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Riches to Romance #3
Badly Done, Emma Lee
All seemed lost—until this Southern belle embraced a new beginning in the unlikeliest of places . . .
Spoiled, stylish, socially connected Emma Lee Maxwell has spent her life in the idlest of pursuits—attending debutante balls, organizing sorority mixers, and acting as Charleston’s unofficial Gossip Queen. But when her family’s fortune suddenly dwindles, Emma Lee realizes her days as a Lowcountry Princess are numbered.
When she discovers that she’s inherited her aunt’s cottage in Surrey, she hightails it to England, nurturing fantasies of polo matches and jaunts to London. . . . Instead Emma Lee is surrounded by spinsters and sheep farmers, and spends her nights reading her aunt’s old Jane Austen novels. So when she’s invited to join the local chapter of the Austen society, she reluctantly agrees. But the novel Emma inspires an epiphany: She will put her people-pleasing ways to good use by becoming the village’s very own matchmaker! And she’ll start with three local brothers . . .
There’s just one skeptical, handsome, charming challenge: the oldest brother, Knightley, is stubbornly insisting Emma Lee abandon her well-meaning ways and focus on making a match of her own—with
him . . .
Praise for Leah Marie Brown’s Novels
298 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 30, 2018
17 people are currently reading
86 people want to read
About the author
Leah Marie Brown
13 books261 followersI am an American writer with a penchant for Paris and all things pink!
Before writing novels, I worked as a print journalist for a Pulitzer prize winning newspaper and served in the United States Air Force as a Radio and Television Broadcaster.
An avid traveler, I have had adventures and mishaps from London to Tokyo, which I write about on my blog, On Life, Love & Accidental Adventures, and in my contemporary romantic series, The It Girls.
I was once a collector of truly useless bric-a-brac and cheesy tee-shirts. My cheesiest? A tee with a cartoon Jesus riding a surf board and the words, "And on the eighth day, Jesus went surfing in Greece."
Today, I prefer to gather friendships and memories as travel souvenirs.
I live in the shadow of Pike's Peak Mountain, near Colorado Springs, with my family and shamefully pampered poodles.
In my free time, I like to watch movies, read, and snap photographs. You can view my photography by clicking on the Adventures tab above or by following me on Instagram.
I love to hear from readers, so send me a note! Or connect with me on Pinterest, Facebook,
Twitter and Instagram!
Leah Marie
Before writing novels, I worked as a print journalist for a Pulitzer prize winning newspaper and served in the United States Air Force as a Radio and Television Broadcaster.
An avid traveler, I have had adventures and mishaps from London to Tokyo, which I write about on my blog, On Life, Love & Accidental Adventures, and in my contemporary romantic series, The It Girls.
I was once a collector of truly useless bric-a-brac and cheesy tee-shirts. My cheesiest? A tee with a cartoon Jesus riding a surf board and the words, "And on the eighth day, Jesus went surfing in Greece."
Today, I prefer to gather friendships and memories as travel souvenirs.
I live in the shadow of Pike's Peak Mountain, near Colorado Springs, with my family and shamefully pampered poodles.
In my free time, I like to watch movies, read, and snap photographs. You can view my photography by clicking on the Adventures tab above or by following me on Instagram.
I love to hear from readers, so send me a note! Or connect with me on Pinterest, Facebook,
Twitter and Instagram!
Leah Marie
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
August 31, 2020
3.5 Clueless in the Cotswolds.
October 18, 2018
This is a modern mash up of Jane Austen’s EMMA. It feels more like the movie CLUELESS, in that Emma Lee is very naïve, but intelligent and also very kind and generous. Emma Lee is certain that her matchmaking skills are a calling; after all she matched her BFF with her true love. She makes friends easily in her new home in England and immediately starts to plan matches for them. Knightly Nickerson is the son of Emma’s Aunt’s friend who picks her up at the airport and there is an immediate attraction that they both work to deny.
This is a fun easy read from an author who sustains Emma’s personality throughout the pages. This book follows the basic Austen story with all modern twists. I enjoyed this light escapist read. Well done, Leah Marie Brown.
I received this book free for review from the publisher.
More reviews at: http://ladeetdareads.wordpress.com
This is a fun easy read from an author who sustains Emma’s personality throughout the pages. This book follows the basic Austen story with all modern twists. I enjoyed this light escapist read. Well done, Leah Marie Brown.
I received this book free for review from the publisher.
More reviews at: http://ladeetdareads.wordpress.com
did-not-finish
August 29, 2018DNF
The heroine's humor was not for me.
March 6, 2019
Leah Marie Brown can do no wrong when it comes to witty dialogue, snarky heroines, or retelling stories in a fresh, fun, and adaptable way.
Badly Done, Emma Lee takes an old Austen classic, EMMA, modernizes it, and spins it on its head. I read the book so quickly because I simply had to find out what happened next! ( Even though I knew the ending, already, hee hee!)
Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington for a look at the final book in Brown's sister trio.
Badly Done, Emma Lee takes an old Austen classic, EMMA, modernizes it, and spins it on its head. I read the book so quickly because I simply had to find out what happened next! ( Even though I knew the ending, already, hee hee!)
Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington for a look at the final book in Brown's sister trio.
October 31, 2018
Growing up in the Deep South and a debutante too these books have had me reminiscing about Charleston and all of our quirks of being a southerner. Loved the strong heroine and all of her positive outlooks in life. Four stars
October 24, 2018
I've enjoyed this series of interlocking (each is great on its own) novels about a trio of sisters who find themselves penniless (!) after a life of luxury. We meet Emma in this installment. She's lucky enough to have inherited an aunt's home in Surrey and even luckier that she's come up with the idea of playing matchmaker. This is light, funny, and yes a fan fiction of Austen's Emma but it's a good read. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. I'm sorry that we've run out of sisters and look forward to Brown's next move. If you haven't read Austen, hopefully this will inspire you to do so.
November 8, 2018
I think it must be a signature of Brown’s – to write characters that are self-absorbed and unusually naïve as to the ways of the real world, for the early pages of this book were eerily similar in feel for me to the one other title I’d read from this author. But, despite the Emma references (my least favorite Austen title) and the cheerleader-esque approach to life, this Emma Lee did have a heart, a sense of her place in the world and a true desire to make people feel better – like a cute little puppy turning circles and posing in ‘cute’ mode. It wasn’t a wearing sort of cute though: Emma Lee truly believes in her ability to make friends and be a flash of sunshine for others, seeing her friends finding happiness does truly make her shine, even as she is afraid of allowing anyone too close to her.
See, with her father’s death after losing her mother as a baby, and the subsequent loss of everything else to unpaid taxes, she’s moved from spoilt princess waiting for the next big thing to a young woman who must find her own way in the world, apart from her go-getting elder sisters and her friends. An unexpected bequest left her a house in the Cotswolds, and after her coup de grace of an engagement and wedding for one of her best friends, she believes that matchmaking is her particular gift – and taking her meager savings, a pair of shiny new red wellies and a suitcase full of hopes, she heads off to England to grab her dream.
In England, she is met by Kingsley, the son of her mother and aunt’s best friend, with his two younger brothers, stately home and abbey ruins, the people of the village: a germaphobe pharmacist and neighbor, the organic farmer with her half-sister, a model she doesn’t get on with, the candy shop owner and manager, a young woman with a Victorian obsession and a mother who is manipulating and dependent on her. Instantly believing she needs to match Kingsley and his brothers with women, and that she could be the spark that sees everyone matched out: she’s ignoring (or trying to ) the connection between she and Kingsley, and missing EVERY literary reference made from near everywhere. C’mon .. popsugar is the last thing she read? Fortunately her mother’s friend is able to share books, family secrets and hope with Emma Lee, and throughout the book Emma never really loses her ability to make people smile, even as she is horrible at matching. Lighthearted and quick to read, this was a wonderful fun and easy read that fit the bill for some quiet hours of entertainment and laughs with a unique and ultimately sweet character.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was nor compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Review first appeared at I am, Indeed
See, with her father’s death after losing her mother as a baby, and the subsequent loss of everything else to unpaid taxes, she’s moved from spoilt princess waiting for the next big thing to a young woman who must find her own way in the world, apart from her go-getting elder sisters and her friends. An unexpected bequest left her a house in the Cotswolds, and after her coup de grace of an engagement and wedding for one of her best friends, she believes that matchmaking is her particular gift – and taking her meager savings, a pair of shiny new red wellies and a suitcase full of hopes, she heads off to England to grab her dream.
In England, she is met by Kingsley, the son of her mother and aunt’s best friend, with his two younger brothers, stately home and abbey ruins, the people of the village: a germaphobe pharmacist and neighbor, the organic farmer with her half-sister, a model she doesn’t get on with, the candy shop owner and manager, a young woman with a Victorian obsession and a mother who is manipulating and dependent on her. Instantly believing she needs to match Kingsley and his brothers with women, and that she could be the spark that sees everyone matched out: she’s ignoring (or trying to ) the connection between she and Kingsley, and missing EVERY literary reference made from near everywhere. C’mon .. popsugar is the last thing she read? Fortunately her mother’s friend is able to share books, family secrets and hope with Emma Lee, and throughout the book Emma never really loses her ability to make people smile, even as she is horrible at matching. Lighthearted and quick to read, this was a wonderful fun and easy read that fit the bill for some quiet hours of entertainment and laughs with a unique and ultimately sweet character.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was nor compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Review first appeared at I am, Indeed
November 2, 2018
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
In this retelling of Jane Austen’s Emma, Emma Lee Maxwell is a pampered Charleston socialite who grew up well-connected, and wealthy. But when her father unexpectedly passes away it looks like Emma Lee’s going to have to get a job like the rest of us chumps. But don’t worry. Emma Lee has a plan. She just inherited a cozy cottage in in England…so why not up and move to another country and put her true talents to use by becoming a professional matchmaker?
I’m always a sucker for an Austen retelling and I definitely thought Badly Done, Emma Lee was a cute story. What I liked best about it was that it was a retelling wherein the characters weren’t in some alternative timeline where they’ve never heard of the original story but rather they talked about Emma a lot and were somewhat aware of the curious parallels between their lives and Austen’s ode to the overly-confident matchmaker. So that was a fun twist.
The trouble with this book for me was that I didn’t find the main character particularly likable. And I feel guilty about it because she was a nice girl…but the fancy Southern Belle shtick got pretty old after a while. Maybe it’s just the hardy Midwesterner in me…but spoiled rich girls just aren’t my jam. Also, I did live in Charleston, SC for three years and I felt like Emma Lee’s Charleston-isms were a little too much. I never met ANYONE from Charleston who talked the way Emma Lee does in this book. I found it distracting.
Sure, I understand that she’s meant to evoke the original Emma’s unflattering characteristics but…meh.
However, I still would recommend this book to anyone looking for something cheesy and fun. It’s a quick and light read with some cute moments.
In this retelling of Jane Austen’s Emma, Emma Lee Maxwell is a pampered Charleston socialite who grew up well-connected, and wealthy. But when her father unexpectedly passes away it looks like Emma Lee’s going to have to get a job like the rest of us chumps. But don’t worry. Emma Lee has a plan. She just inherited a cozy cottage in in England…so why not up and move to another country and put her true talents to use by becoming a professional matchmaker?
I’m always a sucker for an Austen retelling and I definitely thought Badly Done, Emma Lee was a cute story. What I liked best about it was that it was a retelling wherein the characters weren’t in some alternative timeline where they’ve never heard of the original story but rather they talked about Emma a lot and were somewhat aware of the curious parallels between their lives and Austen’s ode to the overly-confident matchmaker. So that was a fun twist.
The trouble with this book for me was that I didn’t find the main character particularly likable. And I feel guilty about it because she was a nice girl…but the fancy Southern Belle shtick got pretty old after a while. Maybe it’s just the hardy Midwesterner in me…but spoiled rich girls just aren’t my jam. Also, I did live in Charleston, SC for three years and I felt like Emma Lee’s Charleston-isms were a little too much. I never met ANYONE from Charleston who talked the way Emma Lee does in this book. I found it distracting.
Sure, I understand that she’s meant to evoke the original Emma’s unflattering characteristics but…meh.
However, I still would recommend this book to anyone looking for something cheesy and fun. It’s a quick and light read with some cute moments.
October 30, 2018
Emma Lee Maxwell, 24, was always loved by her father. Sadly, Emma’s mother died giving birth to her. Although Emma Lee is a beautiful and intelligent young woman, she is not without faults, one of the worst being vane. Growing up in Charleston, South Carolina, Emma Lee attended a private girls’ school that stressed manners and proper deportment. One thing she enjoys is playing matchmaker with her friends.
Today, thanks to heavy traffic, Emma Lee is going to be late to her best friend’s engagement party. She was the one who played matchmaker for the couple and she’s expected to give a speech congratulating the couple.
Having grown up pampered by her wealthy father, Emma Lee was shocked when he died suddenly and she found that his debts far exceeded his assets. Thus, Emma Lee has decided to move to the Cotswolds in England and start a matchmaking business. Her aunt Patricia had left her a cottage called Wood House so she will have a place to live in the Cotswolds.
Upon arrival in London, Emma Lee is met by Knightley Nickerson, son of her aunt Patricia’s friend who has been looking after Wood House. Knightley’s mother had also been a very good friend of Emma Lee’s mother so she takes Emma Lee “under her wing” and introduces her to the area. Emma Lee also meets a number of people in her village and immediately bonds with them. Knightly is so handsome, wealthy, and solicitous of her that she can’t help but be drawn to him.
This is a book that encompasses many things Jane Austen, so followers of her will be delighted to read this. While I have read Jane Austen’s works, I don’t call myself a reader who is fascinated by “everything Jane.” There is a lot of humor here and is a light comedic read. I smiled and chuckled through much of it.
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Today, thanks to heavy traffic, Emma Lee is going to be late to her best friend’s engagement party. She was the one who played matchmaker for the couple and she’s expected to give a speech congratulating the couple.
Having grown up pampered by her wealthy father, Emma Lee was shocked when he died suddenly and she found that his debts far exceeded his assets. Thus, Emma Lee has decided to move to the Cotswolds in England and start a matchmaking business. Her aunt Patricia had left her a cottage called Wood House so she will have a place to live in the Cotswolds.
Upon arrival in London, Emma Lee is met by Knightley Nickerson, son of her aunt Patricia’s friend who has been looking after Wood House. Knightley’s mother had also been a very good friend of Emma Lee’s mother so she takes Emma Lee “under her wing” and introduces her to the area. Emma Lee also meets a number of people in her village and immediately bonds with them. Knightly is so handsome, wealthy, and solicitous of her that she can’t help but be drawn to him.
This is a book that encompasses many things Jane Austen, so followers of her will be delighted to read this. While I have read Jane Austen’s works, I don’t call myself a reader who is fascinated by “everything Jane.” There is a lot of humor here and is a light comedic read. I smiled and chuckled through much of it.
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
October 15, 2019
Very loosely inspired by Emma, what it lacks in story it makes up for in fun.
Following the deaths of her father and aunt, Southern Belle Emma Lee heads to an inherited home in the Costwalds with grand plans for becoming a matchmaker, but like her literary namesake, Emma Lee’s matchmaking skills prove somewhat questionable.
If you’re looking for a traditional Emma re-telling, I’m not sure if this will hit the mark for you, there are some characters with similar names, and some with similar traits (Emma Lee has Emma’s good intentions and obliviousness down), and Emma Lee does a little matchmaking, but it does not follow Emma beat for beat. I didn’t have a problem with that, I liked that this mostly did it’s own thing, and there are a ton of references to Jane Austen’s books as well as other literature, which I loved and it couldn’t have been more fitting that Emma Lee, while reading Emma for the first time, jumps to the wrong conclusions about certain characters.
I enjoyed Knightley here a whole lot more than the Knightley in the original, to be fair, given the era, this Knightley is much more free of social constraints so he’s able to be bemused rather than infuriated by Emma Lee’s actions and bemused just makes for a much more charming love interest than a guy constantly correcting the heroine’s behavior does.
As I mentioned above, there isn’t a lot of plot here, even the matchmaking schemes are more afterthought than front and center, but I didn’t really miss the plot all that much, I was too busy being entertained by the humorous dialogue, sparky romance, the female friendships and the dog with the wonky ear.
I received this through a giveaway.
Following the deaths of her father and aunt, Southern Belle Emma Lee heads to an inherited home in the Costwalds with grand plans for becoming a matchmaker, but like her literary namesake, Emma Lee’s matchmaking skills prove somewhat questionable.
If you’re looking for a traditional Emma re-telling, I’m not sure if this will hit the mark for you, there are some characters with similar names, and some with similar traits (Emma Lee has Emma’s good intentions and obliviousness down), and Emma Lee does a little matchmaking, but it does not follow Emma beat for beat. I didn’t have a problem with that, I liked that this mostly did it’s own thing, and there are a ton of references to Jane Austen’s books as well as other literature, which I loved and it couldn’t have been more fitting that Emma Lee, while reading Emma for the first time, jumps to the wrong conclusions about certain characters.
I enjoyed Knightley here a whole lot more than the Knightley in the original, to be fair, given the era, this Knightley is much more free of social constraints so he’s able to be bemused rather than infuriated by Emma Lee’s actions and bemused just makes for a much more charming love interest than a guy constantly correcting the heroine’s behavior does.
As I mentioned above, there isn’t a lot of plot here, even the matchmaking schemes are more afterthought than front and center, but I didn’t really miss the plot all that much, I was too busy being entertained by the humorous dialogue, sparky romance, the female friendships and the dog with the wonky ear.
I received this through a giveaway.
July 26, 2022
"All seemed lost -- until this Southern belle embraced a new beginning in the unlikeliest of places . . .
"Spoiled, stylish, socially connected Emma Lee Maxwell has spent her like in the idlest of pursuits -- attending debutante balls, organizing sorority mixers, and acting as Charleston's unofficial Gossip Queen. But when her family's fortune suddenly dwindles, Emma Lee realizes her days as a Lowcountry Princess are numbered.
"When she discovers that she's inherited her aunt's cottage in the Cotswolds, she hightails it to England, nurturing fantasies of polo matches and jaunts to London. All that social organizing is going to come in handy -- Emma Lee plans to take after her namesake and put her people-pleasing ways to good use by becoming the village's very own matchmaker! And she'll start with three local brothers . . .
"There;s just on skeptical, handsome, charming challenge: the oldest brother, Knightley, is stubbornly insisting Emma Lee abandon her well-meaning ways and focus on making a match of her own -- with him . . ."
~~back cover
Normally I don't read chick lit. I think it's frothy and unrealistic and boring as hell. But this one is set in the Cotswolds, one of my favorite parts of the world. So I decided I could ignore the frothy and ridiculous and just revel in the landscape. And oh joy! Lower Slaughter is mentioned, as is Burton-on-the-Water. But then, somehow -- I'm sure I don't know how -- I got hooked in to the story, frothy as it was, and I had to read straight through to the end, to see what kind of catastrophe was foretold by the title. I won't spoil it for any future readers, but I will say the ending was very satisfying.
"Spoiled, stylish, socially connected Emma Lee Maxwell has spent her like in the idlest of pursuits -- attending debutante balls, organizing sorority mixers, and acting as Charleston's unofficial Gossip Queen. But when her family's fortune suddenly dwindles, Emma Lee realizes her days as a Lowcountry Princess are numbered.
"When she discovers that she's inherited her aunt's cottage in the Cotswolds, she hightails it to England, nurturing fantasies of polo matches and jaunts to London. All that social organizing is going to come in handy -- Emma Lee plans to take after her namesake and put her people-pleasing ways to good use by becoming the village's very own matchmaker! And she'll start with three local brothers . . .
"There;s just on skeptical, handsome, charming challenge: the oldest brother, Knightley, is stubbornly insisting Emma Lee abandon her well-meaning ways and focus on making a match of her own -- with him . . ."
~~back cover
Normally I don't read chick lit. I think it's frothy and unrealistic and boring as hell. But this one is set in the Cotswolds, one of my favorite parts of the world. So I decided I could ignore the frothy and ridiculous and just revel in the landscape. And oh joy! Lower Slaughter is mentioned, as is Burton-on-the-Water. But then, somehow -- I'm sure I don't know how -- I got hooked in to the story, frothy as it was, and I had to read straight through to the end, to see what kind of catastrophe was foretold by the title. I won't spoil it for any future readers, but I will say the ending was very satisfying.
December 2, 2018
Review also found at https://kristineandterri.blogspot.com...
** I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you**
I feel so bad because I read this book ages ago and I am only getting around to writing my review now. I always like to review books prior to their release and missed my target on this one.
Anyone who is familiar with the work of Leah Marie Brown will enjoy this book. It offers up the same quirky main character, reference to pop culture and lets not take life to seriously theme that her other books and series. This is what I seek from her books and it was delivered.
This is part of her Riches to Romance series. I read the first and somehow missed the second, not sure how that happened. I can say I liked this one better than the first. I cant seem to pinpoint it, there was no particular reason as I enjoyed both.
What I liked the best was the character of Emma. She was overwhelmingly positive to a fault. It did not seem that anything could phase her. The funny thing about that is the fact that she is the complete opposite of me. I can sometimes be a "negative Nelly" and overly positive people are usually annoying to me, but I loved Emma!
I wont divulge more but if you have read any of Brown's work, take the time to pick this up. Actually, it would be better to start at the beginning of the series so you can spend a little more time with some quirky characters.
** I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you**
I feel so bad because I read this book ages ago and I am only getting around to writing my review now. I always like to review books prior to their release and missed my target on this one.
Anyone who is familiar with the work of Leah Marie Brown will enjoy this book. It offers up the same quirky main character, reference to pop culture and lets not take life to seriously theme that her other books and series. This is what I seek from her books and it was delivered.
This is part of her Riches to Romance series. I read the first and somehow missed the second, not sure how that happened. I can say I liked this one better than the first. I cant seem to pinpoint it, there was no particular reason as I enjoyed both.
What I liked the best was the character of Emma. She was overwhelmingly positive to a fault. It did not seem that anything could phase her. The funny thing about that is the fact that she is the complete opposite of me. I can sometimes be a "negative Nelly" and overly positive people are usually annoying to me, but I loved Emma!
I wont divulge more but if you have read any of Brown's work, take the time to pick this up. Actually, it would be better to start at the beginning of the series so you can spend a little more time with some quirky characters.
July 3, 2022
I couldn’t finish this. I couldn’t get it 1/4 of the way through.
I ended up finding another book of hers, published earlier, and it’s much easier to read. So far the characters sound normal, they’re not attempting to use “trendy” language.
It’s a combo of that and writing what’s considered southern slang. “Might-could” - should never be used. Yes it’s common but that doesn’t mean it should be. Like nails on a chalkboard.
Actually having the characters SAY “hashtag”? “All’s I’m Sayin’”? as some sort of direct conversation with the reader?
When dialogue is CORRECT and not an attempt to reflect whatever grammar-bashing phrase is trendy, the book will last through the annals of time. Not this. Maybe someone else can get though it.
I ended up finding another book of hers, published earlier, and it’s much easier to read. So far the characters sound normal, they’re not attempting to use “trendy” language.
It’s a combo of that and writing what’s considered southern slang. “Might-could” - should never be used. Yes it’s common but that doesn’t mean it should be. Like nails on a chalkboard.
Actually having the characters SAY “hashtag”? “All’s I’m Sayin’”? as some sort of direct conversation with the reader?
When dialogue is CORRECT and not an attempt to reflect whatever grammar-bashing phrase is trendy, the book will last through the annals of time. Not this. Maybe someone else can get though it.
January 16, 2024
This book was a sweet read with pleasant characters, and it was sort of an adaptation of Emma, but based on the title and the story of Emma you expect there to be actual conflict sometime in the middle of the book. But there wasn't anything anywhere where someone said anything like "Badly done Emma Lee". Everybody loved her and she did no wrong. There were almost moments when she could have done wrong, but they turned out fine. Her own "matchmaking kerfuffle" happened on the SECOND TO LAST PAGE. I kept waiting for the implied conflict and character growth and it just never came. It was odd. I was more tense with the lack of tension than actual tension would have created!
I alsolutely think it needed a different title because it was definitely a wrong choice with what the content ended up being... something that I can only assume was modernized fan fiction but without an actual understanding of who Emma really was and what her arc actually is. Like I said, sweet and pleasant but not a great Emma adaptation and thus should stop being branded as such.
I alsolutely think it needed a different title because it was definitely a wrong choice with what the content ended up being... something that I can only assume was modernized fan fiction but without an actual understanding of who Emma really was and what her arc actually is. Like I said, sweet and pleasant but not a great Emma adaptation and thus should stop being branded as such.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 26, 2018
I enjoyed the last book in Leah Marie Brown's series A Riches to Romance Tale. Emma Lee has inherited her aunt's cottage in England. The recent loss of her father has been heartbreaking and financially devastating to his three daughters. Emma Lee has southern charm and she is still a little naive. I like her strong desire to find soulmates for others. Isabelle is Emma Lee's mothers dear friend. Isabelle has three sons that Emma Lee wants to match with their soulmate. The oldest son, Knightly Nickerson is one of my favorite characters in the book. This book was well written and fun to read.
January 29, 2019
Spoiled, stylish, socially connected Emma Lee Maxwell has spent her life in the idlest of pursuits—attending debutante balls, organizing sorority mixers, and acting as Charleston’s unofficial Gossip Queen. But when her family’s fortune suddenly dwindles, Emma Lee realizes her days as a Lowcountry Princess are numbered.
This was an ok read. The story started with Emma Lee as the kind of person I really don’t like. She got a little better as the story went on, but meh.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book
This was an ok read. The story started with Emma Lee as the kind of person I really don’t like. She got a little better as the story went on, but meh.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book
July 11, 2023
Honestly this book didn’t do it for me. I thought it was going to be a cute retelling of Emma but nope. I get the Clueless type vibe it tried to have but it just wasn’t for me. The characters lacked emotion and the chemistry between Emma and Knightly was just not it. If you are looking for an “If I loved you less I might be able to talk about it more” type of retelling you might want to keep looking.
August 5, 2021
I received this book from a live and couldn't be happier. This is a fun, light-hearted story of a southern belle in England trying to become a matchmaker. You would think this is a historical, Victorian romance but it is modern day and full of fun. Made me smile, laugh and just simply enjoyable. Looking forward to reading more of her books.
December 31, 2018
I started this, was bored, and put it down. Came back to it, and hit my groove and then couldn't put it down. Emma Lee was sweet and funny and well-meaning, and the cast of characters she entangles herself with were all hilarious and fun. Loved it!
September 8, 2019
What a hoot! Light and fanciful romance. Southern belle meets stiff upper lip Brits. Fantastic match. As an admirer of things British and Southern this appealed to both aspects. Sorry that I hadn't discovered and read the first two, but I hope to remedy that soon.
September 9, 2019
I read this in a Jane Austen retelling phase.
What I liked:
Knightly
What I didn't like:
So. Many. Characters. Named. After. Other. Austen. Works.
The relationship felt like instalove
I didn't relate to the characters
I felt disconnected from the story
What I liked:
Knightly
What I didn't like:
So. Many. Characters. Named. After. Other. Austen. Works.
The relationship felt like instalove
I didn't relate to the characters
I felt disconnected from the story
March 13, 2022
Barely tolerable
February 14, 2024
Cute, quirky, fun southern read! Perfect for Valentine’s!
September 21, 2024
DNF on page 25. Not for me. Too many rich southern white debs using Black slang. It was very off putting to have that type of cultural appropriation used so unironically by the heroine who is supposed to be kind and well meaning.
January 20, 2025
This book surprised me. I was expecting a cheesy romance, and once I got introduced to Emma Lee’s southern manners I thought there was no way I could take this book seriously. However, my love for Jane Austen and Emma caused me to push through. Emma Lee grew on me, just as she seems to charm everyone around her. I ended up quite delighted. It’s not an exact retelling of Emma as one might expect but I think that makes it better. So if you love Emma as much as I do then you just might adore this inspired, modernized take.
December 8, 2018
Couldn’t finish.
Too much name dropping of then current events that I didn’t pay attention to.
Too much name dropping of then current events that I didn’t pay attention to.
Read
January 21, 2019did not read or like
Read
February 13, 2019I get that this was about Emma Lee's character development, but there wasn't anything about her that engaged me enough to keep me reading. I also found the pacing excruciatingly slow and there was a lot more telling than showing. The tone and writing style just didn't work for me. I DNF'd this one.
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