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The Unruly Heart of Miss Darcy
Mr. Darcy got his happily ever after in Pride and Prejudice, and now it’s his sister’s turn in this swoony queer romance, perfect for fans of Bridgerton.
Georgiana Darcy has only ever kissed one girl before, and the resulting blackmail almost ruined her reputation. Since then, she’s carefully calibrated her life to be as quiet as possible, focusing on books and music. She certainly isn’t planning on falling in love with another girl. But then she meets Kitty Bennet, and everything is thrown off kilter.
After a moonlit kiss shifts their newfound friendship into something more, Georgiana follows Kitty to the Bennets’ home. The visit proves ill-timed when she encounters the one man who knows her secret and threatened her with it before. Terrified of testing the limits of her family’s love and of putting Kitty in danger, Georgiana doesn’t know if there’s any chance of a happy ending.
Every etiquette guide she’s ever read makes it clear that if she wants to protect her family name, Georgiana must pretend her heart follows society’s accepted rhythm. Unless, with a little help from those who understand how it feels, she can compose the future she and Kitty both deserve.
Georgiana Darcy has only ever kissed one girl before, and the resulting blackmail almost ruined her reputation. Since then, she’s carefully calibrated her life to be as quiet as possible, focusing on books and music. She certainly isn’t planning on falling in love with another girl. But then she meets Kitty Bennet, and everything is thrown off kilter.
After a moonlit kiss shifts their newfound friendship into something more, Georgiana follows Kitty to the Bennets’ home. The visit proves ill-timed when she encounters the one man who knows her secret and threatened her with it before. Terrified of testing the limits of her family’s love and of putting Kitty in danger, Georgiana doesn’t know if there’s any chance of a happy ending.
Every etiquette guide she’s ever read makes it clear that if she wants to protect her family name, Georgiana must pretend her heart follows society’s accepted rhythm. Unless, with a little help from those who understand how it feels, she can compose the future she and Kitty both deserve.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published April 7, 2026
19 people are currently reading
4588 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
February 25, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Like I preface with every Pride and Prejudice sapphic spin off story, I have not read Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. I do not believe you need to in order to enjoy books like The Unruly Heart of Miss Darcy. I will say, I have read two or three other books that are sapphic spin offs and I do feel as if I have gotten a good understanding of what went on in the original. This version did NOT dissapoint.
I saw that this was YA and I was a little apprehensive. YA isn’t my usual choice. But it didn’t really read like one, Really the only YA thing about this story is the lack of spice and that Georgiana is seventeen.
Getting to see Georgiana fall in love was great. I do wish that there was a little more showing than telling. A lot of Kitty and Georgiana’s intial interactions are off page. So it did feel a little insta lovey when they kissed and confessed their love for each other. The building of their relationship/friendship was important and not seeing it on page did subtract a little from the “strength” of the relationship. The chemistry was there, don’t get me wrong, I just had a hard time believing that it was “love”, at least in that moment. Key word being “in that moment” because they do interact on page more as the story progresses, This strengthens their love and the authenticity of it. Their love and chemistry explodes off the page. I love how much they care for each other and the ways that they show it. You could really feel it with each interaction they had.
I always love when there are more queer characters in historical fiction than just the MCs. It was both tragic and lovely to learn about Charlotte and her situation. In contrast, seeing Lady Butler and Miss Ponsonby be able to live together as they please and freely was nice. I enjoyed that there was some angst and challenge towards the end of the book. I was wondering how the author would remedy the situation and I appreciate how she did.
Georgiana and Kitty are so freaking adorable. I really do believe I’ll be thinking about them together for weeks to come!
Like I preface with every Pride and Prejudice sapphic spin off story, I have not read Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. I do not believe you need to in order to enjoy books like The Unruly Heart of Miss Darcy. I will say, I have read two or three other books that are sapphic spin offs and I do feel as if I have gotten a good understanding of what went on in the original. This version did NOT dissapoint.
I saw that this was YA and I was a little apprehensive. YA isn’t my usual choice. But it didn’t really read like one, Really the only YA thing about this story is the lack of spice and that Georgiana is seventeen.
Getting to see Georgiana fall in love was great. I do wish that there was a little more showing than telling. A lot of Kitty and Georgiana’s intial interactions are off page. So it did feel a little insta lovey when they kissed and confessed their love for each other. The building of their relationship/friendship was important and not seeing it on page did subtract a little from the “strength” of the relationship. The chemistry was there, don’t get me wrong, I just had a hard time believing that it was “love”, at least in that moment. Key word being “in that moment” because they do interact on page more as the story progresses, This strengthens their love and the authenticity of it. Their love and chemistry explodes off the page. I love how much they care for each other and the ways that they show it. You could really feel it with each interaction they had.
I always love when there are more queer characters in historical fiction than just the MCs. It was both tragic and lovely to learn about Charlotte and her situation. In contrast, seeing Lady Butler and Miss Ponsonby be able to live together as they please and freely was nice. I enjoyed that there was some angst and challenge towards the end of the book. I was wondering how the author would remedy the situation and I appreciate how she did.
Georgiana and Kitty are so freaking adorable. I really do believe I’ll be thinking about them together for weeks to come!
Did Not Finish
April 3, 2026I was really craving a historical romance, so I dove into The Unruly Heart of Miss Darcy with high hopes. Unfortunately, it left me feeling underwhelmed. The plot didn’t pull me in as much as I’d hoped, and I found the characters somewhat one-dimensional, which made it hard to connect with either Georgiana or Kitty. The romance followed a similar pattern for me... I didn’t feel much chemistry between them, and their feelings developed so quickly that it came across as pure insta-love, a trope that rarely works for me.
Because of that, I decided to set the book aside unfinished. That said, I can easily see why it would appeal to others! It seems like the perfect sweet, light YA historical romance for readers who enjoy friends-to-lovers stories with a gentle, swoony vibe in a Regency setting.
Thank you to the publisher for the eARC opportunity!
Because of that, I decided to set the book aside unfinished. That said, I can easily see why it would appeal to others! It seems like the perfect sweet, light YA historical romance for readers who enjoy friends-to-lovers stories with a gentle, swoony vibe in a Regency setting.
Thank you to the publisher for the eARC opportunity!
September 17, 2025
This was super cute, and very heartwarming!
This is an adorable and endearing romance, featuring characters from Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice”.
The world has come to know the story of the beloved Mr.Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett.
This story offers a fun take on things, with the forbidden love of Mr.Darcy’s sister- Georgiana, and Elizabeth’s sister- Kitty.
I haven’t read Pride and Prejudice myself, but I am familiar with the characters, so this was quite an easy read for me.
If you are not familiar with them, I do not think it would be a huge problem as you don’t particularly need much background information going into this.
The romance was very sweet.
Georgiana and Kitty felt like a good match, and I liked the way their relationship played out.
I do wish that there was a bit more tension at the beginning, as things between them seemed to develop quite fast.
I didn’t mind that much though, because we see some more tense moments and drama later in the story.
I enjoyed the style of this quite a bit!
This is more akin to an extension of the original story, as opposed to a retelling. Which was very intruging to me.
It makes it more unique, and I think it’s great for people that love Jane Austen, and want something that includes the actual characters from her books.
The authors writing is nice as well. I always find myself a bit nervous to read regency romance, or books based on classics- because the language tends to be flowery and hard for me to focus on.
This however, isn’t like that.
It has a nice balance of old and modern language, and I didn’t have any trouble reading it.
Thank you to Netgalley, Little Brown Books for Young Readers and author Erin Edwards for providing me with the eARC of “The Unruly Heart of Miss Darcy”, in exchange for my honest review!
Publication date: April 07, 2026
This is an adorable and endearing romance, featuring characters from Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice”.
The world has come to know the story of the beloved Mr.Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett.
This story offers a fun take on things, with the forbidden love of Mr.Darcy’s sister- Georgiana, and Elizabeth’s sister- Kitty.
I haven’t read Pride and Prejudice myself, but I am familiar with the characters, so this was quite an easy read for me.
If you are not familiar with them, I do not think it would be a huge problem as you don’t particularly need much background information going into this.
The romance was very sweet.
Georgiana and Kitty felt like a good match, and I liked the way their relationship played out.
I do wish that there was a bit more tension at the beginning, as things between them seemed to develop quite fast.
I didn’t mind that much though, because we see some more tense moments and drama later in the story.
I enjoyed the style of this quite a bit!
This is more akin to an extension of the original story, as opposed to a retelling. Which was very intruging to me.
It makes it more unique, and I think it’s great for people that love Jane Austen, and want something that includes the actual characters from her books.
The authors writing is nice as well. I always find myself a bit nervous to read regency romance, or books based on classics- because the language tends to be flowery and hard for me to focus on.
This however, isn’t like that.
It has a nice balance of old and modern language, and I didn’t have any trouble reading it.
Thank you to Netgalley, Little Brown Books for Young Readers and author Erin Edwards for providing me with the eARC of “The Unruly Heart of Miss Darcy”, in exchange for my honest review!
Publication date: April 07, 2026
April 19, 2026
3.25/5
A sweet, sapphic continuation of Pride and Prejudice revolving around a forbidden romance between Georgiana Darcy and Kitty Bennett.
Told through Georgiana's first person pov, the style of storytelling gives off vibes akin to journaling as she relates the events of her life. There is instant attraction between her and Kitty, and while that is not my favorite trope in romance, I felt the author did a good job portraying the sweet, slow build up of their relationship.
I did wish Georgiana to be a stronger protagonist, and it must be noted that prior rudimentary knowledge of Pride and Prejudice is needed to understand who's who in this book (minimal description of other characters is given) - a fact that might alienate any audience who wishes to read this as a standalone sapphic love story.
Overall, I think this was a quick and lovely read, which could have perhaps been a higher rated one with more detailed scene descriptions and a deeper level romance. I'd be interested to read future works by the author!
A sweet, sapphic continuation of Pride and Prejudice revolving around a forbidden romance between Georgiana Darcy and Kitty Bennett.
Told through Georgiana's first person pov, the style of storytelling gives off vibes akin to journaling as she relates the events of her life. There is instant attraction between her and Kitty, and while that is not my favorite trope in romance, I felt the author did a good job portraying the sweet, slow build up of their relationship.
I did wish Georgiana to be a stronger protagonist, and it must be noted that prior rudimentary knowledge of Pride and Prejudice is needed to understand who's who in this book (minimal description of other characters is given) - a fact that might alienate any audience who wishes to read this as a standalone sapphic love story.
Overall, I think this was a quick and lovely read, which could have perhaps been a higher rated one with more detailed scene descriptions and a deeper level romance. I'd be interested to read future works by the author!
April 15, 2026
Moonlit meetings, secret longings, and whispering touches—this tender romance captures the feeling of having your heart cradled for the first time. MISS DARCY composes a vibrant, clever, and much-needed tune for the Regency genre.
Thank you for the opportunity as an author to blurb!
Thank you for the opportunity as an author to blurb!
April 10, 2026
3,25/5⭐
May 5, 2026
Georgiana Darcy is a quiet, smart young woman who is learning to know her own heart. She's kissed one girl before - and the resulting blackmail nearly ruined her - but it's enough to know she never wants a husband. The moment Kitty Bennet steps into her life, Georgianna is smitten. Now she needs to prove to Kitty how much she's willing to give up to find happiness together.
We are lucky readers to get two sapphic romances featuring Georgiana Darcy this spring, and The Unruly Heart of Miss Darcy is the second one that I picked up (though it did publish first). This leans YA, only in that Georgiana and Kitty are closer in age to their characters in the original Pride & Prejudice story. Georgiana has not formally debuted, and as an unmarried young woman, she is very much under her brother's care still. Darcy leans overprotective, which makes Georgiana feel even younger at times. That said, Georgiana's inner monologue is very age appropriate and is less a queer awakening than a coming of age/finding the right person for her. The book is told entirely in Georgiana's perspective in first person, which works well for the format. YA books in first person read well because our main character is often analyzing boundaries and working to forge their adult identity. It never felt juvenile, and while Georgiana feels naive at times, the writing never does.
This was fun to read, and I definitely recommend it to younger readers looking for a sapphic romance in the Pride and Prejudice world. I loved having the comparison to The Miseducation of Caroline Bingley, to see how two different authors give Georgiana a queer HEA. Georgiana and Kitty's happily ever after fits perfectly with their storyline.
Thank you to Little, Brown for an eARC. The Unruly Heart of Miss Darcy is out 4/7/2026.
We are lucky readers to get two sapphic romances featuring Georgiana Darcy this spring, and The Unruly Heart of Miss Darcy is the second one that I picked up (though it did publish first). This leans YA, only in that Georgiana and Kitty are closer in age to their characters in the original Pride & Prejudice story. Georgiana has not formally debuted, and as an unmarried young woman, she is very much under her brother's care still. Darcy leans overprotective, which makes Georgiana feel even younger at times. That said, Georgiana's inner monologue is very age appropriate and is less a queer awakening than a coming of age/finding the right person for her. The book is told entirely in Georgiana's perspective in first person, which works well for the format. YA books in first person read well because our main character is often analyzing boundaries and working to forge their adult identity. It never felt juvenile, and while Georgiana feels naive at times, the writing never does.
This was fun to read, and I definitely recommend it to younger readers looking for a sapphic romance in the Pride and Prejudice world. I loved having the comparison to The Miseducation of Caroline Bingley, to see how two different authors give Georgiana a queer HEA. Georgiana and Kitty's happily ever after fits perfectly with their storyline.
Thank you to Little, Brown for an eARC. The Unruly Heart of Miss Darcy is out 4/7/2026.
March 6, 2026
This was a delightful YA Regency romance and a fun take on a queer Pride & Prejudice spin-off featuring 17-year old Georgiana Darcy (Mr. Darcy’s younger sister) and her sister-in-law Kitty Bennet. The moment they meet, they are instantly drawn to each other. The yearning in this book is amazing!
I think we all know that the further back we go in history, the harder life was for queer people to live as themselves. This was no different for Georgiana and Kitty. One thing I appreciated about this story, despite the emotions it brought up, was how rooted in reality the challenge of being queer at this time was. In some other sapphic Regency stories I’ve read, the author takes liberties to make the challenges of being queer less of an issue (which is a wonderful alternative take, but I appreciated the realism of Edwards’ writing). These aspects weren’t overlooked in an attempt to create a lighthearted romance, yet we still get a great HEA in the end.
I did find the initial falling in love to be a bit rushed and unrealistic though. I’m not usually a fan of instalove stories, and this definitely had that vibe. Georgiana was basically in love with Kitty long before they’d had any real conversations. It was still a very enjoyable read that I could not put down.
Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I think we all know that the further back we go in history, the harder life was for queer people to live as themselves. This was no different for Georgiana and Kitty. One thing I appreciated about this story, despite the emotions it brought up, was how rooted in reality the challenge of being queer at this time was. In some other sapphic Regency stories I’ve read, the author takes liberties to make the challenges of being queer less of an issue (which is a wonderful alternative take, but I appreciated the realism of Edwards’ writing). These aspects weren’t overlooked in an attempt to create a lighthearted romance, yet we still get a great HEA in the end.
I did find the initial falling in love to be a bit rushed and unrealistic though. I’m not usually a fan of instalove stories, and this definitely had that vibe. Georgiana was basically in love with Kitty long before they’d had any real conversations. It was still a very enjoyable read that I could not put down.
Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 28, 2026
I desperately wanted to like this more than I did. The concept of a queer love story set in the familiar world of Austen's literature seemed like a home run. This book is cute, but it never goes deeper than that for me. Georgiana and Kitty both were rendered a little too shallow, too one-dimensional for me to really buy the love story at the center of the novel. There was no chemistry, no real connection, that gripped me and made me care about the fate of the lovers.
The scenes and angst eventually became repetitive, not helped in any way by none of the characters feeling like fleshed out human beings. I think this book relies a bit too much on the reader's affection and knowledge of Pride & Prejudice to fill in the gaps. I see the potential in a story like this, I just don't think it was well-executed.
2.5 / 5
The scenes and angst eventually became repetitive, not helped in any way by none of the characters feeling like fleshed out human beings. I think this book relies a bit too much on the reader's affection and knowledge of Pride & Prejudice to fill in the gaps. I see the potential in a story like this, I just don't think it was well-executed.
2.5 / 5
April 29, 2026
It feels like the first half of the book is repeated mooning with nothing happening. All of the "Pride & prejudice" parts aren't very Jane Austen. I guess a 40 year old woman isn't the target audience. Might be a better read for teenagers.
September 20, 2025
I love Pride and Prejudice, so a queer contining of the story, of his sister, yeah, I had to read it, and I had such a great time!
September 8, 2025
If you are looking for a continuing Pride and Prejudice story then this quick read soon to be released novel is the one for you! I for one foubd this story to be very engaging and I enjoyed every moment of it. The main focus of the novel is Georgiana Darcy the infamous sister of Mr. Darcy. Georgiana has always tried to be the proper young maiden of society but the problem is that she prefers women to men.
However, years ago she was shamed with blackmail but managed to bounce back her reputation. But after meeting with Kitty Bennett she finds her old feelings creeping back in. Worst of all the very same person who blackmailed her in the past finds out about her new relationship. Will Georgiana and Kitty manage to overcome and find happiness?
Thank you to Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book.
However, years ago she was shamed with blackmail but managed to bounce back her reputation. But after meeting with Kitty Bennett she finds her old feelings creeping back in. Worst of all the very same person who blackmailed her in the past finds out about her new relationship. Will Georgiana and Kitty manage to overcome and find happiness?
Thank you to Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book.
April 8, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
When Kitty Bennet comes to visit her sister at Pemberley, Georgiana Darcy wants her quiet back. She adjusts to the liveliness of two Bennet sisters under the same roof, only to realize she has a major crush on Kitty. After the introduction of this premise, the YA novel The Unruly Heart of Miss Darcy by Erin Edwards dives into the world and characters of Pride and Prejudice as Georgiana and Kitty navigate their feelings for each other and the unaccepting society they live in.
The narrative shines from Georgiana's perspective, and I loved her personality. She's a girl who'd rather read, play chess, or work on her music; in short, she likes solitude and the company of only a few. Her yearning for Kitty is unmatched in this book, and it had me rooting for them to stick together despite society's limitations. I liked Kitty but did not love her and found her too flat for a main love interest. I kept craving more of her personality to shine through. She is presented as a wild Bennet sister who is outspoken and full of life, and she is in some scenes. Overall, she felt one-dimensional with moments of strong characterization. At the end of the novel, she all but disappeared when it came to dialogue and action, which was a bit disappointing.
Their romance unfolds at an easy pace with many sweet scenes between the two as they get to know one another. However, after about the first third of the book, the pace really slowed down, and for me, not enough happened in terms of plot or character development to keep me sucked into the book, so I found myself picking it up for a chapter or two and putting it back down in the middle. The end of the book had a quicker pace that kept me reading and made the book feel a bit more adventurous. I did not find the change in pacing an issue, but it did lead to sections where I felt less invested than others.
The main weakness of the book in my reading experience is that the stakes are not believable. Given that the story takes place in the 1700s and centers on a romance between two teenage girls, the stakes should be high. These teenagers have reputations, family reputation, their financial futures at stake--but I could never fully buy in. But then the world loses its sense of realness at certain points. Personally I wish Edwards had either stuck to the stakes even if it meant an imperfectly happy ending or that she had completely thrown the rules of Austen's world and played a bit more with what could happen.
I will say this is a book I wish existed when I was a tween/teen because I read Pride and Prejudice at about 12 and would have loved to see this representation. Edwards includes many beloved and some infamous characters from the original text, so for fans of the book, there should be something for everyone to be found here. If you're someone who loves all things Pride and Prejudice or enjoys reimagined classics, you should consider adding this to your reading list! If you're a middle grade or teen reader who wants diversity and representation in their school reads, give this book a shot to enhance your experience reading Pride and Prejudice.
3.5 stars rounded to 4
When Kitty Bennet comes to visit her sister at Pemberley, Georgiana Darcy wants her quiet back. She adjusts to the liveliness of two Bennet sisters under the same roof, only to realize she has a major crush on Kitty. After the introduction of this premise, the YA novel The Unruly Heart of Miss Darcy by Erin Edwards dives into the world and characters of Pride and Prejudice as Georgiana and Kitty navigate their feelings for each other and the unaccepting society they live in.
The narrative shines from Georgiana's perspective, and I loved her personality. She's a girl who'd rather read, play chess, or work on her music; in short, she likes solitude and the company of only a few. Her yearning for Kitty is unmatched in this book, and it had me rooting for them to stick together despite society's limitations. I liked Kitty but did not love her and found her too flat for a main love interest. I kept craving more of her personality to shine through. She is presented as a wild Bennet sister who is outspoken and full of life, and she is in some scenes. Overall, she felt one-dimensional with moments of strong characterization. At the end of the novel, she all but disappeared when it came to dialogue and action, which was a bit disappointing.
Their romance unfolds at an easy pace with many sweet scenes between the two as they get to know one another. However, after about the first third of the book, the pace really slowed down, and for me, not enough happened in terms of plot or character development to keep me sucked into the book, so I found myself picking it up for a chapter or two and putting it back down in the middle. The end of the book had a quicker pace that kept me reading and made the book feel a bit more adventurous. I did not find the change in pacing an issue, but it did lead to sections where I felt less invested than others.
The main weakness of the book in my reading experience is that the stakes are not believable. Given that the story takes place in the 1700s and centers on a romance between two teenage girls, the stakes should be high. These teenagers have reputations, family reputation, their financial futures at stake--but I could never fully buy in. But then the world loses its sense of realness at certain points. Personally I wish Edwards had either stuck to the stakes even if it meant an imperfectly happy ending or that she had completely thrown the rules of Austen's world and played a bit more with what could happen.
I will say this is a book I wish existed when I was a tween/teen because I read Pride and Prejudice at about 12 and would have loved to see this representation. Edwards includes many beloved and some infamous characters from the original text, so for fans of the book, there should be something for everyone to be found here. If you're someone who loves all things Pride and Prejudice or enjoys reimagined classics, you should consider adding this to your reading list! If you're a middle grade or teen reader who wants diversity and representation in their school reads, give this book a shot to enhance your experience reading Pride and Prejudice.
3.5 stars rounded to 4
April 10, 2026
Book review: 3.5/5 ⭐️
Genre: regency romance
Themes: sapphic romance, historical, feminism, appearances
📖 Read if you like: A Lady for All Seasons
Pride and Prejudice gets a spin off that gives new meaning to the word prejudice. In this sapphic love story, two fairly bland characters from the beloved classic get their own turn in the spotlight. It had all the longing and erratic behaviour of first love, but it equally showcased the bounds between siblings and how support makes freedom of choice easier to grasp.
Georgiana Darcy always seemed debilitated by her timid shyness and gullibility, while Kitty Bennet was one of the senseless duo who followed her younger sister around in silliness. In this take Georgiana is quietly clever speaking several languages, is a chess master and writes her own compositions. Instead of being falling for Wickham, she agrees to a bargain with him to protect another girl and the secret they share. In this version of history, Georgiana made a strategic decision to preserve her family name.
Free of Lydia’s constant companionship, Kitty is now free to form her own opinions. She is a ray of sunshine who marvels at the world and wishes to see more of it. When she goes to Pemberley to visit her sister, Kitty will meet Georgiana for the first time. For Georgiana the attraction is instantaneous, while Kitty is intrigued by this creature who is unlike any woman she knows. As a friendship blossoms during midnight rendezvous in the library and over plates of gingerbread, the possibility of something more heats between them.
I liked that this sequel gave sidelined characters a voice in a what if tale. Making this a love story set in regency England also highlighted the trials of such a relationship during that period. There were undoubtedly many with similar preferences, but pride and appearance within the aristocracy hid much. It was rather sweet to have Darcy and Elizabeth as fierce supporters of their siblings, though I am not sure the prideful Darcy would be so accepting as he was framed to be here.
I struggled a little with the initial attraction. It read a lot like youthful infatuation with reckless abandonment leading the charge in decision making. It was hard to believe real feelings developed, though I liked the idea of it. I thought Kitty needed to be more interesting. She remained a blank canvas that shaped itself around Georgiana rather than an entity of her own. Still their loyalty towards one another was rather sweet, as was their hope for a future together. Also liked that Charlotte got a shout out as I always thought she had feelings for dear old Lizzie.
I don’t read a lot of romance, but I do reread Jane Austen regularly and enjoy all these spin offs, though it is hard to replicate the master and her witty dialogue. Thank you to Colored Pages book tour, the publisher and the author for gifting me this book.
Genre: regency romance
Themes: sapphic romance, historical, feminism, appearances
📖 Read if you like: A Lady for All Seasons
Pride and Prejudice gets a spin off that gives new meaning to the word prejudice. In this sapphic love story, two fairly bland characters from the beloved classic get their own turn in the spotlight. It had all the longing and erratic behaviour of first love, but it equally showcased the bounds between siblings and how support makes freedom of choice easier to grasp.
Georgiana Darcy always seemed debilitated by her timid shyness and gullibility, while Kitty Bennet was one of the senseless duo who followed her younger sister around in silliness. In this take Georgiana is quietly clever speaking several languages, is a chess master and writes her own compositions. Instead of being falling for Wickham, she agrees to a bargain with him to protect another girl and the secret they share. In this version of history, Georgiana made a strategic decision to preserve her family name.
Free of Lydia’s constant companionship, Kitty is now free to form her own opinions. She is a ray of sunshine who marvels at the world and wishes to see more of it. When she goes to Pemberley to visit her sister, Kitty will meet Georgiana for the first time. For Georgiana the attraction is instantaneous, while Kitty is intrigued by this creature who is unlike any woman she knows. As a friendship blossoms during midnight rendezvous in the library and over plates of gingerbread, the possibility of something more heats between them.
I liked that this sequel gave sidelined characters a voice in a what if tale. Making this a love story set in regency England also highlighted the trials of such a relationship during that period. There were undoubtedly many with similar preferences, but pride and appearance within the aristocracy hid much. It was rather sweet to have Darcy and Elizabeth as fierce supporters of their siblings, though I am not sure the prideful Darcy would be so accepting as he was framed to be here.
I struggled a little with the initial attraction. It read a lot like youthful infatuation with reckless abandonment leading the charge in decision making. It was hard to believe real feelings developed, though I liked the idea of it. I thought Kitty needed to be more interesting. She remained a blank canvas that shaped itself around Georgiana rather than an entity of her own. Still their loyalty towards one another was rather sweet, as was their hope for a future together. Also liked that Charlotte got a shout out as I always thought she had feelings for dear old Lizzie.
I don’t read a lot of romance, but I do reread Jane Austen regularly and enjoy all these spin offs, though it is hard to replicate the master and her witty dialogue. Thank you to Colored Pages book tour, the publisher and the author for gifting me this book.
April 9, 2026
Title: The Unruly Heart of Miss Darcy
Author: Erin Edwards
Publication date: 4/7/26 | Read: 4/7/26
Format: e-Book 336 pgs.
Genre:
*YA
*Historical Fic
*LGBTQIA+
*Romance
Tropes:
*sapphic romance
*instant attraction
*shares room
*family drama
*forbidden romance
*friends to lovers
*hidden truth
POV: 1st person single
⚠️TW: homophobia, blackmail, the patriarchy/societal norms, death of parents
🌎 Setting: England
Summary: After being blackmailed for kissing her BFF Helena, Georgiana was sent to London for proper etiquette training. Now she's back with her brother Mr. Darcy and retreats into her music and books. She hates balls and has no plans to marry. She meets and falls for Kitty even though neither can risk the shame or ruin their family's reputation for love. Will her brother and sister-in-law help her and Kitty be together or banish them forever?
Heroine: Georgiana "George" Darcy
Heroine: Catherine "Kitty" Bennet
Other Characters:
* Mr. Darcy-Georgiana's brother
*Elizabeth "Lizzy"-Kitty's sister
*Jane and Mr. Bingley-Elizabeth's sister and husband
*Lydia- Elizabeth's sister, married George Wickham who tried to blackmail Georgiana
*Lady Catherine-Georgiana's aunt trying to marry her off
*Charlotte Collins-Elizabeth's BFF
*James Honeyfield-Georgiana's new suitor
*Emma-Georgiana's lady's maid/confidante
*Frances-a chamber maid banished by Darcy for kissing another woman
*Lady Eleanor and Miss Sarah-an older same-sex couple living together
🤔 My Thoughts: This was an interesting twist on the unconventional love story between Kitty Bennet and Georgiana Darcy. Their forbidden romance was explored with an intense lack of faith in their family's acceptance. They tried to keep things secret but were caught together, and Georgiana was sent to Aunt Catherine's. They ran away together and spoke to other queer women who have made sacrifices for their love.
Rating: 4/5 ✨
Spice level: 3/5🌶️
🙏🏾Thanks to NetGalley, Little Brown Books for Young Readers, and Erin Edwards for this ARC! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions are my own.
Author: Erin Edwards
Publication date: 4/7/26 | Read: 4/7/26
Format: e-Book 336 pgs.
Genre:
*YA
*Historical Fic
*LGBTQIA+
*Romance
Tropes:
*sapphic romance
*instant attraction
*shares room
*family drama
*forbidden romance
*friends to lovers
*hidden truth
POV: 1st person single
⚠️TW: homophobia, blackmail, the patriarchy/societal norms, death of parents
🌎 Setting: England
Summary: After being blackmailed for kissing her BFF Helena, Georgiana was sent to London for proper etiquette training. Now she's back with her brother Mr. Darcy and retreats into her music and books. She hates balls and has no plans to marry. She meets and falls for Kitty even though neither can risk the shame or ruin their family's reputation for love. Will her brother and sister-in-law help her and Kitty be together or banish them forever?
Heroine: Georgiana "George" Darcy
Heroine: Catherine "Kitty" Bennet
Other Characters:
* Mr. Darcy-Georgiana's brother
*Elizabeth "Lizzy"-Kitty's sister
*Jane and Mr. Bingley-Elizabeth's sister and husband
*Lydia- Elizabeth's sister, married George Wickham who tried to blackmail Georgiana
*Lady Catherine-Georgiana's aunt trying to marry her off
*Charlotte Collins-Elizabeth's BFF
*James Honeyfield-Georgiana's new suitor
*Emma-Georgiana's lady's maid/confidante
*Frances-a chamber maid banished by Darcy for kissing another woman
*Lady Eleanor and Miss Sarah-an older same-sex couple living together
🤔 My Thoughts: This was an interesting twist on the unconventional love story between Kitty Bennet and Georgiana Darcy. Their forbidden romance was explored with an intense lack of faith in their family's acceptance. They tried to keep things secret but were caught together, and Georgiana was sent to Aunt Catherine's. They ran away together and spoke to other queer women who have made sacrifices for their love.
Rating: 4/5 ✨
Spice level: 3/5🌶️
🙏🏾Thanks to NetGalley, Little Brown Books for Young Readers, and Erin Edwards for this ARC! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions are my own.
February 21, 2026
“i was still georgiana darcy, and i knew exactly what behavior was expected of me. the trouble was, i much preferred being kitty’s george.”
georgiana darcy’s plans for a quiet life at pemberley are upset by the arrival of one kitty bennet. georgiana falls head over heels for elizabeth’s younger sister, and when kitty is summoned home for a family emergency, georgiana follows, only to come face-to-face with the man who nearly ruined her life once before. torn between her love for kitty and her fear of rejection and sense of duty, georgiana must consider what future she can live with—and if happily ever afters exist for girls like her.
jane austen’s writing is so witty and incisive and the unruly heart of miss darcy is decidedly not. it reads like the author relied too heavily on playing in austen’s sandbox and while i think this is one of the more believable depictions of instalove i’ve come across—of course two sheltered teenagers with no other queer people in their circles (at least initially), suddenly living under the same roof, might fall for each other—i found the whole romance rather lackluster. what do georgiana and kitty have in common beyond each being the only age-appropriate sapphic the other knows of?
the unruly heart of miss darcy might be more enjoyable if you haven’t read (and adored) pride and prejudice and can approach it as a standalone, without cringing at how OOC some of the more familiar characters are. (although i didn’t mind charlotte’s storyline.) i think it’s passable as YA historical fiction, just not as a jane austen retelling.
i received an ARC from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
rating: 2.5/5.0 stars
April 26, 2026
The Unruly Heart of Miss Darcy by Erin Edwards reimagines the world of Pride and Prejudice through a queer lens, centering Georgiana Darcy in a story defined by longing, fear, and emotional risk. Written in a close first-person perspective, the novel effectively heightens the internal stakes, immersing the reader in Georgiana’s anxious and often conflicted inner world.
Edwards excels at portraying the psychological tension of a character navigating desire in a society that offers no safe space for it. Georgiana’s past experience with blackmail lends urgency to her present feelings, and her growing attachment to Kitty Bennet is shaped as much by uncertainty as it is by affection. The narrative carefully balances Georgiana’s fear of exposure with Kitty’s own struggles, ensuring that both perspectives carry emotional weight.
The novel is, at its core, a gentle and affectionate romance. While its tone leans toward the chaste, it remains deeply satisfying, particularly in how it expands upon familiar characters. Mr. Darcy is further developed with warmth, Elizabeth remains as compelling as ever, and Charlotte is given intriguing new dimensions. The presence of figures such as Mr. Wickham reinforces the tension, while the unexpected inclusion of the Ladies of Llangollen adds a thoughtful historical touch.
Though understated in its romantic expression, The Unruly Heart of Miss Darcy succeeds in crafting a story that is both emotionally engaging and thematically resonant, offering a compelling exploration of identity, vulnerability, and the courage required to pursue love against the expectations of one’s time.
Edwards excels at portraying the psychological tension of a character navigating desire in a society that offers no safe space for it. Georgiana’s past experience with blackmail lends urgency to her present feelings, and her growing attachment to Kitty Bennet is shaped as much by uncertainty as it is by affection. The narrative carefully balances Georgiana’s fear of exposure with Kitty’s own struggles, ensuring that both perspectives carry emotional weight.
The novel is, at its core, a gentle and affectionate romance. While its tone leans toward the chaste, it remains deeply satisfying, particularly in how it expands upon familiar characters. Mr. Darcy is further developed with warmth, Elizabeth remains as compelling as ever, and Charlotte is given intriguing new dimensions. The presence of figures such as Mr. Wickham reinforces the tension, while the unexpected inclusion of the Ladies of Llangollen adds a thoughtful historical touch.
Though understated in its romantic expression, The Unruly Heart of Miss Darcy succeeds in crafting a story that is both emotionally engaging and thematically resonant, offering a compelling exploration of identity, vulnerability, and the courage required to pursue love against the expectations of one’s time.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I suspect if I had read this book when I was a teenager, it would be one of my favorite books, which does make it hard to talk about now, when it wasn't. Overall, I did enjoy reading it. Georgiana and Kitty were very cute together, but I felt like too much page time was spent on obstacles and separation that was mostly solved with a brief conversation, and I wish that time was spent instead on further relationship development. I also don't personally tend to love random appearances of real people, and the language sometimes felt a little modern for me.
Honestly, though, my biggest issue was just the way the book treated Georgiana's history with Wickham, changing it from him manipulating and taking advantage of her to outright threatening and blackmailing her, while she thought back to the story she told her brother about the situation (the story being the one presented in Pride and Prejudice) as her letting him think of her as an easily led child and the narrative still kind of treating Lydia, who is also a teenager this adult man took advantage of, with disdain. I admit this is a subject I am touchy about, though.
I think this book has a lot to offer, particularly for queer teenage fans of Pride and Prejudice, and I think the emphasis it placed on being able to see yourself in your stories was particularly strong. I hope to see this book do well. I just think I might be a little too old to get everything out of it that I would have when I was the target audience, which is not a crime on the part of this book.
Honestly, though, my biggest issue was just the way the book treated Georgiana's history with Wickham, changing it from him manipulating and taking advantage of her to outright threatening and blackmailing her, while she thought back to the story she told her brother about the situation (the story being the one presented in Pride and Prejudice) as her letting him think of her as an easily led child and the narrative still kind of treating Lydia, who is also a teenager this adult man took advantage of, with disdain. I admit this is a subject I am touchy about, though.
I think this book has a lot to offer, particularly for queer teenage fans of Pride and Prejudice, and I think the emphasis it placed on being able to see yourself in your stories was particularly strong. I hope to see this book do well. I just think I might be a little too old to get everything out of it that I would have when I was the target audience, which is not a crime on the part of this book.
March 24, 2026
I absolutely loved this book! This sapphic Jane Austen continuation immediately caught my eye. In it we are following Georgiana Darcy who is extremely shy and also grappling with secrets she believes could cause her loving older brother to disown her.
The stakes feel high, but the vibe was cozy. I've been looking for cozy reads, but unfortunately I'm never intrigued enough to pick up the more popular recs out there. If you're like me, I recommend checking out retellings and continuations of classics you love. I'm immediately invested in the characters and I'm intrigued by whatever spin the author will put on the story. Erin Edwards did just that. These are the Pride & Prejudice characters I know and love. A common fear with these types of books is that they'll ruin characters, but Edwards handled them and the topic of the book with care.
My only complaint of the book is the lack of detail in the beginning of the love story. I wish we had more scenes between Georgiana and her love interest so we could more easily understand why they fall in love. I'm not a huge fan of instalove, and this book does have a hint of that with Georgiana's immediate attraction to the love interest. This issue didn't ruin the book for me, but I likely would have given it a higher rating if it had more pining and tension at the beginning of the story.
For readers who prefer more intense romances, this is a young adult novel about girls in the Regency era. The romance is extremely tame and we never see more than kisses. I think the book is perfect for teens who love Jane Austen and are looking for a queer story.
Thank you to Erin Edwards, Little Brown Books, and Netgalley for an eArc of this book in exchange for my honest review.
The stakes feel high, but the vibe was cozy. I've been looking for cozy reads, but unfortunately I'm never intrigued enough to pick up the more popular recs out there. If you're like me, I recommend checking out retellings and continuations of classics you love. I'm immediately invested in the characters and I'm intrigued by whatever spin the author will put on the story. Erin Edwards did just that. These are the Pride & Prejudice characters I know and love. A common fear with these types of books is that they'll ruin characters, but Edwards handled them and the topic of the book with care.
My only complaint of the book is the lack of detail in the beginning of the love story. I wish we had more scenes between Georgiana and her love interest so we could more easily understand why they fall in love. I'm not a huge fan of instalove, and this book does have a hint of that with Georgiana's immediate attraction to the love interest. This issue didn't ruin the book for me, but I likely would have given it a higher rating if it had more pining and tension at the beginning of the story.
For readers who prefer more intense romances, this is a young adult novel about girls in the Regency era. The romance is extremely tame and we never see more than kisses. I think the book is perfect for teens who love Jane Austen and are looking for a queer story.
Thank you to Erin Edwards, Little Brown Books, and Netgalley for an eArc of this book in exchange for my honest review.
February 13, 2026
Jane Austen is my favorite favorite favorite, so I've never liked any book set inside her worlds — until now! When writers do Austen, they're either trying too hard to BE Austen (impossible), or they accept they'll NEVER be her, so they go so far in the other direction it's unreadable to me. Erin Edwards did such a great thing here, in staying very true to the characters, and as much of the time period as possible here in 2026, but the voice was her own. The Unruly Heart of Miss Darcy reads like really good P&P fan fic (complimentary). At first I thought Georgina and Kitty were falling for each other too fast to sustain the momentum of the book, but actually, it's because they had to spend the last third going on a grand adventure to save themselves! I won't say to where, only that if you love lesbian history, you'll swoon over where they're headed. I delighted in this version of Georgina, the retcon of what really happened with her and Wickham, and the ways she uses her limited freedoms to chase her true heart's desire. I also loved how she [REDACTED] WICKHAM IN THE [REDACTED]. A really lovely queer YA book worthy of the Darcy on the cover.
Thank you to Little, Brown Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book and provide and honest review.
Thank you to Little, Brown Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book and provide and honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a lovely, lovey dovey book about a teenage Georgiana Darcy falling in love and finding courage with Kitty Bennet!
Georgiana is the quiet, introverted younger teen sister of Fitzwilliam Darcy (actually, hilariously, she always calls him Darcy in this). She hates parties and company, which means that every time Elizabeth and Darcy throw their monthly ball at Pemberley, she hides in another part of the house. She just absolutely does not want to find a husband, but that's not something she thinks she can tell anyone. Well, one day, Kitty Bennet comes to visit, and she is BEAUTIFUL. Georgiana and Kitty fall in love immediately. But it's the Regency Era, so how can two women possibly be together?
This historical romance was soft and kind, and I felt for Georgiana. Her attempted elopement with Mr. Wickham is not what we thought it was, and she's still scarred by the ordeal. She's haunted by her brother's dismissal of a lesbian maid during her childhood. She's terrified of what might happen if her family rejects her for being a lesbian.
Luckily, everything goes as well as we'd hope.
If you're in the mood for a YA historical romance that makes you feel soft, this is the one for you.
Thanks to Netgalley and Little, Brown and Company for the ARC!
Georgiana is the quiet, introverted younger teen sister of Fitzwilliam Darcy (actually, hilariously, she always calls him Darcy in this). She hates parties and company, which means that every time Elizabeth and Darcy throw their monthly ball at Pemberley, she hides in another part of the house. She just absolutely does not want to find a husband, but that's not something she thinks she can tell anyone. Well, one day, Kitty Bennet comes to visit, and she is BEAUTIFUL. Georgiana and Kitty fall in love immediately. But it's the Regency Era, so how can two women possibly be together?
This historical romance was soft and kind, and I felt for Georgiana. Her attempted elopement with Mr. Wickham is not what we thought it was, and she's still scarred by the ordeal. She's haunted by her brother's dismissal of a lesbian maid during her childhood. She's terrified of what might happen if her family rejects her for being a lesbian.
Luckily, everything goes as well as we'd hope.
If you're in the mood for a YA historical romance that makes you feel soft, this is the one for you.
Thanks to Netgalley and Little, Brown and Company for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
This book is a very sweet sapphic romance. I think there are parts of it that rely on a reader already knowing the cast of characters. As a Pride and Prejudice lover, I was able to jump right into the story and know who everyone is. I know the circumstances that led to the start of this book - which is about a year after the end of P&P. Unfortunately, that does young readers a disservice.
While I love Georgiana and Kitty, readers don't get a deep dive into who they are, beyond what they do with each other. Georgiana loves playing her instruments, reading, and her solitude. While Kitty's interests aren't really spoken of, except for her liking to spend time with Georgiana while she does her own hobbies.
I think some readers will dislike the changes to Georgiana's past with Wickham, though it serves a purpose in this book.
For young audiences, this is a sweet peek into Jane Austen's work, but it doesn't feature the biting and witty societal commentary that Austen was famous for. However, it does give young queer readers characters who look like them and think like them. And in the world right now, that's absolutely needed
*I received an ARC and am leaving this review voluntarily.*
This book is a very sweet sapphic romance. I think there are parts of it that rely on a reader already knowing the cast of characters. As a Pride and Prejudice lover, I was able to jump right into the story and know who everyone is. I know the circumstances that led to the start of this book - which is about a year after the end of P&P. Unfortunately, that does young readers a disservice.
While I love Georgiana and Kitty, readers don't get a deep dive into who they are, beyond what they do with each other. Georgiana loves playing her instruments, reading, and her solitude. While Kitty's interests aren't really spoken of, except for her liking to spend time with Georgiana while she does her own hobbies.
I think some readers will dislike the changes to Georgiana's past with Wickham, though it serves a purpose in this book.
For young audiences, this is a sweet peek into Jane Austen's work, but it doesn't feature the biting and witty societal commentary that Austen was famous for. However, it does give young queer readers characters who look like them and think like them. And in the world right now, that's absolutely needed
*I received an ARC and am leaving this review voluntarily.*
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Advanced reader's copy review
This book really embraced the historic period, and as a result there was a lot of external conflict. Georgiana and Kitty quickly fall in love, and then spend much of the book fighting to be together as so many different forces drive them apart. I struggled a bit with how much they moved around the country and beyond, wanting more wholesome moments of close proximity. Their love was incredibly sweet, and they were so earnest and honest with each other, with Kitty’s flowers for Georgiana, and Georgiana’s sonata and reading for Kitty. I adored every moment of them together, and hated how frequently they got separated. I also struggled a bit with them as individual characters. I found Kitty underdeveloped, and while I loved Georgiana and her journey, I struggled a bit with her distrust of Darcy. I also felt most of the conflict could have been avoided if everyone just sat down and talked, instead of the constant coming and going. Once that finally happened at the end everything was easily resolved. So overall this was sweet but a bit fast and busy for me.
Thank you Little, Brown Books for Young Readers and Netgalley for the free advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
This book really embraced the historic period, and as a result there was a lot of external conflict. Georgiana and Kitty quickly fall in love, and then spend much of the book fighting to be together as so many different forces drive them apart. I struggled a bit with how much they moved around the country and beyond, wanting more wholesome moments of close proximity. Their love was incredibly sweet, and they were so earnest and honest with each other, with Kitty’s flowers for Georgiana, and Georgiana’s sonata and reading for Kitty. I adored every moment of them together, and hated how frequently they got separated. I also struggled a bit with them as individual characters. I found Kitty underdeveloped, and while I loved Georgiana and her journey, I struggled a bit with her distrust of Darcy. I also felt most of the conflict could have been avoided if everyone just sat down and talked, instead of the constant coming and going. Once that finally happened at the end everything was easily resolved. So overall this was sweet but a bit fast and busy for me.
Thank you Little, Brown Books for Young Readers and Netgalley for the free advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is the sapphic Pride and Prejudice sequel of my dreams. It took me about a chapter or so to warm up to the story, but after that point I didn’t want to put the book down! Georgiana was so relatable. My heart immediately went out to her. And it was lovely to see Kitty step out of Lydia’s shadow and truly come into her own. Their romance felt so real and was extremely swoon worthy. That first kiss? A jaw dropper. And the letter from Kitty? Sigh. My heart ached for them to be together and I was so happy when they got their well-deserved HEA.
I also enjoyed getting to see more of Elizabeth, Darcy, Mary, and Charlotte. Elizabeth’s acceptance and support, especially her hilarious comment about men, felt sincere and was exactly what I’d expect from her, even given the constraints of the times. I also LOVED the inclusion of the historical figures that made a cameo. My only complain is that I wish I could have seen Mr. Wickham end up on the wrong end of a duel, though that’s more for my sake than the good of the story.
I received an advanced copy from the publisher and am voluntarily leaving this review.
I also enjoyed getting to see more of Elizabeth, Darcy, Mary, and Charlotte. Elizabeth’s acceptance and support, especially her hilarious comment about men, felt sincere and was exactly what I’d expect from her, even given the constraints of the times. I also LOVED the inclusion of the historical figures that made a cameo. My only complain is that I wish I could have seen Mr. Wickham end up on the wrong end of a duel, though that’s more for my sake than the good of the story.
I received an advanced copy from the publisher and am voluntarily leaving this review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.25 Stars
I adored this story. I mean I love pride and prejudice and I love a sapphic regency romance so I was here for this. The author did such a great job developing Kitty and Georgiana's characters in this story. This was new spin with side characters in a beloved novel that came across as refreshing and engaging.
Georgiana has never been quite truthful about what happened with Wickham, she isn't as easily fooled or manipulated as her past may seem, but she does harbor a deep fear of not being accepted and being discovered by others who would shame her. Kitty is the fun loving sister of Elizabeth, who has come into her own after spending time away from Lydia.
When Kitty is visiting Elizabeth her and Georgiana strike up a surprising friendship. The two grow together in small moments of silence and laughter and through games of chess. But can the overcome the society in which they live?
I highly recommend this book, it was fun, endearing and if you love sapphic regency stories this one will not disappoint! Thank you to the publisher for providing an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
I adored this story. I mean I love pride and prejudice and I love a sapphic regency romance so I was here for this. The author did such a great job developing Kitty and Georgiana's characters in this story. This was new spin with side characters in a beloved novel that came across as refreshing and engaging.
Georgiana has never been quite truthful about what happened with Wickham, she isn't as easily fooled or manipulated as her past may seem, but she does harbor a deep fear of not being accepted and being discovered by others who would shame her. Kitty is the fun loving sister of Elizabeth, who has come into her own after spending time away from Lydia.
When Kitty is visiting Elizabeth her and Georgiana strike up a surprising friendship. The two grow together in small moments of silence and laughter and through games of chess. But can the overcome the society in which they live?
I highly recommend this book, it was fun, endearing and if you love sapphic regency stories this one will not disappoint! Thank you to the publisher for providing an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
April 10, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest thoughts <3
Georgiana Darcy as a lesbian??? This might be just what the world needs. I'm not a P&P stan or anything, but I do tend to enjoy retellings or reimaginings. Add in a sapphic romance between Georgiana and Kitty and I'm basically guaranteed to enjoy it. I enjoyed how Erin Edwards played with the original narrative to make Georgiana's history with Mr. Wickham better suit her character in this particular story. I fell hard for Georgiana as she was chasing after this ideal society lady that was never going to be her truth. She's an easy character to empathize with and I loved being in her head!
The romance was very sweet, while still leaving room for Georgiana and Kitty to cope with the ramifications of them being found out at various times throughout the story. It was quite endearing how these two became each other's person. I'm quite fond of their secret library visits and harpsichord love songs. I immensely enjoyed the real historical figures Erin Edwards wrote into the story, because it just show that queer people have always existed!!!
Georgiana Darcy as a lesbian??? This might be just what the world needs. I'm not a P&P stan or anything, but I do tend to enjoy retellings or reimaginings. Add in a sapphic romance between Georgiana and Kitty and I'm basically guaranteed to enjoy it. I enjoyed how Erin Edwards played with the original narrative to make Georgiana's history with Mr. Wickham better suit her character in this particular story. I fell hard for Georgiana as she was chasing after this ideal society lady that was never going to be her truth. She's an easy character to empathize with and I loved being in her head!
The romance was very sweet, while still leaving room for Georgiana and Kitty to cope with the ramifications of them being found out at various times throughout the story. It was quite endearing how these two became each other's person. I'm quite fond of their secret library visits and harpsichord love songs. I immensely enjoyed the real historical figures Erin Edwards wrote into the story, because it just show that queer people have always existed!!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
"Sometimes I dreamt there were places with people like that. Others who lingered too long in front of portraits of beautiful women, who dreamt of kissing rouged lips and holding delicate hands. It seemed ludicrous to imagine a place where that was accepted, but the very idea was paradisaical."
Perfect for fans of Pride and Prejudice hoping to see a bit more of themselves woven into the classic novel. It's chock full of sapphic yearning and tenderness that drive Georgiana Darcy into the arms of her unlikely lover, Kitty Bennet.
While much of the novel follows their blossoming love story, being a lesbian in Regency England is far from a smooth road. The pair must hide their feelings from larger society, bargaining slowly as they reveal their true thoughts not just to each other but to their loved ones as well.
A tale of hope, belonging, and sweet romance blossoms from the lives of characters many of us know and love in this lighthearted and sweet tale. Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for an advance copy of this book.
Perfect for fans of Pride and Prejudice hoping to see a bit more of themselves woven into the classic novel. It's chock full of sapphic yearning and tenderness that drive Georgiana Darcy into the arms of her unlikely lover, Kitty Bennet.
While much of the novel follows their blossoming love story, being a lesbian in Regency England is far from a smooth road. The pair must hide their feelings from larger society, bargaining slowly as they reveal their true thoughts not just to each other but to their loved ones as well.
A tale of hope, belonging, and sweet romance blossoms from the lives of characters many of us know and love in this lighthearted and sweet tale. Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for an advance copy of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Rating: 🐧🐧🐧🐧.25/5
Quick Reasons: queer/LGBTQIA+ spinoff of a well known romance; realistic motivations, with an HEA to boot; love that we got Kitty's story!; what happened with Mr Bennett?!
Huge thanks to Erin Edwards; Little, Brown Books for Young Readers/ Hatchette Books; and Colored Pages Book Tours for the ARC! This review is voluntarily written and in no way altered by this gesture.
If you've been around my book block for a while, you'll already know that ANY time I get the chance to read a Pride and Prejudice inspired book, I take it in a heartbeat. So I was SUPER excited to be able to pick this queer spin off up and dive in-- and I'm not disappointed by it.
This read is filled with angst and yearning, keeping readers wondering the big question: will they be who they are, or won't they? I really love that we got the story of two of the least mentioned characters from the original text in this book-- that they were well written and had realistic reactions, motivations, and emotions only helped to draw me closer to them both. While some of the other characters had some moments that did not align fully with how I had otherwise imagined them, I had a fabulous time stepping back into their world all the same.
I highly recommend this to other Pride and Prejudice fanatics, lovers of a good HEA, and readers who enjoy spinoffs of well known classics. The ribbons are laid out and there's gingerbread on the table; whose name will be on your dance cards, Penguins?
Quick Reasons: queer/LGBTQIA+ spinoff of a well known romance; realistic motivations, with an HEA to boot; love that we got Kitty's story!; what happened with Mr Bennett?!
Huge thanks to Erin Edwards; Little, Brown Books for Young Readers/ Hatchette Books; and Colored Pages Book Tours for the ARC! This review is voluntarily written and in no way altered by this gesture.
If you've been around my book block for a while, you'll already know that ANY time I get the chance to read a Pride and Prejudice inspired book, I take it in a heartbeat. So I was SUPER excited to be able to pick this queer spin off up and dive in-- and I'm not disappointed by it.
This read is filled with angst and yearning, keeping readers wondering the big question: will they be who they are, or won't they? I really love that we got the story of two of the least mentioned characters from the original text in this book-- that they were well written and had realistic reactions, motivations, and emotions only helped to draw me closer to them both. While some of the other characters had some moments that did not align fully with how I had otherwise imagined them, I had a fabulous time stepping back into their world all the same.
I highly recommend this to other Pride and Prejudice fanatics, lovers of a good HEA, and readers who enjoy spinoffs of well known classics. The ribbons are laid out and there's gingerbread on the table; whose name will be on your dance cards, Penguins?
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book was so charming and sweet. We follow Georgiana Darcy sometime after the events of Pride and Prejudice where she has become quite close with Elizabeth but hasn't really met any of her family yet. That changes when Kitty Bennet comes to stay for a while and immediately upends Georgiana's life with her pretty face and vivacity. As the two (reluctantly on Georgiana's part) start to get closer, feelings start to bubble to the surface, ones Georgiana has tried to stifle. The romance between them is very cute and a bit dramatic, but what can you expect from 17/18 year olds. I really appreciated that the author really understands the characters from P&P and how they would translate to a story of this nature. I liked how we even get to see the rest of the Bennets as well as Charlotte. I think this is a really good continuation of the story. If you are looking for a sapphic historical YA romance, this would be a great choice even if you haven't read P&P.
*Thank you so much to Little Brown and NetGalley for the eARC. All thoughts are my own.*
*Thank you so much to Little Brown and NetGalley for the eARC. All thoughts are my own.*
November 10, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley, Erin Edwards, and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
4.75 stars
This was such a cute sapphic love story. If you loved Pride and Prejudice and are looking for a queer story, then you should pick this one up. I loved the way that Erin Edwards went with Georgiana Darcy's story. I was always so curious about her character in Pride and Prejudice. Georgiana Darcy is my kind of character because she hungers for knowledge and doesn't want to be a wife. She wants more from life. I also enjoyed that we got to see Charlotte for a short scene that is important to the overall story. I was amazed to learn that this is Erin Edwards' debut and that she took time to publish. I can tell by how fleshed out this story was. I can't wait to read more books by Erin Edwards. I highly recommend this book!
4.75 stars
This was such a cute sapphic love story. If you loved Pride and Prejudice and are looking for a queer story, then you should pick this one up. I loved the way that Erin Edwards went with Georgiana Darcy's story. I was always so curious about her character in Pride and Prejudice. Georgiana Darcy is my kind of character because she hungers for knowledge and doesn't want to be a wife. She wants more from life. I also enjoyed that we got to see Charlotte for a short scene that is important to the overall story. I was amazed to learn that this is Erin Edwards' debut and that she took time to publish. I can tell by how fleshed out this story was. I can't wait to read more books by Erin Edwards. I highly recommend this book!
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