What do you think?
Rate this book
The Deception: A Pride and Prejudice Variation
Elizabeth travels with her aunt and uncle, the Gardiners, to Derbyshire. Reassured that the family is away from home, she agrees to visit Pemberley, but encounters Mr. Darcy. He is elated to have a second chance with her, as he has reason to hope that her feelings for him have changed.
But an unkind fate intervenes when Jane’s letters, containing the news of Lydia’s elopement, arrive when Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley are visiting. Unable to contain her despair, Elizabeth tells her visitors of Lydia’s misstep.
Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley leave at once, and so are unaware of the arrival of a third message, telling Elizabeth that her mother has passed away.
The Gardiners and Elizabeth travel south immediately, to reunite Elizabeth with her grieving family. Mr. Bingley returns to Netherfield, hoping to be of service to Jane, while Mr. Darcy goes to London to find Lydia. But, alas, Lydia is not so easily found; realising that Mr. Wickham will never marry her, she has set off on her own to try to find her relatives, the Gardiners. Sadly, she is unfamiliar with London and becomes hopelessly lost on the busy and unforgiving streets of London.
As a result of Mrs. Bennet’s demise, only the immediate family – and the estimable Mrs. Hill – are aware of Lydia’s terrible indiscretion. The family is desperate to keep it a secret as long as possible, in the hopes of securing a marriage for Jane and Elizabeth before the family is ruined forever. Can the Bennet family work together to create and maintain such a deception? And how long will it be before the truth is uncovered?
But an unkind fate intervenes when Jane’s letters, containing the news of Lydia’s elopement, arrive when Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley are visiting. Unable to contain her despair, Elizabeth tells her visitors of Lydia’s misstep.
Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley leave at once, and so are unaware of the arrival of a third message, telling Elizabeth that her mother has passed away.
The Gardiners and Elizabeth travel south immediately, to reunite Elizabeth with her grieving family. Mr. Bingley returns to Netherfield, hoping to be of service to Jane, while Mr. Darcy goes to London to find Lydia. But, alas, Lydia is not so easily found; realising that Mr. Wickham will never marry her, she has set off on her own to try to find her relatives, the Gardiners. Sadly, she is unfamiliar with London and becomes hopelessly lost on the busy and unforgiving streets of London.
As a result of Mrs. Bennet’s demise, only the immediate family – and the estimable Mrs. Hill – are aware of Lydia’s terrible indiscretion. The family is desperate to keep it a secret as long as possible, in the hopes of securing a marriage for Jane and Elizabeth before the family is ruined forever. Can the Bennet family work together to create and maintain such a deception? And how long will it be before the truth is uncovered?
267 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 18, 2025
112 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
June 29, 2025
Loved this new take
Lydia gets a real life education and grows up.
The Bennets each process the tragedy differently, but also grow together.
It begins with Pemberley but doesn't end there. Our men are strong and will fight for what they want.
Mary was the real star. All verbal filters were removed and she let it rip. No one was exempt from her brand of firing squad.
4.5 * because I just don't buy the Col F / Lydia pairing.
Lydia gets a real life education and grows up.
The Bennets each process the tragedy differently, but also grow together.
It begins with Pemberley but doesn't end there. Our men are strong and will fight for what they want.
Mary was the real star. All verbal filters were removed and she let it rip. No one was exempt from her brand of firing squad.
4.5 * because I just don't buy the Col F / Lydia pairing.
July 22, 2025
Interesting, but bland
A different twist on the scene where Elizabeth gets the news about Lydia's elopement while with the Gardiners in Lambton. Bingley is present, and Mrs Gardiners reveals the deception that Caroline Bingley enacted, hiding Jane's presence in London, and breaking Jane's heart. Darcy decides to look for Lydia in London, Bingley decides to return to Netherfield to support the Bennetts and try to court Jane, and they all decide to keep Lydia's folly a secret from Caroline and the Hursts. News then arrives in Lambton that Mrs Bennett has died.
The entire story revolves around the aftermath of Lydia's scandal, the efforts to hush it up, and what actually happens to Lydia when she realizes that Wickham will never marry her. This is sort of a moral story about how lies can grow and become so numerous and confusing that it becomes difficult to keep everyone's stories straight. It's a poignant tale, particularly Lydia's experiences. Although it's interesting, the romance must take a back seat to the family dramas. Everything gets nicely wrapped up, but I wouldn't call this a love story.
The book is written well enough, but there are some rather glaring editing errors, most particularly the name of the housekeeper at Greenfield House changing from one thing to another (Hodges, Hudson, and maybe one other). I recommend it if you like alternate tales about Lydia Bennett.
A different twist on the scene where Elizabeth gets the news about Lydia's elopement while with the Gardiners in Lambton. Bingley is present, and Mrs Gardiners reveals the deception that Caroline Bingley enacted, hiding Jane's presence in London, and breaking Jane's heart. Darcy decides to look for Lydia in London, Bingley decides to return to Netherfield to support the Bennetts and try to court Jane, and they all decide to keep Lydia's folly a secret from Caroline and the Hursts. News then arrives in Lambton that Mrs Bennett has died.
The entire story revolves around the aftermath of Lydia's scandal, the efforts to hush it up, and what actually happens to Lydia when she realizes that Wickham will never marry her. This is sort of a moral story about how lies can grow and become so numerous and confusing that it becomes difficult to keep everyone's stories straight. It's a poignant tale, particularly Lydia's experiences. Although it's interesting, the romance must take a back seat to the family dramas. Everything gets nicely wrapped up, but I wouldn't call this a love story.
The book is written well enough, but there are some rather glaring editing errors, most particularly the name of the housekeeper at Greenfield House changing from one thing to another (Hodges, Hudson, and maybe one other). I recommend it if you like alternate tales about Lydia Bennett.
December 21, 2025
Highly diverting!
I enjoyed this variation that starts in Derbyshire at Pemberley when Elizabeth is traveling with the Gardiners and after the Hunsford debacle. But soon into Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet renewing their acquaintance, Lydia’s elopement occurs. Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley are both present when the letters arrive. What they are not present for is the letter announcing the death of Mrs. Bennet.
“If there is one thing I have learnt in these past weeks, it is that keeping silent and hoping for people to do what is right is futile.” (quote from the book)
Once back at Longbourn, the Deception is soon enacted. One that required careful planning. However, what was very interesting is that Mary Bennet let loose on her family. It was emotional and very much needed. Kitty soon comes into her own and shows a hidden talent. I quite enjoyed the growth of these two sisters.
“She understood herself at last; all it had taken for her to accomplish this was to be near death, alone on a London street.” (quote from the book)
Lydia in the meantime has got herself lost in London. Her story somewhat stretches the imagination, but it is a time of much growth for her.
“They have no one else; they rely on you entirely. You must put aside your feelings, your sense of failure and sorrow, and become the father that they need.” (quote from the book)
As for Mr. Bennet, his atonement for his own share of the blame and the tongue lashing given not only by Mary but Mr. Gardiner was well needed.
Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley do what they must to help save their relationships with Elizabeth and Jane, as well as the Bennet family reputation.
Yes, a highly diverting variation!
June 29, 2025
4.5 rounded up to 5 stars
July 31, 2025
4.5 stars rounded up. The only reason I'm giving this less than 5 stars is because of a minor editing issue, explained below. The story is very good, but this caused some disorientation while reading.
This Pride and Prejudice variation begins with Elizabeth's visit to Derbyshire with her aunt and uncle, the Gardiners, a few months after she refused Mr. Darcy's offer of marriage in Hunsford. Mr. Darcy arrives home early, and introduces Elizabeth and her relatives to his sister. He mentions that Bingley will arrive the following day, and he asks if he may call on them at their inn.
Mrs. Gardiner sees at once the attraction between Lizzy and Darcy, and she does what she can to encourage it without being a Mrs. Bennet about it.
Meanwhile we get a glimpse of what's going on with Lydia, from her point of view. She has run off from Brighton with George Wickham, thinking they would hasten to Gretna Green to marry, but she soon realizes he never intended to marry her at all.
While Darcy and Bingley are calling on Elizabeth and the Gardiners at the inn in Lambton, two letters arrive from Jane, and everyone encourages Elizabeth to read them at once. She becomes so distraught at the news that Lydia has run off, that she tells the two gentlemen, along with her aunt and uncle, what has happened. The two men agree to keep the matter private, and they leave. Then a message arrives informing her and the Gardiners that Mrs. Bennet has died.
The title of the book refers to how the Bennet family decides to handle the situation, to delay ruining the entire family's reputation while an attempt is made to find Lydia.
There are chapters that focus on Lydia and what is going on with her as well, and I found them completely fascinating.
This is a touching, romantic story in which Lydia does some growing up fast, and there are a lot of thoughtful conversations amonst the others about honesty, reputation, and character.
Be warned, a couple of the names are mistakenly changed in part of the story. Lady Greenfield becomes Lady Fielding for a brief moment, and her housekeeper, Mrs. Hodges, changes for a while to Mrs. Hudson. Otherwise this is a Pride and Prejudice variation that I love, read quickly myself, and highly recommend.
This Pride and Prejudice variation begins with Elizabeth's visit to Derbyshire with her aunt and uncle, the Gardiners, a few months after she refused Mr. Darcy's offer of marriage in Hunsford. Mr. Darcy arrives home early, and introduces Elizabeth and her relatives to his sister. He mentions that Bingley will arrive the following day, and he asks if he may call on them at their inn.
Mrs. Gardiner sees at once the attraction between Lizzy and Darcy, and she does what she can to encourage it without being a Mrs. Bennet about it.
Meanwhile we get a glimpse of what's going on with Lydia, from her point of view. She has run off from Brighton with George Wickham, thinking they would hasten to Gretna Green to marry, but she soon realizes he never intended to marry her at all.
While Darcy and Bingley are calling on Elizabeth and the Gardiners at the inn in Lambton, two letters arrive from Jane, and everyone encourages Elizabeth to read them at once. She becomes so distraught at the news that Lydia has run off, that she tells the two gentlemen, along with her aunt and uncle, what has happened. The two men agree to keep the matter private, and they leave. Then a message arrives informing her and the Gardiners that Mrs. Bennet has died.
The title of the book refers to how the Bennet family decides to handle the situation, to delay ruining the entire family's reputation while an attempt is made to find Lydia.
There are chapters that focus on Lydia and what is going on with her as well, and I found them completely fascinating.
This is a touching, romantic story in which Lydia does some growing up fast, and there are a lot of thoughtful conversations amonst the others about honesty, reputation, and character.
Be warned, a couple of the names are mistakenly changed in part of the story. Lady Greenfield becomes Lady Fielding for a brief moment, and her housekeeper, Mrs. Hodges, changes for a while to Mrs. Hudson. Otherwise this is a Pride and Prejudice variation that I love, read quickly myself, and highly recommend.
June 21, 2025
Excellent!
This author is one of my automatic go to's. Does not disappoint, always exceeds. I feel like the characters are more real, somehow.
This author is one of my automatic go to's. Does not disappoint, always exceeds. I feel like the characters are more real, somehow.
July 15, 2025
Lydia’s Tale
We rarely get to see Lydia drawn in three dimensions, so this was a real treat. The pacing was good, and the lack of extraneous villains allows us to focus on the main story. I caught a few typos, and one instance where a line of dialogue was attributed to the wrong sister.
KU read, but buying for my own collection.
We rarely get to see Lydia drawn in three dimensions, so this was a real treat. The pacing was good, and the lack of extraneous villains allows us to focus on the main story. I caught a few typos, and one instance where a line of dialogue was attributed to the wrong sister.
KU read, but buying for my own collection.
August 18, 2025
I loved it!
Warning: Meant for mature audiences. Contains scenes that would scandalize the ton. Readers of a delicate constitution are advised to keep their fans and vinaigrettes close at hand.
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 travels with her aunt and uncle, the Gardiners, to Derbyshire. Reassured that the family is away from home, she agrees to visit Pemberley, but encounters Mr. Darcy. He is elated to have a second chance with her, as he has reason to hope that her feelings for him have changed, but an unkind fate intervenes when Jane’s letters, containing the news of Lydia’s elopement, arrive when Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley are visiting. Unable to contain her despair, Elizabeth tells her visitors of Lydia’s misstep.
Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley leave at once, and so are unaware of the arrival of a third message, telling Elizabeth that her mother has passed away. The Gardiners and Elizabeth travel south immediately, to reunite Elizabeth with her grieving family. Mr. Bingley returns to Netherfield, hoping to be of service to Jane, while Mr. Darcy goes to London to find Lydia, but, alas, Lydia is not so easily found; realising that Mr. Wickham will never marry her, she has set off on her own to try to find her relatives, the Gardiners. Sadly, she is unfamiliar with London and becomes hopelessly lost on the busy and unforgiving streets of London.
As a result of Mrs. Bennet’s demise, only the immediate family, and the estimable Mrs. Hill, are aware of Lydia’s terrible indiscretion. The family is desperate to keep it a secret as long as possible, in the hopes of securing a marriage for Jane and Elizabeth before the family is ruined forever. Can the Bennet family work together to create and maintain such a deception? How long will it be before the truth is uncovered? 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.
Warning: Meant for mature audiences. Contains scenes that would scandalize the ton. Readers of a delicate constitution are advised to keep their fans and vinaigrettes close at hand.
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 travels with her aunt and uncle, the Gardiners, to Derbyshire. Reassured that the family is away from home, she agrees to visit Pemberley, but encounters Mr. Darcy. He is elated to have a second chance with her, as he has reason to hope that her feelings for him have changed, but an unkind fate intervenes when Jane’s letters, containing the news of Lydia’s elopement, arrive when Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley are visiting. Unable to contain her despair, Elizabeth tells her visitors of Lydia’s misstep.
Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley leave at once, and so are unaware of the arrival of a third message, telling Elizabeth that her mother has passed away. The Gardiners and Elizabeth travel south immediately, to reunite Elizabeth with her grieving family. Mr. Bingley returns to Netherfield, hoping to be of service to Jane, while Mr. Darcy goes to London to find Lydia, but, alas, Lydia is not so easily found; realising that Mr. Wickham will never marry her, she has set off on her own to try to find her relatives, the Gardiners. Sadly, she is unfamiliar with London and becomes hopelessly lost on the busy and unforgiving streets of London.
As a result of Mrs. Bennet’s demise, only the immediate family, and the estimable Mrs. Hill, are aware of Lydia’s terrible indiscretion. The family is desperate to keep it a secret as long as possible, in the hopes of securing a marriage for Jane and Elizabeth before the family is ruined forever. Can the Bennet family work together to create and maintain such a deception? How long will it be before the truth is uncovered? 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.
July 14, 2025
Excellent. This author is just getting better and better. The editing has improved, and the author is doing a better job with maintaining a timeline. There is only one noticeable timeline error (see my notes for the story).
The pacing and structure of the story were excellent. I was drawn into the story, and I could not put it down.
Two errors that caught my attention: one character’s name kept switching between Hodges and Hudson (beginning at the 74% point), and at least twice Georgiana is described as the great-niece of the earl and countess while Darcy is their nephew. She is simply their niece. She would be the great-niece of Richard’s grandparents, not his parents.
Read through KU. I would consider buying it for my permanent shelf, but it is priced very high compared to similar variations.
The pacing and structure of the story were excellent. I was drawn into the story, and I could not put it down.
Two errors that caught my attention: one character’s name kept switching between Hodges and Hudson (beginning at the 74% point), and at least twice Georgiana is described as the great-niece of the earl and countess while Darcy is their nephew. She is simply their niece. She would be the great-niece of Richard’s grandparents, not his parents.
Read through KU. I would consider buying it for my permanent shelf, but it is priced very high compared to similar variations.
July 29, 2025
Increasingly repetitive and mawkish
This author has a pattern: she starts off with a decent idea presented with good pacing, but then somewhere in the second quarter of the novel, it starts to get repetitive, then boring, then overly sentimental, then progressively more stilted and awkward. By the 75% mark, I'm usually either quitting the novel or skimming super rapidly, looking for little bits that jump out as interesting.
I'm writing this review mostly as a reminder to myself not to bother anymore. I've downloaded too many samples, decided they were promising, downloaded the whole book, and then discovered it's not worth my time.
Maybe she hires a professional editor for the first 100 pages, or maybe she edits it herself but loses focus as she goes.
My apologies to the writer for how mean I sound. I'm sure she worked hard and did her best.
This author has a pattern: she starts off with a decent idea presented with good pacing, but then somewhere in the second quarter of the novel, it starts to get repetitive, then boring, then overly sentimental, then progressively more stilted and awkward. By the 75% mark, I'm usually either quitting the novel or skimming super rapidly, looking for little bits that jump out as interesting.
I'm writing this review mostly as a reminder to myself not to bother anymore. I've downloaded too many samples, decided they were promising, downloaded the whole book, and then discovered it's not worth my time.
Maybe she hires a professional editor for the first 100 pages, or maybe she edits it herself but loses focus as she goes.
My apologies to the writer for how mean I sound. I'm sure she worked hard and did her best.
Read
September 20, 2025What if Mrs Bennet had a stroke when Lydia eloped with Mr Wickham, and the news of her ruin never reached Meryton?
This story picks up the story in Derbyshire, but in this version, both Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy are present when Lizzy received the letter from Jane. Darcy rushes to London to look for the youngest Bennet daughter, while Lizzy rushes home to console her family. Bingley follows shortly thereafter to comfort and support Jane.
Lydia is missing for a few months, taken in my a kind stranger who allows her to work as a maid. She is reformed of her silliness. Mr Bennet is reformed of his indolence and begins looking after his estate, saving money for his daughter's dowries, and teaching Kitty and Mary.
The whole story is centred around "the Deception" (capital D), until Lydia is restored to the family and everyone lives happily ever after.
This story picks up the story in Derbyshire, but in this version, both Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy are present when Lizzy received the letter from Jane. Darcy rushes to London to look for the youngest Bennet daughter, while Lizzy rushes home to console her family. Bingley follows shortly thereafter to comfort and support Jane.
Lydia is missing for a few months, taken in my a kind stranger who allows her to work as a maid. She is reformed of her silliness. Mr Bennet is reformed of his indolence and begins looking after his estate, saving money for his daughter's dowries, and teaching Kitty and Mary.
The whole story is centred around "the Deception" (capital D), until Lydia is restored to the family and everyone lives happily ever after.
August 3, 2025
surprisingly good
I like that there’s character development for everyone. None drastic changes without blatant cause for change clearly shown internally and well reasoned.
The plot is good and logical and true to characters. I liked it very much. However I will note a repeated grammatical error in the beginning annoyed me. The phrase “think you” instead of “you think?” Was noted in several places. And corrected later on in the book. But still there in the beginning.
I like that there’s character development for everyone. None drastic changes without blatant cause for change clearly shown internally and well reasoned.
The plot is good and logical and true to characters. I liked it very much. However I will note a repeated grammatical error in the beginning annoyed me. The phrase “think you” instead of “you think?” Was noted in several places. And corrected later on in the book. But still there in the beginning.
July 9, 2025
Changed characters
I do like the character developments as each one from Mr Bennet to Lydia are confronted with drastically changed circumstances. The disposal of Wickham was a nice touch. The removal of an incorrigible Caroline was also appreciated. My favorite characters are Mary and Lydia; Mary acquires a voice and Lydia an education in more ways than one.
I do like the character developments as each one from Mr Bennet to Lydia are confronted with drastically changed circumstances. The disposal of Wickham was a nice touch. The removal of an incorrigible Caroline was also appreciated. My favorite characters are Mary and Lydia; Mary acquires a voice and Lydia an education in more ways than one.
August 10, 2025
A Wonderful Variation
A good many of the P&P variations are charming but also repeat much of the canon. This variation, however, keeps enough of the canon without being repetitive. It’s thoroughly well done. Plus it’s quite well edited which some of the other authors’ variations are not. Just a great read!
A good many of the P&P variations are charming but also repeat much of the canon. This variation, however, keeps enough of the canon without being repetitive. It’s thoroughly well done. Plus it’s quite well edited which some of the other authors’ variations are not. Just a great read!
August 19, 2025
Very engaging!
Lydia's ruin, loss and grief, and most interesting is Mary's attitude change. There were only a few loose ends that I wish the author addressed: first letting the Fosters know Lydia's end circumstances; Elizabeth and Lydia visiting the cemetery; did Miss Alice respond to Lydia; and lastly Miss Bing let's final situation.
Lydia's ruin, loss and grief, and most interesting is Mary's attitude change. There were only a few loose ends that I wish the author addressed: first letting the Fosters know Lydia's end circumstances; Elizabeth and Lydia visiting the cemetery; did Miss Alice respond to Lydia; and lastly Miss Bing let's final situation.
September 25, 2025
Original
Wallace’s variation is unique amongst the manifold P&P variations I have read. The writing is quite good, and the characters according to canon, but though there is a lot said about characters’ feelings, I did not feel a real chemistry. I did like Mr Bingley’s being held to account by Mr Bennet.
Wallace’s variation is unique amongst the manifold P&P variations I have read. The writing is quite good, and the characters according to canon, but though there is a lot said about characters’ feelings, I did not feel a real chemistry. I did like Mr Bingley’s being held to account by Mr Bennet.
July 13, 2025
new twist
Interesting. It kept me engaged throughout. I liked seeing a deeper more honest view of the opinions and experiences of each Bennet as they face the results of the youngest member’s selfish actions. I enjoyed the Deception and everyone working together.
Interesting. It kept me engaged throughout. I liked seeing a deeper more honest view of the opinions and experiences of each Bennet as they face the results of the youngest member’s selfish actions. I enjoyed the Deception and everyone working together.
July 4, 2025
An Engaging Story
- I appreciate the pacing and focus on the main plot.
- I liked all the characters; however, Mary was my favorite.
- I appreciate the pacing and focus on the main plot.
- I liked all the characters; however, Mary was my favorite.
August 4, 2025
As always, Wallace writes an interesting variation. Lydia is particularly compelling.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews