Pride & Prejudice Book Club Podcast

Sole Mates - By Melanie Rachel

What if your soulmate was revealed from the moment you first dance with them? 
This week on The Pride and Prejudice Book Club, Alicia and Emilie dive into Sole Mates by Melanie Rachel—a delightful short story (seriously, maybe an hour of your time) that gives Lizzy and Darcy a literal soul connection… and matching foot burns. 😳🔥🥿
We talk about whether love can really blossom in a single night, the stories we tell ourselves (and write in our journals, plus the questionable reliability of memories.
👉 Note: You can only get Sole Mates by subscribing to Melanie Rachel’s newsletter—so if you're curious, sign up ASAP!
Book Clubbers, we promise this episode will leave your heart a little lighter and maybe even inspire you to dig out those old journals…
🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts!
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🎵 Music Credit:Pride & Prejudice Book Club Theme composed, performed, and arranged by Megan Mason.
📚 Curious what we will be reading next? See a list of upcoming books at prideandprejudicebookclub.com!
➡️ Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, or sign up for our newsletter at https://www.prideandprejudicebookclub.com/newsletter!

Bluebells in the Mourning - By KaraLynne Mackrory

This week, we read Bluebells in the Mourning by KaraLynne Mackrory, a Pride & Prejudice variation that opens with an emotional shock: Lydia is dead, and everything changes. The story brushes up against themes of grief and healing, but ultimately keeps things soft and comforting, with lots of Darcy-and-Lizzy time and a surprisingly sweet arc for Mr. and Mrs. Bennet.
We talk about what worked (Georgiana playing matchmaker, Wickham’s comeuppance, low angst all around) and what didn’t quite land (questionable logic leaps, miscommunication galore, and a slightly emo Darcy). There’s also tangents about confiding in near-strangers, and whether it’s better to always support your friends…or call them out.
If you’re in the mood for a variation that’s light on angst and wraps up neatly, this one might be for you!
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🎶 Music Credit: Pride & Prejudice Book Club Theme composed, performed, and arranged by Megan Mason.---
📚 Curious what we’ll be reading next? See a list of upcoming books at prideandprejudicebookclub.com---
➡️ Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, or sign up for our newsletter at https://www.prideandprejudicebookclub.com/newsletter
 

A Shared History - By Abigail Sheffield

What if Elizabeth and Darcy had met before Netherfield—only for things to go terribly wrong?
This week, we’re talking about A Shared History by Abigail Sheffield, a dual-timeline Pride and Prejudice variation that asks: can you rebuild something beautiful after a painful ending?
With strong Persuasion energy and a narrative that moves between past and present, this story explores what happens when deep hurt meets enduring love. We dive into all the messy, relatable parts of learning to trust again, what it takes to offer a second chance, and how to know when someone’s really changed.
We also take a few side quests along the way—into Little Women adaptations, pre-pandemic moviegoing, and quick stops at Grey’s Anatomy, Harry Potter, and Barbie. 
This variation gave us all the emotional complexity we love in a second-chance romance—and reminded us just how satisfying it is when Elizabeth and Darcy finally find their way back to each other.
P.S. Be honest—how did you feel about Emma Watson as Meg? Let us know in the comments!
 
🎵 Music Credit:
Pride & Prejudice Book Club Theme composed, performed, and arranged by Megan Mason.
📚 Curious what we will be reading next? See a list of upcoming books at prideandprejudicebookclub.com!
➡️ Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, or sign up for our newsletter at https://www.prideandprejudicebookclub.com/newsletter!

Some Particular Evil - By Emilia Stratford

We’re back with a full-blown Austen murder mystery this week, and honestly? We were into it. Alicia and Emilie dive into Some Particular Evil by Amelia Stratford—a gripping “who-done-it” where Elizabeth goes full detective mode and Darcy’s on the run (and in disguise, no less).
We talk red herrings, a suspiciously helpful Colonel Fitzwilliam, and a truly unhinged Anne de Bourgh. Plus, how believable was Lizzy and Darcy’s letter-fueled romance? And did the secret boxing subplot actually go anywhere? (Spoiler: we were waiting for someone to get punched.)
The conversation also takes a thoughtful turn when Lady Anne’s storyline opens up a personal discussion about postpartum depression and the quiet networks of support women build for each other. And yes—somehow we end up reminiscing about the Clue movie and old-school VHS commercials. If you ever rewound your favorite 90s movie with a pencil, this episode is for you.
It’s twisty, it’s layered, it’s not Death Comes to Pemberley—and we’re here for it.
 
🎵 Music Credit:Pride & Prejudice Book Club Theme composed, performed, and arranged by Megan Mason.
📚 Curious what we will be reading next? See a list of upcoming books at prideandprejudicebookclub.com!
➡️ Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, or sign up for our newsletter at https://www.prideandprejudicebookclub.com/newsletter!

All the Wrong Notes - By Riana Everly

Book Clubbers, we’re back with a light and fluffy modern variation of Pride and Prejudice — and this time, it’s set in Canada! Join us as we dive into All the Wrong Notes by Riana Everly, where Elise and Will get off on the wrong foot (shocking, we know), and somehow end up navigating romance, trust issues, and choral performances.
We chat through the modern take on Wickham — a financial saboteur named Kevin — and how the story skips the classic “Hunsford Proposal” drama to give us something rare: a couple that gets together and actually stays together.
Is it a little silly? Yes. But is it sweet and surprisingly comforting? Also yes. And of course, we wrap it all up with our book ranking — and a tease of the who-done-it mystery we’re reading next.
Talk at ya later!
🎵 Music Credit:Pride & Prejudice Book Club Theme composed, performed, and arranged by Megan Mason.
📚 Curious what we will be reading next? See a list of upcoming books at prideandprejudicebookclub.com!
➡️ Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, or sign up for our newsletter at https://www.prideandprejudicebookclub.com/newsletter!

Author Interview: Timothy Bowden

Book Clubbers, we have something special for you this week—our very first male author guest! We sit down with Timothy Bowden, author of Pride and Justice, a vigilante reimagining of Pride and Prejudice that asks: What if Elizabeth Bennet had a secret identity and took justice into her own hands?
Timothy shares how his background as a history teacher and love for superhero stories inspired his take on Austen’s classic, why power dynamics fascinate him, and how Pride and Prejudice fan culture was a world he didn’t even know existed when he started writing. We also dig into the philosophy behind vigilante justice, Elizabeth and Darcy’s differing views on power, and why Darcy’s snobbery extends beyond ballrooms to the crime-fighting world. 
If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if Pride and Prejudice and Zombies was 95% smarter and more grounded—this is the episode for you!
🎵 Music Credit:Pride & Prejudice Book Club theme composed, performed, and arranged by Megan Mason.
📚 Curious what we will be reading next? See a list of upcoming books at prideandprejudicebookclub.com!
➡️ Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, or sign up for our newsletter at prideandprejudicebookclub.com/newsletter!

Pride and Justice - By Timothy Bowden

What if Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy weren’t just navigating balls and marriage proposals—but also serving as masked vigilantes, upholding justice in Regency England? Pride and Justice by Timothy Bowden takes Pride and Prejudice into the world of secret identities, moral dilemmas, and covert missions carried out in the name of honor.
While the premise might bring to mind the outlandishness of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, this book takes a much more thoughtful approach to its alternate history, with rich world-building that had Emilie completely hooked. Alicia had a hard time with depictions of violence, but couldn’t stop thinking about the deep philosophical questions the book raises: When is murder justified? Does the noble class have a higher moral duty, or is that just self-justification? And should we respect tradition—or challenge it?
Whether you’re here for the action, the moral questions, or just to imagine Mr. Darcy in a mask and cape, we’ve got plenty to discuss. Join us for a deep dive into this unique and compelling take on Austen’s world!
Talk at ya later!
🎵 Music Credit:Pride & Prejudice Book Club Theme composed, performed, and arranged by Megan Mason.
📚 Curious what we will be reading next? See a list of upcoming books at prideandprejudicebookclub.com!
➡️ Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, or sign up for our newsletter at prideandprejudicebookclub.com/newsletter!

Eligible - By Curtis Sittenfeld

Take Pride and Prejudice, set it in modern-day Cincinnati, throw in a reality dating show, and give the Bennet sisters some very 21st-century quirks, and you’ve got Eligible, Curtis Sittenfeld’s contemporary retelling of Austen’s classic.
This week, we break down what Eligible gets right (Mr. and Mrs. Bennet’s modern updates are particularly well done) and where it might miss the mark (cough Liz and Darcy’s chemistry). Plus, Alicia may not be a Bachelor fan, but that doesn’t mean she’s above a good reality TV binge—something we fully explore in a side tangent.
Was this a fresh, fun take or a meh, modern miss? Let’s discuss!
🎵 Music Credit:Pride & Prejudice Book Club theme composed, performed, and arranged by Megan Mason.
📚 Curious what we will be reading next? See a list of upcoming books at prideandprejudicebookclub.com!
➡️ Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, or sign up for our newsletter at prideandprejudicebookclub.com/newsletter!

Author Interview: Jennifer Peel

Book Clubbers, this is the episode for all of you who love indie romance, Jane Austen, and a good author origin story! We got to sit down with one of Emilie's absolute favorite modern authors, Jennifer Peel, and let’s just say—this was a major fangirl moment. 🎉
Jennifer shares how her love for Pride and Prejudice began with a book club (ha!) and how it eventually lead her to write her own P&P-inspired book. She and Emilie swap thoughts on Austen adaptations, including the best Mr. Collins portrayals (Matt Smith in Pride and Prejudice and Zombies tops the list). But this conversation isn’t just about Jane—Jennifer opens up about her writing journey, starting a little before age 40, and how she still gets nervous every time she publishes a book!
We also dive into the world of indie publishing, with Jennifer discussing her ambitious publishing schedule (four books a year!), how she engages with readers, and why she loves writing second-chance romance. Plus, she spills details on an upcoming Persuasion variation she's planning to write.
If you’re a fan of modern romance, self-published success stories, or just love hearing authors geek out over Jane Austen, you won’t want to miss this episode!
🎵 Music Credit:Pride & Prejudice Book Club Theme composed, performed, and arranged by Megan Mason.
📚 Curious what we will be reading next? See a list of upcoming books at prideandprejudicebookclub.com!
➡️ Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, or sign up for our newsletter at prideandprejudicebookclub.com/newsletter!

Without Pride and Prejudice - By Jennifer Peel

What happens when a die-hard Pride and Prejudice fan finds herself in a very Darcy-and-Elizabeth-esque romance? That’s exactly what Jennifer Peel explores in Without Pride and Prejudice, a charming contemporary love story that manages to honor Austen’s classic without simply rehashing it.
This week, Emilie could not contain her excitement—she’s been a longtime fan of Jennifer Peel’s rom-coms, so seeing her take on P&P was a dream come true! And the best part? The book actually respects Monroe’s Austen obsession, rather than making her conveniently forget the original plot so she can relive it herself. (Finally!)
Alicia, meanwhile, found it sweet, fun, and bingeable in one sitting—high praise indeed! So, does this book strike the perfect balance between Austen love and originality? Let’s discuss.
🎧 Grab your tea (or wine) and join us!
Talk at ya later!
🎵 Music Credit:Pride & Prejudice Book Club Theme composed, performed, and arranged by Megan Mason.
📚 Curious what we will be reading next? See a list of upcoming books at prideandprejudicebookclub.com!
➡️ Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, or sign up for our newsletter at prideandprejudicebookclub.com/newsletter!