Scan barcode
pchamblee's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Misogyny, Cursing, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Fatphobia, Sexism, Sexual harassment, and Alcohol
elysareadsitall's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
"A Certain Appeal" is a "Pride and Prejudice" retelling set in the modern-day New York burlesque scene. This book was just pure fun with several dashes of sexy thrown in. I loved the characters in the novel. The only weird thing is how formal Darcy was, especially his letter. That seems to happen a lot with modern retellings for some reason. Everyone else sounds natural, but Darcy is formal. This novel has many funny moments, and the pace of the story moves quickly. I definitely recommend it for anyone looking for a fun romance or a P&P update.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment
lizreadsbooks's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I think that fans of Pride and Prejudice will love this, though be prepared that it’s an adaptation and not a one-to-one retelling. Many of the P&P characters are omitted entirely, but the central romances feature heavily. I liked the found family aspect of the story, the queer rep, and the deep dive in to the burlesque scene. The central romance between Lizzy and Darcy was fine, though perhaps a bit lackluster? I’m not the biggest fan of the original text, so I feel like some of the charm was lost on me, but it’s a solid romance overall. Julia Whelan does a great job with the audiobook.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Sexual harassment and Sexual assault
quasinaut's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This book was FUN! It's Pride and Prejud-ish but make it modern and set in the NYC burlesque scene.
I loved seeing Bennet as Kitten, as Jane's friend, as an on-top-of-her-shit admin, as a designer -- and that Darcy learned to appreciate all these facets too. The burlesque community was a delight, though I felt like I never got a good handle on Andrea or the Twins, which is a shame. A few of the jokes and descriptions were incredibly awkward or just fell flat for me, too.
All in all, I enjoyed the tension, the setting, the characters, with enough hints at the source inspiration to make it fun to guess how pieces would fit together without it being too predictable (admittedly, I haven't actually read Pride and Prejudice yet, so maybe I'm way off)!
I loved seeing Bennet as Kitten, as Jane's friend, as an on-top-of-her-shit admin, as a designer -- and that Darcy learned to appreciate all these facets too. The burlesque community was a delight, though I felt like I never got a good handle on Andrea or the Twins, which is a shame. A few of the jokes and descriptions were incredibly awkward or just fell flat for me, too.
All in all, I enjoyed the tension, the setting, the characters, with enough hints at the source inspiration to make it fun to guess how pieces would fit together without it being too predictable (admittedly, I haven't actually read Pride and Prejudice yet, so maybe I'm way off)!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol and Sexual harassment
Minor: Death of parent
pagesofpeace's review
3.0
Liz Bennet is still recovering from a destroyed interior design career by being a stage kitten for a burlesque show in Manhattan. At one of the shows, Will Darcy catches her eye and the spark is undeniable, but she overhears him call her “tolerable.” Their best friends fall for each other and their lives become more entwined than they anticipated.
The biggest thing I’ve heard about this book is it’s a Pride & Prejudice retelling which would mean a lot more if I’d actually read that. It was interesting to dive into the world of burlesque. I felt the beginning dragged a bit but once it picked up, I was hooked.
The biggest thing I’ve heard about this book is it’s a Pride & Prejudice retelling which would mean a lot more if I’d actually read that. It was interesting to dive into the world of burlesque. I felt the beginning dragged a bit but once it picked up, I was hooked.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual harassment
brokenlightdances's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual harassment and Sexism
Minor: Blood
bi_n_large's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
jenfosty's review
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
3.5
I enjoyed the novel, especially loved the burlesque setting and reading about the scene. I would be super interested in another book by King that is more focused is an original burlesque story instead of a reimagining of P&P. I do think this was one of the better P&P retellings I've read, it was true to the premise but definitely modern. Darcy was a bit too smooth for me to really see him as Darcy and I felt like there needed to be a bit more drama that isn't so easily resolved. I didn't love the sex scenes, I thought they read a little odd and felt anticlimactic.
On the positives: the banter was great, I loved the side-characters, thought Wickham was portrayed as the conniving asshole he is, and liked all the pairings.
I enjoyed the novel, especially loved the burlesque setting and reading about the scene. I would be super interested in another book by King that is more focused is an original burlesque story instead of a reimagining of P&P. I do think this was one of the better P&P retellings I've read, it was true to the premise but definitely modern. Darcy was a bit too smooth for me to really see him as Darcy and I felt like there needed to be a bit more drama that isn't so easily resolved. I didn't love the sex scenes, I thought they read a little odd and felt anticlimactic.
On the positives: the banter was great, I loved the side-characters, thought Wickham was portrayed as the conniving asshole he is, and liked all the pairings.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment
nebraskanwriter's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Body shaming, Cursing, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment
tfortilney's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment