𝑀𝑦 𝐽𝐴𝐹𝐹 𝑂𝑏𝑠𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛

I'll admit it, I'm a sucker for an angst filled pride and prejudice variation. And this is a doozy! Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy are forced to marry, following a compromise at the Meryton Assembly.  Mr Bennet disowns Elizabeth and sends her younger sisters to a harsh boarding school. It makes Lowood school in Jane Eyre look cushy. Darcy is convinced that Elizabeth and her family are gold diggers. His distain and bitterness know no bounds. At Pemberley, Elizabeth finds some allies and some antagonists. Thank the good Lord that Georgiana loves her. It takes a long time for Darcy to be reconciled to the marriage but when threatened with losing Elizabeth, his behaviour changes. This Darcy becomes the sweetest husband and we receive a delightful happy ever after, as expected. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. Amazon review Goodreads review

This pride and prejudice variation begins at the Meryton Assembly and ends with the Netherfield Park Ball. Fitzwilliam Darcy, slowly recovering from a duelling wound, reluctantly attends the Assembly with his friend, Charles Bingley.  When he utters the famous insult, Elizabeth Bennet has already noticed that he is grumpy because he is in pain. She puts Darcy at ease, reassuring him that she is already betrothed, so not interested in compromising him. A friendship develops between them. This Darcy is sweet and funny (although he has a vicious tongue when he thinks he has been betrayed). Both Darcy and Elizabeth are falling in love. He struggles with the knowledge that she belongs to another, while she desperately wishes that she never mentioned her peculiar betrothal. I really enjoyed this. I liked the introduction of Captain Frederick Wentworth as Elizabeth's childhood best friend. A good read. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. Amazon review ...

The Galehart family have many children and not much money. So when a well heeled distant relative suggests a match to a London solicitor, Mr Galehart jumps at the opportunity. Unfortunately, twin daughters Ruth and Ruby are less impressed. Ruth is quiet and biddable, so is chosen as bride. However, Ruth has a sweetheart and is heartbroken. Her biddable nature also makes her unwilling to challenge her parents.  Ruby is desperate to spare her beloved twin, so concocts a plan to take her place at the altar. She hadn't considered the possible fallout from this fraud. Nor had she anticipated the consequences of the truth being revealed, just when she was coming to love her "husband" This is a sweet novella and well worth reading. I received a free copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review. All views expressed are my own. Amazon review Goodreads review