Once He Made a Beginning: A Pride and Prejudice Variation

by P.O. Dixon

"Every Ending, a Promising Prelude to a Beautiful New Beginning." After his failed proposal at Hunsford, Fitzwilliam Darcy suffers a devastating accident that alters the course of his future. Overwhelmed with concern, unresolved feelings, and self-blame, Elizabeth Bennet finds herself compelled to stay by his side throughout his recovery. Is this fate’s way of giving them a second chance, or are some wounds too deep to heal?

Once He Made a Beginning — A captivating Regency romance that reimagines the intricate dynamics between Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy. Set against the rich backdrop of early 19th-century England, this Jane Austen-inspired romantic escape is a tale of second chances and the enduring power of love. Delve into how fate’s unexpected twists open the door to forgiveness and new opportunities in this enchanting historical romance, a heartfelt Pride and Prejudice adaptation.

Discover this unique interpretation of a timeless love story today. Click to buy Once He Made a Beginning and lose yourself in the elegant world of historical Regency-era romance like never before!

Genres: Audiobook, Historical

230 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 30, 2024

About the author

P. O. Dixon has authored several Jane Austen "Pride and Prejudice" adaptations, all written with one overriding purpose in mind—falling in love with Darcy and Elizabeth. Sometimes provocative, but always entertaining, her stories have been read, commented on, and thoroughly enjoyed by thousands of readers worldwide.

Reviews

[Sheila Majczan · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars.

As some other reviews stated this story really has little new in it.

We have Darcy proposing at Hunsford, getting the setdown from Elizabeth, leaving and then writing that letter. However now we have him being throw when his horse stumbles as he travels to deliver the letter. He is knocked unconscious and suffers "selective amnesia"...he does not remember Elizabeth at all and he thinks he is engaged to his cousin, Anne. The physician warns against trying to correct his memories...allow it to happen on its own, he advises. Lady Catherine suffers a collapse when she views him and his injuries so she is not in charge of arrangements for his care. Thus Anne requests that Elizabeth help care for him...and she is given the letter found on his body.

Thus Elizabeth, after reading the letter and being in company with him and those who know him well, begins to change her opinion of him.

From here you can guess the rest. He does regain his memory, finds Bingley and returns with him to Netherfield. We do have Lydia's debacle. Epilogue included.

[Lady Mercury]

Nothing new IF you've read Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.

DNF 66%

In this variation are only 2 major changes, Darcy's accident and his memory loss but other wise it's like copy paste. Honestly I really do not want to spend all of my listening hours on Spotify on a copy paste variation.

What also bothered me, we should believe that his thoughts about Elizabeth when he had his memory loss are showing he loves her or whatever.. but for me they didn't.. They only showed that his memory slowly comes back.
Did I detect any development in sentiments on Darcy's part after the failed proposal?
No because he left Kent after he recovered and we heard nothing further of him for months.

Whereas for Elizabeth, her love for Darcy grew which we could witness 'on page' and her agony on Darcy leaving.

Can't say more now as I dnf'ed.

[Jeanah · Rating 3 out of 5]

eh, not much new

There was only two changes in the plot from the original everything else occurred as it did in the original. I do not enjoy reading regurgitated works. At least half of book is Jane Austen words copied. I felt my time could have better spent elsewhere.

[Allison Ripley-Duggan · Rating 5 out of 5]

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. Discover this unique interpretation of a timeless love story and lose yourself in the elegant world of historical Regency era romance like never before. This is a promising prelude to a beautiful new beginning. A captivating Regency romance that reimagines the intricate dynamics between Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy. Set against the rich backdrop of early 19th-century England, this Jane Austen-inspired romantic escape is a tale of second chances and the enduring power of love. Delve into how fate’s unexpected twists open the door to forgiveness and new opportunities in this enchanting historical romance, a true heartfelt story. After his failed proposal at Hunsford, Fitzwilliam Darcy suffers a devastating accident that alters the course of his future. Overwhelmed with concern, unresolved feelings, and self-blame, Elizabeth Bennet finds herself compelled to stay by his side throughout his recovery. Is this fate’s way of giving them a second chance, or are some wounds too deep to heal? 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.

[Mustang · Rating 4 out of 5]

Accident, memory loss and figuring things out
3.5 rounded up to 4. What happens when you get a very upset Darcy after being refused - long hard horseback rides (yep, more than one), an accident, memory loss, and THE letter delivered by Col F to Elizabeth? You get this new story by PO Dixon. This is not a big spoiler as you find this out rather quickly in the story. This is a quick read & sometimes I really enjoy those as I can sit & read it in one day/sitting and not have something longer especially if I am short on time and still want a completed story. Could things have been delved into deeper or explored more, yes, but this story still works. There were several times when I just wanted to smack a few characters (but that happens with many of the stories that I have read). Will I read this again - I think that I will.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Surprisingly bad

A great premise wasted on too few words. The short length demanded a fast pace and thus a disappointing lack of character development before feelings changed. The dialogue is stilted and trite in addition to quite a bit of it lifted from the original source dialogue as well. Expected more from this author, especially for the price.

[Teresita · Rating 5 out of 5]

A mix of what ifs

An entertaining story where several possible scenarios come together to tell an interesting tale. There are also a pair of unexpected turns in the plot that put a different spin on things.

[Katja · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pleasant read that I finished in one evening. I liked the general plot idea. In the beginning, Darcy suffers an accident soon after the Disastrous Hunsford Proposal, the Colonel finds his letter to Elizabeth, and assumes there is an attachment between them. But when Darcy wakes up from his unconsciousness he does not recognize Elizabeth and assumes that he's engaged to Anne. Which pleases Lady Catherine to no end. Elizabeth feels guilty because she is sure that the accident happened because of their argument. This set up a very interesting beginning.

However, thereafter things are largely business as usual, and the amnesia stops having much of an effect. There is quite a lot from canon, both direct quotes and plot elements. The characters are able to remember many past conversations exactly verbatim... In my opinion, a little more in author's own words wouldn't have gone amiss. If I want to read Austen's exact dialogue of Lady Catherine's confrontation with Elizabeth I know where to find it in Pride and Prejudice.

The plot jumps and skips quite a bit in a way that may leave the reader with a sense of wait-what-just-happened, like there is some missing information, or information that is not supplied in the chronological order but as an afterthought much later. For example, initially we have no idea if or how Darcy extricated himself from the assumed engagement with Anne honourably. Later we find out that Darcy has had some kind of confrontation with Lady Catherine when he leaves Rosings but this is reported as a second hand reference and we don't know what was said. There's a dramatic death and a property in Scotland that are reported as a sidenote, and a letter from Miss Bingley that we find out about later, when someone talks about it. Lady Catherine receives a letter in a very dramatic manner, saying it has to do with the family honour. But we have no idea who it was from or what it said, although we can assume it had something to do with Lydia's rescue. In the end our dear couple find a mysterious old letter. Which will remain a mystery for the reader, for evermore. (Maybe it was just an excuse for them to talk about Darcy's famous first letter.)

The editing is quite good and the language is very readable.

History nitpick: It is assumed that the mourning period is six months for a brother-in-law. But a quick googling tells you that it was more like six weeks or so.

Steam level: Kissing.

[Sam H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet story, where our dear couple get a kind of do-over. Or, what happens when one little thing is changed, yet it makes for a completely different story.

It's the day after the failed Hunsford proposal. Darcy has his letter, but suffers an accident before he can give it to Elizabeth. Then, miscommunications and misunderstandings take place.

When there was interaction the dynamics were great. However, due to the skips in time between scenes the reader is left with the sensation of missing information.
For me this was felt the most during the time of Darcy's unconsciousness. Elizabeth had time to read the letter, learn more about Darcy from Anne de Bourgh and Col. Fitzwilliam. Sadly, we see none of that. We are jumped to Darcy waking, with no recollection of Elizabeth, yet she has developed feelings for him. I missed that process.

Aside from that, this really is an entertaining read. I kind of like the shoe being on the other foot. Usually we have Darcy full of passion for an Elizabeth who walks away. Here we see Elizabeth knowing he is worth it, yet he walks away from her.

Don't worry, he comes back!

[Vem · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF 66%

Lots of quotes, passages directly copy pasted often in the book even though its not needed. Every time a character remembers something, the entire part from canon is included for no reason. Darcy's accident and memory loss made no impact as the story just follows the canon part. Why would Darcy leave Kent when he has seen Elizabeth's changed behaviour towards him and they even kissed almost? Nothing made sense in this.

At 66% when i stopped, Darcy has brought Bingley to Netherfield. Apparently Elizabeth didn't go for the tour and they didn't meet here. Now news of lydia's elopement comes, and the same words are repeated for dialogues, Elizabeth's thoughts regarding Darcy leaving her, even though its a completely different situation now. I can't continue anymore honestly

[Unnichan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Surprised at how much I didn’t care for this. The changes to canon were nice but something still felt stale and awkward. Nothing was captivating, nor did I believe or need Darcy and Elizabeth together.

I listened to the audiobook and thought that was problem and I do believe that was part of it but real emotion and longing were absent. Nothing building for these two to begin again. No real need to.
Much more could have been done with the amnesia trope or Elizabeth’s intrigue into more of Darcy’s true character. There was none of that.

Very, very thin.
This may be the first PO Dixon I truly did not like.

[Bettye McKee]

A fine tangle

The story begins immediately following the dreadful Hunsford proposal. Darcy, deeply hurt and resentful, goes for a nighttime. ride. His horse throws him and his head hits a rock. He is discovered by two tenant farmers who carry him to Rosings Park.

When Darcy awakes, he has no memory of Elizabeth Bennet but believes he is betrothed to his cousin, Anne DeBourgh.

6

[Sherry Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally!! a book that kept me glued from beginning to end!!

I read everything Ms. Dixon writes!! This variation was not a disappointment. I’ve been starving for a good variation, thank you for a great book. I love how she always makes you want more. This had a little angst not a lot, but that’s ok! It was nicely written.

[sharon temple · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read everything this author has written and I am always on the lookout for more.
This one is a nice story but it struck me as somewhat rushed in parts.
Dixon tells a good tale with a lot of time spent developing the characters and the storyline. This time it was all over very quickly.
In any case, it’s a short, lovely tale. Enjoy.

[William Hovey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story, but …….

This reader greatly enjoyed the story, but was disappointed by the amount of text copied from P&P. Many opportunities for new paths were essentially ignored, such as Anne and the Colonel’s story, Mary’s future, Caroline’s marital situation, and several others. Good idea that did not follow through on its promise.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

With a new premise to change the course of the original story or get to the happy ending in a new way, it really doesn’t. This book adds a foil, a new event to the original, that could then change how things proceed and instead it follows almost the same finish that the original does.

[Terri Conley · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting variation well written and plotted.
I always enjoy PO Dixon books.

[Liz H · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded to 4

[Zanahoria · Rating 1 out of 5]

Author, we have READ the book. Please stop regurgitating lines, and rehashing bits multiple times in flashbacks.

Boring.

[John C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mixed story quality

Very go d beginning. Very disappointed that the amnesia did not continue its developing promise. The rest was all filler. Big missed opportunity.