An Intensely Emotional Journey!

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Source: Review Copy from Publisher

TYPE OF AUSTENESQUE NOVEL: Modern Adaptation

TIME FRAME: 1991-1995 (beginning with Elizabeth visiting Pemberley some time after Will’s first unsuccessful proposal)

MAIN CHARACTERS: Elizabeth Bennet, Will Darcy, William Bennet, Georgiana Darcy, Jane Bennet, Charles Bingley

WHY I WANTED TO READ THIS NOVEL:

• It’s Meryton Press! This small independent publishing company publishes some TERRIFIC Austenesque literature! Some of my favorite novels (Rainy Days by Lory Lilian, Find Wonder in All Things by Karen Cox, The Journey by Jan Hahn are by Meryton Press authors.
• I was fortunate to “meet” Linda Gonschior during Austenesque Extravaganza this past September and she was such a pleasure to work with! After enjoying Linda’s quick wit and sparkling conversation in nearly ever live chat we hosted, I was of course very anxious to read her debut novel!
• I love modern adaptations of Pride and Prejudice, and this one sounded very intriguing with its misunderstandings, secrets, and new situations.

WHAT I LOVED:

• The Effects of Misunderstandings: This is what happens when you don’t have Lady Catherine interfering with your love life! Just like in Pride and Prejudice, Will and Elizabeth are embarrassed and silent when they meet again after the “Lydia/Wickham debacle,” but since there is no meddling Lady C, Will and Elizabeth remain in a state of misapprehension and heartbreak for three years. (I guess Lady Catherine has her uses after all!)

• The Emotional Involvement: It was heart-wrenching and intensely emotional to witness Elizabeth and Will’s pain and separation. Will’s wretched despair and Elizabeth’s sorrowful yearning was so skillfully conveyed, that I felt these emotions right along with the characters. It was powerful! (Note: Don’t worry, this book has happy bits too!)

• The Cute Kid: Elizabeth has an adorable little boy in this adaptation that I just fell in love with! A two-year-old imp who is well-mannered, full of wonder and intelligence, and calls Elizabeth “mummy.” I enjoyed seeing Elizabeth be a mother, she did a fantastic job of raising her sweet boy, which was all the more impressive because she was doing it by herself while trying to finish a college degree!

• The Devotion: Although it breaks your heart to see Elizabeth and Will despondent and alone, it displays how their love for each other is ardent and true. I loved witnessing Will and Elizabeth’s tender, powerful, and inspiring love for each other.

WHAT I WASN’T TOO FOND OF:

• Elizabeth’s Isolation and Secrecy: I can easily understand why Elizabeth kept her troubles and trials secret from her family as she does in the novel. And I understand her need to move away from home. If I had her mother and was in her circumstance, I would too! But to keep secrets from Jane? To stay away and avoid visits with Jane? For three years? That felt a little far-fetched to me. While Elizabeth may be obstinate and private, I’d like to believe that Jane Bennet would eventually convince Elizabeth to confide in her and not allow their relationship to deteriorate.

• Lydia Bennet: As expected, Lydia gets herself into a heap of trouble with George Wickham in this novel. The thing I had an issue with was that no one, except Elizabeth seemed much effected by Lydia’s impulsive and improper actions. It felt odd that the Bennet family seemed so little impacted by her debacle and that they hardly made mention of her.

CONCLUSION:

Brimming with powerful love, misguided notions, and obstinate personalities – Reflections is one tumultuous and intense journey! I loved seeing the fervent and tender love Will and Elizabeth had for each other; how loyal they remained to each other, even after all hope was gone. Utterly romantic! From what I understand, Linda Gonschior is currently working on a sequel for Reflections, titled A Tarnished Image! I cannot wait to learn more about it and see what happens to Will, Elizabeth, and William next!

Warning: Due to a few romantic scenes (more tender than graphic), I’d recommend this novel for Mature Audiences.