This little gem won me over, heart and soul! Stockton delivers a brilliantly sweet and clever story with numerous nods to Jane Austen, without being a retelling of some kind.

Charlotte (aka Charlie) Lucas is ready to find her Darcy in a massive pool of Mr. Collins--and she is NOT "the" Charlotte Lucas, so why isn't it her turn? Her character is awkwardly charming and so relatable. For me, at least. The situations and circumstances she finds herself in--I found myself giving her advice and feeling some secondhand embarrassment for her--but she made things work. I loved watching her grow and take charge of her life instead of letting life take charge of her.

And can we just give a moment of appreciation for Liam? What a glorious man! He's strong, well-known and yet mysterious, and such a fine, fine gentleman, not to mention charming, sweet, and oh-so-handsome!

Everything about this story had me captivated and eager to devour every last page. Give me all the magnetic undercurrents, fantastic characters, a matchmaking grandma, and a little drama to stir things up, and I'm here for it!

Content: mild romance

*I received a copy through Netgalley. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*

I was expecting a lot from this big Jane Austen reference. Afraid to say that I was disappointed. I must admit I also trust too blindly pretty covers..
I really have a problem with romances that do not have any plot except the romance. I thought it lacked dynamism, surprises and spirit. Charlie really annoyed me, she was way too self-deprecating and instead of making me feel compassionate, I was quite sick of her.

Ok….I’ve got to be honest here, this was a difficult read for me. Difficult because I have this condition called “squinty eyes”, where my eyes disappear when I smile really big, making it hard to see clearly. And let me tell ya, I spent so much of this book grinning like the dang Cheshire Cat my cheeks hurt and I could hardly see to read!! Like giddy doesn’t even begin to describe it.

This book was A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E! I loved it so much! Charlie is the sweetest, most lovable person, and so relatable. Liam…ah Liam, he is the dreamiest catch on planet Earth! These two go together like peanut butter and jelly, like hot cocoa and cold, winter nights, like popcorn and movies! Hello, can we say Perfect?!?! And let’s not forget Vera, meddling grandmas are the bomb!

This book is Romcom Royalty people! Do not miss it!

Thanks to Netgalley for my complimentary ARC all opinions are my own.

@authorkaseystockton #imnotcharlottelucas #contemporaryromance #cleanromancefiction #cleanromance
#cleanromancenovels #netgalley

“Liam was Mr. Darcy, and I was Charlotte Lucas, and history had already proven that those two things didn’t go together.”

I binged I'm not Charlotte Lucas in one sitting! It was adorable, witty, and as swoony as Darcy coming out of the lake.

Or the hand flex.

Take your pick depending on which Darcy camp you belong to. 😉

This is not a spin-off or retelling but a loose modern interpretation of Charlotte Lucas’ character from Pride and Prejudice who shares a name with our heroine, Charlie Lucas.

Charlie does NOT want to end up with a Mr. Collins like her namesake and is hoping for a Mr. Darcy instead, but when she goes on a blind date with Liam, her neighbor's grandson, she knows he is too good to be true.

You don't have to be a fan of P&P to enjoy the cute love story with so many memorable scenes - the trellis, the ball (swoon!!!), and can someone please make me a chocolate malt??

Charlotte was such a relatable character with her insecurities and steady, supportive Liam is just who she needed! I love it when the guy falls first and his flirting (and that first kiss?!) - more swoon! 🔥😍

This is a sweet story about finding yourself and finding love in the most unlikely of places and I absolutely loved it!

Charlie’s right, she’s not Charlotte Lucas. She’s worse.

This book has broken me, I feel a fury that I have not felt in ages and you better buckle up because oh boy do I have a rant for you.

<b>Characterization</b>

Charlie was the whiniest protagonist I’ve had the misfortune of reading in a long time. She complains about not wanting to be a “Charlotte Lucas” (that’s a whole other issue I’ll address later) and yet makes even worse decisions. She seems unable to make adult decisions and then wallows in her bad ones. The rest of the cast also felt very one-dimensional. Liam was ok, but he never really had a solid reason for actually liking our protagonist, I know I struggled to like her.

Also, there’s a character named Spike and you’ll never understand any of his hobbies. Ever. I’m still in disbelief. 😂

<b>The Charlotte Lucas Slander</b>

The actual biggest issue for me is that this entire novel is full of Charlotte Lucas slander. Did Charlotte make the decision that Lizzie would have made? No. Did she settle? Maybe. Does that make her a weak character? Absolutely not. What else could she have done in that time period? She was making the best of her circumstances and she carves out her own independent and secure life in the form of becoming Mrs Collins. I think she shows what a typical regency woman looks like and I was hoping that the growth of our protagonist would have meant learning that being a Charlotte Lucas isn’t a bad thing, because isn’t Charlotte still beloved by Lizzie despite marrying Mr Collins?

Perhaps I’m being irrational, but this just feels like a massive misunderstanding of Charlotte Lucas’s character.


Overall, this was a huge miss for me and I think this book drove me a little insane. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

I know Kasey for her historical romance books. This was only the second time I have read one of her contemporary books and I was still so in love.

All of the Pride and Prejudice references were gold. Having a Darcy look at you when you have felt like Charlotte Lucas (even being named that) is a frightening thought. How does one even have the chance at breaking that typecasting?

Charlotte "Charlie" Lucas, doesn't want to become her Jane Austen namesake. 27, single, alone, and frightened; but she seems to be heading that way. When her elderly neighbor asks her to go on a blind date with her grandson, Charlie reluctantly agreed. What should have been one unspectacular date, turned out to be a date she would never forget.

Liam is charming, dashing, successful, and to Charlie- so out of her league. She has to push him out of her thoughts and return to reality. But reality is crashed when he keeps showing up in her life.

I really enjoyed the parallel thoughts from a Jane Austen classic. All the nods were great and we're useful to the story. This book is full of moments that allow Charlie to see that she really isn't her literary namesake. She struggles to see her worth, but she slowly grows out of her pittying ways to find peace with who she is.

I walked away from this book with a peaceful feeling as well. Growing alongside Charlie almost.

Wonderful read. A great addition to any TBR out there.

4.5 Stars

Is Winter getting you down? Is SADD kicking your proverbial butt? Do you need a sweet, quick, little pick me up when it’s too cold to venture out into the frozen tundra that is the outdoors? Well, look no further friends, I have the book for you! If you love Pride and Prejudice (in any of it’s film forms), throw in a little opposites attract, and a next door neighbors (sort of) trope, I’m Not Charlotte Lucas by Kasey Stockton will delight and warm your heart cockles quite profusely.

A Little Bit Of Plot
Charlotte (Charlie) Lucas is in a bid of a rut; she refuses to become like her literary namesake and settle for whatever Mr. Collins comes her way while also looking for a reprieve from her very boring bank job. Enter, Liam, the grandson of her lovely neighbor Vera who needs a lady on his arm for an upcoming society ball. After reluctantly agreeing to the blind date, Charlie quickly realizes two things: Liam is out of her league (her words) and he has just gotten out of a relationship with one of the most famous actresses in America. Considering the date to be a one off, Charlie is surprised to learn that Liam is serious...about her. Will this Charlotte Lucas get shuffled off to Rosings with stodgy old Mr. Collins or will she finally get her Mr. Darcy?

The Compliment Sandwich
The Top Bun (The Pro)
Very Low Stakes

Everyone who has either read my reviews or listened to the podcast knows I hate angst. I don’t mind a 3rd act breakup; but if you kill off an important character or separate the main couple for years on end..you’re dead to me. I mean it - I'm not sending flowers, not singing Ave Maria at the service, not even reading a dirty limerick at your wake...we are done-ski's. Therefore, I was so relieved to find that angst level in this novel stayed a low simmer.
I read this while suffering with my second bout of Covid (insert gif of that little girl crushing the pop can angrily); therefore,I needed the pick me up that this novel delivers in droves. While there are some low stakes angst moments in the 3rd act (as per uzhe) this isn’t going to wreck your day. You’ll throw your fist to the sky and say “DON’T BE SO BLIND!” but it's a considerably small blip in the lifetime of a whole relationship.

The Meat (The Con)
The Grand Gesture

I know I may be in the minority on this one, but if Liam pulled on me what he does to Charlie, I’d spray paint his car. She has absolutely every right in the world to be angry at him for his GG. In fact, I think she should have made him wait it out a little bit longer afterwards. Let him stew. Some are going to say, "but Rae, isn't it sweet that he believed in her.." SURE, FINE..but boundaries, dude!

That being said, this leads me to my...

The Bottom Bun (The Pro)
Liam

Stockton has written an absolutely delightful hero with Liam. I know I referenced Mr. Darcy above, but the more I think about it, I’d characterize him more as a Mr. Bingley. He’s not moody or introspective like Darcy, he’s gregarious and outgoing. He’s not shy in his attentions towards Charlie. From jumpstreet, he’s extremely vocal about his attraction to her, even as she dates another man - not in a domineering way but in a “I’m going to let you do you but I know we are meant to be..”. It’s quite charming and not stalkery like some novels will portray an invested hero.

Liam is there to pick up the pieces when her relationship doesn’t pan out and is the voice of reason as she continually makes the worst decisions regarding her love life.

In talking about her previous (and possibly restarting) relationship:
“”Maybe the timing was wrong. Maybe I wasn’t ready to commit. Maybe I didn’t think we had the right chemistry”
“Maybe he’s an idiot for letting you get away in the first place.”
I couldn’t help it. I looked up. Liam was watching me, but the amusement was gone from his eyes. He looked serious, like this mattered.

Liam is constantly having to convince Charlie that she’s worth more than a last minute or forgotten date, she has more to give the world than her boring bank job (nothing wrong with working in a bank), and that she’s boxed herself into what she deems ‘good enough’ for her life.

After a heartbreaking scene with her then boyfriend, Liam consoles Charlie:
His hand came around my own, large, warm, and capable, and I trembled from the bolts of electricity shooting straight up my arm.
“You owe him nothing,” he said, his voice reaching the depths of my soul. “You never owe a man anything. And don’t let anyone convince you otherwise”.

Good gracious, Mr. Bingley, indeed. I need every woman and girl to read that last quote from Liam. Tattoo it everywhere - write it on walls: You never owe a man anything.

All in all, if you are looking for a sweet, quick, read with lots of humor, and a deep love of the 1995 and 2005 film versions of Pride and Prejudice, it's all right here!

As someone who is obsessed with Jane Austen, particularly Pride and Prejudice, I was so excited for this book! Charlie is also obsessed with Jane Austen and Pride and Prejudice, and compares herself to Charlotte Lucas (her actual name) and believes her best friend, Beth, to be just like Elizabeth Bennett. While I love Pride and Prejudice, I think Charlie’s view of herself and Beth are rather unhealthy. She says she does not want to end up like Charlotte Lucas (settling for a Mr. Collins, being practical), yet that is exactly what she’s doing. She stops following her dreams for what she believes is a more sensible path. Then she goes on a blind date with Liam to appease her neighbor and good friend, Vera, and she starts to rethink her decisions.

This was a cute romance with one point of view, no spice, and where he falls first. While at times, it was hard to read Charlie so down on herself, I think it was very relatable as everyone goes through that phase in life, some more than others. Everyone has been insecure and everyone has received criticism at some point in their life. A lot of people struggle with both, especially when they are young. This book goes into what can happen when you let what other people think influence your self-confidence, and how to overcome and persevere when there will always be adversity.

This was my first by Kasey Stockton, but I definitely plan to read more by this author!

I decided not to finish reading this book at the 20% mark. It's a fun read for its target audience, but it wasn't for me. I am so sad because I really wanted to enjoy it! As a HUGE Austen lover, the title and concept really drew me in and I was expecting a story that reimagined the social/class anxieties of Pride and Prejudice's Charlotte Lucas through a modern lens.

Unfortunately, the world-building, character development, and dialogue were not my style and felt a little underdeveloped. Nearly every paragraph seemed like I was being told, rather than shown, who these people are and what their lives were like. I found the dialogue both unnatural and uninteresting. Perhaps this is just a quirk of my social circle, but I've never known two best friends to use awkward conversational transitions like admonishing each other for going "off-topic." To me, conversations in intimate female friendships are always fluid and energetic and ALWAYS veering off in a thousand different directions, and I can't invest in characters (especially romantic leads) who don't have this sort of liveliness within them.

Overall, this book is built upon an extremely cute idea that I imagine would appeal to readers who love the romance genre for its tropes more so than for literary complexity. To make a Pride and Prejudice comparison, there's a bit of an in-joke among Austen fans that there are two kinds of P&P lovers: people who love the 1995 BBC miniseries and people who love the 2005 film starring Keira Knightly. Neither choice is right or wrong: both are gorgeous and artfully made, but the adaptation you prefer says a lot about what part of the Pride & Prejudice story you are drawn to most. The author perfectly sets the tone in the first chapter by revealing that our protagonist is a fan of the 2005 film. As a BBC miniseries lover, I am so sad that I was not the target audience but I am so excited for everyone who will love this book!

What a cute story with lots Pride and Prejudice references! Charlotte “Charlie” Lucas does not want to end up like Charlotte Lucas from Pride and Prejudice. Her elderly next door neighbor convinces her to go on a blind date with her Grandson to a charity ball. He broke up with his girlfriend and she will be at the ball as well so he needs someone to go with. Turns out Liam is not “Mr Collins” but “Mr Darcy.” His ex is a movie star, how is she supposed to compete with that? She decides it doesn’t matter because Charlotte Lucas can’t end up with “Mr Darcy”. She decides to just have fun. Liam is interested in her but she doesn’t believe it. Eventually he convinces her and they date. She has trouble believing “Mr Darcy” would want to be with her and thinks he is way out of her league. So why does he keep sticking around?
I thought this story was really fun. I loved the charity ball scenes and when he takes her home. I love how Liam helps Charlie realize how great she is even though she doubts herself. Very cute story! Definitely recommend!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

It's been a long time since I've been so entertained by a novel. It doesn't need any big plot twists or linguistic paraphernalia. Its simplicity makes it engaging and instantly readable. One of the things I liked most was that, despite using the cliché of the Jane Austen fan girl, she didn't identify with Elizabeth Bennet as usual. The fact that she identifies with Charlotte Lucas is what makes this novel different from the rest, because she manages to give a secondary but crucial character her place in the development of the main plot. It sweetened the start of my reading challenge for the year and got me out of the reading slump I was in.

She so doesn’t want to be like her literary twin, she is ready to settle for worse than convenient because hiding from the world is the easy path.

The book is told in the first person, so only Charlie’s point of view is shared.
I did not like much this Charlotte, she makes excuses for many things, using her alter ego as a buffer to her decisions or lack there of, she chooses safe instead of putting herself on the line of fire, she finds false reasons behind her actions instead of acting, living.
I can understand that a shy awkward character can struggle to be seen, but she telling herself again and again she is not enough, shunning a man who appears perfect and smitten because of what might maybe who knows come is just the coward way.

Thankfully it was so well done I continued to read, as this was the aim of the book, make Charlie realize there is more to life, to not accept less because she is afraid to ask for more.
And while all ends well in the best of worlds, I still feel Charlie went too far about her unworthiness and insecurities, so much I do not see her change so quickly and stay straight.
Liam, her Mr Darcy mixed with a dose of Colonel Fitzwilliam is in some way too good to be true, even more after so many ups and downs from Charlie.
About the love triangle part, it was easy to see where it would lead, so no grief to feel for the ex ex-boyfriend. Just, I so wanted to shout at Charlie, why did she seek the coward way by contenting herself with what she knows, and she knows it was wrong from the beginning instead of taking a chance with life.
3.5 stars

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 kisses

I have been granted an advance copy by the author, here is my true and unbiased opinion.

Charlie is a devout Pride and Prejudice fan with the second worst supporting name in the Austen P&P universe -Charlotte Lucas. Charlie is afraid that she resembles this character from her beloved film a little too much and sets out to make sure she does not enter spinsterhood at the young age of 27. Or worse, marry a Mr. Collins!

Allow me to convince you to read this book with the following excerpt:

“That guy doesn't exist."
"That guy exists," Liam said. "And he's standing right here."

I really, really enjoyed this book! I think I squealed every other paragraph because it was just too good. It’s a romantic comedy with all the antics expected. Liam is a perfect book boyfriend who falls hard but Charlie’s worry about ending up alone and her insecurities keep them apart. But when they do get together *swoon*.

There is a lot going on-sparring siblings, movies stars, exes, meddling relatives but it all works out and gets tied up nicely. We are rewarded for our patience with a questionable grand gesture and the sweetest epilogue *swoon x100*

I’ve been a huge fan of Kasey Stockton and love all her books. This was my first contemporary book of hers and it did not disappoint! I hope we get to see more in this book world, maybe a Beth book?! Pick this up for the gorgeous cover and stay for the cutest love story! I loved it and it was a perfect cozy read.

Thank you Netgalley and the Publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

The writing style was good. The world-building was okay I guess. The plot could've been better. I did not think the name of the book was appropriate with this plot. Then again, it's just my opinion. Other readers might think otherwise. I do wish there was a better character development. Otherwise, this book was engaging and an enjoyable read.

I absolutely loved this book. I would definitely recommend this for those who love pride and prejudice.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-arc of "I'm Not Charlotte Lucas" by Kasey Stockton.

Charlie Lucas is 26, almost 27, and single but she is determined not to turn out like Austen's Charlotte and marry a Mr. Collins. When her neighbour Vera asks her for a favour to take her grandson out to a charity even Charlie reluctantly accepts. The same week she runs into her ex at the grocery store and he asks her out and she literally runs into a kid, Spike, by hitting him with her car. This leads her to meeting Liam who turns out to be Vera's grandson that she's going on a blind date with. Will love or safety win out?

I liked this book, it was cute and short enough to hold my attention. The dueling plot lines of Charlie's relationship with Andy and her painting didn't feel connected enough to make them both matter and there wasn't enough pages to really dive into either of them. This left the book feeling like it was wrapping up plot lines really quickly without really looking into what might have caused harm in the first place.

Either way it was a fun quick read that made for an enjoyable evening.

I’m a huge fan of Kasey Stockton! She’s able to successfully write in any genre but is especially known for her historical romances. As a lover of all things Pride and Prejudice, I was excited to try this fun modern romcom based loosely on the character of Charlotte Lucas. This book doesn’t disappoint. From the first, I was intrigued when Charlie is set up with the handsome Mr. Darcyesque grandson of her elderly neighbor.

Charlie unfortunately shares the same name as Charlotte Lucas, the secondary spinster character from P&P who settles for Mr. Collins. At 26, Charlie’s worried she’ll end up like her namesake. After all, everything in her life seems just average. From her mundane job at the bank to her cheating ex boyfriend, Charlie seems to think she’s destined for the practical. When she attends a charity ball as a favor to her neighbor and the blind date is the incarnate of Mr. Darcy, Charlie doubts whether he could fall for someone like her.

Liam Connell has his own problems trying to raise his teenage brother on his own and keeping his company and charity endeavors going. He’s attracted to Charlotte’s quick wit and down to earth, self sacrificing personality. Convincing Charlie he cares for her proves difficult when she constantly compares herself to his gorgeous movie star ex. His grand gesture to prove his love and genuine admiration has the potential to win her heart or backfire terribly. Will he succeed in convincing Charlie of her true talents and worth or drive her away?

Oh my, Liam is my favorite! He’s such a patient, sweet, witty guy. He genuinely cares about Charlie and wants to get to know her better. I loved their flirty texts. At times, Charlie’s insecurities and self-doubt drove me nuts. It isn’t until near the end that we find out why she’s afraid to paint and why she thinks she has to settle for less. Hang in there with her if you get frustrated because there is an explanation and the ending is satisfying.

Andy, the ex boyfriend is the worst. He’s one of those egotistical guys you just want to see get their comeuppance. I loved Vera, Liam’s grandmother and Charlie’s friend Beth. I think it would be fun to have a spinoff story of Beth meeting movie-star Rhett Meyers whom she obsesses over throughout the book.

If you love Pride and Prejudice and/or enjoy sweet, clean romcoms, you should give this book a try! I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own and I was not required to provide a positive review.

I’m Not Charlotte Lucas by Kasey Stockton, 240 pages. Covenant Communications, 2023. $15.
Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: G; Violence: G
BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Charlotte Lucas (26yo), Charlie, is determined not to make the same choices as the Pride and Prejudice character she happens to share her name with. Charlie is not going to settle for a Mr. Collins, and she’ll move out of her parents house – eventually. Every choice is weighed and rationalized, but sometimes a risk is needed to become the lead character.
Despite being the main character of this book, Charlie sees herself as a side character – like the Charlotte Lucas from Pride and Prejudice. This makes Charlie her biggest obstacle to overcome. Until we make choices like a leading character, we will feel secondary, even if all the lead character opportunities are in front of us. I enjoyed watching Charlie make that transition all wrapped up in a cute romance story.
The majority of characters, including Charlie, are either explicitly or implied White.
Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

I love Jane Austen and have found myself gravitating to retellings and other works inspired by her. Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld, Clueless, and Austenland by Shannon Hale to name a few. Kasey Stockton is most well known for her historical romance novels, so I was really curious to read one of her contemporary novels.

I'm Not Charlotte Lucas follows a girl who has the unfortunate coincidence of having the same name as the Pride and Prejudice's spinster side character and attempts to avoid a similar fate. She gets set up with her neighbor's rich, handsome grandson and then spends an awful lot of time fretting about not deserving him and feeling insecure about his Hollywood star ex.

Sadly, I DNF'ed 3/4s of the way through and promptly got distracted by other, more compelling books. I didn't feel very invested in the character of Charlie Lucas or her romance with Liam. Charlie felt like a vehicle for the reader to self-insert and fantasize about being pursued by a hot, out-of-your-league guy and he seemed to be infatuated with her for no real reason. Really, aside from her love for Regency romances and her willingness to help her neighbor Vera out, Charlie feels flat. I really wanted to like this novel a lot more than I did but the lack of character development made it just an ok read.

Tropes:
Blind date
Different worlds
Opposites attract

I’m Not Charlotte Lucas is a delightful read about the importance of self worth and love that has a modern Pride and Prejudice setting. I was enthralled from the beginning with references to Charlotte Lucas, a character not nearly as beloved as Elizabeth Bennet. And, entertained throughout with Mr. Darcy references. The lessons Kasey Stockton presents to the reader of self worth are the best parts. She helps us see why we don’t compare ourselves to others and how important it is to see our individual worth.