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A Vision of the Path Before Him: A Pride & Prejudice Variation
Elizabeth Bennet and the Gardiners take their intended trip to the Lake District, no longer meeting Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy at Pemberley. With the help of George Wickham, events spiral out of control, leaving Darcy destitute of love for the rest of his life—until fate intervenes. What will Darcy do with his second chance? Will he be able to convince Elizabeth that he is no longer the proud man he once was? Will they ever get to “happily ever after”? And how will his changed character affect the people around him along the way?
- GenresRegencyRomanceHistorical
607 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 3, 2019
99 people are currently reading
43 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Frerichs
4 books8 followersElizabeth Frerichs read A Little Princess by Frances Hodgeson Burnett at age five and fell in love with the world of books. She plunked out her first story on a typewriter around that time and has been composing her own stories off and on since then. A stay-at-home mom, she began writing again when health challenges provided forced down-time. Now she crams writing into all her oodles of spare time.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
December 10, 2019
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars
I will admit that this was a story I put down often...it just dragged on and on. There was a little angst in several places when Caroline Bingley enlisted George Wickham's help to disgrace the Bennet family so as to prevent Darcy marrying Elizabeth.
This story reminded me of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. However it is not the past, present and future spirits of Christmas who visit Darcy. He has a "vision" of his own and it reveals events a year into the future. The Bennet family suffers the worst of calamities. Bingley has been back to Netherfield to close out on his lease and returns to London with the news about the family. I won't relate all that happened to that family but both men are now in a state of mourning.
Then Darcy wakes up to a new day and it all never happened BUT as present day events unwind he realizes his vision was a true harbinger of things to come and only with his changing his responses and his actions do those events change. He manages to convince Bingley and then the Colonel that his vision was not a moment of insanity but the truth. They are now in on the deal to change things.
Darcy becomes the changed man that he became in canon and he credits Elizabeth with that change. As his relationship with her begins to change for the better ironically she believes he is in love with another woman as he credits "her" for his changes.
This story spends a lot of time with Darcy explaining what he saw and how things have or he has changed due to that vision. Sometimes we are just reading his thoughts and at other times he is going to great lengths to spell it all out for another. This is where it drags.
Yes, ODC does have their HEA. The story was interesting enough as the author added some new happenings as Darcy (and friends) cause changes or earlier changes to the events he foresaw.
I will admit that this was a story I put down often...it just dragged on and on. There was a little angst in several places when Caroline Bingley enlisted George Wickham's help to disgrace the Bennet family so as to prevent Darcy marrying Elizabeth.
This story reminded me of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. However it is not the past, present and future spirits of Christmas who visit Darcy. He has a "vision" of his own and it reveals events a year into the future. The Bennet family suffers the worst of calamities. Bingley has been back to Netherfield to close out on his lease and returns to London with the news about the family. I won't relate all that happened to that family but both men are now in a state of mourning.
Then Darcy wakes up to a new day and it all never happened BUT as present day events unwind he realizes his vision was a true harbinger of things to come and only with his changing his responses and his actions do those events change. He manages to convince Bingley and then the Colonel that his vision was not a moment of insanity but the truth. They are now in on the deal to change things.
Darcy becomes the changed man that he became in canon and he credits Elizabeth with that change. As his relationship with her begins to change for the better ironically she believes he is in love with another woman as he credits "her" for his changes.
This story spends a lot of time with Darcy explaining what he saw and how things have or he has changed due to that vision. Sometimes we are just reading his thoughts and at other times he is going to great lengths to spell it all out for another. This is where it drags.
Yes, ODC does have their HEA. The story was interesting enough as the author added some new happenings as Darcy (and friends) cause changes or earlier changes to the events he foresaw.
December 1, 2019
3.5 rounded up to 4 stars
I do like this unique premise a lot.
We begin months after the Hunsford proposal. Darcy has become a much better man after taking to heart Elizabeth's devastating refusal and rebukes, but he has not mustered up the courage to seek her out. Bingley has not forgotten Miss Bennet either, and he decides to go back to Netherfield a year after having left.
Bingley returns to Darcy in London with horrible news about the Bennets: Lydia ran off with Wickham and was never found, ruining the family. Mr. Bennet had apoplexy and died. With reduced options available to her, Jane married a clerk in her uncle's legal office. Worst of all, Elizabeth, who was en route to live with the Gardiners in Cheapside, died in a carriage accident.
After a restless night filled with alcohol and mourning, Darcy awakens the next morning to an even more startling surprise: he's suddenly back at Netherfield during his autumn visit the previous year.
Miss Elizabeth is very much alive, the Bennets are exactly as Darcy remembers them, and Wickham has not joined the militia in Meryton yet. Nothing has changed...except Darcy, who's a very different man than he was a year ago. He experiences detailed deja vu, where everyone else does and says just what they did Before. He's eager to avoid the mistakes he made Before and change the trajectory of the future for the Bennet family. His altered response gradually has a greater and greater effect on how events unfold.
Unfortunately, Darcy is also battling the reputation he established prior to his furure vision after his aloof, condescending behavior when he first arrived. This includes his insult of Elizabeth at the Meryton assembly.
His abrupt change, occurring apparently overnight, makes Elizabeth understandably suspicious: Is the "improved" Mr. Darcy for real or just an act?
This is a great idea, and it's executed well, for the most part. The writing is solid, though I picked up on a couple of out-of-place modern-sounding phrases in the latter part of the book.
However, it's too long and it drags. Darcy wants everyone to have the opportunity to improve that he got and repeats similar entreaties to multiple characters that they engage in self-reflection and self-improvement - Miss Bingley, Mary Bennet, Mr. Bennet, and even Mr. Wickham.
I get the point the book is making - some characters embrace the opportunity to change, but others don't. It's a personal choice. But it gives much of the book an overly-preachy quality and turns Darcy into too much of a spiritual crusader.
It's the same with his recitation of his vision of what happened Before. I had to read it too many times, when I already knew the story.
The plot is unfocused, too. Once Darcy succeeds in preventing disaster for the Bennets, the primary story is resolved. Yet it continues on with more about Miss Bingley, and a completely new storyline emerges with Lord and Lady Matlock in Hertfordshire.
I wanted to like this more than I did. There are some really good ideas and some good writing. Content is clean.
I do like this unique premise a lot.
We begin months after the Hunsford proposal. Darcy has become a much better man after taking to heart Elizabeth's devastating refusal and rebukes, but he has not mustered up the courage to seek her out. Bingley has not forgotten Miss Bennet either, and he decides to go back to Netherfield a year after having left.
Bingley returns to Darcy in London with horrible news about the Bennets: Lydia ran off with Wickham and was never found, ruining the family. Mr. Bennet had apoplexy and died. With reduced options available to her, Jane married a clerk in her uncle's legal office. Worst of all, Elizabeth, who was en route to live with the Gardiners in Cheapside, died in a carriage accident.
After a restless night filled with alcohol and mourning, Darcy awakens the next morning to an even more startling surprise: he's suddenly back at Netherfield during his autumn visit the previous year.
Miss Elizabeth is very much alive, the Bennets are exactly as Darcy remembers them, and Wickham has not joined the militia in Meryton yet. Nothing has changed...except Darcy, who's a very different man than he was a year ago. He experiences detailed deja vu, where everyone else does and says just what they did Before. He's eager to avoid the mistakes he made Before and change the trajectory of the future for the Bennet family. His altered response gradually has a greater and greater effect on how events unfold.
Unfortunately, Darcy is also battling the reputation he established prior to his furure vision after his aloof, condescending behavior when he first arrived. This includes his insult of Elizabeth at the Meryton assembly.
His abrupt change, occurring apparently overnight, makes Elizabeth understandably suspicious: Is the "improved" Mr. Darcy for real or just an act?
This is a great idea, and it's executed well, for the most part. The writing is solid, though I picked up on a couple of out-of-place modern-sounding phrases in the latter part of the book.
However, it's too long and it drags. Darcy wants everyone to have the opportunity to improve that he got and repeats similar entreaties to multiple characters that they engage in self-reflection and self-improvement - Miss Bingley, Mary Bennet, Mr. Bennet, and even Mr. Wickham.
I get the point the book is making - some characters embrace the opportunity to change, but others don't. It's a personal choice. But it gives much of the book an overly-preachy quality and turns Darcy into too much of a spiritual crusader.
It's the same with his recitation of his vision of what happened Before. I had to read it too many times, when I already knew the story.
The plot is unfocused, too. Once Darcy succeeds in preventing disaster for the Bennets, the primary story is resolved. Yet it continues on with more about Miss Bingley, and a completely new storyline emerges with Lord and Lady Matlock in Hertfordshire.
I wanted to like this more than I did. There are some really good ideas and some good writing. Content is clean.
November 13, 2019
Knowledge rests not upon truth alone, but upon error also. ~ Carl G. Jung
We know Fitzwilliam Darcy made errors during his stay in Meryton, beginning with his insulting behavior at the Assembly and continuing with his reluctance to befriend any of the local inhabitants. His unwillingness to warn of Wickham’s unseemly character condemned him in the eyes of his beloved.
Now, nearly a year after the experiences in Hertfordshire, Bingley brings him shocking news about the Bennet family. Lydia has eloped and not been found; Mr. Bennet has died; Jane has married far beneath her station; and Mary and Elizabeth were in a carriage accident where Elizabeth did not survive.
Grieving, Darcy falls asleep in London and awakens at Netherfield. He is shocked to learn the year in 1811, not 1812, and Elizabeth Bennet has just arrived to nurse her sister through a trifling cold.
Was it all a dream?
Will Darcy change now that he has foreknowledge?
Will he successfully court Miss Elizabeth?
Will he confront the Wickham problem head-first?
Will he befriend the gentlemen farmers of Hertfordshire?
The author never really explains the phenomenon that created Darcy’s second chance, but it isn’t necessary. The reader must accept Darcy’s “Before” and watch his progress in the after.
I am always amused by a well-developed relationship between a “gentleman’s gentleman” and his gentleman. Penn, the valet, is a great character. Darcy relies on him as dresser, confidant, soldier, and spy. I loved him.
The story is clean, well-written and mostly free of typos, grammar errors, etc. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys JAFF.
Knowledge is haunted by the ghost of past opinion. ~ Author Unknown
We know Fitzwilliam Darcy made errors during his stay in Meryton, beginning with his insulting behavior at the Assembly and continuing with his reluctance to befriend any of the local inhabitants. His unwillingness to warn of Wickham’s unseemly character condemned him in the eyes of his beloved.
Now, nearly a year after the experiences in Hertfordshire, Bingley brings him shocking news about the Bennet family. Lydia has eloped and not been found; Mr. Bennet has died; Jane has married far beneath her station; and Mary and Elizabeth were in a carriage accident where Elizabeth did not survive.
Grieving, Darcy falls asleep in London and awakens at Netherfield. He is shocked to learn the year in 1811, not 1812, and Elizabeth Bennet has just arrived to nurse her sister through a trifling cold.
Was it all a dream?
Will Darcy change now that he has foreknowledge?
Will he successfully court Miss Elizabeth?
Will he confront the Wickham problem head-first?
Will he befriend the gentlemen farmers of Hertfordshire?
The author never really explains the phenomenon that created Darcy’s second chance, but it isn’t necessary. The reader must accept Darcy’s “Before” and watch his progress in the after.
I am always amused by a well-developed relationship between a “gentleman’s gentleman” and his gentleman. Penn, the valet, is a great character. Darcy relies on him as dresser, confidant, soldier, and spy. I loved him.
The story is clean, well-written and mostly free of typos, grammar errors, etc. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys JAFF.
Knowledge is haunted by the ghost of past opinion. ~ Author Unknown
November 6, 2019
What-if Darcy has a vision
Darcy has a vision about how bad things will be in the future if he goes along in life the way he is. It’s never clear if he truly had a vision or more importantly why he was given something like a vision. Be that as may be, he decides to trust the vision and begins to change himself.
He doesn’t become ‘perfect’. Instead we see him try and stumbling to make changes. And we see, even if he doesn’t, how the vision and his acceptance of it not only changes the lives around him. And those changes spread out to change things, etc.
All the changes aren’t good either. The law of unintended consequences is always at work.
I enjoyed the story a lot. The vision is the only unnatural/paranatural event in the book so don’t expect to understand the meaning of life from the story. Do expect to enjoy a pretty good yarn though.
Darcy has a vision about how bad things will be in the future if he goes along in life the way he is. It’s never clear if he truly had a vision or more importantly why he was given something like a vision. Be that as may be, he decides to trust the vision and begins to change himself.
He doesn’t become ‘perfect’. Instead we see him try and stumbling to make changes. And we see, even if he doesn’t, how the vision and his acceptance of it not only changes the lives around him. And those changes spread out to change things, etc.
All the changes aren’t good either. The law of unintended consequences is always at work.
I enjoyed the story a lot. The vision is the only unnatural/paranatural event in the book so don’t expect to understand the meaning of life from the story. Do expect to enjoy a pretty good yarn though.
April 25, 2021
The beginning was great but then it became very repetitive. At one point I couldn't stand Darcy and his reformation, okay, I get it, you're a new man, shut up about it. At about 60% I started skimming, this was the never ending story.
April 6, 2020
So. Very. Very. Very. Very. Very. Repetitive. Repetitive.
The first five times FD explains his vision, thinks about explaining it or decides it is not the right time to share it, I could hang with it. But then I snapped and it became a slog. I could manage about five minutes at a time, then would wonder if there was any new news about Covid19. Nope, still quarantined, folks still needlessly dying due to the complete incompetence of our Executive branch and no cogent opposition rising to protect us, so back to Darcy’s fucking vision, which was also the same as it had been five minutes before except now he had decided to tell someone else about it. Not good quarantine reading, certainly, but perhaps not good reading at all? Alas, within this genre, plenty will be content to read it, quarantine or no, but I don’t really recommend it.
The first five times FD explains his vision, thinks about explaining it or decides it is not the right time to share it, I could hang with it. But then I snapped and it became a slog. I could manage about five minutes at a time, then would wonder if there was any new news about Covid19. Nope, still quarantined, folks still needlessly dying due to the complete incompetence of our Executive branch and no cogent opposition rising to protect us, so back to Darcy’s fucking vision, which was also the same as it had been five minutes before except now he had decided to tell someone else about it. Not good quarantine reading, certainly, but perhaps not good reading at all? Alas, within this genre, plenty will be content to read it, quarantine or no, but I don’t really recommend it.
November 26, 2019
This Pride and Prejudice variation features a lot of advice on self improvement. What if Darcy didn't see Elizabeth after he delivered his letter? What if tragedy of the worse kind struck his lady love? As this is his reality, Darcy is devastated. Luckily for him, he wakes up almost 1 year prior at Bingley's house just before Jane gets sick. After he realizes that he is back in time, he takes Elizabeth's rebukes from his botched proposal and applies them to his "revised" life.
The story is good, but at time seems a bit preachy since his is encouraging everyone to be a better person.
The story is good, but at time seems a bit preachy since his is encouraging everyone to be a better person.
November 25, 2019
A good idea but it gets lost
Darcy has a premonition in the form of a dream about a possible outcome of his and other's lives if he doesn't make changes to his "essentials" . The vision isn't pretty so he sets about reforming his shortcomings. Nice idea and a bit of an explanation as to the process, but the story drags. The Colonel displays a good deal of wit, so that was fun but both Darcy and Elizabeth are either too recalcitrant or stubborn, as well as other characters who shift from one extreme to the other. It seemed to me the author had too many ideas and needed to edit her concept and execution. It took me a very long time to read as I kept laying this down for other stories, but to her credit, I did continue and return till completion. But sometimes, less is more. Four Stars for concept, ease of reading and the effort. Maybe try this author can challenge herself next time to purposefully attempt a novella for the exercise of conciseness?
Darcy has a premonition in the form of a dream about a possible outcome of his and other's lives if he doesn't make changes to his "essentials" . The vision isn't pretty so he sets about reforming his shortcomings. Nice idea and a bit of an explanation as to the process, but the story drags. The Colonel displays a good deal of wit, so that was fun but both Darcy and Elizabeth are either too recalcitrant or stubborn, as well as other characters who shift from one extreme to the other. It seemed to me the author had too many ideas and needed to edit her concept and execution. It took me a very long time to read as I kept laying this down for other stories, but to her credit, I did continue and return till completion. But sometimes, less is more. Four Stars for concept, ease of reading and the effort. Maybe try this author can challenge herself next time to purposefully attempt a novella for the exercise of conciseness?
July 22, 2022
This is a lovely story! I certainly enjoyed reading it!
The premise is simple: There is no accidental Pemberley meeting between Darcy and Elizabeth, and so Lydia is never found. The stress of the event leads to Mr Bennet's death.
Consequently, Collins throws the family out of Longbourn, Jane marries a clerk of Mr Phillips, Mrs Bennet and Kitty live with the Philipses, while Mary and Elizabeth are sent to the Gardiners. Except, on the road there's a carriage accident that Elizabeth doesn't survive.
Darcy finds out about all this from Bingley, who had returned to Netherfield that autumn and having found out all this, goes to confront Darcy. The news of Elizabeth's death devastates Darcy, and he basically, without realising, makes a wish on a shooting star he could change all this.
When the next day he wakes up a year in the past, in Netherfield on the day Elizabeth comes to Netherfield to nurse Jane, it takes him a long while to understand this is reality and not just dreams and ghosts. But once he does, he has only one goal: to ensure the vision (for that's the only explanation, once he realises everything is happening the same way unless his words and actions change them) will never come true and Elizabeth will be his wife.
The reformation of character wrought in him after the Hunsford incident is such a drastic change, so impossible to have happened from one day to another, that it's sufficient enough to convince others of Darcy's tale. And so he gains help in the form of his trusted valet, Bingley, Georgiana, Colonel Fitzwilliam.
Unfortunately, some things go very awry due to him changing things: for example, he blatantly, frankly, tells Caroline why she never was and never will be a consideration for wife for him. And warns her against making an enemy of him. Even that doesn't make her give up, but rather drives her to an extreme action: paying Wickham to ruin the Bennets in whatever way he deems necessary. Which then leads to him kidnapping Lydia, and a rescue scene with Darcy, Bingley, Colonel Fitzwilliam, Darcy's valet, and a few other trusted servants.
Even the fallout from that isn't enough to open Caroline's eyes to the truth, and she tries to manipulate the Countess. (Colonel Fitzwilliam's parents have come to Netherfield on hearing Darcy is courting a country nobody, to persuade him away from her.) Of course the only thing she achieves is a brutal set-down from the Countess. And it's only that, coupled with the realisation that Georgiana is literally afraid of her the way her once good friend in the seminary was of the brutal girls there that brings her to her senses. It sets *her* on the path of reformation.
Somewhere in-between, there is Elizabeth falling in love with this new Mr Darcy, a misunderstanding about Darcy being in love with someone else, and after Darcy tells her the truth about his vision, a long while until Elizabeth stops thinking Darcy is in love with the Elizabeth in the vision only and not herself.
And after the Fitzwilliam parents are brought to accept Elizabeth as Darcy's choice (thanks, in part, to Lady Catherine descending on Hertfordshire in fury, trying to stop the match), it's smooth sailing.
And of course somewhere in there, we also get a reformed Lydia and Mr Bennet, and Colonel Foster.
And frankly, that's one of the two things that annoy me about the story:
1. The impression we get that everyone and their mother is told about Darcy's vision.
2. Darcy's obsession with wanting to reform the character of everyone and their mother, no matter what. It's a bit too much preaching for my tastes.
These two things, in combination with all the introspection the story contains, serve to have the effect of making the readers roll their eyes in weariness and exasperation, thinking, "Enough with that already!"
At least this is one of the few stories that acknowledges that Darcy should not have cleaned up after Wickham all those years ago, and let him experience the consequences of his actions.
The premise is simple: There is no accidental Pemberley meeting between Darcy and Elizabeth, and so Lydia is never found. The stress of the event leads to Mr Bennet's death.
Consequently, Collins throws the family out of Longbourn, Jane marries a clerk of Mr Phillips, Mrs Bennet and Kitty live with the Philipses, while Mary and Elizabeth are sent to the Gardiners. Except, on the road there's a carriage accident that Elizabeth doesn't survive.
Darcy finds out about all this from Bingley, who had returned to Netherfield that autumn and having found out all this, goes to confront Darcy. The news of Elizabeth's death devastates Darcy, and he basically, without realising, makes a wish on a shooting star he could change all this.
When the next day he wakes up a year in the past, in Netherfield on the day Elizabeth comes to Netherfield to nurse Jane, it takes him a long while to understand this is reality and not just dreams and ghosts. But once he does, he has only one goal: to ensure the vision (for that's the only explanation, once he realises everything is happening the same way unless his words and actions change them) will never come true and Elizabeth will be his wife.
The reformation of character wrought in him after the Hunsford incident is such a drastic change, so impossible to have happened from one day to another, that it's sufficient enough to convince others of Darcy's tale. And so he gains help in the form of his trusted valet, Bingley, Georgiana, Colonel Fitzwilliam.
Unfortunately, some things go very awry due to him changing things: for example, he blatantly, frankly, tells Caroline why she never was and never will be a consideration for wife for him. And warns her against making an enemy of him. Even that doesn't make her give up, but rather drives her to an extreme action: paying Wickham to ruin the Bennets in whatever way he deems necessary. Which then leads to him kidnapping Lydia, and a rescue scene with Darcy, Bingley, Colonel Fitzwilliam, Darcy's valet, and a few other trusted servants.
Even the fallout from that isn't enough to open Caroline's eyes to the truth, and she tries to manipulate the Countess. (Colonel Fitzwilliam's parents have come to Netherfield on hearing Darcy is courting a country nobody, to persuade him away from her.) Of course the only thing she achieves is a brutal set-down from the Countess. And it's only that, coupled with the realisation that Georgiana is literally afraid of her the way her once good friend in the seminary was of the brutal girls there that brings her to her senses. It sets *her* on the path of reformation.
Somewhere in-between, there is Elizabeth falling in love with this new Mr Darcy, a misunderstanding about Darcy being in love with someone else, and after Darcy tells her the truth about his vision, a long while until Elizabeth stops thinking Darcy is in love with the Elizabeth in the vision only and not herself.
And after the Fitzwilliam parents are brought to accept Elizabeth as Darcy's choice (thanks, in part, to Lady Catherine descending on Hertfordshire in fury, trying to stop the match), it's smooth sailing.
And of course somewhere in there, we also get a reformed Lydia and Mr Bennet, and Colonel Foster.
And frankly, that's one of the two things that annoy me about the story:
1. The impression we get that everyone and their mother is told about Darcy's vision.
2. Darcy's obsession with wanting to reform the character of everyone and their mother, no matter what. It's a bit too much preaching for my tastes.
These two things, in combination with all the introspection the story contains, serve to have the effect of making the readers roll their eyes in weariness and exasperation, thinking, "Enough with that already!"
At least this is one of the few stories that acknowledges that Darcy should not have cleaned up after Wickham all those years ago, and let him experience the consequences of his actions.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 31, 2020
After reading reviews, I am surprised that I enjoyed this book as much as I did. It was long, and it could have used a little trimming, but I really felt connected to Darcy and his changed persona after the vision. One mistake I see new authors make is having a character explain the same thing to multiple people in detail. It is possible to just say “Darcy explained his vision to Georgiana” rather than detail the conversation. However, having said that, I liked how the author added enough variation to these conversations to keep me reading. Now that I have finished, I am already missing the world of this variation. I rounded up from 4 1/2 stars to 5.
August 28, 2022
This would have been a solid 3.5 stars, except for repetitive descriptions & dialogue, dire need of editting, and draaaaagging rythm. It’s a shame really.
July 8, 2020
Clever and well written but long, repetitive and tedious dialogues.
Would be greatly improved by culling at least a quarter of the book.
Would be greatly improved by culling at least a quarter of the book.
March 17, 2025
Darcy is reformed by a vision. In this version it is September of the year following the ball at Netherfield. Darcy and Elizabeth have not met since she rejected his proposal in Hunsford. He has begun to change his character and plans to go back to Hertfordshire to try pursuing Elizabeth again. After encouraging Bingley to return to Netherfield he is shocked when Bingley arrives to tell him of many misfortunes that have occurred to the Bennets. When Lydia eloped with Wickham Mr Bennet was unable to recover her and shortly after dies of a heart attack. The Bennets have been forced from their home, but worst of all Elizabeth has perished in a carriage accident.
A heartbroken Darcy goes to bed in London and wakes up…in his bed at Netherfield. He is very confused but soon discovers he is back at Netherfield the day that Elizabeth arrives to nurse Jane from a cold she caught while riding her horse to dinner with Caroline Bingley and Louisa Hurst.
What does it mean when he begins to experience the same situations that he lived through a year ago? What happens when he begins to apply the lessons he learned when Elizabeth refused his proposal and changes his “script?” Is he all alone in this strange situation or does he dare share the fact that he knows what will happen in the future? Is it possible to change the future? A touch of the supernatural makes this a fun and interesting read.
A heartbroken Darcy goes to bed in London and wakes up…in his bed at Netherfield. He is very confused but soon discovers he is back at Netherfield the day that Elizabeth arrives to nurse Jane from a cold she caught while riding her horse to dinner with Caroline Bingley and Louisa Hurst.
What does it mean when he begins to experience the same situations that he lived through a year ago? What happens when he begins to apply the lessons he learned when Elizabeth refused his proposal and changes his “script?” Is he all alone in this strange situation or does he dare share the fact that he knows what will happen in the future? Is it possible to change the future? A touch of the supernatural makes this a fun and interesting read.
June 24, 2020
3.5 rounded up to a 4
The book seemed to be shrouded in a halo of morals and good will. After his 'vision' Darcy, for the rest of this book, is on a crusade to save the Bennet family, better himself and somehow save everyone else, believing that a well-placed and guiding reprimand is all it takes for salvation. He does this with a good helping of preaching, continually repeating the lessons he had learned from a 'wise woman' and endlessly rehashing events of the past.
The premise and objectives of the book really are lovely in theory but I feel like it was a little overdone in this case. Darcy recapped events in the 'vision' so often I started skimming it by the time he got to Georgiana. Similarly to the Bennets, I dislike when an opinion (or moral) is so forcibly plied onto to me, it would have been more effective to back off on the preaching at some point. I feel like this book could be perfect with one more round of editing to remove all the unnecessary bits.
The book seemed to be shrouded in a halo of morals and good will. After his 'vision' Darcy, for the rest of this book, is on a crusade to save the Bennet family, better himself and somehow save everyone else, believing that a well-placed and guiding reprimand is all it takes for salvation. He does this with a good helping of preaching, continually repeating the lessons he had learned from a 'wise woman' and endlessly rehashing events of the past.
The premise and objectives of the book really are lovely in theory but I feel like it was a little overdone in this case. Darcy recapped events in the 'vision' so often I started skimming it by the time he got to Georgiana. Similarly to the Bennets, I dislike when an opinion (or moral) is so forcibly plied onto to me, it would have been more effective to back off on the preaching at some point. I feel like this book could be perfect with one more round of editing to remove all the unnecessary bits.
January 12, 2020
Avid Reader
I originally read this book on FanFiction.net. Each day, I waited for a new chapter and was rarely disappointed! Learning from the past isn't always easy, but Darcy manages to make changes in himself as well as those around him. Elizabeth learns that there are numerous changes that she needed to make, especially regarding Mary. Colonel Fitzwilliam helps Darcy and Bingley tremendously tremendously, and eventually Darcy is able to help him find a an estate and retire from the military. Carolyn and Wickham team up to ruin the Bennet family by using Lydia. Fortunately, a young stable boy tells Darcy what he has seen, and Darcy, Bi, and Colonel Fitzwilliam in addition to his Batman and the valet are able to rescue Lydia with some minor injuries that have to be covered up. They avoid a scandal, but tho story is hardly over!
I originally read this book on FanFiction.net. Each day, I waited for a new chapter and was rarely disappointed! Learning from the past isn't always easy, but Darcy manages to make changes in himself as well as those around him. Elizabeth learns that there are numerous changes that she needed to make, especially regarding Mary. Colonel Fitzwilliam helps Darcy and Bingley tremendously tremendously, and eventually Darcy is able to help him find a an estate and retire from the military. Carolyn and Wickham team up to ruin the Bennet family by using Lydia. Fortunately, a young stable boy tells Darcy what he has seen, and Darcy, Bi, and Colonel Fitzwilliam in addition to his Batman and the valet are able to rescue Lydia with some minor injuries that have to be covered up. They avoid a scandal, but tho story is hardly over!
March 25, 2020
While I enjoyed the concept of this book I was quickly put off by the verbose language of it. There is no need to constantly repeat yourself. I felt like I was reading an essay that was trying to get to the word count. I don't know whom beta read or edited this but why oh why didn't they tell the author to cut down on all Darcy's long moral circumlocutions. (I used a big word there because this author used plenty. lol) The book could have been very enjoyable if I did not feel as though I was being preached at the entire time. I'm not sure there was a difference between Mr. Darcy and Mr. Collins. I had to put it down and I could not finish it because of this. I know everyone ends up together in the end, that's all I needed to know. It's sad because I feel as though this could have been a very good book in the hands of someone less verbose.
January 3, 2020
This P& P variation is post Hunsford and Brighton. But the Gardiners and Elizabeth did not visit Pemberley, and Lydia was never found. Then on the resulting death of Mr Bennet, Jane married a clerk, and Mary and Elizabeth were sent to the Gardiners to live. But Elizabeth dies in a carriage accident on the way. Darcy hears of this from a distraught Bingley, resulting in Darcy's dispair.
But imagine when he wakes up next morning a year in the past, is it a dream or does he have a second chance.
A very enjoyable and well-written story.
But imagine when he wakes up next morning a year in the past, is it a dream or does he have a second chance.
A very enjoyable and well-written story.
February 9, 2024
A wonderfully written story.
JA herself might praise this author for the creative and sensitive twist to her original work. I will not give away the plot, but I fully enjoyed this tale of Darcy’s transformation/redemption which was prompted by a very big shock. The author has a deft touch, handling the angst and character development of Darcy, Bingley, Lizzy, Mr. Bennet etc. with delicacy while keeping the characters as true to JA’s original vision as possible.
You will not regret buying this to keep in your library.
JA herself might praise this author for the creative and sensitive twist to her original work. I will not give away the plot, but I fully enjoyed this tale of Darcy’s transformation/redemption which was prompted by a very big shock. The author has a deft touch, handling the angst and character development of Darcy, Bingley, Lizzy, Mr. Bennet etc. with delicacy while keeping the characters as true to JA’s original vision as possible.
You will not regret buying this to keep in your library.
January 30, 2020
Enjoyable Reading!
I like this book even though it was long. It had a lot of interesting twists & turns from the original Pride & Prejudice story. This author was creative in her approach & it made for interesting reading with heart rendering endings for all in involved in the storyline. I like endings where the characters learn from their mistakes & strive to be better versions of themselves & give others the opportunity, as well.
I like this book even though it was long. It had a lot of interesting twists & turns from the original Pride & Prejudice story. This author was creative in her approach & it made for interesting reading with heart rendering endings for all in involved in the storyline. I like endings where the characters learn from their mistakes & strive to be better versions of themselves & give others the opportunity, as well.
April 25, 2023
a good read
This story was good and kept my attention. I thought the idea if Darcy having a do over an interesting idea. The author did not let me down. The antagonists-Wickham and Caroline Bingley still make trouble but it’s different as Darcy is different. Elizabeth is a bit different and almost made me dislike her character. I was intrigued by the back history of the characters.
This story was good and kept my attention. I thought the idea if Darcy having a do over an interesting idea. The author did not let me down. The antagonists-Wickham and Caroline Bingley still make trouble but it’s different as Darcy is different. Elizabeth is a bit different and almost made me dislike her character. I was intrigued by the back history of the characters.
December 1, 2019
This is the one to read!
All I can say is wow, I have read hundreds of P&P variations and very seldom give reviews, but this one was excellent. Writing was very well done, especially since done from Darcy's view after he is reliving the past year of his life, able to change himself and to change the errors he made. Recommend to anyone that enjoys P&P variations.
All I can say is wow, I have read hundreds of P&P variations and very seldom give reviews, but this one was excellent. Writing was very well done, especially since done from Darcy's view after he is reliving the past year of his life, able to change himself and to change the errors he made. Recommend to anyone that enjoys P&P variations.
December 28, 2019
Thoroughly Ejoyable Read
I really enjoyed this story! The characters were given different, at times, reactions to the storyline that were totally unexpected. Darcy really was the star of the show. As the old saying goes, "try it, you'll like it".
I really enjoyed this story! The characters were given different, at times, reactions to the storyline that were totally unexpected. Darcy really was the star of the show. As the old saying goes, "try it, you'll like it".
March 14, 2020
Awesome book
I loved this book. The pace was great and I loved the character development. It was interesting how darcy helped Elizabeth and everyone help themselves. I really loved it
I loved this book. The pace was great and I loved the character development. It was interesting how darcy helped Elizabeth and everyone help themselves. I really loved it
February 25, 2021
Crossroads
Noone is given a chance to correct the behaviors of one's past. A tragic event opens a door and brings a beloved character to a crossroad. Which path will he chose? Long but enjoyable.
Noone is given a chance to correct the behaviors of one's past. A tragic event opens a door and brings a beloved character to a crossroad. Which path will he chose? Long but enjoyable.
November 6, 2021
Darcy gets a do-over
I really enjoyed the idea of Darcy trying to mend his mistakes after mending his character. Nothing like a sweet P&P variation that comes with personal growth for everyone!
I really enjoyed the idea of Darcy trying to mend his mistakes after mending his character. Nothing like a sweet P&P variation that comes with personal growth for everyone!
March 18, 2023
so many lives made better by second chances…..
This was a well written and an enjoyable book.
I was happy to read of all the improved lives due to Darcy’s vision of the future. A very original plot line with believable story arcs. Bravo!
This was a well written and an enjoyable book.
I was happy to read of all the improved lives due to Darcy’s vision of the future. A very original plot line with believable story arcs. Bravo!
November 15, 2019
What good story. Well written not too sentimental or cheesy. A long satisfying book this author is a hit for me I look forward to more from them.
November 28, 2019
Different
A rather interesting variation inspired by author Jane Austen’s classic Pride and Prejudice. It had a rather unique twist and I enjoyed it
A rather interesting variation inspired by author Jane Austen’s classic Pride and Prejudice. It had a rather unique twist and I enjoyed it
February 17, 2020
3.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews