The Bennet Women

By: Eden Appiah-Kubi

Narrated by: L Morgan Lee

In this delightfully modern spin on Pride and Prejudice, love is a goal, marriage is a distant option, and self-discovery is a sure thing.

Welcome to Bennet House, the only all-women’s dorm at prestigious Longbourn University, home to three close friends who are about to have an eventful year. EJ is an ambitious Black engineering student. Her best friend, Jamie, is a newly out trans woman studying French and theatre. Tessa is a Filipina astronomy major with guy trouble. For them, Bennet House is more than a residence - it’s an oasis of feminism, femininity, and enlightenment. But as great as Longbourn is for academics, EJ knows it can be a wretched place to find love.

Yet the fall season is young and brimming with surprising possibilities. Jamie’s prospect is Lee Gregory, son of a Hollywood producer and a gentleman so charming he practically sparkles. That leaves EJ with Lee’s arrogant best friend, Will. For Jamie’s sake, EJ must put up with the disagreeable, distressingly handsome, not quite famous TV actor for as long as she can.

What of it? EJ has her eyes on a bigger prize, anyway: launching a spectacular engineering career in the “real world” she’s been hearing so much about. But what happens when all their lives become entwined in ways no one could have predicted - and EJ finds herself drawn to a man who’s not exactly a perfect fit for the future she has planned?

©2021 Salima Appiah-Duffell. (P)2021 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“[L. Morgan] Lee perfectly hits each note of this loving tribute to Austen, while remaining firmly in the 21st century. Lee's portrayal of the friendship between EJ and Jamie is particularly strong, as each has multiple obstacles to overcome - EJ as a Black woman in the male-dominated engineering program and Jamie as a newly out trans woman who is embarking on a new relationship. Lee's portrayal of their affirming love and support is a balm.” (AudioFile Magazine)

“Rich with hope and romance, and readers will love it.” (Shondaland)

“Funny, poignant, and wickedly clever - I’ll be hunting for everything Eden Appiah-Kubi writes from here on out.” (Courtney Milan, New York Times and USA Today best-selling author)

“Appiah-Kubi’s unique retelling of Austen’s Pride and Prejudice gives it a modern spin with surprising twists and empowering storylines.” (Library Journal)

“The cast of characters is diverse - EJ is Black, Jamie is a recently out trans woman, Tessa is Filipina, and Will has both Chinese and Korean heritage - and hearing EJ, Jamie, Tessa, and the other women who populate Longbourn discuss ambitious career goals, healthy sex lives, and more with unabashed frankness is refreshing.” (Kirkus Reviews)

Great story!

I loved this book! so nice to read a story that I can relate to as a black woman. relatable references and phrasing such a delight! looking forward to more from this author

Modern Remake of Pride and Prejudice

This is a wonderful remake of Pride and Prejudice. The book is modern, meaning it's filled with many social issues being addressed today. I loved the setting of the story. The characters were very well crafted. This story was easy to listen to and fall in love with. I will definitely add this to my reading list again!

the Bennett women

Wonderful characters and great story. I feel like I have a new group of friends. excellent read

Did I miss that this is a YA book?

This all seemed like a YA book. And worse it seemed to throw in sex and foul talk at random times in an effort to claim that prize. While the story line was ok enough to finish the book the Narrator is what kept me listening through. I'm going to think twice about and fully look into any other books by this Author before I purchase them.

Enjoyable

I loved the narration. The story was great, however too long. I think each character should’ve had their own story that intertwined. It was hard keeping up with everyone together. Nonetheless, very progressive and based off my favorite book! I enjoyed it.

great remake but not my type

I am a sucker for a Pride and Prejudice Redo. Unfortunately this one was a little too to modern for my taste. It had nothing to do with races or sexes, but with the complete lack of Drama. I know that sounds dumb, but what's a good English period piece without some miscommunication, intrigue and relationship woes. This version is wonderful if I was giving advice to my daughter in the real world about how to think things through. But I was just looking for my traditional Elizabeth and Darcy. lol

Pride and Prejudice updated

Love how this follows the basics of Pride and Prejudice as well as modernizing it. Also love how the characters are just who they are and their race or queerness isn’t the point of the story! Love love

I like the concept and love musical and film

There are many well placed musical and film references I throughly appreciate, but the novel has many characters and the narrarators soft voice makes it hard to keep them straight. Novel has s lot of passive voice also. so not great but I liked the concept

Perfect!

I enjoyed this book so very much! Diverse cast!!! It’s a feel good book that is part P&P and part academia.

Full Disclosure

I will begin by stating a.simple fact: I am no longer allowed to read Pride and Prejudice because I have managed to learn the book.by heart. Yes, I.mean all.of.it. I am currently learning ro.forget since I am want to read it again. Meanwhile, I read many adaptations since I want to hang out with Elizabeth and her friends. that's s time we are at college. And Darcy is an actor again.. Since the setting is an undergraduate program in a.lovely little New England town and everything is is just fine with our characters ( no, I won't say who's who) but it is a fun interpretation and worthy of enjoyment.