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The Moralities of Marriage #1
By Consequence of Marriage
This is the first novel in the Moralities of Marriage series, a Pride and Prejudice Variation series.
When his horse throws a shoe, Fitzwilliam Darcy misses rescuing his sister, Georgiana Darcy, from the clutches of George Wickham by only one day. Now on the hunt to find them both, the gossip beginning to swirl in London forces him to abdicate the search to his cousin, Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam, while he plays the wayward gentleman in Hertfordshire with his friend Charles Bingley. After a collision with his future, Darcy struggles to satisfy his attraction to a pair of fine eyes and keep his family's scandal hidden.
Elizabeth Bennet dreams of nothing more than remaining close to her sister, Jane. When the rich gentleman, Charles Bingley, enters the neighborhood, it seems certain that Jane will make a match with him. After all, Jane Bennet is the sweetest and most beautiful woman in the county! But Elizabeth's efforts to find her own local match go awry and she feels abandoned by the first man to cause stirrings in her heart. Her parents attempt to marry Elizabeth off to her cousin, William Collins, who is set to inherit the estate. But when she refuses, she soon finds herself In London with relatives, forced to find her own happiness.
By Consequence of Marriage is a sweet, romantic novel starring our favorite dear couple from Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice, wondering how the story might have changed if Georgiana was lost. It's a great storyline for Jane Austen Book Clubs wanting to compare and contrast how our favorite characters might have changed fundamentally if Mr. Darcy never attended the Meryton Assembly.
When his horse throws a shoe, Fitzwilliam Darcy misses rescuing his sister, Georgiana Darcy, from the clutches of George Wickham by only one day. Now on the hunt to find them both, the gossip beginning to swirl in London forces him to abdicate the search to his cousin, Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam, while he plays the wayward gentleman in Hertfordshire with his friend Charles Bingley. After a collision with his future, Darcy struggles to satisfy his attraction to a pair of fine eyes and keep his family's scandal hidden.
Elizabeth Bennet dreams of nothing more than remaining close to her sister, Jane. When the rich gentleman, Charles Bingley, enters the neighborhood, it seems certain that Jane will make a match with him. After all, Jane Bennet is the sweetest and most beautiful woman in the county! But Elizabeth's efforts to find her own local match go awry and she feels abandoned by the first man to cause stirrings in her heart. Her parents attempt to marry Elizabeth off to her cousin, William Collins, who is set to inherit the estate. But when she refuses, she soon finds herself In London with relatives, forced to find her own happiness.
By Consequence of Marriage is a sweet, romantic novel starring our favorite dear couple from Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice, wondering how the story might have changed if Georgiana was lost. It's a great storyline for Jane Austen Book Clubs wanting to compare and contrast how our favorite characters might have changed fundamentally if Mr. Darcy never attended the Meryton Assembly.
334 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 31, 2014
36 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Ann West
39 books142 followersA Jane-of-all-trades, mistress to none! Elizabeth Ann West is the author of 7 novels and 9 novellas, 15 of which are story variations of Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice. Her books have won reader conference awards and hit the Historical Bestseller lists on Amazon, Kobo, and the iBooks stores multiple times. A lover of all things geeky, Elizabeth codes websites, dabbles in graphic design, and is always looking for new technology to learn and master. A Navy wife and mother of two, her family has lived all over the United States, currently residing in upstate New York. Originally from Virginia Beach, Virginia, you can keep up with Elizabeth on Twitter @Eawwrites and on her website, http://elizabethannwest.com where she posts new fiction as she writes it!
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
June 19, 2016
Dark, brutal to read, but lighter than Bronte and Dickens.
This is not your sweet love story of ODC. I knew going in it was going to be tough; however, I was not prepared for brutal. This is a tension packed, blood pressure rising, frustrating, OMG everything that can go wrong, goes wrong story with misunderstandings every few pages.
First, for the purists, toss propriety and such notions out the window. This story does not follow the rules of etiquette, comportment, or propriety. There is only a hint here or there and you might as well get accustomed to a more modern take on sensibilities.
Next, our characters are totally different than they are in canon, and these people are not nice. Mrs. Bennet was not above snatching Elizabeth up by the hair when she displeased her and Mr. Bennet simply closed the door in her face when Elizabeth called out to him. Mrs. Bennet gave her an hour to pack as she was cast from the house and sent to live in London. As hard as this was to read, I have a feeling it is closer to real Regency life than what Austen usually gave us. Austen did not write of the darker side of domestic life. That was left to Dickens and his ilk.
There are several story threads to manage, Georgiana wanting Wickham, Wickham wanting Georgiana’s dowry, Mrs. Bennet wanting Bingley for Jane, Bingley wanting Jane, Jane wanting Bingley, Caroline wanting Darcy, Darcy wanting Elizabeth, Elizabeth wanting Darcy, Lady Catherine wanting Darcy for Anne, Colonel Fitzwilliam wanting Anne, Anne wanting Colonel Fitzwilliam, Mrs. Bennet wanting Lizzy for Mr. Collins, Mary wanting Mr. Collins, Mr. Collins wanting Elizabeth, and Mr. Bennet wanting Longbourn for Elizabeth. I think I covered everyone.
Elizabeth is different in this version. She seems younger in her thoughts and actions. We watch as she acts and reacts to situations in a less mature manner than we are accustomed. She is supposed to be witty and intelligent and instead seems lacking on all points. It is like a sour note at a musical; you can’t quite put your finger it; you just know it’s wrong.
So too was her rejection of propriety and comportment, “…she was a woman with the power to shape her own destiny!” Really… no single woman would dare hire a hackney and travel across London alone, unchaperoned, and unaccompanied so that she could go to Darcy House in order to return his book.
Then there was her attitude toward demanding her own will and way in doing as she pleased. She was prone to just walk off by herself neglecting propriety which dictated that she shouldn’t. She and her party were at a busy Inn where they had stopped for a brief rest and she walked out of sight of her company [intending to walk around the building]. This was so wrong on so many levels. It was incredulous that she would even attempt to do such a dangerous, unsafe venture and then act as though it were perfectly fine. Then she was angry that everyone was upset with her and then they ignored Collins rough treatment of her.
Loss of her place in her family: Elizabeth feels the sting of her family’s diminished feelings toward her in this version. It is very different than canon and she suffers from feeling alone and vulnerable. She even made a comment that she now understood how Mary felt.
Collins is slime and looks forward to the day when he is married to Cousin Elizabeth and he can properly discipline her into the wife he deserves. He has already left bruises on her person and was not gentle in ushering her about or dictating to her what she should or should not do in her daily life. He constantly reminded her that things would change once they were married and she had to submit to him as the wife of a parson should.
Bingley is more decisive in this adaption. He puts his foot down in trying to control Caroline and of course she ignores him and goes behind his back. He is too much in love and anxious to marry to notice.
Caroline is herself and as evil as ever. In this version, she possesses sensitive information that could give her the upper hand on possibly forcing Darcy’s compliance. It is not deal with in this 1st book so I have to assume it will come to light later.
Georgiana is not the sweet, shy, Miss from P&P and most JAFF variations. Lady Matlock called her a trollop and worse since she had lived and traveled with Wickham for the last several weeks, with no evidence of their being married. This was hard for Darcy to swallow as she was no longer his sweet innocent sister. Wickham had so totally brainwashed her with his lies that she no longer believed anything her family told her against him. She stood by her man. This, of course, is similar to what Lydia did in P&P. Just reverse the silly miss and the shame consequence to a different family.
After the W&G wedding, there are clues or foreshadowing of problems from the honeymoon trip to Bath. Letters arrive from Jane [also on a honeymoon trip to Bath] where she had met an unfortunate Mrs. George Wickham. Apparently things weren’t going well for her, bless her heart. I do want to know what happened to her but how long will I have to wait until it is resolved.
The Earl and Countess Matlock are master planners as they attempt to do damage control for the family. Colonel Fitzwilliam’s mother is simply awesome in managing both Darcy and the Colonel. She is as skilled in strategies as our dear Colonel. The acorn didn’t fall far from the tree.
Lady Catherine gets wind of trouble in the family from her spy Collins and when she storms Matlock House we get the surprise of the century. I did not see it coming and don’t think I’ve seen it before in JAFF. OMG!!! She and her brother the Earl decide Darcy should marry Anne immediately for the sake of the family.
There were so many misunderstandings among our characters that there is no way to list them all. By the end of book 1, I was tired to death of all the shenanigans. I looked ahead at the reviews and saw that there are two more books and, thanks to a reviewer, learn nothing is resolved by the end of the third. I may not attempt it. Like many others, I was lured by the $0.99 price of book 1. I am not happy to learn there are 6 projected to be in the series. It will be this time next year before book 4 comes out. By then I may not care.
This is not your sweet love story of ODC. I knew going in it was going to be tough; however, I was not prepared for brutal. This is a tension packed, blood pressure rising, frustrating, OMG everything that can go wrong, goes wrong story with misunderstandings every few pages.
First, for the purists, toss propriety and such notions out the window. This story does not follow the rules of etiquette, comportment, or propriety. There is only a hint here or there and you might as well get accustomed to a more modern take on sensibilities.
Next, our characters are totally different than they are in canon, and these people are not nice. Mrs. Bennet was not above snatching Elizabeth up by the hair when she displeased her and Mr. Bennet simply closed the door in her face when Elizabeth called out to him. Mrs. Bennet gave her an hour to pack as she was cast from the house and sent to live in London. As hard as this was to read, I have a feeling it is closer to real Regency life than what Austen usually gave us. Austen did not write of the darker side of domestic life. That was left to Dickens and his ilk.
There are several story threads to manage, Georgiana wanting Wickham, Wickham wanting Georgiana’s dowry, Mrs. Bennet wanting Bingley for Jane, Bingley wanting Jane, Jane wanting Bingley, Caroline wanting Darcy, Darcy wanting Elizabeth, Elizabeth wanting Darcy, Lady Catherine wanting Darcy for Anne, Colonel Fitzwilliam wanting Anne, Anne wanting Colonel Fitzwilliam, Mrs. Bennet wanting Lizzy for Mr. Collins, Mary wanting Mr. Collins, Mr. Collins wanting Elizabeth, and Mr. Bennet wanting Longbourn for Elizabeth. I think I covered everyone.
Elizabeth is different in this version. She seems younger in her thoughts and actions. We watch as she acts and reacts to situations in a less mature manner than we are accustomed. She is supposed to be witty and intelligent and instead seems lacking on all points. It is like a sour note at a musical; you can’t quite put your finger it; you just know it’s wrong.
So too was her rejection of propriety and comportment, “…she was a woman with the power to shape her own destiny!” Really… no single woman would dare hire a hackney and travel across London alone, unchaperoned, and unaccompanied so that she could go to Darcy House in order to return his book.
Then there was her attitude toward demanding her own will and way in doing as she pleased. She was prone to just walk off by herself neglecting propriety which dictated that she shouldn’t. She and her party were at a busy Inn where they had stopped for a brief rest and she walked out of sight of her company [intending to walk around the building]. This was so wrong on so many levels. It was incredulous that she would even attempt to do such a dangerous, unsafe venture and then act as though it were perfectly fine. Then she was angry that everyone was upset with her and then they ignored Collins rough treatment of her.
Loss of her place in her family: Elizabeth feels the sting of her family’s diminished feelings toward her in this version. It is very different than canon and she suffers from feeling alone and vulnerable. She even made a comment that she now understood how Mary felt.
Collins is slime and looks forward to the day when he is married to Cousin Elizabeth and he can properly discipline her into the wife he deserves. He has already left bruises on her person and was not gentle in ushering her about or dictating to her what she should or should not do in her daily life. He constantly reminded her that things would change once they were married and she had to submit to him as the wife of a parson should.
Bingley is more decisive in this adaption. He puts his foot down in trying to control Caroline and of course she ignores him and goes behind his back. He is too much in love and anxious to marry to notice.
Caroline is herself and as evil as ever. In this version, she possesses sensitive information that could give her the upper hand on possibly forcing Darcy’s compliance. It is not deal with in this 1st book so I have to assume it will come to light later.
Georgiana is not the sweet, shy, Miss from P&P and most JAFF variations. Lady Matlock called her a trollop and worse since she had lived and traveled with Wickham for the last several weeks, with no evidence of their being married. This was hard for Darcy to swallow as she was no longer his sweet innocent sister. Wickham had so totally brainwashed her with his lies that she no longer believed anything her family told her against him. She stood by her man. This, of course, is similar to what Lydia did in P&P. Just reverse the silly miss and the shame consequence to a different family.
After the W&G wedding, there are clues or foreshadowing of problems from the honeymoon trip to Bath. Letters arrive from Jane [also on a honeymoon trip to Bath] where she had met an unfortunate Mrs. George Wickham. Apparently things weren’t going well for her, bless her heart. I do want to know what happened to her but how long will I have to wait until it is resolved.
The Earl and Countess Matlock are master planners as they attempt to do damage control for the family. Colonel Fitzwilliam’s mother is simply awesome in managing both Darcy and the Colonel. She is as skilled in strategies as our dear Colonel. The acorn didn’t fall far from the tree.
Lady Catherine gets wind of trouble in the family from her spy Collins and when she storms Matlock House we get the surprise of the century. I did not see it coming and don’t think I’ve seen it before in JAFF. OMG!!! She and her brother the Earl decide Darcy should marry Anne immediately for the sake of the family.
There were so many misunderstandings among our characters that there is no way to list them all. By the end of book 1, I was tired to death of all the shenanigans. I looked ahead at the reviews and saw that there are two more books and, thanks to a reviewer, learn nothing is resolved by the end of the third. I may not attempt it. Like many others, I was lured by the $0.99 price of book 1. I am not happy to learn there are 6 projected to be in the series. It will be this time next year before book 4 comes out. By then I may not care.
April 1, 2016
3.5 stars
WARNING!!! This is the first book in a three book series and although this first kindle book is offered at $.99 the next two are way over-priced (in my opinion) @ $8.99 and $9.99. And even though this first one is a major cliffhanger I will not pay those prices for either ~300 page story. So I will not be reading how the major crisis in this first book plays out in the following novels.
For about two-thirds of this first book I had thoughts that if I owned the paperback copy I would be checking the last pages of the book to see how it ended. NOW I know that if I had the paperback copy I would have been more alert to the fact that this story continues on. CLIFF HANGER WARNING! Little by little we learn of family secrets and how Darcy and then Richard Fitzwilliam and eventually Elizabeth are forced to play roles in this tale of family secrets, arranged marriages, entailed estates and bastard children.
This book does not follow canon although we meet most of the same people: M/M Bennet, the Lucases, Lady Catherine and Anne de Bourgh, Lord and Lady Matlock, Colonel Fitzwilliam, Aunt and Uncle Gardiner, George Wickham, Georgiana Darcy and Mr. Collins.
As the book description tells the reader, Darcy’s horse throws a horseshoe so he is not on time to prevent the elopement of his sister and that dastardly steward’s son. And in order to cover up the search for the couple Lady Matlock insists that Darcy leave London so as not to draw attention as to why he is in residence. Darcy hues off to join Bingley at his newly leased estate but as he rides trying to vent some of his frustration he gallops around a bend and a woman dives for the ditch to avoid being run down. Elizabeth has been out walking off her own frustration in the collapse of her own marriage plans as she has been told by the man she saw as a suitable match that he plans to marry to further his family connections. So she now lies unconscious with a head and ankle injury and Darcy takes her to Netherfield to recuperate as he doesn’t know her identity. Roles are reversed as Jane now attends to Lizzy while she is bedridden. Darcy, out of guilt, gives her of his time to help while away the hours and they begin to form warmer feelings.
Mr. Bennet has a secret of his own, one involving his health and as he attempts to find a way to insure his family’s future decides that he can keep his country estate in the family by forcing a marriage to Collins. Of course, in this resolve he is joined by his wife. Mr. Bennet’s behavior towards Elizabeth is even more unforgiveable in this version. Then Collins shows sadistic tendencies towards the woman he has been assured will marry him by trying to control not just her reading material. Even Jane turns her back on our dear girl by pushing Elizabeth to give that man a chance, he can't be all that bad. Do you hear me grinding my teeth?’
Then there is the leading premise (back to the forefront of the story) - Georgiana is full of teenage idealism (a belief in unrealistic fairy tale endings) as to the attentions of a man allowed to approach her...by Mrs. Younge. Remember Wickham’s version of his history told to Elizabeth in canon – well, here it is Georgiana who hears and believes that pack of lies. So her relationship with W., unfortunately, plays out to the extreme end and then forces her extended family to plot, to plan, to scheme just how to make this look good in the eyes of society.
I loved the part early in the book during which Elizabeth is “lent” a book of Shakespeare’s Sonnets by Darcy. Later, when ODG goes off to “stay” with the Gardiners that loan gives her the pretext to use for its “return” and she is off to his town house to return it. We read of some majors twist here. November 13th has been a day of significant events but also big confusion as to what is going on in town vs. in the shire of Hertford. As Elizabeth and Darcy untangle the impressions about each other’s status we also see how gossip causes Lady Catherine to take steps into her own hands. The next book is to give us the tale of ODC versus Lady Catherine.
WARNING!!! This is the first book in a three book series and although this first kindle book is offered at $.99 the next two are way over-priced (in my opinion) @ $8.99 and $9.99. And even though this first one is a major cliffhanger I will not pay those prices for either ~300 page story. So I will not be reading how the major crisis in this first book plays out in the following novels.
For about two-thirds of this first book I had thoughts that if I owned the paperback copy I would be checking the last pages of the book to see how it ended. NOW I know that if I had the paperback copy I would have been more alert to the fact that this story continues on. CLIFF HANGER WARNING! Little by little we learn of family secrets and how Darcy and then Richard Fitzwilliam and eventually Elizabeth are forced to play roles in this tale of family secrets, arranged marriages, entailed estates and bastard children.
This book does not follow canon although we meet most of the same people: M/M Bennet, the Lucases, Lady Catherine and Anne de Bourgh, Lord and Lady Matlock, Colonel Fitzwilliam, Aunt and Uncle Gardiner, George Wickham, Georgiana Darcy and Mr. Collins.
As the book description tells the reader, Darcy’s horse throws a horseshoe so he is not on time to prevent the elopement of his sister and that dastardly steward’s son. And in order to cover up the search for the couple Lady Matlock insists that Darcy leave London so as not to draw attention as to why he is in residence. Darcy hues off to join Bingley at his newly leased estate but as he rides trying to vent some of his frustration he gallops around a bend and a woman dives for the ditch to avoid being run down. Elizabeth has been out walking off her own frustration in the collapse of her own marriage plans as she has been told by the man she saw as a suitable match that he plans to marry to further his family connections. So she now lies unconscious with a head and ankle injury and Darcy takes her to Netherfield to recuperate as he doesn’t know her identity. Roles are reversed as Jane now attends to Lizzy while she is bedridden. Darcy, out of guilt, gives her of his time to help while away the hours and they begin to form warmer feelings.
Mr. Bennet has a secret of his own, one involving his health and as he attempts to find a way to insure his family’s future decides that he can keep his country estate in the family by forcing a marriage to Collins. Of course, in this resolve he is joined by his wife. Mr. Bennet’s behavior towards Elizabeth is even more unforgiveable in this version. Then Collins shows sadistic tendencies towards the woman he has been assured will marry him by trying to control not just her reading material. Even Jane turns her back on our dear girl by pushing Elizabeth to give that man a chance, he can't be all that bad. Do you hear me grinding my teeth?’
Then there is the leading premise (back to the forefront of the story) - Georgiana is full of teenage idealism (a belief in unrealistic fairy tale endings) as to the attentions of a man allowed to approach her...by Mrs. Younge. Remember Wickham’s version of his history told to Elizabeth in canon – well, here it is Georgiana who hears and believes that pack of lies. So her relationship with W., unfortunately, plays out to the extreme end and then forces her extended family to plot, to plan, to scheme just how to make this look good in the eyes of society.
I loved the part early in the book during which Elizabeth is “lent” a book of Shakespeare’s Sonnets by Darcy. Later, when ODG goes off to “stay” with the Gardiners that loan gives her the pretext to use for its “return” and she is off to his town house to return it. We read of some majors twist here. November 13th has been a day of significant events but also big confusion as to what is going on in town vs. in the shire of Hertford. As Elizabeth and Darcy untangle the impressions about each other’s status we also see how gossip causes Lady Catherine to take steps into her own hands. The next book is to give us the tale of ODC versus Lady Catherine.
November 1, 2015
Point one: This is a series, this is the first book in the series so it doesn't end like a traditional book. I am not complaining about that I am merely pointing it out to any one who reads this review
Point two: This book is dark. Many beloved characters will disappoint you a great deal in this book.
No one does angst like this author.
This is truly a different WHAT-IF. As in What if Georgiana eloped with Wickham and was missing for months. And further she wasn't the least bit repentant. And what if Mr. & Mrs. Bennet decided it would suit them best if Lizzy married Collins so she could stay and Longbourn FOREVER. And what if Jane was not so much nice as really complacent and only wanted to avoid conflict. And what if Mr. Gardiner was kind of a dick.
This book isn't so much a roller coaster as it is the Tower of Terror, you drop and stop and drop some more. Honestly I really wanted to rescue Lizzy myself by reaching into my Kindle and pulling her out.
I cannot wait for the next book in the series A Virtue of Marriage: A Pride & Prejudice Novel Variation (The Moralities of Marriage Book 2) although I know Ms. West will probably keep us guessing for a while.
Point two: This book is dark. Many beloved characters will disappoint you a great deal in this book.
No one does angst like this author.
This is truly a different WHAT-IF. As in What if Georgiana eloped with Wickham and was missing for months. And further she wasn't the least bit repentant. And what if Mr. & Mrs. Bennet decided it would suit them best if Lizzy married Collins so she could stay and Longbourn FOREVER. And what if Jane was not so much nice as really complacent and only wanted to avoid conflict. And what if Mr. Gardiner was kind of a dick.
This book isn't so much a roller coaster as it is the Tower of Terror, you drop and stop and drop some more. Honestly I really wanted to rescue Lizzy myself by reaching into my Kindle and pulling her out.
I cannot wait for the next book in the series A Virtue of Marriage: A Pride & Prejudice Novel Variation (The Moralities of Marriage Book 2) although I know Ms. West will probably keep us guessing for a while.
April 28, 2016
First, I knew it was book one going in and it ends on a cliffhanger. Second, I bought it on sale. I found this to be a quick read with lots of 'drama'. However, emotionally it didn't 'grab me'. I did have sympathy for Elizabeth's plight especially where her parents are concerned. I found Kitty to be one of the more intriguing secondary characters, though she had only a little page time.
In this variation, Georgiana has run off with George Wickham from Ramsgate after believing all his lies and taking his side against Darcy. Darcy, the Colonel and Lady Matlock work against time to recover her before scandal erupts. I had mixed feelings for this Georgiana. Was it rebellion, her feeling neglected, idealism or the need to be loved.
Darcy, at Lady Matlock's suggestion, leaves London to diminish any rumours that something is wrong. In his pain and anger, he runs Elizabeth off the road while pushing his horse faster and faster. So begins Elizabeth and Darcy's relationship...
In this variation, Georgiana has run off with George Wickham from Ramsgate after believing all his lies and taking his side against Darcy. Darcy, the Colonel and Lady Matlock work against time to recover her before scandal erupts. I had mixed feelings for this Georgiana. Was it rebellion, her feeling neglected, idealism or the need to be loved.
Darcy, at Lady Matlock's suggestion, leaves London to diminish any rumours that something is wrong. In his pain and anger, he runs Elizabeth off the road while pushing his horse faster and faster. So begins Elizabeth and Darcy's relationship...
August 4, 2016
I enjoyed this story very much. It states, in parenthesis next to the title, that this is a first volume in a series, therefore I expect the story to continue. As it is a variation, the plot line varies from the original and some of the characters are not true to canon, but that is what I anticipate when purchasing a variation. Darcy and Elizabeth get along quite well, so the angst comes from outside sources. I did not want to turn off the audiobook when I finished my commute to wait and see what happened next. An excellently written book. I enjoyed Nina Price's narration. Each character's voice was recognizable.
February 7, 2017
By Consequence of Marriage: A Pride and Prejudice Novel Variation (The Moralities of Marriage Book 1)
Angst upon angst. Couldn't get much worse in this story. Darcy didn't get to Ramsgate in time to rescue Georgiana from Wickham's presence; however the silly child didn't want to be rescued from her lover. Darcy and Fitzwilliam searched for weeks plotting areas the two wayward idiots might be located. When Darcy's aunt, the Countess of Matlock, gets involved, she shooed him out of London to Netherfield. Meeting Elizabeth was definitely an accident, forcing her off the road with his horse. Finally finding her at the bottom of the culvert, she is severely injured and unconscious. Taking her to Netherfield, he leaves Caroline Bingley with no option to refuse his request. He sends a rider to London for his own doctor and requests the local apothecary. Recognizing, Elizabeth Bennet, Caroline begins berating both the Bennet family, especially Elizabeth. Needless to say, Darcy is less than happy with her attitude and remarks. Literally yelling at Caroline to notify her family, he places her in the room assigned to him. Caroline is less than pleased and is anything but pleasant. Still unconscious, Darcy sets her broken ankle. Mr Bennet and Jane arrive to check on Elizabeth. Both Darcy and Bingley wonder about his lackadaisical attitude towards Elizabeth. He leaves Elizabeth in Jane's hands. For weeks Elizabeth and Jane are at Netherfield while she recovers. The more she's around Darcy tells more her feelings for him grow. Little does she know that Darcy's feelings for Elizabeth have grown also. When finally gets to leave her room, she accidentally overhears a discussion about someone pretending to hurt her ankle. Immediately Elizabeth convinces Jane to leave Netherfield in the morning. Little did she know that Caroline pulled a stunt claiming she turned her ankle while walking. Darcy offers his sympathy, but leaves her to sit in the dirt while he gets a footman to help her. This was funny. She never stops trying and you'll have to admit that she's persistent as well as clueless. When Darcy gets a letter from Fitzwilliam saying that he has found Georgiana and Wickham, at first light he's off to London at first light. In his excitement to leave, he leaves the letter on the desk. When Bingley sees her reading Darcy's personal letter, he threatens Caroline where he knows it will hurt - her overspending on her clothing allowance. Both Mr and Mrs Bennet have decided that Elizabeth will marry Collins. Totally against this, Elizabeth refuses his proposal. Even Jane who has married Bingley expects her to marry him for the good of her family. Dragging her through the house by her hair, Mrs Bennet throws her from the house. Darcy depressed about his sister having to marry Wickham since she is with child, totally misunderstands Bingley's wedding will take place on November 13th. Wondering how Bingley knew when his wayward sister was marrying his enemy, Darcy figures they were invited. The day of the wedding, the Bingleys didn't show. Wheels turning in his head, Darcy rushes back to go through the mail that has stacked up during Georgiana's fiasco. Georgiana is a spoiled rotten stupid snot and totally deserves to be with Wickham. Anyway, back to Darcy's mail. Finding an invitation for Bingley's wedding on November 13th, Darcy rushes to Netherfield the next morning. Caroline tries every which way to get him to stay, but finally admits that they have left on their wedding trip taking Mary. He's off to Longbourn when he sees the two giggling Gerties, Kitty and Lydia, and weasels out of them that Elizabeth is in London. Angry, upset, and totally depressed, his household realizes that he has taken to drink. Elizabeth travels to Darcy House to return the book he left for her to read, and even though the housekeeper knows to admit no one, figures this is one call he will want to take. His valet risks Darcy's temper since he recognizes her name and a rather funny scene and dialogue take place in his bedroom. Exchanging their feelings for one another, she approves to a courtship. Unbeknownst to Darcy, he is attacked by his Aunt Catherine, Aunt and Uncle Matlock and forced with an attentive marriage to Anne de Bourgh. When Colonel Fitzwilliam finds out, he is livid. He and Anne love one another, and Darcy tells him that between now and Easter, they will figure out a plan so that Darcy can marry Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam can marry Anne. The next evening Darcy takes Elizabeth and the Gardiners to the theatre and the gossip column announces his attending with an unknown person, Lady Catherine takes it upon herself to put the engagement notice in the paper between he and Anne. Ready to wring his Aunt Catherine's neck, Darcy realizes that he must see Elizabeth to explain. He is not allowed entrance so walks in front of the house, back and forth, until Elizabeth finally goes out to hear what he has to say. Understanding what has happened, Elizabeth promises to wait, and they force a compromise in front of her uncle. Story continues. Book 2
Angst upon angst. Couldn't get much worse in this story. Darcy didn't get to Ramsgate in time to rescue Georgiana from Wickham's presence; however the silly child didn't want to be rescued from her lover. Darcy and Fitzwilliam searched for weeks plotting areas the two wayward idiots might be located. When Darcy's aunt, the Countess of Matlock, gets involved, she shooed him out of London to Netherfield. Meeting Elizabeth was definitely an accident, forcing her off the road with his horse. Finally finding her at the bottom of the culvert, she is severely injured and unconscious. Taking her to Netherfield, he leaves Caroline Bingley with no option to refuse his request. He sends a rider to London for his own doctor and requests the local apothecary. Recognizing, Elizabeth Bennet, Caroline begins berating both the Bennet family, especially Elizabeth. Needless to say, Darcy is less than happy with her attitude and remarks. Literally yelling at Caroline to notify her family, he places her in the room assigned to him. Caroline is less than pleased and is anything but pleasant. Still unconscious, Darcy sets her broken ankle. Mr Bennet and Jane arrive to check on Elizabeth. Both Darcy and Bingley wonder about his lackadaisical attitude towards Elizabeth. He leaves Elizabeth in Jane's hands. For weeks Elizabeth and Jane are at Netherfield while she recovers. The more she's around Darcy tells more her feelings for him grow. Little does she know that Darcy's feelings for Elizabeth have grown also. When finally gets to leave her room, she accidentally overhears a discussion about someone pretending to hurt her ankle. Immediately Elizabeth convinces Jane to leave Netherfield in the morning. Little did she know that Caroline pulled a stunt claiming she turned her ankle while walking. Darcy offers his sympathy, but leaves her to sit in the dirt while he gets a footman to help her. This was funny. She never stops trying and you'll have to admit that she's persistent as well as clueless. When Darcy gets a letter from Fitzwilliam saying that he has found Georgiana and Wickham, at first light he's off to London at first light. In his excitement to leave, he leaves the letter on the desk. When Bingley sees her reading Darcy's personal letter, he threatens Caroline where he knows it will hurt - her overspending on her clothing allowance. Both Mr and Mrs Bennet have decided that Elizabeth will marry Collins. Totally against this, Elizabeth refuses his proposal. Even Jane who has married Bingley expects her to marry him for the good of her family. Dragging her through the house by her hair, Mrs Bennet throws her from the house. Darcy depressed about his sister having to marry Wickham since she is with child, totally misunderstands Bingley's wedding will take place on November 13th. Wondering how Bingley knew when his wayward sister was marrying his enemy, Darcy figures they were invited. The day of the wedding, the Bingleys didn't show. Wheels turning in his head, Darcy rushes back to go through the mail that has stacked up during Georgiana's fiasco. Georgiana is a spoiled rotten stupid snot and totally deserves to be with Wickham. Anyway, back to Darcy's mail. Finding an invitation for Bingley's wedding on November 13th, Darcy rushes to Netherfield the next morning. Caroline tries every which way to get him to stay, but finally admits that they have left on their wedding trip taking Mary. He's off to Longbourn when he sees the two giggling Gerties, Kitty and Lydia, and weasels out of them that Elizabeth is in London. Angry, upset, and totally depressed, his household realizes that he has taken to drink. Elizabeth travels to Darcy House to return the book he left for her to read, and even though the housekeeper knows to admit no one, figures this is one call he will want to take. His valet risks Darcy's temper since he recognizes her name and a rather funny scene and dialogue take place in his bedroom. Exchanging their feelings for one another, she approves to a courtship. Unbeknownst to Darcy, he is attacked by his Aunt Catherine, Aunt and Uncle Matlock and forced with an attentive marriage to Anne de Bourgh. When Colonel Fitzwilliam finds out, he is livid. He and Anne love one another, and Darcy tells him that between now and Easter, they will figure out a plan so that Darcy can marry Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam can marry Anne. The next evening Darcy takes Elizabeth and the Gardiners to the theatre and the gossip column announces his attending with an unknown person, Lady Catherine takes it upon herself to put the engagement notice in the paper between he and Anne. Ready to wring his Aunt Catherine's neck, Darcy realizes that he must see Elizabeth to explain. He is not allowed entrance so walks in front of the house, back and forth, until Elizabeth finally goes out to hear what he has to say. Understanding what has happened, Elizabeth promises to wait, and they force a compromise in front of her uncle. Story continues. Book 2
December 31, 2014
Can you imagine what Darcy would be like if Georgiana had not been found for months and was known to be living with Wickham? Although I find it hard to believe that Georgiana would breach propriety that much and be in love with Wickham even months later it gave Darcy an excuse not to be proud or aloft in Meryton. In this version Darcy meets Elizabeth while in his way to Netherfield, he literally runs over her with his horse. Her injuries result in a month long stay in Netherfield where Jane tends to her sister. Darcy feeling responsible does much to ensure her comfort and hence they spend much time together and both form feelings for each other but before anything is settled between them Darcy rushes off to London at word that Georgiana has been found. Elizabeth is then pushed to marry Collins and I just couldn't accept Mr Bennets role in this novel and both Bennets view of Elizabeth's rejection. Elizabeth is basically kicked out of Hertforshire which I just couldn't believe. Darcy is not dealing with trying with his difficult sister also quite shocking, arranging a marriage and anxiety that Elizabeth is engaged to another. It is adorable how things get cleared up with them but with Lady Catherine interfering in Darcy's life he isn't free to offer for Elizabeth. Just when I Thought there was a plan it ends suddenly with a promise to part 2 released in February. Although I found the novel a strange portrayal of many characters I'm still intrigued to want to read part 2 (A Virtue of Marriage).
February 16, 2015
ABANDONED.
Don't waste your time or money.
I adored the premise of this book, as I often do with other Austen variations. But that us, unfortunately, where my adoration ends.
I wonder why this book is considered a Pride & Prejuduce variation, when all of the characters act NOTHING like the originals?
Jane is snippy and angry, Darcy acts like a bumbling teenager, and Elizabeth is a simpering.. simpleton!
A small part of me wants to read until the end to see if the characters change to be closer to what we know, but I also feel like such an evolution would be far-fetched and unsatisfying.
I couldn't even get halfway through the book, and really wish I could get my money back.
Don't waste your time or money.
I adored the premise of this book, as I often do with other Austen variations. But that us, unfortunately, where my adoration ends.
I wonder why this book is considered a Pride & Prejuduce variation, when all of the characters act NOTHING like the originals?
Jane is snippy and angry, Darcy acts like a bumbling teenager, and Elizabeth is a simpering.. simpleton!
A small part of me wants to read until the end to see if the characters change to be closer to what we know, but I also feel like such an evolution would be far-fetched and unsatisfying.
I couldn't even get halfway through the book, and really wish I could get my money back.
April 14, 2021
In this Pride and prejudice variation problems start for Darcy and his Fitzwilliam family when he fails to arrive at Ramsgate to stop his sister from eloping with Wickham.
To save face he is persuaded to let Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam search for them alone while he visits Netherfield Park, and in his haste to arrive (the day after the assembly) he nearly kills Elizabeth Bennet. The scene is set but can there be a happy ending for any of these characters.
An enjoyable re-read of the story, which continues into Book 2
To save face he is persuaded to let Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam search for them alone while he visits Netherfield Park, and in his haste to arrive (the day after the assembly) he nearly kills Elizabeth Bennet. The scene is set but can there be a happy ending for any of these characters.
An enjoyable re-read of the story, which continues into Book 2
March 25, 2016
At 50% read I couldn't bear to read on. All characters are the very worst, most unlikable versions of themselves, which just makes it unbearable. The characterisations are completely off and in some cases contradictory, and the "love story" barely existent. As far as P&P variations go, I would not recommend this one.
April 13, 2020
In this Pride and Prejudice variation Darcy isn't able to save Georgiana from Wickham in time and she disappears into the depths of London with the cad. To save her from suspicion Darcy visits Bingley in Hertfordshire while Col Fitzwilliam searches for the pair. While there he's distracted by Lizzy and her fine eyes.
This was a very angst filled variation! I've read a lot of P and P variations and I prefer stories where the characters have the same personalities and only the plot changes. In this story, Lizzy and Darcy are wonderful together, and I enjoyed all their scenes. Unfortunately the other characters were exaggerated or twisted versions of themselves. Georgiana is dreadful, a selfish and snotty brat, she's assumed Lydia's personality x 10. Mr. Bennet is terrible, also selfish and uncaring of Lizzy. Mrs. Bennet throws Lizzy out of the house by her hair. Mr. Collins is abusive and hurts Lizzy several times and even Jane ignores Lizzy's troubles over her own happiness. It's not the author's fault I couldn't finish it, Jane, Georgiana, and Mr. Bennet are my faves and I prefer variations where they're not so disappointing.
The narrator, in my opinion, wasn't the best choice for this story, I do prefer a British accent for the Pride and Prejudice variations. I would recommend listening to the sample before purchasing. I requested a copy of the audiobook, and I'm voluntarily leaving a review.
This was a very angst filled variation! I've read a lot of P and P variations and I prefer stories where the characters have the same personalities and only the plot changes. In this story, Lizzy and Darcy are wonderful together, and I enjoyed all their scenes. Unfortunately the other characters were exaggerated or twisted versions of themselves. Georgiana is dreadful, a selfish and snotty brat, she's assumed Lydia's personality x 10. Mr. Bennet is terrible, also selfish and uncaring of Lizzy. Mrs. Bennet throws Lizzy out of the house by her hair. Mr. Collins is abusive and hurts Lizzy several times and even Jane ignores Lizzy's troubles over her own happiness. It's not the author's fault I couldn't finish it, Jane, Georgiana, and Mr. Bennet are my faves and I prefer variations where they're not so disappointing.
The narrator, in my opinion, wasn't the best choice for this story, I do prefer a British accent for the Pride and Prejudice variations. I would recommend listening to the sample before purchasing. I requested a copy of the audiobook, and I'm voluntarily leaving a review.
January 17, 2018
A surprisingly dark view
I was thoroughly entertained and will definitely be buying the next book but this a very dark version of these characters.
I can see how the circumstances would change some things but there were elements I struggled with such as Mr. Collins being more than a mansplainer and fool but an active abuser. However this was both a great idea for a variation and an entertaining read even if I don't 100% agree with her views.
I was thoroughly entertained and will definitely be buying the next book but this a very dark version of these characters.
I can see how the circumstances would change some things but there were elements I struggled with such as Mr. Collins being more than a mansplainer and fool but an active abuser. However this was both a great idea for a variation and an entertaining read even if I don't 100% agree with her views.
August 26, 2020
Good story!
Enjoyed this tale, ready for the next segment! This begins with Georgiana’s elopement. The family has to locate her and they send Darcy to stay with Bingley. Elizabeth and Darcy meet by chance when he almost runs her down with his horse. She is seriously injured and must recuperate at Netherfield. And so begins their relationship.
Enjoyed this tale, ready for the next segment! This begins with Georgiana’s elopement. The family has to locate her and they send Darcy to stay with Bingley. Elizabeth and Darcy meet by chance when he almost runs her down with his horse. She is seriously injured and must recuperate at Netherfield. And so begins their relationship.
April 10, 2022
The characters aren't true to the original work; an abusive Collins and a cruel Mr. Benett don't fit with Jane Austen's writing. The lack of conflict and misunderstanding between Elizabeth and Darcy remove any possible tension and excitement in the novel.
October 16, 2017
Enjoyed the book and plan to continue with the series.
January 2, 2019
GIVE ME THE NEXT ONE NOW!!!!!! Oh my!!!! I absolutely LOVED this!!!!! This was so good.....and enjoyable and I couldn't put it down!
April 15, 2018
The first of a series, this does not end with Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy together although they orbit around each other throughout the story.
January 12, 2024
So much drama which is left on a cliffhanger? I would be angry but at least the sequel is complete. On to the next...
February 18, 2024
One of my absolute favourite series rereading to prepare for book 6.
Really well written imaginative
Love it
Really well written imaginative
Love it
Read
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October 18, 2020
Wow, so not what I was expecting. This book is described as a sweet read. While there are some elements of sweetness, like the way E and D fall in love, there is far more darkness to this story. Manipulations, tempers, abuse and profound greed are the main undercurrents. Not to mention those ineffective in standing up for what's right and for loved ones.
However, I couldn't put it down. And have already begun the 2nd volume. I hope it and the 3rd vol don't disappoint!
However, I couldn't put it down. And have already begun the 2nd volume. I hope it and the 3rd vol don't disappoint!
January 15, 2016
I had a hard time reconciling West's portrayal of some of the characters with how they are portrayed elsewhere. For example, Mr. Bennet does not act at all like one would expect in regards to Mr. Collins and Mr. Collins is much more the bully in this tale. The changes in character aside, I did enjoy this Pride and Prejudice retelling and look forward to reading the next in the series.
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