Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice is one of the most beloved romances ever written, and it basically wrote the rulebook for enemies to lovers. Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy start out certain they dislike each other, and the fun is watching first impressions crumble.
So what should you read next? It depends on what you loved most:
- The Regency setting and wit: start with more Austen, or Elizabeth Gaskell.
- The enemies-to-lovers tension: try North and South or The Hating Game.
- The story itself: modern retellings set it in new places and cultures.
Books to read after Pride and Prejudice
- No. 1
Persuasion
by Jane Austen
Years after being persuaded to break off an engagement, Anne Elliot crosses paths again with the naval captain she once loved. Austen's most quietly romantic novel, and a perfect second-chance story.
Find it on Bookshop.org - No. 2
North and South
by Elizabeth Gaskell
A clergyman's daughter moves from the gentle south of England to an industrial mill town and clashes with a proud mill owner. Often called the ultimate classic enemies to lovers.
Find it on Bookshop.org - No. 3
Emma
by Jane Austen
A clever, well-meaning young woman is sure she knows best when it comes to matchmaking her friends. Funny, sharp and full of Austen's best social comedy.
Find it on Bookshop.org - No. 4
Jane Eyre
by Charlotte Brontë
An orphaned governess with a strong will takes a position at a mysterious house and meets its brooding owner. A gothic classic with a heroine who knows her own worth.
Find it on Bookshop.org - No. 5
A Room with a View
by E. M. Forster
A young Englishwoman on holiday in Florence meets an unconventional young man, and must decide between what's expected and what she feels. Light, witty and romantic.
Find it on Bookshop.org - No. 6
Eligible
by Curtis Sittenfeld
A modern retelling set in Cincinnati, with the Bennet sisters, a reality TV star and a very aloof neurosurgeon. A playful, contemporary spin on the original.
Find it on Bookshop.org - No. 7
Pride
by Ibi Zoboi
A young adult remix set in Brooklyn: a proud teen who loves her neighborhood clashes with the wealthy boy whose family moves in across the street.
Find it on Bookshop.org - No. 8
Unmarriageable
by Soniah Kamal
Pride and Prejudice reimagined in modern Pakistan, following an English teacher and her sisters through a whirlwind wedding season. Clever and warm.
Find it on Bookshop.org - No. 9
Ayesha at Last
by Uzma Jalaluddin
In Toronto, an aspiring poet and a conservative young man misjudge each other badly. A funny, heartfelt modern take on first impressions.
Find it on Bookshop.org - No. 10
The Hating Game
by Sally Thorne
Two executive assistants who can't stand each other compete for the same promotion. A modern office rom-com with enemies-to-lovers banter at its core.
Find it on Bookshop.org - No. 11
Bridget Jones's Diary
by Helen Fielding
A year in the life of a single woman in London, told through her hilarious diary, with a love interest named Mark Darcy as a nod to Austen.
Find it on Bookshop.org
What makes enemies to lovers so satisfying?
A great enemies-to-lovers story isn't really about hate. It's about two people who misjudge each other and slowly, reluctantly, start to see the truth. The best versions share a few things with Pride and Prejudice:
- Both characters have flaws. Elizabeth is quick to judge; Darcy is proud. Growth on both sides makes the ending feel earned.
- Sharp dialogue. Banter lets them spar as equals, and it's where the chemistry lives.
- A turning point. A letter, a revelation or a moment of unexpected kindness forces a rethink.
- Real obstacles. Class, family, pride, rivalry or circumstance keep them apart long enough for the tension to build.
As you read the books on this list, notice which of these each one leans on. It's a fun thing to jot down in a reading journal, and it helps you figure out exactly which kind of romance you love most.
Classic or modern: where to start
If you've only read Pride and Prejudice, Persuasion is a lovely next step: it's shorter, quieter and wonderfully romantic. If you want the same enemies-to-lovers spark with more sparring, North and South is the classic pick. For something light and contemporary, try The Hating Game or Bridget Jones's Diary.
Retellings are especially fun to read back to back with the original. Spotting how an author updates the Bennet sisters, the proposals and the misunderstandings is half the pleasure. Make it a mini challenge: one classic, one retelling, one modern rom-com. Our reading challenge ideas has more themes like this.
Tips for reading classics comfortably
- Try the audiobook alongside the print book. Hearing the dialogue can make older language click.
- Give it a few chapters. Classic novels can start slowly, then pick up once you know the characters.
- Keep a character list on a bookmark or in your reading journal.
- Check the length. Classics vary a lot; our reading time calculator tells you what you're signing up for.
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Open the how long to read a book toolQuestions people ask
What should I read after Pride and Prejudice?
Persuasion and Emma by Jane Austen, and North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell, are the classic next steps. For modern takes, try Eligible, Unmarriageable or Ayesha at Last.
Is North and South like Pride and Prejudice?
Yes, in many ways. Both feature a proud hero, a heroine who misjudges him and a romance that grows as they understand each other, though North and South also explores the industrial world.
What are good Pride and Prejudice retellings?
Popular retellings include Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld, Pride by Ibi Zoboi, Unmarriageable by Soniah Kamal and Ayesha at Last by Uzma Jalaluddin.
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