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Bravery & Treachery: A regency Novel Featuring the Characters from Pride & Prejudice

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Please Note: This a novel length story of more than 100,000 words.

Elizabeth finds she cannot reconcile to Charlotte aligning herself with a man such as William Collins, so she refuses the invitation to Hunsford. Instead, she goes on holiday to Brighton with the Gardiners. The family takes a summer holiday each year, and either Elizabeth or Jane join them. Due to her broken heart, Jane whose turn it was, demurs and asks for Lizzy to go in her stead.

One day Elizabeth is shopping near the Pavilion with her Aunt Maddie, her Uncle Edward, and their two eldest children, as well as her new friend, Anna, who she had met in Brighton. While the Gardiners are browsing inside of a store with their children, Elizabeth is standing just outside of the shop.

She notices a young girl approaching the street from the Royal Pavilion, who is being escorted some footmen-guards. The girl is about to cross the street heading for stores opposite the Pavilion. A man gallops towards the girl who becomes frozen with fear. None of her escorts are able to reach her thanks to other men on horses distracting them. As she watches in horror, Elizabeth sees the man galloping towards the girl lean down to prepare to grab the girl! He is a man Elizabeth who recognises, as she is only a foot or two from the victim, she runs into the street, and pushes the girl out of the kidnapper’s reach.

Seeing his prize snatched from his grasp, the miscreant aims his horse at the interfering miss and hits her, causing Elizabeth to fall and become quite seriously injured. The man has no choice but to gallop away as some of the girl’s escorts have reached her.

In the telling of this story, the question of Elizabeth’s recovery is answered .The tale tells about how serious our heroine’s injuries are, also, who it was she rescued, and the consequences of said rescue. We see the results of her actions on others, including the erstwhile kidnappers.

Said criminals have to face a rather angry man, to whom they had promised they would carry out his wishes. We learn who the men are and why the one who ordered the kidnapping did so.

Will there be a HEA for Elizabeth and Darcy, if so, how do they meet again as she did not go into Kent? What of Jane? Does she find her happiness with a biddable Charles Bingley, or does she realise he is not the man she thought he was?

All of these questions, and many others, will be answered as the story unfolds.

362 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 21, 2024

141 people are currently reading
22 people want to read

About the author

Shana Granderson

55 books66 followers
I have three children and after a disastrous first marriage I found my soul mate who I thought that was lost to me over 25 years ago. I recently married the love of my life. I live with my soul mate in Australasia and have three pets, two cats, Darcy and Bingley and a golden lab, Honey.

Like many high school students, Pride and Prejudice was assigned to me in an English literature class. It was not my favourite book, but I read it as I had to. I forgot about the book until in my 30’s when I saw and fell in love with the 1995 Pride and Prejudice version made for TV in England, and purchased a copy of the DVD that is now much played.

The tipping point was the 2005 big screen adaption of P&P. Not long after seeing it I found and read the complete works of Jane Austen on Amazon, starting with Pride and Prejudice. The latter book is by far my favourite. After I read it three of four times over, I wistfully said to myself: ‘it is a great pity that Miss Austen never wrote a sequel to her seminal novel.' One day I was searching Kindle books and for the fun of it I entered “Pride and Prejudice Sequel’ into the search not expecting any results.

The rest is history. I discovered the JAFF community and books. I became a veracious reader of JAFF books and once I had devoured all of the sequels and continuations that I could find, I read my first variation. I had been resisting variations wrongly thinking that I would not enjoy them as much as the sequels. Boy, was I ever wrong! Today I am the proud owner of well over 1,000 JAFF novels that I have purchased on Amazon. 'A Change of Fortunes' is my first book that I wrote. There are a number of others on the way.

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5 stars
242 (47%)
4 stars
164 (32%)
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77 (15%)
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25 (4%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
Profile Image for J. W. Garrett.
1,736 reviews140 followers
March 5, 2025
“Off with their heads!” Quote from Alice in Wonderland

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

>>Rating: Mature due to violence, an attempted kidnapping, injuries, death, justice meted out, and Royal displeasure, evil personified
>>Angst Level: Out the roof delicious. I wanted to lop off a few heads myself. My bloodlust was up.
>>Source: I borrowed this via KU and volunteered to leave a review. I was up at the midnight download and grabbed it. I nearly met the dawn before putting it down to sleep.
>>Trope: [1] wealth, titles, and Royal recognition [2] NSN Mrs. Bennet [3] 2nd Mrs. Bennet [but not the way you think]

The blurb described a brave act that nearly got the heroine killed in the process. That one incident set off a chain reaction that just kept on rolling. Everyone benefited from Elizabeth’s act of bravery. It was hilarious watching a capricious Royal when they were pleased. It also showed the flip side of that coin when said Royal was displeased. ‘Off with their heads!’ Okay, I couldn’t resist. The Red Queen had nothing on HRH the Prince Regent.

Friendships would be strained, and some would be lost. As usual, with this author, the villains and their evil were extreme, and their comeuppance creative. There were also the usual editing errors. I still loved it. I grabbed the download and read as much as I could before crashing. I nearly met the dawn. I was still in my PJs when I finished the next day. I need to reread it. This was fun.

1st read 11-21-24
2nd read 2-27-25 ~ 2-28-25
476 reviews4 followers
December 1, 2024
Off with their heads!

Up to the point when Elizabeth is greatly honored for saving a person of great consequence, this variation was doing quite well. After that, it went downhill due to the excessive praise and favors to Elizabeth and the Bennet family, as well as the over-the-top behaviors and punishment of the known villains. A lot of beheading going on here, and none of the honorable and compassionate characters even bat an eyelash for the consequences. It’s almost fantastical to say the least, but credit to the author for conjuring up this variation.
Profile Image for James S.
1,437 reviews
November 25, 2024
Bravery and Treachery

Instead of visiting Charlotte, Lizzy goes Brighton with the Gardiners. This makes for a huge What-if for the story. The story quickly changes dramatically from Pride and Prejudice. Plenty of new plots and some may seem unlikely, but makes for a fun read.

I recommend the book.
Profile Image for Teresita.
1,237 reviews12 followers
January 31, 2025
A full blown intrigue

Loved the integration of the beloved characters of P&P in a royal intrigue that completely changes the lives of most of them. A very interesting and worthy read.
1,216 reviews32 followers
December 24, 2024
Good, but over the top

After the Bingleys and Darcy leave Netherfield after the ball, breaking Jane's heart, the Gardiners take Elizabeth on a holiday to Brighton where Elizabeth meets and befriends Georgiana Darcy. The Prince Regent is in Brighton also, and Elizabeth saves the life of someone very dear to the Prince, getting badly injured during her brave deed. The Prince rewards Elizabeth for her courage, and it completely changes the lives of the Bennetts. Through letters with Georgiana, Darcy learns about Elizabeth's presence in Brighton, and eventually about her brave deed and injury. He's been fighting his strong attraction to Elizabeth, but decides to pursue her on Georgiana's quick and deep friendship with her.

I like this author, and particularly enjoy her extremely forthright characters. The villains are very bad, but get spectacular comeuppances. In this case, however, some of the usual annoying people suffer consequences that seem way too harsh. There is an actual divorce in the story, but they call it a dissolution, and the reason for it doesn't quite convince me that it's warranted. It seems that if you're rich or powerful enough, you can dispose of relations that annoy you by exiling, declaring mad, or divorcing, and no one will prevent you. There were a lot of disposable characters in this tale.

I like versions wherein the Bennett family isn't so cartoonishly dysfunctional, and where Jane is allowed to have a backbone. The involvement of the Prince Regent and the whole royal retinue in this tale, however, really pushes this particular storyline over the top, and into ridiculous territory. As a result, many of the main characters lost their identities and depth, and I started skimming whole sections of the story. The book is very well written and well edited. It's fun to read, but not quite as interesting as Ms Granderson's other books.
6 reviews
December 4, 2024
Absurd

Over the top - the governess was actually named "Maria Poppins," and there are names from Harry Potter, as well. The base storyline could have been interesting, but everything was so outlandish. Too unreal to be enjoyable for me.
Author 57 books28 followers
January 14, 2025
intriguing concept, poor execution

This would have been better as a generic Historical Romance novel.

I didn’t hate it, but I did feel let down
Profile Image for Susan.
7,310 reviews70 followers
December 3, 2024
In this Pride and Prejudice variation instead of travelling to Hunsford to visit Charlotte Collins, Elizabeth Bennet travels to Brighton with the Gardiners. There she meets Miss Darcy, and in a moment without thought she saves an important young lady from being kidnapped. How with this impact on all of the Bennets and their relationships with others.
An entertining story
121 reviews1 follower
December 30, 2024
I knew I should have stopped reading when one governess was named Maria Poppins. Mrs Granderson has made a speciality of writing P&P with a better connected Elizabeth. I am not averse to this trope but Mrs Granderson does not know when to stop. Titles and reaches are raining and it kills the interest. The Royals are supposed to be very positive characters but they act more like tyrants playing God. I didn't like them. I didn't like this Elizabeth either : generous to the deserving but cruel to the fools. Where is the greatness in that?
Profile Image for Allison Ripley-Duggan.
1,836 reviews14 followers
November 30, 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. Elizabeth finds she cannot reconcile to Charlotte aligning herself with a man such as William Collins, so she refuses the invitation to Hunsford; instead, she goes on holiday to Brighton with the Gardiners. The family takes a summer holiday each year, and either Elizabeth or Jane join them, and due to her broken heart, Jane whose turn it was, demurs and asks for Lizzy to go in her stead. One day Elizabeth is shopping near the Pavilion with her Aunt Maddie, her Uncle Edward, and their two eldest children, as well as her new friend, Anna, who she had met in Brighton, and while the Gardiners are browsing inside of a store with their children, Elizabeth is standing just outside of the shop, and she notices a young girl approaching the street from the Royal Pavilion, who is being escorted by some footmen-guards. The girl is about to cross the street heading for stores opposite the Pavilion, when a man gallops towards the girl who becomes frozen with fear. None of her escorts are able to reach her thanks to other men on horses distracting them, and as she watches in horror, Elizabeth sees the man that is galloping towards the girl lean down to prepare to grab the girl. He is a man who Elizabeth recognises, as she is only a foot or two from the victim, she runs into the street, and pushes the girl out of the kidnapper’s reach. Seeing his prize snatched from his grasp, the miscreant aims his horse at the interfering miss and hits her, causing Elizabeth to fall and become quite seriously injured, because of this, the man has no choice but to gallop away as some of the girl’s escorts have reached her. In the telling of this story, the question of Elizabeth’s recovery is answered. The tale tells about how serious our heroine’s injuries are, also, who it was she rescued, and the consequences of said rescue. We see the results of her actions on others, including the erstwhile kidnappers. Said criminals have to face a rather angry man, to whom they had promised they would carry out his wishes, and we learn who the men are and why the one who ordered the kidnapping did so. Will there be a HEA for Elizabeth and Darcy, if so, how do they meet again as she did not go into Kent? What of Jane? Does she find her happiness with a biddable Charles Bingley, or does she realise he is not the man she thought he was? All of these questions, and many others, will be answered as the story unfolds 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.
Profile Image for Diane.
561 reviews
January 25, 2025
While it is rather over-the-top and unrealistic, this novel captured my interest right from the start. So much happens, it's hard to even say what part was my favorite (well, other than ODC getting together). Even though I've read many, many, P&P variations, for some reason this is the first by this author, and as soon as I finish the review, I'm starting on my next book from this author.

I kind of like stories that have bat-sh*t crazy and obsessed characters who get their comeuppance and/or due punishment. This one had plenty, and they all pretty much got what they deserved. One thing that was hilarious is the governess/companion that Mr. Bennet finally hires for his daughters is named Maria Poppins! I truly laughed out loud to see that!

Whatever reality may have been, I liked how the Regent was portrayed to act irresponsibly in public so that people would underestimate him. I also loved Maria Fitzherbert and how the Queen was portrayed, and that all the family were very loving people. It made the story so much more heartwarming. Mr. Darcy of course, developed into the wonderful, loving man we all are in love with.

I highly recommend this book!
Profile Image for Bethanne.
618 reviews10 followers
December 2, 2024
Another wonderful story

This is the only one of " A Lady"s works that I didn't read before. I'm glad that I have now because its as good as all her other stories.
Elizabeth goes to Brighton to spend time at the seaside with her Uncle Gardiner and family. She meets Georgiana Darcy and they become friends and spend time with the Gardiners. One day as they are all out she saves a young girl from being kidnapped and is seriously injured. Of course the father of this young girl is none other than The Prince Of Wales who was just appointed Regent due to his father's illness.
From there good things happen for the Bennet family and their friends, along with the Darcy-Fitzwilliam family members, except for Lady Catherine who finally is getting her just rewards for being so obnoxious and trying to inform the Regent how to do his job!! Others get their rewards for their evil acts and justice is swift when you go against the Crown and their friends.
I enjoyed reading this and finding little " Easter eggs " hidden in the story - Harry Potter references!
Profile Image for Craftyhj.
1,236 reviews
March 20, 2025
3.25* - sweet fairytale escapism

This author has a real following so kudos to her for writing books for which she can find a loyal readership. For me they are very much "once upon a time...." fairytales. And there is definitely a place for that but they are never going to rank very highly for me.

The writing has evolved in a positive way with far less extraneous waffle which does not move the plot forward. The style remains telling rather than showing, but with far more structure which is good. The other thing I really appreciated in this one was the significant reduction in unnecessary characters.

There are blips which remain however in writing style and in factual elements. There is an obsession with the beheading of villains here despite the fact that the last beheading in England had happened nearly 70 years before this was set. There were also a number of erroneous statements surrounding the way hereditary titles work.

Overall though, definitely an improvement in writing content and style. Well done.
50 reviews
December 4, 2024
Enjoyable, but...

This full-length novel is enjoyable for the most part. It's rather fantastical and a bit juvenile to me. The sheer volume of wealth exceeds even my imagination. The author expresses that it is basically a fantasy. It is.

Spoiler:
There are some quite evil villains, including Wickham, that meet death quickly and rather violently.
Mts. Bennett is especially mean & is punished for it in the end. I feel like the author really dislikes Mrs. Bennett. The indolent Mr. Bennett reformes his ways and is rewarded. Everything. Is neatly wrapped up for every main character. Too well, considering all the wealth & titles given to just about everyone. Lizzy is heaped with ridiculous amounts of riches and protection by the Crown.

If you want a P&P version that gives a rather over the top HEA for the "heros" and rather harsh punishment for the bad characters, read on.
Profile Image for Mustang.
344 reviews
May 21, 2025
Over the top? Yes but still worth the read/listen

One thing that I enjoy about Shana Granderson’s stories is they take us down so many paths / rabbit trail options there’s usually something for everyone to explore different scenarios in her books.

This outside of canon story we have Elizabeth as a rescuer and gets hurt in the process. The unexpected reward for her act of bravery is far reaching and yes, this is where you have to just go with the over-the-top theme.

As a few of the other reviewers commented about “off with their heads“ I had to laugh at that because it’s true. So, yes, all the villains are taken care of. Part of the second half of the story feels more of an epilogue (there is a regular long epilogue at the end) but still had the story threaded through.

I did get the audiobook to go with and I’m getting more comfortable with this narrator style. The audiobook is an excellent way to enjoy the story.
663 reviews
November 26, 2024
Enjoyed It

I finally realize that Granderson's stories may be filled with happy endings, but her primary focus isn't the romance. I could be wrong, but that is how I see it. However, what I do like about many of the author's books is that Granderson satisfies my need to root for the once-underdog characters and see the villains face their consequences.

In this story, Darcy and Elizabeth's relationship takes a backseat. I didn’t mind this since other situations held my interest. When it finally came time for Darcy and Elizabeth to shine in the last chapters, their moments together were typical and a little dry. It leaned more toward telling rather than showing. Once again, I didn't mind since the story revolves around how Elizabeth's single act of bravery impacts her and those around her.
Profile Image for Nina.
284 reviews7 followers
May 26, 2025
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars
This is a low angst story. The story is okay, though I found that Elizabeth's reward was way over the top. This author has some phrases/words that are often repeated like, like opine. Which for some reason grates on me...
I found, that Mrs Bennet's character was unlikely. I know, there must be some villains, but why Fanny would hold such a grudge against Elizabeth was very unlikely. Even is she didn't like her at all, she could still take advantage of her good fortune. She had no reason what so ever, for thinking Jane should take Elizabeths place. So why would she think that.
Also why Lady Catherine would even think to lecture the prince regent is also very unlikely and not necessary for the story.
Still the story is entertaining enough.
Profile Image for Mariska.
671 reviews2 followers
November 23, 2024
OMG!!! Loved It!

Once again Shana has given us a fantastic story to be read over and over again! Lizzy being Lizzy and helping without thinking is a feature I always enjoy about her supposed personality. Mr B becoming a better father, and Lydia becoming someone who would not ruin herself, as Jane grows a backbone, are all things that I love as well.
So all of my favorite things and subtle Harry Potter references (I'm guessing Shana doesn't like one or more of the Weasleys) and a fascinating story, combine to make excellent reading as far as I am concerned.
Profile Image for Chetana.
1,008 reviews27 followers
September 16, 2025
2.5⭐️

While I love the over the top drama that I have come to expect of this authors books, I was a little disappointed that we did not get very much of our main couple at all in this book. The two do not share the same space till almost halfway through the books. Most of the book is build up to the Event, the Event and the after effects of that Event. We did not even get much of Impertinent Lizzy in my opinion. But I am a sucker for the drama so I still enjoyed the book, though this book will probably not feature in my to be reread pile.
Profile Image for Wendy DeWachter.
245 reviews1 follower
November 29, 2024
Very entertaining

I really liked this story. It is a bit outlandish, but, it is a fictional novel. I found I could not pit it down. I like Charlotte's ending. There are 2 others I've read with a similar ending for Miss Lucas. Somehow it fits and seems right.
I know many of us prefer a more believable storyline but this book was both fun and exciting.
I will recommend it to friends
8 reviews
December 1, 2024
Excellent Read By This Author Again

Ms. Granderson, please keep writing in this style of retelling Pride and Prejudice. I love how Mr. Bennet is portrayed in all of your books and does right by his daughters, and has a sensible, caring, and loving wife, even if it is not Fanny. I would like to see you give more writing space to each Bennet sibling. I also love when the Bennets are somehow related to or closely connected with the Royals.

I look forward to your next books.

Profile Image for Renee.
95 reviews
December 1, 2024
All wrongs are righted

Ever wonder what would happen if Mr B actually listened to Lizzy’s concern about sending Lydia to Brighton? Or maybe Elizabeth realized Bingley was really responsible for leaving Jane and so on? Well, read this book. Everyone stops and thinks about their actions and tries to better themselves (except our villains of course). It’s an enjoyable read, a little unbelievable but a nice easy read.
332 reviews1 follower
December 29, 2024
Very Well Done

I definitely appreciated that the villains all got their just desserts; some immediately, others eventually. I also liked that the heroine and her loved ones are really lovable characters, albeit fallible. All were allowed to grow and change. Lastly, I love that Jane married a man, not a child in leading strings.

Beautifully written and edited.
7 reviews
November 22, 2024
Excellent as always

I thoroughly enjoy Shana’s books they are all enjoyable. Is one is as good as the rest. I think it has become my new favorite. I love how she keeps to the personality’s of the characters Jane Austen created but weaves new and exciting tales.
Profile Image for Terri Conley.
1,044 reviews7 followers
December 1, 2024
An interesting take on ODC road to their HEA.
But for me the lofty heights of royalty are not an requirement for them to get their HEA. I find it overblown and overdone.
But on the plus side I did enjoy this story it was lofty but also a bit of fun.
101 reviews
December 2, 2024
Rewards

This is a good story for young ladies. It starts when Lizzy saves the daughter of the regent and from there the fairy story starts. I guess Mrs Bennett would be the step mother and Mr. Wickham is the big bad wolf.
476 reviews7 followers
December 13, 2024
A great book with a very innovative plot. 4.5 rounded to 5. I'm happy to say that the elements I didn't care for in some of the author's earliest writing are not present in her recent work. I look forward to reading each new publication.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews

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