Audiobook Review: Elizabeth of East Hampton by Audrey Bellezza and Emily Harding

 

Genre: Romance/Audiobook

Pub. Date: August 6, 2024

Publisher: Simon and Schuster Audio

Source: Personal Copy

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

 

Goodreads says, "This fresh and whip-smart modern retelling of Jane Austen’s classic Pride and Prejudice transports you to summer in the Hamptons, where classes clash, rumors run wild, and love has a frustrating habit of popping up where you least expect it.

It’s a truth universally acknowledged—well, by Elizabeth Bennet anyway—that there’s nothing worse than summer in the Hamptons. She should she’s lived out there her whole life. Every June, her hometown on the edge of Long Island is inundated with rich Manhattanites who party until dawn and then disappear by September. And after twenty-five years, Lizzy wants to leave, too.

But after putting her own dreams on hold to help save her family’s failing bakery, she’s still surfing the same beach every morning and waiting for something, anything, to change. She’s not holding her breath though, not even when her sister starts flirting with the hot new bachelor in town, Charlie Pierce, and he introduces Lizzy to his even hotter friend.

Will Darcy is everything Lizzy Bennet is not. Aloof, arrogant…and rich. Of course, he’s never cared about money. In fact, it’s number one on his long list of things that irk him. Number two? His friend Charlie’s insistence on setting him up with his new girlfriend’s sharp-tongued sister. Lizzy Bennet is all wrong for him, from her money-hungry family to her uncanny ability to speak to him as bluntly as he does everyone else. But then maybe that’s why he can’t stop thinking about her.

Lizzy is sure Will hates everybody. He thinks she willfully misunderstands them. Yet, just as they strike an uneasy truce, mistakes threaten Charlie and Annabelle’s romance, with Will and Lizzy caught in the undertow. Between a hurricane and a hypocritical stepmother, a drunken voicemail and a deceptive property developer, the two must sift through the gossip and lies to protect the happiness of everyone they love—even if it means sacrificing their own. But when the truth also forces them to see each other in an entirely new light, they must swallow their pride to learn that love is a lot like sometimes the only way to survive is to let yourself fall."

 

Elizabeth "Lizzy" Bennett has big dreams. She wants to escape East Hampton and her family's bakery to pursue a career in journalism. Unfortunately, her plans take a turn when her father suffers a stroke, leaving her to help support her parents and keep the family business afloat. On top of that, she has to navigate her mother’s outrageous get-rich schemes and manage her various sisters. Things take an interesting turn when wealthy Will Darcy and Charlie visit the bakery. When Charlie starts dating Lizzy's sister, Jane, they decide to try to set Will and Lizzy up together. Despite their differences, Will and Lizzy develop a connection, but they face numerous obstacles ahead: a hurricane, meddling family members, property developers, miscommunication, and more. Elizabeth of East Hampton by Audrey Bellezza and Emily Harding is a delightful blend of a Jane Austen retelling with elements of a beach read and romantic comedy. 

 

As a fan of all things Pride and Prejudice, I made sure to carve out time for this book this summer, and I'm so glad I did. The mix of a classic story set in a coastal environment resonated with me. I appreciated the nods to the original while enjoying how the authors modernized the tale. Lizzy, portrayed as a budding journalist and surfer, truly captured my interest, along with her comical mother and the diverse personalities of her sisters. The authors also brought Will to life very well; yes, he is still arrogant, but lovable deep down.

 

I haven't read the first book in this series, Emma of 83rd Street, so you don't need to be familiar with it to enjoy Elizabeth of East Hampton. However, I did notice several references to the first story. Despite this, I found it to be the perfect summer audiobook escape, especially for those who enjoy a touch of Austen.

The audiobook was delightful, narrated by Teddy Hamilton (whom you might recognize from the Fourth Wing audiobook series) and Brittany Pressley. Both did an excellent job of capturing the beloved characters and modernizing the narrative.

In the comments below, let me know if you've read Elizabeth of East Hampton and if you like Jane Austen re-tellings.