fryemomma05's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed reading The Bachelors! It was everything I had hoped for and more! Turning the last page left me wanting more of the story! Wanting to know what would come next for the Bennet sisters!!!
melindamoor's review against another edition
2.0
2 disappointed stars
This book started out so promising: a light and fun romp and quite a fresh take on Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice with the genders swapped and the tables turned. It is the Bennet sisters who roll in cold, hard cash, while brothers Darcy, Bing and Wick have financial difficulties and embarrassing parents.
The characterisation was a bit muddled from the beginning to my liking: the author tried to turn Darcy into a male Elizabeth Bennet while also retaining some of his "usual" character traits and vice versa. The result was a bit messy.
Also our Elizabeth-turned-into-a-female-Darcy was presented to both Darcy and the reader as a total cow, and it was difficult to believe that Darcy-turned-into-a-male-Elizabeth was attracted to her right from the start (or even later).
Still I was willing to give their unconvincing attraction a benefit of the doubt and quite enjoyed it all into 40% of the story.
From there on things took a nosedive. The narrative just turned into an overindulgence in vulgarity. Apparently all secondary characters were thrown in so that Elizabeth and her best buddie, Pemberly (no kidding), Lydia and Collins could cuss each other and everyone else around them to their hearts' content with the most obscene language imaginable. Apparently they all had a difficult childhood, poor rich kids and stuff, so they are entitled to do so -yeah, yeah, just whom are we bullshitting here?
Of course (?) Darcy-Elizabeth didn't bat an eyelid and found all the filth and muck his ladylove threw at him utterly irresistible and hilarious. *SIGH*
I made myself finish the book, but it all left a bad taste in my mouth.
Apart from the obscene language, there are some very heavy innuendos and some more or less explicit sex scenes.
I don't really recommend it to Pride and Prejudice fans or readers who like their JA FanFic nice and clean.
ARC received from the Publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book started out so promising: a light and fun romp and quite a fresh take on Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice with the genders swapped and the tables turned. It is the Bennet sisters who roll in cold, hard cash, while brothers Darcy, Bing and Wick have financial difficulties and embarrassing parents.
The characterisation was a bit muddled from the beginning to my liking: the author tried to turn Darcy into a male Elizabeth Bennet while also retaining some of his "usual" character traits and vice versa. The result was a bit messy.
Also our Elizabeth-turned-into-a-female-Darcy was presented to both Darcy and the reader as a total cow, and it was difficult to believe that Darcy-turned-into-a-male-Elizabeth was attracted to her right from the start (or even later).
Still I was willing to give their unconvincing attraction a benefit of the doubt and quite enjoyed it all into 40% of the story.
From there on things took a nosedive. The narrative just turned into an overindulgence in vulgarity. Apparently all secondary characters were thrown in so that Elizabeth and her best buddie, Pemberly (no kidding), Lydia and
Spoiler
a homosexualSpoiler
setting his sight and other appendix on DarcyOf course (?) Darcy-Elizabeth didn't bat an eyelid and found all the filth and muck his ladylove threw at him utterly irresistible and hilarious. *SIGH*
I made myself finish the book, but it all left a bad taste in my mouth.
Apart from the obscene language, there are some very heavy innuendos and some more or less explicit sex scenes.
I don't really recommend it to Pride and Prejudice fans or readers who like their JA FanFic nice and clean.
ARC received from the Publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
liesljrowe's review against another edition
2.0
So I'm always a sucker for a "Pride and Prejudice" retelling and this one looked so promising, centering all the action around the eligible bachelors as opposed to the Bennet sisters. There were some hilarious elements: I liked the portrayal of Lydia and Wick as equal sparring partners, particularly, and Lydia's performance at the charity gala was particularly hilarious. I also loved how the action was swapped around a bit so was the catalyst for the families getting to know each other. There are some fun nods to the original too, as well as the BBC adaption: YES wet shirt scene!
But as a devoted P&P fan, some of the changes were a bit too jarring. It felt like the author was going for a gender-swap of the original in places, giving many of Darcy's lines to Lizzie and vice versa, which was an interesting choice but then made the blending of the two slightly off-putting. All of the romance just felt a bit fast-paced too, with all three sisters very obviously becoming attached to the brothers in a very short-time span. Still, a fun frivolous read!
Thank you Netgalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review!
Spoiler
Lydia's elopementBut as a devoted P&P fan, some of the changes were a bit too jarring. It felt like the author was going for a gender-swap of the original in places, giving many of Darcy's lines to Lizzie and vice versa, which was an interesting choice but then made the blending of the two slightly off-putting. All of the romance just felt a bit fast-paced too, with all three sisters very obviously becoming attached to the brothers in a very short-time span. Still, a fun frivolous read!
Thank you Netgalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review!
mamabookwyrm's review against another edition
4.0
E.S. Carter has been known to rip my emotions to shreds, so to say I approached her newest novel with a bit of trepidation is an understatement. Mixed in with that trepidation was some excitement, this was based of Pride and Prejudice which is one of my favorite classics. Carter has expertly woven three stories into one novel in a seamless way that kept me engaged the whole way. It was a fun read. There were villains, tenderness, sweetness, and snarky banter.
First, we have the Austen brothers. Wick is impulsive, sneaky, and a bit of a rebel. His goal to save the family’s company is honorable even if he goes about it in an archaic way. Bingham is sweet, kind, and good. He’s been the mediator, the guy in the middle, in his family all his life. Darcy is cocky, arrogant, and 100% alpha. Next, we have the Bennet sisters. Lydia is irresponsible, reckless, and has a chip on her shoulder. She’s an instigator and loves to poke at her oldest sister. Jane is sweet, kind, and a little shy. Stuck in her sisters’ shadows, she outshines them all with her goodness. Eliza is assertive, snarky, and in charge. She’s taken on the leadership role in her family. Each sister ends up paired with a brother in a unique story interwove together. They are well-developed characters—each with their one personalities, flaws, and skills. I just wish we had gotten more of each couple.
There is drama in the story, just no angst. I have to say while I enjoyed the book; it did leave me feeling a little meh. I wish each of the couples had gotten their own book so we could have delved more into their story. It felt unfinished or a little rushed to me. If you’re the type that likes your stories all tied up in a bow, this isn’t a novel for you. It’s not quite a cliffhanger but it barely a happily for now. I’m not sure if Carter plans on giving us more but I for one would love more of each story.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
For more reviews, visit
First, we have the Austen brothers. Wick is impulsive, sneaky, and a bit of a rebel. His goal to save the family’s company is honorable even if he goes about it in an archaic way. Bingham is sweet, kind, and good. He’s been the mediator, the guy in the middle, in his family all his life. Darcy is cocky, arrogant, and 100% alpha. Next, we have the Bennet sisters. Lydia is irresponsible, reckless, and has a chip on her shoulder. She’s an instigator and loves to poke at her oldest sister. Jane is sweet, kind, and a little shy. Stuck in her sisters’ shadows, she outshines them all with her goodness. Eliza is assertive, snarky, and in charge. She’s taken on the leadership role in her family. Each sister ends up paired with a brother in a unique story interwove together. They are well-developed characters—each with their one personalities, flaws, and skills. I just wish we had gotten more of each couple.
There is drama in the story, just no angst. I have to say while I enjoyed the book; it did leave me feeling a little meh. I wish each of the couples had gotten their own book so we could have delved more into their story. It felt unfinished or a little rushed to me. If you’re the type that likes your stories all tied up in a bow, this isn’t a novel for you. It’s not quite a cliffhanger but it barely a happily for now. I’m not sure if Carter plans on giving us more but I for one would love more of each story.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
For more reviews, visit
lindseydomokur's review
4.0
I love all the Pride and Prejudice modernizations and this one was ADORABLE. I love how Eli used all of the characters from the book in a fun new way. The couple that really gave me all the feels was Jane and Bing. So sweet. I loved this twist on an old classic that is a forever favorite!
fryemomma05's review
5.0
I really enjoyed reading The Bachelors! It was everything I had hoped for and more! Turning the last page left me wanting more of the story! Wanting to know what would come next for the Bennet sisters!!!
chocolate3cake's review
4.0
I received this arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Yes, this is a Jane Austen retelling (specifically of Pride and Prejudice). Do you need to read Pride and Prejudice before you read this? I wouldn't say you really have to, but it would definitely add to the reading experience if you did, or have in the past.
I was first drawn to this book because of the title. The Bachelors sounded exactly like the kind of feel-good romance that I need at this stage in my education - when coursework deadlines are coming thick and fast, important exams are looming right around the corner... This was exactly what I needed, and I'm glad I decided to give it a try.
The Bachelors is an Austen retelling, set in the present day. Wick, Bing and Darcy Austen are heirs to a multi-million bookshop business that is quickly going down the drain. So, Wick decides that the best course of action is either marrying one of them off to the ultra-rich heiresses the Bennet sisters or getting their company sold to them.
And, of course, this doesn't go the way anyone planned it. It is a much, much raunchier story than I initially anticipated, so if you're going into this expecting a clean run, you will be sorely disappointed. It's going the way of cringy sex scenes (think "his touch made me heat up with lust" and "all the heat flooded to my core") in this book, as well, which is probably why I didn't enjoy it as much as I would have had done otherwise? That's just my own personal preference for books, though.
I did enjoy many of the other aspects of this story though, I thought the sisters were really well characterised, and changed accordingly to fit their newfound scenario. The "Bachelors" themselves, though, did feel a little clunky at times, especially in the case of Darcy. Their characters weren't as fleshed out, and it really showed.
Apart from that, though, this was a really enjoyable read. A definite, and strong, four stars out of five.
Yes, this is a Jane Austen retelling (specifically of Pride and Prejudice). Do you need to read Pride and Prejudice before you read this? I wouldn't say you really have to, but it would definitely add to the reading experience if you did, or have in the past.
I was first drawn to this book because of the title. The Bachelors sounded exactly like the kind of feel-good romance that I need at this stage in my education - when coursework deadlines are coming thick and fast, important exams are looming right around the corner... This was exactly what I needed, and I'm glad I decided to give it a try.
The Bachelors is an Austen retelling, set in the present day. Wick, Bing and Darcy Austen are heirs to a multi-million bookshop business that is quickly going down the drain. So, Wick decides that the best course of action is either marrying one of them off to the ultra-rich heiresses the Bennet sisters or getting their company sold to them.
And, of course, this doesn't go the way anyone planned it. It is a much, much raunchier story than I initially anticipated, so if you're going into this expecting a clean run, you will be sorely disappointed. It's going the way of cringy sex scenes (think "his touch made me heat up with lust" and "all the heat flooded to my core") in this book, as well, which is probably why I didn't enjoy it as much as I would have had done otherwise? That's just my own personal preference for books, though.
I did enjoy many of the other aspects of this story though, I thought the sisters were really well characterised, and changed accordingly to fit their newfound scenario. The "Bachelors" themselves, though, did feel a little clunky at times, especially in the case of Darcy. Their characters weren't as fleshed out, and it really showed.
Apart from that, though, this was a really enjoyable read. A definite, and strong, four stars out of five.
mithilareads's review
3.0
I have been reading a few modern retellings of classics recently, in the hope that it would make me feel like reading the classics too.
The Bachelors, is a modern retelling of Pride and Prejudice. With some major twists. Darcy, Wick and Bing Austen are three brothers who are heirs to the Austen' Book Stores, a family business that has been alive over the centuries. But that's nothing to be proud of: the company is running into losses, and needs a magical infusion of money to stay afloat. The brothers, or should I say, the youngest brother has the cleverest idea: why don't we get one of the Bennet sisters to marry us? And hence, they decide to invest 15000 pounds and show up at the Bennet Sister's Annual Charity Gala. And that's how they meet Eliza, Jane and Lydia Bennet, the owners of the Bennet Group, a conglomerate who 'could' provide the magical infusion needed by the Austen' brothers.
What happens next? Do they or do they not end up saving the company? Or do they end up with rings on the fingers instead? You'll have to read the book to find out!
While the book is a breezy read, some parts of the book were very predictable. And of course, because the "names" of the characters were loose hints to the actual Pride and Prejudice characters, I felt that the book lost a bit of its charm.
Nevertheless, I feel that fans of Jane Austen may want to give this book a try, if they're looking for a quick read.
The Bachelors, is a modern retelling of Pride and Prejudice. With some major twists. Darcy, Wick and Bing Austen are three brothers who are heirs to the Austen' Book Stores, a family business that has been alive over the centuries. But that's nothing to be proud of: the company is running into losses, and needs a magical infusion of money to stay afloat. The brothers, or should I say, the youngest brother has the cleverest idea: why don't we get one of the Bennet sisters to marry us? And hence, they decide to invest 15000 pounds and show up at the Bennet Sister's Annual Charity Gala. And that's how they meet Eliza, Jane and Lydia Bennet, the owners of the Bennet Group, a conglomerate who 'could' provide the magical infusion needed by the Austen' brothers.
What happens next? Do they or do they not end up saving the company? Or do they end up with rings on the fingers instead? You'll have to read the book to find out!
While the book is a breezy read, some parts of the book were very predictable. And of course, because the "names" of the characters were loose hints to the actual Pride and Prejudice characters, I felt that the book lost a bit of its charm.
Nevertheless, I feel that fans of Jane Austen may want to give this book a try, if they're looking for a quick read.
myownbookshelves's review
5.0
What are your favorite tropes? Marriage for Hire? Enemies to Lovers? Insta-Love? How about your H/h? Need a Billionaire? A pauper in need of saving the family 'farm'? The wallflower that is forever overlooked? Now take your trope, add your characters, mix in some cheeky British humor, and maybe have the author flip all the expectations on their heads and cook it up for a serving of --
The Bachelors!
Yes, it's the story that takes our most favorite tropes and with tongue in cheek spins a delightful contemporary journey for the reader to find your other half. As the saying goes, everybody needs somebody. Each one of the main characters have found their 'perfect' somebody - whether they care to admit it or not. But it goes without saying that secondary characters can make or break a fantastic read. Ms Carter offers up some of the best with family and friends joining the frey of who gets the mark in the win column. Besides the comedic elements, you've got the perfect romance with 'fade to black' that you'll find you can recommend to the most prudish of friends - but still feel that sizzle.
Worried because 3rd person isn't your thing? Eli Carter nails the writing and intertwining of each characters story that keeps you engaged that you don't realize you've reached The End . Concerned with another 'British' book? If you can watch Notting Hill, you'll clutch your eReader to prevent it from slipping with all the giggling that will ensue. And for this reader, it ended on the perfect note. Brilliant and satisfying conclusion --- for now.
This is definitely one to show up on my eReader when I want to just have fun with the story for re-read over and over again. 5+ out of 5 stars and personal favorite.
So, wait...you know I'm a huge Austen fan. Yet, not one peep. How about you read my thoughts on that aspect in my blog - My Own Bookshelves - for release day. In all seriousness, you do not need to nor be a fan of the classic to enjoy this fun and wicked ride.
The Bachelors!
Yes, it's the story that takes our most favorite tropes and with tongue in cheek spins a delightful contemporary journey for the reader to find your other half. As the saying goes, everybody needs somebody. Each one of the main characters have found their 'perfect' somebody - whether they care to admit it or not. But it goes without saying that secondary characters can make or break a fantastic read. Ms Carter offers up some of the best with family and friends joining the frey of who gets the mark in the win column. Besides the comedic elements, you've got the perfect romance with 'fade to black' that you'll find you can recommend to the most prudish of friends - but still feel that sizzle.
Worried because 3rd person isn't your thing? Eli Carter nails the writing and intertwining of each characters story that keeps you engaged that you don't realize you've reached The End . Concerned with another 'British' book? If you can watch Notting Hill, you'll clutch your eReader to prevent it from slipping with all the giggling that will ensue. And for this reader, it ended on the perfect note. Brilliant and satisfying conclusion --- for now.
This is definitely one to show up on my eReader when I want to just have fun with the story for re-read over and over again. 5+ out of 5 stars and personal favorite.
So, wait...you know I'm a huge Austen fan. Yet, not one peep. How about you read my thoughts on that aspect in my blog - My Own Bookshelves - for release day. In all seriousness, you do not need to nor be a fan of the classic to enjoy this fun and wicked ride.