Miss Mary Bennet is the last unmarried Bennet sister. She believes she will live out her days as a maiden aunt, seeking quiet in the libraries and parlors of her father’s and brother-in-laws’ homes. On a visit to Pemberley, the estate of Fitzwilliam Darcy, her sister Lizzy’s husband, Mary begins to feel more is possible than her planned life of solitude. Among new friends and with new confidence, … confidence, Mary opens to new feelings when she meets Mr. Nathaniel Bingley.
Nathaniel Bingley, at the insistence of his cousin Charles Bingley, finds himself at Pemberley. After Nathaniel’s years in the West Indies studying its intense flora, he is ready to seclude himself to compile his work into a book. But Nathaniel could not say no to Charles, who was one of Nathaniel’s few kind relatives after the deaths of his beloved parents. Soon, Nathaniel also finds it difficult to say no to his own feelings about the lovely Miss Mary Bennet.
Can Mary and Nathaniel look beyond their plans and accept the grace of love at Pemberley?
Length: 70 pages
Heat level: sweet
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“No one ever told me I was pretty when I was a little girl. All little girls should be told they’re pretty, even if they aren’t.” Marilyn Monroe
‘Miss Bennet Blooms’ is book 3 in the 4-book bundle ‘Love at Pemberley’. I have reviewed each book separately under the individual titles.
Book 1: Most Truly: was 4-stars: I already had this book as part of my collection.
Book 2: Miss Darcy Decides: 4-stars: see my review posted separately.
Book 3: Miss Bennet Blooms:
It is possible to read this as a stand-alone; however, I would suggest reading the rest of the series simply because there is so much going on that carries over in this book. They are short and worth it. I was so happy to see them all bundled together in one book.
In my opinion, it’s a hard business for authors to attempt to write about the secondary and tertiary characters from a familiar literary work. Once we start moving away from our main character couples Darcy/Elizabeth and Charles/Jane, we start getting into boggy ground. Georgiana is the next concentric circle around our primary characters and following her is Kitty, Lydia, and Mary. In some respects, Mary is the hardest to write about because she walked such a hard line that there isn’t much excitement generated about her. Most authors have to work really hard in order to create the perfect man for Mary to become his helpmate.
“Feelings aroused by the touch of someone’s hand, the sound of music, the smell of a flower, a beautiful sunset, a work of art, love, laughter, hope, and faith – all work on both the unconscious and the conscious aspects of the self, and they have physiological consequences as well.” Bernie Siegel
Williams tailor-made just such a man for Mary. He was the perfect choice for her. He was intelligent, a scientist/botanist, and he loved to listen to her play the pianoforte. They were so well suited, a perfect complement to each other. It was amazing to hear their individual thoughts and emotions in regard to life and their thoughts on love. Because it was so introspective, it dragged just a bit and I started to think it was all about to fall apart. Williams pulled a good one on the reader as she worked toward the HEA. Near the end of the story, we were given a glimpse of the next book that will complete the series.
“There are souls which fall from heaven like flowers, but ere they bloom are crushed under the foul tread of some brutal hoof.” Jean-Paul
What I didn’t like… Mrs. Bennet… that woman and her nerves interrupted so many conversations and embarrassed the crap out of her daughters. I just wanted to shake her and yell… SHU-IT. But she wouldn’t hear me and I don’t want to scare the neighbors.
“Remember that children, marriages, and flower gardens reflect the kind of care they get.” H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
This was very informative as we looked at what made Mary tick. I felt so sorry for her and I know she would not appreciate pity. However, I resented her parents so much in this story. I understand that some people are not demonstrative, but anything would be better than nothing.
Source: Meredith [Austenesque Reviews] hosted Reina M. Williams’ blog tour and I won a copy of ‘Love at Pemberley’ [Four Novellas of Pride and Prejudice] in her generous give-a-way with no expectation of a review. This is my honest review/opinion… I could not do otherwise.