The Unthinkable Triangle

A Pride and Prejudice Variation

By: Joana Starnes

Narrated by: Stevie Zimmerman

Length: 9 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

All is fair in love and war - or is it? What if Mr. Darcy's rival for Elizabeth Bennet's hand and heart is not some inconsequential stranger, but his dearest, closest friend? How is he to reconcile the claims of loyalty and kinship with the urge to pursue his heart's desire?

"Eyes tightly shut against the horrifying future, Darcy dug his fingers in his hair. Lost to him forever. Not merely lost, but promised to his cousin - firmly in his life, but never his! How in God's name was he to bear it and not become unhinged? How was he to have her at his table as Richard's affianced, and not betray himself? How was he to see her, time and again, and give no sign that he wanted her more than he had ever wanted any woman? How was he to keep up the pretence, day after excruciating day?"

©2015 Joana Starnes (P)2023 Joana Starnes

BRAVO !

This is One of the Best P& P Varitions I Have read in Years ! I will only conclude
and hope for Sequel or Book 2 is in the near future. 😃😃😃😃😃

Exquisite torture

Would you listen to The Unthinkable Triangle again? Why?

Absolutely, a wonderful book and outstanding performance

Who was your favorite character and why?

Darcy and Dona Teresa. Darcy was true to character, Dona Teresa was a very colorful and interesting character.

Have you listened to any of Stevie Zimmerman’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

All Stevie Zimmerman's performances are excellent. I loved her Spanish and French accents in this one.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

My heart was breaking for Darcy and then for colonel Fitzwilliam

One of the best!

This is one short that haunted me for days afterwards. Powerful stuff. And Stevie Zimmerman does it justice.

Surprisingly good

I was surprised at how good this book was. If you like Jane Austen FF, I recommend it.

The opening one-third or so of Austen's Pride and Prejudice is mentioned as a backstory, as the book opens with Lizzie visiting Charlotte Collins and encountering Darcy and his cousin Fitzwilliam at Rosings. Darcy is on the verge of proposing when Lizzie and Fitzwilliam announce their engagement. Naturally, Darcy is crushed and agonizes at the thought of the woman he loves being married to his dearest friend.

Fitzwilliam is on leave from the Army and must return to the Peninsula, and here is where the author begins her own plot. Events conspire to throw Lizzie and Darcy together in fairly believable ways, and Lizzie begins to see Darcy's admirable traits, even though Darcy is careful not to reveal his true feelings for her.

Fitzwilliam is a doll, though, so how can Lizzie dump him for Darcy? Fear not, this author has devised a plot that gives everyone a happy ending. As I said, it's really quite good.

Very well written

Ms. Starnes did an excellent job in writing this variation of Pride and Prejudice. The plot is interesting. The characters were true to those created originally by Jane Austen and the dialog between the characters was entertaining and well done. Mrs. Bennett is particularly irritating, which is true to character. The story is bittersweet because only one of the two men can ultimately win Elizabeth's heart. Both Darcy and the Colonel are wonderful men and it is sad to know that one of them will be hurt. The author handles this situation very well and the story wraps up nicely at the end.

The narrator is quite talented. She does not try to create overly distinctive characters, which to me is a good thing for this book. The story sells itself. The narrator only has to read with a pleasant voice, use correct pronunciation, maintain good pacing, and differentiate between male and female voices. She does a excellent job at these tasks.

wonderfully entangled plot

Lovely story with great lines and twists in the plot. Fantastic narration with accents in English (many), French, Spanish and Scottish. Very enjoyable. Superb author.

Heartbreaking

Did not enjoy our beloved Colonel Fitzwilliam getting the short end of the stick.  Darcy‘s character was a bit over the top. 

Loved this book

I always wanted a love triangle story between these three. Got what I wanted and more. Many P&P variations hint at Colonel Fitzwilliams feelings for Elizabeth but nothing ever happeneds between them because he needs to marry well. Alot of the book is through a heartbroken Mr.Darcys POV. If your looking for a Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam love story this is not it. You see most of their relationship through Darcy. Even though I felt bad for Fitzwilliam. Darcy is just too passionate and so sweet throughout the book so of course she falls in love with him

Really fabulous P&P variation

I’ve bought all of Ms Starnes P&P variations and this is one of my favorites. My advice is to read (or listen to) this one third or forth, so you’ve already formed an attachment to Mr Darcy’s favorite cousin, Richard Fitzwilliam. One of the best aspects of Ms Starnes’ books is the depth of character development, resulting in the reader/listener getting to know the main characters deeper with each piece.

That said, this is a love triangle among Elizabeth, Mr. Darcy, and Richard Fitzwilliam. The book is filled with a mix of romance, angst, edge-of-your-seat drama, and the reader truly doesn’t guess the outcomes of the many twists.

There are scenes where I couldn’t put this book down. It’s that good.

Another aspect of this book is getting to know minor characters and how their influence plays into the actions of the main characters. The reader can draw conclusions to the original P&P based on what we learn from the characters in this and other variations from Ms Starnes.

I especially applaud the author for how she portrays strong women (Specifically Elizabeth and Anne) in a time when women weren’t permitted much of a voice at all.

Agree it is exquisite torture but very satisfying

Agree it is exquisite torture but very satisfying. A love triangle, but one where you feel compassion for all parties. Although I wish there had been more insight to Elizabeth’s initial acceptance of the Colonel. The story will not disappoint! The first half is mostly from Darcy’s viewpoint and it is endearing and tortuous.
I recommend to anyone enjoying strong believable characters on a P&P variation.
This is the 3rd Joana Starnes I have enjoyed and Stevie Zimmerman is of course amazing!