If you're a Wuthering Heights fanatic then this may be the right book for you. I almost gave it three stars -- which is what I gave Wuthering Heights. When it comes right down to it, though, 'm being very generous with rounding up to two. I can see how it would enthrall Catherine and Heathcliff lovers but I'm not one of them and, quite frankly, probably should steer clear from all things related to Wuthering Heights. I get why it's considered a classic but I think I'll stick with her sisters.
As for the book in question, the pace off, I found the "heroine" and just as annoying and unheroine-like as Catherine and the "hero" not nearly as interesting as Heathcliff -- whom I also would never put in the category of "hero.". The side characters and the pug held my interest more than either one alone -- and especially more than the two of them together. And the whole quest for the mystery author? I think I cared as much as her Dickinson-loving colleague at the college. I had that whole part figured out before I even started reading the book. Its' just not one that I would ever pick up a second time and almost didn't make it all the way through the first time.

The idea of this book is so cute, but the writing just wasn't my style. It was filled with so many extra descriptions and cliched phrases that it made the book lean a little cheesy for me. I loved the quotes. I like the literary threads of the story. But the writing wasn't for me.

Well, this was a cute romance about a second-chance romance in a small town. I enjoyed the small-town atmosphere, and the food-central story. The characters great, and I liked them!

This was a very cute second-chance romance about two college sweethearts whose careers didn’t turn out how they expected as they find themselves living once again in small town Illinois. I found the characters very lovable and the townspeople charming. Would recommend!

The title got me - I, too, still have my first copy of Wuthering Heights and can rattle off facts on Charlotte, Emily, and Anne like some people recite the alphabet.

Here's what a reader should know - this is a small town romance with literary people. It moves at a small town pace with a cast of characters you'd expect. Woman goes back to the town where she grows up to solve a literary mystery, but her college flame has moved there. The flame still burns, but you know, it is complicated. The characters are in their thirties, but they talk and act like eighty year-old elitists - which might be someone's thing, but it got weird for me. Also, I can't think of a single person born around the 1990's who would be wearing Liz Claiborne jeans. Unless they are vintage and irony is their thing. But that's not the vibe Thena, our college professor protagonist, gives off.

The gist: as much as you think you know someone, there are always parts that are kept hidden, denied, tucked under the mattress when friends come to visit. The story is very Midwest, but the message endures all over.

A fun concept and a quick and entertaining read!

Athena and Thorne were college sweethearts who had planned out their lives together: go to Harvard, become English professors, get married, have kids. But when Thorne decides to deviate from those plans and pursue law school in Seattle to follow in his father's footsteps, they break up, ending up on opposite sides of the country.

Years later, the career as a professor that Athena sacrificed her relationship for is hanging on by a thread. As a last-ditch effort to save her job, she decides to write a book unmasking the famous erotic novella writer C.L. Garland, who rumor has it lives in Athena's hometown. Surprise, surprise, Athena treks home only to discover Thorne has settled there. Not only that, he has taken over her mother's best friend's the cafe, the same cafe where she was promised a job.

Now Athena is trying to uncover the secrets of Garland while stuck working for her ex, who's hiding plenty of secrets of his own. Thorne has spent years convinced that he and Athena's time had passed, but her return dregs up old feelings he can't ignore.

The book is written from both Athena and Thorne's POVs, which I liked. I adored the literary references. My one issue, and this kind of took me out of the book, was that some of the language was very incongruent. The author didn't shy away from more sophisticated vocabulary or discussions of erotica and sex scenes, yet the MC often used very child-like minced oaths. What self-respecting literature professor says "fricking," "crapola," "patootie," and "a-hole?"

Overall, I definitely enjoyed this read, and would recommend to all lovers of the Brontes and Shakespeare!

I enjoyed this second chance romance. I really loved the book theme and the love story between Athena and Thorne.. The cafe setting and all the delicious food was a definite plus too. The story even contains a mystery to figure out as well. Two things that kept me from rating this book higher was the overly descriptive writing and the large numbers of cliches. They sometimes made the story wordy and trite. Despite that I did like this book and recommend it as a cute palate cleanser romance. 3/5 stars

Thanks to NetGalley and Forever Grand Publishing for the eARC of this book.

I ADORED this book!

The witty banter was so cute and the storyline had me smiling the entire time. Also, as an English major, I definitely appreciate good literature references ;)

Unique premise - I loved the academia theme and the Brontes' involvement! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

The synopsis of this book seemed to promise an interesting romantic comedy story but it fell short for me. Its predictable nature is not very surprising for this genre but I did not particularly like the way it's written and the unnecessary adult content. Maybe if I did not have so many books on my to-be-read list I would have tried to finish this.

This is a first time read for me by this author and it definitely won't be my last. I absolutely loved this book! Ms. Sereno did a great job of creating the scenes and making them come to life with her creative and detailed descriptions. I really got drawn into Athena's story and her quest to find herself with the help of her writing. She finds herself back in her hometown and back in the path of her old flame, who is her employer at her part-time job. It was a charming and entertaining read and I enjoyed it all the way through. The characters were interesting and well-developed with realistic qualities that gave them an authentic quality and were easily relatable. Wonderful characters and an engaging storyline will keep you captivated till the end. This is a lovely story and I'm happy to recommend!
I received a complimentary copy from Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

While the bad decisions were tiresome and the MC is writing about erotica writer, there is very little spice. There is that one scene and allusion to a shower activity, that’s about it. What I enjoyed the most were the quotes and literary references. Thorne is swoony in his devotion and Thena is witty and adorable, setting very cozy but constant bad decisions just were too many and ruined the book for me.

First things first- isn’t this cover pretty?

Okay, now- Athena returns to her small hometown after a distressing work event, deciding to write the biography of an erotica author that does spicy retelling of classic literature. The writer, CL Garland, happens to live in her home town. So does her ex-boyfriend, so of course, they face the possibility for a third heartbreak (they’ve already been through two).

I think the town was the best character in this novel. Really well written and vivid. I’m not an Athena fan, and that’s okay, because I did still root for the story.

There’s some disjointed pacing issues throughout that can throw off the reading rhythm and story feel, but this is a perfectly pleasant small-town, third chance romance story that I’m sure contemporary romance fans will appreciate.

I’d like to thank Netgalley for sending me an ARC of this book. The cover and title captured my attentions right away. This book had lots of potential, but for me it fell a little flat. The storyline and plot are unique, which I appreciated. Also the fact that the main characters were in their 30s was also refreshing to read. There are many nods to classic literature throughout the story, and I really liked how that was incorporated into the book. This story follows Athena and Thorne and their journey back to each other. This is a forced proximity second-chance romance that is packed with sexual tension. If you’re looking for spice, there wasn’t much. Most of it was fade to black or closed door. For me the story had a lot of dialogue which, while fun and well-written, was a lot. I felt like things were talked about rather than explained in context. For those reasons, I gave it 3/5 stars. Overall, this book was okay- a light fun read. This is an adult romance, 18+ language and sexual content.

I loved the idea of a story based around the Bronte sisters. I liked the quotes from them at the start of each chapter.. overall an enjoyable read that I recommend.

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle, Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and by #NetGalley. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Cute, quick and easy to read. I suggest it’s a wonderful book club read.

Athena Murphy is back in her hometown, hoping to save her teaching position in CA by writing a book exposing C.L. Garland, unknown writer of the LitWit series that had rewritten classic novels as erotica. She didn’t count on Thorne Kent, her ex, to be running the cafe where she’s to work while researching and writing. The attraction between them is still there, but Thorne made it clear last time they met that their love story was over. Can Athena uncover the writer’s true identity and salvage her life and job in San Francisco or will she fail? Or is there a third option that involves having everything she truly wants?

The story was enjoyable, but nothing surprised me like I hoped it would. Still, a satisfying HEA makes it a worthwhile read.

Annie Sereno's Blame It on the Brontes is a wonderful read. Athena returns to her quaint hometown with charming small town coziness as she navigates an old flame and attempts to grasp a shot at tenure through the writing of a book and pursue revealing a local, anonymous author. This book has humour, heart and a bit of obsession with British classics. As she tries to uncover the mysterious author, Athena describes them as spinning classics in a way that makes one want to read them after enjoying the reimagined variations. In many ways, Sereno achieves this as well. I guess Wuthering Heights will be added to my TBR in addition to revisiting Jane Eyre.

Takeaways:

Adore her relationship with her brother and his entrepreneur spirit. I also love how everyone strives to pursue things that make them happy. I’ve decided that I really like hearing about people who are happy.

The woes and weaves of divorced parents along with all that comes with them moving on.

I kept finding myself thinking, “I’m really enjoying this book!”

The intrigue of people you know and love having secret parts of themselves they they keep to themselves out of a game of self-preservation, protecting others and a desire to be one’s true self.

Perhaps revisit the use of the word, “fanny” for a UK audience, lol. Holds quite a different meaning over the pond.

Thank you Net Galley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the opportunity to read this delightful book in exchange for an honest review!

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I wa spleasantlt surprised right from the beginning of this book. Lately, it takes effort to get into these newly published books but I enjoyed the voice and felt that Athena was authentic, as well as Thorne. It was fun to watch Athena's discoveries as she hung around Thorne more. A fun read but not the best cover, so don't be fooled. It is a good book!

received an eARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Honestly, this book had me on the fence about a star rating. The things that I liked about it I loved. The things that I didn't were really frustrating.

I loved the high-stakes premise of an English professor in a last-ditch effort to essentially save her job, going home to write a book and reconnecting with a former flame. I loved all of the classic literature references from Shakespeare to the Brontes, particularly that each chapter begins with a quote from one of their books. There are tons more that are integral to the plot and I don't want to spoil it.

I didn't love that the FMC did solve the hidden identity mystery twice...but. was told lies that kept her thinking she was wrong. These were big consequences that occurred as a result of the lies....and it made the. HEA ending unrealistic to me.

I love the LGBT+ rep, the supportive family members, and the surprise coming out toward the end. I didn't see it coming, but thinking about it now, the bread crumbs are there and it's a heartwarming ending for one couple.

There is mention of past cheating (not main characters, but it does come up frequently). The mental health rep is there, but its presentation hurt to read. The reader only hears about this character , rather than getting to meet him. Furthermore this character who is schizophrenic , is presented as part of the reason the male main character couldn't commit to marriage with the female main character when they were younger. By the end the views have changed and this character who we still have not met is being welcomed into the fold. Sort of.

Lots of complicated thoughts for me. I would suggest it as a good discussion group book for a group that likes spice and hot button topics. This is a book that could start big discussions.