Welcome to the October 12th review stop on the blog tour for Georgian Romance Revolt by Lucinda Elliot, organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Be sure to follow the rest of the tour for more features, other reviews, and a giveaway! (More on that at the end of this post.)
Please note that while I was given a complimentary copy of Georgian Romance Revolt by the author via Goddess Fish Promotions in exchange for an honest review, this has not influenced my opinion and review at all. My words are my own and my review is honest! Thank you to Lucinda Elliot and Goddess Fish Promotions for the opportunity.
Please note that this post contains affiliate links, which means there is no additional cost to you if you shop using my links, but I will earn a small percentage in commission. A program-specific disclaimer is at the bottom of this post.
Georgian Romance Revolt
by Lucinda Elliot
Published 17 September 2020
by author
Genre: Humour, Satire
Page Count: 244
Add it to your Goodreads TBR!
Elaine Long is trapped in the body of the heroine in a warped cyber version of an historical romance.
Something is wrong, with the characters talking and acting outside the script.
Her coachman is exactly like one of the author’s Golden and Reckless hero types.
Worse, the disgraced earl turned highwayman anti-hero – by contrast one of the author’s Dark, Mean and Moody hero types – steals the heroine’s betrothal ring. This just happens to be Elaine’s escape device.
Elaine, once eager to escape from everyday life and being taken for granted by her part-time boyfriend into one of her favourite author’s stories, isn’t even confident that this version can guarantee a happy ending.
At least she has three hero types, all vying for her favours…
What has caused all this? Could it be Charlotte Cray, the ‘Grande Dame of Georgian Romance’ herself?
For readers who enjoy a spoof of the tropes of historical romance and those who enjoy adventures in alternative dimensions, Georgian Romance Revolt is another darkly comic piece by Lucinda Elliot, four times winner of the BRAG medallion for outstanding self-published fiction.
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My Rating: 4 Stars
Georgian Romance Revolt is the story of a simulated reality experience gone wrong. Much like the holonovels played on the holodeck of Star Trek ships and space stations, this technology transports the “reader” into the story’s world and inserts them into the body of the main character. In this case, Elaine has chosen a “bodice ripper” romance novel and is playing the role of Aurelia Ashton. The problem? None of the program’s three fail-safes are working, she can’t get out when she wants to, and the other characters are going off-script.
This novel is categorized as satire and humour, but I’m tempted to also call it a science fiction of the “space opera” variety (a character-driven sci-fi.) Although I was immediately drawn in and invested as soon as Elaine experiences the first little hiccups in her experience, the novel became all the more interesting when it branched off into other POVs. Elaine’s friends in the real world are trying to figure out why the program is malfunctioning. Some of the characters Elaine/Aurelia interacts with have become aware enough to have their own POV segments. We also spend time here and there with the author of the romance novel being simulated. The friends trying to remedy Elaine’s technical difficulties scratches that sci-fi itch for me. The other character POVs make me more invested in the simulated world. The cynical author’s POV reminds me that this is satire and how much I love reading satire.
The reason I’m not giving this book a full five out of five stars is that there’s still a little too much genuine bodice-ripping romance left, and as that is absolutely not my genre, the segments where the simulation runs as intended are either just not gripping or were otherwise annoying to me. When Aurelia’s programming takes over and changes her mind about the situation as if she has the grudge-holding capacity of a goldfish, although I recognize this is a satirical comment on the simulation’s genre, all I’m left thinking is that this latest hurdle Aurelia’s dealing with didn’t have to take so long to conquer. (No, you really don’t have to watch the duel. Run while they’re distracted! What? We’re going to save robbers now? Seriously? etc.) Perhaps a reader who normally enjoys that flavour of romance (or romance novels in general), or otherwise reads a lot more satire on a regular basis, would enjoy that element more.
Overall this was a refreshing, amusing, and unique read. If you love romance as a genre, you’ll love this fun spin on it. If you hate romance as a genre, you’ll love to hate the simulation and fill your schadenfreude quota as the real, living characters in this book deal with it.
Amazon US | Amazon CA | Amazon UK
Lucinda Elliot, four times winner of the BRAG medallion for outstanding self published fiction, was born in Amersham, Buckinghamshire. When she was growing up, her family lived in various large, isolated old houses in various parts of the UK as they used to renovate such places in the days before it became fashionable. She lived for many years in London and now lives in Mid Wales with her family. She loves a laugh above anything.
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One lucky follower of the tour will receive a $10 gift card for Amazon or Barnes & Noble, your choice! Be sure to visit the other tour stops for more chances to enter.
September 28: Readers Roost
October 5: Unabridged Andra’s
October 12: Westveil Publishing
October 12: Kit ‘N Kabookle
October 19: Seven Troublesome Sisters
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Thanks for hosting!
You’re welcome!
Haven’t heard of this book, but I’m interested 🙂
Great review!
I appreciate getting to read about your book. With sisters and daughters who love to read, this helps so thank you.