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The Adventures of Lizzy Bennet #3
The Adventures of Lizzy Bennet - Book 3: A Pride and Prejudice Variation
The final instalment of a three-book series, Elizabeth Bennet is now seen as a lady in Fitzwilliam Darcy’s eyes and he finds himself desperately in love with her. Unfortunately, she does not see him more than as a brother-figure and he must struggle to determine their future after several complications arise. The beloved characters find happiness after some misunderstandings and everyone lives happily ever after. Rated K; non-canon
121 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 1, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
April 20, 2019
This trilogy delivers exactly what the title says, and a lot more besides. It's a series of significant events not just in Lizzy Bennet's life but also in Fitzwilliam Darcy's life, beginning with their first meeting when she is ten and he is eighteen years old. The growth of their unlikely relationship leads to a connection between Darcys and Bennets that significantly affects both families.
Lizzy is a precocious, brilliant, imaginative, talkative child, unlike anyone Fitzwilliam has ever met. She dearly wishes she had been born a boy because she has no interest in any ladylike pursuits. She wants to be Captain Gulliver and discover strange new worlds, or fight pirates, or engage in some other flight of fancy. You can't help liking her and understanding why Fitzwilliam would befriend her even though she's so much younger.
Both his parents are living at this point, though his mother is extremely ill and not expected to live much longer. The Darcy family has leased Netherfield, since it's close enough to London that the senior Mr. Darcy can travel there easily and is not as cold as Pemberley in the winter, which is better for Mrs. Darcy's health. When Lizzy is first introduced to Fitzwilliam's parents, she charms them completely. She also, in a guileless, childlike way, points out how illogical Mrs. Darcy's medical treatments are and makes an observation that leads to the lady's miraculous recovery and the family's eternal gratitude.
Fortuitously, Mr. Bennet is inspired (by Lizzy, of course) to take decisive charge of his family just a month before the Darcys move into the area, realizing that he must do more to provide dowries for the girls and help their marriage prospects. He curtails Mrs. Bennet's expensive habits and refuses to allow her to plan for early come-outs for Jane and Lizzy. He and the senior Mr. Darcy each find a kindred spirit in the other. They enjoy chess matches together, and Mr. Bennet also benefits from Mr. Darcy's advice, increasing Longbourn's profitability.
All the books proceed in this way. It's one event or encounter after another, each relatively self-contained and resolved (usually because of Lizzy's presence) before going on to another situation where she will be a key player. Even the villains--primarily Lady Catherine and Caroline Bingley--turn up, make trouble, and get thwarted, with the plot moving to a different storyline until they return with a different scheme later that will again be thwarted. Lizzy is certainly the central character, but there's no central plot. She travels and visits with the Darcys frequently throughout all three books, which virtually ignore the rest of Longbourn's inhabitants.
Book #1 establishes the friendship between the Bennets and Darcys, with Lizzy virtually adopted as a sister to Georgiana and Fitzwilliam. Book #2 has both Fitzwilliam and Lizzy going through changes. He's getting his Cambridge education and traveling, while she's growing from a little girl to a teenager. They have an active correspondence. By Book #3, Fitzwilliam finally sees her as a woman and realizes he's in love with her, but she's convinced that she isn't a suitable mate for anyone.
The writing has a juvenile quality to it. It gradually gets more and more dialogue-centered to the point that, by the third book in this series, at least 90% is dialogue. By that time, talking between characters narrates the events, sounding too stilted and unnatural for conversation. There's also a great deal of repetition, with characters saying the same things over and over. (Darcy really takes being Lizzy's "blood-brother" to heart, he mentions it so often.)
Without any unifying thread throughout these "adventures," I consider these books chronologies - a journal of unrelated events during Lizzy's formative years - rather than a romance novel. Lizzy herself is too perfect to be believable. They're a pleasant series of books, but I can't recommend them.
Lizzy is a precocious, brilliant, imaginative, talkative child, unlike anyone Fitzwilliam has ever met. She dearly wishes she had been born a boy because she has no interest in any ladylike pursuits. She wants to be Captain Gulliver and discover strange new worlds, or fight pirates, or engage in some other flight of fancy. You can't help liking her and understanding why Fitzwilliam would befriend her even though she's so much younger.
Both his parents are living at this point, though his mother is extremely ill and not expected to live much longer. The Darcy family has leased Netherfield, since it's close enough to London that the senior Mr. Darcy can travel there easily and is not as cold as Pemberley in the winter, which is better for Mrs. Darcy's health. When Lizzy is first introduced to Fitzwilliam's parents, she charms them completely. She also, in a guileless, childlike way, points out how illogical Mrs. Darcy's medical treatments are and makes an observation that leads to the lady's miraculous recovery and the family's eternal gratitude.
Fortuitously, Mr. Bennet is inspired (by Lizzy, of course) to take decisive charge of his family just a month before the Darcys move into the area, realizing that he must do more to provide dowries for the girls and help their marriage prospects. He curtails Mrs. Bennet's expensive habits and refuses to allow her to plan for early come-outs for Jane and Lizzy. He and the senior Mr. Darcy each find a kindred spirit in the other. They enjoy chess matches together, and Mr. Bennet also benefits from Mr. Darcy's advice, increasing Longbourn's profitability.
All the books proceed in this way. It's one event or encounter after another, each relatively self-contained and resolved (usually because of Lizzy's presence) before going on to another situation where she will be a key player. Even the villains--primarily Lady Catherine and Caroline Bingley--turn up, make trouble, and get thwarted, with the plot moving to a different storyline until they return with a different scheme later that will again be thwarted. Lizzy is certainly the central character, but there's no central plot. She travels and visits with the Darcys frequently throughout all three books, which virtually ignore the rest of Longbourn's inhabitants.
Book #1 establishes the friendship between the Bennets and Darcys, with Lizzy virtually adopted as a sister to Georgiana and Fitzwilliam. Book #2 has both Fitzwilliam and Lizzy going through changes. He's getting his Cambridge education and traveling, while she's growing from a little girl to a teenager. They have an active correspondence. By Book #3, Fitzwilliam finally sees her as a woman and realizes he's in love with her, but she's convinced that she isn't a suitable mate for anyone.
The writing has a juvenile quality to it. It gradually gets more and more dialogue-centered to the point that, by the third book in this series, at least 90% is dialogue. By that time, talking between characters narrates the events, sounding too stilted and unnatural for conversation. There's also a great deal of repetition, with characters saying the same things over and over. (Darcy really takes being Lizzy's "blood-brother" to heart, he mentions it so often.)
Without any unifying thread throughout these "adventures," I consider these books chronologies - a journal of unrelated events during Lizzy's formative years - rather than a romance novel. Lizzy herself is too perfect to be believable. They're a pleasant series of books, but I can't recommend them.
March 20, 2020
In this conclusion to the Adventures of Lizzy Bennet series, Lizzy is all grown up. Can Will prove to Lizzy that he loves her as a husband should and not just as his best friend? She needs to come to terms with the fact that she is lovable just as she is, in order to find their happily ever after.
July 26, 2022
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars
In this final book in the 3-book series, Fitzwilliam Darcy returns from his Grand Tour and upon seeing Lizzy again immediately falls in love...a different love from the brotherly love he and she have shared since she was five years old. Realizing the effects on his body with his new feelings for Lizzy, he makes sure that they are never alone or avoids her altogether. He soon proposes and all those opinions which he expressed in canon at his Hunsford proposal come through in a shortened version. Elizabeth calls him on it.
Throughout all these books she has been very forthright and impertinent. But she continues to say she will be a spinster. And many of her interests are those traditional to males, i.e., fencing, climbing trees and dreams about pirate captains.
In attempting to see Lizzy's side of things Darcy even takes up some traditional female arts, i.e., embroidery. Why does she disdain all those accomplishments?
This was a sweet story with no angst. It is more a story of both adjusting their relationship to their now being adults with the changes that brings.
In this final book in the 3-book series, Fitzwilliam Darcy returns from his Grand Tour and upon seeing Lizzy again immediately falls in love...a different love from the brotherly love he and she have shared since she was five years old. Realizing the effects on his body with his new feelings for Lizzy, he makes sure that they are never alone or avoids her altogether. He soon proposes and all those opinions which he expressed in canon at his Hunsford proposal come through in a shortened version. Elizabeth calls him on it.
Throughout all these books she has been very forthright and impertinent. But she continues to say she will be a spinster. And many of her interests are those traditional to males, i.e., fencing, climbing trees and dreams about pirate captains.
In attempting to see Lizzy's side of things Darcy even takes up some traditional female arts, i.e., embroidery. Why does she disdain all those accomplishments?
This was a sweet story with no angst. It is more a story of both adjusting their relationship to their now being adults with the changes that brings.
April 3, 2019
Original plot
I enjoyed the off canon plot a great deal. The writing style is not for me though. To much telling the reader something instead of showing the reader.
I enjoyed the off canon plot a great deal. The writing style is not for me though. To much telling the reader something instead of showing the reader.
April 7, 2019
A nice ending
If you're looking for easy, simple situations and dialogue, you'll find it here. As in the other two installments of this series, there are very few problems and a lot of idealistic characters. Practically everyone is perfect to the point of sickly sweetness. If any crisis does arise it is swiftly and effortlessly resolved. Once again, the situations in this book bear no resemblance to events in the original P&P. The character names are borrowed for a completely different timeline and resolution.
Although it is a sweet tale, you must prepare for a great quantity of avowals of love and devotion between Elizabeth and Darcy. The number of times that Darcy states his intention to love and care for Elizabeth becomes tiresome. Both of them are prone to jumping to erroneous conclusions about each other, which is often the case in these variations when the two of them guess at things rather than just asking questions and being open.
I like the stories that include Darcy's living parents. It makes for a more relaxed and carefree Darcy who can get his parents approval of his choice of wife immediately. I also like this more sensible and responsible Mr. Bennett as it usually means Mrs.Bennett isn't so obnoxious. After getting through the first two books with only best friend and children 's relationships, we are finally ready for the romance. The transition from just friends to a lot more is simply and satisfyingly done.
I recommend it with reservations, mostly about the characters being to "goody-goody." But it's thankfully short.
If you're looking for easy, simple situations and dialogue, you'll find it here. As in the other two installments of this series, there are very few problems and a lot of idealistic characters. Practically everyone is perfect to the point of sickly sweetness. If any crisis does arise it is swiftly and effortlessly resolved. Once again, the situations in this book bear no resemblance to events in the original P&P. The character names are borrowed for a completely different timeline and resolution.
Although it is a sweet tale, you must prepare for a great quantity of avowals of love and devotion between Elizabeth and Darcy. The number of times that Darcy states his intention to love and care for Elizabeth becomes tiresome. Both of them are prone to jumping to erroneous conclusions about each other, which is often the case in these variations when the two of them guess at things rather than just asking questions and being open.
I like the stories that include Darcy's living parents. It makes for a more relaxed and carefree Darcy who can get his parents approval of his choice of wife immediately. I also like this more sensible and responsible Mr. Bennett as it usually means Mrs.Bennett isn't so obnoxious. After getting through the first two books with only best friend and children 's relationships, we are finally ready for the romance. The transition from just friends to a lot more is simply and satisfyingly done.
I recommend it with reservations, mostly about the characters being to "goody-goody." But it's thankfully short.
July 17, 2025
I really enjoyed these 3 book s they were no angst well maybe a very small amount I am sure Kate Speck has another 3 to continue this story
The way they explain Lizzy adventures and her love affair with Darcy innocent at first as brother and sister then the awareness of a true love between to people
Loved it
The way they explain Lizzy adventures and her love affair with Darcy innocent at first as brother and sister then the awareness of a true love between to people
Loved it
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 2, 2019
An enchanting story!
What a great adventure! One of the most original stories I've read, and one that I will read again for sure.
What a great adventure! One of the most original stories I've read, and one that I will read again for sure.
April 24, 2019
Avid Reader
Lizzy tempts Darcy in ways that he is not prepared for, but he insults her losing her esteem which almost destroys him.
Lizzy tempts Darcy in ways that he is not prepared for, but he insults her losing her esteem which almost destroys him.
April 23, 2019
Loved it
I absolutely loved this series and I will continue reading more of Kate specks books she has good writing style
I absolutely loved this series and I will continue reading more of Kate specks books she has good writing style
Read
April 21, 2019Sweet charming story
A very sweet charming story. A proper love story with get few lines. You know you are going to get your happy ever after.
A very sweet charming story. A proper love story with get few lines. You know you are going to get your happy ever after.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews