The Trouble with Friends

A Pride and Prejudice Variation

By: Kelly Miller

Narrated by: Deborah Balm

Length: 6 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

A country miss from a modest estate may destroy Fitzwilliam Darcy’s closest friendship!

Darcy and his good friend Simon Lockhart are guests of Charles Bingley at Netherfield Park in Hertfordshire. When the otherwise sensible Lockhart becomes infatuated with Miss Elizabeth Bennet, who has neither wealth nor a renowned family name, Darcy attempts to make his friend see reason. But there is a complication—Darcy’s growing attraction for Miss Elizabeth.

Elizabeth has an instant liking for the amiable Mr. Lockhart, whilst she deems the arrogant Mr. Darcy to be an undesirable entity. In time, though, she is coaxed into judging Mr. Darcy anew. But when an unexpected predicament forces her to make an undesirable choice, it seems all hope of a happy outcome is lost.

In this Pride & Prejudice variation, Darcy faces a dilemma: Will he heed the yearnings of his heart—even at the expense of his principles?

The Trouble With Friends is a clean, light-hearted Regency romance of approximately 54,000 words written from the author's imagination without the use of AI (Artificial Intelligence).

©2023 Kelly Miller (P)2023 Kelly Miller

Who loves whom?

Told from both a Darcy and Elizabeth POV, Bingley’s usual Netherfield party includes a new character, and close friend to Mr. Darcy, Mr. Simon Lockhart. He is also wealthy and single. Jane is in London with the Gardiners when everyone’s first acquaintance is made. When Elizabeth helps Lockhart after falling from his horse, he takes an interest in her—until Jane returns and his attentions turn towards her, as do Bingley’s. Good thing Elizabeth isn’t really interested. She has an early attraction to Mr. Darcy, and he returns it, but does not yet declare it to her. They are friendly towards each other early on.

There are many twists in this story, mainly related to who loves whom, causing misunderstandings. It seems some can’t make up their minds. I struggled with Jane’s portrayal, but I can understand it in order to advance the plot. There are compromises too. The usual Wickham and Lydia elopement takes place which threatens the Bennets’ ruin, and word of Elizabeth’s helping Simon makes its way to London and threatens her reputation as well.

Robbie, Elizabeth’s Cocker Spaniel is sweet, and I kept expecting him to do something special or heroic as part of the plot, but it doesn’t happen, so I was left a tad unsatisfied there. The dialogue, which Kelly Miller always writes well, flows nicely throughout this story. There is a bit of side story for Mary and Elizabeth which I enjoyed also.

January 15, 2024 - Audiobook
Deborah Balm is a very good narrator and I like her very much, but as a matter of personal taste, I didn’t enjoy this particular voice interpretation of Jane, which I felt was too sombre and deep in tone for her. I read the book as I listened along with the audiobook.

I do recommend the book and audiobook, both of which I have purchased for my Kindle and Audible libraries.

Kisses only.

Sweet variation of Pride & Prejudice

It was ok and a sweet variation, nothing noteworthy. I liked the 3 choices of Men to the small town instead of only the two; Darcy and Bingley. The romance just wasn’t there for me personally.

Darcy faces some stiff competition!

When Simon Lockhart accompanied his friends Charles Bingley and Fitzwilliam Darcy to the Netherfield estate, he never guessed how Elizabeth Bennett would impact his future. Yet a few days later, she comes to his aid after a riding accident. The way Elizabeth cares for him—at the risk of her reputation—impresses him. Despite her lack of romantic inclinations, he fixates on her and insists on wooing her. Then he meets her sister Jane, and all thoughts of marrying Elizabeth take flight.

Pet ownership agrees with Elizabeth Bennett. After caring for her Cocker Spaniel Robbie, she takes a greater interest in her sister Mary and tempers her mother's outrageous schemes. Seeing Mr. Lockhart in distress, Elizabeth places his needs first and her safety second. Despite his wealth and pleasant manner, his features don’t call to her. While she finds Charles Bingley attractive, his disinterest in literature limits the scope of any possible relationship. Yet both potential suitors seem superior choices to their sullen friend Fitzwilliam Darcy. Why does she feel so drawn to Darcy?

Elizabeth’s looks and manners take Darcy’s breath away. He cannot stop thinking about her. Yet fate continually draws them together. After Lockhart declares his interest in Jane, Darcy misinterprets Elizabeth's actions as despair. While seeking to protect and befriend her, his sister arrives at Netherfield. Georgiana was bored at Pemberley and still pines for George Wickham. Darcy realizes she needs a friend and knows he can trust Elizabeth to look after his sister’s interests.

So begins The Trouble With Friends: A Pride And Prejudice Variation. Author Kelly Miller compresses Jane Austen’s original timeline and limits the settings to Hertfordshire and London. She sidelines some of Austen’s characters while adding new ones, allowing readers to glimpse her beloved protagonists in a new light. While channeling Austen’s voice, she concentrates less on outdated matters, such as entailed properties and arranged marriages, while giving readers what they most desire: more time spent in the delightful company of Elizabeth Bennett and Fitzwilliam Darcy.

In this altered timeline, some events remain fixed, and others change considerably. I missed some of Austen's longer set pieces, such as Elizabeth's visit with Charlotte and her tour of Derbyshire with her aunt and uncle. Yet amid this classic tale of love and family, Simon Lockhart's friendship, loyalty, and sacrifice make him an outstanding addition to Jane Austen's cast. The Trouble With Friends: A Pride And Prejudice Variation honors Austen’s classic tale and will keep readers involved until the end.

Deborah Balm's cultured voice adds authenticity to Kelly Miller's audiobook. Balm distinguishes characters well, and her narration immerses you in Elizabeth, Darcy, and Lockhart's world. As my first experience listening to a book on Audible, I found it hugely enjoyable. The next time I attend an assembly in Meryton or a ball at Netherfield, I shall recommend this novel to all my friends, no matter how amiable or troublesome they may be!

Fabulous rendition of a classic

Loved this new take on an old classic. While the characters stayed true to the original story, this variation was captivating and entertaining! The plot was well written and I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves Pride and Prejudice!