To Bennet or Not to Bennet: A Pride and Prejudice Variation

by Jae George

That is the question Elizabeth is facing. Should she accept her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner’s offer to legally adopt her and become a Gardiner rather than a Bennet? During the last two years when the circumstances of her life at Longbourn had caused her to seek refuge with her relations in London, she had become their daughter in everything but name. She must now review how she came to this pivotal decision and then make the choice that could well change her life as well as her name.

This novella is sweet, clean, and low angst and written from a Christian perspective.

There is also a bonus novella, Of Duty and Delay, which was originally published in 2021. This version has been extensively re-edited.

193 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 13, 2026

Reviews

[Terri L. McClelland · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very low angst, short novel. The timeline of canon events are changed and the Bingley party came to Hertfordshire three years earlier. At 17 years of age Elizabeth refuses to marry Collins and is not forced by her father. Once the Netherfield party returns to London, Jane also goes to stay with the Gardiners to assist her aunt, who is expecting a child. After being snubbed by the superior sisters she accidentally meets Bingley and soon the couple are married.

Meanwhile Elizabeth has been left to her mother’s tender mercies with no assistance from her father. Her mother is still outraged by her refusal of Collins’s proposal and will not let her forget for a moment. Aunt Gardiner still needs help so Elizabeth goes to London where she ends up staying for the next few years. Her uncle is in dire need of her assistance and with her family indifferent to her and her welfare her uncle offers to adopt her as his own daughter.

With Elizabeth becoming a Gardiner instead of a Bennet, and as she grows into her womanhood, her new life offers her different choices and experiences, including a true London come out. How will this affect her relationship with one proud and (maybe) arrogant Mr Darcy? And how will Darcy react when he discovers the woman of his intrigue is now a daughter of trade?

[Li Xin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Elizabeth decided to be a Gardiner instead of keeping being a Bennet

[Michelle David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting

A rather action packed variation inspired by Jane Austen’s classic novel Pride and Prejudice by Jae George. I liked it.