Not Without Affection: A Pride and Prejudice Variation

by Caroline Cartier

When Mr Collins visits Longbourn, Elizabeth Bennet is shocked by the sycophantic behaviour of her family toward the Longbourn heir. Mrs Bennet declares that any of her daughters had better accept the man if he offers for them, and Elizabeth quickly comes to suspect that her father will not defend them should they wish to refuse. Despite her protestations, Elizabeth finds herself engaged to her cousin against her will and her sisters turned against her, showing Elizabeth harsh revelations about Jane's true character. She makes plans to escape the untenable situation, with help from Charlotte, and surprisingly, Mr Darcy, but the marriage moves forward despite their efforts and Lizzy is forced to accept her fate.

When Elizabeth is unexpectedly relieved of her unwanted husband, her new friends at Rosings support her as she builds her new life, while Mr Darcy is relieved to have a chance to win her heart but knows he must wait to court her to preserve her reputation. While he suffers the long wait of her mourning until she can be courted, Elizabeth must decide if she is willing to try again, as estate matters and other parties threaten to end the match before it is made in this 68,000-word Pride and Prejudice Variation.

Genres: Romance, Abuse, Regency, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Audiobook

189 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 1, 2024

Reviews

[James S · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up.

Violence against Lizzy by her husband Mr. Collins. Yuk!

Luckily the rest of the story was better but it turns out the Bennets don’t support her at all. Long subplot at the end that was silly and a waste of time

Violence to a wife is really hard to read. I’m not sure how rampant in the Regency time it was but more so than now…I hope.

Darcy, as usual, shows a tremendous lack of empathy and few times. Luckily there is Greek chorus of characters to shout him down.

A final note from her father says he isn’t sorry. You will make me proud.

I couldn’t figure out why those were his last words to her

[Madenna U · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author blurb is a great summary. I was struck by the intensity and method of Mr Bennet’s force of Elizabeth to marry Collins. It was pretty dark.

[J. W. Garrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

SPOILER ALERT: This review may contain *** SPOILERS ***

>>Rating: MATURE: do not neglect this caveat: This was graphic and horrible, violence, spousal abuse, wedding night
>>Angst Level: stressful with trigger warnings for those who have experienced spousal abuse
>>Source: Borrowed from KU [9-8-24]: I volunteered to leave a review.
>>Cover Art: I love that cover and want that dress. It is beautiful.
>>Trope: [1] NSN Bennet Family [not Lydia: that was a surprise] [2] Elizabeth marries another

This was the worst Thomas Bennet that I have EVER read. He was horrid and worse than a brute. Bennet found himself between a rock and a hard place. He needed Elizabeth to marry his cousin. She was the only one capable of managing the estate and caring for his wife and other daughters after he died. There was only one little problem, Elizabeth was having none of that. Mr. Collins was determined to have Miss Elizabeth. He delighted in the fact she was too impertinent and exuberant for a man in his position. His patroness, Lady Catherine, would disapprove of her pert opinions. Collins was a brute and was looking forward to disinclining his cousin into a proper clergyman’s wife. This would not end well for him.

Poor Elizabeth tried everything to avoid her fate, but it was for naught. There was nothing she could do. Her father caught her in her escape to London and isolated her in the slums [think St. Giles Rookery or Seven Dials] with no way of escape. After isolating her, depriving her of sleep, and nearly starving her, she finally acquiesced to his demands that she marry Mr. Collins. The entire family, save Lydia [who knew] was against her. Jane’s betrayal hurt the worst. Mr. Darcy tried to help but it fell through. There were so many layers to this story. Wickham played a part and tried to pull a fast one. Meanwhile: Mr. Darcy was the hero throughout the story. Mrs. Bennet received her comeuppance.

[Browntigerdog's Papermoon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prepare yourself for a wild ride. Please do not start to read this story at night!! Or you have little chance of any rest at all!

Elizabeth becomes the Bennet’s sacrificial lamb when Collins decides he will wed her!

The cruelty of the entire family except for Lydia is unprecedented!!

Even “sweet” Jane turns out to be a witch in an angels mask! Don’t even get me started on Mr Bennet! A more cruel father never lived!

Brutalized by Collins when she refuses him. She is confined to her room very upset, bruised and ill.
She is a prisoner till her wedding!

Her parents let a cruel overworked maid attend her but she drags Lizzy from her bed by her hair! Until Lydia sees her abusing her sister and gives her a worthy comeuppance!

After Collins stomps on Lizzy’s foot at the Netherfield ball ( to prevent her dancing with Darcy) a plan is formed for her escape!

Unfortunately I must tell you it goes terribly wrong:(

If you can make it through this part, try to push on! There will be angst, joy and sorrow for many of our favorite characters.

But a very well written story that robbed my slumber last night. Keep your eye on this author!

[Ree · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review is for the audiobook. I enjoyed this debut novel, which I have not read, but listened to. I will post a full review soon.

[Fastidious Kingdoms · Rating 3 out of 5]

*shakes head*

Lydia had a vital role in this book, transcending her usual senselessness. She and Elizabeth started forming a close relationship, and I couldn’t wait to see how it blossomed.

Sadly, I will never know because the author abandoned the strongest part of her work for meaningless, and sometimes senseless, conflicts. There were a few threads, such as Mr Bingley and Anne, that showed promise, but they were no match for the lumbering story they found themselves in.

Mr Bennet and Mr Collins’ senseless cruelty unleashed family calamities, followed by A Long Time of Waiting. Wickham’s antics were illogical, since he had shown his true colors the year before. Elizabeth’s ignorance of his character is not believable. The townspeople suddenly turning against Elizabeth after their steadfast support likewise doesn’t ring true. Caroline appears in a few scenes for. no. reason.

The town nympho was the kicker.

This would be a solid two-star review, but because of Lydia alone I will give 2.5 stars, rounded up to three.

[Lady Jl · Rating 5 out of 5]

a must read.

The cover caught my and the description made this a must read. I put aside the other book and didn’t stop until I finished it. Then went back and read it again.
I’m sure you will read other reviews so my pointing out the premise of the book is not needed. Just don’t miss reading this book you won’t be disappointed.

[Carole (in Canada)]

My Rating: 2.5 rounded up to 3*

“Despite your humour, Papa, you would not make one of us marry him!” exclaimed Elizabeth, horrified by her father’s speech.” (quote from the book)

Mr. Bennet announces the arrival of his heir, Mr. Collins, to Longbourn at breakfast. Elizabeth vows not to marry him. Things go from bad to worse when she is told she will.

“Nearly everyone in the house was angry with her for declaring that she would not marry Mr. Collins.” (quote from the book)

This is a new author to me and her debut novel. Ms. Cartier has written several more since. I was looking forward to reading this variation as I do enjoy ‘outside-the-box’ premises. Yes, there is parental abuse (along with a servant abusing Elizabeth) and spousal abuse within the first several chapters. We also have a ‘bad Jane’ and jealous sisters – Mary and Kitty.
Lydia, however, is a delightful surprise.

“Lydia and Elizabeth agreed that the Lieutenant did not seem like a gentleman of integrity.” (quote from the book)

Elizabeth gets to see another side of Mr. Darcy…one of kindness. Mr. Wickham is hampered in his schemes and Lady Catherine has no chance to have her fair share of the conversation.

I enjoyed some of the development of the story and characters after the first several chapters. Unfortunately, things went sideways for me. The story became a bit convoluted, and Mr. Wickham’s part became unbelievable. Don’t get me started on the original character of Miss. Amelia near the end. For me it was totally unnecessary and completely ludicrous.

Please read other reviews as many have enjoyed this story. It was not my cup of tea.

[Teresita · Rating 5 out of 5]

High angst

I sometimes could not believe everything that happened at the beginning of this story. I really wanted to pummel some of the characters. On the other hand, I loved Darcy and the way things were resolved.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tough read. The abuse to Lizzy is awful. I don’t like plots where bad actors don’t receive justice. Felt like two separate books. However, the narrator is great.

[Anne]

I won’t be reading this because of the awful abuse but also the author is all over facebook insulting older readers and recommending a terrible looking Pride and Prejudice for Gen Z which she says is an improvement over the original!

[Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

I always find variations with Mr. Collins as a villain to be interesting. Austen portrays him as a buffoon, but he has a rather sinister amount of power over the women of the Bennet family, so I think this is a trope that is often explored and for which there is a lot of room for variation. This version had some well-done elements, but in general, it was kind of all over the place. For instance, the whole subplot with Lady Amelia at the end came out of left field, made little sense, and seemed totally unnecessary to the story. I was also frustrated that Elizabeth seems to understand Wickham's underlying perfidy for the first part of the book, then abruptly changes course.

There were some subtle changes to Austen's prose that bothered me and seemed unnecessary. For example, Austen says, of Elizabeth's reaction to seeing Pemberley, "She had never seen a place for which nature had done more, or where natural beauty had been so little counteracted by an awkward taste." The author here changes this to "I cannot think of any place for which nature has done more, or where G-d's natural beauty has been so little restrained by awkward tastes." Is this some sort of Christian fiction virtue signaling? If you are going to quote Austen, just do so-she is the GOAT.

[Krista · Rating 3 out of 5]

A new take on P&P but not an always comfortable one. Some violent scenes in the start of this book were hard to read and some serious personality changes took this into dark territory. Overall I enjoyed getting to read expansions on other characters and reading the “what if” but sometimes absolutely flummoxed with scenes like Elizabeth being taken in by Wickham yet was wise to his true nature earlier in the book.

[JRTT · Rating 2 out of 5]

Took a left turn

This story was going pretty well until it started to not make sense. It took a decided left turn with the reintroduction of Wickham, in whom the author initially had taken great pains to show how both Elizabeth and Lydia had taken his measure. Suddenly, in the space of a year, he was charming her? Added to that, all the character changes, implausible pairings and the presentation of Darcy as an oftentimes bumbling idiot…it was, well, not my cup of tea.

[Kelly Cavanaugh · Rating 2 out of 5]

Why would you create completely different personalities for every single character? This isn't even close to Pride and Prejudice. It's a totally different story and characters, but with the original characters names.

[tracy witz · Rating 1 out of 5]

Tedious

The only dialogue is that which is copied from P&P (with a few banal exceptions). The story is lurid enough, but told in summary with little to no passion or tension. Fair idea, terrible execution.

[Faustine]

DNF because it was too wordy and the storyline too filled with action and the characters too different from the original book.

[Jamie Bee · Rating 1 out of 5]

Give This Stupendously Horrid JAFF a Hard Pass

I was a voracious reader when I was a child, but adulting got in the way of my pleasure reading for too long. I will always have a soft spot for Jane Austen fanfiction—even if it is an anathema to other Janeites—because reading it is what brought me back to pleasure reading as an adult. I'm glad this was not a book I ran across back then, or I would have put off pleasure reading for perhaps a decade! Yes, it is THAT poorly written and even nonsensical in parts. I do not get a sense that the author is actually familiar with Jane Austin’s Pride and Prejudice—and that should be a prerequisite for writing JAFF! The writer might have a passing knowledge of the 2005 movie adaptation, but that seems to be the extent of her Austen knowledge. The characterization is abominable. Pretty much everyone is two dimensional and extreme. The Bennetts are certainly not as portrayed in the original—nor good Jane Austen fanfiction. Goodness, how the writer has eviscerated sweet Jane! I kept reading, just aghast at the liberties the author took and how she portrayed these beloved (or reviled) characters. If you love Jane Austen fanfiction as I do, do yourself a favor and do not read this book. The Jane Austen fanfiction universe is peopled by many skilled authors who are absolutely amazing and write breath-taking variations, showing respect to the original while giving their own spin to the plot and the beloved characters. Many JAFF books are delightful invitations to spend a few hours in a re-imagined Jane Austen world. Unfortunately, this is not one of them. I would give it zero stars if I could.

I received a digital copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.

[Sam H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

After the horrors of the beginning, which had my heart in my throat and I couldn't put it down till we got past all of it, the books settles down some. It was like watching Pride and Prejudice through a psychedelic lense. Lydia was pretty much the best thing that came out of the house of horrors.

Darcy is nearly ineffectual in letting Elizabeth know he has feelings for her. Of course, Elizabeth has much to heal from emotionally. Thank goodness the author does not go in to details of 'that' night. Still, she is far from being available to anything new and happy occuring in her life.

I felt the writing was a bit choppy and kept the story from flowing smoothly. I also had a big problem with the Wickham bit that took place in the second half. Elizabeth is not an idiot, no matter what she went through. Neither is Lydia, which we are now all aware of. I felt it was forced and made no sense for either Elizabeth or Lydia to have completely forgotten their thoughts and feelings on him from the year before.

Obviously it was a necessary process for the author to conclude the book, still it was disappointing.
Despite that, this is entertaining - just have your smelling salts ready for the first third!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lynette Turner · Rating 3 out of 5]

it’s a 4star but my prejudice gives a three

This is my second reading and enjoyed it as much as my first read.
Lovely work—appreciate author’s knowledge of the regency era showing inherent importance of guided behavior and, how small communities exist/acts w/in a strict moral code; solid for most part cannon characters, love Anne DeB character in this book more than most others when she’s written non-cannon, (Lady CdB ☠️) FD is swoon worthy from the moment he realizes the brutal truth of what the Bennet family w/Mr Collins is planning for our slightly naive EB (& argh. Wanna box both Bennet parents’ ears and run Collins down with a
Coach and Four) and Lord Matlock is a gem! 💎 but..my internal prejudice when either part of ODC being married prior grieves me enuff only to award three stars for a worthy four+ star effort. Perhaps some additional internal dialogue of main characters being added to some chapters so readers know the context of choices may have added some more depth, but all in all a really good book with a well deserved HEA for most characters (Mrs B imo was rewarded for her duplicitous behavior which irks me all over again). Will read again!

[Crystal Baker-Breault · Rating 3 out of 5]

Starts off promising and then fizzles

This book is worth the read. Not like many other JAFF. This one had me crying and angry almost from the start. You’ll hate all the Bennett’s save Lydia and Elizabeth in this one!
The book then starts to fizzle and takes on a more narrative tone throughout, instead of character insights and focuses more on the secondary characters and their development then ODC. The angst and thrill dies off and it’s a long road without many details to develop ODC relationship. Wickham is thrown in as almost and after thought.
All that said, it’s worth a read.

[Camille Fiore · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Roller Coaster Ride

From about the sixth page until the very end, A wild ride of highs, lows, twists, and turns!

Just when you are happy Elizabeth has escaped her brutish betrothed, you are plunged into despair over her capture and the 'lessons' taught by her father.

Just when you are fearful of how her marriage will go, and for how long she must endure the bully, she's widowed!

Things will calm down now, right? Not remotely! Between Wickham, Miss Bingley, Mrs Bennet, and Jane... Jane? Yes, Jane! There are enough enemies throwing curve balls to keep you riveted.

A wild roller coaster ride, indeed!

[Rosanne M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not for the faint of heart

Elizabeth is stripped of her innocence and trust. She attempts to flee but winds up married to Collins. I cried, was angry, and at times confused. My confusion was the reason for a 4 star rating.
I kept thinking she would prevail and happy ever after would appear. I stayed up all night and it finally happened but it was a long journey, mixed with the slow process of healing. I liked that things were not rushed, because healing is for many a slow process.
I recommend adults read this story- Elizabeth is true to cannon while SADDLY Jane is not.

[Julieann Martinez Sandoval · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clearly gripping edge of your seat page turner.

I loved that Lydia was presented as a sensible young lady, Wickham was dealt with promptly, Charlotte was elevated toa higher sphere than that of a Parson's wife. Mr Bennet & Jane were truly awful and as for the rest of Elizabeth's family there will be surprises. I loved it and couldn't put it down until I finished it. I will be looking forward to more from Caroline Cartier who knows she might just become one of my favorite authors if she can continue with such surprising story plots.

[Katherine Applegate · Rating 5 out of 5]

a different varation hard to put down but heavy on the angst.

I couldn’t put it down, part of me wanted to put it down. But I needed to know! It started out feeling light like a fairy story and then… it got a bit dark, darker then darkest, then you see a little light. You what the transformation of some our favorite character and what makes a person strong. There is a lot of angst and some very dramatic side characters. I would say it’s closer to 5 stars just because you need to know what happens next!

[Paul Heatley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A radical reworking of Lizzie Bennett's story

Caroline Cartier gives us an intriguing premised for this Austen remix: Elizabeth is forced to marry Mr. Collins and is then widowed almost immediately. So how can the awkward Mr. Darcy hope to win the heart of a woman who doesn't need his money and has been traumatized by her brief experience of marriage? There seems to be an abundance of Jane Austen Fan Fiction these days, but this delightful pastiche helps to sort the wheat from the JAFF!

[Tori · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this variation, we get Bad Jane and Good Lydia, horrible Bennet parents, a fantastic Lucas family, and a Lady Catherine who meets her end before she can cause too much mischief.

I nearly stopped reading because of the abuse by the Bennets, Mr. Collins, and even a Longbourn maid. Luckily, the abuse ends relatively early and Lizzy has a cast of caring characters who help her through her trauma.


There are a few side plots that did nothing to further the plot, and added unnecessary angst to the story.

[Raven Gracey · Rating 2 out of 5]

The only reason I didn't DNF this, was because I kept hoping it would get better considering how much I liked Ever After End. It wasn't badly written, per se, but I just couldn't jive with the plot. I also found some of it felt a little too convoluted. Maybe I should've expected it after Ever After End, but there was just too many characters to keep track of and it made it easy to lose interest. I don't generally speed read, because with my dyslexia it gives me a migraine, but I sped through at least half of this hoping I would eventually enjoy it and just finding myself disappointed.

[Patti Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

great story - evil Jane

This one was really a surprise to me. Love the many twists in it. I personally have always loved an evil Jane storyline. 😂. I also like that this one has a very strong Anne. I won’t say much because I don’t want to ruin the storyline, but I strongly recommend this novel! Very well written, and a very easy read. I couldn’t put it down until I finished it.

[Elizabeth Swing · Rating 4 out of 5]

Something different

I enjoyed the basic story even though it involved abuse. It was well written with little to no typos. I really liked that Lydia was not the villain but Jane was was allowed to express less than angelic ideals. The only thing keeping me from giving the story 5 stars was that the problems were resolved too easily and there were little to no consequences for bad behavior.