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Colonel Darcy
"Swear to me that we will forever exchange letters."
Bound by the innocent ties of childhood friendship, Elizabeth and Georgiana share a bond that withstands the test of time. Elizabeth's admiration extends to Georgiana's elder brother, Fitzwilliam Darcy, a second son who chooses a life of service and joins the army. But in war he suffers grave injuries and is taken captive in a battle in distant India.
In the face of adversity, Elizabeth and Georgiana's loyalty never wavers. They pen countless letters to Darcy, even though they know he shall not receive them till he is released. When the war ends, Darcy is greeted by a sea of letters, each one a testament to their enduring friendship. As he journeys home, he finds himself falling for Elizabeth through the letters she wrote, her words weaving a spell around his heart.
However, back in England, tragedy has struck. With Mr. Bennet's death, Elizabeth faces the grim prospect of a forced marriage to a detestable baronet...
This tale of enduring friendship, perilous danger, deep-seated angst, healing wounds, unwavering loyalty, and a love that transcends distance is sure to captivate your heart.
From the author of "Mr. Darcy and Mr. Collins's Widow" and "A Compromised Compromise" comes another stirring Pride and Prejudice variation that will leave you yearning for more.
Bound by the innocent ties of childhood friendship, Elizabeth and Georgiana share a bond that withstands the test of time. Elizabeth's admiration extends to Georgiana's elder brother, Fitzwilliam Darcy, a second son who chooses a life of service and joins the army. But in war he suffers grave injuries and is taken captive in a battle in distant India.
In the face of adversity, Elizabeth and Georgiana's loyalty never wavers. They pen countless letters to Darcy, even though they know he shall not receive them till he is released. When the war ends, Darcy is greeted by a sea of letters, each one a testament to their enduring friendship. As he journeys home, he finds himself falling for Elizabeth through the letters she wrote, her words weaving a spell around his heart.
However, back in England, tragedy has struck. With Mr. Bennet's death, Elizabeth faces the grim prospect of a forced marriage to a detestable baronet...
This tale of enduring friendship, perilous danger, deep-seated angst, healing wounds, unwavering loyalty, and a love that transcends distance is sure to captivate your heart.
From the author of "Mr. Darcy and Mr. Collins's Widow" and "A Compromised Compromise" comes another stirring Pride and Prejudice variation that will leave you yearning for more.
365 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 25, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
August 31, 2016
Very interesting JAFF variation, but very far from canon. While I was gripped by the story and enjoyed the highly original premise, the characters are very different from canon. I did read it in a very short time, and was gripped throughout the entire book, but some of the dialogue is a bit flat and unnatural.
I did love what he did with Wickham's character, as I have been waiting to see this storyline written for his character, but some of the events are a bit far-fetched in this story.
Good amount of angst and an engaging read.
I did love what he did with Wickham's character, as I have been waiting to see this storyline written for his character, but some of the events are a bit far-fetched in this story.
Good amount of angst and an engaging read.
October 31, 2016
2.5 rounded up to 3 stars
By the middle of this book, I felt like throwing my kindle across the room. I had noted other reviews that rated this highly but indicated that it really wasn't much like Pride and Prejudice. I believe I'm usually pretty open-minded and accept major alterations to canon with an alternate P&P universe. The previous P&P-based books I have read by Mr. Underwood also colored pretty far outside the lines but bore enough resemblance to the source that I was okay with it. I assumed the same would be true here, but I was sorely disappointed.
Yes, we have Elizabeth Bennet and her four sisters and her ridiculous mother and bookish father, and we have Fitzwilliam Darcy, and we have the estates of Longbourn and Netherfield and Pemberley, but the plot runs so far afield from the original that I can't believe the author wasn't honest enough to change the names. There is a Mr. Bingley, but he never even meets Jane Bennet, much less marry her. (We're told he marries a girl who looks almost exactly like her, so I suppose the implication is that if he HAD met Jane, she would have been his bride.) No Caroline Bingley or the Hursts. No Lady Catherine or Anne de Bourgh. There are lots of new characters instead. Elizabeth and Darcy never attend an assembly where she overhears him insult her. In fact, they first meet each other traveling in France with their fathers when she is 14 and young Fitzwilliam is about 21. She becomes close friends with Georgiana and also with Fitzwilliam. Elizabeth develops a girlish crush on him, and Fitzwilliam recognizes that she will be a remarkable young lady when she grows up. No pride, no prejudice here, folks. Wickham's contribution to the story is about the closest to the original, although he actually IS the vicar at Kympton.
In this incarnation, Mary, Kitty and Lydia are more sympathetic characters than Jane, and Charlotte is downright hateful. Elizabeth suffers a series of miserable experiences that start to read like the perils of Pauline. She is cornered and forcibly kissed by the disgusting Sir Clement in front of witnesses. When she refuses to marry him, she is locked into her room for months in an effort to force her to change her mind. After that particular crisis has passed, during a trial, Elizabeth is called as a witness and has to admit that she kissed him, and the attorney quickly calls her a slut and fortune hunter, which destroys her reputation in London and the environs of Pemberley. She becomes a social outcast. As a result, she and Darcy are not allowed near Georgiana, since he is not her legal guardian.
Darcy's story isn't any happier. He is a second son pursuing a military career, sent to India in 1780, seriously injured by an explosion in a battle where the British are defeated, and then is among those captured. He barely survives and is imprisoned for almost three years. He returns to England with a disfiguring facial scar and a serious case of PTSD. It doesn't take long before he's in a duel and on trial for murder.
The writing itself is good, though there are a few misspellings here and there. The historical detail is quite interesting. Although I love Regency romance, I usually don't fancy those that get too heavy into details and descriptions, but the scenes in India are well done here. I do enjoy the way the relationship between Darcy and Elizabeth is developed. Their misunderstanding/lack of communication is given sufficient motivation to be more believable than much of the rest of the plot. These two characters are also well drawn, although many of the other characters seem more stereotypical than credible.
Unfortunately, this just isn't a well constructed novel. I don't find a specific turning point. It just seems to be a chronology- a series of unrelated obstacles. Once one problem is overcome, another crops up, and then another, and then another, etc. Most of the obstacles are pretty over-the-top on the melodrama scale; this is angst-filled throughout.
The fact that the title and character names intentionally misled me into believing this would be based on Pride and Prejudice is what bothers me the most. This definitely is not.
By the middle of this book, I felt like throwing my kindle across the room. I had noted other reviews that rated this highly but indicated that it really wasn't much like Pride and Prejudice. I believe I'm usually pretty open-minded and accept major alterations to canon with an alternate P&P universe. The previous P&P-based books I have read by Mr. Underwood also colored pretty far outside the lines but bore enough resemblance to the source that I was okay with it. I assumed the same would be true here, but I was sorely disappointed.
Yes, we have Elizabeth Bennet and her four sisters and her ridiculous mother and bookish father, and we have Fitzwilliam Darcy, and we have the estates of Longbourn and Netherfield and Pemberley, but the plot runs so far afield from the original that I can't believe the author wasn't honest enough to change the names. There is a Mr. Bingley, but he never even meets Jane Bennet, much less marry her. (We're told he marries a girl who looks almost exactly like her, so I suppose the implication is that if he HAD met Jane, she would have been his bride.) No Caroline Bingley or the Hursts. No Lady Catherine or Anne de Bourgh. There are lots of new characters instead. Elizabeth and Darcy never attend an assembly where she overhears him insult her. In fact, they first meet each other traveling in France with their fathers when she is 14 and young Fitzwilliam is about 21. She becomes close friends with Georgiana and also with Fitzwilliam. Elizabeth develops a girlish crush on him, and Fitzwilliam recognizes that she will be a remarkable young lady when she grows up. No pride, no prejudice here, folks. Wickham's contribution to the story is about the closest to the original, although he actually IS the vicar at Kympton.
In this incarnation, Mary, Kitty and Lydia are more sympathetic characters than Jane, and Charlotte is downright hateful. Elizabeth suffers a series of miserable experiences that start to read like the perils of Pauline. She is cornered and forcibly kissed by the disgusting Sir Clement in front of witnesses. When she refuses to marry him, she is locked into her room for months in an effort to force her to change her mind. After that particular crisis has passed, during a trial, Elizabeth is called as a witness and has to admit that she kissed him, and the attorney quickly calls her a slut and fortune hunter, which destroys her reputation in London and the environs of Pemberley. She becomes a social outcast. As a result, she and Darcy are not allowed near Georgiana, since he is not her legal guardian.
Darcy's story isn't any happier. He is a second son pursuing a military career, sent to India in 1780, seriously injured by an explosion in a battle where the British are defeated, and then is among those captured. He barely survives and is imprisoned for almost three years. He returns to England with a disfiguring facial scar and a serious case of PTSD. It doesn't take long before he's in a duel and on trial for murder.
The writing itself is good, though there are a few misspellings here and there. The historical detail is quite interesting. Although I love Regency romance, I usually don't fancy those that get too heavy into details and descriptions, but the scenes in India are well done here. I do enjoy the way the relationship between Darcy and Elizabeth is developed. Their misunderstanding/lack of communication is given sufficient motivation to be more believable than much of the rest of the plot. These two characters are also well drawn, although many of the other characters seem more stereotypical than credible.
Unfortunately, this just isn't a well constructed novel. I don't find a specific turning point. It just seems to be a chronology- a series of unrelated obstacles. Once one problem is overcome, another crops up, and then another, and then another, etc. Most of the obstacles are pretty over-the-top on the melodrama scale; this is angst-filled throughout.
The fact that the title and character names intentionally misled me into believing this would be based on Pride and Prejudice is what bothers me the most. This definitely is not.
October 29, 2016
As some other reviews or comments have noted this story bears little resemblance to P&P other than the names and places. It is set about half a century earlier and the author's reason for doing so is well explained. I did find it educational (not enjoyable) to read of the struggles between the native populace and the British rule but be warned some of the details are not pretty pictures.
Mr. Bennet, Lizzy, Mr. Darcy, and his children, Fitzwilliam and Georgiana meet while touring Europe. The girls are quite young but form a friendship which leads to an oath of "sisterhood". Lizzy is also exceptionally bright being a math whiz and fluent in Latin as well as other languages and able to play a mean game of chess. Darcy is a second son. His older brother, Stanley, is home taking on the role of managing the estate.
Darcy has chosen the military as a second son. As the story progresses Mr. Darcy dies and Fitzwilliam goes off to India. Young Elizabeth has expanded her friendships to include Fitzwilliam and along with Georgiana promises to write him. Stanley is not interested in a closeness to his sister but has a camaraderie with Wickham who has accepted the living at Kympton.
This story has a lot of heartbreak, betrayal of friends, isolation from company and rejection by society to name just a few of the trials we read of. The angst is heavy but there are some "to-the-rescue" parts.
I have to say I got a little tired of the use of double and triple adverbs, verbs, and adjectives: "I love you, I love you, I love you." etc. Once or twice would have not been so exceedingly tiring but it was over and over and over again...get the picture?
Darcy's and Elizabeth's feelings are not communicated in full honesty even tho' both have sworn true friendship. And then a certain roué perceives that she is still an innocent and...Well, what's a seducer going to do?
One of the plot points is that this couple is basically without the support of family, of acquaintances and of any member of high society. Can they survive such a lonely life? On top of it all Darcy is suffering PTSD...although it does not have that label in this tale.
The story is a good story, a page turner, but the language is not as well written as one would wish.
Mr. Bennet, Lizzy, Mr. Darcy, and his children, Fitzwilliam and Georgiana meet while touring Europe. The girls are quite young but form a friendship which leads to an oath of "sisterhood". Lizzy is also exceptionally bright being a math whiz and fluent in Latin as well as other languages and able to play a mean game of chess. Darcy is a second son. His older brother, Stanley, is home taking on the role of managing the estate.
Darcy has chosen the military as a second son. As the story progresses Mr. Darcy dies and Fitzwilliam goes off to India. Young Elizabeth has expanded her friendships to include Fitzwilliam and along with Georgiana promises to write him. Stanley is not interested in a closeness to his sister but has a camaraderie with Wickham who has accepted the living at Kympton.
This story has a lot of heartbreak, betrayal of friends, isolation from company and rejection by society to name just a few of the trials we read of. The angst is heavy but there are some "to-the-rescue" parts.
I have to say I got a little tired of the use of double and triple adverbs, verbs, and adjectives: "I love you, I love you, I love you." etc. Once or twice would have not been so exceedingly tiring but it was over and over and over again...get the picture?
Darcy's and Elizabeth's feelings are not communicated in full honesty even tho' both have sworn true friendship. And then a certain roué perceives that she is still an innocent and...Well, what's a seducer going to do?
One of the plot points is that this couple is basically without the support of family, of acquaintances and of any member of high society. Can they survive such a lonely life? On top of it all Darcy is suffering PTSD...although it does not have that label in this tale.
The story is a good story, a page turner, but the language is not as well written as one would wish.
March 12, 2017
A profound man thinks more easily than he talks; a shallow one talks more easily than he thinks. ~James Lendall Basford
“What we’ve got here … is failure to communicate” – Captain, Road Prison 36
Three-quarters through the book Darcy finally says “Lizzy, let me speak to you,” thus ending their misunderstanding and beginning their marriage.
Reading the beginning of the book, I thought the protagonist should have been Colonel Fitzwilliam instead of Darcy. Only after his return from prison did I identify Darcy as the hero.
This is not the only story from this author where Darcy is poor (poor as being the absence of being filthy rich). What is it about Darcy that makes the absence of money so defining?
His flaw here is not his excess of pride, in fact in many ways he is rather humble. He never considers not marrying Elizabeth because her family is ridiculous and beneath his station.
Wickham rears his handsome head in this story (of course) and is the inspiration for the headline quote. Does anything describe better the difference in the two men in Elizabeth’s life?
Again, this story is darker than I usually like but it’s so well-done I’m going with five stars.
“What we’ve got here … is failure to communicate” – Captain, Road Prison 36
Three-quarters through the book Darcy finally says “Lizzy, let me speak to you,” thus ending their misunderstanding and beginning their marriage.
Reading the beginning of the book, I thought the protagonist should have been Colonel Fitzwilliam instead of Darcy. Only after his return from prison did I identify Darcy as the hero.
This is not the only story from this author where Darcy is poor (poor as being the absence of being filthy rich). What is it about Darcy that makes the absence of money so defining?
His flaw here is not his excess of pride, in fact in many ways he is rather humble. He never considers not marrying Elizabeth because her family is ridiculous and beneath his station.
Wickham rears his handsome head in this story (of course) and is the inspiration for the headline quote. Does anything describe better the difference in the two men in Elizabeth’s life?
Again, this story is darker than I usually like but it’s so well-done I’m going with five stars.
November 12, 2017
Published on My Vices and Weaknesses.
Lizzy locked up in her bedroom as she were the mad woman in the attic but in this case the “stubborn” woman in the bedroom according to some.
Darcy, soldier with a horrible experience that changes his temper.
Letters, so important in Jane Austen’s world. Love letters, friendship letters, letters that bring people to life. Letters that may not be read, or will be read by the recipient years later.
Honour, reputation, the ton… that does not matter sometimes but who can decide? who can decide what to believe? People will believe anything that they do not like and will just label it under any tag that goes against honour and reputation, no matter what…
Two fathers taking his children to see the continent. Little Lizzy and very little Georgina become more than friends, sisters. Fitzwilliam likes the friendship that her sister has, he enjoys little Lizzy and her mind. Mr Darcy and Mr Bennet, the “nerds” of the time: Latin, Greek, calculus… A trip that unites two families but death is ruthless. First Mr Darcy, then Mr Bennet. Moreover, war, India, so far away.
‘Promise me that we will write to each other’.
Years in order to read the letters, but everything changes, hearts change and the future looks good but not very good.
Hearts are still closed and real happiness takes a while. Actually we could even thank Mr Wickham for the beginning of pure happiness, although… it is Wickham nonetheless.
Really sweet story set a few decades before the time that Jane Austen gave to her Pride and Prejudice. There is a lot of suffering going on but we cannot underestimate the power of a letter even if it is not meant to be read directly.
Just a warning, you may dislike the dislike you will feel towards some normally lovely and loved characters from P&P.
Lizzy locked up in her bedroom as she were the mad woman in the attic but in this case the “stubborn” woman in the bedroom according to some.
Darcy, soldier with a horrible experience that changes his temper.
Letters, so important in Jane Austen’s world. Love letters, friendship letters, letters that bring people to life. Letters that may not be read, or will be read by the recipient years later.
Honour, reputation, the ton… that does not matter sometimes but who can decide? who can decide what to believe? People will believe anything that they do not like and will just label it under any tag that goes against honour and reputation, no matter what…
Two fathers taking his children to see the continent. Little Lizzy and very little Georgina become more than friends, sisters. Fitzwilliam likes the friendship that her sister has, he enjoys little Lizzy and her mind. Mr Darcy and Mr Bennet, the “nerds” of the time: Latin, Greek, calculus… A trip that unites two families but death is ruthless. First Mr Darcy, then Mr Bennet. Moreover, war, India, so far away.
‘Promise me that we will write to each other’.
Years in order to read the letters, but everything changes, hearts change and the future looks good but not very good.
Hearts are still closed and real happiness takes a while. Actually we could even thank Mr Wickham for the beginning of pure happiness, although… it is Wickham nonetheless.
Really sweet story set a few decades before the time that Jane Austen gave to her Pride and Prejudice. There is a lot of suffering going on but we cannot underestimate the power of a letter even if it is not meant to be read directly.
Just a warning, you may dislike the dislike you will feel towards some normally lovely and loved characters from P&P.
October 8, 2021
I wanted to read this story for a while, I was so intrigued by the premise.
It doesn't disappoint.
I am not a fan of this authors writing and this one was no different. However, I appreciate some of the inventive ideas he comes up with for variations.
It doesn't disappoint.
I am not a fan of this authors writing and this one was no different. However, I appreciate some of the inventive ideas he comes up with for variations.
May 4, 2017
This book was a very enjoyable read. The reason was because for me I love to see a strong bond between my couple and I definitely felt that with this one. Darcy and Elizabeth are friends for years. Lizzy is 13 when their relationship begins and so sweet and patient with Georgianna that he adores her. Duty calls Darcy and he winds up in a prison camp which creates their separation but they agree to continue to write each other. It really did a good job at pulling me in. On his journey back home he finds himself with a box full of letters from his sister and Lizzy who he watches grow up with each letter. The little girl who he admired with her spark and intelligence has not changed but is now a woman. It became so romantic with Darcy falling in love with Lizzy just reading her letters and by the time he is back in London he knows he wants her as his wife and prays he is not too late.
Lizzy has grown up and has an admirer that wants her as his wife and when she refuses he tries to force his suit. He gains not only the support of her mother but Jane and Charlotte. Totally different take on the original but I LOOVED it! Darcy's father has passed during the book instead of before and Darcy is not the heir of Pemberley. Mr. Bennet passes and that is when her mother decides with papa Collins to lock Lizzy in her room to force her hand and make her accept Sir Clements proposal. Don't worry though because Fitzwilliam will not stand for it and is at once rescuing her from her nightmare upon his return to England. Jane was a surprise while she has her beauty that even got Fitzwilliam's attention briefly but she is mindless and is so passive that it makes her invisible. That's what I loved Darcy met Jane admired her but by the end of the meal found her like every other woman in society and he begs Lizzy to remain true to herself. He always loved her willingness to know her own mind and express it along with her liveliness.
In order to protect her they wed and the two need to learn about the other all over again. Darcy battles with some PTSD along with a scorned Sir Clements revenge. It does not end there as his brother gets his revenge after. Wickham is also present and up to his normal but instead of splitting D&E up he actually brings the two over their misunderstanding and forces them to open up what they have kept secret. One of my favorite times is at this point because they are so cute at breakfast and on their walks. This is a different Darcy because his pride is not as prevalent. He is just a man in love that wants to see his Lizzy happy. I found myself going back to these sweet times and rereading it over again. There is mild love scenes but they are minimal and vague. So glad I found this read. Enjoy!
Lizzy has grown up and has an admirer that wants her as his wife and when she refuses he tries to force his suit. He gains not only the support of her mother but Jane and Charlotte. Totally different take on the original but I LOOVED it! Darcy's father has passed during the book instead of before and Darcy is not the heir of Pemberley. Mr. Bennet passes and that is when her mother decides with papa Collins to lock Lizzy in her room to force her hand and make her accept Sir Clements proposal. Don't worry though because Fitzwilliam will not stand for it and is at once rescuing her from her nightmare upon his return to England. Jane was a surprise while she has her beauty that even got Fitzwilliam's attention briefly but she is mindless and is so passive that it makes her invisible. That's what I loved Darcy met Jane admired her but by the end of the meal found her like every other woman in society and he begs Lizzy to remain true to herself. He always loved her willingness to know her own mind and express it along with her liveliness.
In order to protect her they wed and the two need to learn about the other all over again. Darcy battles with some PTSD along with a scorned Sir Clements revenge. It does not end there as his brother gets his revenge after. Wickham is also present and up to his normal but instead of splitting D&E up he actually brings the two over their misunderstanding and forces them to open up what they have kept secret. One of my favorite times is at this point because they are so cute at breakfast and on their walks. This is a different Darcy because his pride is not as prevalent. He is just a man in love that wants to see his Lizzy happy. I found myself going back to these sweet times and rereading it over again. There is mild love scenes but they are minimal and vague. So glad I found this read. Enjoy!
September 10, 2016
Do you like your P&P variations with a LOT of angst and drama? Loads, tons, mostly. Then you will adore this P&P What If that goes wildly away from the source material then pulls it back.
Imagine, if you will, a world where Mr. Bennet takes his favorite daughter to the continent to recreate his 'Grand Tour' for her in a controlled environment. While touring a museum they 'rescue' a lost Georgiana Darcy who is visiting with her father & his second son Fitzwilliam. Mr. Bennet and Mr. Darcy become best of friends and continue their tour together; while the eldest Darcy, Stanley, runs Pemberley in their absence.
Upon their return home Lizzy and Georgiana become corespondents and friends while their fathers also write frequently. When Mr. Darcy falls ill he begs the Bennets to visit and keep Georgiana company until Fitzwilliam arrives as Stanley isn't a kind or considerate brother or son.
After Mr. Darcy senior's demise Georgiana is sent to school and Fitzwilliam returns to the army. Eventually captain Darcy is sent to India... the pages depicting his time there are heart wrenching. All is not well for Lizzy either and the drama and angst just multiply and multiply. You must reach the final chapter for things to really resolve into a HEA.
But the writing is brilliant, the scenarios aren't out of the realm of possibility and the feelings are honest. Also this book ends. Do I wonder what happens next. Yes I do and that is a good thing.
Imagine, if you will, a world where Mr. Bennet takes his favorite daughter to the continent to recreate his 'Grand Tour' for her in a controlled environment. While touring a museum they 'rescue' a lost Georgiana Darcy who is visiting with her father & his second son Fitzwilliam. Mr. Bennet and Mr. Darcy become best of friends and continue their tour together; while the eldest Darcy, Stanley, runs Pemberley in their absence.
Upon their return home Lizzy and Georgiana become corespondents and friends while their fathers also write frequently. When Mr. Darcy falls ill he begs the Bennets to visit and keep Georgiana company until Fitzwilliam arrives as Stanley isn't a kind or considerate brother or son.
After Mr. Darcy senior's demise Georgiana is sent to school and Fitzwilliam returns to the army. Eventually captain Darcy is sent to India... the pages depicting his time there are heart wrenching. All is not well for Lizzy either and the drama and angst just multiply and multiply. You must reach the final chapter for things to really resolve into a HEA.
But the writing is brilliant, the scenarios aren't out of the realm of possibility and the feelings are honest. Also this book ends. Do I wonder what happens next. Yes I do and that is a good thing.
February 1, 2019
This is a very good book. Don't expect a varation of our beloved characters. The title alone should tell you that the setting is very different. I enjoyed the tale but thought parts were a tad too long. While I enjoyed the description of Darcy's time in India, it could have been shorter. Same for Elizabeth's time at home (what horrid family members and alleged friends!). Their love jorney was adorable but I was a tad exasperated at how long it took them to talk to each other (and the authors many chapters to get there). But, perhaps that was the point for us to realize how long it was taking. But I digress. Wickham has a similar role though he is actually a vicar (gasp!). I was not satisfied by the lack of karma for Jane and Charlotte or even Lord Matlock. I really would have loved for E to give them a set down at the end.
All in all it was an enjoyable book to listen to (audible). I would recommend it to those that enjoy a compeltely different take on our characters. They are not like cannon but have similarities. It was a refreshing change from the usual.
Others have described the plot and so I am not in this review.
All in all it was an enjoyable book to listen to (audible). I would recommend it to those that enjoy a compeltely different take on our characters. They are not like cannon but have similarities. It was a refreshing change from the usual.
Others have described the plot and so I am not in this review.
June 4, 2022
This book is an angst fest but an enjoyable one. I loved the friendship between Darcy, Elizabeth and Georgiana. Poor ODC, they are put through the wringer as every character except Georgiana and Richard, abuses them one way or another. At times, it felt as if Darcy and Elizabeth are two innocent and naive babes in the woods being preyed by everyone around them. But they overcome everything as always. Enjoyed every page.
November 2, 2016
I agree with other reviewers, this is a gripping adventure and a lovely romance. However, the similarity to Pride and Prejudice pretty much ends with names and locations. Oh, and Georgiana being taken in by Wickham. Otherwise, the entire story is new and bears little resemblance to canon. Bingley is not a major character at all and never leases Netherfield. None of the incidents of the assembly, ball, Lydia and Wickham, etc take place. The story is good, the history interesting, but this is not P&P.
December 8, 2025
Darcy is a second son
The narration by Virginia Ferguson is very good. She is animated in her delivery without being over the top and brings the characters to life. Her pace is a touch fast for me, so I slowed down the playback from 1.0 to .95, which worked well for me.
*The following may contain spoilers.
In this Darcy and Elizabeth story, Darcy is a second son with an army career. He and Elizabeth meet much younger, as their fathers are friends. Elizabeth is very close to Georgiana. When Mr. Darcy senior dies, they maintain their friendship via correspondence. Darcy is sent to war in India and is injured and captured. This is where the story becomes a little bit dark, with the start of much suffering for him. There’s a good measure of angst here, with Darcy seriously injured and scarred, and then becomes a prisoner of war.
After thinking him dead, the two girls learn he is alive and they write to him regularly, hoping he will have an opportunity to read the letters when he is released. He receives the letters as he is departing India to return to England and finds encouragement and love within the pages.
I always enjoy the second son trope, which gives Darcy an occupation other than master of Pemberley. As he ponders his return, he wonders if his ugly scars will turn Elizabeth away. He also suffers from PTSD when facing stressful situations. He will face many in this story and has to learn how to manage them when he is triggered.
Meanwhile, Mr. Bennet has died, old Mr. Collins inherits, and Jane marries young Mr. William Collins. Elizabeth is betrayed by friends and family and is being forced to marry a baronet who accosted her, but she refuses and is locked up in her room until she agrees. Darcy comes back to learn his brother has died and he is now the heir to Pemberley. He also learns of Elizabeth’s plight and immediately rushes to Longbourn to take her away and marry her himself.
The baronet isn’t about to easily let Elizabeth go and he insults her. Darcy challenges him to a duel which eventually leads to a charge of murder and a trial. This point I felt suffered a little, not giving our couple a chance to speak at said trial. There were lots of accusations by the baronet’s brother without any rebuttal, yet thankfully, Darcy is found innocent. There were also no repercussions for the accuser. I would have liked to see him at least receive some sort of set down. I also didn’t feel the reader was given sufficient reason for him accusing Darcy, since he knew his brother was not a good man. Simply vengeance, I suppose. Now ODC are faced with the backs of family and society and a forced separation from Georgiana.
Wickham’s circumstances are also different, as Darcy’s older brother had given him the living at Kympton. He’s still a reprobate though, and almost causes a breach in ODC’s marriage. Fortunately, it actually leads to the first real conversation between Elizabeth and Darcy about their true feelings for one another. Wickham isn’t finished though and will cause yet more problems.
I enjoyed the story and the narration. I missed an epilogue.
The narration by Virginia Ferguson is very good. She is animated in her delivery without being over the top and brings the characters to life. Her pace is a touch fast for me, so I slowed down the playback from 1.0 to .95, which worked well for me.
*The following may contain spoilers.
In this Darcy and Elizabeth story, Darcy is a second son with an army career. He and Elizabeth meet much younger, as their fathers are friends. Elizabeth is very close to Georgiana. When Mr. Darcy senior dies, they maintain their friendship via correspondence. Darcy is sent to war in India and is injured and captured. This is where the story becomes a little bit dark, with the start of much suffering for him. There’s a good measure of angst here, with Darcy seriously injured and scarred, and then becomes a prisoner of war.
After thinking him dead, the two girls learn he is alive and they write to him regularly, hoping he will have an opportunity to read the letters when he is released. He receives the letters as he is departing India to return to England and finds encouragement and love within the pages.
I always enjoy the second son trope, which gives Darcy an occupation other than master of Pemberley. As he ponders his return, he wonders if his ugly scars will turn Elizabeth away. He also suffers from PTSD when facing stressful situations. He will face many in this story and has to learn how to manage them when he is triggered.
Meanwhile, Mr. Bennet has died, old Mr. Collins inherits, and Jane marries young Mr. William Collins. Elizabeth is betrayed by friends and family and is being forced to marry a baronet who accosted her, but she refuses and is locked up in her room until she agrees. Darcy comes back to learn his brother has died and he is now the heir to Pemberley. He also learns of Elizabeth’s plight and immediately rushes to Longbourn to take her away and marry her himself.
The baronet isn’t about to easily let Elizabeth go and he insults her. Darcy challenges him to a duel which eventually leads to a charge of murder and a trial. This point I felt suffered a little, not giving our couple a chance to speak at said trial. There were lots of accusations by the baronet’s brother without any rebuttal, yet thankfully, Darcy is found innocent. There were also no repercussions for the accuser. I would have liked to see him at least receive some sort of set down. I also didn’t feel the reader was given sufficient reason for him accusing Darcy, since he knew his brother was not a good man. Simply vengeance, I suppose. Now ODC are faced with the backs of family and society and a forced separation from Georgiana.
Wickham’s circumstances are also different, as Darcy’s older brother had given him the living at Kympton. He’s still a reprobate though, and almost causes a breach in ODC’s marriage. Fortunately, it actually leads to the first real conversation between Elizabeth and Darcy about their true feelings for one another. Wickham isn’t finished though and will cause yet more problems.
I enjoyed the story and the narration. I missed an epilogue.
September 26, 2016
My rating as a P&P variation would be 2.5 stars. The storyline and characters are so off base that I had to pretend I wasn't reading about Lizzie and Darcy but completely new characters. At times the Storyline and some of my beloved characters portrayal was a bit too far fetched for my tastes. I'm not sure what was worse, Jane's dumb blonde character and her treatment of Lizzie or Elizabeth wearing a Marie Antoinette style dress. Why did I give it 4 stars? Overall, Colonel Darcy was a very interesting premise and very engaging. I loved learning a bit about the Late War in Asia. It was interesting to read about the Mohammedans chopping heads off and officers converting. It made me wonder why we are taught the evils of European colonization and not the Mohammedan colonization that committed many genocides and atrocities far worse and continue to do so to this day. Once the war is over we see the remnants of the scars Colonel Darcy is left with and the his love for Elizabeth which ultimately helps heal those scars. Overall a great read.
July 4, 2019
Colonel Darcy
Darcy is a second son who goes into the military. His brother is friends with Wickham and is just another worthless land holder.
Darcy is captured and kept as a POW and comes home with physical scars and worse, uncontrolled rage.
Lizzy is a childhood friend of Georgiana. When Darcy is gone, Lizzy’s father dies and mr. Collins, Mrs. Bennet, Jane who marries Collins try to sell Lizzy to a different, worthless baron for marriage. She refuses and is locked up in her room with no light, no ability to communicate with anyone. Before she can be rescued she goes through mental hell and her personality changes.
The rest of the book is seemingly about nearly every bad person in England interfering with her and Darcy. Not many happy day I this story. There is a HEA of sorts but when the book ends Darcy and Lizzy are just beginning to lead a normal life but their reputations are pretty much hosed.
Very well written, mostly a sad story about Jack and Diane...whoops, I mean Darcy and Lizzy.
I recommend this book.
Darcy is a second son who goes into the military. His brother is friends with Wickham and is just another worthless land holder.
Darcy is captured and kept as a POW and comes home with physical scars and worse, uncontrolled rage.
Lizzy is a childhood friend of Georgiana. When Darcy is gone, Lizzy’s father dies and mr. Collins, Mrs. Bennet, Jane who marries Collins try to sell Lizzy to a different, worthless baron for marriage. She refuses and is locked up in her room with no light, no ability to communicate with anyone. Before she can be rescued she goes through mental hell and her personality changes.
The rest of the book is seemingly about nearly every bad person in England interfering with her and Darcy. Not many happy day I this story. There is a HEA of sorts but when the book ends Darcy and Lizzy are just beginning to lead a normal life but their reputations are pretty much hosed.
Very well written, mostly a sad story about Jack and Diane...whoops, I mean Darcy and Lizzy.
I recommend this book.
December 17, 2017
This was an excellent story which was very emotional on many levels. Fitzwilliam Darcy was the second son in this story and chose a military career to earn his living. Traveling to Europe with his father and Georgiana is when they meet Thomas Bennet and his thirteen year old daughter, Elizabeth. Both families were taken with each other because of their similar interests. Fitzwilliam was shocked to find out that Elizabeth could speak Latin and Greek better than himself. Even though there was a great span in age, she and Georgiana took to each other as sisters. After Mr. Darcy's death, Fitzwilliam is sent to fight in India. His older brother, Stanley, not wanting to deal with Georgiana sends her to school. Both Elizabeth and Georgiana write to one another and to Fitzwilliam. When he is reported dead both girls are broken. When a French doctor writes to tell them that Fitzwilliam is very much alive but a prisoner of war, both girls vow to write him weekly. I found those years spent as a prisoner was sometimes difficult to read, because of his wounds, sickness, and inhumane treatment. Years pass. Elizabeth is now 19. Mr. Bennet has died. Elder Collins and his son take over Longbourn. Jane marries the silly, stupid son to give the family a home. Elder Collins expects Elizabeth to marry the evil neighbor, Sir Clements. Doesn't love her, just wants to possess her. She gets a message to Georgiana, but her family won't bother to help. By the time Darcy finally gets released and comes back to England, Elizabeth has been locked in her room for over a month. Before Darcy arrived, his brother is killed in a carriage accident in London. Darcy now is the heir of Pemberley and all its riches. Darcy rescues her and marries her the very next day. One would think happiness is theirs. But no, we have a duel, arrest of Darcy, Lord Matlock's accusations, snubbing of Elizabeth by the town, removal of Georgiana from Darcy and Elizabeth, and last but not least the introduction of the slimy wicked Wickham, who is the cleric of Kympton. He was the godson of elder Mr. Darcy and brother Stanley's best friend therefore was given this position. Foolishness on his part takes care of Wickham for the time being and foolishness on Lord Matlock's part gives back Georgiana's guardianship back to the Darcys part of the year. Through Kitty's marriage and the new cleric of Kympton, Mr. Painter, Elizabeth's tainted reputation is restored when the lies of Collins, Sir Clements and his brother are refuted. Elizabeth never again establishes a relationship with Mrs. Bennet, Jane, or Charlotte for their betrayal. The weaving of this story was intricate and very heartbreaking in parts, but when happiness stuck it was so enjoyable.
September 1, 2016
Mr. Underwood hits the mark - again
This is a completely AU story, but I am so grateful that this wonderful author placed it within JAFF or I would never have found it. Parts are historically dramatic, parts are certainly melodramatic, but all of it was riveting. The angst is almost unrelenting but the characterizations and plot kept me turning pages way too late into the night, and back again at first light. Dear Mr. Underwood, keep writing and I promise to keep thanking you with donations to DWB.
This is a completely AU story, but I am so grateful that this wonderful author placed it within JAFF or I would never have found it. Parts are historically dramatic, parts are certainly melodramatic, but all of it was riveting. The angst is almost unrelenting but the characterizations and plot kept me turning pages way too late into the night, and back again at first light. Dear Mr. Underwood, keep writing and I promise to keep thanking you with donations to DWB.
March 26, 2018
Mr bennet has taken a young Elizabeth on a tour of the continent where they meet and befriend Mr Darcy who is travelling with his second son Fitzwilliam and daughter Georgina. There friendship spans many years and distance as Fitzwilliam is sent to India and Elizabeth catches the unwelcome eye of a local gentleman.
It was an enjoyable non-canon story though I not sure I particularly liked any of the main characters. There is no Caroline Bingley, Hursts,Lady Catherine or Anne de Bourgh and very little of a character called Charles Bingley though there is a vicar called Wickham. And certainly nothing about accepting any faults, even if they had any, so the two main characters didn't change or grow.
It was an enjoyable non-canon story though I not sure I particularly liked any of the main characters. There is no Caroline Bingley, Hursts,Lady Catherine or Anne de Bourgh and very little of a character called Charles Bingley though there is a vicar called Wickham. And certainly nothing about accepting any faults, even if they had any, so the two main characters didn't change or grow.
January 29, 2025
I'm a slut for pride and prejudice, and this book was right up my alley as far as fanfic goes
April 30, 2017
“In World War One, they called it shell shock. Second time around, they called it battle fatigue. After ‘Nam, it was post-traumatic stress disorder.” Jan Karon, Home to Holly Springs
This was not your ordinary P&P variation. This was so far outside the box that it was hard to recognize anyone. Not one Austen character resembles their canon persona. Who were these people?? Perhaps the senior gentlemen Bennet and Darcy were closest to themselves but not anyone else. The gentlemen met while traveling the continent and taking in the sites. From that time forward they were the best of friends and routinely corresponded with each other until their deaths. Their children, Georgiana and Lizzy, had also become the best of friends. Fitzwilliam enjoyed their company until his unit was shipped overseas to India.
“Fire is the test of gold; adversity, of strong men.” Martha Graham
Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley, Derbyshire, lived after being a POW [prisoner of war]. Only men and women, who have survived war, and those that love them, will understand.
“One who gains strength by overcoming obstacles possesses the only strength which can overcome adversity.” Albert Schweitzer
Debbie B., Sheila M., and others, have written most excellent reviews. I just don’t have it in me to attempt to write something. There are other reviews that will give more details. This hurt my heart to see our dear couple put through the wringer with such angst. I thought this would never end. The wave after wave of angst, hurt, deceit, betrayal, cruelty, greed and villainy was simply too much.
To take the close relationship between Lizzy and her dear sister Jane, and twist it the way our author did… was… not nice. I won’t even touch what happened with Charlotte. It was like the author took every character that was close to Lizzy in canon and twisted it. What the family did to Lizzy was unimaginable. I am sure it happened during Regency time… but I simply cannot wrap my modern brain around that travesty.
“A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” Christopher Reeve
This was not your ordinary P&P variation. This was so far outside the box that it was hard to recognize anyone. Not one Austen character resembles their canon persona. Who were these people?? Perhaps the senior gentlemen Bennet and Darcy were closest to themselves but not anyone else. The gentlemen met while traveling the continent and taking in the sites. From that time forward they were the best of friends and routinely corresponded with each other until their deaths. Their children, Georgiana and Lizzy, had also become the best of friends. Fitzwilliam enjoyed their company until his unit was shipped overseas to India.
“Fire is the test of gold; adversity, of strong men.” Martha Graham
Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley, Derbyshire, lived after being a POW [prisoner of war]. Only men and women, who have survived war, and those that love them, will understand.
“One who gains strength by overcoming obstacles possesses the only strength which can overcome adversity.” Albert Schweitzer
Debbie B., Sheila M., and others, have written most excellent reviews. I just don’t have it in me to attempt to write something. There are other reviews that will give more details. This hurt my heart to see our dear couple put through the wringer with such angst. I thought this would never end. The wave after wave of angst, hurt, deceit, betrayal, cruelty, greed and villainy was simply too much.
To take the close relationship between Lizzy and her dear sister Jane, and twist it the way our author did… was… not nice. I won’t even touch what happened with Charlotte. It was like the author took every character that was close to Lizzy in canon and twisted it. What the family did to Lizzy was unimaginable. I am sure it happened during Regency time… but I simply cannot wrap my modern brain around that travesty.
“A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” Christopher Reeve
January 26, 2018
I really liked the plot.
ODC meet on travels through the continent while Lizzy is still a child, creating a deep friendship between her and Georgiana and theire fathers. Darcy as a second son join the army fighting in India. He is wounded and captured. When the war is over he reseives a bundle of letters from his sister and Lizzy who have been writing him every other week since he was captured.
Lizzy is in deep trouble at Longbourne, sir Clement who has the lease on Netherfield is making unwelcoming advances, supported by Jane, Charlotte and mrs Bennet.
Will Darcy come home in time to rescue her...
She is scorne by the ton and both his and hers family. The question is will love prevail and will they even tell eachother of theire love.
A lot of the caracters in this book are altered compared to Canon even ODC but in this setting I think it fits well.
The angst level is about medium, not unbearable but definitively captivating.
Worthwhile to read but to get 5 stars it would ned more passion and dept.
This is my first book of this author and I will definitively read more of his work.
ODC meet on travels through the continent while Lizzy is still a child, creating a deep friendship between her and Georgiana and theire fathers. Darcy as a second son join the army fighting in India. He is wounded and captured. When the war is over he reseives a bundle of letters from his sister and Lizzy who have been writing him every other week since he was captured.
Lizzy is in deep trouble at Longbourne, sir Clement who has the lease on Netherfield is making unwelcoming advances, supported by Jane, Charlotte and mrs Bennet.
Will Darcy come home in time to rescue her...
She is scorne by the ton and both his and hers family. The question is will love prevail and will they even tell eachother of theire love.
A lot of the caracters in this book are altered compared to Canon even ODC but in this setting I think it fits well.
The angst level is about medium, not unbearable but definitively captivating.
Worthwhile to read but to get 5 stars it would ned more passion and dept.
This is my first book of this author and I will definitively read more of his work.
September 14, 2016
I found the premise of the book to be interesting. Darcy and Elizabeth know each other from childhood. They correspond as Darcy travels with the army to India. They each find inspiration from the other to get through tough times. At one point they come back together in person but then take a long while to admit they love each other. From there we have Wickham etc. as usual. I liked the first 33% of the book. The middle dragged on forever and the end was very abrupt.
February 29, 2020
This would get somewhere between a 2.5 and a 3 from me. I'm always willing to go down a new path and enjoyed the concept of Darcy being a second son and military man. I also found the premise of Darcy and Georgiana forming a life long friendship with Lizzy when they were all much longer as a fun twist. I did love the steady and unwavering affection and trust between D & E throughout every trial they faced. Their relationship was so sweet and pure, however, it is that very trust and affection which steadily grew to love on both sides that makes it so hard to accept and to read how they both dealt with that romantic side of their relationship. It doesn't seem plausible that they could both go on for so very long as man and wife madly in love and openly affectionate without any declaration and in such a celibate way for so long when they only had each other. The angst was a little too much and too over the top for me at many times as well. While there were some enjoyable aspects to this book, there were also many times I was either rolling my eyes or wanting to throw the book across the room.
March 7, 2025
I absolutely adore Regency Romance stories in general, make it an Elizabeth and Darcy story and I'm hooked. So, the fact that I only gave 1.5 🌟 should warn readers.
1st issue, this is so far from the traditional story line, I don't think it's fair to call ot an Elizabeth and Darcy story. Change the names and it might have been a 3.5 🌟 read.
What the author did to Jane and Charlotte's characters and Cousin Fitzwilliam's initially is absolutely abhorrent. I almost DNF-ed right then.
2nd issue, what in the world is with the repetition of expression three times? By the end I wanted to throw things. I think the book could have been 5 pages shorter if the author had written like a normal person expresses themselves.
Finally, while not a deal breaker, the entire scene when Elizabeth walks us through how she'll get dressed and leave her gowns thrown about for poor Sara to tiddy up, before she goes to meet Wickham, was tedious, completely unnecessary, and a waste of time.
This was my first Timothy Underwood book, and it will be my last. Elizabeth and Darcy's story should never be this horribly disrespected.
1st issue, this is so far from the traditional story line, I don't think it's fair to call ot an Elizabeth and Darcy story. Change the names and it might have been a 3.5 🌟 read.
What the author did to Jane and Charlotte's characters and Cousin Fitzwilliam's initially is absolutely abhorrent. I almost DNF-ed right then.
2nd issue, what in the world is with the repetition of expression three times? By the end I wanted to throw things. I think the book could have been 5 pages shorter if the author had written like a normal person expresses themselves.
Finally, while not a deal breaker, the entire scene when Elizabeth walks us through how she'll get dressed and leave her gowns thrown about for poor Sara to tiddy up, before she goes to meet Wickham, was tedious, completely unnecessary, and a waste of time.
This was my first Timothy Underwood book, and it will be my last. Elizabeth and Darcy's story should never be this horribly disrespected.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 7, 2023
I am conflicted. It was good, but there was soooo much angst & it was honestly a little depressing how ODC just could NOT catch a damn break!!
I’m just not cut out to read books where I have to sit on the edge of my seat through the entire read & I can’t even properly enjoy it because I have to skim until I get to the part I need to find out everything turned out favorably.
So if angst & heart palpitations is something you live for then this book is for you! For me, I just wanted our lovers to catch a damn break & live HEA. And by the end of the book I really didn’t feel like they had achieved what was due to them after so many consecutive hardships. I think they deserved better & I have never been happier to be done with a book. Definitely not a re-read.
Also, why the author got so stuck in repetitions I’ll never know, but I could have most certainly done without them, without them….with out them.
I’m just not cut out to read books where I have to sit on the edge of my seat through the entire read & I can’t even properly enjoy it because I have to skim until I get to the part I need to find out everything turned out favorably.
So if angst & heart palpitations is something you live for then this book is for you! For me, I just wanted our lovers to catch a damn break & live HEA. And by the end of the book I really didn’t feel like they had achieved what was due to them after so many consecutive hardships. I think they deserved better & I have never been happier to be done with a book. Definitely not a re-read.
Also, why the author got so stuck in repetitions I’ll never know, but I could have most certainly done without them, without them….with out them.
February 25, 2018
A good story
This story is an interesting Pride and Prejudice variation that does not follow the original at all. In this story Darcy, Georgiana and Elizabeth become acquainted at much younger ages on the continent, when they were travelling with their fathers. Darcy in this is a younger son and joins the military. He is sent to India, where he is captured. Georgiana and Elizabeth faithfully send him letters which he only receives on his release. While he is capture Elizabeth has been going through her own trials after her father dies. The story continues from there with dome unique twists and the usual bad guy of Wickham. The characters are mostly true to form and this is a good read.
This story is an interesting Pride and Prejudice variation that does not follow the original at all. In this story Darcy, Georgiana and Elizabeth become acquainted at much younger ages on the continent, when they were travelling with their fathers. Darcy in this is a younger son and joins the military. He is sent to India, where he is captured. Georgiana and Elizabeth faithfully send him letters which he only receives on his release. While he is capture Elizabeth has been going through her own trials after her father dies. The story continues from there with dome unique twists and the usual bad guy of Wickham. The characters are mostly true to form and this is a good read.
November 8, 2025
The story was very different from canon, though I don't mind as long as it's a Elizabeth&Darcy story and the two didn't be out of character.
Elizabeth, after being forced, prisoned,betrayed, was a little vulnerable and nervous. Darcy, came back from war and injured at face, had difficulty to control his emotions.
They both felt took advantage of each other's situation, though they were tolerably happy even before they solved misunderstanding.
Generally I like the story. However, I don't like Mrs.B actually got reward(money) after she abused E. Charlotte didn't get her justice(She played a great role in Elizabeth's dilemma). And Darcy's uncle and the society firmly believed Elizabeth was fortunate hunter with loose morals. I don't like society treating Elizabeth bad.
Elizabeth, after being forced, prisoned,betrayed, was a little vulnerable and nervous. Darcy, came back from war and injured at face, had difficulty to control his emotions.
They both felt took advantage of each other's situation, though they were tolerably happy even before they solved misunderstanding.
Generally I like the story. However, I don't like Mrs.B actually got reward(money) after she abused E. Charlotte didn't get her justice(She played a great role in Elizabeth's dilemma). And Darcy's uncle and the society firmly believed Elizabeth was fortunate hunter with loose morals. I don't like society treating Elizabeth bad.
March 26, 2020
Loved this unusual take in our favorite couple
In this story D and E meet when they are very young... Just on the cusp of adulthood. They become great friends with just a hint of the romantic feelings that will grow as they mature. After some amgst on the home front (courtesy of a particularly nasty, brutish suitor) E is actually rescued by our hero, D...on my to face social isolation. Our poor girl seems unable to catch a break. Enter Wickham, who deapite his best efforts actually brings our D and E closer together, resolves a myriad or misunderstandings, and turns the tide of the story. Truly a fast-paced, well-written plot with great characters new and old!
In this story D and E meet when they are very young... Just on the cusp of adulthood. They become great friends with just a hint of the romantic feelings that will grow as they mature. After some amgst on the home front (courtesy of a particularly nasty, brutish suitor) E is actually rescued by our hero, D...on my to face social isolation. Our poor girl seems unable to catch a break. Enter Wickham, who deapite his best efforts actually brings our D and E closer together, resolves a myriad or misunderstandings, and turns the tide of the story. Truly a fast-paced, well-written plot with great characters new and old!
January 27, 2025
I enjoyed this retelling of pride and prejudice immensely. With the main character all in the story makes it seem so familiar like old friends yet the change in story gives it a breath of fresh air. Having the perspective of both Elizabeth and Darcy at the different parts of the book makes them all the more endearing. For those who don’t like spice there is a rather steamy section on page 280 where it describes the state of undress in the morning after they made love. Otherwise everything else is hinted at and not explicitly mentioned.
December 13, 2017
Elizabeth is locked in a room when she refuses to marry the man her mother wants her to. Fitzwilliam comes to the rescue. But the damage is done and her reputation is lost. Times are hard for the couple. I enjoyed the book but I thought the agony was a bit drawn out. Also Fitzwilliam was the hero’s first name and the last name of another character. It got very confusing at times to figure out who they were talking about.
March 30, 2021
As with any variation story, it’s always a bit unsettling to see some of the characters that I previously knew and loved portrayed in a completely different way. Still, the base elements of the plot remain. With Darcy going off to fight in India and Lizzie having known Darcy and Georgina since childhood, the story trajectory was a bit different. I really did enjoy the suspenseful moments as well as how they were resolved in the end. Overall a satisfying read.
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