Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Compromised: A Pride and Prejudice Variation Novella

Rate this book
Elizabeth Bennet has taken to walking near Hunsford to avoid any more chance encounters with Mr. Darcy while he visits his aunt at Rosings. When that very man comes to aid her during a rainstorm, Mr. Collins catches them unawares. Certain Elizabeth's virtue has been compromised, Mr. Collins insists on their immediate marriage. Darcy claims he intended to marry Elizabeth all along. Lady Catherine is furious. Mr. Collins is adamant. The rest of their friends and family hardly know what to say. Can our dear couple overcome the challenges of such a precipitous wedding?Compromised is a clean Regency romance novella, a variation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.

54 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 3, 2017

20 people are currently reading
47 people want to read

About the author

Cressida Lane

2 books6 followers

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
19 (15%)
4 stars
38 (31%)
3 stars
47 (39%)
2 stars
13 (10%)
1 star
3 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
Profile Image for Les.
2,911 reviews1 follower
January 5, 2018
3.5 rounded up

This is a unique P&P what if that has Darcy heading across Rosings in the rain to find Lizzy who is reading Jane's letter. When they speak he embarrassingly points out that the rain has made her a bit indecent and insists she use his coat. As they arrive at the parsonage Mr. Collins misinterprets everything and declares Lizzy compromised and insists upon a wedding and some how Lady Catherine agrees; which I really found absurd and the next morning Mr & Mrs. Bennet arrive and Lizzy gets married. And this was very rushed and weird. This is a short book and I think the author tried to shoehorn too much story in.
While this is a 'forced marriage scenario' you don't need a trigger warning unless you are triggered by kind, considerate and loving men.
When Lizzy and Darcy arrive at Pemberley his is often busy but never cruel, he gives Lizzy the space to come to terms with her new life and her new marriage. When they finally get ready to formalize their relationship Georgiana returns suddenly and in distress having run into Wickham in Brighton.

Now this is a great twist and I really liked it this gave both Lizzy and Darcy a chance to change the course of Lydia's future but the author instead shoehorns in Lydia's elopement and ODC heads for London. Lizzy stays with the Gardiners while Darcy Stays at Darcy house. What, what What?? This makes no sense why would a Wookie live on Endor? Why wouldn't Mrs. Darcy stay with her husband? The author wants to create angst but it would have been a better book without it.

Poor Darcy & Lizzy have to wait forever to consummate their marriage
Profile Image for Debbie.
1,681 reviews81 followers
December 28, 2017
I've read a bunch of stories where Darcy and Elizabeth are observed in an apparent compromising position and must marry. It's always in Hertfordshire, though. This time it's in Kent. Nice idea.

While that's a good twist, part of why I can't rate this higher has to do with those same circumstances as well as the reactions of Mr. Collins and Lady Catherine. Mr. Collins is the one who discovers his cousin and the esteemed nephew of his patroness in an apparent embrace. While I understand his agitation, I'd expect him to try to hide it from everyone, especially Lady Catherine. He ought to be terrified that she'll be furious with HIM for having Elizabeth as a guest in his home. Instead, it's his response that guarantees this won't be kept secret. And Lady C., while she's unpleasant about it, doesn't put up as much of a fight about losing Darcy as a husband for her daughter Anne than I would expect.

I do enjoy both this Elizabeth and this Darcy. He's almost too good to be true, but you sure can tell how much he loves her, even though she doesn't for the first part of the book. What makes THIS interesting is that it's written from Elizabeth's point of view. She gradually recognizes that there's more to Darcy than she ever suspected. However, it still takes some time, conversations and observations for her to go from disliking him, to acknowledging his better qualities, to learning how wrong she was about him, to eventually realizing she loves him.

The writing itself is very good, and the romance that develops between Darcy and Elizabeth is nicely done. I like the ideas in here but feel the "compromise" itself should have been handled differently and that more could have been done to develop the story.
Profile Image for Sheila Majczan.
2,693 reviews205 followers
December 26, 2017
3.5 stars

This novella follows canon but begins at Hunsford when Darcy meets Elizabeth while she is out walking in the rain. She has not dressed for rain and so Darcy has to lend her his coat as the rain causes her garments to cling in a most revealing fashion. Later the coat begins to slip, he reaches to secure it and Mr. Collins appears shouting, "Compromise".

I must say that the Darcy of this tale is very gentlemanly however his past errors are mentioned... but then corrected.

This was a very short read with no angst at all.
Profile Image for Sara.
411 reviews32 followers
January 24, 2018
Not much to say. The writing is meh. The plot was somewhat interesting but its way to compressed to be worth reading. I've read others that were done better. So much did not make sense. Why didn't her father ask what happened. Why did everyone believe Mr. Collins? Just didn't work for me.
Profile Image for Carol Perrin.
607 reviews28 followers
July 6, 2017
Compromised: A Pride and Prejudice Variation Novella

Thanks to Mr. Collins' untimely intervention, Darcy and Elizabeth are caught under a tree in the rain. Darcy had given Elizabeth his coat because he dress became see through when wet. They had stopped at the tree because Darcy, in a fit of jealousy thinking she preferred his cousin instead of him, stopped her grasping her arms. Enter Collins. Unfortunately, I think Charlotte unwittingly had something to do with the whole fiasco. Sputtering nonsense about her compromise, then has the unmitigated gall to March them before Lady Catherine. Yeah, got that right. What a jolly time was had by all. Wedding takes place the next day with the Bennets arriving from Longbourn. The Darcys head to Pemberley. During the first couple of weeks, Darcy and Elizabeth have very little contact. Jane and Bingley's separation is discussed and Darcy resolves to fix this problem. Wickham is not addressed because several of the maids have told Elizabeth about George Wickham and how he has mistreated the Darcys. On the night they were going to embark on that long awaited wedding night, Georgiana Darcy flies through the front door of Pemberley in tears. She has seen Wickham at Brighton. Just as she's calmed down, the next day brings the awful letters from Longbourn. Traveling to London with Darcy, Darcy helps them locate wicked Wickham and stupid Lydia. The men see the two fools married before heading back to Longbourn for Jane's wedding. Elizabeth is sure since the marriage has not be consummated, he'll leave her at Longbourn when they arrive for Bingley and Jane's wedding. Darcy gives her an unexpected laugh, telling her that no way was he letting her go that he's loved her for so long that nothing could change his mind. He was not totally unhappy with Collins' accusations. The long awaited honeymoon night was upon them at their return to Pemberley. Good story.
Profile Image for Talia.
970 reviews4 followers
March 10, 2019
Bam. This one ends abruptly. Starts ok but super abrupt end. No idea why that happened!
Profile Image for Elin Eriksen.
Author 24 books159 followers
January 26, 2018
An enjoyable story with a "compromise" at Hunsford, greatly exaggerated by Mr Collins.
The results are the same though and the road to an understanding was bumpy but nicely developed. About an hour read from start to finish it was cleverly done and did not feel rushed.

Recommend this story
3,462 reviews42 followers
June 5, 2024
This was a quick read of fiftyish pages. Elizabeth and Darcy are out in the rain in Hunsford, he gets jealous of the colonel, and Mr. Collins sees them standing very close together in somewhat improper attire. He insists that they must marry to preserve what's left of her reputation. (He was seemingly the only witness so all Collins had to do to preserve her reputation was to keep his own mouth shut.)

Anyway, Darcy of course is in love with her so he is not opposed to the scheme. Elizabeth is mad at him but feels like she's out of other options. They marry and spend some time at Pemberley studiously avoiding each other until there's a Wickham episode and she finds herself in love with him.

It was mostly OK, some amusing phrases, occasionally feels a bit bland and rushed. There's very little interaction between the married couple that is not about their respective sisters.

I never really understood why Georgiana was so weepy when she arrived. She had seen Wickham again but didn't speak to him and had travelled a long way afterwards so one would think she would have had time to calm the heck down during the trip. (And really? Darcy allowed her to go to Brighton where Wicky was known to be?)

Steam level: We know when but not what they're doing.
652 reviews13 followers
January 6, 2018
This is a very short story, taking about 30 minutes to read. Mr Collins finds Darcy and Elizabeth in what he believes is a compromising position and insists they marry. I struggled with this aspect of the story as I don't think Collins very likely to force the issue. However, if you can overlook this, the rest of the story is quite good.

All the issues in the original are dealt with - Wickham and the separation of Bingley and Jane. As they are married, Darcy and Elizabeth are forced to work these things out. This story spans a number of months with only limited interaction between the characters. The several days travel to Pemberley consist of Darcy riding alongside the carriage - so no talking. Then Elizabeth doesn't see him for 4 days after they arrive.

There were some things I didn't like, some things I did so overall have rated this as a 3 star.
280 reviews
May 26, 2024
Trying to avoid Mr. Darcy has backfired, now, he's to marry Miss Elizabeth Bennet.

Mr. Collins is his interfering self, jumping to conclusions seeing Mr. Darcy and his cousin Elizabeth close together under a tree he cries "Compromise " , while Lady Catherine Debourghe insists they marry as soon as possible. That's right, as soon as possible. Tensions run high as a lack of open communication and misunderstandings abound. Add in Lydia Bennet leaving Brighton with George Wickham , this could spell disaster for the marriage and both families. This is a quick read. Sit back and enjoy !
Profile Image for Susan.
7,268 reviews69 followers
December 26, 2017
While out walking ar Rosings, Elizabeth is caught in the rain. When Darcy goes looking for her, it is Collins who states that Darcy and Elizabeth have been compromised and must marry immediately. But all is not well with the Bennet family or the Darcy marriage.
A short story which was too quick in the telling.
Profile Image for Angela Withrow TheArdentReader.
242 reviews15 followers
December 9, 2017
Thoroughly enjoyable!

This was a very good variation Mr Collins was pompous as always. Mr. Darcy was completely himself as well the only one I thought out of character was Lady Catherine who did not have a complete conniption fit when Darcy said he would marry Elizabeth. I enjoyed the writing it was very well done and. Perfect I will definitely look for more from this author.
1,391 reviews4 followers
September 7, 2020
Interesting impressive

I enjoyed reading the twist and turns of the marriage of Darcy and Elizabeth. Highly entertaining and very delightfully written. Elizabeth becomes in tune with her feelings after marriage to Darcy. Darcy realised mistakes after marriage. Wickham is still intruding. Highly recommended to anyone to read
328 reviews1 follower
June 2, 2024
Strange but Quick

That Mr Collins bullied everyone, including Lady Catherine, into agreeing that the 'compromised' couple needed to marry was strange. But how Lizzy came to know and love her husband was satisfying and, thankfully, quick.
Profile Image for Kimberleigh.
170 reviews
December 12, 2017
No variation on a classic can ever be as good as the original; however, I've read some very good variations of Pride and Prejudice. Skip this one. Too much fluff. Not enough substance.
36 reviews1 follower
March 11, 2020
Interesting

This was interesting, but I think it took them to long to start talking and I felt it was to short.
Profile Image for Ariel.
106 reviews43 followers
July 2, 2021
Interesting

Very short novella and a quick read that shows another side of Darcy and Elizabeth and their relationship. With a happy ending.
Profile Image for Bethany.
97 reviews
June 17, 2024
I'm not really into variations, but I wanted a quick read. Some parts were kind of ridiculous, but it was fun and I appreciate the attempt to write in the style of Jane Austen.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.