If you’re looking for a well-written fun read with an interesting plot featuring elements of mystery, romance and comedy (plus a cute dog), I can recommend What Would Jane Austen Do?
There’s so much to like about Linda Corbett’s new book but the main thing was it left me with a smile on my face. It's like the antidote to a bad day (which included the new washing machine arriving but the pipes leaking).
If you’re a Jane Austen fan (as I am) then you will really love the well-chosen quotes that start each chapter and spotting the wisdom included within.
There’s also a fantastic defence of romance as a genre which I would have applauded had the plumber not been in the next room.
All the characters, not just Maddy and Cameron/Luke, were well rounded, including poor Cousin Nigel in the end.
My only slight quibble was about an article Maddy wrote where (unless I’ve misunderstood) she used details from a previous private conversation along with the official interview. As a journalist I would never do that unless I’d asked for and received permission, no matter how good the intentions.
It’s a minor point in a fictional tale and didn’t detract from my overall enjoyment of this lovely book.

Thanks to One More Chapter (via NetGalley) for the ARC.

You know when you read a book and want to start it all over to feel all the feels?
Well, that was my reaction to What Would Jane Austen Do?
I loved Linda Corbett's debut and was excited to get my teeth into this second novel, and I was not disappointed.
Maddy Shaw is reeling after losing her agony aunt column, Dear Jane, in a national magazine. She attends one last interview commitment, meeting an extremely moody crime writer with an extremely simple view of romance. (Topical since so many out there have been trying to rubbish our beloved romance genre!)
Life is not going her way, considering she may have to move out of her flatshare with her best friend in London since she has no income until an unexpected bequest in the will of a deceased relative leaves her with rather a lot more than she could ever have expected, considering she never met the infamous Cousin Nigel.
Armed with her meagre belongings, Maddy moves into Meadowhall, a large house, for the requisite twelve months, fully intending to sell up and leave when the year ends, but you know what? You never know what the future will hold...
I loved everything about this book, from the fantastically appropriate Jane Austen quotes that started each chapter to learning more about the lodger she ends up taking in to keep herself financially afloat. Luke has a lot more about him that I won't mention. You need to read about that yourself!
As the story unfolds, Cousin Nigel is also a dark horse, revealing secret after secret posthumously.
There is the literary festival, which I loved, ghost hunting, and a gorgeous canine hero who will steal your heart!
Many thanks to NetGalley, and Harper Collins, One More Chapter for an ARC.

This was a five out of five for me. While a lovely gentle story, the witty, observant writing lifts it above the ordinary. It includes a wonderful community of characters, who had me smiling all the way through and I loved the developing relationship between Maddie and Luke. There are lots of subtle nods to Jane Austen's writing and if you're a Janeite, this is a lovely ode to her work. I thoroughly enjoyed this wonderful read and I look forward to reading more from Linda Corbett

At the very start of this, I found this a tad far fetched, unexpected dead relative and a grand house to live in. I was cynical. But on meeting Luke, and seeing the village dynamic, all of this seemed to just fall into place. Loved the Jane Austen quotes at the start of every chapter, and liked the backstory of Nigel as well as Maddy's story.

Playful, fun, and a love letter to Jane Austen and her wise words. Glorious.

The perfect book for Jane Austen fans! It's fun and witty while making connections to everyone's favorite classical author.