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Fanny's Unyielding Spirit: A Pride and Prejudice Variation
Sixteen-year-old Fanny Gardiner is shaken and mortified when the significantly older Thomas Bennet stalks her and compromises her, claiming her as his future wife. Unlike the average young woman, Fanny engages in chess, invests in her brother's business, and secures her own dowry. Now wed, she must endure her husband's disdain for her intellect and his relentless cruelty when she bears five daughters without providing an heir for Longbourn.
As Thomas receives a knighthood and delves into his mathematical gambling theory, Fanny must learn to manage Longbourn with the assistance of the capable, intelligent, and gentle steward, Mr. Benjamin Edwards, the third son of a gentleman who himself suffered from Sir Thomas' gambling habits. Can they resist the mutual attraction that develops while they collaborate to save Longbourn and secure dowries for her daughters?
Find, adventure, intrigue, true love, unselfish acts, murder, and redemption within. Incorporating other variations from the original canon, discover many familiar characters in new roles, all culminating in a satisfying resolution for the true villain, George Wickham. Welcome to Fanny's Unyielding Spirit. Enjoy!
As Thomas receives a knighthood and delves into his mathematical gambling theory, Fanny must learn to manage Longbourn with the assistance of the capable, intelligent, and gentle steward, Mr. Benjamin Edwards, the third son of a gentleman who himself suffered from Sir Thomas' gambling habits. Can they resist the mutual attraction that develops while they collaborate to save Longbourn and secure dowries for her daughters?
Find, adventure, intrigue, true love, unselfish acts, murder, and redemption within. Incorporating other variations from the original canon, discover many familiar characters in new roles, all culminating in a satisfying resolution for the true villain, George Wickham. Welcome to Fanny's Unyielding Spirit. Enjoy!
297 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 20, 2025
58 people are currently reading
3 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
June 7, 2025
Truly Wonderful
I always love a low angst P&P story! I especially love it when Mrs Bennet is not a complete ditz! I genuinely loved that almost all of the characters that we either love to hate or at least disdain ( LCdB, Mr Collins, Mrs B, and Lydia) all became wonderful people worthy of respect.
I always love a low angst P&P story! I especially love it when Mrs Bennet is not a complete ditz! I genuinely loved that almost all of the characters that we either love to hate or at least disdain ( LCdB, Mr Collins, Mrs B, and Lydia) all became wonderful people worthy of respect.
June 4, 2025
Satisfying!!!!!
One of the best P/P variation I had read. I fell in love with the new character, Benjamin Edwards. I will not expound on his character, but suffice to say that his love is enduring. Lady Catherine is beautifully depicted. But of course, Fanny Bennett is the awesome person that binds all of the characters together. Her love is enduring as well. Highly recommend.
One of the best P/P variation I had read. I fell in love with the new character, Benjamin Edwards. I will not expound on his character, but suffice to say that his love is enduring. Lady Catherine is beautifully depicted. But of course, Fanny Bennett is the awesome person that binds all of the characters together. Her love is enduring as well. Highly recommend.
November 5, 2025
Errors Detract From the Story too Much
This would honestly be a great story if it had been edited. It is replete with errors and inconsistencies. It fails to use appropriate naming conventions such as referring to Fanny Bennet as Lady Fanny after Mr Bennet is knighted. There are many other errors such as Kitty and Lydia being twins and then not twins and Matlock being a duke and then at one point when referring to Colonel Fitzwilliam's parents it says "the earl and duchess". It is a shame really as I think this book could have been excellent. I also wondered if the author had permission to borrow Shana Granderson's Biggs and Johns.
This would honestly be a great story if it had been edited. It is replete with errors and inconsistencies. It fails to use appropriate naming conventions such as referring to Fanny Bennet as Lady Fanny after Mr Bennet is knighted. There are many other errors such as Kitty and Lydia being twins and then not twins and Matlock being a duke and then at one point when referring to Colonel Fitzwilliam's parents it says "the earl and duchess". It is a shame really as I think this book could have been excellent. I also wondered if the author had permission to borrow Shana Granderson's Biggs and Johns.
July 3, 2025
Fanny a new twist
I have read many P&P variations. This is a Fanny Gardiner story that involves P&P characters.
This is different in that Fanny is wonderful. Most stories have her as “mean of understanding “ or just plain cruel or she is sweet and so is Bennett.
Here is is the main character for the majority of the story.
I enjoyed this variation which also showed the hardships of women during that time period.
This for teens and above due to some of the mature themes. This is a clean and faith based novel.
Yes I highly recommend this story.
I have read many P&P variations. This is a Fanny Gardiner story that involves P&P characters.
This is different in that Fanny is wonderful. Most stories have her as “mean of understanding “ or just plain cruel or she is sweet and so is Bennett.
Here is is the main character for the majority of the story.
I enjoyed this variation which also showed the hardships of women during that time period.
This for teens and above due to some of the mature themes. This is a clean and faith based novel.
Yes I highly recommend this story.
June 21, 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. This is a Pride and Prejudice variation. You will see the most beloved characters in a whole new way. Find, adventure, intrigue, true love, unselfish acts, murder, and redemption within. Incorporating other variations from the original canon, discover many familiar characters in new roles, all culminating in a satisfying resolution for the true villain, George Wickham.
Sixteen-year-old Fanny Gardiner is shaken and mortified when the significantly older Thomas Bennet stalks her and compromises her, claiming her as his future wife. Unlike the average young woman, Fanny engages in chess, invests in her brother's business, and secures her own dowry. Now wed, she must endure her husband's disdain for her intellect and his relentless cruelty when she bears five daughters without providing an heir for Longbourn.
As Thomas receives a knighthood and delves into his mathematical gambling theory, Fanny must learn to manage Longbourn with the assistance of the capable, intelligent, and gentle steward, Mr. Benjamin Edwards, the third son of a gentleman who himself suffered from Sir Thomas' gambling habits. Can they resist the mutual attraction that develops while they collaborate to save Longbourn and secure dowries for her daughters? 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. This is a Pride and Prejudice variation. You will see the most beloved characters in a whole new way. Find, adventure, intrigue, true love, unselfish acts, murder, and redemption within. Incorporating other variations from the original canon, discover many familiar characters in new roles, all culminating in a satisfying resolution for the true villain, George Wickham.
Sixteen-year-old Fanny Gardiner is shaken and mortified when the significantly older Thomas Bennet stalks her and compromises her, claiming her as his future wife. Unlike the average young woman, Fanny engages in chess, invests in her brother's business, and secures her own dowry. Now wed, she must endure her husband's disdain for her intellect and his relentless cruelty when she bears five daughters without providing an heir for Longbourn.
As Thomas receives a knighthood and delves into his mathematical gambling theory, Fanny must learn to manage Longbourn with the assistance of the capable, intelligent, and gentle steward, Mr. Benjamin Edwards, the third son of a gentleman who himself suffered from Sir Thomas' gambling habits. Can they resist the mutual attraction that develops while they collaborate to save Longbourn and secure dowries for her daughters? 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.
November 16, 2025
The story has a good premise and could have been very interesting. The issue is that it lacks depth, has numerous continuity issues, displays almost no knowledge of the Regency-era customs, and is structured oddly. An editor capable of fixing the Regency errors and continuity problems would be of great help. I was also put off by copy and pasted text being duplicated and the author borrowing characters Biggs and Johns from another author when there was no purpose to it.
I really wanted to like this story, because the idea was sound, but I can't recommend it. Overall, I spent more time exclaiming, "That is NOT how that works" and "Can't you keep your own story and characters consistent?" than I spent enjoying the story. Also, if Colonel Fitzwilliam's parents being identified as a Duke and Duchess -- or worse an Earl and Duchess -- instead of an Earl and Countess, along with Lady Bennet, the wife of a knighted gentleman, being addressed as Lady Fanny will bother you, give this one a miss.
I really wanted to like this story, because the idea was sound, but I can't recommend it. Overall, I spent more time exclaiming, "That is NOT how that works" and "Can't you keep your own story and characters consistent?" than I spent enjoying the story. Also, if Colonel Fitzwilliam's parents being identified as a Duke and Duchess -- or worse an Earl and Duchess -- instead of an Earl and Countess, along with Lady Bennet, the wife of a knighted gentleman, being addressed as Lady Fanny will bother you, give this one a miss.
August 23, 2025
wonderful story, but she needs a proofreader.
Prepare yourself for a really enjoyable read, and don’t mind so much the little mistakes.
She has elevated the Earl and Countess of Matlock to a Duke and Duchess, yet does not use the proper address of His/Her Grace. She also errs referring to them as the Earl and Duchess.
Ms. Eden also refers to an article in the Times of London where Darcy is referred to as William, instead of his given name of Fitzwilliam.
She also mixes up the stewards of Longbourn and the Edward’s estate (the name escapes me at the moment.)
Other than that, it’s a delightful read. The story has a good progression; however my nitpicks are few. Did we really need the additional Caroline story? Wickham’s ending was not really satisfying enough for my taste. For all the crimes mentioned, he should have been caught and hung. I can’t have everything I suppose.
Prepare yourself for a really enjoyable read, and don’t mind so much the little mistakes.
She has elevated the Earl and Countess of Matlock to a Duke and Duchess, yet does not use the proper address of His/Her Grace. She also errs referring to them as the Earl and Duchess.
Ms. Eden also refers to an article in the Times of London where Darcy is referred to as William, instead of his given name of Fitzwilliam.
She also mixes up the stewards of Longbourn and the Edward’s estate (the name escapes me at the moment.)
Other than that, it’s a delightful read. The story has a good progression; however my nitpicks are few. Did we really need the additional Caroline story? Wickham’s ending was not really satisfying enough for my taste. For all the crimes mentioned, he should have been caught and hung. I can’t have everything I suppose.
July 18, 2025
While I applaud that a 78 year old has begun writing, I am dismayed at how the author did not do basic research. For example, the wife of an early is not a Duchess she is a Countess. That is a really basic error. I think the main issue I have is there is no 'Pride' or 'Predjudice' displayed in this book. It is anti-canon except when it comes to Wickham. Why is it that authors think killing people is normative?
In several instances the author forgot what she wrote, in this telling Kitty and Lydia are twins, but later Kitty is out and Lydia is not old enough- dissonant.
The silly wrap up with Caroline Bingley is just that, silly and direly over done. Lady Catherine is just not Lady Catherine but not interesting so.
Perhaps there was no really interesting doings, wverything gets neat packaged up but too sweet gor me.
In several instances the author forgot what she wrote, in this telling Kitty and Lydia are twins, but later Kitty is out and Lydia is not old enough- dissonant.
The silly wrap up with Caroline Bingley is just that, silly and direly over done. Lady Catherine is just not Lady Catherine but not interesting so.
Perhaps there was no really interesting doings, wverything gets neat packaged up but too sweet gor me.
September 19, 2025
Such an original variation
My review is 4.5 stars rounded up to 5. This is a compelling narrative focusing on Fanny Bennett. It is unique in that so many major characters are a distinguished by a complete role reversal. Fanny Bennett and Lady Catherine chief among them. The Bennet daughters play supporting roles and their romances are quickly dispatched in later chapters. In the main the writing is good with some passages quite lyrical. However, there are enough typos to be noticeable and the most egregious editing error is that the epilogue contains an almost exact repeat of a passage earlier on. It is better placed in the epilogue, but the earlier passage needs to be edited out.
My review is 4.5 stars rounded up to 5. This is a compelling narrative focusing on Fanny Bennett. It is unique in that so many major characters are a distinguished by a complete role reversal. Fanny Bennett and Lady Catherine chief among them. The Bennet daughters play supporting roles and their romances are quickly dispatched in later chapters. In the main the writing is good with some passages quite lyrical. However, there are enough typos to be noticeable and the most egregious editing error is that the epilogue contains an almost exact repeat of a passage earlier on. It is better placed in the epilogue, but the earlier passage needs to be edited out.
July 15, 2025
Okay but really needs some corrections
Is Matlock a Duke or and Earl. He’s called both. At one point it read “the earl and Duchess of Matlock”…. What?
There are other inconsistencies (Georgiana is Lady Matlock’s niece, not her granddaughter) There are also some characters not from Austen, but from other JAFF authors.
I think the author was a little too inspired by authors SS, SG, and LK. This author just needs a bit more time and editing, cut out some unnecessary things, and maybe a smidge more research (common license vs special license).
Is Matlock a Duke or and Earl. He’s called both. At one point it read “the earl and Duchess of Matlock”…. What?
There are other inconsistencies (Georgiana is Lady Matlock’s niece, not her granddaughter) There are also some characters not from Austen, but from other JAFF authors.
I think the author was a little too inspired by authors SS, SG, and LK. This author just needs a bit more time and editing, cut out some unnecessary things, and maybe a smidge more research (common license vs special license).
July 29, 2025
This is one of the very best P & P variations I’ve read! The central character is a lovely and intelligent Fanny Bennet who must skirt the limitations of a misogynistic Mr. Bennet. She does so and teaches her daughters that they must also navigate a home and a world where their intelligence and talents are treated with dismissive wilful ignorance.
I particularly enjoyed seeing several characters who are typically cast as buffoons recast as intelligent and thoughtful women. Brava Ms. Eden!
I particularly enjoyed seeing several characters who are typically cast as buffoons recast as intelligent and thoughtful women. Brava Ms. Eden!
June 16, 2025
Fanny's Unyielding Spirit
I liked the story and the characters until the end. The epilogues killed it for me. They could have been much shorter and at that point, I didn't care anymore. Good plot though. It had my attention up to Caroline's chapter. The ending was way too long for me. I gave it 4 stars because I liked the storyline.
I liked the story and the characters until the end. The epilogues killed it for me. They could have been much shorter and at that point, I didn't care anymore. Good plot though. It had my attention up to Caroline's chapter. The ending was way too long for me. I gave it 4 stars because I liked the storyline.
June 23, 2025
Entertaining but felt like AI
Entertaining but felt like a lot of AI. Mrs Bennet is a bright woman married to a jerk Mr. Bennet, so she pretends to be an airhead and teaches the daughters to do the same. They have lots of adventures, Wickham is awful, and Lady C is great. A happy ever after is had by all.
Entertaining but felt like a lot of AI. Mrs Bennet is a bright woman married to a jerk Mr. Bennet, so she pretends to be an airhead and teaches the daughters to do the same. They have lots of adventures, Wickham is awful, and Lady C is great. A happy ever after is had by all.
October 19, 2025
Great read
One stars deducted for grammatical and continuity errors. Otherwise a very enjoyable story, the plot is compelling in spite of all the weird formatting. Will definitely read it again.
One stars deducted for grammatical and continuity errors. Otherwise a very enjoyable story, the plot is compelling in spite of all the weird formatting. Will definitely read it again.
June 29, 2025
Light and pleasing
A light and pleasing variation inspired by Jane Austen’s classic novel Pride and Prejudice by Grandy Eden. I liked it.
A light and pleasing variation inspired by Jane Austen’s classic novel Pride and Prejudice by Grandy Eden. I liked it.
July 20, 2025
Loved this book
So different from all the other Fanny's.
This was a kind, loving, and intelligent individual.
Enjoyed this book very much.
So different from all the other Fanny's.
This was a kind, loving, and intelligent individual.
Enjoyed this book very much.
August 18, 2025
excellent
This is a wonderfully original story, taking well known characters and making a brand new tale. I thoroughly recommend this book!
This is a wonderfully original story, taking well known characters and making a brand new tale. I thoroughly recommend this book!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews