A Certain Appeal by Vanessa King.

Synopsis

A sparkling contemporary retelling of Pride and Prejudice set in the tantalizing world of New York City burlesque, perfect for fans of The Kiss Quotient and The Roommate.

After a betrayal derailed her interior design career, Liz Bennet found a fresh start in New York. Now an executive assistant by day and stage kitten by night, she’s discovered a second home with the performers at Meryton, Manhattan’s top-tier burlesque venue. Love’s the last thing on her mind when she locks eyes with Will Darcy across the crowded club. The spark between them is undeniable–that is, until she overhears the uptight wealth manager call her merely “tolerable.”

Bennet is determined to write Darcy off, but once their besties fall head-over-heels, they’re thrown into each other’s orbit again and again. Each encounter begins to feel more heated than the last, but is their chemistry enough to topple that terrible first impression? What’s more, when a charming newcomer arrives on the scene with accusations against Darcy, his claims leave Bennet torn. And when a sudden development leaves Meryton’s fate in jeopardy, she will have to decide who to trust in time to salvage her design dreams, her heart, and the stage she shares with her found family…

Audiobook Review

Beginning of the book 4,5 stars;

Between 30 and 60%: 3 stars

Last 40%: between 4 and 4,5 stars

This is one of the rare occasions where I rate a book “by pieces” but that will represent my reading experience.

That story began strong!

I loved discovering the burlesque scene, something I had never read about. I loved the banter and fast mind of our heroine, Liz Bennett. Her sass was a huge perk of the book as well as the praise to body love in all its variations.

I loved her best gay friend and I loved the idea of having a “Pride and Prejudice” retelling.

Then about 30% in the book, the pace became uneven and if I still wanted to read, the novelty lost its appeal and I felt like falling back into a more “classic” romance.

But lucky for me, things kicked in again with an unexpected event and nefarious plot past the mark of 6O to 70% and I really wanted to know how miss Bennett will kick the villain’s ass and make mister Darcy reconsider his prejudice against burlesque and nudity on a show. And also to make him swallow his words when he considered Liz “tolerable”.

The side characters really added a layer and enjoyment to the story too! Minx with her foul mouth, Chloe and her fiancé Gayle, Liz’s best friend… these made for a big colorful found family with a mix of races, gender and sexual preferences.

The villain was also scheming and someone I’d loved to dislike and plot his demise right alongside Liz Bennett.

This modern retelling of Pride and Prejudice is witty, entertaining, served by a solid cast of characters and Julia Whelan’s narration was once more impeccable!

Thanks for reading.

Sophie