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The Woods Hole Quartet #1
Pemberley by the Sea
Also published as The Man Who Loved Pride & Prejudice
A modern love story with a Jane Austen twist...
Marine biologist Cassie Boulton likes her coffee with cream and her literature with happy endings. Her favorite book is Pride and Prejudice, but Cassie has no patience when a modern-day Mr. Darcy appears in her lab.
Silent and aloof, Calder Westing III doesn't seem to offer anything but a famous family name. But there is more to Calder than meets the eye, and he can't get enough of Cassie Boulton. Especially after one passionate night by the sea. But Cassie keeps her distance. Frustrated by Cassie's evasions, Calder tells her about his feelings the only way she'll let him-by rewriting her favorite book, with the two of them in the roles of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet. It's up to Cassie to supply the ending...
425 pages, Paperback
First published May 10, 2007
37 people are currently reading
1538 people want to read
About the author
Abigail Reynolds
69 books783 followersAbigail Reynolds may be a nationally bestselling author and a physician, but she can’t follow a straight line with a ruler. Originally from upstate New York, she studied Russian and theater at Bryn Mawr College and marine biology at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole. After a stint in performing arts administration, she decided to attend medical school, and took up writing as a way to retain her sanity during her years as a physician in private practice.
A life-long lover of Jane Austen’s novels, Abigail began writing variations on Pride & Prejudice in 2001, then expanded her repertoire to include a series of novels set on her beloved Cape Cod.Her most recent releases are A Matter of Honor, Mr. Darcy's Enchantment, and Conceit & Concealment. Her books have been translated into six languages. A lifetime member of JASNA, she lives on Cape Cod with her husband, her son and a menagerie of animals. Her hobbies do not include sleeping or cleaning her house.
A life-long lover of Jane Austen’s novels, Abigail began writing variations on Pride & Prejudice in 2001, then expanded her repertoire to include a series of novels set on her beloved Cape Cod.Her most recent releases are A Matter of Honor, Mr. Darcy's Enchantment, and Conceit & Concealment. Her books have been translated into six languages. A lifetime member of JASNA, she lives on Cape Cod with her husband, her son and a menagerie of animals. Her hobbies do not include sleeping or cleaning her house.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 213 reviews
May 10, 2010
The Man Who Loved Pride and Prejudice was originally published as Pemberley by the Sea (a more fitting and becoming title, in my humble opinion) in 2008. This is a reissue of that same book in a Mass Market Paperback Edition but with a different title, no changes were made to story. Its now being available at a lower price and in a smaller size makes it perfect if you are looking for a book to take with you on the beach or to the pool this summer!
If you have read any of Abigail Reynold's Pemberley Variations you are aware that she is a very talented and creative author that has a great understanding and love for Pride and Prejudice and Jane Austen. Her variations display her wonderful story-telling skills and her penchant for implementing a lot of angst and emotional development in her plots. If you haven't read a novel by Abigail Reynolds I would advise being prepared for romantic love-scenes between the characters and recommend this book for mature eyes only.
In The Man Who Loved Pride and Prejudice Abigail Reynolds leaves the Regency Era behind and brings her favorite couple to the twenty-first century where Elizabeth (Cassie) is a marine biologist and Darcy (Calder) comes from an illustrious yet dysfunctional politician family. Cassie Boulton is as admirable and intelligent a heroine as Elizabeth Bennet. Growing up in an impoverished and uneducated family has molded Cassie into a tough, independent, and stubborn woman who can take care of herself without the help of others. Calder Westing grew up in a family where having a good public image and earning votes was more important than familial happiness. This silent and brooding Mr. Darcy has a few hidden secrets though, and proves that first impressions aren't always accurate.
The Man Who Loved Pride and Prejudice is a wonderfully entertaining and sensual modern adaption of Pride and Prejudice. I enjoyed looking for the parallels between this book and Pride and Prejudice, I wish there were more of them! Furthermore, "Darcy's Letter" was uniquely and satisfyingly depicted and one of my favorite parts of the book. In addition, Ms. Reynolds includes such vivid and detailed accounts of the scenery and marine life that the reader learns a lot about marine biology and the coastal marshlands without it seeming like a science class. Abigail Reynolds's setting of Woods Hole, Massachusetts is full of small-town charm and appeal. How I would love to visit there some day!
However, I have to confess to liking the first half of the book more than the second half though. I feel this is because there were perhaps too many obstacles for Cassie and Calder to overcome in the second half. Yes, “the course of true love never did run smooth,” but what Cassie and Calder went through seemed to incur too much drama and made their relationship feel a little hectic and problematic. The second half the of the book included a lot about Calder's domineering, manipulative father and his passive, repressed mother. While I thought these two characters excellently drawn and their story interesting, I felt it would have been better in a sequel or book of its own.
Overall, The Man Who Loved Pride and Prejudice is an excellent modern adaption of a Jane Austen novel and remains one of my favorites! Great work, Ms. Reynolds, I look forward to reading more of your novels as you seem to understand Elizabeth and Darcy intimately and pen such beautiful stories about them! It is my dear wish that you take us back to Woods Hole again one day!
Austenesque Reviews
If you have read any of Abigail Reynold's Pemberley Variations you are aware that she is a very talented and creative author that has a great understanding and love for Pride and Prejudice and Jane Austen. Her variations display her wonderful story-telling skills and her penchant for implementing a lot of angst and emotional development in her plots. If you haven't read a novel by Abigail Reynolds I would advise being prepared for romantic love-scenes between the characters and recommend this book for mature eyes only.
In The Man Who Loved Pride and Prejudice Abigail Reynolds leaves the Regency Era behind and brings her favorite couple to the twenty-first century where Elizabeth (Cassie) is a marine biologist and Darcy (Calder) comes from an illustrious yet dysfunctional politician family. Cassie Boulton is as admirable and intelligent a heroine as Elizabeth Bennet. Growing up in an impoverished and uneducated family has molded Cassie into a tough, independent, and stubborn woman who can take care of herself without the help of others. Calder Westing grew up in a family where having a good public image and earning votes was more important than familial happiness. This silent and brooding Mr. Darcy has a few hidden secrets though, and proves that first impressions aren't always accurate.
The Man Who Loved Pride and Prejudice is a wonderfully entertaining and sensual modern adaption of Pride and Prejudice. I enjoyed looking for the parallels between this book and Pride and Prejudice, I wish there were more of them! Furthermore, "Darcy's Letter" was uniquely and satisfyingly depicted and one of my favorite parts of the book. In addition, Ms. Reynolds includes such vivid and detailed accounts of the scenery and marine life that the reader learns a lot about marine biology and the coastal marshlands without it seeming like a science class. Abigail Reynolds's setting of Woods Hole, Massachusetts is full of small-town charm and appeal. How I would love to visit there some day!
However, I have to confess to liking the first half of the book more than the second half though. I feel this is because there were perhaps too many obstacles for Cassie and Calder to overcome in the second half. Yes, “the course of true love never did run smooth,” but what Cassie and Calder went through seemed to incur too much drama and made their relationship feel a little hectic and problematic. The second half the of the book included a lot about Calder's domineering, manipulative father and his passive, repressed mother. While I thought these two characters excellently drawn and their story interesting, I felt it would have been better in a sequel or book of its own.
Overall, The Man Who Loved Pride and Prejudice is an excellent modern adaption of a Jane Austen novel and remains one of my favorites! Great work, Ms. Reynolds, I look forward to reading more of your novels as you seem to understand Elizabeth and Darcy intimately and pen such beautiful stories about them! It is my dear wish that you take us back to Woods Hole again one day!
Austenesque Reviews
January 26, 2009
Piece of mediocrity that no doubt would become a flaming piece of poo if I ever made it past the 3rd chapter. Even with what little I read, all the nonsubtle, romance-genre markers are there promising a sordid mess that dares to claim inspiration from Pride and Prejudice.
A couple of things the author should keep in mind the next time she cribs from a master:
1) Please steal more effectively. In fact, stealing MORE would be recommended, because doing your own "take" doesn't cut it.
2) Just because your female protag is a marine biologist/researcher doesn't make her automatically smart. You still have to write her thoughts, words, and actions to reflect that smartness. Elizabeth Bennet sat around all day sewing and listening to her frivolous sisters giggle, and yet she was brilliant. Genuinely witty. Mr. Darcy spent all his time doing boring business work, I suppose, in between being royally bored at house parties. And yet he was brilliant as well. Meanwhile, your Calder might say the mildest of light-hearted remarks, and in the next sentence, Cassie is stunned by the "wittiness", as if the guy invented humor. Puh-lease. Meanwhile, Cassie gives a standard spiel about her labwork, and Calder is bowled over as if she were a Nobel Laureate. Cassie might not be indifferent about her work, but she doesn't seem passionate enough to incite any sort of admiration.
3) Jane Austen takes almost an entire book to develop the friction, antagonism, verbal battles, miscues, and growing attraction between our favorite couple. When Elzabeth denies liking Darcy, she means it. It's not some thinly veiled protestation that invites rolling of eyes-- countless times in the first couple of chapters, the story goes as follows: Cassie scoffs that a man like Calder could never like her. And oh, he stares at her like a weirdo with intense, smoking eyes. Gee, I wonder! Oh no, couldn't be. >_> Over and over and over. Smoldering staring == hot n' heavy soon to come, in romance-speak. Can you get any more obvious?
4) Jane Austen didn't need sex to make her characters sexy. From the 0 character chemistry already on display, I knew any sex that was forthcoming would be a lame crutch, at best titillation for unpicky readers. Well, I guess there's nothing wrong with that if that is your schtick. But don't masquerade it as anything LIKE Jane Austen.
5) And since I'm on a nitpick roll, since when did sons of senators have groupies? Unless he's a celebrity or the President's son, I hardly think he'll have any more facial recognition than your generic hot-guy-on-the-street. Hell, I don't even know what any of my senators look like, much less their children.
A couple of things the author should keep in mind the next time she cribs from a master:
1) Please steal more effectively. In fact, stealing MORE would be recommended, because doing your own "take" doesn't cut it.
2) Just because your female protag is a marine biologist/researcher doesn't make her automatically smart. You still have to write her thoughts, words, and actions to reflect that smartness. Elizabeth Bennet sat around all day sewing and listening to her frivolous sisters giggle, and yet she was brilliant. Genuinely witty. Mr. Darcy spent all his time doing boring business work, I suppose, in between being royally bored at house parties. And yet he was brilliant as well. Meanwhile, your Calder might say the mildest of light-hearted remarks, and in the next sentence, Cassie is stunned by the "wittiness", as if the guy invented humor. Puh-lease. Meanwhile, Cassie gives a standard spiel about her labwork, and Calder is bowled over as if she were a Nobel Laureate. Cassie might not be indifferent about her work, but she doesn't seem passionate enough to incite any sort of admiration.
3) Jane Austen takes almost an entire book to develop the friction, antagonism, verbal battles, miscues, and growing attraction between our favorite couple. When Elzabeth denies liking Darcy, she means it. It's not some thinly veiled protestation that invites rolling of eyes-- countless times in the first couple of chapters, the story goes as follows: Cassie scoffs that a man like Calder could never like her. And oh, he stares at her like a weirdo with intense, smoking eyes. Gee, I wonder! Oh no, couldn't be. >_> Over and over and over. Smoldering staring == hot n' heavy soon to come, in romance-speak. Can you get any more obvious?
4) Jane Austen didn't need sex to make her characters sexy. From the 0 character chemistry already on display, I knew any sex that was forthcoming would be a lame crutch, at best titillation for unpicky readers. Well, I guess there's nothing wrong with that if that is your schtick. But don't masquerade it as anything LIKE Jane Austen.
5) And since I'm on a nitpick roll, since when did sons of senators have groupies? Unless he's a celebrity or the President's son, I hardly think he'll have any more facial recognition than your generic hot-guy-on-the-street. Hell, I don't even know what any of my senators look like, much less their children.
October 6, 2016
I read this book shortly after it was first published in 2008 and loved it. It is a modern take off and is a stand alone book although there are to be 3 in the series. Many elements from Pride and Prejudice are there: misunderstandings, Cassie Boulton's poor background and connections. But the heat turns on when she meets Calder Westing III. He has a conniving father who wants his son to follow him into politics and it is not beneath him to use "persuasion" to direct his wife's and his son's lives to appear as he wants in the public's eye. And Cassie has a secret she must keep both men from learning about.
I have read this book twice. There are MA scenes but it is all so delicious.
I have read this book twice. There are MA scenes but it is all so delicious.
August 28, 2009
I am a big fan of Abigail Reynold's other books the "Pemberley Variations" and I enjoyed this book of hers very much, although there are many differences in this book and her other series. First difference is the time period, in her other series the story takes place in the time of Jane Austen, this book takes place in present-day time. In addition, this book wasn't so much a retelling of Pride and Prejudice as the others, this book was about a character who resembles Darcy and a character who resembles Elizabeth in our modern world. Yes, there were other characters from P&P present such as Jane, Bingley, and Lady Catherine. But these characters weren't entirely true to the originals, and the other characters from Pride and Prejudice were missing like Georgiana, Lydia, Wickham, etc. So don't expect a "retelling" of Pride and Prejudice instead expect a modern love-story similar to that of Darcy's and Elizabeth's in Pride and Prejudice.
The book was an entertaining read as I am someone who loves to read about romances similar to the love story of Elizabeth and Darcy. Cassie is an Elizabeth in the modern world who we can admire. She is tough, independent, she has the strength to take care of herself without the help of other, and the stubbornness and wit she is famous for in P&P. Calder Westing is the silent, brooding Mr. Darcy who comes from a family of politicians where they care only for good public appearances and not about family happiness. He has many secrets that people don't know about him and as we learn in P&P first impressions aren't always accurate and Mr. Darcy isn't always what he seems.
The romance between Cassie and Calder captivates you from the very beginning and their story is a realistic one where they misunderstand each other, jump to conclusions, and give into their insecurities. I will advise that the reader be prepared for romantic love-scenes between the characters and that this book should be intended for mature eyes only.
While I enjoyed Ms. Reynold's writing in the modern times, I preferred her other books more. Also I found some parts of the story a little bit unnecessary. She created some many obstacles for Cassie and Calder to over come that I felt it was a little too much drama, yes we know "the course of true love never did run smooth," yet what they went through seems to be too much. In addition, I felt the story went on longer than necessary, of course we want to know what happens after the "happily ever after" but I felt what happened after-wards led us to believe more that it wasn't a happily over after.
On the positive side it was fun to see the parallels in this book and Pride and Prejudice, I wish there was more! The "Darcy's Letter" scenewas surprising, satisfying and an amazing idea from the author. I fell in love with the characters and felt I could identify with them. In addition, you learn a lot about marine biology and the coastal marshlands without it seeming like a science class.
Great work, Ms. Reynolds, I look forward to reading more of your books as you seem to understand Elizabeth and Darcy wonderfully and keep their story alive and interesting!
The book was an entertaining read as I am someone who loves to read about romances similar to the love story of Elizabeth and Darcy. Cassie is an Elizabeth in the modern world who we can admire. She is tough, independent, she has the strength to take care of herself without the help of other, and the stubbornness and wit she is famous for in P&P. Calder Westing is the silent, brooding Mr. Darcy who comes from a family of politicians where they care only for good public appearances and not about family happiness. He has many secrets that people don't know about him and as we learn in P&P first impressions aren't always accurate and Mr. Darcy isn't always what he seems.
The romance between Cassie and Calder captivates you from the very beginning and their story is a realistic one where they misunderstand each other, jump to conclusions, and give into their insecurities. I will advise that the reader be prepared for romantic love-scenes between the characters and that this book should be intended for mature eyes only.
While I enjoyed Ms. Reynold's writing in the modern times, I preferred her other books more. Also I found some parts of the story a little bit unnecessary. She created some many obstacles for Cassie and Calder to over come that I felt it was a little too much drama, yes we know "the course of true love never did run smooth," yet what they went through seems to be too much. In addition, I felt the story went on longer than necessary, of course we want to know what happens after the "happily ever after" but I felt what happened after-wards led us to believe more that it wasn't a happily over after.
On the positive side it was fun to see the parallels in this book and Pride and Prejudice, I wish there was more! The "Darcy's Letter" scenewas surprising, satisfying and an amazing idea from the author. I fell in love with the characters and felt I could identify with them. In addition, you learn a lot about marine biology and the coastal marshlands without it seeming like a science class.
Great work, Ms. Reynolds, I look forward to reading more of your books as you seem to understand Elizabeth and Darcy wonderfully and keep their story alive and interesting!
October 15, 2016
Dear reader,
If you are in the mood for a modern, sometimes hard hitting,oft times romantic read,then this book should find itself on your TBR list immediately.
This compelling story centres around Cassie,a marine biologist and Calder Westing,Senator Joe Westing's son.
They meet,fail to delight the other and presume they will never have to suffer the company of the other in the short time they will be staying in Woods Hole.
What they certainly didn't bargain on were the nocturnal activities that they would indulge in while on a research based visit to the swamp and the far reaching implications of said visit!!
What I loved most about this story were the carefully chosen words used to describe the sheer anguish suffered by both Calder and Cassie.
Not only did they both have strong feelings for the other but their aptitude for misconstruing the messages,body language and heartfelt desire of the other was so touchingly written of,that you,as the reader,felt their pain and shared in their sorrow.
I thought it very clever when Calder,so bereft at his failed relationship with Cassie,so utterly heartbroken,tormented and adrift,penned a book telling their story, expressing to her,in the only way he knew how,what she meant to him,his deep and earnest feelings for her and his anguish when his wishes fell short of reality.
Yes,the emotive language used to portray 'Darcy's' feelings of abandonment, inferiority, loneliness and sheer helplessness in the face of the futility of his feelings for 'Elizabeth' made this book utterly compelling.
Aside from the romance,we were also privy to the constraining,controlling Joe Westing, his bully-boy tactics aimed not only at his son,but Cassie and his own wife,Caro.
We were also witness to the 'almost' life Caro had lived as the wife of Joe and the huge psychological and emotional toll said life had taken on her.
I must admit to applauding her bravery in her stand against him,at the end,and can only hope that she is courageous enough to realise she deserves a chance to live the life that she wants to lead,at her own behest, and not indulging a man who neither respects nor loves her for the strong woman she once was.
I highly recommend this book. There are a number of different elements at play,but they happily converge to make this a most engaging and compelling read. Enjoy!
If you are in the mood for a modern, sometimes hard hitting,oft times romantic read,then this book should find itself on your TBR list immediately.
This compelling story centres around Cassie,a marine biologist and Calder Westing,Senator Joe Westing's son.
They meet,fail to delight the other and presume they will never have to suffer the company of the other in the short time they will be staying in Woods Hole.
What they certainly didn't bargain on were the nocturnal activities that they would indulge in while on a research based visit to the swamp and the far reaching implications of said visit!!
What I loved most about this story were the carefully chosen words used to describe the sheer anguish suffered by both Calder and Cassie.
Not only did they both have strong feelings for the other but their aptitude for misconstruing the messages,body language and heartfelt desire of the other was so touchingly written of,that you,as the reader,felt their pain and shared in their sorrow.
I thought it very clever when Calder,so bereft at his failed relationship with Cassie,so utterly heartbroken,tormented and adrift,penned a book telling their story, expressing to her,in the only way he knew how,what she meant to him,his deep and earnest feelings for her and his anguish when his wishes fell short of reality.
Yes,the emotive language used to portray 'Darcy's' feelings of abandonment, inferiority, loneliness and sheer helplessness in the face of the futility of his feelings for 'Elizabeth' made this book utterly compelling.
Aside from the romance,we were also privy to the constraining,controlling Joe Westing, his bully-boy tactics aimed not only at his son,but Cassie and his own wife,Caro.
We were also witness to the 'almost' life Caro had lived as the wife of Joe and the huge psychological and emotional toll said life had taken on her.
I must admit to applauding her bravery in her stand against him,at the end,and can only hope that she is courageous enough to realise she deserves a chance to live the life that she wants to lead,at her own behest, and not indulging a man who neither respects nor loves her for the strong woman she once was.
I highly recommend this book. There are a number of different elements at play,but they happily converge to make this a most engaging and compelling read. Enjoy!
August 13, 2022
Excellent Read
Nothing I didn’t like about this book. As a former MA resident, it was easy to picture the settings there. I loved the book within a book, reading about Calder’s feelings as Darcy. Great writing and wonderful story. Loved the passion too. Well done.
February 11, 2022 - Audiobook
Enjoyed the audio version of this book too. Nice performance by Gillian Vance
Nothing I didn’t like about this book. As a former MA resident, it was easy to picture the settings there. I loved the book within a book, reading about Calder’s feelings as Darcy. Great writing and wonderful story. Loved the passion too. Well done.
February 11, 2022 - Audiobook
Enjoyed the audio version of this book too. Nice performance by Gillian Vance
January 30, 2014
I've read quite a few books by Abigail Reynolds; she's written a number of variations on Pride and Prejudice, changing certain elements and exploring how it could have affected the path of the story. However, this was the first thing I've read by her that is set in modern times and I wasn't quite sure what to expect. This is is modern day version of Pride and Prejudice. Cassie, who is a marine biologist, meets Calder, who is the rich son of a congressman through a friend of hers starting a relationship with a friend of his.
Cassie and Calder's relationship starts off badly when he refuses to dance with her (sound familiar?!) but it's not only that which prejudices her against him. Firstly, she has been badly hurt by a previous relationship breakup, and doesn't really have much trust in men, she has a few secrets that she's been keeping from everybody and she also doesn't think it's within the realms of possibility that somebody from Calder's background would be interested in her for anything other than a quick fling. Calder's father is a Republican senator for whom image is everything, and the senator is also pretty anti-science, so when Calder finds himself interested in Cassie he fights it, knowing that she would be completely unacceptable to his family.
Obviously, since this is a modern update of P&P we know that Calder feels more for Cassie than she realises but the penny doesn't drop for a long time. In P&P, Lizzy feels sorry for Darcy's feelings once she's digested his letter, and she has unwittingly led him to have feelings for her, whereas Cassie has both given active encouragement to Calder and been very cold towards him to preserve her own feelings without any thought for his, so she has more to feel bad about. Plus Calder's version of the letter spells eloquently how much he cared, and how she's basically ripped out his heart and trampled all over it. One thing I think Abigail Reynolds generally does well is the type of pain which has you gripped to your kindle, and you feel bad for both Calder and Cassie. But even when things begin to look hopeful they will have some family obstacles to overcome.
I thought this was an interesting update. A lot of the modern versions of Pride and Prejudice that I've read have very young protagonists but I liked them being a little bit older, and I also thought it was clever that instead of both being misled by vanity, instead they were misled because they both saw themselves as unworthy in some way - Cassie can't see a rich man staying interested and Calder has never felt loved by anybody. I thought him being part of such a ruthless, image-conscious senator's family gave an understandable reason for Calder to fight his attraction to Cassie. I liked the insights into the mechanics of Cassie's work too. On the flipside, I found it frustrating that neither of them would talk to each other about how they felt for so long. There is a lot lacking in Mr Darcy's courtship of Lizzy but at least at Hunsford she knew what she was turning down; at this couple's Hunsford moment it's not at all clear what Calder wants from her. Also, Darcy gets the letter straight to her, Calder's 'letter' is delivered in a much more roundabout fashion and leaves a good deal to chance. It's understandable because he has so much less self-belief than Darcy, but it's still frustrating. It's good that by the end of the book we see these two work through some of their baggage and family issues, particularly Calder.
I enjoyed this book and I'd recommend it. There is another book in this series, 'Morning Light' which I believe is influenced by Jane Austen's 'Persuasion', which I'll try and read soon.
Cassie and Calder's relationship starts off badly when he refuses to dance with her (sound familiar?!) but it's not only that which prejudices her against him. Firstly, she has been badly hurt by a previous relationship breakup, and doesn't really have much trust in men, she has a few secrets that she's been keeping from everybody and she also doesn't think it's within the realms of possibility that somebody from Calder's background would be interested in her for anything other than a quick fling. Calder's father is a Republican senator for whom image is everything, and the senator is also pretty anti-science, so when Calder finds himself interested in Cassie he fights it, knowing that she would be completely unacceptable to his family.
Obviously, since this is a modern update of P&P we know that Calder feels more for Cassie than she realises but the penny doesn't drop for a long time. In P&P, Lizzy feels sorry for Darcy's feelings once she's digested his letter, and she has unwittingly led him to have feelings for her, whereas Cassie has both given active encouragement to Calder and been very cold towards him to preserve her own feelings without any thought for his, so she has more to feel bad about. Plus Calder's version of the letter spells eloquently how much he cared, and how she's basically ripped out his heart and trampled all over it. One thing I think Abigail Reynolds generally does well is the type of pain which has you gripped to your kindle, and you feel bad for both Calder and Cassie. But even when things begin to look hopeful they will have some family obstacles to overcome.
I thought this was an interesting update. A lot of the modern versions of Pride and Prejudice that I've read have very young protagonists but I liked them being a little bit older, and I also thought it was clever that instead of both being misled by vanity, instead they were misled because they both saw themselves as unworthy in some way - Cassie can't see a rich man staying interested and Calder has never felt loved by anybody. I thought him being part of such a ruthless, image-conscious senator's family gave an understandable reason for Calder to fight his attraction to Cassie. I liked the insights into the mechanics of Cassie's work too. On the flipside, I found it frustrating that neither of them would talk to each other about how they felt for so long. There is a lot lacking in Mr Darcy's courtship of Lizzy but at least at Hunsford she knew what she was turning down; at this couple's Hunsford moment it's not at all clear what Calder wants from her. Also, Darcy gets the letter straight to her, Calder's 'letter' is delivered in a much more roundabout fashion and leaves a good deal to chance. It's understandable because he has so much less self-belief than Darcy, but it's still frustrating. It's good that by the end of the book we see these two work through some of their baggage and family issues, particularly Calder.
I enjoyed this book and I'd recommend it. There is another book in this series, 'Morning Light' which I believe is influenced by Jane Austen's 'Persuasion', which I'll try and read soon.
August 24, 2016
reviewer note
*I read this in 2013 and posted a review on my facebook page. I hope to get a chance to re read this again this year.*
This is a good book to read in summer time since it takes place by the beach.
I have read previous books by Abigail Reynolds and could not wait to review this for the Bicentenary challenge. This book had combinations of my favorite things, author, Jane Austen related, and takes place by the sea to name a few. I always feel if I had been better when it came to sciences and math I would have been a Marine Biologist like Cassie is. This book made me more aware of how a Marine biologist field is like and enjoyed this part tremendously.
SPOILERS (for those who haven't read it)
One of my favorite parts of the book was halfway through when Cassie finds out Calder's new book, Pride and Presumption was released and you read, through her point his novel and the parallels between what happened between them and the characters in his book. You can get a sense of the changes taking shape in the upcoming chapters for the two of them. Another one of my favorite parts was when She finds out his pseudonym and she had talked to the author himself about one of his books without realizing it.
One of the ways I liked how the author modernized Pride and Prejudice was with Calder's father; Joe. In a lot of ways Joe, reminded me of a male version of Lady Catherine de Bourgh how they seem to try to use their wealth and positions in society, at least in Joe, to cause problems for those around them, especially if it is beneath their status in life, ranging from marrying beneath them (both Joe and Lady Catherine de Bourgh) or working outside of the political field. (Joe) He was not accepting to his sons wishes and interests when it came to jobs and marriage and tried to cause hardships for Cassie personally. And Caro, I loved her character. I loved how she became her own person and her character development by the end of the novel. She is someone to admire for overcoming the obstacles she had to overcome when it came to her and Joe.
I had originally got this book through my local library and enjoyed it so much i got a copy for my nook! ( I even got Morning Light to read) :) I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to read a modern adaptation of Pride and Prejudice.
*I read this in 2013 and posted a review on my facebook page. I hope to get a chance to re read this again this year.*
This is a good book to read in summer time since it takes place by the beach.
I have read previous books by Abigail Reynolds and could not wait to review this for the Bicentenary challenge. This book had combinations of my favorite things, author, Jane Austen related, and takes place by the sea to name a few. I always feel if I had been better when it came to sciences and math I would have been a Marine Biologist like Cassie is. This book made me more aware of how a Marine biologist field is like and enjoyed this part tremendously.
SPOILERS (for those who haven't read it)
One of my favorite parts of the book was halfway through when Cassie finds out Calder's new book, Pride and Presumption was released and you read, through her point his novel and the parallels between what happened between them and the characters in his book. You can get a sense of the changes taking shape in the upcoming chapters for the two of them. Another one of my favorite parts was when She finds out his pseudonym and she had talked to the author himself about one of his books without realizing it.
One of the ways I liked how the author modernized Pride and Prejudice was with Calder's father; Joe. In a lot of ways Joe, reminded me of a male version of Lady Catherine de Bourgh how they seem to try to use their wealth and positions in society, at least in Joe, to cause problems for those around them, especially if it is beneath their status in life, ranging from marrying beneath them (both Joe and Lady Catherine de Bourgh) or working outside of the political field. (Joe) He was not accepting to his sons wishes and interests when it came to jobs and marriage and tried to cause hardships for Cassie personally. And Caro, I loved her character. I loved how she became her own person and her character development by the end of the novel. She is someone to admire for overcoming the obstacles she had to overcome when it came to her and Joe.
I had originally got this book through my local library and enjoyed it so much i got a copy for my nook! ( I even got Morning Light to read) :) I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to read a modern adaptation of Pride and Prejudice.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 17, 2017
Really fun
And a bit more timely than when Ms. Reynolds first wrote it. Pride and presumption, indeed.. A very hood read.
And a bit more timely than when Ms. Reynolds first wrote it. Pride and presumption, indeed.. A very hood read.
May 9, 2016
This book was previously released as Pemberley by Sea. Honestly, the redo was the best thing for this book.
Basically, the whole book is a romance novel. If you are looking for a clean JA book then you won't like this.
I thought the premise of the book was great. I found the book to be entertaining and I liked the characters. I think Reynolds to be a decent writer.
The book is 426 pages long. The last 100 pages, or so, was the weakest and slowest part for me. The author took the book in a new direction around this time and it wasn't as good.
The reason for the name change, which was a good one, is because the main character is an author by trade in the book. He writes a novel based on his experiences with Cassie, the female lead. He titled his novel Pride and Presumption and wrote about the two of them as Darcy and Elizabeth. Really the novel within the novel covers one chapter. So the book really isn't about that, so much.
I ended up really liking this book. There are some flaws though. I would like to have seen more information about the supporting characters. They had their own sub-plot going and then it all just ended with no explanation. Then I think the last 100 pages could have been condensed and shorted with the same point coming across.
Overall, fun read but won't be for everyone.
Basically, the whole book is a romance novel. If you are looking for a clean JA book then you won't like this.
I thought the premise of the book was great. I found the book to be entertaining and I liked the characters. I think Reynolds to be a decent writer.
The book is 426 pages long. The last 100 pages, or so, was the weakest and slowest part for me. The author took the book in a new direction around this time and it wasn't as good.
The reason for the name change, which was a good one, is because the main character is an author by trade in the book. He writes a novel based on his experiences with Cassie, the female lead. He titled his novel Pride and Presumption and wrote about the two of them as Darcy and Elizabeth. Really the novel within the novel covers one chapter. So the book really isn't about that, so much.
I ended up really liking this book. There are some flaws though. I would like to have seen more information about the supporting characters. They had their own sub-plot going and then it all just ended with no explanation. Then I think the last 100 pages could have been condensed and shorted with the same point coming across.
Overall, fun read but won't be for everyone.
June 11, 2019
Celebration of the resilience of the human spirit.
I first read this book a few years ago, and have re-read it several times since. With what are now dated references to a political game that seems tame in comparison to the lawlessness and corruption of politics in post-2016 America, the kind of politics featured in the second half of the story seems simple, tame, almost folksy.
This story breaks down P & P to its essential elements - a process of the emotional maturation of two young adults, whose journey brings them to the subconscious realization that there is strength in vulnerability, that problems shared are problems halved. I generally do not prefer modern versions of Austen themes, but this one is worth a read.
I first read this book a few years ago, and have re-read it several times since. With what are now dated references to a political game that seems tame in comparison to the lawlessness and corruption of politics in post-2016 America, the kind of politics featured in the second half of the story seems simple, tame, almost folksy.
This story breaks down P & P to its essential elements - a process of the emotional maturation of two young adults, whose journey brings them to the subconscious realization that there is strength in vulnerability, that problems shared are problems halved. I generally do not prefer modern versions of Austen themes, but this one is worth a read.
July 15, 2020
I wrote a review for this book on my blog:
The Real World According To Sam
I can honestly say that this is one of the first real adult romances that I have ever read. It was a bit more vivid than the ones that I typically read. It took a little getting used to, but I've got a pretty good handle of it now. I was never one to be partial to one-night stands.
I liked the general story. Marine Biology meets Pride and Prejudice sounds like my exact cup of tea. Certain things just threw me off. Now don't get me wrong, I am a TOTAL romantic,...but after a while I just wasn't feeling it. At first I was cheering for Calder and Cassie, but eventually the spell broke and I was left wondering when I fell off the bandwagon. I still wanted them to be together, I just didn't feel how it ended up that way. Some things were really working for me, and now I'm trying to find out where in the heck I made a wrong turn and figure out where I need to be in order to get back onto the highway.
I loved reading Calder's rewriting of Pride and Prejudice!!! I can honestly say that I teared up at the same time Cassie was. How can you not absolutely love that?!?! My heart was melting into slop, right there. THAT is the reason this book gets a 4 (its not the only reason, but it IS one of the main ones).
I liked the characters overall. Cassie had so many different aspects to her and Calder was just one big surprise after another. It was a perfect onion! (peeling back the layers at a pace that is easy enough to enjoy the flavor, but not ever reaching the point of tearing up with stinging pain)
Erin changed a lot over the course of the book, which is very good. I am a fond believer that supporting characters should learn and develop just as much as the main characters do.
I really enjoyed reading the descriptions of Woods Hole. I enjoyed the beauty and simplicity of it all. Although it also had its many layers. I believe I can name that as the key technique in this novel: Layering. The layering was absolutely sublime.
Overall, this book wasn't absolutely amazing, and probably should have received a 3. Or maybe a 3.64, to be precisely fair. But given some of the writing style, development and that wonderful rewritten part, I just had to bump it up. Don't come expecting too much, this book is just a quick little chick-lit morsel. =)
The Real World According To Sam
I can honestly say that this is one of the first real adult romances that I have ever read. It was a bit more vivid than the ones that I typically read. It took a little getting used to, but I've got a pretty good handle of it now. I was never one to be partial to one-night stands.
I liked the general story. Marine Biology meets Pride and Prejudice sounds like my exact cup of tea. Certain things just threw me off. Now don't get me wrong, I am a TOTAL romantic,...but after a while I just wasn't feeling it. At first I was cheering for Calder and Cassie, but eventually the spell broke and I was left wondering when I fell off the bandwagon. I still wanted them to be together, I just didn't feel how it ended up that way. Some things were really working for me, and now I'm trying to find out where in the heck I made a wrong turn and figure out where I need to be in order to get back onto the highway.
I loved reading Calder's rewriting of Pride and Prejudice!!! I can honestly say that I teared up at the same time Cassie was. How can you not absolutely love that?!?! My heart was melting into slop, right there. THAT is the reason this book gets a 4 (its not the only reason, but it IS one of the main ones).
I liked the characters overall. Cassie had so many different aspects to her and Calder was just one big surprise after another. It was a perfect onion! (peeling back the layers at a pace that is easy enough to enjoy the flavor, but not ever reaching the point of tearing up with stinging pain)
Erin changed a lot over the course of the book, which is very good. I am a fond believer that supporting characters should learn and develop just as much as the main characters do.
I really enjoyed reading the descriptions of Woods Hole. I enjoyed the beauty and simplicity of it all. Although it also had its many layers. I believe I can name that as the key technique in this novel: Layering. The layering was absolutely sublime.
Overall, this book wasn't absolutely amazing, and probably should have received a 3. Or maybe a 3.64, to be precisely fair. But given some of the writing style, development and that wonderful rewritten part, I just had to bump it up. Don't come expecting too much, this book is just a quick little chick-lit morsel. =)
December 6, 2012
Let's be clear about this book: this is NOT a modern adaptation of Pride & Prejudice. The author "stole" the plot of Jane Austen's masterpiece adapting it to a 21st century setting in order to produce one of the most lousy and predictable soap opera I've ever set my eyes on.
The characters are just stereotypes without the barest hint of personality, the love story is so stupid and boring that after the first chapters I started to skip several passages at time.
Cassie (aka Elizabeth) is a marine biologist and that makes automatically a smart and witty person, which actually is not, as all her thoughts and actions clearly show (btw even if you are a marine biologist you cannot be 100% sure of when you are fertile and when you are not. And condoms are not used just to avoid pregnancy but also against STD, as every person above 11 yers old knows). Calder (aka Darcy) is quiet and reserved, which should make him both proud and profound. Of course, he is not. While the attraction between Darcy and Elizabeth is slow to build, Cassie and Calder immediately fall for each other even if Cassie fails to see the blatant signs of Calder interest just for the sake of the "tormented love story stereotype". To add boredom to boredom the author prologs our sufferings by substituting the famous letter Darcy wrote to Elizabeth explaining his past behavior with an infamous book in which Calder explains himself to Cassie by retelling the whole story from his point of view. So the same boring story is told twice! And guess what? The book Calder writes is no else that a modern adaptation of Pride & Prejudice. Again! This is the most mortifying part of the book because Calder is supposed to be a great novelist, with a unique and beautiful style but, of course, his fictional book is written by Reynolds therefore it is just like the rest of this crap Reynolds wrote: stupid and boring.
You enjoy cheap romances? that's fine with me, I also enjoy a lot of books which certainly qualify as trash, just please stop describing this book as something that it is not.Jane Austen didn't write chick-lit and her books were not simple love stories, even if unfortunately most readers seem to think that. Her book were full of wit and deep character and social insight, comparing every story in which a rich guy falls for a poor girl to Pride and Prejudice is more an insult than a compliment and certainly does a poor service to "Auntie Jane".
The characters are just stereotypes without the barest hint of personality, the love story is so stupid and boring that after the first chapters I started to skip several passages at time.
Cassie (aka Elizabeth) is a marine biologist and that makes automatically a smart and witty person, which actually is not, as all her thoughts and actions clearly show (btw even if you are a marine biologist you cannot be 100% sure of when you are fertile and when you are not. And condoms are not used just to avoid pregnancy but also against STD, as every person above 11 yers old knows). Calder (aka Darcy) is quiet and reserved, which should make him both proud and profound. Of course, he is not. While the attraction between Darcy and Elizabeth is slow to build, Cassie and Calder immediately fall for each other even if Cassie fails to see the blatant signs of Calder interest just for the sake of the "tormented love story stereotype". To add boredom to boredom the author prologs our sufferings by substituting the famous letter Darcy wrote to Elizabeth explaining his past behavior with an infamous book in which Calder explains himself to Cassie by retelling the whole story from his point of view. So the same boring story is told twice! And guess what? The book Calder writes is no else that a modern adaptation of Pride & Prejudice. Again! This is the most mortifying part of the book because Calder is supposed to be a great novelist, with a unique and beautiful style but, of course, his fictional book is written by Reynolds therefore it is just like the rest of this crap Reynolds wrote: stupid and boring.
You enjoy cheap romances? that's fine with me, I also enjoy a lot of books which certainly qualify as trash, just please stop describing this book as something that it is not.Jane Austen didn't write chick-lit and her books were not simple love stories, even if unfortunately most readers seem to think that. Her book were full of wit and deep character and social insight, comparing every story in which a rich guy falls for a poor girl to Pride and Prejudice is more an insult than a compliment and certainly does a poor service to "Auntie Jane".
May 6, 2010
Abigail Reynolds’ The Man Who Loved Pride & Prejudice, tagged as a modern love story “with a Jane Austen twist,” is a contemporary romance with overtones of the Austen we know and love. Cassie and Calder have the push-and-pull, love/hate thing down pat — until suddenly, almost out of nowhere, they’re staring dreamily into each other’s eyes. And sharing a steamy evening in the water.
That didn’t bother me. As a whole, I’m a huge fan of the “You’re a jerk but, OMG — you’re smokin’ hot” plot trope. Generally speaking, that makes for some good times. But here? I’ve discovered why contemporary romance typically doesn’t work for me: I’m all about wishes. And daydreams. And build-up. And fantasy. When Things Really Begin To Happen — and y’all know what I’m saying — I suddenly lose interest. Like a lusty teenage boy only after “one thing,” I’m all hot and bothered and into this story until I get what I want. And then? I’m ready to move on.
Such is the case with The Man Who Loved Pride & Prejudice. I was super into the plot as Cassie and Calder met and tried to avoid one another, enjoying all the Austen-like twists that were similar enough to our dear Jane to be interesting but, importantly, different enough to keep my attention. But once the sizzle ratcheted up and “passions were consummated,” if you will (and that happens frequently), my ambivalence took over.
But I enjoyed the story for what it was: a contemporary tale of love, family and making one’s own way in the world. The Massachusetts setting and Cassie’s unconventional job elevated this one beyond the typical romance, and I appreciated that. While some of the dialogue felt stilted, I still liked the witty Darcy-and-Elizabeth-like banter flowing between our two leads. Fans of modern love stories and contemporary romance probably will, too.
That didn’t bother me. As a whole, I’m a huge fan of the “You’re a jerk but, OMG — you’re smokin’ hot” plot trope. Generally speaking, that makes for some good times. But here? I’ve discovered why contemporary romance typically doesn’t work for me: I’m all about wishes. And daydreams. And build-up. And fantasy. When Things Really Begin To Happen — and y’all know what I’m saying — I suddenly lose interest. Like a lusty teenage boy only after “one thing,” I’m all hot and bothered and into this story until I get what I want. And then? I’m ready to move on.
Such is the case with The Man Who Loved Pride & Prejudice. I was super into the plot as Cassie and Calder met and tried to avoid one another, enjoying all the Austen-like twists that were similar enough to our dear Jane to be interesting but, importantly, different enough to keep my attention. But once the sizzle ratcheted up and “passions were consummated,” if you will (and that happens frequently), my ambivalence took over.
But I enjoyed the story for what it was: a contemporary tale of love, family and making one’s own way in the world. The Massachusetts setting and Cassie’s unconventional job elevated this one beyond the typical romance, and I appreciated that. While some of the dialogue felt stilted, I still liked the witty Darcy-and-Elizabeth-like banter flowing between our two leads. Fans of modern love stories and contemporary romance probably will, too.
October 11, 2024
204 review
Pemberley by the Sea by Abigail Reynolds 4.5★♥
(The Woods Hole Quartet)
"If someone ever discovered a way to bottle essence of Calder Westing, she would be an addict." ~ Dr. Cassandra "Cassie" Boulton
This is a good Austen-inspired 21st century romance story and a favorite. It's very modern as there is some sex scenes. But it's not too graphic and it doesn't take away from this nice story. There is a lot of miscommunication and at times that I though finally a happy ending, wasn't so. The character development was good and I felt connected to them. Cassie and Calder were my favorites, but of course since it was their story.
I liked having Calder's point of view in this story. He is today's Mr. Darcy and having his thoughts brought a new light to the Pride and Prejudice story.
Cassie is a research scientist, so there is a lot of Marine Science mentioned in this. It's been ages since my last science class, so a lot of the terminology flew right pat me. It didn't take me away from the story much though.
This is a favorite Austen-inspired book for me, but not a complete 5 stars. I felt that, though it was very realistic, Cassie and Calder's relationship was very frustrating at times. I thouhht they'd get together at the beginning, but it's not that easy.
Pemberley by the Sea by Abigail Reynolds 4.5★♥
(The Woods Hole Quartet)
"If someone ever discovered a way to bottle essence of Calder Westing, she would be an addict." ~ Dr. Cassandra "Cassie" Boulton
This is a good Austen-inspired 21st century romance story and a favorite. It's very modern as there is some sex scenes. But it's not too graphic and it doesn't take away from this nice story. There is a lot of miscommunication and at times that I though finally a happy ending, wasn't so. The character development was good and I felt connected to them. Cassie and Calder were my favorites, but of course since it was their story.
I liked having Calder's point of view in this story. He is today's Mr. Darcy and having his thoughts brought a new light to the Pride and Prejudice story.
Cassie is a research scientist, so there is a lot of Marine Science mentioned in this. It's been ages since my last science class, so a lot of the terminology flew right pat me. It didn't take me away from the story much though.
This is a favorite Austen-inspired book for me, but not a complete 5 stars. I felt that, though it was very realistic, Cassie and Calder's relationship was very frustrating at times. I thouhht they'd get together at the beginning, but it's not that easy.
April 6, 2012
A couple of years ago, when this book had a different name I started reading it. And now I know why I never finished it that time. I really enjoyed the first half of the book, the love story, because after all, that's what I was looking for. And then when you think everything is peachy and the book ends, here comes the 2nd part? The whole story about her family problems, which had been barely mentioned in the beginning of the book, and then of course all the problems with his family. Just didn't ring right, it was like an afterthought. The characters stopped growing in this second part of the book, and they kept having the same arguements over and over, the same discussions. It got really long really fast. Again, perfect ending after she reads Stephen's book and realizes what's going on and gets together with him. The end. The rest was like an extremely long footnote, with useless characters that had no point in the second half (Rob?, what's his role in the second part?). But I did enjoy the fact that she was a real woman, as opposed to a lot of romance novels. She had a job, worked long hours and was passionate about her career...not another Bridget Jones.
December 12, 2008
2 stars for storyline. 4 stars for soft porn effect.
February 7, 2022
I added this to my TBR 10 years ago from some list that was like “If you love Pride and Prejudice…”
I’m trying to clear a lot of older books off my TBR so when I went to tackle this book this year and couldn’t get it from my library or through inter library loan or through Hoopla or Libby or Over Drive, it should have been a sign to me, but nevertheless I bought a used copy off of Amazon that arrived, and turned out to be a library discard. I read it anyway.
I’ll start with what I liked. I liked that Elizabeth Bennet was reimagined as a modern day marine biologist with her doctorate who spent her school years teaching undergrads and her summers researching on the cape. This reimagining was much better than the Elizabeth Bennet of “Eligible” by far the worst P&P modern version I’ve ever read.
That is pretty much where what I like ends. Without spoiling anything it’s hard to be super specific in my review, but I’ll say this. Cassie and her love interest pretty much never say “I love you” to one another at any point in their courtship, which is mostly founded on misunderstandings from massive and wild assumptions on Cassie’s part. For someone who is a scientist, she is not so great at doing research, looking at the data in front of her, or drawing conclusions. So any tension we’re supposed to feel, actually just feels ridiculous. And unlike P and P where all the tension is at the front end of the relationship and in the twists and turns, 60 pages in to this 400+ page novel and things were already taking off. This made the pacing of the book all wrong, and the last 100 pages which perhaps were the “unique” new content that didn’t line up with P and P dragged.
Ultimately I didn’t hate the book or anything, it was just meh.
I’m trying to clear a lot of older books off my TBR so when I went to tackle this book this year and couldn’t get it from my library or through inter library loan or through Hoopla or Libby or Over Drive, it should have been a sign to me, but nevertheless I bought a used copy off of Amazon that arrived, and turned out to be a library discard. I read it anyway.
I’ll start with what I liked. I liked that Elizabeth Bennet was reimagined as a modern day marine biologist with her doctorate who spent her school years teaching undergrads and her summers researching on the cape. This reimagining was much better than the Elizabeth Bennet of “Eligible” by far the worst P&P modern version I’ve ever read.
That is pretty much where what I like ends. Without spoiling anything it’s hard to be super specific in my review, but I’ll say this. Cassie and her love interest pretty much never say “I love you” to one another at any point in their courtship, which is mostly founded on misunderstandings from massive and wild assumptions on Cassie’s part. For someone who is a scientist, she is not so great at doing research, looking at the data in front of her, or drawing conclusions. So any tension we’re supposed to feel, actually just feels ridiculous. And unlike P and P where all the tension is at the front end of the relationship and in the twists and turns, 60 pages in to this 400+ page novel and things were already taking off. This made the pacing of the book all wrong, and the last 100 pages which perhaps were the “unique” new content that didn’t line up with P and P dragged.
Ultimately I didn’t hate the book or anything, it was just meh.
July 5, 2017
I did manage to finish this book but it wasted a lot of my time. Glad to see the end of these people.
August 22, 2018
Awful. Awful characterization and no real tension. I hate all these people and science and marshes and books within books (shoot me) and rich haughty types and bioluminescence and this book.
December 18, 2009
Okay, I don't even know what made me pick up this book...perhaps temporary insanity...but nonetheless I did. What a mistake that turned out to be. I really don't have much good to say about this book. Reynolds states that it is "a modern day romance Pride and Prejudice style". The storyline, characters and book in general were a great disappointment and downright annoying most of the time.
The characters made me want to jump in the book and slap them. Cassie, the Elizabeth-like character was shallow, immature and self-centered. I couldn't stand her know-it-all ways or her constant holier than thou attitude. And Calder, the Darcy like character, don't get me started on him. He was an idiot. For example, I couldn't help laughing out loud when Calder had to watch Cassie feed the ducks because he just didn't know how. Seriously, I have a hard time believing that a grown man couldn't figure out for himself that you tear bread into little pieces and throw them in the water so that a duck can eat it. Even if he would have thrown the whole slice in I would have had more respect for him then him standing there quietly watching Cassie in awe because he didn't know how to feed the ducks! Visuals like that were throughout the book and made me want to bang my head on the wall. The ridiculousness of the storyline and the characters was unbelievable. I kept asking how this woman was able to publish this book. Not only were you reading a bad book, but Calder writes a book within this book about the very same things that just happened so you get to re-read the same silliness twice.
Two things that I did like about the book were 1. the ending...that was only because it was over. 2. the fact that I was on a beach in Vietnam reading made it. Other than that, I am so dismayed that I spent good reading time on such a sad novel. The novel should have a warning on the front of it...DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVE ANY SORT OF TASTE IN STORYLINES, CHARACTERS OR BOOKS. JA FANS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN TO READ.
After I was finished I re-read P & P and I am now feeling a lot better.
The characters made me want to jump in the book and slap them. Cassie, the Elizabeth-like character was shallow, immature and self-centered. I couldn't stand her know-it-all ways or her constant holier than thou attitude. And Calder, the Darcy like character, don't get me started on him. He was an idiot. For example, I couldn't help laughing out loud when Calder had to watch Cassie feed the ducks because he just didn't know how. Seriously, I have a hard time believing that a grown man couldn't figure out for himself that you tear bread into little pieces and throw them in the water so that a duck can eat it. Even if he would have thrown the whole slice in I would have had more respect for him then him standing there quietly watching Cassie in awe because he didn't know how to feed the ducks! Visuals like that were throughout the book and made me want to bang my head on the wall. The ridiculousness of the storyline and the characters was unbelievable. I kept asking how this woman was able to publish this book. Not only were you reading a bad book, but Calder writes a book within this book about the very same things that just happened so you get to re-read the same silliness twice.
Two things that I did like about the book were 1. the ending...that was only because it was over. 2. the fact that I was on a beach in Vietnam reading made it. Other than that, I am so dismayed that I spent good reading time on such a sad novel. The novel should have a warning on the front of it...DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVE ANY SORT OF TASTE IN STORYLINES, CHARACTERS OR BOOKS. JA FANS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN TO READ.
After I was finished I re-read P & P and I am now feeling a lot better.
April 7, 2009
Oh my goodness I wanted to stay up all night to finish reading this book!! The characters are much like Lizzy and Darcy but amped up quite a bit! I enjoyed their cat and mouse game that was wonderfully modernized with prison scandals and tabloid sleeze!
I do feel bad though for the secondary characters in this book. And this is what kept me from rating this book as 5 stars. Especially Erin and Scott. They were used a as a means of introducing our characters and later as a catalyst for their breaking up argument but otherwise were almost completely ignored. Hell, they weren't even mentioned for over 150 pages! It's as if they had served their purpose and we then cast aside, only at the very end was their fate revealed, but it was done in such a rushed fashion it was if even the author had forgotten about them.
Also, her introduction of Ryan was extremely weak. He was brought up all of 3 miniscule times before his story was revealed. When it finally was I didn't even know what character Ryan was, I had already forgotten about him. For her predicament with him to be such an emotional experience fro her and cause such issues you think he would have been more prevalent by visablly effecting her to the reader.
The characterization I am going back and forth on. I think Cassie and Calder are wonderful - bit I don't know if it's their charcterization that is so great or if I am just remembering Darcy and Lizzy too well. Unfortunately both Erin and Scott are under characterized and under utilized as I mentioned before.
Oddly enough though the last 1/3 of the book completely derails from P and P, but thats cool. It was interesting with all the scheming, but it seemed to keep going and going and going. The climax of the story was just really spread out. Still I loved it even if it did peter out at the end!
I do feel bad though for the secondary characters in this book. And this is what kept me from rating this book as 5 stars. Especially Erin and Scott. They were used a as a means of introducing our characters and later as a catalyst for their breaking up argument but otherwise were almost completely ignored. Hell, they weren't even mentioned for over 150 pages! It's as if they had served their purpose and we then cast aside, only at the very end was their fate revealed, but it was done in such a rushed fashion it was if even the author had forgotten about them.
Also, her introduction of Ryan was extremely weak. He was brought up all of 3 miniscule times before his story was revealed. When it finally was I didn't even know what character Ryan was, I had already forgotten about him. For her predicament with him to be such an emotional experience fro her and cause such issues you think he would have been more prevalent by visablly effecting her to the reader.
The characterization I am going back and forth on. I think Cassie and Calder are wonderful - bit I don't know if it's their charcterization that is so great or if I am just remembering Darcy and Lizzy too well. Unfortunately both Erin and Scott are under characterized and under utilized as I mentioned before.
Oddly enough though the last 1/3 of the book completely derails from P and P, but thats cool. It was interesting with all the scheming, but it seemed to keep going and going and going. The climax of the story was just really spread out. Still I loved it even if it did peter out at the end!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 12, 2008
This is a modern version of Pride & Prejudice with Darcy as an insecure taciturn senator's son and Elizabeth as an oblivious marine biologist.
Where it succeeds is the political and familial intrigues yet with a little human understanding behind them, and the slums to academia success story of the heroine. There were some areas that just seemed to have no credibility, though. The heroine has slightly fewer sexual inhibitions than a porn star (quadruple orgasm on a first date? really?).
So, overall, it was okay, weak in places, but the author kept going which helped to more fully develop the plot and characters despite a not very promising beginning. My real question was--where was the editor in all this? There is also a lot of sex, but it got, ahem, repetitive. There was enough sex that I started to question the genre. Pride & Prejudice is at least as much social commentary and satire as it is a romance. Frankly, it's not that romantic. But this one was satisfied to satisfy its heroine rather than the reader. Over and over.
Where it succeeds is the political and familial intrigues yet with a little human understanding behind them, and the slums to academia success story of the heroine. There were some areas that just seemed to have no credibility, though. The heroine has slightly fewer sexual inhibitions than a porn star (quadruple orgasm on a first date? really?).
So, overall, it was okay, weak in places, but the author kept going which helped to more fully develop the plot and characters despite a not very promising beginning. My real question was--where was the editor in all this? There is also a lot of sex, but it got, ahem, repetitive. There was enough sex that I started to question the genre. Pride & Prejudice is at least as much social commentary and satire as it is a romance. Frankly, it's not that romantic. But this one was satisfied to satisfy its heroine rather than the reader. Over and over.
November 28, 2010
I really love this author which is why I picked the book up from the library despite the fact that it had a cover like a harlequin romance which no self respecting woman wants to be caught checking out of the library! Also, I thought I would enjoy any man who loved Pride & Prejudice. It turns out that I do not. The story was a mirror of the original but set in modern times and the "Darcy" of the story was not half as beguiling as the original. The author creates a story within a story that is redundant. As a reader, the experience of Cassie and Mr. Darcy is enough but then you have to re-read it in Mr. Darcy's "novel" within the book. It was anticlimactic! Then post romance wore on and on without the love scenes promised on the cover and with a lot of politics and family drama that just did not strike the right balance of emotions. It was a bit "Peyton Place".
I will read Ms. Reynolds again but I will stick to her Pride and Prejudice pieces.
I will read Ms. Reynolds again but I will stick to her Pride and Prejudice pieces.
July 11, 2013
What a scam. I picked this book up from a neighborhood book exchange simply because the word Pemberley was in the title. Thinking it might be a sweet romance, with shades of Elizabeth and Darcy in it, I was sorely disappointed. Quite frankly, I'm embarrassed I read the whole thing. Here is the short version of my review: This book is a bodice ripper, pretending to give itself an air of respectability by associating with a great classic.
The part of the story where our hero writes a book starring himself as Darcy and his love interest as Elizabeth is so bad its galling. I can't imagine any fan of P&P enjoying it all.
Spare yourself the disappointment. There is actually some good P&P fan fiction out there that doesn't turn Darcy into a love machine and Elizabeth into a bundle of uncontrollable hormones with an almost comical inability to read the emotional cues of people around her.
The part of the story where our hero writes a book starring himself as Darcy and his love interest as Elizabeth is so bad its galling. I can't imagine any fan of P&P enjoying it all.
Spare yourself the disappointment. There is actually some good P&P fan fiction out there that doesn't turn Darcy into a love machine and Elizabeth into a bundle of uncontrollable hormones with an almost comical inability to read the emotional cues of people around her.
October 10, 2008
I flew through this book between last night and this morning. And for being part of the P&P style genre, it's good. It doesn't stick closely enough to P&P to be a total rip-off (which is good, because far too many authors are trying to be more clever than Jane, as if).
The modern twist makes it a whole different story - I'd put it in a chick-lit/beach read pile. But entirely satisfying.
There are some fairly racy bits. Just a little note for all you blushers out there.
Thanks to Sourcebooks for the ARC.
The modern twist makes it a whole different story - I'd put it in a chick-lit/beach read pile. But entirely satisfying.
There are some fairly racy bits. Just a little note for all you blushers out there.
Thanks to Sourcebooks for the ARC.
December 28, 2022
I will ALWAYS be a sucker for anything Jane Austen related!
I really enjoyed the characterization of Cassie and the strength that she portrayed both professionally and emotionally. That being said, about halfway through the book it felt like things were wrapping up even though there were still two days worth of reading left...and then the rest kind of dragged.
Also, shouldn't someone with an advanced biology degree know that:
a. You should never feed ducks (and fish) bread
b. Snakes are venomous, not poisonous
I really enjoyed the characterization of Cassie and the strength that she portrayed both professionally and emotionally. That being said, about halfway through the book it felt like things were wrapping up even though there were still two days worth of reading left...and then the rest kind of dragged.
Also, shouldn't someone with an advanced biology degree know that:
a. You should never feed ducks (and fish) bread
b. Snakes are venomous, not poisonous
July 8, 2009
What started out as a fun read deteriorated into cheesy soap opera and worse into mindless liberal political drivel at the end... The way the author sank into politically pandering stereotypes of 'evil rich' Republicans and 'pure-as-driven-snow' Democrats turned me off. The real-life political dynasty she probably modeled the Westings on are Democrats for heaven's sakes! Please... romance and political propagandizing simply do not mix.
March 15, 2012
I loved this book as I often do with a retelling of P&P but this one I think is my favorite thus far! Calder and Cassie were divine!! I loved the Massachusetts setting, my wishful home-site. Did I read and interpret correctly, Is she writing a sequel?!?! I loved it so much, I am reading it again!!
January 21, 2023
Re-read. I give 5 stars to the first 60-70%, the rest should be in another book.
Good story, smart characters but I’ve lost interest once they got together and saw that there was still about 30% of the book to read. Why continue the story for ever ? Or she could have divided the book in 2 parts.
Good story, smart characters but I’ve lost interest once they got together and saw that there was still about 30% of the book to read. Why continue the story for ever ? Or she could have divided the book in 2 parts.
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