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Christmas at Netherfield: A Pride & Prejudice Variation
Mr. Darcy’s heart yearns for Elizabeth Bennet of Longbourn, but his duty pushes him toward another.
Elizabeth Bennet is pleased when Netherfield Hall is let at last to Mr. Charles Bingley, a young man of good fortune from the north. She is less pleased to discover that Mr. Bingley is already married and that his clever and handsome friend, Mr. Darcy, is engaged.
Darcy finds himself entranced with Elizabeth Bennet, but he has been forced by duty into an engagement to another. Many years previously, a man had done a great service for the Darcy family, which resulted in a promise by the elder Mr. Darcy. As it was, Mr. Darcy’s betrothed has no interest in wedding the entirely too serious master of Pemberley. If only her overbearing mother would listen to reason.
In the midst of snowstorms and Christmas festivities, the master of Pemberley and Elizabeth Bennet fall deeply in love. How will they avoid ending up as star-crossed lovers?
New story is 250+ pages. This novel is a sweet and clean, low angst Pride and Prejudice variation where all of the Bennet sisters have happy endings, with a satisfying epilogue.
Includes Laraba's previous Christmases at Pemberley, Longbourn Christmas, Encounters with Elizabeth and A Very Meryton Christmas!
Elizabeth Bennet is pleased when Netherfield Hall is let at last to Mr. Charles Bingley, a young man of good fortune from the north. She is less pleased to discover that Mr. Bingley is already married and that his clever and handsome friend, Mr. Darcy, is engaged.
Darcy finds himself entranced with Elizabeth Bennet, but he has been forced by duty into an engagement to another. Many years previously, a man had done a great service for the Darcy family, which resulted in a promise by the elder Mr. Darcy. As it was, Mr. Darcy’s betrothed has no interest in wedding the entirely too serious master of Pemberley. If only her overbearing mother would listen to reason.
In the midst of snowstorms and Christmas festivities, the master of Pemberley and Elizabeth Bennet fall deeply in love. How will they avoid ending up as star-crossed lovers?
New story is 250+ pages. This novel is a sweet and clean, low angst Pride and Prejudice variation where all of the Bennet sisters have happy endings, with a satisfying epilogue.
Includes Laraba's previous Christmases at Pemberley, Longbourn Christmas, Encounters with Elizabeth and A Very Meryton Christmas!
251 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 28, 2025
About the author
Laraba Kendig
247 books112 followersI 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’.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 9, 2026
Loaded with winter holiday wonder and romance and heartwarming variations on Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice story, Christmas at Netherfield is a plum of an anthology.
Christmas at Netherfield
Netherfield Park is let at last and regular P&P fans will have their eyes pop in wonder as the inhabitants are introduced: Charles and Georgiana Bingley are hosting his sister and brother in law Hurts, Lady Bingley his widowed mother, Miss Bingley, his youngest sister engaged to Mr. Darcy, shy Georgiana's brother. The Bingleys and Darcys have been fast friends for years since Sir John Bingley's heroic act in the past.
Meanwhile, the friendly, easy-going neighborhood of Meryton is led in society by the affable Bennets. They may have little in the form of wealth, but the family is genteel after the girls were all reared in Town through their mother's last difficult pregnancy and disappointment after. But now, they are the perfect companions to an eager Caroline Bingley who wants the uncomplicated friendships and holiday cheer that come with Christmas in the country. She is also biding her time until she comes of age and have her dowry released so she is no longer under her social-climbing mother's thumb. Caroline does not miss that her 'fake fiance' is interested in another lady for the first time though he is honorable and doesn't show it while supposedly engaged to herself. Caroline is glad to see it and will enjoy releasing Darcy to pursue his heart when she has her dowry.
Quite the engaging surprise twists on the usual way of portraying all these characters and their situations. This was a low-angst charmer and I loved what Laraba Kendig did with the plot.
BONUS TALES:
Christmas at Pemberley
When his sister is ill, Darcy leaves Netherfield Park and spends his Christmas holiday alone at Pemberley and later misses a visit to his aunt at Rosings Park and that means no fatal, botched marriage proposal at Hunsford. A gentle, heartwarming and low-angst variation from Laraba Kendig compares his lonely Christmas with the next one Darcy experiences much to the delight of readers.
Christmas at Pemberley varies from the point the Bingley party leave Netherfield Park. Elizabeth goes on to meet and befriend Anne de Bourgh and Colonel Fitzwilliam, learn her first impressions of certain people aren't infallible and, at the same time, while alone and caring for his sister, Darcy has time to think through what he really wants in a wife- a wealthy, connected society matron or a tender, loving happy marriage with a woman he he respects and loves him in return.
Much of Christmas at Pemberley is told in letters and that was fun to see the letters flying to and fro among the key characters, but the narrative also returned to traditional narration so readers can get some wonderful dialogue and close proximity, too.
A sweet one for Christmas!
Longbourn Christmas
A seasonal treat in the world of Jane Austen from a long-time fav author.
What if at the point just after the Netherfield Ball when the Bennets learn the Bingleys and Darcy have left Netherfield that circumstances are altered and they cannot leave? Oh yes, an all-new story begins when Darcy can't get away from the temptation that is Lizzy and, more importantly, sees for himself that Jane Bennet is most definitely into Bingley. The conflict stays in the Meryton neighborhood and lessons are learned during the backdrop of the holiday season. A little less pride and a little less prejudice, but a whole lot of machination made this a delightful, sweet, low-angst tale which I've come to appreciate from the pen of Laraba Kendig.
Encounters With Elizabeth
When Fitzwilliam Darcy flees, ahem, departs Netherfield Park because of his uncomfortable attraction to a vivacious lady not of his class and lies, ahem, that is tells a different truth to his friend Bingley to get him to stay in London, he lands in all kinds of uncomfortable trouble when he runs across Elizabeth Bennet in London. Laraba Kendig has slipped in, among her other heartwarming variations, a few holiday-themed variations that are a little shorter, but still full of all that a reader loves best- and a bit of Christmas cheer to round it out.
Encounters With Elizabeth begins in London with Elizabeth and Jane Bennet staying with their Gardiner relations and Darcy at his home with his sister and Bingley trying to get over what he is trying to convince himself is an infatuation, help his sister get past her mistake of the summer, and keep Bingley from moping over Jane Bennet, whom Darcy convinced his friend was not in love with him.
A first encounter puts an interesting twist on the direction of the story and might involve such fun outings as ice skating and book hunts at the library. Misunderstandings and miscommunications must be resolved, but it takes more encounters love to find a way.
A light touch and an easy tone with the 'encounters' being a delightful way for love to progress for both Bennet ladies and a way for additional Bennets to learn and grow made it a good holiday-themed story. I liked how the meetings in London led to a different, interesting path for all the principle characters just as a good variation should. Perfect for a warm holiday read, but also good for anytime one wants a low-angst, inspirational P&P variation tale.
A Very Merry Christmas
As a follow up to Darcy Sails After Her, Anne de Bourgh travels to Meryton to spend Christmas with her cousins and their new Bennet relations. Observing their activities and the couples teaches Anne something about family, relationships, and even herself which is the best Christmas gift of all.
This was a very short piece, but developed well for what it was trying to do. I enjoyed getting Anne's point of view and her thoughts as she worked through so much in her mind. The antics of the others were heartwarming, sometimes funny, and left me delighted by this snippet of the author's writing. I'll definitely be going back for the book this one follows up.
Christmas at Netherfield
Netherfield Park is let at last and regular P&P fans will have their eyes pop in wonder as the inhabitants are introduced: Charles and Georgiana Bingley are hosting his sister and brother in law Hurts, Lady Bingley his widowed mother, Miss Bingley, his youngest sister engaged to Mr. Darcy, shy Georgiana's brother. The Bingleys and Darcys have been fast friends for years since Sir John Bingley's heroic act in the past.
Meanwhile, the friendly, easy-going neighborhood of Meryton is led in society by the affable Bennets. They may have little in the form of wealth, but the family is genteel after the girls were all reared in Town through their mother's last difficult pregnancy and disappointment after. But now, they are the perfect companions to an eager Caroline Bingley who wants the uncomplicated friendships and holiday cheer that come with Christmas in the country. She is also biding her time until she comes of age and have her dowry released so she is no longer under her social-climbing mother's thumb. Caroline does not miss that her 'fake fiance' is interested in another lady for the first time though he is honorable and doesn't show it while supposedly engaged to herself. Caroline is glad to see it and will enjoy releasing Darcy to pursue his heart when she has her dowry.
Quite the engaging surprise twists on the usual way of portraying all these characters and their situations. This was a low-angst charmer and I loved what Laraba Kendig did with the plot.
BONUS TALES:
Christmas at Pemberley
When his sister is ill, Darcy leaves Netherfield Park and spends his Christmas holiday alone at Pemberley and later misses a visit to his aunt at Rosings Park and that means no fatal, botched marriage proposal at Hunsford. A gentle, heartwarming and low-angst variation from Laraba Kendig compares his lonely Christmas with the next one Darcy experiences much to the delight of readers.
Christmas at Pemberley varies from the point the Bingley party leave Netherfield Park. Elizabeth goes on to meet and befriend Anne de Bourgh and Colonel Fitzwilliam, learn her first impressions of certain people aren't infallible and, at the same time, while alone and caring for his sister, Darcy has time to think through what he really wants in a wife- a wealthy, connected society matron or a tender, loving happy marriage with a woman he he respects and loves him in return.
Much of Christmas at Pemberley is told in letters and that was fun to see the letters flying to and fro among the key characters, but the narrative also returned to traditional narration so readers can get some wonderful dialogue and close proximity, too.
A sweet one for Christmas!
Longbourn Christmas
A seasonal treat in the world of Jane Austen from a long-time fav author.
What if at the point just after the Netherfield Ball when the Bennets learn the Bingleys and Darcy have left Netherfield that circumstances are altered and they cannot leave? Oh yes, an all-new story begins when Darcy can't get away from the temptation that is Lizzy and, more importantly, sees for himself that Jane Bennet is most definitely into Bingley. The conflict stays in the Meryton neighborhood and lessons are learned during the backdrop of the holiday season. A little less pride and a little less prejudice, but a whole lot of machination made this a delightful, sweet, low-angst tale which I've come to appreciate from the pen of Laraba Kendig.
Encounters With Elizabeth
When Fitzwilliam Darcy flees, ahem, departs Netherfield Park because of his uncomfortable attraction to a vivacious lady not of his class and lies, ahem, that is tells a different truth to his friend Bingley to get him to stay in London, he lands in all kinds of uncomfortable trouble when he runs across Elizabeth Bennet in London. Laraba Kendig has slipped in, among her other heartwarming variations, a few holiday-themed variations that are a little shorter, but still full of all that a reader loves best- and a bit of Christmas cheer to round it out.
Encounters With Elizabeth begins in London with Elizabeth and Jane Bennet staying with their Gardiner relations and Darcy at his home with his sister and Bingley trying to get over what he is trying to convince himself is an infatuation, help his sister get past her mistake of the summer, and keep Bingley from moping over Jane Bennet, whom Darcy convinced his friend was not in love with him.
A first encounter puts an interesting twist on the direction of the story and might involve such fun outings as ice skating and book hunts at the library. Misunderstandings and miscommunications must be resolved, but it takes more encounters love to find a way.
A light touch and an easy tone with the 'encounters' being a delightful way for love to progress for both Bennet ladies and a way for additional Bennets to learn and grow made it a good holiday-themed story. I liked how the meetings in London led to a different, interesting path for all the principle characters just as a good variation should. Perfect for a warm holiday read, but also good for anytime one wants a low-angst, inspirational P&P variation tale.
A Very Merry Christmas
As a follow up to Darcy Sails After Her, Anne de Bourgh travels to Meryton to spend Christmas with her cousins and their new Bennet relations. Observing their activities and the couples teaches Anne something about family, relationships, and even herself which is the best Christmas gift of all.
This was a very short piece, but developed well for what it was trying to do. I enjoyed getting Anne's point of view and her thoughts as she worked through so much in her mind. The antics of the others were heartwarming, sometimes funny, and left me delighted by this snippet of the author's writing. I'll definitely be going back for the book this one follows up.
January 7, 2026
what if the Colonel was at Rosings but Darcy wasn’t there with him
Low angst but a story showing how different your life could be with one small change. Only 4 stars because how little confusion there was.
Low angst but a story showing how different your life could be with one small change. Only 4 stars because how little confusion there was.
December 27, 2025
This collection is a pleasant holiday read -- perfect to fit into a busy schedule when you read in snippets. Since all of the stories are relatively short, you don't get Kendig's usual depth of plot and character.
December 10, 2025
I wanted to like this more as I thought the changes to the situations of the Bingley and Darcy families were interesting.
I’m not sure I believed in the new version of Caroline, but I just went with it anyway. I did like her eventual pairing. Elizabeth and Darcy had a nice progression of their relationship.
The reason I can’t rate the story higher than 3-stars is that I was bored with it. It’s only 250 pages, but it took me four days to read it because I kept losing interest (or falling asleep). Nothing very exciting or interesting happens. We know everything about Caroline’s plans to end her engagement, so nothing interesting there. We learn all about the events following Ramsgate and Bingley’s father rescuing the Darcys, but it’s all described as characters think about the past events, so it’s not really exciting.
The other stories in the collection are much better. Here are my ratings for the other stories, some of which I’ve reviewed.
Christmases at Pemberley 220 pages, 4.5-stars
Longbourn Christmas 351 pages, 4.5-stars
Encounters with Elizabeth 215 pages, 4-stars
A Very Meryton Christmas 39 pages, 4.5-stars (Note: this is connected to another story)
Read through KU
I’m not sure I believed in the new version of Caroline, but I just went with it anyway. I did like her eventual pairing. Elizabeth and Darcy had a nice progression of their relationship.
The reason I can’t rate the story higher than 3-stars is that I was bored with it. It’s only 250 pages, but it took me four days to read it because I kept losing interest (or falling asleep). Nothing very exciting or interesting happens. We know everything about Caroline’s plans to end her engagement, so nothing interesting there. We learn all about the events following Ramsgate and Bingley’s father rescuing the Darcys, but it’s all described as characters think about the past events, so it’s not really exciting.
The other stories in the collection are much better. Here are my ratings for the other stories, some of which I’ve reviewed.
Christmases at Pemberley 220 pages, 4.5-stars
Longbourn Christmas 351 pages, 4.5-stars
Encounters with Elizabeth 215 pages, 4-stars
A Very Meryton Christmas 39 pages, 4.5-stars (Note: this is connected to another story)
Read through KU
January 16, 2026
A most enjoyable collection of Christmas related stories
Each one of these tales is enchanting, with the charm I associate with Ms. Kendig’s work. I’ve been specifically enjoying the reflections and insights our beloved couple is described having in the path to understanding each other. A great read!
Each one of these tales is enchanting, with the charm I associate with Ms. Kendig’s work. I’ve been specifically enjoying the reflections and insights our beloved couple is described having in the path to understanding each other. A great read!
January 25, 2026
A rather somber "Christmas At Netherfield"
When the Netherfield party arrives for the Meryton assembly, it consists of Mr Bingley, married to the former Georgiana Darcy, Mr Hurst and his pregnant wife Louisa, Lady Bingley, Charles' mother, Caroline Bingley, who is engaged to Darcy, and Colonel Fitzwilliam. Because Bingley is already married and Darcy is engaged, it changes the dynamic drastically. Lady Bingley is snobbish and unpleasant, while Caroline is friendly and sweet. We find out quickly that Darcy and Caroline don't really want to marry each other, and are only waiting for Caroline to reach her majority to end the engagement. In the meantime, Darcy and Elizabeth are naturally drawn to each other but can't do anything about it because of his engagement. When Caroline finally has her birthday and ends the engagement, her mother puts up an epic fuss that leads to some changes.
I like this author, but can't say that I liked this book. Because Darcy is engaged to someone else for a fair portion of the tale, I wasn't feeling the chemistry between Elizabeth and Darcy, and I greatly missed the romantic development. There's a sort of melancholy situation for Jane's road to HEA as well, and it just left me flat. I also felt that the premise was ludicrous and a little icky: that because Bingley senior saved the life of old Mr Darcy and his young son, Darcy senior gave both of his children in arranged marriages to two of the Bingley children. That was pushing it too far for me. Although the book is well written and well edited, I can only recommend it half-heartedly.
When the Netherfield party arrives for the Meryton assembly, it consists of Mr Bingley, married to the former Georgiana Darcy, Mr Hurst and his pregnant wife Louisa, Lady Bingley, Charles' mother, Caroline Bingley, who is engaged to Darcy, and Colonel Fitzwilliam. Because Bingley is already married and Darcy is engaged, it changes the dynamic drastically. Lady Bingley is snobbish and unpleasant, while Caroline is friendly and sweet. We find out quickly that Darcy and Caroline don't really want to marry each other, and are only waiting for Caroline to reach her majority to end the engagement. In the meantime, Darcy and Elizabeth are naturally drawn to each other but can't do anything about it because of his engagement. When Caroline finally has her birthday and ends the engagement, her mother puts up an epic fuss that leads to some changes.
I like this author, but can't say that I liked this book. Because Darcy is engaged to someone else for a fair portion of the tale, I wasn't feeling the chemistry between Elizabeth and Darcy, and I greatly missed the romantic development. There's a sort of melancholy situation for Jane's road to HEA as well, and it just left me flat. I also felt that the premise was ludicrous and a little icky: that because Bingley senior saved the life of old Mr Darcy and his young son, Darcy senior gave both of his children in arranged marriages to two of the Bingley children. That was pushing it too far for me. Although the book is well written and well edited, I can only recommend it half-heartedly.
February 9, 2026
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.
Note: This book also includes these previously published stories by the author:
‘Christmases at Pemberley’
‘Longbourn Christmas’
‘Encounters with Elizabeth’
‘A Very Meryton Christmas’
All are a part of the ‘Pride and Prejudice Variations’ series.
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 variation where all of the Bennet sisters have happy endings, with a satisfying epilogue. Mr. Darcy’s heart yearns for Elizabeth Bennet of Longbourn, but his duty pushes him toward another.
Elizabeth Bennet is pleased when Netherfield Hall is let at last to Mr. Charles Bingley, a young man of good fortune from the north. She is less pleased to discover that Mr. Bingley is already married and that his clever and handsome friend, Mr. Darcy, is engaged. Darcy finds himself entranced with Elizabeth Bennet, but he has been forced by duty into an engagement to another. Many years previously, a man had done a great service for the Darcy family, which resulted in a promise by the elder Mr. Darcy. As it was, Mr. Darcy’s betrothed has no interest in wedding the entirely too serious master of Pemberley. If only her overbearing mother would listen to reason.
In the midst of snowstorms and Christmas festivities, the master of Pemberley and Elizabeth Bennet fall deeply in love. How will they avoid ending up as star-crossed lovers? 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.
Note: This book also includes these previously published stories by the author:
‘Christmases at Pemberley’
‘Longbourn Christmas’
‘Encounters with Elizabeth’
‘A Very Meryton Christmas’
All are a part of the ‘Pride and Prejudice Variations’ series.
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 variation where all of the Bennet sisters have happy endings, with a satisfying epilogue. Mr. Darcy’s heart yearns for Elizabeth Bennet of Longbourn, but his duty pushes him toward another.
Elizabeth Bennet is pleased when Netherfield Hall is let at last to Mr. Charles Bingley, a young man of good fortune from the north. She is less pleased to discover that Mr. Bingley is already married and that his clever and handsome friend, Mr. Darcy, is engaged. Darcy finds himself entranced with Elizabeth Bennet, but he has been forced by duty into an engagement to another. Many years previously, a man had done a great service for the Darcy family, which resulted in a promise by the elder Mr. Darcy. As it was, Mr. Darcy’s betrothed has no interest in wedding the entirely too serious master of Pemberley. If only her overbearing mother would listen to reason.
In the midst of snowstorms and Christmas festivities, the master of Pemberley and Elizabeth Bennet fall deeply in love. How will they avoid ending up as star-crossed lovers? 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.
December 5, 2025
Christmas at Netherfield: I loved the changes in characterizations in this book. Caroline is all that we would want her to be while her mother has the behavior of Caroline in canon and is the very unpleasant one. Marriages are not matched the way of canon either. Bingley is already married to Georgianna and Darcy is engaged so the book opens in a state of not so fine outlooks for the Bennet sisters. Not to despair though. Everybody gets their happily ever after. I found the book to be a pleasant read. It was low angst and while a little odd to read of Caroline's friendliness toward the Bennets, I loved that aspect. It was enjoyable since I love lower angst retellings.
January 5, 2026
This story has principally different pairings than does canon. Bingley comes to Netherfield but has a wife while Darcy, who accompanies him is engaged. That engagement has a surprise which is quickly revealed. (I don't want to spoil this for you.) Caroline has a totally different personality!...surprise! AND Mrs. Bingley is still alive and has much to say about what should happen within her family. There are several epilogues.
With Darcy engaged: we find both him and Elizabeth fighting the draw they feel towards each other.
With Darcy engaged: we find both him and Elizabeth fighting the draw they feel towards each other.
February 17, 2026
A very nice Christmas anthology. There are five Christmas stories in this collection, each charming and a beautiful addition to the Christmas season. It’s Laraba Kendig and you just can’t go wrong with her stories. They are low angst and Christian oriented, but fun and not preachy. Highly recommend!
January 8, 2026
Love this series over the holidays!
I always enjoy Laraba's books and these were no exception. All told well and week edited, these were a delight across the Christmas season.
I always enjoy Laraba's books and these were no exception. All told well and week edited, these were a delight across the Christmas season.
January 29, 2026
fake engagement
I loved this version of Caroline, such a fascinating variation. The story had me all smiles throughout. Such a sweet read.
I loved this version of Caroline, such a fascinating variation. The story had me all smiles throughout. Such a sweet read.
December 19, 2025
I enjoyed this story but I have a very difficult time with a nice Caroline Bingley. I WANT her to be a snobbish witch.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews