Expectations

A Pride and Prejudice Variation (Obstinate, Headstrong Girl Series)

De: Julie Cooper

Narrado por: Mare MacBeth

Elizabeth Bennet was informed by an unimpeachable source—on her sister Jane’s wedding day—that Mr Darcy has committed a breach of gentlemanly honour so sordid, so unforgivable, that it makes Mr Wickham’s ruthless accusations seem innocuous. Fortunately, she never has to see him again…or so she thinks.

Just before proposing marriage to Elizabeth Bennet, Fitzwilliam Darcy discovers shocking news that causes him to leave her, and everyone else in Hertfordshire, behind him forever. Elizabeth in particularly he hopes he never has to see again.

Years later, Darcy is named the guardian to the children of Jane and Charles Bingley. When Darcy arrives to take custody of the children, Elizabeth will stop at nothing to prevent it.

Lies and misunderstandings have kept Darcy and Elizabeth apart for years; can they see through them to the future they were always meant to have?

©2025 Julie Cooper (P)2025 Quills & Quartos Publishing

Great writing stile in JAF. I'm glad that JC published new book!

Lovely naration, fresh new voice!
I loved that there was not much angst in D&E communication 😁!
I also loved mature, strong Lydia, so refreshing (I know that in one or two other book this was tried on, but only JC mach it with good writing)!
Go one Julie, write, you do it so good!👌✌️💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻

Expectations—Exactly what I expect from a favourite author.

I’m so glad to see another new-to-me narrator I can brag about and recommend. I thoroughly enjoyed Mare MacBeath’s performance. She was able to draw out the emotional moments of the story, of which there are many—the man-to-man talk little Thomas has with Darcy made me all teary. I hope to see this narrator used again. Definitely recommend this audiobook for the story and performance.

Book review:

The prologue of Expectations, Julie Cooper’s latest Pride and Prejudice variation, will shock you as it lays the foundation for a deeply emotional plot. I like being surprised.

Charles Bingley turned out to be Jane’s worst nightmare—a bad marriage that culminated in their deaths by carriage accident which was the result of a wager gone bad. He was an irresponsible husband and father who wasted his fortune. Because the Bingley’s resided mostly in town, their twins were primarily left in the care of Elizabeth. And so, being forced to leave Netherfield, Elizabeth and six-year-old twins, Cassandra and Thomas, are living in the Longbourn dower house when Darcy returns to Hertfordshire, named guardian of Thomas in Bingley’s will. He's come to take Thomas. What follows is a carefully told story of two people who were kept apart by lies and misunderstood events, each believing the worst of the other.

The twins are a real highlight. Cassandra and Thomas are sharp, sweet, and well-portrayed, adding both warmth and tension to the story. Elizabeth’s love for them runs deep, and her role as their protector shapes much of the story. Early moments with them left me in tears. When Darcy arrives, he is just as compelling—wary, honourable, and clearly still in love with Elizabeth, even after all these years. He immediately shows that he is very good father material.

When the children run away, terrified of being separated, it forces a turning point. Darcy finds them and brings them home, but soon after, Mr Bennet writes to Caroline Bingley (now Mrs Plumpton) asking her to take the children. Elizabeth is desperate—and the next day, Darcy, who has never stopped loving Elizabeth, of course, offers marriage as a way to keep the family together.

It’s a marriage of convenience at first, but their relationship begins to shift, as the truth behind what kept them apart slowly comes to light. What follows is a gentle, sometimes painful, but ultimately very moving post-marriage courtship.

Cooper’s writing is strong throughout—no surprise here—her skill is in the top tier of this genre. The emotional beats land without being heavy-handed, and the balance of angst and hope is just right. The moments of love's declarations had me holding my breath. I adore her prose. The familiar tropes—a marriage of convenience, ODC marry older, and a not-so-nice Bingley, are used thoughtfully, giving this variation its own flavour while keeping Elizabeth and Darcy true to themselves.

Expectations left me with a mild book hangover. It’s heartfelt, satisfying, and full of the kind of emotion that stays with you.

Twins Compete with ODC for Attention

I thoroughly enjoyed this variation and the Bingley Twins as well as Elizabeth & Darcy scenes are the reason. Cassandra and Thomas are the cutest, most adorable scene stealers. I, also, very much enjoyed the Lydia portrayed in this story. The current story takes place 7 years after canon, but there is nothing detracting from the Love Story of our couple. I never listened to this narrator before, but I think she did a terrific job, I am looking forward to more from her. I was glad to have this variation included in the plus catalog. Thank you, JC.