How Miss Rutherford Got Her Groove Back, by Sophie Barnes - Review

Flip-Flopper
I can't make up my mind about the clever takes on movie titles for books.  I kind of love them on Kim Harrison's whole Clint Eastwood riff.  But there are so many now, as a general rule they just seem kind of lazy.  Somehow though, this one really made me smile and caught my attention.  Stylistic contrast, I guess.

I'd heard some buzz, so this title was on my mind a little bit even before I got my goodie box from the Avon Addicts program, and there it was just waiting for me.  So I was looking forward to sampling this new-to-me author.  I believe How Miss Rutherford Got Her Groove Back is Barnes' debut romance.

Austenish
I'm not going to debate whether Pride and Prejudice is the greatest romance of all time.  I can't, really, because I couldn't get through it.  I tried.  I've owned the book for years and years.  I just... can't get through it.

Many comparisons are being drawn around the web between Sophie Barnes and Jane Austen, and I have to agree.  Unfortunately for me, it's just a style that doesn't appeal to me.  On top of that, I found some of the word choices to be jarring for the style and period (makeup instead of paint or rouge, and awkard phrases like "so help him God") and it quickly added up to a book that wasn't working for me.

So at least I'm consistent.  I really wanted to like Miss Rutherford, but it just isn't for me.  On the other hand, if you enjoy Austen's style, you may find it exactly to your taste.

Around the Blogosphere
Fellow Addict Amy Valenti at Unwrapping Romance
Fellow Addict Savannah at Simply Me
Paperback Dolls
Reading Romances
The Season Blog

As always, if you have reviewed this book and would like to be linked, just leave me the URL in comments or by email, and I will edit it in.