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The Austen Playbook
The Austen Playbook | Lucy Parker
38 posts | 27 read | 20 to read
In which experienced West End actress Freddy Carlton takes on an Austen-inspired play, a scandal at a country estate, an enthusiastic search for a passion outside of actingand the (some people might say icy*) heart of Londons most feared theater critic. *if those people were being nice Freddy Carlton knows she should be focusing on her lines for The Austen Playbook, a live-action TV event where viewers choose the outcome of each scene, but her concentrations been blown. The palatial estate housing the endeavor is now run by the rude (brilliant) critic whos consistently slammed her performances of late. James Griff Ford-Griffin has a penchant for sarcasm, a majestic nose and all the sensitivity of a sledgehammer. She cant take her eyes off him. Griff can hardly focus with a contagious joy fairy flitting about near him, especially when Freddy looks at him like that. His only concern right now should be on shutting down his younger brothers well-intentioned (disastrous) schemesor at the very least on the production (not this one) that might save his family home from the banks. Instead all he can think of is soft skin and vibrant curls. As hes reluctantly dragged into her quest to rediscover her passion for the stage and Freddy is drawn into his research on a legendary theater star, the adage about appearances being deceiving proves abundantly true. Its the unlikely start of something enormousbut a single revelation about the past could derail it all. One-click with confidence. This title is part of the Carina Press Romance Promise: all the romance youre looking for with an HEA/HFN. Its a promise! This book is approximately 99,000 words
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BibliophileLibrarian
The Austen Playbook | Lucy Parker
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Just started this romance book! Heard a lot of good things about it. Looking forward to digging into this one today.

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charl08
The Austen Playbook | Lucy Parker
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Enjoying this #romantsy series.

40 likes1 stack add
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Nitpickyabouttrains
The Austen Playbook | Lucy Parker
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Pickpick

Romance novel about actors who are going to be in a play version of Austen mashed up.

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dylanisreading
The Austen Playbook | Lucy Parker
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Pickpick

I loved this. I listened to the audiobook, which is narrated by Billie Fulford-Brown. She does a great job of bringing the characters‘ voices to life.

At the beginning of the book, the heroine Freddy refers to the grumpy hero Griff as Lucius Malfoy. Little things like this made me fall in love. There was also much more action than I expected, with twists and turns and secrets revealed.

Highly recommended. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#romance #romantsy

CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian I loved this one too! Always great to see a Slytherin and Hufflepuff pairing. 5y
49 likes3 stack adds2 comments
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MarriedtoMrT
The Austen Playbook | Lucy Parker
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If you‘re looking for a stellar romance rec for Valentine‘s Day have a peak at these titles that were awarded The Ripped Bodice(bookstore) Award for Excellence in Romantic Fiction.

I‘m familiar with most of these titles but have only read the tagged book, which was one of my favorites last year. You really can‘t go wrong with Lucy Parker.

#romantsy #romance

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ElectricKatyLand
The Austen Playbook | Lucy Parker
Pickpick

Loved this one about an actress and a critic reluctantly falling in love, against the backdrop of shared family secrets. She's a third-generation actress trying to stand up for her own dreams. He's an aristocrat trying to save his ancestral home from his family's mismanagement. When she's starring in a live production filmed on his estate, sparks fly. The supporting characters are richly drawn, the dialog is snappy, the romantic arc is sweet.

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LetsGetHawkward
The Austen Playbook | Lucy Parker
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Pickpick

Wow this kicked right off, usually Parker's books have a bit up of a build up but I appreciated the change of pace. This book is bursting with banter, fun sex, and a couple fighting to support each other as they both struggle to carry the burdens of their respectively family legacies. Also a great read if you are into opposite attracts/enemies to lovers tropes! I can't wait to see where Lucy Parker takes us next!

#romance #mustread

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brennahawleycraig
The Austen Playbook | Lucy Parker
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Pickpick

The books I finished tonight. It‘s always nice finding notes at the beginning of books that remind you they were a gift from your aunt and uncle for your fourth birthday (Berenstain Bears, obviously). I enjoyed this romance more than most books I‘ve ready lately. Give this one a go; my favorite in the series. #romantsy

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balletbookworm
The Austen Playbook | Lucy Parker
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Pickpick

Super-cute contemporary romance between a frosty, Jason Isaacs look-alike theatre critic and a bubbly, musical-theatre actress at a career crossroads. I really liked how Griff and Freddy worked out the mystery and that what looked vaguely like a love-triangle in the making did NOT go there. However, the resolution of the novel is a bit overstuffed with extra side-plots, especially the one about the sister and her hideous boyfriend.

balletbookworm Now, I had been hoping that we would see more of this actual “Jane Austen characters smashed together in a Choose-Your-Own-Adventure whodunnit” but wound up disappointed (although I‘d fire the casting director of that fictional TV production bc holy cats was that some bad choices). 6y
20 likes1 stack add1 comment
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intothehallofbooks
The Austen Playbook | Lucy Parker
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Pickpick

Super cute. Low angst. Features a slightly grumpy theater critic and a West End stage actor; he has historically given her negative reviews and yet they‘re able to develop a healthy, honest relationship and not let the work tension come between them. Delightful! There‘s also a mystery in here and a cool one-night-only Austen-inspired theater production too #romantsy

I‘d love to know more about Griff‘s brother Charlie and Freddy‘s sister Sabrina!

33 likes1 stack add
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CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian
The Austen Playbook | Lucy Parker
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Pickpick

This was a great #romance #audiobook! I really liked the dynamic between the couple: an icy Slytherin no-beating-around-the-bush theatre critic and a bubbly optimistic Hufflepuff actress. The romance wasn't the only or even most important plot: discovering an old family secret, a Jane Austen mashup audience collaborative play, how Freddie is going to learn to stand up to her dad/business manager, and how Griff is going to save his family estate.

31 likes1 comment
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suzisteffen
The Austen Playbook | Lucy Parker
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Pickpick

Yup, fun. 4⭐️

suzisteffen Spoiler comment! The end, with a critic reviewing a play that has his girlfriend in it and that features sets by his parents, IS SO RIDICULOUS, I could not deal. 6y
14 likes1 comment
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CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian
The Austen Playbook | Lucy Parker
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Okay so this book is amazing so far. I love the characters and I love the premise that they are going to be brought together by a choose-your-own-adventure style play with a mash-up of Jane Austen characters. I would love to see that play!! #Romantsy

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ScientistSam
The Austen Playbook | Lucy Parker
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Pickpick

Once again, Lucy Parker delivers a witty, sweet, enjoyable romance with protagonists who actually communicate. She's rapidly become one of my favorite contemporary romance authors.
5⭐
#romantsy

40 likes2 stack adds
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ScientistSam
The Austen Playbook | Lucy Parker
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Squee! Lucy Parker has a new book and so far it's just as delightful as her others!
#romantsy

41 likes1 stack add
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suzisteffen
The Austen Playbook | Lucy Parker
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Another from the Maya Rosalie NPR recs list. (April‘s recs are here: https://www.npr.org/2019/04/15/710424594/for-april-3-novels-of-love-at-any-age-i... ) I‘ve heard a lot of good things about this one! #romance

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CaramelLunacy
The Austen Playbook | Lucy Parker
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Pickpick

She is a Hufflepuff theatre legacy forcing herself into dramatic theater roles instead of the bubblier ones she prefers for love of family.

He is a Slytherin theater critic with a penchant for sharpening his wit on her and a crumbling estate in dire need of a cash injection.

His brother has a get-rich-quick scheme to host an Austen character cozy mystery choose your own adventure play at the estate.

Sparks and historical family drama ignite.

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CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian
The Austen Playbook | Lucy Parker
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I am really enjoying my current #audiobook (Spinning Silver) but I am also very much looking forward to these two #romance books! #Romantsy #AwesomeAudiobooks

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writerlibrarian
The Austen Playbook | Lucy Parker
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Pickpick

Funny and tender. Two people who find tenderness, passion, support and love in the most unlikely person. Freddie and Griffin are adorable and not in a sticky, too cute way. I like Lucy Parker's plotting, writing. Her main characters are fun and act like grown ups, are there for each other, listen to each other. Short cut summary. Amy Pondsmeet Draco Malfoy theater AU. With Jane Austen characters thrown in for fun. This was a #NetGalley ebook.

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CoffeeK8
The Austen Playbook | Lucy Parker
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Pickpick

A sweet romance between a slytherin theater reviewer hero and a bubbly hufflepuff actress. I love this series so much 💕 #romantsy

45 likes2 stack adds
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writerlibrarian
The Austen Playbook | Lucy Parker
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Almost at 50%. Game 6 in both Carolina and Dallas. There is nothing like playoff 🏒
#readingandwatchinghockey

writerlibrarian Tied at 1 in Carolina. Tied at 2. (edited) 6y
26 likes1 comment
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xicanti
The Austen Playbook | Lucy Parker
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Lucy Parker is as good as everyone says. This fourth London Celebrities book (which totally stands alone; I haven‘t read the others yet) comes equipped with two excellent protagonists who have tons of chemistry, craploads of theatrical shenanigans, familial stressors of the frivolous parent/responsible child AND beloved-siblings-in-semi-conflict varieties, and an enticing historical conundrum that‘s deeply personal to the characters. ⬇️

xicanti Parker keeps all these balls in the air with nary a wobble. It‘s romantic and stressful and affecting and FUNNY, especially when we‘re in Freddy‘s head. I had an absolute blast with it and I think you will, too 6y
suzisteffen Oh yes I want to read this one! 6y
xicanti @suzisteffen I snickered and nodded my way through it. What a fun book. 6y
suzisteffen @xicanti this is specifically why I still have a tab open to Maya Rodale‘s NPR recs for April! 6y
49 likes3 stack adds4 comments
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CoffeeK8
The Austen Playbook | Lucy Parker
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More vacation reading!

64 likes2 stack adds
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CoffeeK8
The Austen Playbook | Lucy Parker
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I love when my pre-orders just magically show up in my kindle #romantsy

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writerlibrarian
The Austen Playbook | Lucy Parker
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Game 6. Toronto can take the series this afternoon.Go 🍁
#readingwatchinghockey

writerlibrarian Here se go. Puck drop. Mo from the blue line 🚨🐻 ties in PP. 🐻 another PP 🚨 2-1. Back to Boston we go. (edited) 6y
Annl I could not watch game 7 after Boston scored! 6y
writerlibrarian @Annl it was a train wreck all the way through. I listened thru the app stopped watching after the second Boston goal. Right now only one of my favourite teams made it through... Dallas 6y
30 likes3 comments
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writerlibrarian
The Austen Playbook | Lucy Parker
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Game 5. 🍁 in Boston. Do or die kinda. They need to win tonight.
#readingandwatchinghockey

writerlibrarian The opening went 300... “Come back with your shield or on it.” https://youtu.be/m-wKe0DNdhI (edited) 6y
Melissa_J I can‘t watch it. Too anxious about the outcome 😬 6y
writerlibrarian @Melissa_J Playoff hockey. Anxiety driven sport. I kinda love it. Can't lie. 6y
See All 12 Comments
Melissa_J I hate it! I get too emotionally invested. I was seriously bummed out on Thurs after they lost Wed night. 6y
writerlibrarian @Melissa_J I'm still not over it i've stayed off the Pens sites, app and news. 😢 6y
JacqMac I have a bad feeling about the Flames tonight. I don‘t think I can watch. 6y
writerlibrarian @JacqMac That was me earlier this week for the Pens' game. 6y
writerlibrarian OMG 🍁🚨!!!!!!! 34 makes it 1-0 at 11:33 in the third. Boston pushes... and Kappy makes it 2-0 🍁 Boston makes it 2-1 with 42s to go. 🍁win Nd come back to TO with their 🛡 (edited) 6y
Annl I am worried about the flames also! 6y
writerlibrarian @Melissa_J They won!!!!! 6y
Melissa_J Thank goodness. I decided to watch the game, although I played games on my phone to distract me from getting too invested in it if things went badly LOL 6y
CarolynM Yay Leafs! 6y
34 likes12 comments
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xicanti
The Austen Playbook | Lucy Parker
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#friyayintro time!

1. ⬆️

2. IKEA breakfast tomorrow, baby! I‘m also gonna read a bunch and visit with my family.

3. Love ‘em, especially chopped up on salad.

4. Writing novels is What I Do, friends. My current WIP‘s protagonists are named Xepher and Ardu, and I‘m almost ready to give their story a wee rest so I can revise Sim, Bear, and Selena‘s book.

5. On it.

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writerlibrarian
The Austen Playbook | Lucy Parker
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First day off of my spring break. Will do nothing but read and veg in my PJ. #perfectday

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xicanti
The Austen Playbook | Lucy Parker
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I‘m engaged in some v. important outdoor reading: a critical essay collection, more Squirrel Girl, and the latest (/forthcoming) book in Lucy Parker‘s London Celebrities series. The opening was so good that I‘m pretty sure I‘ll need to buy the other three.

xicanti @writerlibrarian I‘ve looked at it, but I‘m waffling because I don‘t have any Amazon credit and I don‘t want a $2 credit card bill to worry about. I hate it when publishers make deals Kindle-only. 😔 6y
writerlibrarian @xicanti i totally understand. 6y
39 likes3 comments
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writerlibrarian
The Austen Playbook | Lucy Parker
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Game 4. 🍁 can push Boston into the cables. Lucy Parker's new novel in her London series so far is funny, sweet and fluffy. Just what I need to get over my team being out. #readingandwatchinghockey

writerlibrarian Boston jumped ahead early 2-0 but 🍁 make it 2-1 with 2m left in the first period. Hyman 🚨 6y
27 likes1 comment
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writerlibrarian
The Austen Playbook | Lucy Parker
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Game 4. 🐧 could be 🧹. I'm starting on my netgalley Lucy Parker.
#readingandwatchinghockey

writerlibrarian 35s in. 59 🚨 🍎 for 87 1-0 🐧. History repeats Isles reply on a mistake of 🐧. 1 all. Isles are ahead 2-1. 🐧 are out. So is Tampa. 🐧 season's is over. (edited) 6y
CarolynM 😢 Here's to better luck next year. In the meantime I'll be cheering for the Leafs. 6y
33 likes2 comments
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xicanti
The Austen Playbook | Lucy Parker
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For a moment, I thought NetGalley somehow got word of my epic Squirrel Girl reread and adjusted my menu accordingly. Then I remembered it‘s April Fool‘s Day, and I realized they transformed the whole site into a nut-fest.

readordierachel 😆😆 6y
41 likes1 comment
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howjessicareads
The Austen Playbook | Lucy Parker
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I read 20 books in February! So many that I got behind on reviewing... stay tuned for reviews in a min.

But for a general idea — Top row are my favorite 5, bottom row my least favorite, and the rest are my “in betweeners”.

And before I forget to tell you... I‘m giving away the tagged book on IG. (@howjessreads there too). Giveaway ends today.

#howjessreadsin2019

StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego Fantastic! 📖💖 6y
tammysue That‘s awesome! 😁👍🏻 6y
84 likes2 comments
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howjessicareads
The Austen Playbook | Lucy Parker
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I loved this one! So much, that I‘m going to give away a copy. Enter to win here: https://www.instagram.com/p/BuPNDmOn9LQ #giveaway #howjessreadsin2019

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xicanti
The Austen Playbook | Lucy Parker
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I feel like everybody and their dog is into Lucy Parker's London Celebrities books right now, so I leaped at the chance to try THE AUSTEN PLAYBOOK. Casey and I will read it and report back (ie, I'll read it while Casey either naps or destroys one of his toys in my general vicinity).

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MarriedtoMrT
The Austen Playbook | Lucy Parker
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Happy Valentine‘s Day to me! ❤️