Spies and Prejudice

I've been waiting forever to share my thoughts on this one, guys. I read it back in January because...how could I not? It's a Pride and Prejudice retelling...WITH SPIES. (Side Note: I was going through super early posts yesterday and...I didn't like Pride and Prejudice retellings when I started blogging. Can you BELIEVE that?)

So, let's start with Berry. Can we talk about how super badass she is? One of the earlier descriptions of the book pitched this book as Veronica Mars meets Pride and Prejudice and it's SUPER accurate. Berry and Veronica are really similar in levels of awesome. If I had to name a book that had characters and a general feel that reminded me most of Veronica, this would be it.

I also adored Tanner from the get go. But most of you have seen me review enough Pride and Prejudice retellings to know that I ALWAYS love the Darcy character. Always. Without fail. But Tanner was really sweet and had an epic back story that put his characterization into perspective. It all genuinely made sense.

Of course, I absolutely adored the plot. It had it's own mystery-spin on the traditional Pride and Prejudice. This was an added element from the usual misunderstandings and class differences that are prevalent in pretty much every Pride and Prejudice remake. I mean, it was obviously in this one as well, but there was something more to it. As much as I always love my retellings and movies and various ways of telling P&P, sometimes it's nice to add a twist I haven't seen before.

Talia is also just a great writer. I was really engaged in the story and I didn't want to end. I'm kind of crossing my fingers that she'll write other Austen retellings or retellings of SOMETHING. Or even just more contemporary. She tells a fantastic story that's fun with a very serious undertone and she really made a classic her own. I think she could do a really fantastic job retelling other stories I love as well.

Basically, you guys should all be picking up this book today or this week and then joining me in my plea for more contemporary/retellings from Talia as well as more books that feel like Veronica Mars and come with the added bonus of a Darcy-like character.

My relationship with this book is rather complicated. As a retelling of JA's Pride and Prejudice, it was fun. There were, however, some plot flaws that irked me along the way.


I think of myself as a JA connoisseur. Therefore, it is my duty to read all things JA related. That can be retellings, biographies, or spoofs-- it really does not matter. I also tend to love these books just for the mere fact that they are based on stories by one of my most beloved authors. Spies and Prejudice falls into the 'cute' category in the retelling department. It was highly original, so that made it fun. Tanner was mysterious enough, but he was no Mr. Darcy. Sorry! There were some similarities, but it's hard to duplicate such a perfect character.


While the plot of Spies and Prejudice follows Pride and Prejudice, there was one thing that hindered me from thinking this was a fantastic read. The romance between the characters really spoiled this for me. I was moving along with the story, really enjoying it, and then BAM! I was hit with the L-word. it made me go, "Whaaaaaaaaaaaaat?!" Way too sudden. From that moment on, I was rolling my eyes any time two certain characters interacted. Very disappointing. The use of the L-word in a book should not feel like a sucker punch. There needs to be something backing that up. I just wasn't buying it with the characters, and I never did--even on the last page. Extreme 'like'? I would have gone with that. Infatuation? Also believable. You are my long lost soulmate that I need to be with for eternity? Pah-lease.


If you are like me and feel compelled to read any book that so much as looks like a JA retelling, go for it. You will find enough similarities in Spies and Prejudice to make you happy. You won't, however, find Mr. Darcy's twin or a very believable relationship. (But the first half of the book is solid enough.)