Emmett

by L. C. Rosen Narrated by Drew Caiden

Overview

A modern-day gay Emma, with the spikey social critique of Austen plus the lush over-the-top romance of Bridgerton.

Emmett Woodhouse, handsome, clever and rich, with a comfortable home and happy disposition seemed to unite some of the best blessings of existence and had lived nearly eighteen years in the world with very little to distress or vex him.

Emmett knows he's blessed. And because of that, he tries to give back: from charity work to letting the often irritating Georgia sit at his table at lunch, he knows it's important to be nice. And recently, he's found a new way of giving back: matchmaking. He set up his best friend Taylor with her new boyfriend and it's gone perfectly. So when his occasional friend-with-benefits Harrison starts saying he wants a boyfriend (something Emmett definitely does NOT want to be), he decides to try and find Harrison the perfect man at Highbury Academy, the candy-colored private school they attend just outside Los Angeles.

Emmett's childhood friend, Miles, thinks finding a boyfriend for a guy you sleep with is a bad idea. But Miles is straight, and Emmett says this is gay life - your friends, your lovers, your boyfriends - they all come from the same very small pool. That's why Emmett doesn't date - to keep things clean. He knows the human brain isn't done developing until twenty-five, so any relationship he enters into before then would inevitably end in a breakup, in loss. And he's seen what loss can do. His mother died four years ago and his Dad hasn't been the same since.

But the lines Emmett tries to draw are more porous than he thinks, and as he tries to find Harrison the perfect match, he learns that gifted as he may be, maybe he has no idea what he's doing when it comes to love.

Modern and very gay, with a charmingly conceited lead who is convinced he knows it all, and the occasional reference to the classic movie Clueless, Emmett brings you lush romance all while exploring the complexities of queer culture-where your lovers and friends are sometimes the same person, but the person you fall in love with might be a total surprise.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

★ "Rosen aptly carries [Jane] Austen’s torch, delivering comparably witty banter and keen social commentary… Delightfully queer and downright swoonworthy."—Kirkus, starred

★ “A smoothly written, highly readable—no, make that irresistible romance…There is not a false note in this expert effort, and Emmett is a character to treasure.” —Booklist, starred

★ "An optimistic read that explores identity and provides models of healthy relationships, sex, and love… a sensitive and affirming adaptation."—Publishers Weekly, starred

"A breezy, enjoyable adaptation, perfect for fans of Heartstopper."

—Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“Stylish, bitingly funny and buckets of fun, Emmett is a wickedly sweet romantic romp that's as addictive as your latest Netflix obsession. I’ll never forget this charming, smart and modern take on Emma. And it’s queer, too! L.C. Rosen has truly blessed us with this book.”—Cale Dietrich, co-author of IF THIS GETS OUT

“Charming, romantic and gay as all get-out, Rosen's contemporary reimagining of Jane Austen's classic gives its themes a new life.”—Erin Gough, award-winning author of Amelia Westlake Was Never Here

Kirkus Reviews

★ 2023-08-26
A gay teen heartthrob plays cupid for everyone but himself.

Perfect Highbury Academy senior Emmett Woodhouse has it all: good looks, generational wealth, kindness, and even an awareness of his privilege (sort of). He doesn’t have a boyfriend, but that’s only because he doesn’t “do relationships”—his mom died young, so it’s complicated. Instead, Emmett sets up other people. The current project: finding a suitable boyfriend for friend-with-benefits Harrison, who, inconveniently, caught feelings and ended their sexy “tutoring” sessions. Plan after plan backfires—sometimes with a dramatic flurry of petals—but Emmett doesn’t give up at every “incorrect romantic moment.” He pivots. But can he shift to see the love that’s right in front of him, too? This adaptation of Jane Austen’s Emmasees the infamous titular matchmaker effectively gender-swapped and yassified for contemporary audiences. Rosen aptly carries Austen’s torch, delivering comparably witty banter and keen social commentary. The overtly queer lens, however, exceeds expectations with its frank observations about modern queer dating culture. Emmett and bestie Taylor, who is trans, are both Jewish and cued white; other bestie Miles is brown-skinned and donor-conceived, with moms who are white and Indian. The sheer number of auxiliary queer characters in this accepting setting, from teen to college-aged to adult, creates a strong sense of both LGBTQ+ community and possibility.

Delightfully queer and downright swoonworthy. (Romance. 14-18)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940178194263
Publisher:	Hachette Audio
Publication date:	11/07/2023
Edition description:	Unabridged

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