Prada and Prejudice

Geek Callie had hoped that on her school's trip to London the other girls would acknowledge her and even befriend her. But when they still don't, Callie buys an authentic pair of Prada heels in the hopes that she will finally be noticed by the other girls. Instead, she trips, bangs her head, and wakes up in 1815 England!

In the process of trying to find a way back home, Callie befriends Emily, a sweet girl trapped in a loveless engagement, and Callie is determined that Emily should only marry someone she loves. But her new goal to help her friend puts her on a crash course with Alex, the hot young duke whose house they are all living in. Arrogant and traditional, he grates on Callie's modern sensibilities. If only she weren't so show more attracted to him... and if only she could figure out how to do everything correctly before time runs out and she has to return to the present...

Prada and Prejudice was a cute, fast, but ultimately forgettable chick lit wish fulfillment read that will satisfy readers looking for just that, though staunch Regency enthusiasts may find the historical aspect lacking.

Mandy Hubbard does a great job of setting Callie on a course for growth and maturation. She starts out REALLY annoying, a weak, petulant, borderline popularity obsessed girl, but once she gets out of her narrow self-pitying circle, she thankfully turns into a much more solid and resilient person. Her determination to help out Emily is endearing, if perhaps a bit misguided and "out there."

I thought the chemistry between Callie and Alex was perhaps the best aspect of this book. Yes, you have the stereotypical super-hot guy and the klutzy heroine--but this story integrates the best parts of the Pride and Prejudice romance: mutual dislike growing into a cautious and subconscious attraction growing into mutual respect and admiration. It turns out that both Callie and Alex have redeeming qualities (and no, being hot is NOT a redeeming quality for a male), and so I loved the way their relationship progressed, even if the ending felt bittersweet.

Unfortunately, Callie and Alex are hardly a match for Darcy and Elizabeth, and so this is ultimately a pass-it-on read for me: read it once, when your brain is too fried for anything heavier, and then pass it on. There is more impressive teen chick lit out there, but if this is the kind of literature you like, then you needn't listen to me too much. show less

What can I say beyond 'oh my god why couldn't this happen to me?' I'll try to however. The title of course eludes to that most famous work, Pride and Prejudice, but unlike a lot of the Austen-esque sequels and re-invents coming out this year it has very little to do with those characters and more to do with the setting, attitudes and way of life.

Callie is a hoot. Once she acclimates to the situation she doesn't sit idly by and let things happen around her like she did in present day. She helps to build Emily's confidence, tramples all over Alex's highhanded treatment of women and attempts to make things perfect. Of course that old saying 'The road to hell is paved in good intentions...' rears its ugly head, but its not easy remembering show more that in 1815 women were little more then chattel to dress prettily and sell to the highest bidder most of the time (especially in higher echelons of society).

From a historical angle the book works well to explain the nuances of society back then without laboring on about them. Since Callie is impersonating an American to begin with its naturally assumed she knows next to nothing about how to behave in public (or private) anyhow. Some things about society never changes despite the superficial trappings and in many ways I think that, that lesson is the most important to remember.

My favorite part of the book is when Callie and Alex are discussing his lands (about halfway through the book or so). Soon as he mentions fox-hunting Callie is horrified. Even after she explains she knows what is entailed in fox-hunting he still acts like she has no understanding of it. Callie, thankfully, doesn't let him think she's okay with it and verbally smacks him down. Fox hunting indeed (barbaric!).

Its a short read at just over 210 pages, but there aren't any parts that drag or seem dull. Fans of the recent ITV drama 'Lost in Austen' might enjoy this quite a bit actually--in many ways Callie is like Amanda (the main protag of LiA). They both try to set things right from a modern perspective, but ultimately learn its better to work with the system then against it. show less

I really enjoyed this book for how much fun it was to simply get inside the head of such a unique and quirky teenager as she is thrown into circumstances that many fans of Jane Austen could only dream of. Her lack of knowledge of the time period seems a bit over the top at times, but I quickly adjusted to Callie's strong emotions and opinions. I found it strange that all of the people around Callie, once she travels to 1815, seem to take everything she does and says in stride, barely taking notice of how much she clashes with the customs and traditions of the time period. Plus, it's just sheer dumb luck that she got to be a "guest" of a Duke, rather than a servant. But I often found myself laughing out loud at her awkwardness, as well show more as the effect she has on the people around her, such as teaching the "robot" dance to two young men. Her spontaneity and passionate responses are both her charm and her weakness, but her sincerity in wanting to do the right thing make everything come together in the end. Callie is a girl that I would love to meet and hang out with, just to see what she would do or say next. I was able to predict the ending way ahead of time, even though I was not crazy about it ending the way it did. I would have much prefered Callie to remain in 1815, since I can't do it myself! show less

I read Prada and Prejudice, written by Mandy Hubbard, in two short sittings over the course of one day. This young adult fiction book turned out to be an easygoing and quick read!! The story wasn't too complex (not in terms of intelligence, but rather in terms of subplots).

I found the leading young lady (Callie or Rebecca, depending on where she is at the moment) to be sweet and endearing. Her story was simple. That of a girl who is both transported and transformed through the course of her "journey". Quick wit and humor gives author, Mandy Hubbard, the ability to add insight into the mind of teenagers in such a way that is very pleasant. Another point of interest for me is the little twist at the end (which I won't divulge). I love show more twists! Very clever!!

All this having been said....

......what really distinguished this book for me in the end wasn't the book itself (as much as I enjoyed it--don't want to take away from that fact), but what it represented as a whole. I was able to con a teenage niece of mine into trying it. She hasn't read anything BUT vampire stories since the advent of the Twilight series. So, GUESS WHAT...she absolutely loved it! Therefore, I love it even more!! This was her first foray into Regency/historical fiction. Do I have her hooked??? I certainly hope so!! She's now talking of reading Miss Austen! Particulary: Pride and Prejudice. Has the tide turned? We shall see. But, I have much to owe to Ms. Hubbard for the exposure, just as I had to seriously thank Stephenie Meyer for the Twilight books that encouraged my nieces to finally pick up a book and try it. show less

I am such a sucker for a Pride and Prejudice retelling. I cannot even begin to count the number of retellings that I have read. With that being said, I must admit that I was a little disappointed with this version.

In this version of Pride and Prejudice, Callie somehow manages to transport herself to 1815 England when she falls and hits her head. That is really hard for me to accept. I feel that the book should have picked one time period and stuck there. Time traveling Jane Austen is not an easy thing to pull off. While the story is taking place in 1815, I liked it. It was really funny at times, and I had to try extremely hard to not snort and bring attention to myself. (I was reading this during a meeting... but don't tell anyone.)

As show more for sticking with the plot of Pride and Prejudice.... eh. There were some major elements left out. That does not earn high marks in my book. How can you eliminate a major character? Seriously.

The message behind the book is a good one. I do like the element of self-acceptance and speaking up for what you believe is right. Callie, the main character, certainly earns an A+ in that department. In case you didn't guess, this self-acceptance centers around a pair of red Prada pumps. Hence the title.

Overall, it was decent. My students would like it because it's not too deep or complicated. It's like a primer to P&P. Maybe even a pre-primer. Like painting with numbers. show less

In this Austen spin-off (very loosely based on Pride and Prejudice) for young adults, high school sophomore Callie goes on the class summer trip to London, partially to try to change her D-list image, and partially to avoid visiting her father and his new family.

In an effort to impress the Popular Girls, Callie purchases a pair of red Prada shoes. Unused to wearing such high heels, she trips as she leaves the store. She hits her head and wakes up in 1815.

Not sure where she is or what to do, she is scooped up by Emily, who is expecting a visit from her American friend Rebecca (whom she hasn't seen in years) and mistakes Callie for her. Callie becomes fond of Emily, her 19-year-old cousin Alex, the Duke of Harksbury and his mother, show more Victoria. When she discovers that Emily is betrothed to a man 20 years her senior, she is horrified and vows to break the engagement so that Emily can marry the wealthy merchant she loves.

LOTS of holes in this plot, but they don't detract from the pleasantly amusing tale, which will be enjoyed by lovers of Meg Cabot and might encourage them to try Jane Austen. show less

Callie Montgomery has convinced her mother to send her on a school trip to England, and Callie hopes the trip will be a chance to reinvent herself socially. Unfortunately, things start off disastrously, and when Callie tries to salvage the situation by buying a pair of real Prada pumps, she ends up, somehow, traveling back to the early 1800s, where a case of mistaken identity gets her a home with the Duke of Harksbury. Will Callie make it back to the present before Alex, Duke of Harksbury, discovers her deception? Or should she get used to empire-waist gowns?

Prada & Prejudice is a very cute, very fun romantic comedy. Callie is completely out of her element in an 1815 mansion complete with servants and titles. Her attempts to help her show more new friend Emily find romance put her at odds with Alex, who is suspicious of his new guest. Callie tries to blend in, but her modern attitudes do not fit in 1815. The book also keeps the reader guessing as to how everything will be resolved, and I loved that. Anyone in search of a fun read should definitely try this book. show less