Buying a Regency Resort Is Totally A Normal Reaction to Being Dumped, Right?

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Source: Bonus Review Copy from Blog Tour

TYPE OF NOVEL: Contemporary Austen-Inspired

THE PREMISE: Life is kind of momentous for Britni Bruno at the moment, she just finished starring in her university’s musical production of Emma, she is graduating this weekend, and she will soon be heading to NYC to take part in an off-Broadway summer program with her on-again, off-again boyfriend. But at a celebration dinner with the cast, her friends, and her family a major bomb explodes all of Britni’s plans. Now to save face, Britni fabricates a lie about how instead of pursuing acting on Broadway, she will be trying her hand at hospitality and is in the midst of setting up her own Regency resort similar to Austenland…

MY THOUGHTS: I love ❤️ Austenland, l love ❤️ contemporary stories where the characters are Jane Austen fans, and I love  ❤️ the idea of spending time at and seeing the workings of a Jane Austen-inspired Regency resort. And how exciting that Lisa H. Catmull is creating a series around this concept! With this first book – Matchmaking Therapy – serving as a prequel novella that mostly introduces the characters and gives a little background history for them.

The stage is definitely set for entertaining, drama-filled Austen-y fun with this prequel novella. I’m already endeared to Britni and her spirited and tenacious personality. I adore the new team of workers she just hired, and I’m intrigued by the snarky and surly resort owner, Axel. I loved how we already know a little bit about each of these characters and that some developments are hinted at, but there are still many questions unanswered.

In addition, even though Britni has only spent a few days working on creating her resort, I can tell it is going to be amazing and a place where readers will definitely want to spend some time! Lisa H. Catmull’s vivid descriptions of the picturesque views and delectable food served had me wishing I could experience a visit to this resort firsthand! And I can already tell there will be plenty of tension, action, and romance within the team Britni assembled to run her resort. Which will be likely to be amplified when they are open for guests! Speaking of…where do I go to make a reservation? 😏

However, while I loved all the fun and fast-paced action of this prequel novella, a lot of occurrences seemed to stretch credulity a little. Everything was coming together so quickly and easily for Britni – her dad’s quick decision to fund her new career, the “costs is no object” mentality for this project, and how everyone she approached to work for her was available and happy to change jobs. It did feel a smidge unrealistic. My advice for potential readers is to prepare for a fantasy-like adventure, and to suspend all disbelief (something I sometimes struggle with as a pragmatic realist.)

Matchmaking Therapy is a captivating preview tour for The Jane Austen Vacation Club. I cannot wait to return for a longer stay! Which will happen very soon! The next book in this series – Regency Therapy – is available now and I look forward to reviewing it in a few weeks.

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