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Snowbound
A narrow escape and a staggering encounter mere miles from the gates of Pemberley leave Mr Darcy in no doubt: the Fates have grown tired of nudging him gently. And now Elizabeth is in his home. Beside him. Every waking hour of every day.
“I missed you. Dreadfully. And now you are here. Against all odds, you came to Pemberley, and every moment brings fresh glimpses of what my life could be if you stayed.”
Will she?
Thanks to a broken bridge and a heavy snowfall, she is not going anywhere. Not yet, anyway. How is he to persuade her to remain forever while maddening houseguests would do anything to thwart him, and an old secret is at work behind the scenes?
“I missed you. Dreadfully. And now you are here. Against all odds, you came to Pemberley, and every moment brings fresh glimpses of what my life could be if you stayed.”
Will she?
Thanks to a broken bridge and a heavy snowfall, she is not going anywhere. Not yet, anyway. How is he to persuade her to remain forever while maddening houseguests would do anything to thwart him, and an old secret is at work behind the scenes?
254 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 30, 2023
172 people are currently reading
149 people want to read
About the author
Joana Starnes
21 books250 followersJoana Starnes lives in the south of England with her family. She swapped several hats over the years – physician, lecturer, clinical data analyst – but feels most comfortable in a bonnet. She has been living in Georgian England for decades in her imagination, and plans to continue in that vein till she lays hands on a time machine. She loves to look for glimpses of Pemberley and Jane Austen’s world, and to write about Regency England and Mr Darcy falling in love with Elizabeth Bennet over and over and over again.
She is the author of ten Austen-inspired novels and a contributor to the Quill Ink Anthologies. Joana’s novels are all available on Amazon in Kindle Unlimited and in paperback, and some have also been released in Audible.
You can connect with Joana on: Goodreads ; Facebook ; Twitter ; Instagram ; Website and at Austen Variations or visit Joana’s Facebook page All Roads Lead to Pemberley for places and details that have inspired her novels.
She is the author of ten Austen-inspired novels and a contributor to the Quill Ink Anthologies. Joana’s novels are all available on Amazon in Kindle Unlimited and in paperback, and some have also been released in Audible.
You can connect with Joana on: Goodreads ; Facebook ; Twitter ; Instagram ; Website and at Austen Variations or visit Joana’s Facebook page All Roads Lead to Pemberley for places and details that have inspired her novels.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
February 4, 2023
This is an absolutely delightful read! In an unusual starting point, it's the winter after the Netherfield party left Hertfordshire AFTER Christmas.
Mr. Gardiner's business has required him to be up north in Bakewell for at least a month. Rather than enduring such a long separation from his family, he brought them with him. Jane and Elizabeth accompanied them to provide Mrs. Gardiner with companionship, to help care for the four Gardiner children - and especially to give Jane time away from her mother's incessant moaning over Mr. Bingley's abandonment.
Now the travelers are heading home from Lambton (where Mrs. Gardiner grew up), having stopped there for a few days on their way south. But it starts to snow, the road gets dangerous, and their carriage slides off the road as the coachman brings them to an emergency stop. A falling tree narrowly misses a second carriage passing over the bridge they were about to cross. A shaken passenger emerges...and it's Mr. Darcy.
This is the situation that brings Elizabeth and her traveling companions to Pemberley. Their carriage is damaged and the snow continues, so they are, indeed, snowbound at Mr. Darcy's estate for an extended stay. He brought other guests, too: the rest of the Netherfield party. And Lady Catherine turns up with Colonel Fitzwilliam shortly thereafter (via a different road that isn't yet impassable).
This leads to lots of interesting interactions among different members of the assembled group. Jane is withdrawn in the presence of Mr. Bingley and Miss Darcy because of Caroline Bingley's intentionally misleading note. Speaking of Miss Bingley - it's highly entertaining to read her many attempts to ingratiate herself to the Darcys and Lady C having the opposite effect. The Gardiner children factor strongly in the story, too, prompting snowball fights and snowman creations.
Under the circumstances, Our Dear Couple gets lots of scintillating page time together. Darcy, who never expected to see Elizabeth again, quickly gives up his attempts to deny his attraction to her. His relaxed demeanor amazes Elizabeth, and she observes the respect and affection his servants show him. He also displays a playful side with the children that Elizabeth would never have believed possible. She no longer dislikes him, but he's got her completely confused and questioning her ability to judge character.
Ms. Starnes is one of the best wordsmiths in JAFF, and she proves it again here. Fun, lighthearted story. Talented author. Highly recommend!
Content is clean.
Mr. Gardiner's business has required him to be up north in Bakewell for at least a month. Rather than enduring such a long separation from his family, he brought them with him. Jane and Elizabeth accompanied them to provide Mrs. Gardiner with companionship, to help care for the four Gardiner children - and especially to give Jane time away from her mother's incessant moaning over Mr. Bingley's abandonment.
Now the travelers are heading home from Lambton (where Mrs. Gardiner grew up), having stopped there for a few days on their way south. But it starts to snow, the road gets dangerous, and their carriage slides off the road as the coachman brings them to an emergency stop. A falling tree narrowly misses a second carriage passing over the bridge they were about to cross. A shaken passenger emerges...and it's Mr. Darcy.
This is the situation that brings Elizabeth and her traveling companions to Pemberley. Their carriage is damaged and the snow continues, so they are, indeed, snowbound at Mr. Darcy's estate for an extended stay. He brought other guests, too: the rest of the Netherfield party. And Lady Catherine turns up with Colonel Fitzwilliam shortly thereafter (via a different road that isn't yet impassable).
This leads to lots of interesting interactions among different members of the assembled group. Jane is withdrawn in the presence of Mr. Bingley and Miss Darcy because of Caroline Bingley's intentionally misleading note. Speaking of Miss Bingley - it's highly entertaining to read her many attempts to ingratiate herself to the Darcys and Lady C having the opposite effect. The Gardiner children factor strongly in the story, too, prompting snowball fights and snowman creations.
Under the circumstances, Our Dear Couple gets lots of scintillating page time together. Darcy, who never expected to see Elizabeth again, quickly gives up his attempts to deny his attraction to her. His relaxed demeanor amazes Elizabeth, and she observes the respect and affection his servants show him. He also displays a playful side with the children that Elizabeth would never have believed possible. She no longer dislikes him, but he's got her completely confused and questioning her ability to judge character.
Ms. Starnes is one of the best wordsmiths in JAFF, and she proves it again here. Fun, lighthearted story. Talented author. Highly recommend!
Content is clean.
February 4, 2023
This author is one of my favorites and I have read all her published stories.
As the title suggests Darcy and Elizabeth are snowbound together, due to an accident with the Gardiners' carriage, a tree falling and the destruction of a bridge near the entrance to Pemberley. So it is that not only are ODC snowbound at Pemberley but also, Jane Bennet, Charles and Caroline Bingley, the Gardiners with their children, Colonel Fitzwilliam, Georgiana, Mrs. Annesley, and the Hursts. Soon in this story Lady Catherine also makes an appearance. She has much to say about each young lady there, even about Charlotte Collins, who is absent. However, she also pays some attention to Mrs. Gardiner and her children. (I would have liked to know if that panned out to anything.)
Darcy immediately sees this as his chance to gain Elizabeth as his wife; however, as in canon, she has misunderstood him and so part of this tale deals with him not only coming to realize that she is not in love with him but that she also does not have a good opinion of him. They have many private conversations, usually in his library, but some on a walk out to a nearby folly. She also observes his interaction with her young cousins and the servants.
There is some tension later in the story as one of the Gardiner boys ventures onto some ice, not realizing that it is the layer on the pond. And the situation about falling or dangerous trees leads to some negotiations with a neighbor.
Caroline observes Darcy's attentions to Elizabeth and, as in canon, has many a snide remark in an effort to point out to Darcy how beneath him Elizabeth is.
I enjoyed this story and highly recommend it.
As the title suggests Darcy and Elizabeth are snowbound together, due to an accident with the Gardiners' carriage, a tree falling and the destruction of a bridge near the entrance to Pemberley. So it is that not only are ODC snowbound at Pemberley but also, Jane Bennet, Charles and Caroline Bingley, the Gardiners with their children, Colonel Fitzwilliam, Georgiana, Mrs. Annesley, and the Hursts. Soon in this story Lady Catherine also makes an appearance. She has much to say about each young lady there, even about Charlotte Collins, who is absent. However, she also pays some attention to Mrs. Gardiner and her children. (I would have liked to know if that panned out to anything.)
Darcy immediately sees this as his chance to gain Elizabeth as his wife; however, as in canon, she has misunderstood him and so part of this tale deals with him not only coming to realize that she is not in love with him but that she also does not have a good opinion of him. They have many private conversations, usually in his library, but some on a walk out to a nearby folly. She also observes his interaction with her young cousins and the servants.
There is some tension later in the story as one of the Gardiner boys ventures onto some ice, not realizing that it is the layer on the pond. And the situation about falling or dangerous trees leads to some negotiations with a neighbor.
Caroline observes Darcy's attentions to Elizabeth and, as in canon, has many a snide remark in an effort to point out to Darcy how beneath him Elizabeth is.
I enjoyed this story and highly recommend it.
June 20, 2024
When snow falls, nature listens. ~ Antoinette van Kleeff
Our story opens quietly. Jane and Elizabeth Bennet are in the Gardiners’ carriage, beginning their journey home with their aunt, uncle, and four young cousins.
Then, with little warning: “The babble of voices could barely reach her as she stared in lingering shock at the approaching carriage – the dark chestnuts, their eyes still wide with fright – the ashen-faced coachman wrapping the reins thrice around his wrist and thus freeing his hand to make the sign of the cross, then regaining purchase on the leather straps and pulling them as taut as might be, so that he could bring his team to a standstill that much quicker.”
A dire situation is avoided only by the skill of the carriage driver, who realizes he owes thanks to his maker. A passenger emerges from the coach. The Bennet sisters are shocked — it is Mr. Darcy and the Bingley party.
In the gathering snow, damage is discovered to the Gardiners’ carriage. Passengers are re-arranged within the two carriages and the group travels to Pemberley where they will remain until the storm passes and repairs can be made.
When it snows, you have two choices: shovel or make snow angels. ~ Author unknown
In this instance, both choices are necessary. Temporary repairs must be made to a bridge and a road must be closed until a permanent rebuild can be done in the spring.
The Gardiner children ensure that plenty of fun will be had in the snow. Everyone — with the exception of Miss Bingley and her sister — grows to love those four.
Snowflakes are kisses from heaven. ~ Author unknown
Fitzwilliam Darcy had long admired Elizabeth Bennet. His narrow escape from death prompts a firm decision. He will court the girl and this time he will win. Ditto for Charles Bingley and Jane Bennet.
Caroline Bingley and Lady Catherine don’t meet face to face in canon P&P, but the grand lady arrives at Pemberley and is also snowbound. “Glass houses” has a double meaning and zingers hit their target. Lady Catherine is able to accept the inevitable with good grace. A relationship seems a little incomplete, but a resolution might not have been possible.
Some Joana Starnes books are super angsty. This story — not so much. A beautiful romance and a HEA for everyone except Caroline Bingley.
Snowmen fall from heaven — unassembled. ~ Author unknown
Our story opens quietly. Jane and Elizabeth Bennet are in the Gardiners’ carriage, beginning their journey home with their aunt, uncle, and four young cousins.
Then, with little warning: “The babble of voices could barely reach her as she stared in lingering shock at the approaching carriage – the dark chestnuts, their eyes still wide with fright – the ashen-faced coachman wrapping the reins thrice around his wrist and thus freeing his hand to make the sign of the cross, then regaining purchase on the leather straps and pulling them as taut as might be, so that he could bring his team to a standstill that much quicker.”
A dire situation is avoided only by the skill of the carriage driver, who realizes he owes thanks to his maker. A passenger emerges from the coach. The Bennet sisters are shocked — it is Mr. Darcy and the Bingley party.
In the gathering snow, damage is discovered to the Gardiners’ carriage. Passengers are re-arranged within the two carriages and the group travels to Pemberley where they will remain until the storm passes and repairs can be made.
When it snows, you have two choices: shovel or make snow angels. ~ Author unknown
In this instance, both choices are necessary. Temporary repairs must be made to a bridge and a road must be closed until a permanent rebuild can be done in the spring.
The Gardiner children ensure that plenty of fun will be had in the snow. Everyone — with the exception of Miss Bingley and her sister — grows to love those four.
Snowflakes are kisses from heaven. ~ Author unknown
Fitzwilliam Darcy had long admired Elizabeth Bennet. His narrow escape from death prompts a firm decision. He will court the girl and this time he will win. Ditto for Charles Bingley and Jane Bennet.
Caroline Bingley and Lady Catherine don’t meet face to face in canon P&P, but the grand lady arrives at Pemberley and is also snowbound. “Glass houses” has a double meaning and zingers hit their target. Lady Catherine is able to accept the inevitable with good grace. A relationship seems a little incomplete, but a resolution might not have been possible.
Some Joana Starnes books are super angsty. This story — not so much. A beautiful romance and a HEA for everyone except Caroline Bingley.
Snowmen fall from heaven — unassembled. ~ Author unknown
February 3, 2023
My Rating: 5+
This was such a wonderful book that the words to express my enjoyment are jumbling around in my brain and not transferring to my fingers as well as I would like! Lady Catherine has me in a dither!
"I am elated to discover that the Fates grow tired of nudging gently. Once they lose patience with headstrong men and their perverse resistance, they use every means, fair or foul, to bring the obdurate to order. Even by violently shoving them onto the the proper path." (quote from the book)
There are many unique firsts in this 'what if' that I have never read before:
1. The setting takes place two months after the ball and the closing of Netherfield.
2. The Gardiners have taken both Jane and Elizabeth north to Bakewell with their four small children due to business reasons.
3. A near fatal accident has them stranded at Pemberley with Mr. Darcy and his party (Mr. Bingley, Miss Bingley and the Hursts and not long after, Lady Catherine de Bourgh and Colonel Fitzwilliam).
4. A scene between Jane Bennet and Mr. Bingley that I never knew I needed until I read it! Jane found her voice and Mr. Bingley found his...courage...yes, that is a better word than the one I was thinking of.
Then there is the setting, Pemberley in winter. It came alive before my eyes with the wonderful prose of Ms. Starnes. The snow, the cold and laughter of the children. But when Mr. Darcy brings Elizabeth into the orangery...well let's just say the heat of the orangery in winter got even warmer each time they escaped to it! The ardent expressions of Mr. Darcy just melts one's heart.
"Was he to be hampered by all the vexing creatures in the kingdom?" (quote from the book)
Was it ever fun to have the imperious dragon with a heart, Lady Catherine, take on the gorgon with an agenda, Miss Bingley! You can imagine who won! However, Miss Bingley 'was of infinite use'!
All in all, this novel ticked all those boxes of a delightful read without too much angst. There is excitement, drama, searing looks and romance as Mr. Darcy's near death experience has him releasing the chains shackling his pride and Miss Elizabeth opens her heart and breaks down the walls of her prejudice to love a man worthy of her. For Ms. Starnes has delved deep into their hearts and minds.
I highly recommend this newest creation of Ms. Starnes.
I was fortunate to receive a copy of this book with no expectation of a review.
This was such a wonderful book that the words to express my enjoyment are jumbling around in my brain and not transferring to my fingers as well as I would like! Lady Catherine has me in a dither!
"I am elated to discover that the Fates grow tired of nudging gently. Once they lose patience with headstrong men and their perverse resistance, they use every means, fair or foul, to bring the obdurate to order. Even by violently shoving them onto the the proper path." (quote from the book)
There are many unique firsts in this 'what if' that I have never read before:
1. The setting takes place two months after the ball and the closing of Netherfield.
2. The Gardiners have taken both Jane and Elizabeth north to Bakewell with their four small children due to business reasons.
3. A near fatal accident has them stranded at Pemberley with Mr. Darcy and his party (Mr. Bingley, Miss Bingley and the Hursts and not long after, Lady Catherine de Bourgh and Colonel Fitzwilliam).
4. A scene between Jane Bennet and Mr. Bingley that I never knew I needed until I read it! Jane found her voice and Mr. Bingley found his...courage...yes, that is a better word than the one I was thinking of.
Then there is the setting, Pemberley in winter. It came alive before my eyes with the wonderful prose of Ms. Starnes. The snow, the cold and laughter of the children. But when Mr. Darcy brings Elizabeth into the orangery...well let's just say the heat of the orangery in winter got even warmer each time they escaped to it! The ardent expressions of Mr. Darcy just melts one's heart.
"Was he to be hampered by all the vexing creatures in the kingdom?" (quote from the book)
Was it ever fun to have the imperious dragon with a heart, Lady Catherine, take on the gorgon with an agenda, Miss Bingley! You can imagine who won! However, Miss Bingley 'was of infinite use'!
All in all, this novel ticked all those boxes of a delightful read without too much angst. There is excitement, drama, searing looks and romance as Mr. Darcy's near death experience has him releasing the chains shackling his pride and Miss Elizabeth opens her heart and breaks down the walls of her prejudice to love a man worthy of her. For Ms. Starnes has delved deep into their hearts and minds.
I highly recommend this newest creation of Ms. Starnes.
I was fortunate to receive a copy of this book with no expectation of a review.
February 6, 2023
An unplanned Pemberley house party — stranded.
Whenever I read a book written by the exceptionally-talented Joana Starnes, there are two significant things I usually expect. First, it will be a wonderfully-told story filled with prose and romance; and second, it will likely contain a good degree of angst. In “Snowbound”, I can confirm the first, but was quite surprised to see just a tiny touch of the second near the end of the story involving a perilous situation. That is not to say this is a negative — just different from my memories of Ms. Starnes’ other novels, especially when it comes to our dear couple. For some, I barely had any fingernails left!
As the title indicates, it’s easy to assume this is a “stranded with Mr. Darcy” trope—a particular favourite of mine—but unlike most variations labelled as such, Elizabeth and Darcy are not alone in some deserted cottage, nor are they ever compromised. This story takes place entirely away from Meryton and Longbourn. However, alone time is definitely obtained, as are opportunities for serious conversations.
When a potentially fatal accident bringing a tree down across a bridge near Pemberley is narrowly averted by two carriages approaching the bridge, each from a different direction, it sets up an entirely unexpected opportunity for second chances—for Darcy and Elizabeth, and Jane and Bingley. Other stranded members of the party who take refuge at the Darcy estate while “snowbound” are Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner and their very well-mannered children, the devious and trying Miss Bingley, and the long-suffering Hursts. They are all later joined by the as ever controlling and gnat-like Lady Catherine, and always-a-friend, Colonel Fitzwilliam. Honourable mention goes to Darcy’s loyal black and white pointer, Hector. Lady C arrives with news of Anne’s future plans, and ends up playing a great part in stifling Miss Bingley’s ill-bred manners—not to mention her hopes to become Mrs. Darcy.
I have come to greatly love this author’s writing style. Her books are alway near perfect in prose and, in this volume, the dialogue flows throughout, with certain scenes bringing a few tears and touching my heart. I loved it all, and am selfishly hoping Ms. Starnes is already working on her next book.
I’m happy to highly recommend it, and am wishing for a future audiobook of this story.
Whenever I read a book written by the exceptionally-talented Joana Starnes, there are two significant things I usually expect. First, it will be a wonderfully-told story filled with prose and romance; and second, it will likely contain a good degree of angst. In “Snowbound”, I can confirm the first, but was quite surprised to see just a tiny touch of the second near the end of the story involving a perilous situation. That is not to say this is a negative — just different from my memories of Ms. Starnes’ other novels, especially when it comes to our dear couple. For some, I barely had any fingernails left!
As the title indicates, it’s easy to assume this is a “stranded with Mr. Darcy” trope—a particular favourite of mine—but unlike most variations labelled as such, Elizabeth and Darcy are not alone in some deserted cottage, nor are they ever compromised. This story takes place entirely away from Meryton and Longbourn. However, alone time is definitely obtained, as are opportunities for serious conversations.
When a potentially fatal accident bringing a tree down across a bridge near Pemberley is narrowly averted by two carriages approaching the bridge, each from a different direction, it sets up an entirely unexpected opportunity for second chances—for Darcy and Elizabeth, and Jane and Bingley. Other stranded members of the party who take refuge at the Darcy estate while “snowbound” are Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner and their very well-mannered children, the devious and trying Miss Bingley, and the long-suffering Hursts. They are all later joined by the as ever controlling and gnat-like Lady Catherine, and always-a-friend, Colonel Fitzwilliam. Honourable mention goes to Darcy’s loyal black and white pointer, Hector. Lady C arrives with news of Anne’s future plans, and ends up playing a great part in stifling Miss Bingley’s ill-bred manners—not to mention her hopes to become Mrs. Darcy.
I have come to greatly love this author’s writing style. Her books are alway near perfect in prose and, in this volume, the dialogue flows throughout, with certain scenes bringing a few tears and touching my heart. I loved it all, and am selfishly hoping Ms. Starnes is already working on her next book.
I’m happy to highly recommend it, and am wishing for a future audiobook of this story.
February 7, 2023
great read
Excellent what-if. All the Gardiners, Jane, and Lizzy are snowed in when a tree falls and destroys the bridge to Lambton. Worse, the Bingleys are also there. Snowed in with Caroline. Yikes!!!
The author is quite the wordsmith and I envy her vocabulary and her ability to construct a story. If you like Pride and Prejudice variations you will enjoy this one a lot.
Excellent what-if. All the Gardiners, Jane, and Lizzy are snowed in when a tree falls and destroys the bridge to Lambton. Worse, the Bingleys are also there. Snowed in with Caroline. Yikes!!!
The author is quite the wordsmith and I envy her vocabulary and her ability to construct a story. If you like Pride and Prejudice variations you will enjoy this one a lot.
February 3, 2023
Truly excellent. Great characters. Alternating fast pace and entrancing romance. Exasperating rivalry to foil. I highly recommend it.
February 4, 2023
Loved this - honestly this was a 5 star read up til the end.
The Lady Cat & Miss Bing Bong interactions - AMAZING! (I need to re-read Ardently). Also Jane & Charles getting their shit together 🥰
The epilogue was garbage. We don’t need any “who shot JR“ bs about canon. Also deducted a point for the whole Aunt Gardiner subplot - that’s what the epilogue should have been.
The Lady Cat & Miss Bing Bong interactions - AMAZING! (I need to re-read Ardently). Also Jane & Charles getting their shit together 🥰
The epilogue was garbage. We don’t need any “who shot JR“ bs about canon. Also deducted a point for the whole Aunt Gardiner subplot - that’s what the epilogue should have been.
April 13, 2023
“A snowball in the face is surely the perfect beginning to a lasting friendship.” –Markus Zusak, The Book Thief
SPOILER ALERT: This review may contain *** Spoilers ***
>>Rating: sexual tension but nothing graphic
>>Angst Level: all across the board as one minute I’m chewing my nails and the next laughing my head off.
>>Source: Borrowed from KU 1-31-23 with no expectations of a review. The views and opinions expressed are my own. With many parts of the US facing a Snowmageddon of unimaginable magnitude in its proportions, it was appropriate to read a story featuring our favorite P&P characters snowbound at Pemberley. [4.5 Stars rounded to 5]
“A cold wind was blowing from the north, and it made the trees rustle like living things.” –George R.R. Martin, A Game of Thrones
Let’s just say that the opening scene featuring the near miss just about sent me over the edge. When Fitzwilliam Darcy exited the carriage, I nearly fell over. Whew! Talk about your close call. That was an amazing scene that will give the reader nightmares after the rush of adrenalin has passed. Hopefully, my heart rate will soon resume its proper rhythm.
“A lot of people like snow. I find it to be an unnecessary freezing of water.” –Carl Reiner
What I liked: Darcy and Elizabeth, of course. The Gardiner family. And, I enjoyed Lady Catherine’s visit. She was the only one with enough moxie or brass to address the visiting Bingley harridan and put her in her place. Oh-My-Gosh! I loved that part. Her Ladyship was a scream during several encounters with the terror of the north. If there is ever to be a skirmish, I want Lady C in my corner. That was hilarious.
What I didn’t like: It ended abruptly. I don’t know what happened to certain characters. There was a promise of retribution and I was waiting with bated breath and it didn’t happen. I wanted a damage report or blood drawn. This person was horrid and deserving of a comeuppance to match their behavior. Then the family secret was another puzzle piece that fit for a time and then was removed and cast aside and forgotten. It seems the dead would be allowed to take their secrets to the grave with them.
“I love snow for the same reason I love Christmas: It brings people together while time stands still. Cozy couples lazily meandered the streets and children trudged sleds and chased snowballs. No one seemed to be in a rush to experience anything other than the glory of the day, with each other, whenever and however it happened.” –Rachel Cohn, Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares
SPOILER ALERT: This review may contain *** Spoilers ***
>>Rating: sexual tension but nothing graphic
>>Angst Level: all across the board as one minute I’m chewing my nails and the next laughing my head off.
>>Source: Borrowed from KU 1-31-23 with no expectations of a review. The views and opinions expressed are my own. With many parts of the US facing a Snowmageddon of unimaginable magnitude in its proportions, it was appropriate to read a story featuring our favorite P&P characters snowbound at Pemberley. [4.5 Stars rounded to 5]
“A cold wind was blowing from the north, and it made the trees rustle like living things.” –George R.R. Martin, A Game of Thrones
Let’s just say that the opening scene featuring the near miss just about sent me over the edge. When Fitzwilliam Darcy exited the carriage, I nearly fell over. Whew! Talk about your close call. That was an amazing scene that will give the reader nightmares after the rush of adrenalin has passed. Hopefully, my heart rate will soon resume its proper rhythm.
“A lot of people like snow. I find it to be an unnecessary freezing of water.” –Carl Reiner
What I liked: Darcy and Elizabeth, of course. The Gardiner family. And, I enjoyed Lady Catherine’s visit. She was the only one with enough moxie or brass to address the visiting Bingley harridan and put her in her place. Oh-My-Gosh! I loved that part. Her Ladyship was a scream during several encounters with the terror of the north. If there is ever to be a skirmish, I want Lady C in my corner. That was hilarious.
What I didn’t like: It ended abruptly. I don’t know what happened to certain characters. There was a promise of retribution and I was waiting with bated breath and it didn’t happen. I wanted a damage report or blood drawn. This person was horrid and deserving of a comeuppance to match their behavior. Then the family secret was another puzzle piece that fit for a time and then was removed and cast aside and forgotten. It seems the dead would be allowed to take their secrets to the grave with them.
“I love snow for the same reason I love Christmas: It brings people together while time stands still. Cozy couples lazily meandered the streets and children trudged sleds and chased snowballs. No one seemed to be in a rush to experience anything other than the glory of the day, with each other, whenever and however it happened.” –Rachel Cohn, Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares
May 5, 2023
Review published at:
https://frompemberleytomilton.wordpre...
Snowbound is Joana Starnes latest book and I was eagerly anticipating its release. It starts with an exciting scene in which the carriages of Mr. Darcy and Mr. Gardiner almost collide after a fallen tree destroys the bridge they were about to cross. Due to the damages in their vehicles, the fallen bridge, and the snowstorm that is headed their way, the passengers of both carriages are forced to take shelter at Pemberley, the nearest estate. This is how the Darcy’s, the Bingley’s, the Gardiner’s and the eldest Bennet sisters become Snowbound at Pemberley.
The setting of this story was perfect! I absolutely love stories that take place in a confined place because they promote frequent interactions between the characters, and Snowbound was no exception. Even if the moments between Darcy and Elizabeth were not as frequent and intense as we usually see in Ms. Starnes books, they did spend a lot of time together and started to know one another through their shared dialogues and the observation of their interactions with other people, a fact I particularly liked. Elizabeth got a chance to see how Darcy would react in the most dire situations and how he would behave with regards to those closer to him, and Darcy was able to interpret Elizabeth’s feelings based on his own observation of a love match.
Lady Catherine plays a relevant role in this story and she was my favourite character of the entire book! I loved her personality and the positive impact she had in this novel. She appeared suddenly in Mr. Darcy’s home and because of her arrival, the pace picked up and I started to feel a bit more cozyness in the book. I could clearly picture all the places where the scenes were taking place due to the vivid writing style Ms. Starnes adopted, and somehow that started happening after Lady Catherine’s appearance. Her character also changed the dynamics in the house bringing humour to the story, especially when her strong personality clashed with Miss Bingley’s machinations. I loved everything about Lady C. in Snowbound!
Darcy was another character I enjoyed in this story because he is exactly as I imagine him to be: honorable, kind, intelligent, brave and with a strong personality. Starnes’s Darcy’s are always perfect to me, she is always able to capture this character in perfection and in Snowbound she did it again.
I also liked Jane and Bingley in this story. They had depth and were more backboned then we usually see in this genre. They seemed real people with real feelings and reactions, and I loved how real their relationship felt, and the impact it had in Elizabeth’s and Darcy’s relationship. I also liked the fact that their appearance was not overly exploited, and that they appeared only in the necessary measure to allow the story to progress in a satisfactory fashion. In fact, that is something I really enjoyed in this book. It doesn’t have unnecessary scenes and dialogues occurring between secondary characters, the story is fully focused on Darcy and Elizabeth, and the scenes that involve other characters exist only to allow that relationship to grow.
Summing up, Snowbound does not have the intensity we often find in Joana Starnes books, but it is a cozy, low angst short read that is very well written and developed. It is romantic, fun and it even has a small, yet interesting mystery. I loved reading this book and I highly recommend it to readers.
https://frompemberleytomilton.wordpre...
Snowbound is Joana Starnes latest book and I was eagerly anticipating its release. It starts with an exciting scene in which the carriages of Mr. Darcy and Mr. Gardiner almost collide after a fallen tree destroys the bridge they were about to cross. Due to the damages in their vehicles, the fallen bridge, and the snowstorm that is headed their way, the passengers of both carriages are forced to take shelter at Pemberley, the nearest estate. This is how the Darcy’s, the Bingley’s, the Gardiner’s and the eldest Bennet sisters become Snowbound at Pemberley.
The setting of this story was perfect! I absolutely love stories that take place in a confined place because they promote frequent interactions between the characters, and Snowbound was no exception. Even if the moments between Darcy and Elizabeth were not as frequent and intense as we usually see in Ms. Starnes books, they did spend a lot of time together and started to know one another through their shared dialogues and the observation of their interactions with other people, a fact I particularly liked. Elizabeth got a chance to see how Darcy would react in the most dire situations and how he would behave with regards to those closer to him, and Darcy was able to interpret Elizabeth’s feelings based on his own observation of a love match.
Lady Catherine plays a relevant role in this story and she was my favourite character of the entire book! I loved her personality and the positive impact she had in this novel. She appeared suddenly in Mr. Darcy’s home and because of her arrival, the pace picked up and I started to feel a bit more cozyness in the book. I could clearly picture all the places where the scenes were taking place due to the vivid writing style Ms. Starnes adopted, and somehow that started happening after Lady Catherine’s appearance. Her character also changed the dynamics in the house bringing humour to the story, especially when her strong personality clashed with Miss Bingley’s machinations. I loved everything about Lady C. in Snowbound!
Darcy was another character I enjoyed in this story because he is exactly as I imagine him to be: honorable, kind, intelligent, brave and with a strong personality. Starnes’s Darcy’s are always perfect to me, she is always able to capture this character in perfection and in Snowbound she did it again.
I also liked Jane and Bingley in this story. They had depth and were more backboned then we usually see in this genre. They seemed real people with real feelings and reactions, and I loved how real their relationship felt, and the impact it had in Elizabeth’s and Darcy’s relationship. I also liked the fact that their appearance was not overly exploited, and that they appeared only in the necessary measure to allow the story to progress in a satisfactory fashion. In fact, that is something I really enjoyed in this book. It doesn’t have unnecessary scenes and dialogues occurring between secondary characters, the story is fully focused on Darcy and Elizabeth, and the scenes that involve other characters exist only to allow that relationship to grow.
Summing up, Snowbound does not have the intensity we often find in Joana Starnes books, but it is a cozy, low angst short read that is very well written and developed. It is romantic, fun and it even has a small, yet interesting mystery. I loved reading this book and I highly recommend it to readers.
February 1, 2023
What an excellent story enjoyed it
This was am original story to tell.. Loved this different vantage point. Easy read funny and...sweet all the same time. You have the normal characters but this starts after the neither fields occupants have left . winter time at Pemberly...is a magical place...with Jane Lizzy the Gardiner s Bingleys..Hursts...Darcus......Lady Catherine
What troubles can be had..😀well carriages snowstorms. Misunderstanding s. But through it all love flourishs....Joana a has done it again. It was very enjoyable
This was am original story to tell.. Loved this different vantage point. Easy read funny and...sweet all the same time. You have the normal characters but this starts after the neither fields occupants have left . winter time at Pemberly...is a magical place...with Jane Lizzy the Gardiner s Bingleys..Hursts...Darcus......Lady Catherine
What troubles can be had..😀well carriages snowstorms. Misunderstanding s. But through it all love flourishs....Joana a has done it again. It was very enjoyable
February 3, 2023
It’s always such a pleasure to read a Joana Starnes book. In all the Austen variations I’ve come across over the years, her Darcy and Elizabeth are the closest to the original characters and it’s pure joy to revisit them again and again. Snowbound is a beautiful story, low on angst but oh so very romantic! and as always the dialogue between the two is witty, deliciously flirty and I just didn’t want it to end! An honourable mention for Lady Catherine, in this version not the absolute spiteful one dimensional dragon that unfortunately many authors deem her. And without spoiling anything, the sparring between herself and Miss Bingley was hilarious! All in all, proof that you don’t need intricate plots/ far fetched settings when you have a beautifully written book by an author who really ‘gets’ our most beloved couple and writes them true to Austen. Very well done indeed!
June 16, 2023
This was not just a take on the “lost in a snowstorm near Pemberley” trope, and the plot was singular, with lots of excellent new scenes and twists. What was not so fantastic was the plethora of non-Regency words and phrases and Regency errors that pulled the reader out of the feel of the story—this by a writer who claims to want to live the Regency day by day!
I don’t write a synopsis or much in the way of subjective analysis of the book, instead, I write a technical review that pinpoints issues that niggle at the reader and causes them to drop stars, even when other reviewers don’t mention these points.
- This book had a good plot whose start was angsty and adventuresome, going into a slower main story that had a few short and minor dramatic moments, but mostly was low angst. An unresolved subplot left readers hanging to some extent, but the main story arc was completed.
- After the fast-paced opening, the pace was average and even slow at times where not a great deal of forward action was taking place and some redundancies were seen.
- Point of view was third person multiple narrator with head-hopping. Head-hopping should be avoided in novels so readers are not required to reread to understand whose POV they are reading when changes occur. One POV per scene with clear marking of POV changes is standard in the industry. One point of view issue that’s annoying is that the POV character cannot she herself blush.
- The author used a combination of showing and telling in her writing. More showing would improve the reading experience. “Bingley gave Jane a gesture of impatience.”: What does that gesture look like? I was baffled, as I have no idea. Much like spoon-feeding, this sentence is an example of poor telling.
- The author had a penchant for larger-than-life language, with overuse of complex words, including eight difficult words that this reader had no ability to discern in context and had to look up and would never again have a need to know. Please, there’s no need to impress the reader with big words. Instead, impress them with correct words: 24 non-Regency words and phrases (4x the normal JAFF novel) and eight bad word use or wrong word use situations were used by this writer. In addition, on the more normal scale, there were two misspellings, five contractions, and an Americanism by this British writer.
- The author had multiple uses of sentence fragments where they did not make sense as an artistic style. In other words, they were a mistake and read as an awkward situation.
- In the Regency, there were periods on words such as Mrs., where the author used the modern convention with no periods. In addition, there was a situation of missing closing quotes that could cause confusion for readers. No other punctuation errors were seen.
- Regency errors included calling Lady Catherine “Aunt” or “his aunt Catherine” instead of “Lady Catherine;” there was no such thing as a permission for courtship, rather, the gentleman called and showed his preference until he was ready to propose; only four adults fit in a carriage; there was no such thing as a modern day wheelchair where the user could push themselves—Bath chairs had to be pushed by another person; it is unlikely that the sound of a log settling in the hearth would have made a noise since the fireplace would have been coal burning; and the introductions were backwards in terms of precedence for Jane and Mrs. Gardiner to Lady Catherine.
- Scene setting was exceptional in places, for example, in the opening scene, in the orangerie or making snowmen, where sounds, smells, sensations, etc. enhance the reading experience. In other places they could have been improved to this level, e.g, when Caroline falls.
- I enjoyed the choices made by the author in terms of which of the Austen character traits to focus on when deciding how to create her version of the canon characters, and the new characters were fleshed out appropriately for their roles in the book.
- The pace for the development of the romance was realistic and believable, and the dramatic tension created within some of the situations to add angst was well done since it added interest to the main romantic match without seeming contrived.
- The cover reminds me of scrapbooking gone haywire: there’s too much going on and nowhere for the eye to focus, so the brain goes into overdrive or shuts down. This is par for the course for the amateur arts and crafts person, but a big no-no for a cover you want to grab readers with. At one glance, there’s nothing that says “Buy me.” It’s just noise. The author had good intentions in her attempt to capture the whole book in the cover, but overdid it with too many images. Readers will pass it by and go to the simple, bold cover, even though that other cover might be trite and the style ubiquitous.
I enjoy Joana Starnes’s stories, but between books, I forget that I don’t enjoy the glitches of her prose and buy the next one, then I’m disappointed again. Ouch. I wish she’d get a good editor who would help her correct her errors and rein in her verbosity in terms of the uninteresting big words. If I recall correctly, she’s currently relying on beta readers, most of whom are well intentioned and may even be well experienced, but they’re better at an attaboy response than real concrit. The opening scenes of this book were truly genius—I could gush for days on the merits of the heart-stopping madness so well described. This setup was far and above better than just a stalled carriage in a snowbank, which is what one expects from the title, based on all those other stories. She should try to write an action/adventure novel based on that scene alone! Yet there were slow spots in the book where the action was near nonexistent and the story dragged a little. Cutting some repeats of the reporting of the drama would have tightened things up—another reason for a good editor. Even so, this was an exceptional book overall, and I’d still recommend it to other JAFF readers.
Disclaimer: I’m a JAFF writer, and some might say that this review is a conflict of interest. However, I was a reader first, and my reviews are honest and impartial. I write them for the benefit of both the reader and the author.
I don’t write a synopsis or much in the way of subjective analysis of the book, instead, I write a technical review that pinpoints issues that niggle at the reader and causes them to drop stars, even when other reviewers don’t mention these points.
- This book had a good plot whose start was angsty and adventuresome, going into a slower main story that had a few short and minor dramatic moments, but mostly was low angst. An unresolved subplot left readers hanging to some extent, but the main story arc was completed.
- After the fast-paced opening, the pace was average and even slow at times where not a great deal of forward action was taking place and some redundancies were seen.
- Point of view was third person multiple narrator with head-hopping. Head-hopping should be avoided in novels so readers are not required to reread to understand whose POV they are reading when changes occur. One POV per scene with clear marking of POV changes is standard in the industry. One point of view issue that’s annoying is that the POV character cannot she herself blush.
- The author used a combination of showing and telling in her writing. More showing would improve the reading experience. “Bingley gave Jane a gesture of impatience.”: What does that gesture look like? I was baffled, as I have no idea. Much like spoon-feeding, this sentence is an example of poor telling.
- The author had a penchant for larger-than-life language, with overuse of complex words, including eight difficult words that this reader had no ability to discern in context and had to look up and would never again have a need to know. Please, there’s no need to impress the reader with big words. Instead, impress them with correct words: 24 non-Regency words and phrases (4x the normal JAFF novel) and eight bad word use or wrong word use situations were used by this writer. In addition, on the more normal scale, there were two misspellings, five contractions, and an Americanism by this British writer.
- The author had multiple uses of sentence fragments where they did not make sense as an artistic style. In other words, they were a mistake and read as an awkward situation.
- In the Regency, there were periods on words such as Mrs., where the author used the modern convention with no periods. In addition, there was a situation of missing closing quotes that could cause confusion for readers. No other punctuation errors were seen.
- Regency errors included calling Lady Catherine “Aunt” or “his aunt Catherine” instead of “Lady Catherine;” there was no such thing as a permission for courtship, rather, the gentleman called and showed his preference until he was ready to propose; only four adults fit in a carriage; there was no such thing as a modern day wheelchair where the user could push themselves—Bath chairs had to be pushed by another person; it is unlikely that the sound of a log settling in the hearth would have made a noise since the fireplace would have been coal burning; and the introductions were backwards in terms of precedence for Jane and Mrs. Gardiner to Lady Catherine.
- Scene setting was exceptional in places, for example, in the opening scene, in the orangerie or making snowmen, where sounds, smells, sensations, etc. enhance the reading experience. In other places they could have been improved to this level, e.g, when Caroline falls.
- I enjoyed the choices made by the author in terms of which of the Austen character traits to focus on when deciding how to create her version of the canon characters, and the new characters were fleshed out appropriately for their roles in the book.
- The pace for the development of the romance was realistic and believable, and the dramatic tension created within some of the situations to add angst was well done since it added interest to the main romantic match without seeming contrived.
- The cover reminds me of scrapbooking gone haywire: there’s too much going on and nowhere for the eye to focus, so the brain goes into overdrive or shuts down. This is par for the course for the amateur arts and crafts person, but a big no-no for a cover you want to grab readers with. At one glance, there’s nothing that says “Buy me.” It’s just noise. The author had good intentions in her attempt to capture the whole book in the cover, but overdid it with too many images. Readers will pass it by and go to the simple, bold cover, even though that other cover might be trite and the style ubiquitous.
I enjoy Joana Starnes’s stories, but between books, I forget that I don’t enjoy the glitches of her prose and buy the next one, then I’m disappointed again. Ouch. I wish she’d get a good editor who would help her correct her errors and rein in her verbosity in terms of the uninteresting big words. If I recall correctly, she’s currently relying on beta readers, most of whom are well intentioned and may even be well experienced, but they’re better at an attaboy response than real concrit. The opening scenes of this book were truly genius—I could gush for days on the merits of the heart-stopping madness so well described. This setup was far and above better than just a stalled carriage in a snowbank, which is what one expects from the title, based on all those other stories. She should try to write an action/adventure novel based on that scene alone! Yet there were slow spots in the book where the action was near nonexistent and the story dragged a little. Cutting some repeats of the reporting of the drama would have tightened things up—another reason for a good editor. Even so, this was an exceptional book overall, and I’d still recommend it to other JAFF readers.
Disclaimer: I’m a JAFF writer, and some might say that this review is a conflict of interest. However, I was a reader first, and my reviews are honest and impartial. I write them for the benefit of both the reader and the author.
February 23, 2023
This book was very fun and had a lot of heartwarming scenes and great banter! I liked the premise of Elizabeth and the Gardiners being hosted by Darcy at Pemberley and the way it was set up was credible and offered many opportunities for ODC to interact and come to understand one another better. They got a lot of great page time. This author has such a talent for creating great chemistry and romance between D&E and this book was no exception. This was a more lighthearted book than her usual angst heavy books that have your insides all knotted up. Few author’s can do angst and depth as masterful Joana Starnes.
One observation I made while reading this book is that while I enjoyed that D&E were more amicable to each other, Darcy's "change" was very sudden and seemed to lack real growth. Instead of being motivated to change due to self reflection and a recognition of flaws and desire to correct those flaws, it was the result of a near death experience. That experience didn't inspire any real change, only a desire to pursue happiness over duty. Under these circumstances, has he really corrected his "improper pride" and learned not to think meanly of those he viewed as beneath him? I think Darcy was always a good man and of good character, but he certainly was not perfect. One of things so appealing and compelling about him is his willingness to change and become a better man. In this scenario, that element was not on the surface.
I thought the relationship between Lady Catherine and Darcy was very well done. I really loved the true affection between them, despite their differences. That was really sweet, and I was especially touched when Darcy covered her with a blanket when she fell asleep on the chair. I feel like that's a pretty accurate representation of many familial relationships that most of us can relate to. Families are complex and complicated and can bring out the best and the worst of feelings. Plus, we all have family that can be trying and that we don't always enjoy being around, but they are still family and we still love them. I enjoyed Lady C and especially the way she put Caroline in her place. That was very amusing and well deserved. I had mixed feelings about the Lady C/Anne deB storyline. I don't know that I can completely get on board with Lady C so easily coming to terms with Anne's "rebellion" and Darcy's relationship with Elizabeth. She has always seemed more determined and tyrannical than that to me, but it worked well in this story, so it was easy to go along with. I also wondered what the point of including Lady C's suspicion of Mrs. Gardiner's parentage if that plot was going to just be dropped and not developed or revealed. All in all, this was a great Lady C and I enjoyed her character in this story.
I LOVED Hector!!! I have a soft spot for loveable animals in stories. I don't know why, but I think every story should have a spunky and lovable pet!
I loved the cover and the representation of the warmth and haven Pemberley provides in the midst of the harshness of its surroundings. I also loved the symbolism between the weather and Elizabeth’s feelings.
“And then her mien softened into a smile. She was not one for finding omens in trifling incidents and natural phenomena, yet she could not help thinking that there was a touch of poetic beauty in the turn of the weather. It was as though the elements had conspired to keep her at Pemberley until her prejudices and her reservations had melted away. Now the snow might as well follow suit. She had made her decision.”
Overall, this was a pleasant book that made me laugh and smile. I enjoyed so many aspects of this story and look forward to reading it again. I read it so quickly that I’m sure I missed a lot and will get even more enjoyment out of my next perusal!
One observation I made while reading this book is that while I enjoyed that D&E were more amicable to each other, Darcy's "change" was very sudden and seemed to lack real growth. Instead of being motivated to change due to self reflection and a recognition of flaws and desire to correct those flaws, it was the result of a near death experience. That experience didn't inspire any real change, only a desire to pursue happiness over duty. Under these circumstances, has he really corrected his "improper pride" and learned not to think meanly of those he viewed as beneath him? I think Darcy was always a good man and of good character, but he certainly was not perfect. One of things so appealing and compelling about him is his willingness to change and become a better man. In this scenario, that element was not on the surface.
I thought the relationship between Lady Catherine and Darcy was very well done. I really loved the true affection between them, despite their differences. That was really sweet, and I was especially touched when Darcy covered her with a blanket when she fell asleep on the chair. I feel like that's a pretty accurate representation of many familial relationships that most of us can relate to. Families are complex and complicated and can bring out the best and the worst of feelings. Plus, we all have family that can be trying and that we don't always enjoy being around, but they are still family and we still love them. I enjoyed Lady C and especially the way she put Caroline in her place. That was very amusing and well deserved. I had mixed feelings about the Lady C/Anne deB storyline. I don't know that I can completely get on board with Lady C so easily coming to terms with Anne's "rebellion" and Darcy's relationship with Elizabeth. She has always seemed more determined and tyrannical than that to me, but it worked well in this story, so it was easy to go along with. I also wondered what the point of including Lady C's suspicion of Mrs. Gardiner's parentage if that plot was going to just be dropped and not developed or revealed. All in all, this was a great Lady C and I enjoyed her character in this story.
I LOVED Hector!!! I have a soft spot for loveable animals in stories. I don't know why, but I think every story should have a spunky and lovable pet!
I loved the cover and the representation of the warmth and haven Pemberley provides in the midst of the harshness of its surroundings. I also loved the symbolism between the weather and Elizabeth’s feelings.
“And then her mien softened into a smile. She was not one for finding omens in trifling incidents and natural phenomena, yet she could not help thinking that there was a touch of poetic beauty in the turn of the weather. It was as though the elements had conspired to keep her at Pemberley until her prejudices and her reservations had melted away. Now the snow might as well follow suit. She had made her decision.”
Overall, this was a pleasant book that made me laugh and smile. I enjoyed so many aspects of this story and look forward to reading it again. I read it so quickly that I’m sure I missed a lot and will get even more enjoyment out of my next perusal!
February 11, 2023
I generally love everything this author has written and this was another endearing read. The events take place after Bingley et al decamped from Netherfield. Jane, Elizabeth and the Gardiners have been traveling in the north, in the winter. A carriage accident leaves them stranded in Pemberley. Darcy's brush with death gives him the incentive to re-evaluate his priorities and start courting Elizabeth's good opinion. When Elizabeth understands his true feelings and sees him interacting with children, his sister and his servants, her judgments start to shift. Miss Bingley wants to do some mischief in her usual manner but ends up hurting herself more. Eventually Lady Catherine turns up as well.
There is a plot thread about past family secrets that seemed a little too coincidental and a bit superfluous because it didn't really amount to much in the end. But the ODC interactions are sweet and I love the dialogues and finished this in one sitting.
There is a plot thread about past family secrets that seemed a little too coincidental and a bit superfluous because it didn't really amount to much in the end. But the ODC interactions are sweet and I love the dialogues and finished this in one sitting.
May 18, 2023
An excellent read
No excess drama, no excess misunderstandings, just good quality storytelling. Ms Starnes is always a reliable author and a snowbound is no exception. The character development is strong and authentic with a minimal cast list appropriate to the situation. The romance is gentle with a charming wit running throughout.
I particularly liked the character of Lady Catherine in this variation. She was full of advice and opinions, a la Austen, but she was not a pantomime villain. She handled Miss Bingley beautifully and managed to convince herself that everything which happened was doing. Perfect!
There are children in this book which always makes me a little worried but these children are written as children not miniature adults.
I heartily recommend this book.
No excess drama, no excess misunderstandings, just good quality storytelling. Ms Starnes is always a reliable author and a snowbound is no exception. The character development is strong and authentic with a minimal cast list appropriate to the situation. The romance is gentle with a charming wit running throughout.
I particularly liked the character of Lady Catherine in this variation. She was full of advice and opinions, a la Austen, but she was not a pantomime villain. She handled Miss Bingley beautifully and managed to convince herself that everything which happened was doing. Perfect!
There are children in this book which always makes me a little worried but these children are written as children not miniature adults.
I heartily recommend this book.
Read
February 5, 2023DNF.
I wasn’t a fan of Darcy being so nice from the very beginning. It spoilt the fun for me. Plus I prefer less dialogues and side stories.
Having said that, Joana Starnes is one of my JAFF favourite authors and I’m already looking forward to her next book.
I wasn’t a fan of Darcy being so nice from the very beginning. It spoilt the fun for me. Plus I prefer less dialogues and side stories.
Having said that, Joana Starnes is one of my JAFF favourite authors and I’m already looking forward to her next book.
January 13, 2025
4.5 stars
March 26, 2023
Great love story
I loved this Darcy, right from the start he was making his feelings known. I was glad to see Bingley make a good decision all by himself. Liked Lady Catherine after she got the message things would not go her way. Very abrupt ending short epilogue. Liked the Gardner children. Nice tidbit about Mrs Gardener.
I loved this Darcy, right from the start he was making his feelings known. I was glad to see Bingley make a good decision all by himself. Liked Lady Catherine after she got the message things would not go her way. Very abrupt ending short epilogue. Liked the Gardner children. Nice tidbit about Mrs Gardener.
February 3, 2023
Darcy is done denying fate
He left Netherfield and a certain temptation behind without notice just a few months back. Now, a narrow escape from death and disaster brings Fitzwilliam Darcy face to face with Elizabeth Bennet once again. Darcy’s lesson? Fate has loudly spoken and life is too short to regret the love of his life. He drops any pretense of denying his most ardent feelings and a dazzled Elizabeth has her hands full from the get go. Of course even if fate approved, ODC has much yet to learn and discover about each other. I only wished for more of these times together! It will come as no surprise to Joana Starnes’ faithful readers that the journey to their full understanding is delicious.
Now, they are practically snowbound at Pemberley along with Jane Bennet, the Gardiner family, the Bingleys, Hursts and Georgiana - so far…
The Gardiner children are adorable. Caroline borders on maniacal, the Hurst’s are detestable and oh, poor Mr. Bingley.
A low angst, often sweet, lighter read. Pemberley came alive with vivid descriptions: Derbyshire blanketed in deep snowfall, the woodlands, an old folly and the lush color and warmth of an orangery. Mr. D’s swoon dial is cranked up high. I’ll return to read again for these delights alone!
He left Netherfield and a certain temptation behind without notice just a few months back. Now, a narrow escape from death and disaster brings Fitzwilliam Darcy face to face with Elizabeth Bennet once again. Darcy’s lesson? Fate has loudly spoken and life is too short to regret the love of his life. He drops any pretense of denying his most ardent feelings and a dazzled Elizabeth has her hands full from the get go. Of course even if fate approved, ODC has much yet to learn and discover about each other. I only wished for more of these times together! It will come as no surprise to Joana Starnes’ faithful readers that the journey to their full understanding is delicious.
Now, they are practically snowbound at Pemberley along with Jane Bennet, the Gardiner family, the Bingleys, Hursts and Georgiana - so far…
The Gardiner children are adorable. Caroline borders on maniacal, the Hurst’s are detestable and oh, poor Mr. Bingley.
A low angst, often sweet, lighter read. Pemberley came alive with vivid descriptions: Derbyshire blanketed in deep snowfall, the woodlands, an old folly and the lush color and warmth of an orangery. Mr. D’s swoon dial is cranked up high. I’ll return to read again for these delights alone!
February 3, 2023
excellent
Another excellent read from Joana Starnes. Not the usual timeline as Lizzy and Jane are in Derbyshire with the Gardiners in winter and become snowbound at Pemberley after a near accident involving Darcy’s coach. The Bingleys and Hursts are with Darcy and you can imagine the reaction of Miss B. Lady C also makes an appearance but only Miss B suffers plus a secret is revealed, but only to the reader. Recommended.
Another excellent read from Joana Starnes. Not the usual timeline as Lizzy and Jane are in Derbyshire with the Gardiners in winter and become snowbound at Pemberley after a near accident involving Darcy’s coach. The Bingleys and Hursts are with Darcy and you can imagine the reaction of Miss B. Lady C also makes an appearance but only Miss B suffers plus a secret is revealed, but only to the reader. Recommended.
February 6, 2023
Lady C was the star of the show here. I would have given this 10 stars if the value of that storyline had been pursued. It is a shame that it was disregarded in the end.
kindletbr
December 3, 2024Soft DNF for now as it takes place after Christmas so I’ll probably come back to it in Jan/Feb!
December 2, 2024
Funny
Comprising all the activities to Pemberley provides an excellent backdrop for our dear couple to get to know each other and the other characters are perfectly chosen. Lady Catherine has an interesting part and Caroline gets just what she deserves.
Comprising all the activities to Pemberley provides an excellent backdrop for our dear couple to get to know each other and the other characters are perfectly chosen. Lady Catherine has an interesting part and Caroline gets just what she deserves.
February 10, 2023
This was so good! I loved it. I’ll read it again in the heat of summer!
Well written and edited.
Well written and edited.
March 1, 2023
An Ode to Caroline Bingley
This novel seems to have been contrived primarily to make sure Caroline Bingley gets her comeuppance. Yet, once Elizabeth accepts Darcy, the novel abruptly ends and leaving the secondary plot unresolved. I guess she shrivels up like the wicked witch after a bucket of water.
There are many rather trite contrivances here - lots of words devoted to the “adorable” antics of children and dogs. Not my cup of tea, but the book is at least a complete story full of complete sentences.
Three stars because it’s average for the genre, but it took me several days to slog through it as it did not hold my attention well.
This novel seems to have been contrived primarily to make sure Caroline Bingley gets her comeuppance. Yet, once Elizabeth accepts Darcy, the novel abruptly ends and leaving the secondary plot unresolved. I guess she shrivels up like the wicked witch after a bucket of water.
There are many rather trite contrivances here - lots of words devoted to the “adorable” antics of children and dogs. Not my cup of tea, but the book is at least a complete story full of complete sentences.
Three stars because it’s average for the genre, but it took me several days to slog through it as it did not hold my attention well.
February 7, 2023
Its a wonderful story
I enjoyed reading this story even though the frequent thread of snow, sleet, and freezing temperature caused me to need a blanket over my body to stop the shivering! Elizabeth , Jane, and the Gardiners are stuck at Pemberley after an accident on the bridge over the Pember River caused damage to their carriage. Rescued by Darcy and the Bingley family they spend a few weeks snowed in with Georgiana and Lady Catherine ( oh my goodness!).
Darcy and Elizabeth come to an understanding quickly even though Caroline Bingley is trying to interfere. Fortunately she's injured and is in a Bath chair for a week or two, and except for a few comments that fail to make Darcy change his mind she is just a mild annoying gnat.
I'm actually hoping that the writer explore the relationship between Lady Catherine, her deceased brother, and Mrs Gardiners mother.. It sounds quite juicy!
I enjoyed reading this story even though the frequent thread of snow, sleet, and freezing temperature caused me to need a blanket over my body to stop the shivering! Elizabeth , Jane, and the Gardiners are stuck at Pemberley after an accident on the bridge over the Pember River caused damage to their carriage. Rescued by Darcy and the Bingley family they spend a few weeks snowed in with Georgiana and Lady Catherine ( oh my goodness!).
Darcy and Elizabeth come to an understanding quickly even though Caroline Bingley is trying to interfere. Fortunately she's injured and is in a Bath chair for a week or two, and except for a few comments that fail to make Darcy change his mind she is just a mild annoying gnat.
I'm actually hoping that the writer explore the relationship between Lady Catherine, her deceased brother, and Mrs Gardiners mother.. It sounds quite juicy!
March 8, 2023
a good story
This book was good. The story begins with a winter snowstorm that keeps the Gardiner family along with Elizabeth and Jane in Derbyshire where they run into Darcy and his friends. The timeline is before the visit to Rosings.
A lot is changed including a few new tidbits about Mrs Gardiner heritage. Although I wish it would have gone further to actually be of benefit to her.
Jane and Bingley are more background noise and no real help with Caroline or Louisa. I’m frustrated with silence of not speaking to them but that just be me. Although Lady Catherine warms up she doesn’t help do then again she just is background noise to my perspective.
Thank goodness the Bennet family is far away.
This book was good. The story begins with a winter snowstorm that keeps the Gardiner family along with Elizabeth and Jane in Derbyshire where they run into Darcy and his friends. The timeline is before the visit to Rosings.
A lot is changed including a few new tidbits about Mrs Gardiner heritage. Although I wish it would have gone further to actually be of benefit to her.
Jane and Bingley are more background noise and no real help with Caroline or Louisa. I’m frustrated with silence of not speaking to them but that just be me. Although Lady Catherine warms up she doesn’t help do then again she just is background noise to my perspective.
Thank goodness the Bennet family is far away.
January 29, 2024
I like this LGdB, I liked her a lot, she made more sense than the hateful spiteful one in so many variations, and of course in the original. I was a little fuddled at the beginning, not quite sure where in the original story we were before this story veered off, but it became clear fairly quickly and I enjoyed it immensely.
March 10, 2023
I read Starnes for the safety it provides.
Have you ever read an author, enjoyed the story, and rushed to buy the next book only to be disappointed? (A hero may act as if possessed by the devil when it's not... that kind of book, a heroine may start speaking as if belonging to another century etc)
That never happens with Starnes.
When you start a story written by Joana Starnes you know that Darcy will not turn into a ninny who cheats on his wife and Elizabeth will not start acting like her little sister or suddenly decide to join a nunnery.
Starnes manages Darcys who are fundamentally Austenian.
Don't get me wrong, I'm no purist and enjoy all kinds of variations but her Darcy feels so close to the canon in heart and mistakes...
In Snowbound Darcy is so deluded in his bliss with Elizabeth that it's almost comical. An hour ago he decided to give her time for courtship and then decides to pop up the question the very following day. But isn't that who Austen-Darcy is? His pride is close to delusion when it comes to his expectations that he'll be accepted in Hunsford.
Starnes’ Darcy says: "How extraordinary that a minor ailment and a broken bridge should have prevented him from making one hideous mistake after another while he had been too much of a priggish blockhead to see his errors for himself!"
All that while making all the rest of the mistakes fate, the author, and the plot haven't saved him from. It's a kind of hubris but so familiar to the reader. Who has escaped from feeling good about himself/herself, smugly escaping a dire fate? (It's usually just before the slap comes.)
Like P&P, Snowbound is in essence a comedy of human nature. We can hope to avoid some mistakes through experience, wisdom, or a turn of luck, but we won't escape them all. It's inevitable.
Starnes takes what I call the Austen-equation and subtly changes the variables to weave a story of her own, a story well-adjusted in the Austen universe, without shuttering the columns that hold it together.
There's safety there-- the safety a good author provides to a reader who doesn't like typos, doesn't enjoy out-of-character behaviors without a good cause, and doesn't tolerate gaps in logic, plot holes, and total disregard for the era.
When you read a Starnes novel you are safe from all the above.
And then as if that is not enough, there's that delightful prose, the witty dialogue.
Last but certainly not least is the amazing ability Starnes has to deliver according to time and circumstances. Let me explain:
I love her angsty novels. I want her to torment me, torture me with her plots while I'm heading to a HEA. Still, 2022 was a weird year.
Between the aftermath of the pandemic, a new war, and everyday trials I found myself wishing for a lighter mood.
What is light in a life-threatening carriage accident or a dive in a cold pond? Well, for Starnes that is light. Because this lighthearted variation is still a Starnes one. In the beginning, Darcy, sure of the reception of his proposal, is determined to "Devise opportunities. Make his own luck."
He is like Oedipus unknowingly hunting down himself. If Oedipus was haunted by his fate, every fictional hero is haunted by the author's whims and Starnes is wicked.
In “Snowbound” the changes to the P&P equation are subtle (there are many other reviews to provide a summary) and the major one is the main characters’ approach to what happens.
Elizabeth thinks before she rushes to conclusions and Darcy is determined to woo her without taking anything for granted. It was not rejection, disappointment, or harsh words that urged them to change, it was their own intelligence, their receptive mind, and good sense. (There is hope in that for all of us!)
If to this you add some hilarious moments, a few scenes I still think about and smile with some Austen characters most of us love to hate you have another great Austen variation, the most feel-good Starnes novel I've ever read.
My only wish now is for her next, highly angsty novel: that would mean that everything works better in the world. ;-)
PS: I loved the epilogue!
Have you ever read an author, enjoyed the story, and rushed to buy the next book only to be disappointed? (A hero may act as if possessed by the devil when it's not... that kind of book, a heroine may start speaking as if belonging to another century etc)
That never happens with Starnes.
When you start a story written by Joana Starnes you know that Darcy will not turn into a ninny who cheats on his wife and Elizabeth will not start acting like her little sister or suddenly decide to join a nunnery.
Starnes manages Darcys who are fundamentally Austenian.
Don't get me wrong, I'm no purist and enjoy all kinds of variations but her Darcy feels so close to the canon in heart and mistakes...
In Snowbound Darcy is so deluded in his bliss with Elizabeth that it's almost comical. An hour ago he decided to give her time for courtship and then decides to pop up the question the very following day. But isn't that who Austen-Darcy is? His pride is close to delusion when it comes to his expectations that he'll be accepted in Hunsford.
Starnes’ Darcy says: "How extraordinary that a minor ailment and a broken bridge should have prevented him from making one hideous mistake after another while he had been too much of a priggish blockhead to see his errors for himself!"
All that while making all the rest of the mistakes fate, the author, and the plot haven't saved him from. It's a kind of hubris but so familiar to the reader. Who has escaped from feeling good about himself/herself, smugly escaping a dire fate? (It's usually just before the slap comes.)
Like P&P, Snowbound is in essence a comedy of human nature. We can hope to avoid some mistakes through experience, wisdom, or a turn of luck, but we won't escape them all. It's inevitable.
Starnes takes what I call the Austen-equation and subtly changes the variables to weave a story of her own, a story well-adjusted in the Austen universe, without shuttering the columns that hold it together.
There's safety there-- the safety a good author provides to a reader who doesn't like typos, doesn't enjoy out-of-character behaviors without a good cause, and doesn't tolerate gaps in logic, plot holes, and total disregard for the era.
When you read a Starnes novel you are safe from all the above.
And then as if that is not enough, there's that delightful prose, the witty dialogue.
Last but certainly not least is the amazing ability Starnes has to deliver according to time and circumstances. Let me explain:
I love her angsty novels. I want her to torment me, torture me with her plots while I'm heading to a HEA. Still, 2022 was a weird year.
Between the aftermath of the pandemic, a new war, and everyday trials I found myself wishing for a lighter mood.
What is light in a life-threatening carriage accident or a dive in a cold pond? Well, for Starnes that is light. Because this lighthearted variation is still a Starnes one. In the beginning, Darcy, sure of the reception of his proposal, is determined to "Devise opportunities. Make his own luck."
He is like Oedipus unknowingly hunting down himself. If Oedipus was haunted by his fate, every fictional hero is haunted by the author's whims and Starnes is wicked.
In “Snowbound” the changes to the P&P equation are subtle (there are many other reviews to provide a summary) and the major one is the main characters’ approach to what happens.
Elizabeth thinks before she rushes to conclusions and Darcy is determined to woo her without taking anything for granted. It was not rejection, disappointment, or harsh words that urged them to change, it was their own intelligence, their receptive mind, and good sense. (There is hope in that for all of us!)
If to this you add some hilarious moments, a few scenes I still think about and smile with some Austen characters most of us love to hate you have another great Austen variation, the most feel-good Starnes novel I've ever read.
My only wish now is for her next, highly angsty novel: that would mean that everything works better in the world. ;-)
PS: I loved the epilogue!
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