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Elizabeth Bennet is taken as a newborn to Staffordshire, and is raised as the true daughter of a very wealthy family. She knew the Darcy family all her life, and had a crush on Darcy as a child. Darcy was always fascinated with Elizabeth, even when she was a baby (no folks, he is not a pedophile!). This is their love story and there is no angst between them (other characters, yes, but not them). There is lots of HMS. These two just wanted to do the deed all the time, and who am I to stop them?

Unknown Binding

First published September 29, 2010

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PatM

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5 stars
29 (27%)
4 stars
36 (33%)
3 stars
27 (25%)
2 stars
13 (12%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
Profile Image for Sheila Majczan.
2,737 reviews211 followers
May 28, 2017
3.5 rounded up to 4 stars

Elizabeth is never to know who that Mr. and Mrs. Bennet are her biolical parents. A twin brother dies at birth and this event sends Mrs. Bennet over the edge of sanity. She swears the survivor is a demon child who killed her brother and will seek to also harm her mother. Mr. Bennet's intervention has a lifelong consequence for Elizabeth, for the family she is given to and to those who know her as daughter, sister, niece and most of all and his "beloved". Mr. Bennet never comes to regret his decision.

BUT another companion secret that threads through this tale is that there is a well trained and loving protector who watches over Elizabeth...always. This angel has her own hidden agenda and this role comes to be well employed as in adulthood, Elizabeth befriends one Jane Bennet and travels to visit her in Hertfordshire.

The author is no longer with us and I recently read her book, Betrayal. Although the premise in this book was a very different one and held my interest, I do believe we could have done without all the bedroom scenes. The language is rather simplistic and could have been better spoken. There is no angst in the love story between Elizabeth and Darcy. The several times their happiness is threatened are quickly dealt with and over so the reader has no period of wondering how that will play out.

This book has 245 pages and although I read it over three days the actual time spent doing so was not long. If you do not like angst and don't mind some MA material this is a book you might enjoy.
Profile Image for Erika.
397 reviews23 followers
February 21, 2016
I have had this book on my TBR list for a long time. It was published, but the author Pat M Harding passed away in Nov 2010. I never was able to purchase the book (you can find it on Amazon, though quite pricey) but it is still at MRR on Meryton dot com (you need a username and password to read).

It was a good book with a premise I loved. It still was angsty, but not over the top. Though I do have to say that there were times that the writing seemed a bit juvenile and repetitive, which is something that just gets under my skin. That is why I rated this book as a 4 star.

I really loved the 'Sarah' character in this story. Oh and there is a scene towards the end when E is being her normal stubborn self and D lays into her, yes they are married when this happens. It's great, I am all for independent women cause I am one of them, but there is a point when authors make E too independent and it seems that she would rather honor (not the right word I'm looking for) everyone else's feelings over D's feelings.

I would recommend this book/story to any and all JAFFer, though I must warn you that it is VERY M rated!!! So if you don't like those types of scenes, save your time and don't read!!
Profile Image for Julianne Bellardo.
103 reviews23 followers
December 11, 2018
3 Stars.

This was a very interesting book. Just as with other stories that I've read from this author (really, just one), even though I've loved the idea behind it, I felt that there was a little problem with the actual plot. Some behaviors were just a bit too much OOC for my taste, bordering the cartoonish.

The new characters, as well as Lizzy's "adoptive" parents (even though they raised her as their own) felt like they were underused, in a way. The author could've explored all the possibilities their existence in the story brought – like, I really missed reading about the relationship between Lizzy and her twin brother (son of the Wentworth's). Harding said time and again that they were close, but up until the last chapters we don't see much of this bond.

Sarah was a bittersweet experience to me.
I loved how fiercely protective she was – but it all felt a bit farfetched with her high kicks and ninja like stunts

The story became repetitive at some points, with thoughts being revisited over and over – like Sarah's loyalty – which got me turning the pages without much enthusiasm at some points, but all in all it was an enjoyable story.

And I did laugh quite a bit.
Profile Image for Elizabeth Bennet.
742 reviews8 followers
October 8, 2017
This book was an entertaining book. It had a touch of Fatal Attraction meets Mommy Dearest. The couple had a total makeover as they were equals and they grew up together so there were none of the character misunderstandings. The author took a different approach which I found refreshing if it followed the original format why buy it I got a copy of that already. It was a little drastic and dramatic at times but it made it interesting. I would have liked to see more of the later years with the families growing up verses the villains who wouldn't quit their revenge tactics. The book was a good read and I would recommend it.
Profile Image for Anna Fitzwilliam.
231 reviews30 followers
August 21, 2017
The story is truly unrealistic, but very enjoyable. We have 3 psycho characters here: Mrs. Bennet, Caroline Bingley and the servant Sarah, and all of them are hella crazy.
Profile Image for Elin Eriksen.
Author 26 books164 followers
May 5, 2018
Loved the premises of this book.

ODC against the world rather than them at odds. In addition, they meet at a very young age and are friends through their childhoods.
It was also a plot where Elizabeth was of elevated rank, as Mr Bennet gave her away as an infant, to save her from her own mother.
She had a very protective servant in her nanny Sara who had been appointed by mr Bennet.

What ruined it a bit for me was naivety in the writing style, excessive amount of bedroom scenes and the swiftness all the angst was eliminated with, nearly before it had begun.

Enjoyable read but not fabulous.
Profile Image for Les.
2,911 reviews1 follower
October 11, 2017
Lets got with the pros this book is fairly well written and is a different twist on the canon.

The cons it's a little creepy. Imagining a world where Lizzy was part of a set of fraternal twins, the boy being still born and Mrs. Bennet blaming Lizzy for for the death claiming that her violet eyed daughter is a demon. Mr. Bennet has the girl taken away and raised by another more well to do family. As Mrs. Bennet descends into madness. The family are friends with the Darcys and it is noted how 8 year old Fitzwilliam thought the baby was beautiful. [ewwwww]

Of course the Darcys and Bingley end up heading to Meryton and Mrs. Bennet sees Mrs. Darcy and flips out. She is joined in her hatred by Caroline Bingley. Yes its two, two, two psychos with one target. Luckily Lizzy has her life time companion, Sarah the trained killer, to keep her safe when her husband wanders off despite his fear she will be injured.

This book also loses points for graphic sex scenes.
Profile Image for Sara.
411 reviews32 followers
October 9, 2017
3rd time's a charm. I've tried to write a review two other times and both times it got lost.

So, this book is like two books smashed into one. On one hand we have a NC-17ish romance between Darcy and Elizabeth (it's graphic in places but not every time which is good cause it shows up a lot). Allegedly, Darcy has stayed chaste so when he and E come together he acts like a randy teenager. I didn't mind these parts but when interspersed with the rest of the story, it felt out of place.

The crux of the story is Elizabeth's crazy family or crazy followers. By that i mean, Elizabeth's mom is bat-sh@* crazy as in believes that Elizabeth is a demon with violet eyes who killed her twin brother in birth (I'm not making this up). So, her father basically sends her off to be raised by another family for nobody to know the secret of her true birth. We also have Caroline who tries to conspire with crazy Mrs. B to hurt Elizabeth because she wants D all for herself (again). I won't say any more to spoil the plot but she essentially is trying to kill or hurt Elizabeth.

Then we have Elizabeth's crazy protector/nurse/governess/maid who somehow was trained in all areas of protection. Let's just say she is a bad ass but is also a touch deranged like the others.

My issue isn't the crazy people trying to harm Elizabeth. It's the way the story is told and the way the plot develops. I felt like i was reading an account of something instead of experiencing it with the characters. Also, the two separate plot lines just felt disjointed (one scene D and E are all over each other and the next someone is plotting to kill E). It just felt too contrived for me.

All of the above being said it is a creative plot with relatively low grammatical issues for an unpublished story.
Profile Image for Lit Reader.
493 reviews38 followers
March 27, 2025
Long story short = a tale in which Mrs. Bennet is a psychotic psychopath who thinks Elizabeth is a baby-demon at birth, so Mr. Bennet sends the baby away and fakes her death, but fate brings a young Mrs. Darcy (Lizzy) to Meryton, where her unusual eyes awaken Mrs. Bennet’s m*rdering instincts some 19 years later…

The premise is convoluted and ridiculous, the plot to save Elizabeth unlikely and over the top, Elizabeth as a character is a bit of a Mary Sue, and Sarah the saviour maid is somewhat of a main character above Darcy or anyone else in the story. The addition of Darcy’s cousin, the Gardiners, or Charles is de-trop and adds nothing to the story.

The structure of the story reads old fashioned, with a type of storytelling that’s reminiscent of 80s-90s historical romances, in my opinion.
133 reviews
April 9, 2016
An intense story in many ways, right from the beginning where Mr Bennet has to make the immediate and life altering decision to give his newborn daughter to his friend to save her life. But even being raised in her new loving family, knowing Darcy since childhood and marrying him can completely protect Elizabeth, and as we all know fate always finds the path to have its own way, thus bringing together the Darcys, Bingley and Bennets. Miss Bingley still wants Darcy, and after seeing exactly how insane and obsessed Mrs Bennet is, Caroline lies and manipulates Mrs Bennet thinking to eliminate Elizabeth without any blame falling on her. But luck on Mr Bennet's part, and a Elizabeth's fierce guardian since infancy, her maid Sarah, help thwart these plans. The story continues, and just as everything seems to be perfect for our dear couple, so madly and deeply in love with each other, thereally is one more attempt to destroy their happiness.

The original character, Sarah, in her devotion to Elizabeth, then to her mistress's family and loved ones, is pivotal to the story. Such a strong woman, a real fierce creature, but so loving and devoted as well.

I wish this story was available on Kindle or some electronic format, but with the author's passing it was only in print and online where she originally wrote it in serial format. It is definitely one I like to go back and reread.
466 reviews
May 5, 2014
This is my favorite book. I have read this three times and look forward to reading it again. It's too bad it's only available in paperback I would love to have on my kindle so I can take it with me anytime I want.
Profile Image for Jen B.
665 reviews8 followers
July 10, 2024
So much drama! It's fun. OTT, but fun. Even on a reread (of the draft AHA version).
Violet eyes and demons (where's Sam and Dean when Mrs Bennet needs them? Sorry - Supernatural bad joke).
If for nothing else, this was worth the read for Sarah. She is fierce!
Profile Image for Haley.
789 reviews13 followers
March 30, 2016
A decent book. After my college break ended it had been awhile since I'd read and this was the perfect book to throw me back into reading. I had been in a Jane Austen mood but was looking for something a little different and this was what I ended up with. Truthfully it was better than I had first suspected it would be. While I liked how to the point and easy it was to read to help get me back into a reading groove it is also my one main issue with the book. I find the twist of Pride and prejudice interesting but would like more drawn out detail and story than this particular book has to offer. But I truly enjoyed it and am glad I read it. It's an interesting take on the classic and is good if anyone is looking for a quick read just for fun.
Profile Image for Lynette.
259 reviews39 followers
July 16, 2011
I think my craze with P&P adaptations is coming to an end.

In this installment. Mrs. Bennet gives birth to twins. When the boy dies and Elizabeth lives, Mrs. Bennet believes that Elizabeth is a demon child who killed her son. To protect Elizabeth Mr. Bennet gives her over to an old friend of his, and she is raised by a wealthy, family as the twin to their son who was born to days after Elizabeth. This family is very close to the Darcy's and Elizabeth and Darcy grow up together, fall in love and marry right after Elizabeth comes out. Mr. Bennet disgusted with his wife's behavior, has no more children. Elizabeth runs into Jane, yada, yada, yada.

Boring. Plot not really developed enough and charecters not even having the basic personalities of Elizabeth and Darcy.
Profile Image for Katherine.
453 reviews39 followers
June 28, 2011
I liked the idea that Darcy and Elizabeth grew up as social equals in society so there was no pride or prejudice to separate themselves. But it was sad that Elizabeth had to be given away by Mr Bennett because his wife turned psyco. It was sad to see the lengths that Mrs Bennett tried to take and it was sad to eventually see (SPOILERS BEWARE) how Mrs Bennett would have to die and how Caroline Bingley would have to die too... sad that Mr Bennett could never admit he was Elizabeth's father or admit he was a grandfather when Elizabeth and Darcy had their first child... so sad... but happy ending for Darcy and Elizabeth
Profile Image for Susan.
7,483 reviews73 followers
November 7, 2015
In this Pride and Prejudice variation, at the birth of Elizabeth Bennet her father fearing for her life gives her away to be raised as the daughter of a wealthy friend. Where she grow up knowing Darcy.
Profile Image for Alexa.
417 reviews16 followers
December 2, 2012
After Darcy and Elizabeth-by-another-name speedily grow up and marry...the story lost interest for me. I love my P&P fanfic, but unfortunately, not all of them are well written.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews