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The Discarded Daughter #1
The Discarded Daughter Book 1 - Discarded: A Pride & Prejudice Variation
This is Book 1 of a 4 book series. Book 2 and 3 are now complete and being edited while Book 4 is in the process of being written. There will be no breaks between books, as one is completed the next one will be started.
In Book 1 we are introduced to the characters both the heroes and the villains. Elizabeth makes the grievous mistake of being born a girl when Fanny Bennet is convinced that she will be a son. After first accusing the midwife of substituting her son for a daughter, Fanny rejects her daughter and accuses her of being a demon sent from the devil.
This tale is not just about Elizabeth but about the characters in her life, both good and bad, and the effect that she has on them. We also see the effects on those who have lost her.
Thomas Bennet does everything that he can to protect his second daughter but Fanny finds a way to have Elizabeth kidnapped and she demands that the man kill her daughter and deliver proof when the deed is done. Fanny’s insanity driven actions lead to Elizabeth being discarded far from home. Will she be found? If so by whom? How will her life unfold? What of the Bennets and especially the evil Fanny?
Book 1 follows Elizabeth’s life from birth until she is about seven years old. Yes, there is a cliff-hanger at the end of Book 1, but we get the answers within the first chapter or two of Book 2 which will be published before the end of April 2021.
In Book 1 we are introduced to the characters both the heroes and the villains. Elizabeth makes the grievous mistake of being born a girl when Fanny Bennet is convinced that she will be a son. After first accusing the midwife of substituting her son for a daughter, Fanny rejects her daughter and accuses her of being a demon sent from the devil.
This tale is not just about Elizabeth but about the characters in her life, both good and bad, and the effect that she has on them. We also see the effects on those who have lost her.
Thomas Bennet does everything that he can to protect his second daughter but Fanny finds a way to have Elizabeth kidnapped and she demands that the man kill her daughter and deliver proof when the deed is done. Fanny’s insanity driven actions lead to Elizabeth being discarded far from home. Will she be found? If so by whom? How will her life unfold? What of the Bennets and especially the evil Fanny?
Book 1 follows Elizabeth’s life from birth until she is about seven years old. Yes, there is a cliff-hanger at the end of Book 1, but we get the answers within the first chapter or two of Book 2 which will be published before the end of April 2021.
169 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 7, 2021
About the author
Shana Granderson
60 books72 followersI have three children and after a disastrous first marriage I found my soul mate who I thought that was lost to me over 25 years ago. I recently married the love of my life. I live with my soul mate in Australasia and have three pets, two cats, Darcy and Bingley and a golden lab, Honey.
Like many high school students, Pride and Prejudice was assigned to me in an English literature class. It was not my favourite book, but I read it as I had to. I forgot about the book until in my 30’s when I saw and fell in love with the 1995 Pride and Prejudice version made for TV in England, and purchased a copy of the DVD that is now much played.
The tipping point was the 2005 big screen adaption of P&P. Not long after seeing it I found and read the complete works of Jane Austen on Amazon, starting with Pride and Prejudice. The latter book is by far my favourite. After I read it three of four times over, I wistfully said to myself: ‘it is a great pity that Miss Austen never wrote a sequel to her seminal novel.' One day I was searching Kindle books and for the fun of it I entered “Pride and Prejudice Sequel’ into the search not expecting any results.
The rest is history. I discovered the JAFF community and books. I became a veracious reader of JAFF books and once I had devoured all of the sequels and continuations that I could find, I read my first variation. I had been resisting variations wrongly thinking that I would not enjoy them as much as the sequels. Boy, was I ever wrong! Today I am the proud owner of well over 1,000 JAFF novels that I have purchased on Amazon. 'A Change of Fortunes' is my first book that I wrote. There are a number of others on the way.
Like many high school students, Pride and Prejudice was assigned to me in an English literature class. It was not my favourite book, but I read it as I had to. I forgot about the book until in my 30’s when I saw and fell in love with the 1995 Pride and Prejudice version made for TV in England, and purchased a copy of the DVD that is now much played.
The tipping point was the 2005 big screen adaption of P&P. Not long after seeing it I found and read the complete works of Jane Austen on Amazon, starting with Pride and Prejudice. The latter book is by far my favourite. After I read it three of four times over, I wistfully said to myself: ‘it is a great pity that Miss Austen never wrote a sequel to her seminal novel.' One day I was searching Kindle books and for the fun of it I entered “Pride and Prejudice Sequel’ into the search not expecting any results.
The rest is history. I discovered the JAFF community and books. I became a veracious reader of JAFF books and once I had devoured all of the sequels and continuations that I could find, I read my first variation. I had been resisting variations wrongly thinking that I would not enjoy them as much as the sequels. Boy, was I ever wrong! Today I am the proud owner of well over 1,000 JAFF novels that I have purchased on Amazon. 'A Change of Fortunes' is my first book that I wrote. There are a number of others on the way.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
April 22, 2021
This is a book one of 4 and the author insists she is already finished 3 so it should be available soon.
Alas this is not a good book. It is mildly entertaining but so chock full of errors that I cannot award it more than 2 stars.
Every baddie in this story is simply ridiculously over the top villainous; and usually a nutter who can't understand normal thinking.
Lizzy is a complete Mary Sue (Mary Sue: A fictional character, usually female, whose implausible talents and likeableness weaken the story.)
The author begins our story before Lizzy & Jane are born and then goes on to create P&P Babies like Muppet babies (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muppet_... ). Lizzy can read by age two and by age 7 "She had started to learn languages less than two years before and now she was fluent in French, German and Italian, as well as Latin and Greek!" As well as having an Eidetic memory and being able to play complicated piano pieces from Memory. At 5 she wows not only the patronesses of Almacks but Good Queen Charlotte herself. She is an accomplished horsewoman and sings in a beautiful contralto.
Since the author has created such a paragon she can't help but to have a 15 year old Fitzwilliam Darcy fall in love with her; for she is the only person with whom he can discuss weighty intellectual manners.
Reader Note This is so freaking creepy I cannot do it justice. I think he could admire her but lets me serious most 15 year old boys would be jealous or annoyed by a perfect 7 year old girl. And the author goes full creepy on the topic see notes I briefly pondered the 1/2 your age plus 7 rule but that = 14 1/2 so it's super creepy. The repercussions of this take up a good deal of space and are so stupid I dare not repeat them here. An easy resolution would be telling the 7 year old that 15 year olds have better things to do than talk to them or simply tell her to go play. But since Lizzy is a Mary Sue everyone will move heaven and earth to keep her happy at all times.
In further P&P babies Caroline Bingley at 11 is an insufferable snob and believes she is destined for the first circles. Although her father is alive and still in trade.
There are so many changes to the source material I can't begin to enumerate them but basically everything is changed. The Bennets are rich, Mrs Darcy doesn't die, William Collins becomes Bennet's ward and there's more.
Am I reading book 2 you may ask. Hells yes
Alas this is not a good book. It is mildly entertaining but so chock full of errors that I cannot award it more than 2 stars.
Every baddie in this story is simply ridiculously over the top villainous; and usually a nutter who can't understand normal thinking.
Lizzy is a complete Mary Sue (Mary Sue: A fictional character, usually female, whose implausible talents and likeableness weaken the story.)
The author begins our story before Lizzy & Jane are born and then goes on to create P&P Babies like Muppet babies (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muppet_... ). Lizzy can read by age two and by age 7 "She had started to learn languages less than two years before and now she was fluent in French, German and Italian, as well as Latin and Greek!" As well as having an Eidetic memory and being able to play complicated piano pieces from Memory. At 5 she wows not only the patronesses of Almacks but Good Queen Charlotte herself. She is an accomplished horsewoman and sings in a beautiful contralto.
Since the author has created such a paragon she can't help but to have a 15 year old Fitzwilliam Darcy fall in love with her; for she is the only person with whom he can discuss weighty intellectual manners.
Reader Note This is so freaking creepy I cannot do it justice. I think he could admire her but lets me serious most 15 year old boys would be jealous or annoyed by a perfect 7 year old girl. And the author goes full creepy on the topic see notes I briefly pondered the 1/2 your age plus 7 rule but that = 14 1/2 so it's super creepy. The repercussions of this take up a good deal of space and are so stupid I dare not repeat them here. An easy resolution would be telling the 7 year old that 15 year olds have better things to do than talk to them or simply tell her to go play. But since Lizzy is a Mary Sue everyone will move heaven and earth to keep her happy at all times.
In further P&P babies Caroline Bingley at 11 is an insufferable snob and believes she is destined for the first circles. Although her father is alive and still in trade.
There are so many changes to the source material I can't begin to enumerate them but basically everything is changed. The Bennets are rich, Mrs Darcy doesn't die, William Collins becomes Bennet's ward and there's more.
Am I reading book 2 you may ask. Hells yes
March 18, 2022
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars
This book is one of four which should definitely be read in order. They are not standalone stories.
This first one covers Elizabeth's birth up until about age eight. Although she is born to the Bennet family, her biological mother hates her and declares she is a spawn of the devil and determines to get rid of her. Why you ask? Because of the entail and because her husband does not respect or honor her. She compromised him. He limits her pin money and other privileges. However Mr. Bennet does love Elizabeth and, seeing his wife's abhorrent behavior, sets in place protection for the baby. A little laudanum in the nursemaids' tea and the one-year old disappears.
One family's tragedy is another's triumph. The Earl of Matlock and his wife have lost a daughter. When Elizabeth is found she seems to be a gift from GOD. And, although ads are placed in newspapers, etc. no one comes forth to claim Lizzy. Lizzy turns out to be quite the genius with a photographic memory. She finds delight in discussing books and debating with her "cousin" William Darcy.
Backing up...The Bennet situation has Mrs. Bennet dying and Mr. Bennet marrying one of the nurses. Widow, Mrs. Tammy Manning has a son, John, and although Mr. Bennet becomes like a father to him, the boy keeps his father's name so as to continue the line. William Collins' abusive father also dies and William drops that hated name when Mr. Bennet takes him in also. So he becomes William Bennet. Plus, the new Mrs. Bennet does give Mr. Bennet his heir.
We have many of the characters from canon: relatives, neighbors...OH, and you can't forget our two villains who are even more insane with plans to avenge the perceived ill-treatment they have received from relatives and acquaintances. There are new characters, also, in that the Darcy parents are both alive and have a son after Georgiana. Charlotte Lucas does not marry Collins but she does find a curate who shows interest.
I had to highlight "Colin Firth" and "David Bamber" who are included as minor characters in this variation. No explanation needed, I hope.
Yes, the story ends on a cliffhanger. You know, you must know, however, that a HEA is guaranteed so the fate of ODG is not what the story seems to leave us with.
So, on with the story. I did find this interesting. However there is a need for some editing.
This book is one of four which should definitely be read in order. They are not standalone stories.
This first one covers Elizabeth's birth up until about age eight. Although she is born to the Bennet family, her biological mother hates her and declares she is a spawn of the devil and determines to get rid of her. Why you ask? Because of the entail and because her husband does not respect or honor her. She compromised him. He limits her pin money and other privileges. However Mr. Bennet does love Elizabeth and, seeing his wife's abhorrent behavior, sets in place protection for the baby. A little laudanum in the nursemaids' tea and the one-year old disappears.
One family's tragedy is another's triumph. The Earl of Matlock and his wife have lost a daughter. When Elizabeth is found she seems to be a gift from GOD. And, although ads are placed in newspapers, etc. no one comes forth to claim Lizzy. Lizzy turns out to be quite the genius with a photographic memory. She finds delight in discussing books and debating with her "cousin" William Darcy.
Backing up...The Bennet situation has Mrs. Bennet dying and Mr. Bennet marrying one of the nurses. Widow, Mrs. Tammy Manning has a son, John, and although Mr. Bennet becomes like a father to him, the boy keeps his father's name so as to continue the line. William Collins' abusive father also dies and William drops that hated name when Mr. Bennet takes him in also. So he becomes William Bennet. Plus, the new Mrs. Bennet does give Mr. Bennet his heir.
We have many of the characters from canon: relatives, neighbors...OH, and you can't forget our two villains who are even more insane with plans to avenge the perceived ill-treatment they have received from relatives and acquaintances. There are new characters, also, in that the Darcy parents are both alive and have a son after Georgiana. Charlotte Lucas does not marry Collins but she does find a curate who shows interest.
I had to highlight "Colin Firth" and "David Bamber" who are included as minor characters in this variation. No explanation needed, I hope.
Yes, the story ends on a cliffhanger. You know, you must know, however, that a HEA is guaranteed so the fate of ODG is not what the story seems to leave us with.
So, on with the story. I did find this interesting. However there is a need for some editing.
May 30, 2021
“A gift involves sacrifice. If you give away something that you no longer value or want, it cannot be a gift. It is simply a discarded item.” –Wayne Gerard Trotman
Rating: Mature reader: discussions of an adult nature, violence to a child [non-sexual], madness, kidnapping, murder, violent descriptions of the scene, physical violence, grizzly descriptions… you get the picture. Angst Level: medium to possibly high due to the reader’s tolerance. Source: KU [5-28-21] [3.5-stars rounds to 4-stars] *** This review may contain SPOILERS *** The cover art was rather startling.
I have read similar stories with the trope where a young Elizabeth was taken from the Bennet family and raised by another. I adored this little girl. She had the intellect of her father Bennet and was considered a prodigy. I also came to the conclusion that she had a photographic memory due to the ability to remember anything she read. The “Perfect Lizzy’ trope drives some readers crazy. I thought it was fun watching to see just how ‘accomplished’ the author would make the little sprite. LOL! I’m funny that way. It was hilarious. NOTE: to really enjoy/tolerate this story, it is best if you are just read for information rather than trying to make sense of this as an alternate story to Austen’s canon. It has the same character names but they are used and presented in different ways. I was curious to see what the author would do. I’ve always found this trope fascinating.
This was the first book of several [still being written] and had the arduous task of setting the stage for a half-dozen story threads that would run the length of the series. The timetable was pre-P&P so we had the background story of all the Austen families [Darcy, Fitzwilliam, De Bourgh, Bingley, and others]. An added bonus was that all the senior members were still living. Each book would cover a span of time as we watched the children grow up.
We open with Mrs. Bennet’s confinement at hand and she soon learned she had birthed another daughter. She was distraught that she didn’t have the needed boy and heir but was also shocked by the baby’s coloring. She was convinced the child was a changeling child sent by the devil. Yes, she was just sure it was a devil child. Her eldest daughter Jane [who looked just like her] had fair skin, blonde hair, and blue eyes. The devil child, Elizabeth, was dark-haired, olive-skin tones, and dark-eyed [regardless of the fact she was the very image of Bennet’s mother]. Mr. Bennet instantly fell in love with the bright-eyed beauty in his arms. The new mother refused to nurse the child and demanded ‘It’ be sent to the tenants. At that moment, Mr. Bennet realized that his wife was not herself. He hired a wet nurse and a nursemaid for his new baby and all the servants were put on notice to keep Mrs. Bennet away from baby Elizabeth.
Elizabeth was one year old when she disappeared. The wet nurse and nursemaid had been drugged and the baby removed from Longbourn. Mr. Bennet was beside himself. The loss in one family was gain in another. We follow the lives of several families in parallel story threads: the Fitzwilliam family [The Earl of Matlock]; Darcy: Pemberley, Derbyshire; De Bourgh: Rosings Park, Kent; Bingley family; and various families in Meryton [Lucas, Phillips, Long, etc.].
This first book was loaded with information. Once the dust settled you had the basic story to follow. The author switched back and forth a lot as we kept track of the various threads. I’m not sure that was handled as smoothly as it could have been. I was mainly reading for information. This read like a WIP on the fan forums complete with errors, missing words, strange sentence structures, etc. We end with a HUGE cliffhanger [an attempted murder and someone injured] to be continued in book 2.
Rating: Mature reader: discussions of an adult nature, violence to a child [non-sexual], madness, kidnapping, murder, violent descriptions of the scene, physical violence, grizzly descriptions… you get the picture. Angst Level: medium to possibly high due to the reader’s tolerance. Source: KU [5-28-21] [3.5-stars rounds to 4-stars] *** This review may contain SPOILERS *** The cover art was rather startling.
I have read similar stories with the trope where a young Elizabeth was taken from the Bennet family and raised by another. I adored this little girl. She had the intellect of her father Bennet and was considered a prodigy. I also came to the conclusion that she had a photographic memory due to the ability to remember anything she read. The “Perfect Lizzy’ trope drives some readers crazy. I thought it was fun watching to see just how ‘accomplished’ the author would make the little sprite. LOL! I’m funny that way. It was hilarious. NOTE: to really enjoy/tolerate this story, it is best if you are just read for information rather than trying to make sense of this as an alternate story to Austen’s canon. It has the same character names but they are used and presented in different ways. I was curious to see what the author would do. I’ve always found this trope fascinating.
This was the first book of several [still being written] and had the arduous task of setting the stage for a half-dozen story threads that would run the length of the series. The timetable was pre-P&P so we had the background story of all the Austen families [Darcy, Fitzwilliam, De Bourgh, Bingley, and others]. An added bonus was that all the senior members were still living. Each book would cover a span of time as we watched the children grow up.
We open with Mrs. Bennet’s confinement at hand and she soon learned she had birthed another daughter. She was distraught that she didn’t have the needed boy and heir but was also shocked by the baby’s coloring. She was convinced the child was a changeling child sent by the devil. Yes, she was just sure it was a devil child. Her eldest daughter Jane [who looked just like her] had fair skin, blonde hair, and blue eyes. The devil child, Elizabeth, was dark-haired, olive-skin tones, and dark-eyed [regardless of the fact she was the very image of Bennet’s mother]. Mr. Bennet instantly fell in love with the bright-eyed beauty in his arms. The new mother refused to nurse the child and demanded ‘It’ be sent to the tenants. At that moment, Mr. Bennet realized that his wife was not herself. He hired a wet nurse and a nursemaid for his new baby and all the servants were put on notice to keep Mrs. Bennet away from baby Elizabeth.
Elizabeth was one year old when she disappeared. The wet nurse and nursemaid had been drugged and the baby removed from Longbourn. Mr. Bennet was beside himself. The loss in one family was gain in another. We follow the lives of several families in parallel story threads: the Fitzwilliam family [The Earl of Matlock]; Darcy: Pemberley, Derbyshire; De Bourgh: Rosings Park, Kent; Bingley family; and various families in Meryton [Lucas, Phillips, Long, etc.].
This first book was loaded with information. Once the dust settled you had the basic story to follow. The author switched back and forth a lot as we kept track of the various threads. I’m not sure that was handled as smoothly as it could have been. I was mainly reading for information. This read like a WIP on the fan forums complete with errors, missing words, strange sentence structures, etc. We end with a HUGE cliffhanger [an attempted murder and someone injured] to be continued in book 2.
April 17, 2021
Lizzie-discarded!
Really exciting story! Lizzie is discarded as a little one year old, but found by the Fitzwilliam family! She is adopted into their family and is now Lady Elizabeth! So much happening in this story, and there's more books to be read in the series!
Really exciting story! Lizzie is discarded as a little one year old, but found by the Fitzwilliam family! She is adopted into their family and is now Lady Elizabeth! So much happening in this story, and there's more books to be read in the series!
May 4, 2021
This is again the same story by this author, but with a lost Lizzy.
February 4, 2024
The story is interesting. The usual high in status and highly accomplished Elizabeth, unrepentant villains even after many failures and warnings and even punishments. But the problem was the author is trying to make a 2 volume story into a four volume one and so there are many repetitive, inconsequential events that the story loses steam along the way. The cliffhanger will definitely make me read the next volume. And I have to say being an ardent(?) fan of Elizabeth, I still found her too good to be true in this book.
May 2, 2021
Interesting premise; rough writing
I really want to like this author’s stories but after a dozen or so chapters, find myself with no interest in finishing them. While the ideas behind her stories are compelling, the writing is really rough. In many cases, it’s too direct and simplistic; in others, words are misused or misspelled; there’s very little dialogue and what is there can be quite anachronistic. To top it off, the plots and characters become more and more fantastical and utterly unbelievable as the stories progress. Wish the author would have someone workshop her plot points in advance, and then stone her stories off for thorough editing. If her stories and writing were refined, I’d try reading her work again. Until then, I’ll hold off.
I really want to like this author’s stories but after a dozen or so chapters, find myself with no interest in finishing them. While the ideas behind her stories are compelling, the writing is really rough. In many cases, it’s too direct and simplistic; in others, words are misused or misspelled; there’s very little dialogue and what is there can be quite anachronistic. To top it off, the plots and characters become more and more fantastical and utterly unbelievable as the stories progress. Wish the author would have someone workshop her plot points in advance, and then stone her stories off for thorough editing. If her stories and writing were refined, I’d try reading her work again. Until then, I’ll hold off.
May 5, 2021
Not the best writing
I think the author sometimes trips over all the ideas she wants to get into her story. The story is overly detailed and needs more careful editing. I think the plot of this first book is a little ridiculous, seemingly attributing adult characters onto children.
I think the author sometimes trips over all the ideas she wants to get into her story. The story is overly detailed and needs more careful editing. I think the plot of this first book is a little ridiculous, seemingly attributing adult characters onto children.
September 15, 2022
Is this book awful? Yes
Will I continue to read the rest of the series? Absolutely!!
Look, had it not been for the borderline pedophilia, I would have given this book three stars. However, a 15 year old William Darcy attracted to a 7 year old Elizabeth was just creepy. The worst part was that the author tried to explain away the creep factor as that Darcy was infatuated with her mind & intelligence beyond her years. Yeah, fuck that! It doesn’t matter which way you look at it it’s still fucking creepy & gross. The worst part though, is that the whole entire portion of the story served no real purpose & could EASILY have been cut out & everybody everywhere would have been a lot happier. Or if the author was super attached to being creepy she could have had the scene at older perspective ages like 13 & 20. Still ewww, but I do understand we are reading about the late 1800’s where women “came out” at 16/18.
My other complaints are the same as I’ve had with every other book I’ve read by this author & they are the following- PLEASE get an editor or at the very least a proofreader!! Second, while reading her books I often feel more like I’m receiving information then reading a story.
So why do I keep reading books by this author you ask? Well that’s simple, they are easy to read, interesting, usually low on angst. I’m not looking for a book that is going to force me to use brain cells. Most times I want to relax & read entertaining trashy smutty books (though unfortunately these have no smut that I’m aware of).
Will I continue to read the rest of the series? Absolutely!!
Look, had it not been for the borderline pedophilia, I would have given this book three stars. However, a 15 year old William Darcy attracted to a 7 year old Elizabeth was just creepy. The worst part was that the author tried to explain away the creep factor as that Darcy was infatuated with her mind & intelligence beyond her years. Yeah, fuck that! It doesn’t matter which way you look at it it’s still fucking creepy & gross. The worst part though, is that the whole entire portion of the story served no real purpose & could EASILY have been cut out & everybody everywhere would have been a lot happier. Or if the author was super attached to being creepy she could have had the scene at older perspective ages like 13 & 20. Still ewww, but I do understand we are reading about the late 1800’s where women “came out” at 16/18.
My other complaints are the same as I’ve had with every other book I’ve read by this author & they are the following- PLEASE get an editor or at the very least a proofreader!! Second, while reading her books I often feel more like I’m receiving information then reading a story.
So why do I keep reading books by this author you ask? Well that’s simple, they are easy to read, interesting, usually low on angst. I’m not looking for a book that is going to force me to use brain cells. Most times I want to relax & read entertaining trashy smutty books (though unfortunately these have no smut that I’m aware of).
May 4, 2021
Avid Reader
Two evil mothers in one book, the first Mrs. Bennet, Jane and Elizabeth 's mother and Lady Catherine, Anne 's mother. Mrs. Bennet dies after she has Elizabeth kidnapped and discarded by her lover. Lady Catherine runs away after she kills a maid. She had already killed her husband, but he had written his will so airtight and with six copies there was nothing that she could do. Elizabeth ends up with the Matlocks and becomes a child prodigy that Lady Catherine, Wickham, and Caroline hate. Wickham kills his adoptive father and shoots Elizabeth 's horse in the neck. The second novel follows.
Two evil mothers in one book, the first Mrs. Bennet, Jane and Elizabeth 's mother and Lady Catherine, Anne 's mother. Mrs. Bennet dies after she has Elizabeth kidnapped and discarded by her lover. Lady Catherine runs away after she kills a maid. She had already killed her husband, but he had written his will so airtight and with six copies there was nothing that she could do. Elizabeth ends up with the Matlocks and becomes a child prodigy that Lady Catherine, Wickham, and Caroline hate. Wickham kills his adoptive father and shoots Elizabeth 's horse in the neck. The second novel follows.
July 27, 2021
There are no spoilers here. I read all… Books 1-4. I’d give them a 3.5 if I could. I could tell this was a rush job. Possibly the author was excited to get the story out there but still, punctuation matters. Complete sentences matter. Complete thoughts matter. Even the typeset varied. (That was strange.) The premise was very, very interesting. The wealth… so over the top, it was crazy pointless. As if $10,000 pounds a year weren’t enough, lets 10x’s it! However, the generosity of the families was noted, as positive. The never ending drama of danger got tiresome. The characters… SO MANY that I got confused about who went with whom after a while because titles were dropped. The “familiarity” due to familial (or connection) was way overdone. Some other things that disturbed me was language; “gobsmacked.” Seriously?? In a Recency era story??? (That word should be banned from the English language.) And several other 20th century lingo nonsense completely out of genre. Some verbiage was poorly done; vulgar, in my opinion, (or maybe “tasteless” would be better, but nonetheless…) to the point I completely skipped the honeymoon scene because I was already creeped out by what I had read, and I am not creeped out by sex scenes. I hope it gets cleaned up and properly edited. Polished, I’d very likely buy them. But I would have to reread them first.
November 14, 2022
The Discarded Daughter Book 1
Jane Austen's Mrs. Bennet is horrible, but Shana far surpassed wicked in her story. She also wrote the demented evil demon out of her story; although, it would have been delightful to read what Thomas Bennet would have done to this deranged woman. Luckily, her lover was not a killer and left little Lizzy where she could be found. Fortunately, the Fitzwilliam brothers were behind his carriage, and in his panic, saw her tossed into the forest. Salvation and love for this beautiful child. Unfortunately, Shana's story still has the usual miscreants: Lady Catherine de Bourgh, George Wickham, and Caroline Bingley. Book 1 covers Lizzy's life from birth to age 10. Can't wait to start Book 2. Great story.
Jane Austen's Mrs. Bennet is horrible, but Shana far surpassed wicked in her story. She also wrote the demented evil demon out of her story; although, it would have been delightful to read what Thomas Bennet would have done to this deranged woman. Luckily, her lover was not a killer and left little Lizzy where she could be found. Fortunately, the Fitzwilliam brothers were behind his carriage, and in his panic, saw her tossed into the forest. Salvation and love for this beautiful child. Unfortunately, Shana's story still has the usual miscreants: Lady Catherine de Bourgh, George Wickham, and Caroline Bingley. Book 1 covers Lizzy's life from birth to age 10. Can't wait to start Book 2. Great story.
September 27, 2026
What a great reimagined story with familiar themes and characters to the original. I found it hard to put the novel down as new twists and situations presented in each chapter. Using multiple POV , we get to see this story unfold in real time from several locations and people each with a convection to Lizzy. It was interesting to see Lizzie with unique abilities as a focal point. I also thought it interesting that some characters were even more so unhinged and unpredictable. The story ends with a bit of a cliffhanger as Lizzie is still quite young, so I’m looking forward to where the next novel goes.
June 4, 2021
Not believable as written
Interesting story so far but a couple things do not work. 1. No matter how advanced a 7-8 year old is, Lizzy is not written believably. A very mature 12 year old would not have the wherewithal to act as Lizzy was written. 2. A 14 year old boy with "attraction" to a 7-8 year old is not just disturbing but just not believable, in my opinion. Otherwise the writing was well done.
Interesting story so far but a couple things do not work. 1. No matter how advanced a 7-8 year old is, Lizzy is not written believably. A very mature 12 year old would not have the wherewithal to act as Lizzy was written. 2. A 14 year old boy with "attraction" to a 7-8 year old is not just disturbing but just not believable, in my opinion. Otherwise the writing was well done.
August 17, 2021
Fantastic
This first book is absolutely fantastic. I love the originality of the storyline and the many different relationships shared by so many different characters. It’s very easy to see that this is a well written and thought out book as this first book in the series; laying the groundwork for the next 3. I highly recommend this to any pride and prejudice fans as well as anyone who likes a good mystery/action/romance novel.
This first book is absolutely fantastic. I love the originality of the storyline and the many different relationships shared by so many different characters. It’s very easy to see that this is a well written and thought out book as this first book in the series; laying the groundwork for the next 3. I highly recommend this to any pride and prejudice fans as well as anyone who likes a good mystery/action/romance novel.
May 7, 2021
Very different canon.
Good start for a three book set. Good to read about our beloved couple from childhood. Also about other family members brought into the mix.
Interested to see how this series pans out.
Have not read this author before. A few Americanism creeping in and a few spelling mistakes, but otherwise, an ok read
Good start for a three book set. Good to read about our beloved couple from childhood. Also about other family members brought into the mix.
Interested to see how this series pans out.
Have not read this author before. A few Americanism creeping in and a few spelling mistakes, but otherwise, an ok read
June 24, 2021
Slow Start
If I cannot get into a book right away I will often pick a different one. I am so glad I did not give up on this book! Part Snow White and all of the characters from P&P... I love this alternate universe that shows what Mr Bennett could have become with the correct environment! I am very excited to see what happens with Lizzy!
If I cannot get into a book right away I will often pick a different one. I am so glad I did not give up on this book! Part Snow White and all of the characters from P&P... I love this alternate universe that shows what Mr Bennett could have become with the correct environment! I am very excited to see what happens with Lizzy!
November 14, 2021
Well told story
The only flaw that I read was the story was so long sometime when a quicker scene would have sufficed. Little Lizzie was taken from her family. Her mother was crazy with anger that Lizzy was not an heir. At this point Mama goes nuts.
The only flaw that I read was the story was so long sometime when a quicker scene would have sufficed. Little Lizzie was taken from her family. Her mother was crazy with anger that Lizzy was not an heir. At this point Mama goes nuts.
Read
May 31, 2021Grew Book
I loved Lizzy she is a marvel and I liked Darcy and the fitzwilliam family. Can't wait for the three villains lady C, Wickham and caroline to get their due!!
I loved Lizzy she is a marvel and I liked Darcy and the fitzwilliam family. Can't wait for the three villains lady C, Wickham and caroline to get their due!!
June 4, 2021
Excellent
This book is different than most pride and prejudice variations however I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and look forward to reading the rest of them
This book is different than most pride and prejudice variations however I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and look forward to reading the rest of them
June 18, 2024
Interesting,
This author's books are a must for me and this is the first of the series I cannot wait to read the rest.
This author's books are a must for me and this is the first of the series I cannot wait to read the rest.
October 18, 2025
I like that she added Colin Firth and David Bamber to the book.
January 14, 2026
1/5
malísimo, b por las dudas le di la oportunidad al libro 2 y es peor aún
malísimo, b por las dudas le di la oportunidad al libro 2 y es peor aún
June 29, 2021
The plot is interesting but the execution is not all it could be.
This author has clearly worked on correcting errors and this book has far fewer than her earlier work. Unfortunately whilst typos and spell-checking errors have been mostly eradicated the editing is still not tight enough. As an example Lady Anne Darcy appearance to be pregnant for 13 months.
My biggest problem however is with the behaviour of all of the children in this story. Their behaviour is like adults and at times it is really rather unsettling.
This author has clearly worked on correcting errors and this book has far fewer than her earlier work. Unfortunately whilst typos and spell-checking errors have been mostly eradicated the editing is still not tight enough. As an example Lady Anne Darcy appearance to be pregnant for 13 months.
My biggest problem however is with the behaviour of all of the children in this story. Their behaviour is like adults and at times it is really rather unsettling.
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