What if One of Elizabeth’s Sisters Died?
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Source: Review Copy from Publisher
Instead of receiving Jane’s misdirected letter and disheartening news at the Lambton Inn, Lizzy receives a letter (where the address was written “remarkably ill”) during her stay at Hunsford Parsonage. Instead of Jane’s news containing the ill-tidings of a sister’s elopement and possible ruination, she reports the unfortunate illness and unexpected death of a beloved sister!
What will happen when Mr. Darcy arrives just a few moments later to propose?
Well…Mr. Darcy doesn’t propose – doesn’t mention his unrepressed feelings, honest scruples, or struggles to overcome Elizabeth’s inferiority. He instead offers Elizabeth his shoulder to cry on, his sympathies as she grieves for her sister, and some much needed assistance with traveling to Meryton. Between various private conversations and stolen moments Darcy soon realizes Elizabeth’s true opinion of him (he is much more perceptive!) and knows that he would have been soundly rejected if he proposed to her that night. Through kind gestures, thoughtful gifts, mastering his selfish proclivities, and restoring Bingley to Jane, Darcy sets out to repair Elizabeth’s poor opinion of him in hopes that when his is able to offer her his hand in marriage (he must wait three months), he will have a more favorable reply…
As with Falling for Mr. Darcy, one of my favorite aspects of this novel, and of KaraLynne Marckrory’s writing I general, is her portrayal of Mr. Darcy. He is simply adorable! Whether he is mentally castigating himself for his mistakes, surprising Elizabeth with his rare moments of levity and humor, or indulging is some private reflections/fantasies about Elizabeth and his future with her – this Darcy was constantly making me smile and sigh! Oh! And he is an artist – which makes him all the more attractive in my opinion! I especially enjoyed his scenes alone with Elizabeth, such as the one where he finds Elizabeth in his study, their conversation in the garden at Longbourn, and their interlude amongst the bluebells. In this novel, KaraLynne Mackrory created scenes that are emotive, sublime, and memorable. Some I know I will be rereading again and again!
Other characters I greatly enjoyed in this variation are Georgiana, Mr. Bennet, and Mrs. Bennet. I like that Georgiana meets Elizabeth a little earlier in the novel and exchanges some correspondence with her. I loved the scene between them in the music room and how Georgiana attempts some matchmaking! In addition, I took great pleasure in witnessing Ms. Mackrory’s rendition and development of Mr. and Mrs. Bennet. She provides a very unique explanation for why their marriage is filled with discontent and dissension which I greatly enjoyed.
13 out of 30 completed!
Well funnily enough CandyM posted a review of this today too, they say great minds think alike!
I really want to read this one, I’m going to have to get it soon and ignore the fact that I have loads of unread books on my kindle 🙂
As a healthcare professional (not really) I would recommend you get the book.
You can’t be too careful with your health. It would be selfish of me to hold off from buying it and risk getting ill. You could almost say I owe it to my family to get it 😉
Exactly. Now isn’t the time to be selfish. Get it. Be healthy.
I’m exceedingly concerned about your health, Ceri! Please…do take care of yourself! 😉
Lovely review, Meredith. I am so excited to read this book. My copy should be arriving at my door today! Yay!!=)
Oh that’s exciting! Happy reading, Kelli! I’m sure you will love it!
I enjoyed Falling for Mr. Darcy, so I’ve had my eye on this one. Based on your review I think I’ll have to pick this one up! Thanks for sharing with us!
I can’t really decide which book by KaraLynne Mackrory I enjoyed more – they both are so lovely! I hope you enjoy this one as much as I did, Heather!
Having already read and LOVED Falling for Mr. Darcy, I have a spot for Bluebells in the Mourning on my already over-burdened Kindle.
Wise decision! 🙂 I just love KaraLynne’s writing!
This sounds very interesting! I’ll have to put it on my summer “to read” list.
Hi Robin! Thanks for stopping by! I think this book would be a terrific summer read!
I think this is the very first time I have read a take on the original with a sister’s death and an aborted Hunsford proposal. I look forward to reading this one. Thanks for sharing!
It was my first time too, Sophia Rose! I was a little worried that the fact that there is tragedy and death, this novel might be a little to melancholy – but KaraLynne did such an excellent job with balancing the grieving with the healing. 🙂
Hi Meredith! Yes, great minds do think alike! 🙂 Restoring Bingley to Jane made me very happy! That has always bugged me in the original! Fantastic review!
Thank you, Candy! I liked how Bingley reacted to Darcy when he shared the news with him in this novel. Much more determined and independent!
I need a next selection for the Bicentenary Celebration, and I think this might be it. I could use sometime with an adorable Darcy. Thanks Meredith!
My pleasure, Alexa! Happy to be of service! 🙂
This one’s next up on my reading list and I’m looking forward to it!
Awesome! Can’t wait to see what you think (on GR!) of it, Monica!