Just as Mr. Darcy finally decides to propose to the enticing Miss Elizabeth Bennet, she is summoned to Falmouth, to meet a relation she never knew she had.Thus, the ill-starred Hunsford proposal is avoided – but before he could even begin to understand his luck, adverse circumstances hasten to conspire against him, and Fitzwilliam Darcy is compelled to follow the woman he loves to the far reaches … far reaches of Cornwall, into a world of deceit and peril where few – if any – are what they seem to be…
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Loved, loved, loved. What a clever twist of Jane Austen’s masterpiece! Though The Falmouth Connection takes our beloved Lizzy and Darcy down a wholly different path than I had ever read before, I welcomed the inventive re-imagining and appreciate that Starnes kept the characteristics fairly true to Austen’s. So happy to have read. Am eager to recommend. Stayed in my pajamas reading this all day one Sunday then went to sleep with a happy heart. #rainyDayIndulgence
Timely advice, a trip into Cornwall, a rival, secret goings on, and unrequited love lead to a sweet romantic adventure in this Pride & Prejudice variation tale.
I had a good time with this story from first to last. It engaged all my emotions it seemed. I was amused by a series of blunders and mishaps, saddened by the unrequited love and heartbreak moments, and sighed with pleasure over the romantic scenes. The hero, Darcy, really blunders and struggles in the beginning. He’s so cocksure and arrogant. I enjoyed how the author showed his flaws and strengths and gave him some good growth moments. The heroine, Elizabeth, has her own personal epiphany, too. Seeing them work through so much really had me rooting for them. The rival part was an interesting development. I think how this played out involved my only niggle about the story.
I enjoyed the bit of intrigue and adventure next to the romance part which suited the Cornwall setting where things are not what they seem. The big climax was built up to and worth it coming back to back with the turning point in the romance and other story threads. The denouement came down slowly which was good so things could be settled and understood. I was startled by a few of the minor characters’ story lines, but not in a bad way. Elizabeth’s little sister Lydia was a surprise. There is an interesting finish for her that I’m still not sure how I feel about it because it was a twist that I didn’t see coming.
I experienced The Falmouth Connection in the audio format. Stevie Zimmerman was a fantastic match for this story. She caught the tone, pace, and the characters so well. The dialogue between characters was particularly well done.
All in all, this variation of a classic took things on a fun romantic suspense style adventure. I think those with some familiarity of Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice will get the most out of the story since it assumes the reader knows a bit of what came before the beginning of this story. I enjoy each new outing with the author’s works and will definitely be going back for more. I would recommend this to sweet historical romance fans and/or those who enjoy classical story retellings.
Dark, sinister, blood curdling scream in the night 4.5 stars.
This was a roller-coaster from beginning to end. Darcy experienced every emotion known to man. From total exhilaration, when he thought Elizabeth returned his love, to abject despair when he realized she didn’t. My heart was broken along with his as he walked away from Elizabeth thinking it was for the last time. At one point I had to put the book down because I needed a respite from the grief and despair.
This JAFF was so different in tone and feel that I didn’t want to put it down; however, I had to eat and sleep. Joana Starnes knows how to wring out the very last emotion you have in your arsenal and then she digs deeper still.
The financial security of the Bennet family took a sudden change for the better from a distant relative on Mrs. Bennet’s side of the family. Mrs. Pencarrow was her mother’s sister and therefore, her aunt. She being a wealthy widow with no children, informed Mr. and Mrs. Bennet that she had bestowed on each of their daughters a dowry substantial enough to secure their futures. She then informed them that her estate was being left to Elizabeth. Her reasons were revealed in a back story that she told only to Elizabeth. Her wealth was explained as Starnes introduced historical facts relating to mining and industry and the financial benefits of an earlier time.
Financial security for their daughters calmed a nervous Mrs. Bennet immensely as she thought of future suitors. And it calmed Mr. Bennet as he realized it would NOT be available to Mr. Collins as part of the entail. He then took a long hard look at his life and how he had neglected his family.
There was a dark and sinister thread that ran throughout this story. You knew something was coming and you didn’t know from what direction it would spring forth. When Wickham arrived you knew dark and dangerous deeds would be the result of his presence. I loved the duel and how it came about. Starnes was a master at building tension in the story, whether sinister, sexual, emotional or joyful. I was a wreck as I read through the tension.
Having said that…I think the story began to fall apart as it built toward the climax. It became confusing and was a bit anticlimactic as the story unfolded. There were so many threads running at the same time that it felt rushed and didn’t fully develop as the climax approached.
I realize the story was the POV of ODC. Since a lot of the climax happened off sight…the only way we could know what happened was a simple retelling. I suppose it had to be that way. ODC was not present to see the action, so couldn’t give their perspective. To be in anyone else’s head would have exposed too much before the final reveal. Starnes only told us what we needed to know at that time. Brilliant!
Lord Trevellyan was an enigma. I could not decide whether to like or dislike him. There was something about him that gave me pause and I had a dreadful feeling about him. Starnes worked such a twist with him and those around him that I kept waiting for the ax to fall at any moment. Sometimes things are simply what they seem. The secret of the cove was interesting as he told our characters about the decades of smugglers, pirates, and thieves that had haunted the area.
Caroline gave a short appearance as she trouped all the way to Cornwall to cause trouble. Her devious plans to separate Bingley from Jane and her attempts to snare Darcy all came to a crashing head. It was a hoot.
Colonel Fitzwilliam was a surprise; I didn’t see his HEA coming at all, even though Starnes gave us clues [watch those clues]. It happened rather quickly and I was so stunned. Who knew that was even a possibility? I liked how it ended. I think Starnes did an excellent job with what she chose for him.
Everyone’s HEA was explained in the last several chapters and was better than an epilogue.