Elizabeth Bennet finds herself enjoying her stay in Kent more than expected. Amidst the humor of Lady Catherine's antics and the pleasant company of Colonel Fitzwilliam, Elizabeth finds her initial perceptions shifting, especially concerning the introverted Anne de Bourgh.
But the tranquility of Kent transforms into chaos when a humorous incident spirals into a disastrous accident, leaving Anne critically injured. Elizabeth becomes an unexpected beacon of strength amidst the turmoil. Elizabeth, Charlotte, and Mr. Darcy are thrust into the heart of a crisis that leaves Anne de Bourgh critically injured and their lives irrevocably changed.
As they navigate the tragedy, secrets are kept, alliances are formed, and the threat of Lady Catherine's wrath hangs over them. Meanwhile, Mr. Darcy grapples with the consequences of the tragedy, his concern for Anne, and his growing admiration for the woman who is holding it all together. As the crisis unfolds, Darcy and Elizabeth are drawn together, their relationship evolving in ways that challenge their pride, prejudice, and everything they thought they knew.
I've been writing since I was 5 years old. I've always had to set it aside and try to concentrate on so-called 'real life' though. I've had a number of interesting careers - engineer, real estate sales agent, owner of an electrical goods store, silversmith - but finally the time has come for me to return to my first love. Writing.
I've always loved the works of Jane Austen, so perhaps it's fitting that my first published work should be a variation on the much beloved Pride And Prejudice.
Visit my website, www.catherinebilson.com, to read several free short fics in the Pride and Prejudice fandom, and to leave me comments on my work!
I also write not-for-profit fanfiction set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and if you'd like to read those free works please go to the Archive Of Our Own and search for the user handle ozhawk.
I loved Ms Bilson’s Infamous Relations, and it remains a frequent reread.
This is not that. I have meandered through this book for five days, and had totally forgotten Anne had been part of the plot until LCdB appeared at the end. The villains are predictable, with their evil plans as potent as ACME dynamite.
I truly don’t know what happened between Infamous Relations and this. IR was a tale concisely told, and the dynamic characters more than covered the few plot holes. Grief and Grievances is a short story stretched within an inch of its life into a novel.
Ms Bilson’s writing group and editorial team have done her NO favors. No one mentioned that the chapters backtrack. Even worse, no one asked her, “Do hearts need to swell with [emotion] 20 times? And let’s talk about shadows, which dance on the walls eight times and through trees, on grass, or somewhere outdoors seven times.”
Because the editorial team remained silent, the book teems with florid prose. To wit, “Charlotte,” Elizabeth said as they separated, her eyes glistening with unshed tears, “we must make a solemn vow, you and I, to do everything within our power to care for Anne.” “Indeed, Lizzy,” Charlotte agreed, her voice strained yet resolute. “We shall devote ourselves entirely to her needs, ensuring that she is afforded every comfort possible.” “Then we vow together,” Elizabeth declared, her words carrying the gravity of their commitment. She squeezed Charlotte’s hand once more, sealing their pact with a determined nod.” A few paragraphs later, “As they waited for their meal to be served, their eyes met, and in that moment, a tacit understanding passed between them—they were both bone-weary, but determined to continue bearing the yoke of responsibility.”
We could discuss tapestries, including this example about 1/3 of the way in. “In this quiet sanctuary, their shared purpose drew them closer, weaving together a tapestry of sisterhood whose threads were spun from empathy and resilience.” Mind you, a page before, “The notes wove together, creating a tapestry of sound that seemed to wrap itself around Anne, easing her restless spirit and enveloping her in a cocoon of peace.”
I must also bring up one of Elizabeth’s inanities. “May our life together be a testament to the power of love,” No one talks like this. No one.
This book is awful. Please save yourself the frustration of reading it.
I made it half way through this before I decided it wasn’t worth finishing. If I’d had a hard copy, I’d have thrown it away. Where was the editor? No typos in this, but if the characters expressed a sentiment then it had to be said 3 times. “We must persevere.” “Oh, yes, we will be strong as we face this challenge.” “We shall lean on each other as we struggle through this.” “Indeed, we shall.” OMG, it’s torture to read!
The straw that broke the camel’s back happened as Darcy and Georgiana transported Elizabeth and Jane back to Longbourn. Upon arriving, Darcy says Longbourn is a charming home, as if he’s never been there before. Then Georgiana wants to be introduced to the Bennets when the drop Lizzy and Jane off. Elizabeth states she’d be happy to introduce her family to MR. DARCY! Hello!! Mr. Darcy knows the Bennets already. They’re a major reason he fought his attraction for Lizzy.
I just can’t with this book. I liked the premise, but save yourself the frustration.
Unfortunately this book was badly written with absolutely no imagination. I don't know how many times the sun or the sunrise or the sunset or the candle or the fire put a glow in everyone's faces. I think I counted 32 uses of the word glow. The 1st part of the book had nothing to do with the second part of the book. Many continuity problems. Absurd reasons for guilt. And I don't think this author had ever read any other regency book or done any research on regency manners because there were many mistakes. Unfortunately this was one of the worst P&P variations that I have read.
The reviews seem to vary widely...I have enjoyed a couple of previous books by this author that I have read.
Here, I DNF'ed at the free sample. It seems a bit repetitive. On the first page, in the four first paragraphs we get:
-"she could not help but reflect on the unexpected contentment" -"I cannot help but admire" -"Elizabeth could not help but notice the happiness" "-Elizabeth could not help but respect" (and later, "could not help but marvel", twice, "could not help but wonder", three times, "could not help but find solace", "could not help but feel a pang of sorrow" )
The words comfortable, content, contentment, happiness, unexpected get repeated a lot. There are two mornings that are recognized because light filters through curtains. Anne De Bourgh gets into an accident and Darcy pauses in his ministrations to gaze or glance around him twice within the same page. Some dialogue seems a little stilted, and Elizabeth goes through various emotional changes that are more telling and less showing. I sort of wonder if AI has had a part in writing this story.
Most JAFF readers probably know P &P by heart but in case there's a reader who lacks the background information, they are likely to be confused as the characters and settings are introduced without a lot of explanation and the narration assumes that the reader knows who what why already.
What utter drivel! I kept saying to myself, "It'll get better!..But by Chapter 7 it became clear it wouldnt. If this wasn't written by AI, I will eat my hat! Drivel!
An accident involving Anne de Bourgh, puts Elizabeth Bennet and Charlotte Collins grace under pressure on full display. Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth learn the truth of each other’s pride and prejudice while dealing with trauma. While working through their feelings, they then must deal with some unsavory characters on their way to happily ever after.
While the plot was interesting I found myself skipping paragraphs and sometimes pages as the characters express their flowery gratitude over and over and over.
I usually enjoy this author's books, rating them 4 or 5 stars, but couldn't get into this one. I almost always finish a book once I start. Regardless of any problems with the book, I want to see how the story turns out. I stopped reading this one halfway through.
Bland story filled with improbably perfect heroines, stalwart heros, and inept villains. Every emotion was described in florid detail, every action remarked upon and (usually) praised to high heaven. After enjoying this authors previous work, this was a disappointment.
Starting with a tragedy that ultimately has Darcy's family appreciating Elizabeth and her character. Interesting outcome for several characters. Thoroughly enjoyable.
During Elizabeth's visit to Charlotte Collins at Hunsford Parsonage, a strange altercation between Mr Collins and a goose results in an accident that critically injures Anne Debourgh. With the help of Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam, Elizabeth and Charlotte get Anne back to Rosings, and they both stay to help nurse her. Unfortunately, Anne is too severely injured, and Lady Catherine is deeply affected. Both Darcy and Lady Catherine clearly see how wonderful Elizabeth is, and Darcy resolves to improve her opinion of him.
This is a super sweet and flowery confection, with a lot of emphasis on the importance of family and friends in times of crisis. The Darcy in this version is ready to jump in with both feet in order to win his lady, including tackling the Bennett family and all their foibles. Darcy approaches Mr Bennett directly, resulting in a neutralization of Lydia's best efforts to cause scandal, and a foiling of Wickham's nefarious schemes.
I like this author. She's a talented writer. I deducted stars for the amount of repetition, and the overblown amount of text given over to the accident at the beginning of the story, and the extremely tedious amount of times that the characters spent thanking each other for their efforts. It got to be so tedious that I started skimming like crazy, and that's not a good sign. That whole episode took many chapters. With judicious editing, it could have been made so much more concise without sacrificing any integrity. However, the book is well written and well edited. I recommend it for lovely romance, and a pleasant way to pass some time.
It's difficult to write that I enjoyed reading this story when a huge chunk revolves around an accident that killed 2 characters. A goose runs in front of the horses that get spooked and the carriage crashes killing one character immediately and another lingers in a coma for quite a few days before dying. Elizabeth ends up becoming the main caretaker with her sister Jane, Georgiana, and a cousin of the Fitzwilliams assisting her. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam become impressed with her ability to remain calm and take charge with Charlotte running Rosings during this trouble. Elizabeth and Darcy repair their relationship and he writes Bingley to return to Netherfield and Jane. I was a tad unsettled by the dialogue in the first half of the story because it was stilted and read as though they were being formal with each other - even Fitzwilliam and Darcy's discussions were formal and had more discussions that sounded religious rather every day speech. By the second half the dialogue had become closer to what we expect in P&P stories. It was a good story even though depressing with the accident and deaths. I recommend it to anyone who is interested.
So much repetition in this story: first of Darcy’s amazement at Lizzy’s compassion, then of everyone telling each other they’ll get through it together (Elizabeth and Charlotte, Darcy and Fitzwilliam, Elizabeth and Jane, it went on and on.). I suppose the secret of the goose was put in to add a semblance of conflict but it was a weak excuse for conflict if so… I dunno- I just didn’t think this was a very well-constructed story and wish the beta readers had pointed out the repetition to the author as it weakened the book. Also, why was Lydia out walking early in the morning? That made no sense.
It was so enticing that I couldn’t put it down, this book grabbed my interest from the very first page. I couldn’t put it down, I had to know what happened next. The story is well written with a very good storyline. You will see the most beloved characters in a whole new way. This is a Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice variation.
Elizabeth Bennet finds herself enjoying her stay in Kent more than expected. Amidst the humour of Lady Catherine's antics and the pleasant company of Colonel Fitzwilliam, Elizabeth finds her initial perceptions shifting, especially concerning the introverted Anne de Bourgh, but the tranquility of Kent transforms into chaos when a humorous incident spirals into a disastrous accident. Elizabeth becomes an unexpected beacon of strength amidst the turmoil. Elizabeth, Charlotte, and Mr. Darcy are thrust into the heart of a crisis that leaves Anne de Bourgh critically injured and their lives irrevocably changed.
As they navigate the tragedy, secrets are kept, alliances are formed, and the threat of Lady Catherine's wrath hangs over them. Meanwhile, Mr. Darcy grapples with the consequences of the tragedy, his concern for Anne, and his growing admiration for the woman who is holding it all together. As the crisis unfolds, Darcy and Elizabeth are drawn together, their relationship evolving in ways that challenge their pride, prejudice, and everything they thought they knew. So with all that and more this story pulls you in and holds you tight. It’s a must read. I highly recommend to everyone.
This book received 3 stars instead of 2 because I persevered and finished it. A visit to my dentist may be necessary because it is just too sweet. Jane and Elizabeth, along with Georgiana, are so perfect, wise, gentle, caring, and on and on….. In addition there was too much repetition of sentiments; for example Elizabeth would think about caring for Anne, then discuss it with Charlotte, and then the two would say the same thing as a vow to help each other care for Anne. Of course they then had to express their thoughts about their determination to honor the vow and so forth. Likewise Elizabeth spent entirely too much time agonizing over Darcy’s proposal before she accepted him with just a sentence. There was never even a kiss at or after the wedding.
That said, there were interesting moments and some unexpected events. Lady Catherine certainly developed differently than canon, and Caroline get a very deserved punishment for her scheming.
Recommended only for those who enjoy squeaky clean, no angst stories.
Sad start to an interesting storyline. Elizabeth and Darcy found their HEA. I did find Elizabeth's reluctance in accepting Darcy challenging with her confusion over her own feelings and when did Mrs Bennet ever even like Elizabeth? Some personality traits should remain with their original form. I think perhaps the beginning could have moved at a faster pace in the writing. Much focus was spent on repeating certain aspects that let the storyline drag before pushing it forward. Overall, Entertaining read. Enjoy.
The story begins with an accident that takes the life of Anne De Bourg. Darcy and Elizabeth form a bond as she nurses Anne. Catherine De Bourg comes to love Elizabeth and Jane. And Darcy’s uncle, the Earl and his wife feel respect for Elizabeth and Jane who have nursed Anne through her final days. Carolyn Bingley gets an unexpected ending, one I have never read before. I won’t spoil it for you.
This is such an amazing and sweet story. It's so low angst, and yet so high impact. It doesn't quite demand a box of tissues be on hand, but it is very sentimental. I really enjoyed it.
I hate to criticize a good book , but some of her writing is drawn out and repetitive, also I notice in every story I am not feeling Elizabeth or Darcy too much , not in character
And is a little repetitive of certain concepts and descriptive passages. I never knew there was so much golden light in England of all places. I thought I was in California! However, it is well written and free of constant typos. This is not the best of this author's work.