A review by tessa_talks_books
Elizabeth of East Hampton by Emily Harding, Audrey Bellezza

5.0

One-word review:  Irresistible

Emojis: 😍🫠🥰

Rating: 5 🌟s

Favorite Quote: “You distract me so I can’t think straight. I’m not even supposed to be here right now. I should be in the city, dealing with work, but instead I’m here. With you. There are a thousand other things I need to be thinking about every day, but all I think about is you.”

“Kindness takes effort. It can have rough edges and it can be impolite, but it’s still genuine and good. But if you’re nice… well, you can be nice to someone and still stab them in the back…it just means when you do it, you might have a smile on your face.”

My Top-Five-style Review:

5. The chemistry in this story is so palpable it's almost a character in its own right. This kept those pages turning and made even the miscommunication trope (which I usually dislike) take a back seat.

4. The book features both spice and closed-door scenes, each handled uniquely. One couple provides the spice, while the other's scenes are kept behind closed doors. This creative approach to handling the spicy scenes adds a unique touch to the individual couples' dynamics.

3. The setting is perfect on so many levels. I always enjoy a beach setting, but this one had the added ability to demonstrate the differences between the haves and have-nots while keeping true to Pride and Prejudice.

2. The two romances in the novel are not just delightful but also feel fully authentic. Elizabeth and Will's excellent enemies-to-lovers story and Jane and Charlie's instant attraction both felt real and kept me invested in their journey.

1. Elizabeth in East Hampton successfully captures the very essence of Pride and Prejudice while preserving a contemporary retelling. This unique blend of modernity and tradition kept me intrigued and curious, and I believe even Jane Austen would give it a nod.