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Longbourn's Son: A Pride and Prejudice Variation

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A Bennet son is born and tragedy strikes. Can Elizabeth balance her responsibilities and also find love?

With the birth of a son, the Bennet family no longer fears the loss of Longbourn. There is much sorrow when Mrs. Bennet later succumbs to sickness and dies.

Young Luke Bennet prefers barns to books, and he and Mr. Bennet do not see eye to eye. When Wickham conspires to fleece the local young gentlemen of their money, Luke hesitantly joins the card parties at the insistence of his friends.

Elizabeth must help to run the Bennet household and raise her younger siblings. Gentlemen come calling, but much to Elizabeth’s surprise, it’s Darcy who steals her heart. With responsibilities to estates and families, can they find happiness together?

464 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 9, 2021

154 people are currently reading
52 people want to read

About the author

Laraba Kendig

45 books110 followers
I am a scientist by training, but a writer at heart. I have always loved reading with a passion and turned my hand to fanfiction a few years ago. I write stories similar to the ones I enjoy reading. They are interesting but light, romantic but not steamy. I am a super fan of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, and have been having a wonderful time writing P&P variations, exploring how new circumstances affect the beloved characters. So far I have published two novel-length Pride and Prejudice variations plus one short story via Amazon. My books include ‘I am Jael’ and ‘The Blind Will See’.

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5 stars
295 (49%)
4 stars
218 (36%)
3 stars
72 (11%)
2 stars
11 (1%)
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5 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
Profile Image for Sheila Majczan.
2,709 reviews207 followers
January 12, 2022
This is a long story and even numbers its epilogues at the end as the story goes off into the future.

Yes, Mr. and Mrs. Bennet have a son, one of the twins born to them prior to Lydia's birth. However, some years later Mrs. Bennet falls ill and dies. This forces the older sisters to take over the parenting of their siblings. So in this story the younger ones are not left undisciplined or unguided. Mr. Bennet really makes no changes in his style, being perfectly happy to let the girls take over. He does have some conflicts with his son, Luke, as that young man is totally absorbed in being a good farmer and in his interest in animal husbandry.

The story broadens its focus to include not only Bingley and Darcy as they come to Netherfield but to also include the Colonel as he is summoned by Darcy to "handle" Wickham and his "partner" as they set out to fleece the young male residents of the Meryton area through gaming. Of course, Wickham plans to also run up debt and seduce young women.

Jane's attitude is refreshing in this variation. She is tired of being admired for her face and figure and quickly cools towards men who only see those qualities.

Darcy still insults Elizabeth at the Assembly but he is much quicker to be called on the carpet for that along with his attitude, his disdain. Yes, he still has some hang-ups about wealth and connections but when his cousin helps him "free" his mind of that "obligation" to Anne, he begins to think about what he really wants in a wife. (You know where this is headed.) It was interesting to read how the Colonel made a recommendation as to whom he thought would be perfect for Darcy.

Meanwhile, "back at the ranch" Mr. Bennet has taken notice of a young widow who has a young son. Although she is still in mourning the couple find they have similar interests.

The big question noted in the story description is whether Elizabeth (and even Jane) will ever consider marrying as it would mean moving away from Longbourn and the siblings they have helped "parent". The answer to that comes slowly into focus...very satisfactorily.

The story tells of many pairings and then we read an outline concerning the next young generation. I found little angst, just some small moments which worked out quickly. It was sweet, although it seemed to climax early and then things rather dragged a little for me.
Profile Image for Sam H..
1,233 reviews62 followers
Read
December 25, 2021
I had a visceral reaction to this Bennet. Could not get past it enough to enjoy the rest of the story.

Most Bennets are written close to canon, basically being lazy landowners and a non-present father.
When he kept that up even after the death of their mother, thereby allowing his 2 teenage eldest daughters to raise his children, keep his house and manage his estate to such an extent one thought she might never marry, I saw red. That he was attracted to Louisa for doing her due diligence in caring for her own child and believed he was privileged to marry someone as caring and responsible as her made me nauseous. (told you, visceral). Everything he reached for he could have had if he hadn't been such a Lilly-livered, pansy a$$ed, self centered tutonic SOB. OK, yes I know Mrs bennet yadda yadda, but dude! they are your kids, grow a pair and be the adult!!!

Rant over.

I am sure the rest of the story is entertaining, but my give a dang was busted!
Profile Image for James S.
1,440 reviews
December 12, 2021
Bennet family changes

When Kitty was born she was one of twins. The other twin was a boy. Woot, no more entail problems.

Not a ton of angst. Story gallops along. Most of the fun is how the family dynamics change for the Bennets and how it impacts the other P and P story characters.

A pleasant read but nothing momentous. I’m sure I will read it again in two or three years.
Profile Image for Sophia.
Author 5 books404 followers
January 23, 2022
Being in the mood for a little something different in a P&P variation and also keen to try this new to me author, I picked up Longbourn's Son to see what would happen if two connected, but separate events occurred. What if Mr. and Mrs. Bennet had a son? And, what if Mrs. Bennet passed while her youngest children were still little? It roused my curiosity before I even opened to the first page.

So, yes, Luke Bennet is the twin to Kitty and Mr. Bennet is a widower. Mrs. Bennet's last bout with illness hadn't been imaginary and now Jane and Elizabeth share the running of Longbourn and bringing up of their younger siblings. Mr. Bennet was appalled that he mistook his wife's last illness, but the majority of the ill-suited marriage and his own indolence didn't keep him from his library and books for long even with a well-run and calmer household. He is determined, however, to fulfill his wife's deathbed wish to keep Luke safe and sound which leads to friction as a young, active boy resists mollycoddling.

The book advances to the point when the original P&P began. Netherfield Park is leased to Mr. Bingley who brings along his friends, the Darcys. From there, the changes in the Bennets affect the direction of the book, though yes, Darcy does say those infamous offending words at the Meryton Assembly and, yes, one gets a large dose of Caroline Bingley's snobbery, Wickham's dastardlyness, and Lady Catherine's loud and obnoxious strictures. Meanwhile, the reader gets treated to an original storyline of the darling Bennets and Darcys through it all. I do believe I enjoyed this Jane and her relationship and then what came for Charlotte Lucas perhaps most of all, but go Louisa Hurst for standing up to Caroline.

Without spoilering, this is one that cupid does some shuffling and one ends up with some intriguing romantic relationships. Never fear, Darcy and Elizabeth remain sacrosanct.
This turns out to be a relatively low-angst story when it comes to relationship conflict and the bulk of the conflict comes from without which is actually how I generally prefer it. A few characters are over the top and there is a generous dollop of sugar as well as inspirational thoughts, but I enjoyed the sweetness of the story including those several epilogues that gave the reader the future after all was said and done.

All in all, it was a fabulous outing with a new to me author and I will definitely be picking up more of her Austenesque variations. Those who enjoy sweet and inspirational historical romance with an emphasis on family should give this a go.
Profile Image for Ree.
1,349 reviews80 followers
January 6, 2022
Good Read
In this variation, as the title reveals, there is an heir to Longbourn. Thankfully, it’s not Mr. Collins, but is a Bennet son, Luke. Mrs. Bennet dies early in the story and she makes Mr. Bennet promise he will protect him, and with the elder sisters helping raise the younger ones, they are not as silly.

While Mr. Bennet is his usual indolent self at first, always impatient when his reading is disturbed, when his children are threatened he takes the lead, steps up and is fierce in his protection. I liked that Bennet.

There are some twists and turns with respect to which characters finally make up the couples who marry. I like this author, but of her books I have read and, which are good, I always feel ODC’s love story is not the focus of the story.
462 reviews
December 22, 2021
a very entertaining story

I loved this story. It had all the things I look for in a pride and prejudice variation. The addition of a Bennet son without Mrs Bennet and her nerves. The Bennet family is greatly altered without the Mrs Bennet character. The story brings the Bingley siblings to netherfield and Darcy. Mrs Hurst has a son and is morning. The changes here also lead to a different outcome that is definitely entertaining.
I loved the fact this story has a really good ending and not 2-3 paragraphs that most considered an epilogue. Yay for this author. I will definitely be following to see what Ms Kendig comes up with next!
213 reviews2 followers
August 16, 2023
Longbourn’s Son

This is a very good and interesting story. I have enjoyed Laraba Kendig’s stories, but this one was most enjoyable, because it gave Longbourn’s characters a new lease on life. The death of Mrs. Bennet while sad, her six children bound together in a cohesive family unit of love more than any variation I remember reading of late. Mr. Bennet was still indolent about his children and estate, and was at constant odds with his heir, Luke. Luke and his twin sister, Kitty, were extremely close but he was adored by all of his sisters. Enter the Netherfield three at the Meryton Assembly. Louisa is a widowed young mother who does not attend the assembly, because she is in mourning. So it’s just Bingley, Caroline, and Darcy. Yes, Darcy makes his awful remark about Elizabeth, but is immediately taken to task by her brother in his face hopping mad. Elizabeth calms him down, but her pert remarks further sets down and renders the Master of Pemberley speechless. Beautifully written. I really liked this story, because 1) Caroline finally realizes that she and Darcy would not be a suitable match, 2) Bingley does not entice Jane, and 3) George Wickham in his drunkenness finally crosses the line and is set to Marshalsea. Surprise couplings occurred and I’ll leave these as a surprise, but are truly good. Naturally ODC have their HEA with their children in their Pemberley family. Well worth the read.
Profile Image for Alexandra.
25 reviews1 follower
February 7, 2022
3.5 stars, while not my favorite variation I did enjoy this retelling.
Profile Image for Meagan.
363 reviews
May 5, 2023
Shockingly chaste but very engaging story. She blended all the odds and ends of P&P so well with this universe where the Bennets had a son.
Profile Image for Michelle David.
2,573 reviews13 followers
August 18, 2023
Lovely

Another wonderfully lively and very enjoyable variation inspired by author Jane Austen’s classic novel Pride and Prejudice by Laraba Kendig.
1,228 reviews32 followers
December 17, 2021
Wonderfu

As the title indicates, the Bennetts have a son, Luke, who is Kitty's twin. Mrs Bennett dies when Luke is just thirteen years old, and Mr Bennett is still his usual lazy self, so Jane and Elizabeth raise the younger children, and do a much better job of it than Mrs Bennett ever could have. All of the Bennett children grow up well behaved, loyal, loving, and industrious. However, Luke, as the only son, and heir to Longbourn, sometimes feels that he is overly protected. Mr Bennett is a scholarly man. Luke's passions are farming practices and animal husbandry. Nonetheless, he is still devoted to his family and the estate.

I hate to admit it, but I love these versions wherein Mrs Bennett is dead. It's as if you can breathe a sigh of relief, and she's not missed, not even a little bit. She's always been one of the most annoying characters, nothing more than a reason to cringe whenever she's in a scene in the story. As the author might put it, her absence is a blessing. Her absence is also the reason that we can enjoy a storyline about a wonderful Bennett family. As in the original P&P, the Bingleys, Darcy, and Mrs Hurst come to Netherfield, but this time Darcy is accompanied by Georgiana, and Mrs Hurst is a widow with an infant son. Darcy and Bingley attend the Meryton assembly, and Darcy delivers his infamous insult about Elizabeth Bennett. Unlike the original, Elizabeth has a brother who hears the insult, and takes Darcy immediately to task about his ungentlemanly words. Darcy is instantly mortified, and has to face up to the fact that his behavior is lacking. Elizabeth's composed and elegant reaction to his insult has Darcy intrigued.

It's such a pleasure to read the work of a creative and talented writer. This is a lovely and romantic story, but it has just the right amount of angst and drama to keep it lively . The author populates her story with so many people that you can care about, so many worthy and uplifting people. There are villains, and they are seriously bad, but they only serve to make the goodness of everyone else shine. Darcy and Elizabeth are wonderful, but so, too, are Colonel Fitzwilliam, Jane, and even Mrs Hurst. The book is titled Longbourn's Son, and he is a lovely character, but his primary importance is as a reason for the very great change in the Bennett family dynamic.

I look forward eagerly to more creations from this author. The book is well written and well edited. I recommend it highly.
Profile Image for Allison Ripley-Duggan.
1,870 reviews15 followers
January 26, 2024
I loved it!

This author is an automatic read for me. This was a lovely story, warm and family oriented. The pacing was excellent, and the story moved along briskly and kept me reading. I read it in one sitting. This is not an angsty story, yet there is drama and excitement. The Bennet son is very likeable, and Jane had a stronger personality. I did not miss Mrs. Bennet, and her absence meant that there were many positive changes in her children and Mr. Bennet. Bingley is a bit shallow and young, but he matures. Louisa is a lovely character, and while Caroline is what you would expect, she is not the outrageous caricature you see in many variations. There are fewer obstacles for Darcy and Elizabeth, and I loved the progression of their romance. Some surprising pairings but not disappointing. I highly recommend this to everyone.
199 reviews4 followers
February 20, 2022
Another wonderful book by this Author

I really enjoyed this story, it was a pleasant read and I liked what she did with the characters . Lydia is not selfish and the youngest as Kitty is the Twin to Luke the Bennet heir. Mrs Bennet passed away and Mr Bennet and the two eldest girls Jane and Elizabeth feel it necessary to bring the youngest up when they meet Mr Bingley Mrs Hurst is a widow with a young son and after her morning period Mr Bennet said her to marry him to which she agreed to.
311 reviews2 followers
March 8, 2022
great story

Mild angst but best of all there was no Mrs Bennet, Louisa Hurst had an actual backbone, Caroline Bingley heeded Col Fitzwilliam’s advice that Darcy would never marry her and Bingley married Charlotte Lucas (a first for my reading of P&P and it actually works). I liked that Kitty had a twin brother, this storyline gave her some dimension and Lydia was youthful and wild in the way a teen should be - not rushing to get married. I even learned to tolerate Mr Bennet after he married Louisa Hurst.
33 reviews
December 19, 2021
A surprising read from this author

I thoroughly enjoyed this. This is her best work in my opinion. This novel didn’t include the heavy Christianity of her other works. Actually I don’t recall it being mentioned at all but it was still a very clean/pure book.

Mrs Bennet is dead in this book which makes any variation better imho. Maybe I should find it concerning how often I wish that woman dead but no regrets lol.
Also no regrets in reading this book!
Profile Image for Gail Frisby.
471 reviews13 followers
December 27, 2021
Good story

I loved this story and the absence of Mrs Bennet changed the story! I e noted the children being more stable of course Mr Bennett was the same until his son was almost killed! Liked how the colonel made Darcy see sense. Glad the villains got their comeuppance, Miss Bingley got just what she deserved for chasing a title and connections. Mr Bennett and Mrs Hurst made a nice believable couple!
764 reviews8 followers
January 7, 2022
Avid Reader

I loved the would at the end! I read the book on Fan Fiction. I think that the author made some excellent revisions. The epilogue let us know what happened to Williamson. Readers will be surprised. Bennet turns out to be a better father thanks to Louisa, and the Colonel finally realizes that Jane is more than woman enough for him. Bingley married the least likely suspect.
3,507 reviews43 followers
January 12, 2022
I read this as a WIP last year. It was okay I guess, but I'm already a bit hazy on the details now so not super memorable. The Bennets had a son, Luke, and Wickham and his pals attempted to cheat Luke and his friends at cards. Mrs Bennet was dead and Mr. Bennet was courting an unexpected character. Jane was a bit fed up with Bingley. I have forgotten what happened to Darcy and Elizabeth but probably they argued and got together in the end.
Profile Image for Madenna U.
2,171 reviews1 follower
January 31, 2022
This Pride and Prejudice variation allows for Kitty to have a twin brother and the absence of Mrs. Bennet. This allows for a level of calm among the Bennet family which is different than cannon. It also makes Elizabeth and her sister Jane feel responsible for their siblings. The relationship between Elizabeth and the visiting Fitzwilliam Darcy have different obstacles on their way to happily ever after.
Profile Image for Анна Трахтенберг.
19 reviews
September 18, 2023
As usual the beginning is brilliant and as usual it came to nothing. The author is great at coming up with plots, but not once in any of the books has she been able to bring the plot to its logical conclusion. Everything always ends with a total happy ending. Everyone is always and completely happy! This book is no exception: thanks to the fact that the Bennetts have a son, his sisters turn into exemplary girls. We are happy for them, but how boring it is!
123 reviews1 follower
April 14, 2025
I brutally stopped reading at 36% when I read that Darcy was seriously contemplating offering for his cousin Anne de Bourgh. As far as I am concerned, that was the nail in the coffin of his rather weak character. Colonel Fitzwilliam promised to be a far more decisive and interesting character but I like my Darcy strong and not bent on satisfying the unreasonable demands of his family. Too bad because the plot was rather interesting.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
2,537 reviews20 followers
July 27, 2025
Having a son in the mix of Bennet children and Mrs. Bennet passing away when the children were young really changed the direction of the story. I found I really enjoyed this “what if” version, seeing quite different aspects of many beloved characters. Wickham just can’t help himself in his wastrel ways, bringing a new scheme to Meryton. With greater focus on the strength and protection of family and community cohesiveness, this was a satisfying story for me to read.
528 reviews2 followers
December 15, 2021
Wonderful as always

An interesting twist in plotting gives us a different Bennet family with an heir but no Mrs. Bennet. The usual characters are gathered and involved, with some very creative villainy and a couple of non-canon characters assisting. Sweet and witty dialogue and plenty of romance. This author never disappoints.
223 reviews1 follower
December 23, 2021
A very good story

What I enjoyed about this variation of Pride and Prejudice, is the low angst and how the varieties of the couples switched up. I totally enjoyed the way the son of Longbourn didn't get caught up with the rif-raf and was mature enough to being it to the family's attention.

This is a story I would read again.
154 reviews
May 27, 2024
Generations continue

I loved this variation with all the marriages connecting family's with love. It seemed all the couples but Caroline married for love. Love is essential for a fruitful and happy life. All the marriages producing the next generation to carry forward the legacies began years ago.
Profile Image for Chetana.
1,010 reviews27 followers
December 20, 2025
3 ⭐️

A good read where Longbourn has an heir but that hasn't really made Mr Bennet any less indolent. While we do not get many courting scenes between the main couple we do see them interact and there are other couples that do quite a bit of courting. The plot wasn't groundbreaking but it was good.
8 reviews2 followers
December 13, 2021
Sweet Alternative Timeline for Darcy and Lizzy

I love a good alt-timeline P&P retelling and Laraba is the queen of interesting new stories about our favorite Austen lovers. This one is a can’t miss.
Profile Image for Susan.
227 reviews7 followers
December 14, 2021
I really enjoyed this.

I loved the new family dynamic with an absent Mrs. Bennet and the addition of Luke. I enjoyed all of the HEAs. I enjoyed seeing Wickham get his just desserts. A very Lovely read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews

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