Family Portraits: A Dearest Friends Continuation in Austenesque Lovers TBR Pile Reading Challenge 2016

May 02, 2016 Sophia rated it it was amazing

Shelves: review-requests, jane-austen-austenesque, audio-books, historical-romance-english-welsh

Audiobook Re-Read Review

Dearest Friends was a very special book for me. I adore Austenesque variations/sequels and encountering new to me authors. I was enchanted by that book, but felt there was more to the ongoing story of the extended family group of characters. The author picked up her pen once again and satisfied her readers with the latter half of the story.

I listened to Family Portraits as a re-read and was once again transported into a heartwarming family saga that spanned many years ta ...more

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May 03, 2016 Debbie rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: jaff

I received an ARC from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review

2.5 stars, rounded up to 3 stars

Those who loved Dearest Friends and were clamoring to know the fates of all the characters will find the answers in this sequel, although they may not be as happy with the picture painted for some characters. Because these extended family members are rarely in the same location, we follow multiple storylines. We start in 1812 and end in 1822, plus there’s an epilogue. The couples start havin I received an ARC from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review

2.5 stars, rounded up to 3 stars

Those who loved Dearest Friends and were clamoring to know the fates of all the characters will find the answers in this sequel, although they may not be as happy with the picture painted for some characters. Because these extended family members are rarely in the same location, we follow multiple storylines. We start in 1812 and end in 1822, plus there’s an epilogue. The couples start having children, and the families grow larger with each passing year.

(view spoiler)

There’s an awful lot going on at Pemberley/London, Matlock, Rosings and Netherfield. And therein lies the problem with this book. It moves in so many different directions, it comes across as disjointed. I wonder if this would have worked better as a series of related short stories in the same book featuring each family’s storyline, especially since these plots each have their own rising action, turning points, and resolutions independent of the others.

As it’s written, I found it hard to become immersed in any single story. Just as I became interested in what was happening with one set of characters, the story shifted and I had to remember where things previously left off with a different household. Perhaps that wouldn't be as much of an issue with only one or two other stories to keep track of, but there are at least five that only rarely intersect with any of the others. As a result, I wasn’t able to feel a connection with any of the characters or their experiences, which WAS present in the previous book. This book as a whole struck me as very choppy rather than flowing, and that negatively affected my enjoyment reading it. ...more

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May 02, 2016 Erika rated it it was amazing

Shelves: jane-austen

The conclusion for Dearest Friends

~~~I received an ARC of Family Portraits by Pamela Lynne for an honest review!~~~

Disclaimer: this is the sequel to Dearest Friends, and I will say you must read them in order to understand what is going on.

When we left Dearest Friends, Ms Lynne had me in tears with a tormented heart over the situation with Sebastian Fitzwilliam and Mary Bennet. I could tell that there would be another book, but I was still having such a hard time accepting their fate.

With Famil ...more

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Jun 09, 2018 ana darcy rated it it was amazing

Shelves: jaff

I have really enjoyed reading how life went after "Dearest Friends".
The Fitzwilliam are a handful hehhe
Mary :) ...more

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Feb 07, 2017 Meredith (Austenesque Reviews) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: pride-and-prejudice, jane-austen

A Riveting Sequel with Our Dearest Friends!

(Note: This is a sequel to Pamela Lynne’s Pride and Prejudice variation, Dearest Friends, and it is recommended you read that story prior to reading this one.)

In Dearest Friends, Pamela Lynne shows readers what happens when Darcy and Elizabeth lose the trust, friendship, and support of those closest to them. Darcy and Elizabeth are hurt badly by the betrayal and selfishness actions of those they love, but by chance become reacquainted in London and find A Riveting Sequel with Our Dearest Friends!

(Note: This is a sequel to Pamela Lynne’s Pride and Prejudice variation, Dearest Friends, and it is recommended you read that story prior to reading this one.)

In Dearest Friends, Pamela Lynne shows readers what happens when Darcy and Elizabeth lose the trust, friendship, and support of those closest to them. Darcy and Elizabeth are hurt badly by the betrayal and selfishness actions of those they love, but by chance become reacquainted in London and find friendship, compassion, and something infinitely more dear…true happiness and marital bliss!

And some of Darcy’s and Elizabeth’s friends and family members find happiness in marriage as well. But some do not. One couple is forced to go their separate ways (even though both are in love and wish to marry each other!) and another finds themselves living in an unhappy marriage filled with marital strife and misery. It is these two couples we spend the most time with in Family Portraits. But similar to Dearest Friends, this story includes a large cast with many subplots and switching of storylines. Both books are a rather encompassing and epic family saga!

Oh happy day! One of my favorite original characters receives some major time in the spotlight in this sequel! If you read my review of Dearest Friends, then you know I could only be talking about Pamela Lynne’s lovable original character, Sebastian Fitzwilliam, Viscount Hedley (Colonel Fitzwilliam’s rakish and reprehensible brother!) He’s the classic bad boy that everyone warned you about but you end up falling hard for anyway! While he is charming and devastatingly handsome, what I love most about Sebastian is his blunt honesty and how he notices what others don’t. Especially when he sees the value and beauty in a person others often discard and neglect.

In this story we see how Sebastian moves on and becomes a worthy man. He may not be able to pursue a future with the woman he loves, but he still wants to make her proud. And so he strives to always do what is right, to fix the messes he and his family made, and become the kind of man he didn’t think was possible. Sebastian faces some difficult and heartbreaking trials in this book and I loved Pamela Lynne’s sensitive and perceptive development of his character. He will forever remain one of my favorites!

Besides Sebastian (because he is reason numero uno of why I love this book!), another element of this sequel I greatly enjoyed was the creative storylines Pamela Lynne dreamed up for all characters involved. There is a lot of diversity with her storylines (which I appreciated) and I found each one plausible and engrossing. It is always a good thing when you can’t decide which subplot you want to follow most! I loved how even Darcy and Elizabeth got a plenty of page time and how they had to learn how to not let family matters come between them.

And lastly, I loved how this story was told with letters in the beginning and jumps in the timeline supported by summaries of important events. I especially loved witnessing the letters exchanged between Richard and Sebastian, they were hilarious! And speaking of hilarious, wait until you see what happens with Lydia!! What a hoot! It is with these sparkling subplots and attention to small detail where Ms. Lynne’s talent really shines!

I adored this expressive and entertaining pair of books by Pamela Lynne! I loved how Pamela Lynne featured so many characters and intertwining storylines, and I greatly admire her fearless and creative approach to Jane Austen’s characters. If you have not already read these lovely books I recommend you make haste and do so at once!!!

Warning: Due to a few intimate and romantic scenes that take place in this novel, I’d recommend this novel for Mature Audiences only. ...more

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Sep 25, 2016 Talia rated it it was amazing

As I closed the book after reading the last page, I felt complete. I will be reaching for these two books over and over again to reread. Pamela Lynne gave me everything I wanted and more. Thank you so much for writing these two. I request a wonderful Col Fitzwilliam book now.

Reread: I read this book and the previous one out of order and think I liked them even more! Terrific books!

Reread: Terrific. One of the best!

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Jan 16, 2018 Sheila Majczan rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This is not a stand alone story. It is the continuation of Dearest Friends as it states. You must read the first book in order to understand where we enter. And it is with much angst that this story picks up again.

This story has 3 sections: set in 1814, 1817 and 1822. The first two more or less tell us of the families in general: the Bennets, the Bingleys, the Darcys and the Fitzwilliams...along with Lady Catherine and Anne de Bourgh. We first begin reading about the fallout in the Bingley fami This is not a stand alone story. It is the continuation of Dearest Friends as it states. You must read the first book in order to understand where we enter. And it is with much angst that this story picks up again.

This story has 3 sections: set in 1814, 1817 and 1822. The first two more or less tell us of the families in general: the Bennets, the Bingleys, the Darcys and the Fitzwilliams...along with Lady Catherine and Anne de Bourgh. We first begin reading about the fallout in the Bingley family due to Charles continuing to be a jelly-fish...no backbone. Thus = Rule Caroline! Others are persuaded/ nagged into taking steps which are against their resolve and that resolve proves to have been the correct path in the end. Constance Fitzwilliam finally does what others should have; read it - I know you will be smiling broadly here as you sigh something like, "Finally!"

Mr. Bennet has passed and Mrs. Bennet takes up a behavior which is surprising. Darcy has offered to buy her a house in Meryton, near Jane and near her friends. But...Mrs. B. now has changed her mind. She is not in much of the action as it seems some have learned how to shuffle her off to visit the next daughter and that family.

Family Portraits is true to the title as we read of Lady Catherine taking on Lydia, of Mary marrying the parson on the Matlock estate, of Kitty, of Georgiana playing hard-to-get, and finally how two souls who have loved but not acted on that finally move on with their relationship when life, when fate, hands them a second chance.

In the epilogue cousins and parents are portrayed as most families, a happy rambunctious group. There are some MA scenes, not many, and they could be skipped over but they are there.

I found myself not only laughing out loud but also shaking my head in reading about Lady Catherine, her whip, men who pose half dressed for her, etc. Conversely I also cried more than once in reading of tragedies in the families. If you want to know what happened after the wedding(s) and like sequels, then this book is one you should read.

I only read this once but can't seem to change that number. ...more

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Aug 17, 2018 J. W. Garrett rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: source-own, jaff-pride-and-prejudice, era-6-regency-1811-1820, 2018

“The most important thing in the world is family and love.” –John Wooden

Rating: MA: mature audience, explicit sex scenes.

This followed the first book ‘Dearest Friends’ and it is recommended that it should be read first. Mainly due to the fact “Friends” is way off-off canon… there is a lot of OOC [out of character] behavior and it will be hard to follow otherwise. So much is introduced in the first book including many new characters.

The Prologue begins with a series of letters between friends an ...more

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Oct 25, 2016 Teresita rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Such a wonderful family history it gives a wonderful glimpse into the lives of Darcy and Lizzy's relatives, their marriages, their changes through life.

Masterfully written, it is entertaining and will take you to feel their anger, love, pain, but mostly their love. ...more

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