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4 out of 4 stars
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Reason and Romance is a contemporary romance about an author who takes himself too seriously.
A mystery thriller novelist, George Austen is all about logic. He owes his success to his methodical thinking, void of any emotional turmoil L-O-V-E would bring. His stories—like his life—are driven by which course of action would produce the best results. He sneers at romance authors, opining that the genre is subpar; romance holds no candle over reason, both in books and in life. But after a disastrous first-time-meet with best-selling author, Margaret Clarke, George accepts a foolhardy dare that shocks everyone: His next novel will be a romance. How can he write about experiences he's never had? By doing lots of research, of course—therein lies the rub.
Off the bat, I enjoyed everything, so picking one favorite aspect is futile. Terrance Layhew wrote a humorous and soapy romance with rationale—something his protagonist would approve of. Watching George search for a muse among his dates was priceless; I was in disbelief at his naivete in the dating scene. Layhew pierced George’s perfect bubble—his life will never be the same. The build-up and unraveling of the main character’s reality are one of the best traits in this book.
In addition, the narrative has some DNA from Pride and Prejudice, giving it a familiar yet absorbing tone. For instance, George Austen embodied Mr. Darcy’s rigidity, and Samatha reflected Jane Bennet's sweetness. Despite these similarities, Reason and Romance stands on its own plane.
The character development deserves acclaim. Layhew wears a hat for each person who takes center stage. The characters are unique and elicit a variety of emotions, such as disdain, admiration, and pity. Their interactions fall in place with a Myers-Briggs personality. Of course, none got under my skin as much as George. I could see why Margaret was frustrated with him.
Another admirable point is the references to the writing process, such as writer's block and meeting deadlines; also, there were morsels of advice that some readers might like. In a comical twist, Layhew stereotyped different kinds of writers. For instance, Paulo Castillo is an indecisive writer who constantly talks about his unfinished book. I liked chirpy Paulo and was glad for his existence—he was an oddity whenever he showed up.
Overall, I disliked nothing and found no negative aspects. Everything was refreshing and casual; the slow-burn romance heightens at the right moment. In the end, I rate Reason and Romance 4 out of 4 stars. The editing is professional since I barely noticed any errors.
I recommend this book to those with a penchant for contemporary urban fiction. Also, those who enjoy classics from Jane Austen should read this one. Except for a couple of minor profanities, the language is clean. Because of the heavy subplot, I don't recommend it to those who have no interest in the writing process.
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Reason and Romance
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oh my God I'm so excited to read this. first of all, I ADORE contemporary fiction with a tinge of Jane Austen's tone. like the bookshop on the corner by Jenny Colgan that, I read and enjoyed a couple of years ago and somehow it also reminded pride and prejudice. plus having plots about writing is a match made in heaven for me. the important point is that I don't limit myself to famous and thought-provoking books like 1984 or a lot other good ones like that, I believe sometimes the message of life can come to me by reading a simple romance for pleasure.
