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Avarice & Betrayal: A Pride and Prejudice Variation

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A few months after Elizabeth's return from Hunsford, Mr. Collins and Charlotte passed away, leaving no male heirs to inherit Longbourn, which broke the entailment. Shortly, Mr. Bennet passed away, transferring ownership of the estate to Jane. Upon hearing of Jane's altered circumstances and her new position as mistress of Longbourn, Mr. Bingley returned to Hertfordshire.

This is a High Angst story. Mr. Bingley is not an honourable man.

229 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 25, 2024

58 people are currently reading
9 people want to read

About the author

Lorena DiChiara

15 books10 followers

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5 stars
61 (40%)
4 stars
57 (37%)
3 stars
26 (17%)
2 stars
5 (3%)
1 star
2 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
198 reviews
January 16, 2025
Brava!

This story drew me in from the beginning. Ms DiChiara’s writing grows stronger with each book. I applaud her for taking these characters in different directions: the frckless Bingley is inspired. I am still trying to adjust to the plight of the Gardiners, though.

I will be buying this for my permanent collection.
Profile Image for J.C. Plummer.
Author 3 books30 followers
January 6, 2025
I am a fan of this author’s stories. The editing and proofreading have improved over her earlier stories.

This was a gripping story that I first read at a fan fiction site, and then I purchased it from Amazon to show my support for the author. Even reading it a second time, and knowing what was coming, I was totally engrossed in the story.
Profile Image for Mariska.
644 reviews2 followers
January 1, 2025
Profound and Sad

What a heartbreaking way for Jane to lose the scales from her eyes. So many family bonds that we take for granted as being unbreakable in the JAFF universe are sundered. Still there is true and lasting love that is undeniable. I especially loved that Mrs B learned to appreciate Lizzy and Mary.
3 reviews
January 2, 2025
Oustanding book

Lorena DiChiara is one of the most outstanding writers of P&P variations. Her profound character análisis and her very well constructed and realistic stories that are credible and very well in the context of the time. There are not inconsistencies or contradictions, I hope she continue to write this sequels. Thank you for your writtings.
498 reviews2 followers
December 28, 2024
Interesting plot twists

Very human characters, not all good or all bad, as we usually see, with the Bennet family traveling a bumpy road. Happy ever , for most, but not always as anticipated except Darcy and Lizzy. Definitely worth your time.
Profile Image for Allison Ripley-Duggan.
1,706 reviews12 followers
January 17, 2025
I loved it!

Warning: This is a High Angst story. Mr. Bingley is not an honourable man.

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. A few months after Elizabeth's return from Hunsford, Mr. Collins and Charlotte passed away, leaving no male heirs to inherit Longbourn, which broke the entailment. Shortly, Mr. Bennet passed away, transferring ownership of the estate to Jane. Upon hearing of Jane's altered circumstances and her new position as mistress of Longbourn, Mr. Bingley returned to Hertfordshire. 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.
637 reviews
January 6, 2025
A series of unfortunate events

I like reading DiChiara's books because they don't always follow the well-worn path of most Pride and Prejudice variations.

A few reviews label Avarice & Betrayal as sad, but my emotions leaned more toward shock and, sometimes, anger. I enjoyed all the characters, and some relationships were forever changed.

What I liked:

- Jane's resilience once she realized the truth.

- I especially enjoyed Bingley and Jane. I always think that Bingley, Jane, and even Charlotte's characters can take on a different slant depending on the circumstances, adding drama without appearing unbelievable.

- There is drama, but not necessarily angst.

My nitpick:

- I saw no reason for Darcy to be out of communication with Elizabeth for so long.

- It appears as if Bingley recouped his money. How did he manage that?
4 reviews
January 19, 2025
I really like this author’s writing style.
She tells stories in chronological order. Not much dialogues, just mostly necessary descriptions.
Spoilers ahead:
- The Collins died which effectively ended the entail. Jane became an heiress.
- Lydia eloped with Wickham and Mr Bennet had to take out loan to pay Wickham off to marry Lydia. Mr B later died of a heart attack.
- Bingley learned that Jane now inherited Longbourn, came back to court and marry Jane not knowing about the loan.
- Bingley later sold Longbourn to pay the loan and refused to support the Bennets
- E and Mary and Mrs Bennet moved to Ramsgate.
- ODC met again Ramsgate.
- HEA for ODC and also for Jane (B died and J remarried to a better man)
Low angst. Poor Jane. Bad Bingley.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Sam H..
1,208 reviews58 followers
December 28, 2024
My heart was in my throat

I believe, despite its darkness, this may be this author's best story yet. Most principle characters get their happy ever after, but the road there is dark for several of them.

I also appreciate the effort the author is making on improving her writing, as English is not her mother tongue.
313 reviews1 follower
January 4, 2025
You Were Warned

Yes, Bingley is a b...bad person. But the betrayals, the lies, and the disgusting behavior of several characters makes it a one and done! Not a 'let's read and relive that one' ever again. Sadness dominates throughout. Don't read it if you are a stickler for grammatical precision OR happiness.

Thankfully it's short.
336 reviews
January 6, 2025
it pulls you in

This is more a story of four sisters, Lydia is no so much in the variation. It’s more a growth for Jane than Darcy. I do not like how the Gardiners are written. I admit I skipped some chapters the anguish was too much for me.
It has two deaths, betrayal , and sickness, however it is a clean read. I do plan to read this again —I want to o know what I missed.
Profile Image for Alison Dygnas.
87 reviews1 follower
February 20, 2025
Depressing

It takes a very gifted writer to write of doom and gloom without it becoming depressing and unpleasant. This writer isn’t that. By the time the Gardiners lost the business, Bingley’s mill burnt to the ground and made him impecunious, Pemberley burning, and the illnesses affecting three Bennett’s and Georgiana Darcy, it was just too much.
Profile Image for Jen B.
569 reviews7 followers
December 29, 2024
3.5* - I liked the story. (I read it on FFN before it was pulled for publication - either through google translate or the draft translation - I don't remember which). It's a little stilted in the telling, and ESL but she does have a flair for drama.
Profile Image for Terri Conley.
992 reviews7 followers
January 5, 2025
This was a bit tragic really . Intricate but not exactly enjoyable
Profile Image for Charlene S. Robinson.
323 reviews1 follower
March 13, 2025
Humpf

After reading 48%, I just could not stomach any more.
Plus you need a real live proofreader and not just Spellchek!
Profile Image for Michelle David.
2,517 reviews15 followers
June 9, 2025
Bittersweet

A poignant and bittersweet variation inspired by Jane Austen’s classic novel Pride and Prejudice by Lorena DiChiara. It was sad but I liked it.
Profile Image for Anita Sobreira.
279 reviews4 followers
June 14, 2025
Very interesting twist but too much bad things happening with the characters at the same time.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews

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