A review by heather_freshparchment
I'm Not Charlotte Lucas by Kasey Stockton
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I received a free ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
As an ardent Janeite, I was excited to finally get to review this book. As with most romance novels, I found the plot somewhat predictable, but in other ways it was quite refreshing. The communication between the characters about their relationships is open, clear, and honest, so we don't get the misunderstanding tropes that usually drive me insane. Stockton's insight about the original Charlotte Lucas is also very interesting and something that I don't know holds up to a Regency interpretation, but does work well for a modern-day woman. My only complaint would be that the epilogue felt a bit too rushed. I wanted to spend more time with these characters by the end, and it almost made me cry once or twice (though that may have been my hormones, too).
As an ardent Janeite, I was excited to finally get to review this book. As with most romance novels, I found the plot somewhat predictable, but in other ways it was quite refreshing. The communication between the characters about their relationships is open, clear, and honest, so we don't get the misunderstanding tropes that usually drive me insane. Stockton's insight about the original Charlotte Lucas is also very interesting and something that I don't know holds up to a Regency interpretation, but does work well for a modern-day woman. My only complaint would be that the epilogue felt a bit too rushed. I wanted to spend more time with these characters by the end, and it almost made me cry once or twice (though that may have been my hormones, too).
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent, Cancer, and Infidelity