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Agony and Hope
“I have endured the deepest agony, only to be shown a hope so bright I cannot but yearn for it.”
Fitzwilliam Darcy is mourning the love he lost—a love that was never allowed to bloom. What will become of him when Georgiana is wed, and he is left by himself? He cannot give away a heart not his own. Must he remain in this mournful existence, anticipating the nights to come, where in his dreams, he can finally be with Elizabeth, a spectre of his once living, breathing beloved. When a surprise visitor brings unexpected news, his hope is breathed back to life. Will he finally obtain his deepest desires? Will Fitzwilliam Darcy be able to leave behind the agony of the past and hope for the future he once thought impossible?
Due to circumstances beyond her control, Elizabeth Bennet’s family is irrevocably altered. Her father is dead, Lydia is missing, and her mother and remaining sisters are to be relegated to a life of poverty. Fitzwilliam Darcy’s behaviour at Pemberley indicates he still loves her, but too much has happened. She can never hope for him to once again make the offer of his hand. Elizabeth’s sole option is to abandon the life she once led and start anew. But what happens when her path once again crosses with the love she thought lost to her? Will Elizabeth choose to protect him with the one option available to her or will she put aside the agony of the past and choose hope?
Fitzwilliam Darcy is mourning the love he lost—a love that was never allowed to bloom. What will become of him when Georgiana is wed, and he is left by himself? He cannot give away a heart not his own. Must he remain in this mournful existence, anticipating the nights to come, where in his dreams, he can finally be with Elizabeth, a spectre of his once living, breathing beloved. When a surprise visitor brings unexpected news, his hope is breathed back to life. Will he finally obtain his deepest desires? Will Fitzwilliam Darcy be able to leave behind the agony of the past and hope for the future he once thought impossible?
Due to circumstances beyond her control, Elizabeth Bennet’s family is irrevocably altered. Her father is dead, Lydia is missing, and her mother and remaining sisters are to be relegated to a life of poverty. Fitzwilliam Darcy’s behaviour at Pemberley indicates he still loves her, but too much has happened. She can never hope for him to once again make the offer of his hand. Elizabeth’s sole option is to abandon the life she once led and start anew. But what happens when her path once again crosses with the love she thought lost to her? Will Elizabeth choose to protect him with the one option available to her or will she put aside the agony of the past and choose hope?
266 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 15, 2021
103 people are currently reading
118 people want to read
About the author
L.L. Diamond
36 books183 followersAmazon best selling author L. L. Diamond is more commonly known as Leslie to her friends, and Mom to her three kids. A native of Louisiana, she has spent the majority of her life living within an hour of New Orleans until she followed her husband to the ends of the earth as a military wife. Louisiana, Mississippi, California, Texas, New Mexico, Nebraska, England, Missouri, and now Maryland have all been called home along the way.
Aside from mother and writer, Leslie considers herself a perpetual student. She has degrees in biology and studio art, but will devour any subject of interest simply for the knowledge. As an artist, her concentration is in graphic design, but watercolor is her medium of choice with one of her watercolors featured on the cover of her second book, A Matter of Chance. She is a member of the Jane Austen Society of North America. She also plays flute and piano, but much like Elizabeth Bennet, she is always in need of practice!
Aside from mother and writer, Leslie considers herself a perpetual student. She has degrees in biology and studio art, but will devour any subject of interest simply for the knowledge. As an artist, her concentration is in graphic design, but watercolor is her medium of choice with one of her watercolors featured on the cover of her second book, A Matter of Chance. She is a member of the Jane Austen Society of North America. She also plays flute and piano, but much like Elizabeth Bennet, she is always in need of practice!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
June 16, 2021
This is a well written seemingly error free book which I mostly enjoyed but it is based on two or more of my least favorite tropes in P&P FF
It's fine.
It's fine.
September 1, 2021
4.5 rounded up to 5 stars
During the first chapters of this story, Mr. Darcy wallows in deep depression, finding little reason to live without Elizabeth by his side and rousing himself just enough to get Georgiana launched in society and married to a good man.
His interactions with Elizabeth when she traveled to Pemberley with her aunt and uncle Gardiner had given him hope. However, he was NOT with her when she received Jane's letters, didn't know why they all left Lambton so precipitously, and a letter he sent to Mr. Bennet requesting permission to call on Elizabeth at Longbourn was never answered.
He later discovered that, upon receiving word of Lydia's elopement with Mr. Wickham, Elizabeth's father had an attack and immediately died, leaving the Bennet family in total disarray. The surviving Bennets still don't know Lydia's fate. Kitty and Mary went with Mrs. Bennet to live with their aunt Phillips, while Jane and Elizabeth were to live with the Gardiners. But Darcy has learned that both Jane and Elizabeth Bennet are dead. ELIZABETH IS DEAD? SAY IT AIN'T SO!!
Okay. It ain't so. C'mon - not a spoiler. What kind of P&P variation would this be without Elizabeth in it?
She's restored to him, but she's deathly ill and her survival is questionable. She and Jane have been hiding from their family for the past two years, living in squalor. It takes a while for the reason to be revealed, and in the meantime Elizabeth's life is hanging in the balance. (She doesn't die. Again, not really a spoiler.)
Her presence brings Darcy back to life too. Regardless of her past and the potential consequences in society, he still wants to marry her. But Elizabeth herself is the stubborn obstacle he has to overcome.
Ms. Diamond's engaging writing is a pleasure to read, as always. While I've read other variations with some similarities in storyline, the strength of this one is the interplay among the various supporting characters. Jane, still beautiful and sweet, has shed her meekness out of necessity. Colonel Fitzwilliam is a delight, both as Darcy's cousin and brother-at-heart and as the Viscount Carlisle due to his dissolute brother's protracted illness. His finesse with the ladies is adversely affected once he's the heir and now in Darcy's position of being pursued by matchmaking mamas and their overeager daughters. His mother, Lady Fitzwilliam, is impatient for her reluctant son to find a suitable match. Georgiana, of course, continues to adore her brother. The siblings have reversed roles, with her worrying more about Darcy now that her future is secure. Lady Catherine is a surprisingly likeable relation, and Ms. Diamond manages this without the lady straying out of character. It's Lord Fitzwilliam who's a nasty piece of work; he's a heartless man who pushes potential wives on Richard and Darcy solely for his own political gain regardless of their suitability for his son or nephew.
There's nothing lacking in the portrayal of Darcy and Elizabeth, either. His anguish over her supposed death, serious illness, and continued refusal of his hand is heart-wrenching. She's torn between feeling aghast that he's back in her life and exhilarated by it, convinced that marrying him would be a mistake but still loving him. Lotsa great chemistry and emotion in their scenes together.
Although the HEA goes on longer than I personally prefer, I applaud this particular Epilogue, which ties up some loose plot points I'd been wondering about. Content is clean (but still hot!)
I received a free copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review. Opinions are my own.
During the first chapters of this story, Mr. Darcy wallows in deep depression, finding little reason to live without Elizabeth by his side and rousing himself just enough to get Georgiana launched in society and married to a good man.
His interactions with Elizabeth when she traveled to Pemberley with her aunt and uncle Gardiner had given him hope. However, he was NOT with her when she received Jane's letters, didn't know why they all left Lambton so precipitously, and a letter he sent to Mr. Bennet requesting permission to call on Elizabeth at Longbourn was never answered.
He later discovered that, upon receiving word of Lydia's elopement with Mr. Wickham, Elizabeth's father had an attack and immediately died, leaving the Bennet family in total disarray. The surviving Bennets still don't know Lydia's fate. Kitty and Mary went with Mrs. Bennet to live with their aunt Phillips, while Jane and Elizabeth were to live with the Gardiners. But Darcy has learned that both Jane and Elizabeth Bennet are dead. ELIZABETH IS DEAD? SAY IT AIN'T SO!!
Okay. It ain't so. C'mon - not a spoiler. What kind of P&P variation would this be without Elizabeth in it?
She's restored to him, but she's deathly ill and her survival is questionable. She and Jane have been hiding from their family for the past two years, living in squalor. It takes a while for the reason to be revealed, and in the meantime Elizabeth's life is hanging in the balance. (She doesn't die. Again, not really a spoiler.)
Her presence brings Darcy back to life too. Regardless of her past and the potential consequences in society, he still wants to marry her. But Elizabeth herself is the stubborn obstacle he has to overcome.
Ms. Diamond's engaging writing is a pleasure to read, as always. While I've read other variations with some similarities in storyline, the strength of this one is the interplay among the various supporting characters. Jane, still beautiful and sweet, has shed her meekness out of necessity. Colonel Fitzwilliam is a delight, both as Darcy's cousin and brother-at-heart and as the Viscount Carlisle due to his dissolute brother's protracted illness. His finesse with the ladies is adversely affected once he's the heir and now in Darcy's position of being pursued by matchmaking mamas and their overeager daughters. His mother, Lady Fitzwilliam, is impatient for her reluctant son to find a suitable match. Georgiana, of course, continues to adore her brother. The siblings have reversed roles, with her worrying more about Darcy now that her future is secure. Lady Catherine is a surprisingly likeable relation, and Ms. Diamond manages this without the lady straying out of character. It's Lord Fitzwilliam who's a nasty piece of work; he's a heartless man who pushes potential wives on Richard and Darcy solely for his own political gain regardless of their suitability for his son or nephew.
There's nothing lacking in the portrayal of Darcy and Elizabeth, either. His anguish over her supposed death, serious illness, and continued refusal of his hand is heart-wrenching. She's torn between feeling aghast that he's back in her life and exhilarated by it, convinced that marrying him would be a mistake but still loving him. Lotsa great chemistry and emotion in their scenes together.
Although the HEA goes on longer than I personally prefer, I applaud this particular Epilogue, which ties up some loose plot points I'd been wondering about. Content is clean (but still hot!)
I received a free copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review. Opinions are my own.
December 19, 2025
I read the first 4 chapters of this story on a blog and at the end of the first chapter we read "Elizabeth Bennet is dead." Well, you must know that grabbed my attention. Now I was determined to not only follow whatever the author posted on the blog but also to somehow get the story when it was published. I was honored to received an ARC. This review is freely given and is all my own opinions.
The Darcy of whom we first read is barely existing believing E. is dead. Georgiana has recently happily married and thus with responsibility for her now on her husband's shoulders, Darcy does what he has to in taking care of his properties, etc., but withdraws from society and drinks himself to sleep nightly...in dreams he has Elizabeth by his side. (Tear jerking moments here!)
We read of a Lord Matlock who is the worst of the ton. He has long had a mistress, has pressured his oldest son into an unfortunate marriage (with dire results) and now pressures his second son and his nephew to marry women who would promote Matlock's political ambitions.
Lady Catherine is a ray of sunshine throughout the story. Anne has died but rather than sink into gloom and withdraw, Lady C. looks about and perceives what would best suit her nephew (and others). I did like this change in her character.
We are two years past Lydia's elopement...which led to Mr. Bennet's death and the expulsion of Mrs. Bennet and her remaining daughters from Longbourn. Jane & Elizabeth go to live with the Gardiners. However an overheard conversation between that couple lead them to disappear. As no trace is found of them they are soon reported to have died.
However, ***SPOILER*** they have relocated into St. Giles, a dangerous and dirty section of London. Fortunately a neighboring couple befriend them and the man gives them some protection from predators who abound around them. Unfortunately Elizabeth becomes deathly ill and as they have no money Jane cannot afford any medical help. Her solution to finding aid is a turning point in this story.
I won't give more details here. However this Elizabeth is extremely stubborn. She only sees things from her viewpoint and it is dark. With Lydia's disgrace the Bennets have lost any standing in society and on top of that is the move she and Jane made to earn a living. No decent man would consider a connection with either sister.
Georgiana and Richard (as well as Lady C.) are forces who can perceive what both Darcy and Elizabeth feel. They apply their own ways of persuasion. At the same time Darcy stands firm in his actions and desires. He is further helped by his housekeeper in London. Bless her heart!
This was an excellent story which I highly recommend.
The Darcy of whom we first read is barely existing believing E. is dead. Georgiana has recently happily married and thus with responsibility for her now on her husband's shoulders, Darcy does what he has to in taking care of his properties, etc., but withdraws from society and drinks himself to sleep nightly...in dreams he has Elizabeth by his side. (Tear jerking moments here!)
We read of a Lord Matlock who is the worst of the ton. He has long had a mistress, has pressured his oldest son into an unfortunate marriage (with dire results) and now pressures his second son and his nephew to marry women who would promote Matlock's political ambitions.
Lady Catherine is a ray of sunshine throughout the story. Anne has died but rather than sink into gloom and withdraw, Lady C. looks about and perceives what would best suit her nephew (and others). I did like this change in her character.
We are two years past Lydia's elopement...which led to Mr. Bennet's death and the expulsion of Mrs. Bennet and her remaining daughters from Longbourn. Jane & Elizabeth go to live with the Gardiners. However an overheard conversation between that couple lead them to disappear. As no trace is found of them they are soon reported to have died.
However, ***SPOILER*** they have relocated into St. Giles, a dangerous and dirty section of London. Fortunately a neighboring couple befriend them and the man gives them some protection from predators who abound around them. Unfortunately Elizabeth becomes deathly ill and as they have no money Jane cannot afford any medical help. Her solution to finding aid is a turning point in this story.
I won't give more details here. However this Elizabeth is extremely stubborn. She only sees things from her viewpoint and it is dark. With Lydia's disgrace the Bennets have lost any standing in society and on top of that is the move she and Jane made to earn a living. No decent man would consider a connection with either sister.
Georgiana and Richard (as well as Lady C.) are forces who can perceive what both Darcy and Elizabeth feel. They apply their own ways of persuasion. At the same time Darcy stands firm in his actions and desires. He is further helped by his housekeeper in London. Bless her heart!
This was an excellent story which I highly recommend.
June 10, 2021
“Only in the agony of parting do we look into the depths of love.” –George Eliot
Rating: MA: mature: due to violence discussed and hinted at. Possible trigger warning for someone sensitive to that discussion. It was not graphic but the results were. Sensual feelings expressed. Angst Level: medium-to-high: stressors due to grief for loved ones. A trigger for someone in mourning. Source: I received an ARC from the author with no expectations of a review. The views and opinions expressed are my own. SPOILER ALERT: This review may contain *** Spoilers ***
“Truly there are different kinds of pain. But the most agonizing is the pain of regret, for which there is no lasting relief and no remedy.” –Richelle E. Goodrich, Smile Anyway
That cover says it all. I first read an excerpt of this story on one of the blog sites that I follow. Oh-My-Gosh… the last words shocked me so much that I nearly lost my breath. Elizabeth Bennet was dead. I knew I had to read this story. I receive an ARC from the author and immediately put on hold whatever I was doing and read it in one sitting. I CNPID [could not put it down]. Oh-My-Gosh. This story ripped out my heart. The blurb set up the story that for the past two years Darcy believed that Elizabeth was dead.
“They say a person needs just three things to be truly happy in this world: someone to love, something to do, and something to hope for.” –Tom Bodett
This story was about the sacrifices people make for those they love. Lydia was missing. Yeah, the SBRB [scum-bag-rat-bastard] threw her off and we wouldn’t know what happened to her until much, much later. We do find out what happened to the SBRB. When Mr. Bennet received word that his youngest had eloped, he suffered apoplexy and died. Collins claimed Longbourn and threw out his cousin’s widow and daughters. Charlotte was only betrothed to the heir at the time but managed to save the family’s personal items and a few books for Elizabeth. She and the city of Meryton were horrified by the behavior of Mr. Collins and she later made a decision that was rather bold for her. Thanks to Mr. Bennet’s indolence… his brothers-in-law now had to pick up the pieces from his neglect and would have to support his family in addition to their own. Mrs. Bennet, Mary, and Kitty went to Meryton. Jane and Elizabeth went to London to Cheapside.
Elizabeth saw the strain it was putting on her beloved uncle and aunt. She and Jane decided to find work to supplement their support. When that wasn’t enough, Jane and Elizabeth decided to sacrifice their own comforts in order to help their family. With them gone, Gardiner would be able to bring Mary to London. When they found a match for her, they could then attempt to get Kitty away from her mother’s influence. Elizabeth saw that it was a good plan but only if she and Jane were out of the picture. They packed their meager personal items and left for an even cheaper part of London. Later Gardiner was told they had died. I am not sure I agreed with that but again this was a story about sacrifice.
I struggled with the trope where Elizabeth was a martyr. No one else understood her reasoning but it made perfect sense to her. If she was out of the way… then everything else would fall into perfect alignment… according to her master plan. However, the heart wants what the heart wants and no plan… no matter how perfect or how hard she fought against it… would stand. The heart ruled every time.
There were times I wanted to rip out my own hair. I wanted to shake Elizabeth for being so stubborn but I couldn’t. I understood her reasoning; however, what she was doing to Darcy was killing me as well as him. What I liked was our author didn’t allow this to go on for too long. It was long enough but just when I thought all was lost, Darcy prevailed. Yeah, Darcy. Never underestimate a man in love.
Villains: OMG!! The house of Fitzwilliam was a mess. Lord Matlock was a bully and his firstborn and heir paid the ultimate price for listening to his father. His lordship attempted to bully Darcy but was instead met with a determination that even he could not break. Every threat issued by the pompous Lord was rebuffed with a counter-measure just as strong. Oh, that was brilliant. Darcy was unmovable.
Lady Catherine was a hoot. I liked her. She was such a surprise. Richard was another surprise and offered comedic relief. Don’t tell him we laughed at him but with him. He was a mess and was trying to avoid his father at every turn. He was having a hard time adjusting to the changes within the family. His mother loved him and only wanted him to be happy. I liked her as well. Georgiana was now two years older and had reached her HEA. She was concerned about her brother and made Richard promise to look after him. That was a job he took very seriously.
Jane was a strength throughout this story. She was the force that brought all the players together. I really liked her and was so happy with her HEA. Note: Our author added several new situations I’ve never seen used before. I was horrified that it was necessary [the housekeeper knew best] but understood the times and the necessity. Wow! Well done. I highly recommend this for something really different.
Rating: MA: mature: due to violence discussed and hinted at. Possible trigger warning for someone sensitive to that discussion. It was not graphic but the results were. Sensual feelings expressed. Angst Level: medium-to-high: stressors due to grief for loved ones. A trigger for someone in mourning. Source: I received an ARC from the author with no expectations of a review. The views and opinions expressed are my own. SPOILER ALERT: This review may contain *** Spoilers ***
“Truly there are different kinds of pain. But the most agonizing is the pain of regret, for which there is no lasting relief and no remedy.” –Richelle E. Goodrich, Smile Anyway
That cover says it all. I first read an excerpt of this story on one of the blog sites that I follow. Oh-My-Gosh… the last words shocked me so much that I nearly lost my breath. Elizabeth Bennet was dead. I knew I had to read this story. I receive an ARC from the author and immediately put on hold whatever I was doing and read it in one sitting. I CNPID [could not put it down]. Oh-My-Gosh. This story ripped out my heart. The blurb set up the story that for the past two years Darcy believed that Elizabeth was dead.
“They say a person needs just three things to be truly happy in this world: someone to love, something to do, and something to hope for.” –Tom Bodett
This story was about the sacrifices people make for those they love. Lydia was missing. Yeah, the SBRB [scum-bag-rat-bastard] threw her off and we wouldn’t know what happened to her until much, much later. We do find out what happened to the SBRB. When Mr. Bennet received word that his youngest had eloped, he suffered apoplexy and died. Collins claimed Longbourn and threw out his cousin’s widow and daughters. Charlotte was only betrothed to the heir at the time but managed to save the family’s personal items and a few books for Elizabeth. She and the city of Meryton were horrified by the behavior of Mr. Collins and she later made a decision that was rather bold for her. Thanks to Mr. Bennet’s indolence… his brothers-in-law now had to pick up the pieces from his neglect and would have to support his family in addition to their own. Mrs. Bennet, Mary, and Kitty went to Meryton. Jane and Elizabeth went to London to Cheapside.
Elizabeth saw the strain it was putting on her beloved uncle and aunt. She and Jane decided to find work to supplement their support. When that wasn’t enough, Jane and Elizabeth decided to sacrifice their own comforts in order to help their family. With them gone, Gardiner would be able to bring Mary to London. When they found a match for her, they could then attempt to get Kitty away from her mother’s influence. Elizabeth saw that it was a good plan but only if she and Jane were out of the picture. They packed their meager personal items and left for an even cheaper part of London. Later Gardiner was told they had died. I am not sure I agreed with that but again this was a story about sacrifice.
I struggled with the trope where Elizabeth was a martyr. No one else understood her reasoning but it made perfect sense to her. If she was out of the way… then everything else would fall into perfect alignment… according to her master plan. However, the heart wants what the heart wants and no plan… no matter how perfect or how hard she fought against it… would stand. The heart ruled every time.
There were times I wanted to rip out my own hair. I wanted to shake Elizabeth for being so stubborn but I couldn’t. I understood her reasoning; however, what she was doing to Darcy was killing me as well as him. What I liked was our author didn’t allow this to go on for too long. It was long enough but just when I thought all was lost, Darcy prevailed. Yeah, Darcy. Never underestimate a man in love.
Villains: OMG!! The house of Fitzwilliam was a mess. Lord Matlock was a bully and his firstborn and heir paid the ultimate price for listening to his father. His lordship attempted to bully Darcy but was instead met with a determination that even he could not break. Every threat issued by the pompous Lord was rebuffed with a counter-measure just as strong. Oh, that was brilliant. Darcy was unmovable.
Lady Catherine was a hoot. I liked her. She was such a surprise. Richard was another surprise and offered comedic relief. Don’t tell him we laughed at him but with him. He was a mess and was trying to avoid his father at every turn. He was having a hard time adjusting to the changes within the family. His mother loved him and only wanted him to be happy. I liked her as well. Georgiana was now two years older and had reached her HEA. She was concerned about her brother and made Richard promise to look after him. That was a job he took very seriously.
Jane was a strength throughout this story. She was the force that brought all the players together. I really liked her and was so happy with her HEA. Note: Our author added several new situations I’ve never seen used before. I was horrified that it was necessary [the housekeeper knew best] but understood the times and the necessity. Wow! Well done. I highly recommend this for something really different.
September 6, 2025
“Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth.” ― Arthur Conan Doyle, speaking for Sherlock Holmes
“Agony and Hope” is the best JAFF I have ever read that I think would never have happened!
Yes, I know these are fictional characters and an author can make them behave as he/she chooses but some fictional characters are so firmly fixed in my mind that I have trouble accepting certain behaviors from them.
Thus, in this book, Elizabeth’s action in taking Jane to live in an unsavory part of London is so improbable that it must be impossible. But that is what she does, in spite of other options available to her.
Darcy keeping secrets from the Bennet family (specifically the location of Jane and Elizabeth and the ending of Lydia’s story) also is out of character and beyond belief.
If a reader can suspend disbelief long enough to accept this premise, “Agony and Hope” is a great book, so compelling and so well-told I have to give five stars, in spite of not believing a bit of it.
“Agony and Hope” is the best JAFF I have ever read that I think would never have happened!
Yes, I know these are fictional characters and an author can make them behave as he/she chooses but some fictional characters are so firmly fixed in my mind that I have trouble accepting certain behaviors from them.
Thus, in this book, Elizabeth’s action in taking Jane to live in an unsavory part of London is so improbable that it must be impossible. But that is what she does, in spite of other options available to her.
Darcy keeping secrets from the Bennet family (specifically the location of Jane and Elizabeth and the ending of Lydia’s story) also is out of character and beyond belief.
If a reader can suspend disbelief long enough to accept this premise, “Agony and Hope” is a great book, so compelling and so well-told I have to give five stars, in spite of not believing a bit of it.
October 3, 2024
Agony and Hope
L.L. (Leslie) Diamond is one of those very talented authors whose opening paragraphs will always grab and pull you immediately into the story. Agony and Hope doesn’t disappoint in this regard as it opens with a brilliant scene featuring a determined (à la bad ass) Darcy standing up to Lord Fitzwilliam’s demand that he marry. The Earl threatens and Darcy parries with a threat of his own. One cannot help loving a Darcy who isn’t afraid to stand up to his family’s demands. Darcy has decided he will never marry if he cannot have Elizabeth.
He could never love any but her, thus he could never marry. His heart was no longer his to give. She possessed that fragile organ that still beat so faithfully in his chest and she always would.—quote from book
In this telling, after Darcy and Elizabeth were reunited at Pemberley, Darcy never followed the Gardiners to London after Elizabeth received Jane’s letters. What resulted had grave consequences. Elizabeth and Jane are gone for two years now, and as Georgiana marries, Darcy will find himself consigned to a lonely life with only memories and his dreams of Elizabeth.
”The sooner he found sleep, the sooner he could dream of a happier life—a life with Elizabeth by his side.”—quote from book
Alas, to achieve a must-have happy ending, can Elizabeth truly be lost forever? Can the agony he has experienced with her loss be replaced by the hope that blooms in his heart when he learns she is near? As a very ill and fevered Elizabeth is brought into his care and protection, his love for her only grows and he is determined to help in her recovery and finally make her his wife. Will she be well and have him or, because of her deep love for him be determined to spare him from the shame Lydia brought to her family? Elizabeth will learn a very necessary lesson when she finally realizes that what we think is good for another as only seen from our own perspective is not always the wisest course and can have consequences to the feelings of others. Lady Catherine is one who points this out to her.
“My sister and I have no desire to be burdens upon them.” “Hmm,” said the lady. Elizabeth waited. Lady Catherine would not withhold her opinion and would at some time speak regardless of what Elizabeth said or did. “What of their grief? Do you believe the ease you have created in their life justifies their suffering?”—quote from book
This brilliantly-written variation will have your heart breaking for Darcy as he deals with the daily agony of not having Elizabeth as his own, and have you unsurprisingly frustrated with Elizabeth’s stubbornness. She is likeable, however, because she too is facing her own inner agony, knowing she deeply loves Darcy but feels she can never have him. You cannot but experience your own agony and hope as you read through the pages of this story.
“Can you not understand that I love you, that I want none but you?” He took her face by the cheeks and drew her eyes up to his. “I have endured the deepest agony, only to be shown a hope so bright I cannot but yearn for it.”—quote from book
The reader is also treated with tinges of humour— for example, a Colonel Fitzwilliam who hides from his mother behind the drapes and a Darcy struggling not to laugh out loud. The book also presents us with a still bold and brassy, but very likeable Lady Catherine. I loved her sincere (and separate) conversations with Darcy and Elizabeth. Georgiana’s mature portrayal and conversation with Elizabeth is also memorable. Mary Bennet is friends with Georgiana.
Beautifully written with an exceptional Darcy portrayal, I am happy to highly recommend this book. I plan to purchase the published version to add to my Kindle library. This will also be added to my re-read stack. Loved it!
I received an ARC of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 21, 2022 - Audiobook
Another excellent performance by Stevie Zimmerman. I felt she really brought out the emotion of Darcy’s toughest moments.
October 2, 2024 - Audiobook, second listen
L.L. (Leslie) Diamond is one of those very talented authors whose opening paragraphs will always grab and pull you immediately into the story. Agony and Hope doesn’t disappoint in this regard as it opens with a brilliant scene featuring a determined (à la bad ass) Darcy standing up to Lord Fitzwilliam’s demand that he marry. The Earl threatens and Darcy parries with a threat of his own. One cannot help loving a Darcy who isn’t afraid to stand up to his family’s demands. Darcy has decided he will never marry if he cannot have Elizabeth.
He could never love any but her, thus he could never marry. His heart was no longer his to give. She possessed that fragile organ that still beat so faithfully in his chest and she always would.—quote from book
In this telling, after Darcy and Elizabeth were reunited at Pemberley, Darcy never followed the Gardiners to London after Elizabeth received Jane’s letters. What resulted had grave consequences. Elizabeth and Jane are gone for two years now, and as Georgiana marries, Darcy will find himself consigned to a lonely life with only memories and his dreams of Elizabeth.
”The sooner he found sleep, the sooner he could dream of a happier life—a life with Elizabeth by his side.”—quote from book
Alas, to achieve a must-have happy ending, can Elizabeth truly be lost forever? Can the agony he has experienced with her loss be replaced by the hope that blooms in his heart when he learns she is near? As a very ill and fevered Elizabeth is brought into his care and protection, his love for her only grows and he is determined to help in her recovery and finally make her his wife. Will she be well and have him or, because of her deep love for him be determined to spare him from the shame Lydia brought to her family? Elizabeth will learn a very necessary lesson when she finally realizes that what we think is good for another as only seen from our own perspective is not always the wisest course and can have consequences to the feelings of others. Lady Catherine is one who points this out to her.
“My sister and I have no desire to be burdens upon them.” “Hmm,” said the lady. Elizabeth waited. Lady Catherine would not withhold her opinion and would at some time speak regardless of what Elizabeth said or did. “What of their grief? Do you believe the ease you have created in their life justifies their suffering?”—quote from book
This brilliantly-written variation will have your heart breaking for Darcy as he deals with the daily agony of not having Elizabeth as his own, and have you unsurprisingly frustrated with Elizabeth’s stubbornness. She is likeable, however, because she too is facing her own inner agony, knowing she deeply loves Darcy but feels she can never have him. You cannot but experience your own agony and hope as you read through the pages of this story.
“Can you not understand that I love you, that I want none but you?” He took her face by the cheeks and drew her eyes up to his. “I have endured the deepest agony, only to be shown a hope so bright I cannot but yearn for it.”—quote from book
The reader is also treated with tinges of humour— for example, a Colonel Fitzwilliam who hides from his mother behind the drapes and a Darcy struggling not to laugh out loud. The book also presents us with a still bold and brassy, but very likeable Lady Catherine. I loved her sincere (and separate) conversations with Darcy and Elizabeth. Georgiana’s mature portrayal and conversation with Elizabeth is also memorable. Mary Bennet is friends with Georgiana.
Beautifully written with an exceptional Darcy portrayal, I am happy to highly recommend this book. I plan to purchase the published version to add to my Kindle library. This will also be added to my re-read stack. Loved it!
I received an ARC of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 21, 2022 - Audiobook
Another excellent performance by Stevie Zimmerman. I felt she really brought out the emotion of Darcy’s toughest moments.
October 2, 2024 - Audiobook, second listen
July 21, 2025
2022,Feb. Listened on audible. Loved it better as AB than reading the paperback. The one thing that bothered me about my first read thru, flowed more organically with the rest of the story. While still incongruous, E's reasoning makes sense.
2021
This was beautifully written. I felt it focused mainly on Darcy and in such an angsty way. We really get the feel of his suffering.
4.5* because I was a little disappointed in the "reason" the girls played dead. I had anticipated it was for a much more hi-drama reason and had a bit of a let down.
Very recommended!
2021
This was beautifully written. I felt it focused mainly on Darcy and in such an angsty way. We really get the feel of his suffering.
4.5* because I was a little disappointed in the "reason" the girls played dead. I had anticipated it was for a much more hi-drama reason and had a bit of a let down.
Very recommended!
July 5, 2021
What would you do to protect your family
Mr. Bennet has died, Lydia has run away with Wickham, you overhear your favorite uncle say his family doesn’t have enough money to support five more daughters. What would you do?
Lizzy gets Jane to agree to run away with her to the cheapest, most dangerous neighborhood in London and try to survive so no one will have to spend money on them. Years go by and Lizzy is near deaths door from am illness.
Will she accept help and listen to ideas from older, wiser friends or will she run away to her old situation when she is cured so as to not ruin the reputation of her family and friends?
Lots of angst. Lots of alternatives, most of them bad. Is Lizzy very brave, very scared or very stubborn or very unselfish? The situation for the Bennets is dire, Lizzy’s situation is dangerous and really could be much worse going back because the her safety net is no longer there.
I enjoyed the story a lot, it was hard to put it down so I could go to bed. I’ll read it again.
Mr. Bennet has died, Lydia has run away with Wickham, you overhear your favorite uncle say his family doesn’t have enough money to support five more daughters. What would you do?
Lizzy gets Jane to agree to run away with her to the cheapest, most dangerous neighborhood in London and try to survive so no one will have to spend money on them. Years go by and Lizzy is near deaths door from am illness.
Will she accept help and listen to ideas from older, wiser friends or will she run away to her old situation when she is cured so as to not ruin the reputation of her family and friends?
Lots of angst. Lots of alternatives, most of them bad. Is Lizzy very brave, very scared or very stubborn or very unselfish? The situation for the Bennets is dire, Lizzy’s situation is dangerous and really could be much worse going back because the her safety net is no longer there.
I enjoyed the story a lot, it was hard to put it down so I could go to bed. I’ll read it again.
August 2, 2021
My Rating: 4.5* rounded up to 5*
"I will brook no opposition to my scheme, Darcy. You require a wife, and you shall find no better candidate than Lady Prudence." (quote from the book)
Mr. Darcy's uncle, Lord Fitzwilliam, is trying to impose his will upon him. But that shall never happen, for the one woman he loved is no longer. What agony Darcy is under for the past several years. An agony with no end in sight except in his dreams. Ms. Diamond pulls on our heartstrings to see such despondency in our beloved Mr. Darcy.
"He could never love any but her, thus he would never marry." (quote from the book)
What an emotional tale of love lost as Mr. Darcy's family try to help him move on. Georgiana has found her forever love but worries over her brother. She tasks her cousin, Richard Fitzwilliam, to spend more time with him. Darcy is able to thwart him, but Lady Catherine soon makes her presence felt. But, she too, has had her own grief to bear, one that slightly softens her edges. However, Lady Catherine and Mr. Darcy share a secret.
What an emotional tale this continues to be when an unexpected visitor nearly fells Darcy with her presence. One that offers a beacon of hope that helps to light a path forward for more than himself. The reality to which this portion is conveyed was heartrending.
"How fleeing Derbyshire had devastated her. Fleeing him now would rip away a part of her soul." (quote from the book)
I am being deliberately vague for this story is a poignant one, not just for the characters, but for the reader. I will admit that there were some areas I wish had been expanded on and others just a bit reduced...but that is just me... always wanting more.
I highly recommend this unique and highly charged variation!
March 9, 2022
What If Lydia’s Scandal Destroyed the Bennets?
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Source: Review Copy from Author
TYPE OF NOVEL: Pride and Prejudice Variation
THE PREMISE: Lydia’s disastrous elopement with Wickham brought on tragic deaths and disappearances for the Bennet family. And two years later finds a despondent Mr. Darcy suffering a misery of the acutest kind, until he learns that Elizabeth’s fate isn’t what he believed it to be…
MY THOUGHTS:
A dramatic and gripping Pride and Prejudice variation that illustrates some dire consequences for the Bennets if Lydia was not rescued and their reputations were not salvaged by Mr. Darcy. I was intrigued by such a despairing premise and I loved how Ms. Diamond set the stage with such anguish and tragedy, yet also promises to balance the tale with some hope (according to the title…😏).
What I loved most about this story was Mr. Darcy. The fervency of his devotion blazes strong like an everlasting flame. Even though he was too late to help the Bennets, he takes on whatever actions are available to him, such as seeking retribution on their behalf and maintaining a close friendship with the Gardiners. And when the opportunity does come to be of greater assistance to Elizabeth, he seizes it with understandably effusive fervor. I love all of Mr. Darcy’s admirable and honorable actions. I loved that he acted for and thought of Elizabeth even “when existence or when hope is gone.” And even though he was in a pitiful morose state, and in the past guilty of managing the affairs of others, he displayed quite a lot of growth, patience, and selflessness in this tale that was lovely to observe.
Although this tale is very Darcy and Elizabeth centric, I enjoyed what Ms. Diamond did with the secondary characters in this story. There are some intriguing deviations with Colonel Fitzwilliam, Georgiana Darcy, and Lady Catherine that were wonderful, and at times quite diverting, to witness! Lady C and her celebrated frankness… In addition, I enjoyed the original characters we encountered, such as the Cooke family, who are invaluable to Lizzy and Jane, Mrs. Northcott, Mr. Darcy’s reliable and kind housekeeper in town, and Mr. Acker, Mr. Darcy’s teasing physician and friend. And lastly, I enjoyed the compelling and different storyline given to Lydia. I wouldn’t have minded seeing more time spent with her and her journey.
SPOILER ALERT: My quibble for this story is with Elizabeth and Jane. I know they made choices to protect and help their family, and I admire their self-sufficiency and independence. But at the same time, they caused immense heartache and lied to all the people who love them. That’s a big deal! I sometimes felt we didn’t see enough struggle or remorse from Elizabeth and Jane during these tough times and decisions. It was almost like they developed a callousness towards their loved ones which doesn’t ring true to their natures. But perhaps what they endured changed them.
Powerfully captivating and achingly romantic – Agony and Hope is yet another praiseworthy release from the pen of L.L. Diamond that ardent admirers of Pride and Prejudice and Austenesque works will enjoy. Full of ardent love, ceaseless devotion, noble sacrifices, and passionate emotions – I know I am not alone when I say I adore L.L. Diamond’s writing!
Austenesque Reviews
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Source: Review Copy from Author
TYPE OF NOVEL: Pride and Prejudice Variation
THE PREMISE: Lydia’s disastrous elopement with Wickham brought on tragic deaths and disappearances for the Bennet family. And two years later finds a despondent Mr. Darcy suffering a misery of the acutest kind, until he learns that Elizabeth’s fate isn’t what he believed it to be…
MY THOUGHTS:
A dramatic and gripping Pride and Prejudice variation that illustrates some dire consequences for the Bennets if Lydia was not rescued and their reputations were not salvaged by Mr. Darcy. I was intrigued by such a despairing premise and I loved how Ms. Diamond set the stage with such anguish and tragedy, yet also promises to balance the tale with some hope (according to the title…😏).
What I loved most about this story was Mr. Darcy. The fervency of his devotion blazes strong like an everlasting flame. Even though he was too late to help the Bennets, he takes on whatever actions are available to him, such as seeking retribution on their behalf and maintaining a close friendship with the Gardiners. And when the opportunity does come to be of greater assistance to Elizabeth, he seizes it with understandably effusive fervor. I love all of Mr. Darcy’s admirable and honorable actions. I loved that he acted for and thought of Elizabeth even “when existence or when hope is gone.” And even though he was in a pitiful morose state, and in the past guilty of managing the affairs of others, he displayed quite a lot of growth, patience, and selflessness in this tale that was lovely to observe.
Although this tale is very Darcy and Elizabeth centric, I enjoyed what Ms. Diamond did with the secondary characters in this story. There are some intriguing deviations with Colonel Fitzwilliam, Georgiana Darcy, and Lady Catherine that were wonderful, and at times quite diverting, to witness! Lady C and her celebrated frankness… In addition, I enjoyed the original characters we encountered, such as the Cooke family, who are invaluable to Lizzy and Jane, Mrs. Northcott, Mr. Darcy’s reliable and kind housekeeper in town, and Mr. Acker, Mr. Darcy’s teasing physician and friend. And lastly, I enjoyed the compelling and different storyline given to Lydia. I wouldn’t have minded seeing more time spent with her and her journey.
SPOILER ALERT: My quibble for this story is with Elizabeth and Jane. I know they made choices to protect and help their family, and I admire their self-sufficiency and independence. But at the same time, they caused immense heartache and lied to all the people who love them. That’s a big deal! I sometimes felt we didn’t see enough struggle or remorse from Elizabeth and Jane during these tough times and decisions. It was almost like they developed a callousness towards their loved ones which doesn’t ring true to their natures. But perhaps what they endured changed them.
Powerfully captivating and achingly romantic – Agony and Hope is yet another praiseworthy release from the pen of L.L. Diamond that ardent admirers of Pride and Prejudice and Austenesque works will enjoy. Full of ardent love, ceaseless devotion, noble sacrifices, and passionate emotions – I know I am not alone when I say I adore L.L. Diamond’s writing!
Austenesque Reviews
August 16, 2021
I gave this book 4 stars because this author is very talented. But the plot is unrealistic at the least.
Well, read Leslie's review, she wrote everything I think (only she was more generous with her rating than me).
Well, read Leslie's review, she wrote everything I think (only she was more generous with her rating than me).
September 20, 2021
A depressing start to this story had me intrigued!! Elizabeth dead!! Be still my heart! Obviously not true or there would be no story:) As you walk with Darcy through the depths of his grief after two years, it was heartbreaking. But it was thrilling when a disheveled Jane knocked on his door to inform him his lady love was alive!
This Lizzy has no similarity to the fastidious, particular Elizabeth Bennet that I know! She would never lower herself to live in the squalor of St Giles infested with lice and disease!! She had too much pride to allow such a fate for herself or Jane.
She would have married Mr Collins before risking her life and that of her beloved sister. They did not have to stay in London. There were villages and towns they could have traveled to to find a new way of life. Never mind my dismay at this situation as it did make for a great read!
Though I could have throttled Elizabeth myself for her determination to go back to St Giles in spite of the generosity of the man who brought her back to health and whom she secretly loved. A man who would move heaven and earth to keep her safe and protected because of his great love for her. Oh Lizzy, thank goodness things did change your mind.
Lady Catherine was a breath of fresh air with her much altered personality. I enjoyed her interaction with Elizabeth very much.
Georgiana was married and this situation was no risk to Elizabeth or Darcy at all. But still Lizzy was determined not to marry the man she loved.
I may have not chosen some of these situations but that they told a very different variation was refreshing. A great read:)
This Lizzy has no similarity to the fastidious, particular Elizabeth Bennet that I know! She would never lower herself to live in the squalor of St Giles infested with lice and disease!! She had too much pride to allow such a fate for herself or Jane.
She would have married Mr Collins before risking her life and that of her beloved sister. They did not have to stay in London. There were villages and towns they could have traveled to to find a new way of life. Never mind my dismay at this situation as it did make for a great read!
Though I could have throttled Elizabeth myself for her determination to go back to St Giles in spite of the generosity of the man who brought her back to health and whom she secretly loved. A man who would move heaven and earth to keep her safe and protected because of his great love for her. Oh Lizzy, thank goodness things did change your mind.
Lady Catherine was a breath of fresh air with her much altered personality. I enjoyed her interaction with Elizabeth very much.
Georgiana was married and this situation was no risk to Elizabeth or Darcy at all. But still Lizzy was determined not to marry the man she loved.
I may have not chosen some of these situations but that they told a very different variation was refreshing. A great read:)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 27, 2021
As the title alludes to, the author takes you through the agony and then hope (sometimes separately and sometimes together) of Fitzwilliam Darcy as it relates to Elizabeth Bennet. He is not the only one that must learn to see both sides of situations in order to find peace.
I love books that make me feel and this one excels at that. From the deepest despair, joy, love, surprise, and my favorite, acceptance, the story was full of emotion. To say much more would be a spoiler.
I love books that make me feel and this one excels at that. From the deepest despair, joy, love, surprise, and my favorite, acceptance, the story was full of emotion. To say much more would be a spoiler.
July 1, 2021
I read the first 4 chapters in a blog and had some expectations regarding it. Poor Darcy, totally depressed, who can resist? But as the stories progress, I wasn’t able to come to terms with the reason that made Elisabeth and Jane to run from home and pretend to be dead. It’s to an extreme solution, that caused to much pain to their family. Mrs Bennet just lost her younger daughter, her husband and home and the two eldest thought “do you know what we can do next?”. I wasn’t sure about the timeline, but the left Longbourn 2 months after Mr. Bennet died already with the idea of not being a burden to their uncles, so they look for positions for about 2/3 months. And then decided to go live to the worst part of the town … They were brought up as gentlewomen and probably could not boil an egg….
Then Elisabeth wakes up in Darcy’s house, warm, clean, feed, without lice’s, he wants to marry her, everyone in the families supports the marriage, she says she also loves him, but … oh no we will be unhappy, I must return to the cold and lices… stubbornly during most of the book…Jane should have slap her every time she started with the “we must go home...”
I liked this Jane she talked and had some sense …Oh, and I liked Lady Catherine also.
Then Elisabeth wakes up in Darcy’s house, warm, clean, feed, without lice’s, he wants to marry her, everyone in the families supports the marriage, she says she also loves him, but … oh no we will be unhappy, I must return to the cold and lices… stubbornly during most of the book…Jane should have slap her every time she started with the “we must go home...”
I liked this Jane she talked and had some sense …Oh, and I liked Lady Catherine also.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 14, 2021
Review Published at:
https://frompemberleytomilton.wordpre...
I absolutely loved the premise of Agony & Hope. In this book Mr. Darcy is unaware of Lydia’s elopement and therefore is not able to force Wickham to marry her. As a result, Mr. Bennet suffers an apoplexy after learning the news, Jane and Elizabeth are forced to live under Uncle Gardiner’s protection, and after hearing they might become too much of a burden to him, they decide to leave his house. Uncle Gardiner tries to find them, but when he discovers where they were living, he is told by their neighbours that the sisters became ill and died.
Throughout the initial chapters of the book, we learn everything that happened to Lydia and how Mr. Darcy coped with the news of Elizabeth’s death. He has vowed never to marry again and is silently suffering in his own home where night after night he takes refuge in his liquor to help him slumber and remember Elizabeth.
I absolutely loved to read about Darcy’s misery because it made me feel attached to him as a character. I loved his constancy and the strength of his love for Elizabeth. I could feel his pain and I couldn’t stop reading until some glimpse of hope appeared. This isn’t much of a spoiler, but Elizabeth and Jane are very much alive in this book, and we learn that when Jane knocks at Mr. Darcy’s door begging him to help Elizabeth who is extremely sick and without medical attention. It is then that Mr. Darcy comes to the rescue and brings the ladies to his house where they receive medical care.
Once more I was hooked to this part of the book because Ms. Diamond made me feel Darcy’s despair and hope. He was the perfect romantic hero when he was taking care of Elizabeth and I could not wait for her to get better to finally provide him the much-deserved happiness.
The first half of the book is dark but beautifully written and it was everything I could hope for in this type of story. However, as the story progressed, I started feeling a little more detached from it because at times it felt that some dialogues and even the characters thoughts or reports about a certain situation were somehow repetitive and not adding much to the story. I would have preferred if instead of those lines we would have known more about Lydia’s character, for example. That was my only quibble with the book because apart from Darcy’s character I also loved what the author did with the secondary characters. I liked to see how close Mary and Georgiana became, Lydia’s fate was something I had never seen before and which I loved, and Lady Catherine was just fabulous. Some readers may find Lady Catherine much changed in this book, but in my opinion, that worked really well. I loved her character in Agony & Hope as much as I loved her dialogues with Darcy and all the support she gave to him.
Agony and Hope is a short and enjoyable read. It has its degree of angst but it is quickly replaced with the hope for a better future. I loved the simplicity of the plot and the fact that there aren’t far fetched subplots in it. It is solely focused on the characters feelings and how they are able to overcome their misery. If you’re looking for a romantic story which portrays a gentleman every lady would love to have by their side, this is it.
https://frompemberleytomilton.wordpre...
I absolutely loved the premise of Agony & Hope. In this book Mr. Darcy is unaware of Lydia’s elopement and therefore is not able to force Wickham to marry her. As a result, Mr. Bennet suffers an apoplexy after learning the news, Jane and Elizabeth are forced to live under Uncle Gardiner’s protection, and after hearing they might become too much of a burden to him, they decide to leave his house. Uncle Gardiner tries to find them, but when he discovers where they were living, he is told by their neighbours that the sisters became ill and died.
Throughout the initial chapters of the book, we learn everything that happened to Lydia and how Mr. Darcy coped with the news of Elizabeth’s death. He has vowed never to marry again and is silently suffering in his own home where night after night he takes refuge in his liquor to help him slumber and remember Elizabeth.
I absolutely loved to read about Darcy’s misery because it made me feel attached to him as a character. I loved his constancy and the strength of his love for Elizabeth. I could feel his pain and I couldn’t stop reading until some glimpse of hope appeared. This isn’t much of a spoiler, but Elizabeth and Jane are very much alive in this book, and we learn that when Jane knocks at Mr. Darcy’s door begging him to help Elizabeth who is extremely sick and without medical attention. It is then that Mr. Darcy comes to the rescue and brings the ladies to his house where they receive medical care.
Once more I was hooked to this part of the book because Ms. Diamond made me feel Darcy’s despair and hope. He was the perfect romantic hero when he was taking care of Elizabeth and I could not wait for her to get better to finally provide him the much-deserved happiness.
The first half of the book is dark but beautifully written and it was everything I could hope for in this type of story. However, as the story progressed, I started feeling a little more detached from it because at times it felt that some dialogues and even the characters thoughts or reports about a certain situation were somehow repetitive and not adding much to the story. I would have preferred if instead of those lines we would have known more about Lydia’s character, for example. That was my only quibble with the book because apart from Darcy’s character I also loved what the author did with the secondary characters. I liked to see how close Mary and Georgiana became, Lydia’s fate was something I had never seen before and which I loved, and Lady Catherine was just fabulous. Some readers may find Lady Catherine much changed in this book, but in my opinion, that worked really well. I loved her character in Agony & Hope as much as I loved her dialogues with Darcy and all the support she gave to him.
Agony and Hope is a short and enjoyable read. It has its degree of angst but it is quickly replaced with the hope for a better future. I loved the simplicity of the plot and the fact that there aren’t far fetched subplots in it. It is solely focused on the characters feelings and how they are able to overcome their misery. If you’re looking for a romantic story which portrays a gentleman every lady would love to have by their side, this is it.
June 27, 2021
Fantastic!
August 4, 2023
I'm stealing J.W. Garrett's line (sorry/not sorry J.W.) (thank you BTW) OH-MY-GOODNESS! I finished this not knowing what I would say about it except that; Omg. But I can't let myself not review, just because I hate my reviews. Like other reviewers I read the first excerpt and was shocked and hooked. Unlike others, I stopped reading excerpts and just waited for the book release with bated breath. I'm not going to go into the plot (yes it stretches the belief factor) but I thought it was brilliant. Why? I guess I love me some angst, because it was heartbreaking to watch Darcy mourning Elizabeth's death, his loneliness, and belief he would go on with a giant piece of himself missing for the rest of his life. I agree with others that Elizabeth was too stubborn for her own good, but I understood where she was coming from. But when she made her decision and most importantly, why she made her decision, I forgave her completely.
Oh L.L. Diamond, you've done it again; given me another favorite reread, because I know I'll be rereading this forever. I can't wait for the audio!!
I highly recommend this to all JAFF readers.
Oh L.L. Diamond, you've done it again; given me another favorite reread, because I know I'll be rereading this forever. I can't wait for the audio!!
I highly recommend this to all JAFF readers.
will-not-finish
August 27, 2021In this story, Elizabeth and Jane have disappeared and the family is told they died. They choose to live in squalor rather than be a burden to their families. After Lydia runs off with Wickham he abandons her. Lady Catherine takes her on as a companion after Darcy finds her scarred mentally and physically, and she insists no one tell her family where she is. This makes for an angsty story, but one that I couldn’t finish.
When I was 17 years old my 21 year old brother died. My family suffered such profound devastation at his loss. My father couldn’t speak of it, and my mother couldn’t speak of anything else - for years. We were numb, angry, lost, and so, so sad. What would I have thought if he came back a couple of years later and explained he had faked his death because he didn’t want to be a burden on us? Would I have ever begun to forgive him for all we suffered? In this book, only Lady Catherine in passing mentions the grief everyone suffered. Elizabeth and Jane are oblivious to it.
I tried so hard to get past this, because I love this author and everything she has written. I am sure many readers can take this leap of faith. But I can’t forgive the selfishness of Elizabeth and Jane. And, Lydia. Family not knowing where she is and if she is in pain. How dare these three girls dismiss the rights of family and friends to support those they love, or at least have some say? How dare they put so many people through such grief? Did they really think they would be forgotten and people would go on with their lives as if nothing happened?
And, then, Elizabeth cannot even recognize the two years Darcy spent grieving her, living a hollow life, coming to a decision to never marry because of his love for her. She makes everything difficult for him when he rejoices she is alive and wants to give her the world. She questions if he will regret marrying her after how far she has fallen, while not even listening to the pain he has already been through thinking her dead. How heartless.
I can’t even…
When I was 17 years old my 21 year old brother died. My family suffered such profound devastation at his loss. My father couldn’t speak of it, and my mother couldn’t speak of anything else - for years. We were numb, angry, lost, and so, so sad. What would I have thought if he came back a couple of years later and explained he had faked his death because he didn’t want to be a burden on us? Would I have ever begun to forgive him for all we suffered? In this book, only Lady Catherine in passing mentions the grief everyone suffered. Elizabeth and Jane are oblivious to it.
I tried so hard to get past this, because I love this author and everything she has written. I am sure many readers can take this leap of faith. But I can’t forgive the selfishness of Elizabeth and Jane. And, Lydia. Family not knowing where she is and if she is in pain. How dare these three girls dismiss the rights of family and friends to support those they love, or at least have some say? How dare they put so many people through such grief? Did they really think they would be forgotten and people would go on with their lives as if nothing happened?
And, then, Elizabeth cannot even recognize the two years Darcy spent grieving her, living a hollow life, coming to a decision to never marry because of his love for her. She makes everything difficult for him when he rejoices she is alive and wants to give her the world. She questions if he will regret marrying her after how far she has fallen, while not even listening to the pain he has already been through thinking her dead. How heartless.
I can’t even…
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 6, 2023
Wow
I !oved it, Agony and Hope and turmoil. Loved Darcy he was a man in love with a contingency plan for any instance. He would not be denied, that argument with Lizzy about her being a coward was inspirational! Great love story!!!
I !oved it, Agony and Hope and turmoil. Loved Darcy he was a man in love with a contingency plan for any instance. He would not be denied, that argument with Lizzy about her being a coward was inspirational! Great love story!!!
May 13, 2024
Such a good book! When I started, I actually kinda feared of what might come but I was pleasantly surprised. And as I listened to the audiobook, it's no surprise that I think the narrator did a brilliant Job! Hey I mean, what do you expect? It's Stevie Zimmerman.
One thing; I LOVE LADY CATHERINE DE BOURGH! THANK YOU FOR PORTRAYING LIKE THIS!!
Some points though which annoyed me a little bit, I'll mark it as Spoiler.
- It isn't actually as angsty as I thought, the right amount.
- About 6 Hrs
- Clean Content imo, (kisses between a betrothed couple)
One thing; I LOVE LADY CATHERINE DE BOURGH! THANK YOU FOR PORTRAYING LIKE THIS!!
Some points though which annoyed me a little bit, I'll mark it as Spoiler.
- It isn't actually as angsty as I thought, the right amount.
- About 6 Hrs
- Clean Content imo, (kisses between a betrothed couple)
August 5, 2021
Absolutely loved this variation. Darcy believes Elizabeth and Jane are dead. Two years later, he is still suffering - deeply depressed. It's heartwrenching.
Then none other than Jane Bennet appears on his doorstep in London. If she's alive - could Elizabeth also be alive?
Darcy's complete devotion to Elizabeth is beautiful - and definitely earns this book five stars.
Then none other than Jane Bennet appears on his doorstep in London. If she's alive - could Elizabeth also be alive?
Darcy's complete devotion to Elizabeth is beautiful - and definitely earns this book five stars.
June 22, 2021
Entertaining
I really like this author, and pretty much automatically purchase her JAFF offerings, as I know they'll be quality work. After the disastrous proposal at Hunsford parsonage, after the letter from Darcy to Elizabeth, after the visit to Pemberly by Elizabeth and the Gardiners, after the Lydia debacle, Mr Bennett dies and the family is facing reduced circumstances. After feeling that they're a burden on the Gardiner's finances, Elizabeth and Jane disappear to try and find employment, and the family loses track of them and assumes they're dead. Darcy finds out, and is thrown into deep depression - the agony referred to in the title - deciding that he'll never marry if Elizabeth is dead. After several years, and Georgiana's eventual marriage, Jane shows up at Darcy's London home, asking for his help with an extremely sick Elizabeth.
As you would expect with such a title, this book is filled with melodrama. It's a full 15% of the beginning of the book completely devoted to the description of Darcy's melancholy and withdrawal from life after learning that Elizabeth is dead. I almost gave up on the book a few times, but knew that this talented author must have something interesting up her sleeve.
It's an interesting premise, but I'm not a big fan of books in which the heroine does something really stupid, and in this case I could hardly accept that Elizabeth and Jane would do such an idiotic and drastic thing as to disappear from their family just so that they wouldn't be a financial burden. Add to that dumb decision the place where they decided to live, and you just have to scratch your head and wonder at their sanity.
In spite of the ludicrous actions of the main characters, the book is well written and well edited. I recommend it with reservations.
I really like this author, and pretty much automatically purchase her JAFF offerings, as I know they'll be quality work. After the disastrous proposal at Hunsford parsonage, after the letter from Darcy to Elizabeth, after the visit to Pemberly by Elizabeth and the Gardiners, after the Lydia debacle, Mr Bennett dies and the family is facing reduced circumstances. After feeling that they're a burden on the Gardiner's finances, Elizabeth and Jane disappear to try and find employment, and the family loses track of them and assumes they're dead. Darcy finds out, and is thrown into deep depression - the agony referred to in the title - deciding that he'll never marry if Elizabeth is dead. After several years, and Georgiana's eventual marriage, Jane shows up at Darcy's London home, asking for his help with an extremely sick Elizabeth.
As you would expect with such a title, this book is filled with melodrama. It's a full 15% of the beginning of the book completely devoted to the description of Darcy's melancholy and withdrawal from life after learning that Elizabeth is dead. I almost gave up on the book a few times, but knew that this talented author must have something interesting up her sleeve.
It's an interesting premise, but I'm not a big fan of books in which the heroine does something really stupid, and in this case I could hardly accept that Elizabeth and Jane would do such an idiotic and drastic thing as to disappear from their family just so that they wouldn't be a financial burden. Add to that dumb decision the place where they decided to live, and you just have to scratch your head and wonder at their sanity.
In spite of the ludicrous actions of the main characters, the book is well written and well edited. I recommend it with reservations.
July 31, 2023
Well-written, but the behaviour of Elizabeth (and to a lesser extent, Jane) in this variation was so ridiculous, senseless, and cruel that it ruined the book for me.
February 4, 2025
An emotional experience
After looking at the despair that comprises Darcy's life, this tale takes the reader along a path where our beloved characters regain their faith in love and happiness. A captivating story!
After looking at the despair that comprises Darcy's life, this tale takes the reader along a path where our beloved characters regain their faith in love and happiness. A captivating story!
June 15, 2021
Well named
This story was well named. We begin in deep agony with a grieving Darcy and a family in mourning and disgrace after Lydia’s scandal. But then we find a glimmer of hope for a happy ending. A dark and lovely story
This story was well named. We begin in deep agony with a grieving Darcy and a family in mourning and disgrace after Lydia’s scandal. But then we find a glimmer of hope for a happy ending. A dark and lovely story
June 16, 2021
Tragedy before Joy
First you want to cry at the desperate circumstance but in the middle of the night comes a heroine, of sorts. Darcy is desperate, Lizzy is on death's door and Jane has grown strong in the interim. This is a story that starts in the middle where the familiar path of P&P has taken a wrong turn. Most of the characters are turned on their heads by changes invented by the author's talent for twists. A good, fast read. You may want to shake sense into Elizabeth at several points, but this Darcy is the steadfast romantic most readers long to imagine.
First you want to cry at the desperate circumstance but in the middle of the night comes a heroine, of sorts. Darcy is desperate, Lizzy is on death's door and Jane has grown strong in the interim. This is a story that starts in the middle where the familiar path of P&P has taken a wrong turn. Most of the characters are turned on their heads by changes invented by the author's talent for twists. A good, fast read. You may want to shake sense into Elizabeth at several points, but this Darcy is the steadfast romantic most readers long to imagine.
July 14, 2021
2,5* I'm sorry, but the book didn't impress me. I've read variations on a similar theme before, and this novel hasn't added anything new. I could only manage half of it when I realized that next, as usual, there would be an endless series of refusals from Elizabeth (for undoubtedly super noble, but actually infinitely stupid reasons) and an equally endless series of attempts by Darcy to convince her to change her mind. And I became just as endlessly bored, alas.
February 11, 2025
I have read this variation many times so it must be good, right? I love the first part, even if I don't like seeing Darcy taking to the bottle. His reunion with Elizabeth is very moving. It all goes downwards after Elizabeth's recovery. The choice of the two eldest sisters to live in a hovel in a seedy part of town is not believable. Not in a minute. The stubbornness of Elizabeth is very irritating and does not make sense. Otherwise a nice story, well written.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 16, 2021
Another amazing novel!
Another amazing novel by L.L. Diamond. I am wiping away tears of joy from just completing my first read. I say first because I know I will read it again. I literally felt Darcy’s pain and Elizabeth’s anguish. I laughed. I cried. Thank you for the ups and down and wonderful book. If you love regency novels, this one will NOT disappoint you!!
Another amazing novel by L.L. Diamond. I am wiping away tears of joy from just completing my first read. I say first because I know I will read it again. I literally felt Darcy’s pain and Elizabeth’s anguish. I laughed. I cried. Thank you for the ups and down and wonderful book. If you love regency novels, this one will NOT disappoint you!!
June 23, 2021
Another Great Book By This Author
I must admit that I have a few authors that, as soon as I learn they are getting ready to release a new book, I wait very impatiently for the day of release when I can snap it up. L.L. Diamond is on that list. I have read all of her books and haven't been disappointed yet. Her books are so enjoyable not only for the story she tells, but the editing is always top notch so one can sit back and immerse themselves in the story without having to do the editing in their heads as they go along. I look forward to her next offering.
I must admit that I have a few authors that, as soon as I learn they are getting ready to release a new book, I wait very impatiently for the day of release when I can snap it up. L.L. Diamond is on that list. I have read all of her books and haven't been disappointed yet. Her books are so enjoyable not only for the story she tells, but the editing is always top notch so one can sit back and immerse themselves in the story without having to do the editing in their heads as they go along. I look forward to her next offering.
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