Austen, Unscripted

Love, Austen #3

by Britney M. Mills

A shy accountant, a pro hockey player and a past they can't forget.

Ruby Hunter gets nervous talking to people. And with a camera around? Forget it. When she's offered the chance to be on The Suitor, the only reason she accepts is that it's an opportunity to conquer her fears, all at once. Little does she know the leading guy is her ex-fiance, who she broke up with eight years earlier, the one regret she's had in her adult life.  
Carson Carver is painted as the bad boy for the media and doing this show is his chance to prove them all wrong. He hopes seeing his good side will change his image and keep him playing for the Boston Breeze hockey team for more than just a year. When one of the contestants turns out to be his high school sweetheart, he's not sure if he can stand reliving the past.

As dates force them to confront the past, can they forgive one another and move forward? Or will their history keep them apart?

Genres: Clean Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Audiobook, Second Chance

186 pages, ebook

Published January 12, 2019

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

[Fridey · Rating 1 out of 5]

I listen to these kind of books when I'm cleaning etc because it doesn't require much concentration.

I never watched those bachelor shows, I abhor them. As I had listened to the other books in the series, and was slightly familiar with author's style I decided not to research this one. My fault, I know. I only skimmed through the blurb and didn't really pick up on the word SUITOR. Had I known this was a bunch of female contestant trying to win their male prize, I would have left it alone. Someone else might like this but I hated it.

Spoiler:

A hero that sticks his tongue down ALL of the other contestants throat, at least 6 of them, give or take, is not a Hero.

Well there was only one he didn't kiss just because she didn't initiate it. So apparently it's ok to randomly make out with people just because the other person initiated it. Ummm, we have a brain, everything we do has consequences (good or bad) and please can't we practice a bit of self-control???

End spoiler

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! I was a little surprised actually because I really don’t like the reality TV shows for finding love/matchmaking etc. but it worked well for this story. Again, as with the previous books in the series, this is a unique story - not another rendition of a Jane Austen novel. This one does have a few storyline similarities to the novel Persuasion (incidentally another one of my favourite Austen novels) but they are subtle. You really have to know the story to be able to compare. I always like looking for similarities but I actually prefer it when the author creates a brand new, unique story rather than a modern version of the same story. I have read a few like that & I have enjoyed them as well but as I said - my preference is for the unique. I view it as embracing Ms. Austen’s influence rather than trying to improve on it.
I am so looking forward to the next book in this series. I wonder which of Ms. Austen’s novels will have inspired this one.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book in the series. I like how each book has a different popular troup but has characters from the other books. I also like how they are themed after different Jane Austin books. Unfortunately I am not as familiar with all of Jane Austin’s works as I am to pride and prejudice or I could understand the connection better. This one is a second chance romance and has contestants on a reality TV show. Ruby is shocked to find her ex-fiancé is the “suitor” on the show. It had been a surprise. Carson was just as shocked to see Ruby. The two have to figure out how to act around each other and more importantly how to move on from the past. This is a cute second chance romance that will pull at your heart strings.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

4-1/2 stars

This was definitely a modern version of Jane Austen’s Persuasion. Normally I’m not one for reality TV matchmaker shows but this book was very tastefully written and I loved seeing the parallels with the original storyline. I loved the book. It was a fun clean story. I kept wondering how the story would progress to the HEA for Carson and Ruby with all the turn of events. It was great how it all came together. Sorry no spoilers from me!
Bonus excerpt at the end of the next book in the series! I look forward to reading more about Olivia’s character. All the books in the series are stand alone.

[Mimia The Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a cute story but not good enough for my standards of retales of Persuasion (one of my favourite books). The show background actually worked well but there wasn’t that much information on how it actually worked (maybe The Bachelor watchers would know it, but I didn’t) and the bad interviewer bit felt like a story left untold.
Also the “re”-falling in love was left out of the book and felt too fast.
The narrator was pretty good and that was a bonus.

I received an audio review copy of this book months ago after asking the author for it (rather aggressively...) I’m so sorry, Britney M. Mills! My opinions are my own.

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ruby and Carson's story is fun. Ruby is selected to be on a reality tv dating show and agrees to go... not know who the suitor is. Can you image her surprise when the celebrity suitor is her ex from back in high school? He had actually proposed but her parents didn't approve of him. She ended up returning his ring and he went on to play professional hockey. He agreed to come on the show to try to get some good publicity and improve his image. Can Ruby and Carson find their way back to each other or will this just prove that they were never meant to be? You'll have to read and see for yourself.

I listened to the audiobook of this and really enjoyed the narration of Lorana Hoopes.

[Terressa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super fun series. This third story didn’t disappoint. Great characters-Ruby overcame her past and I was cheering for her the entire time. Carson is just who she needed. Can’t wait to read Olivia’s 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]

Great title, clever correlation, fun read

I love the Jane Austen connections in this series. They aren't overly dramatic and cheesy. Instead you receive subtle hints here and there and the contemporary setting works wonderfully.
I enjoyed the growth that Ruby experienced and it was exciting to see her succeed her introvert improvement.
The romance was certainly sweet, just the way I like it. The build up of feelings and desire culminating in tender kisses and nothing more.
On a steaminess level I would rate this a pleasant PG.

[Katja · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an okay read but it could have been better. The couple's attraction to each other was a done deal from way back and you couldn't see them interact very much here. So it's a case of the reader being told they're in love, rather than shown why.


There was one wait whaaaat? moment. The heroine gets a lot of praise from the hero for holding a towel against someone's bleeding wound but later on they're both very nonchalant about seeing people in danger of drowning. One of them goes missing and apparently no one cared, the show goes on as if nothing happened.

[Richard Goodrum · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great, second-chance romance. Ruby Hunter was working through her shyness via workshops with 'Love, Austen' when she was invited to participate in The Suitor, a reality TV dating show. Carson Carver is the male participant, her own ex-fiancé. Trials and tribulations encompass the time they both spend on the show. The story comes to a delightful end.

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

I received a review copy of this book from a third party. This is my honest review.

[Shonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me from the first sentence. Britney Mills is an extraordinary writer. Every character in this book evoked a feeling from me. I could vividly picture each one. The plot pulled at me and had my emotions all over the place, I was so drawn in! I can’t wait to see what her next book is. I can’t pick a favorite because I would give them all a 10!

[iread · Rating 4 out of 5]

Austen, Unscripted: A Second Chance Romance is book three in the Love, Austen series. I enjoyed this book. It's a sweet romance with a few kisses. I really liked the heroine in this story, Ruby Hunter. She is shy and sweet and sometimes speaks with a stutter. I felt like she was relatable. Can’t wait to read more in this series.

[Khadejah R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A modern Persuasion

This is a cute twist on a classic tale that includes a reality show. A sweet romance with plenty of frustration to keep you reading. Am really enjoying this series and cannot wait for Matched.

[Shirley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clean sweet & a realistic romance

If 4 1/2 stars could be given I'd do it! Some sequels/series books don't keep the attention of the reader, and I start losing interest. Not so with this book, I believe I enjoyed more than the first in the series!

[Sue Stinnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

This is a fun book especially if you enjoy shows like the Bachelor. A hockey star is the next Bachelor but what he doesn't know is the only girl he ever loved is one of the contestants.

[Love · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful Second Chance Romance

This is a touching second chance romance with adorable and heartwarming characters that will steal your heart and soul as they tried to understand their journey towards unconditional love and happily ever after.

[Jerri Arthur · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! The friendship Olivia gave Roby shows how good hearted people can be. The fact that both Carson and Roby could both forgive and have a third chance was sweet. It shows how sometimes life just gets in the way.

[Lynn Hyman · Rating 5 out of 5]

If At First You Don't Succeed

Ruby and Carson had history, and it hadn't ended well. I was rooting for them the whole time I was reading. The friendships were invaluable. The events were a roller coaster, but the romance was worth it all. Precious ending.

[Paige Pearson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This definitely was inspired by "Persuassion", my absolute favorite Jane Austen book. It was charming, and I really liked the character growth Ruby went through as she put herself out of her comfort zone.

[Mandy Boerma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second chance at love

I’m a sucker for second chance stories. Mix in some reality tv and it’s a win. Great story, fun characters, cute ending.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Throughly enjoyed this book

First time reading any books from this Author and liked it so much that I am going back to book one of this series.

[Tiffany Keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this one!

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't say that Persuasion is my favorite Jane Austen book, but I enjoyed this rendition. It fit well with the others in this series.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

This story was so good! I might possibly love it even more than the first book. At least equally, it was so good!

[Jeri Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of Austen Unscripted

This was a very cute book and I will recommend her books to anyone who loves romance novels. She keeps you involved from page one until the end.

[Maddy Estherby · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was cute and super easy to read

[Lydia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reality "Bachelor" meets Persuasion. Tons of fun

[Charlene Rakstis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Austen Unscripted

Another good story by this talented author. I have enjoyed reading her other stories in this series and I look forward to reading more.

[Lynette · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

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

2024 Reads #405/250
3.5🌟