This was a cute YA story about a teenager who played the Mary Bennet role at her prestigious high school. I would have rather the title been different or listed as "being the" or "being a" as the title as in left me confused as to why the plot was nothing like Pride and Prejudice and was just commentary on the character's disposition/social role. I will say that as an adult reading this YA, I struggled to identify with some of the character's choices, but that's a me problem due to not being their ideal audience. I still enjoyed the story and writing style, hence the 4 star review. Thank you to J. C. Peterson, HarperTeen, and Net Galley for the ARC and this is my honest review.

I loved this book! It was charming and inspiring!

I would recommend it to teens of any gender, whether they're previously fans of Austen or not.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a free advanced copy of this book to read and review.

DNF. I've picked this up several times, but just can't interested enough to keep reading this book. I really enjoy Pride and Prejudice retellings, but this one wasn't one of those that I liked, which is too bad because poor Mary Bennet deserves a happy ending!

I received this book for free from netgalley for an honest review.

Really well thought-out book with amazing characters and excellent setting. Love the cover

DNF. I think I’m just too old for this one and the audiobook narrator was whiny right from the beginning.

This is such a cute read that finally gives another Bennet the attention that she deserves. Highly recommend and wish I had remembered to publish this review sooner!

In Being Mary Bennett, J C Peterson tells the story of Marnie Barnes who like the Austen Character Mary Bennett, sees herself as a secondary character in her own life. While both humorous and charming, the novel has depth. It is a commentary on courage, risk- taking, and the danger of comparison. It is only after Marnie is able to seize her own courage, take a chance on moving her life forward and stop comparing herself to Mary Bennett, and her own sisters that she is able to see that she had a special place in the world all along. Her story is hers to write. This novel will be enjoyed by all who like stories of family and self discovery.Thank you to #Netgalley #HarperCollinsPublishing and #JCPeterson for an advanced review copy which I submit voluntarily.

Being Mary Bennet, a contemporary homage to Pride and Prejudice, introduces bookish Marnie Barnes, a typical middle child, who feels unseen in light of her older and younger sisters' accomplishments. She decides to design a program for children to read to shelter dogs, in the hope of winning the Hunt Prize, which is given for innovation to a senior at her prep school. When her roommate Adhira accuses her of being a Mary Bennet (nerdy and annoying), she goes on a quest to prove herself otherwise. Adhira introduces her to Whit, a volunteer at the animal shelter, who helps her get her project off the ground, But despite his interest in her, Mary keeps coming back to her childhood crush on the odious Hayes Wellesley, who is wooing her to get her father to invest in his new company. As Marnie struggles to come out of her shell and be generous to others and more understanding of her family, she realizes that she needs to embrace the positive qualities of Mary Bennet and become the heroine of her own story.

Hmm, it's hard to put my feelings into words. The first sixty pages I was like, "I should quit this book. I do not like Marnie. At all." Except I kept reading because there was a lot of potential for character growth, and the author did not disappoint. I liked how Marnie grew as a person as the book went on. I still had trouble caring about her and her family. Not sure why... Too upper crust? Too posh? Too whiny? A few deep subjects are tackled (see notes below) and I (in my limited knowledge) thought they were handled well. It was a different story than I expected, but still was a satisfying story with a satisfying ending.

Note- swearing, a few minor LGBTQ characters, family disfunction/emotionally abusive relationships, sexual harassment/seducing a minor

This was a delightful take on a Jane Austen classic. I love the focus on a character/person that most people usually overlook. Marnie can be annoying but at the same time, she is relatable. Overall this is a lovely adaptation of Pride and Prejudice.

Being Mary Bennett is a modernized Pride and Prejudice retelling. It is a fun with a charming protagonist.

Thanks to NetGalley & HarperTeen for the early copy in exchange for an honest review. Sadly, I DNF'ed at 20% of the way through.

I really couldn't stand the main character as well as everyone around her. They were all awful, self-centered people and I just don't like to read stories with an overabundance of unlikable characters. Also fair warning--this book is being promoted as a Pride & Prejudice retelling but it is NOT. Some of the characters share traits with the original P&P characters--but it's basically a new setting with new characters (who are all jerks) so don't be fooled like I was.

I do think of the YW romance/contemporaries I have read lately this one had a more unique premise than most. And I always like a boarding school setting. Unfortunately the characters and plot seemed a little caricature-ish to me. I definitely think it had potential, just parts of the execution left me wanting. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review

Thanks to Netgalley and HarperTeen for sending me an e-ARC of J. C. Peterson's "Being Mary Bennet"!

If you are someone who has never felt like the main character in their own life, know that you are not alone. "Being Mary Bennet" is written for those of us who feel like the side characters in other peoples' stories, the ones who don't have the big love story or coming of age plotline, but rather support those who do. If you fancy yourself the underdog in your own story, this will be a delightful book to get lost in.

This was a really charming debut from this author. As a Janeite, I appreciated that, while taking some inspiration from Jane Austen's characters and plotlines, it wasn't a 1:1 adaptation--sometimes those can feel rather forced. No, this protagonist knows she's got some Mary Bennet tendencies, and she sets out to reinvent herself, with some hiccups along the way. I look forward to seeing more from J.C. Peterson!

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

This is a great take on Mary Bennet/The Bennet sisters and a retelling as a coming-of-age story. Marnie is such a relatable character, one that most teenage girls can relate to.

“She thinks I’m Mary Bennet. The sullen, forgotten sister. The ugly one who everyone wants to fade into the background entirely so that they can get on with their happily ever after.”
It is a truth universally acknowledged that every girl longs to be the Lizzy Bennet of their world. When Marnie Barnes realizes she has somehow become the forgotten side character of her own life story—a.k.a the Mary Bennet—she is determined to take her life into her own hands. Marnie enlists the help of her more extroverted roommate to become the leading lady of her own story and create the life she wants. With a dreamy love interest, a great team of supporting friends, and a desire to laugh and learn, Marnie creates her own little rom-com, Lizzy Bennet style.

I think every girl has felt like the Mary Bennet in their life at one point in time. And who doesn’t want to be like Lizzy, the witty and beautiful main character that wins the love interest? JC Peterson really brings this struggle to life through Marnie! I really enjoyed Marnie’s character and narration. She is working through strong defense mechanisms and bitterness towards the world around her. It isn’t until she actively decides to change her approach and outlook that anything begins to happen for her. I feel that sometimes this character development is really lost in contemporary reads, but Peterson does a fantastic job with Marnie’s development. Marnie was someone I relate to, and I wanted to see her grow and succeed by taking her life into her own hands. Marnie embodies the ideas of being able to step out of your comfort zone, taking the great times with the awkward times, and embracing being the leading lady in your own narrative. I just couldn’t stop reading! For fans of Pride and Prejudice or modern rom-coms, check out Being Mary Bennet!

(Pine Reads review would like to thank NetGalley and HarperTeen publishing for sending us an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change upon final publication.)

PRR Writer and Editor Taylor Quinn

What a fresh take on a P&P retelling! The voice was so strong, it really pulled me through the story!

Delightful reimagining of the Bennet family from Pride and Prejudice fame set in the modern day in the California bay area. Marnie Bennet is 17 and in her senior year at Pacific Crest Academy. As part of a large family of 5 girls, Marnie is used to feeling overshadowed and outnumbered however she is determined to leave her mark this year. Her plan is to win the coveted Hunter prize and she knows that her bark books project might just be the perfect way to win the award. Marnie strongly identifies with Mary Bennet from Pride and Prejudice as she is also the middle girl of five, and a bit of an antisocial bookworm, just like the famous Mary herself. However she decides she wants to be less of a surly, withdrawn Mary and recreate herself in the form of the gregarious Lizzie Bennet. Over the course of the year, Marnie slowly comes out of her shell with the help of her roommate, who is sure they are meant to be best friends, as well as the other friends she makes along the way.

Being Mary Bennet is a delightful reimagining of the Bennet family from Pride and Prejudice fame set in the modern day in the California bay area. The author does an excellent job of incorporating bits and pieces of the Pride and Prejudice story throughout while adding a unique and modern twist to the tried and true tale. The writing is witty and humorous from the start with plenty of angsty teenage drama woven into an uplifting journey of self discovery and acceptance that is very relatable. Marnie's character will grow on you over time and many readers will be able to identify with her stubborn, prickly, bookish but loving soul. Throw is a cute swoon worthy boy and some adorable dogs and we have the must read contemporary for every book loving, pride and prejudice fan.