A Showdown Between Regency and Western Writers!!!

Rating: 4.5 out 5 stars

Source: Review Copy from Book Tour

SERIES: The Jane Austen Vacation Club #2

TYPE OF NOVEL: Contemporary Austen-Inspired

THE PREMISE: The Hartfield Regency Resort is holding its first retreat for a small publishing company with both all-male Western writers and all-female Regency writers. Lucy Bliss is looking forward to the trip until she discovers her #1-spot-stealing nemesis, Ryder Hawk, will be there, and that her publishing company has some wild ideas of them writing together. Can Lucy survive a week with the extremely attractive and provoking Ryder Hawk without losing her heart? And will she be able to earn the writing contract she so desperately needs or does Ryder stand in her way…?

WHAT I LOVED:

• Opening Week: I’m so happy to be back at Hartfield Regency Resort – this place sounds so amazing. From the decor, the food, the views – I want to go there so badly! I loved all the time we spent at the resort, especially the balcony, hot tube, and sauna scenes. I also loved the interactions between Lucy and the resort staff. The staff feels like one big family, and I love how some of them become dear friends to Lucy during her stay.

• The World of Authors, Publishers, and Retreats: This was so fun! I loved being in this world and observing the work and drama attached to it! From book contracts to writing sprints, kissing scene lessons to innovative marketing ideas, competitive drives and questionable cowriters – I loved seeing the diversity of experiences and gaining some more understanding about what it is like to be an author.

• Jane Austen Versus Cowboys: What a great combination, right?! In addition to breakout sessions and time to relax and write, these authors are treated to some fun experiences – such as horseback riding, archery, and a Regency ball! I absolutely adored the Regency ball – and I loved seeing some recognizable Jane Austen characters appear. They were fantastic!

• Magnetic Attraction and Bicker-Flirting: Lucy and Ryder have a very Elizabeth-and-Darcy-like relationship, although in this instance Lucy was technically the one who issued the first insult! They are extremely competitive with each other and are often trying to provoke or best the other in anything and everything. Their verbal battles are very entertaining to witness. But they also are incredibly attracted to one another and there are strong undercurrents of chemistry and exciting tension in their exchanges as well. Sparks are all over the place when these two are together.

• Therapy: Aside from the external conflict of getting a publishing contract, I greatly appreciated all the internal conflicts Lucy faced – the stress of supporting her parents, the question of opening herself up for love and potential heartbreak, the quandary of making a choice between career or romance, and finding the courage to leave what is comfortable and familiar and go after what is daunting and challenging. I loved how these trials gave Lucy’s character more dimension and development.

WHAT I WASN’T TOO FOND OF:

• Small Quibbles: I thought the actions of the publishing company to be a little odd sometimes – the bait-and-switch about what this retreat would look like, and the fact that they will only give out  eight contracts at the end  of it (meaning 5 people are getting fired at the end of this vacation?! That’s awful!) Also, as much as I loved the tension and teasing of Ryder’s and Lucy’s flirty relationship, I did sometimes wish how and when real feelings developed between them. Other than their chemistry and attraction, why do the fall for each other?

CONCLUSION:

Regency Therapy is a perfect vacation read for Jane Austen fans! Especially those who love contemporary romances with an enemies-to-lovers trope! I’m eagerly awaiting my next flight out to Colorado with the next book in this series – Rock Climbing Therapy (coming out at the end of this month.

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My sincere gratitude to Laurel Ann Nattress of Austenprose PR for putting this lovely blog tour together and inviting me to take part!