After losing her father in autumn and falling in love with Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth Bennet quickly feels the frustrations of settling her newly widowed mother and making her debut in London society. Tackling adventures in three counties, the Bennet sisters find new paths opening up before them. A mistake by one sister places the whole family at risk and it takes the full Bennet family strength and … friends they can rely on to help Darcy and Elizabeth march down that wedding aisle!
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Shocking, fast read, one disaster after another, hard fought HEA
If you love suspense, danger, intrigue, you will love book two of the Seasons of Serendipity Series: A Spring Sentiment. At times I held my breath and wondered if Elizabeth and Darcy were going to make it to the HEA. One thing after another hit Darcy and Elizabeth as their backgrounds clashed.
Things that come naturally to Elizabeth made Darcy shudder. Things that Darcy expects and desires from his intended or future wife fills Elizabeth with fear and trepidation. And then Mrs. Bennet and Lydia seemed on a crash course to see who could be the most troublesome and make the most demands. Those two should be sent to the farthest regions of the British realm, they deserve each other. I was so upset with them.
I cringed at the dastardly deeds of Wickham and Mrs. Younge as it is hinted that the accident that involved Uncle Gardiner might not have been an accident after all. We are made aware that the Gardiner house was being watched and Wickham was trying to find ways in order to get funds from Darcy… the usual MO, he will never change.
Charles and Caroline Bingley… I cannot figure what is going on with Charles… he is not acting like himself, avoiding Jane and she is starting to pull away from him and question their courtship.
Caroline is simply delicious in her abuse and not so subtle attacks on the Bennet sisters, their low origins, and youngest sister’s reputation. Darcy, on more than one occasion warned Charles regarding Caroline’s behavior. Charles has seemingly done nothing to curb her behavior or actions. Darcy’s is reconsidering their inclusion in his circle if things do not change.
Lord and Lady Matlock are most excellent people who love Darcy and Georgiana and want the best for them. There could easily be a book on them alone. I loved them. Lady Matlock is wonderful as she pulls the Bennet girls into her circle. As tragedy hits, she wages war against the slanderous gossip created by Caroling Bingley [had her physically ejected from her ball]. She intends to counter by taking Jane and Mary into society and draw the focus of the gossips away from Lydia. She plans to launch Georgiana and Kitty the next year in their first Season into Society. I like how Mary has blossomed in this version.
Minimal edit problems, also usage problems: Bravo for a lone male performer, and Brava for a lone female performer would be known to Lady Matlock [chapter 3] when she applauds Mary’s playing. Americans have bastardized the word Bravo for everything… but she would have known the correct usage. In chapter 6, Mr. Gardiner commented about entering the lion’s den… to which Darcy replied they should all guard their loins… should that be gird their loins as in going to battle or as in protection? I was confused. Also, the correct use of the term for engaged couples, fiancé for the male and fiancée for the female.
I look forward to the next novella.