Return to Longbourn (The Darcys of Pemberley, #2) in Austen Variations

Mar 21, 2015 Sheila Majczan rated it it was amazing

I loved how the author developed Mary's character and took us along for the ride as we witnessed Mary's innermost thoughts and revelations. Mary is not addressed by many authors in anything but an aside, i.e., "Oh, and Mary married a parson." Here we get to know Mary as a main character and how she is no longer on the sideline but a central figure in happenings after Mr. Bennet's death.

First, Mary takes action by obtaining employment as a governess. Even though she is not doomed to live in the h I loved how the author developed Mary's character and took us along for the ride as we witnessed Mary's innermost thoughts and revelations. Mary is not addressed by many authors in anything but an aside, i.e., "Oh, and Mary married a parson." Here we get to know Mary as a main character and how she is no longer on the sideline but a central figure in happenings after Mr. Bennet's death.

First, Mary takes action by obtaining employment as a governess. Even though she is not doomed to live in the hedgerows as her mother fears upon her father's death, Mary is not content to spend the rest of her days at her mother's beck and call nor being shuffled from one married sister to another to "be thrown into the path of other rich men". She takes employment which suits her disposition and talents. It was so touching to watch Mary form attachments with her young wards, to be able to make observations about their needs, their talents and their actions. And then to see how Mary determines the best way to address some of these, especially in speaking with their father as an intermediary.

Secondly, Mary is persuaded...no, forced into the same position such as we first witnessed with Elizabeth - to be pushed to put herself forward as a possible mate to the heir to Longbourn. In watching Mary's response to Mr. Tristan Collins, a totally acceptable man (unlike his brother), we are in suspense as to how this relationship is going to develop. Then, he goes off to Pemberley and meets Kitty who has taken refuge there, has hidden herself there because she expects Mr. Collins to be...well...Mr. Collins.

This book begins slowly but as details are supplied and events unfold we are drawn in, we learn to hope and yearn for Mary. We want a happy ending for her and REALLY - we are not sure which man might be best and on the other hand, if she is going to have any choice at all? Mary is not one to rock boats, she seems to accept events and to have a moral to each lesson. BUT in this story we find Mary is human too, with human feelings, with a need for acceptance and with a need for validation. I really like this Mary and I was very happy with her happily ever after.

And Mary is still practicing her piano...and, she is actually receiving some attention in this aspect of her life also...very interesting, my dear.

Well done, Shannon! ...more

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Aug 04, 2018 Kim rated it really liked it

Shelves: period-romance, 2018

I downloaded this book to audible without realizing that I was reading book 2 of a series. I listen to the whole thing and loved it but now it kind of makes sense that there were some parts the author was explaining that surprised me. Was the explanations it wasn't quite necessary to have read the first book but probably would have been helpful. I enjoyed the book immensely and loved the taste of Mary, even though when I started it I didn't remember that it was going to be about Mary and not Dar ...more

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May 25, 2019 Michelle David rated it liked it · review of another edition

Lovely

Another wonderful variation inspired by author Jane Austen’s classic Pride and Prejudice. This sequel to The Darcy’s of Pemberley was enjoyable

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Nov 30, 2014 Deborah rated it it was amazing

Shelves: ja-read, 2015-austenesque-reading-challenge

Mary is one of Elizabeth's sisters in Pride and Prejudice. She is pedantic and preachy. Mary became such a likable character in this story. She has become a warm and caring young woman with 2 possible suitors. One is the widower and father of the children she is governess to and the other is the American cousin of Mr. William Collins and is now the heir of Longbourn.Mary grows and you feel her hopes and disappointments. It is a book I would recommend. ...more

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