[Review] Get Thee Off My Lawn by Daria Vernon

Publisher's synopsis: APRIL NIGHTINGALE wants the best for her swans, Gerald and Daphne, which is why she won’t rest until they mate for life. It would have happened by now if not for Gerald’s absurd penchant for the neighbor’s pond. But when April trespasses on the Derring lawns to reclaim her fowl, a fouler surprise awaits… As does a tall, handsome neighbor who can’t hold back his laughter at her folly.

LEOPOLD DERRING was not expecting this today: a swan thief in his pond. Trespassers are not much tolerated, but this one’s story is too amusing not to hear. And her gap-toothed, mischievous grin? Too enticing. But being her rescuer for a day was never going to be enough, and her swan—Gerald, was it?—might be the very thing to lure her back.

GERALD THE SWAN does as he pleases and paddling on the Derring pond pleases him very much. Unfortunately for him, the twits who “own” his ponds are incapable of declaring their affection via any means but swan theft and are in need of a graceful pawn. 

My thoughts: I honestly had no idea what to make of this novella going into it. A regency romance featuring swans? It's safe to say I'd never read anything with a plot like that, so naturally I had to download it immediately. 

This was such a fun, enjoyable rom com. Given its length, Vernon didn't have the space to bog the plot down with will they/won't they, or give April and Leo a million reasons why they shouldn't. So they did. 

After Gerald forcibly introduces the two strangers/neighbors, it's all sparks and steam from there. But April and Leo's romance isn't without its fair share of drama. Both main characters quickly realize it's hard to make a swan do your bidding. It's also hard to ignore the enormous secret that April has kept from Leo. 

I thought Vernon included the perfect balance of steam and conflict. The steamy scenes grab the reader, but the conflict isn't heavy enough to drag the plot down or make you want to skip to the good stuff (which is, obviously, all the Gerald scenes). 

Overall, this was great writing and storytelling from Vernon in a novella that isn't meant to be taken too seriously. The tone was light throughout while still keeping many tradition regency romance elements. This was a fun read, and definitely a memorable historical romance. 

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Release date: 12/28/22
Format: ebook

ebook obtained via: Kindle Unlimited