The historical romance Dearest Friends retells Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice as a sensual adventure that will delight a modern audience. Fitzwilliam Darcy left Hertfordshire following a friend’s betrayal, but his heart remained with Elizabeth Bennet, the impertinent beauty who captured his attention in ways no woman ever had before. When he encounters her unexpectedly in London, he realizes … realizes he can no longer live without her and begins his pursuit for her hand. When he finds that Elizabeth is not free to marry, will he again walk away or will he fight for the lady he loves?
While Darcy and Elizabeth pursue their own happiness, around them friendships progress to love and infatuation leads to disappointment. Join a group of unlikely friends as they support our dear couple on their journey, each treading unique paths along the way.
**Contains Mature Content
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A spicy romance, a gothic plot, and a large colorful cast of characters living and loving against the backdrop of Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice was a feast for my ears as I listened in to this historical romance variation story.
In the original Pride & Prejudice one gets a genteel, witty story of class difference romance, duty and family, and a light classical delight. In this nod to the original, there is added to the Regency world intrigue, manipulation, an exploration of sensual delight for the main romance pair, and a large cast of characters who are given sub-plots of their own. It becomes a family saga that expands from the early section of the book that focuses on the courtship- a very sexy one for a pair who come together quickly, I might add- to take in the scope of members of their extended family and friends building friendship and romantic relationships of their own.
For those coming to the story with a basic historical romance in mind, this change-up in the story might come as something of surprise because the romance of Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth is not the only focal point through a portion of the end story. They are there and definitely loving their way through life, but other character stories and elements rise to share equal focus. At its core, this story explores how people respond to life’s trials. Do they step up and cling to good principles or do they give in to base instinct- even throwing a loved one under the carriage wheels to save themselves? I thought it was an interesting way to strip people down to their core selves. Some fell, but rose again and others chose to take the easiest path. So, yes, great character exploration going on besides the salacious romance and intrigue.
In fact, I will commit a sacrilege to P&P lovers to say that I was more intrigued by some of the side characters in Dearest Friends though not to say I didn’t love this lovey-dovey Darcy and Elizabeth. A warrior and slightly ruthless Uncle Gardiner, a bright and good Miss Mary, a tarnished, but redeemable Viscount Hedley, and even an envious, grasping Jane were all absolutely amazing. I was glad to delve into all their lives and was left wanting more- thankfully there is a sequel.
This was my first time listening to narrator Brigid Lohrey and I thought she wielded a great talent to handle such a large cast of characters of gender, age, and class distinction even some regional dialect changes were evident. She put emotion and pacing to good use. I definitely want more of her work.
All in all, this was a deeply satisfying listen and I can recommend it to not only Austen fans, but those who adore spicy historical romance and family sagas.
“One loyal friend is worth ten thousand relatives.” –Euripides
“The strong bond of friendship is not always a balanced equation; friendship is not always about giving and taking in equal shares. Instead, friendship is grounded in a feeling that you know exactly who will be there for you when you need something, no matter what or when.” –Simon Sinek
This review may contain spoilers… although I do try not to. RATING: MA: mature audience: bawdy humor [but cute], sexual innuendo, sensually charged scenes [4.5-stars]
Bennet Family: “Wounded parents often unintentionally inflict pain and suffering on their children and these childhood wounds causes a laundry list of maladaptive behaviors commonly called codependency. These habits restrict people to love—limiting relationships causing much unhappiness and distress.”
–David W. Earle
Wow! Talk about your canon being off the charts. Man, the OOC [out of character] behavior of many of our P&P characters will just blow you away. Mr. Bennet had agreed with Mrs. Bennet that Elizabeth must marry Collins in order to secure the estate for the family. He refused to even consider any of the other girls. In fact, Collins liked what he saw in the feisty Elizabeth too much to be persuaded to marry another. Elizabeth’s attributes were very alluring and he couldn’t take his eyes off of them… um… her. However, he let Mary know that he would welcome attentions from her… what a pig.
“In the minds of my parents, they are the victims; I am the abuser.” –Christina Enevoldsen
We learned more about the reasons behind Mr. Bennet giving Elizabeth a classical education and training her in estate management. He did not appreciate her refusing Collins, and when the Gardiners arrived, he agreed to let her go to London with them in order to cool off and rethink her decision.
Lydia and Kitty were background characters, they were present but not major focus. I think they will play out in the next book. Mrs. Bennet was herself until she received a reality check that she will never recover from. It was not something usually seen in JAFF and was a big surprise when it happened.
Jane: “Making amends is not only saying the words but also being willing to listen to how your behavior caused another’s pain, and then the really hard part…changing behavior.” –David W. Earle
This was a very different Jane that I labeled the NSNJ [not-so-nice-Jane] trope. Throughout the story, we see her every emotion run the gamut from anger, bitterness, fear, jealously, resentment, hatred, envy and disdain. Yep, she acted out on several occasions and didn’t necessarily come out the winner.
Mary: “Since children from dysfunctional families are so good at judging others, they also judge themselves finding themselves unacceptable when compared to others, always assuming they are second best, not enough. This is a painful realization so often they hide behind righteous arrogance.” –David W. Earle
Mary was a major focus along with Elizabeth. She had her own growth and a chance to find friendship. Her heart began to blossom as she was treated with respect and kindness. I really liked this Mary. Her story had only started in this book. Book 2: Family Portraits: continues her story and that of others. We ended with her having a suitor and she expected a proposal.
Elizabeth: “But what happens to the girl with no positive parental examples? What happens to the girl with the cold mother who conditioned herself to bury her emotions? And what happens to the girl with the father who is an example of who not to marry?” –LaTasha “Tacha B.” Braxton
I loved the page time with ODC [our dear couple]. Once their relationship was underway, they never wanted to be parted. Only one problem… Bennet had not given Gardiner permission to broker a betrothal nor had he given his consent for Elizabeth to marry. What to do… what to do? Well, Darcy did own an estate in Scotland. Perhaps that would work. But that would be a spoiler and you don’t want that.
Darcy: He and Georgiana were a big part of this story. I loved his budding relationship with Lizzy and Georgiana’s acceptance of Lizzy possibly becoming her new sister. Georgiana grew up right before our eyes. She was adorable and smart. She handled all her relations with aplomb… considering her cousins were Richard and Sebastian. They provided a lot of the angst as well as the comedic relief.
Gardiner Family: OMG! Who was this man? Edward and Madeline Gardiner are the aunt and uncle that we all love in JAFF. Their influence helped form Elizabeth and Jane into gracious gentlewomen rather than silly, ignorant, flirts like their two youngest sisters who emulated their mother. Elizabeth especially took to the extra educational opportunities town had to offer, while Jane … was just Jane. She believed their mother when she advised her girls they didn’t need school or any education other than what she could teach them about setting a good table and the running of an estate household. Good grief.
We learn a bit more about Mr. Gardiner’s business, what he stored in his warehouses and why there were armed guards everywhere. OMG! This was a man not to be messed with. You did not cross Edward Gardiner… ever… not if you wished to see the light of day, that is. Yep, he was amazing.
Fitzwilliam Family: “I come from a completely dysfunctional alcoholic family, so we kind of parented ourselves a little bit.” –Sean Hayes
Lord and Lady Matlock, Viscount Hedley [Sebastian], and our dear Colonel Richard. What a family. Apparently, they are hot blooded, hot tempered and money ran through their fingers like water. Oh, and Georgiana learned very quickly to hide the brandy when they were calling. Over the years, the Earl had nearly run Matlock into the ground with his debauchery and his eldest son Sebastian was little better until he received a reality check that changed his life. Only Richard seemed to have any sense.
Lady Catherine de Bourgh: “Family is not an important thing. It’s everything.” –Michael J. Fox
Lady Catherine and Anne traveled from Rosings to Darcy House in London where she insisted that Darcy marry her daughter right away. Things didn’t go exactly as she planned.
Anne: “Love is friendship that has caught fire. It is quiet understanding, mutual confidence, sharing and forgiving. It is loyalty through good and bad times. It settles for less than perfection and makes allowances for human weaknesses.” –Ann Landers
While at Darcy house, Anne finally found her voice and told her mother how things really were. She gave Darcy her opinion of him and stated that he was the last man on earth… yeah, that speech. She also gave him her opinion on the way he had treated her over the years. Wow! You go girl! Her outcome was amazing. Sort of saw it coming but not the manner in which it came about. Oh, Anne… your Fitzwilliam blood is showing. That was not a de Bourgh trail at all.
Bingley: “To be of good quality, you have to excuse yourself from the presence of shallow and callow minded individuals.” –Michael Bassey Johnson
Oh, Bingley what have you done? Or rather… NOT do? This was a hen-pecked, weak willed, lily-livered, coward that sister Caroline led around by the nose. She ruled the roost… em… house and he just went along with her to keep the peace. In his heart and mind, he wanted to court Jane Bennet but knew he couldn’t until he got rid of Caroline. What to do… what to do? When an opportunity presented itself… rather… when Caroline herself presented the opportunity to be rid of her… Bingley jumped on it with both feet. Oh, Bingley… what you lost in that few moments of madness can never be regained. You somehow forgot… a good opinion, once lost…
“Some bad friends are so crafty in such a way that by the time their mission is reveal[ed], they have already executed portions of it.” –Israelmore Ayivor
Caroline was given a bit of page time and witnessed D&E together as an engaged couple. Yeah, she was a real b-witch and Darcy reminded Bingley that she would never be invited to Pemberley or any of his homes. She was barred for life. Yeah, she really pulled a good one before they left Netherfield. It was an all-out debacle of such magnitude that it could ruin reputations, destroy lives and would eventually break a friendship of long standing. Yeah, she did it up right.
“Be true to yourself, help others, make each day your masterpiece, make friendship a fine art, drink deeply from good books – especially the Bible, build a shelter against a rainy day, give thanks for your blessings and pray for guidance every day.” –John Wooden
Fabulous. I had not heard of this author, but found her writing to be vey good, and the story a very good Pride and Prejudice variation. The second book, Family Portraits is even better. There were a few editing errors found, nut if you can read past those to the conclusion, I feel sure you will enjoy the book very much. There are some sexual situations in these books, so it may not be appropriate for young girls.