Seeking Mansfield by Kate Watson || REVIEW

This book is apparently a Mansfield Park retelling. I haven't read that so I can't comment but even so I really enjoyed this book. I requested this book on netgalley because of the synopsis. I thought it sounded like a cute contemporary, but I didn't have high hopes for it having not heard anything about it before. However, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book.

Author: Kate Watson ⬥ Series: Standalone ⬥ Published on: 16th May 2017 ⬥ Genres: Young adult, romance ⬥ Format: ARC, E-book ⬥ Source: Netgalley

Amazon | Goodreads

──────────────────────

Synopsis

Sixteen-year-old Finley Price has perfected two things: how to direct a world-class production, and how to fly way, way under the radar. The only person who ever seems to notice Finley is her best friend and godparents' son, Oliver Bertram. Since Finley moved in with her godparents after the death of her father, she and Oliver have grown close. If Finley could just take Oliver's constant encouragement to heart and step out of the shadows, she'd finally chase her dream of joining the prestigious Mansfield Theater. But when teen movie stars Emma and Harlan Crawford move across the street from the Bertram's, they shake up Finley and Oliver's stable friendship. As Emma and Oliver grow closer, Finley realizes that Harlan's attention is shifting to her. She discovers she might have feelings for him too. Or, is she only interested in Harlan because Oliver is taken? Finley doesn't want to be won, and she doesn't want to see Oliver with anyone else. To claim Oliver's heart--and keep her own--she'll have to find the courage to do what she fears most: step into the spotlight. 

──────────────────────

My Rating

──────────────────────

My Review

Even though I requested this book from NetGalley because of the synopsis, I had never heard of this author before and didn't really have high expectations for it. The plot sounded interesting to me and like it would be a cute contemporary that I could get through fast. Well I was right about that. I read this book in ONE day! 

The first 40 pages or so were a bit slow for my liking but after that I flew through this book. I'm not sure what about it made me read it so quickly. It could be because this is just a really fun, easy book. It's a fluffy contemporary, which sometimes can be bad, but in this case that was exactly what I was looking for so it was perfect! The first few chapters were actually quite information dumpy. All the characters were introduced in basically one chapter and I was confused, I couldn't keep up with who was talking. I would of preferred if they were introduced more gradually.

As I said, this is a fluffy read, there's not much 'plot' if that makes sense. You know whats going to happen basically from the start of the book, and I was fine with that. I think with books like this you expect that from them. I really enjoyed the writing style of Kate Watson, and this is her debut novel, amazing right? 

I was surprised to find myself caring somewhat about what happened to the characters. I did get really annoyed with the romance though, there was kind of a love triangle thing going on it was just boring. I also didn't like either of the love interests, one I thought the main character should of sacked off from the start and the other I preferred as a friend...but this isn't anything new for me. 99% of the time I don't like the love interests in books.

Overall I gave this book 3.5 stars on Goodreads. I did enjoy this book and the writing style but I didn't feel like anything much happened, if the book had been any longer I probably would of got bored. I also didn't like the romance which is kind of what the whole book centred around. I think you'd enjoy this if you're looking for a quick cutesy read.

Have you read this book? Do you plan to? Let me know in the comments!