𝑀𝑦 𝐽𝐴𝐹𝐹 𝑂𝑏𝑠𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛

Elizabeth Bennet walks out one morning, still smarting from the insult thrown at her by a stranger, at the Meryton assembly. That stranger is Fitzwilliam Darcy, rich, connected and incredibly haughty. Although they were still not introduced, both of their lives were about to change forever. When a storm descends during her walk, Elizabeth starts to make her way home. Darcy comes across her and insists that, as a gentleman he must escort her home. Despite her repeated objections, she finds herself on Darcy’s horse, being firmly held by him. A flash of lightning spooks the horse and the two land in an unconscious heap. Unfortunately, a search party finds them, still lying together and thus, Elizabeth is compromised. So Darcy and Elizabeth are forced to marry, for the sake of her and her family’s reputation. Poor Elizabeth never does get an introduction, nor does she get a proposal. Darcy is cold and resentful at having to marry someone so far below his station. We follow Elizabet

A man at the end of his tether, after barely saving his young sister, Georgiana from ruination, Fitzwilliam Darcy seeks peace and solace for them both in Hertfordshire. There he meets Elizabeth Bennet. Accustomed to deference and flattery from the women of the ton, he is chagrined to be taken to task by Elizabeth for a moment of rudeness.  From this develops a friendship of frankness and warmth. A mutual love of nature, literature and debate deepens the relationship, which slowly becomes something more.  Elizabeth loses her heart to Darcy, but has no expectation of marriage to a man, so much above her in Society. For Darcy, friendship and infatuation develop simultaneously but duty to family and status, force him to contain his feelings.  Will love and friendship triumph over the expectations of family and Society? This is a delightful book. Both Elizabeth and Darcy are pleasing characters and the frissons of barely suppressed passion keep everything simmering nicely. I received a free

Lady Adelina Halifax, heiress, wild child and scandal, hides a great deal of pain behind her bad behaviour. In turns, neglected by her aristocratic parents, abused by the regime at her dreadful boarding school and then orphaned. Never believing herself worthy of love, she settles for getting attention in any way possible. She wants a suitor, but definitely not Lord Burns! He is a close friend of her guardian, always there, always gentlemanly, seemingly always present when Adelina embarrasses herself. Like a boring elder brother. Will Adelina learn to appreciate him? And if she does, will he want her? I have to say that I struggled with this. Adelina is probably a very accurate portrait of the sort of self destructive behaviour, damaged people can display, but wow, was she hard work! Lord Burns expression of unrequited love was so dramatic! Too much torment, inability to breath and bursting into tears! That said, the book has many redeeming features and well drawn characters. An honoura

In most Pride and Prejudice variations, when Elizabeth Bennet discovers that Fitzwilliam Darcy separated her beloved sister from his friend Bingley, the result is usually fury and fireworks. Here, Elizabeth decides that Darcy has done this because he despises her. Her response is to remove herself from his presence. Given that Darcy is actually in love with her, this baffles him. When he follows Elizabeth to London, Darcy finds himself having a very awkward conversation with both Elizabeth and Jane Bennet, explaining himself and giving heartfelt apologies. After this, Darcy works hard to make amends and prove himself worthy of Elizabeth. This is an enjoyable read and is very funny in places. It is interesting to see canon characters presented in a different way. Jane with a temper and steely resolve is great. Lady Catherine has a unique role at Longbourn. Colonel Fitzwilliam does some blunt speaking and Wickham joins the Navy! I especially appreciated the Bingley’s getting a massive se

A short and steamy novella. Darcy returns to Netherfield on an errand for Bingley. On the way he comes across Elizabeth Bennet and they are both waylayed by snow and ice. A day and a night spent in Mr Bennet’s hunting cabin gives Darcy the opportunity to improve Elizabeth’s opinion of him. So effective is he, that Elizabeth welcomes both his suit and his ardour. But will their tryst be discovered? Will Mr Bennet agree to the match? Given the length of the story, one has to forgive the lightning speed change in Elizabeth’s sentiments. The story is tender and passionate with a piquant hint of angst. Very enjoyable. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. Amazon review   Goodreads review Twitter post