Thanks to Macmillan Audio for the ALC.
I’m going to start with the narration. I loved it. The narrator captured the characters - their tones, voices, and likeness so well. But that’s about the only thing I enjoyed. I’m learning that I am just not a retelling fan, and I need to pay closer attention. I also wasn’t a fan of any of these characters. I didn’t understand why Wickham was every great. I also didn’t understand why Georgiana didn’t go to school elsewhere and start over. This book, while acknowledging privilege, also was so whiny. It’s not for me. I hope other readers love it.

I adore Pride and Prejudice retellings. I have read dozens over the years, but none with a Georgiana Darcy focus, so this was a delightful surprise. Georgiana (and her relationship with her brother) have always been among my favorite parts of the story. So I was very excited for this.

This book gave 90s/early 2000s teen movie vibes - it was light, fresh, and fun for a YA retelling of a classic. I laughed out loud so many times! This was truly an original take on characters we know so well. From Georgie’s scandalous ex-boyfriend, Wickham (reframed as a high school drug dealer), to her distracting her hovering brother, Fitz, and setting him up with the charming Lizzie. For me, the most delightful character (and funniest) was Charlie Bingley.

I love the modern aspects of what Georgiana would look like today. A band kid (of course, as such an accomplished piano forte player, it would only make sense).

But the real stand out feature of this YA retelling is that really is only a retelling in the most basic of definitions. Though the names and their basic relationships remain, the story truly deviates and becomes its own. And for that reason, this is a perfect read for Austen fans AND someone simply looking for a modern look at teenage life.

I have some mixed feelings on Accomplished. This is a unique twist on a contemporary Pride & Prejudice retelling. Georgie Darcy is attending Pemberly, a boarding school where she has become a social outcast after an incident with Wickham Foster almost got her expelled. This YA book is about friendship and crushes and finding yourself and it’s very sweet. At times I think Georgie is a little too entitled and needs more self awareness, but at the same time she’s only in high school, so I think it fits her age range. That being said, I think at times it may have been a little too YA for me to connect with. But I did love Georgie’s journey to finding her place and her own strength. Fitz Darcy is super harsh on her but he’s a really well done modern Darcy for sure and I loved the subplot with the classic Pride & Prejudice main story. The characters were so well developed and engaging and the banter was really great. It’s a great spin on a classic and I think it really captured the high school emotions of feeling alone, of finding acceptable, and of crushes. I thought Georgie’s romance was so cute and awkward in the best way possible. It hit the perfect notes of a high school romance blooming! And I love that Georgie really came into her own. I think the character growth was really lovely. Really a great Pride and Prejudice spin with its own unique feel!

Utterly obsessed! This YA spins Pride and Prejudice in such a refreshing way. Compelling from the start and delightfully voice-y. I could not put this one down! Fans of the classic (and YA in general!), this is a must read.

My review for this book comes from a non-Jane Austen reader who is in her later twenties, so keep that in mind. That being said, I have read several YA books that I have enjoyed. Okay, now on to the review. Without being educated on anything from Pride & Prejudice, I did enjoy this novel a lot. Its a young take on a privileged young girl at a high-end private school, which I was very intrigued by. Now, my biggest issue lies within our FMC herself. I know she is young but she felt YOUNG. Like younger than she was and it was insanely frustrating at time. I am all for younger coming-of-age stories filled with growth but oofta. I did really like how the story wrapped up but at times it felt a little too drawn out for my own liking. However, I know plenty of readers who will enjoy this.

Georgie Darcy has had a hard year. She's from the notorious Darcy family but half the time that isn't all its cracked up to be, in fact, some people at her school hold it against her. Not to mention, the trouble she got in last year. But now, she is trying for a fresh start. She is willing to do anything to get back in the people's good graces while also trying not to stress out her older brother so much. But her peers aren't making it easy on her. It seems that everything she does is the wrong thing. At least her friend Avery seems to be on her side. She's torn between trying harder and just giving up. Can she really fix all these problems AND still get good grades? All her family's money sure won't help her here.