Blog Tour: Review of The Austen Playbook by Lucy Parker

Author: Lucy Parker

Publisher: Carina Press

Date of publication: April 22, 2019

Freddy Carlton knows she should be focusing on her lines for The Austen Playbook, a live-action TV event where viewers choose the outcome of each scene, but her concentration’s been blown. The palatial estate housing the endeavor is now run by the rude (brilliant) critic who’s consistently slammed her performances of late. James “Griff” Ford-Griffin has a penchant for sarcasm, a majestic nose and all the sensitivity of a sledgehammer.

She can’t take her eyes off him.

Griff can hardly focus with a contagious joy fairy flitting about near him, especially when Freddy looks at him like that. His only concern right now should be on shutting down his younger brother’s well-intentioned (disastrous) schemes—or at the very least on the production (not this one) that might save his family home from the banks.

Instead all he can think of is soft skin and vibrant curls.

As he’s reluctantly dragged into her quest to rediscover her passion for the stage and Freddy is drawn into his research on a legendary theater star, the adage about appearances being deceiving proves abundantly true. It’s the unlikely start of something enormous…but a single revelation about the past could derail it all.

The Austen Playbook is the fourth book in the London Celebrities series.  I had high hopes for this one as I have seen good things written about it.  I will admit that I wasn't a fan of the first book, Act Like It, but had heard that the stories get better as later in the series.  This is only the second of the series that I have read.  While it was slightly better than the other one, I still didn't enjoy it as much as I would have liked.  The biggest issue was again, major lack of chemistry between the main couple, Griff and Freddy.  I never felt it; even in the end.  These two books are the only ones I have read by this author, so I'm not sure if this is usual for her main love interests.

The one thing I did enjoy about the book were all of the Jane Austen reference and character name drops.  I love Austen and am a big fan of her works, so that was a lot of fun.    I would recommend this one for fans of this author and the series.  For me, I like more heat in my romance.

Purchase Links

Amazon | Books-A-Million | Barnes & Noble

About Lucy Parker

Lucy Parker lives in the gorgeous Central Otago region of New Zealand, where she feels lucky every day to look out at mountains, lakes and vineyards. She has a degree in Art History, loves museums and galleries, and doodles unrecognisable flowers when she has writer’s block.

Her interest in romantic fiction began with a pre-teen viewing of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice (Firth-style), which prompted her to read the book as well, and the rest was history.

Connect with Lucy

Website | Twitter | Instagram

Lucy Parker’s TLC Book Tours TOUR STOPS:

Sunday, April 21st: @tlcbooktours – giveaway

Monday, April 22nd: From the TBR Pile

Monday, April 22nd: @_ebl_inc_

Monday, April 22nd: Book Reviews and More by Kathy – spotlight

Tuesday, April 23rd: Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers

Tuesday, April 23rd: Read Love Blog – spotlight

Wednesday, April 24th: What is That Book About – spotlight

Thursday, April 25th: A Chick Who Reads

Thursday, April 25th: Seaside Book Nook

Friday, April 26th: @book_hangover88

Monday, April 29th: Moonlight Rendezvous

Monday, April 29th: Becky on Books

Tuesday, April 30th: @girlandherbooks

Tuesday, April 30th: Rad Babes Read

Wednesday, May 1st: Into the Hall of Books

Wednesday, May 1st: A Holland Reads – spotlight

Thursday, May 2nd: The Lit Bitch

Thursday, May 2nd: Amy’s Book-et List

Thursday, May 2nd: Fuelled by Fiction

Friday, May 3rd: View from the Birdhouse

Friday, May 3rd: Books & Bindings

Review: Act Like It by Lucy parker

Author: Lucy Parker
Publisher: Carina Press
Date of publication: November 2015

This just in: romance takes center stage as West End theatre's Richard Troy steps out with none other than castmate Elaine Graham

Richard Troy used to be the hottest actor in London, but the only thing firing up lately is his temper. We all love to love a bad boy, but Richard's antics have made him Enemy Number One, breaking the hearts of fans across the city.

Have the tides turned? Has English rose Lainie Graham made him into a new man?

Sources say the mismatched pair has been spotted at multiple events, arm in arm and hip to hip. From fits of jealousy to longing looks and heated whispers, onlookers are stunned by this blooming romance.

Could the rumors be right? Could this unlikely romance be the real thing? Or are these gifted stage actors playing us all?

Act Like It is the first book in the London Celebrities series.  The book features two London stage actors who must pretend to be in love in order to save the reputation of the play they are wok ring one.  The problem is that Richard and Laini can't stand each other.  

Normally, I love enemies to lovers stories.  They can be a lot of fun.  I was kind of disappointed when I finished this one.  My biggest issues with the book was the huge lack of chemistry between the two main characters.  Even when they first kissed, there were no sparks.  I did see how they came to like each other as friends, but there was zero spark.  The ending was cute, but for me, it was a stretch.  The other thing I wasn't a fan of was the fade to black love scenes.  The author spent so much time building up the the scene, then it switched to hours later.  I have heard that the later books in the series don't have this issue.

It's not a bad romance.  There were some funny moments and I did like the ending.  I just wanted more from the couple.