Their Cottage Near Ramsgate, A Pride and Prejudice Variation

By: Melanie Schertz, A Lady

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

Length: 5 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

Elizabeth Bennet has led a peaceful life at her family's estate of Longbourn. Then she met the handsome Fitzwilliam Darcy at the Meryton assembly. Rather than being sullen, Darcy realized from the start that there was something special about the young lady.

Her world was about to be turned upside down with the revelation of her true parents, and the person who wanted them dead. Only, her parents' deaths did not discourage the man who hated her birth father, who had spurned the man's sister. Wanting to discover Elizabeth's whereabouts, Baron Frances would stop at nothing to claim her as if she was his sister's child. In this story, Darcy's parents are alive.

Will the Darcys be willing to assist in protecting Elizabeth from being taken to the continent? Will they accept her and the truth of her past? Or will Elizabeth be taken away, forced to live a life not of her own choosing?

Interesting Twist, Trigger warning ⚠️

Trigger warning for some physical abuse.

As I have said in previous reviews, the virtual voice needs work. It takes me out of the story as I laugh at the mispronounced words during serious moments.

There are big switches with some characters missing and many others brought in. Get a whiteboard to follow who everyone is. ODC gets their HEA.

Elizabeth is raised by the Bennetts, but is not their daughter. She is told her true identity near her 20th birthday.

She and Darcy still meet at an assembly, but he loves her instantly. This story brings intrigue, foreign plots to kidnap, threat of danger, and much love. Caroline is dangerous but laughable at her attempts to marry Darcy, but gets her own surprise HEA.

Everyone is rational - except the BBEG, no Wickham, no screeching Mrs. Bennett, no Collins or Lady C.

I am convinced that Bella Breen is the pen name for a writing class, and all these books are projects from students. This particular one repeats information MANY times. The character will think it, then say it.

I listen to the author, and any virtual voice when I want to laugh and escape my own worries for a few hours

AI Narration

Mostly good! There’s a few mispronunciations and some natural pauses that are a little distracting. But it doesn’t take away from the story in my opinion. The cadence also needs to be adjusted in the AI voice. Otherwise the soft spoken voice is pleasant and not robotic at all! I’m impressed by that!

Decent plot. In need of editing.

I agree with other reviews. Lack of editing was an issue. Characters forgot things that they knew a few pages earlier. Portions were repeated. Statements were contradicted. Darcy mentions his younger brother and sister and then its asked if he has siblings. In addition, he can't be an only nephew when his brother was mentioned in the beginning, throughout, oh, and in the next line of the book. Sheesh! Certain aspects didn't make sense; Caroline's maid being one of them, and another was being ashamed of having a Duke as your father. Also, when did being a parson compare with being a Duke? Referring to him as a soldier doesn't make a person less of a Duke. D was very flowery in his expressions, and I wish E&D's relationship showed development. I don't think this book knew if it wanted to be a romance or a thriller.

The narration--as with other virtually voiced narration--was poor. Words were pronounced incorrectly. Pauses took place at inappropriate times. There was a lack of inflection, and characters voices blended with narration. All of these issues led to moments of confusion. I'm not a fan.