What must a lady do to receive a decent proposal?
After refusing an atrocious proposal from a gentleman she dislikes, Elizabeth Bennet wishes she had never come to Hunsford. Foolish decisions and silent tongues conspire against Elizabeth, bringing accusations against her and those whom she holds dear when a valuable pair of diamond earrings go missing from Rosings. Elizabeth finds a surprising … finds a surprising ally in Mr. Darcy— the man she had so recently refused. Can Elizabeth see past her prejudice to understand her own heart? Or will she ruin her prospects to protect her friends?
Fitzwilliam Darcy’s dream of a happy union is dashed to pieces when Elizabeth Bennet irrevocably refuses his offer. Sincere in his affections, he determines to win her heart. If only he can defend her when his aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, suspects Elizabeth and Miss Maria Lucas of theft. Can Darcy overcome the obstacles his relatives place before him on the path to love? Will Elizabeth give him a second chance?
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Reviewed: Jan 23, 2016
Oh what a delight this book was! It starts off just near the end of the Hunsford proposal with Darcy offering his insults along with his love and he is soundly refused. However, he doesn’t leave Rosings as in canon but is asked to stay a little longer by Colonel Fitzwilliam. Details as to why are minimal at best. Darcy also does not get to give Elizabeth his letter until a bit later. Then with the theft of Anne’s diamond earrings, the problems of Colonel Fitzwilliam and the actions of Maria Lucas, misunderstandings, lack of communication and intrigue abound.
There are so many things I enjoyed about this story. I liked how well Charlotte Collins managed and diverted Mr. Collins. Descriptions of Lady Catherine were perfect… ‘her claws retracted from the padded arm’…, Anne’s character being given more voice and personality but in a subdued manner fitting to the story. Elizabeth’s thinking Mr. Darcy would have been her ideal man if he wasn’t so proud and arrogant and that he should be painted and preserved in a museum for ladies of many generations to enjoy! Then there is the escaped pig! The twists and turns of the plot were fun to try and figure out and some I was able to. However, I was wrong in my predictions as to who stole the diamond earrings! Well done Ms. Joy! I never saw it coming!
Darcy and Elizabeth’s journey to each other was beautifully woven through the story. They both were ‘blind’ to a great many things about each other and others. They each had to overcome their prejudices/pride and deal with the accusations that Elizabeth Bennet and Maria Lucas were responsible for the theft of the diamonds and Colonel Fitzwilliams’ mysterious reasons for staying a little longer at Rosings. With too many fingers in the pot to solve the mystery, emotions are running high. Lady Catherine is at her most imperious and Mr. Collins at his most obsequious. This was a fun mystery that does not disappoint.
“Friends ask you questions; enemies question you.” –Criss Jami, Healology
Book 1 in the Mysteries & Matrimony series: rating: clean: several of my friends use a checklist for plot points. I think I will try that. It looked like fun.
Easter: Elizabeth visits Charlotte Collins in Hunsford: check
Darcy walks with a reluctant Elizabeth: check
A jealous Darcy realizes that Elizabeth likes his cousin the Colonel better: check
Lady Catherine demands Darcy marry Anne: check
Anne and Darcy adamantly refuse to oblige her: check
Darcy proposes badly and Elizabeth gloriously refuses him: check
Darcy gives her THE letter: check
Lizzy reads it and is now sorry she threw him under the carriage: check
Anne’s earrings go missing: wait… what?
Maria has sticky fingers with a fashion magazine: That’s not canon!!
Charlotte is mad at Elizabeth and tells her off: What is going on here?
Elizabeth is taken to the constable for the theft of Anne’s jewelry: Hold on…
This story has deviated dramatically from canon. Yep! Our author Jennifer has taken us down roads we have never traveled before. Don’t even look for clues… they are ALL misleading and you will NEVER guess what is going on. This is the most convoluted, full of twists and turns, and completely sneaky story I’ve read about ODC finding their HEA [happy-ever-after]. I loved it. I was in a constant state of trying to figure out what was going on. Wow! I never got it. LA! I was terrible at CLUE so there is no wonder I was horrid at guessing this outcome. What fun. Oh, I loved Mr. Darcy in this story. He was the best once he got his head on straight.
The other books in the series [each a stand-alone] are as follows:
Book 2: The Elizabeth Conspiracy
Book 3: Chasing Elizabeth
“Everyone should experience a wrong accusation… if only to learn how not to be quick to accuse another.” –Chukuwuneta Oby
This was the first book by this author I have read and I really enjoyed the story and how it was written. I enjoyed that we got to see some parts of the story from Elizabeth’s perspective and others from Darcy’s. This story had a lot of unexpected twists and really kept me wanting to see what would happen next. I look forward to reading more by this author in the future.