Pride & Prejudice Book Club Podcast

Author Interview: Jayne Bamber - The Sisters' Holiday and The Guardian Gambit

Have you ever wondered what Pride and Prejudice would be like if you combined it with...The Parent Trap?
No?
Well, prepare to be surprised!
Author Jayne Bamber returns to the podcast to celebrate the release of her newest novel, The Guardian Gambit, which just launched on April 29th and is now available on Kindle Unlimited. Inspired by The Parent Trap, this latest variation promises mistaken identities, long-lost connections, and plenty of romantic chaos, and we share just enough on the podcast to spark your curiosity (without giving too much away).
We also spend time diving into her recent release, The Sisters' Holiday, a Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility remix inspired by the movie The Holiday. We explore Jayne’s love of bold reinterpretations, from unexpected pairings and “spoiled by choice” heroines to villain redemption arcs that add surprising depth to familiar characters. We also talk about how shifting the stakes (whether through money, social standing, or simply giving characters more agency) opens up entirely new possibilities for romance, and how modern relationship expectations are subtly reshaping the way these stories are told.
Fair warning: this part of the conversation does include spoilers, so if that book is still on your TBR, you may want to circle back after reading!
Along the way, Jayne shares behind-the-scenes insights into her writing process, the joy of weaving together large casts of beloved characters, and why rom-com energy and nostalgia continue to influence the JAFF world in such fun and creative ways.
 
Episode Credits:
🎙️ Hosted by Emilie Davis
🎵 Pride & Prejudice Book Club Theme composed, performed, and arranged by Megan Mason.
📚 See a list of books we've read at prideandprejudicebookclub.com!
➡️ Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok, and sign up for our newsletter at https://www.prideandprejudicebookclub.com/newsletter!
✍️ Apply To Be a Co-Host Here: https://www.prideandprejudicebookclub.com/nerd
 

Nameless - By Julie Cooper

A grand estate. A brooding widower. A new wife arriving in the shadow of the one who came before. Sound familiar? Julie Cooper took the bones of Rebecca and rebuilt them at Pemberley, and the result is a fascinatingly atmospheric variation that's worth a closer look.
This week, Emilie is joined by listener and live book club regular Kelley Larsson, who loves Nameless for the slow burn, the rich imagery, and a Darcy she finds deeply, genuinely relatable. And thankfully for us, she came ready to talk about all of it!
We dig into the Rebecca connection, including what Julie Cooper was clearly inspired by, what she transformed, and why this Pemberley is so much darker than the one we know from canon. We explore the marriage of convenience plot (at least, from Elizabeth's perspective it is!), and the shocking Caroline Bingley twist. Plus, Aunt Gardiner delivers some great marital advice!
Fair warning: full spoilers for both Rebecca and Nameless throughout.Episode Credits:
🎙️ Hosted by Emilie Davis and Kelley Larsson
🎵 Music Credit: Pride & Prejudice Book Club Theme composed, performed, and arranged by Megan Mason.
📚 See a list of books we've read at prideandprejudicebookclub.com!
➡️ Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok, and sign up for our newsletter at https://www.prideandprejudicebookclub.com/newsletter!
Apply To Be a Co-Host Here: https://www.prideandprejudicebookclub.com/nerd

Author Interview: Cat Andrews

The Cat Andrews author interview is here! If you've ever finished one of her modern Pride and Prejudice variations and immediately wanted more, this episode is for you!
Cat sits down with Emilie to share her origin story: how a love for Colin Firth led her to Jane Austen, how fan fiction communities like A Happy Assembly and the Derbyshire Writers' Guild shaped her as a writer, and what finally pushed her to publish. She gives a behind-the-scenes view of creating her books (Dance the Tide, Sanctuary, An Unexpected Harvest, Against Every Objection, and the holiday novella An Old Acquaintance), including which story is her current favorite.
Cat also opens up about the harder parts of being a modern variation author in a Regency-dominated space: the visibility struggles, the dismissive attitudes around moderns she's encountered, and what ultimately led her to take a break from publishing.
And as a special treat for fans of An Unexpected Harvest, a hefty chunk of the conversation digs into that book specifically, from what inspired the concept to the creative choices that make it feel so different from a typical variation. Cat gets into all of it!
Whether you're a longtime Cat Andrews fan or just discovering her work, this conversation is honest, warm, and full of great insight into a talented author!

An Unexpected Harvest - By Cat Andrews

Confession time: Emilie almost missed out on one of her favorite variations because a little "pride" and "prejudice" against modern variations got in her way!
This week we're gushing over An Unexpected Harvest by Cat Andrews, a book that Emilie initially started, set back down, and waited weeks to pick back up. But she's so glad she did! Much like Darcy, Emilie discovered that what she thought would be merely "tolerable" turned out to be very, very tempting indeed...
Here's what blew us away: An Unexpected Harvest follows Pride and Prejudice almost beat for beat in the first half, and then Cat Andrews throws the playbook out and lets the story breathe. And honestly? That second half might be our favorite part! Add in a gender swap that works incredibly well, character name-shuffling that kept us genuinely guessing what would happen next, and a main couple with a relationship that felt real, and we had a lot to say.
Some bigger themes snuck in too, like ideas around wanting to be independent individuals while still craving having a person to depend on, and why women giving up their dreams for love is somehow still a whole conversation we're having in 2026. Plus, a candid conversation about spice (no judgment here!) and how Cat Andrews brilliantly writes spice that feels character-driven and important to the narrative.
If you've been on the fence about modern variations, this might be the episode — and the book — that changes your mind. We're also sharing what's on our Kindles right now, teasing our upcoming Live Book Club with Heather Moll's A Most Natural Consequence on April 25th, and dropping some very exciting news about an upcoming author interview with Cat Andrews herself.
 
Episode Credits:
🎙️ Hosted by Emilie Davis and Sharon Cortez
🎵 Music Credit: Pride & Prejudice Book Club Theme composed, performed, and arranged by Megan Mason.
📚 See a list of books we've read at prideandprejudicebookclub.com!
➡️ Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok, and sign up for our newsletter at https://www.prideandprejudicebookclub.com/newsletter!

Revisiting Mistaken and Ardently with Alexis Li

Today we’re kicking off a new kind of conversation on the podcast: Revisiting episodes, where Emilie chats with a book clubber about books we’ve already covered (or ones they’re especially passionate about). Because let’s be honest… one conversation is never enough. 😊
In this episode, Emilie is joined by Alexis, who volunteered to be our very first guest for this new format. We dive into a reread of Mistaken by Jessie Lewis, one of Alexis's favorites (and given Emilie's open admiration for it, are you really surprised that we started with that variation?)
We talk about what makes this story so compelling, including the focus on external conflicts to Darcy and Elizabeth's relationship, the emotional impact of Jane's storyline, and one of the most unsettling (and fascinating) portrayals of Bingley you’ll ever read. We also get into the treatment of side characters like Caroline and Mrs. Sinclair, and why this book continues to hold up on a reread.
And because we can never stay on just one book, we also wander into a conversation about Ardently by Caitlin Williams!
If you’ve ever wanted to revisit a favorite, or just talk about these books with someone who gets it, maybe you should consider volunteering, too!
Apply Here: https://www.prideandprejudicebookclub.com/nerd
Episode Credits:
🎙️ Hosted by Emilie Davis and Guest Host Alexis Li
🎵 Music Credit: Pride & Prejudice Book Club Theme composed, performed, and arranged by Megan Mason.
📚 See a list of books we've read at prideandprejudicebookclub.com!
➡️ Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok, and sign up for our newsletter at https://www.prideandprejudicebookclub.com/newsletter!

Author Interview: Julie Cooper

For Emilie, one of the biggest "perks" of hosting this podcast is getting to talk with authors who love these characters as much as she does ❤️ And Julie Cooper is no exception!
 
From "Tempt Me" to "Nameless" to "A Stronger Impulse," Julie has explored some truly imaginative corners of the Pride and Prejudice universe. In this episode, Emilie and Julie talk about where her plot ideas come from and how she strives to keep Elizabeth Bennet unmistakably herself, even when the circumstances around her change dramatically.
 
We also discuss her writing process (including her seemingly endless plot bunny document), her commitment to happily-ever-after endings, the unofficial rules she follows when writing Darcy and Elizabeth, and why Pride and Prejudice variations can feel like such a comforting place to land when the real world gets complicated.
 
And be warned: this episode definitely contains plot bunnies!
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🎵 Music Credit:Pride & Prejudice Book Club Theme composed, performed, and arranged by Megan Mason.
📚 See a list of books we've read at prideandprejudicebookclub.com!
➡️ Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, or sign up for our newsletter at https://www.prideandprejudicebookclub.com/newsletter!
 

Prom and Prejudice - By Elizabeth Eulberg

Do you remember your first Pride & Prejudice variation? 
This week on the Pride and Prejudice Book Club, we revisit one of Sharon's first loves (and a longtime favorite from her Scholastic Book Fair days): Prom & Prejudice by Elizabeth Eulberg.
As Emilie reads the book for the first time, we talk about how the scholarship storyline replaces Regency class divisions, how the Lydia/Wickham plot translates into a teenage setting, and why giving Elizabeth real musical brilliance adds an especially satisfying modern dimension to her character. We also examine the difference between reading the book when you're the target demo (aka, a teen) vs. reading it as a full-fledged adult. 
We can't help but share a few prom stories of our own, too!
Whether Prom & Prejudice was your first variation—or you’re discovering it for the first time with us—this episode is a fun look back at a nostalgic modern retelling and how our experience of Pride & Prejudice variations changes as we grow.

The Journey - By Jan Hahn

When Darcy and Elizabeth are kidnapped by highwaymen, danger, tension, and forced proximity follow.
But one question quickly takes over the episode: Is the highwayman Nate Morgan a romantic rogue… or a distraction from the real love story?
And more importantly, why does Sharon seem to have developed a small crush on him?
This week we’re discussing The Journey by Jan Hahn, a Pride and Prejudice variation that throws Darcy and Elizabeth into a perilous adventure when their carriage is stopped by highwaymen and they are taken captive…while pretending to be husband and wife. While “Elizabeth and Darcy against the world” is a favorite trope for both of us, we debate whether Darcy ends up taking a back seat in his own romance thanks to the highwayman having a little too much romantic chemistry with Elizabeth.
This story is a bit of a blast from the past for Emilie, who first read it early in her Pride and Prejudice variation journey. Returning to it more than a decade later (after reading hundreds of variations ) led to an interesting conversation about how our tastes evolve and how a story can feel very different the second time around.
Along the way we discuss our feelings about this particular “obstinate, headstrong” version of Elizabeth, the difference between possessive jealousy and introspective jealousy, and the enduring sexiness of emotional security in a relationship.
So join us as we revisit an early favorite, and debate the wisdom of letting a charming side character steal the hero’s spotlight.
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🎵 Music Credit: Pride & Prejudice Book Club Theme composed, performed, and arranged by Megan Mason.
📚 See a list of books we've read at prideandprejudicebookclub.com!
➡️ Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok, and sign up for our newsletter at https://www.prideandprejudicebookclub.com/newsletter!
🎙️Do you have thoughts on an episode that you can't wait to discuss? Geek out with Emilie by applying to be a mini podcast co-host! https://www.prideandprejudicebookclub.com/geek

So Little Endeavour At Civility - By Kate Beauford

A moment of passion. A meddling Mr. Collins. And suddenly Elizabeth Bennet finds herself engaged to Mr Darcy.
On the podcast this week we’re reading So Little Endeavor at Civility by Kate Beauford, a Pride and Prejudice variation that begins with scandal at Hunsford and an engagement Elizabeth never wanted. But instead of rushing to the altar, this story gives Elizabeth and Darcy something we don’t often see in forced-marriage stories: time to actually court, talk, and discover who the other person really is.
This Darcy might be one of our favorites ever. He communicates. He asks clarifying questions. He openly admits he’s in love with Elizabeth and never pretends otherwise. Watching Elizabeth slowly rethink everything she thought she knew about him makes for a deeply satisfying courtship, and we had a lot to say about the moments that made this Darcy shine.
We loved watching Elizabeth gradually soften toward him. We also dive into favorite scenes, memorable quotes, and the beautiful moments between Elizabeth and Darcy that made this story especially satisfying.
If you're a fan of Unequal Affections, this is definitely a variation you'll want to add to your reading list!
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🎵 Music Credit: Pride & Prejudice Book Club Theme composed, performed, and arranged by Megan Mason.
📚 See a list of books we've read at prideandprejudicebookclub.com!
➡️ Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok, and sign up for our newsletter at https://www.prideandprejudicebookclub.com/newsletter!
 
 

Special Announcement: Mini Episodes! (We Need You)

Have you ever listened to an episode, and wished we would discuss something...but we didn't?  Or did something we say spark a thought, and you wish you had someone to tell it to? Now is your chance!
We’re inviting listeners to apply for a chance to record a short mini-episode with Emilie and share their thoughts as part of a “second chance book-mance” discussion. If there’s a book we’ve already discussed that you absolutely adore (or have strong opinions about!), this is your chance to bring it back into the spotlight.
We may also be open to discussing a new variation we haven’t covered yet, though it may take a bit longer to schedule since we’ll need to fit it into our reading lineup.
If selected, you’ll receive an email to schedule a quick test conversation so we can get to know each other a bit.
To apply to be a mini-episode co-host, go to https://prideandprejudicebookclub.com/geek
We'll talk at you later!