Darcy's Hope: Beauty from Ashes: A WWI Pride & Prejudice Variation (Great War Romance, #1) in Austenesque Lovers TBR Pile Reading Challenge 2016

Jan 06, 2017 Mary rated it it was amazing

Shelves: read-2017

War changes a man.

Perspectives shift,opinions,once proudly held beliefs and maxims disappear into the ether when faced with the blood soaked, wounded, claustrophobic, disease ridden trenches that war's engagement necessitates.

Once a loyal card carrying member of the higher circles and a true believer in class divide,Darcy's epiphany on the battleground illustrates that all his previous staunchly held beliefs are for naught.

Men are men.
Irrespective of their background,or education,character i ...more

19 likes · Like · see review

Nov 01, 2016 Claudine DiMuzio / Just Jane 1813 rated it it was amazing

Shelves: just-jane-1813-alternate-era

How do the secrets and lies contained within the boundaries of war enable us to see the true beauty found inside of another person’s soul?

I received an eARC of this book from the author for a fair and honest review.

It was only a matter of time until Downton Abbey met Pride and Prejudice, and thankfully, under Ginger Monette’s skillful hand, this variation flourishes into a story filled with great intrigue, an engrossing romance, and a captivating setting, that is all cast within a WWI story that How do the secrets and lies contained within the boundaries of war enable us to see the true beauty found inside of another person’s soul?

I received an eARC of this book from the author for a fair and honest review.

It was only a matter of time until Downton Abbey met Pride and Prejudice, and thankfully, under Ginger Monette’s skillful hand, this variation flourishes into a story filled with great intrigue, an engrossing romance, and a captivating setting, that is all cast within a WWI story that proved for me to be a real page-turner.

The prologue transports us into 1915, to Hertfordshire, England, where Elizabeth Bennet reluctantly agrees to share a dance with Captain Darcy, even though she’s spent part of the evening moping about the fact that Lieutenant Wickham has decided not to attend Netherfield hospital’s dedication ball. After the couple waltz to the song, “Let Me Call you Sweetheart,” they go their separate ways. Apparently, Elizabeth has more than one reason for her intense dislike of Captain Darcy.

Ten months later, in July of 1916, Captain Darcy is stationed at the Somme in France, where he’s fighting against the Germans, concerned about his sister Georgiana and his duties to Pemberley, while also suffering from a wounded heart as he reflects upon his poorly received marriage proposal to Elizabeth Bennet, which took place several months earlier. Yet, Darcy’s heart isn’t the only thing in ruins. Back in England, Elizabeth has just returned home from college, where instead of pursuing her dream of becoming a doctor, she finds herself grappling with the brutal facts pertaining to her family, who have suffered great losses of their own. The Bennet family’s dire circumstances have also propelled Jane and Elizabeth to search for positions overseas as VAD nurse’s assistants.

Through a series of events, which also involve Lt. Wickham, Elizabeth eventually is offered a position as a private nursemaid to an elderly landed gentleman, whose Chateau has been commandeered by the British as a clearing station field hospital. Over time, Colonel Fitzwilliam transfers his cousin Darcy to an assignment at “The Ritz”, which is the nickname for the Chateau. There are suspicions surrounding several escaped prisoners, so Darcy is assigned to assess and take charge of the situation, in the hopes that he can uncover the identities of any traitors amongst them. As he finds himself once again spending more and more time in Elizabeth’s company, he is reminded of the one thing he cannot control; his deep and loyal feelings for Elizabeth Bennet.

Elizabeth endures her own struggles as well, including her changing ideas pertaining to her hopes and dreams for her own future. How can she be so certain in her dislike towards Darcy when she finds herself experiencing new feelings for him as other sides of his personality are slowly revealed to her? As they spend more time in each other’s company, it becomes evident that their friendship may be building into something even stronger. Naturally, their relationship is fraught with misunderstandings and plenty of romantic tension; will the horrors inflicted throughout this war on those near and dear to their hearts cause the greatest divide between them?

I loved that this story was still close enough to Austen’s time period, so that many of the issues surrounding war, class, and propriety felt nearly as compelling in this story as in Austen’s own books. Ginger Monette did a brilliant job weaving her research of this era into a story that read as part historical fiction, part romance, and part mystery. She also did a good job creating characters that readers will connect with while at the same time including a few of her own secondary characters that Austen lovers will happily recognize from other stories.

I really enjoyed her versions of Darcy and Elizabeth in this story. They are both proud, stubborn, and relatable characters who have a lot to learn and it was a pleasure to witness their personal growth and maturation. Setting their story within a wartime setting created a deep sense of urgency for the characters and left me extremely eager to read the final book in this series. This is one of the best alternate-era JAFF stories that I have read and I strongly encourage all JAFF readers to give this series a try!

The book does end with a cliffhanger and thankfully includes an excerpt from the final book in this series, Darcy’s Hope at Donwell Abbey, which is scheduled to be released on January 1, 2017. ...more

13 likes · Like · see review

Jan 11, 2017 Sophia rated it it was amazing

Shelves: historical-romance, jane-austen-austenesque, review-requests, miltary-romance-contemp-fut-hist

The Great War years was such a momentous time in history. That alone would be the captivating backdrop or conflict in a story, but to have it paired with Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice left me salivating to read just such a story. Pride, prejudice, and a desperate war full of battles, espionage, and those desperate souls caught up in it all made for riveting reading from cover to cover.

Darcy's Hope: Beauty from Ashes is not just a variation set in a different time period. There are familiar mom The Great War years was such a momentous time in history. That alone would be the captivating backdrop or conflict in a story, but to have it paired with Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice left me salivating to read just such a story. Pride, prejudice, and a desperate war full of battles, espionage, and those desperate souls caught up in it all made for riveting reading from cover to cover.

Darcy's Hope: Beauty from Ashes is not just a variation set in a different time period. There are familiar moments that the Austen lover will recognize and adore, but it is not a close translation of characters and plot. Beauty from Ashes is very much it's own story and the reader needs to go in with this in mind.

The story begins at the Netherfield dance. Elizabeth is disgruntled that she must dance with the man who requisitioned her beloved home for army use, the guy who slighted her looks, and also the one who ruined Lt. Wickham's life. Captain Darcy may be handsome, but Elizabeth can't stand him. Her attitude and accusations rile him. Later her utter and vociferous rejection compounded with the horrific battle that lost him all his men determines him to seal himself off from care and love.

Later, Elizabeth suffers her own losses- a father's death, a sister's disappearance, a mother gone deranged and burning down their home, and her own dreams of becoming a doctor destroyed. The only bright side is that inspite of interference, her sister Jane is back with Charles. After accepting a surprising and unanticipated offer, Elizabeth goes to the front as a private nurse to the Frenchman who opens his home to become a field hospital. Darcy and Elizabeth meet again.

Alright, this was a well-crafted story from the complexities of the story itself to the attention to authentic historical detail. The characters are colorful and full of life. The gritty quality needed in a war setting is there without getting too graphic. I enjoyed the warfront suspense element paired along with the ongoing conflict between this pair who fight the sizzling attraction between them.

My only niggle and its a small one is that I did feel that I entered mid-story to a certain extent. I'm not sure if this is largely because of expectation that it would follow the pattern of the original Pride & Prejudice story or if I would have felt that way in any case. The story begins sometime after all the principle players are introduced to each other, the war is raging, and the early sparks of conflict have come and blazed up all off stage. I imagine it was a way to summarize and keep the flow of the story moving forward as well as preserved some mystery to the suspense element, but I missed not getting things first hand. Obviously there was enough that I got the idea and could imagine the scene just like later, there are explanations or memories of those scenes, but my curiosity would wish to experience them up close and personal.

The character of Colonel Fitzwilliam was a fantastic extra layer of goodness to the story for me as he is a favorite after the main characters. I loved how the author portrayed the Colonel as true to the times and situation even having to make the tough decisions. The tense relationship with Darcy, his cousin, but also junior officer and trusted friend was amazingly intuitive. Oh, and the inclusion of a cameo by John Thornton of North and South fame along with a descendant of two other delightful Austen figures was a treat.

Darcy and Elizabeth share the narration and I enjoyed getting their separate observations on their work and on each other. Darcy was bitter and Elizabeth was deeply angry, but both had their epiphany moments that eventually took them down the long road of understanding. This is a slow build sweet romance set against the desperation of war so the romance is subtle rather than brazen. I loved the promise of what was to come with the ending and the still looming ominous clouds of war and betrayal.

On a side note, I was delighted to flip through a supplemental virtual scrapbook. The author compiled photos and memorabilia of the times and particularly that which pertained to this story. Lizzy's Scrapbook can be accessed by readers who sign up for the author's newsletter here: http://www.gingermonette.com/copy-of-...

So all in all, this story hit home with its focus on a field hospital in France during WWI, a tempestuous love story and a cunning suspense plot. This will definitely hold vast appeal for Austen lovers, but I think those who enjoy sweet historical romance and fiction should definitely give this one due consideration as well.

My thanks to the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. ...more

13 likes · Like · see review

Oct 11, 2016 J. W. Garrett rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2016, source-arc, jaff-pride-and-prejudice, era-modern-1-1914-1945

‘To whom much is given, much will be required’ Luke 12:48

There are several phrases that could apply to Darcy’s story… and this is Darcy’s story as much as Elizabeth’s. I thought about… War is hell and so is love, All’s fair in love and war, but finally decided that the one that actually worked here was the Bible verse Luke 12:48, ‘to whom much is given, much will be required’.

I wasn’t sure I wanted to read this book. I don’t usually read war stories and WWI was an especially difficult era when h ...more

12 likes · Like · see review

Dec 29, 2016 Debbie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: jaff

4.5 rounded up to 5 stars

This is just about the perfect Pride and Prejudice World War I variation. The characterizations and many events match up nicely with Jane Austen's creation, yet there are so many twists to the storyline that it's impossible to predict where it's going to go next, including the semi-cliffhanger of an ending. (I'm glad I waited a while to read this, since the sequel is due out within the next few days!)

Basically, Elizabeth's family is utterly destroyed (with the exception 4.5 rounded up to 5 stars

This is just about the perfect Pride and Prejudice World War I variation. The characterizations and many events match up nicely with Jane Austen's creation, yet there are so many twists to the storyline that it's impossible to predict where it's going to go next, including the semi-cliffhanger of an ending. (I'm glad I waited a while to read this, since the sequel is due out within the next few days!)

Basically, Elizabeth's family is utterly destroyed (with the exception of herself and her older sister Jane) due to situations created by the Great War. With her limited knowledge, she blames most of these tragedies on Captain Darcy.

Meanwhile, Darcy decides to close himself off from his emotions, particularly from women, after Elizabeth soundly refused his marriage proposal. This detachment serves him well when he leads his troops into a virtual suicide charge at The Somme in France, otherwise known as No-Man's Land, with the shout, "Dum spiro spero!" (While I breathe, I hope.) Although wounded, he's one of the lucky survivors. During his recuperation, he learns of the additional difficulties the Bennet family has experienced.

Using his influence, Darcy arranges for the two sisters to be accepted as VAD (Voluntary Aid Detachment) nursing assistants in Boulogne. When it turns out that Elizabeth does not meet the age requirements, she is pleased that her friend Lieutenant Wickham manages to get her a job caring for Monsieur Dubois, whose chateau is also a casualty clearing station field hospital nicknamed "The Ritz" which is close to the Front.

Darcy's social detachment helps when he receives a special assignment to the chateau where Elizabeth works. His expertise in estate management gives him the appropriate background to increase the organization and efficiency at The Ritz, but his secret mission is to ferret out a traitor operating in the region. This requires him to keep himself apart from any personal relationships, including Elizabeth (who is also a suspect), and to often act in a high-handed manner without explanation.

Elizabeth is very confused by Darcy. She's physically attracted to him (though she's too naive to understand those feelings), recognizes the obvious improvements after his changes are implemented, and occasionally catches glimpses of a softness in his eyes when he looks at her that leads her to think he's not as hard and cold as he appears.

The historical detail is impressive, and Ms. Monette does a wonderful job of integrating it into the story. There's no sugar coating of the realities and horrors of war, especially when Elizabeth first arrives at the clearing station with the shockingly bloody casualties from the latest military offensive in the area arriving in droves. Her ambition to become a doctor is tested, and she finds herself in an excellent position to learn from the doctors with whom she works.

The full extent of Darcy's experience in Hertfordshire, specifically some kind of agreement he's made with Mr. Bennet, is not fully explained until well into the book, and that's my major criticism of an otherwise excellent story. For a while, I felt there must be a prequel to this, or that I'd somehow skimmed over and missed something significant. Instead, it turned out to be information withheld from the reader until fairly late in the story. I can't understand why, unless the reason will be further explained in the next book. Much of the familiar Pride and Prejudice story is alluded to as history between Darcy and Elizabeth rather than being directly included in this book, but that is less troublesome since most readers already know what's happened; the emphasis here is on the variation of that story.

The writing is beautiful, the characters feel real, and the story is riveting. Wish I could crack open the sequel right now! ...more

10 likes · Like · see review

Oct 02, 2016 Sheila Majczan rated it it was amazing

Warning: this is not a stand alone book and there are some SPOILERS in this review.

WWI: Autumn 1915: We enter at the Netherfield Ball which is to celebrate the opening of the Netherfield Hospital. Elizabeth is asked to dance the waltz to “Let Me Call You Sweetheart” by Captain Darcy. (He has already delivered his insult at the Meryton Assembly 3 mos. prior.) So Elizabeth is not happy with the man. As the officer in charge of requisitioning he visited Mr. Bennet (who is now basically blind and i Warning: this is not a stand alone book and there are some SPOILERS in this review.

WWI: Autumn 1915: We enter at the Netherfield Ball which is to celebrate the opening of the Netherfield Hospital. Elizabeth is asked to dance the waltz to “Let Me Call You Sweetheart” by Captain Darcy. (He has already delivered his insult at the Meryton Assembly 3 mos. prior.) So Elizabeth is not happy with the man. As the officer in charge of requisitioning he visited Mr. Bennet (who is now basically blind and in his dotage) on a Saturday afternoon knowing E. is the telegraphist at the Meryton Station at that time. He charms the man into not only allowing the Dower House to be leased for a pittance but also to agreeing that the Bennets would pay for any upgrades or repairs needed. Present in Hertfordshire are also Lieutenants Bingley and Wickham. And events are repeated as in canon. Wickham bends Elizabeth’s ear; Darcy separates his friend from Jane and then ODC meet again about 8 months later in Kent. We only have Darcy’s thoughts about the latter event as he thinks of her rejecting his proposal, of his learning Mr. Bennet has died and of how his sister is recovering from her experience at the hands of Wickham. Bitter thoughts indeed!

Darcy is in The Somme, France (July 1916) as these thoughts weigh on his mind. Ironically (?), Jane and Elizabeth are there serving as Voluntary Aide Detachment nurse assistants. The ladies are recovering from further personal tragedies as after the death of their father Mrs. Bennet lost her mind, set fire to Longbourn and had to be institutionalized. So they must send monies home to pay for that. We read of how Uncle Gardiner has taken Kitty and Mary to America while Lydia has disappeared and is believed to be dead. Some strings were pulled (by whom?) E. finds out, as she is officially not of age to serve on foreign shores. She is turned out by the Matron in charge but Lt. Wickham who is there also, just happens to know of an elderly landed gentleman who needs a private nursemaid and whose Chateau has been requisitioned by the Brits as a clearing station field hospital, near to the Front. Elizabeth does have dreams of becoming a doctor and this employment would further allow her to observe one famed surgeon at that clearing station. Wickham gives Elizabeth two parting gifts. We also learn that Wickham has had come contact with Lydia and, again, we only hear that story from his viewpoint.
Backtracking – while in The Somme Jane and Lt. Bingley meet again here (and there is more to that story for the readers & for Elizabeth to learn later). Happy are the reuniting couple but Darcy and Elizabeth are not reconciled at this point. After his proposal he did send “that letter” explaining things to her but she doesn’t seem to have made any changes in her opinions about him or about Wickham.

As Elizabeth goes to her assignment she meets her employer, Monsieur Dubois, his Yorkshire Terrier, Lili, his neighbor, Meneer Bongaerts, the Matron, Mrs. Simpson, (who also knows Darcy from his youth), Dr. Frazier, (a Yankee from Nebraska who served in a Boston hospital) and a mail – driver, Sapper. Sapper claims to have met Lydia before she was killed in a trench bombing and then gives E. a sad story about his daughter back home and asks Elizabeth to write her with stories of what is happening on the front lines so as to give the girl an idea of what her father sees in his work. Elizabeth agrees.

(Details about Lydia are sprinkled throughout the story – why was she in a trench?)

The author brings to our acquaintance a Robert Knightley, Darcy’s distant relative, a doctor, whose grandparents were George and Emma Knightley. We meet Dr. Ernest Cowart, Lt. in the French army and the nephew of General Pommier. (Here we have our Mr. Collins but we also read of behaviors which are not assigned to him in canon.) Oh, I can’t forget to mention - one John Thornton, a man from trade who refuses any command of men as he has had his fill of leading…into disaster.

While Elizabeth has this placement, Darcy has command of a unit of 100 men with whom he bonds and as they are almost wiped out (36 dead, 30 wounded) in one of the first charges in Boulogne into no man’s land along with the Nobby, the dog in his cave/office he comes to make a vow to himself: no more attachments – comrades, dogs, or women. So his cool manner and not entering into conversations are all part of the wall he has built around his heart.

Then Colonel Fitzwilliam has Darcy transferred to “The Ritz”, the nickname for the Chateau and the adjacent Boys School where Elizabeth is working. There are questions as to enemy operations there as prisoners have escaped more than once. Darcy is to go in and under the cover of organizing operations learn who the traitor(s) or spies are. As Darcy with the mostly wounded troops, doctors and others, he learns something: his whole notion about the order of society and his position in it is challenged. But he also finds being near Elizabeth again that his vow to remain detached is not working.

This story is one that immediately pulled me in and has so much happening on various fronts that it is nearly impossible for me to relate even some with clarity. So you must forgive me the snippets and just trust me that this is a story well written and with a parallel to canon which will please the truest of Janeites. There are strings left hanging but Darcy and Elizabeth have come to a better understanding and desire for a future together. It is not settled but hope is on the horizon. ...more

9 likes · Like · see review

Nov 05, 2016 Rita Deodato rated it it was amazing

I had never heard of Darcy’s Hope, I didn’t know author Ginger Monette, and alternate eras are not my favorite type of variations, so I wasn’t sure of what to expect of this book when I started reading it. Now that I’ve read it, I can honestly say Darcy’s Hope is one of the best books I’ve read this year, and one of the most pleasant surprises I’ve had while reading JAFF.

This alternate era variation will take us to the middle of WWI where Captain Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet, after briefly meeting I had never heard of Darcy’s Hope, I didn’t know author Ginger Monette, and alternate eras are not my favorite type of variations, so I wasn’t sure of what to expect of this book when I started reading it. Now that I’ve read it, I can honestly say Darcy’s Hope is one of the best books I’ve read this year, and one of the most pleasant surprises I’ve had while reading JAFF.

This alternate era variation will take us to the middle of WWI where Captain Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet, after briefly meeting in Heartforshire, will be stationed at “The Ritz”, a private chateaux turned into a hospital, assuming their roles as a Captain of his Majesty’s army and VAT nurse. But do not be scared or alarmed if you think the surroundings of the war will be too harsh on our characters or inhibit the romance. They will not. Ginger Monette did a prodigious job at balancing the historical notions she clearly obtained during her investigation, and the romance we are so used to when it comes to JAFF. The synchrony between the historical aspects and the romance is perfect, giving the reader a pleasant reading experience.

The scenario was actually very comforting as we could clearly imagine the characters’ lives in the chateaux and surrounding fields, but not only did I love to see these characters living in the same place and having several opportunities to observe each other and learn to appreciate the other’s attributes, thus, slowly falling madly in love with each other, but also loved their interactions, their dialogues and arguments. They were mature and logical and I could clearly understand the points of view of both characters and imagine them saying those words and sentences.

The dialogues designed by the author were not created with the single purpose of creating conflict between the characters, they were true and very much in character with both Darcy and Elizabeth. The arguments they used while arguing showed a deep understanding of the others character and we could see them act, without even realising it, as the others conscience, which was something beautiful to see. Both Darcy and Elizabeth opened the others eyes about their own behaviors and fears, and that knowledge of the others soul was magical. I particularly loved to see how, with only one sentence, Mr. Darcy showed Elizabeth that her father’s behavior shaped her view of man and life, and to see her recognize he was right and that her fears could be overcome and her life’s goals could be different if she conquered that inner fear.

I particularly loved this Darcy! He was not too proud or too distant, just enough to make him perfect! I felt he was a very balanced Darcy that fully corresponded to my ideals of him. I loved the struggles he had to overcome, and I’m not only talking about his feelings for Elizabeth, but also the fear of letting himself feel and open his heart to others after it had suffered so much with the impacts of war. Plus, I loved the militarized version of Darcy who could protect Elizabeth in every way possible, I thought it incredibly sexy.

The writing was very fluid and diversified and I was so immersed in the book that I spent my days eagerly waiting to come home, continuing reading it, and getting into this story and these characters lives. I impatiently anticipated the moment I could get lost in this story, and I think that says a lot about the quality of the book.

And of course, I could not believe my eyes when I saw that John Thornton had a cameo on this book! I absolutely loved seeing him with Darcy, and even if he has a small role in this book, I absolutely loved that he was the one opening Darcy’s eyes regarding a man’s worth. It was Thornton who made Darcy realize that a man’s worth is in his actions and his character and not in his station in life. I could not picture a better person to make Darcy realize that. I have often thought of how perfect it would be to have a crossover between Pride & Prejudice and North & South, but because the stories are in different eras it is difficult to create a story with all my favorite characters. This alternate era story allowed that to happen, and I can only hope that in Darcy’s Hope at Donwell Abbey, I will have the pleasure of Darcy and Thornton establishing a more solid friendship!

Even if this book has a sort of happy ending, it does have a continuation and when I finished it I could not believe I would have to wait until January to read it! I’m really, really eager to read Darcy’s Hope at Donwell Abbey, so much, that it is even hard for me to read something else in between. I just wish I could read it straight away!

Summing up, I highly recommend Darcy’s Hope, it is an extremely well built and well written book full of history, intrigue and romance which captured my heart and mind to the point of not wishing to do anything else apart from reading it.

Posted on: https://frompemberleytomilton.wordpre...
...more

9 likes · Like · see review

Mar 01, 2017 Meredith (Austenesque Reviews) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: pride-and-prejudice, jane-austen

Finding Love in the Middle of a War Zone

In her second Austenesque release, author Ginger Monette transports readers to battlefields and field hospitals of The Great War in a touching and emotionally turbulent retelling of Pride and Prejudice. A retelling that is two volumes in length – Darcy’s Hope: Beauty From Ashes and Darcy’s Hope At Donwell Abbey. In this series readers will meet Captain Fitzwilliam Darcy, who, after being rejected by the woman he loves and barely surviving the horrors of th Finding Love in the Middle of a War Zone

In her second Austenesque release, author Ginger Monette transports readers to battlefields and field hospitals of The Great War in a touching and emotionally turbulent retelling of Pride and Prejudice. A retelling that is two volumes in length – Darcy’s Hope: Beauty From Ashes and Darcy’s Hope At Donwell Abbey. In this series readers will meet Captain Fitzwilliam Darcy, who, after being rejected by the woman he loves and barely surviving the horrors of the Somme, has built some walls around his heart and has adopted a stone-cold disposition. And the woman who broke his heart is none other than Elizabeth Bennet, a Voluntary Aide Detachment nurse assistant who dreams of one day becoming a doctor and bears a burning resentment for Captain Darcy whom she blames for much of the tragedy and loss her family has faced.

While they’ve had previous encounters in Meryton and Kent, Darcy and Elizabeth come upon each other once again in the spring of 1917. Captain Darcy is assigned a secret espionage mission at Beaumanoir, (or ‘The Ritz’ as it is more affectionately known), a French chateau serving as a field hospital. Elizabeth just happens to be serving as a private nursemaid to Beaumanoir’s elderly owner, Monsiuer Dubois. What happens when they meet again? The tension, drama, and emotions run high in this tale with the search for a traitorous mole, the devastating tragedies of war, and our hero and heroine suffering through their heartbreak, pain, and resentment…

Oh my! How I adore stories like this one that beautifully interweave a significant time in history, new situations and conflicts, and Jane Austen’s characters. I loved how Ms. Monette explored the emotional well-being of both Darcy and Elizabeth during this time period. At such a time and setting as this, pride, prejudice, and society become a lot less significant, and there are different and more challenging obstacles for Darcy and Elizabeth to overcome. Both have experienced a lot of pain and hurt and have found other ways to deal with their over-whelming emotions, and both have adopted a practice of unflinching self-preservation.

My thoughts and emotions were deeply entrenched with these characters as I witnessed them deal with these deeper issues and internal battles. I love how emotionally affected I felt towards the events and characters of this story. How I felt chills and goosebumps when the soldiers began to chant ‘Dum Spiro Spero,’ how I became choked up with tears when witnessing a character in anguish and pain, and how my heart did a triple flip on the last page when things unexpectedly changed. I love it when a story makes me feel so much.

Aside from Ginger Monette’s overall brilliant construction and execution of a Pride and Prejudice retelling in a World War I setting and our hero’s and heroine’s powerful and moving internal emotional development, I loved the new cast of characters introduced in this story. They were so well-drawn – Mr. Dubois seems like such a dear and Dr. Cowart such a hilarious braggart! In addition, I loved our introduction to Robert Knightley (who seems to have found himself in similar situation as Matthew Crowley of Downton Abbey) and it was interesting to meet a more commanding and ruthless Colonel Fitzwilliam.

Beautifully composed and richly researched, Darcy’s Hope: Beauty from Ashes is a stellar example of fine Austenesque literature. Ms. Monette has crafted an exceptionally moving story complete with a compelling plot, danger, mystery, action, introspection, vivid detail, and an emotionally wrought romance. Even if you are not one to enjoy war stories, I entreat you to give this one a try!

Austenesque Reviews ...more

8 likes · Like · see review

Jan 11, 2017 Nicole Barton Sasser marked it as jaff-tbr

Shelves: kindle, giveaway-winner

Status: unread
*** Giveaway winner via Just Jane 1813 (http://justjane1813.com/) - provided with no expectation of, or promise of a review (favourable or otherwise). ***

Rating:

Review:

My Library Notes:

Darcy's Hope: Beauty from Ashes (Great War Romance, #1)
by Ginger Monette
Kindle Edition, First Edition, 279 pages
Published November 1st 2016 by Spero Books
ASIN: B01KI34AT0

1916. World War I has turned French chateaus into bloody field hospitals, British gentlemen into lice-infested soldiers, and left ...more

6 likes · Like · see review

Feb 05, 2017 ana darcy rated it it was amazing

Shelves: jaff

Sorry to start with a tiny spoiler but our couple finish this bo9-3-donwell-teaser-3ok happy but surrounded by a lot of dangers, treason and unknown. However, I will start with a bit of their story in this book before the happy ending. In Beauty from Ashes, Darcy is a Captain and together with his company take the dowager house at Longbourn state. Due to a lot of different events, including Mr. Wickham’s story, Elizabeth abhors Captain Darcy, her dislike of him is, I would say, even greater than Sorry to start with a tiny spoiler but our couple finish this bo9-3-donwell-teaser-3ok happy but surrounded by a lot of dangers, treason and unknown. However, I will start with a bit of their story in this book before the happy ending. In Beauty from Ashes, Darcy is a Captain and together with his company take the dowager house at Longbourn state. Due to a lot of different events, including Mr. Wickham’s story, Elizabeth abhors Captain Darcy, her dislike of him is, I would say, even greater than in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. When she faces him professing his love for her together with some “unkind” words about her family, she is not to say the least pleased with him. After some tragedy in the Bennet family, Jane and Elizabeth are going to work as VADs, Voluntary Aid Detachment. Although Jane’s luck changes and she reunites with the man she loves, Bingley. In the meantime, Elizabeth goes to France to help in a hospital and she finds Wickham there who is as charming as usual and encourages her to go and be the personal nurse/assistant to an old Frenchman in a converted hospital for the British soldiers fighting only miles away in the front. For some reasons that I will not reveal here, Captain Darcy is sent to the same place and we could say that there is not a happy surprise or a warming welcome when they meet again. Elizabeth is still against him and he tries to distance himself from anyone. During this time, ups and downs between our two protagonists happen but not only on their relationships but with other characters too. They are together for a few months and there is a bit of a change from Elizabeth’s side but then they are separated as Darcy has to follow orders, do not forget he is a soldier.

There is danger, friendship, understanding, intrigue, treason and hope. Do not lose your hope while reading Darcy’s Hope: Beauty from Ashes because like the phoenix raising from the ashes, Darcy and Elizabeth will conquer their animosity and “beauty will rise from ashes”.

A teaser from a relevant character who appears in both books:

“Given y’er story with the captain, I suppose ya’ feel obligates to support him.”

She recoiled slightly. “I have no such obligation. In truth, i think him rather arrogant.”

Sapper laughed. “Maybe so. But lass, you’ve got firecrackers explodin’ for that man.” ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

Dec 26, 2016 Anji rated it it was amazing

Shelves: e-book, austenesque-other-times, austenesque-pride-and-prejudice, z-2017-austenesque-challenge

Firstly, I have to praise Ms. Monette for two things: the amount of historical research that's obviously gone into this book, and then for even thinking of setting a P&P variation during WWI in the first place.

Darcy is an Army captain who mets Elizabeth when part of the Longbourn estate is requisitioned for the war effort. They may dance at the Netherfield Ball but the outcome is very similar to canon. Elizabeth desires to become a doctor and starts off her medical career by becoming a VAD nurs Firstly, I have to praise Ms. Monette for two things: the amount of historical research that's obviously gone into this book, and then for even thinking of setting a P&P variation during WWI in the first place.

Darcy is an Army captain who mets Elizabeth when part of the Longbourn estate is requisitioned for the war effort. They may dance at the Netherfield Ball but the outcome is very similar to canon. Elizabeth desires to become a doctor and starts off her medical career by becoming a VAD nurse, along with her sister Jane. They end up in France and after a certain amount of "interference" by a well know character, Elizabeth, instead of being a VAD, has to become a private nurse to a French gentleman. He owns the chateau that eventually becomes a casualty clearing station known as "The Ritz". She meets up with Captain Darcy again, who is "officially" running the hospital but is actually undercover looking for a group helping enemy prisoners escape. As with canon, sparks fly almost every time they meet.

The horror that was the Battle of the Somme is well known to many. That part isn't glossed over but neither is it so graphic as to put people off reading the book. There's a lot of historical detail throughout the book, but not so much as to detract or distract from the story telling. Most of the familiar characters from canon crop up during the story but there's sadness in what has happened to some of Elizabeth's family. Miss Bingley, her brother, Jane Bennet and a certain Mr. W. all put in their appearances. We get a bit of a crossover with Emma and also with North and South for good measure.

One rather lovely extra Ms. Monette has provided for her readers is a link to "Lizzy's Scrapbook". This is a collections of photos from the era, set out as a scrapbook as it would have been compiled by Elizabeth.

Although this can be read as a standalone story, there is a sequel "Darcy's Hope at Donwell Abbey" which eventually solves the mystery set up in this book and brings Darcy and Elizabeth's story to a final close. It's a wonderful read and a unique (as far as I'm aware) setting for this age old love story. It's also suitable for any age group or audience.
...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Feb 18, 2017 Elizabeth rated it it was amazing

A gripping WWI romance!

I enjoyed this book. A lot. I finished it in two days. What a gripping story! As a reader, I was sucked right in . Amazing war details, wonderful character development, and loved the romance. It seems the love between Elizabeth and Darcy is so riveting, it can be written in any time period. Loved it!

Like · see review