MEET THE BENEDETTOS
An A-list movie star moves to Los Angeles–next door to a family of five eligible sisters–in this irresistible novel where The Kardashians meets Pride and Prejudice, from the NYT bestselling author of Birds of California.
Every family is complicated, and the Benedettos are no exception. A few years after a reality TV show skyrocketed them to pop-culture fame, the five twentysomething sisters are living together in their parents’ crumbling McMansion, nearly broke and teetering towards rock-bottom. Lilly, the sensible second-eldest sister, is all too aware that her family is viewed as a spectacle,
An A-list movie star moves to Los Angeles–next door to a family of five eligible sisters–in this irresistible novel where The Kardashians meets Pride and Prejudice, from the NYT bestselling author of Birds of California.
Every family is complicated, and the Benedettos are no exception. A few years after a reality TV show skyrocketed them to pop-culture fame, the five twentysomething sisters are living together in their parents’ crumbling McMansion, nearly broke and teetering towards rock-bottom. Lilly, the sensible second-eldest sister, is all too aware that her family is viewed as a spectacle, but she’s focused on holding herself and her family together, and unlike her siblings she tends not to care what the world thinks.
The Benedettos’ fortunes finally appear to be brightening when Charlie Bingley, the dashing star of Captain Fantastic, moves into their Los Angeles neighborhood with his friend Will Darcy in tow. It isn’t long before Charlie falls for the warm and lovely eldest sister, June. Lilly has no such luck: the arrogant and judgmental Will Darcy, a man plagued by his own private demons, seems ready to clash with her at every turn–yet the two can’t seem to stay away from each other. And while the Benedettos’ matriarch sets to work encouraging a potential match between Charlie and June, there are plenty of others in the community who are determined to steer these eligible young men away from a ridiculous family of reality show has-beens…
Katie Cotugno brings a big, boisterous cast of characters to life in this deliciously sprawling LA 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.
- Harper Perennial
- Paperback
- December 2023
- 256 Pages
- 9780063324145
Buy the Book
$17.99
About Katie Cotugno
Katie Cotugno is the New York Times bestselling author of Birds of California as well as eight novels for young adults. She is also the co-author (with Candace Bushnell) of Rules for Being a Girl. She lives in Boston with her family.
Praise
“The perfect escapist novel: Meet the Benedettos is a funny, flashy, heartfelt story of self-discovery, a champagne-soaked romance, and a family drama, all in one. Cotugno’s loveable, impetuous, sharp-witted characters find love and family bonds in the most hopeless places. These people are so vivid, I forgot they weren’t real and tried to google them. Somebody make this book a movie, please.” —Meredith Goldstein, columnist for Boston Globe Love Letters and author of Things That Grow
“Meet the Benedettos is a smart, sharp, sisterly take on Pride and Prejudice. Katie Cotugno writes with such precision, giving each character a chance to shine, while still giving readers what they want – smoldering, unshakeable chemistry between Elisabetta and Darcy. It’s hot and fun and modern, a must-read.” —Elissa Sussman, bestselling author of Funny You Should Ask
“In this cute romp, Cotugno pulls off an unlikely mash-up … Charming leads and roguish supporting characters alike leap off the page. … Janeites and reality TV fans alike will devour this lively retelling.” —Publishers Weekly
“Wry, poignant, and charmingly incisive, Katie Cotugno’s Meet the Benedettos is a retelling that is perfectly pitched to our pop culture moment. Cotugno’s spare, careful prose is witty and warm, her characters flawed and human and so easy to root for. I loved these five sisters and all those they pulled into their orbit: Meet the Benedettos is a book that will have you thinking about love in all its iterations…and that will leave you feeling perfectly hopeful about love’s impact on our very messy, very modern lives.” —Kate Clayborn, author of Georgie, All Along
“It is also a commentary on reality-television programming and the Hollywood lifestyle, wrapped up in a lighthearted read….Austen fans will enjoy this new spin on what has become a franchise.” —Library Journal
“The traditional Pride and Prejudice tropes are all here, this time with fun, modern twists. The chemistry between Lilly and Will (Darcy, naturally) is appropriately tense and pleasantly steamy. Cotugno is great with witty dialogue, and the famous story line lends itself surprisingly well to the standard Hollywood types. This is an enjoyable example of the classic-retelling genre. Cotugno’s fans will be eager for this one.” —Booklist