If Not For the Entail: A Pride and Prejudice Variation

by Colin Rowland, Kay Springsteen (Editor)

Elizabeth Bennet must support her mother and sisters since her father died unexpectedly. Mr. Bennet’s will made her responsible for the Longbourn estate, which has suffered two years of bad weather that harmed the crops.The resulting reduction of rents from the tenant farmers has forced her to dismiss most of the estate’s servants. She spends many nights pondering her dwindling options to avoid having to sell the property.A letter from Mr. Collins, her father’s cousin, leaves more questions than answers. He expresses condolences and plans to visit to conclude unfinished business. She wonders why he waited so long to contact the family and, more importantly, what is the nature of this business he needs to finish? She recalls meeting the man at her father’s funeral, but cannot remember engaging him in discussion.The man’s arrival is anything but comforting. He declares his plan to fulfill the entail and take over Longbourn, laughing at Elizabeth’s belief that Mr. Bennet settled it before he died.She faces an awful marry Mr. Collins or risk losing her family’s home.A hint of aid from an unexpected source emerges, but it might be too late to rescue Elizabeth from a terrible marriage.The thrilling conclusion threatens the life and future happiness of our heroine and brings about the redemption of an unlikely hero.The story unfolds in “If Not For the Entail” the exciting new book from Colin Rowland. Get your copy on Amazon today!

Genres: Romance, Fan Fiction

398 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 14, 2023

Reviews

[Sheila Majczan · Rating 4 out of 5]

389 pages on my Kindle.

There are significant differences in (OOC) two of the characters. First we read that Wickham has made peace with Darcy and, indeed, works for him. Secondly, we have Collins who is now a seducer of woman, forced or otherwise. And as the story progresses we also learn he has lost the living at Hunsford.

Mr. Bennet died several years ago as the story tells us and Elizabeth has taken over managing the estate. Sadly she finds many debts and two years of crop failures has not helped matters. Before he died her father had assured the family that the entail has been broken but Elizabeth cannot find "hide nor hair" or that.

Bingley does lease Netherfield and is attracted to Jane and Darcy shows up and although reticent in company we find him with his own attraction to E. And, as usual, he fights that pull.

Collins appears, uninvited, and is not allowed to stay at Longbourn as there are no males, except Mr. Hill. (He and his wife are basically the only servants left as Elizabeth was forced to downsize staff.) He also forms a habit of showing up when Elizabeth tries to resume her morning walks...being too busy to talk those previously. He has "proof" that the entail still stands and demands that Elizabeth either marry him or she and her family must vacate Longbourn.

Lydia continues to be a problem and Mrs. Bennet, finally, takes steps to correct her. Kitty's part takes a different path in this tale.

I found a lot of angst in the middle portions of this story as Collins harrasses Elizabeth.

Yes, there is an epilogue.

I also found the need for some proofreading. This author and his brother (who is also a JAFF author) are ones whose stories I usually read when I see a new release.

[Mariska · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nice

It's always nice to read a low angst tale with a reasonable Mrs Bennet, A non abrasive Miss Bingley, and a Mr Darcy who's not a self centered petulant jerk. That said, I did not like the way the characters all put each other down as a form of humor.

[Madenna U · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr Bennet has passed, but he broke the entail before he died. Elizabeth Bennet is running the farm and due to bad weather the past few years the farm is running her. The arrival of renters Netherfield leads to a bit more normalcy, but the arrival of Mr Collins leaves everyone wondering what is going on.

The difference in some of the alternative character personalities are what make the story different; kind, good evil, bratty, etc. Mr. Darcy, of course saves the day because he can’t help himself.

[Leila Regala · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb!!!!!!

The short epilogue alone had me teary-eyed....well, I really cried my hearts out. This is a well written book. Yes, it's long but worthy of me losing sleep. Not much Caroline in the story, but likeable nonetheless. To me, this the best depiction of Elizabeth and Darcy ever in any P/P variation. Thank you Colin Rowland for this excellent book. I highly recommend.

[Peg]

I just couldn't stay interested in it, somehow, and all the contractions were setting my teeth on edge. DNF at 38%.

[Justine Cognato · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was almost a did not finish for me, but I struggled to the end. Elizabeth and Darcy do not even have any sort of “romantic” interest until page 380 of 398.

The story is drawn out, poorly written and apparently not edited in anyway. So many paragraphs start with a character speaking and the author just forgets quotations so you have no idea where their words start or end. Pemberley and Longbourn have the same cook Mrs. Colborne, there are numerous timeline issues (1. Elizabeth waking up after the assembly, going through an entire day and then the next day walking with Mr. Collins but Darcy sees them walking the day after the ball. 2. Elizabeth wakes up early, goes for a walk, and then comes home and they all go to bed. 3. Bingley comes to dinner and they all sit down, exchange two sentences and then Mary leaves and Bingley is in the carriage to leave. Many more but just a few examples.) Darcy and Elizabeth both apparently suffer from memory loss - Charlotte tells Elizabeth that Netherfield has been leased and then the next day Elizabeth is completely shocked and has no idea it has been leased. Darcy is told by Colonel Fitzwilliam that Lady Catherine has had to get rid of her parson and report him to the Bishop but mere weeks later Darcy is asking what can be done to get rid of the parson.

There are pages upon pages of just stupidity and nonsense, did we need four pages of Darcy talking to his stable master? Did we need multiple descriptions of how bad people smelled? Stupid pointless dialogue but this is a pride and prejudice variation and the author genuinely seemed to forget that until 97% done with the book.

None of the characters resemble themselves - everyone lives for joking and then are all suddenly incredibly serious. Bingley accidentally overhears a conversation between Elizabeth and Jane and Darcy is scolding him for his sin?

I hate leaving bad reviews but I couldn’t stop myself here, this book is so bad in everyway, plot, editing, dialogue. I will be avoiding this author in the future.

[Alena (Ally) Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting

Unusual themed variation. A great amount of the story was focused not on the romance of Darcy and Elizabeth, but on an ambiguous Elizabeth and her struggles with an ever changing personality. There were several inconsistencies and too many irregular personalities to make this first a romance and second a believable P&P variation.

[Miss-Evie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well crafted and original JAFF

Don’t expect the usual suspects, but do expect a bit of angst and drama as the Bennets fend off a real threat in this very well written and entertaining story. I thoroughly enjoyed the character reversals (read it to find out who) and strong characters of ODC.

[Linda K Goodwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emotions abound.

Worry, hard work, disgust, heart break, debt, honor, love and perseverance. This story covers it all. Emotions abound. And many hea's.