Maddy, a Jane Austen fan, wrote a column until it was cancelled and she wound up needing to look outside of London for renting. Fate steps in and a relative leaves her a country home with the catch she must be a part of the literary festival. In this way, she is left to deal with a crime author, Cameron, who she has historically not gotten along with; he also eschews romance. Maddy gives him a challenge to write romance, and he takes her up because he assumes it is a simple process. How do their interactions pan out after this? Can Cameron write romance? Do opposites really attract? I enjoyed taking a stroll through the village community, and this was a fun enemies to lovers plotline. The book was super creative with Jane Austen references woven in for a delectable treat!

An enjoyable Jane Austen-inspired read. Upon losing her job as an agony aunt (advice column writer) in London, Maddy learns that she has inherited a property in the English countryside from an estranged cousin whom she's never met. The will requires that she reside at the estate for a year before she'll be allowed to sell it, so she relocates, attempts to adjust to village life, and pursues freelance writing opportunities. In addition to inheriting her cousin's home, she is also surprised to learn (as she's settling in) that she has also inherited the responsibility of carrying on the annual literary festival he founded. Within a few weeks, she welcomes a lodger, a bestselling crime writer, and his dog into her home while their home is undergoing extensive renovations.

I thought the Jane Austen quotes that kicked off each chapter were chosen well and relevant to their respective chapters. Overall, I thought the interactions between Maddy and her lodger were entertaining. There were several things I found quite funny throughout the narrative as well as plentiful fun banter.

Maddy defends romance novels in general, and Jane Austen specifically, several times throughout the story. Sometimes these manifested as a quick retort and other times they were more impassioned and lengthy. The latter crossed the line into too preachy-overbearing territory for me. At times, the narrative was a tad heavy on descriptive language. During these bits, I skimmed to help me stay engaged and keep the plot moving along. A couple plot points felt unresolved or forgotten by the last page, and I would have liked more development with the ending. I also think a bit more development and interactions with the locals would have given the book even more flavor.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter for the ARC e-book!

Publication Date: Jun 16, 2023

I’ve sat on this feedback for about a week, trying to think of the best ways to put this book in good light. But let’s just be honest here. It’s boring. It just wasn’t for me. Which surprised me because I’m a huge Jane Austen fan, having read all her work’s multiple times. I could easily see how the J.A. quote at then beginning of each chapter tied into that part of the book, but aside from those tidbits, I was working hard to tie connections. The title of the book simply didn’t end up tying into the story in a way that fulfilled my hopes. The love story is vanilla, it’s cute, it’s fine. It’s Hallmark. Actually, Hallmark is a great way to explain the entire book. (And this isn’t a bad thing by any means- just a tad formulaic in spirit) The premise in which our MC shockingly receives a giant country house with an off stipulation that she live in- and then comedy(ish) ensues when she clashes with the quirky townsfolk. We’ve all seen this movie like 20 times, right?! Enter a silly meet cute where the heroine gets muddy or does something dumb or an animal is involved- que the dog- and here comes our grumpy love interest. Ring any bells? I wasn’t even describing this book. I was literally thinking of a Hallmark movie I saw last year.
It’s overall not an awful story or book, it just isn’t one I will likely remember with confidence.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for my unbiased review!

I INHALED this book. It was absolutely too enjoyable. It helps that I love Jane Austen and my dream is to live in a big English manor walking distance to a small village. Oh and I’d love to be on the committee for a flailing literary festival. Every single decision this author made felt like it came directly from my own brain it was so perfectly what I wanted.
My absolute only criticism is that the “third act break up” felt super trite and sloppy.

I hope this author makes this a series of Jane Austen inspired or adjacent romances with a focus on the literary world. I will pre order all of them right now. Take my money.

Delightful Spin..
A rather joyous and delightful modern day spin on Austen and her heroines. Maddy Shaw and her column are about to be axed when she unexpectedly receives a welcome inheritance - the trouble is that it comes with some very stringent requirements indeed. Let the games begin. Romantic and witty with a well drawn and engaging cast of delicious characters, this is a smile inducing and uplifting read.

This is the most fun, entertaining, upbeat novel of the year! It is so well written and just flows with charm, wit and wisdom from one page to the next. I was barely conscious of time because I was so engrossed in the characters and events. Anyone who loves Jane Austen will adore this novel. Each chapter begins with various Austen lines plus there are many others woven throughout the text that work well with the characters’ thoughts and actions.

The Jane Austen phrases correspond beautifully with the plot and show how relevant her words are today. This timeless quality proves that human nature never changes, no matter what century we are in. What Would Jane Austen Do? is a breath of fresh air in its originality. Even though it draws upon Austen's creative works, it uses her lines in a way that puts a modern spin on them. This novel is just perfect, perfect, perfect!

What Would Jane Austen DO? has a brilliant cast of characters and each one is fully realised. Maddy Shaw has a popular Dear Jane column but out of the blue it is cancelled. Maddy is shocked, of course, and she doesn’t learn until later why this has happened. By then she is in a new life, after inheriting Meadowhall, a grand size house from a relative she never knew. Jobless, she sees this an excellent opportunity for income and plans to sell it and get on with her life. But things are not so simple. There is a stipulation in the will. She has to live in it for a year to keep her inheritance. Otherwise, the house goes to another person. She considers the options and decides to stick it out for the twelve months. But what she does not count on is how she will feel about the place once she has lived in it for a while. And the people she will meet in the community that will get inside her heart, including a certain crime writer she crossed swords with before. In the last interview she hosted for her column, she had a heated debate on the writing of romance novels with this author Cameron Massey. He thinks they are simple to write but she begs to differ. She argues it takes skill to compose a quality romance story. (And yes, I believe this is a direct shot to the naysayers of the world who think it is not a valid form of literature.) When Luke (pen name, Cameron Massey) lands on her doorstep needing a quiet place to rent with a dog who cannot stand the noise of construction work, (his house is undergoing renovation) you know there is going to be lots of heated action between Maddy and Luke!

As mentioned, the characters are well drawn with standout individual personalities. Even Cousin Nigel who has already passed away when the book starts, has a presence as large as his manor. As Maddy learns more about him from the neighbours and from the possessions in his house, she develops a connection and a desire to make his memory and legacy better known to her family. We soon learn his backstory with the rock band: a fascinating mystery twist that adds another layer of depth and intrigue to an already fascinating novel. There are so many wonderful threads to this story that keep you interested. There is never a dull moment with this well-developed cast!

One activity in the centre of this novel is a literary festival that pulls the community together. It was started and led by Cousin Nigel. Maddy inherits this task, too, which is somewhat daunting at first. In many ways it stirs up and exposes the various personalities but also provides healing and restoration where needed. Then there’s a ghost hunter with his own issues. And a canine matchmaker who initially pulls Maddy and Luke together on common ground. They both share a love of this furry roommate.

I adored everything about this novel from start to finish. The cast is unforgettable and delightful. There are some intelligent conversations and playful banter. It’s a comprehensive Jane Austen literary feast, covering topics of community, love, friendship and literature to name a few. What Would Jane Austen Do? is no ordinary novel. It is a priceless gift to Jane Austen lovers. Uplifting fiction, cleverly devised, highly observant and exquisitely delivered. If I could give it more than 5 Stars I would! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I highly recommend it. Cannot wait to read more of Linda Corbett’s works!

Thanks to HarperCollins One More Chapter and Netgalley for my review copy.

This is a well-written and hugely entertaining book! I wasn’t sure it would be quite my cup of tea as I don’t normally read or enjoy romance novels, but this is exceptional – and it always helps when a beautiful dog is ‘one of the characters’. The plot was great, and I’m now on the lookout for more of this author’s books. Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to read this uplifting and heart-warming tale.

Maddy Shaw loves her job as an agony aunt with her Dear Jane column, where she gives advice which draws on the insights of Jane Austen through her books. Suddenly fired from her job, Maddy doesn’t know what to do. At the same time, her dad’s cousin Nigel, notoriously the black sheep of their family, passes away and leaves his countryside home to Maddy in his will.

Unfortunately for Maddy, the will also states she must live in it for at least a year to qualify for the inheritance. With no other choices available, she takes up the offer and moves to cousin Nigel’s village and tries to find herself some work. Soon she becomes embroiled in the village life as she discovers another unexpected inheritance – the role of chair of the village literary festival! And as the cost of upkeep on the house and running the festival gets on top of her, Maddy jumps at the chance to welcome a lodger, who turns out to be challenging and unexpected in equal measures!

After a slightly slow start for me, this book really won my heart! From the loveable characters to the will-they-won’t-they love story and the intrigue around cousin Nigel’s past, there was a lovely balance of cosy and mystery – just like our two battling main characters’ favourite fiction genres!

The Jane Austen quotes really added to the story more as it got going, and I enjoyed how the quotes were woven into Maddy’s tale and how her love of Jane was such a big part of her personality. Equally if you’re not interested in Jane, they don’t get in the way of any enjoyment of the book. I will be snapping up a copy for my mum’s birthday as soon as it is out as I know she will love this as a big Jane Austen fan!

I absolutely loved this book!!! Maddie draws you in with her optimism and wit! I am a huge fan of the classics and understand her obsession with Jane Austen and how simple life used to be. All of the twists and turns of this novel are so well written and just keep adding layers of the mystery and love story plot. You will fall in love with the village of Cotlington!

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I loved this book.

Maddy no longer has a job as an advice columnist and no money either.

Then she finds out that her cousin Nigel has left her Meadowhall in his Will, but there are conditions attached. This news couldn’t have come at a better time for her.

So off she goes to her new home. Afterwards Cameron arrives, he’s a crime writer and Maddy had a not too good conversation with him about romance novels before his arrival.

She then dares him to write one, over time, they start to form a relationship.

As the author writes, I inhaled this book from start to finish. It is just lovely with enough romance, nagging mother and bounding buster the dog to make me smile as I read. A brooding Jane Austen hero, a gothic mansion and a smattering of Austen quotes make this a fabulous read.

The premise and idea behind this book was really great but I just personally found it too slow, and the link to Jane Austen tenuous at best. I think it may have benefitted from starting later on in the story or if not, the pace being sped up.

Meadowhall is an unexpected inheritance for Maddy- she wasn't close to cousin Nigel- but it couldn't come at a better time, even if there are conditions. Maddy's just lost her job as an advice columnist and her purse is empty so off she goes to country, And then Cameron turns up- a crime writer she argued with over the value of romance novels. She challenges him to write one and the two of them slowly build a relationship. It's a good rom com but it's also about learning about yourself. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Relaxing read,

This was the perfect book to read for a pick me up. It was absolutely delightful. I quickly tore through this book and I loved every word of it.
I just reviewed What Would Jane Austen Do? by Linda Corbett. #NetGalley
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An enjoyable read.
Well described characters and an entertaining storyline. Everything a good book needs.

It seems that "down on her luck city girl moves to falling-down mansion in the British countryside" is my new favorite rom com trope. Maddie is a newly-unemployed journalist who inherits a pastoral estate from a cousin she's never met. To make ends meet, she agrees to take in a boarder, who happens to be a curmudgeonly-but-handsome novelist with whom she's already developed an antagonism.

The outcome of this situation is predictable - Maddie becomes involved in village life, and with the novelist - but it's good fun getting there. What Would Jane Austen Do is a sweet, low-angst romance and an entertaining read, complete with kooky side characters, a family mystery, a local literary festival, and a lovable dog.

Still, I found myself not fully committed to the story, and I think it's because the story didn't feel fully committed to itself. I was drawn to the Jane Austen-related title, but I didn't feel like the Austen theme was thoroughly-developed. Neither were Maddie's professional struggles, or her family dynamics, her friendships, or the house's upkeep. Maintaining all these threads did keep the novel balanced and light, but I would have found it more compelling with a more focused plot.

Linda Corbett’s What Would Jane Austen Do? makes great use of its Austen source material, spinning out this romance between an “agony aunt” (an advice columnist) who writes a “Dear Jane” column and a suspense novelist who’s a total Darcy when they first meet.

Maddy Shaw meets Cameron Massey on the day she’s fired—via email—from her column, when they’re scheduled to do a radio interview together. This is not a meet cute. Massey immediately gets under her skin with his scorn for Austen and, really, romances in general.

Maddy plans never to see him again, and then an unexpected inheritance from a disgraced and distant family member she never met requires her to live in a small English village for a year before she can sell. So, jobless, she moves from London to the country to wait out her twelve-month sentence.

But she doesn’t the move as much as she’d anticipated, coming to recognize the charms of life in a small village, even as she’s pulled into running the literary festival that her relative began. And then Cameron shows up . . .

This is a sweet, closed-door romance that centers on friendship as much as love, on making one’s own judgments about those around us, and on the virtues of carving out one’s own path. I devoured it!

Jane Austen herself would absolutely love this book as it is charming and captures all the essence of a good Victorian novel! Maddy is fired from her "Dear Jane" column just as she inherits a huge home from her dad's cousin, Nigel whom she's never met. The only stipulation is she must live there for a year, leaving behind...well, not much! Once in the English countryside, she is astounded at its size as well as the expectation that she will chair the yearly Literary Festival at her new home. To add to the burden, she runs into Cameron, a bestselling author she locked horns with during an on-air broadcast. And we're off! Utterly absorbing and delightful, this novel catapults us into Maddy's world and the action never lets up!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

I liked the cover, the references to Jane Austen,the country setting of the story and the first meeting-clash between the main characters.The love story itself did not engage me.

This was a great combo of mystery and romance...it puked me in from the start and kept me captivated the whole ride. I immediately could picture the characters, a true sign of a well written book. I loved the interplay between Luke and Maddy, and the town characters added another level of fun to the story. It was quick movining and delightful. I recommend it!