An Island for Elizabeth Bennet: Pride and Prejudice Variations

by Laraba Kendig, Angela Kendig (Illustrator)

Elizabeth Bennet owns an island! Mr. Darcy is intrigued by her, but he believes she is poor ... will they overcome insults and misunderstandings to find true love?

Elizabeth is stunned when she is given the island she loves, but her newfound wealth is a secret that comes with many surprises. Elizabeth need never marry, yet she still longs for love. Her opinion of Mr. Darcy starts very low, but she is perplexed when she realizes she is attracted to him.

When Mr. Darcy travels to visit his friend Bingley, his attention is quickly drawn to Miss Elizabeth, the second daughter of Longbourn. As master of the great estate of Pemberley, he cannot marry a woman of no fortune or connections simply because she is intelligent and witty and charming and beautiful and everything he longs for ... can he?

Elizabeth once found Mr. Darcy to be insufferable, but could he actually be her perfect match?

As a free bonus, this ebook includes Laraba's full novel ‘Gallant Mr. Darcy’!

This brand new story is over 500 pages, and the bonus novel adds much more. Both novels are sweet and clean, low angst Pride and Prejudice variations where all of the Bennet sisters have happy endings, with a satisfying epilogue.

Genres: Romance

515 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 4, 2025

About the author

I am a scientist by training, but a writer at heart. I have always loved reading with a passion and turned my hand to fanfiction a few years ago. I write stories similar to the ones I enjoy reading. They are interesting but light, romantic but not steamy. I am a super fan of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, and have been having a wonderful time writing P&P variations, exploring how new circumstances affect the beloved characters. So far I have published two novel-length Pride and Prejudice variations plus one short story via Amazon. My books include ‘I am Jael’ and ‘The Blind Will See’.

Reviews

[Sheila Majczan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strangely, this book stops counting its pages at 504 BUT gives us another story...which the author did relate in her story description...but why stop numbering pages?

We have SIR Bennet bestowing Emerald Island (which was bequeathed to him by the King after his knighting) on Elizabeth as she is really the one managing it. It seems that Sir Bennet, with his favorite daughter, Mary, spend their nights observing the stars and planets with mathematical computations added in to their observations and thus sleep away their days. Elizabeth has also been managing the care of Longbourn. Her ownership of this island is kept secret so as to ward off fortune hunters. Thus Darcy does not know she has her own estate and income when he fights off his attraction to her, thinking she is poor and without connections. The latter is also provided to Elizabeth in her friendship with the Earl and Lady Keaton.

We, of course, have Caroline, Lady Catherine and Wickham making appearances but with different fates for all three.

There are several epilogues included. Lady Bennet gets her wish as all her daughters do marry.

[Teresita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Novel circumstances

An intriguing approach with interesting implications. I liked the new concept, the original way to present the story and deal with the difficulties. A good read!

[Patricia M.Klosky · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent as always

Ms. Kendig has, as usual, written a very good story. The new Island for Elizabeth was great and the older Gallant Mr.Darcy was also excellent. I especially liked that both stories dealt swiftly with Wickham and that we didn’t have to go over and over with all the same themes about him. Well done.

[Debra McMaster · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Different Story

Add two astronomers, an island, and a countess and get a different take on an old love story. The title didn’t initially invite, but once I decided to read, I enjoyed a most entertaining tale. Elizabeth is overburdened but quite capable of dealing with two estates. Fitzwilliam is busy dithering over insufficient information. Collins? What’s to be said; Collins is Colllins. Mary is a delight in this telling.

[Bill Feick · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Island for Elizabeth Bennet is another excellent offering from Laraba Kendig. In this story, Mr. Bennet is an astronomy enthusiast whose contributions to that field have resulted in him being gifted an island by the crown to allow him to continue his work. Since he is so wrapped up in star gazing, he has little interest in his estate. Elizabeth has been running things since she stepped up at 15 to ensure the tenets are cared for and the family finances remain sound. At the opening of the book, she is also formally given the island to care for since she is the only one in the family who has the experience and the character to carry the burden. Her ownership is supposed to be kept secret to prevent her coming to the attention of fortune hunters. Then Netherfield is rented by Bingley and Darcy enters the picture. We also see Collins, Wickham, and Lady Catherine.

A very enjoyable read. Elizabeth is as duty bound as Darcy and run ragged by correspondence and from traveling between Longbourn and the island. I highly recommend this book which (in Kindle) includes a bonus book: Gallant Mr. Darcy which is also excellent.

[Linda K Goodwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Island for Elizabeth and Gallant Mr Darcy

Enjoyed a strong Elizabeth. Really enjoyed Mary actually being Mr Bennet's favorite even if because she took to the stars. Elizabeth has been looking after Long our n and Emerald Island for quite a while so Sir Bennet gives the Island to her.

In A Gallant Mr Darcy, Elizabeth is saved by Darcy and Darcy is saved by Elizabeth.
Both are good love stories.

[sharon temple · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story offers some changes in our main characters that makes this a most interesting variation. Mr Bennet is a knighted astronomer and mathematician and his equally gifted daughter Mary assists him in his research and discoveries. The island was given to Bennet by the King to enable his research to continue.
With subsequent alteration to the status and consequence of the Bennet family our authors bring us a fresh and fun story. I found it most enjoyable.

[Patricia Munn · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Island for Elizabeth

Quite a different variation and quite enjoyable. The villians were dispatched with less angst, thank God. There was a certain charm due to the eccentricity of some of the characters. The finish was very satisfying.

[Chetana · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5⭐️

I was hoping to like this book, I really did. But it just was not as engaging as this authors other works. I just felt that the plot was not as tight or clear as it could have been and there wasn't even any drama to compensate for it.

[lori huff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nice

A re-imagining of P&P wherein Mr Bennett has been knighted because he and the king are both enthusiastic amateur astronomers. The king has also bestowed an island, Emerald Island, upon Sir Thomas, because it's a perfect place to view the heavens through telescopes. Sir Thomas is brilliant but scatterbrained, giving all of his energy and attention to his science, and very little to his family and estates. For this reason he decides to make Elizabeth legal owner of the island, since she's been overseeing both Longbourn and the island since she was younger. Darcy meets her in the usual way, but quickly comes to admire her abilities as well as her beauty and wit.

It's refreshing when the Bennett daughters are well educated and sensible, even though in this version Lady Bennett is still a ridiculous character. The usual villains appear, but are disposed of without too much trouble (except maybe Wickham). Since Elizabeth has some noble friends of her own, that does a lot to neutralize many of the obstacles. The romance is lovely. The book is well written, with only a handful of editing errors. I recommend it highly.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mr. Bennet and Mary are astronomers in this charming tale. Darcy is a bit slow to abandon his prejudices, but the characterization of the Bennet family is very appealing.

[Allison Ripley-Duggan · Rating 5 out of 5]

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. This is part of the ‘Pride and Prejudice Variations’ series. All standalone books that can be read in any order. This novel is a sweet and clean, low angst variations where all of the Bennet sisters have happy endings, with a satisfying epilogue. Elizabeth Bennet owns an island! Mr. Darcy is intrigued by her, but he believes she is poor, will they overcome insults and misunderstandings to find true love?

Elizabeth is stunned when she is given the island she loves, but her newfound wealth is a secret that comes with many surprises. Elizabeth need never marry, yet she still longs for love. Her opinion of Mr. Darcy starts very low, but she is perplexed when she realizes she is attracted to him. When Mr. Darcy travels to visit his friend Bingley, his attention is quickly drawn to Miss Elizabeth, the second daughter of Longbourn. As master of the great estate of Pemberley, he cannot marry a woman of no fortune or connections simply because she is intelligent and witty and charming and beautiful and everything he longs for, can he? Elizabeth once found Mr. Darcy to be insufferable, but could he actually be her perfect match? 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.

Note: As a free bonus, this book includes the author’s full novel ‘Gallant Mr. Darcy’. Also a part of the ‘Pride and Prejudice Variations’ series.

Darcy rescues Elizabeth Bennet from a cruel fate and seeks to save her from ruin. How far will Darcy go to protect her? Elizabeth thought Wickham to be among the best of men, but she soon discovered he was among the worst. Her poor opinion of haughty Mr. Darcy is also dramatically and irrevocably changed to one of admiration. Bingley returns from London after Darcy is injured by Wickham. As he pines for Jane Bennet, how will Bingley support his close friend who stands accused of a capital crime? Darcy seeks to shield Elizabeth from ruin and ridicule, even as he realizes that he is drawn to her sparkling intellect and fine eyes. Just how far will Darcy go to protect Elizabeth, and to win her hand?

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seeing the value of a person, not just their prospects or holdings

An Island for Elizabeth Bennet
This was an interesting variation where Elizabeth is actually a Heiress . I enjoyed watching her strongly embedded in the management of both Longbourn and the Island properties while in a way managing a brilliant yet inattentive father and excessively emotional mother. Familiar characters connecting in different ways is always so interesting to read about. Wickham and Lady Catherine never cease to cause drama! Hearing about the happy ever after lives of many family members was satisfying. This story represented just over half of the novel, - guess I expected it to be longer with just a brief “bonus”?

Galant Mr. Darcy (bonus story)
With any variation it is always interesting to see how just a little twist in the story can produce such different results. It was interesting to watch relationship of not just Darcy and Elizabeth but many of the other sisters progress. The snapshot epilogue several years into the future was also very satisfying. Indeed, there is a season for everything.

[Pink · Rating 2 out of 5]

Aside from some grammar and incorrect word usage misteps (which should have been caught in editing), the story was decently written.

The problem is that this is another case where the only resemblence to P&P is using the character and place names then writing a mediocre story set in the same time period.

There are a plethora of plot devices sprinkled like bread crumbs that no one follows. The situational "variations" are plopped down like so much jelly blobs on toast.

I almost gave up, but soldiered through hoping the story would redeeem itself in some fashion. It did not. I recommend you skip this one, regardless the inclusion of a previously published additional novel. It's not worth it.

[Madenna U · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elizabeth Bennet has been gifted ownership of an island, which had been given to her father by the Crown. Mr. Bennet and Mary are distracted astronomers and Elizabeth has been running Longbourn and the island since her early teens.

From that point, the story follows a that Elizabeth has a dowry with no desire to marry, but Fitzwilliam Darcy believes she is penniless.