It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a reader in possession of a TBR, must be in want of books to add to it. And we are here to provide for all those seeking a match...a book match, that is. In particular, these suggestions are for people trying to fill that book hole left by Pride & Prejudice.
Pride and Prejudice and Mistletoe - Take a classic holiday Hallmark movie and put a Jane Austen twist on it. And that's what you get from this contemporary romance from Melissa de la Cruz, queen of the updated fairytale. "Darcy Fitzwilliam is 29, beautiful, successful, and brilliant...never without her three cellphones-one for work, one for play, and one to throw at her assistant. Luke Bennet...is 32 years old and has never left home. He's a carpenter and makes beautiful furniture and is content with his simple life."
- Lies Jane Austen Told Me - "Ever since Emma read Pride and Prejudice, she's been in love with Mr. Darcy and has regarded Jane Austen as the expert on all things romantic. So naturally when Emma falls for Blake Hampton and he invites her home to meet his parents, she is positive an engagement is in her future. But when it turns out that what Blake actually wants is more of a hook-up than a honeymoon, Emma is hurt, betrayed, and furious."
- Most Ardently - At its core, Pride & Prejudice is about overcoming societal expectations to pursue your heart's desire, and that exactly what this young adult novel delivers. "Oliver Bennet, trapped by societal expectations to live as female, discovers the possibility of love and freedom when he forms a connection with Darcy, but is faced with the choice of living a secure but inauthentic life or risking everything for true self-expression and love."
Pride - What if Darcy and Lizzie lived in Brooklyn? Zuri Benitez must balance college applications, her four sisters, and the arrogance of her new neighbor Darius. "In a timely update of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, critically acclaimed author Ibi Zoboi skillfully balances cultural identity, class, and gentrification against the heady magic of first love in her vibrant reimagining of this beloved classic."
Every Wish Way - Mix a little magic in with Pemberley? Why not?! ""Raised by a mother whose ironclad motto is "men are trash," Iza longs to prove her wrong, ideally with a kind, steady boyfriend who will free her from the exhausting treadmill that is dating. Although she's willing to try (almost) anything to find love, accidentally summoning a wish-granting stranger out of thin air was never part of the plan."
Whether you pick up one of these titles, or any of the other Jane Austen adaptations we have, you are surely in for a wonderful journey.
Cover image: Jane Austen | Biography, Books, Death, Siblings, Movies, & Facts | Britannica