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Darcy Family Holidays #3
A Scandal in Springtime: A Pride and Prejudice Novel
Insults, apologies, and kisses
A lady must make a good impression if she wishes to secure a handsome husband during her first season in town, and Kitty Bennet is determined to be successful.
Trefor Linton might have best friends who were rakes, but he's never been one to step outside the bounds of propriety. Indeed, he has spent a good deal of time reminding his friends of those boundaries.
However, when Trefor and Kitty's worlds collide, quite literally, the result is going to be a tantalizingly delicious tale that will set tongues wagging.
A Scandal in Springtime is the third book in Leenie Brown's Darcy Family Holidays series. If you like well-written sweet romances laced with humor and accidental scandal, then you'll enjoy this story about discovering that love doesn't always make sense or fit inside the rules.
So, put the kettle on, grab your copy of A Scandal in Springtime, and join Kitty and Trefor as they stumble down their path to happily ever after.
A lady must make a good impression if she wishes to secure a handsome husband during her first season in town, and Kitty Bennet is determined to be successful.
Trefor Linton might have best friends who were rakes, but he's never been one to step outside the bounds of propriety. Indeed, he has spent a good deal of time reminding his friends of those boundaries.
However, when Trefor and Kitty's worlds collide, quite literally, the result is going to be a tantalizingly delicious tale that will set tongues wagging.
A Scandal in Springtime is the third book in Leenie Brown's Darcy Family Holidays series. If you like well-written sweet romances laced with humor and accidental scandal, then you'll enjoy this story about discovering that love doesn't always make sense or fit inside the rules.
So, put the kettle on, grab your copy of A Scandal in Springtime, and join Kitty and Trefor as they stumble down their path to happily ever after.
259 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 4, 2019
41 people are currently reading
40 people want to read
About the author
Leenie Brown
95 books111 followersLeenie Brown has always been a girl with an active imagination, which, while growing up, was both an asset, providing many hours of fun as she played out stories, and a liability, when her older sister and aunt would tell her frightening tales. At one time, they had her convinced Dracula lived in the trunk at the end of the bed she slept in when visiting her grandparents!
Although it has been years since she cowered in her bed in her grandparents’ basement, she still has an imagination which occasionally runs away with her, and she feeds it now as she did then ─ by reading!
Her heroes, when growing up, were authors, and the worlds they painted with words were (and still are) her favourite playgrounds! Now, as an adult, she spends much of her time in the Regency world, playing with the characters from her favourite Jane Austen novels and those of her own creation.
When she is not traipsing down a trail in an attempt to keep up with her imagination, Leenie resides in the beautiful province of Nova Scotia with her two sons and her very own Mr. Brown (a wonderful mix of all the best of Darcy, Bingley, and Edmund with a healthy dose of the teasing Mr. Tilney and just a dash of the scolding Mr. Knightley).
Although it has been years since she cowered in her bed in her grandparents’ basement, she still has an imagination which occasionally runs away with her, and she feeds it now as she did then ─ by reading!
Her heroes, when growing up, were authors, and the worlds they painted with words were (and still are) her favourite playgrounds! Now, as an adult, she spends much of her time in the Regency world, playing with the characters from her favourite Jane Austen novels and those of her own creation.
When she is not traipsing down a trail in an attempt to keep up with her imagination, Leenie resides in the beautiful province of Nova Scotia with her two sons and her very own Mr. Brown (a wonderful mix of all the best of Darcy, Bingley, and Edmund with a healthy dose of the teasing Mr. Tilney and just a dash of the scolding Mr. Knightley).
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 24, 2022
Thoroughly Delightful!
Book three of the Darcy Family Holidays series features Kitty’s story and her coming of age as she goes to London for her first season, and what a delightful read it is!
Kitty meets a young gentleman and they embark on a tumultuous relationship that brings slight similarities to that of Elizabeth and Darcy, but remains uniquely their own. The character of Trefor Linton, Kitty’s beau, will be added to my list of off-canon favourites. The delicious banter between them, and the teasing of Linton’s sister, aunt, and friends, along with the understanding and knowing looks from Darcy, simply left me smiling from cover to cover.
Another Leenie Brown story that left my heart feeling light and happy. This will be a favourite.
Book three of the Darcy Family Holidays series features Kitty’s story and her coming of age as she goes to London for her first season, and what a delightful read it is!
Kitty meets a young gentleman and they embark on a tumultuous relationship that brings slight similarities to that of Elizabeth and Darcy, but remains uniquely their own. The character of Trefor Linton, Kitty’s beau, will be added to my list of off-canon favourites. The delicious banter between them, and the teasing of Linton’s sister, aunt, and friends, along with the understanding and knowing looks from Darcy, simply left me smiling from cover to cover.
Another Leenie Brown story that left my heart feeling light and happy. This will be a favourite.
June 4, 2019
“A lie has no leg, but a scandal has wings.” –Thomas Fuller
Book 3 in the ‘Darcy Family Holidays’ series. Rating clean, Sweet Romance
This London adventure centered around Kitty Bennet’s visit with her uncle and aunt Gardiner. She was no longer in the smaller familiar Meryton society and was struggling with maintaining proper behavior. She was constantly fighting against her mother’s advice on how ‘to catch’ a husband and Lydia’s advice on how to flirt. What was a girl to do? How about getting her name in the gossip section of the paper linked with a very handsome and very vexing man.
“People love scandal; people love drama. They love stripping away the layers to see what’s really in there, and they’ll do anything – as well as make it up – to get it.” –Julia Roberts
Jane and Elizabeth were already married and we had limited page time with them. This was mainly Kitty [a small fish in a big pond] finding her way without Lydia’s influence. This story was part of the ‘Darcy Family Holidays’ series with cross over appearances from several characters that were featured in a couple of Brown’s ‘Other Pens: Mansfield Park’ series. It was so much fun running into familiar names from the other stories.
This novella could easily stand-alone; however, I would recommend reading the other books for the background information. Plus, they are delightful stories. Brown skillfully wove information into the narrative as a reminder to the reader just who the characters were and their place in the story-line. I have read all the other books; however, I did appreciate the reminder as it had been a while since I read the history of these guys. For many authors, it is hard writing an interesting story for Austen’s secondary and even tertiary characters. In many variations, Kitty is usually featured as a silly girl following her younger sister. I was glad to see her get her own HEA in this variation.
There was very little angst, other than a misunderstanding which was sort of humorous. Poor Trefor had a hard time coming to grips with his feelings and emotions. His aunt Gwladys and sister Constance Linton were favorites in the other novellas and I have waited for Trefor to get his own HEA. I recommend this for those who like a clean, sweet, romance in the springtime.
Special note: in the author’s newsletter, she mentioned that she had written a short for the story that Kitty was writing on throughout this story. It is a free download when you sign up for her newsletter. What fun.
Other books in the ‘Darcy family Holidays’ Series:
Book 1: Two Days Before Christmas
Book 2: One Winter’s Eve
Books from Brown’s ‘Other Pens: Mansfield Park’
Book 1 Henry: To Prove Himself Worthy
Book 2: Charles: To Discover His Purpose
Book 3: Mary: To Protect Her Heart
Book 4: Tom: To Secure His Legacy
Although I received an ARC [advance-reader-copy], I purchased [pre-ordered] my own copy when the book launched. The views expressed in this review are my own thoughts and opinions.
Book 3 in the ‘Darcy Family Holidays’ series. Rating clean, Sweet Romance
This London adventure centered around Kitty Bennet’s visit with her uncle and aunt Gardiner. She was no longer in the smaller familiar Meryton society and was struggling with maintaining proper behavior. She was constantly fighting against her mother’s advice on how ‘to catch’ a husband and Lydia’s advice on how to flirt. What was a girl to do? How about getting her name in the gossip section of the paper linked with a very handsome and very vexing man.
“People love scandal; people love drama. They love stripping away the layers to see what’s really in there, and they’ll do anything – as well as make it up – to get it.” –Julia Roberts
Jane and Elizabeth were already married and we had limited page time with them. This was mainly Kitty [a small fish in a big pond] finding her way without Lydia’s influence. This story was part of the ‘Darcy Family Holidays’ series with cross over appearances from several characters that were featured in a couple of Brown’s ‘Other Pens: Mansfield Park’ series. It was so much fun running into familiar names from the other stories.
This novella could easily stand-alone; however, I would recommend reading the other books for the background information. Plus, they are delightful stories. Brown skillfully wove information into the narrative as a reminder to the reader just who the characters were and their place in the story-line. I have read all the other books; however, I did appreciate the reminder as it had been a while since I read the history of these guys. For many authors, it is hard writing an interesting story for Austen’s secondary and even tertiary characters. In many variations, Kitty is usually featured as a silly girl following her younger sister. I was glad to see her get her own HEA in this variation.
There was very little angst, other than a misunderstanding which was sort of humorous. Poor Trefor had a hard time coming to grips with his feelings and emotions. His aunt Gwladys and sister Constance Linton were favorites in the other novellas and I have waited for Trefor to get his own HEA. I recommend this for those who like a clean, sweet, romance in the springtime.
Special note: in the author’s newsletter, she mentioned that she had written a short for the story that Kitty was writing on throughout this story. It is a free download when you sign up for her newsletter. What fun.
Other books in the ‘Darcy family Holidays’ Series:
Book 1: Two Days Before Christmas
Book 2: One Winter’s Eve
Books from Brown’s ‘Other Pens: Mansfield Park’
Book 1 Henry: To Prove Himself Worthy
Book 2: Charles: To Discover His Purpose
Book 3: Mary: To Protect Her Heart
Book 4: Tom: To Secure His Legacy
Although I received an ARC [advance-reader-copy], I purchased [pre-ordered] my own copy when the book launched. The views expressed in this review are my own thoughts and opinions.
June 6, 2019
This is Book 3 in the 'Darcy Family Holiday' collection but it also ties in very closely with the 'Other Pens: Mansfield Park' series of which I recommend you read first to fully appreciate this story and Mr. Linton.
The ever proper Trefor Linton has met his match and he is completely befuddled, making one blunder after another.
"It is as if half of my brain has been stolen from me, and I would greatly like to get it back. I am not normally so stupid." (quote from the book)
Catherine (Kitty) Bennet is getting to spend a season in London with her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner who have welcomed her so warmly. With their love, encouragement and care, Kitty tries very hard to 'be proper'. She does not want to disappoint them or her sister, Elizabeth Darcy and Mr. Darcy. I just loved Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner and their nurturing of Kitty's imagination.
"He was thinking of her as his daughter? The idea wrapped around her, warm an comfortable, like a blanket made from the softest wool." (quote from the book)
Things get off to a very rocky start when Kitty Bennet and Trefor Linton collide. Tempers flare, words are spoken and biscuits and a broom are involved. As they are constantly thrown together, it was fun to watch their interactions...with miscommunication, misunderstandings and a scandal in the making.
This is a sweet story that had me chuckling and left me sighing.
Ms. Brown is very generous to her readers and followers. I was fortunate to obtain an ARC of this story with no expectation of a review.
June 9, 2019
This P&P variation continues with the story of Catherine Bennet and her first season in town while staying with the Gardiners. She is determined to me the proper young lady that is expected of her.
Trefor Linton has always been a proper gentleman even though he has been best friends with a couple of rakes.
Unfortunately these two literally collide with each other, can they survive the meeting.
Another enjoyable well-written novella in this series. Always delightful to read about the secondary characters from P&P
Trefor Linton has always been a proper gentleman even though he has been best friends with a couple of rakes.
Unfortunately these two literally collide with each other, can they survive the meeting.
Another enjoyable well-written novella in this series. Always delightful to read about the secondary characters from P&P
September 27, 2021
Sweet, but not satisfying
I can only describe the character of Kitty in Jane Austen's P&P as insipid, and she's the focus of this third installment in this series. Jane and Elizabeth are already married, and Kitty is taking a turn at staying in London with the Gardiners. Through Mrs Gardiner's patronage of an orphanage, Kitty meets Trefor Linton, a handsome and eligible young man, but just like Darcy and Elizabeth, their first meeting leaves a bad impression, so their journey to HEA is a rough one.
As in the prior two books, logic and sense are thrown out the window, but Leenie Brown doesn't seem to be trying for an epic love story, but rather a mildly amusing and heartwarming tale. The dialogue between Kitty and Trefor is inane in the extreme, and Kitty is so labored in thinking everything through that she must be exhausted at the end of every day. She's portrayed as kind of stupid, and completely lacking in self confidence, to the point that I can't imagine her being a mother and running a home. But then, that's obviously not the point. The reader should just go with it, and accept a simple and sweet love story.
Fortunately, Kitty is given one talent, and that's writing stories, which the Gardiners are happy to encourage because, Lord knows, she doesn't have much else going for her, except a pretty face, of course. However, the knowledge of this hidden talent never makes it to her beau, so it's even more difficult to understand what he sees in her. I thought perhaps this talent would give him a reason to respect her, but alas.
Nonetheless, this author is a wonderful writer, and crafts a pleasant story, not great literature, but a nice way to pass a couple of hours. I recommend it.
I can only describe the character of Kitty in Jane Austen's P&P as insipid, and she's the focus of this third installment in this series. Jane and Elizabeth are already married, and Kitty is taking a turn at staying in London with the Gardiners. Through Mrs Gardiner's patronage of an orphanage, Kitty meets Trefor Linton, a handsome and eligible young man, but just like Darcy and Elizabeth, their first meeting leaves a bad impression, so their journey to HEA is a rough one.
As in the prior two books, logic and sense are thrown out the window, but Leenie Brown doesn't seem to be trying for an epic love story, but rather a mildly amusing and heartwarming tale. The dialogue between Kitty and Trefor is inane in the extreme, and Kitty is so labored in thinking everything through that she must be exhausted at the end of every day. She's portrayed as kind of stupid, and completely lacking in self confidence, to the point that I can't imagine her being a mother and running a home. But then, that's obviously not the point. The reader should just go with it, and accept a simple and sweet love story.
Fortunately, Kitty is given one talent, and that's writing stories, which the Gardiners are happy to encourage because, Lord knows, she doesn't have much else going for her, except a pretty face, of course. However, the knowledge of this hidden talent never makes it to her beau, so it's even more difficult to understand what he sees in her. I thought perhaps this talent would give him a reason to respect her, but alas.
Nonetheless, this author is a wonderful writer, and crafts a pleasant story, not great literature, but a nice way to pass a couple of hours. I recommend it.
August 28, 2020
This is the third book in the Darcy Family Holidays series and is also strongly connected to the first two books in the Other Pens, Mansfield Park Series with a very small reference to the third book near the end. It has been a few years since I read the first two books in either series and I haven't read Mary Crawford's story yet but this story gives enough background to catch the reader up with what is going on. I loved Kitty in this story as well as Mr. & Mrs. Gardiner. It was fun to see how Kitty got closer to them now that she has the opportunity and I loved how her and her Uncle interacted. It was also great watching how Trefor Linton kept messing up and accidentally offending Kitty and how their relationship unfolded. I hope to read more about them and that their will be another story in this series in the future involving Mary since she is the next single sister.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews