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A Stronger Impulse
“…and in his behaviour with me, there were stronger impulses even than pride”
FITZWILLIAM DARCY IS ENRAGED when, already reeling from Elizabeth Bennet’s disdain, he discovers his sister locked in a passionate embrace with George Wickham—and suffers an apoplexy at the sight. With proper speech locked uselessly inside his mind, his Fitzwilliam relations are quick to take advantage of the situation, calling his illness insanity, and scheming to keep both Darcys under their control.
ELIZABETH BENNET IS EXPELLED from Longbourn after she refuses Mr Collins’ serious proposal and Mr Darcy’s mocking one. Always the least favourite child, she is expected to deliver herself up to an unknown uncle in London, from there to be placed into service. A fortunate escape takes her to Ramsgate instead…but it is only a brief reprieve before she must find a new life for herself.
TWO AGAINST THE WORLD. How can two powerless individuals forge a defence against the formidable forces arrayed against them? Darcy cannot afford to indulge himself in a marriage that would prove his relations’ opinions of his sanity. Elizabeth must protect herself against a growing but impossible love…and yet, a stronger impulse urges them to stay. To fight. Together.
A Stronger Impulse is friends to lovers re-imagining of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice that will be enjoyed by fans of regency romance.
FITZWILLIAM DARCY IS ENRAGED when, already reeling from Elizabeth Bennet’s disdain, he discovers his sister locked in a passionate embrace with George Wickham—and suffers an apoplexy at the sight. With proper speech locked uselessly inside his mind, his Fitzwilliam relations are quick to take advantage of the situation, calling his illness insanity, and scheming to keep both Darcys under their control.
ELIZABETH BENNET IS EXPELLED from Longbourn after she refuses Mr Collins’ serious proposal and Mr Darcy’s mocking one. Always the least favourite child, she is expected to deliver herself up to an unknown uncle in London, from there to be placed into service. A fortunate escape takes her to Ramsgate instead…but it is only a brief reprieve before she must find a new life for herself.
TWO AGAINST THE WORLD. How can two powerless individuals forge a defence against the formidable forces arrayed against them? Darcy cannot afford to indulge himself in a marriage that would prove his relations’ opinions of his sanity. Elizabeth must protect herself against a growing but impossible love…and yet, a stronger impulse urges them to stay. To fight. Together.
A Stronger Impulse is friends to lovers re-imagining of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice that will be enjoyed by fans of regency romance.
358 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 8, 2022
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January 4, 2024
There are wounds that never show on the body that are deeper and more hurtful than anything that bleeds. ~ Laurell K. Hamilton
Quote from the book: Elizabeth was not a typical light-eyed redhead, with spotty porcelain skin — though there were a few sun-kissed freckles on her perfectly shaped nose. Miss Bingley called her skin ‘brown’ and ‘coarse’ when it was actually golden — a bit exotic, even.
Elizabeth Bennet has suffered all her life from being born a redhead — the only redhead in her immediate family or, indeed, in anyone’s memory of her extended family or ancestors. The problem is not just that society favors blondes or that her mother favors the daughters who look most like herself. Elizabeth is rejected at every turn by her father.
So, when a gentleman, newly arrived in the neighborhood, refers to her with a “ginger” slur — carrot-headed chit, indeed — she is hurt beyond imagining. And when he impulsively proposes to her — “if you can call a couple of sentences muttered from atop a horse a proposal” — she laughs. As Lydia would say, “What a joke!’’
Often it’s the deepest pain which empowers you to grow into your highest self. ~ Karen Salmansohn
That same gentleman, one Fitzwilliam Darcy, escapes from Meryton with his pride barely intact. Darcy suffers from lack of sleep, too many responsibilities, and a general feeling of unwellness.
Quote from the book: Why could not the people in his life manage themselves? Why must he repeat to his aunt, again and again, a rejection so distasteful to her? Why could not Bingley heed the countless warnings already given him? Why should Miss Bingley look to him as her brother’s caretaker?
Darcy cancels a visit to his Aunt Catherine and travels instead to Ramsgate to visit his sister. Disaster!
His sister is with his enemy, George Wickham, and planning an elopement. In fury, Darcy turns red, staggers, and falls unconscious. He awakens — how many days later? He has no idea — bound in a strange bed. Unable to understand most speech and unable to speak without curse words, his doctor considers him insane.
Trauma is a fact of life. It does not, however, have to be a life sentence. ~ Peter A. Levine
In Darcy’s case, the trauma might well be a life sentence. His relations have accepted the doctor’s diagnosis that Darcy is insane. Unfortunately, that diagnosis fits in nicely with certain financial issues plaguing the Fitzwilliams. Lady Catherine has her own agenda which could be fulfilled.
When Elizabeth is banished from Longbourn after her refusal of the Collins’ proposal, she visits Ramsgate and re-enters the life of Fitzwilliam Darcy.
The art of healing comes from nature and not from the physician. Therefore, the physician must start from nature with an open mind. ~ Paracelsus
Elizabeth Bennet has always been interested in natural medicines. She is able to aid both Georgiana and Fitzwilliam Darcy, but first, they must escape from those who keep them confined.
Elizabeth also has a need for healing: what will it take for her to stop wearing linen caps in an effort to hide her red hair? Even Jane shows a lack from her upbringing. Perfect Jane needs to heal too.
If you like a lot of Darcy/Elizabeth page time, this is a book for you! The story drew me in from the opening pages; the drama endured to the end. I loved it!
Healing is an art.
It takes time.
It takes practice.
It takes love.
~ Maza Dohta
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Quote from the book: Elizabeth was not a typical light-eyed redhead, with spotty porcelain skin — though there were a few sun-kissed freckles on her perfectly shaped nose. Miss Bingley called her skin ‘brown’ and ‘coarse’ when it was actually golden — a bit exotic, even.
Elizabeth Bennet has suffered all her life from being born a redhead — the only redhead in her immediate family or, indeed, in anyone’s memory of her extended family or ancestors. The problem is not just that society favors blondes or that her mother favors the daughters who look most like herself. Elizabeth is rejected at every turn by her father.
So, when a gentleman, newly arrived in the neighborhood, refers to her with a “ginger” slur — carrot-headed chit, indeed — she is hurt beyond imagining. And when he impulsively proposes to her — “if you can call a couple of sentences muttered from atop a horse a proposal” — she laughs. As Lydia would say, “What a joke!’’
Often it’s the deepest pain which empowers you to grow into your highest self. ~ Karen Salmansohn
That same gentleman, one Fitzwilliam Darcy, escapes from Meryton with his pride barely intact. Darcy suffers from lack of sleep, too many responsibilities, and a general feeling of unwellness.
Quote from the book: Why could not the people in his life manage themselves? Why must he repeat to his aunt, again and again, a rejection so distasteful to her? Why could not Bingley heed the countless warnings already given him? Why should Miss Bingley look to him as her brother’s caretaker?
Darcy cancels a visit to his Aunt Catherine and travels instead to Ramsgate to visit his sister. Disaster!
His sister is with his enemy, George Wickham, and planning an elopement. In fury, Darcy turns red, staggers, and falls unconscious. He awakens — how many days later? He has no idea — bound in a strange bed. Unable to understand most speech and unable to speak without curse words, his doctor considers him insane.
Trauma is a fact of life. It does not, however, have to be a life sentence. ~ Peter A. Levine
In Darcy’s case, the trauma might well be a life sentence. His relations have accepted the doctor’s diagnosis that Darcy is insane. Unfortunately, that diagnosis fits in nicely with certain financial issues plaguing the Fitzwilliams. Lady Catherine has her own agenda which could be fulfilled.
When Elizabeth is banished from Longbourn after her refusal of the Collins’ proposal, she visits Ramsgate and re-enters the life of Fitzwilliam Darcy.
The art of healing comes from nature and not from the physician. Therefore, the physician must start from nature with an open mind. ~ Paracelsus
Elizabeth Bennet has always been interested in natural medicines. She is able to aid both Georgiana and Fitzwilliam Darcy, but first, they must escape from those who keep them confined.
Elizabeth also has a need for healing: what will it take for her to stop wearing linen caps in an effort to hide her red hair? Even Jane shows a lack from her upbringing. Perfect Jane needs to heal too.
If you like a lot of Darcy/Elizabeth page time, this is a book for you! The story drew me in from the opening pages; the drama endured to the end. I loved it!
Healing is an art.
It takes time.
It takes practice.
It takes love.
~ Maza Dohta
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 9, 2022
5+ stars!
I have yet to rate any books by Ms. Cooper less than 5 stars. This is another remarkable read, with a complex storyline that weaves together brilliantly.
The timeline of significant events is changed. It begins with Darcy traveling from Netherfield (and a history with Elizabeth Bennet that includes impulsively proposing marriage to her, which she does not take seriously) to Ramsgate to see Georgiana. He isn't feeling particularly well already. Finding her in the arms of George Wickham literally sends him over the edge; in the midst of his rage, he suffers a stroke and blacks out.
The story moves to Longbourn, where the atmosphere is quite altered. Mr. Bennet is horrible. Not only is Elizabeth NOT her father's favorite child, he actively despises her. She is the only green-eyed redhead among the Bennet sisters with no resemblance to either of her parents. Despite Mrs. Bennet's protestations of innocence, Mr. Bennet found love letters to her from another man (who happened to be ginger-haired) and believes she was guilty of infidelity when the child was conceived. Although he and his wife have soldiered on together and had three more children, Elizabeth's presence is painful to both of them despite her obvious intelligence, sweetness and cleverness. She makes herself useful to her family as a peacemaker when her sisters argue and as a healer with a gift for making teas and tinctures for their various ills.
When she refuses to marry Mr. Collins, her parents throw her out of Longbourn and send her to an estranged uncle in Cheapside. With no knowledge of what sort of man this mysterious uncle is, Elizabeth instead goes to Ramsgate with Lydia's friend, Harriet, planning to eventually live with her sister at Netherfield once Jane returns from her honeymoon with Mr. Bingley.
Elizabeth becomes aware that Mr. Darcy owns a beach cottage adjoining the property where she is staying, and gossip speculates that he is coming there. Walking by the water, she encounters Georgiana fortuitously at a critical moment and encourages the girl to unburden herself.
This friendship draws Elizabeth right into the middle of a family power struggle, as the Earl of Matlock and his wife are taking advantage of Darcy's illness for their own purposes. Georgiana is a virtual prisoner of Mrs. Younge, her aunt and uncle are demanding that she marry her cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam (who has curiously disappeared instead of remaining to help), and Darcy is being "treated" by Mrs. Younge's unscrupulous brother at a rehabilitation facility in Ramsgate. Eventually, Lady Catherine gets swept up in the drama as well, spiriting Darcy off to Rosings and more torturous treatment by her own favored quack of a doctor, Donavan.
By luck and guile, Elizabeth frequently manages to be at Darcy's bedside and is the only one who realizes he hasn't lost his mind - he's merely having difficulty speaking following his aneurysm. He has expressive aphasia, and in Darcy's case, it's manifesting more like Tourette's syndrome; whenever he tries to say anything, the man curses like a sailor instead. Elizabeth is able to engineer a rescue, but their problems are far from resolved.
Things now shift to another gear, with the romance taking center stage. As dear as Elizabeth is to Darcy, he still has severe communication limitations as he continues to recover, plus there are his own snobbishness and the earl's machinations to overcome. Elizabeth's challenging family relationships also play a big role in the second half of the book. The buildup to a ball at Netherfield is masterfully written, and the climactic scene there is a doozy.
Beautiful writing and perfect editing complement this thrilling, suspenseful romance. Content is clean.
Highly recommend!
I have yet to rate any books by Ms. Cooper less than 5 stars. This is another remarkable read, with a complex storyline that weaves together brilliantly.
The timeline of significant events is changed. It begins with Darcy traveling from Netherfield (and a history with Elizabeth Bennet that includes impulsively proposing marriage to her, which she does not take seriously) to Ramsgate to see Georgiana. He isn't feeling particularly well already. Finding her in the arms of George Wickham literally sends him over the edge; in the midst of his rage, he suffers a stroke and blacks out.
The story moves to Longbourn, where the atmosphere is quite altered. Mr. Bennet is horrible. Not only is Elizabeth NOT her father's favorite child, he actively despises her. She is the only green-eyed redhead among the Bennet sisters with no resemblance to either of her parents. Despite Mrs. Bennet's protestations of innocence, Mr. Bennet found love letters to her from another man (who happened to be ginger-haired) and believes she was guilty of infidelity when the child was conceived. Although he and his wife have soldiered on together and had three more children, Elizabeth's presence is painful to both of them despite her obvious intelligence, sweetness and cleverness. She makes herself useful to her family as a peacemaker when her sisters argue and as a healer with a gift for making teas and tinctures for their various ills.
When she refuses to marry Mr. Collins, her parents throw her out of Longbourn and send her to an estranged uncle in Cheapside. With no knowledge of what sort of man this mysterious uncle is, Elizabeth instead goes to Ramsgate with Lydia's friend, Harriet, planning to eventually live with her sister at Netherfield once Jane returns from her honeymoon with Mr. Bingley.
Elizabeth becomes aware that Mr. Darcy owns a beach cottage adjoining the property where she is staying, and gossip speculates that he is coming there. Walking by the water, she encounters Georgiana fortuitously at a critical moment and encourages the girl to unburden herself.
This friendship draws Elizabeth right into the middle of a family power struggle, as the Earl of Matlock and his wife are taking advantage of Darcy's illness for their own purposes. Georgiana is a virtual prisoner of Mrs. Younge, her aunt and uncle are demanding that she marry her cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam (who has curiously disappeared instead of remaining to help), and Darcy is being "treated" by Mrs. Younge's unscrupulous brother at a rehabilitation facility in Ramsgate. Eventually, Lady Catherine gets swept up in the drama as well, spiriting Darcy off to Rosings and more torturous treatment by her own favored quack of a doctor, Donavan.
By luck and guile, Elizabeth frequently manages to be at Darcy's bedside and is the only one who realizes he hasn't lost his mind - he's merely having difficulty speaking following his aneurysm. He has expressive aphasia, and in Darcy's case, it's manifesting more like Tourette's syndrome; whenever he tries to say anything, the man curses like a sailor instead. Elizabeth is able to engineer a rescue, but their problems are far from resolved.
Things now shift to another gear, with the romance taking center stage. As dear as Elizabeth is to Darcy, he still has severe communication limitations as he continues to recover, plus there are his own snobbishness and the earl's machinations to overcome. Elizabeth's challenging family relationships also play a big role in the second half of the book. The buildup to a ball at Netherfield is masterfully written, and the climactic scene there is a doozy.
Beautiful writing and perfect editing complement this thrilling, suspenseful romance. Content is clean.
Highly recommend!
December 20, 2024
I loved it and hated it. There is simply no way to do this justice in a review.
SPOILER ALERT: This review may contain *** SPOILERS ***
>>Rating: Mature due to descriptions of medical procedures that were barbaric and medieval to the modern reader. Ah, heck, let’s call the spade a spade… it was torture, flat out torture. Trigger warning due to suicidal thoughts of a character, treachery, and deceit of others.
>>Angst Level: This was not a happy fluffy read. This was gritty and grizzly at times. The tensions were high as our dear couple leaped from the frying pan into the fire. Seriously, there were only a handful of people in this story who were helpful, let alone trustworthy. But, who could they trust? That was the question. The OOC behavior and a very different timeline were a bit disconcerting until I became accustomed to it.
>>Source: I received an ARC [7-6-22] via Booksprout [Estimated publication: August 8, 2022]. The views and opinions expressed are my own. Prologue + 31-chapters + Epilogue. I may need therapy after reading this or a mild sedative, at least. No, make that a strong one. I highly recommend it.
>>Trope: NSNB [Not-So-Nice-Bennet]: Illness [Darcy]: AU: Alternate Universe: Everything was different. A red-headed Elizabeth was NOT her father’s favorite. Jane was not tall and willowy but a petite blonde with big blue eyes and she and Bingley appeared rather milquetoast until pushed to the edge. Lord Matlock and his sister, Lady Catherine, were beyond the pale and their actions could be considered criminal. There was blood in the water and the sharks were circling. It was awful how they treated poor Darcy. Shocking reveals just kept coming. I couldn’t breathe or catch my breath. The reader should have oxygen handy just in case.
Ramsgate: A stressed, overworked Darcy had not been feeling well and was looking forward to a restful relaxing visit at the seaside with his sister. When he walked in on Wickham and Georgiana in an amorous embrace, he pitched a fit worthy of his Darcy and Fitzwilliam blood. [Note: that reference will be used later] In the midst of a tirade directed at Wickham, Darcy suffered apoplexy, collapsed, and was unconscious. Sometime later, he came to and discovered he had been rendered unable to speak. Oh, he could speak; however, there was one little problem, what he said was not what he meant to say. What came out was way different than what he had intended. Apoplexy had scrambled the signals transmitted between his brain and his mouth. The reader was in his head as he worked his way to understanding what had happened to him.
Darcy’s frustration level was high and his relations were not willing to try and understand what had happened. Their solution was to institutionalize him as being insane… quietly, of course. They planned to take control of him, his fortune, his investments, Pemberley, and finally, Georgiana. Yep, that would do just fine. Since she was the Darcy heir, she should marry one of her Fitzwilliam cousins. How well that sounded. They also considered marrying Darcy to someone who would be willing to give him an heir and possibly a spare and let them run things. Lady Matlock had someone in mind. They didn’t necessarily want a bride from the ton or the first circle as they needed to control the gossip. Lady Matlock reasoned that her choice was beautiful, accomplished, and possessed a fortune, even if it came from trade. Guess who? Oh, yeah. Like that was going to happen. But then, a red-headed whirlwind waltzed in from Hertfordshire and changed the direction of everyone’s life. Oh, I just adored her. Now that was a take-charge lady.
“The happy family is a myth for many.” –Carolyn Spring
Longbourn was a place that I did not recognize. The relationships among the family members were so skewed that it was hard to recognize any of them. The girls rallied around their sister as well as they could without raising the ire of their father or their mother. The sisters existed within a strange dynamic and Lizzy appeared to be the glue that kept everything together.
“The truth is that if my father weren’t my father, he would be one of the men he hates; he is incorrigibly faithless and thoroughly narcissistic, to such an extent that I tend to forget he’s also capable of being a real peach.” –Nora Ephron, Heartburn
Bennet was beyond cruel, he was horrid and completely ignored his family. Oh, my heart broke for the child Elizabeth. He… I can’t say. My emotions are too raw to even describe his cruelty to ‘that brat’ as he so quickly called her. He never talked to her. He talked around her or over her but never directly to her. OMG! I wanted to cry. This was a twist I’ve never seen. Watch the clues. This was so telling as to the character of Mr. Bennet who thought so highly of himself. He was vengeful, mean, cruel, and willing to destroy the family’s reputation just to prove his point and gain his revenge. I despised him.
Elizabeth: “Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” –Viktor E. Frankl
How was it possible to grow up in a vacuum? Bennet completely ignored this precious child. She was different and he took umbrage to that fact and punished her and her mother because of it. There appeared to be a secret about Lizzy and the reader would only learn bits and pieces of it until near the end. At that point, I couldn’t cry. I was too angry to cry. I wanted a damage report. I wanted blood drawn. However, that would harm the family due to the entail. I finally decided that I was glad the author let Bennet live so he could wallow in a situation of his own creation. What a sanctimonious, vengeful, devil. GRRR!
“Making amends is not only saying the words but also being willing to listen to how your behavior caused another’s pain, and then the really hard part… changing behavior.” –David W. Earle LPC – Love is Not Enough
Bennet knew what he knew and no one could change his mind. That was until Darcy and Gardiner presented him with something that shocked his belief system to the core. I loathed, hated, and despised this characterization of Mr. Bennet. He was beyond the pale. He was beyond cruel; he was simply beyond… I do not have the words to describe this excuse of a human being. He was horrid to Elizabeth her entire life.
The first fourth of the book was dark, gothic, grizzly, and deadly. I wanted to scream, to reach into my reading device and strangle someone. I even considered the author at one point. Whew! I had to put it down for a moment, or two, or a day. LOL! However, I trusted her to pull me back from the red zone. I picked it back up and was at about the midway point when the tone of the story changed, ICNPID. Life began to improve for ODC. OMG! I loved Uncle Gardiner. He was amazing and so helpful and trustworthy. There were still family problems D&E had to overcome, and they endured the misunderstanding between lovers. Oh, the love declarations. I finally began to smile and I no longer wished to give our author the cut direct if I should ever encounter her in public. It was close. It was after 1:00 a.m. when I finally crashed and burned.
SPOILER ALERT: This review may contain *** SPOILERS ***
>>Rating: Mature due to descriptions of medical procedures that were barbaric and medieval to the modern reader. Ah, heck, let’s call the spade a spade… it was torture, flat out torture. Trigger warning due to suicidal thoughts of a character, treachery, and deceit of others.
>>Angst Level: This was not a happy fluffy read. This was gritty and grizzly at times. The tensions were high as our dear couple leaped from the frying pan into the fire. Seriously, there were only a handful of people in this story who were helpful, let alone trustworthy. But, who could they trust? That was the question. The OOC behavior and a very different timeline were a bit disconcerting until I became accustomed to it.
>>Source: I received an ARC [7-6-22] via Booksprout [Estimated publication: August 8, 2022]. The views and opinions expressed are my own. Prologue + 31-chapters + Epilogue. I may need therapy after reading this or a mild sedative, at least. No, make that a strong one. I highly recommend it.
>>Trope: NSNB [Not-So-Nice-Bennet]: Illness [Darcy]: AU: Alternate Universe: Everything was different. A red-headed Elizabeth was NOT her father’s favorite. Jane was not tall and willowy but a petite blonde with big blue eyes and she and Bingley appeared rather milquetoast until pushed to the edge. Lord Matlock and his sister, Lady Catherine, were beyond the pale and their actions could be considered criminal. There was blood in the water and the sharks were circling. It was awful how they treated poor Darcy. Shocking reveals just kept coming. I couldn’t breathe or catch my breath. The reader should have oxygen handy just in case.
Ramsgate: A stressed, overworked Darcy had not been feeling well and was looking forward to a restful relaxing visit at the seaside with his sister. When he walked in on Wickham and Georgiana in an amorous embrace, he pitched a fit worthy of his Darcy and Fitzwilliam blood. [Note: that reference will be used later] In the midst of a tirade directed at Wickham, Darcy suffered apoplexy, collapsed, and was unconscious. Sometime later, he came to and discovered he had been rendered unable to speak. Oh, he could speak; however, there was one little problem, what he said was not what he meant to say. What came out was way different than what he had intended. Apoplexy had scrambled the signals transmitted between his brain and his mouth. The reader was in his head as he worked his way to understanding what had happened to him.
Darcy’s frustration level was high and his relations were not willing to try and understand what had happened. Their solution was to institutionalize him as being insane… quietly, of course. They planned to take control of him, his fortune, his investments, Pemberley, and finally, Georgiana. Yep, that would do just fine. Since she was the Darcy heir, she should marry one of her Fitzwilliam cousins. How well that sounded. They also considered marrying Darcy to someone who would be willing to give him an heir and possibly a spare and let them run things. Lady Matlock had someone in mind. They didn’t necessarily want a bride from the ton or the first circle as they needed to control the gossip. Lady Matlock reasoned that her choice was beautiful, accomplished, and possessed a fortune, even if it came from trade. Guess who? Oh, yeah. Like that was going to happen. But then, a red-headed whirlwind waltzed in from Hertfordshire and changed the direction of everyone’s life. Oh, I just adored her. Now that was a take-charge lady.
“The happy family is a myth for many.” –Carolyn Spring
Longbourn was a place that I did not recognize. The relationships among the family members were so skewed that it was hard to recognize any of them. The girls rallied around their sister as well as they could without raising the ire of their father or their mother. The sisters existed within a strange dynamic and Lizzy appeared to be the glue that kept everything together.
“The truth is that if my father weren’t my father, he would be one of the men he hates; he is incorrigibly faithless and thoroughly narcissistic, to such an extent that I tend to forget he’s also capable of being a real peach.” –Nora Ephron, Heartburn
Bennet was beyond cruel, he was horrid and completely ignored his family. Oh, my heart broke for the child Elizabeth. He… I can’t say. My emotions are too raw to even describe his cruelty to ‘that brat’ as he so quickly called her. He never talked to her. He talked around her or over her but never directly to her. OMG! I wanted to cry. This was a twist I’ve never seen. Watch the clues. This was so telling as to the character of Mr. Bennet who thought so highly of himself. He was vengeful, mean, cruel, and willing to destroy the family’s reputation just to prove his point and gain his revenge. I despised him.
Elizabeth: “Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” –Viktor E. Frankl
How was it possible to grow up in a vacuum? Bennet completely ignored this precious child. She was different and he took umbrage to that fact and punished her and her mother because of it. There appeared to be a secret about Lizzy and the reader would only learn bits and pieces of it until near the end. At that point, I couldn’t cry. I was too angry to cry. I wanted a damage report. I wanted blood drawn. However, that would harm the family due to the entail. I finally decided that I was glad the author let Bennet live so he could wallow in a situation of his own creation. What a sanctimonious, vengeful, devil. GRRR!
“Making amends is not only saying the words but also being willing to listen to how your behavior caused another’s pain, and then the really hard part… changing behavior.” –David W. Earle LPC – Love is Not Enough
Bennet knew what he knew and no one could change his mind. That was until Darcy and Gardiner presented him with something that shocked his belief system to the core. I loathed, hated, and despised this characterization of Mr. Bennet. He was beyond the pale. He was beyond cruel; he was simply beyond… I do not have the words to describe this excuse of a human being. He was horrid to Elizabeth her entire life.
The first fourth of the book was dark, gothic, grizzly, and deadly. I wanted to scream, to reach into my reading device and strangle someone. I even considered the author at one point. Whew! I had to put it down for a moment, or two, or a day. LOL! However, I trusted her to pull me back from the red zone. I picked it back up and was at about the midway point when the tone of the story changed, ICNPID. Life began to improve for ODC. OMG! I loved Uncle Gardiner. He was amazing and so helpful and trustworthy. There were still family problems D&E had to overcome, and they endured the misunderstanding between lovers. Oh, the love declarations. I finally began to smile and I no longer wished to give our author the cut direct if I should ever encounter her in public. It was close. It was after 1:00 a.m. when I finally crashed and burned.
July 13, 2022
When the struggle to save someone becomes a labor of love.
From the opening scene of Darcy reminiscing about his summer in Hertfordshire, falling in love with a Ruby haired, insolent beauty and his arrival at Ramsgate and the shock received there, I was hooked.
But the next scene describing Elizabeth at Longbourn, and the horrendous treatment by her parents and lack of security there, had my heart in my throat! The mystery of the why her childhood and life was barren of love and kindness is only revealed later.
Put out of Longbourn for refusing Collins, instead of going to an Uncle in London she doesn’t know (Gardiner – What?!?) she ends up Ramsgate, befriending a fearful Georgiana, who is to all intents, a prisoner as much as Darcy is.
Out of the pan- hoping she would be of assistance, Lady Catherine is asked to provide her idea of helpfulness. Needless to say- Not!
Desperate to save Darcy’s life, they go searching for Bingley and ODC’s feelings develop even more from there. Nothing is easy on the path to true love and that is very much the case here. There is a lot that goes down, in little scenes and layers that make a whole whopping book of can't-catch-a-breathe drama.
Through all these details of the story is the emotional aspect. Elizabeth is rudderless, bereft of family and security. Darcy is just as much at the mercy of his relatives, who want control for their own selfish reasons. These 2 hurting individuals find compassion and an anchor in each other. Before they do find happiness together, each faces their personal demons and Elizabeth especially must put hers and her family’s to rest.
Be careful what you wish for…
What I found interesting is Darcy in his thoughts at the very beginning, indicates he has had enough of needing to be in control of everything and everyone and would wish for people to take care of themselves for a change. He got his wish big time.
Elizabeth, while still having her quirks of character and wit, is not the confident and charming E of canon, due to the polar opposite upbringing. She too got her wish in a way, to be free from the family ties that bound her in misery, if just for a little while.
With the help of Gardiner, when they finally do meet, ODC each find a way to “Press on, keep on” to the very awesome HEA.
Some secondary characters had little or almost no role. I felt there was a strong emphasis on sibling love, the ones we are born to and the ones we create for ourselves.
There is clever placement of some iconic P&P scenes and intense descriptions of Darcy’s illness and turmoil. The book is wonderfully written - I was desperate to get to the end, but at the same time never wanted to finish.
A fantastic follow up to this author’s previous Nameless. Julie Cooper's characters and storylines are complex, with way more happening beneath the surface.
A definite reread!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
From the opening scene of Darcy reminiscing about his summer in Hertfordshire, falling in love with a Ruby haired, insolent beauty and his arrival at Ramsgate and the shock received there, I was hooked.
But the next scene describing Elizabeth at Longbourn, and the horrendous treatment by her parents and lack of security there, had my heart in my throat! The mystery of the why her childhood and life was barren of love and kindness is only revealed later.
Put out of Longbourn for refusing Collins, instead of going to an Uncle in London she doesn’t know (Gardiner – What?!?) she ends up Ramsgate, befriending a fearful Georgiana, who is to all intents, a prisoner as much as Darcy is.
Out of the pan- hoping she would be of assistance, Lady Catherine is asked to provide her idea of helpfulness. Needless to say- Not!
Desperate to save Darcy’s life, they go searching for Bingley and ODC’s feelings develop even more from there. Nothing is easy on the path to true love and that is very much the case here. There is a lot that goes down, in little scenes and layers that make a whole whopping book of can't-catch-a-breathe drama.
Through all these details of the story is the emotional aspect. Elizabeth is rudderless, bereft of family and security. Darcy is just as much at the mercy of his relatives, who want control for their own selfish reasons. These 2 hurting individuals find compassion and an anchor in each other. Before they do find happiness together, each faces their personal demons and Elizabeth especially must put hers and her family’s to rest.
Be careful what you wish for…
What I found interesting is Darcy in his thoughts at the very beginning, indicates he has had enough of needing to be in control of everything and everyone and would wish for people to take care of themselves for a change. He got his wish big time.
Elizabeth, while still having her quirks of character and wit, is not the confident and charming E of canon, due to the polar opposite upbringing. She too got her wish in a way, to be free from the family ties that bound her in misery, if just for a little while.
With the help of Gardiner, when they finally do meet, ODC each find a way to “Press on, keep on” to the very awesome HEA.
Some secondary characters had little or almost no role. I felt there was a strong emphasis on sibling love, the ones we are born to and the ones we create for ourselves.
There is clever placement of some iconic P&P scenes and intense descriptions of Darcy’s illness and turmoil. The book is wonderfully written - I was desperate to get to the end, but at the same time never wanted to finish.
A fantastic follow up to this author’s previous Nameless. Julie Cooper's characters and storylines are complex, with way more happening beneath the surface.
A definite reread!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 27, 2022
Gripping—Unputdownable
When I read the detailed description for this novel and learned Darcy would suffer an apoplexy, I literally gasped! I didn’t want to imagine a Darcy not in the best of health, possibly suffering from various disabilities such an incident can bring upon a person. No, my Mr. Darcy is young, healthy and virile! I was so anxious to begin the book, I made the mistake of starting at 11:00 at night, thinking “I’ll just read the Prologue”. Yeah, right. At 4:45 the next morning, I forced myself to stop reading and seek sleep.
In this Pride and Prejudice variation, the order of events is quite different than canon. Darcy goes to Ramsgate when he flees Netherfield and Elizabeth Bennet—she laughed at him when he declared his love to her. Elizabeth’s situation at Longbourn is difficult. She is the least favourite daughter of BOTH her parents, each with their own reasons. Now banished after refusing a proposal from Mr. Collins, she makes her way to Ramsgate not knowing Darcy is there until she accidentally encounters Georgiana and is told of his circumstances.
What dear Darcy, Elizabeth and Georgiana go through in this unputdownable story will make you weep. The angst factor is high, as Elizabeth and Georgie try to figure out ways to protect and rescue a completely powerless Darcy. He is saved from one quack doctor and set of family members, only to be placed in the hands of an even more monstrous doctor and family member—and brought to the edge of death. It’s nothing less than torture. My poor heart! Overcoming multiple obstacles, and as Elizabeth nurses Darcy back to health, their love will grow, but true happiness will take a while longer.
With a unique and unusual premise, I was caught up in this story from the beginning to end. This expertly-written nail biter, is a gripping and brilliantly-plotted book. It is a definite must read and goes into my best of 2022 stack. It’s no surprise that yet another Julie Cooper book becomes a favourite. I most highly recommend it. Can’t wait for the audiobook. Hint, hint! Oh, and that red-headed Elizabeth on the fabulous cover? It’s not a mistake.
I’ll definitely be purchasing the published version for my Kindle library.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 27, 2022 - Audiobook
The audio version of this book is just as intense as the printed version, if not more so. I also think with this second reading I also appreciated Elizabeth’s story more. Joanna Lee’s narration is very good. Her performance of Darcy with his speech difficulties was expertly done in my view. I found Elizabeth’s presentation not quite consistent. Hers was my least favourite voice—she sometimes sounded like Georgiana. I thought the other ladies voices were sometimes a bit overdone, but I did appreciate the acting aspect of those performances. Lady Catherine was spot on. Overall I still give this narrator five stars. The book is one of the best variations in 2022.
When I read the detailed description for this novel and learned Darcy would suffer an apoplexy, I literally gasped! I didn’t want to imagine a Darcy not in the best of health, possibly suffering from various disabilities such an incident can bring upon a person. No, my Mr. Darcy is young, healthy and virile! I was so anxious to begin the book, I made the mistake of starting at 11:00 at night, thinking “I’ll just read the Prologue”. Yeah, right. At 4:45 the next morning, I forced myself to stop reading and seek sleep.
In this Pride and Prejudice variation, the order of events is quite different than canon. Darcy goes to Ramsgate when he flees Netherfield and Elizabeth Bennet—she laughed at him when he declared his love to her. Elizabeth’s situation at Longbourn is difficult. She is the least favourite daughter of BOTH her parents, each with their own reasons. Now banished after refusing a proposal from Mr. Collins, she makes her way to Ramsgate not knowing Darcy is there until she accidentally encounters Georgiana and is told of his circumstances.
What dear Darcy, Elizabeth and Georgiana go through in this unputdownable story will make you weep. The angst factor is high, as Elizabeth and Georgie try to figure out ways to protect and rescue a completely powerless Darcy. He is saved from one quack doctor and set of family members, only to be placed in the hands of an even more monstrous doctor and family member—and brought to the edge of death. It’s nothing less than torture. My poor heart! Overcoming multiple obstacles, and as Elizabeth nurses Darcy back to health, their love will grow, but true happiness will take a while longer.
With a unique and unusual premise, I was caught up in this story from the beginning to end. This expertly-written nail biter, is a gripping and brilliantly-plotted book. It is a definite must read and goes into my best of 2022 stack. It’s no surprise that yet another Julie Cooper book becomes a favourite. I most highly recommend it. Can’t wait for the audiobook. Hint, hint! Oh, and that red-headed Elizabeth on the fabulous cover? It’s not a mistake.
I’ll definitely be purchasing the published version for my Kindle library.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 27, 2022 - Audiobook
The audio version of this book is just as intense as the printed version, if not more so. I also think with this second reading I also appreciated Elizabeth’s story more. Joanna Lee’s narration is very good. Her performance of Darcy with his speech difficulties was expertly done in my view. I found Elizabeth’s presentation not quite consistent. Hers was my least favourite voice—she sometimes sounded like Georgiana. I thought the other ladies voices were sometimes a bit overdone, but I did appreciate the acting aspect of those performances. Lady Catherine was spot on. Overall I still give this narrator five stars. The book is one of the best variations in 2022.
Read
July 12, 202210 Stars
BRILLIANT!
"His declaration of love to Elizabeth Bennet was insanity itself." (quote from the book)
Mr. Darcy powerless. Georgiana Darcy desperate. Elizabeth Bennet banished.
"But Trouble and I are well acquainted - he has followed me every where I go, since the day I was born. I am so used to coping with his tricks and tests, perhaps I can be of some use to you." (quote from the book)
How did it all come to pass? This is a highly dramatic and deeply layered story that I cannot possibly do justice to in my review...but here goes anyway.
"Wish, he whispered once more, all the anguish of his broken heart in that solitary word." (quote from the book)
This is no mere 'outside-the-box' novel of our beloved couple. This is a deeply engrossing, all consuming, brilliantly executed rendering of a tortuous journey of family dynamics, greed, revenge and the healing power of the deepest love. It is an edge-of-your seat nail biter of a story that engages all your emotions. My own strong impulses had me wanting to see several characters drawn and quartered while others I just wanted to hug.
"He was her...her Mr. Darcy, and even in weakness, his presence was almost overpowering." (quote from the book)
Oh, the anguish my heart felt as Elizabeth and Georgiana race to save Darcy. The unspeakable things family will do to gain control, not only of their lives, but their fortunes was gut wrenching. It was incredible how they defied the odds and searched their souls to find fulfillment.
"Only...let me have this moment: surrounded by a magnificent sea, while a lone man pits himself against the strength of ocean waves, emerging victorious against all his battles. If these last few days are to be all I ever have, I will seize them while I can." (quote from the book)
Ms. Cooper has taken artistic license with the timeline and with our beloved characters. It is so masterfully done with deft strokes, taking tiny details from canon and making them larger. Clever and shocking all at once. I was in awe.
This is an amazing tour de force Austenseque novel that left me breathless and speechless. It will rank as one of my all time favourites and will take pride of place on my bookshelf with Ms. Cooper's other wonderful novels! I cannot recommend it highly enough!
August 10, 2022
Julie Cooper's stories have all been 5 stars from me. I was anxious to read this latest one and grabbed it immediately when it was released. But know this: it is full of angst, which I do like in my stories. In most JAFF the climax comes near to 85% but in this story we are near the end when we finally get our HEA.
There are so many excellent and long reviews that I am going to attempt to be brief.
The main premise is mentioned in the story description. Darcy, upon going to Ramsgate and coming upon Wickham embracing Georgiana, suffers an apoplexy (aphasia) and blacks out. Now the story has both his uncle, Lord Matlock and his aunt, (at different times and not together) using Darcy's helpless state to seek their own means: marry him to a rich woman who will allow Matlock to control the Darcy estate, allow QUACK doctors to declare him insane and to use brutal torture to "cure" him as "both his Darcy side and his Fitzwilliam side seek dominance", medicate him, chain him, burn him, cut him. Did I not say we have angst? (Yes, I was in tears.)
Elizabeth's part in this has her father treating her as a non-entity. He speaks "of" her but not too her, calling her "brat", etc. Born with red hair and not resembling any family member, you must know what he thinks. She seems to be the glue, however, which binds the sisters together. However, when she refuses Mr. Collins she is sent off to Uncle Gardiner (who has NOT been any part of their lives). She, instead, takes Lydia's place going to Brighton with Harriet. There she meets Georgiana, learns of Darcy's condition and, subsequently throws herself into caring for him and trying to rescue him. Letters are sent to various people, hoping for help. Jane and Bingley are on their wedding trip so they are not close at hand. The letter to Lady Catherine has her removing Darcy from her brother's care but it is her "doctor" whose sadistic treatment almost ends Darcy's life.
Throughout the long period that Elizabeth is caring for Darcy we read of so many tender moments. This story actually has him proposing three times (once back in Hertfordshire). But, again, her family, connections and money issues have her saying "no".
There is so much more to this story. I highly recommend it. But don't start it late in the day as you may not be able to put it down. There is an epilogue.
There are so many excellent and long reviews that I am going to attempt to be brief.
The main premise is mentioned in the story description. Darcy, upon going to Ramsgate and coming upon Wickham embracing Georgiana, suffers an apoplexy (aphasia) and blacks out. Now the story has both his uncle, Lord Matlock and his aunt, (at different times and not together) using Darcy's helpless state to seek their own means: marry him to a rich woman who will allow Matlock to control the Darcy estate, allow QUACK doctors to declare him insane and to use brutal torture to "cure" him as "both his Darcy side and his Fitzwilliam side seek dominance", medicate him, chain him, burn him, cut him. Did I not say we have angst? (Yes, I was in tears.)
Elizabeth's part in this has her father treating her as a non-entity. He speaks "of" her but not too her, calling her "brat", etc. Born with red hair and not resembling any family member, you must know what he thinks. She seems to be the glue, however, which binds the sisters together. However, when she refuses Mr. Collins she is sent off to Uncle Gardiner (who has NOT been any part of their lives). She, instead, takes Lydia's place going to Brighton with Harriet. There she meets Georgiana, learns of Darcy's condition and, subsequently throws herself into caring for him and trying to rescue him. Letters are sent to various people, hoping for help. Jane and Bingley are on their wedding trip so they are not close at hand. The letter to Lady Catherine has her removing Darcy from her brother's care but it is her "doctor" whose sadistic treatment almost ends Darcy's life.
Throughout the long period that Elizabeth is caring for Darcy we read of so many tender moments. This story actually has him proposing three times (once back in Hertfordshire). But, again, her family, connections and money issues have her saying "no".
There is so much more to this story. I highly recommend it. But don't start it late in the day as you may not be able to put it down. There is an epilogue.
October 15, 2022
A gentleman experiences an apoplexy when he discovers his sister in a rake’s arms and a disowned young woman is his savior when his relatives are close to declaring him mad. Lavished with drama and a touch of the gothic, this latest of Julie Cooper’s Pride and Prejudice variations raised my expectation and didn’t disappoint.
A Stronger Impulse draws the reader into the darker side of the Regency era first with an opening scene of an innocent young girl nearly dashed off in an elopement with a rake and all for her fortune when the woman meant to be her trusted companion on a summer holiday is in league with the rake. Georgiana Darcy is a teenage girl brought up in wealth and protected by first parents and then older brother so she isn’t prepared for such a ploy against her and what to do when so many greedy and ruthless people hedge her in and keep her isolated from her guardians. Through the book, she comes into her own with the help of an intrepid young lady.
Furthering the edgier side of this historical time, the hero, Fitzwilliam Darcy is taken with apoplexy and the stroke disordered his speech process and connection to the written word so that his relations put him under the care of an unscrupulous doctor ready to declare him insane so his uncle will have control of his fortune and properties. Later he is treated by a quack doctor his aunt swears by who nearly kills him with his medical methods like blistering, purging, and whipping the demons out of him (yes, the gibbered speech made some think that about stroke patients) that were practiced in that day. And, if not for a timely rescue, he would have died. Surviving is only half his battle because this is also a romance. Here is his second chance if he figures out his heart vs his duty in time to make a better impression on vivacious and a rare woman who wanted nothing to do with his wealth or his proposal the first time.
But, that’s not all, the heroine, Elizabeth Bennet, is faced with marriage to a man who disgusts her all because he’s her father’s heir or be thrown out to make her own way in the world all because her father doubts she is his legitimate child and wants nothing to do with her if she won’t sacrifice herself for the rest. Women often had very little recourse when guardians thrust unwanted marriage prospects at them or refused to support them any longer. However, Elizabeth ends up on quite an adventure when instead of going to London and an unknown uncle who she fears will be worse than her present situation, she heads to Ramsgate as a companion to her sister’s friend and encounters forlorn Georgiana Darcy and learns the shocking fate of her brother, Fitzwilliam Darcy. The adventure has her seeing the man in an all new light, but she doubts it is enough for him wanting to tie himself to a penniless woman who has questionable relations and unsupported by her own parents.
A Stronger Impulse didn’t shy away from struggles without and within for the romance pair. There is plenty of conflict and suspense, twists and turns so that the reader is left racing through the pages to see how it will all sort out. Treating the original classic more as a launch point, the reader finds familiar themes, characters, and scenes woven with the author’s own clever creation so that anyone who loves dramatic historical romance could pick it up and dive right in.
I rec’d a print copy from Quills and Quartos to read in exchange for an honest review.
My full review will post at Books of My Heart on Oct 5th.
A Stronger Impulse draws the reader into the darker side of the Regency era first with an opening scene of an innocent young girl nearly dashed off in an elopement with a rake and all for her fortune when the woman meant to be her trusted companion on a summer holiday is in league with the rake. Georgiana Darcy is a teenage girl brought up in wealth and protected by first parents and then older brother so she isn’t prepared for such a ploy against her and what to do when so many greedy and ruthless people hedge her in and keep her isolated from her guardians. Through the book, she comes into her own with the help of an intrepid young lady.
Furthering the edgier side of this historical time, the hero, Fitzwilliam Darcy is taken with apoplexy and the stroke disordered his speech process and connection to the written word so that his relations put him under the care of an unscrupulous doctor ready to declare him insane so his uncle will have control of his fortune and properties. Later he is treated by a quack doctor his aunt swears by who nearly kills him with his medical methods like blistering, purging, and whipping the demons out of him (yes, the gibbered speech made some think that about stroke patients) that were practiced in that day. And, if not for a timely rescue, he would have died. Surviving is only half his battle because this is also a romance. Here is his second chance if he figures out his heart vs his duty in time to make a better impression on vivacious and a rare woman who wanted nothing to do with his wealth or his proposal the first time.
But, that’s not all, the heroine, Elizabeth Bennet, is faced with marriage to a man who disgusts her all because he’s her father’s heir or be thrown out to make her own way in the world all because her father doubts she is his legitimate child and wants nothing to do with her if she won’t sacrifice herself for the rest. Women often had very little recourse when guardians thrust unwanted marriage prospects at them or refused to support them any longer. However, Elizabeth ends up on quite an adventure when instead of going to London and an unknown uncle who she fears will be worse than her present situation, she heads to Ramsgate as a companion to her sister’s friend and encounters forlorn Georgiana Darcy and learns the shocking fate of her brother, Fitzwilliam Darcy. The adventure has her seeing the man in an all new light, but she doubts it is enough for him wanting to tie himself to a penniless woman who has questionable relations and unsupported by her own parents.
A Stronger Impulse didn’t shy away from struggles without and within for the romance pair. There is plenty of conflict and suspense, twists and turns so that the reader is left racing through the pages to see how it will all sort out. Treating the original classic more as a launch point, the reader finds familiar themes, characters, and scenes woven with the author’s own clever creation so that anyone who loves dramatic historical romance could pick it up and dive right in.
I rec’d a print copy from Quills and Quartos to read in exchange for an honest review.
My full review will post at Books of My Heart on Oct 5th.
July 19, 2022
Wow, this book grabbed me right from the start and I could not put it down. Once I began, this book owned me and nothing in my “real life” stood a chance of holding my attention until I finished. It was painful at times and I felt like I was watching a horrible accident, yet could not look away. I guess you can call it sweet torture.
This book is very different from canon, but in the best possible way. Elizabeth and Darcy start off on the wrong foot as in canon, but it doesn’t take long for fate to connect them through unspeakable circumstances. Both care very deeply for their families, yet in different ways, both are hurt and betrayed by some of their closest family members and they find themselves alone, damaged and trying to find a way to reclaim their lives. They both feel as though they are fighting an uphill battle against those that are supposed to care for them and their happiness and well being. I loved Elizabeth’s insight. “The only shame in all of it is that neither your relations nor my parents care enough about either of us to save ours.” It was very heartbreaking. Of course, not all the family members were quite so cold, there were gallant and caring sisters who were often powerless to help in the difficult moments, but would come through when they were in a position to do so.
One of the great things about this story was the growth that came to many of the characters. That growth was earned through blood, sweat and tears, but I guess we never grow in our comfort zones. I loved when Lizzy reached a realization, “I am just as good, just as worthy as Jane. Did Mr. Darcy really believe that I was not?. . . Have I unthinkingly accepted my father’s opinion on my value?”
Another thing that touched me was the demonstration of the power of the human spirit to conquer and overcome and, as this book taught us, to keep pressing on. Sometimes you have to just put one foot in front of the other. So many obstacles that seemed insurmountable, were faced and tackled one painful step at a time when one has the will and the right motivation and drive to fight. It was touching how Darcy and Elizabeth found comfort and strength in each other when others in their lives failed them and the strong bond and foundation that was formed through their adversities.
This book was not easy to read, but was an incredible journey with a reward that made the angst and the misery worth it! Very well written and developed and captivating in every way! I will definitely read this again.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book is very different from canon, but in the best possible way. Elizabeth and Darcy start off on the wrong foot as in canon, but it doesn’t take long for fate to connect them through unspeakable circumstances. Both care very deeply for their families, yet in different ways, both are hurt and betrayed by some of their closest family members and they find themselves alone, damaged and trying to find a way to reclaim their lives. They both feel as though they are fighting an uphill battle against those that are supposed to care for them and their happiness and well being. I loved Elizabeth’s insight. “The only shame in all of it is that neither your relations nor my parents care enough about either of us to save ours.” It was very heartbreaking. Of course, not all the family members were quite so cold, there were gallant and caring sisters who were often powerless to help in the difficult moments, but would come through when they were in a position to do so.
One of the great things about this story was the growth that came to many of the characters. That growth was earned through blood, sweat and tears, but I guess we never grow in our comfort zones. I loved when Lizzy reached a realization, “I am just as good, just as worthy as Jane. Did Mr. Darcy really believe that I was not?. . . Have I unthinkingly accepted my father’s opinion on my value?”
Another thing that touched me was the demonstration of the power of the human spirit to conquer and overcome and, as this book taught us, to keep pressing on. Sometimes you have to just put one foot in front of the other. So many obstacles that seemed insurmountable, were faced and tackled one painful step at a time when one has the will and the right motivation and drive to fight. It was touching how Darcy and Elizabeth found comfort and strength in each other when others in their lives failed them and the strong bond and foundation that was formed through their adversities.
This book was not easy to read, but was an incredible journey with a reward that made the angst and the misery worth it! Very well written and developed and captivating in every way! I will definitely read this again.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 9, 2022
There are so many good reviews that I will not even try. In short, it is wonderful. To be surrounded by love and know your worth is theme throughout.
June 21, 2023
Darcy and Elizabeth Vs. Their Families
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Source: Gift from Publisher
TYPE OF NOVEL: Pride and Prejudice Variation
THE PREMISE: A distressed and unwell Mr. Darcy receives a traumatic shock and suffers an apoplectic fit. He is now being held captive by his family who hire demented doctors definitely do not help cure him. Elizabeth Bennet is exiled from her family for refusing Mr. Collins’s proposal and becomes embroiled in endeavors to save Mr. Darcy from tortuous remedies when she meets a helpless and hopeless Georgiana Darcy walking the clifftops near Ramsgate…
WHAT I LOVED:
- Unlike Anything Else: Mr. Darcy with symptoms of aphasia, his family believing him insane, an extremely estranged relationship between Elizabeth and Mr. Bennet, and doubts about Elizabeth’s paternity – this variation brings some very unique deviations and circumstance together! I love Julie Cooper’s imaginative ideas. What a compelling premise.
- New Obstacles, New Enemies: While there is still some unchecked pride to be dealt with, Darcy and Elizabeth have much bigger and more challenging obstacles to contend with in this variation. Both of them are trapped and receive little to no support from the people closest to them. The find themselves in a desperate situation, and their enemies are their own families. This was intense! I loved seeing these dramatic changes – who can they trust? who is capable of challenging those wielding their power?
- Family Dynamics: This story presented some disappointing and heartbreaking family dynamics between Darcy and Elizabeth and their families. Both families either have members who are cruelly or maliciously engaged in achieving their own goals, or members who are too weak-willed and selfish to defy the actions of those in power. And while this might sound like a more negative aspect of this story – seeing the resilience of Darcy and Elizabeth as they go through their trials without familial support and care is such a strong testament to their own indomitable strength and bravery.
- Healing and Love: There are beautifully journeys of both healing and love in this tale. I loved seeing Elizabeth tenderly nurse and care for Mr. Darcy. And it was so moving to witness her compassion and care for him grow into strong (and maybe reckless) affection and admiration. The love both characters felt for each other was for a large part unspoken. But it was felt in so many ways. The looks they exchanged, their physical connections, the overall peace and comfort they both felt with each other all spoke of the deep love that developed between them.
- Cleverly Crafted: Not only does Julie Cooper dream up creative premises, but she executes them skillfully as well! There were some excellent surprise twists and new arrivals that brought some exhilarating moments for the reader! I never saw them coming! I loved how this story was so unpredictable and thoughtfully-designed. At one particular point with everyone arriving at once and the mixed up goose-chase they were sent on, the comedy and frustration of the scene felt very Heyer-esque.
- Special Relationships: There are quite a few favorite characters who might disappoint in this tale, but I especially loved seeing some special connections develop between Georgiana and Elizabeth and Mr. Gardiner and Elizabeth. They are the real heroes.
- Redemption: An astonishing conclusion is in store for all readers who make it through the chapters of trauma and torture. It was such an uplifting and marvelous ending. I appreciated witnessing all the the happiness, healing, support, and love of these scenes.
WHAT I WASN’T TOO FOND OF:
Caroline Bingley as a Solution: Slight Spoiler Alert! I just couldn’t buy into this plan. I could easily believe all the other sinister machinations and schemes but I could not follow the logic when it pertained to Caroline Bingley – wouldn’t Mr. Darcy being unmarried and childless serve their purposes better? And why Caroline? This also goes for Mr. Darcy’s initial plan too. Maybe his cognitive abilities were still a little addled? But I get it, she served as an impediment of sorts.
CONCLUSION:
With A Stronger Impulse being my fourth novel by Julie Cooper, I continue to love how Julie Cooper crafts together extraordinarily unique premises with spectacularly consuming plot developments. Her stories are rich with creativity, emotional range, and character development. Her latest Pride and Prejudice variation is a wonderfully moving tale about discovering and harnessing your own strength to see you through life’s difficult travails.
Austenesque Reviews
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Source: Gift from Publisher
TYPE OF NOVEL: Pride and Prejudice Variation
THE PREMISE: A distressed and unwell Mr. Darcy receives a traumatic shock and suffers an apoplectic fit. He is now being held captive by his family who hire demented doctors definitely do not help cure him. Elizabeth Bennet is exiled from her family for refusing Mr. Collins’s proposal and becomes embroiled in endeavors to save Mr. Darcy from tortuous remedies when she meets a helpless and hopeless Georgiana Darcy walking the clifftops near Ramsgate…
WHAT I LOVED:
- Unlike Anything Else: Mr. Darcy with symptoms of aphasia, his family believing him insane, an extremely estranged relationship between Elizabeth and Mr. Bennet, and doubts about Elizabeth’s paternity – this variation brings some very unique deviations and circumstance together! I love Julie Cooper’s imaginative ideas. What a compelling premise.
- New Obstacles, New Enemies: While there is still some unchecked pride to be dealt with, Darcy and Elizabeth have much bigger and more challenging obstacles to contend with in this variation. Both of them are trapped and receive little to no support from the people closest to them. The find themselves in a desperate situation, and their enemies are their own families. This was intense! I loved seeing these dramatic changes – who can they trust? who is capable of challenging those wielding their power?
- Family Dynamics: This story presented some disappointing and heartbreaking family dynamics between Darcy and Elizabeth and their families. Both families either have members who are cruelly or maliciously engaged in achieving their own goals, or members who are too weak-willed and selfish to defy the actions of those in power. And while this might sound like a more negative aspect of this story – seeing the resilience of Darcy and Elizabeth as they go through their trials without familial support and care is such a strong testament to their own indomitable strength and bravery.
- Healing and Love: There are beautifully journeys of both healing and love in this tale. I loved seeing Elizabeth tenderly nurse and care for Mr. Darcy. And it was so moving to witness her compassion and care for him grow into strong (and maybe reckless) affection and admiration. The love both characters felt for each other was for a large part unspoken. But it was felt in so many ways. The looks they exchanged, their physical connections, the overall peace and comfort they both felt with each other all spoke of the deep love that developed between them.
- Cleverly Crafted: Not only does Julie Cooper dream up creative premises, but she executes them skillfully as well! There were some excellent surprise twists and new arrivals that brought some exhilarating moments for the reader! I never saw them coming! I loved how this story was so unpredictable and thoughtfully-designed. At one particular point with everyone arriving at once and the mixed up goose-chase they were sent on, the comedy and frustration of the scene felt very Heyer-esque.
- Special Relationships: There are quite a few favorite characters who might disappoint in this tale, but I especially loved seeing some special connections develop between Georgiana and Elizabeth and Mr. Gardiner and Elizabeth. They are the real heroes.
- Redemption: An astonishing conclusion is in store for all readers who make it through the chapters of trauma and torture. It was such an uplifting and marvelous ending. I appreciated witnessing all the the happiness, healing, support, and love of these scenes.
WHAT I WASN’T TOO FOND OF:
Caroline Bingley as a Solution: Slight Spoiler Alert! I just couldn’t buy into this plan. I could easily believe all the other sinister machinations and schemes but I could not follow the logic when it pertained to Caroline Bingley – wouldn’t Mr. Darcy being unmarried and childless serve their purposes better? And why Caroline? This also goes for Mr. Darcy’s initial plan too. Maybe his cognitive abilities were still a little addled? But I get it, she served as an impediment of sorts.
CONCLUSION:
With A Stronger Impulse being my fourth novel by Julie Cooper, I continue to love how Julie Cooper crafts together extraordinarily unique premises with spectacularly consuming plot developments. Her stories are rich with creativity, emotional range, and character development. Her latest Pride and Prejudice variation is a wonderfully moving tale about discovering and harnessing your own strength to see you through life’s difficult travails.
Austenesque Reviews
September 4, 2022
Um wow. Just wow 🤯. What an amazing read. I have another one of those book hangovers and nothing that comes next will even compare!
August 23, 2023
Review also posted on my blog
https://myjaffobsession.blogspot.com/...
Fitzwilliam Darcy loves Elizabeth Bennet but his appalling proposal leads to rejection and heartbreak. He travels to join his young sister Georgiana in Ramsgate, but on arrival the sight of her in the arms of rake and scoundrel, George Wickham causes him to have an apoplexy.
The resulting damage and loss of coherent speech leave him vulnerable and the vultures are circling.
Unfortunately, the vultures in this case are his own extended family, who want control of the Darcy fortune.
Elizabeth Bennet has always been the least favourite daughter at Longbourn. Mrs Bennet favours the daughters who are most like her. Mr Bennet behaves as though Elizabeth is invisible.
When Elizabeth refuses to secure Longbourn for her family by marrying her odious cousin, Mr Collins, she is exiled.
Sent to an unknown family member and thence into a life in service.
She manages to postpone that future by travelling to Ramsgate with an acquaintance from Meryton.
In Ramsgate she meets a distressed Georgiana Darcy on the cliff edge. After persuading her back from the edge, they become friends.
Elizabeth is determined to help Georgiana and Fitzwilliam.
This is a stunningly good book. I couldn’t put it down.
The author expresses the fear and panic of Darcy’s sudden vulnerability.
The medical treatment is terrifying.
The characters of family members are appalling, from the venal self-serving Fitzwilliams and De Boughs, to the awful, cold Mr Bennet.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
https://myjaffobsession.blogspot.com/...
Fitzwilliam Darcy loves Elizabeth Bennet but his appalling proposal leads to rejection and heartbreak. He travels to join his young sister Georgiana in Ramsgate, but on arrival the sight of her in the arms of rake and scoundrel, George Wickham causes him to have an apoplexy.
The resulting damage and loss of coherent speech leave him vulnerable and the vultures are circling.
Unfortunately, the vultures in this case are his own extended family, who want control of the Darcy fortune.
Elizabeth Bennet has always been the least favourite daughter at Longbourn. Mrs Bennet favours the daughters who are most like her. Mr Bennet behaves as though Elizabeth is invisible.
When Elizabeth refuses to secure Longbourn for her family by marrying her odious cousin, Mr Collins, she is exiled.
Sent to an unknown family member and thence into a life in service.
She manages to postpone that future by travelling to Ramsgate with an acquaintance from Meryton.
In Ramsgate she meets a distressed Georgiana Darcy on the cliff edge. After persuading her back from the edge, they become friends.
Elizabeth is determined to help Georgiana and Fitzwilliam.
This is a stunningly good book. I couldn’t put it down.
The author expresses the fear and panic of Darcy’s sudden vulnerability.
The medical treatment is terrifying.
The characters of family members are appalling, from the venal self-serving Fitzwilliams and De Boughs, to the awful, cold Mr Bennet.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 9, 2022
Just finished A Stronger Impulse by Julie Cooper and I’m blown away and in shock I think. I haven’t had a book hangover for years but I have one now! This story was so original and so impactful. What Lizzy and Darcy have to go through in this story was hard to listen to but wow their relationship, Lizzy’s humour and Darcy’s strength was everything! Joanna Lee did such a great job narrating this and it wasn’t an easy one, she managed to differentiate all the characters and dealt admirably with Darcy’s speech impediment. This will be a favourite variation from now on and definitely in my re-listen pile!
February 5, 2023
Talk about angst!
This story is quite a ride! From the life Elizabeth is obliged to lead at Longbourn, to all the characters have to go through. It definitively has to be read!
This story is quite a ride! From the life Elizabeth is obliged to lead at Longbourn, to all the characters have to go through. It definitively has to be read!
July 8, 2022
This is a very good & creative Pride
& Predjudice variation.
I enjoyed reading it.
Life at Longbourn was heartbreaking
for Elizabeth.
But everything changed when
there was of a refusal of marriage.
Elizabeth, had a chance meeting
with Georgiana Darcy.
She & her brother, Mr. Darcy,
were in desperate need of help.
It's an intense, captivating
& touching story. Lots of twists
& turns that will keep you wondering
till the end.
A MUST READ!!
& Predjudice variation.
I enjoyed reading it.
Life at Longbourn was heartbreaking
for Elizabeth.
But everything changed when
there was of a refusal of marriage.
Elizabeth, had a chance meeting
with Georgiana Darcy.
She & her brother, Mr. Darcy,
were in desperate need of help.
It's an intense, captivating
& touching story. Lots of twists
& turns that will keep you wondering
till the end.
A MUST READ!!
August 11, 2022
I was not in a good place mentally to read this book. I found it depressing. I liked it the least of this author’s books except her vampire one.
My parents both had strokes so I probably should have known better than to read this.
Well written and edited as always with Julie Cooper.
My parents both had strokes so I probably should have known better than to read this.
Well written and edited as always with Julie Cooper.
August 3, 2022
❤️🩹 A Stronger Impulse 📔
A Variation of Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice
✒️ Julie Cooper
https://www.facebook.com/quillsquartos/
Release Date 08/08/2022
Publisher Quills & Quartos Publishing
➪ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B54K77ZT/...
𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗯
“…and in his behaviour with me, there were stronger impulses even than pride”
FITZWILLIAM DARCY IS ENRAGED when, already reeling from Elizabeth Bennet’s disdain, he discovers his sister locked in a passionate embrace with George Wickham—and suffers an apoplexy at the sight. With proper speech locked uselessly inside his mind, his Fitzwilliam relations are quick to take advantage of the situation, calling his illness insanity, and scheming to keep both Darcys under their control.
ELIZABETH BENNET IS EXPELLED from Longbourn after she refuses Mr Collins’ serious proposal and Mr Darcy’s mocking one. Always the least favourite child, she is expected to deliver herself up to an unknown uncle in London, from there to be placed into service. A fortunate escape takes her to Ramsgate instead…but it is only a brief reprieve before she must find a new life for herself.
TWO AGAINST THE WORLD. How can two powerless individuals forge a defence against the formidable forces arrayed against them? Darcy cannot afford to indulge himself in a marriage that would prove his relations’ opinions of his sanity. Elizabeth must protect herself against a growing but impossible love…and yet, a stronger impulse urges them to stay. To fight. Together.
A Stronger Impulse is friends to lovers re-imagining of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice that will be enjoyed by fans of regency romance.
𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄
When forces league against them, will they be able escape and survive …
This is my first and second read by the author.
Okay, rather confusing!
I discovered her in the multi authors reimagined sequel A Match Made in Matlock, but as the book was written with four sets of hands mixing the same number of storylines, I am unable to say which parts were hers.
Thus my first and second read by her.
In this revisit of the story, Lizzy is kind of Cinderella without the awful step-siblings, a sort of cuckoo in the nest or ugly ducking which appoint her as the least liked of her sisters, their maid of all works.
Elizabeth might still be the clever girl of the set, she has not the feisty temper of her elder, more subdued, not by her fault but her upbringing.
The daughter who never found her way in her parents heart, the rejected one.
Thus how she finds herself in this predicament, disowned for saying no to Mr Collins. And while her sisters sort of like her, none reach out to save her.
She has to make her path on her own.
Darcy is even in a worse situation, circumstances lead him to fall down from an apoplectic fit, leaving him crippled at the mercy of relatives determined to take advantage of his wealth. He is still in some way the prejudiced man but his condition as a prisoner at the hands of inept and dangerous people opens his eyes to what makes someone the better of others.
Event upon event bring them together, standing close and only counting on one another in the storm. It brings them closer, reinforcing their feelings, deepening them.
But will love be enough when others are set on destroying them, greed threatening Darcy’s assets and shame Lizzy’s name.
This fantastic moving read, with a Jane Eyre gothic touch, leaves you emotionally drained, with angst fits at the injustice of Darcy’s treatment and ire at Lizzy’s ill use by her family with no one never standing up for her, the author skillfully knits references from the original piece into her storyline, mingling the old with the new, laced with epiphanies, grand declarations and gestures, groveling and ardent statement of love.
My only disappointment is Lizzy’s father never got his due comeuppance when Darcy’s relatives will have only to learn to do without him and his fortune, I’m a probably a bloodthirsty being but I wanted Mr Bennet, Lady Catherine and Lord Matlock to pay for the pain they inflicted.
5 stars
𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 kisses
I have been granted an advance copy by the publisher, here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cgy_yB...
https://www.facebook.com/100048385306...
#bookstagram #historicalromance #romance #romancebookblog #romancebookblogger #bookblog #romanceauthor #bookblogger #2022read #bookstagrammer #bookreview #romancebookreviewer #arcreader #bookquote #romancestagram #readersofinstagram
A Variation of Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice
✒️ Julie Cooper
https://www.facebook.com/quillsquartos/
Release Date 08/08/2022
Publisher Quills & Quartos Publishing
➪ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B54K77ZT/...
𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗯
“…and in his behaviour with me, there were stronger impulses even than pride”
FITZWILLIAM DARCY IS ENRAGED when, already reeling from Elizabeth Bennet’s disdain, he discovers his sister locked in a passionate embrace with George Wickham—and suffers an apoplexy at the sight. With proper speech locked uselessly inside his mind, his Fitzwilliam relations are quick to take advantage of the situation, calling his illness insanity, and scheming to keep both Darcys under their control.
ELIZABETH BENNET IS EXPELLED from Longbourn after she refuses Mr Collins’ serious proposal and Mr Darcy’s mocking one. Always the least favourite child, she is expected to deliver herself up to an unknown uncle in London, from there to be placed into service. A fortunate escape takes her to Ramsgate instead…but it is only a brief reprieve before she must find a new life for herself.
TWO AGAINST THE WORLD. How can two powerless individuals forge a defence against the formidable forces arrayed against them? Darcy cannot afford to indulge himself in a marriage that would prove his relations’ opinions of his sanity. Elizabeth must protect herself against a growing but impossible love…and yet, a stronger impulse urges them to stay. To fight. Together.
A Stronger Impulse is friends to lovers re-imagining of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice that will be enjoyed by fans of regency romance.
𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄
When forces league against them, will they be able escape and survive …
This is my first and second read by the author.
Okay, rather confusing!
I discovered her in the multi authors reimagined sequel A Match Made in Matlock, but as the book was written with four sets of hands mixing the same number of storylines, I am unable to say which parts were hers.
Thus my first and second read by her.
In this revisit of the story, Lizzy is kind of Cinderella without the awful step-siblings, a sort of cuckoo in the nest or ugly ducking which appoint her as the least liked of her sisters, their maid of all works.
Elizabeth might still be the clever girl of the set, she has not the feisty temper of her elder, more subdued, not by her fault but her upbringing.
The daughter who never found her way in her parents heart, the rejected one.
Thus how she finds herself in this predicament, disowned for saying no to Mr Collins. And while her sisters sort of like her, none reach out to save her.
She has to make her path on her own.
Darcy is even in a worse situation, circumstances lead him to fall down from an apoplectic fit, leaving him crippled at the mercy of relatives determined to take advantage of his wealth. He is still in some way the prejudiced man but his condition as a prisoner at the hands of inept and dangerous people opens his eyes to what makes someone the better of others.
Event upon event bring them together, standing close and only counting on one another in the storm. It brings them closer, reinforcing their feelings, deepening them.
But will love be enough when others are set on destroying them, greed threatening Darcy’s assets and shame Lizzy’s name.
This fantastic moving read, with a Jane Eyre gothic touch, leaves you emotionally drained, with angst fits at the injustice of Darcy’s treatment and ire at Lizzy’s ill use by her family with no one never standing up for her, the author skillfully knits references from the original piece into her storyline, mingling the old with the new, laced with epiphanies, grand declarations and gestures, groveling and ardent statement of love.
My only disappointment is Lizzy’s father never got his due comeuppance when Darcy’s relatives will have only to learn to do without him and his fortune, I’m a probably a bloodthirsty being but I wanted Mr Bennet, Lady Catherine and Lord Matlock to pay for the pain they inflicted.
5 stars
𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 kisses
I have been granted an advance copy by the publisher, here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cgy_yB...
https://www.facebook.com/100048385306...
#bookstagram #historicalromance #romance #romancebookblog #romancebookblogger #bookblog #romanceauthor #bookblogger #2022read #bookstagrammer #bookreview #romancebookreviewer #arcreader #bookquote #romancestagram #readersofinstagram
July 13, 2022
A Stronger Impulse is a gripping story with gothic undertones that I would definitely recommend for every JAFF lover but start it on a day when you have good angst tolerance and plenty of time to finish it in short order.
Elizabeth is not Mr. Bennet's favorite child here as he suspects she is not of his blood and can barely tolerate seeing her. In this story, Bingley and Jane are married, Darcy wasn't feeling himself at the time and he did not interfere in their courtship. He had proposed at Meryton but Elizabeth didn't take him seriously and just laughed at him. When she refuses to marry Collins her mother gets angry too and she is unceremoniously thrown out of Longbourn. She travels to Ramsgate with an acquaintance and meets Miss Darcy. Something is very wrong at the Darcy household as Darcy has suffered an apoplexy when he found out about Wickham and is unable to speak properly. His relatives have dubbed him mad, the earl and the countess are scheming to gain control of his life and finances, as well as Georgiana, and his caretakers seem to be doing more harm than good. Elizabeth and Georgiana get Lady Catherine to help them but this is a bigger catastrophe as Anne's doctor is more likely to cause death by torture than to effect a cure. It seems hopeless as Darcy is well guarded but a cunning plan combined with a stroke of luck allow Elizabeth to escape with him. She nurses him to back to health and realizes she loves him. His speech is still affected but eventually she manages to understand him most of the time. However, it seems like they can never be together as lovers. Finally, the story culminates at Netherfield Park. The Bingleys are throwing a ball and several plot threads unwind there, involving Elizabeth's family troubles, Darcy's relatives, Wickham, and our dear couple's future.
Regarding Darcy's apoplexy, apparently he suffered a stroke and got aphasia. He has trouble speaking, understanding speech, reading and writing, and when he attempts to say something it frequently comes out as cursing instead. I have some aphasia related experience and for the most part this seemed a pretty good description. Our brain processes emotionally charged phrases such as curse words somewhat differently so it is possible that this kind of language emerges even when the person does not mean to curse and never used to do so before, although most aphasic people who curse a lot that I've known used rather more profane and stereotypical language and Darcy's cursing is quite varied and quaint in comparison. Some of his speech is quite halting, one word at a time, and sometimes he speaks more fluently, which is not uncommon, it can vary depending on fatigue and other factors. He has an easier time to recite familiar poetry and can quote several passages from memory, more fluently than his regular speech. This is a real phenomenon with some aphasic patients who struggle to create meaningful sentences from scratch but can recite nursery rhymes or song lyrics and other overlearned content. His knowledge seems quite excessive but benefits of extensive reading I guess. Supposing he'd read or heard those passages often enough to memorize them, it could be plausible, which is lucky for him as poetry is the food of love, right?
Speaking of food of love, I liked the way Austenian references are used here, not a ton of verbatim quotes but occasionally the author throws in a phrase or an idea that strikes the reader as familiar and spins it around in a new way. The language is beautiful and it's flawlessly edited.
Steam level: Kissing. Marital delights are implied but not illustrated.
I received a free copy of this story and this is a voluntary review.
TL;DR: Contains one tortured Darcy. Like, literally.
Elizabeth is not Mr. Bennet's favorite child here as he suspects she is not of his blood and can barely tolerate seeing her. In this story, Bingley and Jane are married, Darcy wasn't feeling himself at the time and he did not interfere in their courtship. He had proposed at Meryton but Elizabeth didn't take him seriously and just laughed at him. When she refuses to marry Collins her mother gets angry too and she is unceremoniously thrown out of Longbourn. She travels to Ramsgate with an acquaintance and meets Miss Darcy. Something is very wrong at the Darcy household as Darcy has suffered an apoplexy when he found out about Wickham and is unable to speak properly. His relatives have dubbed him mad, the earl and the countess are scheming to gain control of his life and finances, as well as Georgiana, and his caretakers seem to be doing more harm than good. Elizabeth and Georgiana get Lady Catherine to help them but this is a bigger catastrophe as Anne's doctor is more likely to cause death by torture than to effect a cure. It seems hopeless as Darcy is well guarded but a cunning plan combined with a stroke of luck allow Elizabeth to escape with him. She nurses him to back to health and realizes she loves him. His speech is still affected but eventually she manages to understand him most of the time. However, it seems like they can never be together as lovers. Finally, the story culminates at Netherfield Park. The Bingleys are throwing a ball and several plot threads unwind there, involving Elizabeth's family troubles, Darcy's relatives, Wickham, and our dear couple's future.
Regarding Darcy's apoplexy, apparently he suffered a stroke and got aphasia. He has trouble speaking, understanding speech, reading and writing, and when he attempts to say something it frequently comes out as cursing instead. I have some aphasia related experience and for the most part this seemed a pretty good description. Our brain processes emotionally charged phrases such as curse words somewhat differently so it is possible that this kind of language emerges even when the person does not mean to curse and never used to do so before, although most aphasic people who curse a lot that I've known used rather more profane and stereotypical language and Darcy's cursing is quite varied and quaint in comparison. Some of his speech is quite halting, one word at a time, and sometimes he speaks more fluently, which is not uncommon, it can vary depending on fatigue and other factors. He has an easier time to recite familiar poetry and can quote several passages from memory, more fluently than his regular speech. This is a real phenomenon with some aphasic patients who struggle to create meaningful sentences from scratch but can recite nursery rhymes or song lyrics and other overlearned content. His knowledge seems quite excessive but benefits of extensive reading I guess. Supposing he'd read or heard those passages often enough to memorize them, it could be plausible, which is lucky for him as poetry is the food of love, right?
Speaking of food of love, I liked the way Austenian references are used here, not a ton of verbatim quotes but occasionally the author throws in a phrase or an idea that strikes the reader as familiar and spins it around in a new way. The language is beautiful and it's flawlessly edited.
Steam level: Kissing. Marital delights are implied but not illustrated.
I received a free copy of this story and this is a voluntary review.
TL;DR: Contains one tortured Darcy. Like, literally.
August 11, 2022
Ugh!!
Didn't even finish the book. Please stop calling stories like this a "variation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice" when absolutely nothing resembles anything from that wonderful book. What a joke! as Lydia would say! First of all, and most importantly, our dear couple, Darcy and Elizabeth, are completely different. Elizabeth is a red head with green eyes. Of course Darcy is handsome, but given the circumstances of the storyline, he's not our beloved Darcy at all. The Bennetts, the Gardiners, the Matlocks, the DeBourghs, all different. It is Regency era, and the locations are borrowed, but that's about it.
Elizabeth, for some reason, is the black sheep in her family (maybe because she has red hair?) . She refuses Mr Collins ' marriage proposal, and gets kicked out, and no one is willing to intercede on her behalf. She goes to Ramsgate with Harriet Long, who also treats Elizabeth pretty shabbily (why?), and eventually Elizabeth meets Georgiana Darcy. Darcy, who has had an apoplexy upon discovering Georgiana with Wickham at Ramsgate, can't communicate properly with people , so the Matlocks decide to take advantage of the situation and declare him insane, and he's shackled to his bed and kept prisoner away from Georgiana. Georgiana doesn't know what to do, and turns to Elizabeth for comfort. Elizabeth, who doesn't like Darcy, finally discovers his situation, and tries to help both Darcy and Georgiana.
Julie Cooper is a competent writer, I must acknowledge that. However, if you are going to ride the coattails of Jane Austen and Pride and Prejudice, I feel as if you must at least retain the integrity of the major characters. In my opinion, it's akin to a sacrilege to have characters like these, in a story like this one, and try to relate it to Austen's creation. Just write your own independent work, and have done with it. For shame!
I very much enjoy JAFF, and P&P variations in particular. I realize that an author can vary anything they want, in any way that they want. I have read and enjoyed several of this author's other creations, which is why I pre-ordered this one. About a third of the way into the story, the storyline was getting more and more depressing, and more and more ridiculous. I just couldn't take anymore. The book is well written and well edited. However, I just can't recommend it.
Didn't even finish the book. Please stop calling stories like this a "variation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice" when absolutely nothing resembles anything from that wonderful book. What a joke! as Lydia would say! First of all, and most importantly, our dear couple, Darcy and Elizabeth, are completely different. Elizabeth is a red head with green eyes. Of course Darcy is handsome, but given the circumstances of the storyline, he's not our beloved Darcy at all. The Bennetts, the Gardiners, the Matlocks, the DeBourghs, all different. It is Regency era, and the locations are borrowed, but that's about it.
Elizabeth, for some reason, is the black sheep in her family (maybe because she has red hair?) . She refuses Mr Collins ' marriage proposal, and gets kicked out, and no one is willing to intercede on her behalf. She goes to Ramsgate with Harriet Long, who also treats Elizabeth pretty shabbily (why?), and eventually Elizabeth meets Georgiana Darcy. Darcy, who has had an apoplexy upon discovering Georgiana with Wickham at Ramsgate, can't communicate properly with people , so the Matlocks decide to take advantage of the situation and declare him insane, and he's shackled to his bed and kept prisoner away from Georgiana. Georgiana doesn't know what to do, and turns to Elizabeth for comfort. Elizabeth, who doesn't like Darcy, finally discovers his situation, and tries to help both Darcy and Georgiana.
Julie Cooper is a competent writer, I must acknowledge that. However, if you are going to ride the coattails of Jane Austen and Pride and Prejudice, I feel as if you must at least retain the integrity of the major characters. In my opinion, it's akin to a sacrilege to have characters like these, in a story like this one, and try to relate it to Austen's creation. Just write your own independent work, and have done with it. For shame!
I very much enjoy JAFF, and P&P variations in particular. I realize that an author can vary anything they want, in any way that they want. I have read and enjoyed several of this author's other creations, which is why I pre-ordered this one. About a third of the way into the story, the storyline was getting more and more depressing, and more and more ridiculous. I just couldn't take anymore. The book is well written and well edited. However, I just can't recommend it.
August 8, 2022
Could not put it down...it was excellent....loved this tory arc...omg I waited and was so worth the wait
October 25, 2022
This tale finds our hero betrayed and tortured by family but eventually loved by an emotionally abused heroine. To be truthful I had a difficult time reading this story. Nothing graphic depicted but the emotions behind it were deep and disturbing for myself. I guess I'm just a sucker for the fluffy but the deep character development is always a much loved challenge. Darcy and Elizabeth were exposed in a very different way than any other variation I've ever read...of which are so many there is no possible way to tally up a sum. I believe this is what kept me powering through. A well written tale. Deeply emotional. The story is well worth the experience. Give it a go and see a completely different "depiction" of a much beloved couple. You won't be disappointed.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 9, 2022
Keep the Characters, Change the Scenery
If you've read 3 or 4 hundred of these variations, chances are that you love Darcy or fantasize yourself to be Elizabeth or some percentage combination of both. The beauty of Ms. Cooper's stories is that they build on what we all love too. She loves these characters enough to tweak the situations while giving us the best of Austen's creations. The descriptions of Darcy herein, in these very worst of situations, still make a romance reader's mouth water, and her Elizabeths are always extraordinary without being farcical. This is a "Couldn't Put It Down" volume. Enjoy all 5 Stars!
If you've read 3 or 4 hundred of these variations, chances are that you love Darcy or fantasize yourself to be Elizabeth or some percentage combination of both. The beauty of Ms. Cooper's stories is that they build on what we all love too. She loves these characters enough to tweak the situations while giving us the best of Austen's creations. The descriptions of Darcy herein, in these very worst of situations, still make a romance reader's mouth water, and her Elizabeths are always extraordinary without being farcical. This is a "Couldn't Put It Down" volume. Enjoy all 5 Stars!
December 28, 2022
5++ stars! What a wonderful book! This author is quickly becoming one of my favorites. I loved this pig headed, proud, arrogant and oh so vulnerable Darcy and the delightful, overly abused but brave Elizabeth. I made the mistake of starting this book late in the evening and believe me, I couldn't sleep because I couldn't put the book down. It captures you from the beginning and doesn't let go till the end. Every twist and turn and villainy keeps you riveted to the pages and the end was all the more sweeter for it. Looo....oved it!
August 6, 2022
Powerfully romantic and beautifully written
Another masterful creation by Julie Cooper, this story takes a firm hold of the reader from the start and does not let go until long after the final page has been read.
This book has a very unique plot and takes the reader in directions which they will not have explored before in the genre of Austenesque literature. The précis gives a good summary of the plot and I have not expanded on that in this review. However the plot, despite being remarkably well constructed is not the centre of this book. This is a deep exploration of the impact of damage and pain, both physical and emotional and the impact it has on those experiencing it. This story tells of the most powerful romance and depth of love.
Darcy is the strong and powerful man of Jane Austen’s creation but he has been cut down physically and is completely at the mercy of others for all his needs. At a time when he most needs his relations they let him down badly in a shocking self-serving manner with only his young sister Georgiana, herself damaged, remaining true.
Elizabeth is not loved by her father, instead he despises her. Her mother and sisters love her very imperfectly and with minimal impact on their own lives and plans. The self-reliance she has to develop at Longbourn gives her the strength she needs to defend and support Darcy and Georgiana in their difficulties.
Out of the smouldering ashes of their combined damage and pain rises the most beautiful phoenix of love between Darcy and Elizabeth and a determination to survive and thrive. The depth of love for one another displayed by Darcy and Elizabeth is exquisite even when it seems it cannot be fulfilled. The introspection of them both as they consider how and if they can be together is extremely well portrayed.
Georgiana is a wonderful addition to this story. Her brokenness is tenderly repaired by her friendship with Elizabeth giving her the courage she needs to stand up for what is right. This friendship between two vulnerable and lonely young women is delightful.
This is a must-read for long-term fans of the field and new readers alike.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Another masterful creation by Julie Cooper, this story takes a firm hold of the reader from the start and does not let go until long after the final page has been read.
This book has a very unique plot and takes the reader in directions which they will not have explored before in the genre of Austenesque literature. The précis gives a good summary of the plot and I have not expanded on that in this review. However the plot, despite being remarkably well constructed is not the centre of this book. This is a deep exploration of the impact of damage and pain, both physical and emotional and the impact it has on those experiencing it. This story tells of the most powerful romance and depth of love.
Darcy is the strong and powerful man of Jane Austen’s creation but he has been cut down physically and is completely at the mercy of others for all his needs. At a time when he most needs his relations they let him down badly in a shocking self-serving manner with only his young sister Georgiana, herself damaged, remaining true.
Elizabeth is not loved by her father, instead he despises her. Her mother and sisters love her very imperfectly and with minimal impact on their own lives and plans. The self-reliance she has to develop at Longbourn gives her the strength she needs to defend and support Darcy and Georgiana in their difficulties.
Out of the smouldering ashes of their combined damage and pain rises the most beautiful phoenix of love between Darcy and Elizabeth and a determination to survive and thrive. The depth of love for one another displayed by Darcy and Elizabeth is exquisite even when it seems it cannot be fulfilled. The introspection of them both as they consider how and if they can be together is extremely well portrayed.
Georgiana is a wonderful addition to this story. Her brokenness is tenderly repaired by her friendship with Elizabeth giving her the courage she needs to stand up for what is right. This friendship between two vulnerable and lonely young women is delightful.
This is a must-read for long-term fans of the field and new readers alike.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 11, 2022
Wow! What a fantastic book! So much happens, but it is fascinating and I literally stayed up all night to finish it.
Things are very different in this story in many ways. And yet, there are so many parallels to the canon Pride and Prejudice strategically woven into this story. Mr. Bennet was a terrible person in this story, which took a bit of getting used to, but it was not too long before I loathed him. I both loved and hated this Elizabeth and Darcy. Georgiana was wonderful, the Earl and Countess of Matlock were rather evil, and Lady Catherine was beyond evil. Mr. Gardiner was wonderful when he finally came into the picture.
The development of the love between Elizabeth and Darcy was great to watch, although frustrating because even after Elizabeth saves his life, he can't see beyond his own pride of his position in society. The difficulty of Darcy's suffering and re-learning to speak was expressed very well. I think the best part was the relationship between Elizabeth and Georgiana, and how much Georgiana grows because of it. The difficulty of Darcy's speech was expressed very well.
My favorite quote, very near the end, when Darcy has some anxiety over the possibility of his suffering another apoplexy, and Elizabeth says: “Let us hold no rehearsals for some possible, imagined future tragedy. We will look at what we have here and now, right in front of us, and rejoice instead.” Such a lovely sentiment, and so true.
I highly recommend this book!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Things are very different in this story in many ways. And yet, there are so many parallels to the canon Pride and Prejudice strategically woven into this story. Mr. Bennet was a terrible person in this story, which took a bit of getting used to, but it was not too long before I loathed him. I both loved and hated this Elizabeth and Darcy. Georgiana was wonderful, the Earl and Countess of Matlock were rather evil, and Lady Catherine was beyond evil. Mr. Gardiner was wonderful when he finally came into the picture.
The development of the love between Elizabeth and Darcy was great to watch, although frustrating because even after Elizabeth saves his life, he can't see beyond his own pride of his position in society. The difficulty of Darcy's suffering and re-learning to speak was expressed very well. I think the best part was the relationship between Elizabeth and Georgiana, and how much Georgiana grows because of it. The difficulty of Darcy's speech was expressed very well.
My favorite quote, very near the end, when Darcy has some anxiety over the possibility of his suffering another apoplexy, and Elizabeth says: “Let us hold no rehearsals for some possible, imagined future tragedy. We will look at what we have here and now, right in front of us, and rejoice instead.” Such a lovely sentiment, and so true.
I highly recommend this book!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 9, 2022
I always look forward to reading Julie Cooper's books. They are always well-written with interesting story lines. This one did not disappoint. The book "blub" gives you a good idea about the story's topic. However, it does not do justice how well the story is written. Note that some of the scenes, which portray the realities of medicine during this time period, have some graphic descriptions.
For those that like close to canon stories, this is not for you. This is unique story from many perspectives. ***Note some minor spoilers ahead.
Elizabeth's back story is much different. How she is treated amongst the Bennet family is very different and impacts her actions and reactions laters in the story. I really enjoyed reading about this Elizabeth as well as Darcy. The parts of the story from his perspective after his apoplexy were heartbreaking in places.
Many of the same villains are present. Some have their hearts in the right place, but others are just plain despicable and greedy.
Darcy and Elizabeth get their happy every after, but even the epilogue will tug at the heart strings as they never forget the difficulties they already face as well as the unknown future.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
For those that like close to canon stories, this is not for you. This is unique story from many perspectives. ***Note some minor spoilers ahead.
Elizabeth's back story is much different. How she is treated amongst the Bennet family is very different and impacts her actions and reactions laters in the story. I really enjoyed reading about this Elizabeth as well as Darcy. The parts of the story from his perspective after his apoplexy were heartbreaking in places.
Many of the same villains are present. Some have their hearts in the right place, but others are just plain despicable and greedy.
Darcy and Elizabeth get their happy every after, but even the epilogue will tug at the heart strings as they never forget the difficulties they already face as well as the unknown future.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 15, 2022
After proposing to Elizabeth Bennet and being rejected, Mr. Darcy goes to Ramsgate and is surprised to find his sister Georgiana in Mr. Wickham's arms.
He suffers a stroke, which seriously compromises his ability to communicate with others.
In the meantime, Elizabeth Bennett finds herself without a home after being "invited" to leave Longbourn for rejecting Mr. Collins and with the help of Lydia manages to go to Ramsgate and temporarily shelter as her sister's friend house, while she looks for a way to survive.
She accidentally encounters an isolated, depressed, deprived of contact with her brother and guilt-ridden Georgiana, whom Elizabeth accidentally meets and tries to help, ultimately finding a Mr. Darcy at the mercy of relatives who try to justify him as insane or incapable intend to take possession of the Darcy´s fortune.
From there, Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy, along with Georgiana, will have to deal with illness, scarcity of financial resources, charlatans, greedy and controlling people, seeking with willpower, intelligence and creativity to rescue and maintain their physical and even mental integrity, in an approach that differs from the many variations of Pride and Prejudice that I've read.
I loved! And I will read it again soon.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
He suffers a stroke, which seriously compromises his ability to communicate with others.
In the meantime, Elizabeth Bennett finds herself without a home after being "invited" to leave Longbourn for rejecting Mr. Collins and with the help of Lydia manages to go to Ramsgate and temporarily shelter as her sister's friend house, while she looks for a way to survive.
She accidentally encounters an isolated, depressed, deprived of contact with her brother and guilt-ridden Georgiana, whom Elizabeth accidentally meets and tries to help, ultimately finding a Mr. Darcy at the mercy of relatives who try to justify him as insane or incapable intend to take possession of the Darcy´s fortune.
From there, Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy, along with Georgiana, will have to deal with illness, scarcity of financial resources, charlatans, greedy and controlling people, seeking with willpower, intelligence and creativity to rescue and maintain their physical and even mental integrity, in an approach that differs from the many variations of Pride and Prejudice that I've read.
I loved! And I will read it again soon.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 16, 2024
Questa variazione comprende una trama particolare, che si discosta molto da quella del romanzo originale. Si vede un Darcy molto molto in difficoltà che rischia perfino la morte anche a causa delle iniziative dei suoi famigliari. E si vede una Lizzy che fa di tutto per lui. Belle le dinamiche fra i due, belli i momenti che passano insieme in cui lei si prodiga oer salvarlo. Tuttavia un paio di cose mi lasciano perplessa: la dinamica famigliare dei Bennet completamente stravolta e ... I capelli rossi di Elizabeth! Comprendo che sia una variazione e quindi si cerchi di modificare tutto, ma alcuni punti fermi del romanzo a mio avviso devono rimanere. Il carattere dei protagonisti , per esempio, non capisco come possa essere stravolto in questo modo. In una variazione si cerca comunque di ritrovare dei personaggi conosciuti che sono, praticamente, diventati amici del lettore. Quando si discostano troppo dall'originale mi sembra che non siano più loro e che lo scrittore avrebbe potuto anche inventarsi personaggi propri invece di usare quelli della Austen! Quindi non mi sono piaciuti né il signor Bennet, né le sorelle Bennet e neppure la mamma.
La prima parte del romanzo, fino quando erano insieme a Brighton, l'ho trovata molto avvincente, da quando Lizzy é tornata a casa con Jane, ho trovato un calo di tensione e il loro incontro finale mi é parso decisamente troppo affrettato.
La prima parte del romanzo, fino quando erano insieme a Brighton, l'ho trovata molto avvincente, da quando Lizzy é tornata a casa con Jane, ho trovato un calo di tensione e il loro incontro finale mi é parso decisamente troppo affrettato.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 3, 2024
I loved it!
It’s a very interesting and beautiful story that is well written with an excellent plot. I read it in one sitting since I couldn’t put it down. The characters are deep, the story is intricate, and the flow of text carries you through with bated breath. I loved Nameless and this is another great novel. This plot is very different than P&P, though, which I personally like, because it’s fresh but contains the characters we love with their unique personalities. This story is as much about Darcy’s stroke and his treatments (or lack thereof, in the hands of his family) and healing, as it is about Lizzy not being accepted at home by an implacable and resentful Mr Bennet because she is supposedly not his real daughter, that’s really why she was expelled from home upon her refusal of Mr Collins for she was never really seen as belonging. I highly recommend it to everyone!
It’s a very interesting and beautiful story that is well written with an excellent plot. I read it in one sitting since I couldn’t put it down. The characters are deep, the story is intricate, and the flow of text carries you through with bated breath. I loved Nameless and this is another great novel. This plot is very different than P&P, though, which I personally like, because it’s fresh but contains the characters we love with their unique personalities. This story is as much about Darcy’s stroke and his treatments (or lack thereof, in the hands of his family) and healing, as it is about Lizzy not being accepted at home by an implacable and resentful Mr Bennet because she is supposedly not his real daughter, that’s really why she was expelled from home upon her refusal of Mr Collins for she was never really seen as belonging. I highly recommend it to everyone!
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