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Primum Mobile #1
Fixed Stars: A Pride & Prejudice Vagary
In the autumn of 1811, Miss Bennet encounters Miss Darcy in Hyde Park, and the two swiftly strike up a friendship. Acute concern for his sister's happiness moves Fitzwilliam Darcy to propose marriage to the kind young lady. Only when he arrives in Hertfordshire does he discover that he is engaged to the wrong Bennet sister.
Bound by honour to another, can Darcy ever confess his love for Elizabeth? And if he does, will scandal and ruin be the only result?
Fixed Stars, the first book in the Primum Mobile Duology, is a tale of thwarted longing and familial strife–but also of perseverance and triumphant love. It is a clean Pride & Prejudice retelling of 75,000 words with a happy ending for Darcy and Elizabeth.
Bound by honour to another, can Darcy ever confess his love for Elizabeth? And if he does, will scandal and ruin be the only result?
Fixed Stars, the first book in the Primum Mobile Duology, is a tale of thwarted longing and familial strife–but also of perseverance and triumphant love. It is a clean Pride & Prejudice retelling of 75,000 words with a happy ending for Darcy and Elizabeth.
300 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 1, 2024
40 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
About the author
S. E. Granger
4 books18 followersS. E. Granger is a novelist, literary scholar, and lifelong Jane Austen enthusiast.
When not absorbed in writing or reading a book, she enjoys taking walks, baking bread, and playing the harp. She follows figure skating as intensely as others follow football.
She lives in California with her husband and young son.
Instagram: s.e.granger
When not absorbed in writing or reading a book, she enjoys taking walks, baking bread, and playing the harp. She follows figure skating as intensely as others follow football.
She lives in California with her husband and young son.
Instagram: s.e.granger
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 7, 2024
I was so engrossed in the story that I completely forgot it was "Book 1" and I won't know the final result for a few more months.
The story is complete for Darcy and Elizabeth. HEA for them and hopefully another couple. Some conflicts remain to be resolved.
It begins as another popular story did: Darcy meets Jane Bennet and quickly asks for her hand. She agrees and they travel to Longbourn. I was afraid at first that the story would be too similar to that other book, but I should not have worried. The tale takes off on another tangent.
Five stars from me. I am waiting for "Book 2."
The story is complete for Darcy and Elizabeth. HEA for them and hopefully another couple. Some conflicts remain to be resolved.
It begins as another popular story did: Darcy meets Jane Bennet and quickly asks for her hand. She agrees and they travel to Longbourn. I was afraid at first that the story would be too similar to that other book, but I should not have worried. The tale takes off on another tangent.
Five stars from me. I am waiting for "Book 2."
September 30, 2024
I enjoyed this variation very much! Great writing style, original storyline. It is nice that the plot twists weren’t all predicable, as its too often the case in most of the variations. The second part was a bit too wordy and not that interesting, but the first was excellent. All the characters were true to themselves, even though some acted differently than in canon.
Well done! I hope this author will write many more books.
Well done! I hope this author will write many more books.
December 18, 2024
love on a rocky road
Great story. Darcy is engaged to Jane. Jane and Darcy are betrothed. Then Jane begins to walk with Bingley because he is full of smiles and Darcy isn’t. Then Lizzy walks with Darcy since Jane doesn’t. He falls in love with Lizzy and she falls in love with him. Bingley falls in love with Jane.
At this point everything unravels. The rest of the story is full of angst. So ends part one of the story. There is a part 2 book which finishes the saga.
Great story. Darcy is engaged to Jane. Jane and Darcy are betrothed. Then Jane begins to walk with Bingley because he is full of smiles and Darcy isn’t. Then Lizzy walks with Darcy since Jane doesn’t. He falls in love with Lizzy and she falls in love with him. Bingley falls in love with Jane.
At this point everything unravels. The rest of the story is full of angst. So ends part one of the story. There is a part 2 book which finishes the saga.
August 7, 2024
Emotional
A very emotionally charged and poignant variation inspired by Jane Austen’s classic novel Pride and Prejudice by S. E. Granger. I enjoyed it and eagerly await the next book.
A very emotionally charged and poignant variation inspired by Jane Austen’s classic novel Pride and Prejudice by S. E. Granger. I enjoyed it and eagerly await the next book.
November 6, 2024
nice twists
Jane engaged to Darcy, Georgianna being petulant, darker shades in other characters are a great combination for a noncanon but intriguing dilemma to resolve. Looking forward to Book 2.
Jane engaged to Darcy, Georgianna being petulant, darker shades in other characters are a great combination for a noncanon but intriguing dilemma to resolve. Looking forward to Book 2.
December 27, 2024
4.5 stars rounded up. To start with let me say that this is the first book of a two-part series, and while the first book contains a complete story, with a settled romance and no obvious cliff hanger, there are a lot of loose ends that made me feel a need to read the second book right away. It's best to go in forewarned, I think, especially those of us who aren't into series reading. If you care about the relationships between Elizabeth Bennet and her family, you'll want to read the second book.
I knew this would be an interesting story, when I first read the blurb indicating that Darcy becomes engaged to Jane Bennet after Jane befriends his troubled sister Georgiana. Anyone familiar with the original Pride and Prejudice or even just variations on that story knows that is going to be a problem. So, of course, going in there was conflict already forming in my mind. But the book starts out without that conflict so obvious on the page, with Lizzy first surprised at her sister's engagement to such a dour, haughty gentleman, as well as her disappointment when Jane declares she is not in love with him. Lizzy's doubts grow, and she needs to overcome her own dislike of Darcy before she can consider him a suitable match for Jane.
But then Lizzy befriends Darcy, and we begin to see where this could go. The danger, that is, of a scandal, for the two unsuitable people are already engaged, and word has spread. Mrs. Bennet could never keep such a match quiet, and when Wickham shows up in Meryton, Darcy immediately wishes to decamp to London with his sister, and with Jane and Elizabeth in tow. There they face the cynicism of the ton, and Jane really isn't up to that kind of scrutiny.
But we are halfway through the book and nearly to the wedding before the pressure of true affection begins to crumble away at the thin walls of that unsuitable engagement. So the first half of the story carries only a hint, a nagging feeling more than angst. Once the main couple recognize their feelings for each other, with no impropriety at all taking place mind you, the story becomes quite angst-driven. A scandal flares up, and the reader can't help but become decidedly outraged. I wanted to fight a duel myself for Lizzy's honor at one point, and I could have strangled certain characters. And I don't usually have such decidedly violent reactions to P&P variations. So if you don't like angst, you might not like this novel. I do, though, and I'm very glad to have read this one.
The story alternates between Elizabeth's and Darcy's points of view. There are a few editing/proofreading misses, but the one thing that bothered me was the font used for correspondence. Most books use italics to present something as handwritten, and I prefer that to this loopy script, which my old eyes found difficult to read in the Kindle version. I realize it looks closer to handwriting, but this is a book. I would have preferred simple italics. Other than that, I love this novel.
I knew this would be an interesting story, when I first read the blurb indicating that Darcy becomes engaged to Jane Bennet after Jane befriends his troubled sister Georgiana. Anyone familiar with the original Pride and Prejudice or even just variations on that story knows that is going to be a problem. So, of course, going in there was conflict already forming in my mind. But the book starts out without that conflict so obvious on the page, with Lizzy first surprised at her sister's engagement to such a dour, haughty gentleman, as well as her disappointment when Jane declares she is not in love with him. Lizzy's doubts grow, and she needs to overcome her own dislike of Darcy before she can consider him a suitable match for Jane.
But then Lizzy befriends Darcy, and we begin to see where this could go. The danger, that is, of a scandal, for the two unsuitable people are already engaged, and word has spread. Mrs. Bennet could never keep such a match quiet, and when Wickham shows up in Meryton, Darcy immediately wishes to decamp to London with his sister, and with Jane and Elizabeth in tow. There they face the cynicism of the ton, and Jane really isn't up to that kind of scrutiny.
But we are halfway through the book and nearly to the wedding before the pressure of true affection begins to crumble away at the thin walls of that unsuitable engagement. So the first half of the story carries only a hint, a nagging feeling more than angst. Once the main couple recognize their feelings for each other, with no impropriety at all taking place mind you, the story becomes quite angst-driven. A scandal flares up, and the reader can't help but become decidedly outraged. I wanted to fight a duel myself for Lizzy's honor at one point, and I could have strangled certain characters. And I don't usually have such decidedly violent reactions to P&P variations. So if you don't like angst, you might not like this novel. I do, though, and I'm very glad to have read this one.
The story alternates between Elizabeth's and Darcy's points of view. There are a few editing/proofreading misses, but the one thing that bothered me was the font used for correspondence. Most books use italics to present something as handwritten, and I prefer that to this loopy script, which my old eyes found difficult to read in the Kindle version. I realize it looks closer to handwriting, but this is a book. I would have preferred simple italics. Other than that, I love this novel.
May 17, 2025
I enjoyed this story. Darcy began as haughty and disdainful, but his transformation due to his growing relationship with Elizabeth was really well written. Elizabeth wasn’t perfect (as shown in some of the mistakes she made with both Darcy and Lady Matlock), but she was kind, caring, and intelligent – everything you want in Elizabeth Bennet.
I’m looking forward to reading the second book in the duology.
4.5-stars rounded up since it needed more editing and proofreading. There were some odd mistakes that should have been caught by her editors/beta readers.
I’m looking forward to reading the second book in the duology.
4.5-stars rounded up since it needed more editing and proofreading. There were some odd mistakes that should have been caught by her editors/beta readers.
January 21, 2025
Totally different
Apart from the characters, there's little resemblance with the original story but it is an interesting idea. We'll written and engaging it leaves at a moment calculated to make you want to read what comes next without it being a cliffhanger.
Apart from the characters, there's little resemblance with the original story but it is an interesting idea. We'll written and engaging it leaves at a moment calculated to make you want to read what comes next without it being a cliffhanger.
December 4, 2024
I loved it!
It was so enticing that I couldn’t put it down, this book grabbed my interest from the very first page. I couldn’t put it down, I had to know what happened next. The story is well written with a very good storyline. You will see the most beloved characters in a whole new way. This is a Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice variation. This is the first book in the Primum Mobile Duology series, it is a tale of thwarted longing and familial strife, but also of perseverance and triumphant love. It is a clean story with a happy ending for Darcy and Elizabeth. In the autumn of 1811, Miss Bennet encounters Miss Darcy in Hyde Park, and the two swiftly strike up a friendship. Acute concern for his sister's happiness moves Fitzwilliam Darcy to propose marriage to the kind young lady. Only when he arrives in Hertfordshire does he discover that he is engaged to the wrong Bennet sister. Bound by honour to another, can Darcy ever confess his love for Elizabeth and if he does, will scandal and ruin be the only result? So with all that and more this story pulls you in and holds you tight. It’s a must read. I highly recommend to everyone.
It was so enticing that I couldn’t put it down, this book grabbed my interest from the very first page. I couldn’t put it down, I had to know what happened next. The story is well written with a very good storyline. You will see the most beloved characters in a whole new way. This is a Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice variation. This is the first book in the Primum Mobile Duology series, it is a tale of thwarted longing and familial strife, but also of perseverance and triumphant love. It is a clean story with a happy ending for Darcy and Elizabeth. In the autumn of 1811, Miss Bennet encounters Miss Darcy in Hyde Park, and the two swiftly strike up a friendship. Acute concern for his sister's happiness moves Fitzwilliam Darcy to propose marriage to the kind young lady. Only when he arrives in Hertfordshire does he discover that he is engaged to the wrong Bennet sister. Bound by honour to another, can Darcy ever confess his love for Elizabeth and if he does, will scandal and ruin be the only result? So with all that and more this story pulls you in and holds you tight. It’s a must read. I highly recommend to everyone.
December 9, 2025
I found it very difficult to like this story. Ever since Darcy's confession, "unfairness" has been screaming in my mind. Oh Elizabeth didn't do anything wrong at all!
Darcy's hasty proposal was made out of concern for Georgiana's happiness; Jane accepted it for the sake of material stability (a bit mercenary); Mr. Bennet noticed that the two had incompatible personalities but did nothing about it; Darcy and Jane both fell in love with someone else when they had a marriage contract; Jane favored Bingley, which led Elizabeth to often be accompanied by Darcy. Elizabeth fell in love with Darcy, but throughout this, Elizabeth did nothing to seduce him; until Darcy, for whatever reason, felt that it was appropriate to express his love to her; Elizabeth was unaware of this.
Wickham and Miss Bingley spread rumors. Then everyone believed that Elizabeth was the culprit, and all condemned her (including the Gardners). Everyone thought that Jane deserved the best, and all were blaming Elizabeth.
Elizabeth was truly in despair. When she saw Darcy again, she immediately forgave him for his actions
, inaction and the direct cause of all her troubles. If she hadn't been in such despair, I doubt she would have been so willing to accept him.
Everyone treated Elizabeth unfairly, especially Mr. Bennet. I almost slapped everyone. But I was also dissatisfied with Darcy's attitude. When he heard that Elizabeth was ruined, his first reaction was to secretly rejoice that he could marry her... Was this the reaction of the gentleman we are familiar with, who places the responsibility of right or wrong and everything on his own shoulders?
After all this torment, it was still always Elizabeth who took the initiative to approach (such as Georgiana).
Overall, this story is very exciting. But I have a particular fondness for Elizabeth, and it's really hard for me.
Darcy's hasty proposal was made out of concern for Georgiana's happiness; Jane accepted it for the sake of material stability (a bit mercenary); Mr. Bennet noticed that the two had incompatible personalities but did nothing about it; Darcy and Jane both fell in love with someone else when they had a marriage contract; Jane favored Bingley, which led Elizabeth to often be accompanied by Darcy. Elizabeth fell in love with Darcy, but throughout this, Elizabeth did nothing to seduce him; until Darcy, for whatever reason, felt that it was appropriate to express his love to her; Elizabeth was unaware of this.
Wickham and Miss Bingley spread rumors. Then everyone believed that Elizabeth was the culprit, and all condemned her (including the Gardners). Everyone thought that Jane deserved the best, and all were blaming Elizabeth.
Elizabeth was truly in despair. When she saw Darcy again, she immediately forgave him for his actions
, inaction and the direct cause of all her troubles. If she hadn't been in such despair, I doubt she would have been so willing to accept him.
Everyone treated Elizabeth unfairly, especially Mr. Bennet. I almost slapped everyone. But I was also dissatisfied with Darcy's attitude. When he heard that Elizabeth was ruined, his first reaction was to secretly rejoice that he could marry her... Was this the reaction of the gentleman we are familiar with, who places the responsibility of right or wrong and everything on his own shoulders?
After all this torment, it was still always Elizabeth who took the initiative to approach (such as Georgiana).
Overall, this story is very exciting. But I have a particular fondness for Elizabeth, and it's really hard for me.
March 14, 2025
Darcy has proposed to Jane Bennet, who was in London with the Gardiners when she befriended Georgiana Darcy. He was pleased with how well Jane was able to uplift Georgiana's spirits. There is no love on either side. Darcy is so stiff, and almost robotically snobbish, that it's difficult to understand how he found her to be an acceptable choice. When he meets her family at Longbourn, he's filled with disgust at their behavior. On a walk with him in the garden, Elizabeth attempts, without success, to pull his nose out of the air. It's firmly in the clouds, as if he can't bear the stench.
There is angst through the roof as Darcy slowly comes to realize his love for Elizabeth, which wars against his sense of honor. It is she who suffers the consequences, in spite of her innocence in the scandal.
This was very well-written. The plot was certainly unique, and the mental anguish of the characters well-described. We thankfully don't get a cliffhanger with this one, but we're left with a compelling desire to read Book 2. One slight criticism would be Elizabeth's choice to visit Hyde Park with the children, where she could be vulnerable to the comments of the ton. There was a small park near the Gardiners that would have sufficed, with no chance of her being seen. I was also unable to understand how Fixed Stars and Primum Mobile, the references from astronomy used metaphorically, fit into the plot.
There is angst through the roof as Darcy slowly comes to realize his love for Elizabeth, which wars against his sense of honor. It is she who suffers the consequences, in spite of her innocence in the scandal.
This was very well-written. The plot was certainly unique, and the mental anguish of the characters well-described. We thankfully don't get a cliffhanger with this one, but we're left with a compelling desire to read Book 2. One slight criticism would be Elizabeth's choice to visit Hyde Park with the children, where she could be vulnerable to the comments of the ton. There was a small park near the Gardiners that would have sufficed, with no chance of her being seen. I was also unable to understand how Fixed Stars and Primum Mobile, the references from astronomy used metaphorically, fit into the plot.
June 20, 2025
Premise: Georgiana Darcy meets Jane Bennet in London and becomes instant BFFs with her. Mr Darcy is happy because Georgiana had been so withdrawn and depressed until she met Jane. So he... proposes to Jane. When they travel to meet the Bennets, he can't hide his dismay over their behavior. Elizabeth worries for Jane and tries (with varying success) to make friends for her sake. Meanwhile, Jane can't find anything to chat to Mr Darcy about, but Mr Bingley enjoys the same things she does. Love confessions, stoic determination, and finally shocking scandal blows everything up. By the end, the canon couples are happily wed, but at what cost?
What I liked: The slow-burn build between Elizabeth and Darcy is delicious as they go from disdainful to cordial to friendly to uh oh, I'm in love with my betrothed's sister.
Characterization: Darcy is very impulsive, with his abrupt marriage proposal and his just as abrupt love confession. Mr Bennet is THE LITERAL WORST.
Spice level: None. A kiss or two and allusions to happy marital relations.
Any non-canon parings: Not exactly.
Other notes or issues: I was a little frustrated with the Gardiners--why didn't Mr G ask Lizzy what happened? And yes, I did wish for a little bit more on-page kissing. They waited so long and went through so much!
What I liked: The slow-burn build between Elizabeth and Darcy is delicious as they go from disdainful to cordial to friendly to uh oh, I'm in love with my betrothed's sister.
Characterization: Darcy is very impulsive, with his abrupt marriage proposal and his just as abrupt love confession. Mr Bennet is THE LITERAL WORST.
Spice level: None. A kiss or two and allusions to happy marital relations.
Any non-canon parings: Not exactly.
Other notes or issues: I was a little frustrated with the Gardiners--why didn't Mr G ask Lizzy what happened? And yes, I did wish for a little bit more on-page kissing. They waited so long and went through so much!
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