Pride and Prejudice and Pittsburgh

by Rachael Lippincott

What if you found a once-in-a-lifetime love…just not in your lifetime?

Audrey Cameron has lost her spark. But after getting dumped by her first love and waitlisted at her dream art school all in one week, she has no intention of putting her heart on the line again to get it back. So when local curmudgeon Mr. Montgomery walks into her family’s Pittsburgh convenience store saying he can help her, Audrey doesn’t know what she’s expecting…but it’s definitely not that she’ll be transported back to 1812 to become a Regency romance heroine.

Lucy Sinclair isn’t expecting to find an oddly dressed girl claiming to be from two hundred years in the future on her family’s estate. But she has to admit it’s a welcome distraction from being courted by a man her father expects her to marry—who offers a future she couldn’t be less interested in. Not that anyone has cared about what or who she’s interested in since her mother died, taking Lucy’s spark with her.

While the two girls try to understand what’s happening and how to send Audrey home, their sparks make a comeback in a most unexpected way. Because as they both try over and over to fall for their suitors and the happily-ever-afters everyone expects of them, they find instead they don’t have to try at all to fall for each other.

But can a most unexpected love story survive even more impossible circumstances?

Genres: Romance, LGBT, Lesbian, Queer, Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Historical

336 pages, Hardcover

First published August 29, 2023

About the author

Rachael Lippincott is the #1 New York Times bestselling coauthor of Five Feet Apart. She holds a BA in English writing from the University of Pittsburgh. Originally from Bucks County, Pennsylvania, she currently resides in Pittsburgh with her wife and their dog, Hank.

Reviews

[Cassandra]

I think I can speak for us all when I say we need more Rachael Lippincott books in our lives.

[Zoë!]

I hate this cover with passion but it sounds cute sooo

[Kaila · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5/5 stars

This was a very cute time-travel romp. This is the kind of book that I wish I had to read when I was a teen. It was fun, took us back to the regency time and had a little sweet sapphic romance. I would definitely recommend it as an escapism read, although not much more than that.

I know that I’m a little order than the target audience and I don’t want to be a buzz kill, but although this was a sweet book, I think that’s as far as my praise goes. The character’s intentions didn’t make sense, there were like three too many male love interests for a sapphic romance, and this was not at all like Pride and Prejudice so I don’t quite get the title. I know this makes me sound like a bit of a buzzkill, but I just couldn’t get these little gripes out of my mind. It also just felt like little historical research had be done, I wish a little more effort had been made beyond the surface level observations of the past.

This book clearly wasn’t for me, but I’m loving the positive reviews popping up everywhere, it seems like it’s giving lots of people joy.

[Star · Rating 5 out of 5]

Content warnings: alcohol consumption, reference to mother's death, references to past child abuse, homophobic references, references to past gaslighting.

Rep: Audrey (MC) is cis, white, and bisexual. Lucy (MC) s cis, white, and lesbian. Everyone else was cis and white.


Thank you to the ebook deities who allowed me to have a copy of this to read. I literally pushed everything else aside to read this incredible book.

I am an absolute sucker for a time slip book and this one had me swept up in its pages so quickly.

Audrey, who has recently been broken up with, and waitlisted for her dream university, is feeling uninspired, hopeless, and has lost her spark. She can't draw anymore, and drawing was once her biggest passion, but she can't even draw stick figures anymore.

Lucy is set to wed a man more than twice her age (vom) just for her father's social standings. She's desperate for this to not happen but doesn't have a clue how to get out of this situation.

A magical coin transports Audrey to Lucy's world and the two fall into a wonderful friendship turned amazing sapphic longing.

I adored Audrey and Lucy's interactions. They were both so wildly different, and yet complemented each other so well.

Watching Lucy's walls drop was so lovely and being able to witness these two girls falling in love made my heart sing.

This book was so soft, so tender, and so heartfelt. I can't wait for everyone to be able to read, and love this one when it comes out later in the year. It's worth every second of sapphic pining.



I talk about books at these places: Instagram / Twitter / TikTok / Blog

[gray (my.rainbow.bookshelf) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/3.75? This was was very deeply fine :/ it had some cute moments don't get me wrong, but I didn't connect to the characters or story at all, and I really can't forgive Rachael wasting the hand flex on a man when this is a sapphic book smh

[Sunny Lu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was LOLing the whole first few chapters— another win for lesbian YA romance

[Mariana ✨]

"Freaky Friday meets Bridgerton in this sapphic YA period romcom about a girl sent back in time to find love (& herself!)"

i'm sold

[Olive Fellows (abookolive) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really sweet! A little corny (as expected), but in a nice way rather than a cringe-worthy way.

Click here to hear more of my thoughts over on my Booktube channel, abookolive!

[John Gilbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my third book by Ms Lippincott and it is a lot of fun, if a bit drawn out. Imagine being sent back in time to an English estate in 1812 from 2023 Pittsburg and finally meeting the love of your life, who unfortunately is being forced by her father to marry the awful Mr Caldwell. But Audrey and Lucy are meant for each other, while being in love with a woman is far more frowned upon in 1812 than even today. I enjoyed the premise and the story. Library ebook.

'It's remarkable how much a large fortune can compensate for.
And how no amount of money can buy you common sense or decency.' Page 102

[♥Milica♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Time! Travelling! Sapphics!!!

I was hoping I'd get to finish this yesterday, as one of my last June books, but it's okay, sapphic books are fun year round, not just during pride month.

Anyway, the audiobook was lovely, the narrators both did such a great job and I had lots of fun listening to it.

As someone who reads a lot of historical fiction, sometimes I mind the inaccuracies, but not here. This was more of a "go with the flow" type of read, where all the characters were pretty chill about the time travelling once the initial shock wore off.

The romance was really cute with lots of pining and some moments that made me tear up. I was a bit surprised though, at how many potential male love interests there were, considering this was a sapphic read. All the guys were pretty cool and I'd like to follow them in their own stories (maybe, possibly), but still, I think some time was wasted on them when it could've been used to further the girls' relationship.

And overall there was something I can't pinpoint that stops this from being a five star read, but I really did enjoy it and would read more by this author in the future. Preferably more time travel, but I'm not that picky.

[Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually 4 1/2 stars

June 1812 and Lucy comes across a girl in what looks like her underclothes laying in the field behind the stable. The girl stares back up at Lucy and asks where am I? Lucy replies, you’re at Radcliff, our country estate. The girl then holds up a small rectangular box, and exclaims, “crap, no cell service”.

This is how Audrey and Lucy meet. A meeting that will change both of their lives.

Audrey, artist, recently from 2023 Pittsburg where she was unceremoniously dumped by her boy friend who had convinced her that her art wasn’t worth much. Now she is trying to get into art school, but she can’t seem to produce anything for her portfolio. She has artist block and she’s unhappy and believes love is dead.

Lucy, currently residing in 1812, on her father’s estate. She has been brought up to be a proper young woman. She speaks 4 languages, plays the piano exquisitely and has all the “correct mannerisms” appropriate to someone of her social status. Her father plans to marry her off to a awful man over twice her age in order to enhance his business connections. Lucy loves romance, but she has not been loved since her mother died 12 years ago. She’s never even been kissed.

These two women will find that when they are with each other, they become who they feel they were meant to be. But first they must overcome the rigid class and social customs of 1812 England, where women are commodities, who do what they are told.

Along the way they meet Lucy’s cousin, a colonel in the militia, a friend of his a young well to do man and Lucy’s stable boy. All of these men are handsome, but none of them provides a “spark” for either Lucy or Audrey. It turns out the only spark they have…..is for each other.

For the first, terrifying time, no matter how entirely impossible, I wonder what it would be like if that person, the person that Audrey loved, was… me.

Audrey and Lucy grow to depend on each other for strength and each sees in the other what they cannot see in themselves.

Lucy has been raised for one purpose, to enhance her father’s business connections and he will do whatever is necessary to see that she does not do anything but submit to his demands, including getting rid of Audrey who he considers a bad influence. He actually tells Audrey that if she ruins Lucy’s reputation through her (Audrey’s) impropriety, that Lucy will be of absolutely no use to him and he will discard her (ie kick her out).

We stare at each other for a long moment, and all the air is squeezed out of my lungs as I look into the eyes I will miss every day for the rest of my life. At the face that blurs the words on every page I try to read. At the person who makes my piano playing actually mean something.

This book is more than just a story about two people looking for something special in their lives, something that sparks them into action, into being a reason to live to their potential and not being just what they are told to be. It is a contrast between two times, where women irregardless of social status had their futures dictated to them and a more current time where there is more freedom to be who and what you want to become.

This was also just a sweet story. Honestly Lucy and Audrey are each so likable, and the super slow burn that shows there growing affection for each other is just wonderful. If you are in the mood for a time travel story with two very likable main characters that you will root for than this would be a perfect book for you

I internally kick myself. Only I would have a full-on bisexual awakening in 1812. For a soon-to-be-married woman.

(I loved that quote, it just caused me to laugh out loud when I read it in context so of course I had to share)

[joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

okay let’s first address the elephant in the room: the title. is pride and prejudice in the room with us? pittsburgh? clever alliteration but this is nothing like pride and prejudice. at all. not even the slightest. but i was like, fine, i’ll let that slide. this could still be amazing, right? wrong.

i mean it’s not bad. i like some parts but i wouldn’t consider reading this again if given the chance.

*sigh*

perhaps if my expectations hadn’t been set that way, i might have been less disappointed. this is like, standard YA fiction where teenager builds confidence, discovers their true calling, and finds friends and true love along the way. nothing groundbreaking but it serves its purpose. plus, by transporting the mc to a different era, this puts a different spin to the usual wholesome plot of following one’s dreams and embracing their authentic self. this makes the concept of traveling to find one’s self in a whole different level. pretty cool.

and although the side characters weren’t fully developed, i like them. statistically speaking, 99% of the men you encounter are trash. i just pulled that statistic out of my ass because my anecdotal experience takes precedence over everything but i digress. what i’m trying to say is, while it’s realistic to portray that men are terrible and gross for the most part, i detest the plot device of making every possible love interest awful, so that their toxicity allows the main love interest to shine with less effort. because honestly, what’s more romantic than having no other options, amirite? so yeah, i really liked how the author didn’t follow that cliché. it made the connection between audrey and lucy all the more meaningful since they had the spark and chemistry that was absent in the likable characters of matthew, alex, and henry.

but despite all that, i found the romance a bit lackluster. i did not feel any tension at all building up to the moment when audrey realized she is attracted to lucy and vice versa. it’s almost as if they just woke up one day and poof! they’re drawn to each other. where’s the burn? the yearning? even though the underlying angst was there, i didn’t really felt its impact.

i wished it had a few more pages because the pacing felt so rushed that the 3rd act was so anticlimactic (and a bit silly if i’m going to be honest). it’s a bit underwhelming that after flipping the last page of this book, i found myself thinking, “that’s it?”

and i don’t know how else to express this without sounding obnoxious but the writing style was way too straightforward for me. since this is romance, i was expecting some flowery and/or lyrical proses but alas. it’s just me though, i understand that some may prefer it otherwise and that’s okay. this isn’t usually a dealbreaker for me but it was just the icing on top, y’know? i was already feeling little to nothing so this did not help at all.

bottomline: i love the idea of this, but not the execution. i don’t want to discourage anyone from reading this though, seeing that a lot of people loved this. would still recommend but not for me

[J (Midnight Book Blog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so cute! Rtc

[discotigers · Rating 5 out of 5]

maybe the reason no one has approached me with a magical coin that’ll teleport me 200 years into the past to meet my soulmate and muse, is because they know that the first thing i’d do is tell them about Hinge

[currentlyreadingbynat · Rating 4 out of 5]

The plot is intriguing: Audrey Cameron, stuck in a life that feels paused, is suddenly catapulted to 1812 Regency England, thanks to a quirky old neighbour and a magical coin. Here, she meets Lucy Sinclair, a young woman stifled by her father's plans to marry her off to an odious suitor. Their worlds collide, sparking a tale that's rich in forced proximity, etiquette lessons, and genuine romance.

While the first half had some pacing issues, the second half more than makes up for it, creating an experience that's happily predictable yet endearing. I was especially moved by how the story delved into Audrey and Lucy's personal struggles, giving depth to what could have been just another rom-com. This isn't just a story about finding love; it's about finding yourself - a typical theme for YA romances.

While the title Pride and Prejudice in the City may be a bit misleading for diehard Pride and Prejudice fans like myself, don't let that deter you. This book isn't a retelling but offers more of the general P&P vibe, serving as an interesting blend of time travel and the Regency fiction that Austen wrote. I found both heroines incredibly charming, and I could definitely relate to their struggles with future plans and life direction. The time-travel element is creatively executed without getting bogged down in complexity. Overall, I'd highly recommend this book to anyone looking for historical fiction that includes a modern and inventive twist.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster (Australia) for a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

[recontraluchita · Rating 4 out of 5]

orgullo y prejuicio < este libro

[aleksandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

2/5

I feel like shit rating it two stars, but it was surprisingly boring for me. I adore the cover and the blurb sounded promising, but I wasn’t feeling the story at all. Also, I still don’t understand the tile because it was definitely not the retelling of 'Pride and Prejudice'.

The romance was okay, but I didn’t really connect to the main characters. I wish, because they were so cute and sweet to each other, but I just didn’t.

I liked the beginning, but I couldn't understand how laidback Audrey was about going back to 1812. I would basically go crazy and start taking pictures of everything. She still had the battery in her phone for that. Don’t get me wrong she was confused, but I thought her reaction will be slightly different.

In overall, it was a sweet and short, but I guess just not for me.

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my most anticipated summer reads and it did not disappoint!

I absolutely adored the two main characters, Audrey and Lucy. There's nothing quite like a well-delved out character, and Rachael Lippincott nails it every single time! I was so invested in both of their stories, especially once they intersected. There is a ton of character growth and SO much courage. And as a bonus the side characters are also fantastic! I couldn't get enough of this story.

Read if you love:
Sapphic Romance
Bi & Lesbian MCs
Friends To Lovers
Dual POV
Time Travel
1800's England
Yearning

My thanks to Simon & Schuster Canada for hooking me up with this gifted copy!

[Remi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful story

[Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars for Pride and Prejudice and Pittsburgh (audiobook) by Rachel Lippincott read by Natalie Naudus and Shakira Shute.

Watch out for the grumpy old guy, he may be able to send you back in time when he sees that you are troubled. You may have some issues to work out and you may need a new perspective to help figure things out. And there might also be a young woman hundreds of years ago who needs your help too.

[Bridget · Rating 2 out of 5]

I mostly had a lot of questions about the ending— like how is she meant to get a passport? Or like how did they explain her to everyone?

I think this book should have been condensed into 1/2 and expanded the epilogue to be the other 1/2.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another OUTSTANDING Sapphic YA romance from Rachael Lippincott that sees Audrey, a recently dumped teen girl transported 200 years into the past of 1812 where she finds herself falling for betrothed Lucy.

I loved how relatable this book was despite the somewhat unorthodox premise. Audrey and Lucy both have to grapple with being queer in a world that doesn't accept such differences (something sadly too many teens today have to face). Fun, flirty and courageous and great on audio narrated by my fav Natalie Naudus and Shakira Shute.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for early digital and audio copies in exchange for my honest review!!!! I am a forever fan of this author and cannot recommend this one enough especially for anything struggling to be their true selves in an increasingly unwelcoming world!!

[Dilayra Verbrugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sapphic time travel!

This book was everything I needed. It's so well written and everything made sense in the end.
My anxiety was through the roof though because I was so worries for the characters. But in a good way because they were written so well and I wanted them to end up together.

[Sama Islam · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNFed at 40%

This book feels like it was written by a 12 year old and would’ve been a hit on Wattpad. The synopsis had so much potential but like the execution was not it. I was actually willing to finish it, but I was physically cringing while reading that I had to take the tough decision to DNF.

[gabs ⛤ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is cover is NOT it 😭😭😭
Very cute tho

[kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5* Starring two endearing heroines and a fabulous supporting cast (shout out to my main men Alexander and Matthew), Pride and Prejudice and Pittsburg is a tender and lovely read, with vibes of Jane Austen’s ‘Emma’ with a touch of sapphic pining and time travel.

I admittedly found it a little rushed at times and was a tad underwhelmed by the writing style but considering I devoured this book in two sittings, I found it to be an overall enjoyable and incredibly fun read.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars. Suspend your disbelief for another beautifully crafted work by Rachael Lippincott. It echoes of Somewhere In Time far more than the suggestion of Pride and Prejudice in its title, and even if not everything felt realistic, I was here for it.

[lux · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ oh im absolutely loosing my shit over this 😭😭😭 this book was written for me ☝🏼by the way

[Buera · Rating 3 out of 5]

dulce y simpatico

[Valeria · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Cuando nuestros labios se tocan, siento que me encuentro. Que estoy salvada"

LOS ROMANCES CON VIAJES EN EL TIEMPO, SON LO MEJOR QUE ME PASÓ✨️✨️✨️

ORGULLO, PREJUICIO, TÚ Y YO, es un libro sobre el amor, el destino, el tiempo, el encontrarnos a nosotras mismos y la libertad❤️‍🩹

Ya había leído a Rachael antes y me gustaba como escribía, pero esta lectura siempre estuvo en mis pendientes.
ME ARREPIENTO DE NO HABERLO LEÍDO ANTES.

Audrey es mágica.
Lucy es increíble.
Ambas son maravillosas y pude encontrarme en ellas, en muchos sentidos.
Una viene de 2023 y la otra es de 1812.
Audrey cree que la única forma de volver es ENCONTRAR AL AMOR DE SU VIDA (un hombre) en ese tiempo y Lucy decide ayudarla.

Amoooooo, porque ambas se vuelven amigas y la atracción es algo que sucede luego, cuando se dan cuenta ME GUSTA MI AMIGA y eso es especial.
Creo que el romance es muy bonito y lento, lo cual es algo esperado en este libro teniendo en cuenta el contexto.
Agregando que como Lu y Audrey narran, podemos ver con las cosas que lidian a diario, sus miedos respecto al amor, lo desconocido y sus sentimientos juntas.
LUCY, ERA MUY YOOOOOOO y leerla se sintió personal.
+ ella es lesbiana y Audrey BISEXUAL (amo que colocaran la representación Bi)

ME GUSTÓ MUCHO❤️‍🩹✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️
No es una obra de arte ni nada, y hay muchas cosas que me dejan "Ok" pero fue muyyyyy lindoooooooo y amo el AMOR BONITO.
Además, Rachael lo escribió porque su esposa es fan de Orgullo y Prejuicioooooo🥺🥺🥺.
¿Pueden ser más lindassssssss?