Two sisters, one man. Someone’s heart is about to get broken.Elizabeth Bennet quickly realises she has misjudged Mr Darcy. In Kent, she learns first impressions are not always accurate. His proposal is disastrous, insulting even, but when she reads his letter her heart begins to thaw, and her objections and prejudices start to melt away. Elizabeth decides to offer Mr Darcy a sliver of hope, an … hope, an apology, and a second chance.
Yet when he begins to call at Gracechurch Street, determined to become a better man and humbled by Elizabeth’s reproofs, he unwittingly stirs the romantic hopes of another lady altogether.
Jane Bennet, bereft and confused, rejected by Charles Bingley is fearful of becoming an old maid. She is eager to fall in love with the very first gentleman who takes notice of her, and Mr Darcy’s is, after all, everything her mother has wanted for her, rich and handsome, the perfect suitor.
Through crowded, industrious Cheapside, to the elegant ballrooms of Mayfair, Mr Darcy chases Elizabeth Bennet, unaware that the quiet unassuming girl who smiles too much, is fully intent on chasing him.
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Smart, emotive, well-researched, and well-developed storylines from the “Pride and Prejudice” characters we recognize and love. Caitlin Williams expertly weaves our hearts (right along with Darcy’s and Elizabeth’s) into her story. Never have I read Jane Bennet thus but absolutely believed how such might happen–her loyalty to family, her disappointment with Bingley, and Mr Darcy’s handsome attentions coupled with his improved manners…who wouldn’t imagine/want Darcy as suitor? Poor Jane. Poor Lizzy. Poor Mr Darcy. The whole story seems wrought for disaster but Williams carefully takes us to the edge only to reel us back…and that is the genius of Caitlin Williams! What a wonderful read. Every time he says “When we are married”–gah! My heart would skip a beat. Loved!
“I’m here to spread a message of hope. Follow your heart. Don’t follow what you’ve been told you’re supposed to do.” J. Cole
After reading the book excerpt on Claudine’s blog, I was hooked.
https://justjane1813.com/2017/07/16/w…
I knew I had to read this book. After receiving it as a gift… I immediately started reading and could not put it down. I devoured it in one sitting… I kid you not… I had the fuzzy head the rest of the day to prove it. [OK, no snarky comments from the gallery please]; however, it was so worth staying up until the wee hours just to read the end. Several of my Goodreads friends [Leslie, Wose, Sheila, & Anna] have already reviewed this work and all gave it top marks [that’s 5-stars in this JAFF universe]. I agree with their ratings completely. Since they have done such a good job, I don’t want to repeat what they have already written. I’ll try to look at this from another angle.
On one level, we have the basic love story between ODC [our dear couple]. They will have to overcome their pride and prejudice so they can begin work on their HEA. There are vexations, misunderstandings, pride and taking the time to make those changes in their personalities that allows them to meet somewhere in the middle so they see if they suit. Yeah, the basic D&E love story.
On another level, we have our dear Colonel. Bless his heart, he seems to be everywhere in the story doing damage control. When things get out of hand with his cousin/brother Darcy, it is our dear Colonel that comes in and cleans up his mess. I really felt for our Colonel. I love this guy. He is so selfless in his devotion and dedication to his cousins Darcy and Georgiana.
Then we have the Georgiana story where she is still recovering from Ramsgate. It seems this story was a bit more involved then canon and Georgiana is a bit more emotionally damaged and reclusive, as she does not live with her brother. This is a different turn from the course that many JAFF stories take.
I loved the introduction of Mrs. Carmichael. A P&P story would not be complete without Lady Catherine making noise about the wedding of her daughter Anne de Bourgh to her nephew Mr. Darcy. Yeah, she was in town causing mischief. We also were able to meet other members of the Fitzwilliam family, including the family pug. OMG!! That dog was a scream. Bet he could clear out a room in under 30 seconds. I’d run.
Wickham puts in his appearance and makes trouble. OMG!! For the love of… will someone just shoot him or run him through with his own ego.
The next thread is Jane Bennet being in London as she waits for the return of sister Lizzy and Maria Lucas from their sojourn to Kent. She is nursing a broken heart and has finally accepted the abandonment of Charles Bingley. All hope for the connection is now lost with the break in the friendship with his sisters [due to their abominable snobbish visit].
In a family of five daughters, Jane reigned supreme, not only as the beauty of her family, but also in her community. She was unusually beautiful and yet was still unmarried. Why? She was the daughter of a gentleman landowner, although the estate was entailed from the female line. Her dowry was low, and she had connections to trade through her mother’s relations. Perhaps, her mother’s behavior might have a contributing factor with running off a possible suitor. With such a mother…
Now facing the consequence of the loss of Bingley, who had his own connections to trade… Jane was now experiencing a crisis of identity. Who was Jane Bennet? The only thing anyone EVER said about her was related to her beauty. Lizzy was known for her wit, intelligence and impertinence. Mary was musically talented, and steady with a moral fortitude that gave her a strength of character. Kitty followed Lydia, who was her mother’s favorite and was considered lively, ebullient, flirty… you get the picture. But who was Jane… other than beautiful? Was she the dutiful daughter? Had she not done everything her mother asked of her? Now, she could add jilted daughter to her list of attributes. Jane began to question what was wrong with her.
Enter, into her life [with its crushed spirit and bruised ego] one tall, handsome, dimpled, Mr. Darcy, who had just returned from Kent carrying a note for Jane from Lizzy. He was so changed and kind to her that she thought it must be for her and that he must like her. So, begins the monumental misunderstanding that sets our story on its ear. The other misunderstanding was when Mrs. Gardiner thought Lizzy was infatuated with our dear Colonel.
OMG!! These misunderstandings went super nova one night at Darcy House. Everything that was up, was now down and everything that was down, was now up. In an emotional outburst… Jane blasted Lizzy big time and in public. All restraint was gone as she vented her feelings and emotions. This last part was so out of character for our Jane that I didn’t recognize her. Who was this person? All her years of suppressed emotions burst forth. It was horrible. It was a total misunderstanding. Everyone was operating on a different plane and in a different universe and the sisterly bond between Jane and Lizzy was suddenly broken… perhaps forever.
The rest of the story was of healing… healing the various misunderstandings of magnitude proportions. It was well done as our author orchestrated our various characters toward their HEA. The ending was delightful. There wasn’t an epilogue even though I felt there were several threads that could have been resolved. [Will there be a sequel?] I wonder about Jane’s story. How will it end? I think I know; however, I can’t say without giving a spoiler. Will there be a story for Georgiana? Will Mary, Kitty and Lydia overcome their mother’s machinations? Will Mr. Bennet rein in Mrs. Bennet… yeah, like that is going to happen. I loved this story.
Source: I received this copy as a gift… this is a fair and honest review. The views expressed are my own. I could not do otherwise.