This Regency period Fitzwilliam Darcy is honorable, tender, and entirely swoon-worthy. Elizabeth Bennet is far less prejudiced and is compassionate, intelligent, and empathetic. This story explores what happens when their attitudes and faults do not get in the way of their relationship. If only Mr. and Mrs. Bennet and Lady Catherine/Mr. Collins would stay away from our dear couple. Of course they … they won’t
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Reviewed: October 7, 2016
Oh, this was just what I needed after reading three high angst P&P volumes. Ms. King’s novella is exquisitely endearing and beautifully conveyed. This is an alternate path from canon with low angst between Darcy and Elizabeth, however, they do still have to contend with Lady Catherine, Mr. Collins and Mr. and Mrs. Bennet. How Darcy manipulated events to ensure Elizabeth did not marry Mr. Collins was well done.
I have yet to be disappointed in Ms. King’s novellas/novels. I find all my emotions are engaged and my heart invested in the story. Just in the first chapter alone, my throat constricted and my heart was touched:
‘Elizabeth could not take her eyes away from them. So much pain for two people so alone. Remembering her own troubles, she was surprised at her longing to climb inside those strong arms and hear his promises of comfort.’
I highly recommend this short but absolutely lovely story of love at first sight…
This was an enjoyable Pride and Prejudice Variation and I enjoyed reading about Darcy and Elizabeth. I also found Lydia to be a bit more amusing and less annoying since she wasn’t in too many scenes and the ones she was in while she still didn’t behave properly and was embarrassing to Elizabeth she had potential to improve with a bit more discipline and structure in her life. The epilogue and post script at the end were both really cute. Unfortunately I didn’t like Mr. Bennet in this book but if he was likeable the story never would have happened.
I have enjoyed all of Ms. King’s books. She writes well and has an enjoyable writing style. I always look forward to her new books.
Sweet and romantic novella.
The interpersonal relationships carried the story rather than drama or angst.
Elizabeth destiny was set as the sacrificial lamb of the Bennet family with her upcoming nuptials to Mr Collins. A chance encounter at the cemetery in Lambton, changed her course though as she helped a young girl overcome with grief.
Darcy had searched high and low for the young lady who had comforted his sister and he found her at an assembly in Meryton.
No one would doubt the out come although the courtship was a rather unusual one.
Ends in a lovely epilogue.
Recommend!
First Impressions set the tone
Purists take a break and just read a cute story that shows an entirely different side to ODC. Wow, how to describe this? I’ve read it twice. It is a quick read and delightful.
I was surprised by the emotional ride that this author evoked within my sphere of feelings. I ached, cringed, groaned, was moved to tears [but didn’t cry], touched beyond what I expected, gloried at the victory, grieved at the loss, laughed at the absurdity, and giggled at the revenge. Yes, J. Dawn King knows how to wring out every emotion you have so be prepared to experience it all.
This Elizabeth seemed younger, more naïve and innocent than canon. Even though she was different, that also allowed her a better understanding, more acceptance and a willingness to hear truth, believe it and then to act on it when needed.
Darcy also seemed younger and yet, was more bold, more decisive and demonstrated a willingness to go for what he wanted against all odds. I loved this guy. He was so cute and creative when in negotiations for what he wanted and surprise of surprises, it happened over a chess game. The face time with ODC was adorable, sweet, touching and I was moved by the creativity of the scene.
Elizabeth, Georgiana, and Darcy meet at the beginning of our story. They all liked each other and then Darcy spent the next few months trying to find her. He and Georgiana both wanted her in their lives even before they knew who she was.
Mr. and Mrs. Bennet are extreme in this version. I did not like them, and yet they added the needed tension, comic relief and that push that our dear couple needed to encourage their affections for each other.
Mr. Bennet was a disappointment and watching him fall in the eyes of his daughter was hard to endure. Even in canon, Elizabeth had a good understanding of her father and his actions [or lack thereof] in his marriage and with his protection of his daughters. Whatever relationship they had in this version fell with a loud crash as Mr. B. sacrificed his daughter’s happiness for his own comfort as easily as he would sacrifice his queen to an opponent. Since Mr. B. was a champion chess player from his university days, there were many chess related references. Even his plans were chess maneuvers.
Those plans were quite simple, Lizzy would marry Collins, they’d live at Longbourn [thus he wouldn’t lose her], when he died she’d become Mistress of Longbourn, taking on the responsibility of the estate and see to the comfort of his widow and her younger sisters. What could be simpler…and at very little expense to himself. He could then spend all his time in his book room and let Lizzy handle things.
Mr. Darcy did not respect the Bennet parents. He understood their dilemma; however, he did not appreciate Mr. Bennet’s lackadaisical conduct, nor his abdicating his responsibility for the care of his family. I loved Darcy comments regarding Mrs. Bennet’s disdain and ill treatment of his Elizabeth. Her future house would be “…small enough to match her thinking towards her second daughter…” I’ve never seen that response before. This Mr. Darcy was really straight forward in his thinking. He truly was a chess player and a good one at that. His strategies regarding Elizabeth’s family was awesome.
Darcy did not appreciate nor tolerate Mr. Collins or his attentions toward Elizabeth. What a toad of a man. He was awful. I cannot find words sufficient enough to describe his attitude and actions; clueless does not even come close.
Lady Catherine was livid regarding Darcy’s connections and relationship with such a family. Her revenge on Collins was swift and final. Her set-down of Caroline was fast and effective; I wanted to cheer.
Bingley and Jane found their HEA.
There was a most excellent Epilogue and a Post Script that was a delight. I LOVED them both, such surprises and a most excellent reveal. I cannot discuss anything in either as that would be a terrible spoiler. So you HAVE to read it.
Problems: Editing: I don’t know whether or not it was an ebook problem, but sentences were broken as though enter had been hit instead of allowing for text to wrap properly. That left the rest of a sentence dangling on the next line. That happened several times.