Deception & Debauchery

A Pride and Prejudice Variation

By: Cinnamon Worth

Narrated by: Megan Green

Length: 5 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

George Wickham, a widower with a penchant for gambling, women, and alcohol, has recently gained his freedom and fortune. In an effort to gain respectability, he intends to acquire a country estate in Hertfordshire. He soon finds himself enamored with Elizabeth Bennet and developing a friendship with Charles Bingley, two people who are very important to his childhood rival, Fitzwilliam Darcy. When Darcy discovers that Wickham is worming his way into the lives of those in Hertfordshire, he will go to shocking lengths to protect them.

©2018, 2019 Genevieve Frederick (P)2019 Genevieve Frederick

Different story

Wickham has a leading role in this book. But not his usual role. It was a good read. Myself I am not so fond of Wickham so therefore a four star instead of a five star. Well written. Witty.

a good story

I enjoyed this historical romance story with all of the characters. Ms.Worth came up with a new variations of the story a Pride and Prejudice. It is the same characters the were in the regional story but the plot is different.
It had a bit of twists to the story that was fun to read or listen to.

I received a complimentary copy via Story Origin. This is my honest unbiased opinions.

A peculiar twist on a timeless tale

Pride and prejudice is so impactful, because the satire of human foibles is applicable to every society of people.
Ms. Worth has done an excellent job of understanding the author’s characters and deepening their story with a twist of fate. Mr. Wickham gets a fortune. With this change in the story, Wickham becomes free from the restraint of pursuing only women of lower rank or lower logic. Now even women of mean would consider him a possible match, thus allowing Wickham the freedom to manipulate them.
What could go wrong?
This is a peculiar twist on a timeless tale!
I received this ARC through Story Origin and am giving a voluntary review.

Narrator

The narrator almost put me to sleep. She also sounds like she is about to cry. Sorry Ms. Worth

Loved it!

In this Pride and Prejudice variation George Wickham's marriage to a much older, wealthy, and sickly woman means that he now has the means to purchase an estate and live respectably. He visits Hertfordshire and befriends Bingley and the Bennet family. When Darcy, who has left Hertforshire to protect his heart from Lizzy, hears that Wickham is courting Lizzy, he returns to warn them away. But since Wickham no longer needs money Darcy needs to devise a new plan to get Wickham where he wants him.

I really loved this fun variation! I absolutely loved this version of the Bennet girls. They got into some truly funny situations, and the little deceptions were hilarious. Bingley offering Darcy a set down was another enjoyable moment. I've never read a version where Wickham is successful and has no money concerns, it was an interesting take. Wickham isn't as awful as in the original because he never attempted to elope with Georgiana, instead he married a sick woman but kept her happy for the rest of her life.

Lizzy's close friendship with Wickham had me so worried I did something I've never done before. I actually peeked ahead in the audiobook to see when Lizzy would realize what Wickham was up to. It had me on pins and needles! As for Lizzy and Darcy's relationship, the moments they spent together were all sweet, and I couldn't wait for their happily ever after.

The narration was well done, with separate voices for each character. Her performance made it easy to get drawn into the story. I requested a copy of the audiobook, and I'm voluntarily leaving a review.

Wickham is a Rich Widower!

Deception & Debauchery by Cinnamon Worth is an interesting alternative telling of Pride and Prejudice and how George Wickham is introduced to the Bennett family. Wickham is not an impoverished lieutenant in the local militia, but rather a mourning widower with a hefty inheritance.

The story begins when Wickham is introduced to Charles Bingley in London. Bingley finds Wickham so agreeable that he invites him to stay at Netherfield. When Wickham is introduced in Hertfordshire and the entire Bennett family, he is a much sought after marital prospect. However, despite his fortune, Wickham still lacks morals. He believes Darcy intends to marry Caroline Bingley even though it is obvious to everyone that he’s attracted to Elizabeth Bennet. Wickham devises a scheme to wound Darcy by wooing and marrying Elizabeth while at the same time bedding Caroline before Darcy marries her. Thankfully, Caroline keeps her knees firmly together and her virtue intact, and Darcy saves Elizabeth from the clutches of Wickham.

Megan Green did an admirable job narrating, differentiating between male and female characters. Simply put, her narration really enhanced my enjoyment of this audiobook. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fun lighthearted Jane Austen Fan Fiction.

Clean, Unique P&P variation

Deception and Debauchery by Cinnamon Worth (4.5 stars)

Ms. Worth comes up with such creative variations! She does't just put the characters in a different setting, then start quoting from the book. She comes up with totally new plots for our beloved characters. She doesn't allow herself to be stifled by sticking to the classic characters, though. If she needs someone else, she write the person in. I feel like she stays basically true to Elizabeth and Darcy/Jane and Bingley, but other secondary characters are open for some adjustments in personality and are open to back stories where she explores why they are the way they are. Needless to say, I really like her variations!

Most of the characters from the book make an appearance, but Wickham and his schemes are focused on in the first half, then Darcy and Elizabeth in the second half. There is a very amusing scene regarding a horse race/bet and one of my absolute favorite side characters in this one is Mary! (She's great in the few scenes she's in!)

Spoiler alert:
The following will make you think that I didn’t love the epilogue, but I did: it was so cute!

The part that shocked me upon first hearing it was the fact that George Wickham is a favorite uncle and godfather to Darcy's heir! (That was the only part of the book that I struggled with. Darcy knew the kind of man Wickham was and we, as listeners, have been privy to some of Wickham’s schemes as well as his contempt for people who are bound by rules.)

Anyway, that was a bit of a stretch for me. But I could also see the author has given us lots of clues about how this change could have come about. I simply wish the author had given us a Wickham epilogue separate from the Darcy epilogue. I needed to know, as only an author can relate, that the changes in Wickham are real enough that it’s ok that he’s godfather to Darcy’s heir; that he’s satisfied with his wealth and standing and won’t be scheming for Darcy’s downfall, anymore.

Narration: (3.5 stars)
I listened to this on audiobook and the narrator is good! She has a cadence that takes a moment to get used to and she chooses to make Mr. Bingley's voice rather high which caused me to confuse who was speaking; Mr. Bingley or Caroline, in a couple of scenes. Obviously context quickly solved that. Regardless, she reads well and is a good voice actor!

*poor, **ok, ***good****very good, *****something special

I did not win the free giveaway, but I bought it!

If you like books full of cynicism and humor about life, this may be the book for you Definitely an interesting listening.

Great adaptation!

This book was one of the best adaptations that I have read. Megan Green gives a wonderful performance. Thes was well worth the listen.


This book
was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.

Wonderful Twist!

I was given a free review copy of the audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

This was definitely one of the more enjoyable versions of the Pride and Prejudice genre that this author has written. It all seems to fit into place with the characters getting what they deserve at the end, be that bad or good. The hard-to-like Caroline Bingley is even more despicable in this tale and a well-suited match for the conniving George Wickham. Since all's well that ends well, the forgone ending will prove to be as sweet as we have come to expect. In this tale, once more, Mary comes out as a better figure, more intelligent and insightful than the original one. I have a feeling that the author tries very hard to give Mary her just due. The storyline has enough action to keep you wanting to see what will happen next and I loved how all of the sisters plotted to let justice prevail.
The narration was very well done and gave life to all of the characters. A must listen to audiobook for the P&P fans.