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The Cousin: A story based on the characters of Pride and Prejudice
The Bennet sisters will see how their lives change thanks to their cousin's return to England and their lives.
Johnathan Edward Gardiner returns to England after spending many years apart from his family to further his business. However, when he arrives in England and finds his family, things are not how he expected. Will he be able to confront and overcome the difficulties that will befall him and his family?
Johnathan Edward Gardiner returns to England after spending many years apart from his family to further his business. However, when he arrives in England and finds his family, things are not how he expected. Will he be able to confront and overcome the difficulties that will befall him and his family?
440 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 17, 2025
61 people are currently reading
10 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 22, 2025
SPOILER ALERT: This review may contain *** SPOILERS ***
>>Rating: Mature due to violence and language
>>Angst Level: Medium at times
>>Source: KU [3-22-25]: I volunteered to leave a review
The Bennet sisters had a cousin, Jonathan Edward Gardiner, the only son of their aunt and uncle Gardiner. He was returning to England after traveling the world and making his fortune. He was now a rich man in his own right. Upon visiting Longbourn, Jonathan was surprised at the behavior of his aunt and uncle Bennet and the younger girls. He remembered Jane and Elizabeth fondly, but did not know the younger girls well. This would quickly change as he soon considered the girls as the sisters he never had. They, in turn, considered him a brother. Jonathan was a handsome man and took after the Gardiner side of the family. He and Jane could be twins. This brotherly affection influenced his anger against Bingley, Darcy, and Wickham and their behavior toward his Bennet girls. He informed each man that his cousins had a protector and were not alone. That was fun to read. He would find his own happy ever after, but not where I expected.
What I didn’t like: The editing: There was wrong word usage and incorrect pronouns. There was a problem with word-wrap, which left strange-looking sentences. Maybe that was my copy. I still enjoy this author’s stories.
>>Rating: Mature due to violence and language
>>Angst Level: Medium at times
>>Source: KU [3-22-25]: I volunteered to leave a review
The Bennet sisters had a cousin, Jonathan Edward Gardiner, the only son of their aunt and uncle Gardiner. He was returning to England after traveling the world and making his fortune. He was now a rich man in his own right. Upon visiting Longbourn, Jonathan was surprised at the behavior of his aunt and uncle Bennet and the younger girls. He remembered Jane and Elizabeth fondly, but did not know the younger girls well. This would quickly change as he soon considered the girls as the sisters he never had. They, in turn, considered him a brother. Jonathan was a handsome man and took after the Gardiner side of the family. He and Jane could be twins. This brotherly affection influenced his anger against Bingley, Darcy, and Wickham and their behavior toward his Bennet girls. He informed each man that his cousins had a protector and were not alone. That was fun to read. He would find his own happy ever after, but not where I expected.
What I didn’t like: The editing: There was wrong word usage and incorrect pronouns. There was a problem with word-wrap, which left strange-looking sentences. Maybe that was my copy. I still enjoy this author’s stories.
April 24, 2025
Good premise
The variable of this story is that Uncle and Aunt Gardiner have only one child, a son who is some years older than Jane Bennett. Jonathan Gardiner is handsome, intelligent, and hard working, and amasses a fortune in India for several years before returning to England to settle down. He reunites with his cousins, the Bennett daughters, and proceeds to become a sort of protector and "big brother" to them in the face of what he sees as glaring neglect from their parents. Jonathan, through his businesses, has many high ranking connections that will influence the Bennett daughters.
I always like these JAFF variations wherein the Bennett daughters have a little something extra in their corner. The characters are more forthright than in the usual Regency era fare, and the villains get some satisfying comeuppances. There's some nice romance, although Darcy is more than usually hateful at the start, so much so that it almost spoiled the whole idea of a relationship with Elizabeth. The author decided to make the Bennett parents and Lydia even more cartoonishly bad than usual, which is annoying.
My biggest concern about this book was the poor quality of the writing, and the many, many editing errors on every page. At some points, I almost wondered if this was a poor translation from another language. Several times a character would ask a question, and the response would be inappropriate to the question asked. Sometimes a sentence would change tenses in the middle. More times than I could count the wrong word was used for the context of the sentence. And so on...
Although it's an interesting premise, I can't really recommend this book because of the execution. I don't like to discourage anyone who has the courage to put themselves out there for review, but I have to be honest and hope that maybe practice will help with improvement.
The variable of this story is that Uncle and Aunt Gardiner have only one child, a son who is some years older than Jane Bennett. Jonathan Gardiner is handsome, intelligent, and hard working, and amasses a fortune in India for several years before returning to England to settle down. He reunites with his cousins, the Bennett daughters, and proceeds to become a sort of protector and "big brother" to them in the face of what he sees as glaring neglect from their parents. Jonathan, through his businesses, has many high ranking connections that will influence the Bennett daughters.
I always like these JAFF variations wherein the Bennett daughters have a little something extra in their corner. The characters are more forthright than in the usual Regency era fare, and the villains get some satisfying comeuppances. There's some nice romance, although Darcy is more than usually hateful at the start, so much so that it almost spoiled the whole idea of a relationship with Elizabeth. The author decided to make the Bennett parents and Lydia even more cartoonishly bad than usual, which is annoying.
My biggest concern about this book was the poor quality of the writing, and the many, many editing errors on every page. At some points, I almost wondered if this was a poor translation from another language. Several times a character would ask a question, and the response would be inappropriate to the question asked. Sometimes a sentence would change tenses in the middle. More times than I could count the wrong word was used for the context of the sentence. And so on...
Although it's an interesting premise, I can't really recommend this book because of the execution. I don't like to discourage anyone who has the courage to put themselves out there for review, but I have to be honest and hope that maybe practice will help with improvement.
April 27, 2025
I want a cousin like that
He doesn't even need to be that handsome, just that nice and caring. I enjoyed this "what if" story and all the original characters, but fell in love with the wonderful cousin.
He doesn't even need to be that handsome, just that nice and caring. I enjoyed this "what if" story and all the original characters, but fell in love with the wonderful cousin.
March 2, 2025
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. The Bennet sisters will see how their lives change thanks to their cousin's return to England and their lives.
Johnathan Edward Gardiner returns to England after spending many years apart from his family to further his business. However, when he arrives in England and finds his family, things are not how he expected. Will he be able to confront and overcome the difficulties that will befall him and his family? 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. The Bennet sisters will see how their lives change thanks to their cousin's return to England and their lives.
Johnathan Edward Gardiner returns to England after spending many years apart from his family to further his business. However, when he arrives in England and finds his family, things are not how he expected. Will he be able to confront and overcome the difficulties that will befall him and his family? 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.
March 12, 2025
I enjoyed the actual storyline very much. Adding a new character enhances P&P variations. That being said, I would have given a higher star rating if it had been edited to at least make reading easier. Unfortunately, there are numerous problems from spacing, to misspelled words, to being written in a 'telling' format. All those things could be easily corrected with editing, if not by the author, by someone.
I saw several reviews before I chose to read it that warned of editing problems, but I read it anyway and as I said above, I did enjoy the story. If you can take a chance and look past the problems, happy reading!
I saw several reviews before I chose to read it that warned of editing problems, but I read it anyway and as I said above, I did enjoy the story. If you can take a chance and look past the problems, happy reading!
March 3, 2025
I enjoyed this story. I listened to it on audible as I was on a road trip. Overall the AI reader was good except sometimes it pronounced Darcy as Day-cah. I assume it was spelled as Darce instead of Darcy because it was only when others were addressing Darcy.
I just wanted to warn anyone who will be irritated by that. Because I drive so often, I have heard the AI voice do this in other books so I wasn’t surprised….
I just wanted to warn anyone who will be irritated by that. Because I drive so often, I have heard the AI voice do this in other books so I wasn’t surprised….
April 8, 2025
Happy endings
I do not want to spoil the story, but will say, there are many happy endings. Good set downs of villains and Mr. & Mrs. Bennet. I always like when they are put in their place calmly using intelligence.
I enjoyed this story. I'm unsure it will become one I read over and over, but I would recommend it.
The story does not drag on, very little direct quotes or paragraphs from the original, which can be tedious.
I do not want to spoil the story, but will say, there are many happy endings. Good set downs of villains and Mr. & Mrs. Bennet. I always like when they are put in their place calmly using intelligence.
I enjoyed this story. I'm unsure it will become one I read over and over, but I would recommend it.
The story does not drag on, very little direct quotes or paragraphs from the original, which can be tedious.
March 5, 2025
Absolutely Wonderful!
I always love it when the Bennet girls have someone who is always ready to step up and protect them, even when they need to be protected from themselves like Lydia usually does. I also love it when Anne dB gets to have a happy life. Aside from a few Grammer errors and typos, this is a fantastic story, and I enjoyed it greatly.
I always love it when the Bennet girls have someone who is always ready to step up and protect them, even when they need to be protected from themselves like Lydia usually does. I also love it when Anne dB gets to have a happy life. Aside from a few Grammer errors and typos, this is a fantastic story, and I enjoyed it greatly.
March 11, 2025
Too much angst
If you think your family is disfunctional, read this book! I have never read a JAFF book with so many mean, nasty, unpleasant and downright malicious characters. And that's the ones who aren't the villains. While most get a sort of HEA, it leaves you in doubt if they really will be happy. Not my cup of tea! Too long and too depressing.
If you think your family is disfunctional, read this book! I have never read a JAFF book with so many mean, nasty, unpleasant and downright malicious characters. And that's the ones who aren't the villains. While most get a sort of HEA, it leaves you in doubt if they really will be happy. Not my cup of tea! Too long and too depressing.
March 22, 2025
The Cousin!
What a wonderful story! I hated how the chapter would end in a cliffhanger, but I never shot ahead to follow the story. What great characters to fulfill a very interesting variation! I love how the storyline moved. It never wasted words to express the sentiments in the story, esp. plotlines that follow the original. I look forward to more from this author!
What a wonderful story! I hated how the chapter would end in a cliffhanger, but I never shot ahead to follow the story. What great characters to fulfill a very interesting variation! I love how the storyline moved. It never wasted words to express the sentiments in the story, esp. plotlines that follow the original. I look forward to more from this author!
March 5, 2025
good story, poor editing
will read more of this author’s work but….
What other reviewers posted is truth: this book needs editor, editing, page formatting, and definitely grammar review!
will read more of this author’s work but….
What other reviewers posted is truth: this book needs editor, editing, page formatting, and definitely grammar review!
June 2, 2025
The Cousin
Wonderful variation where the Gardeners have a son that is close to the elder Bennets. He is a great savior for all of them.
Entertaining and happily ever after for everyone!
Wonderful variation where the Gardeners have a son that is close to the elder Bennets. He is a great savior for all of them.
Entertaining and happily ever after for everyone!
June 3, 2025
great story
I plead that this book have another editor go over it. It’s a wonderful, amazing story. Original, exciting, well worth reading. This story is a jewel and I’d love to see it be polished to the shine it deserves
I plead that this book have another editor go over it. It’s a wonderful, amazing story. Original, exciting, well worth reading. This story is a jewel and I’d love to see it be polished to the shine it deserves
February 28, 2025
Interesting
Another pleasant variation inspired by Jane Austen’s classic novel Pride and Prejudice by Miranda Flan. I enjoyed it very much
Another pleasant variation inspired by Jane Austen’s classic novel Pride and Prejudice by Miranda Flan. I enjoyed it very much
November 27, 2025
The cousin Jonny was better than me. I would have jumped in a lot of times and gave my opinion. But as a reader he wasn't too passive for my nerves.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews