Description

A whip-smart and charming debut novel that brilliantly reimagines Pride and Prejudice, set in contemporary Chinatown, exploring contemporary issues of class divides, family ties, cultural identity, and the pleasures and frustrations that come with falling in love.

When Elizabeth Chen’s ever-hustling realtor mother finally sells the beloved if derelict community center down the block, the new owners don’t look like typical New York City buyers. Brendan Lee and Darcy Wong are good Chinese boys with Hong Kong money. Clean-cut and charismatic, they say they are committed to cleaning up the neighborhood. To Elizabeth, that only means one thing: Darcy is looking to give the center an uptown makeover.

Elizabeth is determined to fight for community over profit, even if it means confronting the arrogant, uptight man every chance she gets. But where clever, cynical Elizabeth sees lemons, her mother sees lemonade. Eager to get Elizabeth and her other four daughters ahead in the world (and out of their crammed family apartment), Mrs. Chen takes every opportunity to keep her investors close. Closer than Elizabeth likes.

The more time they spend together, the more conflicted Elizabeth feels…until a shocking betrayal forces her to reconsider everything she thought she knew about love, trust, and the kind of person Darcy Wong really is.

About the Author

C.K. Chau is a Chinese American writer based out of New York. Her writing has appeared in Bright Wall/Dark Room, among others, under another name. A graduate of Hunter College, she currently works in publishing in New York City.

Praise For…

“The reimagining I've been waiting all my life for. With snappy banter and a lot of heart, Chau weaves a surprising new tale from a classic love story. Jane would have been proud."
— Carolyn Huynh, bestselling author of The Fortunes of Jaded Women

“OG Pride and Prejudice fans will delight in the nuanced characters, frantic social climbing, and stealth feminism inspired by the Austen classic, but the steamy romance, witty cultural takedowns, and street-smart humor in this contemporary update are fresh, timely, and entirely Chau’s.”  — Courtney Maum, New York Times bestselling author of I AM HAVING SO MUCH FUN HERE WITHOUT YOU, COSTALEGRE, TOUCH, and THE YEAR OF THE HORSES

"Chau’s witty and entertaining debut puts a contemporary spin on Pride and Prejudice in New York City’s Chinatown....With sharp dialogue, a vibrant backdrop, smart explorations of gentrification and family duty, and, above all, an endearing central romance, this should win Chau many fans."  — Publishers Weekly

“Jane Austen fans should enjoy this, especially those who like modern, multicultural reimaginings of her novels, such as Sonali Dev’s Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors and Uzma Jalaluddin’s Ayesha at Last.” — Library Journal