Rating: Sweet, Clean: Angst Level: low-to-medium, depending on the stressors: Source: own: This review may contain *** spoilers *** As the book blurb states, Elizabeth Bennet had the ability to detect lies. As she grew up, no one in Meryton dared tell a lie around her. They didn’t know how she knew, just that she could always tell when someone was spinning a tall tale. Elizabeth, nor her family, ever explained how she always knew. Only her family knew that she saw grey murky air around people when they were telling a lie.
Elizabeth’s gift changed her opinion of Darcy [and his dreadful insult] right from their first encounter at the Meryton Assembly. Instead of being offended, she forgave him due to the murky air swirling about him as he said those horrid words. This changed everything. I love a story where Elizabeth has something special.
“It’s in those quiet little towns, at the edge of the world, that you will find the salt of the earth people who make you feel right at home.” –Aaron Lauritsen, 100 Days Drive: The Great North American Road Trip
Our Darcy had a lot to learn about the people of Meryton. He was confounded at every turn by the Bennet family, their neighbors, and their expectations. His visit to Hertfordshire to assist Bingley turned out differently than he expected. Meeting Elizabeth Bennet changed his life. He struggled with familial expectations and those of the ton. The family expected and encouraged him to marry his cousin Anne de Bourgh. The ton expected him to marry someone from the first circle. His uncle figured if he didn’t marry Anne, then his choice of a bride should have appropriate connections, and come with a fortune. To Darcy these women were dull, vapid, often grasping, and many were simply social climbers which he detested. Only one lady had ever caught his eye and heart. How could he offer for her?
Wickham: “Just because something isn’t a lie does not mean that it isn’t deceptive. A liar knows that he is a liar, but one who speaks mere portions of truth in order to deceive is a craftsman of destruction.” –Criss Jami
Our SBRB [scum-bag-rat-bastard] arrived with the militia and it was especially scary as Elizabeth watched Wickham spout his lies and half-truths about Darcy. The aura around Wickham was a virtual light show as it changed with what he was saying. His comments about the senior Darcy were different than the grey murky air that appeared when he commented about his godfather’s son. It was when Wickham mentioned Darcy’s younger sister that the mist turned black as night. It made Elizabeth shudder to think someone was that evil. She discussed it with her father and they concluded that Wickham needed to be watched and her sisters warned of the danger. Only one sister refused to believe the caveat and it was not the sister I would have thought.
What I liked: Darcy and Elizabeth become friends early. Wickham was revealed early. The Bennet family was slightly different in a good way. I especially felt for Mrs. Bennet.
What I didn’t like: Near the middle, I felt a conclusion and then the story just kept going. The middle began to drag a bit but then picked up for the conclusion. There was just a bit too much introspection. However, I highly recommend this delightful story. It made me smile. I loved it.