I love stories set in New York City, and having lived on the Upper East Side for a number of years, this book really hit. The writing style wasn't quite by favorite but a NYC retelling is an enjoyable read.

This was an unfortunate DNF for me pretty early on, I just didn't enjoy the writing style at all. The pitch of the story was good but I couldn't get into it.

4.25 stars, rounded down

I love a good Jane Austen retelling and this did not disappoint at all!! Honestly, I wish I would've read this earlier! It took me a while to pick this up because I love Emma and Clueless was just so good, that I was afraid this wouldn't live up to the bar the other two set. Well let me just tell you, I was wrong. This was perfect!

Honestly might like this as a retelling better than Clueless as I felt it stuck to the characters and plot better. Don't get me wrong, I love Clueless, but Emma of 83rd Street didn't have as many deviations from the original plot and characters. I love how they made all of the characters modern without truly changing how Austen had created them.

Emma and George aka Knightley are perfect! I was kind of suspect at the age gap at the beginning, but as the story continues and you see their friendship, it didn't bother me as much. I loved their character development, both as individuals and their relationship. They truly made each other be better people.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I've been a Jane Austen fan since middle school, however, Emma has never been my favorite of her works. Enter a modern retelling where Emma lives in the Upper East Side neighborhood of NYC and while finishing up grad school is bored. She meets another student, Nadine, who will be her latest project/distraction. Her frustrating childhood friend/neighbor, Knightly, likes to remind Emma that adulthood is more than her shopping, hobbies, and throwing parties. Together, the two lifelong friends discover sometimes, you don't have to search farther than your backyard for love.

I love a friends-to-lovers story so I don't know why Emma has never been it for me but this was a fun retelling and I loved all the modern twists especially Emma's love for art as someone who spent a lot of college in Art History courses. I am never going to love a miscommunication trope but this was a very quick read and a sweet retelling. If you love Emma or the early 2000s romcoms set in NYC I think you would love this book.

I am excited that there is going to be a P&P retelling out this August - Elizabeth of East Hampton!

⭐⭐⭐/5

#bookstagram #bookreview #emma #austenretelling #novelsandneedlework #read #books #romancebook #netgalleyreads

Usually, I find Emma to be the most annoying of Austen's characters, and my least favorite to read about. But this modern Emma retelling had me changing my mind.

For once, Emma is depicted as naive, sheltered, and young - trying to do better but not knowing the best way to grow into her adulthood. It was a refreshing take on the story, which was so fun to see adapted to modern-day Upper East Side Manhattan.

Why We Liked it: Nadine, George, Emma, and the rest of the crew came to life in a way that felt fresh - a true accomplishment given how well-known the story is.

An Emma retelling is always a dicey prospect, since not only is there the bar set by the original, but by Clueless as well. I enjoyed this book and appreciated how it hit the beats of the original the plot while not just trying to be the Manhattan version of the 90s classic. Emma herself had a good mix of spoiled, well-intentioned, and unsure, and the supporting characters helped to flesh out the story. I’m not quite sure how I feel about Emma and Knightley’s ages, but their relationship dynamic was an interesting mix of chemistry with a tinge of angst. Though he was a bit sharper or meaner than I expected at times compared to the idea of Knightley we’ve come to know. This is a fun interpretation of a classic, especially if you love reading about NYC (I do).

Thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

It took me a while to pick this book up because Emma is my least favorite Austen character. I wish I'd picked it up sooner, because this was a fantastic retelling that I thoroughly enjoyed. There seemed to be a hint that another retelling of Pride and Prejudice was in the works, and I wait impatiently to find out if my assumption is true.

This was such a delightful read. Emma Of 83rd Street is the modern version of Jane Austin's novel Emma.
This is a laugh out loud comedy that will tug at your heartstrings. I loved the banter between the characters -- it flowed well, and I had to keep turning those pages. Can't wait for the next book!

"Emma of 83rd Street" by Audrey Bellezza is a captivating read that takes you on an emotional rollercoaster through the eyes of the protagonist, Emma. The story is set in the gritty streets of New York City, and Emma's resilience and determination shine through as she navigates the challenges of her tough surroundings. Bellezza captures the essence of friendship, family, and the power of self-discovery, making it a relatable and heartwarming novel. The characters are well-developed, and the plot keeps you hooked from start to finish, with unexpected twists that keep you guessing. Overall, "Emma of 83rd Street" is a poignant tale of growth and finding strength in the face of adversity that resonates with the teenage experience.

The book also delves into important themes like identity and the impact of one's environment, which adds depth to the narrative. Emma's journey is both inspiring and thought-provoking, making it a great choice for young readers looking for a coming-of-age story with substance. Bellezza's writing style is engaging and accessible, making "Emma of 83rd Street" a compelling read for readers who enjoy stories of resilience, friendship, and self-discovery.

I am always going to love a retelling of Austen, so I was delighted to receive Emma on 83rd Street by Audrey Bellezza and Emily Harding. This take on Emma captured the spirit of the original while making great contemporary adjustments. I hope the authors will continue with this thematic thread.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me. All thoughts are my own.

I loved this Emma retelling! The New York City setting, the townhouse neighbors, the grumpy/sunshine dynamic. It captured the spirit of the original but with a fresh modern taken.

Sweet, spicy and full of biting banter!

This one is a modern retelling of Jane Austen’s Emma in modern day Manhattan. The classic age gap between the lead and her love interest (he remembers her being born, etc.) is a weird trope for me but at least the characters in this book directly address it (“suddenly she’s a woman and not a little girl, when did that happen” type of energy) so I'll allow it. They grew up together and he is a total ass to her. I’m grateful she does humble him! A lot of times once love is confessed it just goes unaddressed so I’m glad the author makes sure to show that Emma is infinitely smarter than Knightley no matter how much older he is or how much more mature he thinks he is. He’s kind of a tool. He holds her to a higher standard than anyone else and is so mean about her humanness. He better spend his life trying to earn her attention haha  I know he is like weird protective big brother energy until he realizes he loves her but also that’s sort of toxic and he’s a mean big brother who bullies her several times because he’s immature and has zero emotional regulation apparently. Overall I love this retelling! It does get spicy (heyo!)! This is great for Austen fans, romance genre readers, and anyone looking for a story of a young woman finally seeing she is everything she needs to be and has accomplished great things and only needs to keep doing what she knows is best for her.

What a delightful modern retelling of Emma! I loved the cast of the characters and the world created. I so love a retelling and this one was done so right!
.

Thank you #gallery and #NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

Book Review:
Title: Emma Of 83rd Street
Author: Audrey Bellezza;
Emily Harding
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/4 stars

Emma Woodhouse
George Knightly
Childhood best friends
Upper East Side
Matchmaker
Sister's wedding
Grad school
Friends to lovers
Manhattan
Nadine gets a makeover
Romance
Jane Austen remake

Intrigued? Read it! It's worth it!

Published: May 23rd, 2023

Thank you, @netgalley and @gallerybooks, for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Jane Austen's Emma comes to modern day Manhattan is this sweet, sultry book. I really loved this interpretation of the classic and found that it had just enough unique material to keep me interested, but mainly stuck to the original storyline. Emma is so often presented as the original "unlikeable" woman but I have always found her to be one of my favorite characters. She is spoiled and a bit naïve but so well-intentioned and really is able to see other people in ways that others don't. Just like in Austen's version, Emma's character grows on you over this books and you get to see her change in the eyes of those around her too. I think Bellezza and Harding did a great job of adapting this story for the 21st century- possibly the best Emma retelling since Clueless!

This book is super cute! I worry that the cover could interest some teens when this isn't a YA book, but the characters are adults.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an early copy of Emma of 83rd Street by Audrey Bellezza; Emily Harding in exchange for my honest review and opinion. I absolutely LOVED this book! It is absolutely adorable and such a cute read. This book absolutely made my day and I ended up smiling throughout the entire book. Do yourself a big favor and read this sooner than later - I promise you will be glad you did.

This was a cute book. It was fun and light. I highly enjoyed it. If you’re looking for a enjoyable, easy read this book would be for you
Thanks

Didn't really have any "hook" to keep my attention. This novel was too slow-paced for me and I didn't really connect well with the characters; they felt flat for me.

DNF'd at 22%. I really wanted to like this one as I adore the Emma story, however it didn't feel like there were enough differences for me compared to the real story, just mostly modern & set in New York. Gave me lots of Clueless vibes, so if you like an entitled character & a pretty close retelling of Emma (at least to the part I read) pick this one up! I didn't work for me, but I'm sure it will work for a lot of people.