On Oakham Mount: A Pride & Prejudice Variation (Pemberley Departures, #1) in Austenesque Lovers TBR Pile Reading Challenge 2016

Mar 15, 2016 Sheila Majczan rated it really liked it

4.5 stars
It is a truth universally acknowledged that…if you are one who reads and rereads variations of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice you will invariably encounter a couple with a propensity to misunderstand and/or misinterpret the words and actions of each other. And this couple will furthermore assign motivations and goals not entirely those intended.

Yes, once again Darcy has danced with Elizabeth at the Netherfield Ball and she confronted him with all her opinions concerning his treatment 4.5 stars
It is a truth universally acknowledged that…if you are one who reads and rereads variations of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice you will invariably encounter a couple with a propensity to misunderstand and/or misinterpret the words and actions of each other. And this couple will furthermore assign motivations and goals not entirely those intended.

Yes, once again Darcy has danced with Elizabeth at the Netherfield Ball and she confronted him with all her opinions concerning his treatment of Wickham. However, as our story begins the morning after the ball (Remember?) Mrs. Bennet insists that Elizabeth stay and hear out her cousin. BUT in this version, when applied to for support and understanding Mr. Bennet sides with his wife due to the fact of his lifelong neglect of his estate and no dowries provided for any of his five daughters. His excuse is that they must take what is offered as any other support is not probable. Elizabeth must sacrifice her future, her happiness for the security of her family.

So she runs to her place for solace and peace – Oakham Mount. But to her consternation, Mr. Darcy comes upon her and being reminded of his role in offering comfort to his sister offers aid to Elizabeth. The author’s gift here is a conversation full of open sharing and explanation between two people who have up to this time had no depth of understanding for the other. (Oh, Darcy is entranced by her but has already decided she is beneath his level.) Darcy shares the situation as to his sister, Wickham’s part and his family’s long time expectations for him while Elizabeth shares how she is backed into a corner and is to be considered a “married woman”. Now you know how Darcy puts his foot in his mouth during proposals…well here he does it again. I am not going to tell you exactly what he says but he was lucky Elizabeth didn’t put her foot in his mouth. They do come to an agreement, that of a marriage of convenience, and he plans to approach her father later in the day.

Not 12 hours later, all has changed. I wish I could explain but I hate SPOILERS so will not say exactly what happened but will add that an event of an ironic nature (especially to JAFF lovers) occurs along with an event from canon moved forward in time and thus all their plans to “save” each other become seemingly unnecessary. Elizabeth thinks she has given him relief while Darcy resents the relief given. He departs and joins his sister in Pemberley while a wedding is planned in Hertfordshire.

Once again we have a visit to Rosings and our couple is in each other’s presence. You may have to chuckle while reading of the suspense occurring as to identities and pairings. Elizabeth, Kitty and Mary and Mr. Collins are now in Kent while the Colonel and Darcy make their annual visit. Here after some well meaning interference the renewal of acquaintances leads to great expectations. But for Darcy the setting is wrong so a gathering of some dear ones is planned at Pemberley.

Jane, Bingley, the Gardiners, Kitty, Anne, and the colonel are in attendance and the stage is set. Oh, could a letter be more unfortunately timed in its arrival? Read what disaster and scandal again threaten to end any future for Elizabeth and Darcy (Think: letter received in Lambton). Yes, we do eventually get our HEA but the agony; the suspense will have you glued to the pages to see how it is worked out in this tale. We do again have interfering relatives and some of JA’s words used in a different but creative manner.

As Claudine said in her review on JustJane1813 the author gives us a very detailed and sweet epilogue. This was read with anticipation as I had deceived some high recommendations urging me to read this book. I was not disappointed. Well done, Ms. Meredith. ...more

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Feb 25, 2016 Claudine DiMuzio / Just Jane 1813 rated it it was amazing

4.5 stars out of 5

From its breathtaking cover, to its skillfully crafted storyline, “On Oakham Mount,” by Sophia Meredith, is a “Pride and Prejudice” variation that delivers a Regency Era romance that remains true to the tastes and the values within Austen’s time period. Ms. Meredith’s debut novel, which is the first in her Pemberley Departures series, focuses on how the demands placed upon Elizabeth to marry Mr. Collins by Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, shape the course of her relationship with Fitzwilli 4.5 stars out of 5

From its breathtaking cover, to its skillfully crafted storyline, “On Oakham Mount,” by Sophia Meredith, is a “Pride and Prejudice” variation that delivers a Regency Era romance that remains true to the tastes and the values within Austen’s time period. Ms. Meredith’s debut novel, which is the first in her Pemberley Departures series, focuses on how the demands placed upon Elizabeth to marry Mr. Collins by Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, shape the course of her relationship with Fitzwilliam Darcy.

Beginning right after the Netherfield Ball, this variation takes us through Darcy and Elizabeth’s own personal voyages, as they both attempt to decipher and reconcile their true feelings towards each other. As Ms. Meredith demonstrates her wonderful command of Regency language, she transports us back in time and allows us to reimagine how Darcy and Elizabeth’s relationship could have unfolded differently as various external and internal conflicts force them to confront the expectations of their families, while they also face the oppressive social structures found within their society.

This story opens with us immediately garnering sympathy for a hurt and angry Elizabeth Bennet. Once she receives the news that both of her parents have agreed to have her marry Mr. Collins as a means to save Elizabeth and her family from their uncertain fates, she finds herself overwhelmed by her emotional reaction. After experiencing the stinging betrayals delivered by both of her parents, she flees Longbourn to seek the solace she craves at Oakham Mount. On her way, she accidentally meets Mr. Darcy, where he discovers her in a highly emotional state.
Through their surprisingly pleasant conversation, they both find themselves exchanging confidences with each other only to discover that they have something quite meaningful in common with each other; they are both expected to marry their cousins against their own wishes. Together, they devise a plan that they both believe will alleviate their concerns before they return to face their family and friends.

As they prepare to put these plans in place, an engagement occurs for another Bennet sister. Now Elizabeth must decide whether or not she can go along with the plan she has agreed to with Mr. Darcy. Once she makes her decision and informs Mr. Darcy about her decision, the couple finds themselves at a crossroads. How will her sister’s engagement affect her relationship with Mr. Darcy?

I loved the idea of Darcy and Elizabeth agreeing to an engagement early on in their relationship and then breaking it off, because, in canon, I believe they both have a strong attraction to each other that they both initially fight against. From this point, the story requires that they truly reflect upon their deepest feelings and examine their motives towards each other through the painful separations of time and space. This story stays close enough to canon to include the themes and the characters we love to explore while Ms. Meredith adds enough departures from Austen’s original story that will resonate with readers who love to explore subtle, yet significant variations in Austen’s story.

I found Darcy to be quite charming in this story. He was kind and humble, especially once he realized his true heart. He was also confident and manly in a way that came across as attractive and a bit reserved. I had fun reading Ms. Meredith’s twist on the infamous confrontation with Lady Catherine de Bourgh and I had a huge smile on my countenance as I played that scene in my head!

The epilogue was a great wrap-up for this book! It was wonderful how Ms. Meredith wrapped up so many loose ends, like a giant present for us. Her epilogue resembles Ms. Austen’s final chapter in canon, leaving readers with a good sense about how our characters’ lives would play out for them in the future.

Ms. Meredith should be commended as a new author for her attention to detail, specifically regarding her precise word choices and her careful construction of Regency Era language throughout her story. There were a couple of places where the plot developed a bit slowly, and perhaps more attention in those places was given to the authenticity of her language development and less so to moving the plot along at a brisker pace. However, these are minor quibbles that didn’t prevent me from savoring the beauty of her writing and delighting in the simply touching romance that remains at the center of her story. ...more

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Mar 13, 2016 Sophia rated it it was amazing

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

Both under pressure to accept marriages they do not want discover in one heart-felt revealing conversation that they might have the ideal solution- marry each other. Lizzy discovers the man she thought was arrogant, dishonorable, and cold is anything but and Darcy finds that his indifference is merely an attempt to protect himself from the attraction he feels. Through twists and turns caused by misunderstanding, scheming, and outside events a plan for a marriage of convenience becomes something Both under pressure to accept marriages they do not want discover in one heart-felt revealing conversation that they might have the ideal solution- marry each other. Lizzy discovers the man she thought was arrogant, dishonorable, and cold is anything but and Darcy finds that his indifference is merely an attempt to protect himself from the attraction he feels. Through twists and turns caused by misunderstanding, scheming, and outside events a plan for a marriage of convenience becomes something so much more.

This was a debut effort and my stars was I surprised to learn this as the book had a depth and command to the writing that veteran authors would envy. Characters, dialogue, setting, and background all meshed into a rich tapestry of words that made me feel like I was reading a classic story rather than a contemporary author writing a Historical Romance variation of a classic.

Oh, and the story assumes the reader is at least moderately familiar with the original Pride & Prejudice story because it enters in with little introduction and felt like there was an expectation that the reader knows who and what came before with just a few hints to get up to speed. That said, this is a divergent story and goes in a new directions from the beginning including original characters.

The story opens with Elizabeth Bennet receiving a proposal of marriage from her repugnant cousin, Collins. Her family estate is entailed away from the female line and this is the man who will inherit since her father produced five daughters. And unfortunately, the estate is small and there is no dowry money to speak of. Her mother is insistent that she should marry to protect the family against the eventuality of her father's death. Elizabeth is unmoved and refuses the slimy toad of a man only to find out that her father is backing her mother on this. The betrayal of her favorite parent who knows she will be miserable in such a marriage sends her running to the top of Oakham Mount.

Fitzwilliam Darcy has received yet another letter from his aunt insisting that he do his duty and wed his cousin to unite their two estates and keep the money in the family. He likes his cousin Anne, but has no desire to marry her. Dealing with his stubborn and determined aunt is trying and then there is his concern about his friend Charles Bingley getting entangled with a woman who may be a fortune hunter. His ride has taken him within sight of a woman in distress. It is only when he gets close that he realizes it is the fiery Miss Bennet who is sobbing. Darcy knows she despises him, but he can't leave her in such a state.

Something surreal happens while the pair are on the hill. They both reach past propriety and reserve to be honest and open and in so doing a tentative liking and friendship begins. They form a mutually helpful plan and both are sanguine about it. Elizabeth always hoped to marry only for love and Darcy only planned to marry for mutual affection and like-mindedness. Through unforeseen twists however, plans and feelings alter and they part with no hope of reconciliation. Only fate has a way of bringing the most unlikely thing about.

As I said, this felt authentic in its tone and writing like a classical style story. The language, manners, activities, and backdrop help form a well-written Regency era love story. The pacing was good. It was gentle and very much character-driven, but never sluggish. The cast of characters was large, but each individual was developed and had their part in the story and some even had minor plot threads going on.

The main characters, Darcy and Lizzy, tend to be tempestuous and assumptive so that they get into trouble a few times with the misunderstanding. It is comical in a way even though it wasn't written as comedy. One misunderstanding early on gave me the giggles. Darcy meant one thing and Lizzy took it oh so very wrong and ripped him a new one and then had the mortification of discovering she got the wrong end of the stick. Most of their troubles are a bit of their own making, but there is some external conflict going on too with some of Darcy's family scheming and an enemy from the past plotting against them. It was a little heartbreaking to see both of them take actions out of care and duty- to be honorable- and it ends up causing each other and themselves pain. The author established early on just how right they are for each other and how the do each other good and carry an early giving sort of love, but neither recognizes the love for what it is and have their own epiphanies long after the first parting. I was very caught up in this pair and groaned each time something came along to keep them parted or prevented them from a long overdue conversation to straighten things out.

The surrounding characters were a colorful variety of family, friend, and foe. I enjoyed the teasing exchanges between Darcy and his cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam who had Darcy and Lizzy's numbers and played a bit of matchmaking.

Things got tense near the end as events came to a head and the epilogue was the perfect cap to give a bit extra page time after the dirt had settled leaving me with a delighted smile on my face.

All in all, I found this a fantastic read and can't wait for more from this author. I can easily recommend this to Sweet Historical Romance and Austen lovers.

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

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May 13, 2016 Meredith (Austenesque Reviews) rated it really liked it

Shelves: jane-austen, pride-and-prejudice

What If Darcy and Elizabeth Agreed to a Marriage of Convenience?

TYPE OF AUSTENESQUE NOVEL: Pride and Prejudice Variation

TIME FRAME: Day after the Netherfield Ball to several months later + epilogue

MAIN CHARACTERS: The usual Pride and Prejudice gang!

WHY I WANTED TO READ THIS NOVEL:

The Cover and Title: I’ll be honest, the cover and title grabbed me immediately and made me eager to learn more.

WHAT I LOVED:

- The Premise: I love scenarios where Darcy and Elizabeth are marrying or contemplating marria ...more

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Feb 26, 2016 Eliza Baum rated it liked it

Shelves: austen-and-austenesque, austenesque-challenge-2016, library-kindle-unlimited

This was pretty good, but I didn't like it as much as I expected I would based on the blurb. I expect that's more a stylistic and story subject matter preference than anything, but *shrug*. There was a lot of introspection that bordered on excessive for me, and Darcy and Elizabeth both came to love the other without really having to do much to earn it. Darcy, especially, seemed to magically learn his lessons about his pride and behavior without the harsh lessons he receives in the original. I di ...more

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Feb 26, 2016 Tina rated it really liked it

This book is basically a what if Mr. Darcy tried to save Lizzy from a marriage from her cousin Mr. Collins. Both go through personal journeys before their happily ever after. I did enjoy how Mr. Collins ended up with the one Bennet daughter that I believe would have actually suited him. I loved Darcy in this story, he wasn't a dick like most authors portray him as at first. This was a great debut book from a promising new author. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.

Rating: 4½ star ...more

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Mar 28, 2016 Carol Perrin rated it it was amazing

On Oakham Mount: A Pride and Prejudice Variation (Pemberley Departures Book 1)

A delightful and different story from other variations. Yes, Darcy still made is infamous statement about Elizabeth at the Meryton Assembly. Finding Elizabeth crying in the woods that morning, he struggles with helping her to ignoring her. Being the gentleman that he is, he likes her enough to help her. Finding out her problem is both her parents are demanding that she marry Mr. Collins, Darcy is outraged, and they sta On Oakham Mount: A Pride and Prejudice Variation (Pemberley Departures Book 1)

A delightful and different story from other variations. Yes, Darcy still made is infamous statement about Elizabeth at the Meryton Assembly. Finding Elizabeth crying in the woods that morning, he struggles with helping her to ignoring her. Being the gentleman that he is, he likes her enough to help her. Finding out her problem is both her parents are demanding that she marry Mr. Collins, Darcy is outraged, and they start climbing up Oakham Mount. He tells her that they both have a similar problem. He tells her of his Aunt Lady Matlock and the Earl's desire to marry his cousin, Anne. Lady Catherine de Bourgh has told him that this was his parents desires, too. However, there was as never any written document with an understanding. Both Anne and Darcy do not want to marry one another. Cousins only, but telling her mother and their Aunt and Uncle Matlock, is like talking to a brick wall. As they talk, he realizes that he could offer her an alternate path. In the two hours spent together, Elizabeth agrees to his plan. She accepts especially after hearing the truth about Wickham, she is appalled at her stupidity. Arriving home, Mr. Collins has transferred his designs on Mary, after the vehement opposition to his offer from Elizabeth. By the time Bingley and Darcy arrived for dinner, she's released from that marriage, tells Darcy that he doesn't have to marry her, because her problem no longer exists. Darcy not listening to everything she said, and Elizabeth not explaining herself well at all, Darcy takes the announcement as she wants him to withdraw from their agreement. Angry and hurt, he leaves for Netherfield, and in the morning for Pemberley. Undone completely, because he realizes that he love her, he begins to drink heavily and is distraught. Georgiana so worried about him, she writes Colonel Fitzwilliam. When Darcy arrives in London for their yearly trip to Rosings, his Aunt informs him that a Miss Bennet has married her rector, and two of her sisters are visiting relaying that she's sick and the sisters are here to help her. Darcy cannot believe that her parents forced to comply to their wishes and is heartbroken. As usual, his cousin got the entire story about why he's been so depressed. Arriving at Hunsford while passing the parsonage, he sees Elizabeth working in the garden, letting out a depressing, "Elizabeth." The Colonel takes off to visit and meets all of the Bennet sisters, but cannot believe that his cousin loves Mrs Mary Bennet - Collins. He says nothing to Darcy, but at supper Darcy, looking at Elizabeth asks Mrs. Collins a question and when Mary answers, he is completely confused. After the group from the parsonage leave, he jumps on his cousin for not telling him that Elizabeth was not married to the stupid parson. His cousin reminds him that he never said her Christian name. He makes up his mind that he is going to court her at Rosings. Fitzwilliam keeps interfering with Darcy's attempts, and they have a fist fight in the grove. Elizabeth happens on them, shirtless, and fighting. Her gasp lets them know that she has seen them. The colonel convinces him to take it slowly. When the time to separate comes, Georgiana has asked them to join them at Pemberley along with her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner. Before leaving, Darcy confronts his Aunt Catherine. She's very upset with him and gets her brother involved. Then Anne, tells her that not only doesn't want to marry Darcy, but she is traveling to Pemberley with her cousins, Bennet sisters, and the Gardiners. To say Lady Catherine was upset is saying it was mildly. Arriving at Pemberley, both Elizabeth and Kitty are astounded by Pemberley. With Jane and Bingley arriving the next day, Elizabeth cannot wait to see her sister. Darcy has not seen Bingley since he left Netherfield the next morning after the misunderstanding what Elizabeth was trying to say. He missed Jane and Bingley's wedding knowing that he couldn't face Elizabeth as depressed as he was. The Bingleys and Kitty go walking and Jane is handed the letter about Lydia's unfortunate behavior with wicked Wickham. Both Jane and Kitty are crying so much, especially Jane, she can barely walk. The look on Darcy's face convinces Elizabeth that she must give him up. Misunderstanding again. She wants to return to Longbourn immediately, and Bingley tells her that was not part of Darcy's plan. Bingley takes Jane, Elizabeth, Kitty, and Mrs Gardiner back to Longbourn. Darcy, the Colonel, and Mr. Gardiner had left the day before to find Wickham. Lydia, being the stupid, spoiled mess she is, doesn't understand why she can't be entertained by her Aunt and Uncle, or why she cannot have a wedding breakfast like Jane. She also is angry about the paltry sum given for her wedding clothes. She couldn't understand that she has done wrong. When confronted by the Matlocks, Darcy tells them it is none of their business. When he hears Lady Catherine is going to confront Elizabeth, Darcy is on his way to Longbourn. When he tells her absolutely no he was not letting her break the engagement, a special license helped them marry immediately. Turns out that his wife won the respect of most of Darcy's friends. Lady Catherine and the Matlocks had to eat crow! ...more

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