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Cassandra – A Scandal in Pemberley: A captivating Pride and Prejudice inspired Regency Romance
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
June 24, 2026
Gut rating: ⭐⭐⭐
CAWPILE rating: TBD
Spice: Kisses
ARC publication date: April 30th 2026
Tropes: Jane Austen inspired, Pride and Prejudice continuation, historical romance, next generation story, multi POV
My synopsis
Newcastle England, 1832. Twenty years after the events of Pride & Prejudice, a new generation of Austen heroines is ready to break the rules.
Unlike her mother Lydia, 18yo Cassandra Wickham has no love for balls or gossip. The daughter of a scandalous marriage, Cassandra prefers her books, and the company of her kind, bookish new friend Dr. Richard Courtney. But Cassandra's quiet world shatters at her first ball when she overhears her lecherous stepfather crudely auctioning her off to the highest bidder, and Dr. Courtney a willing bystander.
Terrified, Cassandra flees to Pemberley to seek refuge with her Darcy relatives. Instead, she finds the Darcy's away, leaving behind only her headstrong cousin, 16yo Bennetta, who is grounded for defying the strict rules of her station. With Cassandra in hiding and her family closing in, the two cousins team up and embark on a rebellious adventure.
My review
An enjoyable read for the nostalgia and the concept, but the pacing and POV clutter kept it from being a favourite.
This book had such a unique and exciting premise, picking up the Pride & Prejudice story twenty years later to follow Lydia’s daughter. I adored seeing all my favorite characters again and discovering how their lives turned out, even if there were some great losses along the way. I also loved spotting the clever little P&P references hidden throughout the pages!
However, the execution held it back for me. The pacing slowed down so much in the second half that I couldn't help but feel this would have functioned much better as a tighter short story that concluded once Cassandra's runaway flight ended. I didn't enjoy the childish back and forth "will they, won't they", either, nor Wickham's unnecessary inclusion.
The perspective changes between Cassandra and Bennetta were also frustrating at times, especially since they frequently jumped back and forth within the same chapter without any indication. Additionally, there were too many unnecessary POV from minor characters who didn’t really add anything to the overarching plot.
With thanks to the Publishers and NetGalley for providing me with this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Trigger warnings: Classism, sexual harassment, death, death of parent, injury detail, blood, stalking, abandonment, alcohol, alcoholism, infidelity, grief, pregnancy, misogyny, war
CAWPILE rating: TBD
Spice: Kisses
ARC publication date: April 30th 2026
Tropes: Jane Austen inspired, Pride and Prejudice continuation, historical romance, next generation story, multi POV
My synopsis
Newcastle England, 1832. Twenty years after the events of Pride & Prejudice, a new generation of Austen heroines is ready to break the rules.
Unlike her mother Lydia, 18yo Cassandra Wickham has no love for balls or gossip. The daughter of a scandalous marriage, Cassandra prefers her books, and the company of her kind, bookish new friend Dr. Richard Courtney. But Cassandra's quiet world shatters at her first ball when she overhears her lecherous stepfather crudely auctioning her off to the highest bidder, and Dr. Courtney a willing bystander.
Terrified, Cassandra flees to Pemberley to seek refuge with her Darcy relatives. Instead, she finds the Darcy's away, leaving behind only her headstrong cousin, 16yo Bennetta, who is grounded for defying the strict rules of her station. With Cassandra in hiding and her family closing in, the two cousins team up and embark on a rebellious adventure.
My review
An enjoyable read for the nostalgia and the concept, but the pacing and POV clutter kept it from being a favourite.
This book had such a unique and exciting premise, picking up the Pride & Prejudice story twenty years later to follow Lydia’s daughter. I adored seeing all my favorite characters again and discovering how their lives turned out, even if there were some great losses along the way. I also loved spotting the clever little P&P references hidden throughout the pages!
However, the execution held it back for me. The pacing slowed down so much in the second half that I couldn't help but feel this would have functioned much better as a tighter short story that concluded once Cassandra's runaway flight ended. I didn't enjoy the childish back and forth "will they, won't they", either, nor Wickham's unnecessary inclusion.
The perspective changes between Cassandra and Bennetta were also frustrating at times, especially since they frequently jumped back and forth within the same chapter without any indication. Additionally, there were too many unnecessary POV from minor characters who didn’t really add anything to the overarching plot.
With thanks to the Publishers and NetGalley for providing me with this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Trigger warnings: Classism, sexual harassment, death, death of parent, injury detail, blood, stalking, abandonment, alcohol, alcoholism, infidelity, grief, pregnancy, misogyny, war
May 5, 2026
As a longtime lover of Regency novels and Jane Austen in particular, I’ve read my fair share of spin-offs. Cassandra – A Scandal in Pemberley caught my eye not as a direct retelling, but as a next-generation story—what becomes of the original characters’ children. The premise alone was intriguing: Lydia, the shameless flirt of Pride and Prejudice, raising a graceful, Elizabeth-like daughter named Cassandra. That irony promised so much. Unfortunately, the execution did not deliver.
I came close to DNFing this book multiple times. Only its short length kept me turning the pages.
The novel’s biggest flaw is its characters. They are barely fleshed out, and the protagonists carry a strange, unearned prejudice against the wealthy—a theme that feels tacked on rather than organic. Worse, even the borrowed P&P characters feel misrepresented, reduced to caricatures of their former selves.
Cassandra, Lydia’s daughter, is supposedly Elizabeth Bennet in nature, but to me she read more like a blend of Mary and Jane. Wickham is dead, Lydia has remarried, and the plot kicks off with Lydia trying to marry Cassandra off to an officer against her will. What begins as an act of rebellion quickly descends into a chaotic circus: too many characters thrown in, too many events crammed together, and—most tellingly—too many storms. Every significant event seems to summon bad weather, as if the author couldn’t devise real conflict or turning points and uses them as clutches.
For the first 75%, the book feels utterly rudderless. Then, in the final quarter, a glimmer of hope appears: Cassandra begins something like self-discovery. I thought, perhaps, the story might redeem itself. But alas—another storm arrives, and any chance of meaningful growth washes away.
This is a highly missable book, coasting entirely on its Pride and Prejudice connections. I ended up not caring for a single character, and my dominant emotion while reading was a weary, exasperated amusement.
Thanks to netgalley for the e-arc.
I came close to DNFing this book multiple times. Only its short length kept me turning the pages.
The novel’s biggest flaw is its characters. They are barely fleshed out, and the protagonists carry a strange, unearned prejudice against the wealthy—a theme that feels tacked on rather than organic. Worse, even the borrowed P&P characters feel misrepresented, reduced to caricatures of their former selves.
Cassandra, Lydia’s daughter, is supposedly Elizabeth Bennet in nature, but to me she read more like a blend of Mary and Jane. Wickham is dead, Lydia has remarried, and the plot kicks off with Lydia trying to marry Cassandra off to an officer against her will. What begins as an act of rebellion quickly descends into a chaotic circus: too many characters thrown in, too many events crammed together, and—most tellingly—too many storms. Every significant event seems to summon bad weather, as if the author couldn’t devise real conflict or turning points and uses them as clutches.
For the first 75%, the book feels utterly rudderless. Then, in the final quarter, a glimmer of hope appears: Cassandra begins something like self-discovery. I thought, perhaps, the story might redeem itself. But alas—another storm arrives, and any chance of meaningful growth washes away.
This is a highly missable book, coasting entirely on its Pride and Prejudice connections. I ended up not caring for a single character, and my dominant emotion while reading was a weary, exasperated amusement.
Thanks to netgalley for the e-arc.
May 31, 2026
Cassandra - A Scandal in Pemberley by Linda O'Byrne. Inspired by the characters of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, the story tells the tale of Cassandra Wickham, the daughter of Lydia Bennet, the younger sister of Elizabeth Bennet.
Lydia Bennet has remarried after her husband is killed in India. Though, she is married and with a daughter of marital age, she remains the same Lydia (and somewhat similar to her mother Mrs. Bennet.) Her daughter though, Cassandra, reminds readers of Elizabeth Bennet (maybe it's her love of books).
When Cassandra learns at an event that her stepfather is bidding her off to an older officer, she makes a decision to run away to Pemberley in hopes her Aunt Elizabeth and Uncle Darcy can stop this from happening. When she arrives to Pemberley, she learns her aunt and uncle are not to be found, but are soon introduced to Bennetta, the youngest of their children.
Though the main character is Cassandra, we are re-introduced to multiple characters one again, as well as new ones.
What did I love about the book? I loved the way the author created Pemberley in the 1830s. It gave off the Bridgerton vibe as well as The new series, The Other Bennet Sister. I loved reconnecting with some of Austen's most memorable characters.
Where did I struggle? I felt that Cassandra had way too much going on. First, she is being forced into a marriage that she does not desire to learning of her illegitimacy. We are introduced to Dr.. Richard Courtney, the man she truly loves, and the challenges their love faces.
When it comes to her other relationships, the focus begins on her friendship with Bennetta but then it changes when Aunt Elizabeth returns. Uncle Darcy plays the hero we all have grown to love.
I felt there was a lot going on and the author was trying to somewhat tie aspects to Cassandra's love to events in Pride and Prejudice. In some ways it made sense, but others it did not. Maybe the author could have actually begun with the illegitimacy of her birth living her life in London and then bringing her back to Pemberley. The characters of Lydia Bennet and her husband are so minor in comparison to the characters of Pemberley. It would be a fun Cinderella story.
I love the idea of exposing readers to the world of Pemberley, and introducing Jane Austen to a new generations of readers.
Thank you Netgallery and Linda O'Byrne for an advanced copy of this book.
Lydia Bennet has remarried after her husband is killed in India. Though, she is married and with a daughter of marital age, she remains the same Lydia (and somewhat similar to her mother Mrs. Bennet.) Her daughter though, Cassandra, reminds readers of Elizabeth Bennet (maybe it's her love of books).
When Cassandra learns at an event that her stepfather is bidding her off to an older officer, she makes a decision to run away to Pemberley in hopes her Aunt Elizabeth and Uncle Darcy can stop this from happening. When she arrives to Pemberley, she learns her aunt and uncle are not to be found, but are soon introduced to Bennetta, the youngest of their children.
Though the main character is Cassandra, we are re-introduced to multiple characters one again, as well as new ones.
What did I love about the book? I loved the way the author created Pemberley in the 1830s. It gave off the Bridgerton vibe as well as The new series, The Other Bennet Sister. I loved reconnecting with some of Austen's most memorable characters.
Where did I struggle? I felt that Cassandra had way too much going on. First, she is being forced into a marriage that she does not desire to learning of her illegitimacy. We are introduced to Dr.. Richard Courtney, the man she truly loves, and the challenges their love faces.
When it comes to her other relationships, the focus begins on her friendship with Bennetta but then it changes when Aunt Elizabeth returns. Uncle Darcy plays the hero we all have grown to love.
I felt there was a lot going on and the author was trying to somewhat tie aspects to Cassandra's love to events in Pride and Prejudice. In some ways it made sense, but others it did not. Maybe the author could have actually begun with the illegitimacy of her birth living her life in London and then bringing her back to Pemberley. The characters of Lydia Bennet and her husband are so minor in comparison to the characters of Pemberley. It would be a fun Cinderella story.
I love the idea of exposing readers to the world of Pemberley, and introducing Jane Austen to a new generations of readers.
Thank you Netgallery and Linda O'Byrne for an advanced copy of this book.
May 23, 2026
Cassandra – A Scandal in Pemberley
by Linda O'Byrne
As a devoted admirer of variations on Jane Austen's beloved works, I was immediately drawn to the intriguing premise of this novel: Lydia Wickham, a character often associated with folly and scandal, has somehow raised a calm, intelligent, and graceful daughter named Cassandra, who is more like her sister Elizabeth Darcey. This setup promised a fresh take on familiar themes of propriety and character development within the context of Regency society. An enjoyable read for any Pride and Prejudice lovers.
However, I found myself disappointed with how the story unfolded. The story is conveyed through a third-person perspective, yet it often shifts between characters without clear transitions or formatting breaks. This erratic head-hopping not only disrupted the flow of the story but also made it challenging to establish emotional connections with the characters. I often found myself confused about whose thoughts and feelings were being expressed at any given moment.
Furthermore, the romantic elements of the story left much to be desired. The relationship between Cassandra and Dr Richard Courtney, who is presented as a potential love interest, felt rather tepid and lacking in genuine chemistry. Their interactions were underdeveloped, leading to a romance that seemed flat and unconvincing, which detracted from the overall emotional impact of the narrative.
In summary, while the concept of a refined daughter of Lydia Wickham holds great promise and potential for exploration, the execution fell short of my expectations. The combination of the erratic shifting perspective and the lacklustre romance ultimately overshadowed the story’s potential, leaving me wishing for a more cohesive and engaging reading experience.
by Linda O'Byrne
As a devoted admirer of variations on Jane Austen's beloved works, I was immediately drawn to the intriguing premise of this novel: Lydia Wickham, a character often associated with folly and scandal, has somehow raised a calm, intelligent, and graceful daughter named Cassandra, who is more like her sister Elizabeth Darcey. This setup promised a fresh take on familiar themes of propriety and character development within the context of Regency society. An enjoyable read for any Pride and Prejudice lovers.
However, I found myself disappointed with how the story unfolded. The story is conveyed through a third-person perspective, yet it often shifts between characters without clear transitions or formatting breaks. This erratic head-hopping not only disrupted the flow of the story but also made it challenging to establish emotional connections with the characters. I often found myself confused about whose thoughts and feelings were being expressed at any given moment.
Furthermore, the romantic elements of the story left much to be desired. The relationship between Cassandra and Dr Richard Courtney, who is presented as a potential love interest, felt rather tepid and lacking in genuine chemistry. Their interactions were underdeveloped, leading to a romance that seemed flat and unconvincing, which detracted from the overall emotional impact of the narrative.
In summary, while the concept of a refined daughter of Lydia Wickham holds great promise and potential for exploration, the execution fell short of my expectations. The combination of the erratic shifting perspective and the lacklustre romance ultimately overshadowed the story’s potential, leaving me wishing for a more cohesive and engaging reading experience.
May 3, 2026
Cassandra – A Scandal in Pemberley by Linda O'Byrne
4.5 ⭐
This was such a fun return to the Pride and Prejudice world—but with a twist I didn’t expect.
Going in, I fully thought Lydia’s daughter would be a bit wild, dramatic, maybe even a little chaotic… and Cassandra is the complete opposite. She’s thoughtful, grounded, and honestly feels much closer to Elizabeth in temperament. Meanwhile, Bennetta (Elizabeth’s daughter) seems to have picked up some of Lydia’s boldness, which made the whole next-generation dynamic way more interesting than I anticipated.
I ended up really enjoying the overall vibe of this. If it has even a hint of a Bridgerton feel, I’m already in—and this absolutely scratched that itch. It’s light, engaging, and easy to fall into, but still has enough substance to keep things interesting. I also really liked the dual POV—it added a nice layer to the story and helped round things out, even if it occasionally pulled focus from Cassandra herself.
That said, I do wish the book had stayed a bit more centered on Cassandra and her romance. Because the story shifts between perspectives, it sometimes felt like her relationship didn’t get quite as much depth as I wanted. I just needed a little more time with them to really feel that emotional payoff.
Even with that, I had a really good time with this. It’s cozy without being dull, familiar without feeling repetitive, and just an all-around enjoyable read. I’ll definitely be continuing the series because I’m curious to see where Linda O’Byrne takes these characters next.
Thank you to Linda O’Byrne, NetGalley, and dp books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
4.5 ⭐
This was such a fun return to the Pride and Prejudice world—but with a twist I didn’t expect.
Going in, I fully thought Lydia’s daughter would be a bit wild, dramatic, maybe even a little chaotic… and Cassandra is the complete opposite. She’s thoughtful, grounded, and honestly feels much closer to Elizabeth in temperament. Meanwhile, Bennetta (Elizabeth’s daughter) seems to have picked up some of Lydia’s boldness, which made the whole next-generation dynamic way more interesting than I anticipated.
I ended up really enjoying the overall vibe of this. If it has even a hint of a Bridgerton feel, I’m already in—and this absolutely scratched that itch. It’s light, engaging, and easy to fall into, but still has enough substance to keep things interesting. I also really liked the dual POV—it added a nice layer to the story and helped round things out, even if it occasionally pulled focus from Cassandra herself.
That said, I do wish the book had stayed a bit more centered on Cassandra and her romance. Because the story shifts between perspectives, it sometimes felt like her relationship didn’t get quite as much depth as I wanted. I just needed a little more time with them to really feel that emotional payoff.
Even with that, I had a really good time with this. It’s cozy without being dull, familiar without feeling repetitive, and just an all-around enjoyable read. I’ll definitely be continuing the series because I’m curious to see where Linda O’Byrne takes these characters next.
Thank you to Linda O’Byrne, NetGalley, and dp books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
If you love Jane Austen books, especially Pride and Prejudice, this is a must read for you. This iteration is a continuation of the Bennet sisters’ stories via their daughters. Our FMC, Cassandra (Cassie), is Lydia and Wickham’s daughter. Lydia is still the same as an adult and wants her daughter to be married off to a wealthy solider. However, Cassie takes after her Aunt Elizabeth. She is intelligent, bookish and not at all interested in the marriage her step-father has arranged. So, she runs away to Pemberley to hide. Instead of finding her Aunt, she finds her cousin Bennetta, who very much takes after her Aunt Lydia. Bennetta helps her escape her stepfather by riding to find their Uncle Bingley. However just like an Austen novel, things get a bit twisted around. She ends up at an acquaintance Dr. Richard Courtney’s estate instead. I love how the author brought in familiar characters all while creating a new and fresh story but still using all the nostalgic tone of Pride and Prejudice. The love story between the FMC and MMC is equally enjoyable reminiscent of Elizabeth and Darcy. I really enjoyed this book. I was an easy read that I was able to complete in a morning. It is a re-release of a previously published series. I’m excited to read the other stories and stay awhile with old characters and meeting some new as well. Thank you to dp Books and NetGalley for an ARC. All opinions are freely given.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 2, 2026
When I picked up a book about Lydia Bennet’s daughter, or Lydia Wickham’s daughter, I expected someone at least a little flighty, flirty, and frivolous. Instead, Cassandra surprised me. She is thoughtful, steady, and much more like her Aunt Elizabeth than her mother.
That was probably my favorite part of the book. I liked the idea of Lydia’s daughter turning out so differently from her, while Elizabeth’s daughter, Bennetta, seems to have picked up more of Lydia’s wild streak. That little twist made the next generation of the Bennet family fun to read about.
My biggest issue was the shifting point of view. The story moved between characters often enough that I never felt like I got as much time with Cassandra and her love interest as I wanted. Because of that, the romance felt a little underdeveloped, and the book sometimes felt more like it was setting up the rest of the series than fully focusing on Cassandra’s story. I saw the author has another book titled “Cassandra” so I assume this is a 2026 reprint! I will have to read the next book in the series to see what happens next with the characters.
Overall, this was a pleasant Austen-inspired read with a fun premise and a heroine I liked. I just wish Cassandra had been given a little more room to shine.
I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review Cassandra — A Scandal in Pemberley!
That was probably my favorite part of the book. I liked the idea of Lydia’s daughter turning out so differently from her, while Elizabeth’s daughter, Bennetta, seems to have picked up more of Lydia’s wild streak. That little twist made the next generation of the Bennet family fun to read about.
My biggest issue was the shifting point of view. The story moved between characters often enough that I never felt like I got as much time with Cassandra and her love interest as I wanted. Because of that, the romance felt a little underdeveloped, and the book sometimes felt more like it was setting up the rest of the series than fully focusing on Cassandra’s story. I saw the author has another book titled “Cassandra” so I assume this is a 2026 reprint! I will have to read the next book in the series to see what happens next with the characters.
Overall, this was a pleasant Austen-inspired read with a fun premise and a heroine I liked. I just wish Cassandra had been given a little more room to shine.
I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review Cassandra — A Scandal in Pemberley!
May 20, 2026
A Scandal in Pemberley follows Cassandra Wickham, the spirited niece of Elizabeth Darcy, who would rather spend her time reading than participating in society’s expectations. While her mother pushes her toward a wealthy military match, Cassandra only has feelings for the kind and intelligent Dr. Richard Courtney. After overhearing plans to marry her off to an older widower, she makes impulsive choices that set off a chain of events filled with misunderstandings and miscommunication that continually drive the plot forward.
I’d rate the novel 3.5/5 stars. It was a wholesome and fairly quick read, which made it easy to get through despite some pacing issues. There were several moments that felt dragging, and a few scenes or plot points that seemed like they would be explored in more depth were brushed off too quickly before moving on. Some sections also felt repetitive, which slowed the momentum at times.
One thing I really appreciated, though, was Cassandra herself. She felt like a complete character with a personality and motivations outside of the romance, which made her more engaging to follow. However, I do wish there had been more focus on building the chemistry between Cassandra and Dr. Courtney. Their relationship had potential, but it didn’t feel as developed or emotionally compelling as I hoped it would be.
Overall, while the story had flaws in pacing and romantic development, it was still an enjoyable and comforting read with a likable heroine at its center.
I’d rate the novel 3.5/5 stars. It was a wholesome and fairly quick read, which made it easy to get through despite some pacing issues. There were several moments that felt dragging, and a few scenes or plot points that seemed like they would be explored in more depth were brushed off too quickly before moving on. Some sections also felt repetitive, which slowed the momentum at times.
One thing I really appreciated, though, was Cassandra herself. She felt like a complete character with a personality and motivations outside of the romance, which made her more engaging to follow. However, I do wish there had been more focus on building the chemistry between Cassandra and Dr. Courtney. Their relationship had potential, but it didn’t feel as developed or emotionally compelling as I hoped it would be.
Overall, while the story had flaws in pacing and romantic development, it was still an enjoyable and comforting read with a likable heroine at its center.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
*I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
This was a wonderful story set twenty years or so after the events of Pride and Prejudice, following the younger relations of the families we met in the iconic classic!
It definitely had the Jane Austen vibes, from the drama and gossip, to the angst and miscommunication. The plot felt a little all over the place at times, but I did enjoy the historical drama and familial surprises, as always I live for the shocking revelations and humorous chit chat about other characters.
I enjoyed Cassandra Wickham as a main heroine, she's brave and somewhat like her Aunt Lizzie, yet I feel like she also was a bit of an annoyance too, I understand why she ran away and that she didn't have much, but even with everyone's help she still needed more. I liked Dr Richard Courtney as a love interest, but personally felt like the entire romance was a bit empty. There weren't many meaningful moments between the two that we see, nor do we get any flashbacks or mention of their previous meetings, which seemed important for readers to really root for them.
Overall, this was a lovely trip back to the 1800s and the world of Pride and Prejudice, and I'd recommend for anyone who's craving more Bennet/ Darcy/ Bingley/ Wickham after the main story ended.
3/5 🌟
This was a wonderful story set twenty years or so after the events of Pride and Prejudice, following the younger relations of the families we met in the iconic classic!
It definitely had the Jane Austen vibes, from the drama and gossip, to the angst and miscommunication. The plot felt a little all over the place at times, but I did enjoy the historical drama and familial surprises, as always I live for the shocking revelations and humorous chit chat about other characters.
I enjoyed Cassandra Wickham as a main heroine, she's brave and somewhat like her Aunt Lizzie, yet I feel like she also was a bit of an annoyance too, I understand why she ran away and that she didn't have much, but even with everyone's help she still needed more. I liked Dr Richard Courtney as a love interest, but personally felt like the entire romance was a bit empty. There weren't many meaningful moments between the two that we see, nor do we get any flashbacks or mention of their previous meetings, which seemed important for readers to really root for them.
Overall, this was a lovely trip back to the 1800s and the world of Pride and Prejudice, and I'd recommend for anyone who's craving more Bennet/ Darcy/ Bingley/ Wickham after the main story ended.
3/5 🌟
July 2, 2026
It took me a while to get into the flow of this book. I found the author's writing style to be occasionally confusing, as the narrative would shift from person to person with no obvious break to indicate the new POV.
That being said, I did enjoy this as a sort of return to the world of Pride and Prejudice. The story focuses on Cassandra Wickham, daughter of Lydia and George Wickham who runs away from home in Newcastle, and seeks refuge at Pemberley. There we meet Bennetta, youngest daughter of Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam Darcy, who seems to have inherited her Aunt Lydia's personality, while Cassandra is more like her Aunt Elizabeth.
Bennetta helps to hide Cassandra, though one accident after another befalls the pair, and eventually Cassandra ends up in the home of Dr. Courtney, her (very chaste) love interest. Again, circumstances conspire to separate them as Cassandra feels obligated to flee Dr. Courtney in order to protect his reputation. But worry not, the HEA squeezed in just by the skin of its teeth.
So my chief criticism is also a reason to recommend it. It's short! I wanted more filling. More body to the story. Many of the problems were resolved too quickly, and it felt like the romance storyline didn't have enough time to develop.
I would like to thank Linda O'Byrne, NetGalley, and dp books for a free eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
That being said, I did enjoy this as a sort of return to the world of Pride and Prejudice. The story focuses on Cassandra Wickham, daughter of Lydia and George Wickham who runs away from home in Newcastle, and seeks refuge at Pemberley. There we meet Bennetta, youngest daughter of Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam Darcy, who seems to have inherited her Aunt Lydia's personality, while Cassandra is more like her Aunt Elizabeth.
Bennetta helps to hide Cassandra, though one accident after another befalls the pair, and eventually Cassandra ends up in the home of Dr. Courtney, her (very chaste) love interest. Again, circumstances conspire to separate them as Cassandra feels obligated to flee Dr. Courtney in order to protect his reputation. But worry not, the HEA squeezed in just by the skin of its teeth.
So my chief criticism is also a reason to recommend it. It's short! I wanted more filling. More body to the story. Many of the problems were resolved too quickly, and it felt like the romance storyline didn't have enough time to develop.
I would like to thank Linda O'Byrne, NetGalley, and dp books for a free eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
May 12, 2026
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC
This book follows the children of the original Pride & Prejudice characters, in particular Cassandra. She is the daughter of Lydia and Wickham and she is very different from her parents.
I loved this idea and was very excited to read this book.
The book was fun and okay.
It reads very quickly, I finished it in one day and it is quite amusing.
The book fell short for me on two points:
- The romance: while I adored the male love interest, there was very little chemistry between him and Cassandra. The characters kept saying they had strong feelings for each other but their interactions felt not much different than those of the other characters.
I read a lot of closed door and regency romance and it is perfectly possible to show characters being in love and attracted to each other in various and interesting ways.
(SPOILER) The wedding proposal was one of the most underwhelming proposals I've ever read.
- The characters felt rather one dimensional and felt like caricatures of themselves. Each character had one defining trait and that was it.
So in short: fun, quick and entertaining to imagine the P&P characters later in life but could have had a lot more depth.
This book follows the children of the original Pride & Prejudice characters, in particular Cassandra. She is the daughter of Lydia and Wickham and she is very different from her parents.
I loved this idea and was very excited to read this book.
The book was fun and okay.
It reads very quickly, I finished it in one day and it is quite amusing.
The book fell short for me on two points:
- The romance: while I adored the male love interest, there was very little chemistry between him and Cassandra. The characters kept saying they had strong feelings for each other but their interactions felt not much different than those of the other characters.
I read a lot of closed door and regency romance and it is perfectly possible to show characters being in love and attracted to each other in various and interesting ways.
(SPOILER) The wedding proposal was one of the most underwhelming proposals I've ever read.
- The characters felt rather one dimensional and felt like caricatures of themselves. Each character had one defining trait and that was it.
So in short: fun, quick and entertaining to imagine the P&P characters later in life but could have had a lot more depth.
May 8, 2026
Overall, I enjoyed this story, but I certainly had some issues in getting into the story. I was ultimately not a fan of the 3rd person writing style that floats between different perspectives with not a lot of warning. It was certainly an adjustment to understand where one character's narrative ended and another began. I also had some issues with the pacing in the novel, which felt inconsistent. It felt that the author was writing three different stories, only one of which gets resolved. Additionally, I had some personal qualms about her representation of who Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy were as parents. It just did not feel authentic to the original characters, but I will say Lydia's character feels very true to the source material.
About half way through the book, I was finally able to detach myself from thinking oof this as a continuation of the original story of Pride and Prejudice, and as a standalone, and that improved my reading experience.
If you enjoy a historical romance or, like me, you are an anxious consumer of the larger P&P extended universe, this is an acceptable addition to the collective, but not, ultimately, a notable one.
About half way through the book, I was finally able to detach myself from thinking oof this as a continuation of the original story of Pride and Prejudice, and as a standalone, and that improved my reading experience.
If you enjoy a historical romance or, like me, you are an anxious consumer of the larger P&P extended universe, this is an acceptable addition to the collective, but not, ultimately, a notable one.
June 23, 2026
There were a few things I didn't love about this one. There were no transitions or breaks or indication of changes in POVs or scenes, which often led to confusion. Hopefully this will be corrected in the final version. The characters were also missing real depth. It felt like the author was relying too much on things established in P&P rather than establishing her characters and having them stand on their own in this novel.
I was surprised when I got done reading this that it's not labeled as YA. It read pretty young to me, and could maybe be stretched to read as NA, but it certainly didn't feel like it should be labeled Adult. This was largely due to how simple and straightforward everything was, from the plot to the characters to the conflicts. There was no real depth or complexity to any of it.
I don't know that I would recommend this one, just because its potential was much greater than its execution. However, it is short and an easy read, so if you're looking for a regency romance, you may enjoy it still. My thanks to NetGalley and dp Books for allowing me to read this work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
I was surprised when I got done reading this that it's not labeled as YA. It read pretty young to me, and could maybe be stretched to read as NA, but it certainly didn't feel like it should be labeled Adult. This was largely due to how simple and straightforward everything was, from the plot to the characters to the conflicts. There was no real depth or complexity to any of it.
I don't know that I would recommend this one, just because its potential was much greater than its execution. However, it is short and an easy read, so if you're looking for a regency romance, you may enjoy it still. My thanks to NetGalley and dp Books for allowing me to read this work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
May 11, 2026
I’m a sucker for any Jane Austen inspired books and retelling, so as soon as I got this I started reading it
The book revolves around Cassandra Wickham, daughter of Lydia and George Wickham and her coming of age - meaning an arranged marriage. What follows are her adventure during a short period of time. We meet old characters -Elizabeth, Darcy- as well as new characters
Cassandra is the opposite of her mother (calm, intelligent, not vain), which represented a plus.
The plot was overall pleasant and a fun read - but maybe too short. I felt it needed more pages to develop fully: we pass from one event to another, one point of view to another. It seemed a bit rushed, especially the love story (?) between Cassandra and Richard (it did not feel like a love story at all).
I wished for less events and more developing.
The writing style was spot on, though, it really seemed like a regency novel.
I received a free ARC from NetGally and the publisher in exchange for a honest review. Thank you!
The book revolves around Cassandra Wickham, daughter of Lydia and George Wickham and her coming of age - meaning an arranged marriage. What follows are her adventure during a short period of time. We meet old characters -Elizabeth, Darcy- as well as new characters
Cassandra is the opposite of her mother (calm, intelligent, not vain), which represented a plus.
The plot was overall pleasant and a fun read - but maybe too short. I felt it needed more pages to develop fully: we pass from one event to another, one point of view to another. It seemed a bit rushed, especially the love story (?) between Cassandra and Richard (it did not feel like a love story at all).
I wished for less events and more developing.
The writing style was spot on, though, it really seemed like a regency novel.
I received a free ARC from NetGally and the publisher in exchange for a honest review. Thank you!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Sequels to Pride and Prejudice are one of the most popular in the genre (hard to top Death Comes to Pemberley, in my opinion), but Linda O'Byrne has decided to move beyond the traditional focus on Lydia and Mary and move to the next generation with the story of Cassandra Wickham, Lydia's daughter.
Lydia is an unlikely heroine - although as her aunt Elizabeth points out, she likely takes after both of her grandfathers, but I did appreciate that the book illustrated aspects of the Regency system that Austen was also blind to. By making our hero a doctor who comes from the gentry, but isn't a gentleman of leisure himself, he is able to comment on some of the former Lizzie Bennett's blindspots. The book does have a bit of melodrama - missing fathers! wicked stepfathers!, but the book is still an easy, fun page turner. I'm excited to see who of the Bennett next generation is next. Thanks to dp books for the early copy.
Lydia is an unlikely heroine - although as her aunt Elizabeth points out, she likely takes after both of her grandfathers, but I did appreciate that the book illustrated aspects of the Regency system that Austen was also blind to. By making our hero a doctor who comes from the gentry, but isn't a gentleman of leisure himself, he is able to comment on some of the former Lizzie Bennett's blindspots. The book does have a bit of melodrama - missing fathers! wicked stepfathers!, but the book is still an easy, fun page turner. I'm excited to see who of the Bennett next generation is next. Thanks to dp books for the early copy.
May 31, 2026
I received this book as a copy from Netgalley
I am a lover of regency romance books, I tend to enjoy most of them. This one wasn’t a book I could quite get into. I really did like the FMC Cassandra, she’s more different compared to other ladies in this era. I would say she’s a very likable character and it’s one of the few things I enjoyed about this book. I think it’s right to have a well developed character when it comes to the main one. I don’t find the world building to be bad I do think it’s not inaccurate when it comes to English regency era. The only thing I feel that just got in the way in my connection to this story was the development of the relationship between Richard and Cassandra. I felt that there could’ve been so much more built between them, but the book tend to focused on other things. I don’t tend to rate below 3 stars but I just feel this was a book that I could enjoy.
I am a lover of regency romance books, I tend to enjoy most of them. This one wasn’t a book I could quite get into. I really did like the FMC Cassandra, she’s more different compared to other ladies in this era. I would say she’s a very likable character and it’s one of the few things I enjoyed about this book. I think it’s right to have a well developed character when it comes to the main one. I don’t find the world building to be bad I do think it’s not inaccurate when it comes to English regency era. The only thing I feel that just got in the way in my connection to this story was the development of the relationship between Richard and Cassandra. I felt that there could’ve been so much more built between them, but the book tend to focused on other things. I don’t tend to rate below 3 stars but I just feel this was a book that I could enjoy.
May 7, 2026
OMG!! I have always loved Mr. Darcy but reading Cassandra's story and getting to read about what happened to Mr. Wickham and Lydia just made my day! Not to mention knowing everything that Cassandra went through to get away from what she overheard at the ball and thinking so ill of Dr. Courtney. I loved going back to Pemberly and reading what happened to Mr. & Mrs. Darcy, Jane Bingley and the rest of the Bennet women. I loved how Bennetta helped Cassandra and then the peril Cassandra went through to get to her aunt Janes home. Not to mention the romanticism from Dr. Courtney once he was told how "Stupid" he was by Bennetta and what he did to go win back Cassandra. Overall I enjoyed the book, loved the twists and turns and then to come to find out that Mr. Wickham wasn't dead like everyone thought but passed aways saving his daughter.
June 10, 2026
After a series of murder mysteries this was a somewhat lighter read. I like variations on Pride & Prejudice and subsequent narrations of how the Bennett sisters lives have progressed. We now seem to be going into the next generation and this story is tge turmoil that Cassandra is forced to face, with flighty, irresponsible Lydia as her mother, Wickham supposedly dead in India and an unappealing step father.
Running away from home after over hearing a conversation about an exchange of money between her stepfather and an older man, Cassandra comes to Pemberley not knowing that her Aunt and Uncle are not in residence and ending up with a local doctor and his sister. The doctor is someone whom she met in London and whom she liked but circumstances changed so much that despite an engagement, she ran away again!
It all ended well and it was a happily ever after ending eventually.
Running away from home after over hearing a conversation about an exchange of money between her stepfather and an older man, Cassandra comes to Pemberley not knowing that her Aunt and Uncle are not in residence and ending up with a local doctor and his sister. The doctor is someone whom she met in London and whom she liked but circumstances changed so much that despite an engagement, she ran away again!
It all ended well and it was a happily ever after ending eventually.
May 2, 2026
Cassandra and Bennetta, the next generation of Bennet cousins, were so fun to read about and imagine in Pemberely , Mr. Darcy’s gorgeous estate. I loved seeing the characters evolve and the concept of virtues carried throughout the book as well. The romantic gesture at the end is so sweet, and I loved both girls’ desires to go against the times and expectations. I felt like some of the charters were underdeveloped, but I’m hoping that’s only because they will show up in future books? I also would have loved to hear more of Mr. Darcy’s voice throughout it, as he has such a strong presence in P&P. Overall, it is the perfect way to reenter Pemberley and the world of Pride & Prejudice’s next generations.
May 4, 2026
I really loved this book. The Pride and Prejudice vibes were absolutely unmatched.
Cassandra is the daughter of Lydia and Wickham, but I was so happy to see that she takes after her aunt Elizabeth far more than her mother. Her character felt grounded, thoughtful, and easy to root for, which made the story even more engaging.
This book has everything you could hope for in a historical romance: family drama, miscommunication, and those unforgettable love declarations that always feel especially powerful in this setting. The romance itself was delightful, and the male main character was genuinely charming and perfectly suited for Cassandra.
Thank you to NetGalley and DP Books for providing me with an ARC.
Cassandra is the daughter of Lydia and Wickham, but I was so happy to see that she takes after her aunt Elizabeth far more than her mother. Her character felt grounded, thoughtful, and easy to root for, which made the story even more engaging.
This book has everything you could hope for in a historical romance: family drama, miscommunication, and those unforgettable love declarations that always feel especially powerful in this setting. The romance itself was delightful, and the male main character was genuinely charming and perfectly suited for Cassandra.
Thank you to NetGalley and DP Books for providing me with an ARC.
May 15, 2026
I love all things Pride and Prejudice so I was excited by this book imagining the children of our favorite characters. Cassandra (FMC), Lydia and Wickham’s daughter, is the complete opposite of her parents and is responsible, well mannered and kind. She falls for Dr. Courtney (MMC) a sweet country doctor but due to a misunderstanding, thinks he is a terrible person. Watching them fall in love was so sweet.
I also loved Bennetta, Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam Darcy’s daughter. She is adventurous and fun which stresses out her parents, who are still traumatized by Lydia even years later 🤣
I loved this book and recommend it as a fun read for any Jane Austen fan. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
I also loved Bennetta, Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam Darcy’s daughter. She is adventurous and fun which stresses out her parents, who are still traumatized by Lydia even years later 🤣
I loved this book and recommend it as a fun read for any Jane Austen fan. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
June 20, 2026
This was a fairly quick read. I do enjoy the occasional foray into the world of Pride and Prejudice, and the concept of what happens to the next generation was intriguing. While the plot was just fine, I really do think that every character required significant further development. Even our protagonist, Cassandra, fell a bit flat. Everyone felt fairly one-dimensional, as did their relationships with one another. With a bit more character development, this could have been something really special.
Thank you to Netgalley for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Netgalley for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 3, 2026
Sadly this book wasn't for me and I had to DNF it at 29%. I found the writing style incredibly hard to get used to as it kept jumping between characters which wasn't made clear at all. Even a break between paragraphs would have been good. I found the chapters far too long for me as well. One chapter was over 30mins long which sadly put me off. I think the characters could have had their own section in the chapters to make it completely clear who's POV we were now going to read.
Thank you to DP for the e-book
Thank you to DP for the e-book
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is a sweet and charming tribute to Pride and Prejudice. Fans of Austen who can suspend their disbelief for some wild, unlikely drama will enjoy this book. I also wish there had been more romantic moments throughout the book for Cassandra and the MMC (won't spoil it), but it's pretty much impossible not to like him! This is a clean romance that any reader could enjoy.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and dp books for the free eARC! I post this review with my honest opinions.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and dp books for the free eARC! I post this review with my honest opinions.
April 29, 2026
This was my first dabble into Regency romance and I must say… I’m impressed 🤗 These 1800s romances continue to confirm that I absolutely would have failed miserably in polite society, but honestly? I love it for the girls who thrived in it 😂
I breezed through this book. It felt light, fun, and honestly, it was a refreshing switch up compared to the typical romances I usually reach for. I read this right after Pride and Prejudice, which made it such a fun little segue into the genre!
I breezed through this book. It felt light, fun, and honestly, it was a refreshing switch up compared to the typical romances I usually reach for. I read this right after Pride and Prejudice, which made it such a fun little segue into the genre!
July 6, 2026
There were so many twists and turns in this book it was hard to keep everything straight. If the story had been simplified a bit then it could have been better there were just too many conflicts added on top of each other throughout the book. Other than that I did like it.
Thank you NetGalley for providing me this free arc in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you NetGalley for providing me this free arc in exchange for my honest review.
August 15, 2026
For lovers of p&p this will be a marmite book
I enjoyed it as a KU freebie. Not the best writing ever, but as a fun way to continue the magic of p&p, while imagining the after stories, it was a fun read that flew by.
I enjoyed it as a KU freebie. Not the best writing ever, but as a fun way to continue the magic of p&p, while imagining the after stories, it was a fun read that flew by.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This felt just like a Jane Austen book but a little bit more modern. Although the language is still from those times. It's captivating and dramatic with romance and secrets.
Did Not Finish
June 22, 2026I literally couldn’t finish this… I could not take a character named Bennetta seriously. DNF at 15%. This one just wasn’t for me, sadly.
June 7, 2026
ARC Review:
I love to read P&P Variations, I love to see what Authors can come up with, but this is the first one where its not Lizzy/Darcy story but their children and the children of their family. Finding out what happens to Lydia is most interesting, because from the sounds of it, she still never grows up. This was entertaining, but the only issue I had with this story, was that I wished we could have seen more of the romance between Cassandra and Richard, because a lot of the story was Cassandra running off and then she was with her Cousin, and much of the story was with the cousin. I just would have like to see how these two came to be and had them spend more time with each other. I felt like the story was all over the place.
I love to read P&P Variations, I love to see what Authors can come up with, but this is the first one where its not Lizzy/Darcy story but their children and the children of their family. Finding out what happens to Lydia is most interesting, because from the sounds of it, she still never grows up. This was entertaining, but the only issue I had with this story, was that I wished we could have seen more of the romance between Cassandra and Richard, because a lot of the story was Cassandra running off and then she was with her Cousin, and much of the story was with the cousin. I just would have like to see how these two came to be and had them spend more time with each other. I felt like the story was all over the place.
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