From the bestselling author of Insults and Compromise(s) comes a new Pride and Prejudice variation—a tale where comeuppance arrives fashionably late, perfectly timed, and clad in full splendor.
This low-angst, light-hearted romp peers beyond the drawing room drama of Darcy and Elizabeth to shine a light—sometimes uncomfortably—on other beloved (and long-overlooked) characters like Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam and Mary Bennet.Fitzwilliam Darcy is in a moral muddle. Should he intervene to save Bingley from an imprudent attachment—even if the method proposed by a certain meddling sister makes Machiavelli look discreet? And then there’s his own inconvenient fascination with Miss Elizabeth Bennet—sharp of wit, sharper of tongue, and utterly resistant to his charms. Can he defy fate, or is he merely another casualty of it? One way or another, reckonings are on the way. Possibly several.Elizabeth Bennet, from the moment she wakes on the morning of the Netherfield Ball, is in for one of the most trying days of her life. And what does she find at the end of it? Relief? Or fresh humiliation? Especially when that humiliation comes dressed in a cravat and arrogance, also known as Mr. Darcy. Or… does it?Mary Bennet has always known her place—somewhere between the piano and a disapproving sigh. She considers herself content, with sermons to quote and moral superiority to uphold. But when a stranger steps into her orderly world and rattles her certainties, Mary must ask can she still feel secure in what she holds dear when that very foundation begins to shake?Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam, ever the gentleman—except for one dreadful misstep—has spent years pretending it never happened. Unfortunately, fate (and two determined commanding officers) refuse to play along. One wants him off to Portugal. The other is far worse—and, regrettably, family. When he finally escapes their grasp, he lands in a situation far messier than military orders.Miss Bingley has finally received what she always wanted. Trouble is, it isn’t what she actually likes. An epiphany looms, and it’s not tied with a bow.Lady Catherine de Bourgh has a secret. She also has a dream. Both are in danger—because her foolish nephew appears to be falling for a chit named Bennet. The horror. Naturally, she sets off for Longbourn to put things right. And she does. Brilliantly. Too brilliantly. In fact, her triumph is so thorough, she is forced to make another visit... just to undo it. Oh, bother.Lord and Lady Matlock, masterful schemers in their own right, wish only to prevent their son from accepting yet another commission. Sadly for them, their son is stubborn, resistant to emotional bribery, and annoyingly good at vanishing. Where, oh where, is comeuppance when one needs it? A story of reckonings, revelations, and very inconvenient truths, Comeuppance offers a fresh, witty take on Austen’s world—where even the minor characters have their own misadventures, and justice (eventually) arrives, wearing a bonnet.
Reader Advisory: Subtle references to mature themes appear, but always cloaked in the finest Regency decorum. Discretion—and a sense of humour—is advised.A Jane Austen Fan Fiction (JAFF) novelWord Just over 80,000Angst Low (think of it as an emotional promenade, not a battlefield)<
Wow! What a fun read. Several characters receive a much deserved comeuppance in this story, including Darcy, Caroline Bingley, Lady Catherine, Wickham and, surprisingly, Colonel Fitzwilliam! The book begins with two separate incidents that occur before the main story. They seem to have no connection but become relevant later in the story.
This a low angst variation with some secrets, some match making from unexpected sources, some epiphanies and, as always, a happily ever after (for more than one deserving character). A most entertaining read.
Who is most like Mr Bennet in this entrancing tale? Most subtly, his daughter—Mary. The author masterfully weaves multiple relationships with intrigue, secrets, manipulation, past histories, confessions, and unfoldings of love. I am left with a smile as the last loose ends are sorted out and comeuppances received in fitting but unexpected ways. Excellent story; I highly recommend.
The story begins with two pivotal events that happened long before the meetings between the Bennetts, Bingleys, and Darcy, but they color later circumstances in an important way. It's implied that Darcy meets Elizabeth in the usual way, as does Bingley and Jane. After the Netherfield ball, Darcy is about to abandon Netherfield with a scheming Caroline and Mrs Hurst, but he delays his departure on the pretext of needing to read his mail. After Caroline and the Hursts have gone, Darcy learns from his uncle and aunt, the Earl and Countess, that his cousin Richard is on his way to Netherfield, and Darcy decides to stay and receive him. When Darcy and Richard learn of the letter written by Caroline to Jane, mentioning Miss Darcy, their anger at Caroline begins a series of occurrences deeply affecting almost everyone in the Bennett, Darcy, Fitzwilliam, and Debourgh families.
I like this author, and sincerely hope he will continue to create JAFF. Just from the title of the book you can sense that this will be a very satisfying tale, and it is. What's more fun than stupid and annoying characters getting what's coming to them? The romance is lovely, if at times a little contrived. The usual villains appear, but don't really have the ability to do anything too nasty because of the comeuppances. The book is very well written and well edited. I recommend it highly for an amusing, romantic, and satisfying read.
I enjoyed this variation of my favorite book that deviates from canon the day after Mt. Bingley goes to Town after the ball. An interesting twist that brings some great characters to center stage, and describes witty and amusing moments. A very well written story!
Warning: Subtle references to mature themes appear, but always cloaked in the finest Regency decorum. Discretion, and a sense of humour, is advised.
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. This a tale where comeuppance arrives fashionably late, perfectly timed, and clad in full splendor. A story of reckonings, revelations, and very inconvenient truths, this story offers a fresh, witty take on Austen’s world, where even the minor characters have their own misadventures, and justice (eventually) arrives, wearing a bonnet. Enjoy the journey, and mind the schemes.
This low-angst (think of it as an emotional promenade, not a battlefield), light-hearted romp that peers beyond the drawing room drama of Darcy and Elizabeth to shine a light, sometimes uncomfortably, on other beloved (and long-overlooked) characters like Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam and Mary Bennet. Promise of Happily Ever After (HEA) for Our Dear Couple, and every character gets their moment, even Mrs. Bennet.
Fitzwilliam Darcy is in a moral muddle, should he intervene to save Bingley from an imprudent attachment, even if the method proposed by a certain meddling sister makes Machiavelli look discreet? Then there’s his own inconvenient fascination with Miss Elizabeth Bennet, who is sharp of wit, sharper of tongue, and utterly resistant to his charms. Can he defy fate, or is he merely another casualty of it? One way or another, reckonings are on the way. Possibly several. Elizabeth Bennet, from the moment she wakes on the morning of the Netherfield Ball, is in for one of the most trying days of her life. Does she find relief or fresh humiliation at the end of it? Especially when that humiliation comes dressed in a cravat and arrogance, also known as Mr. Darcy, or does it?
Mary Bennet has always known her place, somewhere between the piano and a disapproving sigh. She considers herself content, with sermons to quote and moral superiority to uphold, but when a stranger steps into her orderly world and rattles her certainties, Mary must ask herself, can she still feel secure in what she holds dear when that very foundation begins to shake?Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam, ever the gentleman, except for one dreadful misstep, has spent years pretending it never happened. Unfortunately, fate (and two determined commanding officers) refuse to play along. One wants him off to Portugal, the other is far worse, and, regrettably, family. When he finally escapes their grasp, he lands in a situation far messier than military orders.
Miss Bingley has finally received what she always wanted. Trouble is, it isn’t what she actually likes. An epiphany looms, and it’s not tied with a bow. Lady Catherine de Bourgh has a secret, and she also has a dream, both are in danger because her foolish nephew appears to be falling for a chit named Bennet. The horror, and naturally, she sets off for Longbourn to put things right, and she does, brilliantly, too brilliantly. In fact, her triumph is so thorough, she is forced to make another visit, just to undo it, oh, bother. Lord and Lady Matlock, masterful schemers in their own right, wish only to prevent their son from accepting yet another commission. Sadly for them, their son is stubborn, resistant to emotional bribery, and annoyingly good at vanishing. Where, oh where, is comeuppance when one needs it? 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.
This author takes the P&P characters and writes of all - not neglecting some of the more mine characters. And by the time you’re done reading it’s hard to say goodbye to the book and our characters.
An interesting premise and unusual paths in this variation inspired by Jane Austen’s classic novel Pride and Prejudice by Jayanth Subramanzyan. I liked it.
In this Pride and Prejudice sequel the Bingleys and Hursts leave after the Netherfield Ball. Darcy stays to write letters, thus avoiding Caroline, but letters arrive for him stating that Colonel Fitzwilliam is intending to visit and stay. He is on his ways and gets lost near Longbourn. How will they both change the Bennets future and them theirs. A delightful and entertaining, well-written variation.
This is a fun, somewhat complex and deftly executed P&P variation that I enjoyed from cover to cover. Just shy of the halfway point, there is a scene in which two characters speak of beauty and of war, and when I had read that scene I was required to set my tablet aside and contemplate the fact that this amusing novel had just taken my heart from my chest, turned it inside out, and set it back in place beating a different rhythm. I'll be thinking about that scene for a long time. Absolutely masterful. Well done, sir.
A very well written JAFF that I quite liked. It started right after the ball but diverged from canon with Darcy learning how badly he had behaved towards the town of Meryton and its inhabitants along with having his convictions rattled by his relations. I was intrigued with the way Mary was handled in this story and to my astonishment it was she who was my favourite in this yarn rather than my usual Colonel of the amiable and jovial but serious personality. It is not ranked higher because I think I was skipping over certain lines which is not conducive to really enjoying the book. This was partly because I read a really immersive JAFF which is still in y mind and I should have chosen a more fluffier book to follow.
Colonel Fitzwilliam receives a Comeuppance The title of this variation might be a little misleading; at first, I thought Wickham was the person the title referred to, but in fact he receives his comeuppance early in the story, and is out of the plot from then on. The prologue seemed out of place compared to the rest of the story until, finally, everything fell into place and Colonel Fitzwilliam, who until then had seemed impeccable, demonstrated that, because of one reckless act, he also deserved a kind of comeuppance.
Darcy redeems himself early on and is determined to court Elizabeth; their banter is delightful and I loved them together, but, in truth, this book is about Mary and Colonel Fitzwilliam. Their first encounter was charming, but Mary was too difficult for the Colonel to approach; it's complicated to pair Mary with someone on a variation when she's not yet aware of her flaws. In Comeuppance, she's still a pedantic girl who enjoys reading only Fordyce's Sermons.
Despite Mary's reluctance, the Colonel is determined to form a friendship with her and, through their conversations, attempts to dismantle all of her misguided ideas. I don't much like this type of relationship where the man is a sort of Henry Higgins to the heroine, in their conversations Mary almost always remains silent while the Colonel lectures her. Later, with their promise to dance at the ball, I thought there would be the moment when their feelings would surface, but when they finally dance, the scene is quick and uneventful. Mary Bennet is, in my opinion, the best pairing for Colonel Fitzwilliam, but unfortunately I didn't feel any chemistry between them in this variation.
I enjoyed the courtship of Darcy and Elizabeth, Lady Matlock was a formidable character, and Mr. Bennet, clear sighted and more present, was great to read. However, Lady Catherine's secret didn't seem plausible to me, and Richard's past folly, which deserved comeuppance, wasn't exactly an amusing plot twist. Comeuppance is well written and entertaining, it's just not my cup of tea.
The conversation never flows organically.. Its like the character is just saying things the author wants to reveal, rather than actually have a conversation. They conclude things about the other person's opinions, thoughts without any logic, just because the other wants the to say it.
Mary / Colonel Fitzwilliam interactions make no sense. And, more and more focus on their interactions than D&E. Even D&E conversations are about the actions of Richard.
E&D romance also isn't done well so far. She goes from disliking him to accepting his courtship in days, where the only conversation they had is about Jane/Bingley, Wickham etc when he came randomly to explain after Netherfield ball.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I loved the development of Mary's relationship with Richard without compromising the stories of Jane and Elizabeth. The Earl, Countess and Lady Catherine were portrayed with surprising humor, wit and compassion. And to tip it all off, the story was well-written and edited; it was almost totally devoid of spelling or grammatical errors, unlike so many JAFF stories on KU. I cant wait to read more from this author!
This was by far a Mary and Col. Fitzwilliam story. Yes Elizabeth and Darcy were in it, but it was more about perspectives, change and acceptance. There were no real consequences or true comeuppances, just revelations of prior actions. However, it was a very well written story with low angst.
There's a lot to like in this story, the first I've read from this author. Who gets the comeuppance? Well there's more than one, we see a different Miss Bingley, though Wickham starts his usual tricks but is easily dealt with and Mr Collins never changes. Romance aplenty, lots of laughs and the final comeuppance delivered delightfu!ly.
Once again, a wonderful variation from Subramanyan. His development of Mary's character is particularly fascinating, and the Matlocks are great. The focus on otherwise minor characters is very welcome.
I just loved this story! everything turned out for the best. hopefully Wickham died of some virulent fever!! i wad also glad to hear of Fordyce being consigned to oblivion!
Quite a lovely P&P variation. The storyline is remarkable and the comic lines unforgettable. I love stories like this and loved reading it a second time. I had forgotten that I read it before. I enjoyed it so much that I just kept on going.