Book Review: Meet the Benedettos | Katie Cotugno

Described as the Kardashians meets Pride and Prejudice, Katie Cotugno’s Meet the Benedettos is a funny and delightfully bold entry into the modern reimagining’s of Jane Austen’s greatest hits.

About the Book | Meet the Benedettos

Every family is complicated, and the Benedettos are no exception. A few years after a reality show skyrocketed them to pop culture fame, the five twenty-something sisters are living together in their parent’s crumbling McMansion, almost broke and teetering toward rock bottom. Their fortunes brighten when Charlie Bingley, the dashing star of Captain Fantastic, moves into the neighborhood with Will Darcy, his best friend from Juilliard, in tow. Charlie immediately falls for warm and lovely June, the oldest Benedetto sister. While the Benedetto’s flighty matriarch, Cinta, brashly encourages the potential match, there are plenty of others determined to steer Charlie away from this ridiculous family of reality show has-beens.

Lilly Benedetto, the sensible second oldest sister, is all too aware that her family is viewed as a spectacle. She usually doesn’t care what the world thinks because she faces deeper sorrows. And she most certainly does not have the patience for the likes of Will Darcy, a man plagued by his own private demons. Lilly finds Will to be stuck-up, arrogant, and judgmental. Will thinks Lilly is loud, brash, and defensive. But while the two clash at every turn, they can’t seem to stay away from each other.

Katie Cotugno brings a big, boisterous cast of characters to life in this deliciously sprawling Los Angeles story—a thoroughly fresh and modern tale about a family that’s “famous for being famous,” the ways that preconceived notions make fools of us all, and how unexpected romance can bloom despite the odds. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

Review | Meet the Benedettos

Most of us can’t help but be fascinated by the rich and famous. If shows like the Kardashians or the Real Housewives are an indicator of how much we enjoy the peek behind the curtain, then we are all a little bit guilty of perpetuating the search for the next wealthy family who we will develop parasocial relationships with.

I loved the concept of a once-famous family trying to find their way back to fame after their time in the spotlight had ended. Meet the Benedettos, a wealthy family of seven who once lit up the screens with their antics, lifestyle, and charm on a reality show about their family. Now, patriarch Dominic’s pizza empire is franchised, and some unfortunate decisions (and his wife’s spending) has financially ruined him. The mansion they purchased when at their prime is set to be in foreclosure.

The five daughters are now in their twenties. They may be flush with all the free tummy tees and cronut vodka they could ask for, but they are flat broke. In alternating chapters, the sisters and a few other characters narrate the story. When famous actor Charlie Bingley moves into their neighborhood with his best friend Will Darcy, the Benedetto girls hope their fortunes may take a turn for the better.

While eldest sister June battles her own demons, she strikes up a relationship with Charlie. Meanwhile sensible second daughter Lilly is infuriated by the attractive and stoic Will Darcy. Following the same main plot points as Pride and Prejudice, the dynamic between the sisters, their love interests, and their family spin towards either a happily ever after or total ruin.

This is a rather audacious spin on the classic novel, but one that works overall. The structure of the alternating POVs keeps the reader engaged as more characters than just the central couple are able to have the spotlight. As with the original, the spark between Lilly and Will is the best part of the story. Some elements and characters from the original don’t quite work with the retelling, but those are largely taken care of through de-emphasizing or even excluding those parts.

A fun and bold take on a classic, I appreciate what Katie Cotugno was able to accomplish here! I don’t know that the most staunch fans of the original will be all in on this glittering Hollywood-ified spin, but those with an open mind to a new take on the classic will find a lot of humor and joy in this book.

Thank you to Harper Perennial for my copy. Opinions are my own.

About the Author | Katie Cotugno

Katie Cotugno is the New York Times bestselling author of eight messy, complicated feminist YA love stories, as well the adult novels Birds of California and Meet the Benedettos. She is also the co-author, with Candace Bushnell, of Rules for Being a Girl. Her books have been honored by the Junior Library Guild, the Bank Street Children’s Book Committee, and the Kentucky Association of School Librarians, among others, and translated into more than fifteen languages.  Katie is a Pushcart Prize nominee whose work has appeared in The Iowa Review, The Mississippi Review, and Argestes, as well as many other literary magazines. She studied Writing, Literature and Publishing at Emerson College and received her MFA in Fiction at Lesley University. She lives in Boston with her family.