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greatexpectations77's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This really tickled me, and I look forward to reading more from Ms. Dev. This had the caramel-thick tension of will-they-won't-they, and I really liked it. I also thought it did a really good job of portraying some beautiful sister moments, which always tug at my heart. Just a fun time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship and Bullying
Moderate: Death of parent, Medical content, Pregnancy, Classism, and Abandonment
Minor: Miscarriage, Sexual violence, Sexual content, Alcohol, Grief, Racism, Chronic illness, Cultural appropriation, Infidelity, and Police brutality
satsukiq's review
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Racism, Pregnancy, Medical content, Gun violence, and Alcohol
readwithde's review
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
It is a truth universally acknowledged that if you claim your story is based on a classic, people might be disappointed if it's not.
Let me start by saying that the concepts around this story were excellent: gender-swapped lead characters, Bollywood-esque feel, lots of modern twists and issues. I loved the characters, the story felt real (though a bit overwhelming), and there was plenty of room for banter.
When I started reading it, I began thinking ahead about how it might connect to the original story -- if Yash is Jane, then his political career is Bingley? Inspired! And all of his events make a great modern twist on balls and dances -- and spent several hundred pages trying to find the bones of the original before realizing it just wasn't there.
Not to mention half of the interesting narrative I had to rewire in my brain once I realized they were gender-swapped, as the structure of families and lives felt more in line with Trisha being Elizabeth and Darcy "DJ" being Darcy. As if the same name wouldn't lead to more confusion.
The main issue with all of this is that the story in the book didn't need to hang itself on the bones of Pride and Prejudice; it could have been a fairly decent narrative on its own. But by forcing that connection, it made an unspoken contract with the readers that was not met at all. So this lovely story about rising out of guilt and shame and grief, about feeling comfortable in your own skin, about how racism and classism and prejudice affect people daily, was forever ruined by its failed promises to look like something it wasn't meant to be.
There's a beautiful story in there, as long as you ignore the title, the fact that the male lead is named Darcy, and that it should have any connection to Austen at all.
Let me start by saying that the concepts around this story were excellent: gender-swapped lead characters, Bollywood-esque feel, lots of modern twists and issues. I loved the characters, the story felt real (though a bit overwhelming), and there was plenty of room for banter.
Not to mention half of the interesting narrative I had to rewire in my brain once I realized they were gender-swapped, as the structure of families and lives felt more in line with Trisha being Elizabeth and Darcy "DJ" being Darcy. As if the same name wouldn't lead to more confusion.
The main issue with all of this is that the story in the book didn't need to hang itself on the bones of Pride and Prejudice; it could have been a fairly decent narrative on its own. But by forcing that connection, it made an unspoken contract with the readers that was not met at all. So this lovely story about rising out of guilt and shame and grief, about feeling comfortable in your own skin, about how racism and classism and prejudice affect people daily, was forever ruined by its failed promises to look like something it wasn't meant to be.
There's a beautiful story in there, as long as you ignore the title, the fact that the male lead is named Darcy, and that it should have any connection to Austen at all.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Medical content, Pregnancy, Racism, Sexual content, Terminal illness, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Alcohol, Death of parent, Grief, and Miscarriage
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