3, a debut novel from Annie Sereno written for any classical literature lover who enjoys a modern twist.

Serino gives us a delicious slow-burn, my only wish was that we could've gotten a peek past the closed door romance, the intensity of Thorne and Athena's past and current relationship left me selfishly wanting more. Both characters were flawed and grumpy, which upon discovering their past and family histories made sense and for me fit the brooding, classical vibes.

I found this one to be a quick and easy-to-read title that left me feeling warm and fuzzy, hopeful for rekindled romances, and exactly what I was expecting from the title.

A huge thank you to Forever Publishing + NetGalley for the advance copy! Downloaded this one right before our Spring Break trip to Disney and it was the perfect read while we waited in lines, loved it! As always, a book about books is always a must-read.

3.5 Stars

One Liner: Entertaining

Athena Murphy is an assistant English professor and an authority on Bronte novels. When her university gives her an ultimatum to publish or leave her job, she decides to uncover the identity of the mysterious CL Garland and write her biography. No one knows CL Garland, who writes spicy (read erotic) retellings of classic literature. The mysterious author seems to be from her hometown, Laurel.
The trip back home leads her straight to Thorne, her love from her university days. Everyone thought they were a perfect match, but life didn’t work that way. Thorne has given up his lawyering career to become a café owner in Laurel. It’s the same café Athena was supposed to waitress as a part-timer.
She is determined to act mature and focus on finding that one person who will save her job. But when things don’t go the way she plans, professionally and personally, can Athena and Throne get another chance to rebuild their relationship?

What I Like:
• The writing is easy, even if the book isn’t fast-paced. That makes it easy to read faster despite the plot not really going anywhere.
• Some secondary characters were rather interesting. For once, I didn’t mind so many characters (nor did I keep track of them).
• I don’t, as such, look for deep or heavy stuff from romcoms. I want lighthearted fluff. This book gives me that despite dealing with a few themes.
• Some antics were OTT and made me roll my eyes at the characters, but it was mindless fun and entertaining.
• Some one-liners and dialogues were cheeky and made me chuckle.

What Didn’t Work for Me:
• The chemistry between the characters went hot and cold. There also wasn’t much romance per se.
• Some aspects were mentioned a couple of times but didn’t really make much difference to the overall plot.
• Athena’s determination to continue her job, which even she knew was in a toxic workplace, is confusing. She is obviously talented and passionate about teaching. She could find a better place that valued her.
• The miscommunication drags from the start to the climax. It was boring at times. I wish they acted like the adults they were (both are in their 30s).
• The chapters are too long. I’d have preferred a book with 35 short chapters to 17 long ones, especially in a rom-com. Makes it easier to stop reading for the day.
• Some actions in the second half seem contradictory to what’s presented in the first half. This could be because the plot needed to move ahead (eventually), but the tone needs to match.
• <spoiler>The friends with benefits part is such a bummer. It went nowhere except trying to create a sense of anticipation (that didn’t hit the mark either). </spoiler>

To sum up, Blame It on the Brontes is an entertaining rom-com with some funny moments. Go with no expectations and enjoy it as a light read.

Thank you, NetGalley, Gallery Books, and Gallery/Scout Press, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

A third chance romance! Who is the mysterious author CL Garland who turns literary classics into erotica? That's what Thena hopes to discover when she moves home to Illinois from California. She's got to write something, anything, to save her job as a professor and she's thinking novel. Unfortunately, its unpaid leave so she's got to work and, much to her dismay, her old flame Thorne has bought the cafe where she's waitressing. Oh they had a relationship. And then another one. Now they're older but not necessarily wiser. It's a bit trope-y but the literary angle, well that's special. Thanks to Netgalley for the arc. Good characters, a nice small town vibe.

4/5 
Romance, 384 pages
No Spoilers Review

This was my first novel by Annie Sereno. I was initially intrigued by the title as I am a fan of literary classics. I was excited to read the connections made throughout the book, and enjoyed reading the quotes at the start of each chapter.

I haven’t read very many second chance romances or romances in general, but I found this one to be overall enjoyable. This was a quick read for me as I was pretty engrossed. I do wish that the main character Athena was a bit more likeable but I understand why she was written that way.

Things I liked: 
* The townsfolk, their conversations, the atmosphere of the town (charming).
* The overall idea for the plot and being a Classic retelling.
* The cafe, its patrons and the thoughts/memories it evoked in me.
* I didn’t mind there being a lack of erotica as I’m not into reading smut.
* I liked the characters and the few different tropes I recognized.

Things I didn’t like: 
* The main character, Athena. As much as I liked her, I disliked her at the same time.
* Some of the dialogue at times just read a little awkwardly and was weird.
* It was predictable, I figured out who C.L. Garland was early on.
* I felt like a lot was going on at times or maybe a little rushed.

I would recommend this book to anyone that is a fan of Classics and classical retellings. Full of romance and wit with some elements of bravery.

Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Blame It on the Brontes by Annie Sereno is a hilarious rom-com that will appeal to fans of The Love Hypothesis or Meet Me in the Margins. The story revolves around Athena, an English professor who has published anything in a while. To get her career back on track, Athena decies to discover the identity of C.L. Garland, a local romance author who has kept her identity hidden. While conducting research, Thena stumbles across her ex, Thorne. Will their sparks rekindle?

Here is a humorous excerpt from Chapter 1 that introduces us to Thena:

"The day Athena Murphy traipsed through Farmer Swenson’s pasture pretending she was Emily Brontë, wild child of the moors, and stepped into a steaming pile of cow flop, she should have known. She should have realized at the tender age of fifteen, before it was too late, that literature would betray her. That imagination was best confined to books. That following your dreams was a load of hooey.
Athena had followed her dreams all right, straight to a Harvard PhD in English and a plum position as assistant professor at Wyatt College in San Francisco. And now here she was, scraping cow crap off her shoes again—metaphorically speaking."

Overall, Blame It on the Brontes is a delightful rom-com that would make the perfect vacation read. One highlight of this book is the book-related plot. I love rom-coms that include writing, books, or professors in some way, and this book had all three. I did take off 1 star, because the plot that I was really interested in (discovering the identity of C.L. Garland) ended up taking a backseat, and most of this book was instead about running a cafe. It was just not what I expected. If you're intrigued by the excerpt above, or if you're a fan of rom-coms, I recommend that you check out this book when it comes out in May!

*Sigh* I probably had too high expectations for this one. I love the Brontes and I guess in my head I imagined this as a homage to them or a very loose retelling of one of their classics.
Overall this is an okay story. I feel like the marketing for it is misleading. This isn't really a romcom. It's more of a finding yourself kind of book. The main character isn't particularly likable; she comes off as really annoying and immature for her age. The lead male character was tolerable since I could get where a lot of his angst was stemming from.
I think another problem I had was that the book could be repetitive and didn't seem to know what direction it wanted to go in.
Again, I had different expectations and I feel the book fell short of them.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the arc. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book was pretty good - I always love any retellings of the classics! Thena and Thorne had great banter, but I’m not sure if an actual woman would take back a man whom blatantly lied to her face…twice. All in all, a good read with some fun twists

First off, thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this digital ARC of Blame it on the Brontes.

The cover is what drew me to request this book. It was a fun book, and it was also a quick read. I thought it was a quirky take on including classic novels into a contemporary romance. I thought the romance was fun and the characters were fairly engaging. I really related to the "publish or perish" struggle of the main character. I loved the idea of a romcom based around the Bronte sisters and thought it was a great touch to start each chapter with a quote from them.

This was such a cute read! It was a bit of a fresh air because I had been used to thrillers before this one. I fell in love!

This one didn’t quite work for me. I am not sure what it was exactly, but I found myself skimming some chapters and kinda just wanting it to progress faster.

I liked seeing Athena and Thorne reconnect. But the way the story was laid out - with some flashbacks to their prior relationship - just had me a bit confused.

I think my favorite part of the book were all of the small town residents and how Athena developed relationships with them. It felt cozy and sweet.

Overall, this one was just fine for me.

Oh my gosh I absolutely loved this book. This was just as much a story about second chances as it was a book about the courage to give up the life you built when you realize it isn’t what you wanted after all. Athena and Thorne are both wonderful characters with a lot of heart and a lot at stake. The cast of supporting characters is as vibrant as you could hope for. I was smiling the whole time I was reading.