Not Without Affection

A Pride and Prejudice Variation

De: Caroline Cartier

Narrado por: Ariel Royce, Christopher Rourke

When Mr Collins visits Longbourn, Elizabeth Bennet is shocked by the sycophantic behaviour of her family toward the Longbourn heir. Mrs Bennet declares that any of her daughters had better accept the man if he offers for them, and Elizabeth quickly comes to suspect that her father will not defend them should they wish to refuse. Despite her protestations, Elizabeth finds herself engaged to her cousin against her will and her sisters turned against her, showing Elizabeth harsh revelations about Jane's true character. She makes plans to escape the untenable situation, with help from Charlotte, and surprisingly, Mr Darcy, but the marriage moves forward despite their efforts and Lizzy is forced to accept her fate.

When Elizabeth is unexpectedly relieved of her unwanted husband, her new friends at Rosings support her as she builds her new life, while Mr Darcy is relieved to have a chance to win her heart but knows he must wait to court her to preserve her reputation. While he suffers the long wait of her mourning until she can be courted, Elizabeth must decide if she is willing to try again, as estate matters and other parties threaten to end the match before it is made in this 68,000-word Pride and Prejudice Variation.

Trigger Warning: Please be advised that there are a few small scenes in which Elizabeth endures physical abuse in the first few chapters.

©2024 Cartier Classic Tales, LLC (P)2024 Cartier Classic Tales, LLC

What a journey

For those that need the trigger warning (info is also given in the description) you can see this is a bad/selfish Bennet family including Jane but not Lydia and an abusive Mr Collins. Mr Bennet ends a very selfish cruel man, his last letter to Elizabeth was shocking. The townspeople around Meryton are very quick to judge and take sides in trying to support Elizabeth and then later not but then support again (this shows how gossip can quickly change people opinions). She had local friends (mainly the Lucas family) who stuck with her the entire time. I loved how Darcy and his family completely loved and supported her and Lydia. Elizabeth goes through an emotional journey as she deals with the trauma of betrayal at her family’s hands and emotional baggage that comes with it. Some of the physical trauma is shown and other parts are off page. At least this is only in the first few chapters. Each person who has gone through something similar has their own individual journey and this was Elizabeth’s journey to find and take her own happily ever after. The double narrators really helps bring this story to life and I enjoyed this.

I really enjoyed Darcy’s family

Not without affection is a well written book with good enough angst and romance. Anne was one of my favorite characters but all Darcy family standing behind Elizabeth was wonderful. I think everyone deserved what they got and it was really nice to read something different that I was not expecting.
The double narration was great, Both of them did a really good job. Would read another book from the same author and listen to the narrators again.

Interesting JAFF

This was an interesting take on P&P. Many of Elizabeth’s family appear with different characterizations, making Elizabeth stronger, I believe.

The way Jane, Mr and Mrs Bennett are portrayed is believable, especially at that time in history.

Not for the faint of heart P& P Variation, yet most extraordinary!

From the very beginning of this Pride & Prejudice variation you can feel the suspense and trauma to come. This variation is very different from the 187 variations I have read thus far. I highly recommend this new author but also suggest that the storyline should be viewed ages 16 and older. That of course is only my opinion. I can’t wait for this author to create more variations and I plan to follow here immediately.

Amazing

Thoroughly enjoyed this take on this universe. Easily a favorite book now. If Jane Austen wrote more like her I’d read more Jane Austen

Elizabeth’s strength at overcoming her family’s betrayal

Do not miss this story. It’s not a fluffy tale so be prepared for a lot of angst. Elizabeth strength is amazing. Darcy’s determination is incredible. The life Elizabeth’s family wants for her is changed and the friendship she makes along the way creates a new family.
I love the narrators who brought the story to life.

Fantastic

Excellent writing and performance! I enjoyed this book from start to finish. Elizabeth and Darcy had occasional rocky spots but mostly they got along well together and were extremely likable. Lydia was the good sister and Jane was the bad sister, which is quite interesting for a change. Mr. and Mrs, Bennett were horrible from the beginning, as was Rev. Collins. Elizabeth was forced by her parents to marry the horrible Mr. Collins who was abusive. Thankfully he was quickly out of the picture. The story was enhanced by the closeness of Elizabeth, Charlotte, Ann DeBourgh, Lydia, and Georgianna, They were thick as thieves and staunchly supported one another. There were two obnoxious women who would have liked to pry Elizabeth and Darcy apart. One was Caroline Bingley and the other was Amelia, who showed up late in the book. Wickham also made an attempt to keep our dear couple apart, but thankfully he failed. I look forward to future books by Ms. Cartier. She really is a talented writer and storyteller. And I really liked the dual performers, one for female voice and one for male voice. They increased the enjoyment of this already excellent book. One request, Ms. Cartier, in the future please be more ruthless in dealing with the bad characters. I really would have liked for them to be punished properly for their wicked ways. Thank you.

The editors should have caught the Wickham contradiction

Lydia heard the story Wickham spreads about Darcy in the beginning of the book and told Elizabeth. They both didn't seem to like him and it was noted they were the only 2 in the Bennett family. Fast forward to the part in the book when Wickham finds out the widow Elizabeth has a fortune and tries to woo her. He tells her the tale....when she knew all this from when Lydia told her not to trust Wickham. Which causes E&D to be separated. Then when all was going well for ODC some crazy woman tries is used to keep ODC apart. Hated that there was violence in this both physical and a type of sexual. Not a good story for JAFF in my opinion.

Just too silly

I found this book very anachronistic. Just too many ideas in words that didn't really fit in that time in history.

Not the best

This book had so much promise, but then it just seemed to devolve into a mess. Mr and Mrs. Bennett and all of the other sisters are horrible, Lydia is the only good one. Anne, Charlotte, the Colonel and the Viscount are all there, but so different you wouldn't recognize them Then Lizzy is by turns fearless and then fearful. Darcy seems to dance to everyone else's demands. Then everything just magically resolves itself in about the last chapter. I wish this had been more than it was.