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The Countess and Her Sister: A Pride & Prejudice Variation
Elizabeth Bennet enters London society at the side of her favorite sister, a widowed countess….
Elizabeth Bennet and her sister have resided at Matlock House in London with Jane’s in-laws for two years, deepening their familial bond with Lady Augusta - the mother Mrs. Bennet never was - and her mischievous children, Richard and Lady Rebecca. And now, it is time for the eligible countess and her lively, devoted sister to re-emerge in London society….
Lady Augusta is set on finding Jane a husband, and she has selected her favorite nephew, Fitzwilliam Darcy. Things hit a snag when Mr. Darcy unwittingly insults Elizabeth, and Lady Augusta’s plans are utterly dashed when Mr. Darcy realizes that Elizabeth Bennet is the only woman in the world who could ever tempt him.
Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy both face a battle between their sense of family duty and their irrepressible attraction to one another. Tensions rise when Mr. Bingley begins courting Jane Fitzwilliam; when Lady Catherine arrives in London, she makes her own sentiments known, and Elizabeth is swept up in the chaos that ensues.
Elizabeth and Jane make a hasty retreat to Derbyshire along with their friends & family. Springtime in the countryside has both Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley ready to woo their ladies, but old resentments fan the flames of family pressure, and the lovers are driven to drastic action. How far will Elizabeth Bennet go for love?
Elizabeth Bennet and her sister have resided at Matlock House in London with Jane’s in-laws for two years, deepening their familial bond with Lady Augusta - the mother Mrs. Bennet never was - and her mischievous children, Richard and Lady Rebecca. And now, it is time for the eligible countess and her lively, devoted sister to re-emerge in London society….
Lady Augusta is set on finding Jane a husband, and she has selected her favorite nephew, Fitzwilliam Darcy. Things hit a snag when Mr. Darcy unwittingly insults Elizabeth, and Lady Augusta’s plans are utterly dashed when Mr. Darcy realizes that Elizabeth Bennet is the only woman in the world who could ever tempt him.
Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy both face a battle between their sense of family duty and their irrepressible attraction to one another. Tensions rise when Mr. Bingley begins courting Jane Fitzwilliam; when Lady Catherine arrives in London, she makes her own sentiments known, and Elizabeth is swept up in the chaos that ensues.
Elizabeth and Jane make a hasty retreat to Derbyshire along with their friends & family. Springtime in the countryside has both Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley ready to woo their ladies, but old resentments fan the flames of family pressure, and the lovers are driven to drastic action. How far will Elizabeth Bennet go for love?
368 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 29, 2025
126 people are currently reading
35 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
October 6, 2025
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars. I took off a half star due to the many errors I came across, i.e., missing words, words that didn't make sense or should not have been there, modern phrases, etc.
In this tale, we find Jane married, not for love, but due to being forced into a compromise by her mother. She does provide an heir but there is no love there.
Elizabeth moves to live with Jane, while Mrs. Bennet and Jane's other sisters are placed in one of the Matlock's estates in Derbyshire. Mr. Bennet has also died, thus the need for that.
Jane's mother by marriage forms a warm, loving and supportive relationship with Jane. When Lord Matlock, her husband, dies, this Dowager Countess seeks to match Jane with her nephew, Fitzwilliam Darcy. When Darcy arrives we find he has brought Bingley into that circle and you know he is, of course, attracted to Jane.
This author has many character from other of JA's novels making appearances. Lady Catherine is, again, a big problem: in that, since Anne has died she also wants Darcy to marry a titled, wealthy and connected lady. So we have forces pushing Darcy one way while his heart soon is attracted to Elizabeth. Their romance blossoms soon in the story.
We do have an abduction as the two sides work to achieve their end. And then there is race to Gretna Green in Scotland. Here we meet an interesting couple: he, a blacksmith...will he preform that marriage over the anvil?
There is a lot I have not touched on here. I have enjoyed this author's other stories.
In this tale, we find Jane married, not for love, but due to being forced into a compromise by her mother. She does provide an heir but there is no love there.
Elizabeth moves to live with Jane, while Mrs. Bennet and Jane's other sisters are placed in one of the Matlock's estates in Derbyshire. Mr. Bennet has also died, thus the need for that.
Jane's mother by marriage forms a warm, loving and supportive relationship with Jane. When Lord Matlock, her husband, dies, this Dowager Countess seeks to match Jane with her nephew, Fitzwilliam Darcy. When Darcy arrives we find he has brought Bingley into that circle and you know he is, of course, attracted to Jane.
This author has many character from other of JA's novels making appearances. Lady Catherine is, again, a big problem: in that, since Anne has died she also wants Darcy to marry a titled, wealthy and connected lady. So we have forces pushing Darcy one way while his heart soon is attracted to Elizabeth. Their romance blossoms soon in the story.
We do have an abduction as the two sides work to achieve their end. And then there is race to Gretna Green in Scotland. Here we meet an interesting couple: he, a blacksmith...will he preform that marriage over the anvil?
There is a lot I have not touched on here. I have enjoyed this author's other stories.
November 29, 2025
Loved the Premise, Wanted a Bit More Polish
I really enjoyed this crossover variation, which draws in some of the characters from other Austen works. The premise is quite different from the usual, which always appeals to me. Seeing Jane and Elizabeth settled in with the Fitzwilliams, with Jane as a widowed Lady Matlock—after a past (off page) compromising betrayal by Mrs Bennet—was truly unique. The roller-coaster dynamic between Jane and Elizabeth regarding Darcy added a bit of angst, and off-canon characters, Lady Augusta and Lady Rebecca, were two standouts for me. Rebecca and Richard’s hijinks were especially entertaining.
The courtship between Elizabeth and Darcy particularly held my attention. As often happens, it starts with an insult, but their connection grows in a very natural way while they both struggle with duty and loyalty. I also appreciated the author’s take on Bingley; with the right motive, namely his love for Jane, his portrayal provides him a backbone and he becomes a stronger man.
I did finish the book wishing that Mrs Bennet and Lady Catherine had faced a little more consequence for everything they stirred up; they were both quite extreme. And toward the end, things did start to feel a bit rushed.
My one real complaint is the editing. There were enough missing words, odd phrases, and small errors that they were hard to ignore. With a solid proofread and better editing, this would easily have been a five-star read for me. Jayne Bamber fans, of which I am one, will definitely enjoy it.
I really enjoyed this crossover variation, which draws in some of the characters from other Austen works. The premise is quite different from the usual, which always appeals to me. Seeing Jane and Elizabeth settled in with the Fitzwilliams, with Jane as a widowed Lady Matlock—after a past (off page) compromising betrayal by Mrs Bennet—was truly unique. The roller-coaster dynamic between Jane and Elizabeth regarding Darcy added a bit of angst, and off-canon characters, Lady Augusta and Lady Rebecca, were two standouts for me. Rebecca and Richard’s hijinks were especially entertaining.
The courtship between Elizabeth and Darcy particularly held my attention. As often happens, it starts with an insult, but their connection grows in a very natural way while they both struggle with duty and loyalty. I also appreciated the author’s take on Bingley; with the right motive, namely his love for Jane, his portrayal provides him a backbone and he becomes a stronger man.
I did finish the book wishing that Mrs Bennet and Lady Catherine had faced a little more consequence for everything they stirred up; they were both quite extreme. And toward the end, things did start to feel a bit rushed.
My one real complaint is the editing. There were enough missing words, odd phrases, and small errors that they were hard to ignore. With a solid proofread and better editing, this would easily have been a five-star read for me. Jayne Bamber fans, of which I am one, will definitely enjoy it.
September 2, 2025
Chaotic but fun
An agreeable and sometimes confusing melange of characters from Northanger Abbey and Pride and Prejudice. Jane and Elizabeth have been semi adopted by the Fitzwilliam family after Jane marries the earl. Plenty of plots and counterplots as Lady Catherine tries to harm everyone, helped by the Tilneys.
An agreeable and sometimes confusing melange of characters from Northanger Abbey and Pride and Prejudice. Jane and Elizabeth have been semi adopted by the Fitzwilliam family after Jane marries the earl. Plenty of plots and counterplots as Lady Catherine tries to harm everyone, helped by the Tilneys.
September 1, 2025
A bit over the top
If you like extremely villainous villains along with lots of eventually happy couples, you'll enjoy this. There were a few editing errors that stopped the flow of the story while I figured out what the author meant to say.
If you like extremely villainous villains along with lots of eventually happy couples, you'll enjoy this. There were a few editing errors that stopped the flow of the story while I figured out what the author meant to say.
August 29, 2025
Very entertaining story..
A different twist on Jane & Lizzy. They are more family with the Matlock’s than the Bennet’s. Different twists and turns but HEA for all.
A different twist on Jane & Lizzy. They are more family with the Matlock’s than the Bennet’s. Different twists and turns but HEA for all.
September 26, 2025
Angsty, but wonderful
Mrs Bennett engineers a compromise for Jane, resulting in an abusive marriage to the Earl of Matlock. He dies of a widespread illness after Jane bears him a son, the future earl. The same illness takes Mr Bennett. Jane and Elizabeth break completely from their mother, and Elizabeth lives with Jane (the countess), the dowager countess Lady Augusta, and also her two grown children Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam and Lady Rebecca . They're a happy family, and the dowager Countess is a surrogate loving mother to both Jane and Elizabeth. After mourning both Jane's husband and Mr Bennett, Lady Augusta wants to find a good husband for Jane, and thinks Darcy would be perfect. After delivering his infamous insult to Elizabeth at a ball, Darcy quickly discovers a strong attraction to Elizabeth, but her "brother" Richard isn't going to make it easy. After a horrible first marriage, Jane has serious misgivings about remarriage.
I like this author. She's an automatic purchase for me. This is a terrible Mrs Bennett version, which makes for a lot of angst and melodrama. Jane is somewhat damaged emotionally, and Elizabeth has elected herself Jane's protector and confidant. The three Fitzwilliams that they live with are wonderful and loving, and the banter among them is priceless. There's lots of irreverent behavior and humor, and the author has woven many characters from Jane Austen's other books into the storyline, many in major roles. Lady Catherine is the other main villain, and she's a doozy.
I deducted a star because the last part of the book was chaotic, confusing, and a bit rushed, as if the author needed to wrap up the story and just jumbled a lot together. The scenes at Gretna Green in particular fell flat for me, and I wished everyone's romances were not so hastily arranged. However, aside from a fair amount of editing errors, the book is well done, and I recommend it highly.
Mrs Bennett engineers a compromise for Jane, resulting in an abusive marriage to the Earl of Matlock. He dies of a widespread illness after Jane bears him a son, the future earl. The same illness takes Mr Bennett. Jane and Elizabeth break completely from their mother, and Elizabeth lives with Jane (the countess), the dowager countess Lady Augusta, and also her two grown children Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam and Lady Rebecca . They're a happy family, and the dowager Countess is a surrogate loving mother to both Jane and Elizabeth. After mourning both Jane's husband and Mr Bennett, Lady Augusta wants to find a good husband for Jane, and thinks Darcy would be perfect. After delivering his infamous insult to Elizabeth at a ball, Darcy quickly discovers a strong attraction to Elizabeth, but her "brother" Richard isn't going to make it easy. After a horrible first marriage, Jane has serious misgivings about remarriage.
I like this author. She's an automatic purchase for me. This is a terrible Mrs Bennett version, which makes for a lot of angst and melodrama. Jane is somewhat damaged emotionally, and Elizabeth has elected herself Jane's protector and confidant. The three Fitzwilliams that they live with are wonderful and loving, and the banter among them is priceless. There's lots of irreverent behavior and humor, and the author has woven many characters from Jane Austen's other books into the storyline, many in major roles. Lady Catherine is the other main villain, and she's a doozy.
I deducted a star because the last part of the book was chaotic, confusing, and a bit rushed, as if the author needed to wrap up the story and just jumbled a lot together. The scenes at Gretna Green in particular fell flat for me, and I wished everyone's romances were not so hastily arranged. However, aside from a fair amount of editing errors, the book is well done, and I recommend it highly.
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September 5, 2025DNF. Started skimming at 68% and quit at 80%
This just isn’t holding my attention right now. Will come back to it later.
This just isn’t holding my attention right now. Will come back to it later.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 14, 2025
4.5 rounded up
An engrossing family saga with a quartet of pernicious villains. Lots of HEAs, friendships, love and romance. Complex relationships are delicately portrayed, as well as fraught family dynamics. Overall, the writing is good, the characters are engaging and scenes are so well done you feel as if you are seeing it in front of you. But the editing lost it an unambiguous 5: prepositions or pronouns omitted, malapropisms, or typos. Such a good book deserves better.
An engrossing family saga with a quartet of pernicious villains. Lots of HEAs, friendships, love and romance. Complex relationships are delicately portrayed, as well as fraught family dynamics. Overall, the writing is good, the characters are engaging and scenes are so well done you feel as if you are seeing it in front of you. But the editing lost it an unambiguous 5: prepositions or pronouns omitted, malapropisms, or typos. Such a good book deserves better.
September 15, 2025
I just didn’t do it for me. Ended up skipping over loads of it to finish it. Perfect Jane and perfect martyr Elizabeth… I just wasn’t feeling it. No prejudice in sight and little pride.
August 31, 2025
I truly enjoyed a variation that delved more into Jane Bennet's psychology (here Jane Fitzwilliam, Lady Matlock) than many do, and which added realistic tensions to Lizzy and Jane's relationship while still making clear that they love one another. I also enjoyed the manic cheerfulness of the Fitzwilliam family, as well as characters from other works of Jane Austen popping in. Great fun.
September 15, 2025
This is an Austen-inspired mash up with P&P characters being primary. Early on we learn that Jane had been compromised into an abusive marriage with none other than the Earl of Matlock (brother of Richard Fitzwilliam). Her mother was the one to set up the compromise and became unforgivable in Jane and Elizabeth’s lives. Jane bears a son who becomes the new Earl upon the death of her husband. Jane and Elizabeth reject their parents and live with Jane’s mother in law, the dowager countess, and her adult children, Richard and Rebecca.
The dowager becomes the mother the Bennet girls never had and Richard and Rebecca their beloved siblings. As any good mother would, the dowager knows that Jane must marry for her own sake and that of the new Earl. She decides the best choice would be her nephew Darcy. For various reasons Darcy has not been in the company of the Fitzwilliams, has not met the Bennet sisters and thus, manages to insult Elizabeth on their first meeting. This is not an impediment for Jane who is attracted by Darcy’s status and responsible behavior. It is an impediment to Darcy who is very attracted to Elizabeth, once they become acquainted, and to Elizabeth who is very attracted to Darcy once over her initial pique. Jane is also attracted to Bingley and his happy manners, but is unwilling to give into the attraction as long as Bingley is subservient to his sister.
Elizabeth will never admit her own admiration for Darcy as long as Jane may decide she wants him, regardless of Darcy’s inclination towards her. The Jane in this tale is initially immature and selfish as well as traumatized by her marriage. She is definitely a prize on the marriage mart and is encouraged to believe she can have any man who she decides she wants. It does add to her more selfish behavior and oblivion to her own sister’s pain with regard to Darcy. She does eventually grow a backbone and into her role as countess after being challenged on her behavior and subjected to another compromise
Who is behind the attempt at compromise and what does it mean for the future happiness of ODC?
This is another good story by Jayne Bamber.
The dowager becomes the mother the Bennet girls never had and Richard and Rebecca their beloved siblings. As any good mother would, the dowager knows that Jane must marry for her own sake and that of the new Earl. She decides the best choice would be her nephew Darcy. For various reasons Darcy has not been in the company of the Fitzwilliams, has not met the Bennet sisters and thus, manages to insult Elizabeth on their first meeting. This is not an impediment for Jane who is attracted by Darcy’s status and responsible behavior. It is an impediment to Darcy who is very attracted to Elizabeth, once they become acquainted, and to Elizabeth who is very attracted to Darcy once over her initial pique. Jane is also attracted to Bingley and his happy manners, but is unwilling to give into the attraction as long as Bingley is subservient to his sister.
Elizabeth will never admit her own admiration for Darcy as long as Jane may decide she wants him, regardless of Darcy’s inclination towards her. The Jane in this tale is initially immature and selfish as well as traumatized by her marriage. She is definitely a prize on the marriage mart and is encouraged to believe she can have any man who she decides she wants. It does add to her more selfish behavior and oblivion to her own sister’s pain with regard to Darcy. She does eventually grow a backbone and into her role as countess after being challenged on her behavior and subjected to another compromise
Who is behind the attempt at compromise and what does it mean for the future happiness of ODC?
This is another good story by Jayne Bamber.
September 2, 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 Bennet enters London society at the side of her favorite sister, a widowed countess.
Elizabeth Bennet and her sister have resided at Matlock House in London with Jane’s in-laws for two years, deepening their familial bond with Lady Augusta, the mother Mrs. Bennet never was, and her mischievous children, Richard and Lady Rebecca. Now, it is time for the eligible countess and her lively, devoted sister to re-emerge in London society. Lady Augusta is set on finding Jane a husband, and she has selected her favorite nephew, Fitzwilliam Darcy. Things hit a snag when Mr. Darcy unwittingly insults Elizabeth, and Lady Augusta’s plans are utterly dashed when Mr. Darcy realizes that Elizabeth Bennet is the only woman in the world who could ever tempt him.
Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy both face a battle between their sense of family duty and their irrepressible attraction to one another. Tensions rise when Mr. Bingley begins courting Jane Fitzwilliam; when Lady Catherine arrives in London, she makes her own sentiments known, and Elizabeth is swept up in the chaos that ensues. Elizabeth and Jane make a hasty retreat to Derbyshire along with their friends & family. Springtime in the countryside has both Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley ready to woo their ladies, but old resentments fan the flames of family pressure, and the lovers are driven to drastic action. How far will Elizabeth Bennet go for love? 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 Bennet enters London society at the side of her favorite sister, a widowed countess.
Elizabeth Bennet and her sister have resided at Matlock House in London with Jane’s in-laws for two years, deepening their familial bond with Lady Augusta, the mother Mrs. Bennet never was, and her mischievous children, Richard and Lady Rebecca. Now, it is time for the eligible countess and her lively, devoted sister to re-emerge in London society. Lady Augusta is set on finding Jane a husband, and she has selected her favorite nephew, Fitzwilliam Darcy. Things hit a snag when Mr. Darcy unwittingly insults Elizabeth, and Lady Augusta’s plans are utterly dashed when Mr. Darcy realizes that Elizabeth Bennet is the only woman in the world who could ever tempt him.
Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy both face a battle between their sense of family duty and their irrepressible attraction to one another. Tensions rise when Mr. Bingley begins courting Jane Fitzwilliam; when Lady Catherine arrives in London, she makes her own sentiments known, and Elizabeth is swept up in the chaos that ensues. Elizabeth and Jane make a hasty retreat to Derbyshire along with their friends & family. Springtime in the countryside has both Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley ready to woo their ladies, but old resentments fan the flames of family pressure, and the lovers are driven to drastic action. How far will Elizabeth Bennet go for love? 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.
October 6, 2025
2.5 stars, rounded up to 3. Is it the P&P characters we know and love? No, it is not.
“You could not avoid me entirely, despite your best endeavor, Miss Bennet.” One side of Mr. Darcy’s mouth quirked upward, though he knit his brow as if startled at his own sauciness.”
But once I stopped expecting them to act in character and accepted they were bizzaro world sassy modern versions, I enjoyed the book.
The back half of the book becomes a bit ridiculous and I skimmed some, but it’s a cute resolution. Also the lack of editing made me feel like I was having a stroke every now and then:
“If Mamma made a scene because Jane would not see her, then she will not make a scene is Jane does she her.”
“You could not avoid me entirely, despite your best endeavor, Miss Bennet.” One side of Mr. Darcy’s mouth quirked upward, though he knit his brow as if startled at his own sauciness.”
But once I stopped expecting them to act in character and accepted they were bizzaro world sassy modern versions, I enjoyed the book.
The back half of the book becomes a bit ridiculous and I skimmed some, but it’s a cute resolution. Also the lack of editing made me feel like I was having a stroke every now and then:
“If Mamma made a scene because Jane would not see her, then she will not make a scene is Jane does she her.”
October 24, 2025
The Countess and Her Sister
What a lovely story, with mixed angst. Jane goes through a terrible marriage. But has a wonderful mother in law that they, Elizabeth and Jane, love and count as their mamma. Richard is a brother and Darcy still makes his blunder, although at a different affair. Great variation.
What a lovely story, with mixed angst. Jane goes through a terrible marriage. But has a wonderful mother in law that they, Elizabeth and Jane, love and count as their mamma. Richard is a brother and Darcy still makes his blunder, although at a different affair. Great variation.
November 8, 2025
Desperately Seeking Editing
An excellent book, but there are frequent typos, words left out, punctuation errors, etc. It's hard to include so many people in a story without some wanting more Elizabeth and Darcy. It moved along well enough that I didn't miss it too much. I hope there is a second edition because this book is worth the trouble.
An excellent book, but there are frequent typos, words left out, punctuation errors, etc. It's hard to include so many people in a story without some wanting more Elizabeth and Darcy. It moved along well enough that I didn't miss it too much. I hope there is a second edition because this book is worth the trouble.
October 2, 2025
This book needs some serious editing
The story line was interesting but I found the poor editing very distracting. I wonder if others felt the same way. The characters were enjoyable.
The story line was interesting but I found the poor editing very distracting. I wonder if others felt the same way. The characters were enjoyable.
November 4, 2025
The Countess and Her Sister
A lovely tale , filled with dangling participles and poor word choices. Luckily as much as I am disturbed by bad grammar, I love a good story. This is a good P&P variation.
A lovely tale , filled with dangling participles and poor word choices. Luckily as much as I am disturbed by bad grammar, I love a good story. This is a good P&P variation.
September 1, 2025
Highly entertaining
Loved how Jane came into her own self and how Mrs. Bennet got her comeuppance. Great book from Jayne!! Super!
Loved how Jane came into her own self and how Mrs. Bennet got her comeuppance. Great book from Jayne!! Super!
September 8, 2025
I gave this 5 stars for originality but the grammar and misspellings should be fixed if possible. It happened often and was distracting.
September 11, 2025
A selfish, narcissistic Jane. Why does her whole family indulge her? Mr Darcy subjugated himself to his aunt’s wishes, also completely out of character. And a meek Elizabeth? Otherwise well written, held my attention.
October 12, 2025
Madcap at it's very best!
This story will take you on a journey at high speed. I usually am not attracted to such a pace. No previews, no clues: just dive into it.
This story will take you on a journey at high speed. I usually am not attracted to such a pace. No previews, no clues: just dive into it.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews