If Kris Kardashian Jenner had a baby with the book Pride and Prejudice (I wouldn't put it past that machiavellian mastermind to figure out how to get impregnated by a book if it meant being more famous and rich) you would have the amazing book Meet the Benedettos. This book is a work of genius: a perfect mix of my fave regency romance and Keeping up w the Kardashians. It has everything in it I love- celebrity, romance, strong sister bonds, Jane mother fucking Austen. Warning: this book is low-smut, yet I still loved it..because quite frankly, anything having to do with Jane Austen gives me a hard-on, so I finished this book feeling pretty dang satiated.

The book brings us into the world of the Benedetto sisters- mainly the pluckiest sister, Lilly. A famous-for-being-famous lot who had a reality show, but now are suffering dwindling fame and fortune. A famous actor and his dour friend, Will Darcy move into their neighborhood and join the Benedettos' social circle. While the story focuses mostly on Lilly and Will and their relationships with each other and those around them- the book is fundamentally about the complicated bonds of family, particularly the engaging Benedetto sisters. I loved every layer of this delicious read. My only complaint is that it ended too fast- I needed more groveling, more making up, and more time with the Benedetto family. MAKE THIS ONE A SERIES (please).

Smut- 1.5 stars, add a star for your Jane Austen Boner
Romance- 3.9 stars
Story- 4.9 stars
Kris Jenner getting artificially inseminated with book sperm- neg 13.2 stars

I was super curious about this one when I read it was The Kardashians meets Pride and Prejudice. It’s a fun take on family dynamics after the failed reality tv show “Meet The Benedettos”. Dominic, the father of the five Benedettos sisters, is desperate to get their finances in check as the past due bills pile up. His wife blissfully chooses to ignore the new reality of being broke as she caters expensive family meals instead of eating their meal box subscription. As for the sisters, some choose to ignore the new reality while others try to find solutions to this new predicament. The reality of how others see them, the family who was famous just for being famous, sometimes deterring from who they truly are as individuals.

I found myself a little overwhelmed by the amount of POVs, I don’t feel that they were necessary to the story line as most POVs were mainly surface development. I did enjoy the sisterly bonds throughout the book and the chemistry between Lilly and Will. This was definitely a fun Hollywood “behind in the scenes” story of fame, with imperfect characters who are doing their best to navigate complicated expectations and dynamics.

✵𝖬𝖺𝗇𝗒 𝗍𝗁𝖺𝗇𝗄𝗌 𝗍𝗈 𝖧𝖺𝗋𝗉𝖾𝗋 𝖯𝖾𝗋𝖾𝗇𝗇𝗂𝖺I 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝖭𝖾𝗍𝖦𝖺𝗅𝗅𝖾𝗒 𝖿𝗈𝗋 𝗀𝗂𝖿𝗍𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗆𝖾 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝖠𝖽𝗏𝖺𝗇𝖼𝖾𝖽 𝖱𝖾𝖺𝖽𝖾𝗋’𝗌 𝖢𝗈𝗉𝗒 𝗂𝗇 𝖾𝗑𝖼𝗁𝖺𝗇𝗀𝖾 𝖿𝗈𝗋 𝗆𝗒 𝗁𝗈𝗇𝖾𝗌𝗍 𝗋𝖾𝗏𝗂𝖾𝗐．✵

This was a fun and interesting story. As someone who has never read Pride and Prejudice (not an Austen fan), I can’t really compare the two or tell you where it lands with other retellings. I enjoyed the mix of reality stars and celebrities. I would have liked more and Will and Lilly than the POVs from other family members who didn’t have as much going on (like the dad). This was a quick story that made me giggle and was perfect for a plane ride.

As far as Pride and Prejudice retellings go this one stands at the top of my list. It's probably the most modern take I've ever read, a bit edgy, the characters clearly holding some of the original characteristics given them by Jane Austen, but roughed up a bit by Katie Cotugno. While the Benedetto family loosely 'resembles' the Kardashians (famous for being famous), they are unique unto themselves.

Lilly Benedetto is the second oldest of five sisters. Their family has fallen on hard times financially but in true P & P form, Mrs. Benedetto is turning a blind eye, shoving her daughters into the limelight as much as possible. Mr. Benedetto hides out in his home gym, completely unable to control his daughters and doesn't have the vaguest idea of how to rein it all in. June, the oldest, has her own troubles and really likes Charlie Bingley, the actor who's renting the house down the road. Charlie's best friend, Will Darcy, has his own demons but finds himself attracted to the brash, brave Lilly Benedetto. It's a slow burn, with Will and Lilly taking a long time to open up to each other. More than anything, this novel is about sisters. In this big Italian family - you can talk crap about your siblings but no one else can. When one is in trouble, they circle the wagons. It's about being there for each other, accepting each other's quirks, protecting each other, and having each other's backs, even when it all goes spectacularly wrong.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Keeping up with the Kardashians meets Jane Austen. A deliciously easy and spicy read to fill the need for juicy reality tv when the shows are off during the holidays.

I love\ the way Katie Cotugno reimagined my favorite Jane Austen book, 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗷𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗲, in modern-day LA. The Bennets are now the Benedettos, a family of has-been reality TV stars, and Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy are actors who move into their neighborhood, Pemberley Estates. It's a fun way to update the original story and having worked with a lot of D-listers in my career, I thought the author did a great job of portraying the challenges of life after the limelight fades. The chemistry between Lilly Benedetto (Elizabeth Bennet) and Will Darcy (Mr. Darcy) is fabulous and even though I knew where the story was headed, I was all in on the ride. My only complaint is that I wish we got more of the other Benedetto sisters. Austen didn't do a sequel to her novel but I'd be first in line for another Benedettos book!

Thanks to Harper Perennial for the copy to review.

Meet the Benedettos is a Pride and Prejudice retelling done with a Hollywood spin.  The Bennets, now Benedettos, are reality show has-beens whose fortune has disappeared, William Darcy is a Shakesperean stage actor trying out the LA movie scene (and living in their neighborhood in his best friend Charlie's house).  Lilly Benedetto (the second oldest sister out of 5) and Darcy meet at a party and have immediate chemistry until she overhears him and Charlie's sister, Caroline, speaking about Lilly and her "trashy" family.  After that, they spend the novel constantly trying to avoid each other (and failing) while fighting their obvious attraction.  Lilly's older sister June falls in love with Charlie (who is a movie star), and per P&P, Caroline does all she can to make sure neither Benedetto sister is welcome near either man.  The rest of the Benedetto sisters are loud and embarrassing (except for one which we hear from at the end), the mother is flitting around in denial of the dwindling fortune and the father hides in his home gym.

I have always loved P&P and actually all Austen novels, so the retelling has to be good for me to like it.  This novel did a great job -- even though I knew the plot I still enjoyed the ride.  Cotugno wrote refreshingly new characters in the place of the old (and loved) ones and while the ending was a bit abrupt, I flew through this and would recommend it regardless of whether you are an Austen fan.  

4.25 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Perennial for the ARC to review

MEET THE BENEDETTOS – Katie Cotugno
Harper Perennial
ISBN: 978-00063324152
December 5, 2023
Contemporary Fiction

Los Angeles, California – Present Day

The Benedetto family was once part of the A list in Hollywood due to their wildly popular reality TV show. But the show was canceled, and the Benedettos found their fortune dwindling. Their once magnificent McMansion is now crumbling and needing repair, with boxes of decaying food scattered around after the mother of the family, Cinta, ordered them and didn’t use them after discovering they required cooking. So now, food is ordered in every night and the five sisters, June, Lilly, Olivia, Kit, and Mari, continue to party hard and get their names in the tabloids. Of course, now it is reported with a little snicker by the press since they are no longer considered stars.

As MEET THE BENEDETTOS opens, Lilly is rescued by June after her car breaks down. Arriving home, they learn that the mansion next door has been rented by Charlie Bingley, the dashing star of Captain Fantastic, along with his friend, Will Darcy, also an actor but of lesser stardom. The family plots on how to worm their way into Charlie’s orbit, so end up inviting themselves into his home. Charlie immediately forms an attraction to June, while Lilly discovers that she kind of likes Will. Of course, everyone knows that the Benedettos pretend to be bigger than they are, but that doesn’t stop the family from pretending otherwise.

Lilly is the main protagonist of MEET THE BENEDETTOS, as is Will. The two form a tentative friendship that soon devolves into something more. Yet, because the Benedetto family name is synonymous with trouble, Will tries to keep Lilly at arm’s length. He doesn’t need a scandal to blow his chances at getting bigger roles. Meanwhile, June and Charlie continue to like each other, but is there a chance that a romance will develop? June is sensitive and has trouble with anorexia. Charlie just never seems to take life seriously. Will it all blow up in their faces if things don’t work out between them?

MEET THE BENEDETTOS does seem to go all over the place. While we mostly get Lilly and Will’s point of view, we do see some of the others. The five sisters come across as somewhat vapid, though Lilly does worry about their reputations. In the background is the fact that they are on the verge of losing their home. Their father once owned a burger franchise with lots of stores, but he is down to one. The family has very little idea of how to plan for the future, though Lilly is writing and hopes to one day to publish her book. But will anyone take her seriously as an author? The ending of MEET THE BENEDETTOS was somewhat abrupt, though I must admit that I wasn’t expecting how one of their problems would be solved. By the end, did Lilly and Will, as well as June and Charlie, get together?

There is a lot going on in MEET THE BENEDETTOS, so readers might need a scorecard to keep track of who is who. This reads similar to what the Kardashian family would look like if they had faded to obscurity instead of growing their brand. An interesting tale for sure, don’t miss MEET THE BENEDETTOS.

Patti Fischer
Romance Reviews Today

Meet the Benedettos by Katie Cotugno is a highly recommended contemporary romance/family drama/comedy in which Pride and Prejudice merges with The Kardashians.

A few years after their TV reality show made them famous, the five twentysomething Benedetto sisters, June, Lilly, Olivia, Marianne, and Kit, are all living in their parents mansion. The family is bordering on bankruptcy, which their mother, Cinta, is not helping. Their father, Dominic, is known as the “Meatball King” of Los Angeles for his restaurants, has tried to tell them they are broke. When movie star Charlie Bingley moves in next door with his best friend, actor Will Darcy, the sisters and Cinta all take note. Charlie immediately falls for the oldest sister, June. Lilly, on the other hand, clashes spectacularly with Will, but the two keep finding themselves together.

At the beginning I wasn't quite sure of this merger between a classic novel updated and populated with people famous for being famous. Once I set any questions aside and just went with it, I found it much more enjoyable and even charming at times. It is firmly set in L.A. and the characters are very representative of those famous for being vapid influencers. The narrative is told through multiple points-of-view.

Meet the Benedettos is a lighthearted read that moves quickly. it doesn't require readers to know Austen's novel or look for comparisons to that plot. Don't expect a literary masterpiece. This is just a entertaining family drama with devoted Kardashian-like sisters and a pair of lovers that keep clashing even though readers will know they belong together. 3.5 stars.

Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of HarperCollins.
The review will be published on Edelweiss, X, Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

I loved this book, it was delightful with it's homage to Pride and Prejudice while still feeling fresh! I loved the banter, that the characters were funny and smart and filled with depth, and for me a lot of spot on commentary, maybe a little snark even, dropped into dialogue and description. I laughed, I read a few passages out loud to friends, and I enjoyed this book so much.
Katie Cotugno has become a favorite author of mine, I love her examination of Hollywood, behind the scenes plots, and themes on privilege.
Highly recommend!
Five stars because I had fun reading this and it's one I would likely read again just as a fun escape "comfort" read. :)

I have two confessions

1. I did not read the synopsis for this book. I just wanted to read it because I adore Katie Cotugno's books.
2. I have never read P&P

As previously mentioned, I had no idea what this book was about going into it, however, while I was reading, I had the sneaking suspicion this was a P&P retelling - Will Darcy, Pemberly Grove, Bingley. I could see all the signs. This didn't really change my feelings towards the story because I have only ever read P&P retellings. I will say, this was quite an interesting twist on the Austen tale, and I found it to be pure escapism in all it soapy goodness.

I may be calling it soapy, but the drama was never over the top. Cotugno tempered it in the best ways, keeping it on the level of most reality shows. This was fitting, since the Benedetto family rose to fame as a reality TV family.

So, yes some delicious drama and sometimes spoiled-people antics, but what really stood out was the dynamic in the family. They had many flaws, but they loved each other fiercely. Lilly's affection for her sisters and parents stood out the strongest, but when one was at a low point, they all rallied and formed a united front to support whoever was in need. I loved this about them, and dare I say, I got an almost Little Women-ish type sisterly vibe from them.

The story structure worked very well too. It kept the story moving at a quick pace while allowing the reader to get a look inside each characters' head when they had their chance in the spotlight. Told with Cotugno's signature wit, I found myself gobbling up this tale and caring about the outcome of each and every messy character.

Meet the Benedettos by Katie Cotugno is an interesting retelling of Pride and Prejudice. A funny and unique story that I for one very much enjoyed reading.
The characters were fun and very realistic. I will say there are a ton of characters to keep track of. But it was still a good story.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Harper Perennial for the opportunity to read this ahead of its publication date in return for my honest review.

I am not sure how to write a review about a book that felt like it didn’t actually have a storyline. I felt like this book had promise based on the synopsis but I just am not sure what the point of it was. The Benedetto sisters are an interesting bunch, very entitled and spoiled. Will is a troubled soul having a past of trauma. It felt like this was going to be a love story but it wasn’t. It also felt like this was going to be a family drama but there was no real resolution. This also had many POVs and some were very underdeveloped. I wish it concentrated on two POVs and really developed their stories.

In a word, charming. A couple of other Katie Cotugno books have caught my eye—specifically, 99 Days and Birds of California—so I jumped on the chance to request an ARC of this one. I’m so glad I did; I REALLY enjoyed this. I think my feelings about this book can be best summed up by the fact that I went to the bookstore and bought Birds of California before I even finished this one!

This is a modern Pride and Prejudice retelling, but one of my favorite parts of the novel actually reminded me a bit of Little Women: the closeness between the sisters. I also loved the relationship between Will and his sister, Georgia. The book might involve a romance, but, perhaps even more so, it’s a book about the importance of family: our family of origin but also the family we make.

I really enjoyed Will and Lilly and their tortured souls. How they bonded not just because of mutual attraction but also because of the darker parts of their pasts and personalities. Their banter (or sometimes, their sneering at one another) was perfect. I also thought Will’s depression was well-written; this line in particular really stuck with me as a pitch-perfect description of how depression can feel: “He runs out of paper towels. He runs out of steam.”

I liked that this book switched narrators throughout and we got different characters’ perspectives. I enjoyed Lilly’s chapters the most, which is a testament to the author; Lilly can be a bit prickly (she has good reason to be!) but I really felt myself rooting for her every step of the way. She’s a great friend and a great sister and, I think, a great writer who doesn’t believe in herself as much as she should.

I laughed out loud a few times, and I am not someone who laughs easily at books! I’ve already recommended this to a couple of friends!

I'm growing a bit weary of "Pride & Prejudice" retellings, I have to admit. But this one rises above because of Cotugno's sly wit and sharp observations. I wanted to read it mainly because I loved the edginess of "Birds of California" and how it pushed the limits of what the romance genre allows. That daring also in evidence here, but it's more mild and mainly only means the narrative dips (briefly, sympathetically, but not always necessarily) into more than the main couple's POV. There are lines in this book I could point to as examples of perfect writing, but I did think it rushed the ending.

Katie Cotugno brings to life a great cast of sisters, family and friends in this modern retelling of Pride and Prejudice, with a Hollywood twist. The Benndettos are a family of 5 sisters and their parents who are one time famous reality tv stars. They are now trying to figure out life after the show and how to be more that "famous for being famous." This author really knows how to bring characters to life, creating memorable ones that you feel you really get to know. She does this with sometimes laugh out loud humor, then also with deeply moving scenes that go much deeper. This is my third book by this author and I have really enjoyed them all! I especially like the more adult novels. I look forward to whatever she writes next! Thank you to @netgalley and @harperperenial for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I have read many a retelling of Pride and Prejudice over the years, and I must admit most of them are not good. So I was skeptical about Meet the Benedettos especially because I was not a fan of the one YA book I had read by Katie Cotugno. Well, I've been proven wrong. This book was a lot of fun. This Pride and Prejudice retelling features American TV, theater and movie celebrities instead of British gentry. Lilly Benedetto's family is infamous for starring in a reality TV shows about trashy socialites, and Will Darcy is a Shakespearian actor who just landed a big role in Hollywood. The book follows the plot of Pride and Prejudice pretty closely and also includes most of the characters from the original novel. It was fun watching how Catugno "translated" Austen's comedy of manners to the present day. The book was light-hearted and entertaining. It also pulled me out of a reading slump. I will admit this book might not work for everyone, but I was just in the right head space and needed something familiar and fun. 5 out of 5 stars.

Thanks to Harper Perennial for the copy of this book!

Meet the Benedettos is a unique mash-up of Pride & Prejudice and Keeping Up with the Kardashians. Set in LA, we have a very Kardashian-like family made up of five sisters, who are known for being “famous for being famous.” Charlie Bingley moves into the house down the block with his friend, Will Darcy, and from there, the plot continues.

This was a pure fun read, and very bingeable at 256 pages. Katie took all the events of Pride and Prejudice and made them reality-TV perfection. Endlessly entertaining, this should be on your list if you’re looking for a modern, amusing take on P&P.

Meet the Benedettos is an engrossing, witty, touching retelling of Pride and Prejudice, in which Jane Austen's characters are transmuted into contemporary actors and celebrities. The transformation is done with wit and insight, giving some of the characters modern trappings to the personalities Austen gave them (Kitty and Lydia are influencers, of course) while others are transformed in ways that will satisfy contemporary Austenites (I particularly loved the reinterpretation of Charlotte Lucas and Mr. Collins).

I don't usually enjoy romances involving movie stars, and I don't know anything about the Kardashians. But specific trappings of celebrity are not a big part of this story; the Benedettos' fame is mostly a proxy for the social approbation (or disapprobation) that's such a big part of Austen's world. At the same time, the author lets the modern elements of her adaptation take on their own life, giving the characters career aspirations and insecurities and backstories. in that way, Meet the Benedettos becomes both a delightful riff on Austen's work and something more, a romantic comedy about the boxes we put others in and the ones we build for ourselves.

Meet the Benedettos felt very underdeveloped. I think alternating the point of view between various characters hurt the character depth and development. I found some of the POVs unnecessary and unwanted (did we really need the dad and mom's view?). The biggest problem I had with this book was the characters. I found them annoying and directionless. It was frustrating to read about characters that literally do nothing (until the end of the book). Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Perennial and Paperbacks for the ARC.