Decisions and Consequences: A Pride & Prejudice Variation in Austenesque Lovers TBR Pile Reading Challenge 2016

Jan 26, 2016 Debbie rated it liked it

Shelves: jaff

This starts with a fairly unusual premise: Darcy and Elizabeth agree to a pure marriage of convenience on both sides. They don't even particularly like each other at that point. But Darcy has decided he needs to marry someone and, to that end, established a set of criteria that Elizabeth meets perfectly. He and Mr. Collins each propose to Elizabeth within 12 hours of each other. She declines both, but her father presents her with an ultimatum, requiring her to choose one or the other in order to ...more

5 likes · Like · see review

Jul 26, 2016 Sheila Majczan rated it liked it · review of another edition

3.5 stars

I came to purchase this book because a friend recommended it. However, friends do not have to agree on everything. I did not find this book to be exceptional. Much of it was the same story line as canon. HOWEVER, there is an interesting premise, which if this story had been developed better, would have elevated my opinion about the entire novel.

As the book description relates, Mr. Darcy has been hunting for a bride. Now in this variation, Mr. Darcy comes across as one of those "concrete 3.5 stars

I came to purchase this book because a friend recommended it. However, friends do not have to agree on everything. I did not find this book to be exceptional. Much of it was the same story line as canon. HOWEVER, there is an interesting premise, which if this story had been developed better, would have elevated my opinion about the entire novel.

As the book description relates, Mr. Darcy has been hunting for a bride. Now in this variation, Mr. Darcy comes across as one of those "concrete, sequential" (black & white/1-2-3, A-B-C) personalities. He has a list of characteristics he desires in a wife. He has attended many balls and dinners in London during the season and upon finding someone he thinks fits the bill is then shocked to overhear her relate to her lover how she believes she has Darcy on her hook but how he is so droll. So "Honesty" is high on his list now.

He decides to take a break and travel with his friend, Bingley, to help him settle into his newly leased estate, Netherfield. Do I have to add how he attends the assembly and insults Elizabeth? However, in this version, in overhearing him Elizabeth gives as good as she takes. In relating to her friend, Charlotte, his words, she has them take two steps closer to his person in order to make sure he overhears her. Now she has his attention. Obviously, she does NOT like him and furthermore, she is honest in her opinion. So he decides to check her out and, as related in the book description, has his solicitor look into Mr. Bennet's background. He is not one to venture into any relationship until he has all the cards necessary in his hands. After all he knows she does not like him and he, too, is not marrying for love, but for a woman who will be a good mistress of his estates, who will not shame him in public and who will care for his family and any children who come along. (He witnesses her care of Jane at Netherfield, as in canon. They converse and she holds her own in such and in politely handling Caroline’s snipes.)

The reader learns of the information provided Darcy with which he can, if necessary, use to force Mr. Bennet's cooperation in making Elizabeth acquiesce to Darcy's proposal, but Elizabeth is not given those facts. And as told: she is presented with two proposals within a short span of time and immediately upon also turning down the second one, is told by her father that she MUST chose one or the other. At least, she is given a choice. And here Elizabeth does think it through. Despite knowing that Mr. Darcy has some hold over her father, she also realizes that she cannot choose Mr. Collins. Darcy DOES have intelligence, good conversation, and manners on his side...(Not to mention good looks.)

We, as readers, are treated to the period of prenuptial planning and do witness respectful conversations during courting. Of course, Elizabeth, tries to get Mr. Darcy to reveal what he has on her father, but he replies back that it is her father's choice to tell her or not. I found it rather amusing that neither person could put a name on why their bodily reactions to even just kisses were reactions of desiring more, of liking what had happened. Darcy put it down to now knowing she wouldn’t turn him away from her bed, that there was some evidence of passion. But I also found it a little nonsensical that Elizabeth would ask that he not consider her wanton for liking those kisses. How naïve are we suppose to opine about Elizabeth? I, for one in knowing that she is an intelligent woman and in having the fact that they are engaged for this period of time, would expect that kisses would be shared with no one thinking the action "wanton".

So much of the rest of the story is how love develops. However, we also have several side stories of romance in the making. And you know that Wickham has to have his part in the intrigue. That man is stopped short of having his way in Meryton when Elizabeth uses her knowledge about Darcy and the honor of character she has come to know to make a judgment call about Wickham’s story and to share it in all the right places. Wickham does not take that lightly.

This was an interesting read but I felt that at times it was flat and overall could have been better developed. The price is also a point of aggravation with me. I do know that authors don’t set prices but this one is overpriced for the length and quality given. ...more

5 likes · Like · see review

Sep 01, 2016 J. W. Garrett rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2016, era-6-regency-1811-1820, jaff-pride-and-prejudice

Alpha-male checks his list and checks it twice

Having recently read two other works by this author, I must say this one was much better. It didn’t feel rushed as the other novellas; the characters were fleshed out better and we were able to enjoy the transition from one scene to another without that choppy feeling. I really liked this work. I see our author progressing as she builds her writing career.

Note: I struggled with part of Chapter 1 where we switched POV between Darcy and Elizabeth. At ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Mar 21, 2016 Sheila Majczan rated it liked it

3.5 stars

I came to purchase this book because a friend recommended it. However, friends do not have to agree on everything. I did not find this book to be exceptional. Much of it was the same story line as canon. HOWEVER, there is an interesting premise, which if this story had been developed better, would have elevated my opinion about the entire novel.

As the book description relates, Mr. Darcy has been hunting for a bride. Now in this variation, Mr. Darcy comes across as one of those "concrete 3.5 stars

I came to purchase this book because a friend recommended it. However, friends do not have to agree on everything. I did not find this book to be exceptional. Much of it was the same story line as canon. HOWEVER, there is an interesting premise, which if this story had been developed better, would have elevated my opinion about the entire novel.

As the book description relates, Mr. Darcy has been hunting for a bride. Now in this variation, Mr. Darcy comes across as one of those "concrete, sequential" (black & white/1-2-3, A-B-C) personalities. He has a list of characteristics he desires in a wife. He has attended many balls and dinners in London during the season and upon finding someone he thinks fits the bill is then shocked to overhear her relate to her lover how she believes she has Darcy on her hook but how he is so droll. So "Honesty" is high on his list now.

He decides to take a break and travel with his friend, Bingley, to help him settle into his newly leased estate, Netherfield. Do I have to add how he attends the assembly and insults Elizabeth? However, in this version, in overhearing him Elizabeth gives as good as she takes. In relating to her friend, Charlotte, his words, she has them take two steps closer to his person in order to make sure he overhears her. Now she has his attention. Obviously, she does NOT like him and furthermore, she is honest in her opinion. So he decides to check her out and, as related in the book description, has his solicitor look into Mr. Bennet's background. He is not one to venture into any relationship until he has all the cards necessary in his hands. After all he knows she does not like him and he, too, is not marrying for love, but for a woman who will be a good mistress of his estates, who will not shame him in public and who will care for his family and any children who come along. (He witnesses her care of Jane at Netherfield, as in canon. They converse and she holds her own in such and in politely handling Caroline’s snipes.)

The reader learns of the information provided Darcy with which he can, if necessary, use to force Mr. Bennet's cooperation in making Elizabeth acquiesce to Darcy's proposal, but Elizabeth is not given those facts. And as told: she is presented with two proposals within a short span of time and immediately upon also turning down the second one, is told by her father that she MUST chose one or the other. At least, she is given a choice. And here Elizabeth does think it through. Despite knowing that Mr. Darcy has some hold over her father, she also realizes that she cannot choose Mr. Collins. Darcy DOES have intelligence, good conversation, and manners on his side...(Not to mention good looks.)

We, as readers, are treated to the period of prenuptial planning and do witness respectful conversations during courting. Of course, Elizabeth, tries to get Mr. Darcy to reveal what he has on her father, but he replies back that it is her father's choice to tell her or not. I found it rather amusing that neither person could put a name on why their bodily reactions to even just kisses were reactions of desiring more, of liking what had happened. Darcy put it down to now knowing she wouldn’t turn him away from her bed, that there was some evidence of passion. But I also found it a little nonsensical that Elizabeth would ask that he not consider her wanton for liking those kisses. How naïve are we suppose to opine about Elizabeth? I, for one in knowing that she is an intelligent woman and in having the fact that they are engaged for this period of time, would expect that kisses would be shared with no one thinking the action "wanton".

So much of the rest of the story is how love develops. However, we also have several side stories of romance in the making. And you know that Wickham has to have his part in the intrigue. That man is stopped short of having his way in Meryton when Elizabeth uses her knowledge about Darcy and the honor of character she has come to know to make a judgment call about Wickham’s story and to share it in all the right places. Wickham does not take that lightly.

This was an interesting read but I felt that at times it was flat and overall could have been better developed. The price is also a point of aggravation with me. I do know that authors don’t set prices but this one is overpriced for the length and quality given. ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Jan 29, 2016 Carol Perrin rated it it was amazing

Decisions and Consequences: A Pride & Prejudice Variation carriage

An awesome story. Darcy and Elizabeth did not like each other all, but Darcy recognized the values this impertinent country miss held. Values that were values he expected in a wife. Although he didn't like, he had to have her. At the Netherfield Ball, Darcy surprises her with a proposal. She declined he's offer only to proposed to the next day by Collins. Having his solicitor check into the Bennets' situation, he finds something t Decisions and Consequences: A Pride & Prejudice Variation carriage

An awesome story. Darcy and Elizabeth did not like each other all, but Darcy recognized the values this impertinent country miss held. Values that were values he expected in a wife. Although he didn't like, he had to have her. At the Netherfield Ball, Darcy surprises her with a proposal. She declined he's offer only to proposed to the next day by Collins. Having his solicitor check into the Bennets' situation, he finds something that could cause all the Bennets to be thrown out of Longbourn. Mr. Bennet gives Elizabeth a choice: she must marry one of the two men. Although she dislikes Darcy, she chooses him. Really she shouldn't have to think on it. During their engagement, both come to at least like each other, but she admits she loved his kisses. After talking to her Aunt Gardiner, Elizabeth is not wanton, but falling in love with her husband to be. By their wedding, both have come to like and respect one another. After their wedding night, Elizabeth wonders why her mother said wifely duties were a chore. Unbeknownst to the Darcys, wicked Wickham had been watching the couple planning his revenge. Seeing Elizabeth leaving the house alone, he realizes this is his chance. When the carriage stops, he whips open the door and jumps in. Boy was he surprised! Unfortunately in the scuffle, Elizabeth is shot. Darcy begs her not to leave him, realizing he loves her and that he couldn't live with the loneliness that bored down on him after his father died. The nightmares that robbed them from sleep resulted in havoc at the Darcy House. Finally, Colonel Fitzwilliam took Georgiana and Mary to his mother and father's home so they could sleep. Mary and Fitzwilliam marry and Jane and Bingley move within a half days journey from Pemberley. What bothered me in this story was the fact that Jane and Bingley went on their honeymoon instead of coming help the Darcys. Seemed strange with girls close relationship, Jane didn't go to London. And last but not least, the three evil musketeers were in the story, but each was dealt with immediately. ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Mar 12, 2017 Teresita rated it it was amazing

Shelves: jaff

She made the obvious choice

If she had to marry without love, she wanted at least to be respected.

A wonderful story masterfully told.

Highly recommended!

1 like · Like · see review