In Spite of All

By: Melissa Anne

Narrated by: Benjamin Fife

What if Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy had met years before their fateful encounter in Meryton?

At sixteen, Elizabeth encounters the young master of Pemberley, Fitzwilliam Darcy. Sparks fly between the two, and despite their youth, Darcy proposes marriage. However, misunderstandings tore their blossoming love apart, each believing the other had abandoned them.

Years later, they meet once more at the Meryton assembly. Quickly realising that lies and deceit have kept them apart, Darcy and Elizabeth refuse to let anything stand between them again and elope to Scotland that very night.

The news of their elopement throws both families into turmoil. Can Elizabeth and Darcy withstand the fallout from their impulsive decision, or will the pressures of society and family tear them apart once more? Join them as they fight for their love, facing scandal, opposition, and the weight of past betrayals in this daring reimagining of their timeless romance.

©2024 Melissa Anne (P)2025 Podium Audio

In Spite of All

Entertaining book and good narration. I thought the book dragged in places and perhaps less time spent on evil machinations and more time on family building would have been nice. The book does have a comprehensive epilogue.

Villains Galore!

Elizabeth and Darcy meet in Derbyshire at a much younger age and fall in love. When Darcy approaches her father, Bennet tells him she is already engaged. When he comes back a second time Bennet tells him Elizabeth is married.

When his friend Bingley leases Netherfield some years later, Darcy can’t resist seeing Elizabeth again, even if she is married to someone else. Much to their chagrin they realize Elizabeth’s father has lied and they elope rather than taking the chance they could be separated instead.

Why did Bennet refuse Darcy’s suit? And is he the only one who meddled in their affairs? Elizabeth and Darcy soon learn that Bennet’s interference is just the tip of the iceberg and there are many who want to keep them apart and who are willing to risk much to do so. Can they achieve their happiness in spite of all?

Narrated by Benjamin Fife, who is terrific as always. He does an especially terrifying Lady Catherine de Bourgh!

An epic story.

The relationship between Darcy and Elizabeth in this story was very romantic, solid, and committed. Their challenges all came from outside their union. I appreciate that there were no misunderstandings between them and that the angst came from somewhere else.

There was plenty of drama to bring frustration and even danger to their doorsteps. Mr Bennet comes off rather badly here. He gets a suitable payback which was humorous. Mrs. Bennet eventually, it was a long haul, became somewhat aware of the world around her and how right her daughter’s marriage was. I don’t want to spoil it here but it ended satisfactorily.

As usual, and how I prefer it to be, the Gardiners were wonderfully supportive and kind. The villains were horrible and gave our dear couple plenty of grief. Jane cares for someone different than Bingley. But he lived happily ever after too.

I love a great epilogue and this book had a great one. The story itself could have been tightened up a bit. There was too much repetition of a few subplots. But I loved it and will happily relisten to it in the future. Highly recommended for JAFF LOVERS.

Darcy and Elizabeth were together throughout

I liked how Darcy and Elizabeth shared their troubles throughout.
The author kept me guessing as to who was causing all the trouble for Elizabeth and her family

Great Narration

Engaging story, lots of obstacles including selfish Mr Bennet and evil Lord Matlock. Benjamin Fife provides a crisp, precise, and entertaining narration.