Prom and Prejudice

Prom and Prejudice
Elizabeth Eulberg
January 2011

Summary:

After winter break, the girls at the very prestigious Longbourn Academy become obsessed with the prom. Lizzie Bennet, who attends Longbourn on a scholarship, isn’t interested in designer dresses and expensive shoes, but her best friend, Jane, might be — especially now that Charles Bingley is back from a semester in London.

Lizzie is happy about her friend’s burgeoning romance but less than impressed by Charles’s friend, Will Darcy, who’s snobby and pretentious. Darcy doesn’t seem to like Lizzie either, but she assumes it’s because her family doesn’t have money. Clearly, Will Darcy is a pompous jerk — so why does Lizzie find herself drawn to him anyway?

Will Lizzie’s pride and Will’s prejudice keep them apart? Or are they a prom couple in the making? Whatever the result, Elizabeth Eulberg, author of The Lonely Hearts Club, has concocted a very funny, completely stylish delight for any season — prom or otherwise.

Review:

I read this book in preparation of Elizabeth Eulberg's signing in Downer's Grove. Of course, I was going to read it eventually anyways, because it's gotten such great reviews. I just got a jump start because of the signing.

My first thoughts, upon reading the first couple sentences in the bookstore, went something like this: "Oh great, another preppy novel about rich snobby kids." I have read my fair share of preppy novels. Some I love (I happened to enjoy the A-List series, and also The Elite series by Jennifer Banash), and some I don't like as much (no names here).

This is a warning to LOOK PAST any initial misgivings you might have about the novel. It gets better.

Because I kept reading. And reading. And reading. I haven't had much ambition for reading fast lately, but this one was short enough and interesting enough that I finished it in one sitting, which for me was about two hours, give or take.

First of all, I especially loved this book because of the Pride and Prejudice reference. I LOVE how it was very much like Pride and Prejudice, and yet it also stands on its own. The relationships were very realistic, and the story was so cute and fun that I couldn't help but wonder what would happen. I loved Lizzie's character, and connected with her as well, because I also have a similar problem with judging people before I know them. I had a slight problem with the other characters, because I feel like they weren't expanded on as much as they could have been.

Overall, this story was a very fun and quick read. If you like Pride and Prejudice, I'd definitely recommend this book for an interesting retelling. Also, romance lovers will want to gobble this one up!