Intended for the Young Adult reader, this retelling of Pride & Prejudice with a 1980’s twist was clever and unique.

This has been done a million times. I’ve read so many of them, and usually take these things with a pinch of salt. However, this one had that little something extra that you might enjoy, if you are a fan of the YA style of writing. The characters are also high school kids.

I would say, even though I’m probably not the intended audience, I could appreciate the 80’s theme, fashion, tech and music that plays a pivotal part in this story, because it was my childhood too.

Thanks to Netgalley for the eARC. This is my honest review.

This was hilarious, fun, and cute all at the same time. Imagine the characters of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice growing up in the 80s as a bunch of teenagers... If that doesn’t spark your interest to read this book, I’m not sure what will!

First off, I began this book by laughing and I didn’t stop.

All of these characters were so similar to the Pride and Prejudice characters, it was ironic!! How do you take classic 1800s characters and turn them into teens from the 1980s? I don’t know but the author did just that.
The Nebbit family was soo much like the Bennett’s, it was perfect.
Our main character, Elyse Nebbit, is really funny. She’s extremely sarcastic and has a sense of humor for sure. She’s practical, matter-of-fact, and smart. Shes also pretty fun. She’s a lot like Elizabeth Bennett yet she has her own uniqueness as a character too. Like her insecurities, especially about her body. Which, I understood because people just wouldn’t let her forget. She was a very interesting, relatable character unlike any I’ve read before besides her Elizabeth qualities.
There’s Jayne who was so sweet! I loved her character a lot. Her and Elyse sister relationship was wonderful! I loved seeing their closeness.
Lydia was everything you would expect for Lydia. Lol. Her similarities to Lydia Bennet was perfect.
And then the two others, Kitty and Mary... they’re just kinda... there. Just like Elyse said. (I laughed really hard at that, by the way. That’s exactly how I felt about them in P&P.)
The Nebbit parents were pretty funny. Again, a lot like the Bennett’s. It was amusing to say the least.

And then the other characters.
Charlie Bingley was like the Mr.Bingley we know. Sweet but sometimes dumb or clueless? Or lovesick. Lol. I don’t know how you explain it but...
And Caroline Bingley!! Oh my goodness. She’s was ten year old nightmare. *shudders*
Gage Wickam was what I expected exactly. *glares*
So now we come to the one I was very curious to meet... Billy Fitz. And he was pretty much Darcy as a 80s teenager who also happens to be a football star. Can you imagine that?? Before I read this book, I couldn’t. But yep. He was Darcy from the first moment we meet him. It cracked me up soo crazy much.
He’s insulting, speaks his mind, stays to himself, and is completely unpredictable. But he is also surprising, wonderful, admirable, and extremely sweet in his own way. By the end, he totally has your heart in just the Darcy way.

Moving on from the characters, we have the plot. It’s very much like the plot in Pride and Prejudice in a strange way. I found it extremely cool how the author worked the events from that classic into this book. There were times I was grinning, anticipating the event and knowing what was going to happen but now. It was really unique so don’t think you’ll know everything that’s gonna happen. It’s full of surprises and fun.

The time period was fun. The 1980s is 20 years before my time so more my parents time so it was really fun to read about.

As far as content, there isn’t a whole lot to complain about. It’s a book for teens though.
The romance is clean. There are a few not-detailed kisses. The characters themselves don’t do anything bad. But there are insinuations of what other people might be doing at a party and mentions of people “making out.” ( it isn’t detailed. Just mentioned)
Also, some things from Wickam’s parents past were brought up that made me a bit uncomfortable. But it also made the main character uncomfortable. It wasn’t given in full details but again, insinuations.
Also *MINOR SPOILER*, the girls are worried what their sister might have done with a boy when she didn’t show up to school (if you get what I mean). That’s talked about briefly. I was kind of expecting it though.
Nothing actually did happen but it’s still talked about.
I was expecting more faith content. I guess because it was published by Tyndale but there wasn’t very much. A mention of going to church and she says a prayer but there’s not much of her faith in the book. Personally, I would’ve enjoyed it even more had that element been added.

So overall, this was a really fun, interesting, lighthearted read!! Pride and Prejudice set in a 1980s High school which was really cool.
I do wonder if there will be a sequel because of the ending... (which was so sweet by the way!) If there is, I’d totally read it!
I got some good laughs from it and it enjoyed it a lot!
I recommend for if you’re looking for a fun, teen romance. And if you’re a Pride and Prejudice fan, even better.😊

*I received an e-ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Fun and clever adaptation of Pride and Prejudice that re-frames the classic Austen novel as a 1984-1985 Texas high school romance. Pittman avoids the trap of being slavishly bound to the original text, deftly converting often problematic characters that sometimes bog down other adaptations into figures that make sense within her small Texas town. Martha and Kitty, for example, become 6 and 7 year olds which allows them to be reasonably de-emphasized and Lady Catherine becomes a bossy prom organizer which allows her objections to Billy Fitz's (Darcy) interest in Elyse Nebbit (Lizzie) to occur but not seem wildly out of context in 1980s America (Fitz is the presumed Prom King, who is SUPPOSED to go to Prom with the presumed Prom Queen). Pittman's 1980s knowledge is strong, if a little overly focused on consumer culture, and the occasional theme of born again Christianity is only occasionally jarring (I'm not sure I'll ever fully accept the mental image of 'Mr. Bennett' wandering around town in a 'Jesus Saves' t-shirt). The most radical changes come in the form of Lottie (Charlotte) who is something of a cold blooded (or perhaps just crushingly practical?) small town society maven and her much put upon boyfriend Collin (Mr. Collins). It's rare for a P&P adaptation to render Collins as a sympathetic figure, but I found myself rooting nerdy Collin will graduate high school, move far away for college, and never return to the town of Northfield. The presence of a number of other students in the high school with names cribbed from other Austen novels (particularly Emma) suggest there is a possible future novel set in the same world focusing on other characters.

I really wanted to like this book. I thought I was finally getting a unique teen retelling of Pride and Prejudice. With newer adult titles like Written in the Stars and Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors, I thought I would finally see the teen genre embrace a truly modern Elizabeth. Silly me, apparently.
The first 85 percent of the book is pleasant, and at times enjoyable and original. Then the last portion of the book overshadowed any enjoyment previously experienced. I was hoping for a healthy dose of body positivity, and I got a little bit of begrudging body acceptance only when flattering clothes are worn. I thought the message of the book would be that the opinions of others does not define your self worth. Instead, the opposite message is given. This book basically carries the outlook that if someone even thinks your younger sister has had sex, whether true or not, your entire family's reputation is ruined. Also, self worth seems to be entirely determined by whether you have a boyfriend or not. Seriously?!
I wanted to find a relatable and strong female remodel that could be recommended to teens. While Elyse almost comes close a few times, I feel her portrayal here would do more harm than good to impressionable teens.


***SPOILER****

It's been a long time since a book has made me angry. Disappointed, sure, but not true anger. Until Elyse, only worried about what others would think of her, refuses the offered help to find her sister. She had no concern over her sister's safety and well-being. Of course the author ties this all up in a nice little bow, but my opinion of Elyse had already been establish as a selfish jerk at this point. The HEA was diminished as well by the fact that no true progress is made with Elyse's self image, or the mom's borderline emotional abuse that contributes to it.

PUDGE AND PREJUDICE by A K PITTMAN is a delightful book. The author has given us a modern Pride and Prejudice with the characters lining up with those in Jane Austen's classic. There is humour and sweet romance, all in the context of high school life in a small town.
I loved it and can highly recommend it for both young adults and those of us who are not so young!
I was given an ARC copy of the book by Tyndale House Publishers from NetGalley. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

It's well known that I will read all Jane Austen retellings. I don't have the self control to stay away from them and this latest book was a great one.

Elyse was not annoying. Huge plus some main characters get on my nerves and she didn't, I enjoyed her inner monologue and her awkwardness.

The hints to a second book with the characters from Emma. Yes please!

I suppose I have one major issue with the book. Cotton Eyed Joe came out about decade after this book was set. Small thing really, I have loved book with much larger historical inaccuracies.

Billy Fitz was a great Darcy. Jayne became more than the pretty sister and had a bit more to her. Charlie was cute and easily misguided. Lottie was as annoying, she was cruel to the Collins character and I always loved Charlotte's niceness.

It's a well written high school romance and I would be keen to read more from this author.

I received this book as an ARC from Netgalley in return for my honest opinions.

I am always in the mood for a good Jane Austen retelling and this one is very charming. It's interesting to see how the author is going to interpret the plot of such a well known book. This one has a great sense of time and place: Texas, 1984. And I really enjoy the sly little P&P references the author includes. Billy Fitz's address? 1813 Pember Lane, Northfield, Texas.