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Errant Expectations: A Pride & Prejudice Variation
Elizabeth Bennet, the favoured child of Mr Bennet of Longbourne, is known throughout Meryton as the clever one. With the weight of her father's expectations weighing her down, Elizabeth eagerly accepts her aunts invitation to join her in Bath with her relatives for the summer.
So what happens, when Lizzy was not there to meet the Netherfield party at the infamous assembly?
How will events play out, when her first introduction on her return, is Mr Collins and Mr Wickham?
Mr Darcy has spent the autumn guiding his friend in land management. The only problem is, Bingley seems more enthralled with a lady neighbouring his leased estate, and paying little attention to Darcy's advice. Bored, Darcy eagerly spends as much time as he can, outside of the estate, avoiding Miss Bingley's cloying advances wherever possible.
On a lonely ride, with a thrown shoe, what happens when Mr Darcy hears his name discussed dismissively?
Will his pride be offended? Or will Mr Darcy take the first steps in seeing things through another's perspective?
Join our dear couple, as they face expectations from every direction, and discover what happens when the knight fails to save the day.
So what happens, when Lizzy was not there to meet the Netherfield party at the infamous assembly?
How will events play out, when her first introduction on her return, is Mr Collins and Mr Wickham?
Mr Darcy has spent the autumn guiding his friend in land management. The only problem is, Bingley seems more enthralled with a lady neighbouring his leased estate, and paying little attention to Darcy's advice. Bored, Darcy eagerly spends as much time as he can, outside of the estate, avoiding Miss Bingley's cloying advances wherever possible.
On a lonely ride, with a thrown shoe, what happens when Mr Darcy hears his name discussed dismissively?
Will his pride be offended? Or will Mr Darcy take the first steps in seeing things through another's perspective?
Join our dear couple, as they face expectations from every direction, and discover what happens when the knight fails to save the day.
430 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 1, 2023
25 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 4, 2024
Wonderfully romantic
Unlike the original P&P, Elizabeth is away in Bath when the Netherfield party arrives, and also when Mr Collins first arrives. She's spent the entire previous summer with the family of aunt Gardiner's brother. She returns to Longbourn just in time for her mother to start pushing Mr Collins at her, and in time for Darcy to overhear a conversation between Elizabeth and Charlotte Lucas, during which Elizabeth states that she's suspicious about Mr Wickham's character, and that she's determined to improve the behavior and prospects of her two youngest and wildest sisters. Darcy is secretly impressed by Elizabeth's intelligence, her love of family, and her tinkling laugh.
Caroline Bingley is the first villain in this version. She orchestrates a compromising situation at the Netherfield ball that backfires wildly against her plans, resulting in a marriage between Elizabeth and Darcy. The story is about how these two almost-strangers make their marriage work. Fortunately, the author has gifted us with a swoon worthy Darcy, and a delightfully strong, smart, and caring Elizabeth. Their evolution is a joy to read. Of course the road is not smooth, and other villains take their turns at upsetting things, but this just allows ODC to shine.
I deducted a star for grammar reasons. The entire book is written with no thought to correct punctuation, correct sentence structure, or proper paragraphs. It's composed almost entirely of sentence fragments. The author thanks her beta readers at the end of the book, but it's hard to fathom that anyone ever proof read or edited this work. However, I decided to just ignore this glaring lack, and appreciate the story for what it is, namely a wonderful creation. It's heartbreaking and heartwarming. It will make you cry, but it's also very uplifting. I recommend it highly.
Unlike the original P&P, Elizabeth is away in Bath when the Netherfield party arrives, and also when Mr Collins first arrives. She's spent the entire previous summer with the family of aunt Gardiner's brother. She returns to Longbourn just in time for her mother to start pushing Mr Collins at her, and in time for Darcy to overhear a conversation between Elizabeth and Charlotte Lucas, during which Elizabeth states that she's suspicious about Mr Wickham's character, and that she's determined to improve the behavior and prospects of her two youngest and wildest sisters. Darcy is secretly impressed by Elizabeth's intelligence, her love of family, and her tinkling laugh.
Caroline Bingley is the first villain in this version. She orchestrates a compromising situation at the Netherfield ball that backfires wildly against her plans, resulting in a marriage between Elizabeth and Darcy. The story is about how these two almost-strangers make their marriage work. Fortunately, the author has gifted us with a swoon worthy Darcy, and a delightfully strong, smart, and caring Elizabeth. Their evolution is a joy to read. Of course the road is not smooth, and other villains take their turns at upsetting things, but this just allows ODC to shine.
I deducted a star for grammar reasons. The entire book is written with no thought to correct punctuation, correct sentence structure, or proper paragraphs. It's composed almost entirely of sentence fragments. The author thanks her beta readers at the end of the book, but it's hard to fathom that anyone ever proof read or edited this work. However, I decided to just ignore this glaring lack, and appreciate the story for what it is, namely a wonderful creation. It's heartbreaking and heartwarming. It will make you cry, but it's also very uplifting. I recommend it highly.
January 29, 2024
an emotional story that sometimes loses it’s way.
Generally the quality of the writing is of the kind I would give 4 stars. But the story and the emotions which come through to the reader were so intense and rare and unexpected I give it 5 stars.
This is a story filled with angst. Lizzie and Darcy try very hard to live happy lives but Darcy’s lack of ability to know when he is wounding people is a constant wall keeping him from being likable. Lizzie has grown up with thick walls because of her father and mother so she stumbles around in Darcy’s world and is rarely happy for most of the book. Lots of the periphery characters are causing problems also.
The Darcys finally find some light at the end of the tunnel but not quite enough to put a smile on my face.
SMALL SPOILER FOLLOWS
The handling of the Wickham problem was just enough I suppose. I think this a new writer and I fine new writers cannot get a handle of how much hurt he engenders the characters and the readers and try to be kind to the situation. He deserved a worse ending for closure of the character’s and the reader. As Darcy mentions, Wickham won. He shouldn’t win.
Generally the quality of the writing is of the kind I would give 4 stars. But the story and the emotions which come through to the reader were so intense and rare and unexpected I give it 5 stars.
This is a story filled with angst. Lizzie and Darcy try very hard to live happy lives but Darcy’s lack of ability to know when he is wounding people is a constant wall keeping him from being likable. Lizzie has grown up with thick walls because of her father and mother so she stumbles around in Darcy’s world and is rarely happy for most of the book. Lots of the periphery characters are causing problems also.
The Darcys finally find some light at the end of the tunnel but not quite enough to put a smile on my face.
SMALL SPOILER FOLLOWS
The handling of the Wickham problem was just enough I suppose. I think this a new writer and I fine new writers cannot get a handle of how much hurt he engenders the characters and the readers and try to be kind to the situation. He deserved a worse ending for closure of the character’s and the reader. As Darcy mentions, Wickham won. He shouldn’t win.
January 14, 2024
A very different variation of P&P
This worth the read. The variation was so different but the characters remains the same.
The reason it is 4 stars is that at one point Darcy and Elizabeth stop communicating-this is a shift from what the character and while there was trama - it was not enough for his character shift to occur at that point.
I do recommend you read this variation-you joust may disagree with me and think iff to a perfect.
This worth the read. The variation was so different but the characters remains the same.
The reason it is 4 stars is that at one point Darcy and Elizabeth stop communicating-this is a shift from what the character and while there was trama - it was not enough for his character shift to occur at that point.
I do recommend you read this variation-you joust may disagree with me and think iff to a perfect.
December 24, 2023
Entertaining read
Enjoyable experience from this author with the well written story from a different perspective. Additional secondary characters added dimension while the usual villains took on unique rolls. Darcy and Elizabeth had issues that were unexpected and less clearly defined; more like misunderstandings that two strong personalities didn't bother to question.
Enjoyable experience from this author with the well written story from a different perspective. Additional secondary characters added dimension while the usual villains took on unique rolls. Darcy and Elizabeth had issues that were unexpected and less clearly defined; more like misunderstandings that two strong personalities didn't bother to question.
January 1, 2024
Excellent rendition
Low angst and more character development - just how I like them! This is a very interesting take on a forced compromise that goes very awry from what the instigator wished. Really enjoyed Elizabeth's character here.
Low angst and more character development - just how I like them! This is a very interesting take on a forced compromise that goes very awry from what the instigator wished. Really enjoyed Elizabeth's character here.
February 12, 2024
Lovely story but...
This story is quite good. I love this more forgiving, less resentful and more astute Lizzy.
However, the story would deserve a 5⭐️ if it was better written. It's full of grammatical errors that reduce the pleasure of reading it.
Otherwise, kudos 👍🏾
This story is quite good. I love this more forgiving, less resentful and more astute Lizzy.
However, the story would deserve a 5⭐️ if it was better written. It's full of grammatical errors that reduce the pleasure of reading it.
Otherwise, kudos 👍🏾
June 1, 2024
Fresh interpretation of pride and prejudice
Sparkling picture of lizzie's personality versus daddy's stony disposition. Sketches of Mrs Bennett and the sisters are also delightful. A very good read.
Sparkling picture of lizzie's personality versus daddy's stony disposition. Sketches of Mrs Bennett and the sisters are also delightful. A very good read.
Read
July 7, 2024DNF because the action progresses always at the same rhythm. It’s too linear for me, and ultimately too wordy. Some sections should be shortened so the readers can focus their attention on the key longer sections.
April 18, 2025
4.5*
This starts off with no infamous Meryton assembly insult and a surprisingly mature Lizzy here deals with a forced marriage (of sorts) where both Darcy and Lizzy put their best foot forward (despite missteps). They still lack communication skills (are you surprised? you shouldn't be even if they are more mature they are still ODC) as they navigate their own emotions, assumptions and of course family tensions and drama.
It does need a bit of editing for typos though which I notice because they are amongst my biggest pet peeves (it's where it should be its; Longbourne where it should be Longbourn; sister's where it should be sisters - that sort of thing) that threw me out of the story. YMMV
This starts off with no infamous Meryton assembly insult and a surprisingly mature Lizzy here deals with a forced marriage (of sorts) where both Darcy and Lizzy put their best foot forward (despite missteps). They still lack communication skills (are you surprised? you shouldn't be even if they are more mature they are still ODC) as they navigate their own emotions, assumptions and of course family tensions and drama.
It does need a bit of editing for typos though which I notice because they are amongst my biggest pet peeves (it's where it should be its; Longbourne where it should be Longbourn; sister's where it should be sisters - that sort of thing) that threw me out of the story. YMMV
March 18, 2024
Enjoyed - a very well done novel
I found this to be an unusual and fascinating variation. I am looking forward to reading again and again and more from this author.
I found this to be an unusual and fascinating variation. I am looking forward to reading again and again and more from this author.
October 1, 2025
A great play in a timeless classic.
I'd of given it full stars if the author could of spelt Longbourn correctly it annoyed me all through the book. But the story kept me going.
I'd of given it full stars if the author could of spelt Longbourn correctly it annoyed me all through the book. But the story kept me going.
May 8, 2024
What a fabulous book loved it almost began again.
March 23, 2025
A fun read but needs a good editor
I enjoyed this book, but my enjoyment was marred by grammatical mistakes and by words used incorrectly. All writers need a good editor.
I enjoyed this book, but my enjoyment was marred by grammatical mistakes and by words used incorrectly. All writers need a good editor.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews