ARC Review: Spies and Prejudice
10May 23, 2013 by Alice in Readerland
Fields’ Rule #1: Don’t fall for the enemy.
Berry Fields is not looking for a boyfriend. She’s busy trailing cheaters and liars in her job as a private investigator, collecting evidence of the affairs she’s sure all men commit. And thanks to a pepper spray incident during an eighth grade game of spin the bottle, the guys at her school are not exactly lining up to date her, either.
So when arrogant—and gorgeous—Tanner Halston rolls into town and calls her “nothing amazing,” it’s no loss for Berry. She’ll forget him in no time. She’s more concerned with the questions surfacing about her mother’s death.
But why does Tanner seem to pop up everywhere in her investigation, always getting in her way? Is he trying to stop her from discovering the truth, or protecting her from an unknown threat? And why can’t Berry remember to hate him when he looks into her eyes?
With a playful nod to Jane Austen, Spies and Prejudice will captivate readers as love and espionage collide.
Special thanks to Egmont and NetGalley for allowing me to read an ARC of this title! Spies and Prejudice will be in stores June 11th, 2013!
Just finished rereading Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice? Already rewatched every episode of The Lizzie Bennet Diaries? Can’t get enough of Pride and Prejudice retellings? Then Spies and Prejudice by Talia Vance is the Young Adult novel for you!
My favorite thing about this book was watching all the iconic Pride and Prejudice characters and situations be adapted to modern teens. For instance, Berry is often quick to make assumptions and be judgmental since she helps her dad with his investigation business.
When we meet Berry, she’s on a stakeout, trying to get proof that her client’s boyfriend is cheating. Berry wears huge sunglasses with a secret camera in them, her iPod is really a receiver, and when she sees Tanner, she instantly knows his type…the type she’ll be investigating in twenty years when he divorces his first wife and moves in with a new trophy wife. But when her best friend Mary, falls for Tanner’s brother, Berry’s forced to spend time with Tanner…and Berry hopes it doesn’t get in the way of her secret investigation about what really happened to her mother the day she died.
I enjoyed the investigating in this book, as I am always up for books that have investigations/mysteries. In fact, I listed mysteries as one of the words that would instantly make me pick up a book, and I enjoyed how Berry really researched and tried to figure out the mystery surrounding her mother.
Cynical Cindy Says
There were some loose ends in the story that I really wish were tied up (especially as I have not yet heard an announcement for a sequel/series). The open ending really annoyed me. Honestly, I thought the “spy” part of this book was weak and that as far as the Jane Austen aspect went, that there are better retellings of/nods to Pride and Prejudice out there.
All in all, if you’re a big fan of Pride and Prejudice and are looking for a retelling that mixes it up with some action and mystery, than be sure to read Spies and Prejudice!
2 out of 5 teacups
Alice in Readerland 
I want to read this one it sounds really cute!
It was cute, I think it will be especially popular because of all the new Lizzie Bennet Diaries/Pride and Prejudice fans! :)
I say this as constructive criticism. How did you give a book only 2 teacups and then also write, “All in all, if you’re a big fan of Pride and Prejudice and are looking for a retelling that mixes it up with some action and mystery, than be sure to read Spies and Prejudice!”? If it’s only 2 teacups, and it kinda sounds like it’s bad, a big fan of jane austen probably wouldn’t like it. why do people have to put a fun spin on reviews? i know that’s how the blogging world works, but you could do the whole review cynical cindy and i’d think more of you not less! it’s not balance if it’s disingenuous!
Sorry to be harsh since I do enjoy reading, but as a subscriber it makes it hard to separate the wheat from the chaff when every book is recommended to me! I had to unsubscribe from Anna Reads for that reason. I don’t think she’s ever not recommended a book.
Thanks for your comment. I feel that every book has a mix of good and bad in it, and I like to highlight both aspects so that my readers can make their own choice based on their own likes and dislikes. In my experience, if you are, as I stated in the review, a *big* fan of a story, then you’ll want to read whatever retelling/nod to you can get your hands on, I never said the book was horrible, I just said there were better versions.
Hey Love the review – I like review to be honest personally and I totally see how a book can have good and bad parts – if you’re a huge fan of something I would want to read it even if it wasn’t “amazing” – Even if I don’t love something, that doesn’t mean someone else will – this book sounds interesting, but i comlpetely see your point! What’s next on your TBR list?
Thanks so much for your comment!!! :) I’m not sure what I’ll read next–for the blog, I have a Top Ten Tuesday list planned for Tuesday, and I’m really excited for Sarah Dessen’s The Moon and More to be released next month! :)
i do have this one to read and review as well, because i will read almost anything that is a retelling of P&P. sounds like a good diversion, at the very least.
It wasn’t my favorite retelling, but I thought all the nods to P&P were really cute, and how the characters we know fit into the “investigating/spy” story was interesting.
This sounds adorable! I love all the LBD gifs you put in there ;) Although not your favorite retelling, it does sound cute and probably worth the time to pick it up. Great review!
Thanks, I had a hard time limiting it to only 2 LBD gifs! ;) I’m glad I got the chance to read it, it was cute, light read! :)