A handsome stranger ~ An unusual cottage ~ A plan for revenge ~ An unexpected love On a rainy day in April, Fitzwilliam Darcy and Charles Bingley stop to ask a gentleman for directions to Netherfield since the ones they have been given appear to be faulty. At the gentleman’s insistence, Darcy and his friend seek refuge from the rain at a nearby cottage. The young woman who greets them captivates … The young woman who greets them captivates Darcy with both her beauty and character.
Elizabeth Bennet possesses a quick mind and a determined spirit. She is resolved to complete the challenge her father has set before her at Oxford Cottage. However, she does not expect to be met by a handsome stranger and fall in love, nor does she expect to find herself thrust into a situation where her quick thinking could be all that can keep both herself and her young companion safe.
Oxford Cottage is Leenie Brown’s debut Pride and Prejudice variation novel. If you like sweet Austen-inspired romances with surprising matchmakers, villainous foes, intelligent heroines, and thrilling adventures, then you will love this story of love that was destined to be.
So, put the kettle on, grab your copy of Oxford Cottage, and join Darcy as he wanders down a forest path that ends in sweet romance.
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An absolutely lovely, romantic tale with a thrilling plot. I thought it was really special, with a certain je ne sais quoi that is hard to put into words.
Part 1:
Elizabeth was a charming little imp as a child and leaves a favourable impression, in a chance encounter, with Lord Matlock.
The connection results in a lovely bouquet of small anecdotes from the children and a meeting with Mr Darcy senior.
Part 2:
The three eldest Bennet sisters are living in “Oxford cottage” for the summer and a meeting between ODC was stealthily arranged by Lord Matlock. Love at first sight, with no adversity between the two lovers, did not make an easy engagement periode as the pernicious Mr Wickham sets his plan into action. Thrilling and entertaining plot with a kidnapping did not put a damper on the romantic aspects of the book though. Love how Leenie Brown can make Elizabeth very saucy without making her coarse.
Part 3:
The story continues after Oxford cottage with ODC married, a little bundle of joy and a couple of entertaining chess matches…
In addition, there were two bonus, short stories.
Though the universe conspired: a vignette on the first meeting between Mr Darcy and lady Anne.
A music room encounter: A very romantic interlude between the Colonel and Harriet.
Heartily recommend this book!
“The wolf said, “You know, my dear, it isn’t safe for a little girl to walk through these woods alone.”
Red Riding Hood said, “I find your sexist remark offensive in the extreme, but I will ignore it because of your traditional status as an outcast from society, the stress of which has caused you to develop your own, entirely valid, worldview. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I must be on my way.”
― James Finn Garner, Politically Correct Bedtime Stories
You may think my choice of the above quote very strange. When you real about this Elizabeth… you will understand completely. Hilarious!!
This was a most delightful story. It had a fairy tale feel to it and you felt there was a magic spell on the woods and the cottage. You just knew there was going to be something very different about this story.
The story was laid out in three parts.
Part 1: This covered a series of years, starting in 1797 with a little girl of five, 1802 at ten, 1808 at about fifteen, and then ends in 1810. What a delightful little girl. OMG!!! Such a precocious child and curious to a fault. I just adored her. She was a terror on anything that was an injustice [an act her friend will never forget]. It was during this first part that we establish the friendship between men from very different social circles. Several met and became friends while attending Oxford, while the others joined their fellowship later while in London. What an excellent group of men. Matlock, Darcy, Bennet, Gardiner and Philips. OMG! I just loved these guys. I would love a story about their early days. They were delightful and such good and faithful friends. It touches you to the core.
It is no spoiler that George Darcy would soon die. He knew this and asked his friends to go over his will with him to ensure he had covered everything. It was so touching, how he made plans for his son Fitzwilliam and daughter Georgiana… it will just about break your heart. These men tried to comfort him and promised to look after and help his son after he was gone. That just about did me in.
Part 2: 1811 Oxford Cottage: This Mr. and Mrs. Bennet were a bit different than canon. I really liked what Mr. Bennet was attempting to do with his daughters. The three eldest were place in the cottage to run it on their own for a month and then servants would help them. This was a training session to insure they were prepared to run a household and possibly an estate. I thought this was so creative. In canon, when Mrs. Bennet had complained that Charlotte Lucas was always needed about the house and seeing to the mince pies. Well, this group of Bennet girls were learning their way around the kitchen, house and gardens.
They had to manage everything, meal planning and preparation, the shopping, and household budget, garden preparation and planting and in the fall, food preservation. Everything a young lady should know in preparation for marriage. Jane, Elizabeth and Mary were the three eldest girls and Mrs. Bennet worked on the younger girls [Kitty and Lydia] at home.
There was a lot going on in this story. You had to really be on top of your game in order to keep up, as several story threads were running side by side. We have minimal Caroline activity. Just enough to be annoying and allow her to display her disgust with anything Bennet. Darcy didn’t interfere with Bingley and Jane and he kept one step ahead of Caroline at all times.
Wickham and Mrs. Younge were still working together on a lucrative business with Mrs. Younge’s sister. Their plans for the trip to Ramsgate was postponed when Darcy requested Georgiana stop at Meryton and stay at Oxford Cottage for a few weeks with the Bennet sisters. Darcy had someone he wanted his sister to meet, and once Mrs. Younge saw Elizabeth and him together, she was eager to pass this information on [to Wickham of course].
Georgiana and the three sisters spent a delightful time at Oxford Cottage. Things were going so well, until their tea was drugged and Georgiana and Elizabeth went missing. Even though this was a bit of angst, Elizabeth used every bit of intellect she possessed and let me tell you the hulking brutes that abducted her had nothing on her. She outsmarted them at every turn and it was hilarious. I couldn’t help but laugh as she pulled every trick in her arsenal and the poor guys didn’t know what hit them.
Not everything during this time was as it seemed. I just loved this part. It was really creative and I loved these guys. I was impressed with the way Elizabeth sent and left clues to help her loved ones find them. She was brilliant.
Toward the end… the story seemed to end and yet the author continued. There were several endings actually, and I wondered why it went on. I liked what was presented but was a bit confused.
Part 3: Beyond Oxford Cottage: I can’t say too much about this section because it is what happened later and that would give it away. So, just read it. It is off canon, clean, funny, a very different relationship between Mr. and Mrs. Bennet with a very clever explanation of how they coexist in their marriage. It was really cute. I like all the characters.
There was also a story about our dear Colonel that I wanted to know more about. There was a comeuppance at the end that you will not believe. It relates back to the very beginning so I can’t mention it. However, it was in character with Elizabeth’s personality, and was so funny.
Our dear Colonel: There were a lot of questions on just what he did in his line of work. There seemed to be a lot going on with him behind the scenes. It was pretty exciting and he had men all over the place working and I was impressed like heck. Who is this guy? I want his story.
Question: I wonder, did Darcy get his money back? I definitely want to read this again.