De la Cruz has written a sprightly, entertaining Christmas tale that turns the Austen classic on its head by switching up the genders and updating to the present day. Darcy is high maintenance and Luke is a low key carpenter, sure, but they are also fated for one another. You'll both chuckle and boo hiss at other members of the family. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Don't expect this to be too true to the original - take it for what it is- a light quick read that will make you smile. It makes for a relaxing afternoon.

In this gender-flipped, updated version of the beloved P&P, Darcy Fitzwilliams is high-powered, beautiful, and rich. She doesn't get home to Pemberley, Ohio very often but her mother has suffered a heart attack so she's back for the Christmas season. She's been "dating" a family friend, Carl for eight years on and off but hasn't been able to commit. It is that lack of commitment that caused an estrangement between she and her father. It's at her parents annual party that she realizes another reason she hasn't committed, there are no sparks. At least, not like the sparks she's getting with Luke Bennett. They've had a contentious relationship since high school and it's morphed into... well, one hot kiss. But then they get engaged quickly afterward. To other people.

This book had a nice start but it veered too far from the original story. The best adaptations show the author's love for the original work but I didn't really even get that de la Cruz had even read P&P much less enjoyed it. The heart of that book are the relationships that already exist between the main characters and the new ones they are starting to build. Elizabeth and Luke barely interacted.

I liked that Darcy's best friend Bingley was still male and that he fell in love with one of Luke's brothers. But then there was a lot of exposition that was just... bleh. And Luke's explanations for his behavior both in present day and in high school were just gross.



Two stars

This book comes out

"Pride and Prejudice and Mistletoe" by Melissa de la Cruz A good story well told, but for some reason I cannot explain.. it just did not capture my complete undivided attention. Thus I give it a "3-star = Its okay" rating. I received an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) via NetGalley, a free read for an honest review. I look forward to reading the reviews of others whose attention was captured by the telling of this story. I hope should you choose to read this story.. that you will love it. Good reading!

If you can't tell by the title Pride and Prejudice and Mistletoe is a retelling of Jane Austen's classic Pride and Prejudice. However, Melissa de la Cruz's version is a gender-swapping take on the classic set in in modern times during the Christmas season.

It has been eight years since Darcy Fitzwilliam (great use, by the way, of literally just switching last name and first around and using it for a female character) has been home to Pemberly, Ohio. She's been busy living in New York making a name for herself as partner of an extremely successful hedge fund company. She's living her life the way she wants after being cut off by her father for not marrying her on-again, off-again high school sweetheart, and to say so myself she is doing rather well for herself. But when her mother suffers a heart attack, Darcy rushes right home. Now, she's face-to-face with the family she left behind at one of the most family-oriented times of year. Not to mention running into her high school rival Luke Bennett.

They couldn't stand each other in high school. Darcy felt like Luke was always trying to one-up her at everything. However, Darcy can't seem to deny the spark between them when under the influence of too much family eggnog as well as the mistletoe. As she starts to warm to the idea that her feelings for Luke are more than just antagonistic, Luke turns things on their ear by rejecting Darcy's claim of love and calling her snobby and selfish. But is that the truth of who Darcy is? Is she really a snob who thinks herself better than others, or is something else clouding Luke's judgement of Darcy's character?

Like others, I cannot resist a good Pride and Prejudice retelling (and there are quite the plethora on the market). So when I first learned the Melissa de la Cruz would be tackling one, and the fact that it clearly (from the title) takes place during the holidays I knew I wanted to read it.

On the surface Pride and Prejudice and Mistletoe is a cute, sweet, retelling. I loved that it de la Cruz decided to put a spin on the story by switching things around and not just in the genders of most of our main characters, but the fact that technically this is a story from Darcy's point of view in lieu of Elizabeth's (i.e. Luke's). I liked that, here, Darcy is a successful female in a primarily male dominated field. I like that Darcy is proud of her successes and really doesn't want for anything. I loved where Melissa de la Cruz decided to go off the beaten path with the story. I liked that there was a history between Luke and Darcy. They begin with a classic enemies-to-lovers story trope. They push each others' buttons, and the moment Darcy, literally, runs into Luke you can feel the chemistry between them. I do believe the opening of this book in very nearly perfect.

But, you knew this was coming, I did use the words "on the surface" in the above. When I start to really think about this story, and how things proceed, I come up with a few things that just did sit right for me as a reader.

One of the main ones being that I actually wanted to see Darcy being successful. We are only ever told she is a success, but we don't see her in her element. In fact, much of this book is spent with Darcy outside of her element and while that was necessary for her character's journey in this story, since there was such a thing made about her being a woman and being successful at her job and having pride in her success, I wanted to see it. Because where we are in the book, Darcy is all over the place emotionally questioning this and that, I kinda felt like she was a mess at certain points. And truly, as we see Darcy's "change of heart" happening, it felt mostly forced rather than genuine. This came through mostly for me when we see Darcy interact with her three brothers. There is a moment where we see how deep Darcy cut ties with her family for eight years, and while I could understand the precipitating events between her parents (especially her father), I just didn't understand it when it came to her brothers who clearly where thinking about her. I guess more of what I would have liked to have seen was Darcy trying to repair the rip between her and her brothers.

Also, as with Darcy's siblings, there were a lot of secondary characters and relationships that felt like they were just kind of there. Such as the relationship (yes romantic) between Luke and his childhood friend Charlotte Collins. The more I thought about Melissa de la Cruz's choice to have their be a romantic entanglement between Charlotte and Luke the more I really liked the idea. There could have been so much more to Charlotte's character. Instead she's relegated to jealous female. I know that the problem lies with the story being only from Darcy's point of view, but I was sad that there wasn't more to this character (and the twist between the characters as set up).

I thought Pride and Prejudice and Mistletoe was a cute, quick read which was overall satisfying for what it was. However, I would have liked if we got a longer story and were able to expand upon some of the characters a bit more. I think the story would have been more enriched if there were more details added.

As a fan of the original Pride and Prejudice, I just adored this fun, quirky, holiday re-telling. Sticking true to the classic, this fun holiday read had nuances that made those who know the story smile and enjoy watching the story flipped and turned. This will be a great holiday read for fans of the original and anyone looking for a fun, enjoyable holiday story.

I enjoyed this cute spin on the Jane Austen classic. This time the story focues on Darcy Fitzwilliam and Luke Bennet. Darcy is a successful NYC business woman who is suddenly called to her hometown, Pemberly, Ohio when her mother has a heart attack. Estranged from her father for over 8 years, Darcy is not sure how this trip home will play out.

It's a cute, quick story that's not focused too much on Christmas (just enough) and has all the characters with a twist from the classic.

Darcy is a completely uptight, successful young woman filled with insecurities. Although Melissa De La Cruz is not Jane Austin, she has written an amusing, modern rendition of Pride and Prejudice.

I'm a sucker for Pride and Prejudice retellings but this book should have ended around 60% in. I was enjoying the story telling but the last 1/2 was truly just filler. I was confused as pages were filled with childhood memories that had nothing whatsoever to do with the story line. A disappointing ending.

This is the perfect Christmastime read. Although, let me admit, while dodging any books that may be thrown my way, I have never read Pride and Prejudice. There. I said it. It's out in the cyberuniverse. Truthfully, with all the great books that are being published every week, it's hard for me to want to go backwards. That said, I think I need to because this was the ultimate in guilty pleasure, and I can just imagine how the first is!

Obviously, I enjoyed this. I loved the characters. They work in today's world. Again, I cannot compare to the Pride and Prejudice of before, but I can see this scenario happening. Girl makes big, big bucks, while back home guy thinks she's a snob and probably feels like she's too good for everyone. It makes for a hilarious story, especially when they accidentally meet under mistletoe.

While in many of my romance reviews lately, I mentioned authors pushing an incident, like an argument, that makes a portion of the plot feel contrived. Here, it happened in one argument that felt off, somehow. It was a bit later in the book and while I felt like it was pushed, while I read, and the pieces of the puzzle came together, I began to understand completely. The entire situation is completely explained at the end. So, while I was frustrated, in the moment, it comes together.

That was the only portion that threw me. I enjoyed the characterization, the plot, and the minor characters. Also, many times while figuring out everything that happened, a plot can get a bit long winded, but here it came together perfectly.

This is a great story for Christmas. Actually, it is a great story for anytime.

Sadly, this book wasn't for me. The characters were too glossy and perfect. Although the essence of Austen was present, the spirit of Austen was not preserved. Perhaps if it is marketed towards teens rather than Janeites, it will be better received.

Grab your tea, blanket, and holiday decorations because Pride and Prejudice and Mistletoe is sure to add some cozy to your winter. This easy, enjoyable, modern adaptation is just the beach-read you need when January and February get too dreary. Darcy Fitzwilliam, a self-made New York power broker, is forced to return to her family home amid an emergency. Luke Bennett, a carpenter and former classmate of Darcy's, makes an unexpected discovery at the annual Fitzwilliam holiday party. Family dramas, sparks, and a nod to Jane Austen - just the thing to add to your Christmas list this year

Darcy Fitzwilliam is twenty nine and extremely career orientated much to the dismay of her family. She doesn’t like heading home to visit and getting the same old treatment of when she’ll settle down and get married and would much prefer to continue to throw all of her attention at her career. However when Darcy gets a call to tell her that her mother has taken ill she immediately head back to Pemberley, Ohio to see to her mother and spend the holiday season with her family.

After Darcy arrives she only wants to spend time with her mother but finds herself pushed to attend the annual family Christmas bash that of course they haven’t canceled. After a few drinks to get her through the night Darcy finds herself running into Luke Bennet under the mistletoe in which afterwards Darcy can’t get him out of her mind. Things of course are never simple for Darcy and she finds herself torn between the two men and her family and career.

Pride and Prejudice and Mistletoe by Melissa de la Cruz is a modern day retelling of the classic Pride and Prejudice which adds it’s own flavor to the story by switching up the genders. This story has been brought into the current times with it’s characters and settings and reads more of a cute contemporary romance in today’s world but of course has that touch of reminder of the original story.

My advice when picking up this version of a classic would be to not go into it expecting it to live up to the original. I actually enjoyed the tale with the changes the author made but thought of this one more as a lighthearted rom-com type of read than comparing every little detail to the original story which allowed me to enjoy this one and it’s own story and found that to be a rather cute one in the end. It moved at a rather quick pace and could probably have used a bit more depth but was otherwise a likable romance when finished for me.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

"Pride and Prejudice and Mistletoe" is a cute and quick women's fiction that can easily be read in a sitting or two. Following closely the plot of Pride and Prejudice (with a few modern twists), we start with Darcy returning home to Pemberley after her mother's heart attack. Darcy has been estranged from her family for years and has become very independently wealthy. She has never settled down romantically, likely because she could never find the right guy. At her parents' annual Christmas party, Darcy and her BFF Bingley run into the Bennetts from next door. Sparks fly between Bingley and one of the Bennetts, while Darcy finds herself arguing with Luke Bennett- until they notice they are standing under the mistletoe and kiss.

The book is a pretty delightful rom-com which makes for fast and light reading with a holiday theme. The whole book is fairly short, and so events (and feelings) happen very fast. For people who are looking for a quick and fun holiday read without too much thought, this book will absolutely be a delight! If you are looking for a deeper romance, this book will probably be too short for you. I found it just the right light and comic blend to entertain for an afternoon, but you do have to be in the right mood to enjoy the insta-love and misunderstandings that blend into a romance. It follows the plot of Pride and Prejudice pretty closely with some (relatively) minor changes, so fans of P&P will probably enjoy seeing it played out in this modern setting.

Overall, I think this is a great, quick holiday rom-com which comes just in time for the holidays. Please note that I received an ARC from the publisher through netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to read an ARC and give an honest review.

I have to preface this review to say that I love Pride and Prejudice. I love re-imaginings of it, movies, miniseries, all of it. I was excited to read this as it has the genders swapped and is written from Darcy's point of view.

Unfortunately, I felt that the characters were not developed enough to really care about them. How does an independent, driven, career woman suddenly not care at all about going back to work? The timeline and plot had a few holes which were a little frustrating.

If you are looking for something light and don't really want to think about it too much, this is a cute book.

While the re-telling of Pride and Prejudice was cute, there was a little disconnect within the story line. At times it just didn't seem to flow well. I thought it was a cute book, but may need a little more revision. Some of the characters just seemed to be thrown in to the book, with little thought to how they were actually helping or hurting the plot line.

An interesting twist on the timeless tale, Pride and Prejudice and Mistletoe is told from Darcy's point of view. And this time, Darcy Fitzwilliam is a well to do female unsure of what she wants, while Luke Bennet is the not so rich, carpenter boy from the same town of Pemberley, Ohio. A completely modernized and flipped version, Mistletoe hits all the classic points of the historic novel with some twists on the characters to bring it to present day. While Darcy irritated me with her indecision, I think we were all a little irritated with Mr. Darcy in the original, were we not? A fun read for the Christmas season.

Thank you to St Martin's Press for this advanced copy in exchange for my unbiased review.

i thoroughly enjoyed this book! i love a good P&P retelling and this one was so unique. i've never read anything from this author before. i was a bit sad that this book is so short, i always want more lizzy & darcy.. or in this case, luke and darcy. this is the first P&P telling i've read where the sex of the main characters are swapped, very interesting! it made it feel so much more like its own story and i kept forgetting i was reading a P&P retelling because I was like that's not how the boy acted! or whatever. but i really really enjoyed it. like i said, bummed it was so short because it felt a wee bit rushed or like things weren't as complex/fleshed out as they could have been. i wanted so much more luke. i laughed out loud several times and face palmed during the excruciatingly embarrassing scenes. i really did enjoy this and would recommend to anyone who likes a good romance, P&P fan or not. i am not one of those purists that demands any Austen retelling be of the same caliber as Austen's work, how can it be? i love when things are new and different but still with the characters we know and love.

I need to open by saying I've never written such a negative review, and I don't enjoy it. That being said, I enjoy the modern updates of Jane Austen books, and have read many of them This one was not one of my favorites. The characters were shallow and predictable and the plot was barely there. It suspends belief that the "third richest woman in Manhattan" (the main character, Darcy) could act like such an immature child when presented with a difficult life choice. Her solution? Get drunk, crawl in bed and watch Gilmore Girls. The writing was good, however, and the book flew along.

I think the author had skimmed Cliff notes of Pride and Prejudice to get the names and the bare bones of the plot instead of actually reading the book. Also, I believe the author was throwing in brand names she thinks are expensive without understanding what they really are - Le Creuset vases, for instance. Le Creuset is an expensive French brand of kitchenware known for their enameled cast iron pots and ceramic bakeware, not fine glass vases! She lost me right there.

Do your research next time, and read the source book, and do it justice.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Pride and Prejudice and Mistletoe is a gender swapped, modern retelling of the classic Jane Austen novel, set in a Christmas setting. I've got to admit, I've requested this book on Netgalley mostly because of that beautiful cover, and because it had Pride and Prejudice on the title.
I have never read the original, I've started it, but never finished. Despite that, I obviously know & love the story, I've watched a lot of the adaptations like, The Lizzie Bennet Diaries, the 2005 film, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, etc.
The best thing of the book was definitely the retelling aspect of it, I loved the new twists that Melissa de la Cruz included in the story and also how some of the classic scenes of the novel were translated in this new setting. I really liked the characters, particularly Darcy & Bingley. Also there a lot of pop culture references, which I absolutely loved, ,Hamilton was mentioned, Gilmore Girls, my favorite show of all time was mentioned, not only that but Darcy is Team Jess, the best boyfriend that Rory Gimore has had. I also really enjoyed the way the novel was written, it made it a really quick read.
The main thing that I disliked about this book was the romance, something so integral to Pride and Prejudice didn't really work in here, I just didn't believe in this relashionship, Darcy and Luke didn't really have and chemistry, and also it felt so insta-lovey, which I hate. And I didn't see much similarities between this new version of the characters and the old ones, Darcy didn't feel like the original, Luke didn't feel like Elizabeth.
Overall, I was very disappointed in this one, my expectations weren't that high, bu still I though it was going to be okay. After finishing this, I now have the giant urge to read the original.

This clever and twist on the modern day Pride and Prejudice is hilarious. I love how the writer put in the Christmas theme makes this story over the top. This is a book that you wont want to put down and read it by yourself so when you laugh out loud people don't think you are crazy. :) This book makes me feel that anything is possible and sometimes things are wont they seem. Sometimes sitting down and talking things out is the right thing to do. If you read this book you wont be disappointed.