I've never read Jane Austen- cue gasping and pearl clutching! I know, I know! But I have watched, may times, Clueless, so I couldn't help "comparing" Emmett with that movie. There were, of course, similarities, which I would assume would be similar to Emma, but I wasn't so caught up in the comparison that it took me out of the story- it was just there on the periphery.

I really liked Emmett. He's a good kid. Not perfect by any stretch- he has his flaws like anyone. But he's got a big heart and does his best. I liked how he wanted to help his friends, but couldn't see what was right in front of him.

This story was cute and sweet, but also heartfelt. I was sad for Emmett and his dad, still dealing with the grief of their mom and wife. Emmett's dad, in particular, wasn't handling things well and really needed help. Emmett was a little "clueless", but I loved seeing his growth over the course of the story.
I think this will be one I revisit on audio.

this was a nice surprise!!

something i'm always going to praise is a messy protagonist. i'll keep saying i think audiences keep pushing for stories about perfect people that don't do anything wrong. that's a huge disservice to storytelling and can actually be a it harmful when it comes to queer characters.

Emmett is kind of a mess, and it's okay that he is. the fact that he thinks he needs to be perfect but in reality he isn't actually plays really well into the overall themes of the book. i loved him as a protagonist.

the rest of the cast is filled with three dimensional characters that do a great job of bringing this world to life. and i loved how it portrayed relationships and validated all different kinds of romantic and non-romantic connections.

ultimately, it's about the messiness of love and life and the things you can find when you open yourself up to good things while no longer worrying about the bad.

oh! and it's holiday set. such a great read.

Emmett is convinced he knows what’s best for himself and everyone else. His life plan is clear — he wants to focus on excelling at college and going to medical school. Then, and only then, will he be ready for a relationship. But Emmett is eager to set up his friends. He has already played matchmaker for his best friend. And when one of his other friends wants a boyfriend, Emmett is only too happy to help. But what seems like a simple and fun mission becomes more complicated as Emmett realizes that other people’s feelings, and his own, are not always so easy to manage.

This was a fun and funny story. With an engaging character at its center, it is an entertaining and frequently thought-provoking exploration of an important time in people’s lives.

Highly recommended!

Emmett was a true delight, with a charming lead worthy of any Jane Austen novel. Filled with characters who are easy to love and root for, the kind of social situations that any reader of regency romance would recognize, and a ton of humor and heart, readers will fly through this novel from Rosen and then wish there was more!

I just loved this cover. I adored this gender bent retelling of Emma. I got all the Emma feels. I wanted to shake Emmett a couple of times but also just wanted him to have all the happiness! His dad was so awesome. The side characters in the book were pretty great too! They were such a delight in the story. I cannot wait to read more by this author. Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

I've read four other books by this author before, but I have to admit this one has been my least favourite. It just didn't feel quite as fleshed out as the others. I didn't feel like I really got to know the main character very well, the plot didn't actually manage to pull me in very well, and a lot of issues in the book (like the dad's medical anxiety) felt kind of glossed over towards the end where I felt they deserved a little more attention. I've previously loved L.C. Rosen's books for their nuance and their depth, and I was kind of missing those here.

Emmett by L.C.Rosen is a retelling of Emma, which I didn't know while reading. Also, I haven't read Emma, so I can't compare the similarities. Speaking only of Emmett, it was a good read.

Emmett’s mother died of cancer years ago, and his father couldn't accept her death and was still in pain. This made him stay away from love, and he made flimsy excuses for it.

The whole plot revolves around Emmett trying to find a perfect boyfriend for his "friend" Harrison. In the process, he changes and evolves into believing in love. I love the gradual development of his character.

The ending was no surprise, but it still feels good. There are many scenes where Miles shows feelings for Emmett, which Emmett overlooks. But it's no secret that they both would end up together. Overall, it's a good read.

Author L.C. Rosen (also known as Lev AC Rosen) has just released a new YA book, entitled Emmett, a modern-day gay retelling of Jane Austen’s Emma. The book centers on its title character, a teenager raised in a privilege life who is aware of the advantages life has provided him. As such, Emmett makes it a point to give back to those who aren’t quite as well-off as him in various aspects. One way he does so is by helping his friend-with-benefits find a boyfriend, something Emmett isn’t searching for until he’s at least 25 and his brain is fully developed (or so he says). Despite Emmett’s confidence, his childhood friend Miles doesn’t think it’s such a good idea, but that only makes Emmett more determined. However, the further along Emmett gets in his pursuit, the more he begins to realize that love and relationships aren’t as simple as he may have initially thought.

Something that caught my attention immediately — and that Rosen does well in illustrating throughout the book — is that Emmett is specifically a nice person, rather than someone who views him or is described as a kind or good one. As Emmett goes about his mission of finding Harrison a boyfriend, Rosen showcases the different ways in which Emmett approaches not only his main goal, but in how he interacts with others. He can be a self-centered character, though one with good intentions who doesn’t seem to quite grasp where he goes wrong until things escalate. It eventually forces him to look at certain events with a new perspective, whether it’s owning up to his mistakes or contending with bigger ideas and beliefs he holds.

Another facet I thought was interesting is how Emmett views relationships in general. Early on, readers learn that Emmett’s mother died a few years prior to the events of the book. One tidbit he’s firmly held onto since her death is how the human brain is fully developed until 25-years-old. So, Emmett built that into his own philosophies on romance. In doing so, Rosen unravels many of Emmett’s fears, especially when it comes to losing more people close to him. Though he’s adamant he can’t properly be in a relationship until he’s 25, his cynicism goes much deeper. Moreover, it informs Emmett’s careful tactics in finding a boyfriend for Harrison and provides insight into Emmett’s relationship with his father.

Emmett is a strong retelling of Austen’s original work. Rosen incorporates elements from Emma’s text while effortlessly adjusting and creating new ones to make the story a unique one. He allows his characters the space to flourish whether they occupy a lot of page space or only appear every so often. Rosen also brings a poignant look at modern society, exploring different relationship dynamics, offering critique on the role of social media in relationships, and more. Ultimately, Emmett is an insightful, entertaining, and romantic read.

4 / 5 ⭐️'ˢ

“Emmett” By Lev A.C. Rosen

📕 Edition: eBook & Audiobook

A modern-day LGBTQ+ retelling of Jane Austen's classic, "Emma." 🏳️‍🌈 This book transports you to Highbury Academy in Los Angeles, where Emmett, a handsome and clever young man, takes center stage.

Emmett's journey to play matchmaker for his friend Harrison leads to a rollercoaster of emotions and discoveries. 🎢 He's charismatic, conceited, and sure he knows it all, but his character growth is where the magic happens. 🪄

I found myself both charmed and captivated by this book, and I couldn't help but root for Emmett as he navigated the complexities of his relationships and his own understanding of love.

Thank you @NetGalley , Lev A.C. Rosen and @LittleBrownYoungReaders for providing me with this ARC.

EMMETT by L.C. Rosen is a charming adaptation of Jane Austen's EMMA, featuring contemporary, queer, teenaged characters. The prose is light and easy to read, creating a bright, breezy atmosphere. Rosen also nails the comedy beats. Even having never read or seen a film adaptation of EMMA, the story is fairly predictable but in a way that creates strong dramatic irony and an eye roll-inducing, yet loving, relationship with the main character. Overall, an enjoyable read.

I have to hand it to the author, they really understood the heart of Emma but also gave us quite a nice modernization of the story. Like a cross between the movie Clueless and Austen's Emma, this rather simple and smug nature of Emma's perfect life is recaptured perfectly with many of the same mannerisms and observations from the Austen version. It's a fun tale that is a very easy read.

Story: Emmet is comfortable in life. Yes, his father is a bit neurotic but loves him greatly, he isn't bad looking, gets good grades, and has a very comfortable life. Even his best friend Miles doesn't get too annoying even though he has to see him too often since their families are so close. When his bestie Harrison looks to need a new guy in his life, Emmet takes up the challenge. After all, he helped his other bestie find her awesome boyfriend so he must be talented in that regard. But things are not always that easy and Emmet will soon learn that hearts are not that simple.

I really enjoyed this book. So many times I was reminded of Clueless but with Emmet being not as Ditzy as Cher. The observations about the modern wealthy in America were all there and well done. From TikTok obsessions to football games. As with Emma, Emmet lost his mother at a young age and his father never really recovered from the tragedy - enter Miles and his two mothers, all trying to help out Emmet's family in any way they can.

I highly recommend this - it is definitely one of the better Emma homages. The author didn't just take the plot and modernize it; they kept so much of Emma's personality and quirks intact. But this isn't a laborious read and very quick and fun to go through. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.

Thanks to Netgalley and Little, Brown Books for Readers for the ARC of this queer coming of age romance.

The premise (that Emmett won't date until his brain is fully developed at 25, but is perfectly okay with a physical relationship with a friend - which my demisexual brain couldn't parse as different) was kind of silly. But by the end I was feeling all the emotions and basically yelling at Emmett that he was an idiot and needed to look in front of him. It was sweet and emotional, and I was happy to see some demi rep.

Thank you to NetGalley/Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for a copy of Emmett in exchange for an honest review.

When Is a Retelling Just Fill-in-the-Blank?

L.C. Rosen's Emmett is in no way hiding that it is Jane Austen's Emma "but make it gay." It's in the billing. The first paragraph of the summary is literally the opening of Austen's work!  Look, "but make it gay" is practically my love language. Unfortunately, Emmett really is just a retelling of Emma. It's like when someone takes Shakespeare and sets it in ... 2023 Los Angeles. The costumes look different, but a rose is still a rose and all that. 

Truth be told, I haven't read Emma, but I've seen the 1996 film starring Gwyneth Paltrow quite a few times. Emmett follows the plot points much more closely than, say, Clueless, which is another work based on Austen's novel.

Emma is one of my all-time favorite flicks, so the Emma/Emmett character is near and dear to me. There is nothing in Rosen's book that I specifically disliked, but I think it would have worked better if he'd strayed a bit off the plot path.  I found myself anticipating every major beat rather than savoring the little moments. 

Should You Read It?

Emmett is well-written, and its sense and sensibility fit in with those of its contemporaries. Its cast is diverse, with alphabet mafia members of varying persuasions (I also loved all the Jewish rep!) I imagine this will work much better for those unfamiliar with Austen's work.

Conversely, perhaps complete Austenphiles would also enjoy picking up the book as a way to complete their collection of sorts. I am not the audience for Emmett, but I do believe many would appreciate it. But, if nothing else, reading Emmett has inspired me to finally pick up the OG novel. 

Emmett is out on November 07, 2023. Pick up a copy at your local indie bookstore or library. 📚🌼

Content warning: child abuse (medical)

L.C. Rosen takes Jane Austen's beloved Emma and makes it a queer YA novel. It's a quick and cute read that captures high school while exploring friendship, romance and grief after loss. I loved the casual Jewish representation. I thought the book was fine, but it's not my favorite by the author. It never fully captured my heart.
Thank you to Little, Brown Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for the ARC.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
L.C. Rosen has been on my radar for a while, and while I wasn’t a fan of something I tried written under his other pen name, Emmett sounded much more my speed, being a modern queer Emma retelling. And while I’ve always had mixed feelings about Emma as a character, I’ve warmed to her in recent years, and Rosen’s Emmett captures the endearing, flawed side of the character archetype in his reimagining.
Emmett is simultaneously full of good intentions, yet very privileged and oblivious to what’s really going on around him as a result of said privilege. It was fun to play with him as a matchmaker, given it’s definitely something more associated with women, and you don’t even see queer men offering to matchmake their friends. But it feels believable, as do the deeper reasons why Emmett might be reticent to get too attached. I particularly liked how his mother’s death was made a much bigger deal, and how it impacts both him and his father.
The rather large cast of mostly queer characters are fairly obvious equivalents for many of the original novel’s major characters, although they may be a lot to keep track of if you’re not at least somewhat familiar with the story in some form, especially as the character context clues largely help distinguish who they’re meant to be.
Despite being somewhat marketed as a romance, the focus is much more on Emmett’s personal growth, mirroring Emma’s in the source material. The romance is there, and it’s pretty clear who he ends up with, but they did not get a lot of page time to develop their relationship beyond the mutual crush stage. However, any potential problematic implications (age gap, possible grooming) are now removed, and Emmett and his love interest are now both high school students and equals.
This was a fun read, and I would recommend it if you’re enjoy modern reimaginings of Jane Austen’s work.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I’m not a classic book girlie and have never read Jane Austen, but this was an interesting book without the context. I googled the plot of Emma and I like seeing the side by side comparison. This is a genderbent/queer retelling of Emma. I love Lev Rosen’s other books and felt like a completely different type of book from his usual.

Emmet is so frustrating in the beginning, but I think that’s just his character. He wants to get in everyone’s business and avoid his own feelings because he has problems dealing with them. While I didn’t like him at first, he grew on me when I learned more about him. I saw all the obvious signs of who should be together and the ending was super sweet. The talk about breakups made me cry a bit because it was very relevant to my life right now. Emmett didn’t want a bf because he didn’t want to deal with people leaving him. I felt that so heavy. I loved how loyal Emmet was to his friends as well. He was ready to throw down and fight when people got to be too much. I loved him for that.

This book was also super short and I read it in one sitting. It’s a great quick read that made me giggle and smile and if you like that I highly recommend!

I ended up really enjoying this book! I love a good retelling, and this read like an incredibly queer version of Clueless. Based off Jane Austen's Emma I feel this story stayed true to the purpose of its source material, and simply modernized it.

Emmett is always nice, to everyone, all the time, no matter what. He has also picked up a new hobby: matchmaking. After successfully helping his best friend get the boyfriend of her dream, Emmett takes it upon himself to help his friends-with-benefits, Harrison, find his very own boyfriend too. What starts out as a small side project quickly falls into chaos as Emmett learns that he may not know as much about love and attraction as he thinks he does.

I really enjoyed this queer, coming of age story. We don't always like Emmett, but that's OK because he is still learning and growing. I love the person I think he could be one day!

DNF @ 30-something percent.

There's truly nothing wrong with this book but I just really wasn't vibing with the characters and couldn't keep everyone straight since there were so many. This is also partly on me for requesting this book because I really don't like the original source material nor have I liked any Emma adaptation. I thought that a queer retelling would hit better for me but unfortunately I wasn't vibing with it and need to move on to other ARCs

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily

A Jane Austen Emma retelling but make it gay and Instagram post worthy. Emmett has issues. He thinks he’s a good matchmaker, so a match he will (try to) make in this story. His brain won’t stop developing until he’s 25 so having a steady boyfriend isn’t in the cards for him. As If! Gay relationships, mental health and grief are some themes in this book that made this a must read for me. Thanks to L. C. Rosen, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for the ARC. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Sometimes, books take a while to get invested from the start of Emmett, you’ll immediately be invested. Given that the book is less than 300 pages, that’s a good thing.

The book follows Emmett who is popular, good-looking, and seemingly has everything he wants. The only problem is that Emmett refuses to be in a relationship for reasons we find out later. Things take a turn when he finds out his hookup, Harrison wants a boyfriend.

Emmett takes it upon himself to try and matchmake Harrison. From there, it goes completely off the wall. Emmett starts to spiral and focus on things he shouldn't while ignoring his responsibilities. In addition, he doesn’t notice what’s right in front of him. I’m trying to be vague but when you read the book, you’ll know what I mean.

This book is also casually queer as there are characters of all identities including gay, bi, and trans. Emmett is such a fun and snappy book that you’ll pick up and not realize that you’re halfway through already. It’s surprising how quickly you’re able to fall into this story.

On the whole, the story is about Emmett and him getting a wake-up call. He needs to be better and reflect on his actions. Thankfully, in the end, he gets there but it doesn't mean you won’t want to smack him a time or two. Either way, this story felt like the perfect pose of queerness even after Pride Month.