Austen, Party of Two

Love, Austen #2

by Britney M. Mills

A food truck owner, a restaurant critic and a charity bake-off.

Known as the One-Date Wonder, Lexi Sarmiento threw herself into her food truck pastry business after a bad relationship during culinary school. When her best friend approaches her about helping with a celebrity bake-off for charity, she can’t say no. But when she’s assigned to coach the gorgeous jerk from a speed dating event the week before, she’s ready to throw in the towel.

Fitness guru and local journalist, Brennen Peters jumps at the chance to participate in a bake-off supporting a charity that means a lot to his family. Still mourning the loss of his parents, and taking orders from the girl he scorned on a speed-date-gone-wrong, he isn't sure his nerves can handle the heat in the kitchen, especially when he doesn't know the first thing about yeast and egg wash. But the more time he spends with Lexi, the more his expectations for love shift, and he finds himself ready to take a leap.

Will their budding romance survive their past prejudice?

Genres: Romance, Clean Romance, Contemporary, Audiobook, Fiction, Contemporary Romance

168 pages, ebook

Published December 1, 2018

About the author

Britney Mills was born in Utah but parts of her heart lie in Boston, Washington D.C. and Germany. Her love of writing began with the third grade book her teacher assigned her to write and she spent hours hidden behind her mother’s couch writing pages and pages about knights and castles.
Most of her time consists of taking care of her young son and triplets but writing keeps her sane as she travels along on the adventures of characters to come.
When she’s not mothering, writing or reading, she’s probably out playing a sport, going on a hike, or binge watching some kind of murder mystery show. She is a fan of chick flicks and adventure/action stories in books and movies, and can even get her cowboy husband to watch along with her.

Reviews

[Mimia The Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
More fluff with a slight dash of Austen for me.
Good as an escape read.

I was expecting Love, Austen (the matchmaking company) to have a bigger appearance but I was satisfied enough that they were in some of the most important moments. This one was based of Pride and Prejudice but doesn’t follow it too closely (just like the first one) which I wasn’t disappointed about because I was already expecting it.

I also really liked the narrator.

I received an audio copy of this book from the author after begging for it because I was curious after listening to the first one

[Lorrie (Clockworkbookworm) · Rating 4 out of 5]

2024 Reads #404/250
3.75🌟

[Happy Reading Watching · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pride & Prejudice Retelling ✔
Clean Romance ✔
Hispanic Family✔

Lovely short fast pace read really loved!

[Muriah · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first book in the series I didn’t read but from what carry’s over, you tell was based off of Emma. This modern retelling has just vaguely enough element from P&P to be a retelling. The whole bake off thing was sort of uninteresting and over all too vanilla for me to be that memorable.


📚2024/2025 P&P themed book ranking so far...
- Manga Classics: Pride and Prejudice (Manga)
- The Scandalous Confessions of Lydia Bennet, Witch ( Different perspective, Lydia, magic)
- Puck and Prejudice (Time Travel)
- The Jane Austen Project (Time Travel, stopping her early death)
-Most Ardently (trans lead)
- Such Happy Manners (Retelling, Wickham good)
- Miss Bennett's Dragon (Fantasy)
- The Heiress: The Revelations of Anne de Bourgh (Different perspective - Anne)
- The Other Bennett Sister (Different Perspective - Mary)
- Mum's the Word (Modern retelling)
- Debating Darcy (Modern retelling)
- Allworld Online: Pride & Prejudice (Fantasy, VR)
- Longbourn (Different perspective - servants)
- The Mistress of Longbourn (Retelling - changed plot)
-The Stage Kiss (modern spicy retelling, theatre setting)
The Unlikely Pursuit of Mary Bennet (Spicy Queer, Charlotte’s perspective)
3/5
- London Holiday: A Pride & Prejudice Romantic Comedy (Retelling - prequel plot change)
- Most Ardently (Modern retelling, LGBTQ)
- The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet (Modern retelling)
- Lola at Last (Modern retelling, different perspective - Lydia)
- 1932 (Retelling, changed plot, set in Great Depression)
- Jane Austen Cannot Marry (Time travel)
- Trouble at Pemberly (Extension, Kitty, ghosts)
- Meet the Benedettos (Modern, Hollywood retelling)
- Pride and Preston Lin (Modern, Asian American retelling)
- Accomplished (YA, modern Georgiana Darcy perspective)
- Return to Pemberley (Expanded P&P)
- The Bad Miss Bennet (Different perspective - Lydia)
- The Particular Charm of Miss Jane Austen(Time Travel)
- Darcy and the Governance (Retelling, changed plot)
- Proper Darcy Christmas (Murder mystery, continuation of story)
- Death comes to Pemberley (Murder mystery, continuation of story)
- An Unpleasant Sort of Man (Retelling, changed plot)
- Pride and Prejudice and Pittsburgh (Time travel, LGBTQ)
- Heir Apparent (Jane as a male)
- The Wrong Mr Darcy (Modern retelling, basketball journalist )
- Pride, Prejudice and Poison ( Murder mystery)
- Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict (Time travel)
- Mr Darcy's Bad Day: A Pride and Prejudice variation (Retelling, changed plot, Different perspective - Darcy)
- Dating Mr Darcy ( Modern retelling)
- Dangerous Magic: A Pride and Prejudice variation ( Fantasy)
- Austen, Party of Two (vague modern retelling)
- Falling slowly (retelling, plot changed with 2 falls)
- Coming Up Roses (Modern retelling)
- Austenland (Modern retelling)
- Scandal at Pemberly (Continuation of story, Georgina finds a husband)
-Danger at Pemberly (Continuation of story, spies)
- Kitty Bennett’s Ruin (Continuation of story, Kitty and Lydia’s story)
- For Pemberly (Retelling, plot changed)
- Eligible: A modern. retelling of Pride & Prejudice ( Modern retelling)

[Shanna Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somewhere in between 3.5-4 stars

Austen, Party of Two is a lovely easy read that moves fast and will leave you smiling (and maybe hungry for some pastries). Lexi is filled with so much personality and attitude, I LOVE it, as a fellow baker with too much sass sometimes, it was fun to see a character with so much in common. Lexi and Brennen are total opposites and their back and forths were entertaining, realistic, and madewny parts into page turners.

I don't know much about Pride and Prejudice (I promise one day I'll read it 🤣😂), so I can't comment much on the retelling part, but I did truly enjoy this story and recommend it to anyone wanting a light and fun easy read. I didn't enjoy it as much as the first book, but still well worth the read. It flows well, builds up side relationships more, and isn't overwhelming with events and drama.

If you like baking shows and competitions, food, sweet romance, and quirky but cute food trucks, this is one story you'll adore! Just like your favorite cookie recipe, Austen, Party of Two, has the right amount of everything to make a beautiful book.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute book that has elements of pride and prejudice. Lexi is stubborn, feisty, and has her pride. Brennon is cute, fit, and a bit clueless with his own prejudice. Lexi is a baker and Brennen is a food critic. Brennen writes a critique of Lexi’s food truck with his judgement and opinion of food trucks coloring his review. Lexi has to fight hard for people to understand why someone with her talent would not work out of a restaurant instead of a food truck. They met just before this horrible review during a speed dating event they were both tricked or dragged into attending. They didn’t hit it off. Then they get matched up in a baking contest. With partial truths between them and a poor beginning the likelihood of friendship is a stretch let alone a relationship. It makes for a fun enemy to lovers troupe.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

(I received this as an ARC for review.)

The 2nd book of the Love, Austen series was definitely another great read!! I think this one was my favorite of the two! Britney Mills has a way of pulling you in to the story with her words and descriptions! And her characters are great as well! I really liked Lexi and I related to her quite a bit. My favorite part of this story was how Lexi and Brennen slowly start to realize their feelings for each other as each week progresses! And I loved how they were both able to get through their past hurts and the things holding them back from opening up to love. This was a great, clean read!

[Richard Goodrum · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great, enemies-to-lovers romance. Lexi Sarmiento, the Dateless Wonder, finds herself tutoring Brennen Peters to support a charity that helps to feed hungry children. However, she first met him at a speed dating event that she was conned into participating in. Needless to say, they didn't hit it off then. Over the weeks of tutoring, they become close to each other, but never quite get to that first kiss. Then the other shoe drops when he confesses something. The ending is heartwarming.

Easy-to-read. Entertaining. Funny. Happily Ever After. Romantic. Tear-jerker. Unpredictable. Whimsical. Wonderful characters.

[Claire Mackenzie-neville · Rating 1 out of 5]

I love the concept but these are poorly executed.

I only read the second book because books one and two came together. I won’t be reading any more.

I think a writer with some talent could have taken this idea and written some truly amazing books. This writer has poor grammar, poor logic (things said in conversation between characters often make them look foolish and uneducated), and I don’t feel like she really understood the Austen books or what made those stories so special since the most important elements were often left out completely with no attempt to transport them into modern times.

[Terressa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ooh this was a fun story. The characters had some issues to get past and the situation they were in was just what they both needed to open their eyes. I really liked the approach to this story in teaching someone to bake but for the purpose of raising money for a charity. Fantastic story!

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists,
and/or authors, including Netgalley. I am not required to write positive
reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this
in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.

[Ru4repeat · Rating 5 out of 5]

No competition here, this book's a winner

I loved the Jane Austen elements that paid an homage to Pride and Prejudice. This author did a fantastic job creating relatable, loveable characters.
I loved the banter between main characters, and the secondary characters added depth and humor to the story.
On a steaminess level I would rate this a pleasant PG. Their individual thoughts were steamier than their kisses.
This book is worthy of a repeat read!

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bake off and love. Too great things. It’s more than just bonding over food though. It’s also about both of them recovering from their past disappointments and traumas. They both hid behind their work or style and that left them unable to move forward. Together they find a way to break thru. Downside of the book is reading about all those great sounding desserts made me want to snack the whole time I was reading this book! Fun read! 4-1/2 stars

[Shonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book I’m so taken with this series, the characters are so fun and sometimes quirky. These books can be read as stand alone but I’m enjoying them so much I plans to read everyone. The author brings out how most people fill about dating and turns it into a story of funny situations and romance. I promise this book will keep you smiling and reaching for the next in it’s series!

Was given a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

[Desiree · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a super cute spin on Pride and Prejudice. The next in the series is Persuassion. My interest is peaked on what she'll do with that. I liked the h's spunk. This was a quick, light and fun read. Though it's a shorter read it wasn't choppy and the dialogue was good and story line well written. These are stand alone books but previous characters make an appereance which I always enjoy. Books 1-3 the friends are all connected in someway. I don't know about #4.

[Shaylin Maxwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. It was lighthearted and easy to read.
Most of the situations were pretty realistic and believable.
I really liked the characters and I loved that there was some humor in the storyline. Contemporary isn’t usually my thing but I did enjoy this book.
I was able to listen to the audio version of this book and the narrator did an amazing job. It was delightful to listen to.

[Heidi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Content: Clean

I mean... I don't know how you can really call that a Pride and Prejudice retelling. A very, very loose one.

Nit picky thing. I didn't love the comparison of "someone learning to walk after an accident... slow and painful."

Overall, okay. Not as good as the first one of the series. Nothing really wrong with it, just run of the mill. I originally gave it 3 Stars but after thinking about it a bit, I think 2 feels better. Maybe 2.5? Just lackluster.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun, sweet second book in the Love, Austen series! I really enjoyed Lexi and Brennen and the interesting way their lives collide after first meeting at a speed dating event and not really hitting it off (or so they think!). The first book in the series is my favorite so far, but I definitely enjoyed this one quite a bit and look forward to reading the rest of the series.

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listed to the audiobook of this and really enjoyed it. I thought the narrator did a great job telling the story.

The author wrote a fun story of enemy attraction. Spunky and full of sass Lexi and Brennen get paired up in a bake-off and the flour flies.... literally. This is such a fun book and I found myself looking forward to the next one.

[Lynn Hyman · Rating 5 out of 5]

So Cute

Lexi has an overbearing family who she loves, but she could do without the meddling and hurtful comments. Brennen has no family except for his younger sister. Their paths cross for various reasons-some good and some not. So much needs to happen, individually and together, if they were to become a couple. Interesting story from beginning to the happy ending.

[D'anah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good

I love good food and stories about good food. That is why I chose to read this book. It was good, better than expected. Like the characters and how they grow through their past pains to find a future together.

[Valerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

In all honesty, I didn't read the first one. Based on the reviews, that was the better book. This one just kinda fell flat. The characters seemed a bit immature and underdeveloped. But it was a quick, light read!

[Tiffany Keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm really enjoying this author! I've read both books in her Love, Austen series. Although not necessary, it is helpful to read them in order. Such sweet and simple story lines and I love the references to Jane Austen. Great book!

[Love · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet Romance

This is a refreshingly sweet and enjoyable romance with adorably sassy sweet and charming characters that will steal your heart from the very beginning as they journey towards their own unforgettable happily ever after moment.

[Allison Boot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Austen, Party of Two was a pleasing sequel to love Austen. While the story did not hold my interest quite as well as Love Austen, I still found it enjoyable. It contains a couple of minor grammatical mistakes, but it still a very well written story with the true essence of a Hallmark like romance. I recommended to readers who enjoy clean romances.

[Jean Holtof · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fun read from Britney Mills with entirely different characters in Lexi and Brennan. The Dateless Wonder and the fitness guru clash in the kitchen baking up a storm. Some great imagery in this story from the speed-dating evening to the final bake off. I loved it.

[Stasia Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice

I liked the characters and their growing maturity. I think h was letting something with an ex boyfriend be too important. One has to let go and shake loose of the past. Otherwise she was a strong individual.
Sweet romance.

[Sue Stinnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Opposites Attract

Can two people work together to raise money which supports a charity they both believe in? Can you smell all the baking in the bake-off? Sweet clean romance.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very fun rendition of Pride and Prejudice while still being its own story. I enjoyed it enough to buy the next one immediately.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun foodie story. Enjoyed banter between the main characters. I listened to this book. Author and narrator did a great job.

[Charlene Rakstis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Austen, Party of Two

Another good story about believable and likable characters. I have enjoyed reading this story and I look forward to reading more.