𝑀𝑦 𝐽𝐴𝐹𝐹 𝑂𝑏𝑠𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛

A wonderful novella. Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy have a unique way of missing out on the usual pride and prejudice misunderstandings. Brilliant ending too! Amazon review Goodreads review

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...

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

Netherfield Park is let at last and the new tenant Charles Bingley, faces unseasonably hot weather for October. Fitzwilliam Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam join the party, after riding from London in the stultifying heat. Having spotted a very tempting stream as they rode across Netherfield’s land, they suggest a swim. On arrival they hear voices and investigate. All five Bennet daughters are swimming, as Mr Bennet sits in the shade. Elizabeth executes a daring, acrobatic swing into the river. Darcy is initially startled, as he thinks she is drowning, then captivated by the sight of Elizabeth in a wet dress. The heatwave lasts about ten days, with more swimming and interaction with the Bennets. Darcy ends up losing his heart to Elizabeth. The book ends at the Meryton assembly, where Darcy and Elizabeth dance and someone gets a wet and muddy comeuppance. This book is wonderful! No angst, very little Darcy pride and Elizabeth at her teasing best. As a bonus we have Jemima, a duck of great ...

When Elizabeth Bennet first meets Fitzwilliam Darcy, heir to Pemberley, she is not impressed.  He is dismissive and rather rude, while she is infatuated with his best friend Unfortunately, this friend has long been in love with a remarkable and unconventional High Society lady. As Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam are thrown together at a house party and other gatherings, they start to appreciate each other. Darcy shows a romantic and charming side to his character. Unfortunately, a singular object stands between the couple and happiness, Darcy’s mother!  Lady Anne Darcy is devious, arrogant, spiteful, controlling and dangerous.  She makes Lady Catherine de Bourgh look sweet and appealing, in comparison.  A rough road of angst, separation and heartbreak lies ahead, before the possibility of a happily ever after resolution.  I really enjoyed this. Lady Anne Darcy is rarely portrayed as anything other than a kind and loving mother. Here is a villain we can all desp...

Fitzwilliam Darcy loves Elizabeth Bennet but his appalling proposal leads to rejection and heartbreak. He travels to join his young sister Georgiana in Ramsgate, but on arrival the sight of her in the arms of rake and scoundrel, George Wickham causes him to have an apoplexy.  The resulting damage and loss of coherent speech leave him vulnerable and the vultures are circling.  Unfortunately, the vultures in this case are his own extended family, who want control of the Darcy fortune. Elizabeth Bennet has always been the least favourite daughter at Longbourn. Mrs Bennet favours the daughters who are most like her. Mr Bennet behaves as though Elizabeth is invisible.  When Elizabeth refuses to secure Longbourn for her family by marrying her odious cousin, Mr Collins, she is exiled.  Sent to an unknown family member and thence into a life in service.  She manages to postpone that future by travelling to Ramsgate with an acquaintance from Meryton.  In Ramsgate sh...

Elizabeth Carlisle and her twin sister Jane enjoyed a happy childhood, living at Netherfield Park with their loving parents. Mr and Mrs Carlisle were elemental mages, in a world where many of the upper echelons of society had magical powers. At the age of ten, Elizabeth and Jane’s world collapsed. Their parents were revealed to be evil, having killed many people with their magic. They died in a magical explosion. Elizabeth and Jane were sent to live with the Bennet family at Longbourn. They surrendered the name Carlisle, to become Bennets. For the next ten years they were despised and misreated by those appointed to care for them. For ten years, the twins kept their magical talent a secret. A fire at the Meryton assembly, forced them to reveal themselves. They have long been watched by the Mage Council, fearful of them following in their parents’ footsteps. The Council steps in, separates the sisters and sends Elizabeth to the Season, a magical University. She is to be supervised and t...

Viscount Saye is heir to the Earl of Matlock. He is clever, rich and handsome, with a carefully cultivated reputation as an outrageous flirt, a dandy and something of a rake. He is also shocked to find himself in love for the first time at two and thirty. He has flirted with Lillian Goddard for some months and even managed the odd intimate moment. When he hears that she is shortly to receive a proposal, he decides action must be taken. A fabulous house party at the Matlock estate is arranged. Twenty guests are invited, just so Saye can woo one woman. In attendance are Georgette Hawkridge, Saye’s cousin, who brings along her closest friends, Lilly and Sarah. Georgette has a secret passion for Samuel Anderson. Unfortunately, her father disapproves of Anderson, so subterfuge is essential. Cousin, Fitzwilliam Darcy hopes his betrothed, Elizabeth Bennet will attend. Her father is deliberately delaying their marriage and denies Elizabeth permission to attend. Viscount Saye and Mrs Bennet con...

Viscount Sutherfeld is so concerned about the effect of London Society on his daughters' behaviour, that he relocates the family to an isolated estate in the North. Eldest daughter, Isabel finds life at Rothfield Park tedious. She has to calm her sister Jane, who is convinced that the estate is haunted.  Even more vexing is the announcement that she is to marry a stuffy Colonel. Isabel is independent, intelligent and stroppy! Her parents seek a tutor to give her lessons in propriety and deportment.  Following an argument with the Viscountess, she goes for a reckless gallop through the forest. After she is thrown from her horse, she returns to the house to find a changed atmosphere. Jane has been sent away, the servants shun her and her parents refuse to acknowledge her. Isabel is determined not to succumb to parental pressure. Life is lonely for Isabel, so the arrival of Dougal Weston is an improvement. She doesn’t want a tutor, so having already encouraged several governesses...

The book follows parallel stories of two characters. In Victorian London, Dr Borthwick develops his practice as a successful accoucheur. Catering to both the desperately poor and increasingly wealthy clients. Unfortunately, Dr Preston, a well established, though less capable accoucheur views Dr Borthwick as a threat. He will use dirty tricks to remove that threat. In Victorian Alnwick, a woman is found on the moor during a thunderstorm. She has no clothes, no money, no name and no memory. She is taken in by the Elliott family. Mary Elliott nurses the woman back to health, giving her the name Joanna. Once recovered, Joanna must work on the farm to repay her debt. Unfortunately, it is run down and the house is a hovel. The living conditions are vile, as is the predatory John Elliott. Joanna is dirty, malnourished, ragged and vulnerable. When Mary goes into labour, Joanna assists. She has midwifery skills and knowledge but no idea where the knowledge came from. She begins to act as midwif...

Mr and Mrs Bennet have an acrimonious and increasingly violent marriage. Not only do they do a poor job of raising their youngest daughters but their regular fights cause emotional abuse to their family. From the age of twelve, second daughter Elizabeth takes on the role of protector, guide and support for Mary, Kitty and Lydia. She has some assistance from her elder sister, Jane. However, Jane’s naivety means Elizabeth has to watch out for her too. All of this leads to a sadder, more mature Elizabeth Bennet than we usually meet. When Fitzwilliam Darcy arrives in Hertfordshire his standoffish behaviour does not recommend him to Elizabeth.  However, as they come to know each other better, a friendship grows. Darcy’s own experience of shouldering responsibility at a young age, gives them something in common. Elizabeth is determined to care for her sisters until they are all married. Unfortunately, this means that she is likely to end up a spinster, given the age difference. As Elizab...

Matthew, Duke of Abernyte is seeking a traitorous aristocrat, who is assisting with the French invasion of England. Lady Violet lives in terror of her brother, Lord Dennington who is cruel and abusive. When Abernyte and Lady Violet meet on the dancefloor a friendship develops. Unfortunately, Dennington pushes Violet to further a relationship with Abernyte. As Violet knows to her cost, if her brother wants her to do something, his motives will likely be malicious. The book shows Violet finding her courage to defy her brother, no matter how terminal the consequences. Can Matthew and Violet find their way to thwart the malicious plotting of Lord Dennington? Can Violet find hope and love in her future? Compelling read. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. All views expressed are my own. Amazon review Goodreads review

When Elizabeth Bennet refused to marry her father’s heir, the odious Mr Collins, she could not have imagined how life would change.  When her father died suddenly, her family lost their place in society and their home. Her sisters now live as poor relations, separated between relatives. Out of guilt, Elizabeth eased the burden on her family by taking employment. She has spent five years, living a lonely life, working as a governess. When she is importuned by the son of her employer, she is dismissed without a reference.  A guest at the house offers transport and a Christmas working holiday with his family at Pemberley. There she meets Fitzwilliam Darcy, wealthy widower, with an infant daughter. He is captivated by the young lady, despite her reduced circumstances The kindness Elizabeth experiences from both staff and the family renews her faith in humanity. Could she find love too? Lovely story, with the usual combination of misunderstandings, angst and joy. Well worth a read....

Elliott Mayfield 5th Viscount Mayfield has recently come into his title at a mature age. He is saddened to see his nephews and nieces in difficult situations. From a distance he has supported his niece, Hazel Stillman. She was born with a clubfoot, resulting in her rejection by her Society family. Sent away to school from a young age, Elliott has at least been able to pay for excellent schooling. Hazel is an intelligent young woman, now teaching advanced mathematics at a girls’ school. Elliott also supports Duncan Penhale. Not actually a nephew, but taken on by his sister. Duncan is different, (on the autistic spectrum) in a time when difference was not well tolerated. Elliott has arranged a place to live and an accountancy job which suits Duncan’s strengths. Elliott wants all his nephews and nieces to find marital felicity and arranges dowry/ inheritance for each upon marriage to an appropriate partner he approves of. Hazel and Duncan meet at Elliott’s house, when he announces his gif...

Delightful This novella provides a glimpse into the future, 200+ years after the end of Tempt Me. So lovely to see Elizabeth and Darcy again, together with the many descendents of their friends and family. The focus is on their daughter Georgiana and her seemingly hopeless quest for true love. I really enjoyed this, especially after just finishing Tempt Me on Audible. Do read it! Amazon review   Goodreads review