It's a truth often acknowledged that when a journalist and Jane Austen fan girl ends up living next door to a cynical but handsome crime writer, romantic sparks will fly!
When Maddy Shaw is told her Dear Jane column has been cancelled she has no choice but to look outside of London’s rental market. That is until she’s left an idyllic country home by the black sheep of the family, long-not-so-lost Cousin Nigel.
But of course, there’s a stipulation… and not only is Maddy made chair of the committee for the annual village literary festival, she also has to put up with bestselling crime author –and romance skeptic – Cameron Massey as her new neighbor.
When Maddy challenges Cameron to write romantic fiction, which he claims is so easy to do, sparks fly both on and off the page…
As summer draws to a close in my household, I was delighted to have the opportunity for a fun, light read from author Linda Corbett. Her contemporary novel What Would Jane Austen Do? holds a premise that was bursting with potential in my mind. Thankfully, I was not disappointed in this hope, and Corbett’s brisk read was the perfect title to finish out my last days of Summer 2023.
Unlike the majority of the works of historical fiction that I review, What Would Jane Austen Do? is firmly set in the present day, with many references to pop culture, social media, modern communications and the like. However, main character Maddy Shaw has a significant portion of her heart set firmly in the 19th century world of Jane Austen. A Janeite of the first order, Maddy styles herself as a sort of modern “Emma”, providing romantic advice and wisdom as a columnist for an English periodical. She quotes Austen often and mentally considers how Jane would handle various situations. Through circumstances beyond her control, she finds herself sacked from the advice column position, living in a crumbling country estate, and planning a literary festival with no experience from which to draw. Making things even more complicated, life hands her another task. Maddy is saddled with a tenant– a grumpy, Darcy-esque gentleman who seemingly has no interest in romance.
What Would Jane Austen Do? is written at a lively pace, holding my attention well but allowing for plot and character development. An air of mystery also hung over the narrative, as Maddy’s deceased relation and benefactor Nigel Shaw had significant secrets which came to light over time. Romantic elements were expected, but as is mentioned by Maggie herself, the journey which characters take is what makes a work of romantic fiction interesting. While the tone of the story felt comfortable and familiar, the key elements never felt predictable, and I was often surprised at turns which occurred. This was especially true in the final few chapters, as questions surrounding the pasts of certain individuals were finally answered.
From a content standpoint, Corbett’s writing is thoroughly modern and realistic, but the adult material is not overly graphic. There are a few colorful words on occasion and there is a clear implication of two characters becoming intimate, but the work is decidedly PG-rated in general. Many contemporary romances in the current age are far more colorful and steamy. I applaud Linda Corbett for her ability to write a compelling story in a way that fosters delicious romantic content without being heavy-handed with salacious details. I’m certain our dear Jane Austen would approve.
What Would Jane Austen Do? is a fun summer read for those who enjoy the enemies-to-lovers trope, even if the reader is unacquainted with Austen’s work. The main characters of Maggie and Cameron were compelling, as they go on a journey in which they learn lessons about themselves, their families and their literary culture. Because of author Linda Corbett’s obvious love of literature, English country life, and relationships, she has brought her audience a delightful work of fiction that any romance reader can enjoy.
AUTHOR BIO
Linda Corbett lives in Surrey with her husband Andrew and three permanently hungry guinea pigs. As well as being an author, Linda is treasurer and fundraiser for Shine Surrey – a volunteer-led charity that supports individuals and families living with spina bifida and hydrocephalus. For many years she also wrote a regular column for Link, a disability magazine, illustrating the humorous aspects of life with a complex disability and she is a passionate advocate of disability representation in fiction. Love You From A-Z was her first published novel.