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Responsibility and Resentment: A Pride and Prejudice Variation
A conversation that changes everything …
What if Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy spoke honestly to each other in Kent and clarified any misconceptions prior to his making his proposal? What would happen if Mr Bennet made an ill-fated attempt to resolve the issue of the entail only to create a much bigger problem for his family and Mrs Bennet were even more of a shrew than in canon? What if Mr Bennet had a secret reason to encourage the couple to marry quickly and before returning home? Will they ever be able to overcome the resentment that results from Mr Bennet's manipulations or from Mrs Bennet's subsequent behaviours?
Join Our Dear Couple as they find happiness together sooner than in canon, but still have to fight against outside influences that seek to destroy it before and after their wedding. A story where responsibility is accepted by some and shirked by others, leading to resentment that requires effort to overcome. Will it be enough?
What if Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy spoke honestly to each other in Kent and clarified any misconceptions prior to his making his proposal? What would happen if Mr Bennet made an ill-fated attempt to resolve the issue of the entail only to create a much bigger problem for his family and Mrs Bennet were even more of a shrew than in canon? What if Mr Bennet had a secret reason to encourage the couple to marry quickly and before returning home? Will they ever be able to overcome the resentment that results from Mr Bennet's manipulations or from Mrs Bennet's subsequent behaviours?
Join Our Dear Couple as they find happiness together sooner than in canon, but still have to fight against outside influences that seek to destroy it before and after their wedding. A story where responsibility is accepted by some and shirked by others, leading to resentment that requires effort to overcome. Will it be enough?
350 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 15, 2023
131 people are currently reading
32 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
November 6, 2023
338 pages on my Kindle for PC.
The main premise has much to do with Elizabeth's relationship with her mother, first, and then with her father and his vile plan/need to expect Darcy to give him money needed to pay off a large gambling debt.
Darcy and Elizabeth marry early in this tale, and we follow the lives of the other Bennet sisters, and a little of Charlotte and of Georgiana. It is a long and drawn-out story.
What stood out for me was that expectation on Bennet's part that Darcy would pay off his debts. However, Darcy only concedes to give Bennet a loan and he makes him sign a contract was to what he will do in return for the loan. The contract also obligates Mrs. Bennett to certain changes in her behaviors. Both Bennets have problems meeting those requirements.
Certain characters acted differently in this variation.
The main premise has much to do with Elizabeth's relationship with her mother, first, and then with her father and his vile plan/need to expect Darcy to give him money needed to pay off a large gambling debt.
Darcy and Elizabeth marry early in this tale, and we follow the lives of the other Bennet sisters, and a little of Charlotte and of Georgiana. It is a long and drawn-out story.
What stood out for me was that expectation on Bennet's part that Darcy would pay off his debts. However, Darcy only concedes to give Bennet a loan and he makes him sign a contract was to what he will do in return for the loan. The contract also obligates Mrs. Bennett to certain changes in her behaviors. Both Bennets have problems meeting those requirements.
Certain characters acted differently in this variation.
October 16, 2023
There are some very good ideas to be found in this story. Unfortunately, there's an overwhelming amount of repetition and irrelevant details, making it an overly long, unfocused book.
The title actually refers to Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, who are far worse than canon, and it's up to Darcy and Elizabeth to save Longbourn and Elizabeth's sisters from their neglect. It takes a while to reach that point in the book, however.
The story begins on the grounds of Rosings. During one of Elizabeth's walks with Darcy, the two have a civil conversation discussing Mr. Wickham, Darcy's desire to court her, and Mr. Bingley's flighty nature. (In the latter case, Bingley never had any serious intentions toward Jane Bennet.) Recognizing both the honor of Darcy's interest in her and that she has completely misunderstood his character, Elizabeth accepts the opportunity to learn whether they might suit.
Lady Catherine picks this day to present Darcy with the ultimatum to marry her daughter or leave immediately. When he refuses and leaves, taking Colonel Fitzwilliam with him, she blames Elizabeth Bennet. Mr. Collins is only too happy to follow her instructions designed to ruin Elizabeth and make her and her sisters unmarriageable.
This storyline and its eventual resolution would make a fine book...if it ended there. But it doesn't.
It's just a lead-in to what appears to be the primary story, which is the very dysfunctional Bennet family and the measures the Darcys take to improve matters. This, too, could be an excellent premise with a more limited scope. Unfortunately, each Bennet sister has her own storyline, as do Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, and, of course, Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy.
The book becomes virtually a day by day accounting of shopping trips, teas, dinners, house parties, picnics, etc. The pace slows to a crawl, with inconsequential and significant occurrences given equal weight.
There's also an awful lot of information that's repeated - sometimes multiple times - contributing to the draggy pace. Even the romantic bits where Darcy and Elizabeth express their love for each other become repetitive.
The author writes well. There are some editing/proofreading errors here and there, but fewer than one might expect from a book of this considerable length.
There are suggestive bedroom scenes, but they end with no explicit details. It is apparent that the Darcys enjoy frequent marital relations.
I struggled to finish this one. Reads like an unedited story from an online fan fiction site.
The title actually refers to Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, who are far worse than canon, and it's up to Darcy and Elizabeth to save Longbourn and Elizabeth's sisters from their neglect. It takes a while to reach that point in the book, however.
The story begins on the grounds of Rosings. During one of Elizabeth's walks with Darcy, the two have a civil conversation discussing Mr. Wickham, Darcy's desire to court her, and Mr. Bingley's flighty nature. (In the latter case, Bingley never had any serious intentions toward Jane Bennet.) Recognizing both the honor of Darcy's interest in her and that she has completely misunderstood his character, Elizabeth accepts the opportunity to learn whether they might suit.
Lady Catherine picks this day to present Darcy with the ultimatum to marry her daughter or leave immediately. When he refuses and leaves, taking Colonel Fitzwilliam with him, she blames Elizabeth Bennet. Mr. Collins is only too happy to follow her instructions designed to ruin Elizabeth and make her and her sisters unmarriageable.
This storyline and its eventual resolution would make a fine book...if it ended there. But it doesn't.
It's just a lead-in to what appears to be the primary story, which is the very dysfunctional Bennet family and the measures the Darcys take to improve matters. This, too, could be an excellent premise with a more limited scope. Unfortunately, each Bennet sister has her own storyline, as do Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, and, of course, Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy.
The book becomes virtually a day by day accounting of shopping trips, teas, dinners, house parties, picnics, etc. The pace slows to a crawl, with inconsequential and significant occurrences given equal weight.
There's also an awful lot of information that's repeated - sometimes multiple times - contributing to the draggy pace. Even the romantic bits where Darcy and Elizabeth express their love for each other become repetitive.
The author writes well. There are some editing/proofreading errors here and there, but fewer than one might expect from a book of this considerable length.
There are suggestive bedroom scenes, but they end with no explicit details. It is apparent that the Darcys enjoy frequent marital relations.
I struggled to finish this one. Reads like an unedited story from an online fan fiction site.
October 1, 2023
SPOILER ALERT: This review may contain *** SPOILERS ***
>>Rating: teen: due to discussions of a mature nature. The bedroom scenes were not graphic, just steamy. In other words, the curtain was drawn or the door was closed.
>>Angst Level: there were equal measures of angst but mostly frustration at the antics of the characters.
>>Source: Borrowed from KU 9-19-23: I volunteered to leave an honest review. The thoughts and opinions are my own. I first read this when it was posted on FF.
>>Trope: [1] NSN [not-so-nice] Mr. and Mrs. Bennet. Good Grief, these guys were horrid. I wanted to yell at Lizzy, walk away! Just walk away, and take your sisters with you for their own protection. [2] Saint Darcy: Yeah, he was pretty amazing and so understanding. He loved Elizabeth enough to endure her parent’s nonsense. Swoon-worthy scenes. Fan points!
The reader should have an understanding of the basics or have background knowledge of Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Melissa Anne started her story at a pivotal point in that story arc. We opened in Kent with Elizabeth visiting her friend Charlotte Collins. Immediately this story deviated from canon in that Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy had an important discussion prior to his making the DHP [Disastrous Hunsford Proposal]. Many things changed after that with ODC [our dear couple] coming to a new understanding. Their opinions and feelings of, and for, each other took a material change. They soon came to an agreement for a courtship. They would not announce anything until Darcy could approach her father.
Elizabeth was thrilled that she was finally seeing the real character of Mr. Darcy. While Elizabeth basked in her new feelings for the gentleman, the good lady [Lady] at Rosings was not having a good day. Lady Catherine was not pleased when Darcy gave his annual refusal to marry her daughter. It did not matter to her ladyship that he did this every year. Nor did it matter that Anne had declared for years that she didn’t want to marry. Anne loved both her cousins but didn’t want to marry either of them. Anne knew she could not be a proper wife. Pemberley needed an heir and with her sickly constitution, childbirth would kill her.
Lady Catherine had observed how Darcy looked at the visitor staying at the parsonage and pitched a fit worthy of the daughter of an Earl. In her tirade, she kicked Darcy out of Rosings and the good Colonel left with his cousin. The great lady needed a scapegoat and an object on which to vent her spleen and turned a gimlet eye toward the parsonage. She instructed Collins to kick his cousin out of Hunsford. Miss Elizabeth was to be sent on her way with no support, no carriage, no cart, nor a horse, and no chaperone. Mr. Collins was more than pleased to fulfill his ladyship’s request and hoped something horrid happened to his unworthy cousin, thus, ruining her. In fact, the entire Bennet family would be ruined. It would be a just punishment for her refusing him and her father supporting her. He thought her ladyship’s plan was most excellent. A footman overheard everything Lady Catherine told Collins and put in motion the plans Darcy and the Colonel had left before they departed. Collins was a putz and I wanted to smash… never mind. You get the picture.
The machinations set forth by Darcy and his cousin were brilliantly creative. I loved it. Collins was not pleased. Elizabeth would not be tossed to the elements to fend for herself. Instead, she was provided a footman for protection, a maid as a chaperone, and a carriage that would transport her to London and to her relatives.
The story exploded after that incident. By the time Darcy approached Mr. Bennet, ODC had progressed from courtship to Darcy requesting permission to marry Bennet’s second daughter. They had taken their affections to another level during her stay in London. Darcy noted that the gentleman from Longbourn seemed rather relieved and gave Darcy his permission and a letter for Elizabeth. It requested that she marry immediately, in London, and not return to Longbourn or Meryton unmarried. What? How strange. And so, they did.
The reader learns that Mr. Bennet was in financial trouble that was mind-blowing. Elizabeth was furious with her father and his attitude regarding that ‘little problem’ he wanted his rich son-in-law to handle. Well, let’s just say that Mr. Bennet forgot about his second daughter. She was not pleased and set a few things straight with her father. Oh, that was so good. I loved that scene. Elizabeth was amazing.
The rest of the story was about ordering the house at Longbourn after years of neglect, mismanagement, and indolence. Neither parent was pleased with the changes dictated for the retrenching of the Longbourn Estate and manor house. Elizabeth was magnificent. She took her parents to task for their lack of care for the estate, finances, and the neglect in the raising of her sisters. Whew! This was long and tedious at times and nothing seemed to change with the Bennet parents. Where’s a 2X4 when you need one?
Time went on and I loved the HEA for all the girls. The evolution of Jane was really eye-opening. I had not read of her having that attitude before. I never considered how stifled she had been under her mother’s thumb. She had never been allowed to grow as a person. It was sad in a way but then, she seemed happy in her little world and with her situation. The contrast between her and Elizabeth really showed in this story. She was almost a non-event. Bless her heart.
>>Rating: teen: due to discussions of a mature nature. The bedroom scenes were not graphic, just steamy. In other words, the curtain was drawn or the door was closed.
>>Angst Level: there were equal measures of angst but mostly frustration at the antics of the characters.
>>Source: Borrowed from KU 9-19-23: I volunteered to leave an honest review. The thoughts and opinions are my own. I first read this when it was posted on FF.
>>Trope: [1] NSN [not-so-nice] Mr. and Mrs. Bennet. Good Grief, these guys were horrid. I wanted to yell at Lizzy, walk away! Just walk away, and take your sisters with you for their own protection. [2] Saint Darcy: Yeah, he was pretty amazing and so understanding. He loved Elizabeth enough to endure her parent’s nonsense. Swoon-worthy scenes. Fan points!
The reader should have an understanding of the basics or have background knowledge of Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Melissa Anne started her story at a pivotal point in that story arc. We opened in Kent with Elizabeth visiting her friend Charlotte Collins. Immediately this story deviated from canon in that Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy had an important discussion prior to his making the DHP [Disastrous Hunsford Proposal]. Many things changed after that with ODC [our dear couple] coming to a new understanding. Their opinions and feelings of, and for, each other took a material change. They soon came to an agreement for a courtship. They would not announce anything until Darcy could approach her father.
Elizabeth was thrilled that she was finally seeing the real character of Mr. Darcy. While Elizabeth basked in her new feelings for the gentleman, the good lady [Lady] at Rosings was not having a good day. Lady Catherine was not pleased when Darcy gave his annual refusal to marry her daughter. It did not matter to her ladyship that he did this every year. Nor did it matter that Anne had declared for years that she didn’t want to marry. Anne loved both her cousins but didn’t want to marry either of them. Anne knew she could not be a proper wife. Pemberley needed an heir and with her sickly constitution, childbirth would kill her.
Lady Catherine had observed how Darcy looked at the visitor staying at the parsonage and pitched a fit worthy of the daughter of an Earl. In her tirade, she kicked Darcy out of Rosings and the good Colonel left with his cousin. The great lady needed a scapegoat and an object on which to vent her spleen and turned a gimlet eye toward the parsonage. She instructed Collins to kick his cousin out of Hunsford. Miss Elizabeth was to be sent on her way with no support, no carriage, no cart, nor a horse, and no chaperone. Mr. Collins was more than pleased to fulfill his ladyship’s request and hoped something horrid happened to his unworthy cousin, thus, ruining her. In fact, the entire Bennet family would be ruined. It would be a just punishment for her refusing him and her father supporting her. He thought her ladyship’s plan was most excellent. A footman overheard everything Lady Catherine told Collins and put in motion the plans Darcy and the Colonel had left before they departed. Collins was a putz and I wanted to smash… never mind. You get the picture.
The machinations set forth by Darcy and his cousin were brilliantly creative. I loved it. Collins was not pleased. Elizabeth would not be tossed to the elements to fend for herself. Instead, she was provided a footman for protection, a maid as a chaperone, and a carriage that would transport her to London and to her relatives.
The story exploded after that incident. By the time Darcy approached Mr. Bennet, ODC had progressed from courtship to Darcy requesting permission to marry Bennet’s second daughter. They had taken their affections to another level during her stay in London. Darcy noted that the gentleman from Longbourn seemed rather relieved and gave Darcy his permission and a letter for Elizabeth. It requested that she marry immediately, in London, and not return to Longbourn or Meryton unmarried. What? How strange. And so, they did.
The reader learns that Mr. Bennet was in financial trouble that was mind-blowing. Elizabeth was furious with her father and his attitude regarding that ‘little problem’ he wanted his rich son-in-law to handle. Well, let’s just say that Mr. Bennet forgot about his second daughter. She was not pleased and set a few things straight with her father. Oh, that was so good. I loved that scene. Elizabeth was amazing.
The rest of the story was about ordering the house at Longbourn after years of neglect, mismanagement, and indolence. Neither parent was pleased with the changes dictated for the retrenching of the Longbourn Estate and manor house. Elizabeth was magnificent. She took her parents to task for their lack of care for the estate, finances, and the neglect in the raising of her sisters. Whew! This was long and tedious at times and nothing seemed to change with the Bennet parents. Where’s a 2X4 when you need one?
Time went on and I loved the HEA for all the girls. The evolution of Jane was really eye-opening. I had not read of her having that attitude before. I never considered how stifled she had been under her mother’s thumb. She had never been allowed to grow as a person. It was sad in a way but then, she seemed happy in her little world and with her situation. The contrast between her and Elizabeth really showed in this story. She was almost a non-event. Bless her heart.
January 13, 2026
Unfortunately it found the book so long winded and it dragged on so much so that it was dull.
You wanna know what my problem with the book was?
1. So many useless details as if the author wanted to fill the pages.
2. at first, every day was was written following the wedding. I do not want to know many times Elizabeth went to the modist, or if the modist had an order canceled, etc..
3. Elizabeth!! There were times when I just couldn't stand her. She was unreasonable and searching for a fight, doesn't matter if she was pregnant and that was according to the Author the reason. She practically told Darcy she rather wants to be mistress of Longbourn and care for their tenants not for Pemberley's. Darcy was WAY TOO NICE.
4. Or even Jane. Jane was simply said a sh*tty sister. She knew how Mrs. Bennet treated Elizabeth (basically verbally ab*sed her) over the years and even after her marriage, and yet was mad with E that she couldn't face or forgive Mrs. Bennet?! Jane was always the good one.
5. My biggest problem, the many detailed travels. If we would remove the detailed travels, it would be 5-10 pages less at least.
And one of my pet peeves, on every fifth pages at least she sits on his lap only to tell each other I love you so much, I'm so happy with you etc.. Wouldn't 2 or 3 times suffice instead of so often?
it was getting tedious the many Love you's.
However, it was well written, there's no question about it. And as always perfectfly narrated.
You wanna know what my problem with the book was?
1. So many useless details as if the author wanted to fill the pages.
2. at first, every day was was written following the wedding. I do not want to know many times Elizabeth went to the modist, or if the modist had an order canceled, etc..
3. Elizabeth!! There were times when I just couldn't stand her. She was unreasonable and searching for a fight, doesn't matter if she was pregnant and that was according to the Author the reason. She practically told Darcy she rather wants to be mistress of Longbourn and care for their tenants not for Pemberley's. Darcy was WAY TOO NICE.
4. Or even Jane. Jane was simply said a sh*tty sister. She knew how Mrs. Bennet treated Elizabeth (basically verbally ab*sed her) over the years and even after her marriage, and yet was mad with E that she couldn't face or forgive Mrs. Bennet?! Jane was always the good one.
5. My biggest problem, the many detailed travels. If we would remove the detailed travels, it would be 5-10 pages less at least.
And one of my pet peeves, on every fifth pages at least she sits on his lap only to tell each other I love you so much, I'm so happy with you etc.. Wouldn't 2 or 3 times suffice instead of so often?
it was getting tedious the many Love you's.
However, it was well written, there's no question about it. And as always perfectfly narrated.
August 31, 2024
As the summary says, Elizabeth and Darcy talk more openly during their walks in Rosings and understand each other better. But the speed in which this leads to their marriage and Elizabeth's love is astonishingly unbelievable. But unfortunately, that is the only thing that happens fast. Everything else is dragged on with too many repetitions and unnecessary descriptions. Every action, event and feeling is shared with everyone who happens to be nearby which unfortunately happens to be never more than one person at a time. So with so many sisters and other relatives is just too damn many times. And for all the pages, nearly 70% of the book, dedicated to bring a resolution between Mrs.Bennet and Elizabeth, she just dies without resolving much and I sincerely wished she could have done that sooner to spare me the agony of reading the book.
September 15, 2023
Decent; a bit too much over-explaining for my liking. Very little plot for the majority of the book.
September 20, 2024
I enjoyed this book .
September 17, 2023
Delightful
An absolutely delightful and entertaining variation inspired by Jane Austen’s classic novel Pride and Prejudice by Melissa Anne. I enjoyed it.
An absolutely delightful and entertaining variation inspired by Jane Austen’s classic novel Pride and Prejudice by Melissa Anne. I enjoyed it.
September 22, 2023
Much too long
Interesting plot padded with an unnecessary amount of day to day details. There were also pages and pages of repetitive self-reflection. The villainy involved stretched credulity. A good editor could have helped a lot.
Interesting plot padded with an unnecessary amount of day to day details. There were also pages and pages of repetitive self-reflection. The villainy involved stretched credulity. A good editor could have helped a lot.
January 5, 2026
Too damn long and I hated every character
December 8, 2023
This book started off well enough but dragged on towards the middle and end, it ran out of plot but tried to keep going.
The relationship between Lizzy and her mother was a main focus but overdone, both were stubborn and the relationship never really resolved one way or the other, leaving a sense of incompletion and disappointment for how much the book laboured over whether they would reconcile or not.
The Darcy’s could not keep their hands off each other, which became boring after many repetitions.
The writing was also anachronistic in several places, as the characters discuss modern ideas like verbal abuse and contraception (both happened then but would not have been named), I I among other things - the reader is hard pressed to imagine a regency couple is having many of these conversations.
All in all, a good idea that was poorly executed.
The relationship between Lizzy and her mother was a main focus but overdone, both were stubborn and the relationship never really resolved one way or the other, leaving a sense of incompletion and disappointment for how much the book laboured over whether they would reconcile or not.
The Darcy’s could not keep their hands off each other, which became boring after many repetitions.
The writing was also anachronistic in several places, as the characters discuss modern ideas like verbal abuse and contraception (both happened then but would not have been named), I I among other things - the reader is hard pressed to imagine a regency couple is having many of these conversations.
All in all, a good idea that was poorly executed.
October 11, 2024
The one thing i liked about the book is the proper conversation the ODC have in kent and how Darcy anticipates his aunt's moves and protects E
But after that its too much repetition, characters keep swinging between remorse and brazenness. The idea of the book which talks about the relationship between the Bennet parents and E is good and how D takes longbourne in hand to make things right is very good but it could have been compact novella.
too many details and explanations are given and same feelings and dialogues are repeated over and over again
But after that its too much repetition, characters keep swinging between remorse and brazenness. The idea of the book which talks about the relationship between the Bennet parents and E is good and how D takes longbourne in hand to make things right is very good but it could have been compact novella.
too many details and explanations are given and same feelings and dialogues are repeated over and over again
October 12, 2023
Written as a high school essay on an assigned reading lesson.
Very stilted writing style, modern language, referencing a foot man as a child, and only taking 42pages to resolve Lizzy and Darcy issues qq taking her from I can't stand him to love. I stopped reading at that point (page 54).
Very stilted writing style, modern language, referencing a foot man as a child, and only taking 42pages to resolve Lizzy and Darcy issues qq taking her from I can't stand him to love. I stopped reading at that point (page 54).
October 16, 2023
2.5 Rating
Honestly, I feel like this one dragged on for me. I like the beginning on Darcy and Elizabeth coming to understanding/falling in love earlier than cannon, but I guess overall, felt the trouble with Elizabeth's parents had too much time/effort spent on it. Would have been better if less time was focused on them I feel.
Honestly, I feel like this one dragged on for me. I like the beginning on Darcy and Elizabeth coming to understanding/falling in love earlier than cannon, but I guess overall, felt the trouble with Elizabeth's parents had too much time/effort spent on it. Would have been better if less time was focused on them I feel.
January 1, 2024
Tedious
While this book starts off fine, it goes downhill swiftly after the marriage of Elizabeth and Darcy. The Bennetts are so unpleasant it is painful to read; Elizabeth is not much better. I had a brief hope of drama when Jane was going to be sold to pay off the 5000 pound debt, but sadly, the author was more interested in summary than story.
While this book starts off fine, it goes downhill swiftly after the marriage of Elizabeth and Darcy. The Bennetts are so unpleasant it is painful to read; Elizabeth is not much better. I had a brief hope of drama when Jane was going to be sold to pay off the 5000 pound debt, but sadly, the author was more interested in summary than story.
May 9, 2025
I started out really liking the book. But the author got rid of all the main villains pretty early on. Then the problem seemed to be her parents, but I felt like the author kept beating a dead horse. The issues with her mum dragged, especially since they were never resolved. This could/should have ended at least 50 pages before it did.
September 28, 2023
deadly boring
It was a real struggle to wade through this tale of self indulgent sentimentality where nothing of any note happened and the characters drowned in unlikely narratives.
It was a real struggle to wade through this tale of self indulgent sentimentality where nothing of any note happened and the characters drowned in unlikely narratives.
October 3, 2023
To resentfull for me
Elizabeth, she never forgive her parents . At least she should be able to let her parents see the children for Eixample
Elizabeth, she never forgive her parents . At least she should be able to let her parents see the children for Eixample
Read
June 10, 2024The parent Bennetts realllllly suck in this one
January 9, 2024
This is a fairly new author to me. I liked the story but it felt a little to long. That being said I will listen to it again. In this story Darcy & Elizabeth talk before his bad proposal so that canon event was avoided. Some spoilers: Because of their talk and clearing the air some other non-canon things came out including that Darcy & Bingley have pretty much cut ties. Elizabeth is able to process through her misconceptions and Darcy is able to deal with his pride too. Now enter Lady C who suspects that D&E are an item and she conspires with Collins to get rid of Elizabeth. Darcy & Col F suspect something and thankfully place a plan in action to protect her. When in London Elizabeth gets to know Col F's parents and they love her and can't wait for her to be part of their family. Mr B gives his blessing & tells them to marry quickly & stay away from Longbourn; the reason for this was a surprise and what changes / ripple effect this has on everyone. I love that D&E are fully committed to each other & their marriage and it is sweet to see their love story. Stevie Zimmerman again does her magic bringing her narration skills to this story.
October 23, 2023
Lots of time with the married Darcys
Lizzy and Darcy actually talk at Hunsford and resolve a lot of their misunderstandings. It immediately paves the way for Elizabeth to think better of Darcy and acknowledge that she has always been attracted to him. Thus ensues a whirlwind romance from courtship to marriage within a few weeks. Lady Catherine and Mr. Collins are the main villains, but mostly from afar. Caroline Bingley (and Charles?!) is wicked as usual, but the real villains are Mr. And Mrs. Bennet in a very subtle, sad and tough way.
What I loved:
-Lots of ODC time (about 3 years of their marriage here)
-Minimal Wickham
-A different Jane
What I didn't:
-The writing was a little sappy and repetitive at times. It always seemed like someone needed reminding of what had happened and how it happened and it was a bit redundant. I could overlook that for a book that had so much happening between ODC though, so 4.5 stars rounded to five.
Lizzy and Darcy actually talk at Hunsford and resolve a lot of their misunderstandings. It immediately paves the way for Elizabeth to think better of Darcy and acknowledge that she has always been attracted to him. Thus ensues a whirlwind romance from courtship to marriage within a few weeks. Lady Catherine and Mr. Collins are the main villains, but mostly from afar. Caroline Bingley (and Charles?!) is wicked as usual, but the real villains are Mr. And Mrs. Bennet in a very subtle, sad and tough way.
What I loved:
-Lots of ODC time (about 3 years of their marriage here)
-Minimal Wickham
-A different Jane
What I didn't:
-The writing was a little sappy and repetitive at times. It always seemed like someone needed reminding of what had happened and how it happened and it was a bit redundant. I could overlook that for a book that had so much happening between ODC though, so 4.5 stars rounded to five.
December 7, 2023
As misunderstandings are cleared , Mr. Darcy is determined to win Miss Elizabeth's heart.
Once they've come to an amiable understanding, Darcy's has thoughts of marrying Miss Elizabeth. Here we find Lady Catherine and Mr. Collins at their worst. With no consideration for Elizabeth's safety or reputation, she is sent away from Kent. Darcy has put measures in place to protect her and bring her, safely, to London. This story takes some surprising twists and turns. False assumptions are made , confidences betrayed, and friendships and family ties severed. Those guilty of the worst of these machinations are summarily dealt with . Sit back with a cuppa and enjoy.
Once they've come to an amiable understanding, Darcy's has thoughts of marrying Miss Elizabeth. Here we find Lady Catherine and Mr. Collins at their worst. With no consideration for Elizabeth's safety or reputation, she is sent away from Kent. Darcy has put measures in place to protect her and bring her, safely, to London. This story takes some surprising twists and turns. False assumptions are made , confidences betrayed, and friendships and family ties severed. Those guilty of the worst of these machinations are summarily dealt with . Sit back with a cuppa and enjoy.
December 1, 2023
Emotional turmoil rumours interesting
This was an fantastic storyline with enough detail and real situations to keep me interested. Mr and Mrs B were incredibly horrible, but I loved it. Jane was extremely naive, more so but don't brilliantly. I really appreciate the Aunts and Uncles, besides Lady C, who step up even more. Darcy and Elizabeth's love grows and help mold the younger siblings. Emotional turmoil, humorous in spots, Well written, and thought out. Definitely recommend for reading.
This was an fantastic storyline with enough detail and real situations to keep me interested. Mr and Mrs B were incredibly horrible, but I loved it. Jane was extremely naive, more so but don't brilliantly. I really appreciate the Aunts and Uncles, besides Lady C, who step up even more. Darcy and Elizabeth's love grows and help mold the younger siblings. Emotional turmoil, humorous in spots, Well written, and thought out. Definitely recommend for reading.
June 19, 2025
3.75 stars rounded up
As usual for this author it is a low angst story.
Our dear couple already reach an understanding at Hunsford and are encouraged by Mr Bennet to marry quickly. They believe it is due to Lady Catherine, but the reason is much worse.
Mr Bennet has gambling debt and the creditors threathen to take Jane as payment.
I found that ending was too long. In this version Mrs Bennet is not quite as bad as in other stories by Melissa Anne. Though still I found her a bit unbelievable.
All in all a good story :-)
As usual for this author it is a low angst story.
Our dear couple already reach an understanding at Hunsford and are encouraged by Mr Bennet to marry quickly. They believe it is due to Lady Catherine, but the reason is much worse.
Mr Bennet has gambling debt and the creditors threathen to take Jane as payment.
I found that ending was too long. In this version Mrs Bennet is not quite as bad as in other stories by Melissa Anne. Though still I found her a bit unbelievable.
All in all a good story :-)
February 28, 2024
Longer variation with a lot of action early on. I could not give another star, however, because the last 100 pages dragged on with little activity and lots of resentment which was over worked. By the time the story concluded with no climax, it quietly drifted to a conclusion. The end.
I enjoy this author, but wish this story had more than just Mrs Bennet disliking Elizabeth. Something more building to conclusion would have been interesting.
I enjoy this author, but wish this story had more than just Mrs Bennet disliking Elizabeth. Something more building to conclusion would have been interesting.
October 3, 2025
Enjoy it!
The book has several shortcomings, however I like the conclusion of the relationship between Elizabeth and her parents too much to complain.
I had read too much P&P variations with extremely detestable Mr/Mrs.Bennet gotten a happy ending after their hateful treatment to our dear girl. I always want to read something about Elizabeth didn't reconcile with them.
Sometimes we just need to learn about someone should be better out of your life.
The book has several shortcomings, however I like the conclusion of the relationship between Elizabeth and her parents too much to complain.
I had read too much P&P variations with extremely detestable Mr/Mrs.Bennet gotten a happy ending after their hateful treatment to our dear girl. I always want to read something about Elizabeth didn't reconcile with them.
Sometimes we just need to learn about someone should be better out of your life.
January 23, 2026
It started great, and then it dragged on way too long. With repetitive recounts of thoughts, tropes, and irrelevant details. Listening to 11h and 14min of this audiobook felt like a hundred and thirteen hours caught in a looping limbo of ever the same social retention, reflections, reluctance and "rests". The initial idea is intruiging (what if both pride and prejudice on both sides had been resolved before Darcy‘s first proposal?), unfortunately turns into a void thereof. Sad to say so
May 31, 2024
Darcy was a gem, far more mature Lizzy in this one (damaged by her truly selfish mother) but they were a good match. Was a heartwarming story – some drama at the outset overcoming machinations of Lady C and Mr C who got their comeuppance. The rest of the story was dealing with Bennet parent induced trauma (their characters with exaggerated faults).
October 2, 2023
Maybe a little too word
My favorite part was the growth of Darcy and Elizabeth. My not favorite part was Mr & Mrs. Bennett not being good parents. If you like details you’ll love this book/story .
I do recommend this book.
My favorite part was the growth of Darcy and Elizabeth. My not favorite part was Mr & Mrs. Bennett not being good parents. If you like details you’ll love this book/story .
I do recommend this book.
November 15, 2023
Mr Darcy stands by his woman!
Mr Darcy stands by his woman! No matter that Elizabeth has a dysfunctional family. He loves her and guides her.
Am saddened by he separation, but there is love.
Mr Darcy stands by his woman! No matter that Elizabeth has a dysfunctional family. He loves her and guides her.
Am saddened by he separation, but there is love.
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