I was given a free e-copy of this novel by NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
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. (Goodreads synopsis)
I have not read any books by Annie Sereno.
There was so much angst in this that I felt it made reading difficult. Many times I shut my ebook off and started something else because I couldn’t stand Athena, Thorne, or Finn. I didn’t mind the plot of a second chance romance, but the characters were cringe-worthy. Athena is meant to be an English professor who is a fan of Wuthering Heights, but it seems like she hasn’t learned a thing from literature. Communication is key to everything. Thorne isn’t much better as he appears to make decisions that affect people without their knowledge. I would have maybe given a better rating if they had learned anything as the book progressed, but that wasn’t the case.
The relationship development also seemed a bit off to me, but whatever, it’s a novel. Maybe things progress like that with really determined people, and I did like Athena’s feistiness and determination. I enjoyed the humor of the cafe’s patrons and the idea of the spinoffs of the classics.
Overall I rate this novel 3 out of 5 stars.
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