Rumours & Recklessness

A Pride and Prejudice Variation

By: Nicole Clarkston

Narrated by: Stevie Zimmerman

Length: 17 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

Fitzwilliam Darcy is desperate. Finally confronted with a woman who ignites all his hopes, he agonizes over the cruel trick of fate which placed her in a situation beneath his notice. The morning after the Netherfield ball, he resolves to put as much distance between himself and her as possible.

That very morning, however, Elizabeth's future is jeopardized by her father's untimely accident. With Mr. Bennet unconscious and surrounded by concerned neighbors, Mr. Collins presses his suit. Elizabeth's mother frantically demands her acceptance to secure the family's welfare. With so many witnesses to his proposal and everyone expecting her to make a practical choice, Elizabeth's reputation hangs in the balance.

Without her father to defend her refusal of Mr. Collins, there is no one to speak up for her...except the last man in the world she would ever marry.

©2023 Winsome Wit Publishing (P)2023 Winsome Wit Publishing

Drama

Drama is the theme of this book. In such a short time the poor Bennett’s, Darcy’s, and Bingly’s have a lot happened to them. It was an entertaining story but was not completely Austen like.
The narrator was fine but her Mr. Darcy voice was sometimes a bit too low and quiet.

Superb beyond my high expectations!

One of the best “Pride and Prejudice” variations I have ever read or listened to! Nicole Clarkson has written a rich work that takes on a life of its own. Her characters and plot are extremely well-developed. Her story is interesting, exciting, sensual without being raunchy, serious and humorous in turn, and surprising with unexpected twists.

This is the third book I’ve listened to narrated by Stevie Zimmerman, and I’m so pleased! She has the perfect voice for it! Clarkson’s writing and Zimmerman’s unique voice made for many delightful hours of entertainment! And I already know I’ll listen to this book again!

Interesting the whole way through!

I adore a long book that’s not bogged down in details of no interest and this is a five star example! The main characters act like themselves while you still get a new unique P&P variation! Narration is excellent as always when listening to a work from Stevie Zimmerman!!

Very nicely done! Enjoyed this audio!

This book follows the original somewhat. I do feel a few times Elizabeth was a bit stupid than the original.
Love that Bingley finally got a backbone!
I didn't like one part of the story twist and doesn't make since for Lady Catherine 's relentless pursuit of Darcy and Ann to marry. Not even she would try to force the marriage with how the author made this change. Truly discussed me. It made me sick and did effect my feelings of the book but as always Darcy and Elizabeth end up together.

This is a new favorite

I loved how sweet this P&P variation was. The characters we all know and love take a new path with some twists and turns along the way.
Very comforting read and the narrator does an excellent job differentiating.

Wonderful , I’m still smiling!

This was probably the best Pride and Prejudice Variation that I’ve read. This story fleshes out the parts we know, by adding dialog or the characters thoughts and feelings or more of the backstory. It does also make changes from the original story as the variations do but most of the characters stay true to the original. The exception to that was Lady Catherine de Bourgh. The extra storyline regarding her seemed over the top. But overall the story has suspense, romance and many smiles and chuckles. Stevie Zimmermans performance was very enjoyable too. Lady Catherine voice was at times overly strident but the rest of the characters were very well done. Also one of the reviews I read made me wonder if this was one of the “R” rated variations but all the scenes and dialogue stayed “G or PG”.

Audio Quality Lacking

I thoroughly enjoyed this book- the only subpar quality was the audio. The performance was great but the sound quality was iffy. Not enough to ruin the experience though.

Awesome. - A fun romp through Pride & Prejudice

A great storyteller and she crafts Austen's characters with affection, understanding and wit and whimsy

Story had promise, but Lizzy's not that dizzy!

I really loved the concept of this book. The plot line was well thought out, but I found Elizabeth to be inattentive, which she is not. She made many mistakes in judgment she shouldn't have if she had stayed true to her character and listened attentively. For example, in the case of her jumping to the conclusion that her father was economizing because Darcy made him buy Wickham's debts, was totally out of character for Elizabeth. Her father had plainly said that all he did was stand around while the other men did the work. The epilogue was somewhat disjointed, and did not flow well. It did wrap up all the loose ends and stayed true to J.A. but it felt hurried with way too much information to be imparted for an epilogue.

Only One Part Made Me Uncomfortable

**SPOILERS**

I really liked the over-all story! Especially the parts with Darcy and Elizabeth finding time alone together and Darcy thinking of his passions.
Except…
I was really uncomfortable of the idea of Col. Fitzwilliam and Georgianna.
She’s only 16 at the time of the book and a grown man (who is her guardian and practically a father-figure) loves her romantically? *shudders*
He even talks about remembering her childhood and how he watched her grow up from a sweet child to a young woman.
How creepy is that?!
Not to mention that that are cousins! I know that people married their cousins back then but with the knowledge that we have now of incest and inbreeding, why add another cousin-relationship that previously hadn’t existed before to the story?
The idea of Fitzwilliam and Georgianna made me want to throw up in my mouth a bit.