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Opisica

The best thing I can say about this story is that it helped me to fall asleep

Reviewed in the United States on November 7, 2019

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Whenever I pick up a new book I always want to like it; unfortunately that doesn't always happen.

This story started with an interesting premise, namely that Darcy's Hunsford proposal was actually, well, most civil, rather than the insulting proposal we all know from canon (and most of JAFF). This is essentially why I stuck with the story, wanting to see how it played out, which kept me from tossing it at various low points. The proposal, however, is followed by a lot of navel-gazing on the part of just about every character and action, not just Darcy and Elizabeth. For example, every time somebody enters another's home, the act of giving their outerwear to a servant is described in minute detail. And that's just one example; every character mulls everything over and yaks yaks yaks about it twelve ways to Sunday. I almost gave up on it several times -- except that this story helped me to fall asleep. (With most books I want to stay up late reading.)

Aside from the s-l-o-w-n-e-s-s of the story, there were three things I greatly disliked. First, the rift between Mr Bennet and Lizzy. It was difficult to believe and difficult to read. Second, Georgiana ends up marrying Colonel Fitzwilliam -- her adult guardian, if you recall -- a scenario that shows up every now and again in JAFF and which makes my skin crawl. It's just too Woody Allen-ish for my taste. Thirdly is not only all the explicit sex scenes that the story seems to be built around but which do not advance the story, but also the initial marital encounter between Darcy and Lizzy is what can only be called male fantasy: a virginal twenty-year old country girl makes all the first moves on her worldly husband. Yeah, sure. (Later in the story Georgiana essentially proposes to Colonel Fitzwilliam -- clearly more of the same male fantasy.)

Finally, the text could have been better edited. Too many duplicate words, and missing words, and an apparent lack of understanding of how possessives are formed, made this less than pleasurable to read.

I would like to be clear that I am not predisposed to dislike male JAFF authors; one of my all-time favourite JAFF stories is Pemberley Ranch by Jack Caldwell. Which I heartily recommend over this mess.

J. W. Garrett

“Tell him yes. Even if you are dying of fear, even if you are sorry later, because whatever you do, you will be sorry...

Reviewed in the United States on July 5, 2018

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“Tell him yes. Even if you are dying of fear, even if you are sorry later, because whatever you do, you will be sorry all the rest of your life if you say no.” –Gabriel Garcia Márquez Love in the Time of Cholera

Rating: MA: Mature Audience: yeah, they went into the bedroom: “It is not beauty that keeps a relationship alive, it is attachment. Without attachment, a naked body is merely a lifeless sex toy.” –Abhijit Naskar, The Bengal Tigress: A Treatise on Gender Equality

This review may contain spoilers: We start at Kent and we all know what happens there. So, it was no surprise when Darcy started planning a different proposal. From this point on we leave canon for new territory. After the crash and burn of Darcy’s proposal… yeah, he still didn’t get it right… they were so involved in their argument that they didn’t hear when Charlotte and Collins returned from Rosings. Hearing the raised voices, they entered the parlor and found ODC in an agitated state with Lizzy in tears. She ran from the room and failed to notice the servants congregating in the hall.

The parsonage servants: “The key to good eavesdropping is not getting caught.” –Lemony Snicket, The Blank Book.

The servants, alerted to the raised voices coming from the parlor, knew that only Miss Elizabeth and Darcy were in there together… alone. Thus, the start of the gossip. They talked to the Rosings servants, who wrote to London servants… and word got to the press, and the rest, as they say, is history… or fodder for the gossip column.

Gossip: “Gossip, as usual, was one-third right and two-thirds wrong.” –L.M. Montgomery, Chronicles of Avonlea

Collins of course told Lady Catherine… and then sent a scathing express to Lizzy’s father… complete with inaccurate information, unfounded accusations and stupid assumptions and all manner of lies against his unworthy cousin. Charlotte was forbidden further correspondence or association with Lizzy or they would suffer severe repercussions from Lady Catherine.

Mr. Bennet: “In small towns, news travels at the speed of boredom.” –Carlos Ruiz Zafón

What a stubborn, stubborn, man. He pushed and shoved and stubbornly held out for the truth that he thought he knew. He figured that by withholding his blessing and making demands, that he could control his daughter. However, Bennet totally underestimated the determination of ODC. Lizzy was just as stubborn as he and she held out for what was right and what she wanted. There was never a contest and Bennet, unfortunately, never realized he had lost the game before it ever began.

Lydia: stupid girl, never got a clue, never understood, and would never forgive. Uncle Gardiner, Darcy and Lizzy made a mad dash to Brighton. She had ears but refused to hear, eyes but refused to see anything but what Wickham had told her. She refused reason and sanity and I resent her so much. But how can I expect otherwise from such a child when her parents had allowed her to grow up unrestrained and unchecked. However, everyone has the capacity to change, if they will, but she refused.

*** Spoiler *** I do wish Lizzy had told Lydia that Darcy owed Wickham nothing. That Wickham refused the living and was compensated financially. To have Lydia continually throw that lie in Darcy’s face was too much and for it to not be answered was an oversight that I wish the author had corrected. *** End Spoiler ***

ODC: Our Dear Couple: love the page time with D&E. Oh, I realize it was the ‘forced marriage’ trope, but still this was the Darcy we love and Lizzy was magnificent. Oh, this part was so good. Their declarations were so heart felt… I was near tears several times. I loved it. The best parts were hearing Darcy’s feelings for Lizzy. OMG! I loved it.

Epilogue: The epilogue nearly made me cry. OMG! I loved seeing how things worked out for the different families. Oh, this was a delightful read. It just hit me right.

Huffer

Wonderful

Reviewed in the United States on April 4, 2019

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This new perspective was very satisfying, and answered the question of: why didn't Darcy defend himself when Elizabeth threw those accusations at him in the Hunsford parsonage during his disastrous proposal? This time he does, as he first proposes in a much kinder way, then asks for a rational explanation after she accuses him. I imagine a lot of us lovers of P&P always thought so much of the heartache could have been prevented if only ODC had been open and honest with each other. Although Elizabeth still wouldn't accept Darcy, at least they could begin the process of becoming friends. In this story, that is what happens.

I liked the decision by Darcy to write out his proposal on paper before presenting it. This seemed like a wise, if unconventional, choice, since he seemed so eloquent on paper but shy and tongue tied when face-to-face with Elizabeth. The proposal was that much sweeter for having to consult his notes in the face of the one he most wants to impress. Later, he suggests this same device to Bingley when he must confront his sisters.

I like this author. He is a talented writer, giving us characters and situations that draw us in and make us care deeply. I recommend the book.

Top reviews from other countries

Borderer

First half brilliant but....

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 31, 2014

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Like a speeding train runs out of steam this storyline slows about halfway through the book and then surprisingly gathers more speed downhill towards the end. After the marriage of Elizabeth and Darcy and the strangely overlong section where we are treated to almost the whole traditional wedding service, word for word, we are then given the equally long descriptions of the wedding night and honeymoon, this for me was the boring section of the book and then when Lydia was rescued and Elizabeth confronted her Father the story became interesting again. Well written in parts but not the best variation I have read.

Lynne Robson

A Wonderful Story

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 29, 2013

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This is one of the best sequels, it is written with a lot of feeling and understanding. I loved the way he has Darcy write out what he wants to say in his proposal. Also, encouraging Bingley to do the same with his sisters especially Caroline.

Mr Bennet does not believe that Darcy and Elizabeth are the innocent parties and refuses his blessing on their marriage. He thinks well of Wickham and so Elizabeth and Darcy marry in town.

The book is such a wonderful story I could not put it down until I had finished it at 2am in the morning.

L. Pitts

Lovely

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 28, 2016

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What a wonderful pride and prejudice variation. Unlike some versions, this Darcy was spot on- gentlemanly, respectful, but passionate- and I loved Darcy and Elizabeth's developing relationship.

Very well written. I would definitely recommend.

Amber

Four Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 9, 2017

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Enjoyable read.

Hasilor

Nice piece of work

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 14, 2014

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Many P&P versions take Elizabeth and Darcy out of the bounds of acceptable Regency behaviour. This book delivers a very enjoyable read whilst keeping them within the realms of reality for the period. I thoroughly enjoyed.

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