What If Darcy Kept Encountering Elizabeth Soon After His Failed Proposal?
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Source: Giveaway Win!
TYPE OF AUSTENESQUE NOVEL: Pride and Prejudice Variation in 3 Volumes
TIME FRAME: From the day of Darcy’s first proposal (Sunday afternoon) to 4 days later
MAIN CHARACTERS: Elizabeth Bennet. Fitzwilliam Darcy, Jane Bennet, Charles Bingley, Colonel Fitzwilliam, Georgiana Darcy, Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, Nicholas Harington (new original character)
WHY I WANTED TO READ THIS NOVEL:
- I’ve heard many sooo much praise for Cassandra Grafton and this trilogy, and since I love Pride and Prejudice variations I knew it was something I had to read! The only question was when – because you definitely need to read this trilogy without break.
WHAT I LOVED:
- Inescapable: In this variation, Darcy and Elizabeth have a lot of unexpected and continuous contact with each other after his proposal. Darcy encounters Elizabeth (after delivering his letter!) at Rosings the night before he departs as Lady Catherine (in her celebrated generosity and kindness) invites Mr. and Mrs. Collins and their guest to one last dinner. In addition, instead of keeping the knowledge of Jane Bennet’s true feelings to himself, Darcy immediately visits Bingley on his return to town, confesses all, and encourages his friend to seek her out. Thus bringing Darcy and Elizabeth together again and again. It was enthralling to see them encounter one another again so soon โ their first interactions post-proposal are fraught with awkwardness, suffering, and a heightened consciousness that wasn’t there before.
- Eloquent and Moving: Cassandra Grafton takes a very introspective approach to her storytelling, which I absolutely loved! She spends a lot of time in both Darcy’s and Elizabeth’s head and her prose beautifully illustrates the inner turmoil and emotional turbulence both are facing post-proposal. As I read these passages, I continuously felt awash with feelings of pain, tension, and compassion for these characters. Ms. Grafton’s emotive and contemplative portrayal of Darcy and Elizabeth beautifully conveys how the proposal and letter immediately triggers a change to both Darcy’s and Elizabeth’s perspectives, but at the same time is a long and gradual journey of self-discovery and true understanding.
- Simultaneous Perspectives: I love how two-sided this story is! In every chapter we see two or more scenes โ usually one from Elizabeth’s perspective and one from Darcy’s. I loved knowing what both characters were doing, thinking, and feeling every day. And thanks to ornamental section breaks, it was easy to know when the scene and point-of-view were about to change.
- Leisurely Paced: With so many interactions taking place in such a short period of time, this story is told in a very leisurely pace. Volume I alone covers just the span of 4 and a half days. Even though this story is a bit slower in pace, I would never describe it as feeling too slow. These days are very eventful and the evolution of Darcy’s and Elizabeth’s perspectives is engrossing and ever-changing.
WHAT I WASN’T TOO FOND OF:
- That real life kept getting the way of my reading time! ๐
CONCLUSION:
I’m only one third into this story, but I already feel it is an exquisite and consuming journey! I love Cassandra Grafton’s expressive and sensitive approach to these characters and I can hardly wait to witness their next encounter with each other!
*My review of Volume II โ Darcy’s Dilemma โ will be posted Monday!
Add to Cart ย I ย ย Add to Shelf
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GIVEAWAY TIME!!
Since I just happen to be in possession of an extraย paperback copy ofย Disappointed Hopes: A Fair Prospect Volume 1, I thought it would be a good idea to hold a giveaway for the lovely readers of this blog! ย It is such a beautiful story and definitely deserves to be shared!
ย To enter this giveaway leave a comment below!
- This giveaway is open to residents worldwide (because we love our international friends!)
- The giveaway ends Aprilย 22nd.
Hi Meredith, these trilogy of books have fantastic reviews on Amazon and I have never read them either! So after your review I am going to order them as they sound fascinating. Fabulous review!
They do! I’m regretting how long it has taken me to read this trilogy! Very smart decision on your part!! ๐
Wonderful review! Thank you for the chance!! ๐
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed the review!
Thank you for the review. I would love to win Volume 1. ๐
Thanks
Becky B.
My pleasure! Best of luck!
I love the Disappointed Hopes series! I read the first volume when it came out and had to wait several months to read volume 2! You can imagine how frustrated I was, so after all of them were published (and before my first visit to Bath) I could not resist to re-read them. The re-read only proved what I already thought when I read them the first time: this trilogy is one of the best JAFF stories I have ever read! I can honestly say that these books are part of a small selection that has truly marked me. I think they are perfect, and talking about them just makes me want to re-read them again. As you, I was amazed at the feelings they brought on me and fascinated with the perspectives from Darcy and Elizabeth regarding each scene.
I love these books so much that I could continue writing the entire afternoon, but I won’t bother you anymore.
Thank you for the giveaway Meredith! It is so rare to have paperback giveaways that include my country that it would really make me happy to be the lucky winner ๐ Specially because these books are definitely on my top 5 in all of JAFF books :)))
I cannot imagine having to wait! I’d be so impatient! LOL! I think I started each of the following volumes instantly after finishing the predecessor! I’m so glad to hear you loved this trilogy and give it such special praise, Rita! Thank you so much for sharing!
LOL! I could keep talking about them all day too! ๐ I’m trying to spread out my praise in all three reviews, but it isn’t easy!
I can easily understand having these books in your top 5 favorites!
It wasn’t easy! I kept eagerly waiting for the next one to come out, that’s why I had to te-read them after once they were all published. Well, one of the reasons. Truth is, these books are so good, I already want to re-read them for the third time! It must be hard to write a separate review for each volume, that’s why I haven’t done it yet. But I’m curious to see which points you will mention for the second and third volumes Meredith ๐
Great review! I’d certainly love to win a copy!
Thanks for the giveaway!
Thank you, Pam! Best of luck!
great review and thanks for the giveaway
Thank you! Best of luck!
A wonderful review and very special giveaway. Thanks for this feature.
Thanks! ๐
Love seeing 5-star reviews, especially of the first volume of a three-volume set. Can’t wait to read it.
Me too! Definitely a promising start!
Lovely review Meredith. I have this trilogy on my (exceedingly long) wish list, but after reading your thoughts I would love to read it, I hope I am lucky enough to win the first volume so will keep my fingers crossed. Many thanks for the worldwide opportunity. ๐
Thank you, Glynis! I’m so glad I finally got to read this trilogy! I now understand all the praise it receives!
Sounds great! I would love to add this to my Jane Austen inspired bookshelf!!!
It would be a great addition to your collection!
It does sound like a lovely book – thank you for the review. I have not read any of her books and would love the opportunity to be introduced to her stories. I like the idea of knowing both Elizabeth’s and Darcy’s thoughts following each other. Thank you for the giveaway.
I found it so interesting to see the story so equally divided between the two characters – you are forever switching back and forth between Cheapside and Berkley Square. And it is especially interesting to see how each characters would evaluate and analyze their current feelings, each others’ responses, etc.
Would love to read this!
Hope you get to soon!
I’ve read this review by chance, I’m just having one of my P&P fever period! I’ve re-read for the countless time the book and watched all the adaptations….but I needed more. So I started surfing the net….Thank you for your giveaway!
Loredana, from Italy
Glad you found your way to this review! ๐ There are plenty of wonderful stories out there if you want more Pride and Prejudice! You can find a bunch of my favorites reviewed on this blog! ๐
Can’t wait to read it. Thanks for the review!
๐ My pleasure!
I appreciate reading this kind of positive review of JA pastiches — except that now my “To Read” list has gotten verrrrrry long! Not that I’m complaining … tho’ I am adding this one to my list.
LOL! I know the feeling! But with so many fantastic reads, we can’t really complain, right?
Your glowing review has lit a fire under me to finally read this trilogy. ๐
Oh, and I have it so please do not enter me for the giveaway.
I’m particularly happy to light such a fire! ๐
I absolutely loved this series and agree with your wonderful review. I do hope we hear from Cassandra that she has another book in the works! As I have the e-books, don’t enter me in the draw. I think I will have to re-read them!
Glad to hear you loved this series, Carole! I echo your hopes!! She is a skilled and sensitive storyteller!
So many rave reviews! I don’t enter as many contests as I used to, but this one definitely looks intriguing! Thanks for sharing with us, both the review and in the giveaway!
Indeed! ๐ Happy to add my own raving review to the collection!
I’ve read lots of reviews for Pride and Prejudice variations and it isn’t often one grabs me as much as this one. Your reviews are always spot on Meredith but this one has made me really really want to read this book. It sounds fascinating. If I’m not lucky enough to win, it will definitely be purchased. And I love the cover!
Thank you for such a kind compliment, Teresa! I’ve read quite a few Pride and Prejudice variations and this one stirs me in a very special way. You should definitely give it a try! I love the covers too, there is an interesting motif going on…very telling of what takes place within each volume!
Very good review. Loved to read this book. Thanks for the giveaway!
Thank you! Hope you get to read this story!
I love reading your reviews…so I know what to read next! This series is definitely on my list. Wish I had more time!
Thank you, Amanda! I’m so glad you find the reviews helpful!
This has been on my radar for a while and now I can’t wait to read the series! Thanks for the review and giveaway opportunity!
I think you will love this series, Joy! Don’t wait as long as I did to read it! ๐
This sounds like an incredible start to a great series!
My thoughts exactly! Love the premise!
I always wondered, what would happen if Elizabeth and Darcy had to encounter again and again immediately after that proposal? And since nobody knew about the proposal how would they react in presence of other people and also when they not in company of others? This really seems an interesting series! ๐
Yes, I completely agree! It is such a delicate and awkward situation to be in! I cannot help but feel so much sympathy for both of them!
I would love to have the opportunity to read this. Sounds fascinating.
It is, Suzan! It has quite enthralled!
Meredith, thank you so much for such a beautifully written, kind and generous review of Disappointed Hopes. I am deeply touched. <3
Thank you also to those lovely commenters above who've read it before and remember liking it too. I hope very much any new readers will come to enjoy it too.
I hope you enjoy the other two volumes as much, if not more!
Cassandra x
Thank you for your kind compliments, Cassandra! I just hope I am doing your work justice! I’m immensely grateful to you for sharing this beautiful story with us. You have a quite a gift!
What a lovely title. The review certainly whets the appetite. Love the cover, too! Best wishes with this release, Cassandra, and thank you for the giveaway.
Yes, I agree with you about the title and cover! They both are very fitting to the story as well!
Hi Meredith! With such a splendid review this novel is an irresistible temptation ๐
I love the fact of being a two-sided story and the addition of new scenes. Besides, I’ve never read any book of Cassandra Grafton so I’m looking forward to reading it, maybe I’m so lucky to win this one LOL. Thanks for the giveaway open to residents worldwide. ๐
Thank you, Teresa! I’m such a fan of dual-perspectives! I feel the reader gains so much understanding and insight! Best of luck in the giveaway!!
Meredith, you’ve expressed how I feel about this trilogy very well indeed and a lot more eloquently than I ever could. Cassandra Grafton has a wonderful writing style and it’d be lovely to see more from her in the future.
For anyone who hasn’t read these three books, you should put them on your Wish List right now!
Please don’t enter my name in the giveaway as I already have copies of them all.
Thank you for such kind words, Anji! I agree with you completely about Cassandra Grafton’s writing style – I’m quite in love with it!
Wonderful review, Meredith, and wonderful trilogy, Cassandra! Please don’t enter me in the giveaway, I already have all three volumes and loved them, just wanted to pop by to say congrats and looking forward to more from Cassandra in the future.
Thank you, Joana! I dearly hope Cassandra writes more beautiful stories like this one in the future! ๐
This trilogy is my all-time favorite Austen variation. I am delighted to see that is being discovered by new readers, thanks to the wonderful review that Meredith has given here. It is a beautifully written trilogy, with exquisite period details and language. It strikes the perfect balance between humor, angst and swoon-worthy romance. Though the plot takes new twists from canon, all of the characters are true to the beloved originals. I already own all three books, so do not enter me in the drawing, but I will congratulate the lucky winner in advance. You won’t be disappointed. Add me to the list of fans eagerly awaiting Cassandra Grafton’s next book.
I can easily understand naming this trilogy as your all-time favorite! You put it so well – it does strike a perfect balance! I loved how it would touch my heart, make me smile, and make me laugh out loud! ๐ Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts, Tara!
I would love to read this book! I know I would enjoy it. I love Pride and Prejudice variations too. Thank you for the opportunity!
Yay! I’m sure you will love it, Brenda!
A whole volume dedicated to 4 and half days of mostly Darcy and Elizabeth, their thoughts and coversations? I would love to read it! Thank you for great review and wonderful international giveaway!
The second volume spans the same amount of time too! I love learning everything, there is so much going on in such a short span of time!!
It’s been a while since I’ve read the series, but I really enjoyed them. It’s a series I wouldn’t mind re-reading!
๐ Glad I finally got a chance to read it myself!
Sounds like another book (or 3) to add to my TBR list..thanks for hosting the giveaway.
LOL! Yes, this is definitely a 3 for 1 kind-of-deal!
I’m adding this to my TBR list now! Thanks for the review and giveaway!
Good decision! Best of luck!
This sounds really interesting! I have not heard about this book or author until now. I like the fly on the wall sort of concept. Thanks for the giveaway!
I’m glad to bring it to your attention! ๐ Yes, I love being a fly on the wall!
Love your review as always. I hate when real life gets in the way of reading too! Glad your loving the series!
Thank you! It is a real test sometimes…do I take care of my responsibilities and go to work on time or do I indulge in reading something that is fascinating me!
Wow! Didn’t imagine this series was so good! Now I must add it to my “to buy” list! ๐ Oh, and thanks for your generosity!
๐ I will admit to feeling the same way! Boy, I didn’t know what I was missing!
I know I’m too late, still catching up, but it sounds delightful