Delightful story where friendship and romance receive equal attention.
In the aftermath of the Netherfield ball, Jane is thrown into despair when she receives Miss Bingley's note announcing the group's departure and hinting at Mr. Bingley's serious interest in Georgiana Darcy. Meanwhile, when she isn't bemoaning Mr. Bingley's abandonment of Jane, Mrs. Bennet badgers Elizabeth for refusing Mr. Collins's marriage proposal.
Not long after, Elizabeth notices that Charlotte just doesn't look well and tires easily. When pressed, Charlotte admits she IS quite ill and has seen Mr. Jones, the local apothecary, who believes she has a wasting disease. Her own family is unaware of her condition. With the Christmas season approaching, she wishes that just once a gentleman would notice her and that she would be kissed under the mistletoe.
Mr. Gardiner has acquired a new business partner, a wealthy young bachelor with connections among high society. Recognizing the excellent opportunity for his eldest nieces, Mr. Gardiner invites Jane and Elizabeth to visit and join them at Yuletide events they will be attending thanks to Mr. Van der Meer.
Along with getting away from her melodramatic mother, Elizabeth sees dual potential in the invitation: Jane might be lifted from her doldrums over Mr. Bingley, and their ailing friend might have her wish fulfilled. At her request, the Gardiners amend their invitation to include Charlotte, and the three young ladies head off to London, where the rest of the book takes place.
The various dinner parties, dances, and balls all have seasonal decorations, and Elizabeth loyally spends most of her time trying to steer likely-looking gentlemen toward Charlotte and into the correct position under the mistletoe. Mr. Van der Meer is a genial, outgoing man very much in the mold of Mr. Bingley; it's not so surprising that the two are good friends or that Mr. Darcy attends many of the same social gatherings.
The entire story is told from Elizabeth's point of view. It's filled with spirited banter between her and Mr. Darcy, slowly turning up the heat between the pair until it positively sizzles. The sweet relationship that Lizzy, Charlotte, and Jane share is heartwarming.
As with all of Alix James's novels, this is beautifully written and thoroughly engages the reader. Content is clean.
I received a free copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review. Opinions are my own.