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First to Marry #1
Caroline and the Colonel: A Pride and Prejudice Variation
Caroline Bingley desperately desires to ascend to the highest levels of society. Mr. Darcy is her ticket to the top. And she will do everything in her power to snag that glittering prize of a man.
When her brother drags her from the glamour of London to the dust of Meryton, she never imagined that the dull little market town would be filled with just as much treachery as a glittering city ballroom.
What Caroline doesn’t know is that she has a heart. Until she meets the colonel…
When her brother drags her from the glamour of London to the dust of Meryton, she never imagined that the dull little market town would be filled with just as much treachery as a glittering city ballroom.
What Caroline doesn’t know is that she has a heart. Until she meets the colonel…
340 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 11, 2021
32 people are currently reading
17 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
February 14, 2021
Ends at Epilogue
Ughhh, I’m quite put out! The book abruptly ends with the Epilogue header, but it isn’t included. I don’t know if it’s a glitch with the download or intentional and continues with a future book.
This is another book of late that is really very good, but was not yet ready for publishing due to a lack of proofreading. There are so many missed errors, and frankly, it’s extremely disappointing. I cannot understand why so many authors do not ensure their published work is word perfect when it’s presented for purchase. At least with this one, I’ve borrowed it via Kindle Unlimited.
This was a really fantastic story that incorporated all of Pride and Prejudice’s characters. The author has a great writing style and an impressive wit that displays itself quite nicely in her prose. But for all the unfortunate proofreading errors I mentioned, this book would be worthy of a five-star rating. I truly loved the story itself. I took one star off for the errors and a second for the missing epilogue.
I see there is a preorder of this author’s next book currently on Amazon. I dearly suggest a good editor/proofreader before its released.
Ughhh, I’m quite put out! The book abruptly ends with the Epilogue header, but it isn’t included. I don’t know if it’s a glitch with the download or intentional and continues with a future book.
This is another book of late that is really very good, but was not yet ready for publishing due to a lack of proofreading. There are so many missed errors, and frankly, it’s extremely disappointing. I cannot understand why so many authors do not ensure their published work is word perfect when it’s presented for purchase. At least with this one, I’ve borrowed it via Kindle Unlimited.
This was a really fantastic story that incorporated all of Pride and Prejudice’s characters. The author has a great writing style and an impressive wit that displays itself quite nicely in her prose. But for all the unfortunate proofreading errors I mentioned, this book would be worthy of a five-star rating. I truly loved the story itself. I took one star off for the errors and a second for the missing epilogue.
I see there is a preorder of this author’s next book currently on Amazon. I dearly suggest a good editor/proofreader before its released.
November 14, 2021
A very well done story
You will really like Caroline Bingley in this AJ P&P version . Thoroughly enjoyed the story and will differently read again
You will really like Caroline Bingley in this AJ P&P version . Thoroughly enjoyed the story and will differently read again
August 17, 2022
Very poorly edited with a lot of modern and American language. It’s like the author didn’t even try!
There’s a mistake in the introduction! Also, not really an ending.
I gave it three stars because I did want to know what happened. Unfortunately it had the non ending. I’m struggling with the second book.
There’s a mistake in the introduction! Also, not really an ending.
I gave it three stars because I did want to know what happened. Unfortunately it had the non ending. I’m struggling with the second book.
August 8, 2021
The story started with a short scene from the war where the colonel was injured. Then the events around the time The Bingley's traveled to Hertfordshire. It mostly followed the canon's events.
I have read only a few books that is from Caroline's perspective. Though I normally do not like her, I kinda enjoyed her story in this one. The author made all her ill-thoughts, actions and scenes funny, especially her encounters with the Colonel, making it an enticing to read. Also , appreciated her development/maturity in the end and thus deserving of love and a happy ending.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I have read only a few books that is from Caroline's perspective. Though I normally do not like her, I kinda enjoyed her story in this one. The author made all her ill-thoughts, actions and scenes funny, especially her encounters with the Colonel, making it an enticing to read. Also , appreciated her development/maturity in the end and thus deserving of love and a happy ending.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 14, 2021
What would Caroline be like if she no longer wanted Darcy
I enjoyed living inside Caroline's head during this book. The plot holds my attention. I look forward to the next books in the series.
I enjoyed living inside Caroline's head during this book. The plot holds my attention. I look forward to the next books in the series.
December 7, 2021
ku read; buying for permanent collection
This book has much to recommend it, including the nuanced depiction of the villainous Miss Bingley. The plot doesn’t drag, and the narration is insightful. For example, Mr Darcy realizes “awkward Mary Bennet reminded him of two people very dear to his heart — her sister Elizabeth, with whom Mary shared the same coloring, and Darcy suspected they had a similar turn of mind…and himself. He could relate to the girl who always said the wrong thing at the wrong time, the one who looked like she would rather swallow a bitter tonic than drink tea with her mother and silly sisters, the one who watched everything and said very little.”
The flaws are minor, but distracting, such as when Col Fitzwilliam is drinking punch from a glass he’d gotten rid of two pages earlier. And, while most of the author’s metaphors were on point, this one was very much not: “He tasted of brandy and apples and fall leaves”
Finally, the characters give far too many toothy grins. “Grins” would suffice.
This book has much to recommend it, including the nuanced depiction of the villainous Miss Bingley. The plot doesn’t drag, and the narration is insightful. For example, Mr Darcy realizes “awkward Mary Bennet reminded him of two people very dear to his heart — her sister Elizabeth, with whom Mary shared the same coloring, and Darcy suspected they had a similar turn of mind…and himself. He could relate to the girl who always said the wrong thing at the wrong time, the one who looked like she would rather swallow a bitter tonic than drink tea with her mother and silly sisters, the one who watched everything and said very little.”
The flaws are minor, but distracting, such as when Col Fitzwilliam is drinking punch from a glass he’d gotten rid of two pages earlier. And, while most of the author’s metaphors were on point, this one was very much not: “He tasted of brandy and apples and fall leaves”
Finally, the characters give far too many toothy grins. “Grins” would suffice.
January 4, 2025
3 1/2 stars rounded up to 4. This is good for a first book, and the author shows promise. As usual in this genre, the book suffers from poor editing. That said, I did enjoy it. I especially liked this version of Colonel Fitzwilliam; his dialogue is very witty! I can't quite say why, but the parts that do not involve the Colonel did not hold my attention as well. I almost quit after about 1/4 of the story, but I was glad I kept going, because once he shows up, things improved a lot.
We see Caroline as somewhat of a conflicted character. She's nice to her maid, even at the beginning, so she starts out nicer than we usually see her. I enjoyed following her character growth and realization that she and Mr. Darcy really did not suit at all. Her growing affection for Colonel Fitzwilliam is nice.
I liked the way the Colonel insisted that Mr. Darcy work to improve his image in the neighborhood, his own growth and the growth of some other characters, like Mary Bennet, were also nice to see, although nothing resolved for him in the story.The ending seemed a bit muddled in some ways. Colonel Fitzwilliam is angry and disappointed in something that she did, but then immediately forgets it in a small crisis and the resolution of that is rather contrived.
Overall, a good first effort, and I recommend it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
We see Caroline as somewhat of a conflicted character. She's nice to her maid, even at the beginning, so she starts out nicer than we usually see her. I enjoyed following her character growth and realization that she and Mr. Darcy really did not suit at all. Her growing affection for Colonel Fitzwilliam is nice.
I liked the way the Colonel insisted that Mr. Darcy work to improve his image in the neighborhood, his own growth and the growth of some other characters, like Mary Bennet, were also nice to see, although nothing resolved for him in the story.The ending seemed a bit muddled in some ways. Colonel Fitzwilliam is angry and disappointed in something that she did, but then immediately forgets it in a small crisis and the resolution of that is rather contrived.
Overall, a good first effort, and I recommend it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 16, 2021
This is an interesting take on Caroline Bingley and Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam from Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice”. I enjoyed the story. I loved the different points of view from the original book. The characters were well written. It’s an enjoyable read. I would have given it five stars if it hadn’t ended before the epilogue. It’s not an epilogue but an introduction to the next characters. I do recommend this book if you enjoy Jane Austen’s books.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 23, 2022
I loved how Caro was portrayed in this book, and the way she was gradually changing, becoming more genuine and soft was done superbly. Her chapters were my favorite, especially her growing companionship with . The secondary characters were done very well, too (Hursts, I'm looking at you). However. Darcy and Bingley were written so, so inconsistently. They were portrayed as either blushing, stuttering schoolboys, -- or vulgar, malicious gossips. Their uncouth dialogues were the main sources for info-dumping in this book and left a bad taste in my mouth.
November 2, 2022
Excellent!
What a different perspective of Caroline. She is still herself, but knowing her better improves your opinion of her. I've recently moved over to team Richard so that was a nice bonus here. I've started book 2 about Kitty and Caroline's story seems to continue in it. I will recommend these books to my friends.
Also, I do hope this author writes a story for each Bennett sister. I would love to see what she does for Mary.
What a different perspective of Caroline. She is still herself, but knowing her better improves your opinion of her. I've recently moved over to team Richard so that was a nice bonus here. I've started book 2 about Kitty and Caroline's story seems to continue in it. I will recommend these books to my friends.
Also, I do hope this author writes a story for each Bennett sister. I would love to see what she does for Mary.
June 18, 2022
A Redemptive Caroline story
I absolutely loved this. I loved watching Caroline shed her pettiness and become, or rather, allow her true self to re-emerge. I loved Colonel Fitzwilliam. I loved the dialogue, the way even Lydia showed sisterly loyalty.
I loved it.
I absolutely loved this. I loved watching Caroline shed her pettiness and become, or rather, allow her true self to re-emerge. I loved Colonel Fitzwilliam. I loved the dialogue, the way even Lydia showed sisterly loyalty.
I loved it.
December 27, 2022
Delightful story
I’m a big fan of stories that expand upon little loved or explored characters. This story is delightful. Definitely recommend!
I’m a big fan of stories that expand upon little loved or explored characters. This story is delightful. Definitely recommend!
July 31, 2021
Piling On the Info Dumpery
I absolutely adore Jane Austen fan fiction, especially those based on the author's beloved Pride and Prejudice novel. This book focuses on the much-reviled character Caroline Bingley... and the well-loved (at least in most JAFF) Colonel Fitzwilliam. In fact, the book starts with a prologue showing him being injured during the Napoleonic Wars. While I quite liked that beginning, I wasn't wild when the book shifted to Caroline's perspective. Yes, the author did show Caroline's selfish and snooty thoughts right away, but she did so in the dreaded information dump. Authors really ought to know that readers don't like this “literary device” and should avoid it like the plague. Backstory can be woven in more artfully throughout a book. I also wasn't wild about the use of contemporary terminology, like the informal US term “piling on.” Use of such modern phrases pulls me right out of the story. Unfortunately, I did not get past these initial problems with the book and ultimately did not finish it. I love a good JAFF book, but this is not one of them.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
I absolutely adore Jane Austen fan fiction, especially those based on the author's beloved Pride and Prejudice novel. This book focuses on the much-reviled character Caroline Bingley... and the well-loved (at least in most JAFF) Colonel Fitzwilliam. In fact, the book starts with a prologue showing him being injured during the Napoleonic Wars. While I quite liked that beginning, I wasn't wild when the book shifted to Caroline's perspective. Yes, the author did show Caroline's selfish and snooty thoughts right away, but she did so in the dreaded information dump. Authors really ought to know that readers don't like this “literary device” and should avoid it like the plague. Backstory can be woven in more artfully throughout a book. I also wasn't wild about the use of contemporary terminology, like the informal US term “piling on.” Use of such modern phrases pulls me right out of the story. Unfortunately, I did not get past these initial problems with the book and ultimately did not finish it. I love a good JAFF book, but this is not one of them.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
July 5, 2021
Absolutely love the concept of this one and was way into the backstory that Archer gives us for Caroline, which explained so many of her actions. I loved seeing Caroline recognize some hard truths about herself and work on becoming a better person. Then, around 70%, this book went totally off the rails. Wickham shows up out of basically nowhere, there's this huge muddle of absolute nonsense, then Caroline makes a public apology at the ball to Elizabeth (which just wouldn't have happened - I can handle some deviancy from historical aspects because it's just a fun story but this was a bit over-the-top), and it honestly just felt like Archer decided she needed to hurry up and finish this book. Side note, an Epilogue is where you wrap up loose ends, not introduce new ones for your sequel.
All in all, this one just had so much promise but petered out hard at the end. Archer needs to take the first 3/4 of her book and write a new ending that actually makes sense (sans Wickham) because the actual concept is fantastic.
All in all, this one just had so much promise but petered out hard at the end. Archer needs to take the first 3/4 of her book and write a new ending that actually makes sense (sans Wickham) because the actual concept is fantastic.
October 23, 2023
I loved this book. I am unsatisfied that Caroline deserved Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam, but it was a well written, well conceived pleasure to read. I had, by happenstance, chosen to read the 4th and 10th book on every page starting from the back of the JAFF unread folder for this year's TBR challenge, no exceptions, and this gem of a tale was one of the ones I added but worried I would think he got the short end of the stick. He did, certainly, but I like this Miss Bingley more than most. And the hidden gem of Lydia was nothing to match those of Kitty and Mary. It was a wonderful tale of unexpected events. And if this review helps even one other person slides open the cover with zero preconceptions as I try to, I hope they enjoy this tale of unexpected amusements.
August 11, 2022
Great take on Caroline!
In Austen's story, Caroline is pretty one dimensional, which was appropriate. This story fleshed out her character giving some insight into possible motivation for her behavior. Some of the prose is absolutely hysterical. I laughed so hard I cried. I'll read it again.
In Austen's story, Caroline is pretty one dimensional, which was appropriate. This story fleshed out her character giving some insight into possible motivation for her behavior. Some of the prose is absolutely hysterical. I laughed so hard I cried. I'll read it again.
August 21, 2021
Fun story
This is an enjoyable story with a different take on Caroline Bingley. However it needs editing. There were too many sentences that simply did not make sense as written , with either excess or missing words.
This is an enjoyable story with a different take on Caroline Bingley. However it needs editing. There were too many sentences that simply did not make sense as written , with either excess or missing words.
September 12, 2021
Please edit!
This is an original and engaging story thoroughly ruined by an almost complete lack of the simplest editing and error correction. The worst offender is missing words.
This is an original and engaging story thoroughly ruined by an almost complete lack of the simplest editing and error correction. The worst offender is missing words.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews