Blame It on the Brontes by Annie Sereno - Book Review

Blame It on the Brontes by Annie Sereno

Publication Date: 03rd May 2022

Genre: Contemporary, Women’s Fiction, Romance 

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. 

• 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). 

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. 

#NetGalley