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A Certain Appeal
A sparkling contemporary retelling of Pride and Prejudice set in the tantalizing world of New York City burlesque, perfect for fans of The Kiss Quotient and The Roommate.
After a betrayal derailed her interior design career, Liz Bennet found a fresh start in New York. Now an executive assistant by day and stage kitten by night, she's discovered a second home with the performers at Meryton, Manhattan's top-tier burlesque venue. Love's the last thing on her mind when she locks eyes with Will Darcy across the crowded club. The spark between them is undeniable--that is, until she overhears the uptight wealth manager call her merely "tolerable."
Bennet is determined to write Darcy off, but once their besties fall head-over-heels, they're thrown into each other's orbit again and again. Each encounter begins to feel more heated than the last, but is their chemistry enough to topple that terrible first impression? What's more, when a charming newcomer arrives on the scene with accusations against Darcy, his claims leave Bennet torn. And when a sudden development leaves Meryton's fate in jeopardy, she will have to decide who to trust in time to salvage her design dreams, her heart, and the stage she shares with her found family...
After a betrayal derailed her interior design career, Liz Bennet found a fresh start in New York. Now an executive assistant by day and stage kitten by night, she's discovered a second home with the performers at Meryton, Manhattan's top-tier burlesque venue. Love's the last thing on her mind when she locks eyes with Will Darcy across the crowded club. The spark between them is undeniable--that is, until she overhears the uptight wealth manager call her merely "tolerable."
Bennet is determined to write Darcy off, but once their besties fall head-over-heels, they're thrown into each other's orbit again and again. Each encounter begins to feel more heated than the last, but is their chemistry enough to topple that terrible first impression? What's more, when a charming newcomer arrives on the scene with accusations against Darcy, his claims leave Bennet torn. And when a sudden development leaves Meryton's fate in jeopardy, she will have to decide who to trust in time to salvage her design dreams, her heart, and the stage she shares with her found family...
351 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 2, 2021
141 people are currently reading
9075 people want to read
About the author
Vanessa King
2 books152 followersnée, Toodles
Vanessa spent two years picking up the peelings of the best in the NYC burlesque scene and has the glitter in her pumps to prove it.
She spent the oughts bouncing between the coasts, from Brooklyn to Seattle, with stops in Arkansas and Virginia before landing in Boulder, Colorado. She lives with her Ron Swanson-esque husband, paper craft-obsessed daughter, and an elderly feline gentleman whose life she's plotting to upend with the introduction of a kitten.
When not writing, Vanessa enjoys reading, championing her favorite audiobooks, wielding a glue gun with unearned confidence, and the privilege of choosing her form of suffering with her fellow meat heads at Crossfit.
FUN FACT: Vanessa writes in the first person, so this has been SUPER weird for her.
Vanessa spent two years picking up the peelings of the best in the NYC burlesque scene and has the glitter in her pumps to prove it.
She spent the oughts bouncing between the coasts, from Brooklyn to Seattle, with stops in Arkansas and Virginia before landing in Boulder, Colorado. She lives with her Ron Swanson-esque husband, paper craft-obsessed daughter, and an elderly feline gentleman whose life she's plotting to upend with the introduction of a kitten.
When not writing, Vanessa enjoys reading, championing her favorite audiobooks, wielding a glue gun with unearned confidence, and the privilege of choosing her form of suffering with her fellow meat heads at Crossfit.
FUN FACT: Vanessa writes in the first person, so this has been SUPER weird for her.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 838 reviews
January 19, 2022
A creative, refreshing, witty, modern, saucy retelling of Pride and Prejudice which set in the complex, entertaining burlesque world with good representation of racial, ethnical diversity, sexuality!
Yes, I’m all in!
The main characters were developed impeccably, reflecting the original characters’ time travelled and adapted in modern life versions. The palpable chemistry between Will and Liz is blasting! We’re totally seeing stars as we read the flirty banters between Bennett and Darcy! I couldn’t imagine how noble Colin Firth’s remarkable Mr. Darcy may transport to the modern world, reacting to the burlesque shows but actually the author is bold enough to take enough risks to insert those characters into complex, challenging, colorful, crowded entertainment world and her efforts actually worked so well.
The dynamism between characters fitted with enemies to lovers troupe. Only the weakness of the plot is less of complications setbacks between the couple which lowers the angst level!
Quick summary of plot: Elizabeth Bennett decides to start fresh after the tragic betrayal at her work, ambitious and determined enough to conquer the big apple by juggling between two jobs: day time: assistant day planner and night time: burlesque kitten at stage!
As Will appears at the burlesque and makes the biggest mistake to call her tolerable, she is so adamant to write this cocky businessman off but Will’s friend Charles and Liz’s friend Jane form an intimate relationship which means Will and Liz have to hang around at the same friend circle.
But eventually as they spend more time, the love flames blossom: they cannot resist, they are perfect together! She realizes her prejudices can be the main obstacles for her true happiness!
It was easy, well written, well adapted, smart reading I consumed in one sit and highly recommend to romance readers!
Special thanks to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP PUTNAM, G. P. Putnam’s Sons for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.
Yes, I’m all in!
The main characters were developed impeccably, reflecting the original characters’ time travelled and adapted in modern life versions. The palpable chemistry between Will and Liz is blasting! We’re totally seeing stars as we read the flirty banters between Bennett and Darcy! I couldn’t imagine how noble Colin Firth’s remarkable Mr. Darcy may transport to the modern world, reacting to the burlesque shows but actually the author is bold enough to take enough risks to insert those characters into complex, challenging, colorful, crowded entertainment world and her efforts actually worked so well.
The dynamism between characters fitted with enemies to lovers troupe. Only the weakness of the plot is less of complications setbacks between the couple which lowers the angst level!
Quick summary of plot: Elizabeth Bennett decides to start fresh after the tragic betrayal at her work, ambitious and determined enough to conquer the big apple by juggling between two jobs: day time: assistant day planner and night time: burlesque kitten at stage!
As Will appears at the burlesque and makes the biggest mistake to call her tolerable, she is so adamant to write this cocky businessman off but Will’s friend Charles and Liz’s friend Jane form an intimate relationship which means Will and Liz have to hang around at the same friend circle.
But eventually as they spend more time, the love flames blossom: they cannot resist, they are perfect together! She realizes her prejudices can be the main obstacles for her true happiness!
It was easy, well written, well adapted, smart reading I consumed in one sit and highly recommend to romance readers!
Special thanks to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP PUTNAM, G. P. Putnam’s Sons for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.
November 11, 2021
It is a truth acknowledged by me that Pride and Prejudice retellings are a true gift to mankind.
Historically, they have been my weakness. I love 'em. A few honorable mentions: Pride, Prejudice and Other Flavors, by Sonali Dev, and Ayesha at Last, by Uzma Jalaluddin.
That said, I think it's fair to say that the whole concept of Pride and Prejudice (which I'm obsessed with) makes the author have to work hard to make the characters tolerable. Many times have Lizzy-inspired characters sounded like judgey know-it-alls, and Darcy-inspired characters been just plain dickheads. It's not easy to make the characters all the things they're supposed to be and still make us root for their happiness.
Well, Vanessa King found the secret recipe. This book is EXPLOSIVE, in the best way. Her version of Lizzy performs kittening duties in a Burlesque club by night, which means she struts around in corsets and pasties and fishnets while selling glittery things and setting up the stage for the performers. By day, she works as an administrative assistant ever since a traumatic experience in California stripped her of her interior design ambitions. She is so sharp and clever, and has so much generosity and compassion for her friends. Honestly, my favorite Lizzy of all the retellings.
Darcy works in wealth management, and is currently counseling his best friend (our beloved Mr. Bingley) in his prospective buying of the club where Lizzy works, which is in danger of falling into the wrong hands. Is he kinda judgmental? Yeah. Does he have preconceived notions of the club? Sure. But none of those things make you want to strangle him, I promise.
Lizzy and Darcy have insane chemistry from the beginning, and the friction between them was everything that it needed to be for this book to be a satisfying slow burn. It BURNED, let me tell you.
I was so taken by every single character. Jane, who, instead of Lizzy's sister, was her absurdly fun roommate and a singer at the club (and a dude!), not to mention all the rest of the club's employees.
I had the absolute best time reading this book and I can't wait to devour everything else Vanessa King writes. I am bewitched, body and soul!!!
(Listen, I could have put in a lot more references. Count yourselves lucky.)
Historically, they have been my weakness. I love 'em. A few honorable mentions: Pride, Prejudice and Other Flavors, by Sonali Dev, and Ayesha at Last, by Uzma Jalaluddin.
That said, I think it's fair to say that the whole concept of Pride and Prejudice (which I'm obsessed with) makes the author have to work hard to make the characters tolerable. Many times have Lizzy-inspired characters sounded like judgey know-it-alls, and Darcy-inspired characters been just plain dickheads. It's not easy to make the characters all the things they're supposed to be and still make us root for their happiness.
Well, Vanessa King found the secret recipe. This book is EXPLOSIVE, in the best way. Her version of Lizzy performs kittening duties in a Burlesque club by night, which means she struts around in corsets and pasties and fishnets while selling glittery things and setting up the stage for the performers. By day, she works as an administrative assistant ever since a traumatic experience in California stripped her of her interior design ambitions. She is so sharp and clever, and has so much generosity and compassion for her friends. Honestly, my favorite Lizzy of all the retellings.
Darcy works in wealth management, and is currently counseling his best friend (our beloved Mr. Bingley) in his prospective buying of the club where Lizzy works, which is in danger of falling into the wrong hands. Is he kinda judgmental? Yeah. Does he have preconceived notions of the club? Sure. But none of those things make you want to strangle him, I promise.
Lizzy and Darcy have insane chemistry from the beginning, and the friction between them was everything that it needed to be for this book to be a satisfying slow burn. It BURNED, let me tell you.
I was so taken by every single character. Jane, who, instead of Lizzy's sister, was her absurdly fun roommate and a singer at the club (and a dude!), not to mention all the rest of the club's employees.
I had the absolute best time reading this book and I can't wait to devour everything else Vanessa King writes. I am bewitched, body and soul!!!
(Listen, I could have put in a lot more references. Count yourselves lucky.)
December 17, 2021
A Certain Appeal is a modern day retelling of Pride and Prejudice, a classic I have not read. This is my third retelling of the story and my favorite of the three I’ve read.
Liz Bennett works as a stage kitten for a burlesque show in NYC and is an administrative assistant by day. Her dreams as a designer were dashed in the past and while it’s still an interest of hers, she’s content with her two current roles. Bennett doesn’t have romance on her mind but locks eyes with Will Darcy, a guest at the show one night, who keeps reappearing in her life after their best friends hit it off that same night.
A Certain Appeal follows Bennett’s professional endeavors, the Meryton burlesque show’s crew, and her encounters with Darcy, both highs and lows, along the way.
Though predictable, even with limited P&P knowledge, the story is entertaining and contemporary. It has funny moments and witty banter — I really enjoyed it. I listened to the audiobook, narrated by the best, Julia Whelan.
Liz Bennett works as a stage kitten for a burlesque show in NYC and is an administrative assistant by day. Her dreams as a designer were dashed in the past and while it’s still an interest of hers, she’s content with her two current roles. Bennett doesn’t have romance on her mind but locks eyes with Will Darcy, a guest at the show one night, who keeps reappearing in her life after their best friends hit it off that same night.
A Certain Appeal follows Bennett’s professional endeavors, the Meryton burlesque show’s crew, and her encounters with Darcy, both highs and lows, along the way.
Though predictable, even with limited P&P knowledge, the story is entertaining and contemporary. It has funny moments and witty banter — I really enjoyed it. I listened to the audiobook, narrated by the best, Julia Whelan.
November 15, 2021
3.75 stars
TW: sexual harassment
This retelling is very loose, which I think works better as I find retellings that are too close to the original to be a bit boring. I enjoyed the setting of the burlesque world and this being a found family instead of an actual one. But because of some of the change in plot points, I did feel that the Lizzy/Darcy relationship was less slow burn than I was expecting. There was also a pretty quick resolution of conflict, which was both a positive and negative aspect of the story depending on how you look at it. Overall I enjoyed this and would continue to read retellings set in this world.
TW: sexual harassment
This retelling is very loose, which I think works better as I find retellings that are too close to the original to be a bit boring. I enjoyed the setting of the burlesque world and this being a found family instead of an actual one. But because of some of the change in plot points, I did feel that the Lizzy/Darcy relationship was less slow burn than I was expecting. There was also a pretty quick resolution of conflict, which was both a positive and negative aspect of the story depending on how you look at it. Overall I enjoyed this and would continue to read retellings set in this world.
December 11, 2025
I've yet to read a lovable Pride and Prejudice retelling...
The cover, actually, influenced me to read it sooner than I would've.
I liked the first few chapters; they were witty and sensual. But, after some time, you don't want to read about secondary characters and these side characters had a bigger role than I prefer in my romcoms.
I guess I'll read other books by the author in the future. But only if I'm fully excited by the blurb and not by the cover.
The cover, actually, influenced me to read it sooner than I would've.
I liked the first few chapters; they were witty and sensual. But, after some time, you don't want to read about secondary characters and these side characters had a bigger role than I prefer in my romcoms.
I guess I'll read other books by the author in the future. But only if I'm fully excited by the blurb and not by the cover.
February 3, 2022
3.5-4 stars! This was a fun pride & prejudice retelling. I really enjoyed the burlesque setting!
November 8, 2021
A fun read... but just too neat for me.
December 24, 2021
Absolutely NOT worth the price
My hatred of this book is all powerful. If I had a paper copy, I would have yeeted it across the room when I finished it.
I loved the idea of Pride and Prejudice amid the world of burlesque. How fascinating! Unfortunately, the tale strangles itself on its own bra strap, because this author could not make the story interesting to save her life. It’s like she mixed a batch of cookie dough, rolled it out and cut out the shapes, but then forgot to put the cookie sheet in the oven. So the dough has sat there in the over-warm kitchen, unbaked and unloved, growing salmonella, and at the mercy of the shedding housecat, who nuzzles one or two of the former cookie-like shapes.
Needless to say, I was not feeling the romantic angst, not feeling the workplace angst, and not feeling the professional angst. Instead, I was annoyed. For starters, why is Jane named Jane? Second, why in zee heck does Elizabeth Bennet have so many names: Liz, Lizard, Ben, Bennet, EBen, and Kitten?
The plot is entirely too predictable. Various elements have been plugged in just so the author could mark off her checklist. Wickham and Darcy have a totally manufactured, tenuous history? Check. Darcy has an offscreen cousin named Fitz? Check. Wickham runs off with a Lydia surrogate? Check. Of course, no one, especially the reader, much cares because Lydia and Kitty are aerodynamic marshmallows. Lydia (Gin? Tonic? Whatever) has perhaps two lines in the whole book. It’s impossible to become invested in her storyline.
Elizabeth’s Crisis of Confidence is preposterous and overwrought. Surely she would have used a computer in college. Surely there would have been records of her work—surely? And the plot’s Big Catastrophe is ludicrous because of course Darcy can find a solution without breaking a sweat. Lizard Kitten then realizes her vision by bringing together everyone she’s ever known to make it real. I’m pretty sure her kindergarten teacher is taking tickets at the door, and her first manicurist is washing dishes.
How in hell this book is a Penguin title is beyond me. The only redeeming part of this entire torturous exercise is Ming.
Loathe!
My hatred of this book is all powerful. If I had a paper copy, I would have yeeted it across the room when I finished it.
I loved the idea of Pride and Prejudice amid the world of burlesque. How fascinating! Unfortunately, the tale strangles itself on its own bra strap, because this author could not make the story interesting to save her life. It’s like she mixed a batch of cookie dough, rolled it out and cut out the shapes, but then forgot to put the cookie sheet in the oven. So the dough has sat there in the over-warm kitchen, unbaked and unloved, growing salmonella, and at the mercy of the shedding housecat, who nuzzles one or two of the former cookie-like shapes.
Needless to say, I was not feeling the romantic angst, not feeling the workplace angst, and not feeling the professional angst. Instead, I was annoyed. For starters, why is Jane named Jane? Second, why in zee heck does Elizabeth Bennet have so many names: Liz, Lizard, Ben, Bennet, EBen, and Kitten?
The plot is entirely too predictable. Various elements have been plugged in just so the author could mark off her checklist. Wickham and Darcy have a totally manufactured, tenuous history? Check. Darcy has an offscreen cousin named Fitz? Check. Wickham runs off with a Lydia surrogate? Check. Of course, no one, especially the reader, much cares because Lydia and Kitty are aerodynamic marshmallows. Lydia (Gin? Tonic? Whatever) has perhaps two lines in the whole book. It’s impossible to become invested in her storyline.
Elizabeth’s Crisis of Confidence is preposterous and overwrought. Surely she would have used a computer in college. Surely there would have been records of her work—surely? And the plot’s Big Catastrophe is ludicrous because of course Darcy can find a solution without breaking a sweat. Lizard Kitten then realizes her vision by bringing together everyone she’s ever known to make it real. I’m pretty sure her kindergarten teacher is taking tickets at the door, and her first manicurist is washing dishes.
How in hell this book is a Penguin title is beyond me. The only redeeming part of this entire torturous exercise is Ming.
Loathe!
August 5, 2021
Have you ever wondered how the stuffy Mr. Darcy would react to watching a burlesque show? Well, look no further than A Certain Appeal, a Pride and Prejudice retelling set in the burlesque scene of NYC. This book is as delightful as you might expect with that premise and has a huge cast of lovable characters. If you've ever wanted to revisit Austen's cast in a modern, sexy setting, this book will deliver. I am ashamed to admit that I have never read Pride and Prejudice (it's on my TBR, I swear!), but I have watched the movie adaptation with Keira Knightley more times than I care to admit, so I do have some familiarity with the characters. I think this book shows a lot of promise, and I would recommend it to lovers of fluffy, contemporary romance with minimal conflict. It's not an all time fave for me for reasons I'll outline below.
Elizabeth Bennet (or Ben as she's referred to by her friends) is a confident, smart 20-something making her way in New York. She works as an event planner by day and a stage kitten by night. If you're intrigued by the title "stage kitten" then you're in for a treat as the author clearly is intimately familiar with the burlesque scene (being a former stage kitten herself surely helps!), and you will learn quite a bit about the culture and behind the scenes antics of burlesque. I think my favorite parts of this book were the descriptions of performances. King has a wonderful way of capturing the bated breath/exhilarating feeling of performance, whether it comes in the form of a striptease or a soulful rendition of "Feeling Good". Whenever we were watching a performance or Ben was onstage herself, I was truly sucked in.
But back to the plot:
Ben meets her match in the form of businessman Will Darcy (or Mr. Tall, Dark, and F*ckable, as Ben's friend Ming calls him). Ben and Will immediately have a magnetic chemistry and can't seem to stay away from each other. They circle each other as Will's friend Charles looks to purchase the burlesque venue, Meryton. Ben, a former interior designer with a tragic story that derailed her creative career path, has always had huge plans for Meryton and is fiercely dedicated to keeping the show alive. The charming and oh so insidious Wickham makes many appearances as well with his own treacherous motives. Shenanigans ensue.
The good:
1) The body, sexuality, and ethnic/racial diversity is great. I was happy to see that many of the original cast are not confined to their original representations or roles. Jane is a Black, male gay jazz/R&B singer, Ginn and Tonic (Lydia & Kitty) are a pair of aerial dancers, and Ming is a plus size Asian dancer and makeup artist with a potty mouth. Overall, the cast is great if a little one-dimensional at times (are people truly *this* supportive of each other all the time or do I need to get new friends?).
2) The chemistry between Ben and Darcy is electric. They are very well-matched, and I looked forward to their interactions. Their love scenes are also spicy and satisfying. Both ask for permission and consent throughout their love scenes without it feeling forced.
3) The dialogue is snarky, witty, and raunchy. You'll know right away if you're down for it as the novel starts off with Ming filling out every slot of a Mad Libs with a certain male appendage. Yes, at times it's a little much but it makes for an amusing and playful tone.
The so-so:
1) Enemies to lovers is my favorite romantic trope, so I was so ready to see it portrayed here. However, I would say that Ben and Darcy aren't ever really enemies or even that at odds with each other. Darcy has some difficulty understanding the world of burlesque but after some very tame and mature conversations with Ben about what it means to her, they're all set. I do wish there had been more conflict, which leads me to...
2) The stakes of the conflicts were not that high. Yes, Meryton, the venue that they perform burlesque in hangs in the balance, but I didn't ever feel like it was truly at stake. Any pitfall or potential setback was just a way to pass the time; I never wondered if Darcy and Ben would get everything they ever wanted. Of course, this is a romance, so I don't expect to wonder that hard, but I do like the motivating conflict to mean something or propel me forward. It took me almost a month to finish this book which is pretty long for a fluffy romance. I think it came down to not finding the characters or plot especially compelling, even though they are cute.
Recommend if you're looking for: raunchy, playful contemporary romance with minimal conflict
Maybe pass if you're looking for: deep dive into the enemies to lovers trope, you don't like overly snarky/modern romance, you prefer your romance to focus exclusively on the couple and not a whole cast
Contains: explicit depictions of sex, cursing, groping/sexual assault
Level of steam: 3/5
Elizabeth Bennet (or Ben as she's referred to by her friends) is a confident, smart 20-something making her way in New York. She works as an event planner by day and a stage kitten by night. If you're intrigued by the title "stage kitten" then you're in for a treat as the author clearly is intimately familiar with the burlesque scene (being a former stage kitten herself surely helps!), and you will learn quite a bit about the culture and behind the scenes antics of burlesque. I think my favorite parts of this book were the descriptions of performances. King has a wonderful way of capturing the bated breath/exhilarating feeling of performance, whether it comes in the form of a striptease or a soulful rendition of "Feeling Good". Whenever we were watching a performance or Ben was onstage herself, I was truly sucked in.
But back to the plot:
Ben meets her match in the form of businessman Will Darcy (or Mr. Tall, Dark, and F*ckable, as Ben's friend Ming calls him). Ben and Will immediately have a magnetic chemistry and can't seem to stay away from each other. They circle each other as Will's friend Charles looks to purchase the burlesque venue, Meryton. Ben, a former interior designer with a tragic story that derailed her creative career path, has always had huge plans for Meryton and is fiercely dedicated to keeping the show alive. The charming and oh so insidious Wickham makes many appearances as well with his own treacherous motives. Shenanigans ensue.
The good:
1) The body, sexuality, and ethnic/racial diversity is great. I was happy to see that many of the original cast are not confined to their original representations or roles. Jane is a Black, male gay jazz/R&B singer, Ginn and Tonic (Lydia & Kitty) are a pair of aerial dancers, and Ming is a plus size Asian dancer and makeup artist with a potty mouth. Overall, the cast is great if a little one-dimensional at times (are people truly *this* supportive of each other all the time or do I need to get new friends?).
2) The chemistry between Ben and Darcy is electric. They are very well-matched, and I looked forward to their interactions. Their love scenes are also spicy and satisfying. Both ask for permission and consent throughout their love scenes without it feeling forced.
3) The dialogue is snarky, witty, and raunchy. You'll know right away if you're down for it as the novel starts off with Ming filling out every slot of a Mad Libs with a certain male appendage. Yes, at times it's a little much but it makes for an amusing and playful tone.
The so-so:
1) Enemies to lovers is my favorite romantic trope, so I was so ready to see it portrayed here. However, I would say that Ben and Darcy aren't ever really enemies or even that at odds with each other. Darcy has some difficulty understanding the world of burlesque but after some very tame and mature conversations with Ben about what it means to her, they're all set. I do wish there had been more conflict, which leads me to...
2) The stakes of the conflicts were not that high. Yes, Meryton, the venue that they perform burlesque in hangs in the balance, but I didn't ever feel like it was truly at stake. Any pitfall or potential setback was just a way to pass the time; I never wondered if Darcy and Ben would get everything they ever wanted. Of course, this is a romance, so I don't expect to wonder that hard, but I do like the motivating conflict to mean something or propel me forward. It took me almost a month to finish this book which is pretty long for a fluffy romance. I think it came down to not finding the characters or plot especially compelling, even though they are cute.
Recommend if you're looking for: raunchy, playful contemporary romance with minimal conflict
Maybe pass if you're looking for: deep dive into the enemies to lovers trope, you don't like overly snarky/modern romance, you prefer your romance to focus exclusively on the couple and not a whole cast
Contains: explicit depictions of sex, cursing, groping/sexual assault
Level of steam: 3/5
November 2, 2021
A Certain Appeal is a romance and a Pride and Prejudice retelling, and I feel like on both fronts, it didn't quite deliver.
It's not that I didn't like this novel--it was enjoyable enough for me to read and, more importantly, finish it--but I can't help but feel like it could've been so much better. I liked that King chose to retell P&P by introducing a burlesque setting to it; it's not something I've ever read about before, and it was fun getting to learn more about what burlesque meant to the main character, Bennet. Where I struggled with this book as a P&P retelling is that aside from the burlesque element, it stuck too close to the plot of P&P without adapting it enough to the context and setting of the book. King sometimes quotes lines from P&P verbatim, and rather than being a fun P&P-reference moment, those lines just took me out of the story. Having your modern-day characters say lines from a 19th-century book is jarring--and I don't think King modified those lines enough for them to feel like they came from her characters, rather than from Austen's novel. And in terms of plot more broadly, the retelling aspect just didn't work for me, either. I didn't buy the big fight between Darcy and Bennet (and it was resolved too quickly), nor did I buy the whole Wickham plotline. Wickham's story about Darcy comes at a point where Bennet has gotten along with Darcy more than she has with Wickham, so it didn't feel believable that Bennet would just believe Wickham's (very overblown) story.
And I hate to say it, but I just didn't buy the romance--which is, uh, a problem, given that this is a romance book... (Aside from Much Ado About Nothing) P&P is the hate-to-love romance--and yet I didn't get that from Bennet and Darcy at all. Sure, they had their adversarial moments, but I didn't really get what the big fuss was about. It felt like the author was straining for a tension that just wasn't there, rather than these characters actually misunderstanding each other.
Overall, this was an okay read for me. It was good enough for me to finish, but I can't say that it'll be a memorable read for me in the long run.
Thank you to GP Putnam for providing me with an e-ARC of this in exchange for an honest review!
It's not that I didn't like this novel--it was enjoyable enough for me to read and, more importantly, finish it--but I can't help but feel like it could've been so much better. I liked that King chose to retell P&P by introducing a burlesque setting to it; it's not something I've ever read about before, and it was fun getting to learn more about what burlesque meant to the main character, Bennet. Where I struggled with this book as a P&P retelling is that aside from the burlesque element, it stuck too close to the plot of P&P without adapting it enough to the context and setting of the book. King sometimes quotes lines from P&P verbatim, and rather than being a fun P&P-reference moment, those lines just took me out of the story. Having your modern-day characters say lines from a 19th-century book is jarring--and I don't think King modified those lines enough for them to feel like they came from her characters, rather than from Austen's novel. And in terms of plot more broadly, the retelling aspect just didn't work for me, either. I didn't buy the big fight between Darcy and Bennet (and it was resolved too quickly), nor did I buy the whole Wickham plotline. Wickham's story about Darcy comes at a point where Bennet has gotten along with Darcy more than she has with Wickham, so it didn't feel believable that Bennet would just believe Wickham's (very overblown) story.
And I hate to say it, but I just didn't buy the romance--which is, uh, a problem, given that this is a romance book... (Aside from Much Ado About Nothing) P&P is the hate-to-love romance--and yet I didn't get that from Bennet and Darcy at all. Sure, they had their adversarial moments, but I didn't really get what the big fuss was about. It felt like the author was straining for a tension that just wasn't there, rather than these characters actually misunderstanding each other.
Overall, this was an okay read for me. It was good enough for me to finish, but I can't say that it'll be a memorable read for me in the long run.
Thank you to GP Putnam for providing me with an e-ARC of this in exchange for an honest review!
September 24, 2021
I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
A Certain Appeal was such a fun Pride & Prejudice retelling. I might be a little bias here because I absolutely love that book and the movies. So I didn't really hesitate to jump into this wonderful book one bit. It also didn't take long for me to fall in love with the characters either. Someone might call it insta-book-love, I guess?
Liz and Will were basically amazing (in my eyes). Their chemistry was very easy to devour and I couldn't help myself when it came to their bantering. I definitely had a huge smile on my face and I kept thinking to the bantering in the original book. Oh man - I feel like I need to reread that book now.
I totally get the whole enemies to lovers vibes these two were steaming my way. It also didn't take long for their own feelings or emotions to develop for one another. I mean.. it would be quite hard not to since their friends like one another and they are constantly hanging around.
Oh Charles and Jane were equally adorable too. These two definitely helped the romance blossom between Liz and Will. They deserve a drink or two for all the hard work that they basically didn't do but in some weird way they did.
In the end, I definitely devoured this book and I can't wait for the next pride and prejudice retelling to come my way.
A Certain Appeal was such a fun Pride & Prejudice retelling. I might be a little bias here because I absolutely love that book and the movies. So I didn't really hesitate to jump into this wonderful book one bit. It also didn't take long for me to fall in love with the characters either. Someone might call it insta-book-love, I guess?
Liz and Will were basically amazing (in my eyes). Their chemistry was very easy to devour and I couldn't help myself when it came to their bantering. I definitely had a huge smile on my face and I kept thinking to the bantering in the original book. Oh man - I feel like I need to reread that book now.
I totally get the whole enemies to lovers vibes these two were steaming my way. It also didn't take long for their own feelings or emotions to develop for one another. I mean.. it would be quite hard not to since their friends like one another and they are constantly hanging around.
Oh Charles and Jane were equally adorable too. These two definitely helped the romance blossom between Liz and Will. They deserve a drink or two for all the hard work that they basically didn't do but in some weird way they did.
In the end, I definitely devoured this book and I can't wait for the next pride and prejudice retelling to come my way.
November 11, 2025
3.25 ★— I basically gobble up everything Pride and Prejudice–related — be it retellings, variations, reimaginings, sequels, or the ten billionth adaptation — whatever it is, I’m game.
So, when I found out about this, a P&P retelling set in the New York burlesque world, I was pretty excited about what sounded like a fresh, original take. I have to say, though, it didn’t quite hit the mark for me the way I expected it to.
First off, the book changed quite a few narrative elements. Some of that worked and some didn’t. Here, the Jane Bennet character is a Black gay man and a friend of Elizabeth, who in this version goes by Liz Bennet or just Bennet, which I actually really enjoyed.
The book also turned most of the other Bennet sisters into friends and co-workers of Liz, which made sense, but did make me miss a lot of the hilarious family drama and domestic fluff so integral to the original version.
Darcy in this is still rich, still a bit surly in the beginning, but he’s also more open-minded and genuinely someone whose worldview expands throughout the story. What genuinely annoyed me most about him, though, was that the author didn’t change some of the famed lines from the original. The “not handsome enough to tempt me” moment is awkwardly phrased here and, in my opinion, doesn’t fit a modern New York man in finance in his thirties. I get that those lines are iconic, but it really took me out of the story because it felt so out of place, especially in the burlesque club setting of it all.
Now, about that setting. I enjoyed the scenes that really leaned into the club environment and its dynamics, but I almost wish the book had gone all in! Give me a Lizzy Bennet who’s actually a burlesque dancer, not just someone who occasionally steps on stage but isn’t really part of it. Those moments of hers in the burlesque club just felt a bit lackluster, to be honest.
The romance itself was also pretty meh. I didn’t feel much tension, and the sex scenes themselves were underwhelming.
For me, the Lizzy/Darcy dynamic lives and dies by their banter: the sharp exchanges, the spark of irritation that hides attraction, that energy of her being appalled by a man completely smitten with her, even though he doesn’t want to be. That just wasn’t landing here.
So, ehhhh. As a mindless read for a P&P diehard, this could still be fun, but just make sure to keep your expectations in check.
So, when I found out about this, a P&P retelling set in the New York burlesque world, I was pretty excited about what sounded like a fresh, original take. I have to say, though, it didn’t quite hit the mark for me the way I expected it to.
First off, the book changed quite a few narrative elements. Some of that worked and some didn’t. Here, the Jane Bennet character is a Black gay man and a friend of Elizabeth, who in this version goes by Liz Bennet or just Bennet, which I actually really enjoyed.
The book also turned most of the other Bennet sisters into friends and co-workers of Liz, which made sense, but did make me miss a lot of the hilarious family drama and domestic fluff so integral to the original version.
Darcy in this is still rich, still a bit surly in the beginning, but he’s also more open-minded and genuinely someone whose worldview expands throughout the story. What genuinely annoyed me most about him, though, was that the author didn’t change some of the famed lines from the original. The “not handsome enough to tempt me” moment is awkwardly phrased here and, in my opinion, doesn’t fit a modern New York man in finance in his thirties. I get that those lines are iconic, but it really took me out of the story because it felt so out of place, especially in the burlesque club setting of it all.
Now, about that setting. I enjoyed the scenes that really leaned into the club environment and its dynamics, but I almost wish the book had gone all in! Give me a Lizzy Bennet who’s actually a burlesque dancer, not just someone who occasionally steps on stage but isn’t really part of it. Those moments of hers in the burlesque club just felt a bit lackluster, to be honest.
The romance itself was also pretty meh. I didn’t feel much tension, and the sex scenes themselves were underwhelming.
For me, the Lizzy/Darcy dynamic lives and dies by their banter: the sharp exchanges, the spark of irritation that hides attraction, that energy of her being appalled by a man completely smitten with her, even though he doesn’t want to be. That just wasn’t landing here.
So, ehhhh. As a mindless read for a P&P diehard, this could still be fun, but just make sure to keep your expectations in check.
November 2, 2021
I adored this fresh, modern, sexy retelling of the beloved classic Pride and Prejudice. Even though the story is very familiar, I was so engrossed I couldn't stop reading it. I loved all the quirky characters, and the book gets extra points for the burlesque setting. A Certain Appeal is now one of my favorite P&P retellings, and I cannot recommend it enough!
*ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley
*ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley
July 11, 2022
I won’t mince words: it offends me that you are so committed to your first impression of me, while my impression of you has not stopped evolving.
Really cute modern retelling of Pride & Prejudice with a colorful mix of characters to make up Liz Bennett's found family. Vanessa King did a great job putting her own spin on the classic story while keeping the bones of the much beloved source material. Darcy's letter? *clutches heart* Yes. This is set in the Burlesque world and as much as I loved that I do wish the last 20% wasn't heavily focused on all the club drama and ins and outs of interior design and what not. P&P is obviously a slow burn much as it is here, but I felt at times the romance took a bit of a back seat to Bennet's BFF Jane's love woes and their burlesque club drama. It does get a bit long winded in some parts with the meticulous detailing in stage performances and the heroine juggling between her day job, burlesque shows on the weekends and her passion for interior design. You can really feel the author's own heart and passion in the writing with her background in the Burlesque world and it shows here. The writing is very strong with the feminist theme that is very loud (which does tip to the preachy side at times for me personally). King's hand at cheeky humor is charming and hilarious without trying hard. For her debut novel this is impressive.
“So this is your opinion of me?” he says, the words coated with bitterness. We are so, so close. His focus lands on my lips. My face is on fire. “Forgive me, then,” he says, eyes still low on my face. “For wasting so much of your time.”
This pretty much follows the original plot and even nice nods in the dialogue as well which had me grinning ear to ear. This is a nice easy read with no deviation or ugly surprises for those who are diehard P&P fans. This was a really fun romp and I recommend it!
His name stirs the anxious new breed of butterflies twitching in my midsection. Darcy hornimus, if I had to classify them.
I trace the five letters above his signature. I’ve been wrong about so much. And I couldn’t be happier about it.
“And the stage kitten. She bewitched me.”
October 28, 2021
A Certain Appeal is a contemporary romance. It is a Pride and Prejudice retelling set in the world of New York City burlesque.
The narrator is Liz Bennet (1st person POV). She is an administrative assistant by day and a stage kitten at night. She also has some interior design ambitions.
The NYC burlesque setting is very original. And I do enjoy retellings. Plus I forgot many details from the original story. So some of what happened was unexpected to me.
I really liked all of the friendships in this book especially the heroine's friendship with her male roommate Jane. This book features Will Darcy. And I really enjoyed him in this contemporary version of the story.
There is some great drama, but the first half was not as exciting as I wanted it to be. I definitely got more invested in the story as the book went on. But I wanted more. But overall this was such an interesting way to retell this classic.
Thanks to edelweiss and G.P. Putnam's Sons for allowing me to read this book.
The narrator is Liz Bennet (1st person POV). She is an administrative assistant by day and a stage kitten at night. She also has some interior design ambitions.
The NYC burlesque setting is very original. And I do enjoy retellings. Plus I forgot many details from the original story. So some of what happened was unexpected to me.
I really liked all of the friendships in this book especially the heroine's friendship with her male roommate Jane. This book features Will Darcy. And I really enjoyed him in this contemporary version of the story.
There is some great drama, but the first half was not as exciting as I wanted it to be. I definitely got more invested in the story as the book went on. But I wanted more. But overall this was such an interesting way to retell this classic.
Thanks to edelweiss and G.P. Putnam's Sons for allowing me to read this book.
April 28, 2022
Audiobook Review
Overall 3.5 stars
Performance 5 stars
Story 3 stars
This was a very clever and interesting Pride & Prejudice retelling. I really enjoyed the references and nods to the original story as well as learning about burlesque. Jane and Bingley were an especially fantastic twist! As much as I love P&P, A Certain Appeal never quite hooked me. I didn't feel the zing between Darcy and Bennet and the hate to love tension felt a bit forced. The overall pacing was on the slower side, which made the book feel overly long. The narration by Julia Whelan was wonderful as always, but sadly I didn't love this one as much as I hoped.
CW: sexual assault/groping and harassment (on page), illness and death of parent (past), grief, anxiety, mentions of and implied drug use
Overall 3.5 stars
Performance 5 stars
Story 3 stars
This was a very clever and interesting Pride & Prejudice retelling. I really enjoyed the references and nods to the original story as well as learning about burlesque. Jane and Bingley were an especially fantastic twist! As much as I love P&P, A Certain Appeal never quite hooked me. I didn't feel the zing between Darcy and Bennet and the hate to love tension felt a bit forced. The overall pacing was on the slower side, which made the book feel overly long. The narration by Julia Whelan was wonderful as always, but sadly I didn't love this one as much as I hoped.
CW: sexual assault/groping and harassment (on page), illness and death of parent (past), grief, anxiety, mentions of and implied drug use
May 5, 2025
A modern retelling of Pride and Prejudice set in a burlesque club in New York City? Sign. Me. Up.
This book was fun, fun, fun. The characters retained the charm of their originals, which is often not the case in retellings. The chemistry was 🔥. The banter on point. It didn't take itself too seriously.
Would I have enjoyed it as much if the characters had not been named Bennet, Darcy, Jane and Bingley? Probs not. I just love to hate Wickham in any form, so sue me. Plus, seeing any version of Darcy flustered over Lizzie in fishnets is something I didn't know I needed.
| 3.5 stars |
This book was fun, fun, fun. The characters retained the charm of their originals, which is often not the case in retellings. The chemistry was 🔥. The banter on point. It didn't take itself too seriously.
Would I have enjoyed it as much if the characters had not been named Bennet, Darcy, Jane and Bingley? Probs not. I just love to hate Wickham in any form, so sue me. Plus, seeing any version of Darcy flustered over Lizzie in fishnets is something I didn't know I needed.
| 3.5 stars |
May 21, 2021
A Certain Appeal was a delightful Pride and Prejudice retelling with all the feels and then some! I am absolutely obsessed with Bennet and Darcy and could not get enough of their spirited banter! I loved the enemies to lovers trope and was so hooked on this story!
Overall this story and an amazing extended cast of characters that stole the show! I loved Bennet's friends and the whole entire world of Burlesque. King's story was addicting, romantic, banterific and amazing. I loved this story! 4 stars! ~Ratula
Overall this story and an amazing extended cast of characters that stole the show! I loved Bennet's friends and the whole entire world of Burlesque. King's story was addicting, romantic, banterific and amazing. I loved this story! 4 stars! ~Ratula
November 15, 2021
This book was so unexpectedly delightful on audio! Well, I guess I say that about almost everything Julia Whelan narrates 😉 But for real. I am NOT an original Pride and Prejudice fan (I was so so bored by it), but have read SO MANY retellings. This is hands down one of my favorites. The burlesque world is so unique and I was enchanted by how the original was adapted for a thoroughly modern setting. I can’t believe I hadn’t had this book on my radar but am so happy I found it!
November 17, 2021
I think I've found my sweet spot in retellings - make them different enough from the original but still recognizable. A burlesque club-focused retelling of Pride and Prejudice was a completely fresh idea, and I enjoyed listening to this book! It was sexy and touching and modern, with queer characters too. It checked most boxes for me, and I don't have much more to say.
This retelling focused less on the marriage and wealth aspects of the original, and more on the sexual tension and misunderstandings - tropey goodness, basically. Time wasn't wasted on a Mr. Collins equivalent and some other features I can always go without, and I loved that. The pacing was great, and I finished the book within the first half of my day.
There was some technical weirdness - I swear the character Andrea switched from an Irish to English accent midway through the audiobook - but otherwise this was a satisfying listen during my work day.
This retelling focused less on the marriage and wealth aspects of the original, and more on the sexual tension and misunderstandings - tropey goodness, basically. Time wasn't wasted on a Mr. Collins equivalent and some other features I can always go without, and I loved that. The pacing was great, and I finished the book within the first half of my day.
There was some technical weirdness - I swear the character Andrea switched from an Irish to English accent midway through the audiobook - but otherwise this was a satisfying listen during my work day.
January 1, 2022
I never knew that I needed a Pride and Prejudice retelling set at a burlesque club, but it was the perfect book to start off my 2022 reading. I hope it sets the tone for the rest of my year!
I love what Vanessa King did with Liz and her character and how she puts Darcy in his place. I knew nothing about the burlesque world but I have a new appreciation for it now having seen it through Liz's eyes.
The friendship between Liz and Jane is perfect, as is the chemistry between Liz and Darcy. 🔥🔥🔥
I also found the ending to be super satisfying!
I love what Vanessa King did with Liz and her character and how she puts Darcy in his place. I knew nothing about the burlesque world but I have a new appreciation for it now having seen it through Liz's eyes.
The friendship between Liz and Jane is perfect, as is the chemistry between Liz and Darcy. 🔥🔥🔥
I also found the ending to be super satisfying!
August 26, 2023
A Certain Appeal by Vanessa King was a unique spin on Pride and Prejudice.
Pride and Prejudice is still a book I haven't picked up yet, so the whole intertext side of this book was essentially irrelevant to me. Note: Maybe read the intertext first so you can appreciate the book more... but hey, I got this book for $3.00 at Winners so I can't complain too much.
The book was a unique tale - following burlesque dancers in New York City. That's definitely not an occupation I end up reading a lot about in my fictional adventures. Regardless, that part of the book is incredible. Vanessa King's descriptions are so amazing and you can tell that she knows a lot about burlesque.
The writing itself wasn't incredibly engaging to me but I did enjoy the book and stuck it through until the end. I liked the relationships and drama, and I really wanted everyone to have a happily ever after they deserved. The little plot twist that happens in the book was also eye opening, but I have a feeling it has something to do with Pride and Prejudice that I just didn't understand since I hadn't read the book.
Regardless, excellent read! This hidden gem needs to make it's way into more TBRs.
Three out of five stars.
Pride and Prejudice is still a book I haven't picked up yet, so the whole intertext side of this book was essentially irrelevant to me. Note: Maybe read the intertext first so you can appreciate the book more... but hey, I got this book for $3.00 at Winners so I can't complain too much.
The book was a unique tale - following burlesque dancers in New York City. That's definitely not an occupation I end up reading a lot about in my fictional adventures. Regardless, that part of the book is incredible. Vanessa King's descriptions are so amazing and you can tell that she knows a lot about burlesque.
The writing itself wasn't incredibly engaging to me but I did enjoy the book and stuck it through until the end. I liked the relationships and drama, and I really wanted everyone to have a happily ever after they deserved. The little plot twist that happens in the book was also eye opening, but I have a feeling it has something to do with Pride and Prejudice that I just didn't understand since I hadn't read the book.
Regardless, excellent read! This hidden gem needs to make it's way into more TBRs.
Three out of five stars.
September 29, 2025
pride & prejudice but smutty at a burlesque club in NYC
November 27, 2021
Pride and Prejudice…but make it burlesque! What a fresh, inventive retelling this turned out to be. I keep telling myself I’m done with Jane Austen retellings but then a premise like this comes around and I’m glad I occasionally make an exception to the rule. The author made great choices about what parts of the original to adapt. This omitted the parts of P&P I don’t care much for, which made it extra enjoyable for me.
The burlesque club setting was fun. Instead of sisters, we have a found family with stage kitten Bennet (who is an EA by day), her male roommate Jane who sings at the club, and the performers. The stage manager functions as the Bennet mother character. I loved the details about the various performances and behind the scenes preparations. It made me want to take a burlesque class, which is not something I’ve ever considered before. The way Bennet talked about it and the way it grew her confidence was so appealing.
Darcy (there to advise his friend on whether to invest in the club) and Bennet don’t get off on the right foot. They had such amazing chemistry right from the jump. Their first kiss was one of the hottest first kiss scenes I’ve read in a while. Absolutely smoldering! And when they finally have sex, it was downright incendiary. It takes a while to build to those physical elements and it made for a great payoff.
I was particularly gripped and enchanted by the second half, as the book’s themes started coming together and as Darcy and Bennet got together. There’s a fascinating examination of intimacy within the world of burlesque, with who Bennet is on stage vs. who she is with Darcy. Darcy has trouble understanding burlesque initially, not necessarily in a kink-shaming way, but in being able to sort out his unexpected attraction to Bennet. I really loved how this element came together.
The secondary characters are no slouch either. Ming is a force to be reckoned with, in particular. I would read a whole book about her. It was also great to read a book set in NYC with casual diversity, especially in the burlesque world. There are LGBTQ characters, characters with different body sizes, and characters of color. The representation wasn’t always as rich as I might have preferred, e.g. race/ethnicity was mostly represented by first or last name for secondary characters like Jane and Ming; however, skin color was mentioned for minor characters. But this wasn’t a fully white cishet world either, which is always appreciated.
I’m so glad I gave this contemporary romance debut a chance! I’m very curious whether the author will try another retelling or branch out. I’ll be reading whatever she writes next regardless. An absolute winner.
Character notes: Liz Bennet is a white executive assistant, burlesque stage kitten, and interior designer. She rock climbs as a hobby. Will Darcy is a white private wealth manager. This is set in NYC.
Content notes: brief sexual harassment by audience member, intellectual property theft (past and present), head injury and hospitalization (secondary character), past death of MMC’s father, past false sexual harassment allegation about FMC (her boss spread the rumor she tried to sleep with him so she had no recourse when he stole her design ideas), secondary character used to resell classmates’ Ritalin, past injury from rock climbing fall, on page sex, alcohol, “man-meat” used as penis euphemism in Mad Libs, gendered insults, mild ableist language, hyperbolic language around suicide, mentions of fatphobic audience reactions toward secondary character (countered), reference to audience member drug use
The burlesque club setting was fun. Instead of sisters, we have a found family with stage kitten Bennet (who is an EA by day), her male roommate Jane who sings at the club, and the performers. The stage manager functions as the Bennet mother character. I loved the details about the various performances and behind the scenes preparations. It made me want to take a burlesque class, which is not something I’ve ever considered before. The way Bennet talked about it and the way it grew her confidence was so appealing.
Darcy (there to advise his friend on whether to invest in the club) and Bennet don’t get off on the right foot. They had such amazing chemistry right from the jump. Their first kiss was one of the hottest first kiss scenes I’ve read in a while. Absolutely smoldering! And when they finally have sex, it was downright incendiary. It takes a while to build to those physical elements and it made for a great payoff.
I was particularly gripped and enchanted by the second half, as the book’s themes started coming together and as Darcy and Bennet got together. There’s a fascinating examination of intimacy within the world of burlesque, with who Bennet is on stage vs. who she is with Darcy. Darcy has trouble understanding burlesque initially, not necessarily in a kink-shaming way, but in being able to sort out his unexpected attraction to Bennet. I really loved how this element came together.
The secondary characters are no slouch either. Ming is a force to be reckoned with, in particular. I would read a whole book about her. It was also great to read a book set in NYC with casual diversity, especially in the burlesque world. There are LGBTQ characters, characters with different body sizes, and characters of color. The representation wasn’t always as rich as I might have preferred, e.g. race/ethnicity was mostly represented by first or last name for secondary characters like Jane and Ming; however, skin color was mentioned for minor characters. But this wasn’t a fully white cishet world either, which is always appreciated.
I’m so glad I gave this contemporary romance debut a chance! I’m very curious whether the author will try another retelling or branch out. I’ll be reading whatever she writes next regardless. An absolute winner.
Character notes: Liz Bennet is a white executive assistant, burlesque stage kitten, and interior designer. She rock climbs as a hobby. Will Darcy is a white private wealth manager. This is set in NYC.
Content notes: brief sexual harassment by audience member, intellectual property theft (past and present), head injury and hospitalization (secondary character), past death of MMC’s father, past false sexual harassment allegation about FMC (her boss spread the rumor she tried to sleep with him so she had no recourse when he stole her design ideas), secondary character used to resell classmates’ Ritalin, past injury from rock climbing fall, on page sex, alcohol, “man-meat” used as penis euphemism in Mad Libs, gendered insults, mild ableist language, hyperbolic language around suicide, mentions of fatphobic audience reactions toward secondary character (countered), reference to audience member drug use
February 11, 2022
This is the Pride & Prejudice retelling for you if you love the idea of a modern day Darcy being dropped into an NYC burlesque club. This was an utter delight and I look forward to seeing what King comes out with next. Also, I NEED to read more romance novels that center around burlesque bc I’m HOOKED.
July 15, 2022
Maybe ill come back to read it but I don't think I vibe well with the burlesque world. The characters felt very stilted and im tired of the Jane Austen retelling.
September 28, 2021
I have to say, this was my least favorite Pride and Prejudice retelling. That being said, it was also the most unique one. The book was slightly influenced by the classic Austen novel, but it was too different to be a retelling. I didn’t feel as though the essence of the classic was really there. I liked the premise and the relationships between the characters. However a lot just fell short for me and I found myself skimming through at times. A decent book, just not for me.
May 31, 2021
This book is one of the best retellings of the classic book Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin. A Certain Appeal by Vanessa King gives the classic tale a modern and risque twist by setting the book in a Burlesque theater in New York City. It’s such a fun book, with plenty of banter between Bennet and Darcy.
Liz Bennet is a stage kitten at a Burlesque theater in New York City. After her design career was derailed in California, she fled to New York and met up with her friend Jane who is a singer at the theater. Liz works by day as an administrative assistant for a tech firm, and by night she picks up the strewn-off clothing of the performers at the theater. One night, a particularly handsome man, Darcy, and his friend Charles visit the theater and Liz feels a connection with Darcy from the stage. But, later she overhears him telling Charles that she is merely tolerable, and her disdain for Darcy fights with her overwhelming attraction for him. When her best friend Jane, falls hard for Darcy’s friend Charles, Liz finds herself meeting up with Darcy and her attraction gets stronger.
I just loved this book, I really enjoyed learning about the burlesque scene in New York City and this re-telling was excellent. The author does an excellent job of modernizing the classic tale, and the characters of Liz and her “family” at Merryton (the burlesque venue) are a fantastic fresh take on the classic tale.
The dialogue is excellent. The banter between Liz and Darcy is so well done and hilarious at times. Also, the relationship between Liz and Jane is so sweet. The pacing is also well done, I went through this book so fast, I couldn’t wait to see what the authors take on the classic tale would take.
One spot of criticism is the cover. Although beautiful, I don’t think it gives even a clue as to what the story is about or even the tone of the story.
I highly recommend this book especially to anyone who loves the classic tale.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Liz Bennet is a stage kitten at a Burlesque theater in New York City. After her design career was derailed in California, she fled to New York and met up with her friend Jane who is a singer at the theater. Liz works by day as an administrative assistant for a tech firm, and by night she picks up the strewn-off clothing of the performers at the theater. One night, a particularly handsome man, Darcy, and his friend Charles visit the theater and Liz feels a connection with Darcy from the stage. But, later she overhears him telling Charles that she is merely tolerable, and her disdain for Darcy fights with her overwhelming attraction for him. When her best friend Jane, falls hard for Darcy’s friend Charles, Liz finds herself meeting up with Darcy and her attraction gets stronger.
I just loved this book, I really enjoyed learning about the burlesque scene in New York City and this re-telling was excellent. The author does an excellent job of modernizing the classic tale, and the characters of Liz and her “family” at Merryton (the burlesque venue) are a fantastic fresh take on the classic tale.
The dialogue is excellent. The banter between Liz and Darcy is so well done and hilarious at times. Also, the relationship between Liz and Jane is so sweet. The pacing is also well done, I went through this book so fast, I couldn’t wait to see what the authors take on the classic tale would take.
One spot of criticism is the cover. Although beautiful, I don’t think it gives even a clue as to what the story is about or even the tone of the story.
I highly recommend this book especially to anyone who loves the classic tale.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
May 21, 2022
i went it with low expectations, is that the reason why this ending up being good? we’ll never know.
honestly the best way to pitch this book is the way it’s pitched, which is that this is a burlesque pride and prejudice retelling. I mean as someone who has seen burlesque (the movie) like a million times and pride and prejudice twice (one showing being the zombie version), I’m obviously the most credible best person.
No but seriously this book was sooo fun, once I got past the first 50 pages which were kinda rough but I’m happy I pushed through. The tension we’re all familiar with between Darcy and Liz was there and tangible, but add the twist of missing clothes and suddenly im also fanning myself. This was so fun, and as someone whose in a bit of a slump, I thank this book for providing a good time. It’s single POV, but with Darcy he says and acts what he thinks, so it didn’t feel like I was missing anything without his POV.
This book was diverse, it was witty, it was empowering, it was a good time.
honestly the best way to pitch this book is the way it’s pitched, which is that this is a burlesque pride and prejudice retelling. I mean as someone who has seen burlesque (the movie) like a million times and pride and prejudice twice (one showing being the zombie version), I’m obviously the most credible best person.
No but seriously this book was sooo fun, once I got past the first 50 pages which were kinda rough but I’m happy I pushed through. The tension we’re all familiar with between Darcy and Liz was there and tangible, but add the twist of missing clothes and suddenly im also fanning myself. This was so fun, and as someone whose in a bit of a slump, I thank this book for providing a good time. It’s single POV, but with Darcy he says and acts what he thinks, so it didn’t feel like I was missing anything without his POV.
This book was diverse, it was witty, it was empowering, it was a good time.
December 24, 2021
Absolutely fantastic. Loved the audiobook and now I know it’s got to go on my bookshelf. Pride and a prejudice wasn’t my absolute favorite but I loved this retelling. It was fun and sexy and I just loved it. The addition of Burlesque was fun and Talking about your sexuality was a huge and important part. 10/10 recommend this. Especially if you liked the Broadway show Burlesque. I love the show so this was perfect.
Find me on:
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Find me on:
My Blog | My BookTube | My Book Club | Instagram | Twitter
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