A Cleverly (Un)contrived Compromise

A Pride & Prejudice Variation

By: Jennifer Joy

Narrated by: Stevie Zimmerman

Length: 7 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

Of all the women he could be stuck with, it had to be the one who poses the greatest threat to his plans.

Fitzwilliam Darcy prides himself on his caution. Not willing to leave his beloved sister’s future to chance, he has a plan to see her happily settled. Nothing and no one will stand in his way.

Elizabeth Bennet will do anything to see her dearest sister happy, even defying the surly gentleman from Derbyshire. Using her rapier sharp wit and rapid fire humor, no one, not even Mr. Darcy, will keep her from reaching her goal.

When clever forces contrive to compromise the pair, Darcy and Elizabeth must work together to turn their rivalry into a convincing romance. Can true love win this epic battle of wills?

Someone’s got to give, and Darcy is determined to win. Then again, so is Elizabeth….

A Cleverly (Un)contrived Compromise is a feel-good, low-angst, sweet Regency romantic comedy inspired by Jane Austen's timeless classic, Pride and Prejudice.

©2022 Jennifer Joy Ramirez (P)2022 Jennifer Joy Ramirez

Great read

I have read it as a kindle before and now as an audible. The narrator did a splendid job as usual. Great story. Great Jaff.

Good Audible and Story

Jennifer Joy is one of my favorite authors and Stevie Zimmerman is my favorite narrator. She does another fine job with a great story. Well done.

I can't give a five until

I get to listen to one of these fun stories that does not put in anachronisms. I'm sorry to start every sentence with I, but I can't type and have to dictate. I particularly object to the phrase rolling the eyes. I have researched , and I found it did not come into use as a dismissive or irritated action until the 1950s. before that it always had a sexual connotation. I found this particular variation to be full of phrases that don't fit the time. I heard kidding as in teasing and all sorts of other things that really jar.

Another Jennifer Joy winner

Great book, masterfully read by Stevie Zimmerman. In this story, Elizabeth's nasty conniving two youngest sisters and Caroline Bingley do their best to ruin Elizabeth's future life. Their intent was to set up a compromising situation with her and the buffoon Rev. Collins. Their plans did not go so well
Darcy is a Netherfield trying to teach Bingley how to manage an estate, and hopefully mature enough to marry. Darcy prefers that his sister Georgianna be Bingley's future wife. In this variation I found Georgianna to be peevish and very immature. She is as bad as Lydia and Kitty. Georgianna has a cat named Serafina, that has four kittens. Everyone loves the felines, except Caroline, who detests them. I liked the cats.
This was a fun listen because the story was interesting and Stevie Zimmerman is amazing.

A Lighthearted Listen

Excellent narration by Stevie Zimmerman, who never disappoints.

Following Georgiana’s disappointment with Wickham, Darcy wants to match Bingley with Georgiana because he feels she is safe with him. Colonel Fitzwilliam doesn’t agree. Nevertheless, to forward his own plans, Darcy encourages Bingley to lease Netherfield and begin to accept more responsibility in his life. Darcy is his often controlling self. Georgiana is crushing on Bingley, who has no idea of it.

Meanwhile, Elizabeth is attempting to rein in the conduct of her younger sisters, as she fears they will jeopardize Jane’s chances with Bingley. Lizzy tries to convince Mr. Bennet to not allow Lydia and Kitty to attend the Netherfield ball. When he refuses her, Lydia swears revenge. At the ball, various contrived minor plots put in play work against one another and will culminate in a compromise, completely “uncontrived” by its two innocent victims.

In this third book to the “Love’s Little Helpers” series, Ms. Joy has written a delightfully-lighthearted story of bound-to-go-wrong plots, mischievous and clever little kittens, a bit of farce and good humour, a teeny tiny touch of angst, and of course, love and a happy ending for all. Definitely recommend!

Left hanging

We are left to our own imagination as to how the epilogue came about. Too much emphasis on uncomfortable encounters with the families, not enough story around the outcomes. Mrs. Bennet, Lydia and even Mr. Bennet are all cringe worthy and too stupid to live. Jane is docile to the point of being insensible. She’s one of those people who lacks discernment to guard against danger to herself and others. Annoying. Narration is excellent and saves it from total loss. What substance is there is well done.