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Mr. Darcy & Elizabeth: The Fashionable and Young: a Pride and Prejudice Variation Romance
"A man who changes his mind would not deserve you, and I am not a man who changes his mind." Elizabeth Bennet is the envy of all her friends. Seventeen years old, beautiful, popular, and well-connected, she is viewed by all as a paragon of youth, freedom, and fashion. No one suspects the lonesomeness and uncertainty of her life--emotions she has slowly learned to bury. When her step-mother banishes her and her elder sister, Jane, to London for the summer holidays, Elizabeth meets a man who seems her total opposite. He is serious while she laughs, structured while she is spontaneous, and independent while she has almost nothing. Yet the unlikely pair find an unexpected kinship amid their mutual sorrows, and before long, Elizabeth realizes she is falling in love with Mr. Darcy. But he is not the only man who has noticed Elizabeth this summer, nor the most eligible. When Elizabeth's noble step-cousin develops designs for her, she finds herself tangled in the unfair expectations of her family, misunderstandings among her friends, and an ultimate decision that may purchase her true freedom. But will it cost her her heart?
299 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 5, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
June 8, 2019
Mr. Bennet marries a woman with connections and money when his first wife dies. Under Regency rules he should have been in charge of the money but in this story he is happy to allow her to rule the roost and pays little attention to his daughters' happiness as they are sent to a boarding school along with their governess after Mrs. Bennet has her own biological son and daughter to see to. She is proud enough to want no bad reflection on her so the step-daughters are dressed in style. But (like the first Mrs. Bennet in canon) she wants nothing more than to marry them off - to get them out of the way. Jane and Elizabeth are "out" so they are the targets for that plan.
When Jane turns down a very eligible man and then is jilted by another (when he learns of how little her dowry is) her step-mother is highly displeased. The saving grace in this story is two-fold. First the two sisters are very popular with their classmates and have invitations to reside with several during the "summer of their isolation in London" and secondly Elizabeth takes this opportunity to seek to get to know her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner, who in-turn give good advice and warm shoulders when needed. It is during this time while attending various events in society with those friends that Elizabeth meets (among others) Mr. Darcy...and overhears an insult (surprise, surprise!).
Elizabeth is not without men who find her attractive although one is a notorious rake while the other, Darcy, has to change his opinion from "they are beneath our notice" to "she is the perfect match for me".
There is not that much actual interaction between Elizabeth and Darcy although we do read of their thoughts. I would have liked to read of more romance, a few touches, embraces, etc. Both are younger in this version. Mr. Bennet, in the final pages, does come to know of what his wife has been doing and takes some action, which is different and satisfying.
When Jane turns down a very eligible man and then is jilted by another (when he learns of how little her dowry is) her step-mother is highly displeased. The saving grace in this story is two-fold. First the two sisters are very popular with their classmates and have invitations to reside with several during the "summer of their isolation in London" and secondly Elizabeth takes this opportunity to seek to get to know her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner, who in-turn give good advice and warm shoulders when needed. It is during this time while attending various events in society with those friends that Elizabeth meets (among others) Mr. Darcy...and overhears an insult (surprise, surprise!).
Elizabeth is not without men who find her attractive although one is a notorious rake while the other, Darcy, has to change his opinion from "they are beneath our notice" to "she is the perfect match for me".
There is not that much actual interaction between Elizabeth and Darcy although we do read of their thoughts. I would have liked to read of more romance, a few touches, embraces, etc. Both are younger in this version. Mr. Bennet, in the final pages, does come to know of what his wife has been doing and takes some action, which is different and satisfying.
July 13, 2019
3.5 rounded up to 4 stars
While this has a vastly different plot than the original Pride and Prejudice, I recognize a strong similarity in Mr. Darcy being almost a background character until close to the end. It's the 1995 miniseries and JAFF that's turned him into a primary character throughout the book. We forget that Jane Austen's Mr. Darcy seems like an incidental character just on the periphery of Elizabeth's notice (and the reader's, for that matter) right up until she learns he interfered between Jane and Bingley. He's still off-page most of the time during the rest of the book, too.
This point of view in this story is primarily--but not exclusively--Elizabeth Bennet's. She and Darcy are both younger here; she's only seventeen. Jane, Mary, Kitty and Elizabeth are Mr. Bennet's children from his first marriage, the first Mrs. Bennet having died years ago. He's now married to Lady Sarah, sister to Earl Radcliffe, and they have two other young children together.
Financially, the Bennet family is better off, but only to a point. It has not increased the dowries for Lady Sarah's stepdaughters much and, while she has not been overtly cruel in the past, she is manipulative and wants them married ASAP to relieve Longbourn the expense of supporting them.
When Jane turns down a marriage proposal from a highly eligible gentleman, Lady Sarah is livid. As punishment, she arranges for Jane and Elizabeth to remain at their London boarding school through the summer instead of returning to Longbourn with their younger sisters, and she deprives them of Miss Watson, their companion. She assumes they'll be miserable in such isolation.
Despite her intention, it turns out to be quite an eventful summer. The two accept invitations to stay with school friends and with the Gardiners (a connection that Lady Sarah has never stooped to recognize, Mr. Gardiner being a mere tradesman and the brother of the former Mrs. Bennet).
Elizabeth first encounters Mr. Darcy at a concert at Vauxhall Gardens where, true to tradition, she overhears him making insulting remarks about her and Jane. (Again, this is years earlier than the usual P&P timeframe. The senior Mr. Darcy's death is a more recent occurrence, though Darcy is clearly out of mourning.) Through the Gardiners, Jane meets Mr. Dixon, a successful businessman. Mindful of Lady Sarah's displeasure and hoping to make amends, Jane encourages his attentions.
During their stay with Miss Juliana Whipple and then later with the Misses Campbell, Elizabeth and Jane attend numerous parties, concerts, and balls. Mr. Darcy is sometimes in attendance, as the Whipples are his cousins and the Campbells also are in his social sphere.
It soon becomes apparent to Elizabeth that Miss Whipple's major objective in hosting the Bennet sisters is to gain introductions to Earl and Countess Radcliffe and especially to their handsome son, Lord Norwich, despite the latter's scandalous reputation. Unfortunately, Lord Norwich's attention is attracted in a different direction.
I like the basic premise and development of the plot, which is very well constructed, and the writing itself is quite good.
However, there's more introspection and repetition of thoughts than necessary, making the book a lot longer than it needs to be. Mr. Bennet's level of indolence regarding his children by his first marriage is taken too far, especially since we're told several times that Jane and Elizabeth are his favorites. Elizabeth's reason for not writing to appeal to him is weak. Also, considering all that goes on with the Lord Norwich storyline, it's disappointing that we don't find out how he and his mother respond to Darcy's betrothal.
Be aware that this story strays FAR afield from P&P. Obviously, there's no Mrs. Bennet or Lydia. Mary and Kitty stay way in the background. No Mr. Wickham, Mr. Collins, Lucas family, or Mrs. Phillips. No Colonel Fitzwilliam, Lady Catherine, or Anne de Bourgh. Georgiana is mentioned, but she doesn't figure into the plot.
In spite of my reservations and the lack of more similarity to Pride and Prejudice, I like this. Content is clean.
While this has a vastly different plot than the original Pride and Prejudice, I recognize a strong similarity in Mr. Darcy being almost a background character until close to the end. It's the 1995 miniseries and JAFF that's turned him into a primary character throughout the book. We forget that Jane Austen's Mr. Darcy seems like an incidental character just on the periphery of Elizabeth's notice (and the reader's, for that matter) right up until she learns he interfered between Jane and Bingley. He's still off-page most of the time during the rest of the book, too.
This point of view in this story is primarily--but not exclusively--Elizabeth Bennet's. She and Darcy are both younger here; she's only seventeen. Jane, Mary, Kitty and Elizabeth are Mr. Bennet's children from his first marriage, the first Mrs. Bennet having died years ago. He's now married to Lady Sarah, sister to Earl Radcliffe, and they have two other young children together.
Financially, the Bennet family is better off, but only to a point. It has not increased the dowries for Lady Sarah's stepdaughters much and, while she has not been overtly cruel in the past, she is manipulative and wants them married ASAP to relieve Longbourn the expense of supporting them.
When Jane turns down a marriage proposal from a highly eligible gentleman, Lady Sarah is livid. As punishment, she arranges for Jane and Elizabeth to remain at their London boarding school through the summer instead of returning to Longbourn with their younger sisters, and she deprives them of Miss Watson, their companion. She assumes they'll be miserable in such isolation.
Despite her intention, it turns out to be quite an eventful summer. The two accept invitations to stay with school friends and with the Gardiners (a connection that Lady Sarah has never stooped to recognize, Mr. Gardiner being a mere tradesman and the brother of the former Mrs. Bennet).
Elizabeth first encounters Mr. Darcy at a concert at Vauxhall Gardens where, true to tradition, she overhears him making insulting remarks about her and Jane. (Again, this is years earlier than the usual P&P timeframe. The senior Mr. Darcy's death is a more recent occurrence, though Darcy is clearly out of mourning.) Through the Gardiners, Jane meets Mr. Dixon, a successful businessman. Mindful of Lady Sarah's displeasure and hoping to make amends, Jane encourages his attentions.
During their stay with Miss Juliana Whipple and then later with the Misses Campbell, Elizabeth and Jane attend numerous parties, concerts, and balls. Mr. Darcy is sometimes in attendance, as the Whipples are his cousins and the Campbells also are in his social sphere.
It soon becomes apparent to Elizabeth that Miss Whipple's major objective in hosting the Bennet sisters is to gain introductions to Earl and Countess Radcliffe and especially to their handsome son, Lord Norwich, despite the latter's scandalous reputation. Unfortunately, Lord Norwich's attention is attracted in a different direction.
I like the basic premise and development of the plot, which is very well constructed, and the writing itself is quite good.
However, there's more introspection and repetition of thoughts than necessary, making the book a lot longer than it needs to be. Mr. Bennet's level of indolence regarding his children by his first marriage is taken too far, especially since we're told several times that Jane and Elizabeth are his favorites. Elizabeth's reason for not writing to appeal to him is weak. Also, considering all that goes on with the Lord Norwich storyline, it's disappointing that we don't find out how he and his mother respond to Darcy's betrothal.
Be aware that this story strays FAR afield from P&P. Obviously, there's no Mrs. Bennet or Lydia. Mary and Kitty stay way in the background. No Mr. Wickham, Mr. Collins, Lucas family, or Mrs. Phillips. No Colonel Fitzwilliam, Lady Catherine, or Anne de Bourgh. Georgiana is mentioned, but she doesn't figure into the plot.
In spite of my reservations and the lack of more similarity to Pride and Prejudice, I like this. Content is clean.
June 7, 2019
Evil stepmother
I could not enjoy the story. The main evil in the book is a stepmother. She is awful to Jane and Lizzy. Mr. Bennet is vastly different in this story. He incredibly unaware of things happening all around him. It seems he cannot be a learned man with the lack of understanding of what is happening around him.
Most of the characters make fairly stupid mistakes constantly. Also it seems everyone is calm, no matter what is happening. I could not make a connection with any of the characters. When the HEA happened I didn’t get that little surge of happiness a romance novel can give.
I could not enjoy the story. The main evil in the book is a stepmother. She is awful to Jane and Lizzy. Mr. Bennet is vastly different in this story. He incredibly unaware of things happening all around him. It seems he cannot be a learned man with the lack of understanding of what is happening around him.
Most of the characters make fairly stupid mistakes constantly. Also it seems everyone is calm, no matter what is happening. I could not make a connection with any of the characters. When the HEA happened I didn’t get that little surge of happiness a romance novel can give.
April 15, 2020
This is a surprising P&P what if that again has me asking how much is changed before it's something else?
This book features a younger Jane and Lizzy, 18 & 16 respectively. Who are students at a London girls seminary, along with their younger sisters Mary and Catherine and a new character a governess Miss Watson.
Mrs. Bennet (nee Gardiner) died when Lizzy was 5 and several years later Mr. Bennet remarried to the youngest daughter of a Earl. This is Mr. Bennet at his most indolent and pathetic. He allows his wife to run roughshod over him. And Lady Sarah Bennet is a liar and a witch. She doesn't want the Gardiner daughters back at Longbourn she has a young daughter and infant son and has no use for the older girls.
Jane gets a lot more page time in this book but she is so infuriatingly nice you just want to slap her. Lizzy comes to some hard realizations in the course of the story about her place in the world and the shallowness of society.
We are introduced to a younger, though only slightly less proud Fitzwilliam Darcy. he and Lizzy gradually come to appreciate one another. Honestly this conclusion was so protracted that I began to worry that this was going to be a 2 part story.
There was one glaring Manners error of a gentleman shaking hands with Lizzy & Jane. And I'm not sure how the evil stepmother had such a personally profitable wedding settlement. I guess Mr. Bennet is criminally lazy.
Excluding the Gardiners and Darcy there are almost all new characters.
This book features a younger Jane and Lizzy, 18 & 16 respectively. Who are students at a London girls seminary, along with their younger sisters Mary and Catherine and a new character a governess Miss Watson.
Mrs. Bennet (nee Gardiner) died when Lizzy was 5 and several years later Mr. Bennet remarried to the youngest daughter of a Earl. This is Mr. Bennet at his most indolent and pathetic. He allows his wife to run roughshod over him. And Lady Sarah Bennet is a liar and a witch. She doesn't want the Gardiner daughters back at Longbourn she has a young daughter and infant son and has no use for the older girls.
Jane gets a lot more page time in this book but she is so infuriatingly nice you just want to slap her. Lizzy comes to some hard realizations in the course of the story about her place in the world and the shallowness of society.
We are introduced to a younger, though only slightly less proud Fitzwilliam Darcy. he and Lizzy gradually come to appreciate one another. Honestly this conclusion was so protracted that I began to worry that this was going to be a 2 part story.
There was one glaring Manners error of a gentleman shaking hands with Lizzy & Jane. And I'm not sure how the evil stepmother had such a personally profitable wedding settlement. I guess Mr. Bennet is criminally lazy.
Excluding the Gardiners and Darcy there are almost all new characters.
January 19, 2020
My Rating: 3.5*
Mrs. Bennet has died leaving behind four daughters (Jane, Elizabeth, Mary, and Kitty). Mr. Bennet remarries the daughter of an Earl, Lady Sarah. They in turn, have two children. However, once Lady Sarah has her own children, she is no longer interested in her step-children. She convinces Mr. Bennet that they must attend a prestigious finishing school and hires a governess, Mrs. Watson, to attend them there. This is where the story opens several years later.
I found the premise an interesting one and for the most part enjoyed the story. The manipulative and controlling step-mother, Lady Sarah, has only one thing in mind...get Jane and Elizabeth married as soon as possible to someone of wealth with excellent connections that would benefit her. Love in a marriage is not even considered. How she tries to manipulate and guilt-trip both Jane and Elizabeth had differing effects. How she punishes them doesn't give her the desired results either.
"Lady Sarah was never overtly cruel, but she did have a method for punishing those in her innermost circle who did not submit to her control willingly, and Elizabeth was slowly learning that there was more than one way to show cruelty." (quote from the book)
I think Jane's character was well captured as she cannot say anything bad about anyone and always tries to please. Elizabeth is effervescent.
"The sparkle in her eyes, the fire of liveliness in her temper, had never been extinguished or even reduced by the efforts of her school to model her into the very admirable young lady she now was." (quote from the book)
As all the Bennet sisters are younger than in canon, we get to see how they mature, at least Jane and Elizabeth. I even enjoyed Miss Whipple who was such an over-the-top character with shades of Miss Bingley. How Elizabeth and Darcy learn/meet the other was totally different but insults are still made. For me, however, there was just too much repetition at times which made the story drag a bit. I would love to see a sequel to this, as I'd be curious to see what happens with all the sisters!
June 13, 2019
Avid Reader
This is the second book of two, and I was able to read them back to back. Elizabeth and Jane experience many trials and tribulations. Poor Jane turns down a proposal from a man who loved her and then accepts one from a weasel who abandoned her because her dowrey was only three thousand poo pounds. He felt used because he only made 600 pounds a year. He expected Jane to elevate his lifestyle. When she failed him, he verbally abused her to anyone who would listen. Fortunately, Jane had returned to Longbourn when Mr. Dixon brought his fiancee to dinner party held by the Smyths and started his Jane bashing all over again. Elizabeth and the Gardieners leave in her horrified and mortified manner because they began to criticize Elizabeth as well. Elizabeth and Darcy are gradually falling in love, but he had a difficult time finding her after her late-night tried to force her back to Longbourn because Elizabeth refuses Lady Sarah's take of a nephew. Darcy rescued Elizabeth from him twice. But, the take didn't take no for an answer easily. Jane Fonda her happiness living with the Darcy family.
This is the second book of two, and I was able to read them back to back. Elizabeth and Jane experience many trials and tribulations. Poor Jane turns down a proposal from a man who loved her and then accepts one from a weasel who abandoned her because her dowrey was only three thousand poo pounds. He felt used because he only made 600 pounds a year. He expected Jane to elevate his lifestyle. When she failed him, he verbally abused her to anyone who would listen. Fortunately, Jane had returned to Longbourn when Mr. Dixon brought his fiancee to dinner party held by the Smyths and started his Jane bashing all over again. Elizabeth and the Gardieners leave in her horrified and mortified manner because they began to criticize Elizabeth as well. Elizabeth and Darcy are gradually falling in love, but he had a difficult time finding her after her late-night tried to force her back to Longbourn because Elizabeth refuses Lady Sarah's take of a nephew. Darcy rescued Elizabeth from him twice. But, the take didn't take no for an answer easily. Jane Fonda her happiness living with the Darcy family.
June 7, 2019
Evil step mother!
The first Mrs Bennet ( nee Gardiner) died in childbirth and Mr Bennet remarried to the rich daughter of an Earl. As soon as she has her own children the step-daughters are sent away to boarding school.
Most of the story revolves around Jane trying to please her stepmother by marrying and Elizabeth trying to keep away from a rake! New characters are involved and we don't see the Bingley or the Rosing residents at all. The Gardiner family only appears when the girls are refused visiting home during the summer. Jane made her stepmother angry so they have to remain in town without any allowance for the summer!!
It's a great book and I would love for a sequel to see how Jane and then the other girls make out!
The first Mrs Bennet ( nee Gardiner) died in childbirth and Mr Bennet remarried to the rich daughter of an Earl. As soon as she has her own children the step-daughters are sent away to boarding school.
Most of the story revolves around Jane trying to please her stepmother by marrying and Elizabeth trying to keep away from a rake! New characters are involved and we don't see the Bingley or the Rosing residents at all. The Gardiner family only appears when the girls are refused visiting home during the summer. Jane made her stepmother angry so they have to remain in town without any allowance for the summer!!
It's a great book and I would love for a sequel to see how Jane and then the other girls make out!
December 8, 2019
A long dragging tale of urban adventures/misfortunes of life as poor relations for Lizzy & Jane, plus, an intense and detailed account of their relationship with their nasty stepmother. A young Mr. Darcy makes short and irrelevant appearances. Not much point to this story overall.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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June 26, 2019Kindle Unlimited
I felt no emotion. It moved very slow. Elizabeth, Jane, Kitty and Mary are in London attending school with their governess. Mrs. Bennet has died and Mr. Bennet has remarried to Lady Sarah. Lady Sarah parents are an Earl and Countess living in London. Lady Sarah and Mr. Bennet have a little girl. The school session in over and Elizabeth and Jane are to remain in London. Kitty and Mary are welcome to return home to Longbourn with the governess Miss Watson. Jane turns down an offer of marriage from a Mr. Pembroke because she is not in love. With no governess to attend Jane and Lizzy they are stranded at school. Lizzy writes to the Gardiner’s and they are invited to stay with them for 4 weeks. They are also invited to stay with friends as well. Lady Sarah desperately wants Jane and Lizzy to be married off. Jane’s character is very mild and speaks of little accomplishments. Elizabeth is strong willed, has a mind set and many accomplishments. ( the accomplishments are talked about but not displayed)Elizabeth comes across Mr. Darcy at Vauxhall Park where she over hears Darcy make a put down remark about Elizabeth and her status. Later on in the book they meet again and she makes it known to Darcy she heard what he said. Darcy then apologizes. At another function Darcy apologizes again and she accepts. Jane accepts an marriage offer from Mr. Dixon. When Mr. Dixon learns that Jane has no dowry and he rescinds the offer. Lady Sarah wants Elizabeth to accept Lord Norwich her nephew. Lord Norwich drinks too much and is very forward with the ladies. School is about to begin and lady Sarah plans on Elizabeth and Jane to return to Longbourn and Kitty and Mary to return to London. Elizabeth does not wish to return so she stays with the Gardiner’s. Lady Sarah cuts off her allowance. Jane writes how she is a maid to Lady Sarah at home. Elizabeth outwits Lord Norwich and runs away from a compromising situation. Darcy admits his love for Elizabeth and she accepts. They live at Pemberley and invite Jane to live with them.
How did Mr. Bennet come to marry Lady Sarah? Why does Lady Sarah control the money? Mr. Bennet is still a non involved parent. How is it that the Bennet’s never met the Gardiner’s? How did Elizabeth fall in love with Darcy? There was little interaction between them. Just a mention of Georgiana..where is Georgiana? A dream about Mrs. Bennet but it stops when Elizabeth awakes.
I felt no emotion. It moved very slow. Elizabeth, Jane, Kitty and Mary are in London attending school with their governess. Mrs. Bennet has died and Mr. Bennet has remarried to Lady Sarah. Lady Sarah parents are an Earl and Countess living in London. Lady Sarah and Mr. Bennet have a little girl. The school session in over and Elizabeth and Jane are to remain in London. Kitty and Mary are welcome to return home to Longbourn with the governess Miss Watson. Jane turns down an offer of marriage from a Mr. Pembroke because she is not in love. With no governess to attend Jane and Lizzy they are stranded at school. Lizzy writes to the Gardiner’s and they are invited to stay with them for 4 weeks. They are also invited to stay with friends as well. Lady Sarah desperately wants Jane and Lizzy to be married off. Jane’s character is very mild and speaks of little accomplishments. Elizabeth is strong willed, has a mind set and many accomplishments. ( the accomplishments are talked about but not displayed)Elizabeth comes across Mr. Darcy at Vauxhall Park where she over hears Darcy make a put down remark about Elizabeth and her status. Later on in the book they meet again and she makes it known to Darcy she heard what he said. Darcy then apologizes. At another function Darcy apologizes again and she accepts. Jane accepts an marriage offer from Mr. Dixon. When Mr. Dixon learns that Jane has no dowry and he rescinds the offer. Lady Sarah wants Elizabeth to accept Lord Norwich her nephew. Lord Norwich drinks too much and is very forward with the ladies. School is about to begin and lady Sarah plans on Elizabeth and Jane to return to Longbourn and Kitty and Mary to return to London. Elizabeth does not wish to return so she stays with the Gardiner’s. Lady Sarah cuts off her allowance. Jane writes how she is a maid to Lady Sarah at home. Elizabeth outwits Lord Norwich and runs away from a compromising situation. Darcy admits his love for Elizabeth and she accepts. They live at Pemberley and invite Jane to live with them.
How did Mr. Bennet come to marry Lady Sarah? Why does Lady Sarah control the money? Mr. Bennet is still a non involved parent. How is it that the Bennet’s never met the Gardiner’s? How did Elizabeth fall in love with Darcy? There was little interaction between them. Just a mention of Georgiana..where is Georgiana? A dream about Mrs. Bennet but it stops when Elizabeth awakes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 6, 2019
Excellent story line
Loved the characters . Well written. Couldn't put the books down. Look forward to you next. Oh and congratulations on the birth off you daughter.
J.maner
Loved the characters . Well written. Couldn't put the books down. Look forward to you next. Oh and congratulations on the birth off you daughter.
J.maner
June 9, 2019
A different set of circumstances.
Yet another story where the characters just happen to share names and time period with Jane Austen's creations.
This is a "what if". What if Mr. Bennett's first (and famously nervous) wife is lost along with that troublesome last daughter at her childbirth and a next Mrs. Bennett with wealth and connections fills the role at Longbourn? Sounds rather rosey, right? Well, not exactly. A whole other slew of problems and resentments fill the quota for melodrama, but fortunately, Mr. Darcy, still reluctantly participating in the social society of the Recency Ton and after the obligatory insult, finds himself intrigued by Elizabeth Bennett. Three stars for story, then add one for writing and decent Recency research. I'm feeling benevolent.
Yet another story where the characters just happen to share names and time period with Jane Austen's creations.
This is a "what if". What if Mr. Bennett's first (and famously nervous) wife is lost along with that troublesome last daughter at her childbirth and a next Mrs. Bennett with wealth and connections fills the role at Longbourn? Sounds rather rosey, right? Well, not exactly. A whole other slew of problems and resentments fill the quota for melodrama, but fortunately, Mr. Darcy, still reluctantly participating in the social society of the Recency Ton and after the obligatory insult, finds himself intrigued by Elizabeth Bennett. Three stars for story, then add one for writing and decent Recency research. I'm feeling benevolent.
August 14, 2019
Very good up until end.
I enjoyed this variation much more than the usual fare. It was a bit saccharine, including what was meant to be angst (no spoilers here). The extremely rushed ending, however, subtracted a star from my review. I could see so much potential for a truly satisfying conclusion, but it was an opportunity missed.
I enjoyed this variation much more than the usual fare. It was a bit saccharine, including what was meant to be angst (no spoilers here). The extremely rushed ending, however, subtracted a star from my review. I could see so much potential for a truly satisfying conclusion, but it was an opportunity missed.
October 9, 2019
This book was absolutely lovely!!
I could completely imagine this happening! Their world changing way before it should, and the circumstances going along with it. Took my breath away honestly!! This was lizzy to a T and darcy too
I loved seeing the opportunity for their friendship in this way!!! Completely recommend! And when irradiated the blurb I wasn't so sure I should read it first (have a huge tbr list in my kindle) but had heard so many personal reviews that I grabbed it first! So glad I did!!
*also all the romantic parts matched up to a regency romance of the time
I could completely imagine this happening! Their world changing way before it should, and the circumstances going along with it. Took my breath away honestly!! This was lizzy to a T and darcy too
I loved seeing the opportunity for their friendship in this way!!! Completely recommend! And when irradiated the blurb I wasn't so sure I should read it first (have a huge tbr list in my kindle) but had heard so many personal reviews that I grabbed it first! So glad I did!!
*also all the romantic parts matched up to a regency romance of the time
July 9, 2019
A sweet read
I picked this particular variation because it did not try to follow cannon unlike other P&P variations. I sometimes find variants to have a good premise but call flat trying to make fit in an already perfect story. Sometimes I truly do enjoy cars that are close to original, but I also appreciate those that deviate wholly. This novel was a light easy read that entangled Jane Austen's Pride and prejudice, but also added elements of a Cinderella.
I picked this particular variation because it did not try to follow cannon unlike other P&P variations. I sometimes find variants to have a good premise but call flat trying to make fit in an already perfect story. Sometimes I truly do enjoy cars that are close to original, but I also appreciate those that deviate wholly. This novel was a light easy read that entangled Jane Austen's Pride and prejudice, but also added elements of a Cinderella.
January 5, 2020
In this P&P variation the four Bennet daughters have been sent to a fashionable school in London by their step-mother Lady Sarah Radcliffe. Now the time has come that Elizabeth at nearly 17 is leaving the school. Not welcome by Lady Sarah at Longbourn Jane and Elizabeth spend time with the Gardiners (who have until this time been unknown to them), and then school friends. An eventful summer beckons for both of them.
An enjoyable and well-written variation.
An enjoyable and well-written variation.
October 17, 2021
Well written
This story was well written and often poignant. I'm only at 4 stars as I'd have liked more interaction between E & D more than a cursory 'happily ever after' message at the end. Could see something of E & D together? Does Lady Sarah learn something and treat the younger girls better? What of Mrs Young being Georgiana's companion? Did Bingley meet Jane through Darcy? I'm left vaguely unsatisfied
This story was well written and often poignant. I'm only at 4 stars as I'd have liked more interaction between E & D more than a cursory 'happily ever after' message at the end. Could see something of E & D together? Does Lady Sarah learn something and treat the younger girls better? What of Mrs Young being Georgiana's companion? Did Bingley meet Jane through Darcy? I'm left vaguely unsatisfied
April 8, 2020
Not a bad read
I did enjoy this book. I found myself skipping long sections on descriptions. The end was very abrupt as well. The writing was good though. I especially enjoyed the bits of dialogue between Elizabeth and Darcy.
I did enjoy this book. I found myself skipping long sections on descriptions. The end was very abrupt as well. The writing was good though. I especially enjoyed the bits of dialogue between Elizabeth and Darcy.
September 22, 2019
Interesting premise and well executed. Some typos here and there.
January 2, 2020
Unusual
A rather interesting variation inspired by author Jane Austen’s classic Pride and Prejudice by Alyssa Jefferson. Rather unusual storyline but I liked it
A rather interesting variation inspired by author Jane Austen’s classic Pride and Prejudice by Alyssa Jefferson. Rather unusual storyline but I liked it
January 22, 2020
Well written
I was captivated from the beginning. It ended a little quick but I felt all the characters were fleshed out well.
I was captivated from the beginning. It ended a little quick but I felt all the characters were fleshed out well.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews