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A Secret Suitor: Regency Pride and Prejudice Variation
A mysterious suitor. Dashing Mr Darcy. A secret stalker poised to snatch Elizabeth Bennet from both.Torn between her secret correspondent and Mr Darcy, Elizabeth must decide if courtship and marriage are even in her future.
She does not have time to wait, for Mr Bennet is gravely ill and it is up to her to save the family from poverty—even if it means accepting a position as a governess.
A position that brings an unexpected cloud of danger.
But Mr Darcy has a secret of his own, and it is time he reveals himself to Elizabeth Bennet—but his revelation may come too late, costing him the only woman he has ever desired to wed.
A Secret Suitor is a standalone Pride and Prejudice sweet variation for readers who enjoy a touch of mystery, warm tension between Elizabeth and Darcy, and a sprinkle of high stakes angst.
Download now because you love a Darcy to the rescue, happily ever after romance.
She does not have time to wait, for Mr Bennet is gravely ill and it is up to her to save the family from poverty—even if it means accepting a position as a governess.
A position that brings an unexpected cloud of danger.
But Mr Darcy has a secret of his own, and it is time he reveals himself to Elizabeth Bennet—but his revelation may come too late, costing him the only woman he has ever desired to wed.
A Secret Suitor is a standalone Pride and Prejudice sweet variation for readers who enjoy a touch of mystery, warm tension between Elizabeth and Darcy, and a sprinkle of high stakes angst.
Download now because you love a Darcy to the rescue, happily ever after romance.
- GenresHistorical
306 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 19, 2019
82 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 5, 2020
There are no secrets better kept than the secrets everybody guesses. ~ George Bernard Shaw
Everyone of their acquaintance knows Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet each have a secret correspondent (a questionable activity, given Regency propriety rules). The better-kept secret is that no one knows who is corresponding with them – even the correspondents.
Elizabeth and Lydia had visited Brighton the year previous to our story’s beginning. At a gathering they had attended, a game matched everyone in a letter exchange. Both Elizabeth and Darcy had continued the correspondence in secret. She signs as “Miss Seal”; he signs as “Mr. Shore” – the names coming from their visit to the seaside.
As the story begins, the Darcy siblings and the Bennet siblings – Elizabeth and Lydia – are again on holiday at Brighton. Mr. Bennet appears to be in failing health. Lydia has an admirer among the soldiers stationed at Brighton. All the Bennets hope for a proposal.
Georgiana and Lydia have a great deal in common and form a close friendship. Will the friendship be split apart by a male admirer?
Love’s secret is always lifting its head out from under the covers, “Here I am!” ~ Rumi
Mr. Shore and Miss Seal share confidences regarding their unruly younger sisters. Some problems seem universal. Mr. Shore promises to reveal his identity during the visit to Brighton. He has suspicions as to Miss Seal’s identity and seeks to confirm without direct questioning.
Newspapers from London are filled with reports of murders: young gentlewomen employed as governesses are victims every week. Elizabeth is concerned, as she thinks to enter service as a governess in light of her father’s declining health.
Two unsuitable suitors are in Brighton. Is either of them involved in the murder mystery?
I enjoyed the story as Darcy and Elizabeth search for their secret letter-writers. The friendship with Georgiana and Lydia was entertaining – especially their interest in the same man. The murderer seemed too easily identified – I would have liked fewer hints early in the story.
The story is well-written and mostly free of grammar errors, typos, etc.
I received an ARC of this book with no promise of a review, good or bad.
Do not tell secrets to those whose faith and silence you have not already tested. ~ Elizabeth I
Everyone of their acquaintance knows Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet each have a secret correspondent (a questionable activity, given Regency propriety rules). The better-kept secret is that no one knows who is corresponding with them – even the correspondents.
Elizabeth and Lydia had visited Brighton the year previous to our story’s beginning. At a gathering they had attended, a game matched everyone in a letter exchange. Both Elizabeth and Darcy had continued the correspondence in secret. She signs as “Miss Seal”; he signs as “Mr. Shore” – the names coming from their visit to the seaside.
As the story begins, the Darcy siblings and the Bennet siblings – Elizabeth and Lydia – are again on holiday at Brighton. Mr. Bennet appears to be in failing health. Lydia has an admirer among the soldiers stationed at Brighton. All the Bennets hope for a proposal.
Georgiana and Lydia have a great deal in common and form a close friendship. Will the friendship be split apart by a male admirer?
Love’s secret is always lifting its head out from under the covers, “Here I am!” ~ Rumi
Mr. Shore and Miss Seal share confidences regarding their unruly younger sisters. Some problems seem universal. Mr. Shore promises to reveal his identity during the visit to Brighton. He has suspicions as to Miss Seal’s identity and seeks to confirm without direct questioning.
Newspapers from London are filled with reports of murders: young gentlewomen employed as governesses are victims every week. Elizabeth is concerned, as she thinks to enter service as a governess in light of her father’s declining health.
Two unsuitable suitors are in Brighton. Is either of them involved in the murder mystery?
I enjoyed the story as Darcy and Elizabeth search for their secret letter-writers. The friendship with Georgiana and Lydia was entertaining – especially their interest in the same man. The murderer seemed too easily identified – I would have liked fewer hints early in the story.
The story is well-written and mostly free of grammar errors, typos, etc.
I received an ARC of this book with no promise of a review, good or bad.
Do not tell secrets to those whose faith and silence you have not already tested. ~ Elizabeth I
January 5, 2020
3.5 rounded up to 4 stars
This is an engaging story. However, you have to accept lots of non-Regency behavior. An annual society party where participants are set up to exchange letters anonymously, even when it results in a gentleman and lady corresponding? No. Lydia and Elizabeth in Brighton frequently going off on their own without proper chaperone? No.
But the plot is still entertaining. Elizabeth is fascinated by the letters she's received from her unknown male pen-pal for the past year, ever since they had each drawn the other's fictitious name at Mrs. Frampton's party. She has hopes that her letter-writer might be suitable husband material - her father is grieviously ill and, if she doesn't marry, she plans to seek work as a governess to help support her family if the worst happens. She meets with Mr Livingston from the employment agency, but his interest in her appears to go beyond her qualifications for a governess position.
Meanwhile, Lydia is giving Elizabeth fits with her inappropriate behavior in Brighton society. Georgiana is more rebellious than in canon, and Darcy is trying to discourage her from an unwise romantic entanglement while also trying to determine whether Elizabeth Bennet might be his secret pen-pal. The two younger girls become close friends, and Elizabeth and Darcy must combine their efforts to curtail their siblings' activities. (That's my favorite part of this plot.)
I don't find this particularly romantic - Darcy's marriage proposal is as bad as in canon, and he never really gives another. I also found Elizabeth's suspicion that Mr. Livingston might be her secret correspondent completely ridiculous - he clearly doesn't have the intellect or depth to be the writer, nor is he even close to Mrs. Frampton's social circle.
The story lacks credibility, but it's an interesting read. Content is clean.
This is an engaging story. However, you have to accept lots of non-Regency behavior. An annual society party where participants are set up to exchange letters anonymously, even when it results in a gentleman and lady corresponding? No. Lydia and Elizabeth in Brighton frequently going off on their own without proper chaperone? No.
But the plot is still entertaining. Elizabeth is fascinated by the letters she's received from her unknown male pen-pal for the past year, ever since they had each drawn the other's fictitious name at Mrs. Frampton's party. She has hopes that her letter-writer might be suitable husband material - her father is grieviously ill and, if she doesn't marry, she plans to seek work as a governess to help support her family if the worst happens. She meets with Mr Livingston from the employment agency, but his interest in her appears to go beyond her qualifications for a governess position.
Meanwhile, Lydia is giving Elizabeth fits with her inappropriate behavior in Brighton society. Georgiana is more rebellious than in canon, and Darcy is trying to discourage her from an unwise romantic entanglement while also trying to determine whether Elizabeth Bennet might be his secret pen-pal. The two younger girls become close friends, and Elizabeth and Darcy must combine their efforts to curtail their siblings' activities. (That's my favorite part of this plot.)
I don't find this particularly romantic - Darcy's marriage proposal is as bad as in canon, and he never really gives another. I also found Elizabeth's suspicion that Mr. Livingston might be her secret correspondent completely ridiculous - he clearly doesn't have the intellect or depth to be the writer, nor is he even close to Mrs. Frampton's social circle.
The story lacks credibility, but it's an interesting read. Content is clean.
November 27, 2019
This is the second book I've read by this author and have been impressed with the originality of her ideas. The Secret Suitor is a new idea but one that needs some acceptance of ideas not at all in keeping with the times....
The general premise is that following a party where letters were exchanged in secret, Elizabeth Bennet and her partner continued to correspond. Although this was done in secret, it would have been completely unacceptable - however, if you can accept this aspect of the story, you'll enjoy it!
The timeline in this book is completely different - it's set in Brighton and Elizabeth is there with Lydia as their father is ill with Colonel and Mrs Forster. It's the second annual trip and letters have been exchanged for a year. Elizabeth is hoping to meet her correspondent and hopes he is a gentleman she could marry. However, she incorrectly guesses her correspondent and realises she cannot marry him and decides she must go in service to save her family should the worst happen to her father.
I generally enjoyed this story - Georgiana is a bit of a brat which I like! Being friends with an equally brattish Lydia makes for some interest. Darcy is a great character - shy and reserved and still manages to put his foot in it. The language in this book has a real American feel about it - words like vacation and block (as in street) are words we British never use so they disrupt the feel of the story. This is perhaps less of an issue for American readers. There were some issues for me around Darcy and Elizabeth coming to an understanding Elizabeth annoyed me but it's her pride showing itself - while I understood it, I didn't like it.
This is quite a short book and can be read in one sitting.... it's a real page turner with some great characters. Mr Livingstone is an addition I enjoyed disliking!
I received an ARC of this book with no promise of a favourable review.
The general premise is that following a party where letters were exchanged in secret, Elizabeth Bennet and her partner continued to correspond. Although this was done in secret, it would have been completely unacceptable - however, if you can accept this aspect of the story, you'll enjoy it!
The timeline in this book is completely different - it's set in Brighton and Elizabeth is there with Lydia as their father is ill with Colonel and Mrs Forster. It's the second annual trip and letters have been exchanged for a year. Elizabeth is hoping to meet her correspondent and hopes he is a gentleman she could marry. However, she incorrectly guesses her correspondent and realises she cannot marry him and decides she must go in service to save her family should the worst happen to her father.
I generally enjoyed this story - Georgiana is a bit of a brat which I like! Being friends with an equally brattish Lydia makes for some interest. Darcy is a great character - shy and reserved and still manages to put his foot in it. The language in this book has a real American feel about it - words like vacation and block (as in street) are words we British never use so they disrupt the feel of the story. This is perhaps less of an issue for American readers. There were some issues for me around Darcy and Elizabeth coming to an understanding Elizabeth annoyed me but it's her pride showing itself - while I understood it, I didn't like it.
This is quite a short book and can be read in one sitting.... it's a real page turner with some great characters. Mr Livingstone is an addition I enjoyed disliking!
I received an ARC of this book with no promise of a favourable review.
December 25, 2020
This story ended at 93% on my Kindle and other books by this author are presented.
The author's blurb actually says all you need to know.
Darcy and Elizabeth have been "pen pals" for a year due to a game set up by one of the hostesses in Brighton in which the party members drew anonymous/alias names and wrote back and forth using a common "mail box". The game was to end as the parties returned to their homes. However Elizabeth and Darcy continued to send letters through a third party and found much in common. They both returned to Brighton now, a year later, and were to somehow reveal who they were to each other.
Elizabeth has come with Lydia who is expecting a proposal from a man they followed to Brighton. None of the sisters is married and that is a problem as Mr. Bennet is gravely ill. Lydia makes friends with Georgiana, who is at odds with her brother. She has made friends with Wickham and now Lydia is flirting with him as her other "beau" seems to also have another admirer. Darcy and Elizabeth find much in common as they attempt to keep their siblings out of trouble. Georgiana and Lydia also find themselves at odds when Wickham returns Lydia's attentions.
Elizabeth has decided to apply for a position as a governess due to her family's dire straits. This application has some foreboding results. Elizabeth mistakenly determines that the man who claims to have come from London to Brighton to interview her for a position through his agency just might be her secret correspondent. And although she had becomes friends with Mr. Darcy she also believes that when he learns of her employment he will be forced to drop that relationship as beneath him.
I enjoyed this story which has both romance and mystery and a bit of danger for Elizabeth. I recommend it to other JAFF readers.
The author's blurb actually says all you need to know.
Darcy and Elizabeth have been "pen pals" for a year due to a game set up by one of the hostesses in Brighton in which the party members drew anonymous/alias names and wrote back and forth using a common "mail box". The game was to end as the parties returned to their homes. However Elizabeth and Darcy continued to send letters through a third party and found much in common. They both returned to Brighton now, a year later, and were to somehow reveal who they were to each other.
Elizabeth has come with Lydia who is expecting a proposal from a man they followed to Brighton. None of the sisters is married and that is a problem as Mr. Bennet is gravely ill. Lydia makes friends with Georgiana, who is at odds with her brother. She has made friends with Wickham and now Lydia is flirting with him as her other "beau" seems to also have another admirer. Darcy and Elizabeth find much in common as they attempt to keep their siblings out of trouble. Georgiana and Lydia also find themselves at odds when Wickham returns Lydia's attentions.
Elizabeth has decided to apply for a position as a governess due to her family's dire straits. This application has some foreboding results. Elizabeth mistakenly determines that the man who claims to have come from London to Brighton to interview her for a position through his agency just might be her secret correspondent. And although she had becomes friends with Mr. Darcy she also believes that when he learns of her employment he will be forced to drop that relationship as beneath him.
I enjoyed this story which has both romance and mystery and a bit of danger for Elizabeth. I recommend it to other JAFF readers.
February 22, 2020
This is a Regency story featuring non Regency like behavior, but was a fun read. Elizabeth and Darcy have each been corresponding with a mystery person for a year. They are each supposed to learn who the other is during a meet up over the summer. Their responsibilities to their sisters, who become good friends, through them together frequently. Enter into the story a bit of mystery and two people who have to learn to really see what is in front of them.
probably-never
December 9, 2023Letters exchanged anonymously between the sexes in the Regency? No, thank you, I can’t get past that.
December 3, 2019
There's nothing better than a great mystery and there's nothing more delightful than indulging in a great Darcy/Elizabeth story! This book puts the two ingredients together for a nice adventure!
The talk of England is that their is a murderer on the loose that is targeting young governesses in London. This mystery develops almost as a minor story in the background of this story, but will eventually intertwine with our characters. The story takes place in Bath where Lizzy accompanies Lydia for the second summer in a row. For the past year, Lizzy has a kept up a secretive correspondence with a man that began as part of a party game from their first summer in Bath. She is conflicted with her growing attachment for a the unknown man who she seems to have much in common with. She hopes for the best since the two have agreed to reveal their identities this year. In the midst of this conflict, Lizzy is facing a more urgent concern. Her father is unwell and with her future security uncertain, she contemplates taking a position as a governess to put herself in a position to help her family. Mystery follows Lizzy after an unsettling interview with a very odd man. Lizzy knows something is off about this guy which is confirmed when he keeps disturbingly turning up in her path pushing for a further acquaintance.
Darcy has also returned to Bath again with his sister. In this variation, Georgiana is quite different from canon and is more similar to her dear friend, Lydia Bennet. Darcy and Lizzy become better friends as they are both struggling to keep their lively sisters at bay. Darcy also has a secret correspondent and fears that the openness and intimacy that has been established over the past year may lead to disappointment if she doesn't live up to the woman he has imagined her to be.
All in all, this was an enjoyable read. It's a great plot idea, although it could have been a little better developed, but still enjoyable. My biggest hesitation with this book was reconciling the behavior, manners and speech with a Regency P&P story. I feel like I would have enjoyed more if it were this book was independent of Austen's time and characters. There was a lot of modern ideas and dialogue that never would have been acceptable in Austen's day. The very idea of an unmarried woman corresponding with a man for a year was very improper and there were lots of unmarried people exchanging letters in this book pretty freely. I also felt that the characters were very free with their speech in a very indecorus manner. They all seemed to say whatever was on their mind without restraint. For example, Lizzy swears in front of Darcy and Darcy loses his temper with Georgiana and is insulting and somewhat disrespectful to her. It was a distraction for me for the them to be so OOC. If you're not a stickler for that kind of thing, it will be much more enjoyable. With that being said, it was a fun and unique premise that I enjoyed reading.
The talk of England is that their is a murderer on the loose that is targeting young governesses in London. This mystery develops almost as a minor story in the background of this story, but will eventually intertwine with our characters. The story takes place in Bath where Lizzy accompanies Lydia for the second summer in a row. For the past year, Lizzy has a kept up a secretive correspondence with a man that began as part of a party game from their first summer in Bath. She is conflicted with her growing attachment for a the unknown man who she seems to have much in common with. She hopes for the best since the two have agreed to reveal their identities this year. In the midst of this conflict, Lizzy is facing a more urgent concern. Her father is unwell and with her future security uncertain, she contemplates taking a position as a governess to put herself in a position to help her family. Mystery follows Lizzy after an unsettling interview with a very odd man. Lizzy knows something is off about this guy which is confirmed when he keeps disturbingly turning up in her path pushing for a further acquaintance.
Darcy has also returned to Bath again with his sister. In this variation, Georgiana is quite different from canon and is more similar to her dear friend, Lydia Bennet. Darcy and Lizzy become better friends as they are both struggling to keep their lively sisters at bay. Darcy also has a secret correspondent and fears that the openness and intimacy that has been established over the past year may lead to disappointment if she doesn't live up to the woman he has imagined her to be.
All in all, this was an enjoyable read. It's a great plot idea, although it could have been a little better developed, but still enjoyable. My biggest hesitation with this book was reconciling the behavior, manners and speech with a Regency P&P story. I feel like I would have enjoyed more if it were this book was independent of Austen's time and characters. There was a lot of modern ideas and dialogue that never would have been acceptable in Austen's day. The very idea of an unmarried woman corresponding with a man for a year was very improper and there were lots of unmarried people exchanging letters in this book pretty freely. I also felt that the characters were very free with their speech in a very indecorus manner. They all seemed to say whatever was on their mind without restraint. For example, Lizzy swears in front of Darcy and Darcy loses his temper with Georgiana and is insulting and somewhat disrespectful to her. It was a distraction for me for the them to be so OOC. If you're not a stickler for that kind of thing, it will be much more enjoyable. With that being said, it was a fun and unique premise that I enjoyed reading.
April 30, 2025
Mr Bennet is quite ill and none of the Bennet sisters are yet married.
Lydia and Elizabeth join the Forsters in Brighton, so Lydia can further her pursuit of a gentleman.
Elizabeth seriously considers going in to service. Though four governess’s have been murdered in London.
Miss & Mr Darcy are also in Brighton and Lydia and Georgiana become friends, thus Elizabeth and Darcy are often in company. They bond over troublesome younger sisters.
Not knowing they have actually been bonding through letters for a year as anonymously after attending the same party the year before.
An interesting story with a murder plot
Lydia and Elizabeth join the Forsters in Brighton, so Lydia can further her pursuit of a gentleman.
Elizabeth seriously considers going in to service. Though four governess’s have been murdered in London.
Miss & Mr Darcy are also in Brighton and Lydia and Georgiana become friends, thus Elizabeth and Darcy are often in company. They bond over troublesome younger sisters.
Not knowing they have actually been bonding through letters for a year as anonymously after attending the same party the year before.
An interesting story with a murder plot
November 20, 2021
This variation is very different from the canon and very interesting too.Nearly the entire story happens in Brighton. All the characters are different and a bit of intrigue added to the mix. Really good story.
November 28, 2019
Review to come
May 19, 2020
Enjoyble
A bit slow at the beginning which had me jumping chapters but once half way in the story comes alive and is enjoyable
A bit slow at the beginning which had me jumping chapters but once half way in the story comes alive and is enjoyable
September 8, 2020
In all, a good story.
A few editing problems but nothing to detract from the story. The characters are true to the original and I recommend it.
A few editing problems but nothing to detract from the story. The characters are true to the original and I recommend it.
October 28, 2021
4.5 rounded to 5
February 14, 2020
Birthday book via BookObsessed 2020
March 14, 2020
This book has a very unique plot, where Elizabeth and Darcy meet in Brighton at an annual party of a mutual friend. During this party, the guests come up with a fake name to use, putting the names on a slip of paper and dropping that paper into a bowl. Then each guest draws a slip from the bowl. The party goers then write a note to secretly leave in a letter box for their person drawn. But Eliabeth and Darcy continue, for a year, to write each other. They agree to finally meet in Brighton during the coming annual party. Very cool plot.
A subplot also comes into play, involving a character known as Mr. Livingston. We still have characters we know, Mr. Wickham, Georgiana, and Lydia, with Georgiana in a different character development. Interesting and very entertaining!
A subplot also comes into play, involving a character known as Mr. Livingston. We still have characters we know, Mr. Wickham, Georgiana, and Lydia, with Georgiana in a different character development. Interesting and very entertaining!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews