Pride and Prejudice and Passports by Corrie Garrett

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Title: Pride and Prejudice and Passports: A Modern Retelling
Author: Corrie Garrett
Published by: Indie
Release Date: November 1st 2018
Format: eARC
Pages: 268
Genres: Contemporary, Romance
Source: NetGalley
Reading Challenges: Lenoreo's 2019 AtoZ Reading Challenge, Lenoreo's 2019 Diversity Reading Challenge, Lenoreo's 2019 Netgalley and Edelweiss Challenge, Lenoreo's 2019 Retellings Reading Challenge, Lenoreo's COYER Winter 2018
Find it: Goodreads ✩ Amazon ✩ B&N ✩ IndieBound
My rating:

Blurb:

During the tumultuous 2016 presidential election, three Latina sisters navigate life and love in Southern California.

Elisa Benitez is happy to help her family clean cabins for the summer, but when her older sister falls hard for one of their rich guests, Elisa expects heartbreak. Her sister is a Dreamer, an undocumented immigrant, and he's an elected state representative.

Even worse is his infuriating friend Darcy! He's arrogant, rude, and based on a comment Elisa overheard, probably racist. He's one of those guys who get by on money and looks, and she wouldn't mind poking a hole in his self-image.

Darcy certainly didn't intend to fall for a beautiful, well-spoken Latina on his short vacation to the mountains. Elisa would sooner turn off his hot-water heater than agree with him about anything. Why is debating with her more fun than agreeing with anyone else?

But when Elisa's little sister runs away, and her parents are scared to go to the police, Darcy realizes just how serious she was. And how serious his own feelings have become.

Pride and Prejudice and Passports is a modern variation with heart and humor, a wholesome romance that brings Darcy and Elizabeth to life all over again.

My Review:

I received a free copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review/opinion.

4 stars — Confession: I have never read Pride & Prejudice.  *sigh*  I know, throw stones, whatever…  I don’t even have the desire to!  *gasp* right?  I have, however, watched and loved both the BBC 6-part mini series, and the more recent Keira Knightly edition.  So I have a feel for the story and its characters.

I thought the author did a really interesting job of incorporating so many of the characters into this modern story!  It really impressed me how they all made sense in this modern version, and what kinds of relationships they would have with Elisa and Darcy in a 2016 USA.  I also really appreciated all the little nods to “world events” happening in 2016 that Ms. Garrett incorporated into the story (even the introduction of Pokemon Go!).  Basically, while I am by no means a P&P expert, from my perspective she did a great job with this retelling.

The thing about retelling a story is that you want to remain faithful, but you also want to have a purpose for the retelling…something that makes it unique and necessary.  And this story tackled so many interesting issues, most particularly the immigration/illegals/DACA situation in the US.  Now, saying all that, I’m Canadian.  I really don’t have a grasp of this issue other than what I see on the news, or from watching Colbert.  So again, from my perspective I thought the way it was handled in the story, and the things I learned, and the very real fears that Elisa’s family felt were thoughtfully portrayed.

And while that was most certainly the biggest issue tackled, the author also touched on the harsh trials of celebrity, human trafficking, elitism (obviously), and how far apart we’ve become from those who have different beliefs from us, among others.

Now, obviously going in I knew this was going to be a slow-burner…and also, likely not a steamy read, given what it was retelling.  And while I loved the general plot and character development, and general storytelling, the romance was a bit lacking.  I did feel some butterflies over the DC “date”, but I guess I had hoped for a good kissing scene.  I don’t mind reading clean reads, but I still want some swoony kissing you know?  The kisses were essentially described as “they kissed”.  So if you’re hoping for a bit more in that area, tamp those hopes down.

As an aside, is it weird that the author’s note at the end, with it’s strong Christian bent, made me uncomfortable?  I know lots of authors who are Christians, and they thank God, and that makes sense.  This felt more preachy somehow, like life is only good if you walk with God.  Sucks for those of us that don’t.  But I’m sensitive like that.

So yeah.  Faithful retelling that was thought provoking and relevant, just slightly short of swooniness.  Initially I felt like the ending was rather abrupt, but after some thought it felt right.