Character and Countenance

A Pride and Prejudice Variation (Timeless Love: Darcy and Lizzy Variations)

De: MJ Stratton

Narrado por: Elizabeth Grace

Elizabeth Bennet has led a quiet life in Hertfordshire. Longbourn, her home since birth, hardly feels welcoming given the less-than-loving treatment bestowed by her stepmother, half-sisters, and more recently, her most beloved stepsister, Jane. With plans to partake in the season with their mother’s family, Elizabeth and Mary anticipate the moment when they can go where they are wanted. When three handsome gentlemen arrive, Elizabeth discovers that appearances are not everything, and a handsome face does not readily reveal the qualities—good or bad—that lie within.

Fitzwilliam Darcy did not come to Meryton to fall in love. Despite his best efforts, the beguiling sister of Bingley’s latest angel fascinates him, drawing him in with her fine eyes and pert opinions. Every natural feeling protests against uniting the Darcy name with someone so beneath him, and he flees Hertfordshire before he falls further under her spell. Fate has other plans, and despite his best efforts, Elizabeth is thrown in his path once more. But all is not as it seems, and when Elizabeth’s true circumstances are revealed, Mr. Darcy must decide if he can become a man worthy of her or lose her to another.

In this low-angst, sweet and clean Pride and Prejudice variation, Elizabeth’s fortunes and connections grant her a brighter future, and Darcy must endeavor to deserve her.

©2024 MJ Stratton (P)2025 Leah Pruett

Quite good

With the exception of the last hour, which honestly fell flat, I enjoyed this premise, the fun changes to Collins, and the relationship to Lady Catherine. I would definitely recommend i this.

An Elisabeth and Darcy love story with a twist.

Mary is accomplished and Jane is not ultra sweet. This was wonderfully read! I enjoyed this variation and the given surprises - enjoyable!
Lady Catherine is a joy, Collins is handsome, Caroline doesn’t learn while Bingley surprises.
I recommend reading and listening. The humor is aligned with P&P. ♥️

It’s a Hit!

I liked this story when I read it, and it only gets better in audio form. My favorite variations are those that differ greatly from canon, and this one does. Love a kind Lady C in any book, and the way she confronts Elizabeth at the end regarding an engagement to Darcy is a nice twist. (Kind of reminds me of the 1940 movie.) Nice performance by Elizabeth Grace.

BEST P&P Variation

I have listened to many a P&P variation and this is by far the best. Some variation in the characters personalities and this one makes you love Lady Catherine. The narrator does a great job with the story as well. Keeps you hooked from the beginning.

Two very different marriages for Mr. Bennet

4 1/2 stars rounded up due to the fantastic audiobook narrated by Elizabeth Grace.

I borrowed this book via KU, but got the audiobook to go with. The beginning of this story gives us Mr. Bennet’s marital background including how he met the love of his life and then lost her. Unfortunately, in a deep state of inebriation, he agreed to a second marriage that he instantly regretted when sober. All five sisters are represented, but the configuration is different than canon. Mrs. Bennet spoils all three of her children, but looks at Jane as her salvation. She does not care for or like Elizabeth and Mary. These two sisters have protections & connections in place that the other three do not. We get many of the same canon events, but done from different perspectives or characters. The change to Mr. Collins was absolutely comical and with his bride, as one other reviewer said that pairing reminded them of Ken and Barbie dolls! Thankfully, Charlotte had married a wonderful man prior to canon but we still get to visit with her at times throughout the book. Jane’s character goes from one extreme to the other. I absolutely enjoyed Lady Catherine in this story! Darcy, of course, is so good at putting his foot in his mouth so many different times. But thankfully toward the end, he wakes up faster to his character errors and strives to correct those as soon as possible. I loved the additional new characters of Mr. Bennet’s first wife’s family. I can easily see myself listening to this book again.