A Novel Holiday

De: L.L. Diamond

Narrado por: Ann Young

When I first met Will Darcy at a charity gala, he started out as the hot guy who ran into me as I came out of the ladies’ room; however, by the end of the evening, he was certainly not my Prince Charming! For that matter, I doubt he could be considered anyone’s ideal man. My friend Char calls him a “tosser,” but I have a few more interesting names for him, all NSFW of course. The problem is that since the gala, I keep having to spend time with him. For one thing, he’s the older brother of Gigi, who comes into my bakery and café multiple times a week. He’s also the CEO of Pemberley Books, who desperately wants to take over the bookstore I recently inherited from my uncle—not that I’m going to let that happen! What can I say? I’d be happier if I could just avoid the man altogether!

She introduced herself as “Liz,” but how was I supposed to know “Liz” was actually Elizabeth Bennet, the new owner of Novel Books? I’ve wanted to buy that bookstore since I became head of my father’s company, but I never realized the name I’d only ever seen on paper was, in reality, this ebony-haired beauty. Now, I can’t stop thinking about her. I ordered a cake from Liz’s bakery for Gigi’s party, and since, I can’t seem to stay away from the woman. Liz drives me absolutely crazy, but I can’t get involved with her, can I? She and my sister get along like gangbusters, and I’ve never met anyone who intrigues me like Liz does, but is that enough? If I were to take a chance on her, I’d also have to give up on acquiring Novel Books. I just need to come up with the answer to one question: Is Elizabeth Bennet worth it?

©2024 Leslie Broussard (P)2025 Leslie Broussard

Wonderful Modern Variation - couldn't put it down

Really enjoyed this modern variation where Elizabeth is not poor, but a successful business owner.
I loved the romance between ODC. The angst is low in my opinion.
Darcy is immediately drawn to Elizabeth, who turns out to be the owner of the book store he wants to buy.
Once he finds out who she is, he insults her to others.
He cannot stay away from her and then become friendly with sexual tension.
They do get together earlier in the book with some bumps in the road to a final HEA.
I could not put this down and just realized as I write this review that it say it was 8hrs.
Time will tell if this becomes a multiple re-read favorite.
Loved the friendship with Elizabeth, Georgiana, and Charlotte. Interesting take on the Bennet family and Jane.

ODC, books and cake - what’s not to love?

I adored this one when it first came out as a book and the audiobook did not disappoint! Leslie does such a great job with all her stories but her moderns are some of the best I’ve read in JAFF and this one has quickly become a personal favorite. Ann Young did an incredible job voicing the characters (I especially loved the longing inflected into Will’s text and voice messages). The only flaw with this one is that it always makes me want some of the decadent desserts described in the story!!

A modern JAFF that I will read again

I’ve had this book for a little while and enjoyed it as LL Diamond is an automatic purchase for me. Thus, I bought the audiobook as soon as it came out. This is a new to me narrator and overall she did a good job. There was a couple of little things that I think most people would miss but overall, I enjoyed her narration.

Several other reviewers did excellent jobs on telling more about the story and they are absolutely spot on with their reviews.

I completely enjoyed that in this modern we have an estranged relationship with Elizabeth‘s parents and her sister Jane. Sometimes having a bad Jane story is exactly what we want. I do love the closeness that she and her sister Mary develop as well as her friendship with Char.

Darcy and Elizabeth go through bumps in their relationship and I love the steadfastness that Darcy has for Elizabeth. Doing a good modern version of P&P is difficult as many things in canon do not transition well. This book is most definitely for a mature audience. If you’re looking for something holiday themed that is sweet and spicy with a little mystery twist near the end you will like this one.

Excellent contemporary Austen variation.

After having read this contemporary Pride and Prejudice variation which is full of rich character development, great dialogue, and just the right mix of romance and drama, I was hoping the book would also be released on audio. Ann Young is a new-to-me-narrator, and she did not disappoint in this modern variation. Great performance and pacing. There were a couple of times where I felt she fell slightly out of character, forgetting she was supposed to be Will, but those were so brief in nature, I’m not sure everyone would catch it. Otherwise very well done, and I wouldn’t hesitate to listen to this narrator again. While it can be considered a seasonal read, it can be enjoyed all year round. I highly recommend it.

Mature content.

Delightfully Delectable

This You've Got Mail send up is enjoyable and low angst. While there is some tension between our dear couple once they discover the identity of the person they've been flirting with at a charity gala, the main antagonism comes from Elizabeth's estranged family. The misunderstandings and disagreements between Liz and Will are well balanced with delightful banter and delectable steam.

The narrator does well overall, but she does slip out of character from time to time.