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Emma of 83rd Street

A contemporary retelling of Jane Austen's Emma

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About The Book

In this acclaimed novel, Jane Austen’s Emma meets the misadventures of Manhattan’s modern dating scene as two lifelong neighbours discover that, in the search for love, sometimes you don’t have to look any further than your own backyard.

Charming and clever Emma Woodhouse is used to getting her way. She’s content living in her tight-knit Upper East Side neighbourhood, maintaining perfect grades at university and keeping an eye on her lonely father. And when her budding matchmaking hobby results in her sister’s marriage, she knows she’s on to something. If only George Knightley, her annoying neighbour and childhood friend, would get out of her way.

George is only too happy to point out Emma's flaws. Is she spoilt? Maybe a little. Does she insert herself into other people’s business? Only sometimes. Emma has the best of intentions, though – she just wants everyone around her to be happy, even as she focuses on completing her graduate degree and finding her own place in the world. But will anyone ever take her seriously?

As Emma’s schemes collide with nearly everyone around them, Emma and George come toe to toe. But they slowly begin to realise that there might be more to the person they’ve known their entire life ... and that, sometimes, the best matches come from the most unexpected places.

About The Authors

Photography by Monika Normand

Audrey Bellezza is a two-time Emmy Award–nominated TV producer who has spent over twenty years writing, developing, and executive producing nonfiction television shows for a number of networks and streaming platforms. Audrey lives in New Jersey with her husband and two children.

Photography by Monika Normand

Emily Harding is a writer and TV producer whose work has appeared on numerous networks and websites. When not hunched over her computer perfecting her bad posture, she can be found losing another game of Monopoly to her husband and two kids.

About The Readers

Product Details

  • Publisher: Simon & Schuster Australia (May 31, 2023)
  • Runtime: 10 hours and 30 minutes
  • ISBN13: 9781761420610

Raves and Reviews

‘Warm, sweet and funny, Emma of 83rd Street is a fun take on a comforting classic and a fresh reminder of all the reasons we love romance.’

Genevieve Novak, author of No Hard Feelings and Crushing

‘Bellezza and Harding have created a glamorous romp that is heartfelt, steamy, and romantic’

Library Journal

‘The best romantic comedy I’ve ever read. A sparkling take on Emma that would make Jane Austen proud.’

Lauren Layne, New York Times bestselling author of Made in Manhattan

‘Delightfully modern and compulsively readable, Emma of 83rd Street made my Clueless-loving heart sing – a knockout debut!’

Angie Hockman, author of Shipped

‘Charming … The authors bring plenty of wit to this classic friends-to-lovers tale. Readers will fall in love with Emma Woodhouse all over again.’

Publishers Weekly

‘Fans of Jane Austen: meet Audrey Bellezza and Emily Harding. Our beloved Emma returns in this fresh, utterly charming, feel-good retelling of an enduring classic. Whip-smart, pitch-perfect, and newly minted.’

Julie Valerie, author of Holly Banks Full of Angst

‘Austenites and rom-com fans rejoice: Emma of 83rd Street is witty, wonderful and the best retelling of Emma since Clueless. I loved every minute of it.’

Sarvenaz Tash, author of Virtually Yours

Emma of 83rd Street is a compulsive page-turner with excellent slow-burn tension. A friends-to-lovers instant favourite!’

Sarah Hogle, author of You Deserve Each Other

‘A delightful debut ... Sweeter than candy.’

Marilyn Simon Rothstein, author of Husbands and Other Sharp Objects

'A delicious wonder of a book . . . a delightful romance filled with characters and a love story you’ll definitely want to revisit.'

Sheaf & Ink

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