Bestselling author Staci Hart is back with a brand new romantic comedy and clever spin on Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Meet the Bennet brothers, get to know Longbourne, and fall in love in this steamy opposites attract romcom.They say there’s no such thing as perfect.But I’ve built my life to perfection—the perfect boyfriend, the perfect apartment, the perfect career planning celebrity … perfect career planning celebrity weddings. My job—my only job—is to make sure every event is absolutely and completely perfect.
What’s not perfect? Kash Bennet.
And I wish I didn’t find that so appealing.
I could have told you every perfectly imperfect thing about the gardener at Longbourne. Like his hair, lush and black and far too long. Or his nose, the flat bridge of a Greek god, bent a little like it’s been broken. Or his size. Beastly. Roped and corded with muscles, gleaming with sweat and peppered with dirt. There’s no escaping him, not if I’m going to use his family’s flower shop for my events.
But nothing is what it seems. And in the span of a heartbeat, my perfect life is turned inside out. They say the best way to get over somebody is to get under somebody new. When Kash offers his services to the cause, it sounds like the perfect plan.
What’s not part of the plan? Falling in love with the gardener.
But they were right—there’s no such thing as perfect.
And I’m the fool who finds out the hard way.
more
I love Staci’s brilliant mind and the way she has transformed Jane Eyre’s timeless classics into beautiful modern day romances!
You still have the timeless love and fated match up but it’s done in a unique and beautiful way! The Bennett family has become one of my favorites and I love how each story is intertwined and connected to the fate of the family business! Each story shows us how beautiful and loving this family truly is and I can’t wait to see what happens with each new novel!
Kash’s story is one full of hilarious witty moments and so mush steam I had to fan myself while reading! The pull between him and Lila was mesmerizing and had me hooked from the first accusation thrown! The way Kash calmly handles her and how his adoration grows just had me wanting a Kash of my own! His cool calm demeanor made his so much more than a pretty face! And Lilas strong personality had me falling for her and her amazing resilience! An absolutely amazing story!
I absolutely loved this modern retelling of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, book #2 in the Bennet Brothers series. Kash Bennet is the epitome of laid-back. Nothing seems to ruffle his feathers, he is always calm and relaxed, even where his heart is concerned. He’s a gardener for his family’s florist shop and he knows not to fall in love because who wants to end up with the gardener? Lila Parker is a wedding planner at the most sought after, prestigious firm in Manhattan and she is the exact opposite of Kash…uptight, hard, cold and sometimes downright bitchy. But, Kash can see the true Lila under the “mask” she wears and after beginning to work more closely together, he makes her an offer she can’t refuse. This story has wonderful, well developed characters and I loved watching their relationship unfold. I laughed out loud, I cried and I seriously wanted to reach into my Kindle and throat punch Kash several times(Ugh, hardheaded men)! This is a beautiful book and series and I can’t recommend them enough!
I loved this take on the Jane Austen novel, Pride and Prejudice. This is the second book of the Bennet Brother’s Series, and even though Luke was such a charmer, Kash has replaced him as my favorite Bennet brother.
The parallels between this book and Pride and Prejudice are spot on, and these characters are so fleshed out and real. The Bennet siblings interactions are humorous and lively, and Mrs Bennet just had me in stitches.
I had to set this book aside at one point because it hit a little too close to one of my life experiences. But that’s just a testament to Staci’s spot on fantastic writing, making you live through the characters, evoking real feelings and emotions.
I can’t wait to see where Staci takes Marcus in his book. And I already love the title!
For me Gilded Lily has been one of my most anticipated books of the year, and Staci Hart certainly did not disappoint.
As a big fan of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice I could not wait to get my hands on this book two in her retelling of the classic about the Bennett brothers.
The characters are beautifully written. You have a very clear idea of who they are and why. The story has laugh out loud moments and “where are the bloody tissues” moments. In every way so worth the wait.
“Love doesn’t wonder. It doesn’t question. It trusts with it’s whole self, as I should have.”
As with any Staci Hart book I’ve read, it’s straight to the reread pile.
Gilded Lily by Staci Hart is the second book in the Bennet Brothers series and let me tell you if you love the first book you will love this one so much more. This is the story of Kash and Lila, who we meet in the first book, and they couldnt be more different from each other but at the same time they make a great and cute couple.
The story starts with Lila breaking up with her boyfriend and not having idea what she can do about her love live, so her sister suggested her to look for a rebound guy, and she finds the perfect one in Kash, and what it is better? that he offers for the job! So they start a really interesting relationship that as we can expect evolve in something more but the big question is, will they do something about those feelings? or just enjoying what they have? If you want to know what happen with these two great characters you need to read this book as soon as you can!
Gilded Lily is the perfect romcom that if you have read another Staci’s book you know her style and you will love this one as much as the others. And this Bennet brothers are getting better and better and let me tell you I’m soo excited for the next one because at the end we know who brother is the next!!!
Congratulations Staci for another amazing story!!
I absolutely love this series so far. The family dynamic is beautiful and the family owned flower shop is just perfect. I love how Lila came in like a wrecking ball and turned Kash’s life upside down. He was instantly enamored. And I love how he is capable of seeing past her tough exterior to the sweetness inside. This couple stole my heart and I can’t wait for more from the Bennett brothers.
Eek! Just eek! This author! THIS BOOK! Gilded Lily is 100% going on my favorite books of the year list! Staci Hart has once again artfully written a love story so frank and so unfeigned that it makes you fall in love with reading all over again. My happy place is inside a Staci Hart novel and Gilded Lily represents that to the fullest.
Kash and Lila (and the whole lot of wonderful characters!) are effortless in their ability to draw you in to their lives and the evolution of their relationship. If there were ever two characters that you root for, it’s them. They both know what they want and they are admirably confident with most situations in life. But as love does, it mucks things up a bit and those pesky insecurities, largely caused by exes, can’t help but creep in. The sincerity of Kash and Lila’s interactions gets me right in the gut. Their lines of inner dialogue are sometimes fun, sometimes sexy, sometimes sad, and always wholehearted.
What else can I say except 5 plus stars for this witty, sweet, lovely book!
Like all of Staci Hart’s creations, Gilded Lily is beautiful inside and out. A carefully crafted thing designed to make you feel good. I absolutely loved the opposites attract dynamic between Kash and Lila and CANNOT WAIT for Marcus’s book. Five star(gazer lillie)s for this sweet, Austen-inspired rom-com!
Kash and Lila captivated my heart on their journey. Kash almost tries to be in the shadows, blending in, not making a fuss as he works the dirt in the greenhouse growing the flowers for the family shop. Lila has a steely focus on the vision for her life and is working full-tilt to make it happen as a wedding planner. When she ends up planning a wedding for a reality show TV celebrity, she really doesn’t understand what she is in for as the family incorporates their show into the wedding. When she walks in on her boyfriend having sex with one of the stars, Natasha, well, her world takes a huge flip. What is most impressive is Lila’s ability to compartmentalize and never seem flustered. This becomes the challenge for Natasha. Needing a release, Kash offers his services as a sex buddy, he doesn’t see himself as relationship material. The beauty of this story is how Kash finds someone who knows his true worth and Lila meets someone who helps her find her true path. Now, the chaos for them getting there, well, was a joy to read.
NO SPOILERS!
Gilded Lily was a sweet, sexy, funny, and entertaining standalone romantic comedy in the Bennet Brothers series, and has been my FAVORITE novel from Staci Hart to date!
I really enjoyed the storyline. The plot took me slightly by surprise (probably because it had been a while since I read the synopsis for Gilded Lily), and though there were a few parts I didn’t like, I really enjoyed it overall.
The characters were the best part, and I loved them dearly. Kash Bennet and Lila Parker were absolutely delightful and I loved them so much. They were perfect for each other, even if they didn’t believe it at first themselves, and I loved their personalities, not to mention their undeniable chemistry. Kash and Lila have quickly become my favorite hero and heroine in the Bennet Brothers series so far, and I absolutely loved their story and was ecstatic with the conclusion. Staci has effortlessly made me fall head over heels in love with the entire Bennet brood. All of them have stolen my heart, and I am so excited to read more stories in the Bennet Brothers series.
Gilded Lily has been my favorite romance from Staci Hart so far, and it made me laugh, smile, and swoon galore from beginning to end. Kash and Lila’s story is simply a MUST READ romantic comedy, and I would highly recommend it!
I love anything Jane Austen and/or Staci Hart. Staci’s Bennet Brothers series continues with yet another laugh out loud rom-com. Seriously..within the first few pages I was already snorting with laughter. Can’t wait to read the rest of the series (and any other book that Staci writes).
Rate: 4,5 / 5 stars
Did you love Coming Up Roses? Then you’ll probably love Gilded Lily even more.
These Bennett Brothers are sure turning out to be pretty awesome. Kash is definitely my new favorite. He’s so sweet and just adorkable. I loved how he wanted Lily even when she was a mean b**ch to him. He wanted to unravel her and he got his wish and so much more.
I love how these two were always so much more than friends with benefits. Kash was there for LIly in every aspect of her life, he was her defendor, protector and her lover. And watching these two fall in love was amazing. Lily’s life was full of drama and mean girls who wanted to ruin her and she showed just how strong, bada** and stoic she was. I love how she never showed how everything was affecting her and never let those girls win. She made me proud and I’m so glad her client’s sister never got what she wanted.
In the midst o it all, with the help of Kash, Lily realised her worth and that she didn’t have to endure everything she did just because that had always been her dream job… dreams change. Even after everything, after all she was put through, she showed how great a person she was when she gave a second chance to someone who had always been out to get here.
Yup guys, it’s definitely true. I do love these two more than Luke and Tess (runs and hides). I loved seeing them again and how happy and in love they are. And the whole family too, they are a beautiful family who loves each other fiercily and is willing to do anything for each other. I’m scared about the future of the Longbourne flower shop after the bomb that was dropped at the end of this book but I’m sure Marcus will find a solution to their problem and oh boy his book already sounds so good. Oof, I can’t wait!
Good GRAVY, I love the Bennets and their crazy, loud, loving family. The group of them moving home to save the family business makes my heart happy. So very, very happy.
You know what else makes me happy? Kash and Lila. Kash is the easy-going Bennet who goes with the flow more often than not. Lila is the perfectionist whirlwind who seems like the last person laid-back Kash would fall for. But he does. And she does. And it is GLORIOUS.
But they do have a few speed bumps on their road to happily ever after. For one, Kash has convinced himself he’s not interested in anything permanent. Or long term. Or serious. He sees himself as the good time guy. The rebound. The guy who can take someone’s mind off their problems, but who isn’t good for much more than that. And Lila…well, this lady thinks she has everything planned out. She has the job, the guy, and the life she wants. Except her job is grinding away at her, her guy is a jerk, and her life ends up in shambles.
Yep, these two have a few things they need to work through before they end up in their happy place. No worries, though, they do get there. It just takes a while. A long, sweaty, pleasurable while. GOOD STUFF!
First and foremost, I have to say that I’ve enjoyed the Bennet brothers immensely! These books have been an utter delight. From Coming Up Roses to Gilded Lily, I’ve fallen in love with the talented and fierce, family-oriented brothers. While these are complete standalone books, it won’t hurt to read them all…it’s just not necessary. Pick your poison and enjoy!
Now that that’s off my chest….
Gilded Lily is the epitome of an opposites attract done wonderfully. Kash is the easy going, go with the flow gardener that works at his family’s flower shop, Longbourne in the heart of NY. He is a man that has fallen for the wrong girls simply because he thinks he isn’t good enough. But he loves his family and will do anything for them. He is a man that you can count on to have your back and bring a sense of calm to your life. He just made me feel ooooey gooey inside.
Then we have Lila. She is a woman that is career focused and has had the steps to her life all set in place from a young age. Get good grades, study at the right school, work for the best event planner, and marry a ‘successful’ man. Even if that means you have the worst boss, clients that use you for publicity and you work yourself to the bones. Because that is what Lila thinks will make her happy. Fake it til you make it. Put on a smile and be the “ice queen”. I could sense her softness underneath it all, but it took someone willing to pull it out of her to get me to really feel her.
“Lila Parker was my exact opposite. Where I was unruffled, Lila shook her tail feathers like a peacock. Where I’d rather have a beer together than argue, she seemed to argue as her primary mode of communication. And yet, here I sat, wondering over her, curious as to the fire that had forged her and the person who’d lit it.”
These two had a chemistry that flew off the page. They didn’t seem like they could work and their game of rebounding was doomed from the start. It had to. Especially with a man like Kash that is always focusing on making those around him happy. That may be his downfall eventually, but for now, he is perfection and the two of them spark into a fire.
“I wished I was the kind of man Lila wouldn’t just f*ck. I wished I was the kind of man she’d keep.”
Besides their disdain, turned to friendship, turned to relationship storyline, we also got a story of family. The Bennets will have me coming back for more and more. The way they love and support one another will always have me pulling for them. Along with Lila’s event planning drama, this story flowed well with so many good side stories going on. It all came together in a cohesive manner and in a believable way. I truly enjoyed this story and can’t wait for more from Staci Hart in this world!
PS….Don’t forget to really pay attention to the chapter headings. Staci is notorious for having the best ones. A bit of funny and a bit of foreshadowing. 4.5 ‘Because, Reasons’ stars!
This is my second read by Staci Hart and let me tell you it won’t be my last. I absolutely loved Gilded Lily. This story and it’s characters are absolutely adorable. Staci’s writing style is effortless and her ability to pull you into the Bennet’s world is amazing. I loved all the laughs, all the tears, and all the swoon worthy moments in this adorable retelling of Pride and Prejudice. I love the switch from Bennet sisters to Bennet brothers and I absolutely love the flower shop Longbourne and how integral it is to the storyline. That flower shop would be my favorite place to be if I were apart of the Bennett world. It seems so peaceful and calming, although a lot of shenanigans seem to happen there! I love how Longbourne brings all the characters together and the general happiness it brings everyone. I need a place like Longbourne in my life.
Okay, let’s start with Lila. I love her character. She had such great character development throughout the story. I feel like she really found herself and what she wanted out of life. She realized all the things she was missing by letting work consume her life. Your job should not consume your life and it was definitely consuming Lila’s. I like how calm, cool, and collected Lila was under tremendous stress and pressure. She could make decisions quickly and rationally. And she could definitely handle dramatic, horrible, and all around mean people with ease. I honestly couldn’t believe that Brock and Natasha had the audacity to call her cold and unfeeling (those two are the worst!). Just because a woman doesn’t wear her heart on her sleeve and show every emotion doesn’t mean she doesn’t feel. Kash also helped show Lila it’s okay to feel and show it. It’s okay to let people know you are hurt and to stand up for yourself. I love Lila’s character so much. She’s amazing and I can’t wait to see snippets of her and Kash’s life together in the rest of the Bennet stories.
Oh my goodness. Where to even begin with my complete infatuation with Kassius Bennet?! I absolutely adore his character. He is such a sweetheart and all around good guy. I love how calm and collected his character is in pretty much any situation. He’s pretty laid back and would do anything to help out another person. I love how genuinely good and kind his character is. He had a minor mishap towards the end of the story, but he totally redeemed himself. Every woman deserves a Kash. He made me swoon so many times during this book. I’m pretty certain I had to fan myself multiple times after I read some of Kash and Lila’s encounters. Wow. I also completely love his funny t-shirts! And the fact that he wears them not because he’s a huge fan, but because other people seem to enjoy buying them for him and seeing him in them. I can say I truly enjoyed the way his muscles were described and how they filled out said t-shirts. Holy moly! I could read those descriptions every day, all day.
Lila and Kash are fire together! The chemistry between these two is amazing and totally swoon worthy (I could not believe they ever thought a friends-with-benefits situation could ever work for them. They are meant to be!). I had to fan myself throughout this book because it was just that hot between them! Holy moly! These two are my favorite couple of the Bennet brothers so far. I loved Tess and Luke, but there is just something about Lila and Kash that gets me in all the feels. These two are #relationshipgoals! They brought out the best in each other and helped each other see that they deserved to be happy. They learned that happiness can come in the most unlikely places and with the most unlikely people. I would love to read more about these two. They make my heart so happy. I fell in love with their love and I can’t wait to get more snippets of their story from the other Bennet stories!
Overall, I give this story a 5/5! It is so stinking adorable! I love how Longbourne and the secondary characters are such an integral part of the story as well. I can’t wait to read more of the Bennet brothers! Marcus’s story is up next and I think it’s going to be just as amazing as Coming Up Roses and Gilded Lily. I can’t wait for a little bit of Marcus and Maisie love! I think it’s going to be a little bit of an enemies-to-lovers story and it’s going to be fantastic. Ah! I can’t wait!
Staci Hart’s stories are considered romantic comedy, because while there is humor, her books are extremely heartfelt. Gilded Lily is no exception! Book 2 in the Bennet family series, I definitely fell more in love with the Bennets through Kash. Unlikely pairing of low key Kash and very uptight, uptown-wannabe Lila was engaging from the beginning. In any other author’s hands, Lila could be hard to like, but through her connection to Ivy and her insecurities throughout the book, it was easy to love her. We’ve all had to deal with thinking we wanted a certain path in life and waking up to realize that it’s not at all what we thought it would be. We don’t usually have to endure such major life decisions while dealing with a reality TV show of shit-show proportions, but we’ve also all certainly dealt with people who do their best to make our lives miserable.
*sigh* Kash and Lily are just wonderful. Lily is no nonsense and knows what she wants and Kash is so easy going. They just fit together perfectly! I loved these characters, and I love reading more of the Bennet Brothers!
Putting an opposites-attract story together with filming a reality TV show is a recipe for chaos, dysfunction and gossipy backstabbing. I liked how Lily and Kass were able to create a little oasis of peace for each other in the middle of the over-emoting busyness. However unlikely it is to find love in these kinds of circumstances, the author shows it can happen and it last – if we let it. This Austen retelling is chaotically gritty and tooth-grinding, and surprisingly honestly romantic. This was a great sequel to “Coming Up Roses”.
Gilded Lily (Bennet Brothers, #2) by Staci Hart – Lila is an uptight event coordinator planning a wedding for a reality tv star. Kash is quietly helping his parents run their greenhouse and flower shop. Lila needs a rebound boy, and Kash is the king of no-commitment. Should be perfectly simple right? It’s nothing like simple, but it is every bit lovely as the flowers Kash breeds! So very, very sweet! I need the third book now! Happy Reading!!
A book in which two opposites are attracted to each other.