A light read that feels a little long, this book follows Athena as she comes to a crossroads in her career and life. I think most of us can relate to questioning our purpose or path in life the same way the Athena does, wondering if we keep charging ahead or adjust the sails.

The small town roster of characters is fun. Our main couple is frustratingly hot and cold, and has serious trust issues which lead to them being spectacularly awful at honest communication. The detective antics made me giggle, but I called the mystery from the start so the resolution wasn’t really a surprise to me. All in all, a fun read.

(I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.)

I've never swooned so hard over a second-chance romance like this! I was immediately captivated from the start! The chapters are pretty long, but I never wanted to put this book down anyways. The chemistry and soul connection between Athena and Thorne was evident from the beginning and I really enjoyed their journey of finding themselves while single and then coming back together. There were so many supportive characters it was almost hard to keep track, but the banter between the bachelor farmers was great and I loved Athena's brother. And the mystery of trying to discover C. L. Garland's identity added a fun layer to the story line. This is a closed door romance and if you're a lover of the classics such as Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre, I think you will especially adore Blame it on the Brontes.

I enjoyed the literary references that framed the story and occurred throughout the book. However, much like Wuthering Heights, I didn’t find the main characters particularly likeable and was not invested in their story. This was a fun read, but I was hoping for more to it.

Although I've got to admit that I found Athena more annoying than lovable, I did enjoy the story. She has a quick temper and little patience, both traits that get her in trouble. Back in her hometown to write a book that will hopefully save her job, she encounters an old flame. Much to her dismay, she finds that the attraction to Thorne is still there. Even worse, she's put in the position of working part time for him as a waitress since the woman who hired her has left and he is now in charge of the restaurant. Her hopes of getting in and out of town quickly as she tries to find an elusive author seem futile, too, as all her efforts go nowhere.

The same can't be said for Athena and Thorn's relationship, however, which alternately heats up and cools down, usually based on Athena's actions or words. How will it turn out for these two? Will Athena learn that love isn't what you read about in books but what you do in real life? Will Thorne tire of her antics, temper, and impetuous words and actions? Why is she so fixated on finding this one, elusive author? Will she ever discover who author C.L. Garland is? After all, the author lives in her hometown. Surely it shouldn't be this hard to find out who Garland is, do interviews, then flee out of town away from Thorne and all the memories and emotions his closeness conjure up. And what's going on with her divorced mother and father? Will Athena ever succeed in getting her father to clean up after himself? Nah. Though he has suddenly adopted a more dapper dress. What is up with that? Will Athena and Thorne ever come together?

All these questions and far more are answered in "Blame It on the Brontes', the title a good hint of the many literary references you'll encounter in the book. Even though I wasn't fond of Athena, I enjoyed visiting her hometown and watching from afar. No, one never watches from afar in a romance book's small town. You are quickly pulled in and somehow feel a part of it all. That is what makes this such a special book. Cute cover, fun idea, and fun fireworks and heat. Romance lovers will enjoy this one.

Thank you #NetGallery and #Forever for giving me a ringside seat to Athena and Thorne's story. I enjoyed my visit to their hometown.

This book was such a lovely surprise: clever, heartwarming and overall a feel good read. I absolutely loved Thorne and could definitely relate to Athena. The side characters were great too. This was a great slow burn second chance romance and I will definitely keep and eye out for more books by this author.

A modern romance novel for lovers of classic romance novels! Blame It on the Brontes has plenty of charm and chemistry between the romantic leads. I would describe it as a cozy read, full of zany characters (and one of them is the mysterious C.L. Garland!).

As the title suggests, there are some plot threads echoing Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights (and probably others I missed). You don’t have to be familiar with the Brontes work to enjoy this book but if you are, it enhances the reading experience. Overall, the book was a fun read though I think there were too many side characters introduced and the book felt a bit too long.

I think this will be a hit with many readers who love reading romance and enjoy book-loving characters.

Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book! I love a second-chance romance, especially when you can practically feel the chemistry coming off the page. Thorne is swoon worthy, a lawyer turned bakery owner (and baker at that), who is unlike any other male (fiction or otherwise) I've encountered. Thorne enjoys the classics and opera, without feeling the need to display macho tendencies. Athena, a professor full of sass and an inability to keep quiet. I found her too be too much at times but it just builds on her character. I knew this book was going to keep me hooked when North and South was mentioned, I often find it's overlooked in favor of Pride and Prejudice. I'm a suspicious reader so I saw some of the reveals coming from a mile away but it does not detract from the book in any way. Supporting characters are hilarious and you get just enough that you invest in their plots too.

I loved Professor Athena Murphy's wit and spunk. I loved the banter between her and the other characters. I probably needed to read Charlotte Brontes books to understand some references. It's on my tbr list. I liked the slething to figure out who the secret author is. I enjoyed this book and I was sad to see it end.

I'll add a review on Instagram and Amazon when it gets closer to the pub date. I added the review to Goodreads.

Blame it on the Brontës was so, so lovely! The cover immediately drew me in, as well as the title and I was not disappointed. I enjoyed the characters, and it was a quick read. I found the writing to be engaging and entertaining; I had an enjoyable time reading this and it held my attention the entire way through that I finished it within the day! I enjoyed every page and thought that the plot/story was very unique. Would recommend to anyone!

This book was nothing amazing, but still alright.

I liked how the stories connect and interact with each other, and I like how they unfold slowly. Although it can be a bit tedious to read sometimes, I still fairly enjoyed my time reading this. I think overall the story was kinda medium, it had nothing spectacular or groundbreaking, but the romance and the tragedy of the characters are interesting enough and it was a nice read. The classic references are also fun to spot! If you're a fan of the classics and you love the Brontë sisters, this is definitely an exciting book for you!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

In order to save her job, professor Athena Murphy needs to publish a book. She decides to take a sabbatical back to her home town which is rumored to also be the location of a mysterious best selling author. While trying to track down the author, she encounters her ex-boyfriend Thorne Kent who has moved back to town to take over a local cafe.

Blame It On the Brontes is the perfect mix of romcom and mystery. Athena and Thorne have such a tumultuous relationship. I enjoyed the development of Athena’s personality through not only her family but the cafe regulars she interacts with. The twists and surprises really make the storyline along with the humorous dialogue.

I do wish the author had included an epilogue but the plot does wrap up well at the end.

This is a quirky, fun read, not something I would usually pick up, but am so glad I did! Professor Athena Murphy takes a semester off from teaching in order to pen her first book, and rekindles an old romance with her college ex-boyfriend in the process. Smart and witty, this book is perfect for fans of the Bronte sisters and Wuthering Heights! #NetGalley #BlameItOnTheBrontes

This was a fun story.
I enjoyed it. And if I'm honest I didn't think I would at first.
Athena's character just shined bright onto these pages and well thought out.
The plot had enough in it to keep me on my toes whilst still being a charming and romantic story to escape into.
An engaging read that I didn’t want to put down at all. A lovely story .

Forever Pub,
Thank You for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!
I will post my review closer to pub date.

Blame It On The Brontes by Annie Sereno (4.5/5)

If you are looking for a story with creative wit and a lovers to enemies to lovers romance, this book is for you!

In the age of a pandemic and a plague of uncertainty, this story brings to light an epic romance and a sense of belonging for all those in our 20s and 30s, confused on who we are and what we should be doing.

Thena comes home to her small town as a tornado hit her professional life. She is looking for the mysterious C. L. Garland as she has to find out who is behind the pen name for erotic novels. She is thrown into her hometown once again, coming face to face with her ex-boyfriend and now boss.

My initial reactions:
-Annie knows how to write comedic dialogue
-side characters are captivating
-quirky mystery love adventure
-so much mutual pining but being in denial

At times, I did struggle with the slow pacing of the story and the constant miscommunication between Thorne and Thena, but I know that is a big draw for most romance arcs. I will say with how profound and beautiful Annie's writing was, I wish there had been a long, explicit scene.

Overall, this story warmed my heart with how people who never fell out of love can get back together again.

English professor Athena Murphy 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 and 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?

A book for lovers of the Bronte sisters. I love the comparisons of the Bronte sisters with modern day.... The book is funny, witty and smart. Love the main characters and how they interact with each other. Love their chemistry together. A fun book.

I wish I could say that I loved this book, but it ended up being a case of loving the description more than the actual story. There was just something missing from the writing style that prevented that spark of magic from happening where you get pulled into a story and forget you're reading. I did enjoy all of the cafe's patrons and their quirks and the smalltown feel. The romance was lacking for me. Overall, this was an average read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for access to this arc.

👍🏼👍🏼 a must read for all Brontë fans (if the title didn’t already key you in) 😉

Professor Athena Murphy takes a sabbatical to write her debut book. If by sabbatical you mean a mandatory, unpaid semester off, living in her Midwestern childhood bedroom, and working part-time as a waitress. And if by debut book, you mean the spur of the moment pitch on discovering the identity of a newly bestselling erotica author and dissecting their literary merits whose draft is promised by the end of the year to save her position on the faculty of a small college in San Francisco. Throw in divorced parents, a heartbroken brother, small town gossip, and a devastatingly handsome college ex-boyfriend, Thorne (who is Athena’s new boss, seriously why is he in this small town of all places?!), and you’ve got one heck of a story to weave.

Annie Sereno takes her deliciously sweet time answering all of the reader’s questions
What happened to Thena and Thorne? Will they get back together?
Who is the elusive erotica author, C. L. Garland?
What’s gotten into Athena’s parents?
Will Athena save her job?

All these questions and answers are intertwined with and explained by the romance and tragedy of the Brontë sisters’ lives and novels. A treat for anyone who loves the classics and can quote Shakespearean Sonnets as well as Thena and Thorne! Bonus points for anyone who can follow the plot of Wuthering Heights 😏

This book is for anyone who loves the Brontë sisters. It is charming, witty, and so smart. This book is going to be big! The characters were so dynamic and, overall, likeable to a degree I didn’t know could happen.

Also, it helps to have a super-hot new book boyfriend to obsess over.

Would recommend to anyone !!

I enjoyed the characters and the story. it felt honest and real. can't wait to read more from this author!