3.5

This book was not at all what I expected, and an excellent homage to Northanger Abbey, Jane Eyre, Pride and Prejudice, and so many others by the Bronte's and Austen.

I enjoyed following our characters through twists and turns, guessing which homage would be the one that was used in each scenario. The characters were at times hard to like and at other times the most likable ones I've read.

This book evokes the feelings I get reading early Austen novels and Jane Eyre, which is precisely what C.A. Castle seemed to be going for. Crushed it. This book was great and I'd recommend it, though I don't know that I'd re-read it.

surprisingly nice and quick read. it took some time to get into, but from the third chapter onwards i really started enjoying it. the book manages to combine the romantic vibes from classics with more contemporary discussions of gender and class differences, which was refreshing. the only thing that kind of disappointed me was the very odd pacing at the end. thanks to netgalley for the arc.

Bronte Ellis is an orphan and has spent his young life in an all boys boarding school.
The rigid social norms of the school stifle who Bronte really is and he feels unable to express his true identity.
His escape is period novels and films which influence much of his thought and actions.
After his time at the school finishes, he stays on as a tutor but an advert for a live-in tutor at Greenwood Manor offers him a chance to escape.
He is greeted by Mr. Edwards, his employer, and introduced to his daughter, Ada.
The house is an elegant country house, everything Bronte has dreamed of and he is warmly welcomed by the family.
However, he soon realises that all is not as it seems at the manor and, with his growing attraction to the son of the house, Darcy, things are about to change for Bronte.
# Pigeonhole

Despite the disparagement toward Austen in favor of the Brontës within its pages, kind of a modern(ish) retooling of Northanger Abbey. Very poetic, if largely predictable.

I need to keep reminding myself that life is too short to finish boring books.

I liked this just fine. If you are looking for a queerification of Austen themes, this might be for you.

The Manor House Governess by C. A. Castle
#NETGALLEY published 11/7/23
#alcovepress
#lbgtqiap+ #romance


The story starts with a queer non-binary boy (pronouns are he/him) who had grown up in a bordering school for orphans in present day in a small town outside London. After he has aged out of the program and tried to apply to uni, Cambridge in particular, he has been turned down. Since his favorite book of all time is Jane Eyre he decides to apply to be a governess. He gets the job. The dad and the child he is teaching are very open to the way he lives his life. And then like the other boys in school, the prodigal brother seems to have an issue. Or does he?

We are able to get into all of our MCs character's head's through an omniscient author. Some interesting "mysteries" are revealed. This is not a thriller or a mystery, per say. But there are several things unveiled through the book. I think it is very well done. The expectations that certain people seem to live with makes it more difficult for these people to live their lives genuinely/honestly.

#generalfiction
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