Review: Prom and Prejudice by Elizabeth Eulberg

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.

Sometimes I hate writing reviews for books that I love because I know I cannot do them justice, but I'm going to try because in my opinion this is a must read! I find myself falling into the stereotypical category of a girl who, when asked her favorite book and author, answers without hesitation, Pride and Prejudice and Jane Austen. I even wrote my senior thesis in college on Miss Austen's classic, so it's safe to say that if I still love P & P after that nightmare semester and assignment that nothing will change will mind. No question. From the first time I read Miss Austen's words, "It is a truth universally..." I was hooked and found myself in love with all things Austen. I have devoured everything she's ever written and have gone back to read P & P over and over again!

I was introduced to Elizabeth Eulberg last year at the Gaithersburg Book Festival and became an instant fan of hers. She's an amazing speaker and has you feeling as though you've been friends with her for years within mere minutes of meeting her. I truly cannot say enough wonderful things about Eulberg. So when I received an ARC of Prom and Prejudice, I found myself doing a "happy dance" in my living room and squealing with delight. I was apparently so loud my roommate didn't know if something was wrong or if I'd won the lottery? And in my own mind I had won the book lottery! So thank you Harper Collins and on to the review.

Eulberg took the classic Pride and Prejudice, and made it her own, while still maintaining the voice of Austen and her beloved characters. I laughed out loud when I found the girls attending the Longbourne school for girls and Charles and Will Darcy attending the Pemberly school for boys. It was an adorable twist if you ask me. Lizzie, Jane, Charlotte, Darcy, Charles, Wick (a.k.a. Wickham) were all there but with a Eulberg twist. It was fantastic! Eulberg paid homage to Austen with her interpretation by keeping the book's spirit and essence alive and kept me interested to see what would happen next. That's no small or easy task when one knows how the story ends (or thinks they do) since the classic is so well known.

Lizzie was as witty and lovable as ever and Will Darcy was as pompous/generous (depending on the time frame) and crush worthy I might add as was so be expected. I'm not sure how Jane Austen would feel upon witnessing the vast remakes of her words, but I can only say that if there was ever one for her to appreciate and be honored by, it would be this one in my opinion. Eulberg exuded respect, charisma, and kept close to Austen's nature and attitude throughout her interpretation. She just also managed to wiggle in her own impressive flair and creativity the way only she can. I loved every minute of it and can't wait to go back and read it again and again, much like I do the classic itself! So far, Eulberg hasn't written anything I haven't fallen in love with!

I gave Prom and Prejudice 5 shamrocks!!!!!