Review by Booklist Review
It's Jane Austen by way of Hollywood in the latest from Cotugno (after the young adult mystery Liar's Beach, 2023). The Benedetto family patriarch earned a fortune running a chain of fast-food Italian restaurants. But one short-lived reality show--and multiple poor financial decisions--later, the family's fortunes are far less sunny. The five sisters are more punch line than they are red-carpet material these days. But Lilly, the sensible, second-oldest sister, knows they are so much more than what people see. When the rising star of a new superhero franchise moves in down the street, things just might change for everyone. The traditional Pride and Prejudice tropes are all here, this time with fun, modern twists. The chemistry between Lilly and Will (Darcy, naturally) is appropriately tense and pleasantly steamy. Cotugno is great with witty dialogue, and the famous story line lends itself surprisingly well to the standard Hollywood types. This is an enjoyable example of the classic-retelling genre. Cotugno's fans will be eager for this one.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
In this cute romp, Cotugno (Birds of California) pulls off an unlikely mash-up of Pride and Prejudice and Keeping Up with the Kardashians. The five 20-something Benedetto sisters--June, Lilly, Olivia, Marianne, and Kit--are famous for being famous, with a Kris Jenner--type "momager," the mercurial Cinta, and a once popular, now cancelled reality show. Their father Dominic, the "Meatball King" of Los Angeles, is seeing his restaurants and wealth decline along with his five daughters' popularity. All live in a decaying mansion that may soon slip out from under them in the fictional L.A. suburb of Pemberly Grove. Enter movie star Charlie Bingley, who moves in next door with his best friend, actor Will Darcy. Charlie quickly falls for the oldest sister, June, while Lilly and Will clash spectacularly--and with no small amount of heat behind their sparring. Will and Lilly's unlikely romance neatly proves that opposites attract, and Cotugno's bold take on the Bennet family works surprisingly well. Charming leads and roguish supporting characters alike leap off the page; even the deeply flawed Benedetto parents prove lovable. Janeites and reality TV fans alike will devour this lively retelling. (Dec.)
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Review by Library Journal Review
At the heart of Cotugno's (Birds of California) modern-day retelling of Pride and Prejudice are the five sisters of the Benedetto family; think of them as a failed Kardashian clan. They had a reality show for a couple of years and are now struggling to further their careers while the bills pile up. June, the eldest, falls for their new neighbor, action-film star Charlie Bingley, while the next oldest, Lilly, keeps squabbling with Charlie's best friend, Will Darcy. Then Lilly meets Nick, and he tells her an awful story about Will. Will tries to warn Lilly about Nick but doesn't give her any details, so it's just a matter of time before Nick shows his true colors and everything comes to a head. For readers familiar with any of the iterations of the Austen masterpiece, all the players in Cotugno's novel will be recognizable. It is also a commentary on reality-television programming and the Hollywood lifestyle, wrapped up in a lighthearted read with a rather abrupt ending. VERDICT Austen fans will enjoy this new spin on what has become a franchise; think Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld, Sonali Dev's Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors, or Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding.--Stacy Alesi
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