An Unwavering Trust

By: L.L. Diamond

Narrated by: Verona Westbrook

Length: 16 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's Summary

Two strangers with no one to turn to but each other. 

Fitzwilliam Darcy is in a difficult situation. His father is pressing him to propose marriage to the last woman in the world he would wish to take as his wife. With a fortnight to announce his betrothal, he makes the acquaintance of Elizabeth Bennet, who is in a predicament of her own.   

Could Darcy be willing to consider Elizabeth as a solution to his problem and to hers? And can Elizabeth ascertain enough of Darcy's character to trust him upon nothing but a first impression? 

Contains scenes with adult content.

©2015 L.L. Diamond (P)2018 L.L. Diamond

OMG!

This story by a favorite author has originality and enough drama to engage the reader with the characters. The narration was awful. The heavy accent was a detriment that I couldn't overcome. Read the book and enjoy this wonderful story by the author.

Another good story ruined by a mediocre narrator

I hate this type of review, but if you can tolerate the narrator, and I do mean tolerate, you will like this story. The clipped tones and lack of correct inflection for the emotions portrayed in the narrative really do an injustice to this story. Darcy expresses outrage against Elizabeth’s foe, while he has said enemy pinned to a wall, in the same tone of voice that he tells Elizabeth he loves her. I have other issues with the reading, but won’t go into it as those may be a personal preference. The story is a great twist on the tale and we have new villains, including a sex trafficking Viscount (oops, slight spoiler) as well as a cameo appearance of those “cloying Dashwoods” from Sense and Sensibilities. We have minor characters from the original, such as Ann DeBourge and Darcy’s other family members with much more involvement, his Grandmother is a hoot, while Lizzy has almost no family at all. It’s an enjoyable story if you can stay awake through the reading. As their marriage takes place early, there are more intimate scenes, some hinted, some definitely not, but nothing too explicit, somewhere between R and NC-17 though. No 4 letter words or extra descriptions of what is happening. Jane Austen would blush for days.

*Update: I’m listening to this a 2nd time as I remembered the story as being a good one and have reconsidered my earlier comments on the narrator. Previously, I declined further comment on the narrator but, this book needs to be recorded again. It would be wonderful and credit worthy with someone like Roaslyn Landor, Stevie Zimmerman, Tim Campbell....in fact almost, and I do mean almost, anyone else. The hard rolling Rs in a bad attempt at an aristocratic English accent, the monotonous reading and the impression of speaking with a mouth full of marbles RUINS this wonderful story. Again, this may be harsh and even a personal dislike, so use the sample option before committing to the story.

One of the best

This is definitely one of the best readings I have had the pleasure of enjoying of a great story. Highly recommend.

A Great Story That Needed a Different Narrator

I love the story. L. L. Diamond is one of my favorite JAFF writers. I will gladly purchase any audio book by her. However, I think this narrator was not the best choice for this story. I have enjoyed this narrator reading other books; I just don't think this was the best place for her talents. In scenes where Elizabeth Bennet is supposed to be teasing, she comes across as petulant. There also seemed to be some production issues - occasional background noise and poorly executed edits.

Good story.

Unfortunately, Ms Westbrook does not take the trouble to use the right intonation when reading dialogues. Everything is read with the same tone of voice. Which can be disconcerting...

difficult

The narrator's clipped style is a little off putting. It takes a while to understand.

great story.

I really enjoyed this story, but the narrator not so much. I found the narrator's cadence annoying, so much so that it took away from my pleasure in thevstory. The story itself is a lovely variation of Pride and Prejudice goes beyond the timeline of the original.

Narrator SO SO SO BAD!!!!

well, I thought that maybe the narration wouldn't be so bad, because sometimes I read reviews that make that claim and then once I get into the story, I can muscle through ---- NOT WITH THIS ONE :( sadly.

I am struggling getting into the story because the narration is so bad, and I don't have time to sit and read a book of this length. Her voice is fine, i think that the problem is she is a native French speaker? or native someplace that is not english as a first language. the inflection she uses on sentences makes them not make any sense - just all wrong.

And then trying to do a British accent - AWFUL!!! I really wanted to love this book because I love the author. but no.

Great Story, Mediocre Narration

I loved this book, but the narration and performance, not so much. It’s droning—a monotonous tone. It’s a shame because the book is excellent.

Diamond is always on my reread-re-listen list

Unwavering Trust is one of my most favorite books and listens, but I usually let enough time pass that I forget enough details to make it fresh again when I read or listen to it.

I love this story! I love the new characters, ie, Grandmother Fitzwilliam (I want her for a Grandmother) and the family of stable staff, the Briggses, that loyal contingent of men..

It’s so unusual to have one of Darcy’s parents still alive in the JAFF world, although becoming more popular recently, and with the pride and prejudice canon allowed them to have regarding those outside the family. But this Mr Darcy Sr., is possibly the haughtiest Darcy I’ve read. However, with him as a foil it allows our dear Darcy to forego that long miserable ?courtship? that canon presents us of Darcy’s haughtiness in reaction to Dad and the very unusual situation that presents itself. An opportunity to escape marriage to Anne de Bourgh and a rather unorthodox way of helping a lady in distress an escape of her own.

Our dear boy can’t escape all of his upbringing but enter the wonderful Grandmother to the rescue. Did I say I loved her? But not only does Darcy have to contend with a very angry and vindictive Dad he also has a handful of villains to deal with.

The story has a nice long bitterness to happiness part instead of everything being wrapped up rapidly at the end. Part redemption, part just desserts, part kindness wrapped in justice. Only one really bad Bad Guy mostly got away with his wickedness due to his position and power. But reality bites.

Highly recommended.

An enjoyable variation

What if Darcy's father was alive and tried to force his marriage to Anne? Elizabeth is just as desperate; Darcy overhears an argument between her two guardians that leaves her in an appalling position, and suggests marriage as a way to solve both their problems. Their growing love is sweetly written and, despite the initial melodramatic scenario, the story doesn't decend into villainous caricatures.

The narration isn't bad, but lacks emotion. There's one scene where Darcy is having a furious confrontation with his father, but it sounds like he's offering tea! VW also speaks rather too quickly sometimes, which takes a bit of getting used to.

a pleasing few hours

sadly the narration was a bit stilted and was lacking. the characters never really came to light, they were unnecessary posh and cold. the story was very good so would recommend the book.

An innovative take on Elizabeth and Darcy

Another good story from LL Diamond.

And good narration, too. Particularly liked how the different characters come across.