I am a major Jane Austen fan (I made the pilgrimage to her house, so yeah). I know what I like—modern updates— and what I don't like—historical fiction takes. This book falls in the modern updates category so hard that it left me behind.

The first 75% of the book is a scene-by-scene rewrite of the original Pride and Prejudice. I was in love. Lizzie Bennet Diaries all over again! But the last 25% was a big letdown.

And as you, fellow Janeites, know, the Lydia debacle occurs at the 75% mark. Without giving spoilers, the story failed to broach the gravitas of the Bennet family's situation. And while I kept guessing what Darcy's savior move would be, it was none of the large gestures that I guessed. From there until the end, the book becomes quite preachy to the middle-age crowd about what is and is not PC. Multiple conversations exist seemingly only for the purpose of teaching vocabulary. *sigh*

Also, the events surrounding Jane's wedding were such a huge unnecessary addition to the book that it seemed like the author started the book with one intention (a scene-by-scene rewrite) and ended the book with another (inspired by P&P™, a la Bridget Jones). I do like both types of stories, but it was off-putting to me because I was very much enjoying Type 1 and then suddenly it became Type 2.

Other readers may not be so picky as I am, so I would still recommend this book. But I must say that the Lizzie Bennet Diaries will never be topped. Nevah!