What do you think?
Rate this book
Seasons of Serendipity #4
An Autumn Accord
The fourth season of the Seasons of Serendipity and conclusion of the first year sees Elizabeth and Darcy reconcile the consequences of their honeymoon trip in Scotland with their family's future. Kitty Bennet and Georgiana Darcy have bonded over their training for debut in society, plus found a bit of mischief to create. When Darcy decides to help his wife mourn the one-year anniversary of her father's passing with a trip to Hertfordshire, he finds a whole new set of problems await them both regarding the widow Bennet.
190 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 26, 2015
29 people are currently reading
53 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Ann West
39 books142 followersA Jane-of-all-trades, mistress to none! Elizabeth Ann West is the author of 7 novels and 9 novellas, 15 of which are story variations of Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice. Her books have won reader conference awards and hit the Historical Bestseller lists on Amazon, Kobo, and the iBooks stores multiple times. A lover of all things geeky, Elizabeth codes websites, dabbles in graphic design, and is always looking for new technology to learn and master. A Navy wife and mother of two, her family has lived all over the United States, currently residing in upstate New York. Originally from Virginia Beach, Virginia, you can keep up with Elizabeth on Twitter @Eawwrites and on her website, http://elizabethannwest.com where she posts new fiction as she writes it!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 3, 2017
Edited 11/1/15 I didn't enjoy this book as much as the others in the series. I am allowing that I have a minor level of disappointment that the series has come to an end. will go on for at least 2 more books
The whole book felt rushed. As I was reading I recall looking down and seeing I was at 33% and thinking, oh dear. There is just so much going on over the 100+ pages and so many interwoven plot lines that needed to be resolved.
What I wanted that I didn't get:
A happy ending for Jane
Caroline really getting her comeuppance
Mary & Col. Fitzwilliam together
Kitty getting published
what I got that I didn't want:
Mrs. Bennet
Lizzy & Darcy not communicating.
The whole book felt rushed. As I was reading I recall looking down and seeing I was at 33% and thinking, oh dear. There is just so much going on over the 100+ pages and so many interwoven plot lines that needed to be resolved.
What I wanted that I didn't get:
A happy ending for Jane
Caroline really getting her comeuppance
Mary & Col. Fitzwilliam together
Kitty getting published
what I got that I didn't want:
Mrs. Bennet
Lizzy & Darcy not communicating.
June 19, 2016
Frustrated at teasers and no resolutions, seriously displeased [3-stars]
Book/Novella 4 leaves you feeling as frustrated at the end as you were at the beginning. Not one thing was resolved with regard to our main characters.
Consider this a ***spoiler alert*** and read as your wish.
I am so honked that very little was resolved in this novella. There were problems, like little fires that had to be stamped out, such as… identifying the spy within Darcy House that was feeding information to Lady Catherine. Lady Matlock solved that problem and Elizabeth [mistress of Darcy House] finished it in a most dramatic way. Way to go Elizabeth. Other more major problems were left unfinished.
Mary and the Colonel: It was mentioned several times that the relationship between Mary and our Colonel [currently stationed at Newcastle] would resume in the spring. So we assume we have to wait. If West continues a seasonal format… the next novella would then be winter. A reviewer [Sara] says there are 3 more years planned. Does that mean there will be 4 novellas each year with the seasons?
Lord and Lady Matlock are in financial difficulty and may have to retrench if things do not improve. Not sure what is to be done there. Lord Matlock is pushing for their sons to make a financial match for themselves.
Jane and Mr. Hamilton: Jane is beginning to trust again and Hamilton is helping with baby Bennet. We hope that relationship evolves.
Georgiana and Kitty: I am not sure about these girls…they are just too silly. In the beginning they were at the opposite ends of the social spectrum. Georgiana isn’t exactly lifting up Kitty as Kitty is pulling Georgiana down. Darcy called back the companion, Mrs. Annesley, as the girls were getting into too much trouble. Good call and he has intensified their studies. Again, good call.
Charles and Caroline Bingley: Why were they in this novella? Perhaps because Netherfield was the only place to host a ball and they were needed for that. Caroline was just evil. She is too quick with a glass of punch. What is with her and punch? Why didn’t Elizabeth tell Darcy what a cad Bingley really was? Once Darcy discovered what Bingley had done to Jane…he said the earliest they could leave would be the next morning and that they would do just that. Hopefully that ends their association. Caroline’s betrothed turns out to be a fake and is broke. She had already posted the notice in the London Times and is now stuck with him.
Mrs. Bennet: Oh my, I do not have words. But thank you Mr. Darcy…for your intervention and set down. No doubt about it, when he speaks, things happen.
Darcy and Elizabeth: Darcy figures out that Elizabeth is increasing and is anxious to get her to Pemberley.
Our novella ends with eight carriages headed for Pemberley as winter approaches. Those in attendance are: the Darcy’s, Mrs. Gardiner and children [Mr. Gardiner stayed in London with work], Mary, Georgiana and Kitty, Mrs. Bennet, Mrs. Annesley, and lastly the servants and the luggage.
There were minimal editing problems and using a modern word “nappy” when discussing a diaper seemed out of place.
Book/Novella 4 leaves you feeling as frustrated at the end as you were at the beginning. Not one thing was resolved with regard to our main characters.
Consider this a ***spoiler alert*** and read as your wish.
I am so honked that very little was resolved in this novella. There were problems, like little fires that had to be stamped out, such as… identifying the spy within Darcy House that was feeding information to Lady Catherine. Lady Matlock solved that problem and Elizabeth [mistress of Darcy House] finished it in a most dramatic way. Way to go Elizabeth. Other more major problems were left unfinished.
Mary and the Colonel: It was mentioned several times that the relationship between Mary and our Colonel [currently stationed at Newcastle] would resume in the spring. So we assume we have to wait. If West continues a seasonal format… the next novella would then be winter. A reviewer [Sara] says there are 3 more years planned. Does that mean there will be 4 novellas each year with the seasons?
Lord and Lady Matlock are in financial difficulty and may have to retrench if things do not improve. Not sure what is to be done there. Lord Matlock is pushing for their sons to make a financial match for themselves.
Jane and Mr. Hamilton: Jane is beginning to trust again and Hamilton is helping with baby Bennet. We hope that relationship evolves.
Georgiana and Kitty: I am not sure about these girls…they are just too silly. In the beginning they were at the opposite ends of the social spectrum. Georgiana isn’t exactly lifting up Kitty as Kitty is pulling Georgiana down. Darcy called back the companion, Mrs. Annesley, as the girls were getting into too much trouble. Good call and he has intensified their studies. Again, good call.
Charles and Caroline Bingley: Why were they in this novella? Perhaps because Netherfield was the only place to host a ball and they were needed for that. Caroline was just evil. She is too quick with a glass of punch. What is with her and punch? Why didn’t Elizabeth tell Darcy what a cad Bingley really was? Once Darcy discovered what Bingley had done to Jane…he said the earliest they could leave would be the next morning and that they would do just that. Hopefully that ends their association. Caroline’s betrothed turns out to be a fake and is broke. She had already posted the notice in the London Times and is now stuck with him.
Mrs. Bennet: Oh my, I do not have words. But thank you Mr. Darcy…for your intervention and set down. No doubt about it, when he speaks, things happen.
Darcy and Elizabeth: Darcy figures out that Elizabeth is increasing and is anxious to get her to Pemberley.
Our novella ends with eight carriages headed for Pemberley as winter approaches. Those in attendance are: the Darcy’s, Mrs. Gardiner and children [Mr. Gardiner stayed in London with work], Mary, Georgiana and Kitty, Mrs. Bennet, Mrs. Annesley, and lastly the servants and the luggage.
There were minimal editing problems and using a modern word “nappy” when discussing a diaper seemed out of place.
September 10, 2024
I have read all 8 of the Seasons of Serendipity books by Elizabeth Ann West (yes, there are 8, though the last two are technically Seasons of Serendipity Bride books) and have rated all of them 3 stars. I honestly didn’t want to read all of them after I finished the first two, they were not impressive. But since all the books are very short I decided to continue. Instead of writing a review recapping each individual book I decided to write one review for all of them as the problems I had span all the books. There are spoilers so be warned. One last note; I strive to right very honest reviews, keeping in mind that I am critiquing the work of a fellow human being. I try not to be mean or nasty or unnecessarily unkind. I do not believe that just because no one knows who I am, it gives me the freedom or the right, to be awful and venomous. With that in mind, here we go:
The stories are good but not great. I refer to the overall stories, not the way they’re written. One of the things that I didn’t understand was how the author scatters the Bennet sisters all over the place, some are in London, another at Pemberly, another at Matlock, another at Meryton, another in Scotland. They’re supposed to be in mourning and they are truly devastated by their father’s death. But they’re so quick to split up at the drop of a hat. So in the end, with the exception of the first part of the first book, the sisters are not all together in one place until years later at the end of the last book. I like the P&P variations that have a cozy, home and hearth feeling. If you’re like me you won’t like these books, they’re just constantly traveling at an alarming rate. No sooner do two sisters reach their destination then one of them is feeling uncomfortable and hopping back in a carriage with all their belongings to visit someone or just to get away. It’s crazy. Then there are things like Mary and Jane have a huge fight and they’re giving each other evil stares and Jane keeps giving Mary the cold shoulder; not characteristic of these two characters at all. And very childish. Here’s another one, Elizabeth wants to make sure all the servants in her employ know how to read. Now, that’s not at all alarming and it’s not even unheard of for the period. There were many peers of the realm who uncharacteristically went against the norm and were very kind to their servants. But she takes over Mrs. Reynold’s personal office, much to the housekeeper’s chagrin, in order to set up a school for all the servants. Where they will learn reading, writing and math. In several shifts, of course, since they can’t neglect their duties. With further plans to teach the children of the village and then sends Jane, who’s living in the Darcy estate in Scotland, a letter asking her to do the same in that estate. Lydia is not only her usual self-absorbed self, she goes far beyond what any normal person would put up with. I wonder if Elizabeth West possibly meant for this character to have some sort of mental disability. Or possibly a syndrome like Asperger. The character is so beyond the self-absorption Lydia from the original that it boggles the mind. She shows up at the Darcy townhome in London pregnant and unmarried with her mother in tow. She walks in without a care in the world talking about her dear Wickham and asking to go to the theatre and wanting to know when the next ball is. Her mother acts the same way despite everyone else in the family looking on them astonished. At no point do either Lydia or her mother ever get called to the mat. At no point do either of them show any shame or realization of what a dangerous situation Lydia is in. It’s not just odd, it’s alarming.
Next is how choppy and disconnected the writing is. Scenes and descriptions of rooms and goings-on are not fleshed out; they’re disjointed and confusing. I had to go back and read full paragraphs only to find that I didn’t read them correctly, it wasn’t my misreading something, it was the writing.
The elder matrons are always portrayed as meddlesome and troublemakers. In the case of the Dowager Lady Hamilton and Mrs. Bennet the portrayal makes sense though it’s very over the top (the Dowager actually reads Mary Bennet’s letters while Mary is sick and then makes no excuses about it! Instead of having to apologize the author portrays her as a dowdy, impulsive elder woman who we’re supposed to find just adorable and incorrigible). But in Lady Matlock’s case Darcy and Elizabeth are just downright rude to her. All the girls are split up, Darcy and Elizabeth are off to Pemberly to live in wedded bliss and Mary, Georgiana and Kitty are left to their own devices in London! So Lady Matlock takes them under her wing, takes them shopping, buys them new wardrobes and starts giving them daily classes on dancing and etiquette and a whole bunch of other lessons in anticipation of their first season the following year. Well Elizabeth and Darcy arrive in town and are completely incensed that Lady Matlock has taken it on herself to educate the girls and even more, Elizabeth can’t believe that all Lady Matlock has educated them in is etiquette and dancing! She states that she expects them to learn more than just place settings, that they should know about the world. Not even realizing that it was her and Darcy’s neglect that caused Lady Matlock to step in. Oh, and previously Jane was assaulted at a house party that Lady Matlock had taken her to by a horrible man. So Elizabeth and Darcy lay that at Lady Matlock’s feet as well. They are so rude to her and in the end it’s Lady Matlock who has to apologize to Elizabeth. There are bizarre story choices like that throughout all the books.
Finally there are the many, many spelling and grammatical errors. Captain Tompkins is first introduced as Captain Toompkins. I wasn’t sure if it was a mistake until a few paragraphs after where his name is spelled correctly. And the grammatical errors are worse. “His” used when it should be “her”, “off” used instead of “of”, and the like. Then, at one point Mary is speaking with the Dowager Duchess Hamilton and TWICE, instead of saying “Your Grace” to the Dowager, she says “My Grace” Twice in two paragraphs! One type of grammatical error that I try to excuse is when authors write “He was the person she wanted to speak to”, which is incorrect but so many do it that it’s become the norm. The more grammatically correct way is to write, “He was the person to whom she wanted to speak”. Ending the sentence with the word “to” is poor writing, especially in a period book. But in one of the books I actually read, “He was the person to whom she wanted to speak to”. Another error that, surprisingly, many authors make and few editors or proof readers notice, is when they make the grammatical error of saying, for example, “She was the one that…” when it should be “She was the one who…” I understand writing fast when you’re on a roll and missing it. But several people read books before they’re ever published. Even many self-published books are read and re-read (though not all) before they publish. There were too many of these types of mistakes in Elizabeth West’s books to excuse. Particularly since they’re supposed to be so popular and everyone supposedly loves her books. I find it hard to believe that books that are this popular have not been properly proof read or edited.
In the end I get increasingly tired of excusing lazy writing. Elizabeth Ann West has been called a Jane-of-all-trades, mistress of none. And while the original quote (made by William Shakespeare, supposedly) ends with “…but often times better than a master of one”, I’m afraid to say that this saying, as far as Elizabeth Ann West is concerned, is not a compliment. It’s possible that she needs to spend more time on the trade of writing of her books…
The stories are good but not great. I refer to the overall stories, not the way they’re written. One of the things that I didn’t understand was how the author scatters the Bennet sisters all over the place, some are in London, another at Pemberly, another at Matlock, another at Meryton, another in Scotland. They’re supposed to be in mourning and they are truly devastated by their father’s death. But they’re so quick to split up at the drop of a hat. So in the end, with the exception of the first part of the first book, the sisters are not all together in one place until years later at the end of the last book. I like the P&P variations that have a cozy, home and hearth feeling. If you’re like me you won’t like these books, they’re just constantly traveling at an alarming rate. No sooner do two sisters reach their destination then one of them is feeling uncomfortable and hopping back in a carriage with all their belongings to visit someone or just to get away. It’s crazy. Then there are things like Mary and Jane have a huge fight and they’re giving each other evil stares and Jane keeps giving Mary the cold shoulder; not characteristic of these two characters at all. And very childish. Here’s another one, Elizabeth wants to make sure all the servants in her employ know how to read. Now, that’s not at all alarming and it’s not even unheard of for the period. There were many peers of the realm who uncharacteristically went against the norm and were very kind to their servants. But she takes over Mrs. Reynold’s personal office, much to the housekeeper’s chagrin, in order to set up a school for all the servants. Where they will learn reading, writing and math. In several shifts, of course, since they can’t neglect their duties. With further plans to teach the children of the village and then sends Jane, who’s living in the Darcy estate in Scotland, a letter asking her to do the same in that estate. Lydia is not only her usual self-absorbed self, she goes far beyond what any normal person would put up with. I wonder if Elizabeth West possibly meant for this character to have some sort of mental disability. Or possibly a syndrome like Asperger. The character is so beyond the self-absorption Lydia from the original that it boggles the mind. She shows up at the Darcy townhome in London pregnant and unmarried with her mother in tow. She walks in without a care in the world talking about her dear Wickham and asking to go to the theatre and wanting to know when the next ball is. Her mother acts the same way despite everyone else in the family looking on them astonished. At no point do either Lydia or her mother ever get called to the mat. At no point do either of them show any shame or realization of what a dangerous situation Lydia is in. It’s not just odd, it’s alarming.
Next is how choppy and disconnected the writing is. Scenes and descriptions of rooms and goings-on are not fleshed out; they’re disjointed and confusing. I had to go back and read full paragraphs only to find that I didn’t read them correctly, it wasn’t my misreading something, it was the writing.
The elder matrons are always portrayed as meddlesome and troublemakers. In the case of the Dowager Lady Hamilton and Mrs. Bennet the portrayal makes sense though it’s very over the top (the Dowager actually reads Mary Bennet’s letters while Mary is sick and then makes no excuses about it! Instead of having to apologize the author portrays her as a dowdy, impulsive elder woman who we’re supposed to find just adorable and incorrigible). But in Lady Matlock’s case Darcy and Elizabeth are just downright rude to her. All the girls are split up, Darcy and Elizabeth are off to Pemberly to live in wedded bliss and Mary, Georgiana and Kitty are left to their own devices in London! So Lady Matlock takes them under her wing, takes them shopping, buys them new wardrobes and starts giving them daily classes on dancing and etiquette and a whole bunch of other lessons in anticipation of their first season the following year. Well Elizabeth and Darcy arrive in town and are completely incensed that Lady Matlock has taken it on herself to educate the girls and even more, Elizabeth can’t believe that all Lady Matlock has educated them in is etiquette and dancing! She states that she expects them to learn more than just place settings, that they should know about the world. Not even realizing that it was her and Darcy’s neglect that caused Lady Matlock to step in. Oh, and previously Jane was assaulted at a house party that Lady Matlock had taken her to by a horrible man. So Elizabeth and Darcy lay that at Lady Matlock’s feet as well. They are so rude to her and in the end it’s Lady Matlock who has to apologize to Elizabeth. There are bizarre story choices like that throughout all the books.
Finally there are the many, many spelling and grammatical errors. Captain Tompkins is first introduced as Captain Toompkins. I wasn’t sure if it was a mistake until a few paragraphs after where his name is spelled correctly. And the grammatical errors are worse. “His” used when it should be “her”, “off” used instead of “of”, and the like. Then, at one point Mary is speaking with the Dowager Duchess Hamilton and TWICE, instead of saying “Your Grace” to the Dowager, she says “My Grace” Twice in two paragraphs! One type of grammatical error that I try to excuse is when authors write “He was the person she wanted to speak to”, which is incorrect but so many do it that it’s become the norm. The more grammatically correct way is to write, “He was the person to whom she wanted to speak”. Ending the sentence with the word “to” is poor writing, especially in a period book. But in one of the books I actually read, “He was the person to whom she wanted to speak to”. Another error that, surprisingly, many authors make and few editors or proof readers notice, is when they make the grammatical error of saying, for example, “She was the one that…” when it should be “She was the one who…” I understand writing fast when you’re on a roll and missing it. But several people read books before they’re ever published. Even many self-published books are read and re-read (though not all) before they publish. There were too many of these types of mistakes in Elizabeth West’s books to excuse. Particularly since they’re supposed to be so popular and everyone supposedly loves her books. I find it hard to believe that books that are this popular have not been properly proof read or edited.
In the end I get increasingly tired of excusing lazy writing. Elizabeth Ann West has been called a Jane-of-all-trades, mistress of none. And while the original quote (made by William Shakespeare, supposedly) ends with “…but often times better than a master of one”, I’m afraid to say that this saying, as far as Elizabeth Ann West is concerned, is not a compliment. It’s possible that she needs to spend more time on the trade of writing of her books…
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 13, 2023
In this Pride and Prejudice sequel it is the end of the first year of the Seasons of Serendipity series. Are there happy endings for all of the Bennet daughters? and what of Mrs Bennet, and the Fitzwilliams. And of course the Colonel and Mary Bennet - my favourite JAFF couple
Another enjoyable re-read in the series. Again.
Another enjoyable re-read in the series. Again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
February 27, 2015it was a fantastic series, well worth it from the first of the 4 to the last loved it
April 13, 2020
Just as incredible
During this season we read how the lost of life and the birth of a new one changes the perspective of others. I enjoyed reading how the Darcy's handled the first year anniversary of the death, along with dealing of certain people. Well written and highly recommended to read.
During this season we read how the lost of life and the birth of a new one changes the perspective of others. I enjoyed reading how the Darcy's handled the first year anniversary of the death, along with dealing of certain people. Well written and highly recommended to read.
January 12, 2018
These novellas are a smooth read.
July 20, 2018
More twist and turns in this story! Cannot wait to see what happens with Mary, or what trouble Mrs Bennett will cause. On to book 5.
January 2, 2019
I like this take on the Darcys: not perfect but trying hard and willing to compromise. A good series.
May 14, 2019
Lovely
Another wonderful variation inspired by author Jane Austen’s classic Pride and Prejudice by Elizabeth Ann West fourth in the series
Another wonderful variation inspired by author Jane Austen’s classic Pride and Prejudice by Elizabeth Ann West fourth in the series
March 2, 2015
The final of 4 books and I must say I was disappointed. The overall tone was sad.. Elizabeth still grieves for Lydia, now Jane's own sad life along with the frustration she has with Darcy controlling everything. I was frustrated when Elizabeth and Darcy wouldn't communicate and then disappointed that Jane didn't get her happy ending. I felt like so many things were unresolved at the end of the novel - what will happen to Mary and the Colonel? Will Jane fall in love and allow herself to trust a man again? What about poor Bingley? How about living in Pemberley? So many unanswered questions that you almost assume there is a 5th book in the series although we haven't heard that yet. A lot occurred within 100 pages and I found it too rushed. Hopefully there is a 5th book even if not planned yet that will wrap everything up happily for us and bring conclusion to all the unanswered questions.
June 26, 2015
A very fast read, and continuing the story lines in this 'alternate' P&P. Still has cliffhangers, so hopefully more novellas.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews