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Attempting Elizabeth
Kelsey Edmundson is a geek and proud of it. She makes no secret of her love for TV, movies, and, most especially, books. After a bad breakup, she retreats into her favorite novel, Pride and Prejudice, wishing she had some of the wit and spirit of Elizabeth Bennett. One night at a party Kelsey meets handsome Australian bartender Mark Barnes. From then on, she always seems to run into him when she least expects it. No matter how Kelsey tries, she always seems to say the wrong thing. After a particularly gaffe-filled evening around Mark, Kelsey is in desperate need of inspiration from Jane Austen. She falls asleep reading Darcy’s letter to Lizzy and awakens to find herself in an unfamiliar place that looks and sounds suspiciously like her favorite book. Has she somehow been transported into Pride and Prejudice, or is it just a dream? As Kelsey tries to discover what’s happening to her, she must also discover her own heart. Is Mark Barnes destined to be her Mr. Darcy? In the end, she must decide whether attempting to become Elizabeth is worth the risk or if being Kelsey Edmundson is enough.
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 20, 2013
31 people are currently reading
797 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Grey
13 books146 followersJessica Grey is an author, fairy tale believer, baseball lover, and recovering Star Wars fangirl. A life-long Californian, she now lives with her two children near Colorado Springs, where she spends her time writing, complaining about snow in April, and drinking way too much caffeine.
Jessica writes witty, modern Jane Austen adaptations and Young Adult fairy tales featuring strong girls and magic.
You can find out more about Jessica's novels and short story collections at www.authorjessicagrey.com.
Jessica writes witty, modern Jane Austen adaptations and Young Adult fairy tales featuring strong girls and magic.
You can find out more about Jessica's novels and short story collections at www.authorjessicagrey.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews
December 18, 2017
Is is an interesting P&P sci-fi what if that has the main character, Kelsey, able to jump into scenes from Pride and Prejudice. Become a character and inhabit that characters world. Her first accidental immersion she becomes Georgiana at Ramsgate, giving us insight into the scenes JA didn't write. It is a little bit Ground Hog's day in that if she significantly deviates from the approved plot she will have to go back and do it over until she gets it right. She spends a lot of time as Georgiana until she figures out how to 'write herself out' of the book. You would think once bitten, twice shy but out intrepid heroine wants to be Lizzy so she jumps into the book again and again, once ending up as Lydia and the next as Caroline Bingley. But finally she gets it right and gets to be Lizzy at Rosings. But then she somehow pulls her modern dream guy, Mark into her 'experience' and he not being an Austen fan girl begins screwing up the story. Eventually she and he find their way out
What I wasn't thrilled with
The man character Kelsey she is a 23 year old college student from a well off family living in the 21st century. But she is awkward and tongue tied around men. She is a self professed nerd but then tries to pretend she isn't. She gets all nervous around the hot guy in her timeline, Mark, and is trying to keep her real self hidden. So like I said she is modern, do real modern women still act like this? In 2017 if you are a nerd into zombie films and light bondage there's a dating site for you. We fly our freak flags proudly. I can't imagine not wanting a guy to know I was a huge Star Wars fan or that I liked Die Hard. There's even a line in the book where one of the modern day male characters says “I don't know a lot of girls who like Die Hard” Seriously I've never met a women who didn't like Die Hard. It is one of my favorite Christmas films, Die hard, Lethal Weapon, Gremlins and National Lampoons Christmas Vacation. But Kelsey gets all weird around guys like its 1810 and if she doesn't marry she will live in the hedgerows. She also starts the book by saying she seems to only date Wickhams. Maybe you are getting shitty guys because you are trying to conform to what you think guys want rather than what you really are and it's karma. Or since you are lying about yourself you are getting liars back. If you are old enough to live on your own, be in graduate school you are old enough to be yourself, its a hard act to follow.
What I wasn't thrilled with
The man character Kelsey she is a 23 year old college student from a well off family living in the 21st century. But she is awkward and tongue tied around men. She is a self professed nerd but then tries to pretend she isn't. She gets all nervous around the hot guy in her timeline, Mark, and is trying to keep her real self hidden. So like I said she is modern, do real modern women still act like this? In 2017 if you are a nerd into zombie films and light bondage there's a dating site for you. We fly our freak flags proudly. I can't imagine not wanting a guy to know I was a huge Star Wars fan or that I liked Die Hard. There's even a line in the book where one of the modern day male characters says “I don't know a lot of girls who like Die Hard” Seriously I've never met a women who didn't like Die Hard. It is one of my favorite Christmas films, Die hard, Lethal Weapon, Gremlins and National Lampoons Christmas Vacation. But Kelsey gets all weird around guys like its 1810 and if she doesn't marry she will live in the hedgerows. She also starts the book by saying she seems to only date Wickhams. Maybe you are getting shitty guys because you are trying to conform to what you think guys want rather than what you really are and it's karma. Or since you are lying about yourself you are getting liars back. If you are old enough to live on your own, be in graduate school you are old enough to be yourself, its a hard act to follow.
Read
November 3, 2017Review originally posted on Diary of an Eccentric
Jessica Grey’s Attempting Elizabeth follows Kelsey, a 23-year-old student in California who is a bit obsessed with Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. She’s convinced that no guy in her life could ever measure up to Mr. Darcy, and reeling from a breakup with a Wickham-type, Kelsey doesn’t quite seem to know who she is and what she wants. She has her own mortifying Pride and Prejudice-like moment at a party, in which she insults Mark, the hot Australian bartender, only to learn that he’s a friend of her roommate’s boyfriend, and now she can’t seem to avoid him.
Kelsey and Mark constantly butt heads, though the more she learns about him, the more her opinion of him begins to change. After an incident that takes her back to her recent failed relationship, Kelsey aims to take her mind off her troubles with a book. Pride and Prejudice, of course. She falls asleep while reading Darcy’s letter to Elizabeth and somehow ends up in the book itself. Soon Kelsey finds herself navigating this alternative world, her desire to become her favorite heroine in all of literature, and her feelings for Mark while trying to determine what is real — and, most importantly, trying to find herself.
Attempting Elizabeth was a fun and fast read. I’m sure a lot of us voracious readers have wondered what it would be like to step into our favorite books or inhabit our favorite characters. Would we stay there if we had the chance? Would we try to alter the events of the novel? Would we miss what we’ve left behind, or worry about ruining our favorite stories? And wouldn’t it be fantastic to meet the characters and see them as the author pictured them while writing? It was fun to follow Kelsey through Pride and Prejudice as she learns important truths about herself through her experiences as Austen’s characters. I couldn’t help laughing out loud when Kelsey said or did things that were very unlike Austen’s characters. Their reactions were thoroughly delightful.
There were times when Kelsey got on my nerves, but that made her feel more real to me. Overall, it was a creative, sweet love story that kept me wondering throughout. Although I felt the book ended somewhat abruptly, I liked how Grey made the supernatural aspects of the story seem believable. I also liked that such a lighthearted read on the surface had some deeper meaning underneath, namely the significant impact that books can have on our lives, shaping our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
Jessica Grey’s Attempting Elizabeth follows Kelsey, a 23-year-old student in California who is a bit obsessed with Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. She’s convinced that no guy in her life could ever measure up to Mr. Darcy, and reeling from a breakup with a Wickham-type, Kelsey doesn’t quite seem to know who she is and what she wants. She has her own mortifying Pride and Prejudice-like moment at a party, in which she insults Mark, the hot Australian bartender, only to learn that he’s a friend of her roommate’s boyfriend, and now she can’t seem to avoid him.
Kelsey and Mark constantly butt heads, though the more she learns about him, the more her opinion of him begins to change. After an incident that takes her back to her recent failed relationship, Kelsey aims to take her mind off her troubles with a book. Pride and Prejudice, of course. She falls asleep while reading Darcy’s letter to Elizabeth and somehow ends up in the book itself. Soon Kelsey finds herself navigating this alternative world, her desire to become her favorite heroine in all of literature, and her feelings for Mark while trying to determine what is real — and, most importantly, trying to find herself.
Attempting Elizabeth was a fun and fast read. I’m sure a lot of us voracious readers have wondered what it would be like to step into our favorite books or inhabit our favorite characters. Would we stay there if we had the chance? Would we try to alter the events of the novel? Would we miss what we’ve left behind, or worry about ruining our favorite stories? And wouldn’t it be fantastic to meet the characters and see them as the author pictured them while writing? It was fun to follow Kelsey through Pride and Prejudice as she learns important truths about herself through her experiences as Austen’s characters. I couldn’t help laughing out loud when Kelsey said or did things that were very unlike Austen’s characters. Their reactions were thoroughly delightful.
There were times when Kelsey got on my nerves, but that made her feel more real to me. Overall, it was a creative, sweet love story that kept me wondering throughout. Although I felt the book ended somewhat abruptly, I liked how Grey made the supernatural aspects of the story seem believable. I also liked that such a lighthearted read on the surface had some deeper meaning underneath, namely the significant impact that books can have on our lives, shaping our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
March 18, 2013
Kelsey Edmundson is an obsessed, geeky, Jane Austen fan-girl. After a bad breakup or a disappointing day she doesn't watch romantic comedies with a pint of ice cream, she turns to her beloved Pride and Prejudice to mend her broken heart and soothe her sorrows. After a particularly disastrous night of trying to get over her perfectly horrid ex-boyfriend, Kelsey once again retreats to the well-worn pages of Pride and Prejudice. Except that this time she somehow ends up in the pages of Pride and Prejudice. Like actually in a scene from the story and in the body of one of the characters! Talk about living out your geek-girl fantasy!
So what does Kelsey do when she discovers she is able to jump into characters and scenes of Pride and Prejudice? She does what any Jane Austen fan-girl would do! She tries to jump into Elizabeth Bennet, of course! Which, unfortunately is not as easy as one would hope. This novel-jumping ability didn't come with a reader's manual, so Kelsey is kind of learning things by trial and error. And even though she gets a good grasp of navigating the lives of Jane Austen's minor characters, the rules of the game all seem to change when she inhabits the body of Elizabeth Bennet...
To continue reading, go to: http://janeaustenreviews.blogspot.com...
So what does Kelsey do when she discovers she is able to jump into characters and scenes of Pride and Prejudice? She does what any Jane Austen fan-girl would do! She tries to jump into Elizabeth Bennet, of course! Which, unfortunately is not as easy as one would hope. This novel-jumping ability didn't come with a reader's manual, so Kelsey is kind of learning things by trial and error. And even though she gets a good grasp of navigating the lives of Jane Austen's minor characters, the rules of the game all seem to change when she inhabits the body of Elizabeth Bennet...
To continue reading, go to: http://janeaustenreviews.blogspot.com...
January 26, 2016
Refreshing and entertaining, Jessica Grey's Attempting Elizabeth is more than just a clever retelling of a beloved classic, it's a story of self-discovery and letting go. Oh, and a hot Aussie who will steal your heart. How can you go wrong?
August 11, 2017
I received this book for free from Xpresso Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
As one of the biggest Pride and Prejudice (P&P) fans out there (I've read the book 17 times in as many years!), Attempting Elizabeth was a book I had to read. I was nervous though, since Jessica Grey was going to be taking a lot of license with a story and characters I've grown to love. Not only was she creatively retelling the greatest story every written, but she was letting her main character go into P&P to interact with and be the characters; characters I've grown to know on a very personal level over the years. This could have been a disaster, if Grey didn't know her stuff! But thankfully, she does and every moment inside P&P was a treat for me.
Any serious P&P fan will realize pretty quickly that Kelsey, the main character from who's point of view Attempting Elizabeth is told, is a creative twist on Mr. Darcy. I absolutely loved this, since it was very unexpected. I figured she would be Elizabeth. But Kelsey is the aloof and distant one, who probably seems pretty full of herself to those who don't know her and makes a ridiculously prejudiced judgement about Mark, the love interest in the book. I could easily turn into a crazy fan girl right here pulling up all the little details that Grey managed to work in to really make this characterization work, but I'll simply say Grey knew what she was doing. If you're hyper aware like me, you'll see it. If you're not, you'll still enjoy it, because Kelsey is a lovable character. She's your typical nerdy girl - working on her MA in literature, lover of Star Wars, and lacking any internal filter. She either speaks her mind or shuts down completely (just like Darcy, I might add - which is why he comes off as so proud).
Mark I suppose was supposed to be the modern day twist on Elizabeth. Even though I can make parallels, they aren't as overwhelming for me as the Darcy-Kelsey connections, but I think that's because this isn't his story. Regardless, I did find him to be an immensely likable character. First off, he's hot. Secondly, he has an Aussie accent. So on a very superficial level, he's great. But behind the surface, he's just this really sweet, friendly guy. He's a history teacher, who loves what he does. He and Kelsey get off on the wrong foot, though and you can't help but wonder if they'll ever get it right. Even though I was convinced that this was a P&P retelling, enough was different that I was still not sure how things would develop. I knew I hoped they'd make it work, because I really liked Mark and I hoped he'd give her a few more chances to get it right.
When we meet Kelsey she's getting over a bad breakup. Her boyfriend - Jerkface Jordan as he's affectionately called - had an affair and Kelsey is realizing that she seems to always hook up with the George Wickhams (the womanizer of P&P) of the world. It's put her into a bad mood and all she wants to do is lose herself in a good book. Her best friend, Tori (who is pretty much Bingley if any P&P fans were wondering), insists that she come with her to a party. This party will make P&P fans giddy with all the parallels to THE ball where Darcy and Lizzy first meet. It's at this party that Kelsey meets Mark and judges him because he's slinging drinks. And that he overhears her making rude remarks about him to Tori. (Like I said, giddy!) Anyway Kelsey's put her foot in her mouth and after that whenever their thrown together (which is often since Tori is dating one of his friends) things are awkward.
One time, when Kelsey isn't obsessing about how much she's messed things up with Mark, whom she can't seem to get out of her head, she sits down to read P&P and falls asleep reading a scene about Darcy's sister Georgiana. And she ends up in that scene, as Gerogiana. I loved this tip into P&P since Kelsey is trying to figure out what's happened to her and decides to tell off some characters that I think every P&P fan has wanted to tell off at least once. You also wonder how in the world she's going to get out of the book, because she's definitely stuck in the wrong body. She needs to be Elizabeth, not Darcy's sister! I won't tell you how, but she manages to get out and she tries going in over and over so that she can be Elizabeth. This turns out to be difficult and I had a blast wondering if she'd ever manage it, seeing her appear as different characters, and falling into memorable scenes from my favorite book. Grey has written this so well that if your a P&P fan you'll immediately know what's going on, but if you aren't, there's enough detail and explanation that you'll have no trouble following.
So if it's not ridiculously clear by now, I loved this book. I'm having a seriously hard time restraining myself from talking about all the parallels and neat twists on such a classic book. It's an original enough love story that you don't have to love Pride and Prejudice to enjoy it (hell, you don't have to have even read it). But, if like me, you're a huge fan, this will be non-stop fun. I think I may be rereading this alongside my annual re-read of P&P from now on!
My Initial Reaction...
As one of the biggest Pride and Prejudice (P&P) fans out there (I've read the book 17 times in as many years!), Attempting Elizabeth was a book I had to read. I was nervous though, since Jessica Grey was going to be taking a lot of license with a story and characters I've grown to love. Not only was she creatively retelling the greatest story every written, but she was letting her main character go into P&P to interact with and be the characters; characters I've grown to know on a very personal level over the years. This could have been a disaster, if Grey didn't know her stuff! But thankfully, she does and every moment inside P&P was a treat for me.
The Characters...
Any serious P&P fan will realize pretty quickly that Kelsey, the main character from who's point of view Attempting Elizabeth is told, is a creative twist on Mr. Darcy. I absolutely loved this, since it was very unexpected. I figured she would be Elizabeth. But Kelsey is the aloof and distant one, who probably seems pretty full of herself to those who don't know her and makes a ridiculously prejudiced judgement about Mark, the love interest in the book. I could easily turn into a crazy fan girl right here pulling up all the little details that Grey managed to work in to really make this characterization work, but I'll simply say Grey knew what she was doing. If you're hyper aware like me, you'll see it. If you're not, you'll still enjoy it, because Kelsey is a lovable character. She's your typical nerdy girl - working on her MA in literature, lover of Star Wars, and lacking any internal filter. She either speaks her mind or shuts down completely (just like Darcy, I might add - which is why he comes off as so proud).
Mark I suppose was supposed to be the modern day twist on Elizabeth. Even though I can make parallels, they aren't as overwhelming for me as the Darcy-Kelsey connections, but I think that's because this isn't his story. Regardless, I did find him to be an immensely likable character. First off, he's hot. Secondly, he has an Aussie accent. So on a very superficial level, he's great. But behind the surface, he's just this really sweet, friendly guy. He's a history teacher, who loves what he does. He and Kelsey get off on the wrong foot, though and you can't help but wonder if they'll ever get it right. Even though I was convinced that this was a P&P retelling, enough was different that I was still not sure how things would develop. I knew I hoped they'd make it work, because I really liked Mark and I hoped he'd give her a few more chances to get it right.
The Story...
When we meet Kelsey she's getting over a bad breakup. Her boyfriend - Jerkface Jordan as he's affectionately called - had an affair and Kelsey is realizing that she seems to always hook up with the George Wickhams (the womanizer of P&P) of the world. It's put her into a bad mood and all she wants to do is lose herself in a good book. Her best friend, Tori (who is pretty much Bingley if any P&P fans were wondering), insists that she come with her to a party. This party will make P&P fans giddy with all the parallels to THE ball where Darcy and Lizzy first meet. It's at this party that Kelsey meets Mark and judges him because he's slinging drinks. And that he overhears her making rude remarks about him to Tori. (Like I said, giddy!) Anyway Kelsey's put her foot in her mouth and after that whenever their thrown together (which is often since Tori is dating one of his friends) things are awkward.
One time, when Kelsey isn't obsessing about how much she's messed things up with Mark, whom she can't seem to get out of her head, she sits down to read P&P and falls asleep reading a scene about Darcy's sister Georgiana. And she ends up in that scene, as Gerogiana. I loved this tip into P&P since Kelsey is trying to figure out what's happened to her and decides to tell off some characters that I think every P&P fan has wanted to tell off at least once. You also wonder how in the world she's going to get out of the book, because she's definitely stuck in the wrong body. She needs to be Elizabeth, not Darcy's sister! I won't tell you how, but she manages to get out and she tries going in over and over so that she can be Elizabeth. This turns out to be difficult and I had a blast wondering if she'd ever manage it, seeing her appear as different characters, and falling into memorable scenes from my favorite book. Grey has written this so well that if your a P&P fan you'll immediately know what's going on, but if you aren't, there's enough detail and explanation that you'll have no trouble following.
Concluding Sentiments...
So if it's not ridiculously clear by now, I loved this book. I'm having a seriously hard time restraining myself from talking about all the parallels and neat twists on such a classic book. It's an original enough love story that you don't have to love Pride and Prejudice to enjoy it (hell, you don't have to have even read it). But, if like me, you're a huge fan, this will be non-stop fun. I think I may be rereading this alongside my annual re-read of P&P from now on!
Read
May 2, 2018DNF-ed at 58%. I almost never DNF a book this far into it, but I just really can't make myself care about it. The concept is interesting, but I don't think it was executed that well. And the main character is really annoying. I put it down a few days ago to read something else and I'm not at all interested in picking it back up, so I'm calling it.
November 7, 2013
http://bookerlikeahooker.blogspot.com...
Hello Guys! First I want to be honest with you. I never read Pride&Prejudice in my 20 years life. And I don't when I'm going to read. However I was heard all characters in the book. I can't say I like those things also I can't say I don't like.
Therefore I love the story.I love Kelsey.She's such a smart person.Somehow she manage the time travel to novels. Everyone wants that right? When I was reading I little bit jealous her.
I wasn't sure what to expect at first, but Kelsey quickly won me over with her nerdiness and her love of staying home with a good book (most likely Pride and Prejudice, her favorite). I absolutely loved that she was more Darcy-like than Lizzy-like! Attempting Elizabeth is the story of Kelsey Edmundson, a literature grad student who doesn’t know where her life is going. After a bad break up, she is distrustful of men and of herself.Luckily she finds herself in the her favorite novel.
Unbelievable! That’s the word I would use to describe Attempting Elizabeth! I truly loved this story! I felt it had a fun uniqueness about it. I loved the whole novel jumping aspect of the story, but there was much more to it than that...I don’t know if I can say anything about it without giving anything away. But I will give it a try!Attempting Elizabeth gives a whole new spin to P&P. I loved it.Author Jessica Grey takes the story of Darcy and Elizabeth and brings it into modern fandom. She wraps the story of Kelsey and Mark in a crunchy coating of geeky goodness. This is a story for the sci-fi, cosplay, Star Wars-loving ardent admirers of Jane Austen.
Hello Guys! First I want to be honest with you. I never read Pride&Prejudice in my 20 years life. And I don't when I'm going to read. However I was heard all characters in the book. I can't say I like those things also I can't say I don't like.
Therefore I love the story.I love Kelsey.She's such a smart person.Somehow she manage the time travel to novels. Everyone wants that right? When I was reading I little bit jealous her.
I wasn't sure what to expect at first, but Kelsey quickly won me over with her nerdiness and her love of staying home with a good book (most likely Pride and Prejudice, her favorite). I absolutely loved that she was more Darcy-like than Lizzy-like! Attempting Elizabeth is the story of Kelsey Edmundson, a literature grad student who doesn’t know where her life is going. After a bad break up, she is distrustful of men and of herself.Luckily she finds herself in the her favorite novel.
Unbelievable! That’s the word I would use to describe Attempting Elizabeth! I truly loved this story! I felt it had a fun uniqueness about it. I loved the whole novel jumping aspect of the story, but there was much more to it than that...I don’t know if I can say anything about it without giving anything away. But I will give it a try!Attempting Elizabeth gives a whole new spin to P&P. I loved it.Author Jessica Grey takes the story of Darcy and Elizabeth and brings it into modern fandom. She wraps the story of Kelsey and Mark in a crunchy coating of geeky goodness. This is a story for the sci-fi, cosplay, Star Wars-loving ardent admirers of Jane Austen.
January 25, 2013
Pride and Prejudice is my favorite book so when I saw that Jessica was writing ATTEMPTING ELIZABETH, I had a nerdy freak out! ;-) I loved this story! Kelsey, the main character, reminds me of myself (which might be why I liked her so much...). I love the idea of jumping into P&P and being one of the characters. (Sort of like AUSTENLAND but different.) And Mark! A great love interest! Oh, and there's kissing. "Is this a kissing book?" Yes, yes it is. But not in a tawdry way. In a romantic way that is just right.
Recommend for: older teens, adults. Lovers of Austen, romance novels, "new adult" novels.
Recommend for: older teens, adults. Lovers of Austen, romance novels, "new adult" novels.
March 17, 2013
In Chick Lit ratings - this was loads of fun, a sensational weekend read. There is so much to like about this book - being able to relate to the fact you would like to escape into your favourite novel; how well Grey replicated P&P scenes word.for.word that bought much authenticity for traditional fans; embracing your inner geek and longing to 'smack down' Lady Catherine; the cleverness of modern day sarcasm in Regency England just rocks! Being Caroline Bingley was a real hoot; and coming to see our own Darcy in the here and now. Great fun for light, fluffy and loads of fun!
April 18, 2013
Such a fun read! I thoroughly recommend it to Austen lovers and romantics at heart as a lovely way to while away a few hours. I admit to shedding a few happy tears at the end and finished the final word with a big smile on my face. Very feel good book!
January 21, 2013
Is there anyone who can truly say they've never wanted to be someone else? We've all had moments--sometimes stretching into days or even months--when the drudgery or misery of our own lives couldn't hold a candle to the "perfect life" of our favorite fictional characters.
Imagine what would happen if, during one of those periods, you actually leapt into the life of that character. That's what happens to Kelsey Edmundsen after a string of embarrassing encounters with Mark Barnes.
Kelsey was still licking her wounds after a bad break-up when she and Mark met. Somehow, even though he's attractive and smart and funny, she always seems to say the wrong thing to him. After a particularly bad evening, she falls asleep reading Pride and Prejudice and wakes up as Georgiana Darcy. Through a string of P&P leaps and conversations with Mark, she finally comes to realize that being Elizabeth isn't all it's cracked up to be, and being Kelsey *maybe* isn't the disaster she's come to think it is.
There is so much to love about this book, I can't really contain myself. First, both Kelsey and Mark are richly drawn, real, flawed characters. Kelsey is deeply insecure and Mark has just the right amount of confidence to sense that insecurity but not understand it. The tension that creates is phenomenal, as she tries to explain to him what it's like to be a person you don't particularly likes and he tries to make her see that he likes her just the way she is.
Second, Grey's knowledge of Pride and Prejudice makes this a great companion to the book. She understands what motivated the characters, beyond just the simple dialogue (or often indirect dialogue) in the book. The scenes with Georgiana were especially perceptive, since that entire escapade takes place offstage and before the main action of the book. Working from what little we know--Ramsgate, Wickham, Mrs. Younge, Darcy interrupts--she created a scene that fits perfectly with the tone of the novel.
One tricky thing with sci-fi/fantasy is the necessity of creating rules for your magic or futuristic science and sticking with them. Though Kelsey never fully understood how book-jumping worked, there was a pattern she could follow to get into a scene and then later to get out when she was ready. These mechanics remained true throughout the book, up until the end. When they changed, there was a reason for the change that makes sense.
Additionally, this book is like geek nirvana. First there's all the references to other works. These sly little post-modern moments are delivered with all the love and good humor of a long-time geek and fangirl, and if you read Grey's bio, you discover that indeed, she is both. The quotes at the beginning of each chapter are yet another referential moment, and they perfectly set up the action to follow. Kelsey herself is a dyed in the wool nerd, one who will point out it's Han-shot-only, not Han-shot-first. She's the kind of nerd girl we're all told the hot nerd guys are dying to meet.
I've personally wanted to be Elizabeth ever since I was 14 years old, so I could easily relate to her continued jumping into Pride and Prejudice. After all, if you got really really close to your dream, so close you realized the dream might be possible after all, wouldn't you be willing to give up everything for one more shot? The difference is, Kelsey's dream is to be someone else. The story can only end when she dreams about being herself.
I recommend this to Austenesque readers, especially those who enjoy the half-modern, half-Regency post-modern stories like Me and Mr. Darcy, Austenland, The Man Who Loved Jane Austen, and Searching for Captain Wentworth.
Five stars
Imagine what would happen if, during one of those periods, you actually leapt into the life of that character. That's what happens to Kelsey Edmundsen after a string of embarrassing encounters with Mark Barnes.
Kelsey was still licking her wounds after a bad break-up when she and Mark met. Somehow, even though he's attractive and smart and funny, she always seems to say the wrong thing to him. After a particularly bad evening, she falls asleep reading Pride and Prejudice and wakes up as Georgiana Darcy. Through a string of P&P leaps and conversations with Mark, she finally comes to realize that being Elizabeth isn't all it's cracked up to be, and being Kelsey *maybe* isn't the disaster she's come to think it is.
There is so much to love about this book, I can't really contain myself. First, both Kelsey and Mark are richly drawn, real, flawed characters. Kelsey is deeply insecure and Mark has just the right amount of confidence to sense that insecurity but not understand it. The tension that creates is phenomenal, as she tries to explain to him what it's like to be a person you don't particularly likes and he tries to make her see that he likes her just the way she is.
Second, Grey's knowledge of Pride and Prejudice makes this a great companion to the book. She understands what motivated the characters, beyond just the simple dialogue (or often indirect dialogue) in the book. The scenes with Georgiana were especially perceptive, since that entire escapade takes place offstage and before the main action of the book. Working from what little we know--Ramsgate, Wickham, Mrs. Younge, Darcy interrupts--she created a scene that fits perfectly with the tone of the novel.
One tricky thing with sci-fi/fantasy is the necessity of creating rules for your magic or futuristic science and sticking with them. Though Kelsey never fully understood how book-jumping worked, there was a pattern she could follow to get into a scene and then later to get out when she was ready. These mechanics remained true throughout the book, up until the end. When they changed, there was a reason for the change that makes sense.
Additionally, this book is like geek nirvana. First there's all the references to other works. These sly little post-modern moments are delivered with all the love and good humor of a long-time geek and fangirl, and if you read Grey's bio, you discover that indeed, she is both. The quotes at the beginning of each chapter are yet another referential moment, and they perfectly set up the action to follow. Kelsey herself is a dyed in the wool nerd, one who will point out it's Han-shot-only, not Han-shot-first. She's the kind of nerd girl we're all told the hot nerd guys are dying to meet.
I've personally wanted to be Elizabeth ever since I was 14 years old, so I could easily relate to her continued jumping into Pride and Prejudice. After all, if you got really really close to your dream, so close you realized the dream might be possible after all, wouldn't you be willing to give up everything for one more shot? The difference is, Kelsey's dream is to be someone else. The story can only end when she dreams about being herself.
I recommend this to Austenesque readers, especially those who enjoy the half-modern, half-Regency post-modern stories like Me and Mr. Darcy, Austenland, The Man Who Loved Jane Austen, and Searching for Captain Wentworth.
Five stars
November 11, 2013
If you love Pride & Prejudice, like I do, you MUST read Attempting Elizabeth. I could stop my review right here because 'nough said, right?!? But y'all know I'm chatty about books ~ especially anything relating to Jane Austen or Pride & Prejudice, so let me tell you why you'll love Attempting Elizabeth, whether you're a Jane Austen fan or not.
Kelsey Edmundson is kinda nerdy when it comes to pop culture. She's a Star Wars fangirl, as well as a geek about action movies and literature. She is an English Lit grad student, focusing on the Regency period. It's no real shock that she'd be an Austen fan. Nor is it shocking she'd turn to Austen, and her favorite heroine, Elizabeth Bennet, when she's feeling awkward and in need of some of Elizabeth's spirit. A few months after suffering a humiliating breakup, Kelsey meets Mark Barnes. For some reason, she always says or does the wrong things around him. Although Mark might be a worthy beau, Kelsey feels as though she always ends up with the rakes when it comes to relationships. She wishes she were more like Elizabeth Bennet, witty and confident. Kelsey decides it's time to stop her habit of always falling for the Wickhams in the world and finally find her Mr. Darcy. Along the way, she just might learn something about the merits of being yourself.
Much of the novel is spent 'in' the pages of Pride & Prejudice. I don't think you'll be lost if you've not read it, but it definitely adds to the pleasure of the novel, if you have. I don't want to go into the hows and whys of the book because it would ruin the experience. But I will say that I wouldn't mind Kelsey's unique ability to 'jump' into her favorite novel. Also, I truly enjoyed seeing Kelsey's transformation, with a little help from Elizabeth Bennett, from awkward geek-girl to confident young woman.
Honestly, lit lovers and Austen fans should rejoice! Ms. Grey does an excellent job of blending pop culture references, movie trivia and literature references, along with Pride & Prejudice. I'll admit that I enjoyed all the P&P scenes. I delighted in the descriptions of the 'off-screen' scenes Ms. Grey included. I enjoyed the analysis she did of the book, and where characters had turning points in the development. And I loved the commentary on the scenes and characters Kelsey provided, with the inside knowledge of someone intimately familiar with the story.
Again, if you've not read P&P, certain elements may be lost to you, but you'll still find the overall story enjoyable. Attempting Elizabeth is entertaining, well-written, and well paced...except for the ending. There were a few facets of the ending that I felt were rushed. But the story is original in it's navigating around the Pride & Prejudice story and it is a lot of fun.
**Favorite Quotes**
"I was cruising, at a very high rate of speed, toward a complete Austen fangirlmeltdown." Loc 825, eARC
"I would trade use of a limb to be Elizabeth Bennet." Loc 1584, eARC
"Haven't you ever read Pride and Prejudice? I asked, horrified.Kelsey, I'm a guy." Loc 2982, eARC
**I received an eARC of this book, as part of a blog tour, in exchange for an honest review.
Kelsey Edmundson is kinda nerdy when it comes to pop culture. She's a Star Wars fangirl, as well as a geek about action movies and literature. She is an English Lit grad student, focusing on the Regency period. It's no real shock that she'd be an Austen fan. Nor is it shocking she'd turn to Austen, and her favorite heroine, Elizabeth Bennet, when she's feeling awkward and in need of some of Elizabeth's spirit. A few months after suffering a humiliating breakup, Kelsey meets Mark Barnes. For some reason, she always says or does the wrong things around him. Although Mark might be a worthy beau, Kelsey feels as though she always ends up with the rakes when it comes to relationships. She wishes she were more like Elizabeth Bennet, witty and confident. Kelsey decides it's time to stop her habit of always falling for the Wickhams in the world and finally find her Mr. Darcy. Along the way, she just might learn something about the merits of being yourself.
Much of the novel is spent 'in' the pages of Pride & Prejudice. I don't think you'll be lost if you've not read it, but it definitely adds to the pleasure of the novel, if you have. I don't want to go into the hows and whys of the book because it would ruin the experience. But I will say that I wouldn't mind Kelsey's unique ability to 'jump' into her favorite novel. Also, I truly enjoyed seeing Kelsey's transformation, with a little help from Elizabeth Bennett, from awkward geek-girl to confident young woman.
Honestly, lit lovers and Austen fans should rejoice! Ms. Grey does an excellent job of blending pop culture references, movie trivia and literature references, along with Pride & Prejudice. I'll admit that I enjoyed all the P&P scenes. I delighted in the descriptions of the 'off-screen' scenes Ms. Grey included. I enjoyed the analysis she did of the book, and where characters had turning points in the development. And I loved the commentary on the scenes and characters Kelsey provided, with the inside knowledge of someone intimately familiar with the story.
Again, if you've not read P&P, certain elements may be lost to you, but you'll still find the overall story enjoyable. Attempting Elizabeth is entertaining, well-written, and well paced...except for the ending. There were a few facets of the ending that I felt were rushed. But the story is original in it's navigating around the Pride & Prejudice story and it is a lot of fun.
**Favorite Quotes**
"I was cruising, at a very high rate of speed, toward a complete Austen fangirlmeltdown." Loc 825, eARC
"I would trade use of a limb to be Elizabeth Bennet." Loc 1584, eARC
"Haven't you ever read Pride and Prejudice? I asked, horrified.Kelsey, I'm a guy." Loc 2982, eARC
**I received an eARC of this book, as part of a blog tour, in exchange for an honest review.
November 27, 2013
Review first published on my blog, Pieces of Whimsy
I adore Pride and Prejudice so when I read the synopsis for this novel I immediately wanted to read it! And I'm glad I did.
I really liked the different views we got of Pride and Prejudice, thinking about the story from other characters' point of views. Just like Kelsey, I've read P&P numerous times and I didn't pick up on the name similarities between George and Georgiana. I think it would have been quite amusing to read about George and Georgiana Wickham (if they'd married). ;)
I liked Kelsey, and though some of her flaws and the stupid things she did grated on my nerves I still found her to be a likable heroine and I was definitely rooting for her and Mark! I would've liked more of a back story for her character. We got a few bits here and there, but I didn't feel like I really knew her. But, I could definitely relate with her awkwardness around Mark and her geeky loves!
Mark was awesome! He was sexy as hell and had a great personality to boot, the only problem I had with him was his Australian accent. I live in Australia and though I know a lot of other people (non-Australians) find the accent sexy, having to listen to it all the time really puts you off. This didn't make me like the book any less, it's just odd for me to see the words 'sexy' and 'Australian accent' in the same sentence. No offence to any Aussie accent lovers out there!
I really enjoyed the plot, I wish I could be sucked into P&P, at least for a little while! A few bits were quite predictable, when Darcy began acting strangely I knew what was up, but that didn't take away from the story at all. This was a fairly quick read and the story was nice, I especially loved the fantasy, book-entering, parts!
Now, all this talk of P&P has made me book-hungry! Guess I'm gonna have to reread it again..!
I adore Pride and Prejudice so when I read the synopsis for this novel I immediately wanted to read it! And I'm glad I did.
I really liked the different views we got of Pride and Prejudice, thinking about the story from other characters' point of views. Just like Kelsey, I've read P&P numerous times and I didn't pick up on the name similarities between George and Georgiana. I think it would have been quite amusing to read about George and Georgiana Wickham (if they'd married). ;)
I liked Kelsey, and though some of her flaws and the stupid things she did grated on my nerves I still found her to be a likable heroine and I was definitely rooting for her and Mark! I would've liked more of a back story for her character. We got a few bits here and there, but I didn't feel like I really knew her. But, I could definitely relate with her awkwardness around Mark and her geeky loves!
Mark was awesome! He was sexy as hell and had a great personality to boot, the only problem I had with him was his Australian accent. I live in Australia and though I know a lot of other people (non-Australians) find the accent sexy, having to listen to it all the time really puts you off. This didn't make me like the book any less, it's just odd for me to see the words 'sexy' and 'Australian accent' in the same sentence. No offence to any Aussie accent lovers out there!
I really enjoyed the plot, I wish I could be sucked into P&P, at least for a little while! A few bits were quite predictable, when Darcy began acting strangely I knew what was up, but that didn't take away from the story at all. This was a fairly quick read and the story was nice, I especially loved the fantasy, book-entering, parts!
Now, all this talk of P&P has made me book-hungry! Guess I'm gonna have to reread it again..!
August 29, 2014
Jessica Grey has created one of the most imaginative Jane Austen-inspired stories I have ever come across. Kelsey Edmundson is an English major with a major crush on Pride and Prejudice’s Mr. Darcy. Her real-life love-life is nothing like Regency England. Her boyfriends all seem more “Wickhamy” than Darcy-like. When she meets a good-looking Australian named Mark at a night club, she can’t seem to say anything right and ends up insulting him. When he shows up at her house the next morning, she is still in her pajamas with a hangover.
After agreeing to hike with Mark and some friends, she falls asleep rereading her favourite novel only to wake up as Georgiana Darcy just before Wickham proposes. In something similar to Groundhog Day, Kelsey keeps messing up as Georgiana and has to relive the day over and over.
Without adding spoilers, I have to say the Grey doesn’t stop there. This story continually surprised me with its twists and turns. I loved all of the pop-culture references and Regency details. If you enjoy Jane Austen and the fan fiction which has been inspired by her work, you do not want to miss this book. I especially liked how Grey related things that happened to Kelsey in Pride and Prejudice to what is happening in her regular life. Grey has a talent for dialogue and for making fantasy seem possible. It would make a lovely movie.
After agreeing to hike with Mark and some friends, she falls asleep rereading her favourite novel only to wake up as Georgiana Darcy just before Wickham proposes. In something similar to Groundhog Day, Kelsey keeps messing up as Georgiana and has to relive the day over and over.
Without adding spoilers, I have to say the Grey doesn’t stop there. This story continually surprised me with its twists and turns. I loved all of the pop-culture references and Regency details. If you enjoy Jane Austen and the fan fiction which has been inspired by her work, you do not want to miss this book. I especially liked how Grey related things that happened to Kelsey in Pride and Prejudice to what is happening in her regular life. Grey has a talent for dialogue and for making fantasy seem possible. It would make a lovely movie.
February 2, 2013
I have over 80 Austen adaptations on my Kindle App - this one may be the most original of the bunch. We all may l want to be Elizabeth, but who are we really? Is Darcy what we want or what we need?
Author Jessica Grey takes the story of Darcy and Elizabeth and brings it into modern fandom. She wraps the story of Kelsey and Mark in a crunchy coating of geeky goodness. This is a story for the sci-fi, cosplay, Star Wars-loving ardent admirers of Jane Austen. I can imagine that Jane would fit in perfectly with Kelsey and Tori ordering Chinese Food for breakfast and arguing passionately that Han shot first and why it's so important to the narrative.
Let go of your preconceptions and enjoy 'Attempting Elizabeth!'
Author Jessica Grey takes the story of Darcy and Elizabeth and brings it into modern fandom. She wraps the story of Kelsey and Mark in a crunchy coating of geeky goodness. This is a story for the sci-fi, cosplay, Star Wars-loving ardent admirers of Jane Austen. I can imagine that Jane would fit in perfectly with Kelsey and Tori ordering Chinese Food for breakfast and arguing passionately that Han shot first and why it's so important to the narrative.
Let go of your preconceptions and enjoy 'Attempting Elizabeth!'
April 18, 2013
One of my all time favorite Austen fan fiction books. Loved the way the story of the modern characters were woven together with the Austen classic. I absolutely fell in love with the characters and was rooting for them 100%. Their relationship was so authentic and imperfect but ultimately perfect.
June 27, 2015
It's dumb. It's cute. It's amazing because It doesn't seem like it's going to be worth reading but it ends up fun. And it works. The end. It's the best answer to anyone wishing they were somebody else. Caution: The name of deity is taken entirely too much especially at the beginning. That stinks and lost it a star.
July 22, 2016
I really loved this book. It was just a feel good book that I think I read at the right moment in my life. Of course, I love Pride & Prejudice and I would love to be able to jump into that novel anytime I wanted. What a wish to have come true!
December 5, 2014
I have to saythat I liked this book
Grey intergrated her own characters so well into the story
and Mark was definitely a better Darcy as he was "real"
Grey intergrated her own characters so well into the story
and Mark was definitely a better Darcy as he was "real"
December 31, 2015
Austen fan fiction, but different than your standard retelling of one of Jane's stories. It was just fun. I loved the snarky heroine.
April 16, 2018
This book was so good. I loved it. Nothing like what I thought it would be.
April 18, 2013
This was so fun! I wasn't sure what to expect at first, but Kelsey quickly won me over with her nerdiness and her love of staying home with a good book (most likely Pride and Prejudice, her favorite). I absolutely loved that she was more Darcy-like than Lizzy-like! Definitely a great plan by Ms. Grey. The social awkwardness, the open-mouth-insert-foot moments, jumping to wrong assumptions, her interactions with Mark were hilarious. They could never seem to have a full conversation without offending one another.
And speaking of Mark. Handsome with an Aussie accent makes for a great combo! And he certainly makes Kelsey flare up like nobody's business. They have fabulous chemistry and try hard as she can to deny it, Kelsey realizes it. But something about Mark sets off her awkward button and she always seems to say the wrong thing. I loved the first half of the story where they keep running into one another and being forced into conversations and wanted that part to last a bit longer.
The first transition into the actual story of P&P came a little too quick for me, but I soon got sucked into Kelsey's confusion and "lunacy". For she was sure that she was hallucinating and was, in reality, locked up in an asylum somewhere. As she tries to understand exactly what's going on and keeps re-setting her day over and over, her reasoning and thought processes are so funny. And it does take a little while, but she eventually finds her way home again. She actually ends up returning to the story multiple times. All while dealing (or not) with her real life attraction to Mark and also trying to understand her own self. She's working on her Master's and is slightly worried about what her future holds. A hot guy and the ability to travel into a book make for loads of distractions from that.
Yet sometimes she wants that distraction because hello, she gets to experience her favorite story as if it were real. It was certainly helpful that Kelsey knew P&P so well, as she had lines to say to keep the story moving. And she had to keep the story moving so she could meet Mr. Darcy! Imagine seeing him in the flesh! Just as Jane Austen imagined him and just as swoon-worthy as you expected. That part is rather awesome in Kelsey's mind. She'd stay there a lot longer if the real world (and Mark) wouldn't keep calling her back.
The transitions from real world to book world were smooth, but you never find out exactly how it works or why it works. Which is okay. The story didn't need all the details of how, it simply needed to happen to push the story onward. Traveling into the story also helps Kelsey understand herself a bit better. She sees some of her flaws in the characters, which helps her grow and change. And ultimately be ready for a guy like Mark to sweep her off her feet. Because of course he's going to do that! It's just the journey to that point that's so entertaining.
And speaking of Mark. Handsome with an Aussie accent makes for a great combo! And he certainly makes Kelsey flare up like nobody's business. They have fabulous chemistry and try hard as she can to deny it, Kelsey realizes it. But something about Mark sets off her awkward button and she always seems to say the wrong thing. I loved the first half of the story where they keep running into one another and being forced into conversations and wanted that part to last a bit longer.
The first transition into the actual story of P&P came a little too quick for me, but I soon got sucked into Kelsey's confusion and "lunacy". For she was sure that she was hallucinating and was, in reality, locked up in an asylum somewhere. As she tries to understand exactly what's going on and keeps re-setting her day over and over, her reasoning and thought processes are so funny. And it does take a little while, but she eventually finds her way home again. She actually ends up returning to the story multiple times. All while dealing (or not) with her real life attraction to Mark and also trying to understand her own self. She's working on her Master's and is slightly worried about what her future holds. A hot guy and the ability to travel into a book make for loads of distractions from that.
Yet sometimes she wants that distraction because hello, she gets to experience her favorite story as if it were real. It was certainly helpful that Kelsey knew P&P so well, as she had lines to say to keep the story moving. And she had to keep the story moving so she could meet Mr. Darcy! Imagine seeing him in the flesh! Just as Jane Austen imagined him and just as swoon-worthy as you expected. That part is rather awesome in Kelsey's mind. She'd stay there a lot longer if the real world (and Mark) wouldn't keep calling her back.
The transitions from real world to book world were smooth, but you never find out exactly how it works or why it works. Which is okay. The story didn't need all the details of how, it simply needed to happen to push the story onward. Traveling into the story also helps Kelsey understand herself a bit better. She sees some of her flaws in the characters, which helps her grow and change. And ultimately be ready for a guy like Mark to sweep her off her feet. Because of course he's going to do that! It's just the journey to that point that's so entertaining.
November 11, 2013
***REVIEW***
My stars for this book: 4 stars
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Have you ever fantasized that you are the protagonist of the book or are reading?
or even your favorite book ? The first step is to admit it as a reader !
Well, since we have admitted ,Now the review. Well, when I read the synopsis of the book caught my attention the fact that the protagonist Kelsey Edmundson , was transported to a favorite book : Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.
That factor was the point that caught my attention , and I decided to read it. Although I would have loved read in the summer,I don’t Know why, but a good iced tea, your favorite chair or favorite place and some headphones with soft music and automatic disconnection the world.
Our protagonist is Kelsey , and can say that is a very good representative of the reader female gender has a book favorite in good times like falling in love or bad as when you have a very strong break with a boyfriend , aka the ex , that book is your friend and you identify with the protagonist or you wants a lovely man like Mr. Darcy .
But life can not give to Mr. Darcy who is one of the most desired characters in literature , but rather comes across a boy named Mark Barnes . His problem is a lack of confidence or rather of communication, and when this is complicated and Kelsey feels the worst decides to read a favorite book Pride and Prejudice, and it is here where things start getting complicated .
Imagine arriving at your favorite book be one or more of the characters in it ? That happens to Kelsey and will have to go through the real life and your favorite book and ask: can be stronger the desire to be Lizzy and have a Mr. Darcy or overcome their fears and insecurities , be Kelsey Edmundson and discover if what life brings good or bad will make you grow.
The book is good, funny in parts , but lets you see the human side of each reader for the love of a book and its history , as the magic of imagination or reality can create. Kelsey is like any girl, you grow or young, you will identify with her easily and Mark good could become a good choice literary character of felling love .
If you read Pride and Prejudice will remember some or all of the passages and you wanted to read it again, because Attempting Elizabeth , and if you read first Attempting Elizabeth but have not read Pride and Prejudice as well be a good guide for you to add to your list of books to read .
I highly recommend it , if you’re a fan of Jane Austen ‘s novel this turn you liked , if you’re a reader who likes twists , or if you are also looking for something new , also a good choice .
To which thanks to this book makes me wonder if you were Kelsey , to which book they would like to travel?
or relive your story ? or what was the first sack them that desire?
My stars for this book: 4 stars
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Have you ever fantasized that you are the protagonist of the book or are reading?
or even your favorite book ? The first step is to admit it as a reader !
Well, since we have admitted ,Now the review. Well, when I read the synopsis of the book caught my attention the fact that the protagonist Kelsey Edmundson , was transported to a favorite book : Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.
That factor was the point that caught my attention , and I decided to read it. Although I would have loved read in the summer,I don’t Know why, but a good iced tea, your favorite chair or favorite place and some headphones with soft music and automatic disconnection the world.
Our protagonist is Kelsey , and can say that is a very good representative of the reader female gender has a book favorite in good times like falling in love or bad as when you have a very strong break with a boyfriend , aka the ex , that book is your friend and you identify with the protagonist or you wants a lovely man like Mr. Darcy .
But life can not give to Mr. Darcy who is one of the most desired characters in literature , but rather comes across a boy named Mark Barnes . His problem is a lack of confidence or rather of communication, and when this is complicated and Kelsey feels the worst decides to read a favorite book Pride and Prejudice, and it is here where things start getting complicated .
Imagine arriving at your favorite book be one or more of the characters in it ? That happens to Kelsey and will have to go through the real life and your favorite book and ask: can be stronger the desire to be Lizzy and have a Mr. Darcy or overcome their fears and insecurities , be Kelsey Edmundson and discover if what life brings good or bad will make you grow.
The book is good, funny in parts , but lets you see the human side of each reader for the love of a book and its history , as the magic of imagination or reality can create. Kelsey is like any girl, you grow or young, you will identify with her easily and Mark good could become a good choice literary character of felling love .
If you read Pride and Prejudice will remember some or all of the passages and you wanted to read it again, because Attempting Elizabeth , and if you read first Attempting Elizabeth but have not read Pride and Prejudice as well be a good guide for you to add to your list of books to read .
I highly recommend it , if you’re a fan of Jane Austen ‘s novel this turn you liked , if you’re a reader who likes twists , or if you are also looking for something new , also a good choice .
To which thanks to this book makes me wonder if you were Kelsey , to which book they would like to travel?
or relive your story ? or what was the first sack them that desire?
October 2, 2014
I'm just going to come out and say that I absolutely adored this book! It's been awhile since I've come across an indie novel as well-written as this one, and it was quite refreshing. I have to admit that I share a lot of qualities with our heroine, Kelsey Edmundson - we're both geeky, awkward, voracious readers, who are uncomfortable in our own skins, and we both swoon over the fictional Mr. Darcy.
The hero of this novel, Mark Barnes, is just as swoon-worthy as Darcy, only instead of an English accent he has an Australian one (which is just as hot!) Unfortunately for Mark, Kelsey has just gotten out of a bad relationship, so he's treated rather unfairly by her at first. Still, I enjoyed reading about their slowly developing romance, which felt more real than the insta-love I've seen in a lot of YA/NA novels lately. Kelsey's misconceptions of Mark were very similar to the misconceptions that Elizabeth Bennett forms of Mr. Darcy in Pride & Prejudice, Kelsey's favorite novel, and it was a great idea for the author to juxtaposition their relationships the way that she had.
Things got even more interesting when Kelsey found herself transported into Jane Austen's fictional world after a date gone wrong, and I loved how we got to see things from not just Elizabeth's POV, but from the eyes of supporting characters like Georgiana, Lydia, & Caroline (as Kelsey had body-hopped into all of them!) I felt like I got to understand their actions in P&P a lot better thanks to reading about them through Kelsey's eyes.
Through her adventures in Regency England, Kelsey had to decide whether she would continue to live her life vicariously through fictitious characters, or if being herself was enough. The character development that occurred in this novel was amazing, and I felt it was very realistic. I also loved Jessica Grey's writing style, and felt that everything connected well and transitioned smoothly - the whole story sucked me right in!
The quotes from various fictional characters that Kelsey looked up to (such as Han Solo or Dr. Sam Beckett) which were featured at the beginning of each chapter were also a nice touch. The author even included a handy little guide at the end of the book to show where each quote came from! I like it when authors do special things like that for their readers.
The only fault I found in this book was that there were a few typos in the form of words missing here and there, but that was most likely a result of file conversion rather than actual author error, and it didn't detract from the story at all. I will definitely be reading more of Jessica Grey's work in the near future - 5 out of 5 stars!
The hero of this novel, Mark Barnes, is just as swoon-worthy as Darcy, only instead of an English accent he has an Australian one (which is just as hot!) Unfortunately for Mark, Kelsey has just gotten out of a bad relationship, so he's treated rather unfairly by her at first. Still, I enjoyed reading about their slowly developing romance, which felt more real than the insta-love I've seen in a lot of YA/NA novels lately. Kelsey's misconceptions of Mark were very similar to the misconceptions that Elizabeth Bennett forms of Mr. Darcy in Pride & Prejudice, Kelsey's favorite novel, and it was a great idea for the author to juxtaposition their relationships the way that she had.
Things got even more interesting when Kelsey found herself transported into Jane Austen's fictional world after a date gone wrong, and I loved how we got to see things from not just Elizabeth's POV, but from the eyes of supporting characters like Georgiana, Lydia, & Caroline (as Kelsey had body-hopped into all of them!) I felt like I got to understand their actions in P&P a lot better thanks to reading about them through Kelsey's eyes.
Through her adventures in Regency England, Kelsey had to decide whether she would continue to live her life vicariously through fictitious characters, or if being herself was enough. The character development that occurred in this novel was amazing, and I felt it was very realistic. I also loved Jessica Grey's writing style, and felt that everything connected well and transitioned smoothly - the whole story sucked me right in!
The quotes from various fictional characters that Kelsey looked up to (such as Han Solo or Dr. Sam Beckett) which were featured at the beginning of each chapter were also a nice touch. The author even included a handy little guide at the end of the book to show where each quote came from! I like it when authors do special things like that for their readers.
The only fault I found in this book was that there were a few typos in the form of words missing here and there, but that was most likely a result of file conversion rather than actual author error, and it didn't detract from the story at all. I will definitely be reading more of Jessica Grey's work in the near future - 5 out of 5 stars!
November 5, 2013
Kelsey is a Literature major completely in love with Mr Darcy. After having her heart crushed, her best friend forces her to go to a party where she meets Mark. Mark is a big mass of muscle with chocolate eyes, reddish hair and an Australian accent. Kelsey can't seem to say or do anything right around Mark. Right away she insults him and then caves into herself. The next morning she finds him in her apartment and once again she makes herself look like a fool.
After a disaster of a night of seeing Ashley (the cause of her break-up) draped all over Mark, Kelsey goes home and falls asleep reading Pride & Prejudice. The problem is she wakes up as Georgina Darcy. After several failed attempts and having to deal with the infamous Wickam, she finally figures out how to get out of the book. She continues to have run ins with Mark that lead to a complete disaster brought on by Kelsey's mouth. They go on a blind date with only ends with them screaming at each other and Kelsey goes running back to Pride & Prejudice. She just wants to be Elizabeth Bennett and fall madly in love with Mr Darcy but she ends up in other bodies each time.
In her real world she finally gets the courage to confront Mark and lay her cards out which leads to several amazing dates. They becomes so enraptured with each other that he begins to invade her thoughts while she is in Pride & Prejudice. One night when she confesses to Mark about her Darcy world, things blow up and she goes running back to the book to finally end up as her favorite character. The problem is she can't get Mark out of her head. On the day of the infamous first proposal, she realizes something is wrong. Mark ends up being sucked into Darcy's body and they have no clue out to get themselves back into reality.
Kelsey and Mark are funny to watch. In the beginning, any steps they made forward always ended tragically after something Kelsey would say. Her geekery is so funny! I related a lot to her character so watching some of the things she said and did were like watching myself. Kelsey's obsession with Pride & Prejudice was alarming. That is coming from a huge Darcy fan. It was pretty awesome to have a modern comparison to what he looked like. I always pictured him tall, dark, handsome and brooding. I love how everyone in this book as described. I had a perfect picture in my head of each character and they were lovely.
This story was not one of those books where its a play by play of Pride & Prejudice. You could see the characteristics from the characters in Kelsey or Mark but as they grew and found love, you were able to see them alter into other characters. I recommend this book to all Austen lovers. You will not regret it!
After a disaster of a night of seeing Ashley (the cause of her break-up) draped all over Mark, Kelsey goes home and falls asleep reading Pride & Prejudice. The problem is she wakes up as Georgina Darcy. After several failed attempts and having to deal with the infamous Wickam, she finally figures out how to get out of the book. She continues to have run ins with Mark that lead to a complete disaster brought on by Kelsey's mouth. They go on a blind date with only ends with them screaming at each other and Kelsey goes running back to Pride & Prejudice. She just wants to be Elizabeth Bennett and fall madly in love with Mr Darcy but she ends up in other bodies each time.
In her real world she finally gets the courage to confront Mark and lay her cards out which leads to several amazing dates. They becomes so enraptured with each other that he begins to invade her thoughts while she is in Pride & Prejudice. One night when she confesses to Mark about her Darcy world, things blow up and she goes running back to the book to finally end up as her favorite character. The problem is she can't get Mark out of her head. On the day of the infamous first proposal, she realizes something is wrong. Mark ends up being sucked into Darcy's body and they have no clue out to get themselves back into reality.
Kelsey and Mark are funny to watch. In the beginning, any steps they made forward always ended tragically after something Kelsey would say. Her geekery is so funny! I related a lot to her character so watching some of the things she said and did were like watching myself. Kelsey's obsession with Pride & Prejudice was alarming. That is coming from a huge Darcy fan. It was pretty awesome to have a modern comparison to what he looked like. I always pictured him tall, dark, handsome and brooding. I love how everyone in this book as described. I had a perfect picture in my head of each character and they were lovely.
This story was not one of those books where its a play by play of Pride & Prejudice. You could see the characteristics from the characters in Kelsey or Mark but as they grew and found love, you were able to see them alter into other characters. I recommend this book to all Austen lovers. You will not regret it!
March 12, 2017
I received this book for free from Xpresso Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
How cute is the book? I tricked myself again because I signed up for this blog tour months ago; between then and picking up the book, I forgot that it was New Adult. This is the kind of New Adult I’ve been looking for, though. So many of those books are overdramatic romances about college kids who have way too many issues. A lot of people say New Adult books are just Young Adult with sex or Young Adult with older characters. More often, I find that New Adult is romance with younger characters. Attempting Elizabeth hit the spot, though. It’s just what I’ve been looking for. Plus, there are elements of Pride & Prejudice, and I can’t say no to that.
I thought this was going to be a retelling of Pride & Prejudice, but it was better. There’s a little magical realism going on here. Kelsey is obsessed with Pride & Prejudice. She is constantly comparing the men she meets to Darcy or Wickham (though she rarely meets a Darcy). Suffering from a recent breakup and embarrassing herself in front of hot, Australian Mark has led her to return to her favorite book time and time again. One night when she falls asleep reading Pride & Prejudice, she wakes up as a character. She’s stuck inside the story, but not as Elizabeth. After she finds her way back to reality, she uses the Pride & Prejudice world to escape from reality. She just can’t seem to get stuck in the right character. It’s a great premise. It reminds me a little of the movie Lost in Austen, except Kelsey is a character instead of herself. A difference I really enjoyed was that she would move between reality and the Pride & Prejudice world. It allowed her story with Mark to develop. I enjoyed both characters, even if Kelsey was a little too obsessed. I could relate to her dorky humor. Something else I really enjoyed were the switched roles. Kelsey likes to think of herself as Lizzie, but her actions are more like Darcy’s. That was a nice take on the story. The only downside was that it obviously needed a little more editing. It wasn’t enough to turn me off, but I noticed a few things.
I definitely recommend this book to Austen lovers who want a little contemporary retelling with a twist. I recommend this to ages 16 and up, only because there’s a good bit of casual drinking.
How cute is the book? I tricked myself again because I signed up for this blog tour months ago; between then and picking up the book, I forgot that it was New Adult. This is the kind of New Adult I’ve been looking for, though. So many of those books are overdramatic romances about college kids who have way too many issues. A lot of people say New Adult books are just Young Adult with sex or Young Adult with older characters. More often, I find that New Adult is romance with younger characters. Attempting Elizabeth hit the spot, though. It’s just what I’ve been looking for. Plus, there are elements of Pride & Prejudice, and I can’t say no to that.
I thought this was going to be a retelling of Pride & Prejudice, but it was better. There’s a little magical realism going on here. Kelsey is obsessed with Pride & Prejudice. She is constantly comparing the men she meets to Darcy or Wickham (though she rarely meets a Darcy). Suffering from a recent breakup and embarrassing herself in front of hot, Australian Mark has led her to return to her favorite book time and time again. One night when she falls asleep reading Pride & Prejudice, she wakes up as a character. She’s stuck inside the story, but not as Elizabeth. After she finds her way back to reality, she uses the Pride & Prejudice world to escape from reality. She just can’t seem to get stuck in the right character. It’s a great premise. It reminds me a little of the movie Lost in Austen, except Kelsey is a character instead of herself. A difference I really enjoyed was that she would move between reality and the Pride & Prejudice world. It allowed her story with Mark to develop. I enjoyed both characters, even if Kelsey was a little too obsessed. I could relate to her dorky humor. Something else I really enjoyed were the switched roles. Kelsey likes to think of herself as Lizzie, but her actions are more like Darcy’s. That was a nice take on the story. The only downside was that it obviously needed a little more editing. It wasn’t enough to turn me off, but I noticed a few things.
I definitely recommend this book to Austen lovers who want a little contemporary retelling with a twist. I recommend this to ages 16 and up, only because there’s a good bit of casual drinking.
January 31, 2013
Amazing! That’s the word I would use to describe Attempting Elizabeth! I truly loved this story! I felt it had a fun uniqueness about it. I loved the whole novel jumping aspect of the story, but there was much more to it than that...I don’t know if I can say anything about it without giving anything away. But I will give it a try!
Kelsey Edmundson is going through a rough spot in her life. She recently broke up her with boyfriend and would rather stay home and read her favorite novel, Pride and Prejudice, but her best friend Tori Mansfield has different ideas. Tori drags Kelsey to a club for the evening where she meets Mark Barnes, a hot Aussie with an amazing accent. Unfortunately, Kelsey is stand-offish, bordering on rude to Mark. After that night, they are thrown together a couple of times and Kelsey is always awkward, and the two cannot have a conversation that doesn’t end up badly. Kelsey is really attracted to Mark and wonders why she can’t just act normal around him!
Feeling like a total idiot, Kelsey retreats back home and to her favorite book where the strangest thing happens, she falls asleep reading and wakes up in Pride and Prejudice as Georgiana Darcy! She is there quite a bit before she learns how to get back out of the book. Soon, Kelsey begins jumping in and out of Pride and Prejudice hoping to become Elizabeth Bennet.
I could really identify with Kelsey. I loved her experiences while she’s in the book, and how she grows from them. I also liked how Mark questions her, and how he pushes her to think about herself; whom she is. And in the end she finds herself and maybe even love.
I found it so interesting that the roles were reversed here, Kelsey is more like Darcy with her awkwardness and stand-offish ways and Mark was more like Elizabeth, smart, fun and gorgeous! Ok, Elizabeth has fine eyes, but I couldn't resist saying gorgeous because that describes Mark.
Grey has a gift for storytelling! Attempting Elizabeth is a fun, cute modern Austenesque novel. This is the second book I have read of hers. In Awake, she put a unique spin on Sleeping Beauty.
I was provided a copy of this book for my honest review.
Kelsey Edmundson is going through a rough spot in her life. She recently broke up her with boyfriend and would rather stay home and read her favorite novel, Pride and Prejudice, but her best friend Tori Mansfield has different ideas. Tori drags Kelsey to a club for the evening where she meets Mark Barnes, a hot Aussie with an amazing accent. Unfortunately, Kelsey is stand-offish, bordering on rude to Mark. After that night, they are thrown together a couple of times and Kelsey is always awkward, and the two cannot have a conversation that doesn’t end up badly. Kelsey is really attracted to Mark and wonders why she can’t just act normal around him!
Feeling like a total idiot, Kelsey retreats back home and to her favorite book where the strangest thing happens, she falls asleep reading and wakes up in Pride and Prejudice as Georgiana Darcy! She is there quite a bit before she learns how to get back out of the book. Soon, Kelsey begins jumping in and out of Pride and Prejudice hoping to become Elizabeth Bennet.
I could really identify with Kelsey. I loved her experiences while she’s in the book, and how she grows from them. I also liked how Mark questions her, and how he pushes her to think about herself; whom she is. And in the end she finds herself and maybe even love.
I found it so interesting that the roles were reversed here, Kelsey is more like Darcy with her awkwardness and stand-offish ways and Mark was more like Elizabeth, smart, fun and gorgeous! Ok, Elizabeth has fine eyes, but I couldn't resist saying gorgeous because that describes Mark.
Grey has a gift for storytelling! Attempting Elizabeth is a fun, cute modern Austenesque novel. This is the second book I have read of hers. In Awake, she put a unique spin on Sleeping Beauty.
I was provided a copy of this book for my honest review.
November 6, 2013
Where did I get the book: From Xpresso book tours and the author in exchange for an honest but fair review and in connection with the book tour.
My Review:
Kelsey has found a way to do something I am sure all book lovers would love to do with their favourite books. She can get herself into her favourite book and live through the scenes as though she was a part of it to start off. But the more she does it, the more she realises that maybe a fake life isn’t really all you might think it to be. Plus the hot aussie with the red hair would be enough to make any girl wanna stay in reality. If only she could stop being a complete dunce around him and come off as slightly less nerdy.
I will admit (and please don’t shoot me for it) – that I have not read Pride and Prejeduce. It has been on my reading list for soooo long and I honestly cannot tell you why I haven’t picked it up yet. But after this book I will SOON be remedying it. I promise. And then I will probably reread Attempting Elizabeth to catch all the little thing that only a fan would have picked up.
This really was a great read. I grew so attached to Kelsey because I guess I see myself in her. A complete nerd at heart that continuously puts her foot in her mouth and comes off looking slightly less attractive for it. The awkward moments between Kelsey and Mark start straight from the beginning of the book (when she notices the really hot red head tending the bar) all the way through to the end. I think – to me – that is what made their relationship so cute. Him looking past all her dorkishness (Yes it is now a word) and liking her anyway. My favourite part of the book? Mark telling Kelsey that he likes her the way she is. Freakishly tall with straight hair and all.
Having a character move through a book was absolutely fascinating and a lot of fun to read. I found myself wishing with Kels for her to make it into her most admired character just so she could have a go at her favourite book boyfriend. Like all us girls, I am sure a lot of us wish we could do it and I loved living vicariously through Kelsey.
It was a really fun read that had me giggling, Ooing and Darning all the way through.
April 30, 2013
eARC provided by author for review.
Review originally published on my blog: AWordsWorth.blogspot.com
Raise your hand if you've ever wished you could meet Mr. Darcy. Not just "a Mr. Darcy," but the Mr. Darcy. (I really hope I'm not the only one with my hand up...) Forget, for a moment, that he's just an epic, dashingly broody and romantic hero in literature. Forget about the small detail that Mr. Darcy - and Elizabeth, Bingley, Mr. Collins and Lady Catherine - exist only because one Jane Austen had the incredible genius to dream them up. And imagine, if you will, that it's somehow possible to live their story. Mmhmm, you know what I mean. And Jessica Grey (whose forays into the fairy tale realm have kept me giddy) offers us a winning heroine - Kelsey - who manages to jump into Pride and Prejudice. Talk about living the dream ...
Not everything is picture perfect for Kelsey though, especially when she first realizes she's in the book. No matter which character she gets tossed into (the first is Georgiana), Kelsey has to "perform" true to the book's pattern -- or else she has to repeat the scene over and over again. And yet, as she learns to navigate the finer art of book-jumping, Kelsey is drawn to the concept again and again. The ultimate goal: becoming Elizabeth, and thus gaining Mr. Darcy. Because let's face it: in the real world, Kelsey's life seems comically awry. What she doesn't realize is that her experiences in the book are helping her get a better handle on reality. So when her real-world misadventures collide with the book - well, let's just say it's the ultimate reality check. (Sorry, I couldn't help myself).
Not only is the story itself fascinating and addicting, but Jessica does such an amazing job of working in geeky references. I was beside myself. Kelsey is the ultimate geeky fangirl, and I was able to identify with her on. all. the. things. Truly awesome. Plus, it's just too much fun to read an Austenesque novel that has Star Wars commentary. I mean, seriously. Tell me that's not awesome.
Review originally published on my blog: AWordsWorth.blogspot.com
Raise your hand if you've ever wished you could meet Mr. Darcy. Not just "a Mr. Darcy," but the Mr. Darcy. (I really hope I'm not the only one with my hand up...) Forget, for a moment, that he's just an epic, dashingly broody and romantic hero in literature. Forget about the small detail that Mr. Darcy - and Elizabeth, Bingley, Mr. Collins and Lady Catherine - exist only because one Jane Austen had the incredible genius to dream them up. And imagine, if you will, that it's somehow possible to live their story. Mmhmm, you know what I mean. And Jessica Grey (whose forays into the fairy tale realm have kept me giddy) offers us a winning heroine - Kelsey - who manages to jump into Pride and Prejudice. Talk about living the dream ...
Not everything is picture perfect for Kelsey though, especially when she first realizes she's in the book. No matter which character she gets tossed into (the first is Georgiana), Kelsey has to "perform" true to the book's pattern -- or else she has to repeat the scene over and over again. And yet, as she learns to navigate the finer art of book-jumping, Kelsey is drawn to the concept again and again. The ultimate goal: becoming Elizabeth, and thus gaining Mr. Darcy. Because let's face it: in the real world, Kelsey's life seems comically awry. What she doesn't realize is that her experiences in the book are helping her get a better handle on reality. So when her real-world misadventures collide with the book - well, let's just say it's the ultimate reality check. (Sorry, I couldn't help myself).
Not only is the story itself fascinating and addicting, but Jessica does such an amazing job of working in geeky references. I was beside myself. Kelsey is the ultimate geeky fangirl, and I was able to identify with her on. all. the. things. Truly awesome. Plus, it's just too much fun to read an Austenesque novel that has Star Wars commentary. I mean, seriously. Tell me that's not awesome.
November 6, 2013
Attempting Elizabeth is yet another Pride & Prejudice themed book. It isn't a retelling, but does spend a lot of time in that book's world. To me, it was like a behind the scenes look at the world of P&P, with ties to the here and now.
Kelsey is a nerd, klutz, awkward girl (GO Awkward Nerdy Girls!) who hasn't found her Mr. Darcy. I immediately related to her, as I too, am an Awkward Nerdy Girl. She meets a boy, who is A-Australian B-a red head and C-swoon-worthy. Of course, she makes a giant mess when she talks about him behind his back -- and he hears.
After falling asleep reading P&P, she travels into the book. This is where the book diverges from the other retellings -- she is going in and out of reality and the book, so she actually gets to be different characters from the story. This is why we learn a lot more of what was happening from other POVs besides Elizabeth Bennett. She also makes quirky references to nerd stuff (like Star Wars), which just makes her awesome in my book. We see a lot of hi-jinks and witty banter, especially when she is in the book world.
Kelsey, of course, is not a perfectly crafted person. She has a lot of change to go through, and this book really focuses on that change and growth. I do wish we could have spent more time in the reality world so we could get to know Mark better. He seems like a great character.
This is my second Pride & Prejudice based book in the last couple of months and I'm rather suprised to say that each one has brought something completely different to the table. It's pretty facinating! I now want to read Austenland and maybe pretend that I too can live in the book.
Overall, this is a cute, fun, short read that won't make you think to hard, but will leave you light-hearted and happy. If you are headed on vacation (or are on the other side of the planet and get to go summering at the beach), I definitely think this is a book to take. And of course, it will leave you wanting to break out your (probably worn out) DVD copy of P&P 2005 edition.
Rating: 3/
Kelsey is a nerd, klutz, awkward girl (GO Awkward Nerdy Girls!) who hasn't found her Mr. Darcy. I immediately related to her, as I too, am an Awkward Nerdy Girl. She meets a boy, who is A-Australian B-a red head and C-swoon-worthy. Of course, she makes a giant mess when she talks about him behind his back -- and he hears.
After falling asleep reading P&P, she travels into the book. This is where the book diverges from the other retellings -- she is going in and out of reality and the book, so she actually gets to be different characters from the story. This is why we learn a lot more of what was happening from other POVs besides Elizabeth Bennett. She also makes quirky references to nerd stuff (like Star Wars), which just makes her awesome in my book. We see a lot of hi-jinks and witty banter, especially when she is in the book world.
Kelsey, of course, is not a perfectly crafted person. She has a lot of change to go through, and this book really focuses on that change and growth. I do wish we could have spent more time in the reality world so we could get to know Mark better. He seems like a great character.
This is my second Pride & Prejudice based book in the last couple of months and I'm rather suprised to say that each one has brought something completely different to the table. It's pretty facinating! I now want to read Austenland and maybe pretend that I too can live in the book.
Overall, this is a cute, fun, short read that won't make you think to hard, but will leave you light-hearted and happy. If you are headed on vacation (or are on the other side of the planet and get to go summering at the beach), I definitely think this is a book to take. And of course, it will leave you wanting to break out your (probably worn out) DVD copy of P&P 2005 edition.
Rating: 3/
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