elvenavari's review
If you like the books from the Pride & Prejudiced era, you will most likely like this one. I do not like books from that era. Every now and then I try something that promises a new spin on it but I have yet to find one that I've liked. This one was no different. I'm not rating the book because it's not the book's or author's fault.
lbcecil's review
2.0
Thanks to Wild Romance Books for providing a copy of an e-ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Ooh, this one was quite disappointing!
I loved the premise behind it - a modern, gay retelling of Pride and Prejudice (aka my favourite novel ever) - but the execution was lacking, and a lot of the changes the author made were upsetting.
I'll start with the things I really liked:
- Bennet (our Elizabeth) was a great protagonist. He was a lot like the original Lizzie, in that he's headstrong, prejudiced and very intelligent.
- Darius (our Darcy) was fantastic, very like the original Darcy. He was arrogant, proud, haughty, but he has a wry sense of humour that isn't apparent until Bennet, and the reader, gets to know him better.
- I loved the way the story was loosely based on and followed the original one, with it's own ... unique take on events. But it always went in the same direction, and for the most part, I enjoyed the author's modern takes (Bennet and Darcy bonding over rock climbing) and it was exciting to see beloved quotes remade but still recognisable.
- Jamie (our Jane) was just as sweet and lovely as the original, and Tim (our Mr Bingley) was cute and head over heels for Jamie.
The things I didn't like:
A lot of the plot, to be honest. While I appreciate that every author can make whatever changes they see fit in a retelling and can take the story down a different path, I really didn't like or appreciate the changes Reddaway made here - and that's not because I love Pride and Prejudice. It's because of the character of Giorgi (our Georgiana, Darcy's sister made brother in this novel).
I obviously can't go into much detail because a lot of my issues are considered spoilers but I will state what they are for other readers under the spoiler cut, because one would not typically expect to find these topics in a Romance book, of all genres.
Trigger warnings:
- rape of a 16 year old boy, which was illegally filmed
- mentions of child abuse and child p*rn
- illegally filming adults having sex with the means to sell their video to harm the LGBTQ+ community
- homophobia (like, a lot)
I'll also mention my disappointment with one of the only three female characters of the novel. I know Catherine (Lady Catherine) and Annabel (Lady Anne) are not likeable characters in the original story, but Charlotte - who has always been my favourite - was vilified. At the beginning of the book, she was one of Bennet's best friends, but the decisions she makes in the novel were disappointing and angering - and something I see in so many m/m novels written by women: the female character acting in a way that makes the reader hate her, while we are pushed to love the male characters. Ugh.
I didn't understand the importance or need for Bennet's ex-boyfriend in the book. At all. He served no purpose. None. Unless ... was he supposed to be Mr Collins? Because that's what this book sorely lacked and needed: a Mr Collins.
Anyway, to say I was disappointed by this novel would be an understatement. I can't recommend this novel, not even to diehard P&P fans.
Ooh, this one was quite disappointing!
I loved the premise behind it - a modern, gay retelling of Pride and Prejudice (aka my favourite novel ever) - but the execution was lacking, and a lot of the changes the author made were upsetting.
I'll start with the things I really liked:
- Bennet (our Elizabeth) was a great protagonist. He was a lot like the original Lizzie, in that he's headstrong, prejudiced and very intelligent.
- Darius (our Darcy) was fantastic, very like the original Darcy. He was arrogant, proud, haughty, but he has a wry sense of humour that isn't apparent until Bennet, and the reader, gets to know him better.
- I loved the way the story was loosely based on and followed the original one, with it's own ... unique take on events. But it always went in the same direction, and for the most part, I enjoyed the author's modern takes (Bennet and Darcy bonding over rock climbing) and it was exciting to see beloved quotes remade but still recognisable.
- Jamie (our Jane) was just as sweet and lovely as the original, and Tim (our Mr Bingley) was cute and head over heels for Jamie.
The things I didn't like:
A lot of the plot, to be honest. While I appreciate that every author can make whatever changes they see fit in a retelling and can take the story down a different path, I really didn't like or appreciate the changes Reddaway made here - and that's not because I love Pride and Prejudice. It's because of the character of Giorgi (our Georgiana, Darcy's sister made brother in this novel).
I obviously can't go into much detail because a lot of my issues are considered spoilers but I will state what they are for other readers under the spoiler cut, because one would not typically expect to find these topics in a Romance book, of all genres.
Trigger warnings:
Spoiler
- rape of a 16 year old boy, which was illegally filmed
- mentions of child abuse and child p*rn
- illegally filming adults having sex with the means to sell their video to harm the LGBTQ+ community
- homophobia (like, a lot)
I'll also mention my disappointment with one of the only three female characters of the novel. I know Catherine (Lady Catherine) and Annabel (Lady Anne) are not likeable characters in the original story, but Charlotte - who has always been my favourite - was vilified. At the beginning of the book, she was one of Bennet's best friends, but the decisions she makes in the novel were disappointing and angering - and something I see in so many m/m novels written by women: the female character acting in a way that makes the reader hate her, while we are pushed to love the male characters. Ugh.
I didn't understand the importance or need for Bennet's ex-boyfriend in the book. At all. He served no purpose. None. Unless ... was he supposed to be Mr Collins? Because that's what this book sorely lacked and needed: a Mr Collins.
Anyway, to say I was disappointed by this novel would be an understatement. I can't recommend this novel, not even to diehard P&P fans.
morebookspleaseblog's review
4.0
*3.5
Pride & Prejudice is one of my favorite classics. When I found out there was a male coupling, I immediately grabbed it! I will admit, one half of me grabbed this book because I knew it wouldn’t compare and I wanted to see what the differences were, aside from the obvious differences. The other half of me grabbed this book because it’s based on a classic, and you can’t go wrong with classics. The characters were well executed, and it was clever how the author made the story modern. The pacing was a bit slow for me. It felt like I had to get too far into the book for me to remotely connected to the story. However, once you’re hooked… you’re hooked.
You do feel the same amount of angst in this version as you do in the original, but not the same wit. I can’t speak for others, but I thought the character of Charlotte to be quite despicable. For her to be the best friend, she didn’t have any redeeming qualities. Bennet (Elizabeth), Darius (Mr. Darcy), Jaime (Jane), and Tim (Mr. Bingley) were wonderfully crafted to fit this modern version.
Modernizing a classic is no small feat. I can say, Ms. Megan Reddaway was up to the challenge.
Pride & Prejudice is one of my favorite classics. When I found out there was a male coupling, I immediately grabbed it! I will admit, one half of me grabbed this book because I knew it wouldn’t compare and I wanted to see what the differences were, aside from the obvious differences. The other half of me grabbed this book because it’s based on a classic, and you can’t go wrong with classics. The characters were well executed, and it was clever how the author made the story modern. The pacing was a bit slow for me. It felt like I had to get too far into the book for me to remotely connected to the story. However, once you’re hooked… you’re hooked.
You do feel the same amount of angst in this version as you do in the original, but not the same wit. I can’t speak for others, but I thought the character of Charlotte to be quite despicable. For her to be the best friend, she didn’t have any redeeming qualities. Bennet (Elizabeth), Darius (Mr. Darcy), Jaime (Jane), and Tim (Mr. Bingley) were wonderfully crafted to fit this modern version.
Modernizing a classic is no small feat. I can say, Ms. Megan Reddaway was up to the challenge.
leersinlimites's review
5.0
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Descubrí este libro en una lista de GR y la idea de un retelling LGBT de Orgullo y prejuicio me pareció de lo más interesante. Por suerte, no me ha defraudado en lo más mínimo.
Megan se apaña a las mil maravillas para adaptar todas las tramas a la era moderna. Conocemos a Bennet, el personaje que interpreta el papel de Elizabeth; a Jamie, que interpreta a Jane; Darius sería Darcy; Tim su amigo Bingley; no puede faltar Wyndham interpretando a Wickham, ni Giorgio interpretando a Georgiana. También tenemos otra serie de personajes secundarios que se solapan con mayor o menor veracidad a los personajes de Jane Austen.
Es maravilloso cuando en un retelling todos los personajes están tan bien definidios y, al mismo tiempo, son tan diferentes. Definir bien los personajes no siempre es fácil, yo he leído retellings en los que no me quedaba muy claro quién se suponía que era quién en la obra original. Aquí esto no pasa, pero al mismo tiempo son totalmente diferentes a los orginales: tienen la esencia de sus personajes pero al adaptarse a la vida actual (y en un contexto LGBT), es como leer a personajes totalmente nuevos.
En lo que a retellings se refiere, mis gustos son muy amplios: a veces me gusta que la historia solo tenga ese halo a la trama original, otras veces me gusta que se mantenga la estructura de la historia. Megan se decanta por la segunda opción (siempre con sus giritos para hacer de las historia algo diferente y creativo), pero si conocéis Orgullo y prejuicio eso significa que hay partes que sabéis cómo se van a desarrollar a grandes rasgos (sobre todo en lo que a Tim y Jamie se refiere o a Charlotte y Callum).
Para mí el personaje que más se distancia del original es Darius/Darcy. Sí, empieza siendo estirado, esnob y prejuicioso, pero no en la misma medida del original. La relación entre Bennet y Darius tarda en arrancar (por eso de que se odian, ya sabéis) pero mientras tanto podemos ver por parte de ambos chispazos de interés, sentimos que las cosas tal vez no sean como parecen... y yo es algo que en Darcy nunca he sentido.
Es una lectura que me ha dejado con ganas de más, para qué mentiros. Me he quedado con la necesidad de ver más de los protagonistas juntos, más de Giorgio, que es un personaje encantador. Para mí la lectura ha sido rapidísima, aunque había leído que el comienzo es algo lento a mí no me ha parecido como tal. A ver, también aquí entran en juego las preferencias de cada uno... Yo disfruto de ese momento en el que las cosas se van poniendo en marcha y lo veo necesario para un buen desarrollo posterior; los encuentros entre los personajes en esta primera fase son menos habituales que en la segunda mitad, obviamente, pero la situación de "te odio pero me atraes" en la que está Bennet a mí me ha parecido muy divertida y me ha dejado con ganas de seguir.
Supongo que lo que más cambia en cuanto a la historia original es lo que hace Wyndham/Wickham para ganarse la enemistad de Darcy y de todos los lectores... se mantiene fiel en cierto punto a la original aunque claro, intentar fugarse con la hermana de Darcy (hermano en este caso) no tiene tanto tirón en un retelling moderno porque hoy no sería tan escandaloso... El cambio es bastante fuerte y le da un giro algo macabro a la historia que nos da un punto álgido en la trama muy interesante.
En definitiva, si os gusta la historia de Orgullo y prejuicio, si os gustan esas historia en las que al principio los personajes no se pueden ni ver pero las cosas van cambiando, no descartéis este título. Es muy interesante desde el principio hasta el fin y me quedo con ganas de leer más de ellos. No, no me importaría otro libro para saber cómo les van las cosas, la verdad.
Descubrí este libro en una lista de GR y la idea de un retelling LGBT de Orgullo y prejuicio me pareció de lo más interesante. Por suerte, no me ha defraudado en lo más mínimo.
Megan se apaña a las mil maravillas para adaptar todas las tramas a la era moderna. Conocemos a Bennet, el personaje que interpreta el papel de Elizabeth; a Jamie, que interpreta a Jane; Darius sería Darcy; Tim su amigo Bingley; no puede faltar Wyndham interpretando a Wickham, ni Giorgio interpretando a Georgiana. También tenemos otra serie de personajes secundarios que se solapan con mayor o menor veracidad a los personajes de Jane Austen.
Es maravilloso cuando en un retelling todos los personajes están tan bien definidios y, al mismo tiempo, son tan diferentes. Definir bien los personajes no siempre es fácil, yo he leído retellings en los que no me quedaba muy claro quién se suponía que era quién en la obra original. Aquí esto no pasa, pero al mismo tiempo son totalmente diferentes a los orginales: tienen la esencia de sus personajes pero al adaptarse a la vida actual (y en un contexto LGBT), es como leer a personajes totalmente nuevos.
En lo que a retellings se refiere, mis gustos son muy amplios: a veces me gusta que la historia solo tenga ese halo a la trama original, otras veces me gusta que se mantenga la estructura de la historia. Megan se decanta por la segunda opción (siempre con sus giritos para hacer de las historia algo diferente y creativo), pero si conocéis Orgullo y prejuicio eso significa que hay partes que sabéis cómo se van a desarrollar a grandes rasgos (sobre todo en lo que a Tim y Jamie se refiere o a Charlotte y Callum).
Para mí el personaje que más se distancia del original es Darius/Darcy. Sí, empieza siendo estirado, esnob y prejuicioso, pero no en la misma medida del original. La relación entre Bennet y Darius tarda en arrancar (por eso de que se odian, ya sabéis) pero mientras tanto podemos ver por parte de ambos chispazos de interés, sentimos que las cosas tal vez no sean como parecen... y yo es algo que en Darcy nunca he sentido.
Es una lectura que me ha dejado con ganas de más, para qué mentiros. Me he quedado con la necesidad de ver más de los protagonistas juntos, más de Giorgio, que es un personaje encantador. Para mí la lectura ha sido rapidísima, aunque había leído que el comienzo es algo lento a mí no me ha parecido como tal. A ver, también aquí entran en juego las preferencias de cada uno... Yo disfruto de ese momento en el que las cosas se van poniendo en marcha y lo veo necesario para un buen desarrollo posterior; los encuentros entre los personajes en esta primera fase son menos habituales que en la segunda mitad, obviamente, pero la situación de "te odio pero me atraes" en la que está Bennet a mí me ha parecido muy divertida y me ha dejado con ganas de seguir.
Supongo que lo que más cambia en cuanto a la historia original es lo que hace Wyndham/Wickham para ganarse la enemistad de Darcy y de todos los lectores... se mantiene fiel en cierto punto a la original aunque claro, intentar fugarse con la hermana de Darcy (hermano en este caso) no tiene tanto tirón en un retelling moderno porque hoy no sería tan escandaloso... El cambio es bastante fuerte y le da un giro algo macabro a la historia que nos da un punto álgido en la trama muy interesante.
En definitiva, si os gusta la historia de Orgullo y prejuicio, si os gustan esas historia en las que al principio los personajes no se pueden ni ver pero las cosas van cambiando, no descartéis este título. Es muy interesante desde el principio hasta el fin y me quedo con ganas de leer más de ellos. No, no me importaría otro libro para saber cómo les van las cosas, la verdad.
the_novel_approach's review
4.0
It has been many years since I read Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, but reading Megan Reddaway’s modern version, Out, Proud, and Prejudiced, was so much fun. There have been numerous adaptations and retellings over the years of this much-loved book, both in print and on the screen, and it’s amazing to see how well the story and characters hold up even two hundred years later. Reddaway’s is a clever, modern retelling that follows the basic storyline of the original, with the most obvious nods being the character and place names. Here the main characters are Bennett and Darius, and just as with the beloved Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy, they most certainly do not immediately hit it off!
The enemies-to-lovers trope is a favorite of many romance readers, and Reddaway nailed it with Bennett and Darius. When word gets around that there is a mysterious new gallery owner in town, and that he’s rumored to be young and hot, Bennett’s roommates are all atwitter. They convince Bennett to go with them to Rush, the once-a-month LGBTQ night at Meriton’s only nightclub, so that they can check him out. Tim, the new owner of the gallery, is lovely, but the friend he brought with him? Not so much. Darius comes off as such a shit at first. Seemingly looking down his nose at Bennett, his friends, the town, their college, even Bennett’s best friend, Jamie, who Tim is instantly taken with. Bennett decides on that first meeting that Darius is a pretentious asshole, and he does everything he can to avoid him.
Because Jamie and Tim are quickly falling for each other, however, the two men are constantly thrown together, eventually forcing them to acknowledge their attraction to each other, and surprising them with the things they have in common. I loved the super slow-burn between these guys. Reddaway did a great job easing them from intense dislike, to tolerance, to possible friendship and finally admitting their fondness for each other. I liked when Bennett had his epiphany that he perhaps judged Darius a bit too harshly, if not entirely incorrectly. And, when they figure things out at the end, it’s so satisfying and perfect.
I loved the settings of Meriton college, Longbourn Manor, and Pemberley Hall, and I enjoyed what Reddaway did with the characters. Bennett’s roommates Leon and Kofi were ridiculous and entertaining. I LOVED sweet sensitive Jamie, and Tim as well; they were so wonderful together. And, I could tell who the villain was going to be from the get-go. Red flags going up left and right with that one!
When Bennett finally lets go of his pride in order to solicit Darius’s help at the end…Or…was he too prejudice and Darius was too proud…? (Bonus points to everyone who gets my silly You’ve Got Mail reference. Ha! 😊) I think we can all agree that they each have elements of both pride and prejudice to overcome but, as I said, the ending was wonderfully done. I think, whether you’re familiar with the original or not, there are many fabulous things to enjoy about Out, Proud, and Prejudiced.
Reviewed by Jules for The Novel Approach
The enemies-to-lovers trope is a favorite of many romance readers, and Reddaway nailed it with Bennett and Darius. When word gets around that there is a mysterious new gallery owner in town, and that he’s rumored to be young and hot, Bennett’s roommates are all atwitter. They convince Bennett to go with them to Rush, the once-a-month LGBTQ night at Meriton’s only nightclub, so that they can check him out. Tim, the new owner of the gallery, is lovely, but the friend he brought with him? Not so much. Darius comes off as such a shit at first. Seemingly looking down his nose at Bennett, his friends, the town, their college, even Bennett’s best friend, Jamie, who Tim is instantly taken with. Bennett decides on that first meeting that Darius is a pretentious asshole, and he does everything he can to avoid him.
Because Jamie and Tim are quickly falling for each other, however, the two men are constantly thrown together, eventually forcing them to acknowledge their attraction to each other, and surprising them with the things they have in common. I loved the super slow-burn between these guys. Reddaway did a great job easing them from intense dislike, to tolerance, to possible friendship and finally admitting their fondness for each other. I liked when Bennett had his epiphany that he perhaps judged Darius a bit too harshly, if not entirely incorrectly. And, when they figure things out at the end, it’s so satisfying and perfect.
I loved the settings of Meriton college, Longbourn Manor, and Pemberley Hall, and I enjoyed what Reddaway did with the characters. Bennett’s roommates Leon and Kofi were ridiculous and entertaining. I LOVED sweet sensitive Jamie, and Tim as well; they were so wonderful together. And, I could tell who the villain was going to be from the get-go. Red flags going up left and right with that one!
When Bennett finally lets go of his pride in order to solicit Darius’s help at the end…Or…was he too prejudice and Darius was too proud…? (Bonus points to everyone who gets my silly You’ve Got Mail reference. Ha! 😊) I think we can all agree that they each have elements of both pride and prejudice to overcome but, as I said, the ending was wonderfully done. I think, whether you’re familiar with the original or not, there are many fabulous things to enjoy about Out, Proud, and Prejudiced.
Reviewed by Jules for The Novel Approach
ladydewinter's review
4.0
"Pride and Prejudice" is without a doubt the one book I have read the most often. So when I heard this was going to be part of the Classics queered project, I was as excited as I was worried - because those are some big footsteps to follow in.
And when I started reading this, it took me a while to be able to enjoy this mostly on its own - the first fifty pages I kept trying to figure who everyone was and what was going to happen there, and I was starting to get afraid I wouldn't be able to stop doing that, but then I found myself pulled into the story - so much so that I almost was gnawing on my nails trying to find the time to read on.
This is a modern, gay take on P&P, and I found it well done. Not all the original's plot points can be found "translated" here, but the important ones certainly are, and while I liked some parts better than others, I absolutely loved Bennet and Darius and the way their relationship developed in a current setting. Megan Reddaway definitely hit all the right notes there.
This was the first time in a while I couldn't stop reading, so this in itself is high praise. I really enjoyed it, and it made me happy, which is a very good thing.
(It also made me think about reading and the way I engage with texts, which is also a good thing.)
And when I started reading this, it took me a while to be able to enjoy this mostly on its own - the first fifty pages I kept trying to figure who everyone was and what was going to happen there, and I was starting to get afraid I wouldn't be able to stop doing that, but then I found myself pulled into the story - so much so that I almost was gnawing on my nails trying to find the time to read on.
This is a modern, gay take on P&P, and I found it well done. Not all the original's plot points can be found "translated" here, but the important ones certainly are, and while I liked some parts better than others, I absolutely loved Bennet and Darius and the way their relationship developed in a current setting. Megan Reddaway definitely hit all the right notes there.
This was the first time in a while I couldn't stop reading, so this in itself is high praise. I really enjoyed it, and it made me happy, which is a very good thing.
(It also made me think about reading and the way I engage with texts, which is also a good thing.)
leslie_kent's review
Unfortunately this was not the mm adaptation of Pride & Prejudice I was looking for. I ended up skimming a good amount of it. It was long and slow, strange and awkward. It left me feeling underwhelmed, disappointed and just kind of...meh. I’m not even sure how to rate it so I’m leaving it unrated for now. Oh well, can’t win them all.
caidalibro's review
2.0
Thanks to NetGalley and Riptide Publishing for providing a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
format: ebook
rating: 2 stars
This one was... Kind of a disappointment. It started off well enough, but it kind of stumbled as the story progressed. The whole dynamic was kind of off? I don't know how to describe it, exactly. I couldn't bring myself to care about anything that was happening. Our main character, Bennet, was pretty basic and not that interesting, I would have much rather read this story from Jaime or Darius' POV, they were more multi-dimensional and all in all more appealing. The relationship between Bennet and Darius was also kind of lacking, the development felt weird at times. The "conflict" was solved way too quickly and all the other things that went down seemed to be there just to make the story longer but they did not make the plot more interesting nor were they realistic. By the end of the book, I was just kind of skimming through to reach the end.
I can't say I'd recommend this book, to be honest.
format: ebook
rating: 2 stars
This one was... Kind of a disappointment. It started off well enough, but it kind of stumbled as the story progressed. The whole dynamic was kind of off? I don't know how to describe it, exactly. I couldn't bring myself to care about anything that was happening. Our main character, Bennet, was pretty basic and not that interesting, I would have much rather read this story from Jaime or Darius' POV, they were more multi-dimensional and all in all more appealing. The relationship between Bennet and Darius was also kind of lacking, the development felt weird at times. The "conflict" was solved way too quickly and all the other things that went down seemed to be there just to make the story longer but they did not make the plot more interesting nor were they realistic. By the end of the book, I was just kind of skimming through to reach the end.
I can't say I'd recommend this book, to be honest.
haletostilinski1's review
4.0
A modern retelling of Pride & Prejudice but with it being M/M? Of course i had to snatch this up and read it.
It actually ended up surprising me, because the first 30% or so was...slow. Frustrating to get through for me. I get that it's following the basic outline of P & P, which is no doubt a veryyy slow burn indeed, but for this is was just...too slow for me. It ended up being a little boring at times, and Darius (Darcy) wasn't there enough and their interactions weren't enough for me.
But then something changed, the story started to pick up, and as the juicy bits of P&P started to get retold in this story as well, it sucked me in. Darius and Bennett (Elizabeth) didn't have the greatest chemistry at first either, I felt. And I know Bennett is supposed to hate Darius and all that, but he's also, in this modern version, clearly attracted to him even though he doesn't want to be, but I didn't really feel that attraction. Until Bennett really started to fall for Darius.
Things happen in a similar fashion to P & P, just in a modern setting and with the names changed what (but still cleverly close to the originals in most cases). Like Whyndam (for Whyckam int he original, however you spell it) didn't run off with Darcy's sister, but he did do something even worse to Darius' half-brother - well his half-brother too. And I mean, for today's standards, running off with someone isn't quite as scandalous today as it was back then, so the change makes sense, but it sucks and it makes the guy even more scummy than in the original.
Jaime (Jane) is sweet and pretty and kind, and Tim (Bingley) falls for him, but all that stuff with Darius having a part in their separation but getting back together too was all there.
Plus, as it is modern times, we didn't get quite a bit more steam. It still wasn't great, but it's more than in the original book that's for sure lol (i think they don't even kiss it.)
So overall, a good retelling of the classic P&P, just pretty slow in the beginning, I think. Worth a read though! :D
It actually ended up surprising me, because the first 30% or so was...slow. Frustrating to get through for me. I get that it's following the basic outline of P & P, which is no doubt a veryyy slow burn indeed, but for this is was just...too slow for me. It ended up being a little boring at times, and Darius (Darcy) wasn't there enough and their interactions weren't enough for me.
But then something changed, the story started to pick up, and as the juicy bits of P&P started to get retold in this story as well, it sucked me in. Darius and Bennett (Elizabeth) didn't have the greatest chemistry at first either, I felt. And I know Bennett is supposed to hate Darius and all that, but he's also, in this modern version, clearly attracted to him even though he doesn't want to be, but I didn't really feel that attraction. Until Bennett really started to fall for Darius.
Things happen in a similar fashion to P & P, just in a modern setting and with the names changed what (but still cleverly close to the originals in most cases). Like Whyndam (for Whyckam int he original, however you spell it) didn't run off with Darcy's sister, but he did do something even worse to Darius' half-brother - well his half-brother too. And I mean, for today's standards, running off with someone isn't quite as scandalous today as it was back then, so the change makes sense, but it sucks and it makes the guy even more scummy than in the original.
Jaime (Jane) is sweet and pretty and kind, and Tim (Bingley) falls for him, but all that stuff with Darius having a part in their separation but getting back together too was all there.
Plus, as it is modern times, we didn't get quite a bit more steam. It still wasn't great, but it's more than in the original book that's for sure lol (i think they don't even kiss it.)
So overall, a good retelling of the classic P&P, just pretty slow in the beginning, I think. Worth a read though! :D