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Elizabeth's Challenge: A Pride and Prejudice Variation

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There were only a few more days until the wedding of Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy, a date they will share with her older sister, Jane, and his dear friend, Charles Bingley. Finding themselves alone at Netherfield, neither is strong enough to resist the need they have for each other. They are deeply in love, and it would not be many days before they were joined together as man and wife in the eyes of God and the law. The following day Darcy receives a pivotal express, his presence was urgently needed at his estate in the Hebrides. The wedding is postponed to the middle of January. Darcy was determined to return by then, if not sooner, but fate has other plans. When the ship he is on is lost in a storm, it is presumed that all the souls on board were lost with it. Time passes – winter turns to spring.

In Hertfordshire, the consequences of that day in early December are brought home when Elizabeth’s mother discovers her daughter’s condition and Elizabeth is sent from Longbourn in disgrace. Deciding she would not burden the Gardeners with her humiliation, Elizabeth heads for Derbyshire – to see Georgiana and Pemberley for one last time.

In the Hebrides, a young man is lying on a cot in a crofter’s cottage staring at the ceiling above him. He had been found on the rocky shore, unconscious and badly injured. When he eventually awoke he had no idea where he was or, more importantly, who he was. All he knew was that without the kindness of the crofter and his wife, who found and cared for him, he would have perished weeks ago.

‘Elizabeth’s Challenge’ is the story of the trials faced by Elizabeth, and to some extent Darcy. The care and protection given freely to them was crucial to their being reunited. If you want a story high in angst, this one is not for you.

165 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 27, 2021

19 people are currently reading
31 people want to read

About the author

E.A. Batten

7 books13 followers

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5 stars
60 (42%)
4 stars
46 (32%)
3 stars
23 (16%)
2 stars
9 (6%)
1 star
3 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
Profile Image for James S.
1,438 reviews
June 30, 2021
Amnesia changes everything

Lizzy and Darcy are to be married. Before the wedding Darcy must go to Scotland on business. While sailing there a storm develops and the ship sinks with no survivors. Except Darcy who is washed ashore and is hurt badly. He also has amnesia.

Lizzy mean while thinks Darcy is dead. Worse, she is pregnant. Too much hanky panky.

The rest of the story is pretty entertaining and I enjoyed it quite a bit.

The table of contents does not work on the kindle reading app.
Profile Image for Sam H..
1,229 reviews62 followers
March 26, 2022
A great story if under-developed. and by that I mean - this has so much more scope for epicville!

Loved Georgiana in this, she really saves the day. The second half seemed to resolve too easily and quickly.

A great premise and quick read!
Profile Image for Ree.
1,348 reviews80 followers
July 1, 2021
A bit of a tearjerker
Engaged to be married shortly, Elizabeth and Darcy anticipate their vows. Darcy is called away to Scotland for an emergency at his estate there, but is shipwrecked and suffers memory loss and injury. When the consequences of their passion becomes evident, Elizabeth is disowned by the Bennets and sent out on her own. Grieving and not knowing what the future would bring, she longs to see Pemberley one last time and is given refuge by Georgiana and Mrs. Reynolds until she gives birth. What will happen afterwards? Guaranteed HEA!

I thought this was a very enjoyable story, with moving moments that triggered tears to my eyes. A nice quick read.
41 reviews3 followers
August 13, 2021
Boring and unrealistic starting from the premise. Is Darcy leaving for Scotland just before the wedding? And even knowing that there could be consequences for Elizabeth? Really? In general, in this book he makes a choice - the affairs of his secondary estate are more dear to him than a wedding with the love of his life. I couldn't finish it.
462 reviews
January 24, 2022
Elizabeth finds herself in an interesting situation

Darcy is called away on urgent business thus delaying their wedding and Elizabeth finds herself in an interesting situation. Mrs Bennet orders her daughter gone and Mr Bennet agrees. What happens after is not as awful as it could have been. Darcy is found injured and without his memory.
The couple faces many challenges as they find themselves together again.
Georgianna is the key to ODC finding their happiness.
Profile Image for Michelle David.
2,569 reviews13 followers
June 29, 2021
Moving story

An absolutely beautiful story of love and supporting family and doing the right thing even if society wouldn’t agree. Enjoyed it
212 reviews
July 5, 2021
A good start

2.75 stars

There’s nothing disagreeable about the plot; there simply isn’t enough conflict in it. I mean, aside from the amnesia the plot is realistic, but that doesn’t mean it’s interesting.

The author has trouble with comma splices. She also devotes too much time to minutiae: for example, it takes Elizabeth half a page to burn a letter.
213 reviews2 followers
September 8, 2023
Elizabeth’s Challenge

What a wonderful story this was. Monumental challenge is more like it, but Elizabeth handled it with determination and courage. Darcy and Elizabeth wedding was put on hold when he had to travel to his home in Ireland. Georgiana had to inform Elizabeth that the ship he was traveling on sunk and all aboard were lost, and asks Elizabeth to come to Pemberley. As Elizabeth’s waistline expanded, she was forced from Longbourn in shame. Not knowing where to go, she traveled to Pemberley to see Georgiana. Georgiana convinces her to stay and Elizabeth stays on the fourth floor in the nursery wing awaiting the birth of her twins. She delivers two sons, William and Alexander. The boys are identical, but with different personalities. William is his father’s son and Alexander is his mother’s son. Four long years pass. Happiness arrives in a restored Fitzwilliam both in health and mind. Besides his faithful butler and housekeeper, the first person he sees is the adventurous pint sized Alexander looking for food as his brother and mother slept in the nursery. Darcy has no doubt that this is his child. Pleasantly surprised that his sister and servants have sheltered his beloved betrothed and children. He and Lizzy marry with a special license and baptize the children the same day. They travel to London to surprise Georgiana for her birthday, but surprise everyone else who knew Darcy and thought he was dead. Of course, the ladies of London were unhappy to hear that he had married. The Darcys reunite with the Gardiners and Bingleys. The Darcy’s and Gardiners never set foot in Longbourn again. The Darcys and their children visited everyone except the Bennets and Wickhams. HEA for ODC and their children.
Profile Image for Mustang.
349 reviews
August 12, 2024
3 1/2 stars
This is a quick read. I felt that more of this story could have been developed deeper but if you are looking for a committed Darcy and Elizabeth this could be for you. Darcy and Elizabeth anticipate their vows (not a spoiler as you learn this right away). Unfortunately Darcy is called away right before their wedding and is presumed dead. I have read a few other stories with this trope and some have been done really well and others not. This is a better version but again I think more depth could have been added especially after he returns. I do think that some of the family/society were way more forgiving than the time period would permit but since I have not studied that I can't say for sure. The end felt a little rushed. Will I read this again, I could see myself doing so when I am in a mood for it.
49 reviews1 follower
July 10, 2021
Loved it

I have always enjoyed this authors books and as soon as I saw it I ordered it. To me it was a sad and happy tale. It is one I will read again! I couldn't believe that Mr. Bennett would throw his favorite daughter out as he did, but Mrs. Bennett was believable and true to form. Elizabeth was strong, but so was Georgianna in giving her a home in this era of time. I don't like to think about the hardships young ladies went through during this time in the circumstances that Elizabeth found herself in. Thank you for another good read!
1,391 reviews4 followers
August 8, 2021
Interesting, beautifully written, clean, loving

Mistakes can and are made in life. Some mistakes cannot be forgive though. In this very interesting story Lizzy and Darcy have an extremely rough time to the alter, but finally male it. I love how Georgiana and the staff at Pemberley handled the situation. I truly loved the way the Fitzwilliams just showed loved from the beginning. This story kept me interested from beginning to end. The love shown through the words to keep me from putting it down. Highly recommended to read.
42 reviews
August 17, 2021
Elizabeth's Challenge

Wow, the synopsis indicated a different plot. The author created a different pride and prejudice variation. However the story maintained the authenticity of the characters personalities. The kindness and charity exhibited by the characters made this a pleasant read. The cruel, mercenary and self absorbed characters were the flavor that makes the story a p and p variation.
45 reviews
September 9, 2021
Good story

I liked the story was written. If I had been Elizabeth, I would have written telling mrs. Bennett that since she disowned her, she has no right to ask her for money. I would also mention she didn't ask about her daughter's health or her children or Mr darcys health as mean as possible and tell her never to write her again.
Profile Image for Jean Stillman.
1,028 reviews12 followers
September 25, 2021
The plot for the book is a good one, even if underdeveloped. I enjoyed the characters, especially Georgiana and Mrs. Reynolds. For this book, there were way too many errors in grammar, spelling and punctuation. I would love to see this author, whom I really enjoy reading, revisit this book and do cleanup.
545 reviews21 followers
April 22, 2024
This story was short and pretty lower on angst than expected. Actually, it could've been much more than it was with so much emotional potential, lot of heavy content was just skimmed over. If thr author's intention was not to anguish her readers, she definitely succeeded. But I felt a story like this should have been more emotional and heart touching.
68 reviews1 follower
July 27, 2021
Heartrenching

Because Lizzies suffering was so uneccessary. Her parents were not entitled to forgiveness especially her father's weakness where his wife's demands were. I didn't want it to end and found it difficult to put down
Profile Image for Craftyhj.
1,238 reviews
May 9, 2022
A very different variation

This was a well written and edited story with minimal angst despite the subject matter. As a novella it has a very reduced cast allowing the story to focus on the main characters.
Profile Image for Terri Conley.
1,048 reviews7 followers
July 1, 2021
While I liked the story some points seemed rushed. The end came more quickly than I expected.
Great premise props to Georgianna she was the hero in this story.
Profile Image for Geri.
54 reviews
April 15, 2025
The premise of this story was intriguing - Mr Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett anticipate their vows a few days before their wedding, then he's called away on urgent business and the ship he's on sinks with, presumably, no survivors.
I wanted this to be full of drama and deep feelings. There are so many possibilities to go into depth of the emotions, but those possibilities were missed. Instead, everything is told not shown/experienced. While it was a good premise and was edited well, it felt flat to me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews

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