Soon after the Netherfield ball, a troubled Mr. Darcy decides to walk away from a most unsuitable fascination. But heartache is in store for them all, and his misguided attempts to ensure the comfort of the woman he loves backfire in ways he had not expected…Why is it that the worth of a true blessing is never felt as keenly as when it seems to have become quite out of reach? In this tale of … tale of ‘Pride & Prejudice’ meets ‘Sense & Sensibility’, Mr. Darcy is compelled to reflect on this very question, as he struggles to come to terms with the effects of his wrong choices, and fervently hope for a second chance at finding happiness.
“Well, Sir, what shall it be? The joy of music or of the printed word?” she asked, in a manner so highly reminiscent of their past interactions as to make him almost giddy with renewed hope.
“The joy of you! My greatest folly was to ever walk away from it!”
more
“The Second Chance,” Joana Starnes’ second crossover novel of “Pride and Prejudice” with soupçons of “Sense and Sensibility”, commences with Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy still at odds at Netherfield but from there on, the story is all new. Albeit Darcy forbids himself to court Elizabeth because of her comparatively lower station in life and his obligations and expectations of his family, he cannot but be enamored by her verve and fine eyes. Alas when Mr. Bennet falls dangerously ill, he cannot abstain from coming to her aid. Not only does he send his own physician to care for the failing Mr. Bennet but makes secret arrangements to care for Elizabeth and her family should the worst happen and the girls lose their home to the heir apparent, Mr. Collins, an odious, groveling cousin. Unbeknownst to Elizabeth that Darcy has done even more than this one kindness of his own physician, her negative opinion of him does begin to change for the better. “He did not want her gratitude! ‘What is it that you want, then?’ The answer was simple and it came to him in a moment, readily accepted as the absolute truth. He did not want her gratitude. He wanted her love. Ah, but to what purpose? That was the material point!” But when the worst falls on Longbourn, Elizabeth soon finds herself removed to a lovely manor house in Devonshire.
Under the guise of an inheritance from one of Mr. Bennet’s old schoolmates, Darcy has gifted the Bennets his own Farringdon Lodge in Devonshire – and that is where we meet our “Sense and Sensibility” favorites: the Dashwoods, Mrs. Jennings, the Middletons, Edward Ferrars, and Colonel Brandon. (Do I unveil too much by appending that neither Jane nor Mary Bennet quit Hertfordshire because Fate has smiled on them at Longbourn in other ancillary plots?) Meanwhile, amidst the downs of Devonshire, romance and friendships blossom. I adored it so realizing Mrs. Bennet and Mrs. Jennings were now to be fast friends bent on making good matches for all the girls. “ ‘Well, it appears that you have missed your chance, my dear,’ Mrs. Jennings said to Elizabeth one morning, nodding significantly in the direction of Colonel Brandon, who was sitting away from the rest of the party in earnest conversation with Marianne.”
Whilst Elizabeth begins life anew in her Devonshire environs, Darcy, try as he must, cannot purge her from his thoughts. “She had been with him everywhere he went. She had been in the house in Berkeley Square, smiling at him from across the long mahogany table; she had walks through the halls at Pemberley at his side; leaned over his shoulder in the quiet hours at his desk in his study and cut his sleep and his peace with dreams of her, day and night!” Though he seems resolute to take comfort knowing she is safely situated at Farringdon Lodge, when he hears from Colonel Fitzwilliam another Colonel might be wooing his Elizabeth, he can only act as his heart demands…and see her for himself. But is he too late? Was the friendship they had only begun at Longbourn enough of a start? And what happens if she should discover the truth of his altruistic bequest?
Through a comedy of errors, Darcy and Elizabeth miss each other on separate occasions and when they do meet again, there is much frustration (for the reader, too) and share of vexation delaying the inevitable happily ever after that we wholly expect. Nay, demand. “How was he to tell her that he loved her and ask her to trust him with her hand and heart if she would not talk to him? If she could even bear to look at him?”
All the while reading “The Second Chance”, I had a niggling sensation that I had read this before. After a quick confirmation from the author via Facebook Messenger, it turns out Starnes had written it nearly ten years ago as “Steady to His Purpose”! It was a crossover favorite of mine when I discovered it at Derbyshire Writer’s Guild eight years ago and is thus once again. Note: this 2014 published version remains true to its original plot however, the structure is a bit varied and a couple new chapters have been added.
“The Second Chance” is certainly more of re-imagining where “Pride and Prejudice” characters meet up with “Sense and Sensibility” set partly in Devonshire. To me, the “Sense and Sensibility” characters are only tertiary forces to driving the Darcy & Elizabeth story forward. I was not overly invested in any of those side stories but the narrative was so sound, it was of little consequence to my overall enjoyment. Though the book cover seems amateurish compared to others on the bookseller-mart these days — and that may have been the only reason for me to have not read this when it was first released October 2014 — I look forward to reading more from this author. Blessedly, Joana Starnes writes our beloved characters much as we always envisage though in entirely fresh scenarios. She masterfully sprinkles some of Austen’s well-known phrases throughout even reassigning dialog to other characters to deliver. But the mingling of favorites from “Pride and Prejudice” with “Sense and Sensibility”, giving them new storylines to traverse, contriving a new pairing or two, speeding up the inevitable for some whilst delaying our satisfaction for others, made “The Second Chance” an engrossing and inventive read. Like with all my favorites, not only do I have this on my e-reader but have also added it to my book room as “I cannot comprehend the neglect of a family library in such days as these.” It’s a must a read in 2015. Sooner than later. 4 1/2 stars
The road to HEA is fraught with decisions and not all of them good ones.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to read Mr. Darcy’s thoughts? That is exactly what we get to do in this JAFF [Jane Austen Fan Fiction]. In fact we get to read the thoughts of many pivotal P&P characters.
There are several excellent Amazon reviews already presented by Sophie, S.L. Majczan, and Christina Boyd. They helped me decide that I wanted to read this JAFF. Thanks guys for the excellent reviews.
In this stirring version of our beloved P&P classic, we are privy to the intimate thoughts and desires of Fitzwilliam Darcy as he struggles with finding himself in love with Elizabeth Bennet. We are in his head for a good portion of the book. We also know the thoughts and desires of Elizabeth.
There are several levels of acceptance as we advance in Darcy’s mind quest for happiness. First up, his rejection of her for all the reasons society and his family would present. He knows them all too well. He constantly repeats them in order to convince himself that he cannot have her, should not.
Next, his avowal [as he walks away] that, he will always love her, and he only wants the best for her and her family. This is the basis for his faulty decision that could have destroyed them all. If it were made known, she and her family would suffer immeasurable harm, more so then he and his. Society would forgive him as a rake, but would have crucified her and her sisters.
Next, his acceptance that he cannot live without her, and his quest to find a way to make amends to her and her family. The ultimate test is when he is faced with the prospect of her possibly loving another. Can he endure it? Can he move on with his life?
Finally, his struggles as he attempts to gain her affection, and his ultimate goal, her hand in marriage. This is the most difficult part as the rest of the story is fraught with misunderstandings, interfering relatives, and missed opportunities. La, I needed something to calm my nerves.
Starnes was so creative with the intersection between P&P characters with those from Sense and Sensibility and other JA novels. The juxtaposition of conversations from one character to another always kept me on edge. You never knew who would say those favorite lines we love so well. It was fun, and rather shocking, following the marriage match up with characters we didn’t expect. How fun. Hey, it is a variation so the author gets to have a little fun. I enjoyed the mix-up. And, in reality, some of the changes were appropriate and I could see how it would work. Great job with the Wickham situation, I couldn’t help but laugh out loud…so creative, KUDOS on that alone.
I simply loved the Epilogue. It wrapped everything up so nicely and was a most excellent surprise.
Note to readers and reviewers: Those accustomed to reading the quick and dirty novellas will not enjoy or appreciate the thoroughness of the work here. They will think it is too long. Well, if you want a novella, then read novellas. Don’t carp on the full length of a novel when you know the number of pages before you start reading it.