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A Lady's Birthday Wish : A Pride and Prejudice Variation
On the morning of her 37th birthday, Jane Austen suffers an unexpected fall during a solitary walk. When she awakens, disoriented and aching, she finds herself on the path to Oakham Mount, being tended by none other than Elizabeth Bennet. To her astonishment, Jane discovers she has somehow entered the world of Pride and Prejudice...a world she thought existed only within the pages of her novel.
When she is escorted to Netherfield Park, Jane quickly learns that while Jane Bennet and Mr. Bingley have married and are living happily at Netherfield, Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy remain estranged. To Jane’s dismay, the story she so carefully crafted has gone awry. Determined to restore the love story she once imagined, Jane feigns amnesia from her accident, giving her the excuse to remain among the Bennets and Bingleys while she devises a plan to repair the fractured path of Elizabeth and Darcy’s romance.
But as Jane Austen meddles in her characters’ lives, she discovers that their hearts and choices are more complex than even she could have foreseen. With wit and wisdom, she must navigate misunderstandings, pride, and prejudice to guide Elizabeth and Darcy toward their happily ever after...while grappling with the extraordinary reality of living in the world she created.
Written in celebration of Jane Austen’s 250th birthday, A Lady’s Birthday Wish is a delightful and heartfelt variation that blends humor, insight, and the timeless magic of love, proving that even a great author may need a second chance to perfect her tale.
When she is escorted to Netherfield Park, Jane quickly learns that while Jane Bennet and Mr. Bingley have married and are living happily at Netherfield, Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy remain estranged. To Jane’s dismay, the story she so carefully crafted has gone awry. Determined to restore the love story she once imagined, Jane feigns amnesia from her accident, giving her the excuse to remain among the Bennets and Bingleys while she devises a plan to repair the fractured path of Elizabeth and Darcy’s romance.
But as Jane Austen meddles in her characters’ lives, she discovers that their hearts and choices are more complex than even she could have foreseen. With wit and wisdom, she must navigate misunderstandings, pride, and prejudice to guide Elizabeth and Darcy toward their happily ever after...while grappling with the extraordinary reality of living in the world she created.
Written in celebration of Jane Austen’s 250th birthday, A Lady’s Birthday Wish is a delightful and heartfelt variation that blends humor, insight, and the timeless magic of love, proving that even a great author may need a second chance to perfect her tale.
266 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 2, 2025
18 people are currently reading
9 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 25, 2025
The story was lovely, and I enjoyed it a lot. There were many heartwarming moments. The epilogue was perfection.
I listened to the audiobook, and at times I was confused between the two Janes (Austen and Bennet/Bingley). It might have been easier to keep the two sorted in my mind if I had read the story instead of listening to it. I don’t think there’s anything the author could have done differently to solve this.
I listened to the audiobook, and at times I was confused between the two Janes (Austen and Bennet/Bingley). It might have been easier to keep the two sorted in my mind if I had read the story instead of listening to it. I don’t think there’s anything the author could have done differently to solve this.
December 5, 2025
Absolutely Brilliant!
I absolutely loved this book! The pure creativity of placing Jane Austen herself among her own characters is told with such genius as to keep readers totally enthralled. I love how both Mary and Lydia are given personal growth. The twist at the end is genuine perfection.
I absolutely loved this book! The pure creativity of placing Jane Austen herself among her own characters is told with such genius as to keep readers totally enthralled. I love how both Mary and Lydia are given personal growth. The twist at the end is genuine perfection.
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December 18, 2025I read a draft and enjoyed it.
January 23, 2026
Great premise, well executed.
A lovely and very different Pride And Prejudice variation. I recommend this book to lovers of Regency fiction and JAFF.
A lovely and very different Pride And Prejudice variation. I recommend this book to lovers of Regency fiction and JAFF.
January 15, 2026
This is for the audiobook
An finely produced duet between Harry Frost and Anna Emmins.
While the excellent Harry Frost is one of my favorite narrators, Anne Emmins is new to me.
Her performance is fun, animated and diverse, making each character sound just like you'd imagine- loved her Mrs Bennet, especially when she gives irritating people a piece of her mind.
The story is lovely. Our dear Jane Austen, troubled by writers block, has a bit of an accident and ends up in the middle of her most favorited publication. The trouble is, Darcy has not won his Elizabeth.
Between fighting her own ailments, JA does her best to fix the problems of those around her. When new visitors arrive at Netherfield, it's possible they're the key to fixing her own writing troubles.
A great ensemble cast for this story. Lots of character development, and yes, our dear couple, Darcy and Elizabeth do find their happy ever after before JA finds her own way back home.
(I received this audiobook as a gift from the author and voluntarily leave my review.)
An finely produced duet between Harry Frost and Anna Emmins.
While the excellent Harry Frost is one of my favorite narrators, Anne Emmins is new to me.
Her performance is fun, animated and diverse, making each character sound just like you'd imagine- loved her Mrs Bennet, especially when she gives irritating people a piece of her mind.
The story is lovely. Our dear Jane Austen, troubled by writers block, has a bit of an accident and ends up in the middle of her most favorited publication. The trouble is, Darcy has not won his Elizabeth.
Between fighting her own ailments, JA does her best to fix the problems of those around her. When new visitors arrive at Netherfield, it's possible they're the key to fixing her own writing troubles.
A great ensemble cast for this story. Lots of character development, and yes, our dear couple, Darcy and Elizabeth do find their happy ever after before JA finds her own way back home.
(I received this audiobook as a gift from the author and voluntarily leave my review.)
February 4, 2026
Can Jane Austen fix Darcy & Elizabeth's issues?
This is a wonderful story that I can easily read/listen to again. Jane Austen is stuck writing Mansfield Park and stops by a Wishing Well out on a walk. Shortly after, she is struck by a runaway horse and knocked unconscious. She wakes up to see several of the Bennet sisters around her. Now, she is even more confused as to why she is in one of her stories. She quickly realizes that things are not how she wrote them but is determined to fix it. I love how she gently guided characters to see the issues and correct them. Darcy was a pain, but as soon as the truth was revealed, he was a much happier individual to be around. Some might find it hard to identify if the character is Jane Austen (Miss Jane) or Mrs. Bingley, but I didn't really have that much of a problem. The ending was perfect!
For the audiobook, it was wonderful narrated by Harry Frost and a new narrator, Anna Emmins. I look forward to hearing more from her. Thank you, Caroline Cartier, for a sweet and delightful story!!
This is a wonderful story that I can easily read/listen to again. Jane Austen is stuck writing Mansfield Park and stops by a Wishing Well out on a walk. Shortly after, she is struck by a runaway horse and knocked unconscious. She wakes up to see several of the Bennet sisters around her. Now, she is even more confused as to why she is in one of her stories. She quickly realizes that things are not how she wrote them but is determined to fix it. I love how she gently guided characters to see the issues and correct them. Darcy was a pain, but as soon as the truth was revealed, he was a much happier individual to be around. Some might find it hard to identify if the character is Jane Austen (Miss Jane) or Mrs. Bingley, but I didn't really have that much of a problem. The ending was perfect!
For the audiobook, it was wonderful narrated by Harry Frost and a new narrator, Anna Emmins. I look forward to hearing more from her. Thank you, Caroline Cartier, for a sweet and delightful story!!
December 7, 2025
Beautiful and heartwarming birthday homage to the “Patron Saint of Hopeless Romantics.”Somewhere, in the afterlife, Jane Austen is smiling, laughing, and shedding a tear of joy. This beautiful and clever story is full of surprises from the beginning to the very last line. Our favorite P&P characters are on hand, foibles and all, to welcome the mysterious Miss Jane with no surname to Meryton. Be assured that the Lady does not just passively observe. Add a few characters from Austen’s other novels for spice, and voilà! If you love Jane Austen, and you enjoy a gamut of emotion in your JAFF, you will find this endearing story most entertaining, touching, and emotionally satisfying. I love all of Caroline Cartier’s JAFF, but this one is special. I bought several hard copies as gifts. It’s THAT good!
February 6, 2026
Delightful variation in which Jane Austen meets with her dear friends of Hertfordshire
I really just love this book. It’s the equivalent of sitting in front of a fireplace on a snowy day with a warm cup of cocoa.
Jane Austen through a wishing well is transported to the environs of Meryton.
The beginning was ingenious, the middle was so fun and thoughtful, and sometimes sad, and the end was brilliant. I really loved it!
I really just love this book. It’s the equivalent of sitting in front of a fireplace on a snowy day with a warm cup of cocoa.
Jane Austen through a wishing well is transported to the environs of Meryton.
The beginning was ingenious, the middle was so fun and thoughtful, and sometimes sad, and the end was brilliant. I really loved it!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews