Mr. Collins was a fool, yes, but not a fool who deserved to die.
Torn between anger with her cousin and remorse on his behalf, Miss Elizabeth Bennet must navigate the changes Mr. Collins’ demise brings to her family and sort out her feelings for both the charming Mr. Wickham and not-so-charming Mr. Darcy. In addition, she must discover the reasons behind a rash of anger directed her way. But most of all, she needs to learn what, if any, impact will befall her because of Mr. Collins’ Will.
Fitzwilliam Darcy knows he, his family, and his friends are all too good for the likes of the Bennets. Or are they? Decades old secrets and impulsive, and not so impulsive, proposals start reordering Darcy’s view of the world. Will he come to terms with what truly defines a person’s worth in time to claim the woman he loves, or lose her to a charming man seeking a fortune?
Although the title is "Mr. Collin's Will" the story goes off on many other twists and bends.
Mr. Collins has written a will with the idea that Elizabeth will be his wife. Then when he dies in a fire at Longbourn the world is turned upside down. This story involves all five sisters and how they marry...eventually. Mr. Bennet is very resolute in stating to each prospective bridegroom where his finances stand. (He is not sure he will ever be able to rebuild.) Thus, as before, none of the sisters has much to offer in the way of a dowry. And Mr. Bennet does not give his approval until each man can show he can provide a home for and support the sister he courts.
But this tale also goes off to tell us a somewhat different history for our dear Colonel and also for Anne de Bourgh. Lady Catherine makes some changes and is not as completely set in her ways when confronted by a daughter who is learning to make her own decisions! Can you imagine Lady Catherine taking several of the Bennet girls under her wings, providing them with wardrobes and even drawing lessons?
We also have the Murphy family: a father and his sons who design, build and/or remodel houses. Mr. Darcy has secured their services for the Bennets when that latter family loses their home and has to take up residence in a partially remodeled tenant's home on the Longbourn estate.
We do have perennial bad guys Wickham and Caroline Bingley and their roles were a surprise. But added to the list of villains is a Mrs. Clegg, a relative of Mr. Collins. Her role changes in the story due to deceit perpetrated by Caroline but that is not until near the end of the story.
And getting back to the will...the question that is never answered is exactly how much that is worth. It seems Lady Catherine is the executrix of the will and so has a piece of property to sell, Collins' father's house. We never are told exactly what brings in but we do read of Elizabeth's plans for the profits. (There are just a few other items left by Collins which are mentioned.)
There is a lot going on in this story and new characters whom the readers must keep straight. For me there was not a lot of angst. I think the question about how much Elizabeth was going to gain kept me turning pages more than any other point. There was not a lot of romance although, as I said the Bennet sisters all wed...along with few other characters, old and new.
I will not describe all the plots and twists and turns which are included in the story. It didn’t hang together cohesively for me. It seemed to be complicated purposely but not in a believable way. Lots of new bad guys and good guys which weighed down the story.
Everything changes after the Netherfield ball and reveals their true personalities to the other. Thoroughly engrossing story with interesting turns worth every minute spent reading.
This book was confusing. One of the other reviewers said it best. There were too many plots going on.
There’s one plot about mr Collins, another about colonel fitzwilliam, something else about bingley and about 3 others related to the circumstances around Collins’ death.
I won’t spoil it here, but honestly there should have been 2 separate books at least. Most plots have no relation to another.
I ended up stopping at 80% and then picking it up again just to finish it off.
Great story, really enjoyed it! A lot of twists and turns, starting with silly Mr. Collins starting a fire in the Bennet home! Even how he started the fire was silly! The real story begins, although, when it seems Collins had just set a Will leaving everything he had, to Lizzie Bennet, being sure she would marry him! At first, it's believed the Will had burned but that is just one of the surprises in this clever story! By the way there are several happy weddings, one not so happy; but you have to read the tale to find out!
In the wake of Mr. Collins’ Will I read this book back in 2021, and was happy to see the audiobook become available too. The idea of Mr Collins’s death setting off a new chain of events that will forever change the lives of the Bennets felt fresh, and I liked how the story gave Elizabeth different challenges to face as the beneficiary of Collins’ will. Darcy’s more liberal portrayal towards those not from his sphere was welcome too. The plot takes multiple turns though, adding the romances of other family members and friends. Colonel Fitzwilliam’s background is definitely a new twist. It’s all nicely done.
Benjamin Fife’s narration was very good as always; his voices suit the characters beautifully and he kept the story engaging throughout.
A favourite moment comes when the just desserts are handed out near the end—one of the cleverest I’ve come across. A thoughtful, well-written variation that balances heart and intrigue very well.
Often felt very disjointed and pointless. Bennets lose home to fire, and live in a 2 room cottage, Jane is engaged to Bingley and goes to live in Netherfield. There is then barely any mention of Jane visiting Bennets or even sending anything to help. All their possessions are gone, Elizabeth only has the one dress she was wearing, Darcy notes that she only has 2 more that someone gave away, but Bennets have more than enough money to get dresses sewed no? Why should Elizabeth work day and night to sew cloths for Mr bennet and ignore her clothing? They live close to a town, only the house was burnt, they have all their estate income and should have even more cash since most servants were let go, they aren't eating lavishly so where is all that money? Darcy actually notices it several time but does nothing. Bingley also does nothing. All along i was waiting for something to happen but nothing happened.
When lady Catherine entered, plot started moving, darcy suddenly 'realized' he loved her, and immediately decided to pursue her. Didn't he have all these realisations in canon before the ball and decided not to? So why was it changed without any logic?
The will that was the title also did nothing to improve the plot. Neither did the miss bingley, Wickham side plot. It was the most disappointing climax i read. The epilogue was also weird and very underwhelming.
Some of the darcy, Elizabeth interactions were nice. The writing was fine, but nothing noteworthy or good in this unfortunately
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Mr. Collins was so certain that he and Elizabeth Bennet would be married that he had a new Will drawn up leaving everything to Elizabeth. Even if Elizabeth had known of the existence of the Will, she still would have refused to marry him.
Mr Collins writes a new will, leaving everything to Elizabeth, mistakenly certain that she will accept his offer of marriage, and he does this before he's even had the chance to propose. The night of the Netherfield ball, a drunk Mr Collins accidentally sets Longbourn on fire, and it burns down, taking his life with it. The Bennett family moves into a cottage on their property, and Elizabeth learns about the will, but no one seems to have a copy of the document.
As usual, Elizabeth is enamored of Wickham, and doesn't like Darcy, but the upheaval in her family's life starts to uncover the true characters of people around them. She quickly discovers strange things about Mr Wickham, and good things about Darcy. Lots of very odd and disjointed events start taking place. Mrs Bennett seems almost schizophrenic, first becoming calm and sensible, next reverting to her flighty nervousness. Lady Catherine shows up, and for some reason wants to help Elizabeth and buy her clothes. Colonel Fitzwilliam is informed by his father of a long buried family secret that greatly affects his future and, most unlike him, he doesn't know what to do. A relation of Mr Collins threatens Elizabeth for no obvious reason. Caroline Bingley goes off the deep end in her pursuit of Darcy.
There's so many of these strange little happenings that are messy and distressing. Many of them stretch credulity and seem downright ridiculous. However, the book is well written and well edited. The romance is lovely. I recommend it.
Plenty of entertainment,with plot twists and turns immediately following the Netherfield Ball when Mr. Collins burns down Longbourn house. A few non-canon characters are added and we see interesting changes in some of the original characters as well. The storyline is an intriguing examination of legality vs morality vs honesty vs emotion and desire, with sweet romance layered throughout. These authors never disappoint!
It was so enticing that I couldn’t put it down, this book grabbed my interest from the very first page. I couldn’t put it down, I had to know what happened next. The story is well written with a very good storyline. You will see the most beloved characters in a whole new way. This is a Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice variation. This is a part of the A Pride and Prejudice Variation series.
Mr. Collins was a fool, yes, but not a fool who deserved to die. Torn between anger with her cousin and remorse on his behalf, Miss Elizabeth Bennet must navigate the changes Mr. Collins’ demise brings to her family and sort out her feelings for both the charming Mr. Wickham and not-so-charming Mr. Darcy. In addition, she must discover the reasons behind a rash of anger directed her way, but most of all, she needs to learn what, if any, impact will befall her because of Mr. Collins’ Will.
Fitzwilliam Darcy knows he, his family, and his friends are all too good for the likes of the Bennets, or are they? Decades old secrets and impulsive, and not so impulsive, proposals start reordering Darcy’s view of the world. Will he come to terms with what truly defines a person’s worth in time to claim the woman he loves, or lose her to a charming man seeking a fortune? So with all that and more this story pulls you in and holds you tight. It’s a must read. I highly recommend to everyone.
I almost passed this story but decided to take a chance ( I don't care for Mr Collins) and am pleased. Mr Collins visits Longbourne and due to his bumbling ways managed to burn it to the ground and die in the process. Fortunately for the Bennet family there is a cottage on the estate that they can move into even though its quite small. Jane moves in to Netherfield as she is betrothed to Bingley. ( that made no sense especially with the strict rules about proper behaviour). Elizabeth learns she's the recipient of Collins entire property which includes his family house that is rented out. Lady Catherine is executor of his will and sells the property for Elizabeth. She's a much nicer person than usual. The remaining story is about interactions, attacks on Elizabeth by Collins sister as a result of a character who is malicious, and a side story of Colonel Fitzwilliam and his brother. I enjoyed reading this very much and its as well written as the authors typically present us.
I feel scammed. This is a case of using beloved names from a favorite book to write another story. I realize that the term "variation" in the title should have made that obvious...but I just thought it was going to be a retelling not a wildly different story with the same characters. This is just a ploy to sell your story that might not have gotten attention otherwise. I'm calling this genre: Literary Appropriation.
With that off my chest. The story was kinda fun to try and figure out what was going to happen as it went along since it deviated so much. I kept thinking this was the case of an author trying to both make a few people better and a few people worse than they were in the original book. As well as trying to remove miscommunications in the original book by having better communication between the leading lady and gentleman. I don't hate that I read this book.
Interesting variation. Jane was a footnote in this version. I loved seeing Anne grow into herself and Lady Catherine was still herself but a more moderate version. The fire at Longbourn brought many changes in lives. Jane was the only one that was a small part of the book and then I did not like her. After all there is being in love but to exclude your family in time of need and not even visit them until after she was married. Mrs. Bennet was reasonable to some extent and GW as still the bad boy. Didn't quite understand Miss Bingley running off with GW.
The book began with a spark of genius: a drunk Collins carrying lit coals from one fireplace to another whilst drunk. Unfortunately, the book falters from there. Mrs Bennet and LCdB both suffer from multiple personality disorder. I totally forgot about Richard’s subplot because Ms McCann only took it up again in the second half of the book. The conflict with the villains was plodding and I soon quit caring how the book would play out. I just wanted it to end!
I liked the different perspective on Lady C, how she is a rather good landlord, though still not well liked. And her character overall in this book was a pleasing change from the usual. Also, having Lord M as he is, rather than the affable and doting man E meets in many stories. And honestly, just how everything played out, showing E's changing relationships with her family and also her growth and insight into herself. A low angst read, 10/10 would recommend.
Every time I choose to read a creation of McMann and Hanford I am throughly entertained. This work takes it to a new level because there are so many new and interesting twists that our characters are put in. It take our beloved story on a sharp detour after the Netherfield ball and does not stop shocking you until the very end. Wow…. What else can I say?… wow.
There are books which are inclusive and well written, and then there are books which draw you in as if you are part of those watching. This book was so well written and so thoughtfully done that it was a pleasure to read from start to finish. I loved Lady C. and was vexed with Lydia more than I prefer, and some points were a little long in the making or the doing, but the story was well worth the read!
It is always a joy to read another book written by Renata and Summer. Any book written by them can be recommended for originality, entertainment and adventure.
Who would have thought that Collins would die and leave a will changed just the day before to give everything to Elizabeth. And how he died. No worries, I will not give any of it away. A MUST read.
One of best books I've read this year. Loved storyline s for all Bennet sisters especially Mary and Anne story. Loved lady Catherine in this.
Only complaint, and reason why not full 5 stars. Are the misspellings I came across. Especially when on couple occasions I saw Georgiana name spelled as Georgia.
In this Pride and Prejudice variation so confident is William Collins that Elizabeth Bennet will be his wife he makes out his will to her benefit. When he dies in a fire how will this change the future of the Bennets. A well-written story but unfortunately I gave up when it was becoming obvious about Mary's future pairing, plus the Colonel's marriage.
Loved it and constantly found myself checking what percentage was left from the book...and being happy there was more left til the end. Engaging plot, satisfying development of the narrative...I recommend it. The book definitely doesn't insult anyone's intelligence, it's interesting.❤️
I enjoyed the book, which I found very entertaining, with its many plots. I particularly liked Richard’s and Mary’s storylines. Although the epilogue is probably not realistic in Austen’s times, with the mix of classes, it was very enjoyable!
This book offers such an interesting premise, with very interesting plot twists and some intriguing new characters. It stays true to canon, while introducing a lot of new ‘what ifs.’ I really enjoyed this novel.
I liked this version of P & P. It mostly remained loyal to OG characters and provided something new and enjoyable besides. The fact that the author made sure something was always happening made it worth the read.
I liked that Darcy and Elizabeth came to an understanding sooner rather than later and we as readers could share in their courtship. I didn't care much for the side story of Colonel Fitzwilliam as for me, it detracted from the main story line.