I loved this modern Pride and Prejudice retelling. It features Elizabeth (“Lizzie) Bennett, whose family owns a bakery in East Hampton, New York on the far eastern portion of Long Island, famous of its fancy summer homes and rich New York City summer people. But the Bennetts are “just” locals and not rich at all. There are five sisters, just as in the original, and Mrs. Bennett is a riot. Mr. Bennett is just a sweetie. 

 

Charlie Pierce has rented a monstrosity locally known as Marv’s Lament (because the town’s mayor hadn’t been able to halt its construction), with his two sisters. He shows up at the Bennett bakery with his friend and coworker Will Darcy. And things get going from there. Charlie falls for Jane and they bond over their love of Doctor Who, after he sees her Tardis earrings. Fun! 

 

I loved that Lizzie was a surfer and that she was an aspiring journalist who put graduate school on hold to help at the family bakery after her dad had a stroke (he has mostly recovered). I also loved Charlie’s reaction to the helicopter ride from “the city” to the Hamptons. I think I would have felt the same way! 

 

The story is told from both Lizzie’s and Will’s point of view, although all of it is written in the third person. Warning: There are a couple of explicit scenes. 

 

I loved the first book in the series, Emma of 83rd Street, and I enjoyed this one just as much. If you haven’t read Emma of 83rd Street, reading this first will not be an issue. But I was delighted when Emma and George showed up at one point in the story. I’m hoping there will also be a Persuasion retelling in the future, as Fred Wentworth also has a small part in the story. 

 

Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.