Review: Prom and Prejudice by Elizabeth Eulberg

Hardcover, 231 pages

Released: January 1st 2011

Publisher: Point

ISBN: 9780545240772

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.

My Rating: 4 / 5

My Thoughts:
I really enjoy the contemporary re-telling of Austen books. When done right, the young adult versions have the opportunity to open up a whole new world to readers that have yet to discover classics and I love them for that.

Prom and Prejudice is Elizabeth Eulberg's ode to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. What I think is most important in a re-telling, and Elizabeth tackles perfectly, is keeping the essence of the characters: Lizzie is quick to judge, Darcy appears uptight & arrogant while Wickham is a snake. Although some characters are missing or changed (for instance Jane is her best friend, Lydia is Jane's sister), the gist of the story remains: Lizzie is initially turned off by Darcy's withdrawn and snobbish appearance, while Lizzie learns the hard way of Wickham's true nature. I loved how the author altered the story a bit by incorporating the piano in a different way, creating an opportunity later in the book… such a Happily Ever After feeling when you get to the end.

We all know how it ends, but it sure if fun to see how Lizzie and Darcy get there! Prom and Prejudice is a great, cute read that leaves you smiling and feeling satisfied and wanting to (re)read Pride and Prejudice…or at least watch the movie...again!

(and if you haven't already, check our her debut, The Lonely Hearts Club, this should be required reading for young girls! The book is so much fun & contans such an important message of friends & loving oneself. You can find my rave review here)

Review: The Lonely Hearts Club by Elizabeth Eulberg

Publisher: Point

Released: December 29, 2009

Hardcover, 320 pages

ISBN-13: 978-0545140317

Recommended for: everyone, guys included as they could really learn something here! LOL

Teaser quote:
I wondered if it would've been too subtle to wear a T-shirt that said THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST, BUT I AM NO LONGER DATING.

I knew Todd wasn't a huge fan of reading, but he did like to stare at my shirts.

My rating: 5 /5

My thoughts:

After being crushed by the guy she's loved since she was a kid, Penny Lane decided it was time to avoid boys thus avoid all the troubles that come with them. She creates The Lonely Hearts Club (named after a Beatles song) and soon two good friends join, then a few more until almost all the female high school population is in on it. As time goes on, they soon figure out that maybe cutting off boys completely isn't the solution after all...the most important thing is each others friendship & support.

It is predictable at times but not in a bad way, more in a "oooohh, I see where this is going & can't wait to see how this plays out!" kinda way. The story carries such a few important messages and really sticks to them from beginning to end...stay true to yourself, don't change for others, the importance of friends. I loved the character development, seeing everyone draw strength from each other. My favorite characters: Penny is the perfect leader, Tracy the strong & funny best friend everyone needs, Diane who discovered who SHE wanted to be and worked to get there and Ryan, swoon, does such a guy truly exist?

I loved her quirky parents who are total Beatles fanatics (hence their kids names Penny Lane, Rita & Lucy). Having grown up myself with a huge Beatles fan, my Dad, I loved catching lines from their songs incorporated into the story. I really hope the teens that read this can appreciate the awesomeness that is Beatles & catch the references. Did you know that the cover art is a play on The Beatles Abbey Road album cover?

This should seriously be required reading before entering high school. A fabulous debut that everyone must read...I know I'm going to be gushing about this for a while :)