A Tapestry of Lives

A Variation on Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice #1

by Jean Sims

Witty and intelligent, Miss Elizabeth Bennet has vowed that nothing but the deepest love shall tempt her into matrimony, a tenuous prospect for a poor gentlewoman in 19th century England. She rejects an unexpected offer of marriage from wealthy Mr. Darcy, only to realize that he is just the sort of man to whom she might entrust her heart. After sharing the story with her father, Elizabeth returns to London and finds herself unexpectedly in Darcy’s company once again. With A Tapestry of Lives, Jean Sims weaves a fresh story around two of Jane Austen's most beloved characters. Set along this new path, will the couple manage to reconcile their differences and plan a life together while enduring the foibles of family, friends, and British high society?

Genres: Romance, Regency, Historical Fiction, Fiction

284 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 24, 2014

About the author

Jean Sims was born in Seattle and currently lives in Iowa City with her two cats, Oliver and Ernest. She received a B.A. from Wellesley College and a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago, accomplishments that have left her keenly aware of just how much she doesn’t know. When not chained to her computer, she enjoys running, gardening, and dreaming up new ways to evict the family of squirrels currently residing in her attic.

Reviews

[Les · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful, insightful, introspective P&P what really happened variation. But if I had read it when it was first released I would have been less impressed and more annoyed. Having read close to a thousand P&P variations I am now quite bored with versions that merely speed things up or slow it down or make minor plot changes because 99.944% of all P&P version we end up with ODC in HEA. Now I appreciate when an author really makes an effort to show us all the useful bits.

What this author does is create an elaborate backstory for many of the secondary characters and then slowly folds these in to P&P. Our story begins with Lizzy Bennet arguing with her father regarding Lydia's planned visit to Brighton. We quickly learn about Mr. Bennet's failings as a parent, along with his father's failings and why he ended up married to Mrs. Bennet (Nee Gardiner). We then learn the real reason Mr. Gardiner delayed his trip to the Lake District. Lizzy goes to London, Mr. Bennet sets out to get to know and improve his youngest daughters. Mrs. Bennet shows she is fairly reasonable when things are presented in a way she can understand.

In London Darcy saves Lizzy from footpads in Hyde Park and soon they are renewing their acquaintance. We learn about Mrs. Gardiner's ties to Pemberley and another P&P character.We learn about Lady C's early life and how Lady Anne Darcy died.

All these stories are wrapped around the active plot of Lizzy and Darcy coming to an understanding, Bingley returning to Netherfield and the trip to Derbyshire.

Like I said if I head read this in 2014 I would have been grinding my teeth and screaming 'who cares!!'; but in 2019 I do care. This book isn't perfect, Lizzy 'smirks' too much and inappropriately. Darcy is a little too dramatic. But is the perfect book for where I am on my P&P journey

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read both Books 1 and 2, and both books have the same strengths and weaknesses. On the positive side (and the reason for 4 stars instead of fewer), these are very, VERY well written compared to most fan fiction. I also thought the basic storyline was unusual and creative - I always enjoy when the story goes in a direction other than anticipated. The books are broken up well, with Book 1 leading up to Darcy and Elizabeth being engaged, and Book 2 leading up to the weddings of the sisters.

The same quality that probably inspired the name "Tapestry of Lives" is what I found detracted the most from my enjoyment. The author frequently meanders from the main story to go back in time and explain the back stories for virtually all the major characters and many of the not-so-major characters. In doing so, she introduces multiple tangent stories (and additional characters within them) that don't have anything to do with the main story. I can understand an author creating these histories for herself while she was writing since it would be helpful in making the characters live in her imagination, and I know actors often do this as an exercise when they're trying to get under the skin of a role they're playing, but all it did for this reader was destroy the flow of two otherwise really good books. By the time the writer jumped forward in time to the main story, I often had to backtrack to remember what was happening. Both books also felt very long because of that.

I'll probably go ahead and get Book 3 when it comes out because there is so much to appreciate here, but if the author continues with the same approach as in the first 2 books, I may skip the segments that go back to previous years!

[Carole (in Canada) · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Rating: 4.5* rounded up to 5*

I remember reading this a very long time ago on a fan fiction site and thoroughly enjoying it. I finally bought the volumes over time, as they are three separate books. I have decided to write only one review for all three.

"Getting to know you
Getting to know all about you
Getting to like you
Getting to hope you like me"
(Rodgers and Hammerstein)

The above lyrics came to mind while reading Book One which starts after the disastrous Hunsford proposal and Elizabeth is back at Longbourn. Mr. Bennet is shaken out of his obliviousness by the shocking discovery that his youngest daughter has developed into a young woman, but her brain still has to catch up! He has also been approached by Elizabeth to deny Lydia's request to go to Brighton. In such circumstances as these, Mr. Bennet gives more weight to Elizabeth's insight, especially as he comes upon her in the garden reading a letter that he soon learns was written by a man. It is here where this delightful story diverges and takes us on a journey of enlightenment, revelations and reflections for our beloved characters. It is in this volume where Elizabeth and Darcy meet again and get to know each other better.

"...Fitzwilliam found himself stretching his intellect as he had not done since university; he felt like an old clock that had sat unused on the mantle for years but was finally wound up again and ticking, its works a bit gritty but running smoother every minute." (quote from the book)

Book Two Continues with Elizabeth and Darcy's courtship and more revelations. We all know Lady Catherine must have her share in the conversation, and we are not disappointed. However, Lady Catherine is soon shocked speechless after she harangues Elizabeth 'in the prettyish sort of wilderness' at Longbourn. There is also a new twist in Lydia and Wickham's story as well. I would have to say, I quite liked it, and Miss Caroline Bingley is her usual cheerful self!

Book Three is the final volume and a very satisfying one at that. With the change in marital status of Elizabeth and Jane Bennet, we get to see how their married life unfolds with the start of their honeymoons and life in general. How certain characters fared and how the Darcys dealt with them. There were still those who wore blinders, namely; Caroline Bingley. Her fate was inevitable, but I do wish a letter had been received telling of her whereabouts later on in life. I actually could have done without the one on Wickham, as I felt it was to far-fetched

This is a well thought out variation encompassing the characters of Pride & Prejudice along with varied and interesting original characters created by this author. All-in-all, this was a satisfying saga that gave me many pleasurable hours. I look forward to it reading again in the future. It is also one I recommend.

[James S · Rating 4 out of 5]

a little wordy

Many unknown stories about character in Pride and Prejudice became who they are. Some stories interesting and some not so much. Good story if you have time to savor it.

[Sheila Majczan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was recommended by Talia and Claudine on Goodreads as being exceptional. I bought it almost immediately but was a little dismayed at the $7.99 price for Book 1...as that means I would have to pay about $24 for the entire story which was published for free online according to several reviews. I did not find it worth that high price and doubt I will buy the next two volumes unless the books come up on kindle Unlimited or someone wants to lend them to me. I found little real angst in this first book and as it ended on a high note did not feel any pressure to immediately buy the next book.

This author did do something in this book which I have rarely read in other JAFF books (and I have read hundreds) which is to go into great detail about the family histories, the marriages and the acquaintances between major and some minor characters. Some of the reviews disparage this practice. I had mixed feelings: the intertwining of families and friends was leaning towards being too coincidental, too sappy and disruptive to the main plot at times for me. But on the other hand it explained a character’s opinion (good or bad) of the other party as they interact. Ms. Sims didn't seem to leave any family out as we read about the Bennets’, the Collinses’, the Gardiner’s, the Darcys’, the de Bourghs’ and the Fitzwilliams’ background. How they were all related through thick, through thin, through plotting and through chance took a great deal of creativity, I will concede. We even get a history of the building and then rebuilding of the Pemberley estate itself.

I have read tales in which Mr. Bennet, Mrs. Bennet and/or their relationship have been handled in very different ways from canon and this one veers into that concept in presenting versions of events. A good portion at the beginning of the book has to do with Elizabeth turning to her father to reveal and discuss what has occurred up to this time between herself and Darcy, as she gives him Darcy’s Hunsford letter to read and respond to. He does have some words of wisdom in this variation, “…I believe that the gentleman has been misunderstood. Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say that he makes it difficult to be understood.” Father and daughter have an extensive and insightful talk about the mystery that is Mr. Darcy. (This portion was one of the best in the book, in my opinion.)

I did like how Mr. Bennet has a change of heart and even how some of this is due to his early experiences in romance and what he took from those. (Sad that he didn't have those thoughts earlier.)

In this first book he and his wife (after some manipulation on her husband's part in reasoning with her) make changes in how they are guiding their daughters' venturing into society and their education in the home. What the final result is to these efforts only the next two books will tell. Those of us (and I imagine anyone reading this review to be a part of "us") who know the P&P story from canon know that a certain younger sister, if her character is as in canon, will not bend to any new rules without a fight! Mr. B. also takes some action as per the other revelations in Mr. Darcy’s letter re: a certain nemesis of his.

Then in the next set of events we see Elizabeth going off to help in the Gardiner household in London as Aunt Gardiner has a need due to her condition. How she meets Darcy and his sister is one of the action scenes in this book, one I have not read in other variations. Darcy has long discussions with relatives or in his mind about events, the outcomes and his handling of such in the past and plans for the future, if any. Uncle James Darcy is a new character and what a character he is, as he gives Elizabeth his account of certain “friends” or relatives of the Darcys’. And then there is the discussion between Elizabeth and Bingley, while both are visiting in Derwent House (Darcy’s townhouse)…much is resolved between them.

There is a discourse in more than one section about literature being read by various parties with particular note of A Vindication of the Rights of Woman by Mary Wollstonecraft with remarks about how that author’s personal life affected acceptance of her book and of her ideas. And it is of note that Elizabeth’s extensive reading, her discussions and debates with, first, her father and, then, Darcy are used as reasons why he was attracted to her, as she was so different from other young ladies in society. (Georgiana is also reading a book in 3 volumes written by “a Lady”.)

I did like this book but my biggest complaint is the price. If that is not a problem for you, this would be a recommendation from me as it was an enjoyable read.

[Claudine DiMuzio / Just Jane 1813 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A few months back, I attempted to read this book and was immediately disinterested in continuing with my progress. Something just didn’t catch my heart and mind. I was surprised, because the reviews for this series were consistently positive. Regardless, I went in another direction with my reading.

Last week, I decided to embark on this reading journey one more time; gratefully, I was immediately besotted and devoured all three books within a week. It was precious time spent with people I love and new characters I adored learning about in such intricate detail. Even the old, familiar characters were given new breadth and depth as Ms. Sims shares her extensive historic knowledge to weave together a carefully crafted series that is part variation, part sequel.

This first book takes place after the Hunsford proposal, where we learn quite a bit about the Bennet family, and in particular, Mrs. And Mrs. Bennet’s earlier years. We are treated to warm, intimate memories of Mr. Bennett’s childhood, while learning about the tender, yet bittersweet relationship he shared with his sister, Jane. I know many JAFF readers shed tears during many of their reads; yet, I have to share that Jane’s letter to young Mr. Bennett caused me to shed many tears of my own, which was a new experience for me. It’s a great beginning to this beloved series.

From that point on, I was hooked into what felt like a delightful, close relationships amongst a reader, a writer and a large extended family. I’m not sure I felt like I was reading anymore after about 300 pages… I think my mind went into autopilot as I felt transported directly into Regency England, with the glamour of London, the rolling beauty of Derbyshire and the familiarity of pastoral Longbourn right between my hands.

The book shows us how things could have stayed true to canon and yet, turned out a bit differently, taking a variety of new twists and turns. At Longbourn, Lizzy shares Mr. Darcy’s letter with Mr. Bennett, which offers some great insights for Lizzy and for her readers. This also helps to shape some of the changes at Longbourn that many of us would have also enjoyed in Austen’s own Pride and Prejudice.

After Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam leave Kent, the story moves to London. Here, we witness a dejected and aggravated Darcy throwing himself into anything that will help to distract him from dearest, loveliest Elizabeth.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

So this book starts off right after Elizabeth returns to Longbourn from visiting the Collinses at Hunsford. She speaks to her father about Lydia going to Brighton for the summer. They have an extended talk about it and Mr. Bennet ends up seeing Mr. Darcy's letter to Elizabeth and she tells him everything. Mr. Darcy ends up having a talk with Ann and they find out that neither one of them wants to marry the other. When Lady Catherine finds out she gets very angry. Meanwhile Elizabeth has gone to London to visit the Gardiners as they had to cancel their trip to the Lake District and they are taking a much shorter trip to Derbyshire. Events happen and Darcy and Lizzy end up meeting in a park while she and the entire Gardiner family are picnicking. Well Darcy starts showing her a different side of himself to hopefully get her to fall in love with him. By the end of the book they are engaged and Elizabeth is visiting Pemberley with the Gardiner family.

This book has A LOT of back story about various characters in the book. And I mean it's a lot. Actually it seems to over shadow the main plot of the book. The reader doesn't nearly get to see enough Lizzy and Darcy time. However I did enjoy the story and I am looking forward to reading book two in the series. I'm just in the middle of reading Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon and it's a 1000 pages long... I'll probably be reading that one for days so I can't start book two I finish it. lol

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

[Barbara K. · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one seems to be overly long, filled with unnecessary details, and then at about 70-75% through suddenly goes off on a tangent with a new character. At that point, I lost interest. That's sad, because the writing is otherwise good. It just needed some serious cutting, and I thought, three books of this? Nope. I have a pile of other books to read. I think there's a good story here, but it's buried. I loved the beginning, with Mr. Bennet reading Darcy's letter to Elizabeth. I thought, at that point, "Oh, this should be good." I'm sad that the story became so bogged down, for me at least.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars... An interesting take on our beloved story where we really learn about each of the characters in more detail. Each chapter is a story in itself revealing past history of characters such as Mr and Mrs Bennet, Lady Catherine and Aunt Gardiner and intricately knit together to give us depth in the current plot of the same characters. We come to understand Darcy better and long for Elizabeth to fall in love with him too. The Novel starts after Elizabeth's return to Longborn after receiving Darcy's letter post his disastrous proposal. Mr Bennet comes to learn of the letter and gives Elizabeth new perspective on Darcy. At the same time Darcy's letter gives Mr Bennet new perspective into his own family and he decides to take an interest in his daughters and to curtail Lydia's behaviour. Elizabeth goes to London with the Gardiners where she bumps into Darcy and Georgiana and thus starts a friendship. A series of social engagements continues where Darcy's hopes are raised only to be dashed but then rescued by Bingley (which I found highly entertaining). The novels ends with an engagement but in the middle of a trip to Pemberley leaving me longing for part 2. Does anyone have any idea when part 2 will be released? A must read!

[Talia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this one today and was so very disappointed. Does it get better in the next two volumes? I have to say that I might not even read them and may sell the lot back to Amazon. I dislike it when Elizabeth goes from the original witty and intelligent to an expert in all areas. I can't tell you how much I disliked this book. Darcy was fantastic as were the Bennets. I don't even know what to say.

[Suzanne Brighte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Could have done without the multiple 20 page flashbacks that could have been been more shortly summarized orrrr explained via conversation between the characters. Those flashbacks were so detailed that by the 4th, I honestly skipped it or skimmed through it.
Also, a bit too much “name dropping” by Elizabeth and Aunt Gardiner.

Otherwise, cute story.

[Nadia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my most favorite variations of P&P story. I like very much how well characters are written and how plot is twisted.

[Sarah TheAromaofBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a Pride & Prejudice retelling published in three volumes, and the three volume bit is probably my biggest beef with this story, as it was obviously only done in order to milk more money out of the story, as it could easily have been condensed to two volumes, or one long story... anyway.

Overall, I actually really enjoyed this story.  Volume One begins with Elizabeth at home just after her trip to Hunsford.  In this story, when Elizabeth goes to her father and asks him to not let Lydia go to Brighton, her father initially blows her off, like he does in the original, but then begins to wonder if she has a point.  He goes to find Elizabeth in the garden, and they discuss not only Lydia, but also Mr. Darcy's letter, which Elizabeth lets him read.  This sets the groundwork for a few changes around the Bennett homestead.  Next, when the Gardiners postpone their trip to the Lakes, it's because Mrs. Gardiner is pregnant, so Elizabeth goes to London to help around the house.  There, she runs back into Mr. Darcy again, and their relationship begins to develop from that point forward.

I really enjoyed the characterizations in this version.  No one was wildly evil or ridiculously perfect.  While people like Lady Catherine and Miss Bingley were pretty obnoxious, it still felt within the realm of plausibility.  Both Darcy and Elizabeth were well-drawn characters who changed and grew throughout the story.  I also really appreciated how Sims made some of the other characters more sympathetic - while Mrs. Bennett is no less obnoxious (most of the time), there is some definite understanding of her genuine and not-unreasonable terror as to what might happen to her and her daughters should Mr. Bennett die unexpectedly.  I especially liked how it is Darcy who really comes to realize this, because it makes his patience with his future mother-in-law feel more natural, and adds to Darcy's depth as he begins to realize how casually he has accepted a lot of 'the way things are' type of things without really thinking about them.

The overall helplessness/dependence of women at the time is touched on throughout the story in a way that felt organic to the story rather than polemic, and also fit with the overall thoughts of the times - at this point, women like Elizabeth are really just interested in being viewed as fully intelligent human beings who are capable of making decisions about their own futures, not running the government and owning businesses.  I also liked how while some of the men in the story take evil advantage over the women in their lives, many of them, like Darcy, have been taught the importance of protecting/shielding/providing for their women, and believe that the decisions they are making are for the best for them - and, in truth, there were a lot of women, like Mrs. Bennett, who could really use some taking care of!

The 'tapestry' bit of the story involves Sims going off onto long and tangled tangents telling the backstories of basically all of the characters - Lady Catherine, Mr. Bennett, the Gardiners, the Earl of Matlock, you name it.  I had mixed feelings about these stories.  Overall I liked them and felt like they did add to the main thrust of the tale, but sometimes they weren't woven in very well, and it was a little unclear when the narrative was shifting from the past to the present.  Sims also has a habit of telling about a few days from, say, Elizabeth's perspective, and then switching and telling us what someone else, like Darcy, was doing during the same time period, but again it isn't always clear when the overlap is occurring and when the story is actually progressing beyond that time frame, so at times it got a little confusing.  But on the whole I felt like these backstories and multiple layers for the same time periods really did add a lot of depth to the story and its characters.

Volume One is from just after Hunsford through Darcy's more successful proposal; Volume Two spans their engagement; and Volume Three follows the early days of wedding bliss.  The third volume was definitely the weakest.  Too many stories had already been mostly concluded in Volume Two, so Volume Three felt a lot clunkier and was less interesting.  It was also the volume with the most villainy, with a couple of evil viscounts wrecking havoc (completely separate from each other) in a way that didn't really fit into the rest of the story.  The ending involved a very long and drawn out bit with Mrs. Bennett dying that meant that this whole big long story kind of ended on a downer note.  I'm also never a fan of really long epilogues that try to fill in lots of details about the rest of everyone's lives, so that bit was also pretty boring to me.  Overall, I felt like the story could have ended about a quarter of the way through Volume Three and been much better.

There were other things that annoyed me, and a few threads that never really seemed to go anywhere (e.g. Mrs. Hill's illegitimate son), but on the whole this was a well-written and engaging P&P variation that I quite enjoyed, and may even read again sometime.  4/5 and recommended if you actually enjoy crazy P&P retellings.  ;-)

[lori huff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful

Aptly named, beautiful tale that subtly tweaks the P&P story to show how the main characters, each with a backstory, weave together to create the results that we expect. The development of each character or family story is handled slowly and with much detail, so we have many individual stories affecting each other. The Darcys, the Gardiners, the Bennetts, and the Debourghs are all subjected to expositions. While the main focus is still ODC, theirs is not even the most interesting and most surprising.

This is an introspective type of story, but still not lacking in drama and angst. I like the author's treatment of the Bennetts, making them a little less cartoonishly silly. There are villains, but they only hover in the background rather than having front-and-center attention. The romance is lovely. This is a swoon worthy Darcy, and a kind and courageous Elizabeth, just the way we like them. The story begins after Elizabeth returns to Longbourn after visiting Kent, after the disastrous proposal, and with Darcy's letter in her possession. I particularly like the early episode where Elizabeth and her father discuss the letter. It's wonderful.

The book is well written and well edited. I recommend it highly.

[Roberta Blaylock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful character-based book

This book is almost completely about the characters, rather than the plot. However, those characters (every single one of them) have rich personalities, full and interesting back-stories, and wonderful interactions. Elizabeth and Darcy truly shine, but so do Georgiana, the Gardiners, the rest of the Bennet clan, the Fitzwilliam family, and even many of the servants.

The book is long, but it held my attention throughout. There isn't much angst, and there are no ridiculous misunderstandings created as a plot device. The story flows well, the writing is excellent, and the lives weave together in a beautiful tapestry, as the book is titled. I started this on a fanfiction site and turned to Kindle to finish it; there, I saw that it was available in KU but opted to buy it so I can keep it in my library. However you choose to read it, it's worthwhile.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intricate

There is a LOT of family backstories in this one. Each is interesting and woven into the storyline well but there is a lot that is not directly related to the Darcy & Elizabeth story, so if that is something you don't like you may want to avoid it.
That being said I thought it was absolutely fabulous. Mr. Bennett accidentally ends up reading Darcy's letter and discussing it with Elizabeth. He encourages her to give Darcy another chance if possible. When she runs into him in London that's exactly what she does. What follows is the very slow reacquainting of the two characters and how their relationship builds. The book ends at a good spot that you could ignore the following books if you desire.

[Vem]

DNF at 45%

Well written, but i found myself skipping most pages than reading. There is so much back stories about characters, like a history lesson about their past. Even the main characters, i liked the first chapter, Elizabeth's conversation with her father. But, didn't really like Darcy chapters or his interactions with Elizabeth once they reunite in London. This book interprets Darcy as more of a shy, awkward, insecure guy who doesn't actually know how to interact with women, which isn't exactly my favourite interpretation, so that also added to my boredom
.

[Susan Ferkany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nicely woven

I've read all 3 volumes now and thoroughly enjoyed. Plan to read them all and enjoy them. Very well written, story weaves together thru all 3 and characters are well developed and interesting. Doesn't wander too far from standard, just enough to keep the reader engaged.

[GigiReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really really enjoyed this one. Something of a huge undertaking of a work it examines all the major players in detail, this would usually be dare I say it a bit boring but the author does a great job of providing colour without over labouring the plot.

[Patricia Munn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Tapestry of Lives

A lovely variation of P&P. It has extra characters which enhance the storyline. It truly weaves back and forth through family lives. I am looking forward to the rest of the story.

[Laurann Wilkey · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little boring for my tastes.

I thought the story dragged. I found myself skimming pages just to get to a more interesting part in the book.

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

Entertaining

Although I was unsure at the beginning since it seemed to be going down a difficult path into the past with Mr Bennet, she pulled it together quite nicely.

[Linda K Goodwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice family history

Very well written and quite interesting stories behind each character. I just need a little more excitement. Maybe later I will get the sequel.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have never read a book that made me alter my opinion so much during reading. By the second page I was ready to put it down and never pick it up again, simply because Mr. Bennet bumps into Lydia and subsequently falls to one knee, after which he sees her bosom and suddenly realizes how big his little girl has become... uhm... NO! Overly dramatic and a little creepy..
Then Mr. Bennet and Elizabeth have a conversation about Mr. Darcy's letter in which Mr. Bennet shares some of his own past (in particular him meeting and marrying Fanny Gardiner) and talks to Elizabeth about Mr. Darcy. This I found wonderfully done! I also loved the actions of Mr. Bennet with regard to his family life after reading Darcy's letter.
There were a couple of times when the story would run into a substory, which were mostly beautiful, but sometimes took a little too long for my taste especially the one about Aunt Gardiners family; I found that totally irrelevant, all the names and relationships were confusing and it was waaay to much of a coincidence and when coming back to the main story, made me think: 'Oh, are we back at this again'. I felt like I was reading the same information twice (before and after a substory), which I think the author did to keep you up with the main story, but it irritated me a little.
I absolutely LOVED Georgiana in this story, she is exactly as we know her, but also (becomes) a very strong character, although sometimes she does or says things that I don't think she would have according to the original story. But, as I am also aware... Georgiana is not presented very frequently in the original (she is being spoken of more than actually portrayed) so there might be more to her than we have read before - and little girls grow up. This particular storyline just makes her grow up a little faster. And it is a beautiful and (even more importantly) believable growth.
The Elizabeth/Darcy relationship is good, but they still go back and forth between knowing they eternally love each other and doubting their own feelings and that of the other person. The first time I read Darcy being referred to as 'Wills' I rolled my eyes so badly it hurt, but as I read on I got used to it and it didn't bother me as much. I must add, there were a couple of beautiful lines that makes reading the book worth it just because of them!
Overall, I liked the book very much but I was wondering where it was going quite a lot of the time. It did leave me curious enough to want to go and read the two sequels though...

[Brigid · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first of three parts of one of the best works of Pride & Prejudice fan fictions I've ever read. I followed this story from its first posting on the Derbyshire Writer's Guild website and not only does Jean Sims stay true to the characters created by Jane Austen, but she flawlessly incorporates an impressive amount of historical research -- both regarding life in London and the British countryside. There were minor changes from the original online work to the printed, usually to minor plot points (the storyline pertaining to Mr. Black, which takes up maybe two pages, is slightly different from the original work) but those rare changes do not affect the overall storyline. Parts two and three have already been published and I can't wait to get my hands on them!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars! This was a great book! Very well written and very detailed about the past lives of all the characters including the Bennet family the Darcy's and the Gardiner's. The story stayed consistent with the original, only a few events being altered but with a more in depth look at the feelings and lives of all players. The only complaint I have is that though the love between Darcy and Elizabeth was built upon and well developed, it just didn't feel as passionate as I would like my Lizzy and Darcy to be. At times it felt as though the backstories over took Lizzy and Darcy's relationship. For some, this is all the better as it follows in line with propriety and customs of the original but I'd like a little more heat.... not necessarily sex... but heat! Overall and excellent book!

[Jeanah · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this adaptation, many gaps are filled in for some of our lesser characters and so many other characters are added. So much drama, real life angst and sorrow is explained with detail. This story had various moments which peaked my interest. In particular, having a discussion of the historical inequality of women, the views of their intelligence and potential at this point in history. I appreciated the historical reference to an actual feminist/ philosopher (Mary Wollstonecraft) at the time. It prompted me to learn more with research of my own. I look forward to continuing this saga to see how it unfolds.

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great variation on Pride and Prejudice

I love the alterations and family connections so skillfully woven together! The details are lovely, and the characters seem natural extensions of the originals.

[Ariadne · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favourite Pride and Prejudice au! It is so eloquently written and I pretty much adore everything about it.