J. C. PETERSON

Being Mary Bennet

J.C. Peterson

It is a truth universally acknowledged that every bookworm secretly wishes to be Lizzy Bennet from Pride and Prejudice.

A less acknowledged truth is that Mary Bennet might be a better fit.

For Marnie Barnes, realizing she’s a Mary Bennet is devastating. But she’s determined to reinvent herself, so she enlists the help of her bubbly roommate and opens up to the world. 

And between new friends, a very cute boy, and a rescue pup named Sir Pat, Marnie finds herself on a path to becoming a new person entirely. But she’s no Lizzy, or even Mary—instead, she’s someone even better: just plain Marnie.

With a hilariously sharp voice, a sweet and fulfilling romance that features a meet-cute in an animal shelter, and a big family that revels in causing big problems, this charming comedy of errors about a girl who resolves to become the main character of her own story (at any and all costs), is perfect for fans of Jenny Han and Becky Albertalli…and Jane Austen, of course.

Ashton Reed

It was meant to be goodbye, that final day at Bark Books. A start to new chapters for both of us. But, well, I've turned the page, and I very much want Eugene Whitlock Jr. to continue on in my story. And I hope, and I hope, and I hope.

"Bullshit. You are not Mary Bennet, Marnie. And even if you were, that doesn't make you any less a protagonist in your own life." Lindy jabs a finger at the novel's cover. "Every person is the main character in their own story, even the women stuffed in the attics."

Then before I can talk myself out of it, I lean close and kiss her forehead. “I love you, Lindy.”

She grabs my fingers and squeezes. “I love you too, sis.”

The sea separating our lives has calmed, and it's clear enough that I can see the bottonm. I could walk across to Lindy if I tried. The realization soothes something in me I never quite knew needed balm.

I've wasted years being jealous of my sisters - for their beauty or wit or bawdiness or friends. I've spent weeks convincing myself Lindy fit neatly into the Lizzy archetype, someone for whom only good things happen, whether they were deserved or not. But that's not right. It probably never was. Lindy has hidden triumphs and sorrows that would never make it to the page. We all do. Something aches within me-I'm desperate to know my sisters.

So I say the next thing that pops into my mind. "Lia Lawson called me a bitch the other night." 

Oddly, Lindy grins. It's cockeyed and full of mischief. "Did you earn it?" 

My mouth flops open like a dying fish. Lindy shrugs. “There's nothing quite as satisfying as earning a ‘bitch.' I usually take it to mean I'm doing something right."

"I like it. To Bark Books, then, Anne Girl." I take his hand and shake it, my heart a puff of cloud in my chest. "To Bark Books."

“Whenever I'd watch that movie, I'd think that if Mary stopped trying so damn hard to achieve, like, this sister-obliterating greatness, she'd realize she was happier with goodness."

Melissa Palmer

Marnie feels like Mary Bennett from Pride and Prejudice--when it comes to her family, her friendships and her life. She makes a promise to become less like Mary. This was a good read and fans of Jane Austen will very much enjoy it.

( I listened to the audiobook of this so I will also be talking about to narrator's performance) I'm a slut for classic book retellings so it's no surprise to me that I loved this book. I can't say much about the connections to pride and prejudice other than the fact that both books start with " it's a truth universally acknowledged" because I haven't read said book. this book was well-written and the characters were well-written and loveable their development was well-written and the plot kept me invested. as someone whose family has a rescue dog the inclusion of an animal rescue made me happy. Sarah Beth Pfeifer brought Marnie and all the other charters to life with her narration she gave each of them a voice that matched their age and personality and all in all made them feel more real.

Wes Michaud

( I listened to the audiobook of this so I will also be talking about to narrator's performance) I'm a slut for classic book retellings so it's no surprise to me that I loved this book. I can't say much about the connections to pride and prejudice other than the fact that both books start with " it's a truth universally acknowledged" because I haven't read said book. this book was well-written and the characters were well-written and loveable their development was well-written and the plot kept me invested. as someone whose family has a rescue dog the inclusion of an animal rescue made me happy. Sarah Beth Pfeifer brought Marnie and all the other charters to life with her narration she gave each of them a voice that matched their age and personality and all in all made them feel more real.




I’ve had this e-arc for a while, and I kept starting it on an off. But I’m so glad I committed to it, because it ended up being such a moving but fun story!

It is a truth universally acknowledged that every bookworm secretly wishes to be Lizzie Bennet.

A less acknowledged truth is that Mary Bennet might be a better fit.

For seventeen-year-old Marnie Barnes, who’s convinced she is the long-suffering protagonist of her life, this revelation comes at the end of a series of self-induced disasters that force her to confront a devastating truth: Marnie has more in common with Mary Bennet—the utterly forgettable middle sister—than the effervescent Lizzie.

Determined to reinvent herself, she enlists the help of her bubbly roommate and opens herself up to the world—leading lady style. And between new friends, a very cute boy, and a rescue pup named Sir Pat, Marnie realizes that being the main character doesn’t mean rewriting your life entirely. It’s about finding the right cast of characters, the love interest of your dreams, and, most important, embracing your story, flaws and all.

This book was so so so good! It’s primarily a coming-of-age sort of story, where the main character Marnie goes from seeing herself as the “Mary Bennett” of her family, invisible and replaceable, to understanding who she is and what she contributes to the world, regardless of anyone’s perception of her. I personally related a lot to her thought process and many of her actions. I’m an enneagram 6w5, and I’m convinced Marnie is a 5w6 because of these similarities. Many of her insecurities are doubts she’s internalized and projected onto others, and in this book, we get to see her realize this and learn how to overcome her self-doubt and believe in herself. She also reconnects with her family as she realizes her exclusion is partially self-inflicted, due to her own assumptions. I identified with her internal conflicts and found myself inspired by the end.

So don’t expect a fluffy, happy story – I mean, it is that, but it’s also got its fair share of emotional damage. I was on a bus ride with a bunch of my classmates while reading at one point, and something incredibly sad happened. Just giving y’all a fair warning because I was literally 

But on to the fluffy stuff! There are so many laugh-out-loud moments, and Marnie is the kind of dryly sarcastic that I love in a narrator! And I can’t neglect the romance – Whit is absolutely perfect, in every way, my goodness I love him. And he’s perfect for Marnie; their personalities fit so well together, and they had me giggling many times.

It’s not a five-star read simply because there were a couple of story elements that didn’t feel as true to her character, but I won’t mention them specifically because 

. But overall, it didn’t affect my reading experience!

I definitely recommend this book! It is cute, but also moving! I didn’t feel like I had read anything like it before, which I don’t feel often with YA contemporary romance. I really liked the characters; they took me on quite the emotional journey, and I’m grateful I got to experience it! I recommend this one to readers who enjoy YA contemporary romance but want something fresh, something that’s fun yet emotional, that’s clever and inspiring.

This review will be posted on Under the Covers book blog soon! I received an e-arc in exchange for an honest review, and all opinions presented here are my own!

Thanks for reading my review! If you enjoyed it, you can friend/follow me here on Literal or on Instagram and Pinterest @ashton_reads for more bookish content (@ashton.reads on Tiktok)!! If you want, you can give this review a like or comment with your thoughts so I know you've read my review; your support means a lot to me! Happy reading!

"To us tower-bound women. Break free."


I’ve had this e-arc for a while, and I kept starting it on an off. But I’m so glad I committed to it, because it ended up being such a moving but fun story!

Goodreads synopsis:
It is a truth universally acknowledged that every bookworm secretly wishes to be Lizzie Bennet.

A less acknowledged truth is that Mary Bennet might be a better fit.

For seventeen-year-old Marnie Barnes, who’s convinced she is the long-suffering protagonist of her life, this revelation comes at the end of a series of self-induced disasters that force her to confront a devastating truth: Marnie has more in common with Mary Bennet—the utterly forgettable middle sister—than the effervescent Lizzie.

Determined to reinvent herself, she enlists the help of her bubbly roommate and opens herself up to the world—leading lady style. And between new friends, a very cute boy, and a rescue pup named Sir Pat, Marnie realizes that being the main character doesn’t mean rewriting your life entirely. It’s about finding the right cast of characters, the love interest of your dreams, and, most important, embracing your story, flaws and all.

This book was so so so good! It’s primarily a coming-of-age sort of story, where the main character Marnie goes from seeing herself as the “Mary Bennett” of her family, invisible and replaceable, to understanding who she is and what she contributes to the world, regardless of anyone’s perception of her. I personally related a lot to her thought process and many of her actions. I’m an enneagram 6w5, and I’m convinced Marnie is a 5w6 because of these similarities. Many of her insecurities are doubts she’s internalized and projected onto others, and in this book, we get to see her realize this and learn how to overcome her self-doubt and believe in herself. She also reconnects with her family as she realizes her exclusion is partially self-inflicted, due to her own assumptions. I identified with her internal conflicts and found myself inspired by the end.

So don’t expect a fluffy, happy story – I mean, it is that, but it’s also got its fair share of emotional damage. I was on a bus ride with a bunch of my classmates while reading at one point, and something incredibly sad happened. Just giving y’all a fair warning because I was literally crying at this dang book.

But on to the fluffy stuff! There are so many laugh-out-loud moments, and Marnie is the kind of dryly sarcastic that I love in a narrator! And I can’t neglect the romance – Whit is absolutely perfect, in every way, my goodness I love him. And he’s perfect for Marnie; their personalities fit so well together, and they had me giggling many times.

It’s not a five-star read simply because there were a couple of story elements that didn’t feel as true to her character, but I won’t mention them specifically because spoilers. But overall, it didn’t affect my reading experience!

I definitely recommend this book! It is cute, but also moving! I didn’t feel like I had read anything like it before, which I don’t feel often with YA contemporary romance. I really liked the characters; they took me on quite the emotional journey, and I’m grateful I got to experience it! I recommend this one to readers who enjoy YA contemporary romance but want something fresh, something that’s fun yet emotional, that’s clever and inspiring.

This review will be posted on Under the Covers book blog soon! I received an e-arc in exchange for an honest review, and all opinions presented here are my own!






Thanks for reading my review! If you enjoyed it, you can friend/follow me here on Literal or on Instagram and Pinterest @ashton_reads for more bookish content (@ashton.reads on Tiktok)!! If you want, you can give this review a like or comment with your thoughts so I know you've read my review; your support means a lot to me! Happy reading!

Preye

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Full review: Literary, darling!


Following Marnie on her journey and witnessing her self-discovery was a delight. The book captures the essence of youth and family dynamics in an honest way.

aurelia 

ONE OF MY FAVORITE BOOKS EVERRRR LIKR THIS IS MY CURRENT BEST READ OF 2022

Alli King

Thank you NetGalley for this eARC! 

This book surpassed my expectations. I was thinking it was going to be a cute Pride and Prejudice spin-off, but it was so much deeper. 

Marnie Barnes is a senior at an elite boarding school in San Francisco. The middle child, she has felt like an outsider in her own family her entire life. Her solace came through books, which she tends to prefer to real humans. However, an extravert of a roommate, a school project, and family developments lead Marnie to wonder- is a bookish life enough? 

I loved this book. It made me laugh, it made me cry… if I hadn’t been listening to it on my phone, it would’ve made me through the book across the room in frustration! JC Peterson examines the how and the why behind our ‘Mary Bennet’ acts the way she does. There’s such solid (and not immediate) character development, even with side characters. Of course the bookish crowd will love getting all of the references to various literary works (although the only one really ‘needed’ is Pride and Prejudice). 

I thoroughly recommend this book- what an incredible debut!

Being Mary Bennet

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