Mr. Bennet is dead; his daughters “scattered to the winds,” according to Mrs. Bennet. And the eldest Miss Bennet? No one really knows. Poor Mr. Bingley is led to believe she is no more, but her sister swears she is alive. Can Mr. Darcy and his friend find her and, in turn, their own happily ever afters? This is a Pride and Prejudice Variation Novella
Bronwen Chisholm was raised in Central Pennsylvania, the youngest of four sisters. Though she was not introduced to Jane Austen's work until later in life, she grew up reading the Bronte sisters, Gone With the Wind, and other classics as well as watching vintage Hollywood movies. Her love of books and literature almost led her to a career as a librarian. Instead, life and love carried her to Virginia where she took a position as a state employee and began raising her family.
As her children grew and became involved in their own interests, Bronwen returned to her love of the written word. No longer content to simply read it, she began writing. Though the first attempts ended up on a shelf for now, she would not be discouraged. Deciding to set aside her Women's Fiction and Suspense Romance for a time, she finally became a published author with her Pride and Prejudice Alternatives. Bronwen was thrilled with the acceptance of her first offering, The Ball At Meryton: A Pride and Prejudice Alternative Novella. She takes great pleasure in searching for potential "plot twists" and finding the way back to a happy ending. Her current work is told entirely from Georgiana Darcy's point of view and has been well received.
Her love of writing has led her to several writing groups, and she is currently serving as the Vice President of The Riverside Writers.
After Darcy confesses his interference to Bingley the forlorn suitors find out that the Bennet ladies left Longbourn after Mr Bennet's death and Jane is missing after a carriage accident. The men go looking for her and try to hold on to hope.
This was a nice enough quick read that could have gone a bit deeper into the angst of grief and having a loved one go missing. Regarding editing, there is a character whose name is either Argall or Argull, the author has not decided which.
What If Mr. Bingley Returned to Meryton Only to Find Jane Presumed Dead?
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Source: Review Copy from Author
When Mr. Bingley learns that Jane did hold him in affection, he hightails it to Meryton to win her heart. But when he arrives, he discovers that Mr. Bennet has passed away, the Bennet sisters have moved out of Longbourn, and that Jane Bennet is presumed dead! Filled with intense grief, self-recrimination, and bitter regret, Mr. Bingley is about to descend into a desolate black mood (Mr. Darcy style), but then Mr. Darcy arrives (after paying a visit to Cheapside) and declares that there are some that don’t believe Jane is dead – just missing after being in a carriage accident and leaving the accident site to search for help…
And so Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley set off to trace Jane’s journey from London to Shropshire (where she was heading to visit an aunt) and use all their resources to determine what happened to Jane Bennet and is she still alive…
I loved this delightful novella about Jane Bennet! It is a sweet and satisfying read at around 130 pages. I was immediately attracted to this story because of its focus on Jane Bennet and the intriguing premise of her mysteriously disappearing! I loved how Bronwen Chisholm divided the story equally between the two perspectives – following Jane’s experiences and flashbacks over the last month as well as Mr. Darcy’s and Mr. Bingley’s present-day investigations and conversations. In addition, I loved how the characters were portrayed in this story: Jane was intelligent and capable, her rescuer was devoted and endearing, Mr. Bingley was determined and emotional, and Mr. Darcy was hopeful and steady. For those may favor reading about Mr. Darcy, fear not – he is very prominently featured in this tale!
My favorite aspect of this dear novella were all the sweet and touching moments Ms. Chisholm subtly and effortless wove into her tale. Jane Bennet is such a gentle and kind soul, so it truly is most apropos that a novella about her would be filled with scenes of helpfulness, forgiveness, and thoughtful remembrance. I especially loved the ending scenes, Ms. Chisholm designed a most rewarding and gratifying ending for both the reader and her primary characters!
As with most novellas, the story moves at a brisk pace – which suited me quite well for the most part. I was eager to jump into this story and become immersed in the suspense and drama of Jane Bennet disappearing! However, there were maybe some parts of the story I did wish to see fleshed out with a little bit more detail – like who is this new aunt that Jane was intending to visit and more about Jane’s and Elizabeth’s feelings towards their suitors and their moments of introspection/change of heart.
Filled with perplexing suspense, endearing characters, and heartwarming relationships – Missing Jane is an excellent choice for anyone needing a brief and diverting adventure! I highly recommend!
Jane Bennet is gone. Darcy confesses his knowledge of Jane’s feelings to Bingley, as he learned while proposing to Elizabeth. Once they learn the circumstances of her disappearance, they will stop at nothing to find one Bennet sister while proving devotion to the other.
Death is never a clean break — some stardust always remains. ~ Terri Guillemets
In this case, the stardust is named Jane Bennet.
As the story begins, Mr. Bennet has died and the remaining Bennets are living with relatives in Meryton and London. Jane has gone for an extended stay with an Aunt far from her home. Little is known about Jane’s fate, other than the carriage she occupied was in a serious accident. Other passengers were recovered, but Jane Bennet was gone.
Bingley returns to Meryton and is told that Jane is dead. We never learn how the report begins … but you know how fast gossip travels in Meryton! Darcy visits Elizabeth in London and learns that Jane’s whereabouts are unknown. She may be alive. Darcy and Bingley must travel and search.
This is a charming little story with an unlikely hero. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys JAFF.
As Mark Twain said, “the report of my death was an exaggeration.”
This was an atypical Pride and Prejudice variation, in that its page time revolved far more around Jane than around Elizabeth. Elizabeth was only in a couple of scenes, but Darcy's thoughts about her kept her represented when she wasn't present. I wouldn't say I preferred this allocation of the cast, but it was such a short story that it worked pretty well. Anything longer and I think Elizabeth's absence would have been too great. This felt almost like the coda to a longer story, where many things had happened to the characters already, and we just got to see the last adventure and culmination of it all. I wouldn't want every story to be like this, but I enjoyed this one.
Jane is lost while on her way to an aunt’s house after her father has died. Where is she. Why has she gone missing. Who can find her with so little money is available?
The answers are heartwarming and uplifting. As the world is coming to grips with COVID-19, we are learning there are quiet, heroes everywhere among us. This story has has a few heroes but one particularly quiet hero. Thumbs up 👍🏻
This is a story of 2 romances, but really it is a story of redemption for all 4 of the main characters. The relationships, specifically Bingley and Darcy's reveal secrets and flaws before finding a way to rebuild. In this case, it is searching for Jane in which B and D find their HEA. I really liked the way this author wove flashbacks throughout so we can both follow the story and understand how we got to this point. Absolutely lovely.
3.5 rounded up. This was a short, easy read where Jane Bennet disappears after a carriage accident. The circumstances of the Bennet family are different which is why Jane was traveling to the home of a distant aunt. Everyone is much more open and forthcoming with their feelings which, while not very believable, certainly makes for easier resolutions and a much faster path to a HEA. This was a pleasant read that you can get through in one sitting.
A sweet, emotional tale about second chances when all hope is lost. About two months after the disastrous proposal at Hunsford parsonage, Darcy confesses to Bingley his role in separating him from Jane Bennett. Darcy and Bingley return to Longbourn, but discover that Mr Bennett has died, Mr Collins lives at Longbourn, and Jane's mother believes that Jane is dead. Bingley despairs, but Darcy does some investigating, and learns from Elizabeth, who is living with the Gardiners, that Jane is missing, and that a search has so far failed to find her.
Darcy and Bingley start a quest of their own, since they have better resources than the Gardiners. Darcy is motivated by his continued wish to improve Elizabeth's opinion of him, since he still loves her as much as ever. Meanwhile, Elizabeth already has changed her mind about him, and would welcome a renewal of his proposal.
The romance of Jane and Bingley takes precedence for a change, although the relationship of ODC is ever present. The usual villains are only hinted at, so there's no distractions from the important business of bringing the two lovers together. There are several wonderful new characters introduced, and they're all people who you can care about. The writing is lovely, and the book is a pleasant way to pass a couple of hours. I recommend it highly.
Touching Novella A title that not only depicts how much Jane is missed, but also that she’s physically missing! This is a very touching and somewhat emotional short story that begins with Darcy’s confession to Bingley of how he and Charles’ sisters conspired to keep him separated from Jane. A short story deserves no spoilers, and too much description will do just that. So do read it to find out how both our dear couples find their HEA. Well written, this story will also bring a slight tear to your eyes. Highly recommend.
This was a delightful book about Jane Bennet surviving an accident and being carried for by a Welsh furniture builder. He nursed her back to health until the son of the grocer took her back to town. Thanks to Darcy 's common sense, Henry informed Darcy and Bingley of Jane 's location. Jane and Bingley married the day that Jane was found. Elizabeth and Darcy married a month later. Mary went to live with the great aunt that Jane was on her way to visit, and Kitty went to Pemberley with Georgina. Jane and Bingley moved away from Mrs. Bennet and Lydia leaving them the a cottage outside of Meryton. They moved near the Darcy family, and the Welsh gentleman left his property to Jane when he died. Aunt Cranston left her estate to Mary and her husband.
I'm giving this novella-length Pride and Prejudice variation one extra star for originality. It's a low-angst story, but really only because there are so few scenes with either couple actually together. It's mostly about Jane being missing and Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley searching for her. At first Bingley is told she's dead, and he falls into the pits of depression until Darcy brings him more hopeful news, and they go off to try to rescue both their lady loves, one who is missing, having vanished into a storm after a carriage accident, and the other who is worrying about her missing sister. Interesting inclusion of the Welsh language.
Jane is missing after a carriage accident and presumed dead. Darcy and Charles search for her and eventually find her close to the Welsh border. The story has everything - , loss of a family member, frustration, hope, and most importantly LOVE. Bingley refused to give up the search, Elizabeth refused to accept her sister is gone, and a quiet Welshman refused to forget his love for his wife. It's well worth the time and money.....
I liked this book! Just lovely people. It is also quite emotional, especially the end, but there is also lightness – thank you for this story, a bit like a fairy tale ❤ 😊
A Pride and Prejudice sequel where Mr Bennet is dead, and Jane is travelling to her aunt Branston's home in the Welsh Borders. But the carriage is involved in an accident and Jane has disappeared. Can she be found and by whom. An enjoyable story