What Would Elizabeth Bennet Do?

True Love At The Lonely Hearts Bookshop by Annie Darling is the most wonderful and fun contemporary romance which I absolutely adored. It had me hooked from the start with references to Pride And Prejudice, my all time favourite book – a characteristic I shared with the heroine. Having studied Pride And Prejudice for A’ level back in 1980, I really appreciated all the references.

Annie Darling has created some wonderful warm characters that were oh so easy to empathise with and they were fun. I ‘saw’ myself in the role of the heroine. I too, love cats. “I have… an extremely needy cat.” Strumpet is a fabulous name for a cat and he really played a starring role in my eyes.

Her family were welcoming. “There was no such thing as a stranger, only a friend you hadn’t met yet.” As a reader I ‘felt’ welcomed into their world. The parallels with Pride And Prejudice were wonderful, five daughters in need of a husband. And I loved the way the heroine classed everyone as she met as a character type from Pride And Prejudice. Knowing that book intimately really made me appreciate and ‘get’ the sometimes subtle references. The more I read, the more I morphed into the heroine.

The catch phrase “What would Elizabeth Bennet do?” is fabulous and has really lodged into my consciousness. I think I may well adapt that attitude in my life.

The novel is about fun and friendship, love and laughter, joy and journeys – some literal, others not. It is such a fun read that it will leave you wanting more.

Excuse me now while I go and search Amazon UK for more fun reads by Annie Darling. Now the novel is ended, I am addicted and I want more, more, more by Annie Darling.

An absolutely delightful fun read that I cannot praise highly enough.

I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

JULIA WILSON