A Short Period of Exquisite Felicity

By: Amy D'Orazio

Narrated by: Harry Frost

Length: 14 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's Summary

Is not the very meaning of love that it surpasses every objection against it?

Jilted. Never did Mr. Darcy imagine it could happen to him.

But it has, and by Elizabeth Bennet, the woman who first hated and rejected him but then came to love him - he believed - and agree to be his wife. Alas, it is a short-lived, ill-fated romance that ends nearly as soon as it has begun. No reason is given.

More than a year since he last saw her - a year of anger, confusion, and despair - he receives an invitation from the Bingleys to a house party at Netherfield. Darcy is first tempted to refuse, but with the understanding that Elizabeth will not attend, he decides to accept.

When a letter arrives, confirming Elizabeth’s intention to join them, Darcy resolves to meet her with indifference. He is determined that he will not demand answers to the questions that plague him. Elizabeth is also resolved to remain silent and hold fast to the secret behind her refusal. Once they are together, however, it proves difficult to deny the intense passion that still exists. Fury, grief, and profound love prove to be a combustible mixture. But will the secrets between them be their undoing?

©2019 Amy Dorazio (P)2020 Quills & Quartos Publishing

This Book Should Come With a Warning

Just be sure, before you start listening, that you've paid all your bills, turned in those reports the boss was looking for, and haven't left the kids anywhere that requires you to remember to fetch them. Then, don't expect to get anything else done until you've finished. I didn't know what to make of the title, which didn't grab me, but of course, D'Orazio is always a skilled author and Harry Frost is my favorite P&P narrator, so I knew it would be entertaining.

"Entertaining" is way too tame a word. Not only is it aptly named but it is un-put-downable. It builds to a peak of suspense and then, just when I thought I was going to have to skip ahead to find the answers to my *burning* questions, all of them are answered. OR SO I THOUGHT. Just do yourself a favor, get it. If you're a P&P aficionado, and you think you've heard everything...Nope. This is next-level. Wish there was a movie version.

Amazing narrator but . . .

This audio book was added to my library mainly because of the narrator. Harry Frost is a favorite and always does a superior job. As a rule, I enjoy JAFF. However, the integrity of some characters should not be tinkered with to the point they end up unlikable, which is what happens to Colonel Fitzwilliam in this twist on P&P. Nope, could not accept it. Lydia's crassness was stunning, even for her character, and was also unexpectedly offensive coming at the end of the story. I will not be listening to this one again.

Exquisite Narrator, Exquisite Love Story

I had forgotten what delicious tension was in this book—as I hadn’t read it in awhile. Good grief, I have no fingernails left. What exquisite storytelling by author Amy D’Orazio. And voice actor Harry Frost is the perfect voice for Mr Darcy—rich tone and spot on delivery. I loved his pacing, his interpretation of the cast of characters—all of it! Well done.

P&P Melodrama in Alternate Universe

I couldn’t finish it. The only characters who kept their personalities from the original are Mr. and Miss Bingley. Darcy, Elizabeth, Jane, Colonel Fitzwilliam, Georgiana, Wickham — all are out of character in this story, and all for the worse. I stopped listening because D & E weren’t even likable enough for me to care what happened to them in this version.

Sad, as I had high hopes based on other reviews.

Epic! Brilliant Storytelling

This was my first audiobook by the author. I stumbled across her titles, when searching the genre in the Audible library. I am stunned and shaken by the depth and breadth of the writing. Ms. D' Orazio is unlike any other author of a Pride & Prejudice variation, that I've ever read. If Jane Austen were alive today, I believe she would give her overwhelming approval of this rendering. This rare depiction of Elizabeth & Darcy has such heart, passion, daring, romance and debauchery weaved intricately and tastefully into a story, that is gripping, as it is exquisitely extraordinary. I am nonplussed by it's originality and would recommend it strongly to those who enjoy period pieces. It is not to be missed. The narrator was good & gave added benefit to one's listening pleasure. Thanks Audible for this delightful audio book.

Oh My!

Shocking turn of events throughout the storyline. It was quite evocative. To learn of so much treachery, deceit and wanton behavior and still have ODC have their own HEA even if it was slightly marred at the end by Lydia's elicit confessions.

Too long and boring

I did not like the Darcy and Elizabeth characters. They were not at like Jane Austen's creations. I was very bored with the plot. It was like watching a ping pong match - back and forth, back and forth, and back and forth again.

Could Darcy consider a 3rd proposal?

I must admit, my initial reason for listening to this P&P variation is that I have now subscribed Harry Frost's voice to how I imagine Darcy's voice. I did come to really enjoy the story. It is nice to see a different villain. This villain's actions, although cruel, were believable. Of course the same irritants are thier long lasting negative impacts on the Darcys.

Great listen and excellent story.

Wonderful!!

I am a big fan of Amy D’Orazio and she is a very talented author. Since this is mostly from Darcy’s POV, a male narrator was a good choice. Mr. Frost has a great voice. He has often been noted as one of the best in fact. There are others I prefer, personally. It’s the cadence that I’m not a fan of really.

…

I’ve listened to all of Amy’s P&P works, and I really really have enjoyed them.
This one in particular is my least favorite.

Here’s why:
Colonel Fitzwilliam is absolutely ooc and insufferable. Jane is too.
Even Elizabeth and Darcy are really weird in this and it makes it very hard to get through the book. I tried really hard to finish it, and it still took me several weeks, where it usually takes me 3 days. If you like angst and misunderstandings that make very little sense, you will like this!

Good story

Very good story. Clever spin on Pride and Prejudice. The narrator was excellent as well.
The only criticism I have is that it is way too long. I m convinced that about 6 hours of the story could be removed and you would not lose any of the story. I did get a bit impatient with it.
Saying that, the story is excellent and if you have more patience then me, then you will absolutely love it!

a lovely variation

a bit different to two run of the mill ones I've read and listened too. I like the narrators voice and his characters voices tonight, make for enjoyable listening.

Engrossing

The constraints of Regency mores are shown to perfection in this fairly tortuous journey to a happy ending. Excellent narration.

Fabulous

Loved this, excellent story funny at times very well narrated. Best romance book in forever.