From Admiration to Love: A Pride and Prejudice sequel (Darcy Family Christmas Book 3) in Austen Variations

Jul 22, 2019 Sheila Majczan rated it really liked it

As a sequel this story does require that you know the history of this family, at the very least as it is portrayed in canon. I don't remember reading the story of the Darcys' first Christmas together as it is referenced as having been a disaster due to Darcy's Aunt Matlock.

He and Elizabeth are planning Georgiana's come-out for a Twelfth Night ball and only his cousin, the retired Colonel, is presently a visitor when Lady Catherine and Anne show up...uninvited. What's worse is that Anne has invit As a sequel this story does require that you know the history of this family, at the very least as it is portrayed in canon. I don't remember reading the story of the Darcys' first Christmas together as it is referenced as having been a disaster due to Darcy's Aunt Matlock.

He and Elizabeth are planning Georgiana's come-out for a Twelfth Night ball and only his cousin, the retired Colonel, is presently a visitor when Lady Catherine and Anne show up...uninvited. What's worse is that Anne has invited a friend whose family has departed for a trip leaving her at home while they travel and furthermore that friend seems to have invited 3 male relatives who had "supposedly" planned to visit her but then followed her to Pemberley when they learned she was off to that place.

This Anne is very different from the Anne of canon. She acts like a spoiled brat and seemingly does everything she can to act in opposition to her mother. Lady Catherine has sent her off to a finishing school which she sees as necessary because Darcy has "jilted" her and married Elizabeth. Anne now has accomplishments never before accorded to her (but that in itself is a story). We learn that she and the Colonel/Fitzwilliam have a long standing relationship and he uses that to scold her when her behavior threatens to take center-stage away from Georgiana's coming out celebration.

Much of the text is Fitzwilliam's POV. As Debby Brown commented in her excellent review the author does write of some of the customs around that time of year in this story. The pudding being made, the yule log, the burning of the greens, etc. are seamlessly added into the busy days described due to the holiday, the ball and the unexpected visitors.

Lady's Catherine is not without her remarks as she attempts over and over again to gain top-dog position at Pemberley. Elizabeth (and others) handle her with grace even though one is tempted to just "throw her out".

This book was one of several offered free to read in a link on her blog or to buy on sale for only $.99 for a few days. I have enjoyed all of those of her other works which I have read. I do have few unread stories and plan to read those...some day. It is just a matter of time as so many books call for attention. I do recommend this story. ...more

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