An Overheard Proposal: Darcy and Elizabeth What If? #13

by Jennifer Lang

Novella length. All the novellas in the Darcy and Elizabeth What If? series are separate, standalone stories. They can be read in any order.
What if Lady Catherine's companion had overheard Mr Darcy proposing to Elizabeth at Rosings? When Lady Catherine fears her nephew is to marry Miss Elizabeth Bennet, she allows her daughter, Anne, to marry Colonel Fitzwilliam. Anne feels indebted to Elizabeth, and in an effort to thank her she persuades Mr Bingley to return to Netherfield. Mr Darcy joins his friend, and Elizabeth is brought face to face with Mr Darcy at a second Netherfield ball.

196 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 10, 2018

About the author

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

Reviews

[Les · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the 13th book of a UNRELATED Series the only common theme being P&P. You do not have to read the previous books or in any order just dive in the water is fine. Also this is a clean book.

This is a shortish novella. So why am I struggling over my review and ratings? Because while I have despaired of more books from this author; she previously published every few months and then disappeared in 2016, this wasn't the book I have been waiting for.

Where I found myself disappointed was that I felt there were too many subplots for one shortish book. Especially one that really takes place over about a month and half to two months. We begin at Hunsford and immediately introduce a new character Lady Catherine's companion / aide de camp who is at Lady C's beck and call. She is Lady C's eyes and ears. This Lady C is aware that Miss Bennet makes Anne look inferior in comparison but honestly the scenes of Lady C plotting against Lizzy didn't ring true to me.
Then there are just twists, turns and plot devices that got overwhelming. Eventually everyone ends up in Hertfordshire where much of the last 3rd of P&P is squeezed into a 2 week period.

Then there are typos / errors like Col. Fitwilliam, Hertfirdshire, tf, and Miss Anne deBourgh still called that after her marriage.

I did really like the improved, clever Anne de Bourgh of the story and would have enjoyed the book more if it was just about her.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is pretty much what I've come to expect from Jennifer Lang's "What If" collection of Pride and Prejudice novella-length variations. It's an enjoyable read that's nicely (and grammatically!) written, though there's a smattering of spelling/editing-type errors. The story is pleasant, shaking up the pivotal plot points enough to keep it interesting. For the most part, all the players are in their usual roles... Darcy and Elizabeth, Bingley and Jane, Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, Mr. Collins, Lady Catherine, Anne de Bourgh, Colonel Fitzwilliam, Mr. Wickham, Lydia, etc., etc.

Our story begins in Kent, with all the preceding P&P events already having occurred as in canon. The first significant change here is that Lady Catherine has a companion, Hannah, who is also a loyal spy for Her Ladyship. Both women are suspicious that Darcy shows perhaps a bit too much interest in Mrs. Collins' friend, Elizabeth Bennet. Their fears are confirmed when Hannah hides in the bushes outside the window as Darcy makes his ill-expressed marriage proposal at Hunsford (although Hannah doesn't stick around long enough to hear Elizabeth's answer).

Darcy leaves, and Lady C. comes charging into the parsonage shortly after, spewing her usual vitriol. Interestingly, she doesn't believe Elizabeth is being sincere when she quickly agrees not to marry Darcy. Nor is she appeased when Darcy, once confronted, tells her Elizabeth declined his proposal. Like Mr. Collins, Lady C. believes it's just Elizabeth's ploy to make Darcy more eager and that the scheming chit will surely agree when a future proposal is made. Darcy lets her know that he never intends to marry Anne. There's a great scene where Colonel Fitzwilliam decides to use Lady C's disappointment to his advantage. The guy is smooth! Oh, and Darcy's letter has a different fate than in canon.

I do appreciate Anne de Bourgh getting a lot of page time here. Good characterization. She and Elizabeth develop a strong friendship, which influences the rest of the story. Also, I like the addition of another eventful Netherfield ball where, once again, the Bennet family exposes its dysfunction to Mr. Darcy.

Ms Lang has developed a really nice series of books here.

[Madenna U · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this Pride and Prejudice variation, Lady Catherine's spy overhears Darcy propose to Elizabeth at Hunsford - but not the rejection. The news sends the plot in a new direction with some interesting twists and additional happily ever afters.

[Carol Perrin · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Overheard Proposal: A Darcy and Elizabeth What If? #13

Another enjoyable "What If?" by author Jennifer Lang. Lady Catherine's ever efficient lady's maid who really spies on everyone for her Ladyship, overhears Darcy's proposal to Elizabeth, but doesn't stay to hear the refusal. Colonel Fitzwilliam and Anne use this upheaval to promote their own love into an approved marriage. Loved this Anne with her take charge attitude to reconnect Darcy with Elizabeth and Bingley with Jane. Anne even manages to fool Caroline Bingley with ease. Darcy saves Lydia Bennet from ruin before she runs off with wicked Wickham and his changed behaviour leaves Elizabeth in confusion. Lady Catherine and her lady's maid, Hannah, are left at Rosings in the dark about Anne's plans and what was going on in Netherfield. I liked that while there was no letter after the disastrous Hunsford proposal and refusal, Anne furnishes Elizabeth with the information about Wickham's evilness and her feelings for Darcy are recognised when all return to Netherfield, and shortly after the second Netherfield Ball ODC become betrothed.

[James S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun novella from the author

I’ve enjoyed almost all of the author’s P&P stories and this is another fun one to read.

My favorite of her stories is ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’. A very poignant and hopeful book. Actually brought me to tears the first time I read it.

[Julia Baldus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet read

Good read, but ending felt rushed. Really enjoyed the twist off the original story and I enjoy seeing Anne be part of the story instead of just being the sickly sidekick to Lady Catherine.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute adaptation of a P&P variation, though it seemed to have more to do with Colonel Fitzwilliam and Anne than Darcy and Elizabeth.