Adaptations
A classic novel, a classic film, and the Bible walk into a bar....
To read romance is to resign yourself to a lot of retellings, mostly of Pride & Prejudice and Beauty and the Beast (hashtag BookGurlFaves), some of which are exceptional, some of which are so rote they may as well not exist, and still others that merely take a concrete inspiration from their source and spin it into something entirely new. These three books represent three distinct ways that historical romance authors have adapted tried and true love stories and breathed new, fascinating life into them. Enjoy, and happy new year!
The Viscount Always Knocks Twice by Grace Callaway. It might be a tiny bit of a stretch to call this an “adaptation” considering it’s only the general main couple archetypes, the meetcute and the fact that “Lizzie” takes Wickham’s side in a conflict with only Wickham’s version of events that are truly P&P coded. I’m counting “inspired by” as adaptation, though, so let’s move on, shall we?
Our “Lizzie” is Violet Kent, a tomboy who craves adventure and freedom from the strictures of society she now finds herself in (book 1 of this series marks a major change in circumstances for her family after her eldest brother marries a wealthy society widow). Her best friend is Wickham, whose older brother is our “Darcy” Richard Murray aka Viscount Carlisle, and Violet hates Richard for being a stuffy society bore as well as her assumptions about how he treats his younger brother. If you know your P&P, perhaps you can see where that’s all going as far as prejudice goes…
In a fun twist on classic P&P, though, it’s our Darcy who’s cash strapped and concerned about his future (especially because Wickham keeps getting into debt). His best plan, because noblemen lack imagination, is to marry an heiress. Who is not Violet Kent.
Shenanigans ensue as a result of the sparkling fury between these two hotheads, and then, because it’s a Grace Callaway book, there’s a MURDER! And Wickham’s implicated! And Violet and Richard have to team up at the house party to find the truth before it’s too late!
I really love the Kent family, and any historical with a tomboy heroine. It was a win for me right away, and I’m delighted to say it sticks the landing!
How hot? 🔥🔥🔥🔥
You're The Duke That I Want by Lenora Bell. A Grease historical adaptation?! Yes please! Sandrine Oliver is a heavily sheltered girl from a small seaside town who finds little ways to rebel from the swaddling her mother insists on. On one such rebellious day, she decides to go swimming, but a nearby man thinks she’s drowning and rushes into the sea to save her. He introduces himself as Mr. Smith, they share a bit of passion, and then he’s gone without a trace…
But when Sandrine travels to London to get the help of the awful Duke of Rydell, who owns a lot of property in her hometown and who she needs the help of to reinvigorate their community… it turns out, her Mr. Smith is he! Or, the recently inherited Duke, formerly merely Lord Dane Walker. His brother passed the title to him unexpectedly (hence his gone without a trace) and now he’s inherited a whole lot of shit, but he can’t deny that he’s drawn to Sandrine despite himself.
There’s some girl group makeover revenge shenanigans, making a rake fall to his knees, and all the Grease references you can handle while setting up an exciting new Lenora Bell series!
How hot? 🔥🔥🔥
A Notorious Countess Confesses by Julie Anne Long. This is my “hear me out” entry. Hear me out… this is an adaptation of the biblical Adam and Eve story. And no, I’m NOT joking.
We have Evie (EVE!!!) Duggan, a former courtesan turned countess turned widowed countess, who moves to the small town of Pennyroyal Green because her sinful (gasp) lifestyle. She’ll never be accepted by the ton, so she gives up.
She could have no way of knowing that Vicar Adam (ADAM!) Sylvaine is waiting for her in her new town, looking all handsome and rife with potential to be ruined a little himself. He is responsible for the town in more ways than one, and can’t help but offer his support as he realizes how hard Evie’s trying to ingratiate herself into their community, despite his uncomfortable and inappropriate attraction to her. And since the town of “good Christians” is determined to ice her out, they have quite the uphill battle to fight… not to mention Evie keeps flirting with Adam and he hates (loves) it. They also have a ways to go in revitalizing their little area and breathing new life and culture into it. (EDEN?!)
There’s also some slight angelic magical realism with some healing stuff and, like, it’s a Julie Ann Long book so of course it’s wonderfully written, but also, it’s an Adam and Eve adaptation. And it’s brilliant? I really really enjoyed it, and if you liked Unclaimed by Courtney Milan (from my sex workers round up!) then this is an easy next book to stay in a similar vibe/archetypal set up.
How hot? 🔥🔥🔥
Next week, I’m joined by Julie Anne Long herself for the first Forced Proximity interview of 2025!
What should I be reading next? Let me know in the comments!
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