In the last few years, I’ve become one of those book-lovers. One of those book-lovers who is completely enamored by the wit and relevance of Jane Austen — and if I’m honest, the enigmatic romantic hero Mr. Darcy, especially as portrayed by Colin Firth, has a lot to do with that.
When I found out that the next book in the Mother-Daughter bookclub was going to feature Pride and Prejudice, I couldn’t wait to share it with my 12-year-old daughter. We geared up by watching the A&E version of Pride and Prejudice (featuring Colin Firth, of course). It took a while for Amanda to appreciate it (but I made her stick with it, and she ended up appreciating it).
Knowing the backstory, we then delved into a great read-aloud of Heather Vogel Frederick’s latest foray into the lives of the bookclub girls Emma, Megan, Cassidy, Jess, and Becca (and their moms), Pies & Prejudice. This year the girls are in high school, and as usual, there are big changes in store for each of them.
Emma and her family and doing a house swap with another professor in England, as they each take a temporary assignment. The family living in Emma’s home brings along two boys, who of course end up figuring into the drama.
There’s a new “queen bee” to loathe, and as might be expected, one of the characters has her own Mr. Darcy/Elizabeth Bennett type romance. There’s even a Mr. Collins-type who supplies lots of comic relief.
The girls are growing up — high school freshman now — but the content is still tame, and the raciest the romances get are a little shy hand-holding and chaste smooching. That makes these books still appropriate for young teens who are that age (and don’t want to delve into the typically much more mature YA fare) as well as tweens who are looking forward to their teen years.
Check out some links to my reviews of the first 3 books in the series. Reading them in order helps, but each book stands on it’s own as well.
If you are “one of those” booklovers who can’t get enough Austen, I think you’ll enjoy Pies & Prejudice. If you have a tween or teen daughter to share it with, even better!
Leave a comment here if you’d like to win a copy. We’ll announce the winner on December 22.
Check out our current giveaways. Subscribe to our feed. Follow us @5M4B on Twitter.
Jennifer Donovan loves sharing stories with her kids. Read more about her parenting journey at her blog Snapshot.
I still need to read books 2 and 3 but I looooove Pride & Prejudice and would love to win this one!
would love a copy!
The Book Club books fly off the shelves in my K-8 library. Great characters with real-life personalities. Can’t wait to read the new title. Thanks for continuing the series.
Rena Citrin
Library Media Specialist
Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School
Chicago, Illinois
I would love to win a copy! Please enter me.
This sounds like a fun book, I would love to have it.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com
Sure, I’d love to be entered! I’d still like to check out this series and what better way than by winning a copy. =)
I’d love to win a copy.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
You well know of my affection for all things Jane.
I’d love to read this book. I’m also a Jane Austen fan.
I’m a P&P fan, too. I’ve read way more Jane Austen themed books than I care to admit and have “Jane Bites Back” in my library bag now…sigh. I’m all for another P&P book.
Gee, this sounds great! Please count me in.
bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com
Well, P & P is my fav Austen…and my daughter and I are beginning to share more and more books…and I think we should read this one together and be inspired to start our own book club. No? Anyway, hope I win!
I’d love to win!
Would love to read these books. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!
I think my teen daughter, who loved reading Pride and Prejudice, would really enjoy this.
I’ve seen this series, but never actually read any of them. I would love to, though, and then pass the books along to my teen sister.
I think my granddaughter would enjoy this, if one does not need to have read the earlier books in the series.
Why have I not come across this before? I love this book..well…don’t know really since I haven’t read it yet! Count me in! My 3 girls would have a ball with it!
jacque
If this is open to Canadians I would LOVE to win it
I’d love to share this with my teen and tween granddaughters – after I read it, of course.
I would love to read this book!
This year I am starting a Grandma and the girls bookclub to encourage reading for my grand girls and to increase our points of contact. This sounds like a good start and the right age range. Please enter me in the giveaway.
What a great book to share with my niece.
I too am a Jane Austin fan! Love to have this book.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net
Would like to win it for my daughter
I would like to win this book, thanks!
P&P is my favourite books and I love riffs on Jane Austen
Hi – I’d love to win – I love Jane Austen!
Thanks,
Maureen (jnomaxx at hotmail dot com)
Maureen–
You got it!! Please reply to this email with your shipping info.
Jennifer
this would be great for my sister and her daughter
nannypanpan at sbcglobal.net
This one looks like fun, thanks.
Happy Holidays!
Sounds like a great book, thanks!
I’d love to read this book! Thanks!
What a cute series! I’d love a copy!