𝑀𝑦 𝐽𝐴𝐹𝐹 𝑂𝑏𝑠𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛

At first glance this is a straight body swap, with the usual opportunities for absurdity and vexation. However, the author provides us with so much more. Elizabeth Bennet has always found her mother to be flighty and exasperating, not to mention suffering from a mortifying lack of propriety.  To Mrs Bennet, ensuring the security of marriage for her five daughters is the most important thing she will ever do. She has never truly understood Elizabeth and fears for her future. After the swap, Mrs Bennet discovers what her family and Meryton Society really think of her matchmaking schemes. It is a painful realisation but improves her insights and helps her to grow. For Elizabeth, the revelations are much worse. To realise that her beloved Papa, is actually a spiteful and emotionally abusive husband who has undermined his wife's confidence for years  Elizabeth and her mother become very close, but start to wonder if they will ever switch back. Then Mr Bennet finds himself swapped, ...

This variation positions Elizabeth and Mary Bennet as daughters of Thomas Bennet and Lady Olivia, daughter of the Earl of Elmwood.  Their passionate love match came to an abrupt end when Lady Olivia died in childbirth. Thomas is left with a broken heart and two very young daughters. Unfortunately, Thomas turns to drink and neglects his family and estate for several months. Brother in law, Viscount Mavery tries to get through to him, with little success. In such a state, Bennet was vulnerable and finds himself taken advantage of by a solicitor called Gardiner. Thus, he agrees to marry Gardiner's widowed daughter, Fanny Younge. Life at Longbourn is changed forever.  Their stepmother does her best to exclude them, diverting funds to her own children.  Fortunately, the Earl ensures they have the education, appropriate to their rank. By the time Mr Darcy and Mr Bingley arrive in Meryton, Elizabeth is counting down the days until she and Mary go to London for the Season. So Dar...

Elizabeth Bennet rejects the proposal of her ridiculous cousin, William Collins, heir to her family's entailed estate, Longbourn. Mrs Bennet is outraged at her least favourite daughter's refusal to secure a home for her family, when her father dies. You see, Elizabeth and Jane Bennet have vowed to marry for only the deepest love. Friend, Charlotte Lucas leads Collins away to give Elizabeth some respite (also hoping Mr Collins might offer for her) After entertaining Collins for two days, the Lucas family expect an imminent betrothal. However, Collins discovers information that might allow him to have the beautiful, Jane as his wife.  Charlotte is immediately forgotten. Circumstances lead Jane to marry a man that she does not love. She does however, marry for the love of her family. So very early in the book, Jane is married to a fool, Charlotte is even more firmly on the shelf and Elizabeth is distressed and confused. The ladies' path to security and love is long and sometim...

In 1812, Jane Bingley is having a difficult time with her first pregnancy. Her besotted husband Charles, leases Lake House in Ramsgate, in the hopes that the sea air will be a remedy. They are accompanied by Jane's beloved sister Elizabeth, who steps in to run the house when Jane deteriorates. Part of that role, includes dealing with Charles' correspondence as he has illegible handwriting! A letter intended for a solicitor, is redirected to the owner. The response is rather shocking! Fitzwilliam Darcy claims he would never lease Lake House and makes several rude accusations. He also asks why she has dated her letter as 1812, when it is currently only 1810? Never being one to be intimidated, Elizabeth replies, rather strongly. A regular correspondence arises, as they realise somehow their letters are crossing time. Friendship turns to love, but how can they cross that gap? I was looking forward to reading this, as the synopsis sounded intriguing.  I started reading as soon as th...

An interesting variation of Sense and Sensibility.  The action focuses on events after Willoughby's abandonment of Marianne Dashwood.  Eleanor Dashwood's tender regard for Edward Ferrars is dashed, by the revelation of a longstanding secret betrothal to Lucy Steele.  Unfortunately, Lucy's continued presence in their company only adds to the pain.  Marianne seeks to find justice for the Dashwood sisters. This Marianne is more avenging angel, than passionate romantic and boy is she devious!  The story is told from both Marianne and Eleanor's point of view. While this is well written, instead of intercutting points of view, in one chapter, the events are repeated to get both versions.  I have to say that I found the repetition a little tedious, but overall an enjoyable read. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. Amazon review Goodreads review

Collections brings together three novellas by MJ Stratton  What Became of Miss Mary King - in which we follow Mary to Liverpool, as she slowly recovers from her encounter with Mr Wickham. It is a delight to watch her build a new life and perhaps find love.  This was really pleasing! At First Slight - in which Eros and Psyche have less than stellar success in encouraging romance between Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy. A Change of Outcomes - in which Lydia Bennet reads her sister's mail.  Fitzwilliam Darcy's famous letter to Elizabeth, details just how bad George Wickham really is.  Initially, Lydia dismisses it as lies, but slowly she begins to acknowledge the truth.  Her trip to Brighton gives Lydia opportunities to re-evaluate her views on men and her own sense of self worth. This stands out as the best novella in the anthology. I definitely recommend! I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. Amazon review ...

The Bennet family need an heir. Longbourn is entailed to the male line and without a son, the property will go to a distant cousin.  When her second babe is a girl, Mrs Bennet is distraught and rejects the child.  Fortunately, Lizzy's twin, Tom makes a surprise entrance.  Tom is instantly the favourite, while Lizzy continues to be rejected.  Tom is an unusual child (we would recognise him as neurodivergent) who relies upon Lizzy to navigate the family and the world.  An incident of bullying by children of the Long and Goulding families, leads to a permanent separation between those families and the Bennets. Tom turns his keen intelligence to learning about Longbourn and helping to improve it. He also has a fascination with investments. His remarkable successes lead to a much improved financial situation for the Bennet family, including dowries for his sisters. When Netherfield Park is let at last, all are keen to meet the new neighbours.  Unfortunately, mal...

This Pride and prejudice variation gives us two main characters who are the complete opposite of canon. George Wickham, old playmate of Fitzwilliam Darcy, becomes dissolute at Cambridge. Drawn into a coterie of young profligate aristocrats, he feels accepted. Until one day, he overhears what they really think of him. An express arrives, urging his return home as his father is dying. These two blows have a profound effect, leaving him much more receptive to his father’s final advice. So George commits to his studies, eventually becoming a law clerk. Whilst working in a solicitor’s office in Ramsgate, he comes across the young heiress, Georgiana Darcy. When he realises that a fortune hunter is plotting an elopement with Georgiana, he foils the plot with her brother’s assistance. Unfortunately, this Georgiana is very far from Jane Austen’s innocent, gullible young lady. She may be only fifteen, but words like devious, manipulative and vengeful come to mind. The presence of a benign, Georg...

This pride and prejudice variation gives us an origin story for Louisa Hurst, née Bingley. We are familiar with Louisa Hurst, portrayed as complicit with her harpy of a sister, Caroline Bingley or behaving as a vacuous female, absently playing with her bracelets. This Louisa is so much more! Daughter to a manipulative, coldly ambitious mother. Louisa is delighted to be courted by wealthy tradesman, Henry Tillman. However, when she tries to marry for love, rather than to aid her social climbing family, Mrs Bingley’s response is brutal and nearly fatal. Reluctant wife to Alfred Hurst, landed gentleman, with an estate in dire need of funds. He gains Louisa’s dowry of £20,000 to save his estate. He takes the money but never lets her forget that she is only the daughter of a tradesman. He and his friends enjoy disparaging Louisa for her origins. Hurst is controlling and abusive. He makes it clear that Louisa’s only value, is as a brood mare. The Hurst estate is rented out, so the Hursts a...

This book follows the events of the much-loved Jane Austen classic, Pride and Prejudice.  The story is told from the points of view of various observers. Each of the seventeen chapters offers a unique perspective, from acquaintances like Mrs. Long and Lady Lucas, to family members such as Mr. Philips, Anne de Bourgh, and Mary Bennet, as well as an array of domestic staff including housekeepers, maids, and even Mr. Darcy’s valet. This fresh approach to the classic story is a delight to read. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. Amazon review Goodreads review

Lydia Bennet had thought herself rather clever to elope with George Wickham. He was handsome, charming and looked dashing in his regimentals! Unfortunately, Lydia Wickham finds that her husband is selfish, vicious and cruel.  She can’t bring herself to admit the truth to her family, so writes with tales of balls, parties and new gowns.  She is forced by circumstances to grow up quickly, just to survive.  After four years, fate frees her from Wickham.  She is reconciled with most of her family, who are horrified with how she has suffered.  Her sisters and brothers-in-law are deeply impressed with the poised young woman she has become. If only her father did not declare her still one of the silliest girls in England.  What Lydia truly yearns for is a man who will love and respect her. Perhaps, she may be lucky! I usually shy away from books about Lydia, as she is a truly annoying character.  However, this book is excellent. The account of Lydia’s life wi...