𝑀𝑦 𝐽𝐴𝐹𝐹 𝑂𝑏𝑠𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛

Oddly unsatisfying On the night that the Netherfield party first attend the Meryton assembly, Miss Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy are unimpressed with each other. Darcy seeks some quiet from the noise and crowd of the assembly. Elizabeth seeks some cool air and a chat with her friend Charlotte. When Charlotte is delayed joining her outside, Elizabeth looks for her. A light seen through an open door, leads Elizabeth to search a storage room and the cold causes her to shut the door. Unfortunately, Charlotte is not in the storage room; Mr Darcy is! Efforts to escape fail and while moving around Elizabeth catches her dress on a nail, ripping it substantially. This of course is the point that the internal door is opened and all of Meryton society, see Elizabeth, her torn dress and Mr Darcy. For the sake of her family’s good name, Elizabeth agrees to marry Mr. Darcy. Given the circumstances, they have decided to live apart, and Mr. Darcy has prepared will a small estate call...

An entertaining read An interesting regency murder mystery, which uses the Hunsford based characters from Pride and Prejudice. The odious Mr Collins, Rector of Hunsford is found stabbed to death in Lady Catherine de Bourgh’s garden, The prime suspect is Mr Bennet, who was overheard arguing with Mr Collins over the entail of Longbourn in the days before the murder was committed – and who stands to benefit more than anyone from the Rector’s death. However, scandalous goings on at Rosing, mean that there are many avenues to investigate. An entertaining read. I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review. All views expressed are my own. Amazon Amazon review NetGalley review

Worth the effort Sofia-Elisabete Fitzwilliam, is a 15-year-old, British-Portuguese girl and natural granddaughter of the Earl of Matlock. In 1825, she lives in Spain with her mother and stepfather. She struggles against the culture which allows women minimal education and no freedom. She loves a Scotsman, Kitt Munro and hopes for a life with him. When her family try to sell her into an arranged marriage with an unpleasant elderly nobleman, she feels betrayed and decides to strike out on her own. So begins a perilous journey across Spain and France, with the aim to re-join her English family. I will be honest, I initially struggled with this book and almost abandoned reading it. Perseverance paid off however as it is an enjoyable read. The author is not kidding, describing this as magical realism. It is seriously weird in places, but when you realise that the character has heat-stroke and a concussion, it makes more sense! This is an epic journey both figuratively and literally, w...

Think only of the past as its remembrance gives you pleasure. On their 20th wedding anniversary, Elizabeth Darcy convinces her husband to join her in documenting their love story, each from their own perspective. They will each write in their own private journals, then share their memories. They each remember events differently and we hear their thoughts and feelings at the time. There is a certain amount of amusing cheating, as each wants to read the latest journal entries. Who is telling the story as it really happened? Probably neither one, but there is one thing they both agree on: Think only of the past as its remembrance gives you pleasure. I love Elizabeth as a widow. It gave her much more license to be her arch self. I was amazed at her ability to tolerate Louisa and Caroline as sisters. Elizabeth and Darcy have a sweet friendship first, then love, which means a much less reserved Darcy It was great to hear their thoughts I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and a...

Dare she risk her heart? Elizabeth Bennet, mourning a great loss, is sent to spend time with her paternal aunt, Lady Vanessa.  This lady introduces Elizabeth to the local high society and hopes to match her to the titled son of her best friend. The family run an esteemed racing stables and this brings Fitzwilliam Darcy. Rich, proud, landed, racehorse owning and obsessed with the sport. Darcy is captivated by Elizabeth, but she is determined to protect her heart from the agony of possible heartbreak again. Darcy must be patient and gentle in order to win her heart. I love the Darcy in this story, he is kind, understanding and loving. A great story, which I am happy to recommend Pearl Hewitt has a pleasant voice and it is a true pleasure to listen to her. I received a free copy of this audiobook via StoryOrigin and am voluntarily leaving a review. All views expressed are my own. Audible  

Lady Elizabeth no more! Lady Elizabeth is now just Lizzy Bennet, aware that the Duke, who she thought was her grandfather, actually abducted her. She is returned to her true family, but the reunion is not easy.  Understandably, Mr & Mrs Bennet despise all mention of the Duke and his family. Lizzy finds it hard to just turn off a lifetime of love and her conflicted emotions make it difficult to settle into her new life. Most of all, she misses Darcy.  Injury from a carriage accident and the machinations of a cousin, have kept Darcy at Pemberley. Allegations and misunderstandings ensue and threaten their future happiness. This was an angst-ridden conclusion to the two book series, with a satisfying outcome for both heroes and villains alike! Pearl Hewitt is a great narrator and continues to be a pleasure to listen to. I received a free copy of this audiobook via StoryOrigin and am voluntarily leaving a review. All views expressed are my own. Audible  

A charmed life? Lady Elizabeth, granddaughter of a Duke, raised in wealth and privilege is destined for an arranged marriage with a man of equal rank and status.  Fitzwilliam Darcy, long time neighbour and close friend of her brother, has known her for many years and loves her. Despite his wealth and connections, he is viewed as beneath Lady Elizabeth, by the Duke. When he visits his friend Bingley at Netherfield Park, he is stunned to meet a Miss Bennett, who closely resembles Lady Elizabeth. When he hears that many years ago, the Bennett family lost a daughter, who disappeared close to his estate in Derbyshire, he decides to investigate. The outcome may be lifechanging for all. I really enjoyed this variation, that had Darcy and Elizabeth as close family friends. The twists and turns of the plot were enjoyable and I was keen to move straight on the Book 2, to complete the story. Pearl Hewitt is a great narrator and is a pleasure to listen to. I received a free cop...

 “I was not looking for love, but there you were.”   This variation gives an interesting perspective.  Elizabeth Bennet and her only sister, Jane grow up at Longbourn with only a neglectful father, having been abandoned by their mother. The scandal of this abandonment leaves the family on the very margins of society, despite being born gentry. Neglected Lizzy, given little education and no social polish, makes an impetuous decision, resulting in forced marriage to James Fitzwilliam, younger son of the Earl of Broxbourne. The family despise Lizzy and do the barest minimum to assist the pair. James has a commission as Lieutenant Colonel, which yields a small income. He is given access to a small plot of land to build a house on. Fortunately, his cousin Darcy builds a small house for them. With little income and no staff, Lizzy lives the hard life of a soldier's wife. (This is what would have been Lydia's lot in life, in Pride & Prejudice). As the years go by and t...

Eleanor Sherbrook is intelligent, outspoken and brave. The presence of a birthmark on her face, is enough to leave her pitied and side-lined by Victorian Society. Her sister Julia is shallow, venal and beautiful, which of course means she is the delight of Society. Julia is away when Eleanor meets the gallant and handsome Lieutenant Joshua Griffiths Wentworth. His ability to see more than skin deep, leads to a close friendship and the hope of requited love for Eleanor. However, when Julia returns, she dazzles Joshua. Through a series of misunderstandings and Julia’s machinations, Eleanor flees, heartbroken at the thought of seeing Joshua and Julia together. The Crimean war intervenes. Joshua, a member of the ill-fated Light Brigade, travels to join his regiment. Eleanor becomes a nurse and joins Florence Nightingale in her efforts to improve the terrible conditions at the British Military Hospital in Scutari. Joshua and Eleanor meet several times and forge a close bond. A bond they r...