𝑀𝑦 𝐽𝐴𝐹𝐹 𝑂𝑏𝑠𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛

Elizabeth Bennet and her sister Jane, swore to marry only for the deepest love. Always her father’s favourite, she felt secure in his love and respect.  Many happy hours were spent together in his book room, reading, debating and sharing the quiet peace. On the day of the Netherfield ball, Mr Bennet summons her. One brief conversation destroys all of her plans for the future, her faith in her father and her equanimity. He has arranged a marriage for her, to Mr Goulding, a man older than her father, a man she thinks of as an uncle. Goulding needs an heir, after the recent death of his son and Bennet owes him a debt. Unfortunately, Elizabeth is to pay that debt. The only concession is a small delay to allow Elizabeth to come to terms with the match. Elizabeth is grief stricken at her loss of choice, of hope, of all she had planned. Although forced to attend the ball, Elizabeth rapidly seeks sanctuary in the dark, frosty garden. When Fitzwilliam Darcy entered Hertfordshire Society...

A Pride and prejudice variation which starts from a meeting at Pemberley.  Elizabeth and Jane Bennet, on holiday with their Uncle and Aunt Gardiner. While touring Pemberley, a chance meeting with the owner, Mr Darcy leads to an invitation to stay for a house party. Jane is reunited with Mr Bingley, their amiable neighbour from Hertfordshire.  While Elizabeth makes a favourable impression on Mr Darcy.  Darcy follows Elizabeth to Hertfordshire, his heart very soon engaged.  Unfortunately, meeting the Bennet family is less than pleasant for the fastidious Darcy. Darcy struggles between his feelings for Elizabeth and his revulsion for her family’s behaviour. Sadly, Darcy gives Elizabeth the classic “Hunsford” proposal. Elizabeth is humiliated and feels she must refuse, despite being in love with the man, she thought she knew. Time passes and Elizabeth finds herself in London for the Season. (Mrs Bennet finally persuaded her husband to agree to a Season for all her girls)...

As one would expect of a novella, there is not time for deep character development.  This Darcy is much less the proud, stiff “Hunsford” Mr Darcy, more the playful, pleasing “Pemberley” Darcy. The man Elizabeth Bennet encounters in the gardens of Rosings, is engaging and willing to share recollections that show his vulnerability.  All rather unsettling for Elizabeth, who still views him with disapprobation, following his insult to her at the Meryton assembly. Playing the outdoor equivalent of a parlour game, they search through the gardens for various blossoms. Elation at finding the winning bloom, rapidly evolves into a passionate embrace and several searing kisses. Alas, they are seen by Mr Collins, who can’t resist shouting compromise, to most of Lady Catherine’s staff and guests. To save their reputations, Darcy declares their betrothal and Elizabeth must concur. A rapid wedding is arranged. Passion continues, but will love prove elusive? An enjoyable read, with enga...

Fitzwilliam Darcy's father was a cold and distant man who instilled in his son a sense of duty and responsibility.  Darcy was raised to believe that he must always put the needs of his family and his estate first. This burden has weighed heavily on Darcy throughout his life, and it has made him aloof and guarded. Unfortunately, only three members of his family were loving and supportive.   Georgiana, his little sister loves him but is cowed by her haughty father.   Richard Fitzwilliam, his cousin is as close as a brother but duty to the Crown calls him away.   Lady Anne Darcy was a sweet and loving mother who drowned in a freak accident. Her death left Darcy with a long lasting fear of water. When Darcy visits Hertfordshire, he meets Elizabeth Bennet and insults her! Fortunately, Darcy apologies and Elizabeth accepts. Elizabeth is burdened by revelations of just how poor a father, Mr Bennet is and what it might cost the whole family.   During...

Mary Bennet is jealous of the attention that Mr Collins is paying her sister Elizabeth.  At the Netherfield ball, her solution is to lock Elizabeth out of the way in a dark room.  Unfortunately, that room was not empty. Fitzwilliam Darcy just wanted some peace and quiet.  Elizabeth and Darcy try to escape the room by the window, but their progress is observed resulting in a compromise. A forced marriage scenario for Elizabeth and Darcy is a common trope in Jane Austen variations. Often these result in angst ridden efforts to find some way of making a life with a stranger. Bella Breen paints an appealing picture of Elizabeth and Darcy finding affection for each other. However, we are told that this happens, rather than being shown by action and dialogue. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. Amazon review Goodreads review

As Elizabeth Bennet tours Pemberley, she feels anxious about running into the owner, Mr. Darcy. Having rejected his proposal of marriage, she assumes he must loathe her. However, when they do cross paths, she is pleasantly surprised to find that he harbours no ill feelings towards her. Unfortunately, Elizabeth is unaware that her reunion with the master of Pemberley is regarded with suspicion by one very significant member of the household. To this person, very few are good enough for Darcy and Elizabeth is dismissed as a fortune hunter to be repelled. Darcy is astonished to discover Miss Bennet’s presence in his home, and even more surprised to learn that her opinion of him has significantly improved.  He begins to contemplate resuming his efforts to win her affection, but unforeseen obstacles emerge that could jeopardize their chances of happiness. Pemberley is under threat. What starts as a small crack, grows bigger, eventually threatening an entire wing. This also serves as a m...

Elizabeth Bennet has a sensual awakening after reading Fanny Hill. When she travels to Hunsford to visit her newly married friend, a minor accident throws her into the path of Mrs Abby Trenwith. Abby is an independent and liberal thinking widow, with a secret passion for the sensual arts. She offers to provide a trustworthy, male instructor to give lessons in pleasure and pain. During the lessons, both are masked and disguised, to maintain their anonymity. A good thing too, as Elizabeth would be angry and distressed if she knew who he was! Erotic bits were well done. Fitted in well with the Hunsford narrative. However, way too much of the original story, almost word for word from Austen. I found myself skipping text to find any changes from the original. I love JAFF but this wasn’t a variation or retelling, just Pride and prejudice with some fairly vanilla BDSM. Not sure if I would recommend this to JAFF fans, but fans of erotica may enjoy it. I received a free copy of this book via Bo...