Mrs. Bennet's Favorite Daughter

by Jann Rowland

Elizabeth Bennet is her mother’s favorite daughter. She is not the prettiest or the liveliest, but she is the smartest. Mrs. Bennet, a woman not born as a gentlewoman, has always relied on Elizabeth for guidance, and Elizabeth has never failed her.

Soon after Mr. Bingley comes to Hertfordshire, Georgiana Darcy arrives for a visit along with her cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, a man who has taken command of the local militia regiment. Georgiana, a shy young woman, becomes fast friends with Elizabeth, who influences her to shed her shyness for confidence.

Mr. Darcy is drawn to Hertfordshire after learning of the recent addition of one George Wickham, his personal nemesis, to the militia regiment. Slightly mollified by his cousin’s assurances of Wickham's good behavior, Darcy turns his attention to the local society, and his focus is soon drawn to Elizabeth and her playful charms. But with Wickham still lurking in the background, Darcy can ill afford to allow himself to be distracted, for he knows exactly what sort of mischief his childhood friend is capable of pursuing.

Genres: Fiction, Regency

345 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 16, 2020

About the author

Jann Rowland is a Canadian, born and bred. Other than a two-year span in which he lived in Japan, he has been a resident of the Great White North his entire life, though he professes to still hate the winters.

Though Jann did not start writing until his mid-twenties, writing has grown from a hobby to an all-consuming passion. His interests as a child were almost exclusively centered on the exotic fantasy worlds of Tolkien and Eddings, among a host of others. As an adult, his interests have grown to include historical fiction and romance, with a particular focus on the works of Jane Austen.

When Jann is not writing, he enjoys rooting for his favorite sports teams. He is also a master musician (in his own mind) who enjoys playing piano and singing as well as moonlighting as the choir director in his church’s congregation.

Jann lives in Alberta with his wife of more than twenty years, two grown sons, and one young daughter. He is convinced that whatever hair he has left will be entirely gone by the time his little girl hits her teenage years. Sadly, though he has told his daughter repeatedly that she is not allowed to grow up, she continues to ignore him.

Website: http://onegoodsonnet.com/
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Reviews

[Sheila Majczan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an author whose stories I usually MUST read. However this story was not one of my favorites among his.

Colonel Fitzwilliam is injured and so is not sent back to the war's front lines but rather assigned the command of the Militia in Meryton. He finds Wickham there and not only brings him in and warns him that he will be under close watch then assigns men to do just that. The merchants of this town are warned about giving credit, etc. The Colonel has brought Georgiana with him and she becomes close friends with Elizabeth so when Darcy decides to also visit they relate Elizabeth's positive traits to him. Their romance does not have all the misunderstandings that we read of in canon. AND as other reviews pointed out, it took forever for him to actually propose!

I found the situation with Caroline Bingley amusing. She, with her £20,000 dowry, is now the object of two men's attentions. (So she experiences what her attentions to Darcy felt like!)

There are remarks here and there about Mrs. Bennet's relationship with Elizabeth and also her attentions to her other daughters. Lydia is kept under control as she is threatened with not begin allowed to be out until she is 18 rather than already being out as in canon. Kitty is also not out but she is more under control than Lydia.

Then there is Lady Catherine...she shows up in Hertfordshire and we expect that confrontation as in canon but soon we read of some reversals in her behavior...(Will wonders never cease?)

Frankly I would have liked some angst in this story. If you like pleasant stories wherein little upsets the applecart, then this is for you.

[J. W. Garrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The more a daughter knows the details of her mother’s life […] the stronger the daughter.” –Anita Diamant, The Red Tent

This review may contain ***SPOILERS*** but I tried to be careful. Rating: clean… so clean, you don’t even need a mask or gloves. Angst: slight-mild: expect some anxiety as you wait… and wait… and wait for the ax to fall. I just knew it was going to happen especially when the SBRB joined the militia. And then, Lady Catherine arrived after Mr. Collins set her off with information regarding his unworthy cousin and her nephew. That was certainly stressful. Some will consider this boring as nothing much happened. ***SPOILER*** No deaths, carriage chases, accidents, elopements, abductions, injuries, falls, amnesia, etc.*** End Spoiler*** In fact, I’m not sure anyone raised their voice… much. Well, we do have Mrs. Bennet on hand.

“My mother belonged to that group of low IQ individuals who find everything alarming and believe that raising your voice is the most effective form of communication.” –Dr[.] Annabelle RC

Rowland’s take on Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, as per the title, was definitely different than canon and most fan fiction stories, variations, and re-imaginings. The same-old-same-old rehashing of tropes can get boring so when I see something completely different, I am curious to see just what the author did with our characters. Rowland’s story asked the following questions:

What-If:
1. Mr. Bennet realized his wife’s deficiencies… em… limitations early on and made adjustments to help her rather than ignore, criticize, laugh at, and ridicule her?
2. Mr. Bennet was more diligent with his finances and made arrangements for his family when he ‘shuffled off this mortal coil.’ Each daughter had a small but respectable dowry.
3. Mrs. Bennet loved all her daughters but favored her second eldest above the others.
4. Elizabeth, not Jane, most resembled Mrs. Bennet in appearance, though she took after her father in intellect and wit?
5. Mrs. Bennet recognized Elizabeth’s intellect and turned to her for knowledge about those things she didn’t understand? Elizabeth possessed the patience to explain things to her mother in a way that helped her understand, thus, sealing a close relationship between mother and daughter.
6. Mrs. Bennet realized the dangers in allowing the younger girls to be 'out’ in society when they were obviously too young to handle social situations?
7. Colonel [Anthony? Really?] Fitzwilliam replaced Colonel Forster as commander of the milia stationed in Meryton?
8. Georgiana arrived with Colonel Fitzwilliam and stayed at Netherfield while Anthony [seriously?] took over the command of the militia and she waited for her brother? Oh, dear, what about the arrival of you-know-who?
9. When the SBRB arrived in Meryton, he was given a chance to change his stripes? Would he take the opportunity, knowing he would be watched and not allowed to run up debts, or would he run? This was much of the angst as I watched him slither and slide his way toward the eligible ladies of Meryton and those staying at Netherfield Park? What?
10. Business kept Darcy in London and delayed his trip to Netherfield? By the time Darcy arrived, Bingley would be completely in love with his newest angel. Meanwhile, Caroline would be unrelenting in her attempts to discourage everyone from the eldest Bennet ladies.
11. The Colonel and Georgiana met and forged a solid friendship with Elizabeth before Darcy arrived on the scene? Thus, putting them in a position to extol her virtues to him before ODC’s first meeting. Would Darcy be predisposed to like her in spite of her limited finances and connections to trade?


We have to remember, when you change your trajectory, even by one degree, you often change your destination. If nothing else, you change the scenery along the way.

“Daughters always revel in their mother’s admiration. And daughters always bask in their fathers love.” –Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr, The Wealth Reference Guide: An American Classic

What I liked: It was calm and I needed calm in this hectic time we are in. It was also nice seeing the dynamics at Longbourn portrayed in a different light. Sometimes, it is boring or even tedious as we listen to Mrs. Bennet bash and/or abuse her second daughter for no reason other than her sex. She was not the boy Mrs. Bennet expected. We also get tired of Mr. Bennet’s neglect of his family. This was a breath of fresh air. As something completely different, it kept my interest as I wanted to turn the page and see what Rowland had planned next for our story.

“A mother-daughter bond is the perfect blessing, so that makes me one blessed mom,[sic] because I have YOU.” –Stephanie Lahart

*** The following may contain spoilers ***

What I didn’t like: it was too long. It took forever… Forever… FOREVER for Darcy to make up his mind to propose. Grrr! Everyone knew he would. Everyone talked about it. Even Darcy and Elizabeth… expounded on the fact he would probably, maybe, sometime in the future, when he decided to, hoped to, and looked forward to the time… when he would condescend and propose. Everyone seemed blasé about when it would happen. La! Get on with it already. This bouncing back and forth took away from the romance [such as it was] of their falling in love. We had little time with their being a couple. This was nerve-wracking. I wanted a little bit of heat. I had recently repaired my fan and was ready to give fan points [fan points: how many times I have to repair my fan after reading a scene] for their romance. I didn’t even need my fan. I was a bit disappointed for sure. I deducted a point for no heat. It was warm but no fan points.

10-4-20 I borrowed this from KU with no expectations of a review. The views and opinions expressed are my own.

“Probably there is nothing in human nature more resonant with charges than the flow of energy between two biologically alike bodies, one of which has lain in amniotic bliss inside the other, one of which has labored to give birth to the other. The materials are here for the deepest mutuality and the most painful estrangement.” –Adrienne Rich, Of Woman Born: Motherhood as Experience and Institution

[Sam H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another different kind of variation from JR. Not much major drama, but I do like the relationship between Mrs B and E. D almost had a back seat in this story. His falling for E road was smoothly paved, so there was less conflict/anguish than the Variations usually portray.

[Madenna U · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Pride and Prejudice story is a lesson in opposites in many key points. Elizabeth is her very calm and helpful Mother's favorite. The youngest silly girls are not "out". Mr Collins is not interested in his cousins. George Wickham is not so bad. Lady Catherine sees reason.

The story was a wonderful read but held very little angst. It became fun almost to see how the author took the characters when the other usual obstacles / complaints were removed.

[abmom · Rating 2 out of 5]

The background of the book was interesting but you know what it lacked, a story. There was so many things happening but nothing interesting and if it happened to be interesting, it was repeated to death. There must be something in the air of Hertfordshire. Everyone is reformed, except Collins. The Bennets are perfect, then comes Georgiana and a meeting with Elizabeth, she is no longer shy, enter Wickham but is ordered to behave properly and he does (even apologises to Georgiana), then comes Darcy who leaves all his pride at the outskirts of Meryton, Lady Catherine arrives and voila, transformed to an understanding and sometimes supportive aunt, Anne de Bourgh arrive and bam! she's cheeky and bold, even flirts with Wickham, then Caroline, the air has some trouble with her but finally with the help of Elizabeth provides her with a epiphany which mellows her a bit. These many transformations gave me such a headache, I stopped reading the book.

[James S · Rating 4 out of 5]

A less exciting P&P

What if Lizzy had a secret power. Well she does but it is subtle. Where ever Lizzy goes, people behave a little bit more rational. For instance Lizzy is her mother’s favorite child and is able to think and behave a little more rationally.

So what does this superpower mean for the story? It means there isn’t much angst. Wickham is less likely to misbehave and Lady Catherine is less uncontrollable.

But we don’t know about this so we are waiting for the proverbial shoe to drop. Interesting take. I recommend the story.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable

This is a gentle read about a much different Bennet family. Mrs Bennet is well behaved and Lizzie is her favourite daughter. This leads to very different courtship for Darcy and Elizabeth. The Wickham and Lady Catherine are portrayed more as usual, but they too are more circumspect. Anne De Bourgh is a revelation. This is a slow sweet variation to read.

[Ree · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reviewed in Canada on April 19, 2020
Who were these people? A nice Mrs. Bennet who considers Elizabeth her favorite? A reformed (sort of) Mr. Wickham? A Lydia that behaves (again, sort of)? No misunderstandings between ODC? It just didn’t seem all that believable to me. However, it was a very pleasant story.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Avid Reader

I enjoyed reading a book free of angst which told an entertaining story. Colonel Fitzwilliam and Georgina paved the way for Darcy to meet Elizabeth and really look at her instead of glance at her. Caroline and Lady Catherine, of course, opposed the match, which didn't take place until the next to last chapter. Darcy and the Colonel worried about what Wickham would do although he was reporting to the Colonel. The conversations between Mr. Collins and anyone he talked with left me in stitches! He was a despicable creature who left a bad taste in the reader's mouth. Mr.Bennet three him out after he insulted his family. I loved Mr. and Mrs Bennet! He kept a tight reign in Lydia and demonstrated his love for Mrs Bennet and the rest of his family. For once Mrs. Bennet and Elizabeth had a living relationship, and I thank the author for the change. It was refreshing!

[Talia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Personally, I would give this a lower rating because it dragged on and on for me but I gave it 4 because I think JAFF fans who want a civilized, no angst book would love it.

[Lenora Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story. Such a unusual premice.

[Lesley Mckenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfectly bland.

I have read most of JannRowland's books and enjoyed them immensely, but I am afraid Mrs Bennet's Favourite Daughter is a long way from being my favourite.

Quite frankly, there isn’t that much of a story. There is no angst at all unless you count the animosity Mr Wickham inspires in Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam, and even that is somewhat muted.

Darcy and Elizabeth hit it off from the start, quickly becoming enamoured of each other. But their romance progressed soooo very slowly, it became tedious. The title is also a little strange, because even though this Mrs Bennet is not the Bedlamite we know and tolerate with a roll of our eyes and a mental 'here we go again' she is still not clever but she does have common sense; she relies on Lizzy because she knows her second daughter is clever. She and Mr Bennet have a much more loving relationship, though not overtly so and she treats all her daughters just as a mother should.

The truly reprehensible character in the story is the foul, utterly clueless Mr Collins. But his antics had me laughing because it is hard to imagine that anyone could be as thick as he is. Miss Bingley starts off as the character we know and love to hate but she eventually becomes quite colourless. Lady Catherine is more middle of the road rather than being an accident waiting to happen. She does try to wear her superiority but it does not last long.

The characters and (most of) their lives are too perfect. Nothing bad happens to them or their progeny. The epilogue continues the perfect existence of the characters into the future.

To sum up: bland. 3 1/2 stars rounded up to four.

[lori huff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining

Another wonderful work from Mr. Rowland. He can always be relied upon to furnish an imaginative premise, and to create characters that you can care about. In this variation, he makes a few key changes, making Elizabeth a favorite with her mother, and that in turn profoundly affects the whole dynamic of the Bennett family

It's fun, now and then, to read a storyline in which the members of the Bennett family are more respectable and responsible. Mrs. Bennett relies on Elizabeth's intelligent advice, having accepted the fact that she isn't well educated and wasn't raised as a gentlewoman. The result is that the younger two daughters are not "out" until they turn eighteen, and Mr and Mrs Bennett get along better.

Another key character is Colonel Fitzwilliam, who takes temporary command of the Meryton militia because of an injury to his arm. He arrives in the area before Darcy, gets to know the Bennetts through Bingley, and gives Darcy a glowing report on Elizabeth before Darcy even meets her. This smooths the way for much quicker acceptance of Elizabeth by Darcy.

There are still the usual villains here, but their treatment is much altered. This story has less angst than the original, but held my attention nonetheless. The book is well written and well edited. I recommend it highly.

[Julieta · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’ve always hoped for a P&P variation in which everything that was difficult in the original was instead smooth sailing for the characters, this is it. In Jann Rowland’s established way, the engagement between Darcy and Elizabeth is never in question, Mrs. Bennet is a reasonable person, and even Lady Catherine comes around before they are married. And of course, Elizabeth is Mrs. Bennet’s Favorite Daughter. Even the marriage proposal is so clearly going to happen, that Elizabeth doesn’t hesitate to prompt Darcy when he finally comes to the point. As a reader, these are things that you may or may not prefer. I prefer a bit more angst and excitement and unpredictability, but Rowland’s book is a good read nonetheless. One thing I was slightly taken aback by is a certain willingness of D&E’s to gossip and criticize others - I found this rather inconsistent with their personalities in the original P&P and prefer the more restrained, ever polite versions of themselves. I found Darcy’s readiness to comment on Caroline Bingley’s infatuation with him more than a little out of character and disconcerting - not exactly gentlemanly.

[Bethanne]

Very pleasant story

This has a few minor but important alterations in the characters which render the story completely different from the classic. Mr Bennet pays attention to the estate and his family including his wife. Mrs Bennet doesn't have an issue with her nerves, is calm, and treats all her daughters the same. The two youngest are NOT out so their behaviour isn't as outrageous. And Jane isn't as trusting of people and their motives and Elizabeth doesn't make snap decisions about new comers.
Oh, the joy of watching Mr Collins who is much worse than ever and more obnoxious. He's determined to marry a woman with a huge dowry ( he believes he's entitled to) but the only woman in the area with a large dowry is " Miss Caroline Bingley " who doesn't appreciate his overdose of attention. It's absolutely hysterical to observe.
I enjoyed reading this so much because of the lack of angst, minimum of miscommunication, and happier people.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too long

The premise of this variation is interesting--Mr. Bennett took appropriate action to regulate his wife, and together they raised 5 sensible daughters in affection and decorum. But the story drags out the inevitable outcome unneccesarily. Darcy delayed proposing long after it was acknowledged by all he would do so. Wickham's behaviour is held in suspicion up to practically the very last moment with a anti-climatic conclusion. Even Lydia's story is all build-up and no substance.
I kept reading expecting something to happen.... Ah well.

[Dianna Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad but not amazing

I love all books by this author. Usually they are page turners for me. This one comparatively was sedate. There was no angst. No friction. The most exciting parts of this novel revolved around me collins. That is unfortunate. Not a bad book, just not exciting

[Jacqueline L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent variation from Jann Rowland

Mr. Rowland always comes up with a different twist to the oringinal plot base of Pride and Prejudice. I would highly recommend the variation if you enjoy a better first meeting and low-angst. I truly loved the version of Mrs. Bennet and Mr. Bennet.

[Soumaya · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is well written, but nothing really happened. Every problem that was in the original P&P are just gone. No angst at all. Everyone is well behaved and is suddenly nice and intelligent. This would be a dream scenario for the Jane Bennets of this world 🌎
For me, it becomes boring after a while. Apparently, I like some problems or angst in a story 😂

[Jan L. Hillman · Rating 5 out of 5]

And they all lived happily ever after.

I read each book by Jann Rowland as soon as it is published. All my favorite characters have new adventures and experiences. This book had me laughing out loud. Thank you Jann, Your Fan. Jan

[Lisa E]

Awww, he stole my idea

Or at least the idea I wanted to have: a good life for Elizabeth. A sensible, unembarrassing mother. A loving, disciplining father. Happiness for all. Little to no strife.

[Tammy Buchli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes I like an Austenation with all the speed bumps ironed out. And I can always count on Rowland to produce a version with no distracting anachronisms. Ad these two things together and the result is a very relaxing, enjoyable read.

[E. Davidson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Much too sweet for my taste

Competent writing, few editing errors (though one stands out, mistaking ‘waxed elegant’ for the common idiom ‘waxed eloquent’), and an adequate plot. The characterizations, however, are all sweetness & light to the point of cloying.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet

Enjoyable and minimal angst. The Bennet family relationships are drastically changed but for the better! The characters are better behaved, except Mr. Collins.

It is a light, sweet read and I would recommend it.

[loriinor · Rating 5 out of 5]

A rosy view of the P&P story

This one paints an angst-free view of Elizabeth and Darcy's romance, taking place in a world where Mrs Bennet is sensible and Lady Catherine reluctantly accepts Elizabeth. It was sweet and stress-free.

[Amber Woodward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good to bleh

So I honestly enjoy most books by this author and while this story has some excellent parts I did skim a lot of the second half of it.

[Lizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written. Imagine P&P with the characters all a bit more amiable, and not so embarrassing on all sides, well maybe not all. Thoroughly loved the differences without changing the character.

[Summer Basehart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall enjoyable

A very good book, but could do with some editing.

Several times throughout the book one or two passages are repeated, as if they were mistakenly double pasted.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful Relief

A sensible Mother, always delightful Lizzie, Darcy communicates,
Cousin Fitzwilliam my hero, Longbourn a safe and interesting place hand then of course Wickham to this I say - read it and enjoy a new twist.

[Candice · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just boring