MOST ARDENTLY

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE gets a contemporary reboot in this audio romance. When responsible, cash-strapped Elisa Benitez meets prickly heiress Darcy Fitzgerald in a community college literature class, it's annoyance at first sight--but as fans of the story know, first impressions can be deceiving. Listeners who enjoyed Austen's leisurely pacing will relish narrator Chandra Skyye's unhurried approach, as well as her slight Midwestern accent, which grounds the story in its Ohio setting. While Elisa's wry, unpretentious tone dominates the narration, Skyye imbues the wealthy characters with a more formal cadence-- especially awkward, old-fashioned Darcy--and the younger Benitez sisters with a cutesy manner. It's a capable performance that is well suited to this satisfying spin on the beloved classic. R.A.H. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2020]