So much in life depends on chance and sheer luck. How much do we often owe to being in the right place at the right time?In Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth Bennet plans to visit the Lake District with her uncle and aunt, yet ends up at Pemberley instead, just as, by coincidence, Mr Darcy also arrives home. They meet, understand one another better and all eventually ends well. But … well.
But what if they did not have such luck? What if Elizabeth actually went to the Lake District and was nowhere near Pemberley, and she and Mr Darcy never met again until another four years had gone by?
Now they are very different people, altered by marriage, time and situation, although, Mr Darcy’s failed proposal in the Parsonage at Hunsford still haunts both of them in different ways.
Elizabeth is a companion to her Aunt, Mrs Mountford, a widow of great standing in society who married exceptionally well and ‘Miss Bennet’ finds herself accepted in the very best of circles and able to marry whomever she might chose.
Mr Darcy did his duty by his sickly cousin, Anne de Bourgh, and married her to protect her from the tyrannical force of her mother Lady Catherine. He has come to Bath, however, a widower, with his family, the Fitzwilliams, and his sister, Georgiana. Darcy sees Elizabeth, the woman who rejected him, in the opposite box at the theatre and cannot help falling in love with her all over again. Now though, it seems there are even more hurdles to overcome for them to be together, including Elizabeth’s new suitor, the handsome and charming Mr Yorke.
Mr Darcy is still a little proud, still not able to ‘perform to strangers’. Can Elizabeth see past his reserve and awkwardness to the decent man underneath?
This book is a re-telling of Pride and Prejudice from Chapter 36 onwards (Darcy’s failed proposal and the delivering of his letter). It is a light-hearted mix-up of Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion, with a nod and a wink towards Northanger Abbey.
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Ardently loved this book. I am a new fan of Caitlin Williams! Have added her to my list of author’s to AUTOMATICALLY DOWNLOAD!
This book kept me turning pages (on kindle;)) from the first straight through til early morning. The tension built between Elizabeth (who is now in much better circumstances) and Darcy (who has more than a little regret) is delicious!
Mrs. Mountford is a great new character. I love her attitude, a lovely combination of sweetness and spirit. Elizabeth’s more mature characterization is delightful as well.
Darcy is still rather socially awkward, although making an effort to change. Caroline is still sly, cruel, and petty, though perhaps more out-of-touch with reality than she was in Pride and Prejudice.
I find Caroline’s decision towards the end of the story to be a bit out of character. To avoid spoilers, I won’t say too much, but it seemed like a decision made solely to spite Elizabeth, rather than to benefit herself. The Caroline portrayed in Ardently seems far more selfishly motivated — as opposed to revenge or spite motivated — to make a decision that doesn’t really benefit herself.
I also noticed a handful of errors throughout the book, but not enough to remove a star. Overall, it was a great read, one I barely set down until I finished.
I love Jane Austen and most JAFF variations. That said, I have read an embarrassing number of sequels, variations, and retellings of my favorite Jane Austen book, Pride and Prejudice. Caitlin Williams has become a favorite writer for me for several reasons. She has an excellent writing style and ability. The plots in her tales are interesting and fresh. In this variation, she does not disappoint, pulling elements from almost all of the original Jane Austen books to create her Darcy and Elizabeth tale. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I hope that if you haven’t read it, that you will; and that you will enjoy it as much as I did.
Can love rekindle years after the misunderstandings and missed opportunities of their lives?
In this P&P variation our author has added a scoop of Persuasion, a dollop of Northanger Abbey and smidgens of other Austen books. What a delectable confection.
I was amazed at the creativity of our author; however, that is no excuse for the atrocious editing problems. I mean really bad editing that could have been caught been [see what I mean], if someone had simply read the treatment again before publication.
There are excellent reviews that will outline the story. I’ll just give my opinion.
I love it when an author can surprise me. It was such a delight to suddenly find dialogue from another book. Since a good section of this story took place in Bath, we have several references from Persuasion: the rain and waiting at Mollands with the umbrellas, and the movie nods…that running scene through Bath and the couple slipping away in the night. From Northanger Abbey there were several nods… the gig racing through Bath and the scheming brother and his silly sisters. It was fun running up on these surprises. I’ll give the author credit for pulling that together.
There were so many surprises with our favorite characters and who they finally married. I won’t spoil anything. If you can get through the editing problems, it is worth the read. I enjoyed the HEA and the epilogue was cute. I also liked that this author gave Elizabeth the connections that made her acceptable in society. So much so that Caroline Bingley approached her in order to be introduced to a Viscountess.
NOTE regarding a cut: Elizabeth was terrified that she would receive a cut from Darcy while in public. Some time ago I researched the social cut, direct and otherwise, and found a site at The Regency Redingote. Kathryn Kane replied to my question and said a gentleman would never cut a lady, ever. Let’s just say…there is no question that Mr. Darcy is a gentleman. My original question had been in reference to the Meryton Assembly. Ms. Kane indicated that what Mr. Darcy did was a snub.
The purists can argue the propriety, etiquette, and comportment problems. I overlooked them so I could enjoy the story.