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Mr Bennet's Dutiful Daughter
A Pride and Prejudice Variation
When Colonel Fitzwilliam’s disclosures are interrupted by the bearer of distressing news from Longbourn, Miss Elizabeth Bennet is compelled to accept an offer she would have otherwise dismissed out of hand. An offer of marriage from the all-too-proud Mr Darcy.
Yet how is she to live with a husband she hardly knows and does not love? Will she continue to feel trapped in a marriage of convenience while events conspire to divide them? Or would love grow as, day by day and hour after hour, she learns to understand the man she married, before she loses his trust and his heart?
Given the ‘early marriage’ premise, the issue of growing affection and intimacy is central to the story. The scenes are not graphic, but the novel does address mature themes.
When Colonel Fitzwilliam’s disclosures are interrupted by the bearer of distressing news from Longbourn, Miss Elizabeth Bennet is compelled to accept an offer she would have otherwise dismissed out of hand. An offer of marriage from the all-too-proud Mr Darcy.
Yet how is she to live with a husband she hardly knows and does not love? Will she continue to feel trapped in a marriage of convenience while events conspire to divide them? Or would love grow as, day by day and hour after hour, she learns to understand the man she married, before she loses his trust and his heart?
Given the ‘early marriage’ premise, the issue of growing affection and intimacy is central to the story. The scenes are not graphic, but the novel does address mature themes.
342 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 3, 2016
201 people are currently reading
342 people want to read
About the author
Joana Starnes
21 books246 followersJoana Starnes lives in the south of England with her family. She swapped several hats over the years – physician, lecturer, clinical data analyst – but feels most comfortable in a bonnet. She has been living in Georgian England for decades in her imagination, and plans to continue in that vein till she lays hands on a time machine. She loves to look for glimpses of Pemberley and Jane Austen’s world, and to write about Regency England and Mr Darcy falling in love with Elizabeth Bennet over and over and over again.
She is the author of ten Austen-inspired novels and a contributor to the Quill Ink Anthologies. Joana’s novels are all available on Amazon in Kindle Unlimited and in paperback, and some have also been released in Audible.
You can connect with Joana on: Goodreads ; Facebook ; Twitter ; Instagram ; Website and at Austen Variations or visit Joana’s Facebook page All Roads Lead to Pemberley for places and details that have inspired her novels.
She is the author of ten Austen-inspired novels and a contributor to the Quill Ink Anthologies. Joana’s novels are all available on Amazon in Kindle Unlimited and in paperback, and some have also been released in Audible.
You can connect with Joana on: Goodreads ; Facebook ; Twitter ; Instagram ; Website and at Austen Variations or visit Joana’s Facebook page All Roads Lead to Pemberley for places and details that have inspired her novels.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 147 reviews
September 24, 2019
I have read and loved all of Joana's books (5 stars from me) but this one is, in my opinion, the best of the lot.
I listened to this story on Audible while on my daily walks during August & September 2018. Loved it all over again.
As the book description tells we begins with Elizabeth in Kent and walking with the Colonel while he is just beginning to relate to her how Darcy “takes prodigious care of his friends” when the man himself rides up, dismounts and sends his cousin back to Rosings to prepare to leave. Then, alone with Elizabeth Darcy tells her that Rosings received news from Longbourn of Mr. Bennet having an attack, thought to be apoplexy, and that he is in a bad way. How the news was received is an oddity and rather shameful but reading on…Darcy then proposes and it is not at this point “The Hunsford Proposal”. In doing so he states outright that if they marry as soon as possible he will be in a position to not only intervene with Collins’ manner of taking over the Longbourn estate if the worse happens but he can also make sure she is in a position of security. Furthermore, he and the Colonel will accompany her home in his coach so she may arrive home in the fastest mode possible.
Elizabeth in her distress, does not give him an immediate answer but during the journey home the Colonel at one point takes to his horse and Darcy again takes up the offer. So here we read, as you surmised I am sure, of Elizabeth knowing that there is no other way to provide for her own or her family’s future. But she is also thinking of the Jane and Bingley matter and how he treated Wickham. She does not bring those into the conversation. Elizabeth does inform him that she was NOT expecting his addresses. And then we hear of “the unequal match, reprehensible connections and rational objections” from his lips. He also tells of his admiration, etc. and, a boon, how he has sent ahead to have his London physician see to Mr. Bennet.
Elizabeth decides that she must (for her family/a sacrifice on her part) give up the idea of marrying for love…although he did say he loved her…and secure the needed remedy for the possibility that Mr. Bennet will not recover.
This story has so many emotions whirling around. In the early part of the story Darcy is so romantic, so attentive, even as he blunders in snubbing those dear to Elizabeth. She loves those kindnesses, unasked for but anticipated as needs on his part but she also has objections to his taking control and his coldness to those dear to her, especially the Gardiners. Even as he selects the day for the marriage he forges ahead and earns a reprimand from her. But Darcy has ignored or is in denial…that she was not expecting his proposal and as they grow closer he is totally wrapped up in enjoying the relationship. HOWEVER…it all comes around and stings him…complacency in not being open, in not sharing those matters hinted at and the bottom drops out BIG TIME. Elizabeth did not know the man she was accepting. Revelations may shatter any chance for happiness.
I don’t want to say anything further about just what does occur. However the author gives us a reaction I have never read of in any other story. I could not put the book down as I was truly aghast at Darcy’s stance and reading of no compromise, no discussion…no, I can’t go there. You must, dear fellow readers, you must read this story. I will be reading it again soon as I was speed reading to see how it all worked out but for a while I wasn’t absolutely sure how that ending was going to come about.
Charles Bingley was my hero - backbone made of steel when the stakes are down…really! Colonel Fitzwilliam was also again very insightful as to how things really stood. He brought some smiles. Mrs. Reynolds (with thoughts from Mr. Howard) has a post script of her observations in the epilogue, which tells of just a few additional events.
This book was a gift from a friend.
I listened to this story on Audible while on my daily walks during August & September 2018. Loved it all over again.
As the book description tells we begins with Elizabeth in Kent and walking with the Colonel while he is just beginning to relate to her how Darcy “takes prodigious care of his friends” when the man himself rides up, dismounts and sends his cousin back to Rosings to prepare to leave. Then, alone with Elizabeth Darcy tells her that Rosings received news from Longbourn of Mr. Bennet having an attack, thought to be apoplexy, and that he is in a bad way. How the news was received is an oddity and rather shameful but reading on…Darcy then proposes and it is not at this point “The Hunsford Proposal”. In doing so he states outright that if they marry as soon as possible he will be in a position to not only intervene with Collins’ manner of taking over the Longbourn estate if the worse happens but he can also make sure she is in a position of security. Furthermore, he and the Colonel will accompany her home in his coach so she may arrive home in the fastest mode possible.
Elizabeth in her distress, does not give him an immediate answer but during the journey home the Colonel at one point takes to his horse and Darcy again takes up the offer. So here we read, as you surmised I am sure, of Elizabeth knowing that there is no other way to provide for her own or her family’s future. But she is also thinking of the Jane and Bingley matter and how he treated Wickham. She does not bring those into the conversation. Elizabeth does inform him that she was NOT expecting his addresses. And then we hear of “the unequal match, reprehensible connections and rational objections” from his lips. He also tells of his admiration, etc. and, a boon, how he has sent ahead to have his London physician see to Mr. Bennet.
Elizabeth decides that she must (for her family/a sacrifice on her part) give up the idea of marrying for love…although he did say he loved her…and secure the needed remedy for the possibility that Mr. Bennet will not recover.
This story has so many emotions whirling around. In the early part of the story Darcy is so romantic, so attentive, even as he blunders in snubbing those dear to Elizabeth. She loves those kindnesses, unasked for but anticipated as needs on his part but she also has objections to his taking control and his coldness to those dear to her, especially the Gardiners. Even as he selects the day for the marriage he forges ahead and earns a reprimand from her. But Darcy has ignored or is in denial…that she was not expecting his proposal and as they grow closer he is totally wrapped up in enjoying the relationship. HOWEVER…it all comes around and stings him…complacency in not being open, in not sharing those matters hinted at and the bottom drops out BIG TIME. Elizabeth did not know the man she was accepting. Revelations may shatter any chance for happiness.
I don’t want to say anything further about just what does occur. However the author gives us a reaction I have never read of in any other story. I could not put the book down as I was truly aghast at Darcy’s stance and reading of no compromise, no discussion…no, I can’t go there. You must, dear fellow readers, you must read this story. I will be reading it again soon as I was speed reading to see how it all worked out but for a while I wasn’t absolutely sure how that ending was going to come about.
Charles Bingley was my hero - backbone made of steel when the stakes are down…really! Colonel Fitzwilliam was also again very insightful as to how things really stood. He brought some smiles. Mrs. Reynolds (with thoughts from Mr. Howard) has a post script of her observations in the epilogue, which tells of just a few additional events.
This book was a gift from a friend.
January 21, 2018
This is a total angst burger with double angst and a side of angst fries. You have been warned.
Our story begins at Rosings where Lizzy is strolling with Col. Fitzwilliam and just as he is to get to his tale of Darcy's 'helpfulness' with Bingley they are interrupted by the great man himself, who tells Lizzy her father has fallen desperately ill and she must return to Longbourn immediately under his protection. He then confesses his love and proposes; her silence is taken as assent. Before they arrive at Longbourn Lizzy and Darcy are engaged. While his misgivings regarding her family are hinted at there is none of the really clear disdain of canon. Also since there is no rejection there is NO Letter and No reveal about Wickham.
Soon Darcy and Lizzy are married and living at Netherfield while Mr. Bennet hovers near death's door. One of my dislikes in this story is the authors painstaking details of Mr. & Mrs. Darcy's wedding night. Not that it is graphic, no it is boring. Boring. Boring and recounted in real time. I felt it really added nothing to the story. We already know that they have unequal affections.
And we plod along, Lady Catherine arrives and looses (yes I mean looses not loses) Darcy's prejudice against Lizzy's family low status. He really turns into Douchey Darcy. Then Jane and Bingley wed and Lizzy is forced to to bear witness to a real loving partnership, while she and Darcy chug along. Apparently Darcy is the only person in Regency England who doesn't know that Lizzy isn't in love with him. And in hindsight Darcy's love for Lizzy is really cloying and obsessive. He is like a super control freak and overbearing.
A bunch of other stuff happens and we have bipolar Darcy sometimes he is superior to all and others he is nice. Lizzy is living on a razor edge where she never knows how he will react or behave. And there is no one to check him.
When the big angst comes it is so shocking it was literally like a gut punch. Here we get a dark, despicable, douchey Darcy of the highest magnitude. And truly Darcy doesn't learn anything he just gets a reprieve of sorts which as a modern woman you have to gasp at. I wanted to shake Lizzy and be like how could you possibly love this obsessive/abusive asshole.
And then we have an epilogue; and my dislike of epilogues is well known but this one really annoyed me because it is from the perspective of a character who barely appears in the story. It's Mrs. Reynolds.
Our story begins at Rosings where Lizzy is strolling with Col. Fitzwilliam and just as he is to get to his tale of Darcy's 'helpfulness' with Bingley they are interrupted by the great man himself, who tells Lizzy her father has fallen desperately ill and she must return to Longbourn immediately under his protection. He then confesses his love and proposes; her silence is taken as assent. Before they arrive at Longbourn Lizzy and Darcy are engaged. While his misgivings regarding her family are hinted at there is none of the really clear disdain of canon. Also since there is no rejection there is NO Letter and No reveal about Wickham.
Soon Darcy and Lizzy are married and living at Netherfield while Mr. Bennet hovers near death's door. One of my dislikes in this story is the authors painstaking details of Mr. & Mrs. Darcy's wedding night. Not that it is graphic, no it is boring. Boring. Boring and recounted in real time. I felt it really added nothing to the story. We already know that they have unequal affections.
And we plod along, Lady Catherine arrives and looses (yes I mean looses not loses) Darcy's prejudice against Lizzy's family low status. He really turns into Douchey Darcy. Then Jane and Bingley wed and Lizzy is forced to to bear witness to a real loving partnership, while she and Darcy chug along. Apparently Darcy is the only person in Regency England who doesn't know that Lizzy isn't in love with him. And in hindsight Darcy's love for Lizzy is really cloying and obsessive. He is like a super control freak and overbearing.
A bunch of other stuff happens and we have bipolar Darcy sometimes he is superior to all and others he is nice. Lizzy is living on a razor edge where she never knows how he will react or behave. And there is no one to check him.
When the big angst comes it is so shocking it was literally like a gut punch. Here we get a dark, despicable, douchey Darcy of the highest magnitude. And truly Darcy doesn't learn anything he just gets a reprieve of sorts which as a modern woman you have to gasp at. I wanted to shake Lizzy and be like how could you possibly love this obsessive/abusive asshole.
And then we have an epilogue; and my dislike of epilogues is well known but this one really annoyed me because it is from the perspective of a character who barely appears in the story. It's Mrs. Reynolds.
November 23, 2016
He loved her.
No matter her lowly connections,her lack of dowry,her social standing......yes,he was keenly aware of them but would not allow such to defer him from his course,fixed in his determination to choose her to be his wife, partner,lover, mother of his children and sister to dear Georgiana.
Yes,she'd been expecting his proposal,he was definite of this,was probably a little surprised at his utterances now while holidaying in Kent,but what of these concerns in the long term?
They would be married,joyously so,united by the firm and untenable bonds of matrimony, he,now happily in a position to offer security and protection to her mother and sisters, should the Grim Reaper call Mr Bennet to his side.
A lifetime of undiluted happiness,purpose and love lay ahead.....for Mr and Mrs Darcy.
The arrogant,presumptuous,proud and utterly disagreeable man that never looked at her but to find fault,now believed himself....could she actually say the words aloud?.......in love with her,had been for such a long time,was apologetic but yes,it was just a matter of a suitable opportunity presenting itself....to...well,to propose marriage...to her....him and her united in holy matrimony...
Couldn't think straight,not on hearing the malady that had befallen her dear papa, potentially leaving them dependent on the kindness of strangers or near relatives,for their future felicity. What nightmare was this?
Could she,should she accept this man,and agree to be his wife,casting off the heartfelt wishes and desires of Elizabeth Bennet to marry for love,and willingly adopt the persona of Elizabeth Darcy,adored wife of Mr D,thereby sacrificing her future life and happiness to safeguard her family's?
Faced with little choice under the circumstances,she agrees,in no doubt of her adeptness at portraying the complacent, dutiful and loving wife of F.Darcy.
And so they begin,he in absolute awe at the intelligent and beautiful wife that stands beside him,never once questioning where her previous joie-de-vivre had disappeared to,laying the blame for such at the sickbed of her beloved father.
Never asking why the previously sparkling wit and wry comments seemed to vanish at surprisingly the same time as their marriage,rendering his good wife a shadow of her former self,a masked lady merely playing a part.
And such might it have been but for the arrogant stance he takes in defence of his proud and disagreeable relatives,defending their outlandish perspectives and wholly degenerating those she holds most dear.
Their arguments leave them grief stricken as neither wish to fight,but understanding how such a loving,thoughtful and kind man can abhor the very people who formed,reared and nurtured her,who were responsible for the woman who stood before him,the woman he claimed to love beyond all measure,was alien to her and something she neither understood nor readily accepted.
The breach,when it came,crept in quietly,like a fog that was all pervasive.
The destruction it wrought was catastrophic as each rallied against the sheer alienation, mistrust,incomprehension,vulnerability,loss and futility of feeling.
How was such a breach to be healed?
How does one explain the slow but definite shifting of sands underfoot,of the minuscule tendrils of love,respect,admiration and happiness that had begun to take root in a heart fertile with such imaginings?
How does one explain that one was in the middle before they'd realised they'd begun?
And how does the other acknowledge, accept and appreciate everything that has occurred and decide to move on,leave the past where it belongs and look to the future?
The answers to these ponderous questions, dear reader,are found within the covers of this book,penned by the wordsmith that is Joana Starnes.
How she conjured such a premise for this book is unknown to me,how she resolved the heartbreak is now something I'm thankfully privy to.
Thank you,Joana for such a fantastic,angst filled,yet utterly compelling read.
No matter her lowly connections,her lack of dowry,her social standing......yes,he was keenly aware of them but would not allow such to defer him from his course,fixed in his determination to choose her to be his wife, partner,lover, mother of his children and sister to dear Georgiana.
Yes,she'd been expecting his proposal,he was definite of this,was probably a little surprised at his utterances now while holidaying in Kent,but what of these concerns in the long term?
They would be married,joyously so,united by the firm and untenable bonds of matrimony, he,now happily in a position to offer security and protection to her mother and sisters, should the Grim Reaper call Mr Bennet to his side.
A lifetime of undiluted happiness,purpose and love lay ahead.....for Mr and Mrs Darcy.
The arrogant,presumptuous,proud and utterly disagreeable man that never looked at her but to find fault,now believed himself....could she actually say the words aloud?.......in love with her,had been for such a long time,was apologetic but yes,it was just a matter of a suitable opportunity presenting itself....to...well,to propose marriage...to her....him and her united in holy matrimony...
Couldn't think straight,not on hearing the malady that had befallen her dear papa, potentially leaving them dependent on the kindness of strangers or near relatives,for their future felicity. What nightmare was this?
Could she,should she accept this man,and agree to be his wife,casting off the heartfelt wishes and desires of Elizabeth Bennet to marry for love,and willingly adopt the persona of Elizabeth Darcy,adored wife of Mr D,thereby sacrificing her future life and happiness to safeguard her family's?
Faced with little choice under the circumstances,she agrees,in no doubt of her adeptness at portraying the complacent, dutiful and loving wife of F.Darcy.
And so they begin,he in absolute awe at the intelligent and beautiful wife that stands beside him,never once questioning where her previous joie-de-vivre had disappeared to,laying the blame for such at the sickbed of her beloved father.
Never asking why the previously sparkling wit and wry comments seemed to vanish at surprisingly the same time as their marriage,rendering his good wife a shadow of her former self,a masked lady merely playing a part.
And such might it have been but for the arrogant stance he takes in defence of his proud and disagreeable relatives,defending their outlandish perspectives and wholly degenerating those she holds most dear.
Their arguments leave them grief stricken as neither wish to fight,but understanding how such a loving,thoughtful and kind man can abhor the very people who formed,reared and nurtured her,who were responsible for the woman who stood before him,the woman he claimed to love beyond all measure,was alien to her and something she neither understood nor readily accepted.
The breach,when it came,crept in quietly,like a fog that was all pervasive.
The destruction it wrought was catastrophic as each rallied against the sheer alienation, mistrust,incomprehension,vulnerability,loss and futility of feeling.
How was such a breach to be healed?
How does one explain the slow but definite shifting of sands underfoot,of the minuscule tendrils of love,respect,admiration and happiness that had begun to take root in a heart fertile with such imaginings?
How does one explain that one was in the middle before they'd realised they'd begun?
And how does the other acknowledge, accept and appreciate everything that has occurred and decide to move on,leave the past where it belongs and look to the future?
The answers to these ponderous questions, dear reader,are found within the covers of this book,penned by the wordsmith that is Joana Starnes.
How she conjured such a premise for this book is unknown to me,how she resolved the heartbreak is now something I'm thankfully privy to.
Thank you,Joana for such a fantastic,angst filled,yet utterly compelling read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 16, 2016
"Desist" . No I shall not, Mr Darcy. I shall never stop reading Joana Starnes' books. She certainly knows how to tug at the emotions and her writing gets better and better. The last third of this book left me turning pages with my mouth hanging open!
April 7, 2020
She marries 'the last man in the world' she would ever marry to save her family when a family tragedy looms over them all. But, is Mr. Darcy the ogre she imagined or a man she might come to respect and love? A P&P variation that begins at Hunsford and weaves its way to the lovely shades of Pemberley as told by the fabulous narrative work of Stevie Zimmerman.
Mr. Bennet's Dutiful Daughter opens when Elizabeth gets the sad news that her father is gravely ill. It is the arrogant Mr. Darcy who steps up to help guide her dismal family affairs and make her a startling offer of love with his hand in marriage. At this point, she has only her own unfavorable impressions and Wickham's lies about the man, but she has no other recourse with Mr. Collins ready to toss the family out of Longbourne as soon as her father passes away. So, with no love in her heart and a great deal of love and little humbleness in his heart, they wed.
This is not the first time I have read this plot variation for Pride and Prejudice. I've read a couple of good ones, actually. This did make me a little wary going in, but only a little because this author has proven time and again that her quality storytelling can stand the test.
From the beginning, I was vested in both Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth. There is a great deal of feeling wrought out of the words so that I was emotionally vested and suffering with them as they worked through a marriage of unequal affection and the difficulty of outside caprice. I actually pulled away from the story after a bit because my personal taste is not for this much emotional angst particularly the sort that is introspection. Elizabeth generates a load of churning thoughts and feelings and much of it was her own stubborn refusal to give the man a chance especially when she saw evidence that he might not be only and exactly what she thought. She leaped to the worst conclusion over his every look, manner, and verbal expression and then when he was over the line, she really charged in with the vitriolic emotions. I was not looking forward to the moment when Darcy discovered that he had opened himself up to a woman who couldn't stand him. If she would have been honest at some point well before that moment... And, boy was I right. The pain was palpable. So, I said all that not as a criticism for the story, but just that it was a bit much for me personally though I could value how well done it all is as a whole and appreciate the ending even more for what it went through to get there.
In essence, this was a beautiful story of unrequited love triumphing on one side and marriage of inconvenience becoming love on the other- an unequal affection becoming something more. I was glad the author made the changes in their relationship gradual and difficult so it was quite believable and triumphant by the end. Other than a faithful few, they had lots of outside characters causing them grief which compounded their troubles. I was really rooting them on to get past that.
On a side note, I loved Mr. Bingley in this one. He and other side characters were steady and strong and decisive in balancing out the torchy Darcy and Elizabeth.
As I said, Stevie Zimmerman was lights out fab and was a perfect match for the story. She has such a lovely flexible voice that gender, age, class, and tone were rendered perfectly. I love how I see the story coming alive.
All in all, this hard-fought emotional story tugged at my heart and left me emotionally exhausted but oh so happy for how it ended. Those who are familiar with the Pride and Prejudice story would get more out of this, but I think any historical romance fans who enjoy a pinch of spice and deep emotions in a slowburn romance should give it a go.
Mr. Bennet's Dutiful Daughter opens when Elizabeth gets the sad news that her father is gravely ill. It is the arrogant Mr. Darcy who steps up to help guide her dismal family affairs and make her a startling offer of love with his hand in marriage. At this point, she has only her own unfavorable impressions and Wickham's lies about the man, but she has no other recourse with Mr. Collins ready to toss the family out of Longbourne as soon as her father passes away. So, with no love in her heart and a great deal of love and little humbleness in his heart, they wed.
This is not the first time I have read this plot variation for Pride and Prejudice. I've read a couple of good ones, actually. This did make me a little wary going in, but only a little because this author has proven time and again that her quality storytelling can stand the test.
From the beginning, I was vested in both Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth. There is a great deal of feeling wrought out of the words so that I was emotionally vested and suffering with them as they worked through a marriage of unequal affection and the difficulty of outside caprice. I actually pulled away from the story after a bit because my personal taste is not for this much emotional angst particularly the sort that is introspection. Elizabeth generates a load of churning thoughts and feelings and much of it was her own stubborn refusal to give the man a chance especially when she saw evidence that he might not be only and exactly what she thought. She leaped to the worst conclusion over his every look, manner, and verbal expression and then when he was over the line, she really charged in with the vitriolic emotions. I was not looking forward to the moment when Darcy discovered that he had opened himself up to a woman who couldn't stand him. If she would have been honest at some point well before that moment... And, boy was I right. The pain was palpable. So, I said all that not as a criticism for the story, but just that it was a bit much for me personally though I could value how well done it all is as a whole and appreciate the ending even more for what it went through to get there.
In essence, this was a beautiful story of unrequited love triumphing on one side and marriage of inconvenience becoming love on the other- an unequal affection becoming something more. I was glad the author made the changes in their relationship gradual and difficult so it was quite believable and triumphant by the end. Other than a faithful few, they had lots of outside characters causing them grief which compounded their troubles. I was really rooting them on to get past that.
On a side note, I loved Mr. Bingley in this one. He and other side characters were steady and strong and decisive in balancing out the torchy Darcy and Elizabeth.
As I said, Stevie Zimmerman was lights out fab and was a perfect match for the story. She has such a lovely flexible voice that gender, age, class, and tone were rendered perfectly. I love how I see the story coming alive.
All in all, this hard-fought emotional story tugged at my heart and left me emotionally exhausted but oh so happy for how it ended. Those who are familiar with the Pride and Prejudice story would get more out of this, but I think any historical romance fans who enjoy a pinch of spice and deep emotions in a slowburn romance should give it a go.
November 7, 2016
Sanguine meets Melancholic in an emotion packed story.
“I feel incompetent to perform duties… which have been so unexpectedly thrown upon me.” Andrew Johnson
I have just finished Joana Starnes’ latest book and I am an emotional wreck. I absolutely loved it. Please be warned that this is not a quick and easy read. Nor is it a fluffy ‘falling in love’ and everything is A-OK story. Nope, there is drama that will drive you to tears and angst that will grip your heart. The creative writing will pull emotions from you and make you feel things right along with the characters as they live through the roughest time in their lives. It will break your heart.
Elizabeth Bennet - POV:
How can one person sustain that much angst, fear, grief, and overwhelming emotions and remain sane? Elizabeth Bennet has been put through the wringer and lived to tell the tale… barely. Her strength of character was amazing as she was put to the test. In most JAFF, she breezes through the Ton, sweet-talks Darcy’s relatives, impresses his friends with her quick wit and intelligence, and sails through any and all problems with flying colors. Not so in this story. This variation runs more closely to real life than what we normally read in JAFF and, I have a feeling, this is fairly close to how a marriage of convenience would transpire in that time period. This story was one disaster after another. All of a sudden, Elizabeth’s visit with her friend in Kent became her worst nightmare, when an express arrived regarding her father. I was an emotional wreck as I tried to figure out what was happening, as the story was going down the tubes, and there was nothing to stop it. I could not put it down.
Fitzwilliam Darcy - POV:
Bless his heart. He was trying so hard to do the right thing. Our Mr. Darcy has always been a ‘large and in charge’ sort of guy and I just love that about him. In this story, he had been through a lot as he watched his mother give up her will to live and succumb to a fever, leaving him and Georgiana to go it alone. He loved his parents, but was determined to not mimic their marriage of convenience. He was so in love with Elizabeth that he never saw her true feelings. He was so thoughtful with Elizabeth, as he made plans for their future and that of her family. He thought of everything. But, that was his way. He made sure to cover all the bases of what she or her family would need and over time, she fell in love with him. Only he didn’t see it.
His horror and shock was understandable when he thought Elizabeth had married him solely for the security and provisions of her family after her father had fallen ill. Oh, his anger, embarrassment, grief and dismay when he thought she was taking advantage of him was awful. I could not bear his rejection of her in spite of her reassurances. His bitter tirade was to protect his heart. All he had was his pride and he had laid that at her feet, only to feel that she had carelessly trodden upon it. He experienced a gamut of feelings, dismay, rejection, anger and disgust at his weakness. I was horrified at the result of his bitterness and anger. OMG! I’ve never seen it done before in JAFF. What a bold move on the part of our author. I was horrified. I wanted to scream ‘NO’ at the screen of my e-reader. What on earth would Elizabeth do? How could she go on? It was horrible. Austen’s words screamed in my brain, “my good opinion, once lost….” OMG!!!
Villains: Lady Catherine showed up and showed out big time. Caroline made an appearance with her opinion and snide comments. Wickham slithered by and made his evil presence known. Mr. Collins… well, he outdid himself and was awarded Mr. Darcy’s full and undivided attention. Most Excellent!! It was awesome. Mrs. Bennet, not normally seen as a villain, added strife to our story and pushed along the drama. She was ‘best pleased’ that Elizabeth did her duty and sacrificed herself for her family. She had the nerve to declare it was a good thing she had refused Mr. Collins so she could snare Mr. Darcy. Can you believe that? I wanted to shake her. All she could think of was her and Lydia’s comfort. Since Elizabeth was her least favorite child, it was good that she was the one to put up with that disdainful Mr. Darcy. And lastly, Elizabeth and Darcy proved to be the worst villains of all to their peaceful existence. I wanted to cry.
Personalities Types:
Most employees have, at some time or another, taken a personality survey or inventory to determine personality type. Management finds this useful in assessing employee strengths and traits and uses it to assist employees with their strengths and to improve those weaknesses. Wikipedia lists ‘The Four Temperaments’ as the following: Sanguine [optimistic & social], choleric [short-tempered or irritable], melancholic [analytical and quiet], and phlegmatic [relaxed and peaceful], or a combination of more than one trait.
Immediately, Mr. Bennet’s personality type and trait stands out, phlegmatic for sure, bless his heart. But Mr. Darcy can be none other than Melancholic with his brooding, quiet, and analytical manner. In this story, he also leans toward Choleric with his anger and rash behavior. Elizabeth was a combination of Sanguine and Melancholic.
So why mention this? To help readers understand why Elizabeth and Darcy had such a hard time talking to each other. Some reviews may try to downplay this as not being realistic; however, this is a very real problem and our author addressed it beautifully.
A Melancholic and Sanguine together is like speaking two different languages. Joanna displayed this so eloquently as she used each character’s POV to revealed their thoughts. They looked at each other aghast and horrified and wondered how on earth they continually misunderstood each other. I know this to be true as this Sanguine wife, still to the day, has trouble carrying on a conversation with her Melancholic husband. It is a very real and upfront problem and I recognized it immediately when Elizabeth and Darcy were going head-to-head.
Social strata:
We also have to remember; they are coming together from two very different worlds. She, from a gently-born country life, and he from a high- social- circle of the Ton, and with noble relatives thrown in the mix. Their perspectives are from the opposite ends of the spectrum. Their education was different, although she was smart, she had been limited by not attending school, not had access to masters and by being a woman. As problems arose, they addressed them with the knowledge-base that they had. Their emotional toolbox was equipped differently and their perspectives were skewed right from the beginning. He saw the world through a different lens than she. In order for them to come together, they would have to meet in the middle. Joana did a beautiful job of bring ODC through hell in order to bring us to a conclusion that was amazing. I nearly wept as she brought the last few chapters to a conclusion. Oh-my-gosh, I was a mess.
I am still affected by this story. Thoughts and impressions are running through my emotion wracked brain. I am so moved by this story. I have all of Joana’s books and even though a friend offered me a copy, I declined so that I might purchase it in my support of this marvelous author. I love your work Joana.
“I feel incompetent to perform duties… which have been so unexpectedly thrown upon me.” Andrew Johnson
I have just finished Joana Starnes’ latest book and I am an emotional wreck. I absolutely loved it. Please be warned that this is not a quick and easy read. Nor is it a fluffy ‘falling in love’ and everything is A-OK story. Nope, there is drama that will drive you to tears and angst that will grip your heart. The creative writing will pull emotions from you and make you feel things right along with the characters as they live through the roughest time in their lives. It will break your heart.
Elizabeth Bennet - POV:
How can one person sustain that much angst, fear, grief, and overwhelming emotions and remain sane? Elizabeth Bennet has been put through the wringer and lived to tell the tale… barely. Her strength of character was amazing as she was put to the test. In most JAFF, she breezes through the Ton, sweet-talks Darcy’s relatives, impresses his friends with her quick wit and intelligence, and sails through any and all problems with flying colors. Not so in this story. This variation runs more closely to real life than what we normally read in JAFF and, I have a feeling, this is fairly close to how a marriage of convenience would transpire in that time period. This story was one disaster after another. All of a sudden, Elizabeth’s visit with her friend in Kent became her worst nightmare, when an express arrived regarding her father. I was an emotional wreck as I tried to figure out what was happening, as the story was going down the tubes, and there was nothing to stop it. I could not put it down.
Fitzwilliam Darcy - POV:
Bless his heart. He was trying so hard to do the right thing. Our Mr. Darcy has always been a ‘large and in charge’ sort of guy and I just love that about him. In this story, he had been through a lot as he watched his mother give up her will to live and succumb to a fever, leaving him and Georgiana to go it alone. He loved his parents, but was determined to not mimic their marriage of convenience. He was so in love with Elizabeth that he never saw her true feelings. He was so thoughtful with Elizabeth, as he made plans for their future and that of her family. He thought of everything. But, that was his way. He made sure to cover all the bases of what she or her family would need and over time, she fell in love with him. Only he didn’t see it.
His horror and shock was understandable when he thought Elizabeth had married him solely for the security and provisions of her family after her father had fallen ill. Oh, his anger, embarrassment, grief and dismay when he thought she was taking advantage of him was awful. I could not bear his rejection of her in spite of her reassurances. His bitter tirade was to protect his heart. All he had was his pride and he had laid that at her feet, only to feel that she had carelessly trodden upon it. He experienced a gamut of feelings, dismay, rejection, anger and disgust at his weakness. I was horrified at the result of his bitterness and anger. OMG! I’ve never seen it done before in JAFF. What a bold move on the part of our author. I was horrified. I wanted to scream ‘NO’ at the screen of my e-reader. What on earth would Elizabeth do? How could she go on? It was horrible. Austen’s words screamed in my brain, “my good opinion, once lost….” OMG!!!
Villains: Lady Catherine showed up and showed out big time. Caroline made an appearance with her opinion and snide comments. Wickham slithered by and made his evil presence known. Mr. Collins… well, he outdid himself and was awarded Mr. Darcy’s full and undivided attention. Most Excellent!! It was awesome. Mrs. Bennet, not normally seen as a villain, added strife to our story and pushed along the drama. She was ‘best pleased’ that Elizabeth did her duty and sacrificed herself for her family. She had the nerve to declare it was a good thing she had refused Mr. Collins so she could snare Mr. Darcy. Can you believe that? I wanted to shake her. All she could think of was her and Lydia’s comfort. Since Elizabeth was her least favorite child, it was good that she was the one to put up with that disdainful Mr. Darcy. And lastly, Elizabeth and Darcy proved to be the worst villains of all to their peaceful existence. I wanted to cry.
Personalities Types:
Most employees have, at some time or another, taken a personality survey or inventory to determine personality type. Management finds this useful in assessing employee strengths and traits and uses it to assist employees with their strengths and to improve those weaknesses. Wikipedia lists ‘The Four Temperaments’ as the following: Sanguine [optimistic & social], choleric [short-tempered or irritable], melancholic [analytical and quiet], and phlegmatic [relaxed and peaceful], or a combination of more than one trait.
Immediately, Mr. Bennet’s personality type and trait stands out, phlegmatic for sure, bless his heart. But Mr. Darcy can be none other than Melancholic with his brooding, quiet, and analytical manner. In this story, he also leans toward Choleric with his anger and rash behavior. Elizabeth was a combination of Sanguine and Melancholic.
So why mention this? To help readers understand why Elizabeth and Darcy had such a hard time talking to each other. Some reviews may try to downplay this as not being realistic; however, this is a very real problem and our author addressed it beautifully.
A Melancholic and Sanguine together is like speaking two different languages. Joanna displayed this so eloquently as she used each character’s POV to revealed their thoughts. They looked at each other aghast and horrified and wondered how on earth they continually misunderstood each other. I know this to be true as this Sanguine wife, still to the day, has trouble carrying on a conversation with her Melancholic husband. It is a very real and upfront problem and I recognized it immediately when Elizabeth and Darcy were going head-to-head.
Social strata:
We also have to remember; they are coming together from two very different worlds. She, from a gently-born country life, and he from a high- social- circle of the Ton, and with noble relatives thrown in the mix. Their perspectives are from the opposite ends of the spectrum. Their education was different, although she was smart, she had been limited by not attending school, not had access to masters and by being a woman. As problems arose, they addressed them with the knowledge-base that they had. Their emotional toolbox was equipped differently and their perspectives were skewed right from the beginning. He saw the world through a different lens than she. In order for them to come together, they would have to meet in the middle. Joana did a beautiful job of bring ODC through hell in order to bring us to a conclusion that was amazing. I nearly wept as she brought the last few chapters to a conclusion. Oh-my-gosh, I was a mess.
I am still affected by this story. Thoughts and impressions are running through my emotion wracked brain. I am so moved by this story. I have all of Joana’s books and even though a friend offered me a copy, I declined so that I might purchase it in my support of this marvelous author. I love your work Joana.
October 14, 2022
A Favourite Starnes Book
I was half way through the first chapter of the audiobook when I knew I had already read this excellent book. I find it hard to believe I never reviewed it, so it must be one that AM decided to make “hidden” (the reason I now review on Goodreads and continue to “move/copy my older reviews from there to here) and I refuse to scroll through hundreds of reviews via my AM profile to check. I do wish they had a search feature for our reviews. Grrrr. Oh well. Please pardon my vent. 🤷🏻♀
Reviewing book and audiobook.
This excellent story begins in Hunsford with Elizabeth wishing she were back at Longbourn. During the infamous walk with Colonel Fitzwilliam, and as he is about to unwittingly reveal Darcy’s role in Bingley’s escape from Netherfield, they are interrupted by Darcy bearing the news that Mr. Bennet has fallen ill and Elizabeth has been called home as soon as possible. As Darcy walks her back to the parsonage, he proposes. Taken unaware, Elizabeth considers the grave possibility of her family’s circumstances should her father die, and she accepts. She does not love him, but he has declared his love for her.
Of course, Darcy will show his presumptuous and arrogant side in making decisions and such without Elizabeth’s input, but throughout this book, with the exception of a couple of angst-filled chapters, he also presents a most kind-hearted and romantic man. Elizabeth doesn’t know what to make of this Darcy. There was no “letter”, so she still holds her prejudices against him with respect to Wickham and what he feels about her family and station.
”Elizabeth stared, not knowing how to reply and indeed what to make of him. Insulting and arrogant beyond belief one moment, praising her to the skies the next, and then taking her hand and inquiring into her comfort!” —quote from book
His softer and kind-hearted side eventually wins her heart, but what good variation wouldn’t have a chapter or two of angst to keep things interesting? Oh my poor heart. In this instance, it’s breaking more for Elizabeth, as Darcy seems to be determined to think what he believes he knows without allowing her an explanation. A life-changing event finally reunites them.
Joana Starnes truly is a “mistress of words”. While her style leans to the narrative side, it affords her the means to descriptively express the heartfelt thoughts and emotions of the protagonists as they weave their way through their good and bad times, whether or not they are in the right or wrong. Mind you, the dialogue that is expressed is also well written. As I have read more and more of her books, her writing style has grown on me. A most excellent writer.
The audiobook is also excellent, with a brilliantly outstanding performance by Stevie Zimmerman, a favourite narrator. I highly recommend both the book and audiobook.
I was half way through the first chapter of the audiobook when I knew I had already read this excellent book. I find it hard to believe I never reviewed it, so it must be one that AM decided to make “hidden” (the reason I now review on Goodreads and continue to “move/copy my older reviews from there to here) and I refuse to scroll through hundreds of reviews via my AM profile to check. I do wish they had a search feature for our reviews. Grrrr. Oh well. Please pardon my vent. 🤷🏻♀
Reviewing book and audiobook.
This excellent story begins in Hunsford with Elizabeth wishing she were back at Longbourn. During the infamous walk with Colonel Fitzwilliam, and as he is about to unwittingly reveal Darcy’s role in Bingley’s escape from Netherfield, they are interrupted by Darcy bearing the news that Mr. Bennet has fallen ill and Elizabeth has been called home as soon as possible. As Darcy walks her back to the parsonage, he proposes. Taken unaware, Elizabeth considers the grave possibility of her family’s circumstances should her father die, and she accepts. She does not love him, but he has declared his love for her.
Of course, Darcy will show his presumptuous and arrogant side in making decisions and such without Elizabeth’s input, but throughout this book, with the exception of a couple of angst-filled chapters, he also presents a most kind-hearted and romantic man. Elizabeth doesn’t know what to make of this Darcy. There was no “letter”, so she still holds her prejudices against him with respect to Wickham and what he feels about her family and station.
”Elizabeth stared, not knowing how to reply and indeed what to make of him. Insulting and arrogant beyond belief one moment, praising her to the skies the next, and then taking her hand and inquiring into her comfort!” —quote from book
His softer and kind-hearted side eventually wins her heart, but what good variation wouldn’t have a chapter or two of angst to keep things interesting? Oh my poor heart. In this instance, it’s breaking more for Elizabeth, as Darcy seems to be determined to think what he believes he knows without allowing her an explanation. A life-changing event finally reunites them.
Joana Starnes truly is a “mistress of words”. While her style leans to the narrative side, it affords her the means to descriptively express the heartfelt thoughts and emotions of the protagonists as they weave their way through their good and bad times, whether or not they are in the right or wrong. Mind you, the dialogue that is expressed is also well written. As I have read more and more of her books, her writing style has grown on me. A most excellent writer.
The audiobook is also excellent, with a brilliantly outstanding performance by Stevie Zimmerman, a favourite narrator. I highly recommend both the book and audiobook.
November 8, 2016
As always, Ms. Starnes has written a story that's sure to touch your heart. While at Rosings Park, Elizabeth learns that her beloved father has been struck down by apoplexy. Darcy immediately takes control, coordinating her travel to Longbourn in his coach so she can be at his bedside by the end of the day. He also makes a hurried and apologetic marriage proposal, assuring her that he ardently admires and loves her, realizing that his timing is terrible, but pointing out that if the worst happens, Elizabeth and the Bennets will be at the mercy of Mr. Collins unless she is married to him. Despite her panicked emotional state over her father’s health, Elizabeth grasps how desperate her family's situation is and that marriage to Darcy is necessary to protect them, so she agrees even before they arrive at Longbourn. She never expresses her misgivings to Darcy and, while he is surprised that she never anticipated his address, he believes that she is pleased rather than horrified to be marrying him.
This basic premise has been used before, but Ms. Starnes uses an elegant and deft hand in its execution. The storyline involving Mr. Bennet's serious illness provides the unique twist with an exchange at his sickbed that becomes the turning point in this well-constructed novel. The writing flows beautifully with authentic-sounding Regency prose. All the plot elements weave together beautifully. The anxious watch over Elizabeth’s father shows Darcy at his most solicitous and adoring regarding his beloved Elizabeth. This part of the story gives way to the couple hitting a major bump in their relationship related to the aforementioned sickbed conversation.
My only criticism is the exaggerated amount of angst, not in the plot, but in the writing itself. There are pages upon pages of Elizabeth’s anguish over her father’s perilous medical condition, her confused feelings about her husband and then, once she realizes that she loves him, over the misunderstandings that tear them apart. For my own reading taste, it felt as though the angst was overcooked a bit, with the events themselves providing plenty of heartache without devoting so many paragraphs to the wretchedness of Elizabeth’s feelings.
Despite that, this is an excellent story in all other respects. It keeps the reader’s interest, the characters are believable and easy to relate with, and Ms. Starnes’ splendid writing is among the best you’ll find in all of JAFF.
It also has what I believe is the most satisfying Epilogue I've ever read, penned by dear Mrs. Reynolds. (But is it really true that MRS. Reynolds has never been married? And if so, is that a Regency tradition... to call a housekeeper "Mrs." even if she isn't one?)
This basic premise has been used before, but Ms. Starnes uses an elegant and deft hand in its execution. The storyline involving Mr. Bennet's serious illness provides the unique twist with an exchange at his sickbed that becomes the turning point in this well-constructed novel. The writing flows beautifully with authentic-sounding Regency prose. All the plot elements weave together beautifully. The anxious watch over Elizabeth’s father shows Darcy at his most solicitous and adoring regarding his beloved Elizabeth. This part of the story gives way to the couple hitting a major bump in their relationship related to the aforementioned sickbed conversation.
My only criticism is the exaggerated amount of angst, not in the plot, but in the writing itself. There are pages upon pages of Elizabeth’s anguish over her father’s perilous medical condition, her confused feelings about her husband and then, once she realizes that she loves him, over the misunderstandings that tear them apart. For my own reading taste, it felt as though the angst was overcooked a bit, with the events themselves providing plenty of heartache without devoting so many paragraphs to the wretchedness of Elizabeth’s feelings.
Despite that, this is an excellent story in all other respects. It keeps the reader’s interest, the characters are believable and easy to relate with, and Ms. Starnes’ splendid writing is among the best you’ll find in all of JAFF.
It also has what I believe is the most satisfying Epilogue I've ever read, penned by dear Mrs. Reynolds. (But is it really true that MRS. Reynolds has never been married? And if so, is that a Regency tradition... to call a housekeeper "Mrs." even if she isn't one?)
September 24, 2017
When I put this book down, I had to wait a minute or two holding it between my hands to appreciate the lingering feeling of satisfaction that one experiences when JAFF is done right. It deserved the sigh! By far my favorite book from this author, I highly recommend purchasing this one to read over and over again.
Reread: Oh! The angst! So good. Love this book still!
Reread: This shows that when reading a bunch of JAFF books at the same time that sometimes one can fail to appreciate great books. I read this one again this week and I am drawing a complete blank as to the story. I am glad that I loved it so much before but it made no impression on me this time.
Reread: Oh! The angst! So good. Love this book still!
Reread: This shows that when reading a bunch of JAFF books at the same time that sometimes one can fail to appreciate great books. I read this one again this week and I am drawing a complete blank as to the story. I am glad that I loved it so much before but it made no impression on me this time.
Read
November 3, 2017Joana Starnes’ latest novel, Mr. Bennet’s Dutiful Daughter, is a variation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice that takes readers on an emotional journey, imagining what might have happened had Mr. Darcy interrupted Elizabeth Bennet and Colonel Fitzwilliam’s stroll at Rosings Park before the colonel tells her about Mr. Darcy’s interference in her sister’s relationship with Mr. Bingley. In Starnes’ tale, Darcy brings Elizabeth news that her father has fallen ill, and he acknowledges that while his timing is bad, he loves her and wishes to marry her. Making this disclosure immediately is meant to bring a bit of calm to the chaos, with Mr. Collins seeking to swoop in and take over Longbourn before Mr. Bennet is even gone. Knowing that marrying Mr. Darcy will provide security for her mother and sisters in the event of Mr. Bennet’s death, Elizabeth agrees, taking some comfort in the fact that Mr. Darcy is indeed a much better man than she’d originally believed.
Elizabeth has a hard time coming to terms with the extent of Mr. Darcy’s feelings for her, but she doesn’t have the heart to tell him that she doesn’t return those feelings. Still, she approaches their marriage with courage and kindness, but eventually the reality of their situation — namely the differences in their backgrounds — can no longer be ignored. Her family’s impropriety and connections in trade and his family’s outrage over the rushed and ill-suited match put a damper on their relationship, and misunderstandings conspire to separate them for good, just when Elizabeth believes they have found real happiness.
Mr. Bennet’s Dutiful Daughter is a beautifully written novel, with just the right amount of angst to move me to the brink of tears without making me put the book down in despair. Starnes has a knack for putting Elizabeth and Darcy in impossible situations, delving deep into their souls, and keeping readers on the edge of their seats as they wonder how a happily ever after will be achieved. I loved the pacing of the novel, and Starnes does a wonderful job evolving their relationship through many ups and downs as they navigate the challenges posed by their families and themselves.
I’ve loved all of the novels by Starnes I’ve read so far (The Subsequent Proposal, The Unthinkable Triangle, and Miss Darcy’s Companion — all 5-star reads!), and her stories and her writing get better with each book. Starnes has easily become one of my favorite authors, and I can’t wait to see what torturous situation she puts Darcy and Elizabeth into next!
Review posted on Diary of an Eccentric
I received a free copy of this book for review.
Elizabeth has a hard time coming to terms with the extent of Mr. Darcy’s feelings for her, but she doesn’t have the heart to tell him that she doesn’t return those feelings. Still, she approaches their marriage with courage and kindness, but eventually the reality of their situation — namely the differences in their backgrounds — can no longer be ignored. Her family’s impropriety and connections in trade and his family’s outrage over the rushed and ill-suited match put a damper on their relationship, and misunderstandings conspire to separate them for good, just when Elizabeth believes they have found real happiness.
Mr. Bennet’s Dutiful Daughter is a beautifully written novel, with just the right amount of angst to move me to the brink of tears without making me put the book down in despair. Starnes has a knack for putting Elizabeth and Darcy in impossible situations, delving deep into their souls, and keeping readers on the edge of their seats as they wonder how a happily ever after will be achieved. I loved the pacing of the novel, and Starnes does a wonderful job evolving their relationship through many ups and downs as they navigate the challenges posed by their families and themselves.
I’ve loved all of the novels by Starnes I’ve read so far (The Subsequent Proposal, The Unthinkable Triangle, and Miss Darcy’s Companion — all 5-star reads!), and her stories and her writing get better with each book. Starnes has easily become one of my favorite authors, and I can’t wait to see what torturous situation she puts Darcy and Elizabeth into next!
Review posted on Diary of an Eccentric
I received a free copy of this book for review.
January 24, 2022
4 stars in this genre. JAFF (Jane Austen fan fiction) is very hit or miss. The writing was excellent and true to Regency England. My favorite thing was that the author was able to write the witty banter between Darcy and Elizabeth so well! I’ll definitely check out more of this author’s Pride and Prejudice retellings. I wasn’t a fan of Darcy’s temper tantrum at the end of the story, but it was resolved pretty quickly. There was a nice surprise in Mr Bingley growing a backbone. The scene where he rips into Darcy was lovely!
• There was sex between the married couple, but in my opinion, it was pretty PG-13. Not detailed. The only ‘sex scene’ was of their wedding night, and focused on Elizabeth’s fear, Darcy’s gentle reassurances, and a bit of pain. No grody details. The rest of the book only features passionate kisses and the couple heading for their rooms; very much in keeping with a newlywed couple.
Okay, GR friends, my only daughter and BFF has been in Mexico for almost a month and I’m missing her sorely. I’m turning to Mad Rogan, Mr Darcy, and murderers. This is the end of my rope, as I’ve already reread most of my favorites. Any comfort reading recs would be most welcome!
Reread Jan 2021: I still enjoyed this, but the ending was much too drawn out. Epilogued to death! I’m going to say that ending dropped it to 3.5 stars, but leave my original rating.
• There was sex between the married couple, but in my opinion, it was pretty PG-13. Not detailed. The only ‘sex scene’ was of their wedding night, and focused on Elizabeth’s fear, Darcy’s gentle reassurances, and a bit of pain. No grody details. The rest of the book only features passionate kisses and the couple heading for their rooms; very much in keeping with a newlywed couple.
Okay, GR friends, my only daughter and BFF has been in Mexico for almost a month and I’m missing her sorely. I’m turning to Mad Rogan, Mr Darcy, and murderers. This is the end of my rope, as I’ve already reread most of my favorites. Any comfort reading recs would be most welcome!
Reread Jan 2021: I still enjoyed this, but the ending was much too drawn out. Epilogued to death! I’m going to say that ending dropped it to 3.5 stars, but leave my original rating.
December 31, 2017
Wow....just....wow!!! Some people will know that I've already used that phrase in connection with this book. That hasn't changed in the slightest. I've read all of Joana Starnes' works and have loved them all. My previous favourite was The Falmouth Connection (the garden scene...sigh!) but I think it's now been superceded by this one.
Setting the scene: the variation starts as Elizabeth is walking in the grounds of Rosings Park and meets Colonel Fitzwilliam. He's just about to divulge the fact that Darcy interfered in Bingley's fledgling relationship with Jane, when Darcy comes galloping up on horseback. Back at Longbourn, Mr. Bennet is seriously, possibly fatally ill and she has to return home immediately. As the Colonel disappears to make travel arrangements, Darcy makes the proposal he was planning for later that day. He knows that the Bennet family will be "out in the hedgerows" should Mr. Bennet die and that would also delay any possible wedding. Elizabeth accepts without having to think about it too much. Darcy doesn't make the Hunsford proposal we know so well, so he doesn't get the refusal that drives him to write the letter that starts to improve Elizabeth's opinion of him. She still thinks well of Wickham! So how do these two totally different people, who hardly know each other, get on as a married couple and reach their HEA?
From here on in we're taken on quite the roller coaster ride by Ms. Starnes. Without that crucial happening at Hunsford from canon, both of them still have to grow (a lot) to become the people they need to be. Darcy in particular, although he's deeply in love, can be really quite unpleasant at times, especially regarding Elizabeth's family and connections. Obviously she doesn't take it well. He's also unaware at this time quite how unequal their respective affections are. How he finds out is just one downhill rush of the aforesaid roller coaster. There are interesting confrontations between various parties during the course of this tale. One in particular had me cheering for an unexpected show of backbone by......ah, but that would be telling. Spoilers!
I won't say any more as I really don't want to give away any details of this wonderful variation. There are some intense romantic scenes and we do go into Darcy and Elizabeth's bedroom but it's told with exquisite taste there's nothing terribly explicit. It's a high angst story admittedly but I loved it from start to finish and the epilogue is a total joy.
Setting the scene: the variation starts as Elizabeth is walking in the grounds of Rosings Park and meets Colonel Fitzwilliam. He's just about to divulge the fact that Darcy interfered in Bingley's fledgling relationship with Jane, when Darcy comes galloping up on horseback. Back at Longbourn, Mr. Bennet is seriously, possibly fatally ill and she has to return home immediately. As the Colonel disappears to make travel arrangements, Darcy makes the proposal he was planning for later that day. He knows that the Bennet family will be "out in the hedgerows" should Mr. Bennet die and that would also delay any possible wedding. Elizabeth accepts without having to think about it too much. Darcy doesn't make the Hunsford proposal we know so well, so he doesn't get the refusal that drives him to write the letter that starts to improve Elizabeth's opinion of him. She still thinks well of Wickham! So how do these two totally different people, who hardly know each other, get on as a married couple and reach their HEA?
From here on in we're taken on quite the roller coaster ride by Ms. Starnes. Without that crucial happening at Hunsford from canon, both of them still have to grow (a lot) to become the people they need to be. Darcy in particular, although he's deeply in love, can be really quite unpleasant at times, especially regarding Elizabeth's family and connections. Obviously she doesn't take it well. He's also unaware at this time quite how unequal their respective affections are. How he finds out is just one downhill rush of the aforesaid roller coaster. There are interesting confrontations between various parties during the course of this tale. One in particular had me cheering for an unexpected show of backbone by......ah, but that would be telling. Spoilers!
I won't say any more as I really don't want to give away any details of this wonderful variation. There are some intense romantic scenes and we do go into Darcy and Elizabeth's bedroom but it's told with exquisite taste there's nothing terribly explicit. It's a high angst story admittedly but I loved it from start to finish and the epilogue is a total joy.
March 3, 2019
I love this book... I previously listened on audible (with excellent narration by Stevie Zimmerman) I thought I'd give the book a read and just haven't been able to put it down!
So we start at Huntsford but the variation starts when Collins has arrived at Rosings having opened an express for Elizabeth to report that Mr Bennet is gravely ill. Darcy makes his proposal at this point, making less of a mess of it and Elizabeth accepts... out of duty,mainly, but has considered whether he is someone she could esteem. Her mother assumes she has cleverly saved the family and that she continues to dislike Darcy but is prepared to make the sacrifice... whilst Darcy is head over heels in love.... it's heading for disaster and is set up beautifully....
Most of this story is about Darcy and Elizabeth getting to know each other and how this influences and changes their relationship. We spend a lot of time in Elizabeth's head processing all the contradictions in Darcy's character because she doesn't know him and doesn't understand him in the beginning. When things come out, as we know they will, I felt so sorry for Darcy - but then he is so cruel and heartless my heart broke for poor Elizabeth! There is some really amazing writing here.... their relationship is so complex and my loyalty was completely divided.
Darcy has some real highlights in this book - his dealings with Collins at the beginning was just brilliant. I also loved the scenes with Bingley at the end. Go Bingers!! He also has some real lows. Elizabeth is a brilliant character - trying to be the dutiful wife whilst being almost constantly offended then thoroughly loved immediately afterwards (or the other way around!)
The last 10% of the book is told from the perspectives of the servants which offers a really different and interesting perspective and brings the tale nicely to a close.
So we start at Huntsford but the variation starts when Collins has arrived at Rosings having opened an express for Elizabeth to report that Mr Bennet is gravely ill. Darcy makes his proposal at this point, making less of a mess of it and Elizabeth accepts... out of duty,mainly, but has considered whether he is someone she could esteem. Her mother assumes she has cleverly saved the family and that she continues to dislike Darcy but is prepared to make the sacrifice... whilst Darcy is head over heels in love.... it's heading for disaster and is set up beautifully....
Most of this story is about Darcy and Elizabeth getting to know each other and how this influences and changes their relationship. We spend a lot of time in Elizabeth's head processing all the contradictions in Darcy's character because she doesn't know him and doesn't understand him in the beginning. When things come out, as we know they will, I felt so sorry for Darcy - but then he is so cruel and heartless my heart broke for poor Elizabeth! There is some really amazing writing here.... their relationship is so complex and my loyalty was completely divided.
Darcy has some real highlights in this book - his dealings with Collins at the beginning was just brilliant. I also loved the scenes with Bingley at the end. Go Bingers!! He also has some real lows. Elizabeth is a brilliant character - trying to be the dutiful wife whilst being almost constantly offended then thoroughly loved immediately afterwards (or the other way around!)
The last 10% of the book is told from the perspectives of the servants which offers a really different and interesting perspective and brings the tale nicely to a close.
February 8, 2017
Gorgeous! It took me far too long to read this one, but what a tantalizing, heartbreaking, sigh-inducing treat. Mr Bingley. MR BINGLEY!!! That was AWESOME. Home run, Joana!
March 31, 2022
2022- Listened on Audiobook. Narrator- of course- did a fantastic job.
Still feel the same way. In fact, had to listen on double time to get through most of the story. I had such a stomach ache, hearing how awful Darcy was and how much Elizabeth had to nullify herself in a marriage she otherwise would not have chosen.
And Even though there are a few chastisements (thank you Bingley) With Darcy having been such a douche, I would have wanted for him not to have gotten off so easily.
This was more a 3.5 for me. The parts that I liked, I loved! The other parts, were almost like they were written by another person. Or maybe, were a simple bridge to crossover from the main attractions of the story. Even if that were the case, they still were not written well.
However, the good parts were, and told the bulk of the action of the story.
Not a bad read if you are a fan of P&P fanfiction.
Still feel the same way. In fact, had to listen on double time to get through most of the story. I had such a stomach ache, hearing how awful Darcy was and how much Elizabeth had to nullify herself in a marriage she otherwise would not have chosen.
And Even though there are a few chastisements (thank you Bingley) With Darcy having been such a douche, I would have wanted for him not to have gotten off so easily.
This was more a 3.5 for me. The parts that I liked, I loved! The other parts, were almost like they were written by another person. Or maybe, were a simple bridge to crossover from the main attractions of the story. Even if that were the case, they still were not written well.
However, the good parts were, and told the bulk of the action of the story.
Not a bad read if you are a fan of P&P fanfiction.
December 9, 2016
Hallelujah...my agony is over, my tears are dried and my heart has melted. This is not your average Pride & Prejudice variation that takes you on a sweet journey to 'happily ever after'. This exquisite and emotional tale of Elizabeth accepting Mr. Darcy's proposal, after being told her father is gravely ill, has your heart feeling anxious, hopeful and utterly gripped until the very end. No one does angst better than Joana Starnes. The path to 'happily ever after' is hard fought and hard won. Her writing is compelling and beautifully rendered leaving you breathless when it's over...
February 19, 2017
I have read many forced or arranged marriages "Pride and Prejudice" inspired romance novels. But in Joana Starnes' just released "Mr. Bennet's Dutiful Daughter," Mr. Bennet has some kind of apoplectic fit, leaving him at death's door. Darcy, already in love with Elizabeth Bennet, sees the only way to protect her should the worst occur, is to marry her. And soon. Though Elizabeth still finds him abhorrent, under the circumstances, and after he has confessed his adoration for her, his protection and his person do not seem as repugnant as upon first acquaintance. As the story unfolds and as she becomes more familiar with the man she has hastily married, she discovers he has a kind and generous heart--especially towards her.
"Did he not see it dreadfully unwise to reveal quite so much of himself to her? That it would make him vulnerable in the extreme and put him in the greatest danger, were dye so heartless as to use it against him? Surely he did not think her equally in love, to trust her so implicitly with every formerly hidden feeling! What a blow must it be to him, were the truth if her deep-held reservations ever to come to light. What burden of responsibility on her, to carefully conceal it from so astute a man."
And that dear reader, is the crux. What happens to our beloved couple after he has successfully made her fall in love with him--and he discovers that she married him only to protect her family?
"'Aye. He deserves the world.'
And her eyes filled with tears when [Colonel] Fitzwilliam incautiously retorted, 'That is precisely what he said of you.'"
Gah! Get your tissues out and be prepared to chew a few finger nails because a lot of tears will be shed by Elizabeth and you, dear reader, before the last pages. Three nights in a row did I stay up until 3 a.m. reading Joana Starnes' latest. The evil genius that she is had me sobbing--I haven't been so emotionally distraught for pages, nay CHAPTERS, since C.P. Odom's "Consequences." This book is going to follow me for days as it did something to my soul. Felt every emotion possible. This very well may be her best yet.
"Did he not see it dreadfully unwise to reveal quite so much of himself to her? That it would make him vulnerable in the extreme and put him in the greatest danger, were dye so heartless as to use it against him? Surely he did not think her equally in love, to trust her so implicitly with every formerly hidden feeling! What a blow must it be to him, were the truth if her deep-held reservations ever to come to light. What burden of responsibility on her, to carefully conceal it from so astute a man."
And that dear reader, is the crux. What happens to our beloved couple after he has successfully made her fall in love with him--and he discovers that she married him only to protect her family?
"'Aye. He deserves the world.'
And her eyes filled with tears when [Colonel] Fitzwilliam incautiously retorted, 'That is precisely what he said of you.'"
Gah! Get your tissues out and be prepared to chew a few finger nails because a lot of tears will be shed by Elizabeth and you, dear reader, before the last pages. Three nights in a row did I stay up until 3 a.m. reading Joana Starnes' latest. The evil genius that she is had me sobbing--I haven't been so emotionally distraught for pages, nay CHAPTERS, since C.P. Odom's "Consequences." This book is going to follow me for days as it did something to my soul. Felt every emotion possible. This very well may be her best yet.
November 11, 2016
Oh WOW!
What can I say? I loved every word. I cried and smiled. I didn't want it to end. This book is beautifully written with quotes from P & P fitted into the text with care. This is quite possibly one of the best what if Darcy books I have ever read. So now I intend to read it again to pick up any treasures I missed while in tears. Thank you Joana Starnes for a wonderful book, but please don't think of testing on your laurels, some of us are eagerly waiting for your next.
What can I say? I loved every word. I cried and smiled. I didn't want it to end. This book is beautifully written with quotes from P & P fitted into the text with care. This is quite possibly one of the best what if Darcy books I have ever read. So now I intend to read it again to pick up any treasures I missed while in tears. Thank you Joana Starnes for a wonderful book, but please don't think of testing on your laurels, some of us are eagerly waiting for your next.
March 5, 2017
The Dangers of Marrying with Unequal Affections
I’ll be honest, the minute I heard a new book by Joana Starnes was coming out I was immediately beset with eager anticipation. And it wasn’t the book description, premise, or shared excerpts that brought on my excitement. It was the fact that this story was written by Joana Starnes, an Austenesque author who has continuously impressed me with her heartfelt, emotionally turbulent, and expressively romantic stories. I’m afraid I went into this reading experience with nothing but high expectations. I’ve loved all I read by Joana Starnes and oftentimes feel it is impossible to choose which of her wonderfully-crafted stories is my favorite. (Now even more so!)
In this Pride and Prejudice variation Ms. Starnes places Darcy and Elizabeth in a situation we’ve seen sometimes before: Elizabeth accepts an offer of marriage from the “last man in the world” she could ever be “prevailed upon to marry.” The reason she accepted the arrogant Mr. Darcy’s proposal is because she just learned her father suffered an apoplectic fit and his survival is uncertain. To refuse what could be the salvation and protection of all her family would be unforgivably selfish and reckless. And so Elizabeth marries Mr. Darcy to secure the future of her family. But she marries him without telling him of her unequal affections and without confronting him with her true opinion of his character. Not the best way to begin a marriage, wouldn’t you say?
And from there begins Darcy’s and Elizabeth’s journey – with a hasty marriage, misapprehended affections, hidden regrets, and an ever present fear for the fate of Mr. Bennet. Through these fragile and emotionally-wrought times Mr. Darcy shows himself to be Elizabeth’s champion and protector. She sees daily proof of his ardent love, compassion, and understanding, but since his pride and manners are unchecked, he still sometimes acts officiously and haughty. And since Elizabeth has yet to discover her husband’s true character, she sometimes continues to misjudge many of his actions. I could not help but fall in love with both characters during this story. Mr. Darcy won my heart with his tenderness and thoughtfulness, and I adored what he did with Mr. Collins and in Mr. Bennet’s study. And I thought Elizabeth acted admirably through these difficult and distressing series of events. I like that she tried to make the best of it all and put on a brave/optimistic face, yet at the same time had some moments where she would mourn the loss of her dreams and what could have been.
One of aspects I love most about this story – and to be honest, any story I read by Joana Starnes – is the emotional depth of her writing. Countless times Joana Starnes has shown herself to be a most eloquent wordsmith and a master at conveying complex emotions. We know she has a penchant for placing Darcy and Elizabeth in trying and torturous situations – something for which she has immeasurable talent! But where Ms. Starnes’s artistry really shines is the evocative language and poignant introspection she uses to describe what her characters are thinking and feeling. It is more than just words on a page, it is more than understanding the characters’ feelings and feeling sympathy for them – it is experiencing the emotions – the anguish, the despair, and the joy – firsthand. I can’t tell you how many times I reread paragraphs and pages in this story just to admire the prose and relive the emotional effect it produced.
Have I said enough to convince you to read this compelling and soul-stirring work by Joana Starnes? I really don’t want to spoil any of the surprises along the way, so I’m afraid to share any more details. But I will say that the rug was ripped out from beneath me, the complex emotions depicted in both characters were eminently sublime, and I completely adored the small but powerful parts she gave to various secondary characters. Mr. Bennet’s Dutiful Daughter is a most magnificent and praiseworthy work and I entreat you to read it immediately if you haven’t done so already!
Note: I’d recommend this story for Mature Audiences, there is one small intimate scene that takes place on page.
Austenesque Reviews
I’ll be honest, the minute I heard a new book by Joana Starnes was coming out I was immediately beset with eager anticipation. And it wasn’t the book description, premise, or shared excerpts that brought on my excitement. It was the fact that this story was written by Joana Starnes, an Austenesque author who has continuously impressed me with her heartfelt, emotionally turbulent, and expressively romantic stories. I’m afraid I went into this reading experience with nothing but high expectations. I’ve loved all I read by Joana Starnes and oftentimes feel it is impossible to choose which of her wonderfully-crafted stories is my favorite. (Now even more so!)
In this Pride and Prejudice variation Ms. Starnes places Darcy and Elizabeth in a situation we’ve seen sometimes before: Elizabeth accepts an offer of marriage from the “last man in the world” she could ever be “prevailed upon to marry.” The reason she accepted the arrogant Mr. Darcy’s proposal is because she just learned her father suffered an apoplectic fit and his survival is uncertain. To refuse what could be the salvation and protection of all her family would be unforgivably selfish and reckless. And so Elizabeth marries Mr. Darcy to secure the future of her family. But she marries him without telling him of her unequal affections and without confronting him with her true opinion of his character. Not the best way to begin a marriage, wouldn’t you say?
And from there begins Darcy’s and Elizabeth’s journey – with a hasty marriage, misapprehended affections, hidden regrets, and an ever present fear for the fate of Mr. Bennet. Through these fragile and emotionally-wrought times Mr. Darcy shows himself to be Elizabeth’s champion and protector. She sees daily proof of his ardent love, compassion, and understanding, but since his pride and manners are unchecked, he still sometimes acts officiously and haughty. And since Elizabeth has yet to discover her husband’s true character, she sometimes continues to misjudge many of his actions. I could not help but fall in love with both characters during this story. Mr. Darcy won my heart with his tenderness and thoughtfulness, and I adored what he did with Mr. Collins and in Mr. Bennet’s study. And I thought Elizabeth acted admirably through these difficult and distressing series of events. I like that she tried to make the best of it all and put on a brave/optimistic face, yet at the same time had some moments where she would mourn the loss of her dreams and what could have been.
One of aspects I love most about this story – and to be honest, any story I read by Joana Starnes – is the emotional depth of her writing. Countless times Joana Starnes has shown herself to be a most eloquent wordsmith and a master at conveying complex emotions. We know she has a penchant for placing Darcy and Elizabeth in trying and torturous situations – something for which she has immeasurable talent! But where Ms. Starnes’s artistry really shines is the evocative language and poignant introspection she uses to describe what her characters are thinking and feeling. It is more than just words on a page, it is more than understanding the characters’ feelings and feeling sympathy for them – it is experiencing the emotions – the anguish, the despair, and the joy – firsthand. I can’t tell you how many times I reread paragraphs and pages in this story just to admire the prose and relive the emotional effect it produced.
Have I said enough to convince you to read this compelling and soul-stirring work by Joana Starnes? I really don’t want to spoil any of the surprises along the way, so I’m afraid to share any more details. But I will say that the rug was ripped out from beneath me, the complex emotions depicted in both characters were eminently sublime, and I completely adored the small but powerful parts she gave to various secondary characters. Mr. Bennet’s Dutiful Daughter is a most magnificent and praiseworthy work and I entreat you to read it immediately if you haven’t done so already!
Note: I’d recommend this story for Mature Audiences, there is one small intimate scene that takes place on page.
Austenesque Reviews
November 7, 2016
This book was really well written, so I wanted to start by saying my 4-star rating is more based on personal preference for stories rather than any technical flaws. I read this nearly straight through over a 24-hour period, only breaking due to life needs rather than desire. As the story progressed, I read as fast as my eyes and brain would go, because the plot turned in agonizing directions. It was those directions that dropped my rating--the angst was just too much.
I liked the way Elizabeth and Darcy's marriage was accomplished in this story. I've read others where she accepts him due to her father's death or generally practical reasons, but this is the first where I've seen her marry for her family's protection with Mr. Bennet being on his death bed. It's a subtle difference, but it changed her early interactions with Darcy in a way that was interesting. My favorite thing about this beginning was the way Darcy stepped up for her so protectively, in reaction to Mr. Collins. Yes, all of the reasons why they shouldn't marry still exist, but he doesn't hesitate to throw them aside when she needs him (or he deems that she needs him, really, even though she truthfully does).
I liked that Darcy was so oblivious to Elizabeth's reactions when he made disparaging comments about her family. It's fitting, and also made me feel really bad for him. Sure, it's rude and insulting for him to voice the thoughts aloud...but there's a lot of truth in what he says, and he's expressing it because he thinks that he and Elizabeth are of one mind on it. He's so attentive and romantic otherwise that it almost physically hurt every time Elizabeth was jolted by one of those comments. It's no shock to me that she fell him love with him even before that point of contention was resolved. This was a pretty rare story in that I completely believed that she would fall for him at that stage, and she hadn't even found out the truth about Wickham yet, either.
Then came the real agony.
But can I just say that Bingley was FABULOUS in this story? I highly recommend this story for anyone who likes to see an assertive Bingley who's still completely in character.
I'm not sure I'd be able to reread this story, but I did enjoy it, and I would recommend it. Just be aware that there's painful angst that (for me) sometimes stretched my suspension of disbelief. This book definitely pulls emotional chords with superior skill. My heart still hurts, even after the happy resolution.
I liked the way Elizabeth and Darcy's marriage was accomplished in this story. I've read others where she accepts him due to her father's death or generally practical reasons, but this is the first where I've seen her marry for her family's protection with Mr. Bennet being on his death bed. It's a subtle difference, but it changed her early interactions with Darcy in a way that was interesting. My favorite thing about this beginning was the way Darcy stepped up for her so protectively, in reaction to Mr. Collins. Yes, all of the reasons why they shouldn't marry still exist, but he doesn't hesitate to throw them aside when she needs him (or he deems that she needs him, really, even though she truthfully does).
I liked that Darcy was so oblivious to Elizabeth's reactions when he made disparaging comments about her family. It's fitting, and also made me feel really bad for him. Sure, it's rude and insulting for him to voice the thoughts aloud...but there's a lot of truth in what he says, and he's expressing it because he thinks that he and Elizabeth are of one mind on it. He's so attentive and romantic otherwise that it almost physically hurt every time Elizabeth was jolted by one of those comments. It's no shock to me that she fell him love with him even before that point of contention was resolved. This was a pretty rare story in that I completely believed that she would fall for him at that stage, and she hadn't even found out the truth about Wickham yet, either.
Then came the real agony.
But can I just say that Bingley was FABULOUS in this story? I highly recommend this story for anyone who likes to see an assertive Bingley who's still completely in character.
I'm not sure I'd be able to reread this story, but I did enjoy it, and I would recommend it. Just be aware that there's painful angst that (for me) sometimes stretched my suspension of disbelief. This book definitely pulls emotional chords with superior skill. My heart still hurts, even after the happy resolution.
October 24, 2023
Excellent book, another awesome story by the author
Lizzy marries Darcy to save her family, basically because her ill father begged her. So she marries Darcy for mercenary reasons. This Lizzy is pretty sure of herself and sees no reason to change her opinion about her quick character reads. But after being married awhile she does fall in love with Darcy.
Darcy is the arrogant, proud Darcy since Lizzy accepted his marriage proposal
And didn’t have months of soul changes about his original personality from P&P.
At the same time though people gossip about her old hate of Darcy. He hears Mrs. Bennet yapping about it and in front of Wickham of all people while at the same time Lizzy is there and doesn’t speak up in Darcy’s defense.
Darcy goes ballistic. He feels, rightfully, he has been lied to, over and over, and worse his greatest foe, Wickham knows his marriage is a sham. He also is embarrassed he fell for a treasure hunter.
Darcy is about the angriest I’ve ever read about at Lizzy and goes into terminator mode. In the next day or two he uses all his paper proofs and gets Wickham carted off to prison. And he starts legal steps to separate from Lizzy.
He goes so far as to not open snd read letters from her, returning them to her.
A HEA is achieved but not enough words are written about it and it seems somewhat abrupt.
There is one great scene after another. I’ve read the story twice and will read it again in two or three years. Highly recommended.
Lizzy marries Darcy to save her family, basically because her ill father begged her. So she marries Darcy for mercenary reasons. This Lizzy is pretty sure of herself and sees no reason to change her opinion about her quick character reads. But after being married awhile she does fall in love with Darcy.
Darcy is the arrogant, proud Darcy since Lizzy accepted his marriage proposal
And didn’t have months of soul changes about his original personality from P&P.
At the same time though people gossip about her old hate of Darcy. He hears Mrs. Bennet yapping about it and in front of Wickham of all people while at the same time Lizzy is there and doesn’t speak up in Darcy’s defense.
Darcy goes ballistic. He feels, rightfully, he has been lied to, over and over, and worse his greatest foe, Wickham knows his marriage is a sham. He also is embarrassed he fell for a treasure hunter.
Darcy is about the angriest I’ve ever read about at Lizzy and goes into terminator mode. In the next day or two he uses all his paper proofs and gets Wickham carted off to prison. And he starts legal steps to separate from Lizzy.
He goes so far as to not open snd read letters from her, returning them to her.
A HEA is achieved but not enough words are written about it and it seems somewhat abrupt.
There is one great scene after another. I’ve read the story twice and will read it again in two or three years. Highly recommended.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 1, 2018
Joana Starnes does it again! What an angst filled story that just pulls you in. You can feel the emotions coming off the pages from gut wrenching moments to moments that make you sigh.
The other reviews do a great job summarizing the story. I highly recommend it to any JAFF lovers.
The other reviews do a great job summarizing the story. I highly recommend it to any JAFF lovers.
October 3, 2023
Review of the audiobook narrated by Stevie Zimmerman
Joana Starnes writes the best Jane Austen fan fiction. This is an lovely story about Lizzy and Darcy getting married and then falling in love.
Joana Starnes writes the best Jane Austen fan fiction. This is an lovely story about Lizzy and Darcy getting married and then falling in love.
November 19, 2016
Can I give it six stars? Review on the 1st December.
November 21, 2016
This variation was absolutely breathtaking! Mr. Bennet's Daughter was so well written, that it tugged on every single one of the heartstrings in my chest.
November 11, 2016
What I enjoyed most about this story was how the author allows you into the emotions of both Darcy and Elizabeth. You feel every bit of the angst in the story. You experience Elizabeth's changing feeling for Darcy every teeny tiny step of the way. It does not come as a surprise when she says "I love you" for the first time. And, there is definitely enough foreshadowing to allow you to know that when things blow up between them, that it is going to be really big. Elizabeth is uneasy all along about how open Darcy is about his feelings, so you know how he will take the eavesdropped conversation. Elizabeth's misery is just as open and honest. And, so few typos!! Really one of the best unequal affection scenarios I have ever read. But, as an angst weenie, I cried!
February 8, 2021
I was apprehensive to delve into yet another FMS since I tend to be left dismayed at how Lizzy is contrived as either detached off emotionally or needlessly cruel to Darcy in those marriages.
I always feel just awful for ole Darce', the besotted chap.
If these too be your qualms, fret not!
Here it receives a charming turn of treatment with masterful evocative writing, a charming Lizzy, and a steadfast, swoon worthy Darcy.
I highly recommend!
Synopsis:
Lizzy is walking with Colonel Fitz when Darcy interrupts with urgent news, her father has collapsed. Darcy is proactive and has already arranged his carriages to be prepares and they are to depart within the hour.
He proposes then and there citing the advantage of them being married for him to offer her protection before Collins comes and eagerly lays claim to Longbourn.
The proposal is sweet without the insults (don't worry those come in the carriage ride later) but Lizzy is too jaded to even respond to it then
Lizzy realizes she and her family need the support and agrees.
Lizzy is confused by Darcy's mercurial behavior
However at Longbourn Lizzy, dealing with tending to her father, begins to appreciate how patient and devoted Darcy is during all the chaos
She decides she is committed to make the best of it
As the story progresses Lizzy quickly smarts to his virtues though very aware of his uncouth manner;
Lizzy struggles with a bemused heart as she falls in love with Darcy, it is all very organic and sweet
The story for the most part is about their growing together as a healthy couple and you feel lulled into this sweet low angst read; everyone is happy all the usual pit falls have been neatly avoided,
Then, without warning!
Why? Stinging pleasurable JAFF angst is why!
Fret not, the resolution makes the angst worth it
What I Enjoyed:
Darcy vs Collins; Darcy asserting himself as the Bennet's protector and not being delicate about it,
I was in stitches and awe with Darcy handling Collins and throwing him out on his holy ass when he wouldn't cease requesting information on Mr Bennet's health and insisting on prematurely reading the last rites! We stand a legend!
Jane relating to Darcy, and their sibling-hood
Jane was the sweetest here! A very supportive sister,
Bingley was also the best brother to Lizzy, offering Lizzy advice on her taciturn in public husband and upbraiding Darcy when he didn't feel he was giving Lizzy her due
I appreciated the light cast on just how much Darcy was risking and sacrificing to marry Lizzy. I think we all are too unforgiving sometimes when Darcy is proud, when he mentions his scruples but here what he mentioned was the tip of the ice berg of what he privately was dealing with.
This brought to mind a beautiful quote,
'Tis true, Darcy went against the current, he forged a new path all of their very own just so he could walk alongside Lizzy for the rest of his days.
This book evoked a deeper appreciation of Darcy for me, which is the mark of a great JAFF to me.
What Displeased Me:
This is a minor thing really, but the final chapter is from the butlers and Mrs Reynolds pov about the love fest of ODC at Pemberley. I reckon it is included as the authors 'apology note' to the reader for the heart wringing debacle of the 11th hour angst.
I appreciate the sentiment but the epilogue went on far too long that it became tedious, but I do find I'm of the mind to end a story when it ends or make a sequel, never an epilogue at least not a protracted one.
I find them either depressing, boring or simultaneously both and they often undue the high of a well concluded story.
Verdict:
It goes from crazy sweet with small conflict and relaxing, to utter angst destroy mode jarringly.
Damn it if I didn't love every second of it. My compliments to the chef, Joana Starnes
I measure the quality of a JAFF by three factors, as follows;
1. Did I feel the characters acted true to Austen's character framework (allowing for changed circumstance and scenario to offer some leeway)?Yes
2. Was I engaged during the reading and not bored?Yes
3. Was the writing compelling/ intelligent and was there sufficient interaction/dialogue between the main characters? Yes
I always feel just awful for ole Darce', the besotted chap.
If these too be your qualms, fret not!
Here it receives a charming turn of treatment with masterful evocative writing, a charming Lizzy, and a steadfast, swoon worthy Darcy.
I highly recommend!
Synopsis:
His offer of marriage. So shocking. So ill-timed. Ill-timed? Not that. Not for him. If anything, it was the only time when she would so much as consider it.
Lizzy is walking with Colonel Fitz when Darcy interrupts with urgent news, her father has collapsed. Darcy is proactive and has already arranged his carriages to be prepares and they are to depart within the hour.
He proposes then and there citing the advantage of them being married for him to offer her protection before Collins comes and eagerly lays claim to Longbourn.
The proposal is sweet without the insults (don't worry those come in the carriage ride later) but Lizzy is too jaded to even respond to it then
Elizabeth’s shoulders slumped. She was her father’s daughter, his independent nature coursing through her veins. But the truth was that without him she would have to learn dependence.
Lizzy realizes she and her family need the support and agrees.
Lizzy is confused by Darcy's mercurial behavior
Elizabeth stared, not knowing how to reply and indeed what to make of him. Insulting and arrogant beyond belief one moment, praising her to the skies the next, and then taking her hand and inquiring into her comfort!
However at Longbourn Lizzy, dealing with tending to her father, begins to appreciate how patient and devoted Darcy is during all the chaos
She decides she is committed to make the best of it
“In cases such as these a good memory is of no use at all. This is the last time I shall acknowledge it myself. What good would it do? I have given him my word and we shall wed. I am determined to make the best of it. It would not do to cling to old resentments. I will make him a dutiful wife if he keeps his side of the bargain.”
As the story progresses Lizzy quickly smarts to his virtues though very aware of his uncouth manner;
Lizzy struggles with a bemused heart as she falls in love with Darcy, it is all very organic and sweet
The story for the most part is about their growing together as a healthy couple and you feel lulled into this sweet low angst read; everyone is happy all the usual pit falls have been neatly avoided,
Then, without warning!
Why? Stinging pleasurable JAFF angst is why!
Fret not, the resolution makes the angst worth it
What I Enjoyed:
Darcy vs Collins; Darcy asserting himself as the Bennet's protector and not being delicate about it,
“Still, I think—”
“I think you should attend to your plate, Mr Collins,” Mr Darcy brusquely interjected
“But Mr Darcy, my duty towards my relations—”
“Your relations will breathe more freely when you are gone.”
I was in stitches and awe with Darcy handling Collins and throwing him out on his holy ass when he wouldn't cease requesting information on Mr Bennet's health and insisting on prematurely reading the last rites! We stand a legend!
Jane relating to Darcy, and their sibling-hood
Jane was the sweetest here! A very supportive sister,
“And I would rather work my fingers to the bone than see you unhappy, tied for life to a man you do not love!”
Bingley was also the best brother to Lizzy, offering Lizzy advice on her taciturn in public husband and upbraiding Darcy when he didn't feel he was giving Lizzy her due
I appreciated the light cast on just how much Darcy was risking and sacrificing to marry Lizzy. I think we all are too unforgiving sometimes when Darcy is proud, when he mentions his scruples but here what he mentioned was the tip of the ice berg of what he privately was dealing with.
“I am distraught you were exposed to this,” he offered soberly as he took her hand.
“As am I,” Elizabeth replied, “but on your behalf rather than mine.”
Mr Darcy gave a dismissive wave. “That is kind, but you need not fret. I have long expected nothing less.” He shrugged. “No matter.”
“I would change the world for you if I could. But I cannot. All I can do, and will do, is seek to smooth your path into my world. But I need your support and understanding. We simply cannot make the task more daunting than it already is.”
This brought to mind a beautiful quote,
“I loved her to the point of invention”- Sarah Ruhl
'Tis true, Darcy went against the current, he forged a new path all of their very own just so he could walk alongside Lizzy for the rest of his days.
This book evoked a deeper appreciation of Darcy for me, which is the mark of a great JAFF to me.
What Displeased Me:
This is a minor thing really, but the final chapter is from the butlers and Mrs Reynolds pov about the love fest of ODC at Pemberley. I reckon it is included as the authors 'apology note' to the reader for the heart wringing debacle of the 11th hour angst.
I appreciate the sentiment but the epilogue went on far too long that it became tedious, but I do find I'm of the mind to end a story when it ends or make a sequel, never an epilogue at least not a protracted one.
I find them either depressing, boring or simultaneously both and they often undue the high of a well concluded story.
Verdict:
It goes from crazy sweet with small conflict and relaxing, to utter angst destroy mode jarringly.
Damn it if I didn't love every second of it. My compliments to the chef, Joana Starnes
I measure the quality of a JAFF by three factors, as follows;
1. Did I feel the characters acted true to Austen's character framework (allowing for changed circumstance and scenario to offer some leeway)?Yes
2. Was I engaged during the reading and not bored?Yes
3. Was the writing compelling/ intelligent and was there sufficient interaction/dialogue between the main characters? Yes
September 19, 2019
Joana Starnes tends not to disappoint, and this Pride and Prejudice variation is no exception. It's a winding story, and yet touching, romantic, although at times I wanted to strangle Mr. Darcy and was quite satisfied by Bingley's set down. Even the last chapter from Mrs. Reynold's POV was lovely. Never a dull moment, though I had to put the book down for a few hours at one point, I was so upset by the turn of events in the story. What a satisfying read, even as far as it diverted from the original.
The story begins at Hunsford, when Darcy has not yet made his first ill-thought-out proposal, and instead has to bring Elizabeth the news that her father has been stricken down with a grave illness. An express letter had been delivered to the parsonage for Elizabeth, but Mr. Collins took possession of it, running to Lady Catherine for advice without even bothering to inform Elizabeth. Mr. Darcy is shocked by the parson's behavior, so he breaks the news to her, and at the same time, because he just learned that the property is entailed and her family could wind up at the mercy of Collins, he proposes, urging her to marry him while her father yet lives, before Collins can leave her family destitute. He also insists on accompanying her home in his carriage, along with Colonel Fitzwilliam.
The story is fast moving in those beginning chapters, and by the time it slows down a little the reader is well involved in it. Nicely done!
The story begins at Hunsford, when Darcy has not yet made his first ill-thought-out proposal, and instead has to bring Elizabeth the news that her father has been stricken down with a grave illness. An express letter had been delivered to the parsonage for Elizabeth, but Mr. Collins took possession of it, running to Lady Catherine for advice without even bothering to inform Elizabeth. Mr. Darcy is shocked by the parson's behavior, so he breaks the news to her, and at the same time, because he just learned that the property is entailed and her family could wind up at the mercy of Collins, he proposes, urging her to marry him while her father yet lives, before Collins can leave her family destitute. He also insists on accompanying her home in his carriage, along with Colonel Fitzwilliam.
The story is fast moving in those beginning chapters, and by the time it slows down a little the reader is well involved in it. Nicely done!
January 16, 2020
Ok, I know this is brain candy (or worse), but honestly I am currently craving nothing but brain candy. I'm calling it an impeachment, election, climate change antidote.
April 30, 2018
A beautifully written variation - Ms Starnes' characters are all true to Ms Austen's originals and this plot variation is true to the spirit of the original story. There are no leaps of faith in the story line or unlikely happenings to marr what is a beautiful story.
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