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Locked in Love and Mary's to Blame
When a jealous scheme by her younger sister Mary goes awry, Elizabeth Bennet finds herself locked in a room at the Netherfield Ball with the last man she'd ever want to be trapped with.
In a desperate attempt to escape the compromising situation, Mr. Darcy lifts Elizabeth to an open window. But their hopes of secrecy are shattered when they are caught in a scandalous embrace, forcing them into a hasty marriage neither desires.
Burdened by long-held prejudices and meddling family members, Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet must learn to overcome their differences and find common ground if they hope to achieve a love as unforgettable as their less-than-fairytale beginning...
This novel features Mr. Collins, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, Jane Bennet, Mr. Bingley, Mr. Wickham, Lydia Bennet, Mary Bennet and a slow burn love story between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet.
In a desperate attempt to escape the compromising situation, Mr. Darcy lifts Elizabeth to an open window. But their hopes of secrecy are shattered when they are caught in a scandalous embrace, forcing them into a hasty marriage neither desires.
Burdened by long-held prejudices and meddling family members, Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet must learn to overcome their differences and find common ground if they hope to achieve a love as unforgettable as their less-than-fairytale beginning...
This novel features Mr. Collins, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, Jane Bennet, Mr. Bingley, Mr. Wickham, Lydia Bennet, Mary Bennet and a slow burn love story between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet.
308 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 21, 2023
65 people are currently reading
14 people want to read
About the author
Bella Breen
54 books40 followersTo be notified of new releases and special sales, subscribe here: http://bit.ly/bellabreen
Bestselling author of clean and sweet Pride and Prejudice variation books, Bella Breen's books feature Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet. She first fell in love with Pride and Prejudice in highschool and again with the BBC mini series. Colin Firth will forever be the perfect Mr. Darcy. Today she brings her fantasies to life for every fan of Mr. Darcy.
She was born in Missouri, then moved to Iowa in grade school and finally settled in South Dakota which reminds her of the English countryside, if you squint and ignore the harsh winters and humid summers. Her favorite animals are cats, corgis and horses. When she's not writing you can find her walking in nature, cross stitching, reading, antique hunting and practicing calligraphy.
Visit her website at https://www.bellabreen.com
Bestselling author of clean and sweet Pride and Prejudice variation books, Bella Breen's books feature Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet. She first fell in love with Pride and Prejudice in highschool and again with the BBC mini series. Colin Firth will forever be the perfect Mr. Darcy. Today she brings her fantasies to life for every fan of Mr. Darcy.
She was born in Missouri, then moved to Iowa in grade school and finally settled in South Dakota which reminds her of the English countryside, if you squint and ignore the harsh winters and humid summers. Her favorite animals are cats, corgis and horses. When she's not writing you can find her walking in nature, cross stitching, reading, antique hunting and practicing calligraphy.
Visit her website at https://www.bellabreen.com
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
April 6, 2023
Review also posted on my blog
https://myjaffobsession.blogspot.com/...
Mary Bennet is jealous of the attention that Mr Collins is paying her sister Elizabeth.
At the Netherfield ball, her solution is to lock Elizabeth out of the way in a dark room.
Unfortunately, that room was not empty.
Fitzwilliam Darcy just wanted some peace and quiet.
Elizabeth and Darcy try to escape the room by the window, but their progress is observed resulting in a compromise.
A forced marriage scenario for Elizabeth and Darcy is a common trope in Jane Austen variations.
Often these result in angst ridden efforts to find some way of making a life with a stranger.
Bella Breen paints an appealing picture of Elizabeth and Darcy finding affection for each other. However, we are told that this happens, rather than being shown by action and dialogue.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
https://myjaffobsession.blogspot.com/...
Mary Bennet is jealous of the attention that Mr Collins is paying her sister Elizabeth.
At the Netherfield ball, her solution is to lock Elizabeth out of the way in a dark room.
Unfortunately, that room was not empty.
Fitzwilliam Darcy just wanted some peace and quiet.
Elizabeth and Darcy try to escape the room by the window, but their progress is observed resulting in a compromise.
A forced marriage scenario for Elizabeth and Darcy is a common trope in Jane Austen variations.
Often these result in angst ridden efforts to find some way of making a life with a stranger.
Bella Breen paints an appealing picture of Elizabeth and Darcy finding affection for each other. However, we are told that this happens, rather than being shown by action and dialogue.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 30, 2023
Mary Bennet’s fit of pique
This story begins as the Bennet’s travel to Netherworld for the ball. Elizabeth’s head is full of Wickham and dancing with him, meanwhile Mary is upset Mr. Collins attentions are only for Elizabeth. I a fit of pique Mary lures Elizabeth away from the ball and locks her in a room. Darcy had been hiding, relaxing in that room. Elizabeth’s attempt to escape out the window places her in a precarious situation with Darcy holding her. It looks bad. Mary, Miss a Bingley and some others are witness to this. Bingley gets upset and leaves Netherfield with Miss Bingley in a fit. Darcy has agreed to marry Elizabeth.
From there Elizabeth and Darcy become friends and fall in love. Mary hasn’t changed and her apologies don’t fit the situation.
While I enjoyed the story I wasn’t happy with Mary and aftermath. What really was the point of the Bingley’s anger with Darcy and leaving Netherfield?
I enjoyed the time Elizabeth and Darcy spent together.
This story begins as the Bennet’s travel to Netherworld for the ball. Elizabeth’s head is full of Wickham and dancing with him, meanwhile Mary is upset Mr. Collins attentions are only for Elizabeth. I a fit of pique Mary lures Elizabeth away from the ball and locks her in a room. Darcy had been hiding, relaxing in that room. Elizabeth’s attempt to escape out the window places her in a precarious situation with Darcy holding her. It looks bad. Mary, Miss a Bingley and some others are witness to this. Bingley gets upset and leaves Netherfield with Miss Bingley in a fit. Darcy has agreed to marry Elizabeth.
From there Elizabeth and Darcy become friends and fall in love. Mary hasn’t changed and her apologies don’t fit the situation.
While I enjoyed the story I wasn’t happy with Mary and aftermath. What really was the point of the Bingley’s anger with Darcy and leaving Netherfield?
I enjoyed the time Elizabeth and Darcy spent together.
August 5, 2023
Well sorry to say this book for me was a hot mess.
Repeated paragraphs, repeated phrases and really a really undefined story line.
Darcy and Bingle take a ride together and afterwards we find out Lizzy was there too, did I miss that or did the author forget to mention it.
And if there is one reference to a smell in this book there must be a hundred really should have called the book of smells.
This was a huge miss for me which was disappointing as I usually enjoy this authors work.
Repeated paragraphs, repeated phrases and really a really undefined story line.
Darcy and Bingle take a ride together and afterwards we find out Lizzy was there too, did I miss that or did the author forget to mention it.
And if there is one reference to a smell in this book there must be a hundred really should have called the book of smells.
This was a huge miss for me which was disappointing as I usually enjoy this authors work.
March 31, 2023
A low-angst easy read
I liked the idea of this book more than the execution. I hoped Mary's role would be explored in greater depth and that she would play a greater part on the story but in fact she had a minimal and rather confused role.
The language was rich and varied but rather too formulaic and modern. The plot was a little muddled at times leading to some inconsistencies, additionally the timeline was somewhat fuzzy.
There was a passage which was repeated twice but could be easily corrected with an edit.
All in all a pleasant read for a quiet afternoon.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I liked the idea of this book more than the execution. I hoped Mary's role would be explored in greater depth and that she would play a greater part on the story but in fact she had a minimal and rather confused role.
The language was rich and varied but rather too formulaic and modern. The plot was a little muddled at times leading to some inconsistencies, additionally the timeline was somewhat fuzzy.
There was a passage which was repeated twice but could be easily corrected with an edit.
All in all a pleasant read for a quiet afternoon.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 14, 2024
Locked in Love and Mary’s to Blame
Mary Bennet was so out of character in this story that it was hard to imagine. Wanting Mr. Collins to pay attention to her caused her to do something so rash as to lock her sister Elizabeth into a dark room the night of the Netherfield ball. That wasn’t the worst part as the darkened room was already occupied by Darcy. While Darcy and Elizabeth continue to argue over his pride and her prejudice, they continue to try to think of a way out of the room. Finally to stop arguing over it, they decide to lower Elizabeth through the window to the bush below. Darcy situated Elizabeth on the window sill, her legs around his body, when the door is thrown open. Compromised Darcy does the gentlemanly thing and tells Elizabeth he will be at Longbourn in the morning to speak to Mr. Bennet. The Bennets leave the ball early as word spread rapidly about the compromise. At first, Mr. Bennet is angry at Elizabeth until it comes out that Mary was indeed the culprit for the debacle. Disgusted, Collins leaves to go to Lucas Lodge. The next morning when Mary goes to try to speak to Mr. Collins she’s told he’s not available to talk to her. Gets the same response when she asks to speak to Charlotte. The next day finds Charlotte engaged to Collins. Darcy returns to Longbourn from getting a special license from London the next morning so he and Elizabeth can wed the following morning. After a brief wedding breakfast, the couple heads to Pemberley. Slowly the couple begin to work through the circumstances of their marriage and by the time Georgiana and the colonel arrive, they are well on their way to being in love. Jane shows up for her visit, and the colonel is quite taken with her. This relationship shows promise, but by the time the Bingleys and Hursts arrive, Jane’s thoughts turn to Bingley. Although the marriage started off on the wrong foot as well as for all the wrong reasons, love found a way to survive the obstacles thrown their way. Great HEA for ODC.
Mary Bennet was so out of character in this story that it was hard to imagine. Wanting Mr. Collins to pay attention to her caused her to do something so rash as to lock her sister Elizabeth into a dark room the night of the Netherfield ball. That wasn’t the worst part as the darkened room was already occupied by Darcy. While Darcy and Elizabeth continue to argue over his pride and her prejudice, they continue to try to think of a way out of the room. Finally to stop arguing over it, they decide to lower Elizabeth through the window to the bush below. Darcy situated Elizabeth on the window sill, her legs around his body, when the door is thrown open. Compromised Darcy does the gentlemanly thing and tells Elizabeth he will be at Longbourn in the morning to speak to Mr. Bennet. The Bennets leave the ball early as word spread rapidly about the compromise. At first, Mr. Bennet is angry at Elizabeth until it comes out that Mary was indeed the culprit for the debacle. Disgusted, Collins leaves to go to Lucas Lodge. The next morning when Mary goes to try to speak to Mr. Collins she’s told he’s not available to talk to her. Gets the same response when she asks to speak to Charlotte. The next day finds Charlotte engaged to Collins. Darcy returns to Longbourn from getting a special license from London the next morning so he and Elizabeth can wed the following morning. After a brief wedding breakfast, the couple heads to Pemberley. Slowly the couple begin to work through the circumstances of their marriage and by the time Georgiana and the colonel arrive, they are well on their way to being in love. Jane shows up for her visit, and the colonel is quite taken with her. This relationship shows promise, but by the time the Bingleys and Hursts arrive, Jane’s thoughts turn to Bingley. Although the marriage started off on the wrong foot as well as for all the wrong reasons, love found a way to survive the obstacles thrown their way. Great HEA for ODC.
November 3, 2023
Enjoyable but a bit lackluster
It was rather enjoyable at the start of the story how the forced marriage between Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet came about.
This reader also thought it remarkable that Elizabeth was not only impertinent but confident and assertive in her approach towards Mr. Darcy, which put such assertiveness, their discord during the onset of their marriage may have been drawn out longer. It was due to her courage and the determination to make their marriage work, albeit the unconventional manner which brought them to that point, that helped soothe the way for a harmonious and successful marriage.
That being said, the rest of the story is rather dull. Even the romantic exchanges between the Darcys were very subdued and wanting. This reader couldn’t even tell when they consummated the marriage if not for the fact that Elizabeth was with child later in the story. This makes this variation rather uncharacteristic of this author which is known for more steamy and sensual fares as author Demi Monde (in this reader’s impression; please correct her if she’s mistaken!)
Nevertheless, the shortness of this variation gives it favor for those readers who wish for an enjoyable P&P variation but pressed for time.
It was rather enjoyable at the start of the story how the forced marriage between Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet came about.
This reader also thought it remarkable that Elizabeth was not only impertinent but confident and assertive in her approach towards Mr. Darcy, which put such assertiveness, their discord during the onset of their marriage may have been drawn out longer. It was due to her courage and the determination to make their marriage work, albeit the unconventional manner which brought them to that point, that helped soothe the way for a harmonious and successful marriage.
That being said, the rest of the story is rather dull. Even the romantic exchanges between the Darcys were very subdued and wanting. This reader couldn’t even tell when they consummated the marriage if not for the fact that Elizabeth was with child later in the story. This makes this variation rather uncharacteristic of this author which is known for more steamy and sensual fares as author Demi Monde (in this reader’s impression; please correct her if she’s mistaken!)
Nevertheless, the shortness of this variation gives it favor for those readers who wish for an enjoyable P&P variation but pressed for time.
May 12, 2023
Needs careful editing
A good idea for a story, but rewriting could do with improvement. There discrepancies in the story itself, it's often not clear where the characters are and what they're doing. The plot takes major leaps leaving gaps in the narrative.
The characters require more depth and description to make them real. It sometimes reads as though the author has just lifted bits from other writing rather than doing her own.
One major flaw - this particular Darcy must be prescient as he declared his favourite piece of music is Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. This was not performed for the first time until 1824 - 13 years after this story! Only a minor detail but it demonstrates a lack of attention to detail on the part of the author/editor.
Having said all that I did plough through it to the end.
A good idea for a story, but rewriting could do with improvement. There discrepancies in the story itself, it's often not clear where the characters are and what they're doing. The plot takes major leaps leaving gaps in the narrative.
The characters require more depth and description to make them real. It sometimes reads as though the author has just lifted bits from other writing rather than doing her own.
One major flaw - this particular Darcy must be prescient as he declared his favourite piece of music is Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. This was not performed for the first time until 1824 - 13 years after this story! Only a minor detail but it demonstrates a lack of attention to detail on the part of the author/editor.
Having said all that I did plough through it to the end.
April 7, 2023
This is a cute forced marriage scenario novella. The overall story is enjoyable. There are sections that need more attention, and others that are repetitious.
In this tale, each sister has some attention given to her. Mary is more forceful than in canon which adds dimension to this tale. Other events happen sooner or not at all like canon.
It is a quick read. I leave it up to you to judge this narrative.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
In this tale, each sister has some attention given to her. Mary is more forceful than in canon which adds dimension to this tale. Other events happen sooner or not at all like canon.
It is a quick read. I leave it up to you to judge this narrative.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 27, 2023
Mr. Darcy and Miss Elizabeth Bennet are caught in an irrevocable compromise.
Resigned to do the honorable thing, Mr. Darcy married Elizabeth and heads for Pemberly. Elizabeth and Darcy soon settle into the routine of Master and Mistress of Pemberly. They eventually become better acquainted with one another . Elizabeth meets her new sister, Georgiana, as well as a cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam. New friendships are forged and old ones rekindled. This story takes you back to Longbourn and Netherfield . I thoroughly enjoyed it and I'm sure you will too.
Resigned to do the honorable thing, Mr. Darcy married Elizabeth and heads for Pemberly. Elizabeth and Darcy soon settle into the routine of Master and Mistress of Pemberly. They eventually become better acquainted with one another . Elizabeth meets her new sister, Georgiana, as well as a cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam. New friendships are forged and old ones rekindled. This story takes you back to Longbourn and Netherfield . I thoroughly enjoyed it and I'm sure you will too.
November 4, 2023
Humorous emotional interesting cute
I really enjoyed this story, but would of liked more Mary in it. It was a cute and humorous way to the alter. Mrs B is always on that edge. Lydia is better, but still reckless. Darcy is adorable and Elizabeth isn't as stubborn. Emotional in parts, well written, and clean. Highly recommend to all to read.
I really enjoyed this story, but would of liked more Mary in it. It was a cute and humorous way to the alter. Mrs B is always on that edge. Lydia is better, but still reckless. Darcy is adorable and Elizabeth isn't as stubborn. Emotional in parts, well written, and clean. Highly recommend to all to read.
March 8, 2024
A fun twist
This variation is an amusing conjecture of Mary’s hopes and dreams. I enjoyed the concept more than the execution, though. It definitely began with a strong twist, and it followed a very different trajectory. However, I found the writing repetitive and not nearly as engaging as other variations in the same series.
This variation is an amusing conjecture of Mary’s hopes and dreams. I enjoyed the concept more than the execution, though. It definitely began with a strong twist, and it followed a very different trajectory. However, I found the writing repetitive and not nearly as engaging as other variations in the same series.
April 18, 2023
Locked in love and suceedingbut
This was an unpredictable story. I loved the first steps of developing love and mutual respect for one another. The way Darcy can love and adore his wife is so dreamy and unbelievable! If only we could all experience such a love!
This was an unpredictable story. I loved the first steps of developing love and mutual respect for one another. The way Darcy can love and adore his wife is so dreamy and unbelievable! If only we could all experience such a love!
August 7, 2023
I love it!
Such a riveting tale. I couldn’t put it down. I got so engrossed in the story that I actually felt like I was apart of the story. I also love the all time classic original book it’s based, plus all the TV series and movie adaptations as well.
Such a riveting tale. I couldn’t put it down. I got so engrossed in the story that I actually felt like I was apart of the story. I also love the all time classic original book it’s based, plus all the TV series and movie adaptations as well.
January 17, 2024
It was just meh
Well this book had a great premise. Everything worked out way too easily. There was no real conflict or issues. Just pages and pages of everyone behaving rationally. And all things stopping before any drama or conflict could occur.
Well this book had a great premise. Everything worked out way too easily. There was no real conflict or issues. Just pages and pages of everyone behaving rationally. And all things stopping before any drama or conflict could occur.
January 29, 2024
Lovely book!
Keep up the good work!
The only thing missing was a comeuppance for the Bad Guys. Wickham, Lady Catherine and those Supercilious Bingley sisters!
No doubt they will get it soon!
Keep up the good work!
The only thing missing was a comeuppance for the Bad Guys. Wickham, Lady Catherine and those Supercilious Bingley sisters!
No doubt they will get it soon!
March 21, 2023
Wow
An entertaining and unusual premise in this variation inspired by Jane Austen’s classic novel Pride and Prejudice by Bella Breen. I really enjoyed it.
An entertaining and unusual premise in this variation inspired by Jane Austen’s classic novel Pride and Prejudice by Bella Breen. I really enjoyed it.
not-worth-finishing
June 4, 2025A rare dnf at 61% on a variation for me. Way too sickly sweet after a strangely calm resolution of conflict.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews