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The Price of Pride: A Pride & Prejudice Variation
In Love with His Brother’s Betrothed… As far as Fitzwilliam Darcy is concerned, the only good thing to come of Elizabeth Bennet’s bitter refusal of his heart and his hand was his new resolve to prove himself a better man. He’d done it, too, by closing the painful distance between himself and his estranged younger brother, Drew. And now Drew is newly engaged to be married…to Elizabeth Bennet. Family duty forces Darcy to support the engagement, especially since even the smallest hint of disapproval could ruin the brothers’ hard-won reconciliation. But how can he bear to watch his brother marry the woman he loves? To see her in Drew’s arms, bearing Drew’s children, and forever out of his reach? An Accidental Compromise Elizabeth has no choice but to accept an engagement to handsome Drew Darcy. He’s amiable, educated, and respectable, and if it weren’t for his last name, she wouldn’t even mind the idea. But to marry the brother of the gentleman she’d so coldly rejected only months before? Especially now that she realizes her feelings for him are far from sisterly. How can she marry Drew while longing for his brother? But the cost of breaking her engagement would be ruination, and with it, the loss of any hope of a life with Darcy. Trapped by loyalty, love, and propriety, there is no way out. But old family secrets haunt the Darcy brothers. Could those secrets, when brought out in the open, change everything? This intensely emotional variation on Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice will make you fall in love with Elizabeth and Darcy all over again.
352 pages, Paperback
Published December 15, 2020
125 people are currently reading
259 people want to read
About the author
Abigail Reynolds
69 books783 followersAbigail Reynolds may be a nationally bestselling author and a physician, but she can’t follow a straight line with a ruler. Originally from upstate New York, she studied Russian and theater at Bryn Mawr College and marine biology at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole. After a stint in performing arts administration, she decided to attend medical school, and took up writing as a way to retain her sanity during her years as a physician in private practice.
A life-long lover of Jane Austen’s novels, Abigail began writing variations on Pride & Prejudice in 2001, then expanded her repertoire to include a series of novels set on her beloved Cape Cod.Her most recent releases are A Matter of Honor, Mr. Darcy's Enchantment, and Conceit & Concealment. Her books have been translated into six languages. A lifetime member of JASNA, she lives on Cape Cod with her husband, her son and a menagerie of animals. Her hobbies do not include sleeping or cleaning her house.
A life-long lover of Jane Austen’s novels, Abigail began writing variations on Pride & Prejudice in 2001, then expanded her repertoire to include a series of novels set on her beloved Cape Cod.Her most recent releases are A Matter of Honor, Mr. Darcy's Enchantment, and Conceit & Concealment. Her books have been translated into six languages. A lifetime member of JASNA, she lives on Cape Cod with her husband, her son and a menagerie of animals. Her hobbies do not include sleeping or cleaning her house.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
December 30, 2020
There exists no culture in which adultery is unknown, no cultural device or code that extinguishes philandering. ~ Helen Fisher
“The Price of Pride” deals with an unusual subject in the world of JAFF: the aftermath of adultery.
The story opens when Fitzwilliam Darcy receives a surprise leaving him with mixed feelings.
His younger brother, Andrew, announces he will soon marry Elizabeth Bennet, and this only a few months after the woman refused a proposal from Fitzwilliam! Why would she accept a proposal from the brother she had known only a few weeks?
Andrew had been disowned by their father and Fitzwilliam was trying to re-establish a relationship with his brother. He had recently convinced Andrew to accept the living at the Kympton parsonage and wanted to become closer as they had been as children. So, now, he must pretend to be happy for his brother, while he still mourns the refused proposal.
Heroes and heroines don't commit adultery. ~ Leigh Michaels
Andrew is a respectable character, a pastor who employs a former slave on his household staff and is very involved in the abolitionist movement. After a life spent on the outside of his family, he is happy to be engaged and wants to be a good husband to Elizabeth.
As a young man, Fitzwilliam longed to explore the world and still does, in his heart. He is interested in science and grows exotic species in his hothouse.
A scandal from their parents’ marriage threatens the surviving children and threatens to repeat itself in the current generation.
Who was behind the compromise that precipitated the betrothal? And why?
I bought this the first day the book was offered but needed to work up the courage to face the angst I knew was within. It is a great story, well-developed with no plot holes. I loved it!
Chains do not hold a marriage together. It is threads, hundreds of tiny threads which sew people together through the years. ~ Simone Signoret
“The Price of Pride” deals with an unusual subject in the world of JAFF: the aftermath of adultery.
The story opens when Fitzwilliam Darcy receives a surprise leaving him with mixed feelings.
His younger brother, Andrew, announces he will soon marry Elizabeth Bennet, and this only a few months after the woman refused a proposal from Fitzwilliam! Why would she accept a proposal from the brother she had known only a few weeks?
Andrew had been disowned by their father and Fitzwilliam was trying to re-establish a relationship with his brother. He had recently convinced Andrew to accept the living at the Kympton parsonage and wanted to become closer as they had been as children. So, now, he must pretend to be happy for his brother, while he still mourns the refused proposal.
Heroes and heroines don't commit adultery. ~ Leigh Michaels
Andrew is a respectable character, a pastor who employs a former slave on his household staff and is very involved in the abolitionist movement. After a life spent on the outside of his family, he is happy to be engaged and wants to be a good husband to Elizabeth.
As a young man, Fitzwilliam longed to explore the world and still does, in his heart. He is interested in science and grows exotic species in his hothouse.
A scandal from their parents’ marriage threatens the surviving children and threatens to repeat itself in the current generation.
Who was behind the compromise that precipitated the betrothal? And why?
I bought this the first day the book was offered but needed to work up the courage to face the angst I knew was within. It is a great story, well-developed with no plot holes. I loved it!
Chains do not hold a marriage together. It is threads, hundreds of tiny threads which sew people together through the years. ~ Simone Signoret
February 11, 2021
For me this was one of those stories which grabbed my attention immediately and was difficult to put down. It does have angst and while we are guaranteed a happy ending for ODC in JAFF I kept wondering how this author was going to pull that off.
Elizabeth is touring in Derbyshire with the Gardiners (post Hunsford) and meets another Mr. Darcy when they visit the rector, Mr. Morris, who took over the living Aunt Gardiner's father used to occupy. A short time later Elizabeth finds herself placed in a compromising situation at the inn where they are staying with that same Mr. Darcy...Andrew Darcy. She assumes he is a cousin or other distant relative as the Mr. Darcy she knows only acknowledged a sister in his family.
Andrew Darcy now has the Kympton living and is a known abolitionist with a very strict moral code. He is not above cutting a person he perceives as a sinner, which comes into play more than once in this tale.
Andrew does the honorable thing and offers marriage to Elizabeth. She is not happy and resists this solution but when the Gardiners point out how this will affect her family she accepts his hand. The engagement is not official immediately as Mr. Bennet's permission has not yet been secured. And, ironically, a short time later Elizabeth finds how that Andrew is Mr. Darcy's younger brother. With that she comes to realize that not only is Darcy deeply affected by this engagement but that she, also, now has regrets about the way they parted and words exchanged in Hunsford. But both realize they have to hide their feelings and act with honor.
Andrew's place in the Darcy family is the focus of much of this story. I don't want to give away the details here as it is much of the ongoing angst for more than one person. Fitzwilliam and Andrew, as well as Georgiana, have only recently reconciled and become a whole family after many years. When the latter learns that Andrew is engaged and engaged to "his" Miss Elizabeth, he is torn and agonized. He is not willing to do anything to split his new relationship with Andrew apart plus he sees how quickly Georgiana has renewed her love for their brother and how important that is to her. Darcy doesn't know how the engagement occurred only that Andrew has reported that he loves her.
Andrew has many fine qualities. In his employ is an ex-slave woman who is part of this story as are his acts towards the "slave" issue. He reaches out and cares for those around him who he sees as needing some attention. Mary Bennet receives some of that attention when he meets her and observes how her family has basically isolated her in her moralizing criticisms towards them. Mary soon blossoms under his attentions, becomes a friend, and expands her fields of interest to include other subjects.
Elizabeth and Andrew respect each other but love is not a feeling that has grown between them although both have expressed hope that it will.
Elizabeth and the Gardiners have come to stay at Pemberley as events unfold and it is there that Elizabeth discovers Mr. Darcy's love of botany and his ongoing interest in that field and even the expedition he was denied when his father suffered an apoplexy and died. This interest plays into how he plans to deal with Elizabeth's and Andrew's marriage. No more will be said here about that as I want you to learn about that part of the story for yourself.
This is a long story. There are several aunts, another couple whose family forbids their courtship and/or marriage, an older gentleman whose interest in Andrew causes conflict between E. and Andrew, and the past history about Anne Darcy which comes to the surface and changes some attitudes and actions. There is also an epilogue.
I highly recommend this story. I have read all this author's books and she is a great favorite of mine.
Elizabeth is touring in Derbyshire with the Gardiners (post Hunsford) and meets another Mr. Darcy when they visit the rector, Mr. Morris, who took over the living Aunt Gardiner's father used to occupy. A short time later Elizabeth finds herself placed in a compromising situation at the inn where they are staying with that same Mr. Darcy...Andrew Darcy. She assumes he is a cousin or other distant relative as the Mr. Darcy she knows only acknowledged a sister in his family.
Andrew Darcy now has the Kympton living and is a known abolitionist with a very strict moral code. He is not above cutting a person he perceives as a sinner, which comes into play more than once in this tale.
Andrew does the honorable thing and offers marriage to Elizabeth. She is not happy and resists this solution but when the Gardiners point out how this will affect her family she accepts his hand. The engagement is not official immediately as Mr. Bennet's permission has not yet been secured. And, ironically, a short time later Elizabeth finds how that Andrew is Mr. Darcy's younger brother. With that she comes to realize that not only is Darcy deeply affected by this engagement but that she, also, now has regrets about the way they parted and words exchanged in Hunsford. But both realize they have to hide their feelings and act with honor.
Andrew's place in the Darcy family is the focus of much of this story. I don't want to give away the details here as it is much of the ongoing angst for more than one person. Fitzwilliam and Andrew, as well as Georgiana, have only recently reconciled and become a whole family after many years. When the latter learns that Andrew is engaged and engaged to "his" Miss Elizabeth, he is torn and agonized. He is not willing to do anything to split his new relationship with Andrew apart plus he sees how quickly Georgiana has renewed her love for their brother and how important that is to her. Darcy doesn't know how the engagement occurred only that Andrew has reported that he loves her.
Andrew has many fine qualities. In his employ is an ex-slave woman who is part of this story as are his acts towards the "slave" issue. He reaches out and cares for those around him who he sees as needing some attention. Mary Bennet receives some of that attention when he meets her and observes how her family has basically isolated her in her moralizing criticisms towards them. Mary soon blossoms under his attentions, becomes a friend, and expands her fields of interest to include other subjects.
Elizabeth and Andrew respect each other but love is not a feeling that has grown between them although both have expressed hope that it will.
Elizabeth and the Gardiners have come to stay at Pemberley as events unfold and it is there that Elizabeth discovers Mr. Darcy's love of botany and his ongoing interest in that field and even the expedition he was denied when his father suffered an apoplexy and died. This interest plays into how he plans to deal with Elizabeth's and Andrew's marriage. No more will be said here about that as I want you to learn about that part of the story for yourself.
This is a long story. There are several aunts, another couple whose family forbids their courtship and/or marriage, an older gentleman whose interest in Andrew causes conflict between E. and Andrew, and the past history about Anne Darcy which comes to the surface and changes some attitudes and actions. There is also an epilogue.
I highly recommend this story. I have read all this author's books and she is a great favorite of mine.
February 19, 2021
"...losing her had only deepened his feelings for her, the woman he loved so passionately but could never have." (quote from the book)
Intense. This one word captures, in my mind, the whole of this unique story. Yes, we have had variations where Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy has a brother. But none where Elizabeth is to marry him (that I have read). And none where emotions are so fraught with a longing that hurts the heart.
"Oh, yes, he objected, and with every bone of his body. But he could never, ever say so." (quote from the book)
It has been four months since Fitzwilliam Darcy proposed to Elizabeth Bennet. Four months in which he has taken to heart her words and reached out to his estranged brother offering him the living at Kympton. Little did he know that Elizabeth would tour Derbyshire with her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner and meet Andrew Darcy. Little was he expecting to hear the words from his brother that he was engaged to be married...to Elizabeth Bennet. And so the angst begins for Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth.
"Elizabeth and Andrew, a punishment from a vindictive God for his sin of pride." (quote from the book)
But how did this all come about? And why is Andrew reluctant to go to Pemberley? There are secrets buried in the Darcy's past. Secrets that are slowly revealed and Elizabeth works to unravel them and help heal the divide.
"While in general I am fond of labyrinths, of late I have spent too much time trying to find my way out of the maze in my thoughts to enjoy being in a physical one." (quote from the book)
I found you cannot dislike his brother, Andrew Darcy. He is honorable, kind and is true to himself and a very strong advocate of the abolitionist movement. But you know, as a reader, that he is not the man for Elizabeth. He has some similarities to his brother...implacable resentment or maybe it is was more his intractability, where I wanted to shake him. Regardless, the journey of these three souls was intense, emotional and at times heartbreaking. And in the end, so satisfying.
I highly recommend this emotionally-charged variation. Ms. Reynolds does not disappoint! I also had to buy the paperback, for I just love the cover (front and back). It portrays an intriguing part of the story as well.
February 8, 2022
Un-put-down-able!
The story begins three months after Elizabeth refuses Darcy’s proposal. We learn Darcy has an estranged younger brother, Andrew, who has recently accepted the living at Kympton after Darcy offers it. Just as Darcy is hoping to now repair their relationship and bring him back into the family fold, he receives the shock of his life. Andrew is engaged—to Elizabeth of all people! Ohhh the angst!
Rather than make Andrew a villain, Ms. Reynolds has made him a good man. He is handsome and educated. We can’t hate him. There is someone we can hate, however, and his name is Wickham. He has a direct role early on, but thankfully, isn’t in the entirety of the story.
This book is an emotional ride. There definitely is angst throughout, but because the author promised her readers a happy ending (benefit of being a Austen Variations member, wink, wink) I wasn’t completely losing my stomach—or my mind—over the ordeal. Darcy’s anguish for his lost love will bring you to tears, as will Elizabeth, as she sees no hope for resolution to a forced marriage to a man she doesn’t love—imagining herself forever in the path of the one man she now wished she could have because he will be family—her brother. If she breaks the engagement, she will be ruined and so will her family and sisters’ prospects.
There are also some Darcy secrets to be discovered, which places an intriguing twist into the storyline, as Lady Anne makes her presence known, even from the grave. Her love story having similarities to the plight of our dearest couple.
How, oh how will this ever be resolved? Ms. Reynolds has gifted us with another very well written, captivating and romantic page turner. It is an absolute must read I definitely recommend! Enjoy it, fellow readers. I’m off to adjust my 2020 top ten Austen variations. Bravo Abigail Reynolds!
Ohhh, I almost forgot. I must say— this book screams for (at a minimum) a novella-type sequel of the voyage, beginning with the wedding night!
February 8, 2022 - Audiobook
Loved this book and the Audible version is also very good. Nice performance by Elizabeth Klett.
The story begins three months after Elizabeth refuses Darcy’s proposal. We learn Darcy has an estranged younger brother, Andrew, who has recently accepted the living at Kympton after Darcy offers it. Just as Darcy is hoping to now repair their relationship and bring him back into the family fold, he receives the shock of his life. Andrew is engaged—to Elizabeth of all people! Ohhh the angst!
Rather than make Andrew a villain, Ms. Reynolds has made him a good man. He is handsome and educated. We can’t hate him. There is someone we can hate, however, and his name is Wickham. He has a direct role early on, but thankfully, isn’t in the entirety of the story.
This book is an emotional ride. There definitely is angst throughout, but because the author promised her readers a happy ending (benefit of being a Austen Variations member, wink, wink) I wasn’t completely losing my stomach—or my mind—over the ordeal. Darcy’s anguish for his lost love will bring you to tears, as will Elizabeth, as she sees no hope for resolution to a forced marriage to a man she doesn’t love—imagining herself forever in the path of the one man she now wished she could have because he will be family—her brother. If she breaks the engagement, she will be ruined and so will her family and sisters’ prospects.
There are also some Darcy secrets to be discovered, which places an intriguing twist into the storyline, as Lady Anne makes her presence known, even from the grave. Her love story having similarities to the plight of our dearest couple.
How, oh how will this ever be resolved? Ms. Reynolds has gifted us with another very well written, captivating and romantic page turner. It is an absolute must read I definitely recommend! Enjoy it, fellow readers. I’m off to adjust my 2020 top ten Austen variations. Bravo Abigail Reynolds!
Ohhh, I almost forgot. I must say— this book screams for (at a minimum) a novella-type sequel of the voyage, beginning with the wedding night!
February 8, 2022 - Audiobook
Loved this book and the Audible version is also very good. Nice performance by Elizabeth Klett.
March 9, 2022
What If A Relation of Mr. Darcy’s Accidentally Compromised Elizabeth Bennet?
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Source: Review Copy from Author
TYPE OF NOVEL: Pride and Prejudice Variation
TIME FRAME: Begins while Elizabeth is on holiday with the Gardiners
SYNOPSIS: Mr. Darcy’s estranged younger brother, Andrew, has accepted the extended olive branch and is returning to Pemberley. Mr. Darcy is most pleased and eager to reconcile and repair his relationship with his brother – that is until he discovers his brother is newly engaged to none other than Elizabeth Bennet…!
WHAT I LOVED:
- Emotionally Turbulent: Full of anguished yearning, stolen tender moments, torturous situations, undeniable affection, and private pain – this is a Pride and Prejudice variation that will consume your emotions. And I absolutely loved it! This premise is stirring and challenging as all three of our principal characters learn to wade through this quagmire of a situation. Abigail Reynolds is one of the best in this genre at delivering emotionally-wrought stories that are filled with poignancy and palpable feeling.
- Andrew: What a well-drawn and dynamic new character! The rumors of his troublesome childhood and of being disowned make him an intriguing black sheep character. And he becomes more of an enigma when this reputation doesn’t seem to match the compassionate soul, devoted abolitionist, and earnest clergyman he appears to be now. I loved peeling back the layers to Andrew’s history and journey. I appreciated that he had some flaws and was battling with his own issues surrounding family, forgiveness, and sin. It was difficult not to admire and care for Andrew…even though he was causing his brother an intense amount of pain!
- Mr. Darcy: What an insurmountable and unfathomable situation! But, boy, did he handle himself so honorably and selflessly! He truly is placed through the ringer as he simultaneously desires to strengthen his tenuous relationship with his brother, yet at the same time secretly tries to ignore his all-consuming love for Elizabeth. And the frustrating part is he doesn’t know or understand Elizabeth’s feelings in all this! I admire Mr. Darcy for all that he endured, for the values and principles that were important to him, and for the irrevocably romantic moments where he could not hide the true feelings of his heart.
- Elizabeth: Elizabeth’s situation is just as fraught with tension and conflict as the Darcy brothers! Especially since she doesn’t have a choice in the matter and wants nothing more than to avoid coming into contact with Mr. Darcy ever again! I admire her for her actions and outlook during these tense and difficult times, and I deeply love what she was trying to do for Andrew! She is in such a precarious situation and believes that her only choice is to make a sacrifice. And it is interesting to see what she does when she evaluates the pain and/or happiness her sacrifice brings to others…
- Unique Passions: I adore what these characters are passionate about in this story! Andrew is such a dedicated advocate for the abolitionist movement and for helping any creature in need, Mr. Darcy has a secret love for the study of tropical plants, and Elizabeth longs to travel and explore foreign countries. I love the diversity of these passions and how Abigail Reynolds skillfully and thoughtfully tied them into this story. That orangery tho…
- Mr. Hadley, Myrtilla, and Wilkins: These new original characters were utterly fantastic! I loved Mr. Hadley’s genuine good-nature and generous heart, Myrtilla’s gentle familiarity and skills, and Wilkins’s sly insubordination and keen perception. These additional characters and the important roles they played took a splendid story and made it all the more enriched and complete.
WHAT I WASN’T TOO FOND OF:
That this glorious story came to an end.
CONCLUSION:
It has long been established that Abigail Reynolds is quite the proficient at penning exquisitely beautiful and mesmerizing Pride and Prejudice variations. And with each new release she continues to represent and encompass new themes and elements with these characters that further displays her unbounded talent and ingenuity. While delivering an emotionally turbulent journey for Elizabeth and Darcy in The Price of Pride, Ms. Reynolds’s also creates a meaningful tale about overcoming past pain, making choices for the right reasons, and the importance of not judging the actions of others. I heartily recommend this stirring and magnetic tale!
Austenesque Reviews
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Source: Review Copy from Author
TYPE OF NOVEL: Pride and Prejudice Variation
TIME FRAME: Begins while Elizabeth is on holiday with the Gardiners
SYNOPSIS: Mr. Darcy’s estranged younger brother, Andrew, has accepted the extended olive branch and is returning to Pemberley. Mr. Darcy is most pleased and eager to reconcile and repair his relationship with his brother – that is until he discovers his brother is newly engaged to none other than Elizabeth Bennet…!
WHAT I LOVED:
- Emotionally Turbulent: Full of anguished yearning, stolen tender moments, torturous situations, undeniable affection, and private pain – this is a Pride and Prejudice variation that will consume your emotions. And I absolutely loved it! This premise is stirring and challenging as all three of our principal characters learn to wade through this quagmire of a situation. Abigail Reynolds is one of the best in this genre at delivering emotionally-wrought stories that are filled with poignancy and palpable feeling.
- Andrew: What a well-drawn and dynamic new character! The rumors of his troublesome childhood and of being disowned make him an intriguing black sheep character. And he becomes more of an enigma when this reputation doesn’t seem to match the compassionate soul, devoted abolitionist, and earnest clergyman he appears to be now. I loved peeling back the layers to Andrew’s history and journey. I appreciated that he had some flaws and was battling with his own issues surrounding family, forgiveness, and sin. It was difficult not to admire and care for Andrew…even though he was causing his brother an intense amount of pain!
- Mr. Darcy: What an insurmountable and unfathomable situation! But, boy, did he handle himself so honorably and selflessly! He truly is placed through the ringer as he simultaneously desires to strengthen his tenuous relationship with his brother, yet at the same time secretly tries to ignore his all-consuming love for Elizabeth. And the frustrating part is he doesn’t know or understand Elizabeth’s feelings in all this! I admire Mr. Darcy for all that he endured, for the values and principles that were important to him, and for the irrevocably romantic moments where he could not hide the true feelings of his heart.
- Elizabeth: Elizabeth’s situation is just as fraught with tension and conflict as the Darcy brothers! Especially since she doesn’t have a choice in the matter and wants nothing more than to avoid coming into contact with Mr. Darcy ever again! I admire her for her actions and outlook during these tense and difficult times, and I deeply love what she was trying to do for Andrew! She is in such a precarious situation and believes that her only choice is to make a sacrifice. And it is interesting to see what she does when she evaluates the pain and/or happiness her sacrifice brings to others…
- Unique Passions: I adore what these characters are passionate about in this story! Andrew is such a dedicated advocate for the abolitionist movement and for helping any creature in need, Mr. Darcy has a secret love for the study of tropical plants, and Elizabeth longs to travel and explore foreign countries. I love the diversity of these passions and how Abigail Reynolds skillfully and thoughtfully tied them into this story. That orangery tho…
- Mr. Hadley, Myrtilla, and Wilkins: These new original characters were utterly fantastic! I loved Mr. Hadley’s genuine good-nature and generous heart, Myrtilla’s gentle familiarity and skills, and Wilkins’s sly insubordination and keen perception. These additional characters and the important roles they played took a splendid story and made it all the more enriched and complete.
WHAT I WASN’T TOO FOND OF:
That this glorious story came to an end.
CONCLUSION:
It has long been established that Abigail Reynolds is quite the proficient at penning exquisitely beautiful and mesmerizing Pride and Prejudice variations. And with each new release she continues to represent and encompass new themes and elements with these characters that further displays her unbounded talent and ingenuity. While delivering an emotionally turbulent journey for Elizabeth and Darcy in The Price of Pride, Ms. Reynolds’s also creates a meaningful tale about overcoming past pain, making choices for the right reasons, and the importance of not judging the actions of others. I heartily recommend this stirring and magnetic tale!
Austenesque Reviews
March 10, 2023
Status: Read August 17-22, 2021
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Edition Read:
The Price of Pride: A Pride & Prejudice Variation
by Abigail Reynolds
Kindle Edition, 354 pages
Published December 14, 2020 by White Soup Press
ASIN: B08QNBNHR2
[ kindle unlimited ]
In Love with His Brother’s Betrothed…
As far as Fitzwilliam Darcy is concerned, the only good thing to come of Elizabeth Bennet’s bitter refusal of his heart and his hand was his new resolve to prove himself a better man. He’d done it, too, by closing the painful distance between himself and his estranged younger brother, Drew. And now Drew is newly engaged to be married…to Elizabeth Bennet.
Family duty forces Darcy to support the engagement, especially since even the smallest hint of disapproval could ruin the brothers’ hard-won reconciliation. But how can he bear to watch his brother marry the woman he loves? To see her in Drew’s arms, bearing Drew’s children, and forever out of his reach?
An Accidental Compromise
Elizabeth has no choice but to accept an engagement to handsome Drew Darcy. He’s amiable, educated, and respectable, and if it weren’t for his last name, she wouldn’t even mind the idea. But to marry the brother of the gentleman she’d so coldly rejected only months before? Especially now that she realizes her feelings for him are far from sisterly. How can she marry Drew while longing for his brother? But the cost of breaking her engagement would be ruination, and with it, the loss of any hope of a life with Darcy.
Trapped by loyalty, love, and propriety, there is no way out. But old family secrets haunt the two Darcy brothers. Could those secrets, when brought out in the open, change everything?
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Edition Read:
The Price of Pride: A Pride & Prejudice Variation
by Abigail Reynolds
Kindle Edition, 354 pages
Published December 14, 2020 by White Soup Press
ASIN: B08QNBNHR2
[ kindle unlimited ]
In Love with His Brother’s Betrothed…
As far as Fitzwilliam Darcy is concerned, the only good thing to come of Elizabeth Bennet’s bitter refusal of his heart and his hand was his new resolve to prove himself a better man. He’d done it, too, by closing the painful distance between himself and his estranged younger brother, Drew. And now Drew is newly engaged to be married…to Elizabeth Bennet.
Family duty forces Darcy to support the engagement, especially since even the smallest hint of disapproval could ruin the brothers’ hard-won reconciliation. But how can he bear to watch his brother marry the woman he loves? To see her in Drew’s arms, bearing Drew’s children, and forever out of his reach?
An Accidental Compromise
Elizabeth has no choice but to accept an engagement to handsome Drew Darcy. He’s amiable, educated, and respectable, and if it weren’t for his last name, she wouldn’t even mind the idea. But to marry the brother of the gentleman she’d so coldly rejected only months before? Especially now that she realizes her feelings for him are far from sisterly. How can she marry Drew while longing for his brother? But the cost of breaking her engagement would be ruination, and with it, the loss of any hope of a life with Darcy.
Trapped by loyalty, love, and propriety, there is no way out. But old family secrets haunt the two Darcy brothers. Could those secrets, when brought out in the open, change everything?
Read
January 13, 2021Well written, but overly fraught
I love this author, and pretty much automatically buy her books when I see her name on them. I'm accustomed to the fact that her subject matter when writing JAFF is serious, not light hearted or humorous. However, this book is so melodramatic, so unrelentingly fraught with angst, that I had to walk away from it many times throughout the reading, so that I could continue without getting too sardonic about it. I realize that Regency era attitudes and ideas of propriety seem ridiculous to anyone living in today's world, but the premise of this book just pushed the boundaries of behavior by these characters into stupidity, and just left me feeling rather annoyed.
After the disastrous proposal at Hunsford parsonage, Elizabeth visits Pemberly with her aunt and uncle Gardiner. While in the neighborhood, she meets Andrew Darcy, a half brother of Darcy's, who is taking the Kympton living. Wickham sets up a compromising situation between them, threatens to expose it in Meryton, and forces Andrew Darcy and Elizabeth to become betrothed, much to the horror of Elizabeth, who now has changed her mind about Fitzwilliam Darcy, and Darcy himself, who still loves Elizabeth. No one is happy, and thus starts the extreme melodrama.
This book, and others, begs the question: how important is Wickham in this world, and why does he apparently wield so much power? He's just the son of a servant, and has no social standing, so how is it that he would be believed over the word of someone much more prominent? To me, it just seems silly that Andrew Darcy and Elizabeth would actually ruin their lives and get betrothed, rather than laugh off Wickham's threats, thereby taking away his power over them.
Then we have Fitzwilliam Darcy, who is almost reduced to a blubbering puddle by the news of Andrew's and Elizabeth's betrothal. He succumbs to extreme melodrama and, IMHO, isn't a very admirable man.
The storyline is interesting, but in many places seemed too contrived. For example, Mrs Gardiner's role in helping Andrew Darcy to set up his staff at his parsonage was not believable. Fitzwilliam Darcy's obsession with jungle plants and South American botanical trips was not believable. Elizabeth's insistence on keeping a puppy was not believable. These are just a few of the plot points that just didn't feel right.
I don't mind a serious story, but I do mind if the oppression and depression are without relief. Everyone is so unhappy that any romance is pretty much killed. The relationship between Elizabeth and Darcy is so bleak that I just grew tired of it. Still, the book is well written and well edited. Unfortunately, I just can't recommend it.
I love this author, and pretty much automatically buy her books when I see her name on them. I'm accustomed to the fact that her subject matter when writing JAFF is serious, not light hearted or humorous. However, this book is so melodramatic, so unrelentingly fraught with angst, that I had to walk away from it many times throughout the reading, so that I could continue without getting too sardonic about it. I realize that Regency era attitudes and ideas of propriety seem ridiculous to anyone living in today's world, but the premise of this book just pushed the boundaries of behavior by these characters into stupidity, and just left me feeling rather annoyed.
After the disastrous proposal at Hunsford parsonage, Elizabeth visits Pemberly with her aunt and uncle Gardiner. While in the neighborhood, she meets Andrew Darcy, a half brother of Darcy's, who is taking the Kympton living. Wickham sets up a compromising situation between them, threatens to expose it in Meryton, and forces Andrew Darcy and Elizabeth to become betrothed, much to the horror of Elizabeth, who now has changed her mind about Fitzwilliam Darcy, and Darcy himself, who still loves Elizabeth. No one is happy, and thus starts the extreme melodrama.
This book, and others, begs the question: how important is Wickham in this world, and why does he apparently wield so much power? He's just the son of a servant, and has no social standing, so how is it that he would be believed over the word of someone much more prominent? To me, it just seems silly that Andrew Darcy and Elizabeth would actually ruin their lives and get betrothed, rather than laugh off Wickham's threats, thereby taking away his power over them.
Then we have Fitzwilliam Darcy, who is almost reduced to a blubbering puddle by the news of Andrew's and Elizabeth's betrothal. He succumbs to extreme melodrama and, IMHO, isn't a very admirable man.
The storyline is interesting, but in many places seemed too contrived. For example, Mrs Gardiner's role in helping Andrew Darcy to set up his staff at his parsonage was not believable. Fitzwilliam Darcy's obsession with jungle plants and South American botanical trips was not believable. Elizabeth's insistence on keeping a puppy was not believable. These are just a few of the plot points that just didn't feel right.
I don't mind a serious story, but I do mind if the oppression and depression are without relief. Everyone is so unhappy that any romance is pretty much killed. The relationship between Elizabeth and Darcy is so bleak that I just grew tired of it. Still, the book is well written and well edited. Unfortunately, I just can't recommend it.
June 20, 2021
This was a long book that felt even longer due to the very serious nature of it and the overall melancholy feel. I found that while I liked this book, I didn’t love it. It was definitely engaging and kept my interest. The plot mostly worked, although the exotic plant and horticulture aspect didn’t really seem to fit in, except that it provided the needed escape at the end. I have to admit, the whole premise of Elizabeth feeling the need to vanish without any communication at all with her family, especially Jane, or anyone else just seemed extreme and just didn’t ring true to me and didn’t feel justifiable in the circumstances. I also find it hard to believe that given the family connection to the Darcy’s, her location remaining hidden is unbelievable. Not only that, but the person who facilitated her disappearance would be aware of the distress her disappearance would have caused the Darcys. Also, the whole Bennet family were MIA in this story except Mary and none of the Bennets seemed to care or be concerned with her just disappearing. This author is very talented and she has the talent of being able to make connections to her readers and there were many things to enjoy here, even if it isn’t my favorite from her.
December 18, 2020
So many scandals, so many almost scandals
A very complex story of the flawed aristocracy in Regency England.
“Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men...”, Sir John Dalberg-Acton, 8th Baronet.
In Regency England the males of the aristocracy were the top @% and many ruled their home, families, women, tenants, etc. as near slaves. The men could have mistresses and the wives could not and could be punished if caught.
Lizzy is caught up in hidden hypocrisies in the current generation of Darcys and Fitzwilliams. Worse she may suffer for past generations immoral events. Her first priority is not to draw her family into this quagmire. Second is to survive her notice by great men and their families.
The story is full from front to back with angst. How can Lizzy and Darcy have a HEA? How can it be believable? It might be fun to write down each scandal and almost scandals. 😀
Good book.
A very complex story of the flawed aristocracy in Regency England.
“Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men...”, Sir John Dalberg-Acton, 8th Baronet.
In Regency England the males of the aristocracy were the top @% and many ruled their home, families, women, tenants, etc. as near slaves. The men could have mistresses and the wives could not and could be punished if caught.
Lizzy is caught up in hidden hypocrisies in the current generation of Darcys and Fitzwilliams. Worse she may suffer for past generations immoral events. Her first priority is not to draw her family into this quagmire. Second is to survive her notice by great men and their families.
The story is full from front to back with angst. How can Lizzy and Darcy have a HEA? How can it be believable? It might be fun to write down each scandal and almost scandals. 😀
Good book.
February 16, 2021
It is a truth universally acknowledged that unbridled pride can result in unintended consequences. Much to the dismay of those who realize it too late, it often requires an event of heart-wrenching significance to stir them from their self-righteous stupor. But what sobering fates will befall them due to their untimely awakening? Prolific and bestselling Austenesque author Abigail Reynolds explores the uncertain destinies of two such prideful characters in her latest Pride and Prejudice variation, The Price of Pride.
Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy had returned home to Pemberley in Derbyshire a broken man following the stunning refusal of his marriage proposal to Miss Elizabeth Bennet at Hunsford parsonage in Kent. “The four months since then had not been enough to begin to erase the traces of her from his heart. Instead, losing her had only deepened his feelings for her, the woman he loved so passionately but could never have.” (33)
In an effort to prove himself to be a better person than the arrogant, unfeeling gentleman he had been, Darcy reaches out with an olive branch to his younger brother Andrew, who had been disowned by their father many years before under mysterious circumstances. Now a clergyman and active abolitionist, Drew warily accepts Darcy’s offer of the generous living at the parsonage in Kympton. Darcy “was determined to change, to become a better man, one who could be worthy of a woman like Elizabeth.” (52)
In a cruel twist of fate, Drew arrives at Pemberley bringing glad tidings of his own unexpected betrothal. Although envious of his brother’s happy news, Darcy wishes him well, wanting only to repair the estrangement that has plagued the brothers for far too long. And then … Drew unknowingly informs him that the bride-to-be is a lady formerly acquainted with Darcy. “It could not be. Drew, engaged to Elizabeth? How was such a thing possible. How had his brother even met Elizabeth? Why had she never mentioned him? But all the questions in the world could do nothing to calm the agonizing pain ripping through him.” (77)
Elizabeth, on a pleasurable summer tour with her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner, happened to meet the affable Andrew Darcy while visiting the rectory in Lambton, near Pemberley, where her aunt had grown up. Certain that he must be a poor, distant Darcy cousin, she remains politely indifferent to him, albeit somewhat curious about his unusual animosity toward his Darcy relations. Still, she keeps her distance. “Mr. Andrew Darcy might be a good match, but she had no intention of having any connection to the Darcy family. Just imagine if her Mr. Darcy came home to Pemberley and found her married to his cousin! She would rather have a ruined reputation. Almost.” (628)
When a nefarious villain seizes an opportunity to avenge his perceived mistreatment at the hands of the Darcy family, Elizabeth is a convenient pawn in his plot. Soon enough, she learns the shocking truth of Drew’s true identity. “How could this have happened? She was all but engaged to Mr. Darcy’s brother. Good God, what would he think?” (726)
And so, dear friends, the angst-train has left the station! As a Pride and Prejudice enthusiast, I adore every version of happily-ever-after for our dear couple that I can devour. It was with trepidation that I approached this story, knowing that they would be separated by a shocking chain of events involving a heretofore unknown brother. Oh, the crushing pain! Yet this was only the beginning of the distressful obstacle course, as their integrity battles with their undeniable obsession. The electric connection between Darcy and Elizabeth is as palpable as their unyielding sense of duty to the innocent man unwittingly standing between them. Abigail Reynolds masterfully weaves an uplifting love story for the ages through what might otherwise be a dreadfully disheartening tale. Admirers of our dear couple may be discouraged by the insurmountable odds, but take heart. “You should believe it. You knew all along what was meant to be.” (5357)
The Price of Pride beautifully illustrates the powerful devotion of a couple who will go to great lengths to protect each other, no matter the cost.
5 out of 5 Regency Stars
https://austenprose.com/2021/02/15/th...
Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy had returned home to Pemberley in Derbyshire a broken man following the stunning refusal of his marriage proposal to Miss Elizabeth Bennet at Hunsford parsonage in Kent. “The four months since then had not been enough to begin to erase the traces of her from his heart. Instead, losing her had only deepened his feelings for her, the woman he loved so passionately but could never have.” (33)
In an effort to prove himself to be a better person than the arrogant, unfeeling gentleman he had been, Darcy reaches out with an olive branch to his younger brother Andrew, who had been disowned by their father many years before under mysterious circumstances. Now a clergyman and active abolitionist, Drew warily accepts Darcy’s offer of the generous living at the parsonage in Kympton. Darcy “was determined to change, to become a better man, one who could be worthy of a woman like Elizabeth.” (52)
In a cruel twist of fate, Drew arrives at Pemberley bringing glad tidings of his own unexpected betrothal. Although envious of his brother’s happy news, Darcy wishes him well, wanting only to repair the estrangement that has plagued the brothers for far too long. And then … Drew unknowingly informs him that the bride-to-be is a lady formerly acquainted with Darcy. “It could not be. Drew, engaged to Elizabeth? How was such a thing possible. How had his brother even met Elizabeth? Why had she never mentioned him? But all the questions in the world could do nothing to calm the agonizing pain ripping through him.” (77)
Elizabeth, on a pleasurable summer tour with her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner, happened to meet the affable Andrew Darcy while visiting the rectory in Lambton, near Pemberley, where her aunt had grown up. Certain that he must be a poor, distant Darcy cousin, she remains politely indifferent to him, albeit somewhat curious about his unusual animosity toward his Darcy relations. Still, she keeps her distance. “Mr. Andrew Darcy might be a good match, but she had no intention of having any connection to the Darcy family. Just imagine if her Mr. Darcy came home to Pemberley and found her married to his cousin! She would rather have a ruined reputation. Almost.” (628)
When a nefarious villain seizes an opportunity to avenge his perceived mistreatment at the hands of the Darcy family, Elizabeth is a convenient pawn in his plot. Soon enough, she learns the shocking truth of Drew’s true identity. “How could this have happened? She was all but engaged to Mr. Darcy’s brother. Good God, what would he think?” (726)
And so, dear friends, the angst-train has left the station! As a Pride and Prejudice enthusiast, I adore every version of happily-ever-after for our dear couple that I can devour. It was with trepidation that I approached this story, knowing that they would be separated by a shocking chain of events involving a heretofore unknown brother. Oh, the crushing pain! Yet this was only the beginning of the distressful obstacle course, as their integrity battles with their undeniable obsession. The electric connection between Darcy and Elizabeth is as palpable as their unyielding sense of duty to the innocent man unwittingly standing between them. Abigail Reynolds masterfully weaves an uplifting love story for the ages through what might otherwise be a dreadfully disheartening tale. Admirers of our dear couple may be discouraged by the insurmountable odds, but take heart. “You should believe it. You knew all along what was meant to be.” (5357)
The Price of Pride beautifully illustrates the powerful devotion of a couple who will go to great lengths to protect each other, no matter the cost.
5 out of 5 Regency Stars
https://austenprose.com/2021/02/15/th...
January 15, 2021
Of course, It's Excellent
There are probably equal parts angst and romance in this one, along with a fair amount of stomach ailments, by the way! Much of Darcy's suffering could have been aided by a dose of antacid and an occasional Xanax in a modern day, but the romance is pure Regency. Oh Abigail, you've done it again. Thank you.
There are probably equal parts angst and romance in this one, along with a fair amount of stomach ailments, by the way! Much of Darcy's suffering could have been aided by a dose of antacid and an occasional Xanax in a modern day, but the romance is pure Regency. Oh Abigail, you've done it again. Thank you.
March 13, 2021
Absolutely loved this!
Most of our story takes place away from Longbourne, Jane and Bingley get an early resolve and Lydia is mentioned several times as being in Brighton and never mentioned again.
It starts with Elizabeth on the summer trip with the Gardiners. A chance meeting with an a former adversary, sets in motion circumstances which lead to Elizabeth being engaged to Darcy's brother. Meanwhile emotions are high all around, due to old family histories and secrets not talked about for many years!
Elizabeth will do almost anything, even face complete ruination, to keep from hurting all of the people she cares most about.
This is a roller coaster of a story, deftly woven with angst, politics and secret love, bringing the reader through highs and lows, but not able to put it down at any point.
Most of our story takes place away from Longbourne, Jane and Bingley get an early resolve and Lydia is mentioned several times as being in Brighton and never mentioned again.
It starts with Elizabeth on the summer trip with the Gardiners. A chance meeting with an a former adversary, sets in motion circumstances which lead to Elizabeth being engaged to Darcy's brother. Meanwhile emotions are high all around, due to old family histories and secrets not talked about for many years!
Elizabeth will do almost anything, even face complete ruination, to keep from hurting all of the people she cares most about.
This is a roller coaster of a story, deftly woven with angst, politics and secret love, bringing the reader through highs and lows, but not able to put it down at any point.
September 22, 2021
I have been a fan of Abigail Reynolds for a long time and like all of her other books, this P&P variation is exquisitely written. Darcy’s pain and confusion abound when his estranged younger brother Andrew shows up at Pemberley and announces his engagement to Elizabeth. There is also a solid backstory of the Darcy family history and the estrangement between brothers. Through it all Elizabeth and Darcy try to deny their feelings. I really enjoyed the story but felt the plot was too much tied to the perceived ruination of Elizabeth’s reputation. The ending felt rushed but the epilogue was nice. As with any well written story, like Jane, I always find it too short.😉
This ebook is currently free with Amazon prime reading.
This ebook is currently free with Amazon prime reading.
January 12, 2021
Three stars because the beginning half of the book kept me intrigued. I just found the ending to be way out there in a way that didn’t feel believable.
February 1, 2021
Abigail Reynolds does it again. Love this P&P variation. Wose does a wonderful job summarizing the novel.
There definitely some angst but thank goodness, you always know there will be a HEA for Darcy and Elizabeth.
Definitely recommend it to P&P and Jane Austen fans.
There definitely some angst but thank goodness, you always know there will be a HEA for Darcy and Elizabeth.
Definitely recommend it to P&P and Jane Austen fans.
September 26, 2021
Im not usually a fan of variations where Elizabeth or Darcy is engaged or married to someone else and I think that's why I put off reading this gor so long, despite it being by one of my favourite authors... I shouldn't have waited - its a great book and I should never have doubted ODC were in a safe pair of hands!
Following the disastrous proposal, Lizzy does not meet Darcy at Pemberley but does meet Andrew Darcy, Vicar of Kimpton who she assumes is a distant relative of Fitzwilliam Darcy. Circumstances bring Andrew and Lizzy closer and they end up engaged. But Andrew doesn't know about her past with Fitzwilliam and maybe a marriage of convenience isn't really going to work for either of them. This is a high angst for Abigail Reynolds... but it is so well done. The obstacles are significant and aren't brushed over or ignored so things are resolved in an unconventional way! The issue of slavery runs through this book as Andrew is in favour of abolition and I found this interesting- i had never really thought about what Jane Austen might have thought about it.
This is a real page turner with plenty of dastardly deeds!
Following the disastrous proposal, Lizzy does not meet Darcy at Pemberley but does meet Andrew Darcy, Vicar of Kimpton who she assumes is a distant relative of Fitzwilliam Darcy. Circumstances bring Andrew and Lizzy closer and they end up engaged. But Andrew doesn't know about her past with Fitzwilliam and maybe a marriage of convenience isn't really going to work for either of them. This is a high angst for Abigail Reynolds... but it is so well done. The obstacles are significant and aren't brushed over or ignored so things are resolved in an unconventional way! The issue of slavery runs through this book as Andrew is in favour of abolition and I found this interesting- i had never really thought about what Jane Austen might have thought about it.
This is a real page turner with plenty of dastardly deeds!
February 20, 2021
What is high angst? To me, an angst lover, this book was moderate angst, yet I shelved it as high because compared to the other angsty books out there, this is a cut above, holding onto legitimate plot-related angst throughout the book. What do I mean by that? Some authors will put in one or more gratuitous twists meant to up the angst, which are really cheats because they are not part of the story arc. I see the latter style as grasping for reader approval and poor writing ability. Abigail Reynolds is a bona fide excellent writer.
The premise itself boded well for the angst lover, but Abigail softened it so it was tolerable and not painful. The development of the romance fulfilled the reader's need. A full, satisfying story arc resulted. The character development was so definitive that the reader would find sympathy in what would otherwise have been a difficult situation. Her new characters were believable and had nuances that made them real people. Each one was a character we'd like to see in another book, they were so well done. The use of abolitionist themes was an excellent realistic touch, as was the use of other historical fact such as violinist George Bridgetower and Montagu House, as well as other well-researched Regency settings. Scene-setting involved all the senses and sensual memory.
A few incongruities existed--for example, one would believe that the fruit of the banana plant only grows near to the ground, which may be the case for some, but not all bananas--at least not the ones my grandfather grew. The "honey-coloured" and "golden" buildings of Bath are seen today, but when new, they were quite white.
This author is the sort to use prose in a way that she'll be quoted. This is not to say she's perfect. A little head-hopping took place, as well as a few non-Regency words or words used out of the Regency usage: staff, "taken aback," outing, snorting, headed, drab, normal. You would think one of the half-dozen betas (I saw no evidence of a paid editor) would have caught these very common errors. However, this is a short list for a JAFF novel. There were filter words and telling used more than I'd expect from such a respected author. Other editing was excellent as far as I could tell.
I find the cover eye-catching, even if it's much like several other covers with the theme of the Regency lady on the long walk up to what is assumed to be Pemberley, starting with the original cover for "Austenland," and going on to more recent JAFF. This one has good lighting and composition.
To sum up, this book is clearly up to the extremely high standards that Abigail Reynolds sets for her novels. It was a pleasure to read, with strong themes that interwove throughout to enhance the base premise. I highly recommend it to other readers.
Disclaimer: I'm a JAFF author, and because of this, some might suggest my review is a conflict of interest. However, I was a reader first, and my reviews are honest and impartial. I review for benefit of both the reader and the author. I am friends with Abigail Reynolds.
The premise itself boded well for the angst lover, but Abigail softened it so it was tolerable and not painful. The development of the romance fulfilled the reader's need. A full, satisfying story arc resulted. The character development was so definitive that the reader would find sympathy in what would otherwise have been a difficult situation. Her new characters were believable and had nuances that made them real people. Each one was a character we'd like to see in another book, they were so well done. The use of abolitionist themes was an excellent realistic touch, as was the use of other historical fact such as violinist George Bridgetower and Montagu House, as well as other well-researched Regency settings. Scene-setting involved all the senses and sensual memory.
A few incongruities existed--for example, one would believe that the fruit of the banana plant only grows near to the ground, which may be the case for some, but not all bananas--at least not the ones my grandfather grew. The "honey-coloured" and "golden" buildings of Bath are seen today, but when new, they were quite white.
This author is the sort to use prose in a way that she'll be quoted. This is not to say she's perfect. A little head-hopping took place, as well as a few non-Regency words or words used out of the Regency usage: staff, "taken aback," outing, snorting, headed, drab, normal. You would think one of the half-dozen betas (I saw no evidence of a paid editor) would have caught these very common errors. However, this is a short list for a JAFF novel. There were filter words and telling used more than I'd expect from such a respected author. Other editing was excellent as far as I could tell.
I find the cover eye-catching, even if it's much like several other covers with the theme of the Regency lady on the long walk up to what is assumed to be Pemberley, starting with the original cover for "Austenland," and going on to more recent JAFF. This one has good lighting and composition.
To sum up, this book is clearly up to the extremely high standards that Abigail Reynolds sets for her novels. It was a pleasure to read, with strong themes that interwove throughout to enhance the base premise. I highly recommend it to other readers.
Disclaimer: I'm a JAFF author, and because of this, some might suggest my review is a conflict of interest. However, I was a reader first, and my reviews are honest and impartial. I review for benefit of both the reader and the author. I am friends with Abigail Reynolds.
December 15, 2022
This is a high angst book. A LOT of soul searching and inner monologues. Not to mention a great deal of misunderstandings due to severe lacks of communication. It's a very long book and could easily have had 200 or more pages cut out. Here come the spoilers; An odd turn of events cause Elizabeth to be compromised (or at least that's what the villagers think after Wickham locks her and Darcy's brother in a room at an inn in Derbyshire where she's vacationing with the Gardiners). Darcy is devastated because he still loves her. The brother, Drew, was disowned by Darcy Sr. for reasons that take a long, LONG, time to be revealed. Again, a great deal of assumptions and misunderstandings by both brothers who are trying to create a relationship after many years' absence. More assumptions and misunderstandings occur when Darcy has no idea that Drew is only marrying Elizabeth to do the honorable thing. Well, actually, Drew has feelings for Elizabeth, though he's not in love with her. Elizabeth admires him but doesn't want to marry him, but she knows she must. Darcy has no idea that any of this has transpired, he believes they just met and fell in love. The Gardiners know the truth and try to diminish the scandal as much as possible. Georgiana loves Elizabeth and is very happy she is marrying her brother who she hasn't seen in many years. Because there aren't enough characters creating all this angst already, here comes the daughter of the Earl of Matlock (Richard Fitzwilliam's sister). She shows up at Drew's door asking for help because she wants to marry a man her father disapproves of. Darcy gets entangled in the whole scheme and they're all off to Bath under the pretense of visiting Matlock's sister (The Earl has two sisters in this story, Lady Catherine and another sister, both are equally horrid. And the Earl is no better, he rules with an iron fist and has spies in all of his relatives' households reporting their every move to him). The secret wedding is to take place in Bath but they have to pretend that the Earl's daughter (Lady Fredericka) and her intended don't know each other that well, and they have to keep it all hidden from the aunt. Good grief! Meanwhile Darcy is in agony, Elizabeth is depressed, Bingley starts to visit Jane again and Drew is angry because, guess what! They all find out that the reason he was disowned is that his and Darcy's mother had one night of weakness with the man she truly loves (she didn't love Darcy Sr) which resulted in Drew's birth! So he's moping around insisting he isn't part of the family while Darcy does everything to change his mind because he loves his half brother. And this is only half way through the book! Elizabeth decides to break the engagement because she finally realizes that she won't marry for convenience and be miserable for the rest of her life; plus! Mary Bennet gets involved in all of this and SHE falls in love with Drew!! Since Elizabeth "jilted" Drew she knows that her reputation is ruined. And this is a part of the book that left me baffled. The extreme consequences of a woman breaking off an engagement take center stage for the rest of the book. So severe will society's shunning of Elizabeth be that she runs away! She finds employment with a very nice man and his sister (the man is Drew's real father and we're not even going to get into that) but she tells no one where she is. Darcy is frantic looking for her. The whole entourage piles into carriages and go to London (why I can't remember). Months pass with Darcy losing sleep and weight because he's so worried about Elizabeth. But he gets trampled by a horse who's about to run into his brother. Somehow Drew's real father finds out and tells Elizabeth (who happens to be living in the same neighborhood but nobody knew it) and he takes her to Darcy. She has to nurse him back to health because he won't eat or take medication unless she promises to stay with him. He's in bad shape so it takes a while for him to recover. Meanwhile, he and Elizabeth FINALLY have a heart to heart (by this time I'm 500 pages into the book and I'm literally scanning whole paragraphs because I just want to get to the end) and everything comes out. They love each other but they can't see a way past the scandal and shame that she would be bringing to the marriage. Earlier in the story you find out that Darcy has a hobby of collecting tropical plants. He's turned an orangery at Pemberly into a tropical hothouse because as a young man he was invited to go to Brazil on an expedition to study the plant life but his father (who was also a tyrant like is brother-in-law) wouldn't let him go. So here's the genius plan that Darcy and Elizabeth come up with: they're going to get married in secret and go to Brazil and stay there for as long as it takes for the scandal to die down. Uhhh....what? This is where I realized I'm not going to get pay off in this story. Sure enough there's an epilogue that was a disappointment. Four years later they finally return to London. Yup, it took four years, during which they had kids (3 I think) and explored many other countries. They go back to Pemberly, Jane and Bingley live near by, Mary is married to Drew and they've been running the estate and everyone is happy to see them. There's no mention of the what happens to Lady Fredericka after she marries or what the Earl of Matlock does when he finds out, no mention of Mr or Mrs Bennet, no mention of Kitty or Lydia or the many, many characters that were part of most of the book. I'm not a fan of epilogues because most authors choose to take it years into the future, leaving nothing to the imagination. This epilogue didn't give me any real satisfaction. There was too much crammed into one story so I never really got the sense that I knew these characters and I had no sympathy for the their self-made dilemmas.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 30, 2022
Pretty early on in this book Elizabeth becomes engaged to someone else, so we are left frustrated for the majority of the story wanting Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam Darcy to end up together. This leads to a pretty emotionally wrought story, but I personally enjoyed it and found it to be a page turner.
Story
This story veers from cannon Pride and Prejudice after Mr. Darcy proposes to Elizabeth in Kent. As part of turning himself into a better man, he resolves to make peace with his younger brother who had been disowned by his father. Mr. Darcy invites him to take the living at Kympton in order to try to heal the breach in their family.
When Elizabeth travels to the lake district with her aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, they meet Mr. Andrew Darcy through the local parish. Since he is dressed in inexpensive, unfashionable clothes, Elizabeth assumes that he must be a distant relative of Mr. Darcy's and tries to avoid him. However, her aunt starts helping him in setting up the rectory where he is to live, so she ends up coming into contact with the pious man repeatedly on their trip. As part of trying to make up for getting into trouble as a child, he has become an abolitionist. He's very pious, but has newer ideas about the church than some people of the time. Elizabeth thinks that he might make a good pair with Mary, but her aunt thinks that Mary's devotion to religion is more conventional than Andrew's.
When Mr. Wickham deserts the militia (sans Lydia, for unknown reasons), he comes to Derbyshire to see Andrew, asking for help. He encounters Elizabeth coming to see him, and enacts a plan to put the two of them in a compromising situation. At first Elizabeth thinks she can escape the scandal, but he gets the magistrate and the town in uproar to see the situation, and promises to spread the word to the people back home. Andrew is happy to ask her to marry him, but Elizabeth is frustrated that she has been put in a situation where that is the only option she has for keeping her family and her sisters out of scandal.
When they are discussing marriage, Elizabeth is shocked to learn that Andrew Darcy was the younger, cast-off brother of Fitzwilliam Darcy. She is concerned that Mr. Darcy might object to the marriage, so Andrew goes to tell him of it right away. He doesn't object, but is heartbroken that the woman who he is still in love with is going to marry the brother that he is trying to patch up a relationship with, unaware of the situation that precipitated the engagement. Since he doesn't object, Mrs. Gardiner suggests that Andrew should present Elizabeth to his family. She knows the politics of the town, and rightly figures out that being in the good graces of the Darcy's will be important for Elizabeth's future life. They end up coming just as Georgiana and Bingley and his family have just come to stay at Pemberly, and Georgiana has a tearful reunion with Andrew as they are both taken by surprise at seeing one another.
Things That I Liked:
- Throughout the story, Elizabeth was pretty integral to helping to mend breaches between people. Pretty much as soon as Elizabeth got engaged to Drew, I wanted there to be an easy way for her to just marry Fitzwiliam instead. Her being in that position in Andrew's life allowed her to help him navigate being part of the Darcy family, and to mend fences in a way that she wouldn't have otherwise been in a position to do.
- There's a side story of one of Fitzwilliam and Andrew's cousins wanting to marry someone who is seen as inappropriate because of their political beliefs, and it was a good addition that also helped to move the story of the relationship between Elizabeth, Andrew, and Fitzwilliam forward.
- There's a decent amount of foreshadowing, so I wasn't surprised to learn the reason that Drew was estranged, but it was well done and fit well within the story.
- We get to see more development of Mary, and how her and Elizabeth's relationship improved through her engagement.
- Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy is into growing tropical plants, as a result of his education. He once was going to go on an expedition to Central America to study and bring back new samples. It just so happens that Elizabeth is very intrigued by exploration based on the stories of her father's that she grew up reading. It was cute for them to have this new interest in common.
- The newly added characters feel pretty integral to this version of the stor.
Things That I Didn't Like:
- For the most part, I thought that the longing between people who couldn't be together was pretty integral to the story and what kept me reading. I felt like the ending was unnecessarily drawn out, though.
Story
This story veers from cannon Pride and Prejudice after Mr. Darcy proposes to Elizabeth in Kent. As part of turning himself into a better man, he resolves to make peace with his younger brother who had been disowned by his father. Mr. Darcy invites him to take the living at Kympton in order to try to heal the breach in their family.
When Elizabeth travels to the lake district with her aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, they meet Mr. Andrew Darcy through the local parish. Since he is dressed in inexpensive, unfashionable clothes, Elizabeth assumes that he must be a distant relative of Mr. Darcy's and tries to avoid him. However, her aunt starts helping him in setting up the rectory where he is to live, so she ends up coming into contact with the pious man repeatedly on their trip. As part of trying to make up for getting into trouble as a child, he has become an abolitionist. He's very pious, but has newer ideas about the church than some people of the time. Elizabeth thinks that he might make a good pair with Mary, but her aunt thinks that Mary's devotion to religion is more conventional than Andrew's.
When Mr. Wickham deserts the militia (sans Lydia, for unknown reasons), he comes to Derbyshire to see Andrew, asking for help. He encounters Elizabeth coming to see him, and enacts a plan to put the two of them in a compromising situation. At first Elizabeth thinks she can escape the scandal, but he gets the magistrate and the town in uproar to see the situation, and promises to spread the word to the people back home. Andrew is happy to ask her to marry him, but Elizabeth is frustrated that she has been put in a situation where that is the only option she has for keeping her family and her sisters out of scandal.
When they are discussing marriage, Elizabeth is shocked to learn that Andrew Darcy was the younger, cast-off brother of Fitzwilliam Darcy. She is concerned that Mr. Darcy might object to the marriage, so Andrew goes to tell him of it right away. He doesn't object, but is heartbroken that the woman who he is still in love with is going to marry the brother that he is trying to patch up a relationship with, unaware of the situation that precipitated the engagement. Since he doesn't object, Mrs. Gardiner suggests that Andrew should present Elizabeth to his family. She knows the politics of the town, and rightly figures out that being in the good graces of the Darcy's will be important for Elizabeth's future life. They end up coming just as Georgiana and Bingley and his family have just come to stay at Pemberly, and Georgiana has a tearful reunion with Andrew as they are both taken by surprise at seeing one another.
Things That I Liked:
- Throughout the story, Elizabeth was pretty integral to helping to mend breaches between people. Pretty much as soon as Elizabeth got engaged to Drew, I wanted there to be an easy way for her to just marry Fitzwiliam instead. Her being in that position in Andrew's life allowed her to help him navigate being part of the Darcy family, and to mend fences in a way that she wouldn't have otherwise been in a position to do.
- There's a side story of one of Fitzwilliam and Andrew's cousins wanting to marry someone who is seen as inappropriate because of their political beliefs, and it was a good addition that also helped to move the story of the relationship between Elizabeth, Andrew, and Fitzwilliam forward.
- There's a decent amount of foreshadowing, so I wasn't surprised to learn the reason that Drew was estranged, but it was well done and fit well within the story.
- We get to see more development of Mary, and how her and Elizabeth's relationship improved through her engagement.
- Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy is into growing tropical plants, as a result of his education. He once was going to go on an expedition to Central America to study and bring back new samples. It just so happens that Elizabeth is very intrigued by exploration based on the stories of her father's that she grew up reading. It was cute for them to have this new interest in common.
- The newly added characters feel pretty integral to this version of the stor.
Things That I Didn't Like:
- For the most part, I thought that the longing between people who couldn't be together was pretty integral to the story and what kept me reading. I felt like the ending was unnecessarily drawn out, though.
December 30, 2020
Elizabeth Bennet finds herself in a compromising situation with Fitzwilliam Darcy's brother, Andrew. Who causes the situation, how it is handled and how somehow Elizabeth and the elder Darcy have a happily ever after creates the story line for this wonderful book.
This author always manages to walk the perfect line for me of strong characters, great feeling, and colorful settings.
This author always manages to walk the perfect line for me of strong characters, great feeling, and colorful settings.
May 27, 2021
I wish there were half stars. I would rate this book at 3 1/2.
February 8, 2023
format: Audiobook
rating: 2,4
This was an interesting Pride and Prejudice variation. It's good background material for sleepy times.
I would have given it 3 stars if not for the "Drew" thing.
Like, I'm sorry. In this mind this makes him basically a blackmailer that is forcing her into marriage to him, and it's not really addressed. Darcy doesn't take him to task for this, it's all fucking dandy.
I'm sorry but that makes him a selfish monster and a bit of a prick, how could Darcy NOT take him to task for this. Her running away and her reputation possibly unsalvageable is Drew's fault, and Darcy says it isn't.
YES IT IS! You should be furious at your brother.
Drew is supposedly upright and moral, and he should be taken to task for that. It was deeply dishonourable and infantilising and taking the choice away from Elizabeth.
Other than that detail, it's an interesting new twist on the story, and I do like how it wrapped up in the end. Except Drew, FUCK DREW!
rating: 2,4
This was an interesting Pride and Prejudice variation. It's good background material for sleepy times.
I would have given it 3 stars if not for the "Drew" thing.
Like, I'm sorry. In this mind this makes him basically a blackmailer that is forcing her into marriage to him, and it's not really addressed. Darcy doesn't take him to task for this, it's all fucking dandy.
I'm sorry but that makes him a selfish monster and a bit of a prick, how could Darcy NOT take him to task for this. Her running away and her reputation possibly unsalvageable is Drew's fault, and Darcy says it isn't.
YES IT IS! You should be furious at your brother.
Drew is supposedly upright and moral, and he should be taken to task for that. It was deeply dishonourable and infantilising and taking the choice away from Elizabeth.
Other than that detail, it's an interesting new twist on the story, and I do like how it wrapped up in the end. Except Drew, FUCK DREW!
March 9, 2021
I enjoyed E&D’s shared interest in travels to exotic locations; it was very fitting. The new characters and the parts of the plot that pertained to them were interesting and well developed - Andrew Darcy especially. I found there was a bit too much angst for my liking, and could not really relate to how severe Elizabeth thought she needed to be with herself, and the extent to which the other characters seemed to agree - I couldn’t relate, even with the benefit of having read lots about this period. Would it have been quite so awful, even considering there were no real injured parties?
October 26, 2021
What if Mr. Darcy had a brother named Andrew, whom he had been estranged from for years and now wanted to have a closer relationship with. He invites Drew, who is a clergyman, to take over the Kympton living (the one Wickham wanted), and they begin to attempt to heal their differences. But unknown to Darcy, Elizabeth Bennet is visiting the area with her aunt and uncle, the Gardiners, and Darcy learns she has become engaged to his brother.
This story takes place some months after Elizabeth's refusal of Darcy's proposal at Hunsford, and the shock of learning his brother is to marry her sends Darcy's feelings into a tailspin. What will become of all of them?
A very satisfying Pride and Prejudice variation.
This story takes place some months after Elizabeth's refusal of Darcy's proposal at Hunsford, and the shock of learning his brother is to marry her sends Darcy's feelings into a tailspin. What will become of all of them?
A very satisfying Pride and Prejudice variation.
July 10, 2022
Es un placer poder leer las novelas de Abigail, especialmente las traducciones al español.
El precio del orgullo es una variación donde Darcy, recién llegando a Pemberley después de la desastrosa declaración a Elizabeth en Kent, se entera que su querido hermano menor, Andrew, está comprometido con nadie más ni menos que Elizabeth Bennet, y todo su mundo se viene para abajo.
Es una variación muy bien planteada, que te tiene al filo de la silla.
No puedo esperar para leer otra novela de Abigail.
El precio del orgullo es una variación donde Darcy, recién llegando a Pemberley después de la desastrosa declaración a Elizabeth en Kent, se entera que su querido hermano menor, Andrew, está comprometido con nadie más ni menos que Elizabeth Bennet, y todo su mundo se viene para abajo.
Es una variación muy bien planteada, que te tiene al filo de la silla.
No puedo esperar para leer otra novela de Abigail.
December 26, 2020
Abigail Reynolds never disappoints! I wasn’t sure how we were going to get our HEA in this premises, but she got it done in the end!
March 6, 2021
From the book blurb you already know about Elizabeth becoming betrothed to Mr. Darcy's brother Drew. So going in you already are expecting pain and misery for all three persons involved. Oh there is pain and misery and your heart breaks for all of them.
The betrothal comes to be due to a wicked vindictive scheme by...guess who?....yeah, THAT guy. That snake. The betrothal is the only thing that can save Elizabeth's and her sisters' reputation so she reluctantly agrees. She respects Drew, he's a good man but she doesn't love him when she accepts nor does she grow to love him the way she feels she should. But she's stuck.
Drew is dealing with coming back to live in the area he grew up but doesn't want to have anything to do with Pemberley, having very bad memories from his relationship with his parents.
Darcy spends most of the book trying to get Drew to feel part of their family again, pining away for Elizabeth getting glimpses of her possible regard for him and deciding how he can live with both of these desires. His plan is to go away on a scientific expedition, and change his will to make sure Drew is his heir and Elizabeth's children inherit Pemberley.
In the meantime, Georgiana is becoming close to Elizabeth, thrilled that Drew is back in their lives, confused that Fitzwilliam didn't offer for Elizabeth since he told her it was a possibility. Elizabeth's sister Mary is becoming close to Drew for a handful of reasons including the fact that she admires his religious work and beliefs. Secrets start to pop up that Elizabeth will not let the concerned parties get out of dealing with, and she is getting advice from everyone and their cousins about what she should do.
And finally Elizabeth decides she cannot go on with the masquerade and plans her escape, running 'away' and keeping her location a secret. Believing she has left behind the worst scandal ever, she feels she can never have Darcy because it will be an even bigger scandal and ruin his and his sister Georgiana's reputations.
Mr Hadley her employer, asks her to take a ride with her one day after she has been living as lady's companion to his elderly sister. He reveals that Darcy has been in a bad accident and is not doing well at all, everyone is worried over him and he is calling for her. Of course she rushes to his side, and gets him to drink fluids and fight to get better.
Acknowledging their love for each other they still don't know how to proceed because both are worried over Georgiana making a good match. Many ideas are spoken of but none are satisfactory until Darcy gets the idea from Drew of making his own expedition and taking Elizabeth with him. They marry in a very small private ceremony and set sail.
The epilogue is lovely taking place after the couple has returned and everyone we've grown close to have their own children.
I highly recommend.
The betrothal comes to be due to a wicked vindictive scheme by...guess who?....yeah, THAT guy. That snake. The betrothal is the only thing that can save Elizabeth's and her sisters' reputation so she reluctantly agrees. She respects Drew, he's a good man but she doesn't love him when she accepts nor does she grow to love him the way she feels she should. But she's stuck.
Drew is dealing with coming back to live in the area he grew up but doesn't want to have anything to do with Pemberley, having very bad memories from his relationship with his parents.
Darcy spends most of the book trying to get Drew to feel part of their family again, pining away for Elizabeth getting glimpses of her possible regard for him and deciding how he can live with both of these desires. His plan is to go away on a scientific expedition, and change his will to make sure Drew is his heir and Elizabeth's children inherit Pemberley.
In the meantime, Georgiana is becoming close to Elizabeth, thrilled that Drew is back in their lives, confused that Fitzwilliam didn't offer for Elizabeth since he told her it was a possibility. Elizabeth's sister Mary is becoming close to Drew for a handful of reasons including the fact that she admires his religious work and beliefs. Secrets start to pop up that Elizabeth will not let the concerned parties get out of dealing with, and she is getting advice from everyone and their cousins about what she should do.
And finally Elizabeth decides she cannot go on with the masquerade and plans her escape, running 'away' and keeping her location a secret. Believing she has left behind the worst scandal ever, she feels she can never have Darcy because it will be an even bigger scandal and ruin his and his sister Georgiana's reputations.
Mr Hadley her employer, asks her to take a ride with her one day after she has been living as lady's companion to his elderly sister. He reveals that Darcy has been in a bad accident and is not doing well at all, everyone is worried over him and he is calling for her. Of course she rushes to his side, and gets him to drink fluids and fight to get better.
Acknowledging their love for each other they still don't know how to proceed because both are worried over Georgiana making a good match. Many ideas are spoken of but none are satisfactory until Darcy gets the idea from Drew of making his own expedition and taking Elizabeth with him. They marry in a very small private ceremony and set sail.
The epilogue is lovely taking place after the couple has returned and everyone we've grown close to have their own children.
I highly recommend.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 26, 2020
Avid Reader
I loved reading this book! A younger Darcy brother who has been disowned thrown into the mix and a former lover of the deceased Lady Anne created so much angst, pain, and drama for Darcy and Elizabeth. In addition, Wickham set everything in motion to hurt Darcy but only caused more pain for himself. Lydia and Lady Catherine were mentioned but practically nonexistent, which made for excellent reading.Caroline made a couple of pages, but disappeared after Bingley sent her to Scarborough with the Hursts. Georgina and Mary had let roles, which helped solve Darcy and Elizabeth 's dilemma. Darcy and Elizabeth finally came to an understanding at about 88% of the book although they had struggled with their feelings throughout the novel. It would have been nice to see then navigate the London season, which probably would have added another enjoyable hour of reading!
I loved reading this book! A younger Darcy brother who has been disowned thrown into the mix and a former lover of the deceased Lady Anne created so much angst, pain, and drama for Darcy and Elizabeth. In addition, Wickham set everything in motion to hurt Darcy but only caused more pain for himself. Lydia and Lady Catherine were mentioned but practically nonexistent, which made for excellent reading.Caroline made a couple of pages, but disappeared after Bingley sent her to Scarborough with the Hursts. Georgina and Mary had let roles, which helped solve Darcy and Elizabeth 's dilemma. Darcy and Elizabeth finally came to an understanding at about 88% of the book although they had struggled with their feelings throughout the novel. It would have been nice to see then navigate the London season, which probably would have added another enjoyable hour of reading!
September 6, 2021
And a heavy price indeed
This will be one of my favorites to be read again and again. A. Reynolds’s books were among the first P&P variations I read. Each successive book is better and better, and the characters of Elizabeth and Darcy develop more and more depth and nuance. The story involves the rise of the abolitionist movement and the freeing of slaves in Jamaica and the attitudes towards forced marriages as well as infidelity in marriages. Of course the double standard between the sexes was even stronger in the early 19th century. There was more than enough pride to go around with the price to be paid by all involved. The relatively small number of characters enables the focus to remain on their growth without a lot of distraction.
I recommend this book to all JA fans and other readers who appreciate strong but humanly flawed characters with a setting appropriate to the time that also provides a needed reminder for our own time.
This will be one of my favorites to be read again and again. A. Reynolds’s books were among the first P&P variations I read. Each successive book is better and better, and the characters of Elizabeth and Darcy develop more and more depth and nuance. The story involves the rise of the abolitionist movement and the freeing of slaves in Jamaica and the attitudes towards forced marriages as well as infidelity in marriages. Of course the double standard between the sexes was even stronger in the early 19th century. There was more than enough pride to go around with the price to be paid by all involved. The relatively small number of characters enables the focus to remain on their growth without a lot of distraction.
I recommend this book to all JA fans and other readers who appreciate strong but humanly flawed characters with a setting appropriate to the time that also provides a needed reminder for our own time.
March 14, 2021
This is one of the best JAFF I've read this year. Abigail Reynolds has put her soul on this incredible variation of P&P.
When I saw the premise, Elizabeth is betrothed to Darcy's brother... what??? So I knew I was not going to miss it.
Some nights I couldn't put it down, I was at the edge of my chair. One of the things I like is how the plot works really well with the historical time, all the effort which Abigail puts in her research so the stories makes sense.
The new character in this book is Andrew "Drew" Darcy, younger brother of Fitzwilliam Darcy, and he's a really charming gentleman who gets to know Elizabeth Bennet in some surprizing circunstances. Each chapter gets better and better and you can't stop reading it.
I'm really happy I was able to read (first hand) the Spanish translation of this book and I can't wait for you to read it.
When I saw the premise, Elizabeth is betrothed to Darcy's brother... what??? So I knew I was not going to miss it.
Some nights I couldn't put it down, I was at the edge of my chair. One of the things I like is how the plot works really well with the historical time, all the effort which Abigail puts in her research so the stories makes sense.
The new character in this book is Andrew "Drew" Darcy, younger brother of Fitzwilliam Darcy, and he's a really charming gentleman who gets to know Elizabeth Bennet in some surprizing circunstances. Each chapter gets better and better and you can't stop reading it.
I'm really happy I was able to read (first hand) the Spanish translation of this book and I can't wait for you to read it.
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