Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)
Authors: Audrey Bellezza & Emily Harding
Genre: Contemporary Romance / Romantic Comedy / Retelling
Ideal For: Lovers of Jane Austen adaptations, witty banter, NYC high society, and slow-burn friends-to-lovers stories
If you’re a fan of clever heroines, slow-burn romance, and modern spins on classic literature, Emma of 83rd Street is your next must-read. Audrey Bellezza and Emily Harding deliver a fresh, funny, and fabulously Upper East Side retelling of Jane Austen’s Emma that manages to honor the original while making it feel completely current.
With razor-sharp wit, swoon-worthy tension, and heartwarming emotional beats, Emma of 83rd Street is an absolute treat—from the first page to the last.
Why I Picked It Up
As a longtime Jane Austen devotee, I’m always cautious when it comes to retellings. But the idea of Emma Woodhouse reimagined as a modern Manhattan socialite? That was irresistible. Add in a childhood-friends-to-lovers arc with Knightley living just one floor away in a brownstone? Instant click.
I’m happy to report this book exceeded every expectation—equal parts sharp, romantic, and emotionally grounded.
Plot Summary (Spoiler-Free)
Emma Woodhouse is 23, charming, wealthy, and living a curated life on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Between trust funds and tastefully extravagant brunches, she doesn’t have much to worry about—aside from making sure everyone around her is paired up appropriately. She’s taken it upon herself to guide her sweet but socially awkward friend Nadine through the glittering world of New York society and maybe—just maybe—find her a perfect match.
Enter George Knightley: Emma’s lifelong friend, neighbour, and the only person who’s not afraid to call her out. He’s down-to-earth, principled, and somehow always around to witness her most misguided schemes. But as Emma’s meddling grows increasingly complicated—and her feelings for Knightley begin to shift—she’s forced to confront the fact that the person who might need the most self-reinvention… is herself.
Why It Works So Well
1. The Modernisation Feels Effortless
Sometimes modern adaptations of Austen feel forced, but here, the translation is seamless. Emma as a privileged Upper East Sider makes perfect sense—she’s confident, self-assured, and often oblivious in the most endearing way. Nadine as a scholarship student at NYU, the debutante balls, the art gallery fundraisers—all these details feel like natural extensions of Austen’s themes in a 21st-century context.
It’s Clueless meets Gossip Girl, but smarter and more emotionally layered.
2. Chemistry That Simmers
The friends-to-lovers dynamic between Emma and Knightley is perfection. The banter is clever, the tension deliciously drawn-out, and the payoff? Worth every page. Knightley isn’t just a love interest—he’s Emma’s moral compass and the only person who sees past the curated façade. Watching Emma realise that her truest self is the one she shows him is chef’s kiss.
Also: brownie points for letting a romantic comedy breathe. The authors take their time building the relationship, making the final act all the more satisfying.
3. A Heroine You Root For (Even When She’s Wrong)
Emma could have easily come off as spoiled or unlikable, but Bellezza and Harding write her with so much heart. She’s flawed and often misguided, yes—but always trying to help, even when she fumbles. You want her to grow, and it’s incredibly rewarding to watch her evolve into someone more self-aware without losing her spark.
She’s confident and chaotic in the best way—and honestly, we need more heroines like her in contemporary romance.
You’ll Love This Book If You Enjoy…
- Pride and Premeditation by Tirzah Price – for modern Austen heroines with ambition
- Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston – for sharp dialogue and heartfelt romance
- Clueless (Yes, the movie!) – for its tongue-in-cheek retelling of Emma in a modern setting
- To Sir, with Love by Lauren Layne – for its NYC setting and low-key, slow-burn tension
- Any romance where the banter is strong and the payoff is swoony
Final Thoughts: A Delightful, Stylish Triumph
Emma of 83rd Street is a fizzy, feel-good, full-hearted retelling that more than holds its own next to the original. Bellezza and Harding don’t just modernize Austen—they reinvigorate her themes for a new generation, reminding us that self-growth, true friendship, and unexpected love never go out of style.
Whether you’re a die-hard Austenite or just in the mood for a charming, smart romantic comedy, this book will have you smiling, swooning, and maybe even rethinking your next brunch outfit.
