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Meet Your Mark
In a world where one may choose a soul mark on their thirteenth birthday, Elizabeth Bennet chooses to be marked. That doesn't mean her soulmate is happy about it.
Fitzwilliam Darcy is certain he knows better than Fate. Until his life turns upside down and he meets an impertinent lady in Hertfordshire.
With Fate in charge, who knows what will happen?
Fitzwilliam Darcy is certain he knows better than Fate. Until his life turns upside down and he meets an impertinent lady in Hertfordshire.
With Fate in charge, who knows what will happen?
154 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 21, 2022
109 people are currently reading
137 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Adams
27 books301 followersElizabeth Adams is a book-loving, tango-dancing, Austen enthusiast. She loves old houses and thinks birthdays should be celebrated with trips—as should most occasions. She can often be found by a sunny window with a cup of hot tea and a book in her hand.
She writes romantic comedy and comedic tragedy in both historic and modern settings.
You can find more information, short stories, and outtakes at eadamswrites.com
She writes romantic comedy and comedic tragedy in both historic and modern settings.
You can find more information, short stories, and outtakes at eadamswrites.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
November 20, 2022
The story description wraps it up tightly. Elizabeth choses to have her soulmate marked on her body; while Fitzwilliam Darcy chooses to follow his family's tradition to not be marked. When choosing a mark that person's soulmate will also be marked whether they desire so or not. So it is that when a mark...rather a large mark...shows up on Darcy he is not at all happy. (The marks also have the initials of their soulmate in small letters to help identify that person.)
As the marks are usually bestowed during a ceremony at age 13 it may be years before those people find each other, although not always. Mary is the only one among the Bennet girls to choose not to have a mark. This story gives us various couples and how it all worked out for them: mark or no mark. We are even given a background for Mr. and Mrs. Bennet coming together.
Elizabeth's mark takes up a large portion of her back and shoulder and so she only wears gowns which covers all or most of her mark. Thus, when Darcy comes to Netherfield with Bingley and finds himself drawn to Elizabeth he questions whether there is someone else who is his true mate despite his feelings for Elizabeth. He sees no mark on her.
Wickham is not a part of this story although we do have Collins coming to Longbourn looking for a bride.
I enjoyed this story which did keep me turning pages.
As the marks are usually bestowed during a ceremony at age 13 it may be years before those people find each other, although not always. Mary is the only one among the Bennet girls to choose not to have a mark. This story gives us various couples and how it all worked out for them: mark or no mark. We are even given a background for Mr. and Mrs. Bennet coming together.
Elizabeth's mark takes up a large portion of her back and shoulder and so she only wears gowns which covers all or most of her mark. Thus, when Darcy comes to Netherfield with Bingley and finds himself drawn to Elizabeth he questions whether there is someone else who is his true mate despite his feelings for Elizabeth. He sees no mark on her.
Wickham is not a part of this story although we do have Collins coming to Longbourn looking for a bride.
I enjoyed this story which did keep me turning pages.
October 27, 2022
5+ Really enjoyed it. Light hearted and fun, but with good interest and action. A bit of a fluff piece. Really low angst and no villains but still creative, intriguing and fast paced.
November 4, 2022
Soul marks
A magical/religious world. When young you can have fate put a mark on you which will show up also on your soulmate. Hmmmm.
So what in the universe are fates? Are they breading us? They seem to get upset if you get in their way. Do we not have free will. If we do, who watches the watcher?
A novella that comes with a brand new philosophy.
A magical/religious world. When young you can have fate put a mark on you which will show up also on your soulmate. Hmmmm.
So what in the universe are fates? Are they breading us? They seem to get upset if you get in their way. Do we not have free will. If we do, who watches the watcher?
A novella that comes with a brand new philosophy.
October 29, 2022
Superb, original light-hearted variation
A lovely, original variation capturing all of our P&P favorites with a few more well-written add-ins. The uniqueness of the story arc had me complete the novella in one sitting. Well, well done!
A lovely, original variation capturing all of our P&P favorites with a few more well-written add-ins. The uniqueness of the story arc had me complete the novella in one sitting. Well, well done!
October 25, 2022
Very little angst, but a wonderful easy read. It takes place in a world where you can choose at 13 to accept a soul mark from the Fates. The corresponding person gets a mark whether they agreed or not. The challenge can be finding the person. Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy are soulmates, but they first must find each to begin their happily ever after.
October 25, 2022
I’m on vacation this week and read this in one sitting -and lost sleep. Loved it.
October 2, 2023
A very lovely, sweet, low angst story. Absolutely adorable.
October 14, 2025
Simply put,
I loved it! Nothing to complain. I did however only wondered if Miss Bingley ever found anyone. 🤔
And I pitied Mr. Bennet for how he got trapped. Greedy, scheming …
I loved it! Nothing to complain. I did however only wondered if Miss Bingley ever found anyone. 🤔
And I pitied Mr. Bennet for how he got trapped. Greedy, scheming …
December 13, 2022
Half way into chapter one and I couldn’t put it down
This is the best Soulmate story I’ve read. It’s the Pride and Prejudice story with more than several twists but all believable. And joyfully no Wickham or Lady Catherine. This was one of Adams’s stories I most wish for a sequel. But it ends beautifully anyway, there’s a happy ending for almost everyone. That’s why I want a sequel. Please Elizabeth?
What can you say about a Soulmate story that most readers will not already anticipate? If I say anything else about the plot it would spoil it. I just loved it. It’s going to be on my reread shelf for good. It’s a must read for JAFF fans.
This is the best Soulmate story I’ve read. It’s the Pride and Prejudice story with more than several twists but all believable. And joyfully no Wickham or Lady Catherine. This was one of Adams’s stories I most wish for a sequel. But it ends beautifully anyway, there’s a happy ending for almost everyone. That’s why I want a sequel. Please Elizabeth?
What can you say about a Soulmate story that most readers will not already anticipate? If I say anything else about the plot it would spoil it. I just loved it. It’s going to be on my reread shelf for good. It’s a must read for JAFF fans.
December 6, 2022
Between a 3 & 3.5
October 25, 2023
Loved it!
A really unusual tale! Superb descriptions, engaging dialogues and an unforgivable version of the Bennet family, especially Lydia. Thoroughly recommended!
A really unusual tale! Superb descriptions, engaging dialogues and an unforgivable version of the Bennet family, especially Lydia. Thoroughly recommended!
November 15, 2022
So light it could float away. No Pride, hardly any Prejudice everything was just too easy.
I did like all the descriptions of the various soul marks, especially Lydia’s changing one.
I did not like the loose end of Mr Bennet suddenly getting a mark five years after marriage and then it’s never mentioned again. I know it’s random but I worried about his poor soul mate. I was honestly expecting Mrs Bennet to die and him to meet her.
I did like all the descriptions of the various soul marks, especially Lydia’s changing one.
I did not like the loose end of Mr Bennet suddenly getting a mark five years after marriage and then it’s never mentioned again. I know it’s random but I worried about his poor soul mate. I was honestly expecting Mrs Bennet to die and him to meet her.
May 7, 2024
Review Published at:
https://frompemberleytomilton.wordpre...
Meet Your Mark is a cute Pride & Prejudice variation with a supernatural element. In this regency tale people may choose to receive a soul mark on their thirteenth birthday, which means their soulmate will receive a matching mark indicating that Fate believes those two people are meant to be together. The aristocracy stopped choosing to be marked because they didn’t want to risk being matched with people below their station, but Elizabeth Bennet thinks differently, and on her thirteenth birthday she chooses to go through the marking ceremony to find true love. Her soulmate, Fitzwilliam Darcy, is not happy to see that a mark starts appearing on him, but Fate is never wrong, and as soon as he meets Elizabeth Bennet, he knows she is different than any other woman he has ever met.
This is a short book, but I absolutely loved it and could not stop reading it. I loved the entire background story concerning the soul marks, how they work, and I especially loved seeing each person’s connection with their soul mark. All Bennet family members faced different situations and dealt with them in their own way which carved their personalities. The marks they received, or did not receive, altered their behavior because the marks changed their circumstances and backgrounds, therefore the people in this story still have the same personality traits, but are somewhat a bit more moderate.
I loved how Lydia’s mark was special and how it helped her redeem herself and become a better person, how Kitty’s premature mark allowed her to develop her own pastime and establish a connection to her elder sisters, and I loved Mary’s fate and the outcome she had because she did not receive a mark. It felt like every single character had the mark they needed to become the person they needed to be to achieve happiness. Even Georgiana’s storyline was interesting and demonstrated there is more to the soul marks society than people originally though.
The differences the soul marks created in the characters behaviors also altered their relationships, and I loved the dynamics that were developed in this book. The closer connection between Mr. Bennet and Lydia, the playful friendship between Kitty and Elizabeth, and even the estrangement between Mr. Bennet and Mrs. Bennet was interestingly explained by the soul marks. I loved how every single aspect of the storyline was intrinsically connected to the characters personalities and fates.
Another aspect of this book I truly loved were the flirtatious dialogues between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth, Elizabeth Adams as a way with words that makes us feel exactly what the main characters are feeling, and she made me vibrate with Darcy and Elizabeth in their encounter by the billiard table at Netherfield.
The humor was another detail that made me love this book, Meet Your Mark is incredibly well written and extremely funny in an effortless and classy manner. Kitty was a particularly funny character, and I would love to have seen her character and her soul mate a little bit more explored at the end of the story, just as I would love to know more about Mr. Bennet’s mark, which means this book asks for a sequel to be written!
Elizabeth Adams is an incredible writer, and she did an amazing job with this book which is a light, funny but also exciting romance between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet. The world building was so well executed that I felt I was there with the characters, and in fact I wanted to continue there with them for much longer. I highly recommend this book to all readers.
https://frompemberleytomilton.wordpre...
Meet Your Mark is a cute Pride & Prejudice variation with a supernatural element. In this regency tale people may choose to receive a soul mark on their thirteenth birthday, which means their soulmate will receive a matching mark indicating that Fate believes those two people are meant to be together. The aristocracy stopped choosing to be marked because they didn’t want to risk being matched with people below their station, but Elizabeth Bennet thinks differently, and on her thirteenth birthday she chooses to go through the marking ceremony to find true love. Her soulmate, Fitzwilliam Darcy, is not happy to see that a mark starts appearing on him, but Fate is never wrong, and as soon as he meets Elizabeth Bennet, he knows she is different than any other woman he has ever met.
This is a short book, but I absolutely loved it and could not stop reading it. I loved the entire background story concerning the soul marks, how they work, and I especially loved seeing each person’s connection with their soul mark. All Bennet family members faced different situations and dealt with them in their own way which carved their personalities. The marks they received, or did not receive, altered their behavior because the marks changed their circumstances and backgrounds, therefore the people in this story still have the same personality traits, but are somewhat a bit more moderate.
I loved how Lydia’s mark was special and how it helped her redeem herself and become a better person, how Kitty’s premature mark allowed her to develop her own pastime and establish a connection to her elder sisters, and I loved Mary’s fate and the outcome she had because she did not receive a mark. It felt like every single character had the mark they needed to become the person they needed to be to achieve happiness. Even Georgiana’s storyline was interesting and demonstrated there is more to the soul marks society than people originally though.
The differences the soul marks created in the characters behaviors also altered their relationships, and I loved the dynamics that were developed in this book. The closer connection between Mr. Bennet and Lydia, the playful friendship between Kitty and Elizabeth, and even the estrangement between Mr. Bennet and Mrs. Bennet was interestingly explained by the soul marks. I loved how every single aspect of the storyline was intrinsically connected to the characters personalities and fates.
Another aspect of this book I truly loved were the flirtatious dialogues between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth, Elizabeth Adams as a way with words that makes us feel exactly what the main characters are feeling, and she made me vibrate with Darcy and Elizabeth in their encounter by the billiard table at Netherfield.
The humor was another detail that made me love this book, Meet Your Mark is incredibly well written and extremely funny in an effortless and classy manner. Kitty was a particularly funny character, and I would love to have seen her character and her soul mate a little bit more explored at the end of the story, just as I would love to know more about Mr. Bennet’s mark, which means this book asks for a sequel to be written!
Elizabeth Adams is an incredible writer, and she did an amazing job with this book which is a light, funny but also exciting romance between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet. The world building was so well executed that I felt I was there with the characters, and in fact I wanted to continue there with them for much longer. I highly recommend this book to all readers.
October 16, 2023
I have enjoyed the books in this series of paranormal or fantasy variations on Pride and Prejudice, and this one has a fun premise concerning the colorful marks people can either choose to get at the age of thirteen in order to help them find their soul mate, or even if they don't choose, may receive because their soul mate chose to receive a mark. When a mark appears, it can appear anywhere on the person's body and usually is an image relating to the situation or personality of the soul mate, and usually even contains initials or a name. I kept thinking of tattoos while reading the descriptions, except that these were not designed by people but Fate. Some are quite unusual in appearance, or have properties people don't expect. Some are tiny, and some cover a large portion of the person's body. The people who have them can more easily find a true and lasting love, but in recent decades many of the upper classes who want to keep marriages among the first circles or among wealthy landowners have chosen not to get the marks, because love doesn't enter into their choices.
The novella is fascinating in its world building, with extensive explanations of how the marks work, and the reasons people might choose or not choose one. But I felt there were some plot holes, or at least aspects that couldn't be filled in in such a short book. I especially wanted more about what became of Mr. Bennet and Lydia.
I also found that if you want romance, this isn't the book to choose, because the marks made the romance necessarily abbreviated. People found their mates so easily that it seemed that there was no mystery left in building the relationships, and that fell kind of flat for me.
But I still recommend this as an enjoyable fantasy, and I like that the author has experimented with so many different ideas for her stories.
The novella is fascinating in its world building, with extensive explanations of how the marks work, and the reasons people might choose or not choose one. But I felt there were some plot holes, or at least aspects that couldn't be filled in in such a short book. I especially wanted more about what became of Mr. Bennet and Lydia.
I also found that if you want romance, this isn't the book to choose, because the marks made the romance necessarily abbreviated. People found their mates so easily that it seemed that there was no mystery left in building the relationships, and that fell kind of flat for me.
But I still recommend this as an enjoyable fantasy, and I like that the author has experimented with so many different ideas for her stories.
October 31, 2022
Love the idea but the book seemed rushed to me.
October 23, 2022
Well written, but a short, simple tale. It felt like a short story rather than a book, and the plot was minimal and tensions very easily resolved.
September 27, 2025
another Adams paranormal-twists stories.
There're a few soulmarks works on AO3 but most of them aren't finsihed and 1 (or was it 2?) that were I didn't like.
The idea of this was interesting and I thought it was fun how people basically kept matchmaking service over the post and would write to their friends "my man, I've met a woman who is reported to have a mark similar to yours!". I enjoyed the text deviations when the narration spoke of Fate.
The romance and the characters were not to my liking at all, though
2.5 stars
There're a few soulmarks works on AO3 but most of them aren't finsihed and 1 (or was it 2?) that were I didn't like.
The idea of this was interesting and I thought it was fun how people basically kept matchmaking service over the post and would write to their friends "my man, I've met a woman who is reported to have a mark similar to yours!". I enjoyed the text deviations when the narration spoke of Fate.
The romance and the characters were not to my liking at all, though
2.5 stars
November 20, 2022
Short, fun & zero angst. While I understand it is a novella & meant as a quick read, I don’t think that’s an excuse for the sometimes almost informative feel of the story. Less like a story & more like a report, listing facts instead of weaving them into a story. It could have been much better to add a little length & make it more story like in my opinion, if any of that makes sense.
December 4, 2022
En realidad es un 4.25
Me gustó mucho esta versión de Orgullo y Prejuicio.
La historia es cortita pero tranquila y disfrutable, yo no paré de leer hasta que lo terminé.
Si buscas una lectura amena, rosa y sin nada de angst, este libro es para ti.
Me gustó mucho esta versión de Orgullo y Prejuicio.
La historia es cortita pero tranquila y disfrutable, yo no paré de leer hasta que lo terminé.
Si buscas una lectura amena, rosa y sin nada de angst, este libro es para ti.
January 23, 2023
This was a very quick read but a clever take on the soul mark trope. I rather liked it, and the implications of what it meant to take the mark. There is a whole societal nuance there that could be fleshed out. But the tattoo aspect of it was fun, just wish the book was a little longer.
My biggest complaint, or rather the glaring error to me, is the fact that Mrs. Gardiner grew up in Lambton so wouldn't she recognize Pemberley on Elizabeth and immediately know it was Mr. Darcy?
My biggest complaint, or rather the glaring error to me, is the fact that Mrs. Gardiner grew up in Lambton so wouldn't she recognize Pemberley on Elizabeth and immediately know it was Mr. Darcy?
October 26, 2022
Loved it what a great fantasy story
This was an excellent story if a fantasy twist in it . I love how it starts from thr begining of the MARK Era ...well written page Turing story which dives into a history to thr present p and p we know and love well done Elizabeth Adams I really reccomend this story it will be a reread for me
This was an excellent story if a fantasy twist in it . I love how it starts from thr begining of the MARK Era ...well written page Turing story which dives into a history to thr present p and p we know and love well done Elizabeth Adams I really reccomend this story it will be a reread for me
October 25, 2022
Another absolutely lovely and truly delightful little story about the magic of love and the quirks of Fate. I love soul mark stories and this one is an enjoyable confection to brighten your day. I’m eagerly awaiting her next book once more.
September 28, 2025
This was an interesting take on the soul mark trope. In this variation, everyone can choose whether to get a soul mark or not when they're thirteen, and the author discusses various factors that can impact their choice to get one, or not. If your ambition is to marry for wealth and status, you wouldn't necessarily want the Fate to pair you with a random poor person. You would likely be happy with your soulmate, but if you never find that person you might get sick and waste away. If you marry without a soul mark there's a very good chance that it would be an unhappy marriage, especially if one of you gets slapped with a soulmark after you married someone else for other reasons. Then it's possible that you wanted to have no soulmark, but your soulmate chooses to get one and you get saddled with a fated partner against your will. What's the ethics of that sort of thing, taking away their free will to choose their life partner?
So I liked the whole thought experiment and the various ramifications and how it might go wrong.
The romance between ODC could be more, well, more. The soul mark thingy makes it a done deal and something they both take for granted so even if young Darcy wasn't happy when Elizabeth stamped him with an itchy soulmark he is pretty happy to find her eventually. It's just a matter of finding out their marks match and none of the usual tug of war applies here.
Minor editorial misses.
So I liked the whole thought experiment and the various ramifications and how it might go wrong.
The romance between ODC could be more, well, more. The soul mark thingy makes it a done deal and something they both take for granted so even if young Darcy wasn't happy when Elizabeth stamped him with an itchy soulmark he is pretty happy to find her eventually. It's just a matter of finding out their marks match and none of the usual tug of war applies here.
Minor editorial misses.
November 21, 2022
I'm loving these books that have a bit of fantasy in them from Elizabeth Adams! I read the first one's prologue in the blog first and then got it as soon as I could, and when I saw this one I made myself time to read it.
This story is about soul-marks. I only read about it in fan fiction blogs before so the author's take on them was pretty interesting.
Elizabeth lives in a world where you get a soul mark on your 13th birthday, if you find a person with a mark that matches your own, that person is your soulmate and you are destined to love each other and spend your lives together.
Unfortunately, some people, especially from the higher classes, have decided to stop the tradition to choose fortune and connections instead of happiness (as they actually did in those days) so most of them don't get marks anymore.
Lizzy's mother didn't get a soul mark but her father had one later on, when he was already married, so her mother really regrets to not have got the mark. She knows there is a woman out there that's a match for Mr Bennet but because they never got marked at the time they should've, that woman will never find her match and Mrs Bennet will never be the destiny of her husband. That part is actually quite sad. So Mrs Bennet counsels her daughters to get marks because there might be consequences in the future.
Jane and Kitty get marks early in their lives, so Mrs Bennet is thrilled that the men that'll be their husbands have already got a mark, and these daughters will have a match, but Lizzy decides to get her mark at 13 years old, even thinking that perhaps her husband-to-be did not want to get marked. She thought it was a good thing to marry for the deepest love. Mary didn't get a mark but Lydia did, and her mark is very interesting.
Anyway, the marks provoke a change in Mrs Bennet's attitude towards her daughters' education and preparation, and even Mr Bennet spends more time with Lydia. There are masters coming to teach the girls at home, and they all learn to ride, especially Kitty, that has a horse's mark, so Mrs Bennet thinks that's essential. They turn out to be very accomplished.
Lizzy has a very big mark that's very detailed, with a landscape on her back and a tree where there are her initials and someone else's. She doesn't find the man...until later.
In the meantime, Mr Darcy got the landscape mark at around 20 and resented it a lot. He felt some "chit" out there had the audacity to get marked and forced him into an attachment that he was not happy about, but with time he starts coming to terms with it, especially because he doesn't feel attracted to any woman that he's ever met, because they are not his match.
Come the Meryton Assembly, and of course, Mr Bingley and Jane find that their marks match...but nothing is easy for ODC.
I will leave it there. I enjoyed this story very very much. Mr Darcy is so cheeky and flirty with Lizzy when he finally finds out and I love the way they come together.
I'm totally in for another of these magical stories by this author. Short and sweet! Recommended!
This story is about soul-marks. I only read about it in fan fiction blogs before so the author's take on them was pretty interesting.
Elizabeth lives in a world where you get a soul mark on your 13th birthday, if you find a person with a mark that matches your own, that person is your soulmate and you are destined to love each other and spend your lives together.
Unfortunately, some people, especially from the higher classes, have decided to stop the tradition to choose fortune and connections instead of happiness (as they actually did in those days) so most of them don't get marks anymore.
Lizzy's mother didn't get a soul mark but her father had one later on, when he was already married, so her mother really regrets to not have got the mark. She knows there is a woman out there that's a match for Mr Bennet but because they never got marked at the time they should've, that woman will never find her match and Mrs Bennet will never be the destiny of her husband. That part is actually quite sad. So Mrs Bennet counsels her daughters to get marks because there might be consequences in the future.
Jane and Kitty get marks early in their lives, so Mrs Bennet is thrilled that the men that'll be their husbands have already got a mark, and these daughters will have a match, but Lizzy decides to get her mark at 13 years old, even thinking that perhaps her husband-to-be did not want to get marked. She thought it was a good thing to marry for the deepest love. Mary didn't get a mark but Lydia did, and her mark is very interesting.
Anyway, the marks provoke a change in Mrs Bennet's attitude towards her daughters' education and preparation, and even Mr Bennet spends more time with Lydia. There are masters coming to teach the girls at home, and they all learn to ride, especially Kitty, that has a horse's mark, so Mrs Bennet thinks that's essential. They turn out to be very accomplished.
Lizzy has a very big mark that's very detailed, with a landscape on her back and a tree where there are her initials and someone else's. She doesn't find the man...until later.
In the meantime, Mr Darcy got the landscape mark at around 20 and resented it a lot. He felt some "chit" out there had the audacity to get marked and forced him into an attachment that he was not happy about, but with time he starts coming to terms with it, especially because he doesn't feel attracted to any woman that he's ever met, because they are not his match.
Come the Meryton Assembly, and of course, Mr Bingley and Jane find that their marks match...but nothing is easy for ODC.
I will leave it there. I enjoyed this story very very much. Mr Darcy is so cheeky and flirty with Lizzy when he finally finds out and I love the way they come together.
I'm totally in for another of these magical stories by this author. Short and sweet! Recommended!
December 9, 2022
Entertaining
This is a low angst, rather vanilla fanciful tale about a world in which people can opt to receive a "soul mark" on their thirteenth birthday. It's a permanent mark on the body, like a birthmark, and your perfect mate has the same mark, but you have to somehow find that person. All of the Bennett daughters, except Mary, decide to get the mark. However, many people in the upper circles of society no longer think it's fashionable to get a mark, and Darcy's family is of that opinion.
This is, I think, the third such JAFF story I've read, where there's some sort of a body mark indicating who you should marry, and it's a an interesting premise. There's the obvious problem of having no choice in who your spouse will be, and for headstrong characters like ODC, that's the convenient source for some drama. In this book, however, Fate has taken that problem out of the equation. Fate has directed, here, that when you locate the person with your matching soul mark, you'll be instantly attracted, and inevitably fall in love, as easy as that. As a result, the romance is lovely, but unfortunately, it's all rather bland and anticlimactic. I think the book could have used a bit more turmoil, just to spice things up.
This author is a wonderful writer, and the book is nicely done. I definitely recommend it as a pleasant way to pass a few hours.
This is a low angst, rather vanilla fanciful tale about a world in which people can opt to receive a "soul mark" on their thirteenth birthday. It's a permanent mark on the body, like a birthmark, and your perfect mate has the same mark, but you have to somehow find that person. All of the Bennett daughters, except Mary, decide to get the mark. However, many people in the upper circles of society no longer think it's fashionable to get a mark, and Darcy's family is of that opinion.
This is, I think, the third such JAFF story I've read, where there's some sort of a body mark indicating who you should marry, and it's a an interesting premise. There's the obvious problem of having no choice in who your spouse will be, and for headstrong characters like ODC, that's the convenient source for some drama. In this book, however, Fate has taken that problem out of the equation. Fate has directed, here, that when you locate the person with your matching soul mark, you'll be instantly attracted, and inevitably fall in love, as easy as that. As a result, the romance is lovely, but unfortunately, it's all rather bland and anticlimactic. I think the book could have used a bit more turmoil, just to spice things up.
This author is a wonderful writer, and the book is nicely done. I definitely recommend it as a pleasant way to pass a few hours.
November 8, 2022
Low-angst fantastical variation
This variation hinges on the premise that people find their soulmate and/or partner in life on the basis of a mark on their person they choose to receive. That element makes the story a fantasy, although the “mark” can be an allegory or comparison to a person’s destiny or fate.
As much as Fitzwilliam Darcy detested receiving a mark due to Elizabeth Bennet’s choosing to be marked at age 13, he gradually warmed up to the idea of spending the rest of his life with this captivating lady from Hertfordshire even though he was not aware of their identical marks. From then on, there wasn’t much angst between them.
All the other characters received and “found” their marks all too conveniently. Everybody of import got their happily ever after, which further contributes to this variation’s fantastical quality. As long as they discover they have identical marks, the men and women of P&P found their destinies without much conflict or angst.
Three and a half rounded up to 4 stars, for food writing and originality. The lack of angst caused the deduction as it got too conveniently easy for the couples.
This variation hinges on the premise that people find their soulmate and/or partner in life on the basis of a mark on their person they choose to receive. That element makes the story a fantasy, although the “mark” can be an allegory or comparison to a person’s destiny or fate.
As much as Fitzwilliam Darcy detested receiving a mark due to Elizabeth Bennet’s choosing to be marked at age 13, he gradually warmed up to the idea of spending the rest of his life with this captivating lady from Hertfordshire even though he was not aware of their identical marks. From then on, there wasn’t much angst between them.
All the other characters received and “found” their marks all too conveniently. Everybody of import got their happily ever after, which further contributes to this variation’s fantastical quality. As long as they discover they have identical marks, the men and women of P&P found their destinies without much conflict or angst.
Three and a half rounded up to 4 stars, for food writing and originality. The lack of angst caused the deduction as it got too conveniently easy for the couples.
October 26, 2022
Sweet story
I really like the story idea but I can't help being disappointed with the pacing and focus. The premise itself is unique and romantic but this story is sadly anything but. SO much time is spent explaining how soul marks work and fretting over the what, how, why and who of the process for every Bennet and Darcy/Fitzwilliam in creation that relatively little time is actually spent on a romance for ODC. Obviously Darcy and Elizabeth 'matching' is a foregone conclusion but the reveal when it comes is anticlimactic. ODC is then 'instacoupled' and the story proceeds from there much like any other in this genre with sweet nothings, audiences with papas and round bellies, etcetera. I would have liked to see the prologue used to set up the soul mark idea and its role in the history of each family, then the rest from Chapter One devoted just to ODC finding each other and coming to terms with this unorthodox game with Fate. Regardless, it's a good read and I still recommend it.
I really like the story idea but I can't help being disappointed with the pacing and focus. The premise itself is unique and romantic but this story is sadly anything but. SO much time is spent explaining how soul marks work and fretting over the what, how, why and who of the process for every Bennet and Darcy/Fitzwilliam in creation that relatively little time is actually spent on a romance for ODC. Obviously Darcy and Elizabeth 'matching' is a foregone conclusion but the reveal when it comes is anticlimactic. ODC is then 'instacoupled' and the story proceeds from there much like any other in this genre with sweet nothings, audiences with papas and round bellies, etcetera. I would have liked to see the prologue used to set up the soul mark idea and its role in the history of each family, then the rest from Chapter One devoted just to ODC finding each other and coming to terms with this unorthodox game with Fate. Regardless, it's a good read and I still recommend it.
November 10, 2022
Another soul mark story
Most soul mark stories are quite similar in nature but this one is slightly altered. Instead of just a name or initials appearing these are actual drawings which occur after the individual is 13. At 13 the girl can go through a service in her Church and accept her marking which comes after that. Many in the highest society refuse theirs because of several unusual matches - a peer with a maid for example! Mr Bennet received his mark after the birth of one of his daughters and it wasn't the name of Mrs Bennet! She had refused hers so she could find the wealthiest man to marry... It lead to 2 individuals unhappy with each other. Elizabeth received hers and its a huge rendering of Pemberley and its grounds. Jane has one with a house and Charles Bingley's initials!
The images of these marks make the story more interesting along with the entire family and friends hunting for the matches for each girl. One benefit was no attention from Mr Collins since he was without any marks!
Most soul mark stories are quite similar in nature but this one is slightly altered. Instead of just a name or initials appearing these are actual drawings which occur after the individual is 13. At 13 the girl can go through a service in her Church and accept her marking which comes after that. Many in the highest society refuse theirs because of several unusual matches - a peer with a maid for example! Mr Bennet received his mark after the birth of one of his daughters and it wasn't the name of Mrs Bennet! She had refused hers so she could find the wealthiest man to marry... It lead to 2 individuals unhappy with each other. Elizabeth received hers and its a huge rendering of Pemberley and its grounds. Jane has one with a house and Charles Bingley's initials!
The images of these marks make the story more interesting along with the entire family and friends hunting for the matches for each girl. One benefit was no attention from Mr Collins since he was without any marks!
February 17, 2023
4 and 1/2 stars rounded up to 5
To really enjoy this book, the reader must be willing to suspend their practicality. This story has a significant similarity to fairy tales like those of Hallmark movies. It also helps if you have romantic tendencies as my husband claims that I do.
With that acknowledgment of my personality, I admit that I found the ending and especially the epilogue very rushed and lacking development of the relationships of the ladies other than Jane and Elizabeth. That’s mostly my “hopelessly romantic” side giving that critique. * Spoiler alert* Not learning about Mr. Bennet’s situation was a significant disappointment. Ms Adams provided a couple hint but never finished the tale. *End spoiler*
This book - and the entire series - are recommended for readers with willingness to suspend belief and indulge their romanticism. It should be read when one is in need of a lovely feel-good story. It will not disappoint.
To really enjoy this book, the reader must be willing to suspend their practicality. This story has a significant similarity to fairy tales like those of Hallmark movies. It also helps if you have romantic tendencies as my husband claims that I do.
With that acknowledgment of my personality, I admit that I found the ending and especially the epilogue very rushed and lacking development of the relationships of the ladies other than Jane and Elizabeth. That’s mostly my “hopelessly romantic” side giving that critique. * Spoiler alert* Not learning about Mr. Bennet’s situation was a significant disappointment. Ms Adams provided a couple hint but never finished the tale. *End spoiler*
This book - and the entire series - are recommended for readers with willingness to suspend belief and indulge their romanticism. It should be read when one is in need of a lovely feel-good story. It will not disappoint.
October 25, 2022
All will be well
As soon as I received notification of a new book drop, I ordered immediately. Big fan of EA. Several of her books I have on audio. Great for road trips or just doing things around the house. Yes, this is a novela but I'd so enjoy it on Audible.
When the soul marks topic began, I was hooked. This tale does have a sweet twist to it. The ability to choose if you want the mark and the interesting way Lydia's ... no spoilers ... heee. A fun romp. Darcy in love is so fluffy! I did melt with his heartfelt declarations and of course his flirting with Elizabeth brought on big smiles.
Of course I'd love having read this as a full novel but it's a sweet read regardless. We always want more, don't we. Pour a cuppa and enjoy!
As soon as I received notification of a new book drop, I ordered immediately. Big fan of EA. Several of her books I have on audio. Great for road trips or just doing things around the house. Yes, this is a novela but I'd so enjoy it on Audible.
When the soul marks topic began, I was hooked. This tale does have a sweet twist to it. The ability to choose if you want the mark and the interesting way Lydia's ... no spoilers ... heee. A fun romp. Darcy in love is so fluffy! I did melt with his heartfelt declarations and of course his flirting with Elizabeth brought on big smiles.
Of course I'd love having read this as a full novel but it's a sweet read regardless. We always want more, don't we. Pour a cuppa and enjoy!
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