Publishers Weekly
02/13/2023
Author team Bellezza and Harding put a contemporary rom-com spin on Jane Austen’s Emma in their charming debut. In their reimagining, beautiful and wealthy 23-year-old grad student Emma Woodhouse’s world revolves around New York’s Upper East Side. She struggles between claiming independence and her family’s approval when faced with the growing pains of adulting. With her collegiate girlfriends living their lives abroad, and her sister marrying and moving away, Emma copes with feelings of abandonment by playing matchmaker for her new friend and classmate, Nadine Pittman—a project that inevitably goes awry. Meanwhile Emma realizes her own feelings for strikingly handsome George Knightley, her childhood friend and neighbor, who recognizes an attraction to her as well. But miscommunication, misconceptions, and misunderstandings threaten both their lifelong friendship and their chance at a relationship. The authors bring plenty of wit to this classic friends-to-lovers tale. Readers will fall in love with Emma Woodhouse all over again. Agent: Joelle Delbourgo, Joelle Delbourgo Assoc. (May)
From the Publisher
"[A] charming debut... The authors bring plenty of wit to this classic friends-to-lovers tale. Readers will fall in love with Emma Woodhouse all over again."—Publishers Weekly
"Belleza and Harding have created a glamorous romp that is heartfelt, steamy, and romantic... For fans of the movie Clueless and retellings of classics."—Library Journal
"A great summer beach read...From its Lilly Pulitzer-colored cover to its Blair Waldorf-type protagonist, this book should be purchased immediately because it’s going to ride off shelves like a vintage Jaguar with the top down."—Bookreporter
“The best romantic comedy I’ve ever read. A sparkling take on Emma that would make Jane Austen proud.”—Lauren Layne, New York Times bestselling author of Made in Manhattan
“Emma of 83rd Street is a compulsive page-turner with excellent slow-burn tension. A friends-to-lovers instant favorite!”—Sarah Hogle, author of You Deserve Each Other
"Delightfully modern and compulsively readable, Emma of 83rd Street made my Clueless-loving heart sing—a knockout debut!"—Angie Hockman, author of Shipped
“A delightful, modern twist on Jane Austen's Emma...The crackling tension between him [Knightley] and Emma drives the story, but as in Austen's original, the relationship also leads both characters to some critical self-examination. Bellezza and Harding balance the introspection with a healthy dose of New York glitz...as with all Austen adaptations, the joy—and there's plenty of it—is definitely in the journey.”—Shelf Awareness
"[A] witty and romantic debut novel."—The Nerd Daily
"A delightful debut...sweeter than candy."—Marilyn Simon Rothstein, author of Husbands and Other Sharp Objects
“Austenites and rom-com fans rejoice: Emma of 83rd Street is witty, wonderful, and the best retelling of Emma since Clueless. I loved every minute of it.”—Sarvenaz Tash, author of Virtually Yours
"Fans of Jane Austen: meet Audrey Bellezza and Emily Harding. Our beloved Emma returns in this fresh, utterly charming, feel-good retelling of an enduring classic. Whip-smart, pitch-perfect, and newly minted."—Julie Valerie, author of Holly Banks Full of Angst
"A delicious wonder of a book... Bellezza and Harding effortlessly make this contemporary retelling of the classic Austen novel Emma into a delightful romance filled with characters and a love story you’ll definitely want to revisit."—Sheaf & Ink
"Warm, sweet and funny, Emma of 83rd Street is a fun take on a comforting classic and a fresh reminder of all the reasons we love romance."—Genevieve Novak, author of No Hard Feelings and Crushing
"New York and Jane Austen are two of my great loves, so how could I not fall for Emma of 83rd Street? It's a frothy city romp based on one of Austen's most delightfully fun stories. And that's what we all need this summer - a burst of fun. I couldn't have enjoyed this slice of NYC fantasy more."—Ali Rosen, author of Recipe for Second Chances
New York Times bestselling author Lauren Layne
“The best rom-com I’ve ever read.”
Library Journal
04/01/2023
DEBUT Emma Woodhouse and George Knightley have been friends since childhood—their tony Upper East Side homes neighboring each other. Now they're both grown up, with Emma starting grad school at NYU, and George freshly returned from LA to work for a private-equity firm in New York City. As they navigate their exclusive social circle full of glam parties, marriages, pregnancies, friendships new and old, breakups, and dates gone wrong, they get to spend plenty of time together and find that it's increasingly difficult to deny their growing feelings for each other. They hesitate to take it further, fearing losing their friendship if their relationship ends badly, but they'll have to trust their instincts and their chemistry to claim their chance at true love. Bellezza and Harding have created a glamorous romp that is heartfelt, steamy, and romantic. VERDICT This modern retelling of Jane Austen's Emma takes readers from Regency England to present-day high-society Manhattan, but the relationship foibles and romantic misunderstanding remain intact. For fans of the movie Clueless and retellings of classics.—Migdalia Jimenez
June 2023 - AudioFile
Brittany Pressley and Teddy Hamilton's sparkling characterizations and propulsive delivery of narrative demand the listener's attention throughout this contemporary retelling of Jane Austen's EMMA. The setting is the Upper East Side of Manhattan, where the Woodhouses and the Knightleys reside in neighboring townhouses. Pressley and Hamilton excel at conveying Emma Woodhouse and George Knightley's banter and occasional notes of exasperation as the two slowly acknowledge their love for each other. Pressley's versatility of expression is evident in her characterizations, especially that of Emma, whose bright timbre and curious tone reflect her intense interest in the affairs of others. Hamilton brings forth the sweetness underlying George's clever, sardonic demeanor. This audiobook is packed with energy, humor, and more than a touch of poignancy. M.J. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine
