Pride and Prejudice and Pittsburgh Summary and Study Guide

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Alternatively, check the ending explained page for a focused look at the finale.

For a quick test of your knowledge, try the quiz after reading.

If you're looking for essay inspiration, see the essay prompts.

And if you have lingering questions, the questions and answers page might help.

Now, let's dive into the guide.

(This guide is based on the 2023 novel by Rachael Lippincott.)

Quick Facts

| Field | Detail | |-------|--------| | Title | Pride and Prejudice and Pittsburgh | | Author | Rachael Lippincott | | Publication Year | 2023 | | Genre | Sapphic romantic comedy with time travel | | Setting | Regency England (1812) with framing scenes in Pittsburgh (2023) | | Narrator | Third-person limited, alternating between Audrey and Lucy | | Main Characters | Audrey Cameron, Lucy Sinclair, Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Caldwell, Martha, James | | Themes | Duty vs. desire, artistic self-expression, societal constraints, being truly seen, courage to take risks | | Symbols | The quarter, the sketchbook, the mother's portrait, the pearl necklace |

Short Summary

Audrey Cameron, a Pittsburgh teen with a creative block, is accidentally sent back to 1812 by a mysterious shopkeeper, Mr. Montgomery, who gives her a silver quarter that acts as a countdown. She lands on the estate of Lucy Sinclair, a young woman trapped in an arranged marriage to the wealthy but boorish Mr. Caldwell. As Audrey tries to find true love to return home, she and Lucy grow close, sharing secrets, art, and a deepening bond that challenges both their worlds. The quarter reveals a loophole: if both women want it, they can return to the present together. After a series of obstacles, including Lucy's father's interference and Audrey's self-sacrifice, Lucy objects at her own wedding, and the two escape to 2023, where they begin a new life together.

Full Summary

Part 1: Audrey's World and the Time Jump (Chapters 1–5)

The novel opens in Pittsburgh on April 15, 2023. Audrey Cameron works at her family's convenience store, Cameron's Corner Shop. She's been unable to draw since her ex-boyfriend Charlie broke up with her before Halloween. Charlie, who was rejected from RISD (Rhode Island School of Design), gave up art and encouraged Audrey to do the same. Audrey applied to RISD anyway but was wait-listed; she needs to submit five new pieces by May 1st. A regular customer, the grumpy Mr. Montgomery, gives her a pack of pens and tells her not to give up. The next day, while biking, Audrey crashes into a car door opened by Jules, who turns out to be Charlie's new girlfriend. Charlie drives her home, and Audrey feels closure. A week later, still unable to draw, she decides to drop her RISD application. Mr. Montgomery visits her at the bookstore where she works, advises her to stop hiding, and flicks a quarter toward her. The moment it touches her palm, everything goes black.

Part 2: Lucy's World and Their Meeting (Chapters 6–12)

In June 1812, Lucy Sinclair lives at Radcliffe with her father, who is pressuring her to marry the wealthy Mr. Caldwell. Lucy dreads this, viewing Caldwell as a fool. She finds solace in her mother's portrait and a hidden stash of romance novels. One day, while her father is away, Lucy discovers an unconscious girl in the field—Audrey, who has just time-traveled. Audrey shows Lucy her phone and driver's license, and Lucy realizes Audrey is from the future. Lucy agrees to help Audrey get home and invites her to stay. Audrey struggles with the lack of modern conveniences and the restrictive clothing. Lucy shows her the estate and her secret books, and they bond over their love of romance. Audrey learns about Lucy's arranged marriage and the limited freedoms of women in 1812. Lucy offers Audrey a dress from her late mother's wardrobe, and Audrey is dressed by the maid Abigail. They visit Lucy's friend Grace, where Audrey meets Mr. Shepherd, a handsome and kind gentleman. Audrey's attempts to trigger time travel fail, and she discovers the quarter now shows the number 24 instead of a year, realizing it's a countdown.

Part 3: Growing Feelings and Obstacles (Chapters 13–27)

Audrey and Lucy spend more time together. Audrey teaches Lucy about modern life, and they dance to Whitney Houston. The quarter's countdown decreases daily, and they deduce Audrey must find true love in 1812. Martha advises that love is about feeling known, not just seen. Lucy begins teaching Audrey etiquette. They attend a dinner party at Mr. Shepherd's estate, where Mr. Caldwell insults Lucy, and Audrey feels a spark with Mr. Shepherd but not enough. Audrey receives a sketchbook from Lucy and rediscovers her passion for drawing, filling pages with sketches of Lucy. Lucy feels jealousy when Audrey interacts with James the stable hand and Alexander Finch, a charming colonel. Audrey realizes she might be falling for Lucy, but Lucy is engaged. At a ball, Audrey dances with Mr. Shepherd and Alexander, but her thoughts are with Lucy. Lucy's father returns, and Lucy apologizes for her earlier rejection of Audrey's confession about liking girls. They reconcile, but the pressure of the impending proposal looms.

Part 4: Climax and Resolution (Chapters 28–40)

On the night of the ball, Audrey overhears Mr. Caldwell planning to propose the next day. She and Lucy share an intimate dance, nearly kissing. The next day, Mr. Caldwell proposes, and Lucy accepts, though she is miserable. Audrey, heartbroken, decides to leave to protect Lucy's reputation after Lucy's father confronts her. She leaves a note and her sketchbook, and walks away. Lucy finds the note, burns her romance novels, and speeds up her wedding. Audrey hides at Mr. Shepherd's house, where she reveals her time-travel secret to him and Alexander. She learns Lucy is marrying the next day. Mr. Montgomery appears, revealing he is the same man who sent her back, and explains the loophole: if both she and Lucy want it, they can return to the present together. Audrey races to Radcliffe, but Lucy's father has her tied up in the library. Lucy, at the church, objects to the marriage, declares she is choosing herself, and flees with Alexander and Mr. Shepherd. They ride to Radcliffe, where Lucy frees Audrey. They confess their love, and the quarter falls to the ground, sending them both to 2023.

In the present, Audrey wakes with Lucy beside her. Mr. Montgomery explains no time has passed. Audrey introduces Lucy to her parents, who reveal they already know about time travel. Mr. Montgomery shares his own story of being trapped in a coal mine and ending up in the 1300s. Lucy adjusts to modern life, studying for her GED and working at the shop. Audrey gets into RISD but plans a gap year to explore the world with Lucy. The epilogue shows Lucy preparing for prom, wearing a lilac gown, and dancing with Audrey, figuring out the steps together.

Main Characters

• Audrey Cameron – A modern Pittsburgh teen who travels to 1812 and must find love to return home, while rediscovering her passion for art.

• Lucy Sinclair – A young woman in 1812 trapped in an arranged marriage who finds unexpected love with Audrey.

• Mr. Montgomery – The mysterious shopkeeper who sends Audrey back in time and later reveals his own time-traveling past.

• Mr. Caldwell – The wealthy older suitor Lucy's father wants her to marry, representing oppressive expectations.

• Martha – Lucy's loyal housekeeper and confidante who offers wisdom and support.

• James – The stable hand at Radcliffe who befriends Audrey and shares stories about love defying social rules.

For more details, visit the character pages.

Themes

• The tension between duty and desire – The conflict between fulfilling societal obligations (especially marriage for economic advantage) and pursuing personal emotional desires, highlighted by the time-travel contrast.

• The search for authentic self-expression through art – Audrey's creative block and rediscovery of her artistic passion as a journey toward authenticity, emphasizing creating for oneself rather than external validation.

• The constraints of societal expectations on love and identity – The contrast between rigid Regency gender and class roles and the relative freedoms of the present, showing how norms restrict love and self-expression, particularly for women and queer individuals.

• The importance of being truly seen and understood – Genuine love requires being known for who you are, not just surface appearances, as shown through art and character interactions.

• The courage to take risks for love and self-determination – Achieving happiness often requires defying expectations and taking bold risks, even when outcomes are uncertain.

Explore these themes in depth on the themes page.

Symbols

• The Quarter – A silver quarter that transports Audrey to 1812 and displays a countdown number, serving as both catalyst and ticking clock.

• The Sketchbook – Initially blank due to creative block, it becomes a symbol of artistic reawakening and a means of connection with Lucy.

• The Mother's Portrait – Hangs in the library, a silent witness to Lucy's struggles, a reminder of her mother's belief in marrying for love, and ultimately a sign that her mother orchestrated Audrey's arrival.

• The Pearl Necklace – A teardrop pearl necklace from Lucy's mother, given to Lucy on her wedding day as a symbol of maternal love and the person she used to be, later worn as she chooses herself.

For more on symbols, see the symbols page.

Ending Overview

The novel ends with Audrey and Lucy returning to 2023 together, thanks to the loophole Mr. Montgomery reveals. Audrey introduces Lucy to her parents, who accept her. Lucy adapts to modern life, and they plan a future together, with Audrey taking a gap year before RISD. The epilogue shows them at prom, dancing and figuring out the steps together, symbolizing their partnership and the blending of their worlds.

Chapter-by-Chapter Summary

| Chapter | Title | Brief Summary | Link | |---------|-------|---------------|------| | 1 | Audrey | Audrey works at the shop, struggles with creative block, and meets Mr. Montgomery. | Chapter 1 | | 2 | Lucy | Lucy dreads her father's plans for her to marry Mr. Caldwell. | Chapter 2 | | 3 | Audrey | Audrey crashes into Charlie's new girlfriend's car and gets closure. | Chapter 3 | | 4 | Lucy | Lucy orders a dress for the ball and meets her friend Grace. | Chapter 4 | | 5 | Audrey | Mr. Montgomery sends Audrey back in time with a quarter. | Chapter 5 | | 6 | Lucy | Lucy finds Audrey unconscious in the field and realizes she's from the future. | Chapter 6 | | 7 | Audrey | Audrey panics but agrees to stay with Lucy at Radcliffe. | Chapter 7 | | 8 | Lucy | Lucy shows Audrey the library and her secret romance novels. | Chapter 8 | | 9 | Audrey | Audrey and Lucy talk about their lives and share a bed. | Chapter 9 | | 10 | Lucy | Lucy gives Audrey her mother's clothes and they prepare to visit Grace. | Chapter 10 | | 11 | Audrey | Audrey dresses in period clothing with Abigail's help. | Chapter 11 | | 12 | Lucy | They visit Grace, meet Mr. Shepherd, and discuss marriage prospects. | Chapter 12 | | 13 | Audrey | Audrey tries to trigger time travel, and they discover the quarter's countdown. | Chapter 13 | | 14 | Lucy | Lucy reflects on her engagement and Audrey's talk of love marriages. | Chapter 14 | | 15 | Audrey | They deduce Audrey must find true love; Martha advises on being known. | Chapter 15 | | 16 | Lucy | Lucy and Audrey go to town, meet Colonel Finch, and Lucy feels jealousy. | Chapter 16 | | 17 | Audrey | Audrey and Lucy go horseback riding; Audrey rediscovers her art. | Chapter 17 | | 18 | Lucy | They attend a dinner party at Mr. Shepherd's; Lucy feels jealous of Audrey's attention. | Chapter 18 | | 19 | Audrey | Lucy gives Audrey a sketchbook; Audrey draws Lucy and feels a spark. | Chapter 19 | | 20 | Lucy | Lucy realizes she wishes Audrey would fall in love with her. | Chapter 20 | | 21 | Audrey | At a ball, Audrey dances with Mr. Shepherd and Alexander but thinks of Lucy. | Chapter 21 | | 22 | Lucy | Lucy and Audrey discuss sparks; Lucy gives Audrey a self-portrait. | Chapter 22 | | 23 | Audrey | Audrey helps Lucy try on her ball gown and realizes she's falling for Lucy. | Chapter 23 | | 24 | Lucy | Lucy has a tense dinner with Mr. Caldwell and his sister. | Chapter 24 | | 25 | Audrey | James tells Audrey about his brother's elopement, giving her hope. | Chapter 25 | | 26 | Lucy | Lucy asks Audrey about her past loves; they discuss queer love in 1812. | Chapter 26 | | 27 | Audrey | Audrey and Lucy have a falling out but reconcile; Lucy's father returns. | Chapter 27 | | 28 | Lucy | Lucy prepares for the ball, knowing Mr. Caldwell will propose. | Chapter 28 | | 29 | Audrey | Audrey overhears the proposal plan and spends time with Alexander on a rooftop. | Chapter 29 | | 30 | Lucy | Lucy and Audrey share an intimate dance; Lucy admits she loves Audrey. | [Chapter 30](/book