Review: Pride and Prejudice and Mistletoe by Melissa De La Cruz

Despite their abundance, writing a Pride and Prejudice retelling is always a risky move. Sometimes the most unusual retellings or reimagining can really take off--think Bridget Jones's Diary, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, or Mr Darcy's Diary. In this retelling, author Melissa De La Cruz makes some bold moves--Fitzwilliam Darcy becomes Darcy Fitzwilliam a twenty nine year old woman who also just happens to be a workaholic, New York based millionaire, while Elizabeth Bennett becomes Luke Bennett, a working class boy from her hometown who bullied her in high school. Oh, and it is a Christmas story. Hence the mistletoe.

This was such an interesting concept, filled with fun and plenty of Christmas warmth. Unfortunately the novel suffers from too many changes and a lack of depth that often reveals itself as things happening a little too conveniently for the characters, whom the reader has little opportunity to get to know. Of course, it's lovely to see everyone get their happy ending, and after all, it is intended to be short and light, a little bit of Christmas fun.

Recommended to Pride and Prejudice fans who are craving innovative retellings and who are looking for a light read.

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