Winter at Netherfield Park

Darcy and Elizabeth What If? #6

by Jennifer Lang

What if Mr Bingley had not left Netherfield Park after the Netherfield ball?

When Caroline Bingley has an accident on the morning after the Netherfield ball, Mr Bingley remains at Netherfield Park and Mr Darcy remains with him. They are soon joined by Miss Darcy, who becomes friends with Elizabeth. When Elizabeth learns the truth about Mr Wickham from Georgiana Darcy’s own lips, things begin to change. But is this enough to ensure a happy future for Elizabeth and Mr Darcy?

Novella length. All the novellas in the Darcy and Elizabeth What If? series are separate, standalone stories. They can be read in any order. This novella uses English spellings.

Genres: Regency, Historical Romance, Novella, Fiction

162 pages, Paperback

First published December 9, 2014

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

SPOILERS IN REVIEW

Pride and Prejudice in name only. Charles Bingley isn’t the eldest. So why would he have so much money? His eldest brother is still in trade?


So much wrong with this book. Elizabeth is exceptionally stupid about Wickham. I created a shelf especially for the last couple books I read.

Elizabeth plans to ‘shame’ Darcy into giving Wickham the living, which the author calls Hunsford. Darcy acts more like Caroline Bingley.

I liked Caroline’s change of heart.

Why is Elizabeth surprised Darcy cares about his sister. Ugh. Elizabeth doesn’t deserve Darcy. This is another one I should have DNF.

[Les · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall I love these novellas from Jennifer Lang. They are like miniature Whitmans samplers of P&P what ifs. You get a delicious assortment of stores without feeling too full. You aren't required to read any other of the series.

There are parts of Winter at Netherfield Park that I adore. Such as how Mr. Collins is diverted from Lizzy skillfully by Mrs. Bennet and several verbal exchanges between Lizzy and Darcy. My problems with the book is that there are too many Bingleys and their social status does not make any sense. They are actively in trade and Bingley isn't the oldest brother (what what what). The premise is that Caroline is injured while riding the morning after the Netherfield ball and Lizzy goes to her aid. The brush with death makes Caro reevaluate her life and her opinions and puts her at odds with Mr. Darcy.

In conclusion 85% brilliant 15% irritating. 4 stars

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't care for Elizabeth in this book at all. She was such a poor judge of character.

[Teresita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story!

A sweet and lovely tale, where most of the characters remain as we know them, and one of them changes dramatically.
I also liked the new characters included.

[Meagan · Rating 1 out of 5]

The writing wasn't bad but there were things that made me want to scream. it's cool to add some original characters but make them believable! Bingley having an older brother drove me nuts because it caused inconsistencies.

[Katja · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute story in which Caroline has an accident and becomes a nice person all of a sudden. (Hey, I know what you're thinking but this IS fiction after all so fantastic elements can be incorporated.) Darcy is not so nice initially and Elizabeth believes the dumbest excuses from Wickham. Georgiana gives her the enlightening that Darcy refused to. There are other Bingley siblings and it's a bit confusing how Charles has five thousand a year but his eldest brother does not believe he can afford to marry. The ODC romance is a bit rushed but everyone gets their happy end.

[Deena H · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't like them

The way this was written, Elizabeth was a brat that was in love with wickham and her flaws were magnified by 10. Darcy was just boring.

[Erika · Rating 3 out of 5]

Original, though at points seemed rushed

Like her other novellas, Jennifer Lang wrote an enjoyable original story. The premise was Caroline being injured after the Netherfield Ball and the party having to stay longer in the area. This allowing Jane and Bingley to further their suit, and other couples to emerge. Add in more Bingleys, and I have to say I really loved this Mrs Bingley (Charles' mother) and his older brother. But what didn't make sense was that the older brother stayed in the family business while Charles (the younger brother) was able to become the man of leisure with the money. Another big thing I had an issue with was how fast Elizabeth was able turn her hatred of Mr Darcy to love, it just didn't seem right or suit me well. If you can get past that you should be able to enjoy this novella.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short novel that could be an entertaining read in one evening. The day after the Netherfield Ball Caroline is thrown from her horse and us the Netherfield party are unable to leave for London. Caroline's near death experience makes her more docile and she decides not to interfere in her brothers happiness. Georgiana and Colonel Fitzwilliam arrive at Netherfield and slowly Elizabeth comes to see a different side of Darcy. Their path at happiness seems a bit too quick despite a separation and Elizabeth's discovery of love surprising at first but it works with the plot. Happiness for everyone in this novel including Caroline and Charlotte. Cute love story.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

What if on the morning after the Netherfield Ball Caroline Bingley is thrown from her horse while out riding and is unable to travel to London as planned. Forcing all the party to stay.
Can Bingley be persuaded to forget Jane Bennet. And what will be the outcome when the rest of Bingley's family, Colonel Fitzwilliam and Miss Darcy come to visit. It would seem that Winter brings love to Hertfordshire.

[Marijayne Stegman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting take on the story, things seemed to progress quite quickly and not altogether believably at times.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is one of the better P&P novellas, and I like Jennifer Lang's novellas...so far.