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The Duke's Daughter #1
The Duke's Daughter Part 1: Assumptions and Consequences
Lady Elizbeth Bennet is the Daughter of Lord Thomas and Lady Sarah Bennet, the Duke and Duchess of Hertfordshire. She is very wary of people’s motives based on an event before she was born that could have been disastrous for both her beloved father and mother’s felicity. The result is that she is quick to judge and anger and very slow to forgive. She does not see it yet, but she has far too many prejudices that colour her perceptions.
Driven by his life experiences, including the loss of his beloved father, almost losing his sister to a blackguard and relentless hunting of his person by unmarried ladies and their families of the Ton for his wealth and status, Fitzwilliam Darcy has learnt to rely on his own judgement above all others and had developed his haughty mask of pride, disdain and indifference. Once he believes that something or someone is a certain way, he does not allow anyone to change his mind. He ignored his mother about the hiring of his sister’s first companion and the result was the Ramsgate debacle, but he had not learnt his lesson yet.
He misinterprets information that he heard from his Aunt, Lady Catherine, about her parson’s relatives and the estate that is entailed upon him and with assumptions and surety that he is never wrong coupled with his failure to listen to his friends the Bingleys when they try to correct his perception, he makes a huge mistake at the infamous assembly in Meryton and faces a very angry Lady Elizabeth Bennet. They both make assumptions about the other and we see the consequences that follow.
Wickham arrives in Meryton to join the Derbyshire Militia to hide from his main creditor, the Spaniard, he tries to ply Lady Elizabeth with his lies but to his chagrin she is forewarned and not only exposes him for what he is, she dares to deride and laugh at him in a very public forum. He leaves Meryton just before the Fitzwilliam brothers return and swears revenge on the woman that has moved his nemesis Darcy out of his top spot of his hated people list.
Will Wickham get his revenge and will our couple work out their misunderstandings? Lady Anne Darcy is alive in this series and has a lot of influence on various characters and their expected behaviour. This is the first of a three book series.
Driven by his life experiences, including the loss of his beloved father, almost losing his sister to a blackguard and relentless hunting of his person by unmarried ladies and their families of the Ton for his wealth and status, Fitzwilliam Darcy has learnt to rely on his own judgement above all others and had developed his haughty mask of pride, disdain and indifference. Once he believes that something or someone is a certain way, he does not allow anyone to change his mind. He ignored his mother about the hiring of his sister’s first companion and the result was the Ramsgate debacle, but he had not learnt his lesson yet.
He misinterprets information that he heard from his Aunt, Lady Catherine, about her parson’s relatives and the estate that is entailed upon him and with assumptions and surety that he is never wrong coupled with his failure to listen to his friends the Bingleys when they try to correct his perception, he makes a huge mistake at the infamous assembly in Meryton and faces a very angry Lady Elizabeth Bennet. They both make assumptions about the other and we see the consequences that follow.
Wickham arrives in Meryton to join the Derbyshire Militia to hide from his main creditor, the Spaniard, he tries to ply Lady Elizabeth with his lies but to his chagrin she is forewarned and not only exposes him for what he is, she dares to deride and laugh at him in a very public forum. He leaves Meryton just before the Fitzwilliam brothers return and swears revenge on the woman that has moved his nemesis Darcy out of his top spot of his hated people list.
Will Wickham get his revenge and will our couple work out their misunderstandings? Lady Anne Darcy is alive in this series and has a lot of influence on various characters and their expected behaviour. This is the first of a three book series.
244 pages, ebook
Published January 3, 2021
81 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
About the author
Shana Granderson
55 books64 followersI have three children and after a disastrous first marriage I found my soul mate who I thought that was lost to me over 25 years ago. I recently married the love of my life. I live with my soul mate in Australasia and have three pets, two cats, Darcy and Bingley and a golden lab, Honey.
Like many high school students, Pride and Prejudice was assigned to me in an English literature class. It was not my favourite book, but I read it as I had to. I forgot about the book until in my 30’s when I saw and fell in love with the 1995 Pride and Prejudice version made for TV in England, and purchased a copy of the DVD that is now much played.
The tipping point was the 2005 big screen adaption of P&P. Not long after seeing it I found and read the complete works of Jane Austen on Amazon, starting with Pride and Prejudice. The latter book is by far my favourite. After I read it three of four times over, I wistfully said to myself: ‘it is a great pity that Miss Austen never wrote a sequel to her seminal novel.' One day I was searching Kindle books and for the fun of it I entered “Pride and Prejudice Sequel’ into the search not expecting any results.
The rest is history. I discovered the JAFF community and books. I became a veracious reader of JAFF books and once I had devoured all of the sequels and continuations that I could find, I read my first variation. I had been resisting variations wrongly thinking that I would not enjoy them as much as the sequels. Boy, was I ever wrong! Today I am the proud owner of well over 1,000 JAFF novels that I have purchased on Amazon. 'A Change of Fortunes' is my first book that I wrote. There are a number of others on the way.
Like many high school students, Pride and Prejudice was assigned to me in an English literature class. It was not my favourite book, but I read it as I had to. I forgot about the book until in my 30’s when I saw and fell in love with the 1995 Pride and Prejudice version made for TV in England, and purchased a copy of the DVD that is now much played.
The tipping point was the 2005 big screen adaption of P&P. Not long after seeing it I found and read the complete works of Jane Austen on Amazon, starting with Pride and Prejudice. The latter book is by far my favourite. After I read it three of four times over, I wistfully said to myself: ‘it is a great pity that Miss Austen never wrote a sequel to her seminal novel.' One day I was searching Kindle books and for the fun of it I entered “Pride and Prejudice Sequel’ into the search not expecting any results.
The rest is history. I discovered the JAFF community and books. I became a veracious reader of JAFF books and once I had devoured all of the sequels and continuations that I could find, I read my first variation. I had been resisting variations wrongly thinking that I would not enjoy them as much as the sequels. Boy, was I ever wrong! Today I am the proud owner of well over 1,000 JAFF novels that I have purchased on Amazon. 'A Change of Fortunes' is my first book that I wrote. There are a number of others on the way.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
June 29, 2025
If you reread your work, you will find on rereading that a great deal of repetition can be avoided by rereading and editing. ~ William Safire
Shana Granderson is an author who has only recently begun publishing and I know she has taken hits about the need for proofreading. I am happy to report that in her most recent story, the errata is lessened a very great deal. I appreciate the extra effort.
The basis of this story is good: Mr. Bennet is a duke who has married twice and has a number of children. Darcy mistakes the name and issues his insult without realizing just whom he has maligned. Elizabeth is the one with the implacable resentment.
Unfortunately, the story could have been cut by about a third of the length by eliminating repetition of information. We learn Darcy is embarrassed by his mistake and he vows to improve. We see him with his relatives who tell him of his mistake and listen to his vow to improve. We see Bingley (and even Caroline) embarrassed by the insult and they tell the Bennets of Darcy’s vow to improve. We hear Darcy’s thoughts about his vow to improve. We hear Elizabeth’s thoughts about her implacable resentment. Her family and friends chastise her for her implacable resentment. On and on and on.
The book reads a little like a Soap Opera where the viewer can keep up with the story by seeing it only once a week or so. Something happens; someone tells someone else what happened; someone ponders the emotional side of what happened …
A reader can get the basic idea the first time. A little reminder later, maybe. But enough is enough and too much is plenty.
I view this author as someone wanting to improve and I hope she will consider my remarks to be constructive.
This is the first of three parts but it is a reasonable length for a published book and not a “40-page wonder book.”
The happiness of most people is not ruined by great catastrophes or fatal errors, but by the repetition of slowly destructive little things. ~ Ernest Dimnet
Shana Granderson is an author who has only recently begun publishing and I know she has taken hits about the need for proofreading. I am happy to report that in her most recent story, the errata is lessened a very great deal. I appreciate the extra effort.
The basis of this story is good: Mr. Bennet is a duke who has married twice and has a number of children. Darcy mistakes the name and issues his insult without realizing just whom he has maligned. Elizabeth is the one with the implacable resentment.
Unfortunately, the story could have been cut by about a third of the length by eliminating repetition of information. We learn Darcy is embarrassed by his mistake and he vows to improve. We see him with his relatives who tell him of his mistake and listen to his vow to improve. We see Bingley (and even Caroline) embarrassed by the insult and they tell the Bennets of Darcy’s vow to improve. We hear Darcy’s thoughts about his vow to improve. We hear Elizabeth’s thoughts about her implacable resentment. Her family and friends chastise her for her implacable resentment. On and on and on.
The book reads a little like a Soap Opera where the viewer can keep up with the story by seeing it only once a week or so. Something happens; someone tells someone else what happened; someone ponders the emotional side of what happened …
A reader can get the basic idea the first time. A little reminder later, maybe. But enough is enough and too much is plenty.
I view this author as someone wanting to improve and I hope she will consider my remarks to be constructive.
This is the first of three parts but it is a reasonable length for a published book and not a “40-page wonder book.”
The happiness of most people is not ruined by great catastrophes or fatal errors, but by the repetition of slowly destructive little things. ~ Ernest Dimnet
January 13, 2021
Part 1
Lots of action. A little angst. A lot of Wickham. Characters rarely have much time to think, to change or to grow. As in lots of action stories so much happens there is no room or time for characters to react realistically to emotional. There are at least 10 scenes where the outcome could cause shock or PTSD. Not a bad part 1.
Lots of action. A little angst. A lot of Wickham. Characters rarely have much time to think, to change or to grow. As in lots of action stories so much happens there is no room or time for characters to react realistically to emotional. There are at least 10 scenes where the outcome could cause shock or PTSD. Not a bad part 1.
January 15, 2021
This author does use the most intriguing ideas.
However, a good editor seems to be lacking and like other books of hers, there is far too much repetition and over explaining.
If the Bennets were Dukes and connected to Royals. Changes everything about canon, aside from the characters. Well Wickham is still who he is...
Literally just a first part, author leaves you hanging.
However, a good editor seems to be lacking and like other books of hers, there is far too much repetition and over explaining.
If the Bennets were Dukes and connected to Royals. Changes everything about canon, aside from the characters. Well Wickham is still who he is...
Literally just a first part, author leaves you hanging.
March 8, 2022
No character development, little plot
Many characters, many marriages, all of whom chose their spouse for their character, not their wealth or titles. This is repeated all too frequently, long after the point has been made. In some ways, this is a good author. I think she would benefit from a coauthor to flesh out the areas where she is weak, much as McMann and Hanford, who write very good JAFF.
Many characters, many marriages, all of whom chose their spouse for their character, not their wealth or titles. This is repeated all too frequently, long after the point has been made. In some ways, this is a good author. I think she would benefit from a coauthor to flesh out the areas where she is weak, much as McMann and Hanford, who write very good JAFF.
January 11, 2021
So many typos. The author wrote at the end that besides beta's she had a professional editor. Well they did not earn their money. Bread instead of bred is but one example. Having so many typos (I gave up reporting them) detracts from the reading experience.
July 7, 2022
“My Daughter…She’s like an Excellent Cut Diamond that shines brilliantly from the inside out. She’s admired by many, including me! She exudes joy, love, peace, and excellence. She is phenomenally made!” –Stephanie Lahart
SPOILER ALERT: This review may contain *** SPOILERS ***
>>Rating: MA: mature due to adult content [a.k.a. the wedding night talk], murder, violence, descriptions of injuries during a kidnapping attempt, and there was a body count.
>>Angst Level: stress built as the story progressed. The reader was privy to the plans of several nefarious villains.
>>Source: Borrowed KU 6-21-22 with no expectations of a review. The views and opinions expressed are my own.
>>Religious Element: Non-preachy, but our characters did appeal to a higher power in their prayers for safety, deliverance, and the health and wellbeing of loved ones. It was what a religious person would do during a time of need and desperation.
>>Trope: AU: Alternate Universe where things are very different than canon. Mrs. Bennet died [here after referred to as ‘that woman’, there was a 2nd Bennet wife, the Bennet family had wealth [disgustingly rich] and high [extremely high] connections. Lady Anne Darcy was still living. There was also the redemption of a few canon characters we normally don’t like. That was fun. This was also the Douche/Haughty Darcy until he had an encounter that set him on the right path.
This was book one in a series of three. There was a cliffhanger as our story would be continued in the next book. These books are not standalone and need to be read in order. I’m not giving anything away as was stated in the blurb. Mr. Bennet lived quietly in Hertfordshire and was about to propose to another when Fanny Gardiner compromised him. She was from trade and wanted to move into the gentry circle. Well, Mr. Bennet was having none of that. He had secret connections only a few knew about and he was not about to share that tidbit with Francis Gardiner. He created an air-tight marriage contract that hamstrung Miss Gardiner’s aspirations of wealth [gowns, jewels, pin money, carriages, etc.] and prestige at every turn. Her father either signed it or Bennet would walk away with his honor intact. Mr. Gardiner was not having his harridan of a daughter in his house any longer so he signed and left her to it. Let’s just say, Fanny Bennet, née Gardiner was not a happy camper. So, Bennet did his duty and Fanny became pregnant. She went into her confinement and delivered twin girls; however, she did not survive. After his mourning period, Bennet was able to marry the love of his heart.
This author is known for producing creative stories in spite of the editing problems. It was long and detailed, with a lot of telling rather than showing. The characters were blessed with lots of wealth and titles. It seemed everyone had a title or they knew someone with a title or were given a title. Everyone was happy, rich as all get out, generous to a fault, loved each other, were gracious, married well, and for love. Several canon characters, whom we normally don’t like, had a ‘Come to Jesus’ moment [as we say here in the south] and redeemed their bad behavior. We then had a nice Lady Catherine and Caroline Bingley. What? That was hard to believe at first, but so it was.
“She inspires me…
Loving her has been a life-changer.
She made me a better man… a man you can trust… a man you aren’t afraid to love.” –Steve Maraboli
Our douche Darcy arrived at Netherfield with a haughty attitude and a chip on his shoulder. Unfortunately, he took that attitude with him to the Meryton Assembly and proceeded to snub and insult everyone in the room as he proclaimed them beneath him. Little did he know that a spitfire was about to ream him a new one. By the time Lady Elizabeth [yeah, she was not only a lady but a Lady] got through with our boy, there was very little left of his pride and arrogance. She let him know in no uncertain terms just where his place was in society… well below half the people in the room. Then her brothers, both Lords, let him know their sentiments on his insulting their sister. The duke, [yes, Lady Elizabeth’s father was a duke] asked Mr. Darcy of Pemberley to visit him at his estate the next day. The duke would then tell Mr. Darcy his thoughts on the subject of said ‘gentleman’ insulting his daughter. Oh, dear. Damage control! Darcy had stepped in it now.
News traveled quickly within the ton. Lady Elizabeth and her ire were famous or infamous within the highest circles. The rest of the story was about Darcy recovering from being ‘persona non grata’ in society. He had come up against a very powerful family who had ties with the highest circles and royalty [cousins, no less]. Until Darcy made nice, and Lady Elizabeth forgave him, no one wanted anything to do with him. That was hilarious. He suddenly got a taste of his own medicine and it was a bitter pill for sure.
Villains: Oh, dear. We had our usual suspects and their friends [accomplices or frenemies rather] making plans to make a bit of cash through a bit of nefarious business… you know, all in a day’s work. Not surprisingly, they were constantly planning on how they would betray each other and how to gain the most money. No honor among thieves. Their MO: kidnapping, extortion, smuggling, whoring, murder, betrayal, stealing, gambling, and such were nothing to these criminals. They appeared to have no heart or soul. Revenge seemed to be the motivator for most of this crew of misfits.
The Duke’s Daughter Series: not standalone, should be read in order
Part 1: Assumptions and Consequences
Part 2: Highs and Lows
Part 3: Conclusions
SPOILER ALERT: This review may contain *** SPOILERS ***
>>Rating: MA: mature due to adult content [a.k.a. the wedding night talk], murder, violence, descriptions of injuries during a kidnapping attempt, and there was a body count.
>>Angst Level: stress built as the story progressed. The reader was privy to the plans of several nefarious villains.
>>Source: Borrowed KU 6-21-22 with no expectations of a review. The views and opinions expressed are my own.
>>Religious Element: Non-preachy, but our characters did appeal to a higher power in their prayers for safety, deliverance, and the health and wellbeing of loved ones. It was what a religious person would do during a time of need and desperation.
>>Trope: AU: Alternate Universe where things are very different than canon. Mrs. Bennet died [here after referred to as ‘that woman’, there was a 2nd Bennet wife, the Bennet family had wealth [disgustingly rich] and high [extremely high] connections. Lady Anne Darcy was still living. There was also the redemption of a few canon characters we normally don’t like. That was fun. This was also the Douche/Haughty Darcy until he had an encounter that set him on the right path.
This was book one in a series of three. There was a cliffhanger as our story would be continued in the next book. These books are not standalone and need to be read in order. I’m not giving anything away as was stated in the blurb. Mr. Bennet lived quietly in Hertfordshire and was about to propose to another when Fanny Gardiner compromised him. She was from trade and wanted to move into the gentry circle. Well, Mr. Bennet was having none of that. He had secret connections only a few knew about and he was not about to share that tidbit with Francis Gardiner. He created an air-tight marriage contract that hamstrung Miss Gardiner’s aspirations of wealth [gowns, jewels, pin money, carriages, etc.] and prestige at every turn. Her father either signed it or Bennet would walk away with his honor intact. Mr. Gardiner was not having his harridan of a daughter in his house any longer so he signed and left her to it. Let’s just say, Fanny Bennet, née Gardiner was not a happy camper. So, Bennet did his duty and Fanny became pregnant. She went into her confinement and delivered twin girls; however, she did not survive. After his mourning period, Bennet was able to marry the love of his heart.
This author is known for producing creative stories in spite of the editing problems. It was long and detailed, with a lot of telling rather than showing. The characters were blessed with lots of wealth and titles. It seemed everyone had a title or they knew someone with a title or were given a title. Everyone was happy, rich as all get out, generous to a fault, loved each other, were gracious, married well, and for love. Several canon characters, whom we normally don’t like, had a ‘Come to Jesus’ moment [as we say here in the south] and redeemed their bad behavior. We then had a nice Lady Catherine and Caroline Bingley. What? That was hard to believe at first, but so it was.
“She inspires me…
Loving her has been a life-changer.
She made me a better man… a man you can trust… a man you aren’t afraid to love.” –Steve Maraboli
Our douche Darcy arrived at Netherfield with a haughty attitude and a chip on his shoulder. Unfortunately, he took that attitude with him to the Meryton Assembly and proceeded to snub and insult everyone in the room as he proclaimed them beneath him. Little did he know that a spitfire was about to ream him a new one. By the time Lady Elizabeth [yeah, she was not only a lady but a Lady] got through with our boy, there was very little left of his pride and arrogance. She let him know in no uncertain terms just where his place was in society… well below half the people in the room. Then her brothers, both Lords, let him know their sentiments on his insulting their sister. The duke, [yes, Lady Elizabeth’s father was a duke] asked Mr. Darcy of Pemberley to visit him at his estate the next day. The duke would then tell Mr. Darcy his thoughts on the subject of said ‘gentleman’ insulting his daughter. Oh, dear. Damage control! Darcy had stepped in it now.
News traveled quickly within the ton. Lady Elizabeth and her ire were famous or infamous within the highest circles. The rest of the story was about Darcy recovering from being ‘persona non grata’ in society. He had come up against a very powerful family who had ties with the highest circles and royalty [cousins, no less]. Until Darcy made nice, and Lady Elizabeth forgave him, no one wanted anything to do with him. That was hilarious. He suddenly got a taste of his own medicine and it was a bitter pill for sure.
Villains: Oh, dear. We had our usual suspects and their friends [accomplices or frenemies rather] making plans to make a bit of cash through a bit of nefarious business… you know, all in a day’s work. Not surprisingly, they were constantly planning on how they would betray each other and how to gain the most money. No honor among thieves. Their MO: kidnapping, extortion, smuggling, whoring, murder, betrayal, stealing, gambling, and such were nothing to these criminals. They appeared to have no heart or soul. Revenge seemed to be the motivator for most of this crew of misfits.
The Duke’s Daughter Series: not standalone, should be read in order
Part 1: Assumptions and Consequences
Part 2: Highs and Lows
Part 3: Conclusions
February 9, 2021
If you have read the author's other two books - Change of Fortune and The Hypocrite, then I am convinced that you don't need to read this one. It is a reworking of the Bennet's being rich, connected, with lots of well behaved children with minor changes so far. Even the extra characters match up with the same plot line.
That being said, if I had not read the others, this is an interesting story line that could be trimmed. I will be reading the rest in the series just to see if it deviates from the others.
That being said, if I had not read the others, this is an interesting story line that could be trimmed. I will be reading the rest in the series just to see if it deviates from the others.
March 7, 2021
Pass until rewritten
I can tell the author poured her heart out into this novel. However, I wish it appeared as if she had run it past a writing club first. I stopped at Chapter 9. As others have said, the copy of the book has major editing issues. Plus, there are writing issues. The worst of which is perhaps attempting to put too much backstory into every sentence, as well as modern, awkward and sometimes misused language. Some themes are just hard to swallow (one daughter is Marie, the other Mary?) I think the idea of a known settlement for compromisers is an interesting concept but also very dangerous. Someone may indeed decide to sign, as the Duke is living proof. Indeed, would it not just change the quality of those attempting a compromise from someone in the Ton to someone of a much lower class with everything to gain?
I can tell the author poured her heart out into this novel. However, I wish it appeared as if she had run it past a writing club first. I stopped at Chapter 9. As others have said, the copy of the book has major editing issues. Plus, there are writing issues. The worst of which is perhaps attempting to put too much backstory into every sentence, as well as modern, awkward and sometimes misused language. Some themes are just hard to swallow (one daughter is Marie, the other Mary?) I think the idea of a known settlement for compromisers is an interesting concept but also very dangerous. Someone may indeed decide to sign, as the Duke is living proof. Indeed, would it not just change the quality of those attempting a compromise from someone in the Ton to someone of a much lower class with everything to gain?
March 3, 2021
Okay Storyline but Editing is Badly Needed
Not sure why this is advertised as “professionally” edited when it definitely has not been. A good editor would have fixed the numerous punctuation, spelling, word-use, and grammatical errors and helped the author cut out repetitive information. One entire multi-page section was repeated thrice in succession - and then cut and pasted as a “reverie” by a completely different character a few pages later, for example. Caroline Bingley experiences a “fission” of pleasure rather than a “frisson”, family names are made plural with apostrophes (the Darcy’s instead of the Darcys, etc). Further, everyone is titled, and splendidly rich, and kind and wonderful, even while also castigating the first Mrs Bennet for being a fortune hunter. Somehow, even the Bennets’ neighbors don’t know that the family is titled at the beginning of the story, even though Longbourn is the seat of the title and always has been, and Netherfield is the seat of the honorary title the heir holds. While it may be credible that Darcy, as a visitor, does not realize exactly who lives in the neighborhood, it seems unlikely the Gardiners do not. Further, as the heir of a wealthy family and a member of the ton, with a mother who is an Earl’s daughter, and the book-specific circumstances, etc it is extremely odd that Darcy does not know enough to realize it himself.
Tons of extraneous information (no one cares when Mrs Reynolds was hired, for example), lots of book-specific factual mistakes (Mrs Reynolds first knows and then does not know the reason for Darcy’s personality changes, names of characters and estates seem to change or at least are misspelt, etc). Instead of having a situation unfold, and being told how the characters reacted in a succinct way, the situations are experienced, repeated in conversation (sometimes more than once), then mused about and connected to some other event which is unnecessary back story. This process takes place numerous times.
The passage of time is also odd - the author doesn’t always do a good job of laying the story out so the reader understands and experiences time passing. The story is set between Michaelmas and April and told in a blurred rush. Partly I think this is because of how the author has included so much of the same information over and over and over. A good editor could chop half of this book and it would tell the same story in a more fluent and comfortable fashion. I found myself skipping entire paragraphs, skimming through the repetitions, looking for the story to resume.
Bottom line: this is a story that feels like the author wanted to give everyone a happy ending and have only one clear villain, but in the end the “good” characters are mostly all alike. There’s too much extraneous information that detracts and distracts from the story. Everyone falls in love, every “asking for a courtship/engagement” scene is nearly identical and every character has one. The author has excellent ideas, but due to her verbosity and repetition the overall effect is rather bland.
Not sure why this is advertised as “professionally” edited when it definitely has not been. A good editor would have fixed the numerous punctuation, spelling, word-use, and grammatical errors and helped the author cut out repetitive information. One entire multi-page section was repeated thrice in succession - and then cut and pasted as a “reverie” by a completely different character a few pages later, for example. Caroline Bingley experiences a “fission” of pleasure rather than a “frisson”, family names are made plural with apostrophes (the Darcy’s instead of the Darcys, etc). Further, everyone is titled, and splendidly rich, and kind and wonderful, even while also castigating the first Mrs Bennet for being a fortune hunter. Somehow, even the Bennets’ neighbors don’t know that the family is titled at the beginning of the story, even though Longbourn is the seat of the title and always has been, and Netherfield is the seat of the honorary title the heir holds. While it may be credible that Darcy, as a visitor, does not realize exactly who lives in the neighborhood, it seems unlikely the Gardiners do not. Further, as the heir of a wealthy family and a member of the ton, with a mother who is an Earl’s daughter, and the book-specific circumstances, etc it is extremely odd that Darcy does not know enough to realize it himself.
Tons of extraneous information (no one cares when Mrs Reynolds was hired, for example), lots of book-specific factual mistakes (Mrs Reynolds first knows and then does not know the reason for Darcy’s personality changes, names of characters and estates seem to change or at least are misspelt, etc). Instead of having a situation unfold, and being told how the characters reacted in a succinct way, the situations are experienced, repeated in conversation (sometimes more than once), then mused about and connected to some other event which is unnecessary back story. This process takes place numerous times.
The passage of time is also odd - the author doesn’t always do a good job of laying the story out so the reader understands and experiences time passing. The story is set between Michaelmas and April and told in a blurred rush. Partly I think this is because of how the author has included so much of the same information over and over and over. A good editor could chop half of this book and it would tell the same story in a more fluent and comfortable fashion. I found myself skipping entire paragraphs, skimming through the repetitions, looking for the story to resume.
Bottom line: this is a story that feels like the author wanted to give everyone a happy ending and have only one clear villain, but in the end the “good” characters are mostly all alike. There’s too much extraneous information that detracts and distracts from the story. Everyone falls in love, every “asking for a courtship/engagement” scene is nearly identical and every character has one. The author has excellent ideas, but due to her verbosity and repetition the overall effect is rather bland.
February 2, 2023
Entertaining
I don't know why I keep reading these books by Shana Granderson. They're kind of habit forming and addictive, because of the forthright way that the main characters act, and because the villains and annoying characters get the most satisfying comeuppances and set downs. The Bennetts are peers of the realm, the Duke and Duchess of Hertfordshire. There was a first marriage for the Duke that was the result of a compromise, but, conveniently, that much hated woman dies in childbirth and is never spoken of. The Bennetts are a love match, and have seven children, including two sons. Elizabeth is a middle daughter, and has a reputation as a plain speaking woman who doesn't suffer any fools. Darcy comes to stay with Bingley at Netherfield, and delivers his infamous insult about Elizabeth Bennett at the Meryton assembly. Elizabeth not only confronts Darcy about his bad manners, she flays him alive verbally in front of all at the assembly, tells him to leave town, and uses her connections to ruin him in society. Darcy is suitably chastened, and decides to become a better man.
As in all of the books by Ms Granderson, there are the same auxiliary families of characters, and they are all either friends or relations, so that pretty soon everyone is related in some way to everyone. The Bennetts are best friends with the Matlocks, so are therefore familiar with the Darcys. Names like "DeMelville", and "Viscount Westmore" occur so much that they become like old friends, but they also start to make these stories predictable and repetitive. Of course, all of the filthy rich aristocrats in her stories are upright, honorable, and would never look down their noses at tradesmen and others below their exalted ranks. Also, all marriages (and there are a LOT!) are based on love matches.
The central story is the one involving Elizabeth and Darcy. However, there is such a frenzy of matchmaking going on, interweaving and entangling the families and good friends of the Bennetts, that the story of ODC definitely takes a back seat. Since this is a "Part One," the resolution for Elizabeth and Darcy is yet to come.
The book is well written and well edited. I recommend it.
I don't know why I keep reading these books by Shana Granderson. They're kind of habit forming and addictive, because of the forthright way that the main characters act, and because the villains and annoying characters get the most satisfying comeuppances and set downs. The Bennetts are peers of the realm, the Duke and Duchess of Hertfordshire. There was a first marriage for the Duke that was the result of a compromise, but, conveniently, that much hated woman dies in childbirth and is never spoken of. The Bennetts are a love match, and have seven children, including two sons. Elizabeth is a middle daughter, and has a reputation as a plain speaking woman who doesn't suffer any fools. Darcy comes to stay with Bingley at Netherfield, and delivers his infamous insult about Elizabeth Bennett at the Meryton assembly. Elizabeth not only confronts Darcy about his bad manners, she flays him alive verbally in front of all at the assembly, tells him to leave town, and uses her connections to ruin him in society. Darcy is suitably chastened, and decides to become a better man.
As in all of the books by Ms Granderson, there are the same auxiliary families of characters, and they are all either friends or relations, so that pretty soon everyone is related in some way to everyone. The Bennetts are best friends with the Matlocks, so are therefore familiar with the Darcys. Names like "DeMelville", and "Viscount Westmore" occur so much that they become like old friends, but they also start to make these stories predictable and repetitive. Of course, all of the filthy rich aristocrats in her stories are upright, honorable, and would never look down their noses at tradesmen and others below their exalted ranks. Also, all marriages (and there are a LOT!) are based on love matches.
The central story is the one involving Elizabeth and Darcy. However, there is such a frenzy of matchmaking going on, interweaving and entangling the families and good friends of the Bennetts, that the story of ODC definitely takes a back seat. Since this is a "Part One," the resolution for Elizabeth and Darcy is yet to come.
The book is well written and well edited. I recommend it.
Read
February 28, 2021DNF.
I think it has potential but unfortunately needs a decent editor and a significant cut down to be enjoyable. The summary at the start also needs to be removed as it makes the plot entirely guessable, and from other reviews knowing the info from the start means the story ends without any resolution.
There is quite a bit of backstory to each character before we get to the advertised storyline. The thoughts of everyone are dwelled upon repetitively. I was also confused about Mr Bennet’s title as he is described as a Duke, a Marquess, and a Viscount, plus both Lord Thomas and Lord Netherfield, all within the first few pages. And we are supposed to believe that the gossipy residents of Meryton, whose two largest estates are held by a Duke, don’t know he is titled at all? Darcy is clearly going to make the same mistake about Lizzy. Feels unnecessarily complicated; simplifying the storyline would make it less spoiler-y and easier to read.
I think it has potential but unfortunately needs a decent editor and a significant cut down to be enjoyable. The summary at the start also needs to be removed as it makes the plot entirely guessable, and from other reviews knowing the info from the start means the story ends without any resolution.
There is quite a bit of backstory to each character before we get to the advertised storyline. The thoughts of everyone are dwelled upon repetitively. I was also confused about Mr Bennet’s title as he is described as a Duke, a Marquess, and a Viscount, plus both Lord Thomas and Lord Netherfield, all within the first few pages. And we are supposed to believe that the gossipy residents of Meryton, whose two largest estates are held by a Duke, don’t know he is titled at all? Darcy is clearly going to make the same mistake about Lizzy. Feels unnecessarily complicated; simplifying the storyline would make it less spoiler-y and easier to read.
March 29, 2021
Promising story but it drags on and can be a struggle to finish.
Ok, so this story itself is good but it does rather drag with a lot of repetitive introspection and excessive detail on characters not central to the story. While I do love good character development and detail, too much can bog a book down and make it less enjoyable. I found myself skimming rather than reading, which is something I RARELY do as a devoted bibliophile who would spend every second of every day happily reading if possible. Otherwise it was intelligently written and I expect to become a big fan once the author improves her ability to pare down the thoughts of characters to the essential and the details to that perfect balance of necessary and captivating while not running on.
Ok, so this story itself is good but it does rather drag with a lot of repetitive introspection and excessive detail on characters not central to the story. While I do love good character development and detail, too much can bog a book down and make it less enjoyable. I found myself skimming rather than reading, which is something I RARELY do as a devoted bibliophile who would spend every second of every day happily reading if possible. Otherwise it was intelligently written and I expect to become a big fan once the author improves her ability to pare down the thoughts of characters to the essential and the details to that perfect balance of necessary and captivating while not running on.
April 19, 2024
A very highly placed Bennet family
In the premise, Mr. Bennet and his brother are both Dukes and the Bennets have two sons so the entailment isn't an issue. The Mrs. Bennet we are familiar with is the dead and not remembered social climber to Mr. Bennet's oldest children and his second wife a loving and refined Lady. The family is connected to royalty and friends with pretty much everyone that's important.
In the Darcy family, Lady Anne is still alive and most importantly has helped Caroline see the error of her ways. I actually enjoyed Caroline in this book.
Darcy's insult at the assembly is met with a furious Elizabeth who gives him an epic society set down and ensures he is essentially removed from society. His entire family, while upset it happened at all, is ecstatic that someone finally gave him enough of a blow to his importance that he starts to change.
From there the entire book is Darcy and Elizabeth maturing and falling for each other. Wickham and Mrs. Younge are worse in this book and it plays out as a big finale that leads into the second and third books.
The biggest thing is that there are A LOT of secondary characters in this book and you have to keep the names, titles, and relationships straight. Aside from that it was very enjoyable.
In the premise, Mr. Bennet and his brother are both Dukes and the Bennets have two sons so the entailment isn't an issue. The Mrs. Bennet we are familiar with is the dead and not remembered social climber to Mr. Bennet's oldest children and his second wife a loving and refined Lady. The family is connected to royalty and friends with pretty much everyone that's important.
In the Darcy family, Lady Anne is still alive and most importantly has helped Caroline see the error of her ways. I actually enjoyed Caroline in this book.
Darcy's insult at the assembly is met with a furious Elizabeth who gives him an epic society set down and ensures he is essentially removed from society. His entire family, while upset it happened at all, is ecstatic that someone finally gave him enough of a blow to his importance that he starts to change.
From there the entire book is Darcy and Elizabeth maturing and falling for each other. Wickham and Mrs. Younge are worse in this book and it plays out as a big finale that leads into the second and third books.
The biggest thing is that there are A LOT of secondary characters in this book and you have to keep the names, titles, and relationships straight. Aside from that it was very enjoyable.
January 29, 2021
Avid Reader
This was an interesting book where Darcy insults Lady Elizabeth in front of all of Meryton at the assembly. He spoke so loudly that the music stopped playing. Everyone was angry with Darcy, but Lady Elizabeth wore him out and then wrote to the ton and had him ostracized from society. Lady Anne is alive, Wickham causes all kinds of problems because Lady Elizabeth humiliated him in public. The novel focuses on Wickham 's plan for revenge and Darcy trying to be a better man. There were some grammatical errors, but the most distracting part was the repetition of the first page. It was almost as if the novel would never start.
This was an interesting book where Darcy insults Lady Elizabeth in front of all of Meryton at the assembly. He spoke so loudly that the music stopped playing. Everyone was angry with Darcy, but Lady Elizabeth wore him out and then wrote to the ton and had him ostracized from society. Lady Anne is alive, Wickham causes all kinds of problems because Lady Elizabeth humiliated him in public. The novel focuses on Wickham 's plan for revenge and Darcy trying to be a better man. There were some grammatical errors, but the most distracting part was the repetition of the first page. It was almost as if the novel would never start.
February 9, 2021
Could not get past 10%
The rule of writing - show don't tell. Every character has a huge backstory that is told and character traits given. I get the bit about having a first wife but could be accomplished in much less! Also giving away what happens in 4 mos time didn't make sense. The same concept could be written into a story rather than a history. What I read there was a brief to a writer rather than a story. Good idea poorly executed. Try a rewrite and a bold editor
The rule of writing - show don't tell. Every character has a huge backstory that is told and character traits given. I get the bit about having a first wife but could be accomplished in much less! Also giving away what happens in 4 mos time didn't make sense. The same concept could be written into a story rather than a history. What I read there was a brief to a writer rather than a story. Good idea poorly executed. Try a rewrite and a bold editor
March 31, 2021
The story is interesting but editing is awful. The style of writing is very repetitive in that we get the backstory with every character but then a thumb nail each time they return to the story, which I personally did not enjoy. BUT it's a very interesting reimagining.
And ultimately very enjoyable. On to part 2.
And ultimately very enjoyable. On to part 2.
January 26, 2021
Editing is the least of the problems
Whole pages are repeated, font changes, and the typos are to numerous to count! The writing is as juvenile as the cover art. There’s a significant amount of repetition and over descriptions. The story ideas aren’t bad hence the second star.
Whole pages are repeated, font changes, and the typos are to numerous to count! The writing is as juvenile as the cover art. There’s a significant amount of repetition and over descriptions. The story ideas aren’t bad hence the second star.
February 16, 2021
Snores
To each their choice in reading but this part one -hate sequels -- to make more 💰 I felt I had fallen into the black hole of ancestry.com the story dragged with too many characters. Included added that were superfluous the bit of excitement was too little too late,
To each their choice in reading but this part one -hate sequels -- to make more 💰 I felt I had fallen into the black hole of ancestry.com the story dragged with too many characters. Included added that were superfluous the bit of excitement was too little too late,
April 4, 2021
My kingdom for an editor!
Even more riddled with error than "The Hypocrite". Hardly a page went by without a typo or misused word. Obviously a hasty first draft published without any sort of review or editing.
Even more riddled with error than "The Hypocrite". Hardly a page went by without a typo or misused word. Obviously a hasty first draft published without any sort of review or editing.
April 10, 2021
Slow going not bad
It is not a bad story idea is great but so far it is very slow and Dean out hope it is much better in the next books
It is not a bad story idea is great but so far it is very slow and Dean out hope it is much better in the next books
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