Concerto: A Pride & Prejudice Sensual Variation

by Cora Aston

Elizabeth refuses Darcy's offer a second time—she will not be forced to wed for honour's sake after a stolen night of passion.
Disguised as the brilliant pianist Elise Benichou, Elizabeth meets Darcy for the first time in ten years after refusing his offer of marriage.
Darcy, older and wiser, will not allow her to slip through his fingers a second time. He understands well the cost of loneliness.
So begins a careful seduction designed to corner her into marriage. But can love be true under duress? He must let her go a second time, and hope she obeys her heart.
Concerto is a Pride & Prejudice sensual variation for readers who enjoy steamy sparks between a determined, matured Darcy and an independent, fiery Elizabeth with a guaranteed HEA.

126 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 20, 2019

Reviews

[Pallavi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somewhat enjoyable but too many holes

I thought it began well enough and was intriguing enough to keep my attention past the first few pages, but there were too many plot holes and gaps that were never filled. Furthermore, the clashes and misunderstandings between them got too tiring beyond a certain point and their eventual union seemed too forced and artificial.

[Valeria · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the fact that both are mature and the sexual tension makes for anticipation while reading. I rated the book as tolerable for one reason: to be upset for 10 years because Darcy truthfully stated that her mother and younger sisters are ridiculous was a bit over the top. Get over it Elizabeth!

[Karen Connell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story, although a little short

Good story, although a little short. I liked the sensual encounter, liked the fact that they are both 10 years older and Elizabeth is an independent woman!

[M · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quick and enjoyable, but quite a bit of intriguing backstory that was glossed over and it ended a bit too easily.

[Gypsy Madden · Rating 4 out of 5]

As far as regency romances go, I thought this was one of the better ones. I love the idea of a romance between older people. I know thirties isn’t that old, but it makes a change from all the regency romances being about the young girls just entering their first Season. I loved both of the leads, they had wonderful chemistry, even if they were constantly arguing, and the setting felt like it could have been right out of a British movie, and it had plenty of colorful side characters. And you do care for both of the leads with their famous names. (Though the timing of the sex scene felt forced. Almost as if the author wanted there to be a sex scene in it and just chose that point at random. It didn’t really feel like it fit in with the scene. Also, the ending felt rushed. The reason she finally gave in didn’t really seem like a good reason). I would have easily given this book five stars if it had just been a regency romance. But it’s supposed to be a sequel to Pride & Prejudice. Since they’re older, the characters have changed, I accepted that. Elizabeth wasn’t the Elizabeth of the classic, though the author did try to make her as much like her as she could (though she comes across as being far too modern for the time). Same with Darcy. And it did remind us of that every chance it got, that Darcy was supposed to be more mature, though he still retained his temper (though he was completely lacking the aloofness and classist attitude that was so prevalent in the classic). I did love Jane and we got to see an older Georgiana this time, who still has her brother wrapped around her little finger. Where it fell short was that as a sequel to the classic, I kept looking for the point where it diverged from the classic. I thought it was at the end, rather than say yes to his proposal, she said no, but there was no mention of any events from the original book (for instance, Wickam, or even Darcy’s disastrous earlier proposal, for that matter, there was absolutely no mention of Jane’s beloved Mr Bingley, and it added in a few events that didn’t happen in the book as being just before the proposal). The younger sisters don’t even get mentioned by name, and it is just an off-handed mention that they’re all busy with their own families and how flighty they were when they were younger (since when was Mary flighty???). Enquiring minds do want to know what happened to her sisters. It was like the author based it on a cliff-notes version of the classic or just watched some scattered scenes of one of the movies. So, if you’re looking for a fun regency romance, I did love this book, but if you’re looking for a follow up to the classic Pride & Prejudice, it does bring to life the characters and I do love seeing Elizabeth and Darcy find each other when they’re older, but it falls short in the details. Upon finishing Concerto, I did look up Cora Aston, and I do intend to pick up more of her books.

[Jamie Bee · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am a big Pride and Prejudice fanfiction fan. There was a certain point when I was in nursing school where it was just about the only thing I read that wasn't a textbook. So I have pretty exacting standards of what I like and don't like about modern variations. I enjoy many types of variations, including those that take place far after the original timeframe of the story, so I was intrigued by this book’s premise of them meeting 10 years after the original. Unfortunately, the premise was the best part of the book. It failed for me on several fronts. Neither Elizabeth nor Darcy seemed to be the characters we know and love from the original; they could be anybody. Elizabeth is far too independent-minded for a woman of those times, even if she did have to “work” for a living playing piano for the Beau Monde, and Darcy was more dour and dark than he typically is--actually being threatening and aggressive. Both Elizabeth and Darcy seem to have wild emotional shifts that don't make sense for either the characters in this book or for the originals. I don't mind sensual variations of Pride and Prejudice; some that I have read have been quite good. But this book didn't make the right transition into the sensual part of the book. I didn't get how it made sense for the characters at that point in the story, and the tipping point for Elizabeth was actually bizarre.

As another oddity, the first line of the blurb at Amazon is misleading; Elizabeth doesn't refuse him. Rather, she wants time to think about it.

The language of the book was an odd mixture of a poor attempt at the heightened language that is required for a good historical novel and too modernistic speech. Most of the lines of dialogue I can't imagine someone saying. I think the cover is wrong, too. This book is supposed to take place ten years after the original Pride and Prejudice. So, Darcy would be 38, and Elizabeth would be 30; the cover models look like they're both in their twenties. If you enjoy Pride and Prejudice variations, you might do better looking elsewhere.

I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.

Read my other reviews at https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com.

[Buturot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elizabeth, Jane, Ms & Mr Darcy are the only charcters from the original story (sorry no Bingley). It seems the story started after the visit from Kent as Elizabeth met Lady C.

I love this new path of this variation. After the death of Mr B (followed months after by Mrs B), Elizabeth learned to become a decent pianist offering entertainment (her employment) . Thus earning to help with Jane's finances as well as saving for herself. She also discreetly help sell her brother-in-law's piano. One night, she encountered the Darcy siblings and that's where the story takes of.

Since this happened 10 years after they parted ways, it is understandable Darcy here appears to be grumpy, arrogant and less romantic. I guess the years of longing and sadness gave him a bit of bitterness. Elizabeth here was more independent-minded and forward. Parts and mindset of the story may not adhere to Regency times custom. But it was an entertaining story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lisa Hatfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy of this book; however, my review is based solely upon my through enjoyment of this lovely story! This book is rated mature for a reason; however, all expressions of love are very tastefully done. Darcy's failure to moderate his words, and Elizabeth's misunderstanding lead to ten years of angst for our dear couple. They meet quite by accident ten year later...she was determined to guard her heart, and he was equally determined to win her love. I don't want to give away any spoilers...but, I will say that this is a very engaging, well-written story! ODC's path to their HEA has some angst, due to Elizabeth being skittish...but they do achieve their HEA! I enjoy books with a mature theme, especially when they are tastefully done. I highly recommend this book. Thank you, reviewed by Lisa Hatfield

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ten years later…a P&P variation that I really enjoyed. I thought the characters were true to the original story and loved the little twists. Darcy is arrogant as ever and Elizabeth is enjoying her new life when they meet again. I like how Elizabeth decided that she was in control of her life and if she only had one night then she wanted to live it up. I wish it was longer but a cute story.

I received a complimentary copy.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Years later.
Darcy a grumpy and arrogant hero really has a reason for his attitude. Elizabeth is a little out of it not thinking and maybe a bit cruel. Georgiana, on the other hand, is more than ready to take matters into her own hands, in other words, thank the heavens for Georgiana. This was an interesting variation and I enjoyed it a great deal. I will be on the look-out for more books from Cara Aston. I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Pride & Prejudice Sensual Variation a story that held my interest from the start. Elizabeth meets Darcy ten years after she last refused his marriage proposal,this time he will make her his. She plays under disguise, as the brilliant pianist Elise Benichou. This story gives you an older couple with Elizabeth still not wanting to be married. I enjoyed seeing how this story came together.I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Shweta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another variation of pride and prejudice but one of the 1st that I've come across where Jane is not married to / in love with Mr. Bingley, Elizabeth is working to supplement her income and the story finds it's conclusion after a decade of Mr. & Mrs. Bennet's death.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Heather W · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting variation on Pride and Prejudice. It is well written and shows an entirely different aspect of a second chance between Elizabeth and Darcy.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Penamia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was looking for something spicy and this book filled my quota. It wasn't the authors best book but it was an enjoyable read on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.