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Her Voice of Reason
Pride and Prejudice variation.
Faced with her father’s sudden illness Elizabeth Bennet needs to revaluate her decision to reject Fitzwilliam Darcy’s marriage proposal.
Will she accept the man whom she professes to hate in order to rescue her family from destitution?
Will she be able to see another side to disagreeable and proud Mr. Darcy?
Faced with her father’s sudden illness Elizabeth Bennet needs to revaluate her decision to reject Fitzwilliam Darcy’s marriage proposal.
Will she accept the man whom she professes to hate in order to rescue her family from destitution?
Will she be able to see another side to disagreeable and proud Mr. Darcy?
- GenresHistorical Romance
228 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 14, 2015
34 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
August 16, 2017
This is a P&P alternate time line where due to Mr. Bennet's failing health and Charlotte's lack of reassurance, Elizabeth agrees to Mr. Darcy's most insulting proposal and insistence upon a quick courtship. By June she is Mrs. Darcy and on her way to Pemberley. Fitzwilliam is in love with her and seems oblivious that not only doesn't she love him; she loathes him.
She plans to live a separate life from her husband alas he has no plans for letting that happen. There is a lot of reasonable family drama and angst in the story until ODC finally come to a HEA understanding.
Some adult scenes but not over the top or gratuitous.
She plans to live a separate life from her husband alas he has no plans for letting that happen. There is a lot of reasonable family drama and angst in the story until ODC finally come to a HEA understanding.
Some adult scenes but not over the top or gratuitous.
August 15, 2016
3.5 stars
As another review mentioned this book did need editing. But I enjoyed this book which had very little real angst.
Mr. Bennet is not acting like himself so Aunt Gardiner takes the letters describing his symptoms to a London doctor and the prognosis is not good. Jane and Elizabeth keep the information to themselves, knowing how their mother would react and knowing that their father's last days would be filled with hearing her laments. But when Elizabeth travels to Hunsford to visit Charlotte Collins, and gets a lack of warmth from her in regards to what might be a boon for Charlotte while disaster for the Bennets, Elizabeth finds herself surprisingly receiving a proposal from Mr. Darcy. Elizabeth acts with sensibility and accepts. Her family’s needs are too real and immediate.
This book begins with the wedding night and then we have some flashbacks to give us the prologue to the event. Elizabeth now must act a part: she doesn’t want Darcy to cast her off if he learns her real reason for marriage…a reason as heartless as all those debutantes in London’s social whirl. Marrying for financial security was never her desire or goal but Bingley has gone off to London and never returned so there is no other choice for securing her family’s future. Fitzwilliam has maintained a nightly presence in her bed and she has not been able to hide reactions to all his attentions. He thinks all is well although he does notice some reserve.
Elizabeth is pictured as fulfilling her role as mistress of Pemberley in an excellent manner. However she does not take care in one instance when she seeks further information concerning her father’s condition and neglects to pay attention to proprieties. This leads to the first instance in their marriage when Darcy questions her faithfulness to her marriage vows. So here is the impetus to tell her true motivations. In a moment of openness and confession Darcy learns all. And there is an immediate cold turn in his behavior.
As will happen Elizabeth is given more and more chances to observe and to learn about Darcy’s care of those around him and his willingness to change some of the opinions she has thrown at his head about his prejudices towards her family and his interference with Bingley and Jane. However, as her feelings warm towards him is it any surprise that now he has his reservations when she relates such? As they struggle to overcome bruised feelings we eagerly read of love learned with better understandings. There were few surprises in this story but if you, like me, enjoy reading more romance with a few new twists for ODC you may enjoy this sweet tale as I did.
There is an epilogue.
As another review mentioned this book did need editing. But I enjoyed this book which had very little real angst.
Mr. Bennet is not acting like himself so Aunt Gardiner takes the letters describing his symptoms to a London doctor and the prognosis is not good. Jane and Elizabeth keep the information to themselves, knowing how their mother would react and knowing that their father's last days would be filled with hearing her laments. But when Elizabeth travels to Hunsford to visit Charlotte Collins, and gets a lack of warmth from her in regards to what might be a boon for Charlotte while disaster for the Bennets, Elizabeth finds herself surprisingly receiving a proposal from Mr. Darcy. Elizabeth acts with sensibility and accepts. Her family’s needs are too real and immediate.
This book begins with the wedding night and then we have some flashbacks to give us the prologue to the event. Elizabeth now must act a part: she doesn’t want Darcy to cast her off if he learns her real reason for marriage…a reason as heartless as all those debutantes in London’s social whirl. Marrying for financial security was never her desire or goal but Bingley has gone off to London and never returned so there is no other choice for securing her family’s future. Fitzwilliam has maintained a nightly presence in her bed and she has not been able to hide reactions to all his attentions. He thinks all is well although he does notice some reserve.
Elizabeth is pictured as fulfilling her role as mistress of Pemberley in an excellent manner. However she does not take care in one instance when she seeks further information concerning her father’s condition and neglects to pay attention to proprieties. This leads to the first instance in their marriage when Darcy questions her faithfulness to her marriage vows. So here is the impetus to tell her true motivations. In a moment of openness and confession Darcy learns all. And there is an immediate cold turn in his behavior.
As will happen Elizabeth is given more and more chances to observe and to learn about Darcy’s care of those around him and his willingness to change some of the opinions she has thrown at his head about his prejudices towards her family and his interference with Bingley and Jane. However, as her feelings warm towards him is it any surprise that now he has his reservations when she relates such? As they struggle to overcome bruised feelings we eagerly read of love learned with better understandings. There were few surprises in this story but if you, like me, enjoy reading more romance with a few new twists for ODC you may enjoy this sweet tale as I did.
There is an epilogue.
December 31, 2019
A racy read with a marriage of unequal affection trope.
Entered with the wedding night before going back 4 months to explain the circumstances.
Due to Mr Bennet's declining health, Elizabeth accepted the DHP. Darcy did not receive his setdown and acted even more pompously than canon, neither had Elizabeth who acted even more contrary. The inevitable blowup (actually, there were several) came and their road to reconciliation was enjoyable.
3.5* rounded up to 4.
Entered with the wedding night before going back 4 months to explain the circumstances.
Due to Mr Bennet's declining health, Elizabeth accepted the DHP. Darcy did not receive his setdown and acted even more pompously than canon, neither had Elizabeth who acted even more contrary. The inevitable blowup (actually, there were several) came and their road to reconciliation was enjoyable.
3.5* rounded up to 4.
September 27, 2022
Good book
A good story, I loved Darcy and Elizabeth. Mr bingley was definitely not a wimp. Not much miss bingley but a nice love story. I love an epilogue
A good story, I loved Darcy and Elizabeth. Mr bingley was definitely not a wimp. Not much miss bingley but a nice love story. I love an epilogue
March 1, 2015
Enjoyable fast read
This is a short story compared to Ms Wegner's other books. In comparison to her other works, I felt this one was a bit rushed. There were some grammatical errors that were a little distracting at times, needing to re-read a passage to better understand it.
The story itself is sweet and set up as a different version of why Elizabeth would accept Darcy's Hunsford proposal. It tells the struggles that then exist between Elizabeth and Darcy as they find their way to a HEA. It's quite and enjoyable really to be sure, and any JAFFer would enjoy it as well.
This is a short story compared to Ms Wegner's other books. In comparison to her other works, I felt this one was a bit rushed. There were some grammatical errors that were a little distracting at times, needing to re-read a passage to better understand it.
The story itself is sweet and set up as a different version of why Elizabeth would accept Darcy's Hunsford proposal. It tells the struggles that then exist between Elizabeth and Darcy as they find their way to a HEA. It's quite and enjoyable really to be sure, and any JAFFer would enjoy it as well.
August 23, 2020
Good
Pretty good read. Elizabeth decides to marry Darcy for her family’s security. She is determined not to like him, but in the end resistance is futile. Unlike many variations that add a little steam, Ms. Wegner can write a good story around it so it’s not just all about the sex. Proofreading still needs improvement.
Pretty good read. Elizabeth decides to marry Darcy for her family’s security. She is determined not to like him, but in the end resistance is futile. Unlike many variations that add a little steam, Ms. Wegner can write a good story around it so it’s not just all about the sex. Proofreading still needs improvement.
March 5, 2020
Engaging tale
Circumstances change and Elizabeth accepts Darcy after the Hunsford proposal. An interesting journey where all the usual drama happens with them already married. Thoroughly enjoyable and recommended.
Circumstances change and Elizabeth accepts Darcy after the Hunsford proposal. An interesting journey where all the usual drama happens with them already married. Thoroughly enjoyable and recommended.
September 4, 2017
3.5⭐️ Enjoyed this premise. Elizabeth in fear of losing her father to ill health decides to accept Darcy's Hunsford proposal. The second half of the story felt more rushed.
January 23, 2016
I marked this down a star for the rather abrupt ending. It felt like there should be more to the story after Elizabeth and Darcy finally reach their understanding. But, what I loved about this story was the way Mr. Darcy was written. I think he is often portrayed as being very romantic and moony over Elizabeth to the point of acting inappropriately or what would be very out of character during the Regency era. This Darcy was very much in love with Elizabeth, but insisted on behaving formally in front of the servants or guests. In addition, he was a fair and kind man, but when he needed to act to see a man punished, he followed the actions of the time, which would not have been accepted in modern day. This Darcy was not always patient with Elizabeth, and in some instances acted childishly, just like a real husband fighting with his wife. All in all, this was a much more realistic Darcy than I have seen in a lot of JAFF. In addition, I felt this variation was more realistic than many others as the scenario and the reactions of the characters felt very plausible. I have read much of Ola Wegner's JAFF and it is fun to see how she is growing as an author.
August 15, 2017
2.5 Stars
December 7, 2019
In particular I like...
unlike most P&P variations where Lizzy marries Darcy for her family’s safety, the HEA doesn’t happen at the very end so suddenly like a Genie has waved a magic wand and everyone turns from being sad and bitter to all ooey gooey lovers.
This story makes everyone work for happiness. Darcy slowing changes. Lizzy slowly changes. Both make horrible stupid mistakes. Both make many small mistakes. No one just quits trying except for maybe a little while getting over being mad.
Everything felt real, sad things felt sad, happy things felt happy, passionate things felt passionate.
This was one of the author’s best stories.
unlike most P&P variations where Lizzy marries Darcy for her family’s safety, the HEA doesn’t happen at the very end so suddenly like a Genie has waved a magic wand and everyone turns from being sad and bitter to all ooey gooey lovers.
This story makes everyone work for happiness. Darcy slowing changes. Lizzy slowly changes. Both make horrible stupid mistakes. Both make many small mistakes. No one just quits trying except for maybe a little while getting over being mad.
Everything felt real, sad things felt sad, happy things felt happy, passionate things felt passionate.
This was one of the author’s best stories.
December 9, 2022
Here is another story by Ola Wegner. If the one that I reviewed before had one of the best Darcy she has written, this one has one of the worst Darcys.
Warnings for this story: It depicts psychological domestic violence (the main couple), and physical violence toward Lizzy by a third party (that was also physically violent to the wife). There are also many reluctant encounters and unwanted advances by a third party.
I think this is one of the most awful Darcys this author has written. He is quite awful for most of the book. Quite tone deaf of what is happening to Lizzy. Quite selfish to not read her reluctance.
The plot is similar to "Mr Bennet's dutiful daughter" and "The last man in the world".
Mr Bennet has strange symptoms like headaches and is unable to read and work sometimes. Lizzy and Jane write to Mrs Gardiner who consults with a physician in Town and he has a very bleak diagnosis and bad prognosis. The doctor thinks Mr Bennet has a tumour in his brain and he’ll die at the end of the year. He can prescribe some medications that will make him suffer less but the hope will be in vain.
While this is happening, Lizzy decides to go to see Charlotte Collins to Kent anyway, and so when Mr Darcy proposes she feels she is forced to say yes, but quite reluctantly.
Mr Darcy somehow seems oblivious to Lizzy’s less than warm willingness to be in his arms. He ignores every sign that this is an effort for her. He is also quite insulting of her family. She begrudgingly consents to his affection and then feels that she has betrayed herself.
At some point, after being married for a while, she is attacked by a Pemberley tenant when she was bringing help to his wife, and a doctor from the children’s hospital Mr Darcy supports in Kympton, comes to treat her. The doctor is taken with her but she doesn’t realise it. She has been going to help at the hospital, which helps with her grief at leaving her family behind.
After some time, the worse comes. When Darcy and Elizabeth have been married for a while and she goes to see the doctor at the hospital to ask for some advice regarding her father’s case.
Darcy is horribly awful and keeps at it.
Elizabeth is appalled and very frightened She cries a lot after that (Oh, the humiliation and the heartbreak!) Even I cried with her then.
Well, end of spoiler. He does become reformed though and the ending is nice. He is after all a good father and husband. But that doesn't stop him from being awful practically the whole book!
I sincerely hated him in this one and even if I understand his being upset at her accepting him without loving him, it was very clear she was very reluctant, it was just a matter of reading her! If he would not have been so selfish, he would've noticed. And he definitely didn't need to treat her in the manner he did. Unfortunately,
3 stars, recommended if you wish to read a darker Darcy, but I personally won't be reading again. Very angsty. Too much drama.
Warnings for this story: It depicts psychological domestic violence (the main couple), and physical violence toward Lizzy by a third party (that was also physically violent to the wife). There are also many reluctant encounters and unwanted advances by a third party.
I think this is one of the most awful Darcys this author has written. He is quite awful for most of the book. Quite tone deaf of what is happening to Lizzy. Quite selfish to not read her reluctance.
The plot is similar to "Mr Bennet's dutiful daughter" and "The last man in the world".
Mr Bennet has strange symptoms like headaches and is unable to read and work sometimes. Lizzy and Jane write to Mrs Gardiner who consults with a physician in Town and he has a very bleak diagnosis and bad prognosis. The doctor thinks Mr Bennet has a tumour in his brain and he’ll die at the end of the year. He can prescribe some medications that will make him suffer less but the hope will be in vain.
While this is happening, Lizzy decides to go to see Charlotte Collins to Kent anyway, and so when Mr Darcy proposes she feels she is forced to say yes, but quite reluctantly.
Mr Darcy somehow seems oblivious to Lizzy’s less than warm willingness to be in his arms. He ignores every sign that this is an effort for her. He is also quite insulting of her family. She begrudgingly consents to his affection and then feels that she has betrayed herself.
At some point, after being married for a while, she is attacked by a Pemberley tenant when she was bringing help to his wife, and a doctor from the children’s hospital Mr Darcy supports in Kympton, comes to treat her. The doctor is taken with her but she doesn’t realise it. She has been going to help at the hospital, which helps with her grief at leaving her family behind.
After some time, the worse comes. When Darcy and Elizabeth have been married for a while and she goes to see the doctor at the hospital to ask for some advice regarding her father’s case.
Darcy is horribly awful and keeps at it.
Elizabeth is appalled and very frightened She cries a lot after that (Oh, the humiliation and the heartbreak!) Even I cried with her then.
Well, end of spoiler. He does become reformed though and the ending is nice. He is after all a good father and husband. But that doesn't stop him from being awful practically the whole book!
I sincerely hated him in this one and even if I understand his being upset at her accepting him without loving him, it was very clear she was very reluctant, it was just a matter of reading her! If he would not have been so selfish, he would've noticed. And he definitely didn't need to treat her in the manner he did. Unfortunately,
3 stars, recommended if you wish to read a darker Darcy, but I personally won't be reading again. Very angsty. Too much drama.
August 17, 2020
Good read but not original
This novel’s premise has been written by a few other JAFF authors although I admit this one is slightly better than most. I noticed typos and word word usage but otherwise a good read.
This novel’s premise has been written by a few other JAFF authors although I admit this one is slightly better than most. I noticed typos and word word usage but otherwise a good read.
May 20, 2023
Elizabeth finds out her father is ill and accepts Darcy's proposal for prudent reasons. The story was interesting enough to finish but emotionally it falls a little flat and the editing leaves a little something to be desired.
April 30, 2018
A rounded story
Although moving at a steady pace, this book covers a vast array of emotions.
Well written but a few areas needed poof reading
Although moving at a steady pace, this book covers a vast array of emotions.
Well written but a few areas needed poof reading
July 2, 2018
A bit of angst
... as ODC find their way in their tumultuous first year of marriage. The drama reminded me of my early 20s, and felt believable.
... as ODC find their way in their tumultuous first year of marriage. The drama reminded me of my early 20s, and felt believable.
Want to read
August 17, 2020🎁 FREE on Amazon today (8/17/2020)! 🎁
March 20, 2021
I enjoyed the story, Elizabeth sometimes came off a petulant but I liked it.
May 26, 2023
Mr. Bennet has cancer, forcing Lizzy to accept Darcy at Huntsford proposal. She is dispassionate and somber.
February 16, 2025
I do so love the marriage of convenience trope for Pride and Prejudice Variations and this one did not disappoint :D
July 10, 2015
I found this book enjoyable but at times frustrating. It is not the best done by the author as I agree with other reviewers who mention grammatical mistakes. It is not so severe that you can not look beyond them but enough to make mention. The first part of this book is Elizabeth struggling to gain her voice which is the total opposite of the Lizzy we all know and love. Darcy has little pride shining through in the beginning as he is so absorbed in gaining Lizzy's hand and getting close to her. He is clearly a man in love but for all his experience and worldliness he fails to notice that Lizzy is not as ecstatic as he. There is a point where he mentions he sees her behavior as distant and indifferent between them but his actions speak otherwise as he engages nightly to gain his marital rights without pause.
I am not implying that it is forced but that he happily partakes while she offers little encouragement. That is the frustrating part on my end as I would have liked Elizabeth to open up much sooner. She thinks several times what a good husband he makes and how safe she feels in his arms but does not communicate how his dealings with Bingley and Jane have made her cold towards to him. Then there is a point in the story where Darcy questions her faithfulness and that is what it takes to get her voice to first be heard. I felt that Lizzy would have wanted to clear the air much sooner than this. I do enjoy variations of the story so I am not overly harsh with my review. The love once felt is a joy to behold but not overly mushy. The love scenes are not overly graphic but it was nice to enjoy a true full length book to spend a longer time with my favorite couple.
I have enjoyed several books by this author and will continue to do so. Each one of her books are unique in themselves. The fact that her father was ill and Wickham was not as prominent was the new twist for me. Mrs. Bennet was still over dramatic as the others characters describe her behavior but was not in the forefront either. There are two male threats to our couples happiness but are shortly dealt with the main issue for the couple was communication and Lizzy finding her voice. The ending allowed us to peak into what was to come five years down the road after the birth of their first wee one but Darcy was pictured as a single father at the end as Lizzy was away aiding her sister Jane in childbirth. Enjoy!
I am not implying that it is forced but that he happily partakes while she offers little encouragement. That is the frustrating part on my end as I would have liked Elizabeth to open up much sooner. She thinks several times what a good husband he makes and how safe she feels in his arms but does not communicate how his dealings with Bingley and Jane have made her cold towards to him. Then there is a point in the story where Darcy questions her faithfulness and that is what it takes to get her voice to first be heard. I felt that Lizzy would have wanted to clear the air much sooner than this. I do enjoy variations of the story so I am not overly harsh with my review. The love once felt is a joy to behold but not overly mushy. The love scenes are not overly graphic but it was nice to enjoy a true full length book to spend a longer time with my favorite couple.
I have enjoyed several books by this author and will continue to do so. Each one of her books are unique in themselves. The fact that her father was ill and Wickham was not as prominent was the new twist for me. Mrs. Bennet was still over dramatic as the others characters describe her behavior but was not in the forefront either. There are two male threats to our couples happiness but are shortly dealt with the main issue for the couple was communication and Lizzy finding her voice. The ending allowed us to peak into what was to come five years down the road after the birth of their first wee one but Darcy was pictured as a single father at the end as Lizzy was away aiding her sister Jane in childbirth. Enjoy!
April 18, 2015
I really like how this book progresses as well as the conclusion. Story wise it was very good and the characters stayed true to the original, which is a big plus for me.
I was shocked and disappointed by the sex scene at the beginning. It was much too graphic and much much too early. I think putting a graphic sex scene on the prologue sets the wrong tone for this book, made people think it is one of those variations that spends way too much time focusing on Darcy & Elizabeth's bedroom adventures. Thankfully, it isn't. I almost gave up on this book when i got to the part where Darcy practically groped her at a private picnic before they were married, and again when he mentioned in his letter that his father took him to London to introduce him to his manhood (seriously.... I could do without this part. Why would Darcy tell his betrothed that he visited brothels??).
I'm glad i stuck with it though, because after we got through those first couple of chapters the story got more interesting and in the end i found that i quite enjoyed the book. The characters were engaging, and i like that the author focused on just Darcy & Elizabeth instead of getting distracted by how all the secondary characters were doing; everything were seen from Elizabeth's eyes and point of view.
If only i can delete those 3 inappropriate scenes from memory, it would've been a five star book for me.
I was shocked and disappointed by the sex scene at the beginning. It was much too graphic and much much too early. I think putting a graphic sex scene on the prologue sets the wrong tone for this book, made people think it is one of those variations that spends way too much time focusing on Darcy & Elizabeth's bedroom adventures. Thankfully, it isn't. I almost gave up on this book when i got to the part where Darcy practically groped her at a private picnic before they were married, and again when he mentioned in his letter that his father took him to London to introduce him to his manhood (seriously.... I could do without this part. Why would Darcy tell his betrothed that he visited brothels??).
I'm glad i stuck with it though, because after we got through those first couple of chapters the story got more interesting and in the end i found that i quite enjoyed the book. The characters were engaging, and i like that the author focused on just Darcy & Elizabeth instead of getting distracted by how all the secondary characters were doing; everything were seen from Elizabeth's eyes and point of view.
If only i can delete those 3 inappropriate scenes from memory, it would've been a five star book for me.
May 23, 2015
Elizabeth accepts Darcy's proposal for financial reasons. Her father is suspected of having cancer and not having much time left. She doesn't tell Darcy this and deceives him in marriage. Darcy is in love with Elizabeth as se see from the beginning of the novel but notices her reserve especially when it comes to his husbandry rights. I didn't like how he truth came out and I didn't feel Elizabeths love when she finally realized she loved her husband thus my lower rating. Also the novel focused on Darcy's husbandry rights more than true feelings of love for his wife which I didn't enjoy.m
September 18, 2024
4* reread. A Mercenary and rather immature Lizzy. What does Darcy see in her (of course he doesn't know that she's mercenary for quite a while)? She is a lying liar who lies and quite frankly quite self centered and self absorbed. I know, naive, ill informed (because you know 1800's) and young (by our standards she is maybe a 14 yo in a 20/21 ish yo body?). Why in the world would Darcy fall at your feet when you finally tell him that you love him after all the accusations, deceit and lies? Why? Why would he trust you? I am jaded I suppose.
March 13, 2015
This book was a decent P&P variation. There were way too many errors which was extremely annoying! It seemed like every other sentence had an error. If only the author had taken the time to correct the mistakes, I would have rated much higher.
March 26, 2015
For this Pride and Prejudice variation, Jane and Lizzy have been informed that Mr. Bennet is terminally ill. As Lizzy visits Hunsford Parsonage to discuss with Charlotte their situation Darcy proposes. Can Lizzy see any alternative than to accept?
May 27, 2020
Choices can hurt
This is a hard story to read because of the emotionally charged structure within the story. I cried for Darcy and Elizabeth for the actions in which each choose. Very clean story, but does have a sadness to it. Highly recommended to all for reading.
This is a hard story to read because of the emotionally charged structure within the story. I cried for Darcy and Elizabeth for the actions in which each choose. Very clean story, but does have a sadness to it. Highly recommended to all for reading.
October 1, 2015
What if Darcy was a real jackass...?
Sorry, I did not like this variation. Mostly because Austen's Darcy was not an unfeeling idiot. This one was.
Sorry, I did not like this variation. Mostly because Austen's Darcy was not an unfeeling idiot. This one was.
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