Send any and all Pride and Prejudice adaptations my way! As I've read many of these rewrites, I classified this one as one of the better books. It stays true to the original story, but makes it current.

Adorable Modern Retelling of Pride and Prejudice

Read this ARC via NetGalley

I love this modern update on one of my favorite stories. Although it’s a story I know inside and out, the author did a great job updating it so not everything was predictable. Once I got about 20% through the book I couldn’t put the book down (thankfully for children I finished in the last 3/4 of the book in a day).

I can’t wait for this book to come out and have a chance to reread again!

Highly recommend for all Pride & Prejudice fans that like a good modern update of the story.

this book reimagines jane austen’s pride & prejudice in the modern-day Bay Area, CA (my home) with a Chinese American cast. we have lissie, a hardworking college student, who along with her older sister jenny, work part time at their aunt and uncle’s modest Chinese restaurant. it’s here while working her shift one evening that in walk ex-competitive swimmer and Stanford PhD candidate preston lin (mr. darcy), his good friend charles bing (I giggled a bit at that), and charles’ sister hazel. lissie and preston get off on the wrong foot that night but the mutual hatred is truly compounded when they run into each other again at a Stanford grad student BBQ (of course, what else) lissie is dragged to. yet somehow, no matter how much lissie wishes their paths never to cross again, the two keep getting brought back together!!

as a Chinese American and bay area born-and-raised girl, this book was so much fun to read and instantly touched my heart. it’s so nice to see characters that could realistically be me or my friends, and the specific Bay Area-Asian American culture so well represented and celebrated. While the book was a bit heavy-handed at times as a retelling of p&p, it’s definitely like the author and the characters themselves are in on the joke, and at the same time there was such creativity in how the story and characters were reframed in today’s society. I couldn’t believe the level of detail the author used in referring to street names, neighborhoods, and landmarks—she clearly lives or has spent a lot of time in the area. Even as a young adult, I was just as entertained reading this as I would’ve been in middle school. especially as I’m home over winter break, I couldn’t help but sharing some quotes from the book with my hometown friends and we had a good laugh at some points.

thank you so much to netgalley and the author Christina Dudley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Reading this brightened my day :)

My Pride and Prejudice obsession is a gaping void that must be filled. I often attempt to fill this black hole inside my brain with re-reads and rewatches of the 1995 and 2008 adaptions. I have rarely picked up a modern-day retelling of the classic, but I decided to give this one a whirl when I saw it on NetGalley.

This book begins as I’m assuming most Pride and Prejudice retellings do. It starts with a play on the opening line of the book. However, it quickly becomes its own story. In Pride and Preston Lin, our main character, Elisabeth Cheng, works at her aunt and uncle’s restaurant, the Four Treasures. The inciting incident of the story comes when Preston Lin’s party of four gets sat in Lissie’s section. Lissie accidentally serves one of Preston’s friends (Hazel!) a dish that she is allergic to and causes harm to the restaurant’s reputation. This is the start of many conflicts between obstinate and headstrong Lissie and unsociable and taciturn Preston.

This book puts a creative twist on the setting of Pride and Prejudice. The Regency-era romance is transformed into a Chinese-American narrative which includes competition swimming, a family restaurant, real-estate agents, English/lit students, and more. The author did a great job of breathing new life into each character. However, the dynamic between Lissie and Preston sometimes felt more like they were following the script than like a genuine conflict.

Overall, this was so fun and fresh! it was pretty much everything I could ask for in a Pride and Prejudice retelling!

Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the e-arc!

Pride and Preston Lin is a modern retelling of Pride and Prejudice. This book is so charming and works really well. I very much enjoyed it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read a digital ARC.

This was a sweet modern adaptation of Pride and Prejudice set in the Bay Area of California in the modern day. The updated twists worked well, and the writing is solid. My biggest gripe is that the main character is basing her English thesis on adapting Pride and Prejudice but doesn’t connect her own experiences to those of Austen’s characters despite some pretty remarkable coincidences. There wasn’t a lot of chemistry either, but that makes it perfect for teen readers.

I love A good Pride and Prejudice revamp and most of the novel was fun and delightful. The end felt like it came too fast, though and there were threads that didn’t get wrapped up, like did Lissie get the job? Does she graduate on time? And the conversation between Lissie and Preston's mother, near the end, gets glossed over (by Lissie and Preston) in a way that didn't feel authentic

I really wanted to like this book. I'm a big fan of Pride & Prejudice and most of the adaptations. However, I just don't. I did not find it compelling. It was easy to put down/walk away from. The characters felt very shallow and it seemed like it was a lot of whining. I kept reading it thinking "it'll get better in a bit. They're just setting up back story", but it never did. There were so many characters, it didn't feel like any of them ever got fully developed. It seemed to drag on with very little plot until everything got tied up in the last chapter or two. But even the tying up felt vague and unfinished.

Absolutely loved this book. I have started Pride and Prejudice in the past and couldn't get through it but this was such a good read. This is the first book I've read from this author and I'm definitely going to look more into her books now. Thank you so much for this ARC

3.5 🌟

As a light rom-com this book was very solid. I cared about the characters and it managed to feel like it's own story despite being a modern re-telling of Pride and Prejudice. It did seem weird that the characters all loved Pride and Prejudice, even going to a themed party and nothing was mentioned about the parallels between their own lives and that of Pride and Prejudice.

I am very grateful to have gotten an arc copy to review, which I read on my kindle. There were some formatting issues, but I am sure that will be ironed out prior to the release date.

Overall this was a very fun, light read that I would strongly recommend. This is the type of book I'd read on the beach or cuddled under some blankets next to a fire. Cozy, light hearted fun that did well nodding it's head to the source work while maintaining it's own voice.

In Pride and Preston Lin, Christina Hwang Dudley skillfully weaves a tale of family, pride, and unexpected romance. The protagonist, Lissie Cheng, captures readers' hearts as a determined and spirited young woman facing the challenges of family responsibility and personal dreams. Through Dudley's writing, Lissie's character resonates with authenticity and charm, making her a relatable and captivating heroine. Set in a modern-day backdrop, Lissie's life takes an unexpected turn when a mishap at the family restaurant leads her to clash with the affluent Lin family. Enter Preston Lin, the epitome of success and charm, whose mere presence evokes both irritation and intrigue in Lissie. As their paths repeatedly cross, Lissie's initial disdain for Preston turns into a complex mix of emotions that forces her to confront her own pride and prejudices. Dudley's storytelling shines as she masterfully develops the relationship between Lissie and Preston. With wit, humor, and undeniable chemistry, their interactions leap off the pages, drawing readers into their tumultuous journey. The author's clever homage to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice adds an extra layer of delight, as Pride and Preston Lin explores themes of societal expectations, personal growth, and the transformative power of love. What makes this novel truly captivating is Dudley's ability to create a vibrant and believable world. From the bustling restaurant scenes to the opulent halls of the Lin family mansion, the vivid descriptions transport readers into a rich tapestry of sights, sounds, and emotions. Each supporting character adds depth and nuance to the story, with Lissie's sisters and the Lin family members playing pivotal roles in shaping the narrative. In Pride and Preston Lin, Christina Hwang Dudley delivers a delightful blend of romance, humor, and introspection. As Lissie navigates the complexities of her newfound feelings, readers are treated to a story that is both heartwarming and thought-provoking. Will Lissie overcome her pride and find unexpected love in the most unlikely of places? Dudley keeps readers guessing until the very end, ensuring that turning each page is a gratifying experience. Overall, Pride and Preston Lin is a must-read for fans of modern-day romance with a touch of Austenian charm. Christina Hwang Dudley's ability to capture the essence of Pride and Prejudice while crafting a unique and engaging story is a testament to her talent as a writer. This book is sure to leave readers swooning, rooting for love to conquer all, and eagerly anticipating Dudley's future works.

I will devour anything Pride & Prejudice, and this book was no exception. A wonderful retelling with modern twists and POC! I loved the way things played out so seamlessly; the plot managed to feel familiar yet new, and I was just as angry about the true motivations of a certain someone as when I read the original.

I do wish the ending was more... well, just more. How did her play go? What about medical school? The spot on local TV? And I need more from the other couple! How exactly did they get together? I'll never say no to a swoony apology. Overall a great book!

I loved this book and found myself picking it up every chance I got! I was in one of the longest reading slumps I've ever had but urged myself to read just a few pages and ended up loving it even though I don't typically enjoy romance. Being of a similar age in the Bay Area myself, I felt the characters were written realistically and perfectly. The settings were also described very well. I cannot wait for the author to write more books like this one, it was very relatable and the cultural nuances were described superbly.

I love Pride and Prejudice and any adaptation I can get my hands in on I jump on it!

Preston and Elisabeth have a horrible first meet that just snowballs with each interaction. These two do not like each other but the more they are thrust together the more they unravel truth that lead to understand! When they finally let their guard down more is possible but they have to see past their own issues and take chances neither have ever before!

I loved the parallels between this book and the beloved classic but more than anything I love that the author made it her own! This book stands out on its own with quirky hilarious characters and a wild family that you can’t help but love!

If there is a modern retelling of Pride and Prejudice, I’m gonna read it.
This one was great! I loved that there was enough of the story that was different (diversity, aunt and uncle immediately in the picture, cousin who was a side character), but of course love the comfort of the main plot.
I loved Lissie and Preston’s back and forth.
This was a very cute read and I will in fact be telling everyone who loves P&P to read it!

Lissie Cheng is a Chinese-American college student who works at her family’s restaurant until one night, she accidentally causes an allergic reaction in one of her guests. This sets off a chain of reactions that bring her into close contact with her soon to be arch nemesis, Preston Lin. Are Lissie and Preston doomed to be always at odds with each other when one is prideful and the other is well… Preston Lin?

As a major Jane Austen fan, I’ve read my fair share of P&P retellings and I’m happy to say that I enjoyed this book. It is a bit slow in the beginning because you’re meeting all the characters, but once the plot quickens, it’s a much easier read. I thought the banter was witty, the characters were very well rounded, and I was actually surprised with how the Wayman/Wickham issue was addressed. I thought that was a unique take. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and would give it a solid 3 stars!

Thank you NetGalley and Third State Books for the ARC. All opinions in this review are my own and in no way reflect that of the author, publisher, or other readers.

A very nice retelling of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice . There are lot of differences but that made the book unique . I loved that the characters where Asian American and the all her family played key roles in the book .
I received this book from netgalley and the publicer as an ARC . Thank you . All thoughts and opinions are my own .

An enemies to lovers trope. Finished in one sitting. "Pride and Preston Lin" was an easy and good read. An enemies to lovers trope. Elise and Preston are relatable characters that the readers will be able to sympathize with. Whenever these two enter the scene, butterflies just come into your stomach. So much to say, but so little they say. Definitely a good read if you want to get to know their story!

I had to read this book and it jumped to the top of my TBR - I’m a Chinese American English major who went to Stanford and Pride and Prejudice is my favorite book. I have to admit I was nervous about it after I read the description, since I’ve read many a bad retelling of P&P. But this book was everything I could have hoped for and more.

The writing was intelligent, the characters likable (despite being proud and prejudiced), the side characters were amazing, and the plot felt realistic and not overly contrived to fit the mold. There was depth and emotion, and I got the feels when THE scene rolled around where Lissie admits she likes Preston.

I laughed aloud at the witticisms, reminisced at the realistic and on point setting, and vowed to read more from Christina Hwang Dudley. Lucky for me she has a backlist of historical romances, which I also enjoy, so I’ll be jumping right in!

Of course no retelling can be the original, but I loved this one so much I will probably at least read it again!

Thanks to Netgalley, Third State Books and Christina Hwang Dudley for the ARC.

Janeites who dig P & P variations will ardently love this one with wit, charm, and a lovely Asian twist. I couldn't put down the story of Lissie (Elizabeth) and Preston Lin (Darcy) in contemporary San Fran, who leap many hurdles on their slow burn to love.