Review: A Certain Appeal by Vanessa King

A Certain Appeal by Vanessa King

Published by G. P. Putnam's Sons on November 2021
Genres: Adult Fiction, Romance
Pages: 368
Format: eBook
Source: Publisher
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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...

There is a lot in the Pride & Prejudice remake that is amazing. I love Jane, Bennet’s best friend. His style and full of life personality really shines through the pages. I also love Ming and all of the women at the show. They’re colorful and playful and really supported Bennet, becoming the family she really needed. The supporting characters were actually my favorite part of the book.

Darcy is of course, misunderstood, charming and awkward. I really liked him in this retelling. He had a great way about him – aloof and serious. It was easy to see how Bennet was turned off by him (and yet still turned on.)

The story is set during a top-tier burlesque show that she works at. I love the atmosphere as well. The setting really made the book for me. I love the tight camaraderie between the women, they each had their own strengths and played to them, helping out each other along the way.

There’s so much to enjoy and I think most will love reading this fresh and new take on P&P. I did have some issues with Liz though. She was really strong sometimes and then totally clueless others (Really, Liz? You didn’t know what Wickham was up to?) and she did seem more severe in her prejudices with Darcy in this retelling, as well as their attraction being much more intense as well. Bingley was kinda pushed to the side (he always kinda is) but this Bingley I wished was a little more than just a rich character. The other characters are so well realized and Bingley and even a lot of Liz felt not real.

Overall, I think many readers will be satisfied with this fun and sexy P&P.