What do you think?
Rate this book
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!
- GenresRegency
251 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 28, 2025
85 people are currently reading
8 people want to read
About the author
Laraba Kendig
45 books110 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’.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
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.
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!
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 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.
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 - 11 of 11 reviews