Pride & Prejudice Book Club Podcast

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!
 

The Trials of the Honorable F. Darcy - by Sara Angelini

Pride and Prejudice and a MAJOR conflict of interest...
This week we’re diving into The Trials of the Honorable F. Darcy by Sarah Angelini, a modern, spicy Pride and Prejudice variation featuring Darcy as a judge, Elizabeth as a lawyer in his circuit, a Halloween party connection, and a professional boundary that quickly becomes personal.
Heads up: this conversation wanders. A LOT. But we end up (somehow) connecting all the dots! We talk about workplace power dynamics, early-2000s romance tropes, and how cultural expectations around love stories have shifted over time. We also examine where the line falls between romantic perseverance and respecting boundaries.
Plus: date auctions, Netflix adaptation feelings, and how — despite their shortcomings — society NEEDS to bring back RomComs.
Strap in! It’s going to be a fun ride.
 
🎵 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!

Episode 150: Pride & Prejudice By Jane Austen

Welcome to episode 150, book clubbers!
To celebrate this milestone, we're reading the original masterpiece upon which this entire podcast is built: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.
The book that launched a thousand (and more!) variations.
Emilie is joined by both Alicia and Sharon as we revisit the novel that started it all and share what stood out to us this time around, including new takes on familiar characters and small details we somehow missed before.
We marvel (again) at Jane Austen’s genius, humor, and razor-sharp wit, and we absolutely fan-girl over the tiniest moments, because… well… it’s Pride and Prejudice!
Thank you to every single listener who has joined us on this journey. Whether you’ve been here from episode one or just found your people, we’re so glad you’re part of this wonderfully nerdy corner of the internet.
Here’s to 150 episodes, and many more to come!

A Wilful Misunderstanding - By Amy D'Orazio

Can love survive when trust is shattered? 
In this episode, we dive into A Wilful Misunderstanding by Amy D’Orazio, a Pride & Prejudice variation that cranks the angst up to 100 and then dares to ask: can a marriage survive betrayal born of pride and insecurity?
We unpack Darcy’s catastrophic (and idiotic) choices, Elizabeth’s devastating heartbreak, and the long, messy road toward forgiveness. Is this a story about true love persevering, or about a man who didn’t deserve true love in the first place? (Our opinions may vary from day to day.)
This book had us in our feelings from the first moment, and while it's often painful, it's that exquisitely delicious kind of angst that sometimes you just can't get enough of!
From willful pride to hard-won healing, this book explores what it really means to believe in someone, and what it costs when you don’t.
Bring tissues. And maybe a strong opinion.
If you enjoyed this episode, follow the podcast, leave us a review, and come chat with us online. We love hearing your thoughts (even when you disagree with us)!
🎵 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!

Author Interview: Amy D'Orazio

Time for a fan-girl SQUEEEEEEEAL!
 
In this episode, Emilie gets to check another author off her dream guest list as she interviews Amy D'Orazio, a longtime favorite and a true force for good in the Pride and Prejudice variation world. Not only is Amy a talented and beloved author, she’s also the head of Quills and Quartos, an independent publisher that has helped dozens of authors find their footing and thrive in the JAFF publishing world.
 
In this conversation, we cover everything from Amy's origin story (the 1995 BBC Pride and Prejudice while traveling abroad) to the creation of fan-favorite original character Lord Saye, along with how her writing has evolved and what stories may be coming next.
 
Grab your hot cocoa and settle in, book clubbers! (Or, if you're driving, keep your eyes on the road...)
 
And after you listen to this episode, be sure to download Amy's newest release, Officious Interference, available NOW!
 
🎵 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!

Miss Bennet's Dragon - By M. Verant

[Big spoiler warning on this episode!]
This week we venture into fantasy with Miss Bennet’s Dragon, a gaslamp Regency Pride & Prejudice variation that introduces dragons, mysterious powers, and life or death stakes to the story!
Fantasy isn’t typically Sharon’s genre, but she adventurously dove right into the world-building and dragon lore and discovered it was a lot more fun than she thought it would be! We revel in the quieter, slow-burn romance of this variation, and geek out over Darcy's efforts to communicate to Elizabeth (quietly) how much he cares about her.
The story packs some big surprises, leading to a discussion on how ambition and power reshape familiar characters, and force Elizabeth into morally complex decisions with far-reaching consequences .
If you enjoy Pride & Prejudice variations that take risks, ask big questions, and aren’t afraid to explore darker themes, this episode has plenty to unpack!

On Equal Ground - By Elizabeth Adams

This week we're diving head-first into On Equal Ground by Elizabeth Adams, and, surprisingly, we once again find ourselves on very different sides of the emotional fence. Sharon is fully swooning, Emilie is… decidedly not. To be clear, Elizabeth Adams is a phenomenal author, and has penned some of Emilie's favorite stories. This book just happens to combine two of her least favorite tropes 😆
But that's what's great about variations! There's something for everyone!
With a premise that includes Elizabeth being married before meeting Darcy, and then finding herself of elevated status after her tragic loss, there’s plenty to discuss. Grief, second chances, blended families, and what it means to honor a great love while still allowing space for another.
Expect some strong opinions on this one! And as always, we want to hear what you think 😁
🎵 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!

Re-Release: Author Interview With Jessie Lewis

When we started this podcast back in 2023, we never dreamed that we would one day get to meet one of our favorite authors, Jessie Lewis. So it was a huge shock when Jessie not only reached out to say she'd enjoyed the episodes we'd done on her books, but that she would be happy to answer questions about them, too!
And thus, a new type of episode was born. The author interview has now become a bookclub staple (with more great episodes on the way), and our appreciation of authors grows with each and every one!
In honor of Jessie's new book, Room for Improvement, which she co-authored with Amy D'Orazio, coming out on January 26th, 2026, we're re-releasing this episode to give some of our newer listeners a chance to discover it, and hopefuly bring joy to our long-time listeners who already know how fun an interview it was.
[This re-release also mildly improves on the audio quality of the interview, something that has bugged Emilie for a long time....]
We'll be back next week with some more book discussions, but for now, enjoy this throw-back episode of our interview with the amazingly talented Jessie Lewis.
 
🎵 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, Instagram, or TikTok, or check out our blog and more at https://www.prideandprejudicebookclub.com/!