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Pride & Perception
What if…
The entail on Longbourn had been broken?
The Bennets owned Netherfield Park?
Lizzy overheard the second derogatory comment Darcy made about her beauty? After the Bennets had dined at Netherfield Park, he said, “Her a beauty? I should as soon call her mother a wit.”
Yeah – that one.
This is a story where we explore all these beautiful what ifs.
The entail on Longbourn had been broken?
The Bennets owned Netherfield Park?
Lizzy overheard the second derogatory comment Darcy made about her beauty? After the Bennets had dined at Netherfield Park, he said, “Her a beauty? I should as soon call her mother a wit.”
Yeah – that one.
This is a story where we explore all these beautiful what ifs.
249 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 5, 2021
88 people are currently reading
78 people want to read
About the author
Sue Barr
19 books90 followers“If I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more.” ~ Jane Austen
I love all things Regency and sometimes a wee Highlander story. I also have a weakness for Alpha males and feisty heroines, who keep them on their toes.
I love all things Regency and sometimes a wee Highlander story. I also have a weakness for Alpha males and feisty heroines, who keep them on their toes.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
July 5, 2021
“She’s an old soul with young eyes, a vintage heart, and a beautiful mind.” –Nicole Lyons
Rating: MA: language: swearing, bawdy slurs, lusty references, graphic sex scene: Angst Level: medium: Source: KU 3-29-21: Purists: take something before reading as the OOC behavior may be detrimental to your peace of mind. This review contains *** Spoilers ***
Bennet family: The best way of keeping a secret is to pretend there isn’t one.” –Margaret Atwood, The Blind Assassin
*** Spoiler *** I have to say I loved this story and ICNPID [I-Could-Not-Put-It-Down]. It felt refreshing in its different approach to the Bennet family and their place in society. OMG! This was a surprise and a huge secret that was kept from everyone in Meryton. No one knew that the entail had been broken; Mrs. Bennet was now calm in her worries over their/her future; Jane was the heiress to Longbourn; the estate was well managed and brought in more than was realized by the community; all the girls had a respectable dowry; the younger girls had a governess; masters were available for anyone that wanted to pursue an accomplishment in the arts; the elder girls had made their presentation to the Queen, and they were related to a peer. I think I have covered it. Oh, and Kitty and Lydia were not out. Well, it was a soft-out where they could attend local functions among friends. This was so cool. I loved the relationship between Mr. and Mrs. Bennet. That was so endearing to see them in affection rather than him ridiculing her at every turn.
Jane: “a strong woman builds her own world. She is one who is wise enough to know that it will attract the man she will gladly share it with.” –Ellen J. Barrier, How to Trust God When All Other Resources Have Failed
This version of Jane truly acted like the big sister of a gaggle of girls. You could feel her strength, confidence, and sisterly control that was balanced with love. I really liked her. There were a few times when she reverted back to the character traits that we usually see in JAFF stories but for the most part, this was one strong determined woman. Bingley did her wrong. Little did he or his pernicious sister know that he and they were being tested. Bingley was being sifted with a sieve that would show what he was made of and who he really was as a man. Yep, that puppy was under the microscope and didn’t have a clue. He would learn a bitter lesson due to his failure to take control of his house… namely, his sister.
Elizabeth: “You can love her with everything you have and she still won’t belong to you. She will run wild with you, beside you with every step but let me tell you something about women who run with wolves, their fierce hearts don’t settle between walls and their instinct is stronger than upbringing. Love her wild or leave her there.” –Nikki Rowe
This OOC behavior from our dear girl will shock and amaze. She felt rather modern in her attitude and her behavior. Her impertinence would often waft over into snark. Not that I minded it but, in reality, I doubt anyone talked like that during the Regency. One thing for sure, do not, I repeat, do not do anything to her sisters and Jane especially or you will feel her wrath. Let me tell you, she was one fierce warrior when it came to her sisters and Fitzwilliam Darcy found that out big time when he crossed a line she could not forgive.
Darcy: “On the left side of a strong woman, stands a strong man; he is strengthened by her character.”
Darcy was Darcy throughout most of this story and that did not fly with one Elizabeth Bennet. What a sanctimonious prig. Just because he was who he was, he expected her to fall at his feet in gratitude to his condescending proposal or the semblance of a proposal. She laid into him with both barrels and l doubt he will ever be the same. Our dear boy barely escaped with his hide still intact. Now that is a woman worthy of being loved. He would later learn just how wrong he was on all accounts about her, her family, and their standing. Our dear Colonel had a lot to tell him when they finally were able to compare their stories. Both would have to fight for their HEA.
What I didn’t like: at times Mrs. Bennet when she was pretending to be silly. Sometimes she would wax too silly for me and to the embarrassment of her girls. It was still a good idea to hide in plain sight.
Rating: MA: language: swearing, bawdy slurs, lusty references, graphic sex scene: Angst Level: medium: Source: KU 3-29-21: Purists: take something before reading as the OOC behavior may be detrimental to your peace of mind. This review contains *** Spoilers ***
Bennet family: The best way of keeping a secret is to pretend there isn’t one.” –Margaret Atwood, The Blind Assassin
*** Spoiler *** I have to say I loved this story and ICNPID [I-Could-Not-Put-It-Down]. It felt refreshing in its different approach to the Bennet family and their place in society. OMG! This was a surprise and a huge secret that was kept from everyone in Meryton. No one knew that the entail had been broken; Mrs. Bennet was now calm in her worries over their/her future; Jane was the heiress to Longbourn; the estate was well managed and brought in more than was realized by the community; all the girls had a respectable dowry; the younger girls had a governess; masters were available for anyone that wanted to pursue an accomplishment in the arts; the elder girls had made their presentation to the Queen, and they were related to a peer. I think I have covered it. Oh, and Kitty and Lydia were not out. Well, it was a soft-out where they could attend local functions among friends. This was so cool. I loved the relationship between Mr. and Mrs. Bennet. That was so endearing to see them in affection rather than him ridiculing her at every turn.
Jane: “a strong woman builds her own world. She is one who is wise enough to know that it will attract the man she will gladly share it with.” –Ellen J. Barrier, How to Trust God When All Other Resources Have Failed
This version of Jane truly acted like the big sister of a gaggle of girls. You could feel her strength, confidence, and sisterly control that was balanced with love. I really liked her. There were a few times when she reverted back to the character traits that we usually see in JAFF stories but for the most part, this was one strong determined woman. Bingley did her wrong. Little did he or his pernicious sister know that he and they were being tested. Bingley was being sifted with a sieve that would show what he was made of and who he really was as a man. Yep, that puppy was under the microscope and didn’t have a clue. He would learn a bitter lesson due to his failure to take control of his house… namely, his sister.
Elizabeth: “You can love her with everything you have and she still won’t belong to you. She will run wild with you, beside you with every step but let me tell you something about women who run with wolves, their fierce hearts don’t settle between walls and their instinct is stronger than upbringing. Love her wild or leave her there.” –Nikki Rowe
This OOC behavior from our dear girl will shock and amaze. She felt rather modern in her attitude and her behavior. Her impertinence would often waft over into snark. Not that I minded it but, in reality, I doubt anyone talked like that during the Regency. One thing for sure, do not, I repeat, do not do anything to her sisters and Jane especially or you will feel her wrath. Let me tell you, she was one fierce warrior when it came to her sisters and Fitzwilliam Darcy found that out big time when he crossed a line she could not forgive.
Darcy: “On the left side of a strong woman, stands a strong man; he is strengthened by her character.”
Darcy was Darcy throughout most of this story and that did not fly with one Elizabeth Bennet. What a sanctimonious prig. Just because he was who he was, he expected her to fall at his feet in gratitude to his condescending proposal or the semblance of a proposal. She laid into him with both barrels and l doubt he will ever be the same. Our dear boy barely escaped with his hide still intact. Now that is a woman worthy of being loved. He would later learn just how wrong he was on all accounts about her, her family, and their standing. Our dear Colonel had a lot to tell him when they finally were able to compare their stories. Both would have to fight for their HEA.
What I didn’t like: at times Mrs. Bennet when she was pretending to be silly. Sometimes she would wax too silly for me and to the embarrassment of her girls. It was still a good idea to hide in plain sight.
April 1, 2021
The blurb sets us up with saying this "what-if" has the Bennets with both wealth and connections. However all is kept a secret. Mama Bennet is much calmer but pulls out her "case of nerves" when suitors show up as a way to test their attachment to her daughters. If they can stand her act then they are in love with her girl and not just their money (which is a secret anyway). All the daughters are well mannered and have had educations and tutoring in their areas of strength. Kitty and Lydia are only "out" on a limited basis. There is no entail with Jane inheriting Longbourn, Elizabeth has Netherfield and there is another property for Mary.
As another review stated Darcy changes quickly after he is shot down in his Hunsford proposal. Ironically he was so sure Elizabeth would accept he had already mailed a letter to Mr. Bennet setting up how this marriage was going to come about, when he would meet with Mr. B. about the settlement, etc.
Darcy does notice clues about Elizabeth which he cannot quite figure out, i.e., servants looking to her for a nod of approval when she was at Netherfield. Plus he does notice her reading material is Greek, which indicates much more accomplishments then she claims.
Bingley meets with his earned loss of Jane's esteem when he promises to return in several days and doesn't show up for about 7 months later. Jane, meanwhile, has met another man who quickly realizes what a prize she is and starts to court her, unofficially at first. It was comical when Elizabeth is only introduced as "Miss Elizabeth" to the Colonel in Kent and later he and Darcy meet Jane and Miss Elizabeth at the Gardiners' home and suddenly both men realize that the two are sisters. This has some great significance which you will have to learn by reading for yourself.
The relationship between Mr. and Mrs. Bennet is much closer now that the hedgerows are not a threat. However Mrs. Bennet's act does go overboard some. Whether this is good or bad in the end doesn't affect true love.
There is a section which acts as an epilogue but is only entitled "25 years later...". I enjoyed this story. There are some proofreading needs; some of which I highlighted.
As another review stated Darcy changes quickly after he is shot down in his Hunsford proposal. Ironically he was so sure Elizabeth would accept he had already mailed a letter to Mr. Bennet setting up how this marriage was going to come about, when he would meet with Mr. B. about the settlement, etc.
Darcy does notice clues about Elizabeth which he cannot quite figure out, i.e., servants looking to her for a nod of approval when she was at Netherfield. Plus he does notice her reading material is Greek, which indicates much more accomplishments then she claims.
Bingley meets with his earned loss of Jane's esteem when he promises to return in several days and doesn't show up for about 7 months later. Jane, meanwhile, has met another man who quickly realizes what a prize she is and starts to court her, unofficially at first. It was comical when Elizabeth is only introduced as "Miss Elizabeth" to the Colonel in Kent and later he and Darcy meet Jane and Miss Elizabeth at the Gardiners' home and suddenly both men realize that the two are sisters. This has some great significance which you will have to learn by reading for yourself.
The relationship between Mr. and Mrs. Bennet is much closer now that the hedgerows are not a threat. However Mrs. Bennet's act does go overboard some. Whether this is good or bad in the end doesn't affect true love.
There is a section which acts as an epilogue but is only entitled "25 years later...". I enjoyed this story. There are some proofreading needs; some of which I highlighted.
March 9, 2021
When there is no entail
3.5* rounded to 4*
This read has the Bennets at Longbourn living happily with no entail on the estate. Jane will inherit Longbourn. They also have other properties, including Netherfield, which Elizabeth will inherit, and have titled relations. To avoid fortune hunters, these details are not known to their Meryton neighbours. Because Mrs. Bennet has no fear of the hedgerows, she is a much calmer wife and mother, having good relationships with her husband and daughters. The girls are well educated and the youngest two not yet out. I very much enjoyed this premise.
When the Netherfield party arrives, Mrs. Bennet purposefully exaggerates her nerves to test limits in order to see if potential suitors are worthy and steadfast, and in so doing leaves the usual Mrs. Bennet impression with them, with the usual results—Caroline can’t get Bingley away fast enough. The difference is Jane doesn’t pine over Bingley overlong.
I kept waiting for Darcy and Elizabeth to have the conversation about Wickham but it never happens. There is no letter after the Hunsford failed proposal. Wickham is dealt with eventually. He doesn’t have a big role in the book.
The dialogue is pretty good throughout, and I especially enjoyed the banter between Darcy and the Colonel. There are a bit too many proofreading misses. The book contains some mature language and situations.
3.5* rounded to 4*
This read has the Bennets at Longbourn living happily with no entail on the estate. Jane will inherit Longbourn. They also have other properties, including Netherfield, which Elizabeth will inherit, and have titled relations. To avoid fortune hunters, these details are not known to their Meryton neighbours. Because Mrs. Bennet has no fear of the hedgerows, she is a much calmer wife and mother, having good relationships with her husband and daughters. The girls are well educated and the youngest two not yet out. I very much enjoyed this premise.
When the Netherfield party arrives, Mrs. Bennet purposefully exaggerates her nerves to test limits in order to see if potential suitors are worthy and steadfast, and in so doing leaves the usual Mrs. Bennet impression with them, with the usual results—Caroline can’t get Bingley away fast enough. The difference is Jane doesn’t pine over Bingley overlong.
I kept waiting for Darcy and Elizabeth to have the conversation about Wickham but it never happens. There is no letter after the Hunsford failed proposal. Wickham is dealt with eventually. He doesn’t have a big role in the book.
The dialogue is pretty good throughout, and I especially enjoyed the banter between Darcy and the Colonel. There are a bit too many proofreading misses. The book contains some mature language and situations.
May 5, 2021
What if the Bennets were well to do
A good selection of what-ifs but not strong enough to overcome such a nasty Darcy and unlikely personalities transformations.
Darcy is uncaring about everyone and feels no remorse on how he treats others. He makes cousin Anne cry. He treats everyone in Meryton and Longbourn terribly. When this is explained to him he has no remorse and often doesn’t care. Lizzy will not put up with such treatment and read him the riot act when he proposes.
At this point Darcy goes through a nearly instant change of personality which seems to be only because he must have Lizzy. Within 5-6 pages Lizzy is well on the way to forgiving him and apologizes to him for having been rude.
Such a turn around in their personalities was hard to believe. Richard and Bingley are loosely drawn also. Jane has come to not like or trust Bingley and falls for Richard. No one seems to care Bingley is picking Kitty as a potential new love. Kitty does not deserve the womanizer Bingley seems to be, IMHO.
All in all the unlikeable males in the book become likable way to quickly, the Bennet mother and father play acting seemed harmful for their children.
No one to root for here.
A good selection of what-ifs but not strong enough to overcome such a nasty Darcy and unlikely personalities transformations.
Darcy is uncaring about everyone and feels no remorse on how he treats others. He makes cousin Anne cry. He treats everyone in Meryton and Longbourn terribly. When this is explained to him he has no remorse and often doesn’t care. Lizzy will not put up with such treatment and read him the riot act when he proposes.
At this point Darcy goes through a nearly instant change of personality which seems to be only because he must have Lizzy. Within 5-6 pages Lizzy is well on the way to forgiving him and apologizes to him for having been rude.
Such a turn around in their personalities was hard to believe. Richard and Bingley are loosely drawn also. Jane has come to not like or trust Bingley and falls for Richard. No one seems to care Bingley is picking Kitty as a potential new love. Kitty does not deserve the womanizer Bingley seems to be, IMHO.
All in all the unlikeable males in the book become likable way to quickly, the Bennet mother and father play acting seemed harmful for their children.
No one to root for here.
April 18, 2024
This was an interesting read. Lots of artistic license taken with the language of the book and dialog.
I waffle between 3.5 and 4*
Don't think I will be rereading this one.
I waffle between 3.5 and 4*
Don't think I will be rereading this one.
March 21, 2021
A promising premiss featuring great Austenesque performances, charming prose & well appointed quippy dialogue that unfortunately doesn’t stick the landing.
Still a pleasant read I enjoyed.
Synopsis:
Mrs Bennet's nerves went with the end of the entail
The Bennet's are well to do; Jane will inherit Longbourn- Lydia's brith broke the entail, though not explained how- Lizzy will inherit Netherfield, Mary will get a small estate in Dorset, and in addition they have a house in town on Grosvenor street & a box in the theatre. This is all a guarded secret to keep fortune hunters at bay. But wait- there's more! In addition to all this property- which by the by brings in a sum total of 12,000 a year- the Bennet's also have exalted relations including a Marquis. In short the Bennet's are swimming in it.
As a result Mr & Mrs Bennet have a more playful & loving relationship
Mrs Bennet's exhibitions of silliness are reframed as her putting on a show & getting kicks out of trolling normies and testing the endurance of her daughters suitors. A fresh-if not unorthodox approach- I'll grant you. Tis a tad contrived but for stories sake-
That Which Sparked Joy:
❀Jane features a lot and in a positive light. She is a great mistress for LB and dedicated to it's tenants. She gets some backbone.
After a myriad of weak and evil Jane stories it is a nice turn
❀The writing is without reproach; Prose engaging, the dialogue charming & voices are on character. Lizzy in particular is witty and playful,
❀Ms Barr, whilst adhering to the schedule of canon events & general air of dialogue intoned in OG P&P, manages to never bore nor punish the reader with repetition. She brings a sense of freshness- which is a skill I applaud.
That Which Courted Disdain:
✗There is this build up with no pay off. The things we get were not the ones worked up to. Ms Barr goes out of her way to set up events and circumstance but fails to capitalize on that momentum and thus the story fizzles with abandoned potential. What is the point of these variations if it does not effect the course of events or the characters behaviors?
The elevation in circumstance for the Bennet are in place seemingly solely for the private satisfaction of the Bennett and the readers, but it has no bearing on the plot for the most part.
✗No chemistry
This is a biggie, Darcy & Lizzy have little interaction. This Darcy didn't incite any particular regard from me, he was fairly uninvolved in the plot. His second shot granted by Lizzy was completely unearned, her affections turned on a dime!
I was left puzzled wondering, 'Why? WHY do you like Darcy, Lizzy?'. I as a reader could not understand her turn of heart- not indicative of a good Darcy. Darcy doesn't bother to woo Lizzy and thus- by extension- the reader.
✗Not much happens
There is no sense of urgency or stakes and it will not quicken your pulse.
✗Present are some significant breaches of logic
The Decree:
There are a lot of issues with this work yet it makes for an enjoyable read nonetheless if you have the patience for it. I do recommend it for JAFF serial readers. I would summarize it as spending an afternoon with the Bennets exhibited at their most pleasant and flattering angle. This work won't inspire you to walk away from nerves or exasperation, but by the other side of that same coin, will not capture your attention from excitement.
What we have here is great performances with poor direction. Ms Barr manages an impressive feet in mimicking Austen's characters voices but fails in shepherding them & by extension the plot somewhere intriguing.
She does not test the characters, she does not shove them off the branch as the mama bird so that we may see if these characters can fly on their own and thus is the tragedy of this work- it's untested, spent potential.
For the merits I outlined I am not put off from her future works and shall endeavor to sample them and hope that they have a more cohesive direction & endgame. If she can attend to those details she could have an excellent JAFF to her credit- again the pieces are all there what's notably absent is the big picture glue to hold them together.
Still a pleasant read I enjoyed.
Synopsis:
Mrs Bennet's nerves went with the end of the entail
The Bennet's are well to do; Jane will inherit Longbourn- Lydia's brith broke the entail, though not explained how- Lizzy will inherit Netherfield, Mary will get a small estate in Dorset, and in addition they have a house in town on Grosvenor street & a box in the theatre. This is all a guarded secret to keep fortune hunters at bay. But wait- there's more! In addition to all this property- which by the by brings in a sum total of 12,000 a year- the Bennet's also have exalted relations including a Marquis. In short the Bennet's are swimming in it.
As a result Mr & Mrs Bennet have a more playful & loving relationship
Mrs Bennet's exhibitions of silliness are reframed as her putting on a show & getting kicks out of trolling normies and testing the endurance of her daughters suitors. A fresh-if not unorthodox approach- I'll grant you. Tis a tad contrived but for stories sake-
That Which Sparked Joy:
❀Jane features a lot and in a positive light. She is a great mistress for LB and dedicated to it's tenants. She gets some backbone.
“I am not a child’s toy to be placed the shelf, only existing for a moment in time when you might decide to play with me again.”
After a myriad of weak and evil Jane stories it is a nice turn
❀The writing is without reproach; Prose engaging, the dialogue charming & voices are on character. Lizzy in particular is witty and playful,
“Good day, Miss Bennet, Miss Eliza.”
“And good day to you, Miss Caro.”
❀Ms Barr, whilst adhering to the schedule of canon events & general air of dialogue intoned in OG P&P, manages to never bore nor punish the reader with repetition. She brings a sense of freshness- which is a skill I applaud.
That Which Courted Disdain:
✗There is this build up with no pay off. The things we get were not the ones worked up to. Ms Barr goes out of her way to set up events and circumstance but fails to capitalize on that momentum and thus the story fizzles with abandoned potential. What is the point of these variations if it does not effect the course of events or the characters behaviors?
The elevation in circumstance for the Bennet are in place seemingly solely for the private satisfaction of the Bennett and the readers, but it has no bearing on the plot for the most part.
✗No chemistry
This is a biggie, Darcy & Lizzy have little interaction. This Darcy didn't incite any particular regard from me, he was fairly uninvolved in the plot. His second shot granted by Lizzy was completely unearned, her affections turned on a dime!
I was left puzzled wondering, 'Why? WHY do you like Darcy, Lizzy?'. I as a reader could not understand her turn of heart- not indicative of a good Darcy. Darcy doesn't bother to woo Lizzy and thus- by extension- the reader.
✗Not much happens
There is no sense of urgency or stakes and it will not quicken your pulse.
✗Present are some significant breaches of logic
The Decree:
There are a lot of issues with this work yet it makes for an enjoyable read nonetheless if you have the patience for it. I do recommend it for JAFF serial readers. I would summarize it as spending an afternoon with the Bennets exhibited at their most pleasant and flattering angle. This work won't inspire you to walk away from nerves or exasperation, but by the other side of that same coin, will not capture your attention from excitement.
What we have here is great performances with poor direction. Ms Barr manages an impressive feet in mimicking Austen's characters voices but fails in shepherding them & by extension the plot somewhere intriguing.
She does not test the characters, she does not shove them off the branch as the mama bird so that we may see if these characters can fly on their own and thus is the tragedy of this work- it's untested, spent potential.
For the merits I outlined I am not put off from her future works and shall endeavor to sample them and hope that they have a more cohesive direction & endgame. If she can attend to those details she could have an excellent JAFF to her credit- again the pieces are all there what's notably absent is the big picture glue to hold them together.
December 31, 2023
This is a book where the Bennet’s circumstances are the opposite of canon. In fact, the Bennet family income of 12000 a year exceeds even Mr. Darcy’s meager 10000. The entail has been broken leaving Jane’s son to inherit Longbourn, Elizabeth owns Netherfield and even Mary will inherit an estate in Dorset.
I really wanted to like this book, I love the cover and certainly don’t mind the Bennets being in a more favorable position, but it just didn’t work for me.
#1- In order to avoid fortune hunters, the true circumstances of the Bennets are unknown to anyone outside of the family. I can understand this to a certain degree, but then we learn that not only do they keep their wealth and connections (did I mention they have exalted relations too?!?) secret, but they engage in theatrics in their behavior, namely Mrs. Bennet’s nerves and vulgarity to “weed out the unworthy”. Here, I almost abandoned the book and kind of wish that I would have. To me, this is a ridiculous notion and makes absolutely no sense. How are you making sure a person appreciates who you really are for just being you when, in fact, you are not being you? Is it not setting a person up to fail when you intentionally present a false impression only to be offended and angry when they take it at face value. I guess the Bennets require clairvoyance in an acceptable suitor. How does one come to value your character if it is intentionally misrepresented and hidden?
#2-How did the entail get broken? I love that it was- but there was no explanation as to how it came about. Also, where did all the additional wealth come from? Remember- they have more money than even Darcy. The broken entailment would not provide this much wealth. Also, why would Jane, as the eldest, only get Longbourn when Netherfield is the “better” estate?
#3-Speaking of the entail- when Collins arrives, unaware that he is not to inherit Longbourn any longer, they let him continue to assume he is still the heir. Why-because they are amused by him and take pleasure in seeing him act the fool under these assumptions. I’m certainly not a Collins fan, but this was just plain cruel. I never imagine Mr. Bennets bend to find humor in the absurd to include intentionally cruelty to someone for his own amusement. I understand the desire to continue to keep the family secret, but when it directly involved Collins so profoundly, he should have been told immediately to spare the poor man from making a fool of himself and to make necessary adjustments for his future.
#4-You can’t have it both ways. What I mean by this is in the beginning, no one knows anything about the Bennet’s exalted circumstances because that works with the story yet towards the end of the story we find out that the Bennets have, in fact, been acquainted with the Matlocks for years along with several other high ranking peers and that Jane and Elizabeth have both been presented at court. What?!? Where is the secrecy now? If the latter is true, the Matlocks have had Jane in mind for the Colonel for years, how is it that possible that they would have never crossed paths with Darcy before? Now we are to accept that they actually have moved in the upper circles, the same as Darcy, and he has never heard of them? Plus, how in all these years, has not one person from Hertfordshire discovered any of this. They don’t seem to be very careful in London in their upper theatre box and such.
#5-Darcy and the Colonel are in love with sisters and they each have no idea? It’s just absurd that no last names were ever mentioned, but the whole Hertfordshire location and Longbourn thing wouldn’t give them a little clue? even the names thing was believable-which is isn’t.
Overall, as a rational creature, I just couldn’t appreciate this book. Not only because of the absurdities of the story, but Darcy was not only more arrogant than usual, but he was also not very likable or perceptive. There was no chemistry between D&E at all. She rejects him, then accepts a courtship at their very next encounter, which was only a few days later, and without the benefit of a letter or anything that would justify a change in her opinion of him. I also thought the Bennets were all just a little too perfect and a little too high and mighty themselves in this variation and that made it impossible for me to have a lot of respect for them. Unfortunately, this book didn’t work for me, but I will give it two stars because I did manage to finish.
I really wanted to like this book, I love the cover and certainly don’t mind the Bennets being in a more favorable position, but it just didn’t work for me.
#1- In order to avoid fortune hunters, the true circumstances of the Bennets are unknown to anyone outside of the family. I can understand this to a certain degree, but then we learn that not only do they keep their wealth and connections (did I mention they have exalted relations too?!?) secret, but they engage in theatrics in their behavior, namely Mrs. Bennet’s nerves and vulgarity to “weed out the unworthy”. Here, I almost abandoned the book and kind of wish that I would have. To me, this is a ridiculous notion and makes absolutely no sense. How are you making sure a person appreciates who you really are for just being you when, in fact, you are not being you? Is it not setting a person up to fail when you intentionally present a false impression only to be offended and angry when they take it at face value. I guess the Bennets require clairvoyance in an acceptable suitor. How does one come to value your character if it is intentionally misrepresented and hidden?
#2-How did the entail get broken? I love that it was- but there was no explanation as to how it came about. Also, where did all the additional wealth come from? Remember- they have more money than even Darcy. The broken entailment would not provide this much wealth. Also, why would Jane, as the eldest, only get Longbourn when Netherfield is the “better” estate?
#3-Speaking of the entail- when Collins arrives, unaware that he is not to inherit Longbourn any longer, they let him continue to assume he is still the heir. Why-because they are amused by him and take pleasure in seeing him act the fool under these assumptions. I’m certainly not a Collins fan, but this was just plain cruel. I never imagine Mr. Bennets bend to find humor in the absurd to include intentionally cruelty to someone for his own amusement. I understand the desire to continue to keep the family secret, but when it directly involved Collins so profoundly, he should have been told immediately to spare the poor man from making a fool of himself and to make necessary adjustments for his future.
#4-You can’t have it both ways. What I mean by this is in the beginning, no one knows anything about the Bennet’s exalted circumstances because that works with the story yet towards the end of the story we find out that the Bennets have, in fact, been acquainted with the Matlocks for years along with several other high ranking peers and that Jane and Elizabeth have both been presented at court. What?!? Where is the secrecy now? If the latter is true, the Matlocks have had Jane in mind for the Colonel for years, how is it that possible that they would have never crossed paths with Darcy before? Now we are to accept that they actually have moved in the upper circles, the same as Darcy, and he has never heard of them? Plus, how in all these years, has not one person from Hertfordshire discovered any of this. They don’t seem to be very careful in London in their upper theatre box and such.
#5-Darcy and the Colonel are in love with sisters and they each have no idea? It’s just absurd that no last names were ever mentioned, but the whole Hertfordshire location and Longbourn thing wouldn’t give them a little clue? even the names thing was believable-which is isn’t.
Overall, as a rational creature, I just couldn’t appreciate this book. Not only because of the absurdities of the story, but Darcy was not only more arrogant than usual, but he was also not very likable or perceptive. There was no chemistry between D&E at all. She rejects him, then accepts a courtship at their very next encounter, which was only a few days later, and without the benefit of a letter or anything that would justify a change in her opinion of him. I also thought the Bennets were all just a little too perfect and a little too high and mighty themselves in this variation and that made it impossible for me to have a lot of respect for them. Unfortunately, this book didn’t work for me, but I will give it two stars because I did manage to finish.
April 3, 2022
Three People can keep a secret if two of them are dead - Ben Franklin
This is an interesting concept. That sometime during Lizzy Bennet's life time the Bennet family's situation has improves; their estate isn't entailed, the own other estates have fancy relatives and have a significant income. But they have kept it a secret from all but their nearest and dearest.
The way the author gets this information out is tedious and hodgepodge. Literally it could have been handled in a scene where Mr Bennet & Mr. Phillips are reviewing his will alas that's not how it worked.
Anyway so no one knows the Bennets are rich and famous so Caroline gets to spew her infamous snark over and over.
Darcy bollocks up Hunsford; Bingley backs the wrong horse and Col Fitzwilliam gets a girl.
I actually like the way the author improves some of the characters but the book is very inconsistent
This is an interesting concept. That sometime during Lizzy Bennet's life time the Bennet family's situation has improves; their estate isn't entailed, the own other estates have fancy relatives and have a significant income. But they have kept it a secret from all but their nearest and dearest.
The way the author gets this information out is tedious and hodgepodge. Literally it could have been handled in a scene where Mr Bennet & Mr. Phillips are reviewing his will alas that's not how it worked.
Anyway so no one knows the Bennets are rich and famous so Caroline gets to spew her infamous snark over and over.
Darcy bollocks up Hunsford; Bingley backs the wrong horse and Col Fitzwilliam gets a girl.
I actually like the way the author improves some of the characters but the book is very inconsistent
June 4, 2024
I gave it five stars for the entertaining banter and for keeping me reading so I finished it in a day. I didn't even think about putting it down despite having other things to do.
The premise is that the Bennet fortunes are improved and the entailment has been broken. Mrs. Bennet is not really silly, she was miraculously cured and got a better brain after the family got into some money. But she still pretends to be silly and vulgar sometimes. Darcy does not know that Elizabeth is an heiress and thinks she's beneath him.
I could have marked it down a star because there were some proofreading misses (including constant confusion with the plurals and apostrophes) and inconsistencies that had me going "wait what?!" Nothing major, just tiny things that didn't completely gel with whatever happened before. Like when Elizabeth told Darcy that she spoke about the dance, but she hadn't, she spoke of Miss Bingley decorating. Jane was clued in that the Bingley sisters were insincere, and then later it seemed that she wasn't. Elizabeth knew that Jane was interested in someone new after Bingley's defection yet she chastises Darcy about Bingley as if Jane was still breaking her heart over him, hoping for his return. At the assembly, Darcy was standing four feet away so he must have been aware that Elizabeth heard his insult but he is later shocked to find out that she did. This and some other things should have clued him in that Elizabeth wasn't his greatest fan before the proposal. Darcy's cousin the Matlock heir has two different names in the course of the story. Elizabeth changes her mind about Darcy awfully fast, and seemingly unmotivated, going from Hunsford level anger to "OMG I love him" in a blink of an eye, but after she already confessed to herself that she loved him she tells her mother that she's not sure if it's love. The colonel does not learn Elizabeth's last name at Hunsford... Even if Darcy always called her Miss Elizabeth, didn't Lady C or anyone else refer to her as Miss Bennet?
The reasons why Mrs. Bennet pretended to be silly didn't really make sense to me. Supposedly her fluttering was a way to test gentlemen's mettle and to distract fortune hunters into thinking that the family is in poor financial straits. But I don't really see how it would have worked. First of all, if you want your daughters to marry a man of sense, why would you wish to drive them away by being vulgar and silly? Wouldn't the neighbours wonder why she was sometimes reasonable and sometimes stupid? And all the servants knew that Elizabeth was the landlady at Netherfield so how long could the village really be in the dark? Even Charlotte didn't know the full truth? And I am not sure why Mr. Collins didn't know that the entailment was broken. I am not a lawyer in Regency England but I always thought that the easiest way to break an entailment would be for the owner and the next heir to ask for it together. Wouldn't Mr. Collins or his father have been asked to give their opinion if Bennet asked for it alone?
I kept expecting them to have it out about Wickham and for Elizabeth to comment that Darcy was so disdainful and then suddenly came to propose after she had revealed the truth of her background to his aunt. But they never did. (Why did she think it was OK to spill the beans to Lady Catherine, Charlotte and Maria anyway, after keeping the secret for so long? Nobody from the family really reacted that she unilaterally spoiled their secrecy.)
And later we find out that Jane and Elizabeth have been presented at court and know various scions of nobility, including the Colonel's mother. How the heck is their status still such a state secret? I thought the names of those who were presented to the queen were printed in the papers and such.
Steam level: Implied interest and enjoyment, few details. At some point, Darcy approaches a lady of the night but is unable to do the deed with her.
PS. Triplets? Without modern obstetrical and neonatal care? Not ideal.
TL;DR I loved it because it was great fun but occasionally it felt like the author forgot what was written previously.
The premise is that the Bennet fortunes are improved and the entailment has been broken. Mrs. Bennet is not really silly, she was miraculously cured and got a better brain after the family got into some money. But she still pretends to be silly and vulgar sometimes. Darcy does not know that Elizabeth is an heiress and thinks she's beneath him.
I could have marked it down a star because there were some proofreading misses (including constant confusion with the plurals and apostrophes) and inconsistencies that had me going "wait what?!" Nothing major, just tiny things that didn't completely gel with whatever happened before. Like when Elizabeth told Darcy that she spoke about the dance, but she hadn't, she spoke of Miss Bingley decorating. Jane was clued in that the Bingley sisters were insincere, and then later it seemed that she wasn't. Elizabeth knew that Jane was interested in someone new after Bingley's defection yet she chastises Darcy about Bingley as if Jane was still breaking her heart over him, hoping for his return. At the assembly, Darcy was standing four feet away so he must have been aware that Elizabeth heard his insult but he is later shocked to find out that she did. This and some other things should have clued him in that Elizabeth wasn't his greatest fan before the proposal. Darcy's cousin the Matlock heir has two different names in the course of the story. Elizabeth changes her mind about Darcy awfully fast, and seemingly unmotivated, going from Hunsford level anger to "OMG I love him" in a blink of an eye, but after she already confessed to herself that she loved him she tells her mother that she's not sure if it's love. The colonel does not learn Elizabeth's last name at Hunsford... Even if Darcy always called her Miss Elizabeth, didn't Lady C or anyone else refer to her as Miss Bennet?
The reasons why Mrs. Bennet pretended to be silly didn't really make sense to me. Supposedly her fluttering was a way to test gentlemen's mettle and to distract fortune hunters into thinking that the family is in poor financial straits. But I don't really see how it would have worked. First of all, if you want your daughters to marry a man of sense, why would you wish to drive them away by being vulgar and silly? Wouldn't the neighbours wonder why she was sometimes reasonable and sometimes stupid? And all the servants knew that Elizabeth was the landlady at Netherfield so how long could the village really be in the dark? Even Charlotte didn't know the full truth? And I am not sure why Mr. Collins didn't know that the entailment was broken. I am not a lawyer in Regency England but I always thought that the easiest way to break an entailment would be for the owner and the next heir to ask for it together. Wouldn't Mr. Collins or his father have been asked to give their opinion if Bennet asked for it alone?
I kept expecting them to have it out about Wickham and for Elizabeth to comment that Darcy was so disdainful and then suddenly came to propose after she had revealed the truth of her background to his aunt. But they never did. (Why did she think it was OK to spill the beans to Lady Catherine, Charlotte and Maria anyway, after keeping the secret for so long? Nobody from the family really reacted that she unilaterally spoiled their secrecy.)
And later we find out that Jane and Elizabeth have been presented at court and know various scions of nobility, including the Colonel's mother. How the heck is their status still such a state secret? I thought the names of those who were presented to the queen were printed in the papers and such.
Steam level: Implied interest and enjoyment, few details. At some point, Darcy approaches a lady of the night but is unable to do the deed with her.
PS. Triplets? Without modern obstetrical and neonatal care? Not ideal.
TL;DR I loved it because it was great fun but occasionally it felt like the author forgot what was written previously.
April 17, 2021
I really enjoy Pride and Prejudice variations where the Bennets are very well off rather than poor and this is one of the best I can remember with this concept. The fact that no one in Meryton knows and only subtle hints of it shine through as Elizabeth stays at Netherfield with Jane, etc. Almost all is as cannon but the reader know the extra detail. The author spins a great story to bring the pieces and revelations together as our dear couple find their happily ever after.
June 9, 2021
Another JAFF in need of an editor
I'm really trying to be fair to this book, which was amusing, but like so much JAFF I've read recently, in need of competent editing (hence my current frustration).
I do not understand how authors can love P&P enough to write variations on it, but not know it well enough to recall that it's Colonel Forster, not Colonel Foster, especially works like this where he's not just mentioned in passing once or twice.
I also don't understand how anything gets published when something as simple as plurals, possessives, and plural possessives of surnames are all messed up. To review:
Mr. Bennet, Mr. Bennet's study, the Bennets, the Bennets' house
Mr. Collins, Mr. Collins's patroness, the Collinses, the Collinses' meal
And really, how hard is it to remember the difference between "discreet" and "discrete", or "premiere" and "premier"? Not to mention the fact that questions should end with this thing called a question mark, not a period!
Maybe I just need to take a deep breath and go read something by Melanie Rachel to soothe my inner grammar police.
I'm really trying to be fair to this book, which was amusing, but like so much JAFF I've read recently, in need of competent editing (hence my current frustration).
I do not understand how authors can love P&P enough to write variations on it, but not know it well enough to recall that it's Colonel Forster, not Colonel Foster, especially works like this where he's not just mentioned in passing once or twice.
I also don't understand how anything gets published when something as simple as plurals, possessives, and plural possessives of surnames are all messed up. To review:
Mr. Bennet, Mr. Bennet's study, the Bennets, the Bennets' house
Mr. Collins, Mr. Collins's patroness, the Collinses, the Collinses' meal
And really, how hard is it to remember the difference between "discreet" and "discrete", or "premiere" and "premier"? Not to mention the fact that questions should end with this thing called a question mark, not a period!
Maybe I just need to take a deep breath and go read something by Melanie Rachel to soothe my inner grammar police.
April 14, 2021
Avid Reader
What a fun story! I like the Bennet family when they have more wealth and sense. Fortunately, all five sisters made excellent marriages.
What a fun story! I like the Bennet family when they have more wealth and sense. Fortunately, all five sisters made excellent marriages.
May 30, 2022
This was a reread and once should have been enough.
Poorly edited with missing words, wrong tenses and the ever problematic possessive.
An example the author refers to the Miss Webbs. Only she says Miss Webb’s but means more than one Miss Webb not something belonging to one lady. This happens numerous times.
Also all of the Bennets are Mary Sues. They have a lot of money but Mrs Bennet still acts silly for…reasons.
A truly terrible epilogue 25 yrs in the future with an awkward conversation between Darcy and Elizabeth about all of the families and their children. Then another one about Caroline which was supposed to be humorous and failed.
My favorite Jane Austen quote applies here- pictures of perfection make me sick and wicked.
Poorly edited with missing words, wrong tenses and the ever problematic possessive.
An example the author refers to the Miss Webbs. Only she says Miss Webb’s but means more than one Miss Webb not something belonging to one lady. This happens numerous times.
Also all of the Bennets are Mary Sues. They have a lot of money but Mrs Bennet still acts silly for…reasons.
A truly terrible epilogue 25 yrs in the future with an awkward conversation between Darcy and Elizabeth about all of the families and their children. Then another one about Caroline which was supposed to be humorous and failed.
My favorite Jane Austen quote applies here- pictures of perfection make me sick and wicked.
November 24, 2021
Great Story
I loved it, loved the Bennets. Mr and Mrs Bennet were awesome,liked the Bennets having money and being gentle not vulgar and brash. Lady Catherine and miss Bingley were awful. Glad for the epilogue the twenty five years later! Great love stories I like the colonel and Jane!
I loved it, loved the Bennets. Mr and Mrs Bennet were awesome,liked the Bennets having money and being gentle not vulgar and brash. Lady Catherine and miss Bingley were awful. Glad for the epilogue the twenty five years later! Great love stories I like the colonel and Jane!
June 13, 2025
An enjoyable low-angst read - 3*
The characterisation in this book is good and consistent with the changed circumstances. Mrs Bennet is great fun in particular. There are too many inconsistencies however, for example;
Jane appears to be very well aware of the limitations of the Bingleys and all to be of a stronger character than in canon. However, when the letter from Caroline Bingley arrives telling Jane that the family are leaving Netherfield and unlikely to return, she reverts completely to the canon Jane who can't believe Caroline would fib. This just did not make sense.
The characterisation in this book is good and consistent with the changed circumstances. Mrs Bennet is great fun in particular. There are too many inconsistencies however, for example;
Jane appears to be very well aware of the limitations of the Bingleys and all to be of a stronger character than in canon. However, when the letter from Caroline Bingley arrives telling Jane that the family are leaving Netherfield and unlikely to return, she reverts completely to the canon Jane who can't believe Caroline would fib. This just did not make sense.
July 25, 2022
It's opposite P&P, where everything in the Bennet house is opposite of canon. Love Jane in this one. A fun book.
April 16, 2021
Whiplash book.
Started really well - Longbourn is not entailed any more, Bennets are doing well (but hiding it), the girls are well set for the future with Jane set to inherit Longbourn, Elizabeth Netherfield and Mary another nameless estate...somewhere.
They also have some pretty high-up titled relations on Mr Bennet's mothers side.
Bingleys & Darcy sweep in - essentially E-s tenants but utterly unaware of that. Darcy acts like a superior ass. E. is not particularly bothered but occasionally annoyed.
Darcy fantasizes about E-s boobies and such a lot. His private parts are ...you know... acting up.
Wickham also arrives. E. and her sisters see through his deceptions immediately. He is not really important to the plot so whatever.
D. and Bingleys take off, leaving behind indignant Lizzy and not-quite-heartbroken-but-still-melancholy Jane.
E. finally visits Collinses in Huntsford, meets D. again, he delivers an absolutely abhorrent proposal, E. explains him in vivid detail what a dick he is, droopy D. slinks off and is all "woe is me, a chasm of misery yawns before me, my life is an acid ocean and I am unworthy". As you do.
Then is a little episode where he tries to entertain a lady of the night who looks just like Lizzy but ... you know ... the equipment ain't up for it.
I am still not liking this Darcy. I don't want him to get Lizzy. In fact, I would prefer if he never got anywhere NEAR Lizzy. I want her to find a nice boy and forget all about that nasty Mr Darcy.
Then he finally gets his act together (well, not even that, colonel Fitzwilliam basically shakes him up) and meets L. again - AND WITHIN A DAY OR SO ELIZABETH AGREES TO MARRY HIM AND IS SOOOO IN LOVE WITH HIM AND ANXIOUS ABOUT HIS INTERVIEW WITH HER FATHER AND WTF!!!???
Did I somehow skip a huge chunk of the story?
Darcy is immediately forgiven by pretty much everybody with no redemption or growth or making amends or proving himself and I am now rage-reading a book I had been quite enjoying in the beginning.
The only positive moment toward the end is Jane giving Mr. Bingley a boot and taking up with colonel Fitzwilliam instead.
Started really well - Longbourn is not entailed any more, Bennets are doing well (but hiding it), the girls are well set for the future with Jane set to inherit Longbourn, Elizabeth Netherfield and Mary another nameless estate...somewhere.
They also have some pretty high-up titled relations on Mr Bennet's mothers side.
Bingleys & Darcy sweep in - essentially E-s tenants but utterly unaware of that. Darcy acts like a superior ass. E. is not particularly bothered but occasionally annoyed.
Darcy fantasizes about E-s boobies and such a lot. His private parts are ...you know... acting up.
Wickham also arrives. E. and her sisters see through his deceptions immediately. He is not really important to the plot so whatever.
D. and Bingleys take off, leaving behind indignant Lizzy and not-quite-heartbroken-but-still-melancholy Jane.
E. finally visits Collinses in Huntsford, meets D. again, he delivers an absolutely abhorrent proposal, E. explains him in vivid detail what a dick he is, droopy D. slinks off and is all "woe is me, a chasm of misery yawns before me, my life is an acid ocean and I am unworthy". As you do.
Then is a little episode where he tries to entertain a lady of the night who looks just like Lizzy but ... you know ... the equipment ain't up for it.
I am still not liking this Darcy. I don't want him to get Lizzy. In fact, I would prefer if he never got anywhere NEAR Lizzy. I want her to find a nice boy and forget all about that nasty Mr Darcy.
Then he finally gets his act together (well, not even that, colonel Fitzwilliam basically shakes him up) and meets L. again - AND WITHIN A DAY OR SO ELIZABETH AGREES TO MARRY HIM AND IS SOOOO IN LOVE WITH HIM AND ANXIOUS ABOUT HIS INTERVIEW WITH HER FATHER AND WTF!!!???
Did I somehow skip a huge chunk of the story?
Darcy is immediately forgiven by pretty much everybody with no redemption or growth or making amends or proving himself and I am now rage-reading a book I had been quite enjoying in the beginning.
The only positive moment toward the end is Jane giving Mr. Bingley a boot and taking up with colonel Fitzwilliam instead.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 16, 2022
held such promise but fell flat
Beware possible spoilers. I wanted to love this story. The premise was great but the story wasn’t written well. The Bennett’s have connections and wealth they keep hidden, but there are pieces of it that seem unrealistic on how they could have kept so much hidden. Especially since they claim acquaintance with Darcy’s aunt. Also, at one point Elizabeth is hurt by something Darcy said and the book makes reference to her never being around many other people outside of Hertfordshire. Later, it’s mentioned she had her curtesy before the Queen, had seasons in London, attended events, etc. Also, there is a lot of lazy writing that is copied from the original story which doesn’t even flow with the characters the author had begun to develop. Jane is a much stronger character in this story but the scene from the original where she defends Caroline’s letter upon leaving Netherfield is exactly the same, and this makes no sense with the character of Jane that the author had been developing throughout the beginning of the story (specifically during their time stranded at Netherfield). I read the entire thing bc like I said, I wanted to love it so much. Also, the story has all of this conflict which all of the sudden just seems to resolve and everyone is on love and getting married. There was no real road or pathway that led to these change of emotions. But it just fell flat of expectations.
Beware possible spoilers. I wanted to love this story. The premise was great but the story wasn’t written well. The Bennett’s have connections and wealth they keep hidden, but there are pieces of it that seem unrealistic on how they could have kept so much hidden. Especially since they claim acquaintance with Darcy’s aunt. Also, at one point Elizabeth is hurt by something Darcy said and the book makes reference to her never being around many other people outside of Hertfordshire. Later, it’s mentioned she had her curtesy before the Queen, had seasons in London, attended events, etc. Also, there is a lot of lazy writing that is copied from the original story which doesn’t even flow with the characters the author had begun to develop. Jane is a much stronger character in this story but the scene from the original where she defends Caroline’s letter upon leaving Netherfield is exactly the same, and this makes no sense with the character of Jane that the author had been developing throughout the beginning of the story (specifically during their time stranded at Netherfield). I read the entire thing bc like I said, I wanted to love it so much. Also, the story has all of this conflict which all of the sudden just seems to resolve and everyone is on love and getting married. There was no real road or pathway that led to these change of emotions. But it just fell flat of expectations.
October 9, 2025
This is a Bennets Are Secretly Wealthy and Connected trope. Overall I enjoyed the book very much. The different interactions of the family are interesting, but I did not approve of the "testing" of suitors by Mrs. Bennet acting silly, flighty, and like a fortune-hunting mama. Of course, part of the story is how the Bingleys and Mr. Darcy fail this test miserably.
I loved the stronger Jane and was glad to see her with Colonel Fitzwilliam instead of the wimpy Mr. Bingley. Elizabeth was interesting in her behavior, though some of it seemed too modern-ish.
I did not like how the daughters pretended to be less accomplished than they actually were - this really did not sit well with me, and did not make sense. They kept their wealth secret to avoid fortune hunters, and this I can justify. But if they want men to fall in love with them, why pretend to have few accomplishments? How could they expect a genuine love to form when pretending to be who they are not? This made no sense to me and was not explained or justified adequately.
I do recommend this book to those who do not mind some OOC behaviors. The pace was good; I read it in one afternoon, ignoring chores and other distractions.
I loved the stronger Jane and was glad to see her with Colonel Fitzwilliam instead of the wimpy Mr. Bingley. Elizabeth was interesting in her behavior, though some of it seemed too modern-ish.
I did not like how the daughters pretended to be less accomplished than they actually were - this really did not sit well with me, and did not make sense. They kept their wealth secret to avoid fortune hunters, and this I can justify. But if they want men to fall in love with them, why pretend to have few accomplishments? How could they expect a genuine love to form when pretending to be who they are not? This made no sense to me and was not explained or justified adequately.
I do recommend this book to those who do not mind some OOC behaviors. The pace was good; I read it in one afternoon, ignoring chores and other distractions.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 18, 2022
I had very mixed feelings about this book. First, I like this author and generally enjoy her work. This one had me confused, though.
First, what I did like about the book: I love the premise of the Bennet's breaking the entail. And it was a refreshing change that the Bennets were well off, even better off than the Darcys. And Jane was wonderful with so much character!
That said, I couldn't understand the necessity of Mrs. Bennet trying to make people think that she was silly and vulgar---nomatter what the test.
I also thought that Darcy was not even tolerable for most of the book. I kept waiting for his redemption, but it never came. And this Lizzy was pretty pompous most of the book, and not terribly forgiving. It was amazing to me that they were able to get past their bad opinions of each other to fins their way to happiness in marriage!
First, what I did like about the book: I love the premise of the Bennet's breaking the entail. And it was a refreshing change that the Bennets were well off, even better off than the Darcys. And Jane was wonderful with so much character!
That said, I couldn't understand the necessity of Mrs. Bennet trying to make people think that she was silly and vulgar---nomatter what the test.
I also thought that Darcy was not even tolerable for most of the book. I kept waiting for his redemption, but it never came. And this Lizzy was pretty pompous most of the book, and not terribly forgiving. It was amazing to me that they were able to get past their bad opinions of each other to fins their way to happiness in marriage!
April 25, 2021
A good twist
I wanted to give this 5 stars...right up until the last few chapters. It was such a fun twist, our dear Bennets being elevated in society without it being common knowledge. Unfortunately the way ODC comes together sort of fell flat for me. I loved the stronger Jane (and who she ends up with), BUT the chemistry between ODC was just non-existent and then seemingly out of nowhere they were madly in love. I almost feel like I missed a chapter or something! I wonder if the author felt rushed to finish? If so it's a crying shame because this one was so great right up until the last few chapters. In fact it almost felt like a second person wrote the ending. All's well that ends well, but it has so much more potential.
I wanted to give this 5 stars...right up until the last few chapters. It was such a fun twist, our dear Bennets being elevated in society without it being common knowledge. Unfortunately the way ODC comes together sort of fell flat for me. I loved the stronger Jane (and who she ends up with), BUT the chemistry between ODC was just non-existent and then seemingly out of nowhere they were madly in love. I almost feel like I missed a chapter or something! I wonder if the author felt rushed to finish? If so it's a crying shame because this one was so great right up until the last few chapters. In fact it almost felt like a second person wrote the ending. All's well that ends well, but it has so much more potential.
December 2, 2022
quality characterization but rushed resolution
I enjoyed getting to know Barr’s versions of the characters (this novel employs an more equal fortune and connections trope). I felt it was a good balance between loyalty to the original characters and tweaking them to suit the plot. The one exception may be Mrs. Bennett who was made significantly more intelligent and in a much more loving marriage than in the original P&P, but I was willing to go along with it under the idea of how she might have changed with the comfort of a broken entail. The only thing I really didn’t like was the speed with which Elizabeth’s ire turned to love. It felt rushed and not earned. All in all still an enjoyable read.
I enjoyed getting to know Barr’s versions of the characters (this novel employs an more equal fortune and connections trope). I felt it was a good balance between loyalty to the original characters and tweaking them to suit the plot. The one exception may be Mrs. Bennett who was made significantly more intelligent and in a much more loving marriage than in the original P&P, but I was willing to go along with it under the idea of how she might have changed with the comfort of a broken entail. The only thing I really didn’t like was the speed with which Elizabeth’s ire turned to love. It felt rushed and not earned. All in all still an enjoyable read.
March 26, 2021
Not the usual approach
A very enjoyable variation using the unexpectedly wealthy Bennett family trope. Each family member shows some characteristics different from canon.
**Spoiler Alert** keeping quiet about the extent of their wealth led to interesting situations for Elizabeth and Jane. Loved seeing Jane get the Colonel.
Some of the steps on the way to the HEA seemed contrived and others lacked detail. I was sorry to see the story end and wanted to know what comes next. There were a few editing errors that momentarily interrupted the flow.
Recommended as a low angst read.
A very enjoyable variation using the unexpectedly wealthy Bennett family trope. Each family member shows some characteristics different from canon.
**Spoiler Alert** keeping quiet about the extent of their wealth led to interesting situations for Elizabeth and Jane. Loved seeing Jane get the Colonel.
Some of the steps on the way to the HEA seemed contrived and others lacked detail. I was sorry to see the story end and wanted to know what comes next. There were a few editing errors that momentarily interrupted the flow.
Recommended as a low angst read.
April 24, 2021
A like-able Jane
I’m a fan of P&P variations where Jane marries someone, ANYONE other than Bingley so this novel rates high for me; Bingley simply has no backbone. That Jane married Col Fitzwilliam is even better as variations are written. The Bennet family farce was a new twist. Reasons for the one point rating reduction: Bingley and Kitty - not a good idea; Darcy not really humbled; Elizabeth too quick to forgive & forget; and, Caroline not taken to task (well maybe 16 babies in an age of no medx was her payback).
I’m a fan of P&P variations where Jane marries someone, ANYONE other than Bingley so this novel rates high for me; Bingley simply has no backbone. That Jane married Col Fitzwilliam is even better as variations are written. The Bennet family farce was a new twist. Reasons for the one point rating reduction: Bingley and Kitty - not a good idea; Darcy not really humbled; Elizabeth too quick to forgive & forget; and, Caroline not taken to task (well maybe 16 babies in an age of no medx was her payback).
December 26, 2025
3.75 ⭐️
A great read with the Bennet family not being all that they look like. Darcy was especially stupid and prideful and while Lizzy did jump to conclusions I liked that she was open to correcting her assumptions. Jane having a backbone is one of my favourites along with the bad Jane trope and this was done well.
I was sorry we did not see any courtship between Lizzy and Darcy and some of the conclusions for the characters, especially ones that were not my faves were not as well done. And the ending was a bit abrupt for me. Overall an enjoyable read.
A great read with the Bennet family not being all that they look like. Darcy was especially stupid and prideful and while Lizzy did jump to conclusions I liked that she was open to correcting her assumptions. Jane having a backbone is one of my favourites along with the bad Jane trope and this was done well.
I was sorry we did not see any courtship between Lizzy and Darcy and some of the conclusions for the characters, especially ones that were not my faves were not as well done. And the ending was a bit abrupt for me. Overall an enjoyable read.
March 20, 2021
Fairy-floss for the brain
This is a very enjoyable read, with the Bennets more privileged than in canon, but keeping it under wraps to test the sincerity of potential suitors. The book as a whole requires an active suspension of disbelief, particularly in regard to Elizabeth's quick turn around after the Hundsford proposal. Still, if you lean in and just enjoy the ride you find the story pleasant fairy-floss for the brain.
This is a very enjoyable read, with the Bennets more privileged than in canon, but keeping it under wraps to test the sincerity of potential suitors. The book as a whole requires an active suspension of disbelief, particularly in regard to Elizabeth's quick turn around after the Hundsford proposal. Still, if you lean in and just enjoy the ride you find the story pleasant fairy-floss for the brain.
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May 8, 2021Don't much like it
Most of my notes seem to be missing. Lizzy told Charlotte about Darcy's insult near the time she told her about Collins proposal and the change in entail. But then it is stated later that she is telling her about one odd Darcy's insults but not the other. Highlights about this discrepancy disappeared. Plenty of typos and incorrect English. Personalities are not traditional. Some very crass writing, not Regency style.
Most of my notes seem to be missing. Lizzy told Charlotte about Darcy's insult near the time she told her about Collins proposal and the change in entail. But then it is stated later that she is telling her about one odd Darcy's insults but not the other. Highlights about this discrepancy disappeared. Plenty of typos and incorrect English. Personalities are not traditional. Some very crass writing, not Regency style.
December 1, 2022
Cute
This was a good fun little read. There's not really a whole lot of angst, which was nice, and everything seemed to tie together nicely by the end. I love a JAFF fic that has the Bennett more affluent than Canon and able to bring wealth and connections to the table. I also, really love that Jane ends up with someone other than Bingley. This was exactly what I was looking for!
This was a good fun little read. There's not really a whole lot of angst, which was nice, and everything seemed to tie together nicely by the end. I love a JAFF fic that has the Bennett more affluent than Canon and able to bring wealth and connections to the table. I also, really love that Jane ends up with someone other than Bingley. This was exactly what I was looking for!
May 21, 2023
Anticlimactic
A what-if story with plenty of unanswered whys and hows. There was a lot of eye rolling happening on my side. In the end, I had to just go with it to enjoy a light, low angst read.
I like the premise. There were times when I thought the story was going in one direction, but nothing ever came of it.
Some scenes were glossed over, or I assume, avoided to bring about a climatic scene later, but everything fizzled out.
A what-if story with plenty of unanswered whys and hows. There was a lot of eye rolling happening on my side. In the end, I had to just go with it to enjoy a light, low angst read.
I like the premise. There were times when I thought the story was going in one direction, but nothing ever came of it.
Some scenes were glossed over, or I assume, avoided to bring about a climatic scene later, but everything fizzled out.
October 1, 2025
Elizabeth's feelings towards Darcy changed very quickly.
The story was going well, but suddenly Darcy and Mr. Bennet made jokes about Elizabeth having twins or triplets (right in front of her), talking about her as if she were a breeding mare. This was completely inappropriate during the Regency period and showed a total lack of respect for Elizabeth, which made me uncomfortable.
I also didn't like that Richard only stayed with Jane for 18 years.
The story was going well, but suddenly Darcy and Mr. Bennet made jokes about Elizabeth having twins or triplets (right in front of her), talking about her as if she were a breeding mare. This was completely inappropriate during the Regency period and showed a total lack of respect for Elizabeth, which made me uncomfortable.
I also didn't like that Richard only stayed with Jane for 18 years.
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