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Service of a Friend: A Pride and Prejudice Variation
Darcy joins Bingley in Hertfordshire before the Netherfield Ball and offends Elizabeth but in a different way. Their friendship develops quickly and their pride and prejudice are set aside to form a lasting bond. Happy, low-angst story of friendship.
- GenresFan Fiction
94 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 14, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
gave-up
February 26, 2018I stopped reading this book because KU authors get paid based upon number of pages read and I didn't want to contribute further.
Have you ever said or thought (With apologies to JA), ``I should like P&P infinitely better, if it was carried on in a different manner; but there is something insufferably tedious in the usual process of such a lengthy reading. It would surely be much more rational if squeezing the plot into a week was made the order of the day.''
to which I reply
``Much more rational I dare say, but it would not be near so much like Pride and Prejudice.''
I will further speculate that there was a wager involved where someone said to the author "I Bet you cannot squeeze 80% of the plot of Pride and Prejudice into a few scenes at the Netherfield ball" To which the author replied "Hold my beer"
We jump in with Darcy dancing with Miss Bennet, immediately stating that he is certainly a better catch than Bingley and offering a courtship. The only correct response to this should have been a slap to the face. But Jane demurs and Darcy congratulates her on passing his test.
Immediately so much happens that it is dizzying. Every line of dialogue is loaded with exposition. Insane exposition. NON Regency exposition. Lizzy knows more about Darcy after supper at Netherfield than she learned after the proposal in Kent. And the author isn't content to leave her fingerprints on P&P she drags poor Emma into this story. By the time Lizzy has know Darcy for 12 hours they are already friends and he is calling her Elizabeth.
One of my favorite bits of insanity is a line where Darcy says, "I have had him since he was a pony" Ponies are horses which are less than 14.2 hands at the withers when fully grown. A pony doesn't grow into a horse, a foal, a filly and colt grow into a horse. The horse's name is Khan, to which Lizzy proclaims "The king of the Orient, like Genghis Khan" Yes Genghis Khan the Mongol invader and barbarian..
That's all folks.....
Have you ever said or thought (With apologies to JA), ``I should like P&P infinitely better, if it was carried on in a different manner; but there is something insufferably tedious in the usual process of such a lengthy reading. It would surely be much more rational if squeezing the plot into a week was made the order of the day.''
to which I reply
``Much more rational I dare say, but it would not be near so much like Pride and Prejudice.''
I will further speculate that there was a wager involved where someone said to the author "I Bet you cannot squeeze 80% of the plot of Pride and Prejudice into a few scenes at the Netherfield ball" To which the author replied "Hold my beer"
We jump in with Darcy dancing with Miss Bennet, immediately stating that he is certainly a better catch than Bingley and offering a courtship. The only correct response to this should have been a slap to the face. But Jane demurs and Darcy congratulates her on passing his test.
Immediately so much happens that it is dizzying. Every line of dialogue is loaded with exposition. Insane exposition. NON Regency exposition. Lizzy knows more about Darcy after supper at Netherfield than she learned after the proposal in Kent. And the author isn't content to leave her fingerprints on P&P she drags poor Emma into this story. By the time Lizzy has know Darcy for 12 hours they are already friends and he is calling her Elizabeth.
One of my favorite bits of insanity is a line where Darcy says, "I have had him since he was a pony" Ponies are horses which are less than 14.2 hands at the withers when fully grown. A pony doesn't grow into a horse, a foal, a filly and colt grow into a horse. The horse's name is Khan, to which Lizzy proclaims "The king of the Orient, like Genghis Khan" Yes Genghis Khan the Mongol invader and barbarian..
That's all folks.....
December 31, 2017
One Very Good Idea Elevates Work
"Service of a Friend" is an fast-growing frothy confection that will not terribly challenge a reader or strain credulity. Me Speck has one wonderful device which I will refer to as "The Test". This enables her to establish the early stages of ODC's relationship. However, the novella tends to follow expected pathways after that. There is little surprise and no questions really raised. These are more of when rather than if. Inserting a page break in between chapters in the mss would eliminate the unfortunate mid-page chapter splits. Some word choices did detract, but, by and large, a good read that will demand little other than attentiveness.
"Service of a Friend" is an fast-growing frothy confection that will not terribly challenge a reader or strain credulity. Me Speck has one wonderful device which I will refer to as "The Test". This enables her to establish the early stages of ODC's relationship. However, the novella tends to follow expected pathways after that. There is little surprise and no questions really raised. These are more of when rather than if. Inserting a page break in between chapters in the mss would eliminate the unfortunate mid-page chapter splits. Some word choices did detract, but, by and large, a good read that will demand little other than attentiveness.
December 21, 2017
Friendship isn’t a big thing — it’s a million little things. ~Author Unknown
Darcy has not traveled to Netherfield with the Bingleys and arrives just before the Netherfield Ball. Bingley has already asked for a courtship with his angel, Jane Bennet.
Darcy approaches Jane with an offer, intent on doing a service for his friend Bingley.
He is surprised and pleased when Jane doesn’t accept a much wealthier man. Unlike other women who had been on Bingley’s “angel list” Jane tells Darcy she will remain faithful to Bingley, earning Darcy’s respect and approval.
But … is it possible Darcy’s offer to Jane can be misinterpreted?
A loyal friend laughs at your jokes when they’re not so good, and sympathizes with your problems when they’re not so bad. ~ Arnold H. Glasgow
Darcy must deal with Elizabeth Bennet when she questions his offer to Jane. He suggests they dance the supper dance and converse over the meal. Their friendship is born.
Both parties believe a marriage is out of the question for them and agree they will never be more than friends. But they become the type of friends described by Anne of Green Gables:
A bosom friend — an intimate friend, you know — a really kindred spirit to whom I can confide my inmost soul. ~ L.M. Montgomery
Darcy introduces her to his sister, knowing Elizabeth is the type of friend who would be invaluable to Georgiana. What will it take for him to realize his friendship has progressed to love?
This is a sweet, mostly uncomplicated love story. A few errors (one of the most glaring for me is a statement that Miss Bingley has 10,000 pounds a year, when her fortune of 20,000 pounds had dwindled to only 10,000 pounds) but it was still an easy read. I didn’t feel any need to red-pencil my Kindle! I would rate it higher with a little more angst.
He who has a thousand friends has not a friend to spare, and he who has one enemy will meet him everywhere. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
Darcy has not traveled to Netherfield with the Bingleys and arrives just before the Netherfield Ball. Bingley has already asked for a courtship with his angel, Jane Bennet.
Darcy approaches Jane with an offer, intent on doing a service for his friend Bingley.
He is surprised and pleased when Jane doesn’t accept a much wealthier man. Unlike other women who had been on Bingley’s “angel list” Jane tells Darcy she will remain faithful to Bingley, earning Darcy’s respect and approval.
But … is it possible Darcy’s offer to Jane can be misinterpreted?
A loyal friend laughs at your jokes when they’re not so good, and sympathizes with your problems when they’re not so bad. ~ Arnold H. Glasgow
Darcy must deal with Elizabeth Bennet when she questions his offer to Jane. He suggests they dance the supper dance and converse over the meal. Their friendship is born.
Both parties believe a marriage is out of the question for them and agree they will never be more than friends. But they become the type of friends described by Anne of Green Gables:
A bosom friend — an intimate friend, you know — a really kindred spirit to whom I can confide my inmost soul. ~ L.M. Montgomery
Darcy introduces her to his sister, knowing Elizabeth is the type of friend who would be invaluable to Georgiana. What will it take for him to realize his friendship has progressed to love?
This is a sweet, mostly uncomplicated love story. A few errors (one of the most glaring for me is a statement that Miss Bingley has 10,000 pounds a year, when her fortune of 20,000 pounds had dwindled to only 10,000 pounds) but it was still an easy read. I didn’t feel any need to red-pencil my Kindle! I would rate it higher with a little more angst.
He who has a thousand friends has not a friend to spare, and he who has one enemy will meet him everywhere. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
April 2, 2023
In this Pride and Prejudice variation, Darcy does not arrive in Hertfordshire until the Netherfield Ball. Having missed one opportunity to be rude and arrogant he finds another.
An enjoyable re-read, though only of interest in the epilogue
An enjoyable re-read, though only of interest in the epilogue
January 5, 2018
Adorable, sweet and romantic fast read.
Perfect for restoring my equilibrium after some rather hefty angst in the book I read prior to this.
There were some inconsistencies in the language that made me think the author might not be native to England but nothing that bothered me.
Propriety was stretched a little but that only added a bit of spice.
Darcy is detained and does not enter Meryton before the Netherfield ball. Bingley has already entered a courtship with Jane and Darcy request a dance where he tests her loyalty. Jane passes the test but Darcy gets his ears cleansed by Elizabeth who is not impressed. Not only did he test her beloved sister but he called Elizabeth tolerable and refuse to dance without even looking at her.
Darcy, after overcoming his initial shock of being spoken to in such a manner, is intrigued by the petit, unintimidated brunette with the beautiful eyes. Apologising for his insult and a supperdanse/supper later a friendship is blossoming between ODC. Establishing a friendship in Meryton, they travel to London and Elizabeth is introduced to Georgiana. They go on excursions, experience gossip, introductions to more family members, some pleased and some less so... Eventually their obstacles are overcome and we get to see ODC happily married and follow them several years down the line, including their children. The other main characters are also (mostly) getting their HEA's with few exceptions. Their was a fun twist several of the "villains" like Caroline, Wickham and Mr Collins.
Heartily recommend this book!
Perfect for restoring my equilibrium after some rather hefty angst in the book I read prior to this.
There were some inconsistencies in the language that made me think the author might not be native to England but nothing that bothered me.
Propriety was stretched a little but that only added a bit of spice.
Darcy is detained and does not enter Meryton before the Netherfield ball. Bingley has already entered a courtship with Jane and Darcy request a dance where he tests her loyalty. Jane passes the test but Darcy gets his ears cleansed by Elizabeth who is not impressed. Not only did he test her beloved sister but he called Elizabeth tolerable and refuse to dance without even looking at her.
Darcy, after overcoming his initial shock of being spoken to in such a manner, is intrigued by the petit, unintimidated brunette with the beautiful eyes. Apologising for his insult and a supperdanse/supper later a friendship is blossoming between ODC. Establishing a friendship in Meryton, they travel to London and Elizabeth is introduced to Georgiana. They go on excursions, experience gossip, introductions to more family members, some pleased and some less so... Eventually their obstacles are overcome and we get to see ODC happily married and follow them several years down the line, including their children. The other main characters are also (mostly) getting their HEA's with few exceptions. Their was a fun twist several of the "villains" like Caroline, Wickham and Mr Collins.
Heartily recommend this book!
January 5, 2018
I only got a few pages into this before I had to put it down for good. I found myself grimacing every few sentences, because the language was so stilted it was almost nonsensical. It was more labor than pleasure to puzzle out the meanings of sentences like this:
"I have seen him fall in and out of love many times but have never heard of his ardency as he has with you."
and of phrases like this:
"I had to test you of your sincerity"
"I have seen him fall in and out of love many times but have never heard of his ardency as he has with you."
and of phrases like this:
"I had to test you of your sincerity"
June 3, 2020
Friends to more
I found this to be a realistic telling of P&P variation. I enjoyed how Darcy and Elizabeth became friends. I loved the feelings of emotions from the friendship to more before either would speak of it. I enjoyed reading of the internal feelings of Far y and how he found to do what he felt was right. The cross over of books was noted and enjoyed. Highly recommended for all to read.
I found this to be a realistic telling of P&P variation. I enjoyed how Darcy and Elizabeth became friends. I loved the feelings of emotions from the friendship to more before either would speak of it. I enjoyed reading of the internal feelings of Far y and how he found to do what he felt was right. The cross over of books was noted and enjoyed. Highly recommended for all to read.
January 21, 2018
Very enjoyable
I found this novella very enjoyable and true to Darcy and Elizabeth's characters. The rest of the story helped put others of Pride and Prejudice in other lights and having grand results.
I found this novella very enjoyable and true to Darcy and Elizabeth's characters. The rest of the story helped put others of Pride and Prejudice in other lights and having grand results.
January 26, 2018
Avid Reader
This was an enjoyable story, and I love the way that Elizabeth took Darcy to task during their first meeting. He loved the way she stood up to him. Wickham and Caroline deserved each other.
This was an enjoyable story, and I love the way that Elizabeth took Darcy to task during their first meeting. He loved the way she stood up to him. Wickham and Caroline deserved each other.
February 7, 2018
Pure joy
I haven't enjoyed and P&P variation as much as I did this one in a long time. I will be rereading it as I do Darcy Dances and the one about the platypus. No angst. No wicked Wickham. No sex. Pure joy!
I haven't enjoyed and P&P variation as much as I did this one in a long time. I will be rereading it as I do Darcy Dances and the one about the platypus. No angst. No wicked Wickham. No sex. Pure joy!
July 27, 2024
Needs editing
The story is fine although not a great deal happens in it. No angst to speak of which some people seem to enjoy. It really needs to be edited as there are so many errors it is intrusive to the reader. Maybe it's a translation from another language.
The story is fine although not a great deal happens in it. No angst to speak of which some people seem to enjoy. It really needs to be edited as there are so many errors it is intrusive to the reader. Maybe it's a translation from another language.
January 2, 2018
Happy endings
Love this book. Not much conflict but ithe flow of the story was good. Most of all happy ending for everyone
Love this book. Not much conflict but ithe flow of the story was good. Most of all happy ending for everyone
January 11, 2018
Cute
I like the different story and I like the drama. Not so scary with the way the story was written.
I like the different story and I like the drama. Not so scary with the way the story was written.
April 13, 2019
Lovely
An interesting variation of author Jane Austen’s classic Pride and Prejudice. Storyline diverges from the usual canon but it’s enjoyable
An interesting variation of author Jane Austen’s classic Pride and Prejudice. Storyline diverges from the usual canon but it’s enjoyable
September 18, 2024
cute, feel good. Not on the re-read pile, but, warm and fuzzy (which is what I was looking for today given the state of the world – I spent too much time looking at the news).
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews