A Sensible and Sensitive Variation of Pride and Prejudice!
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Source: Review Copy from Author
TYPE OF AUSTENESQUE NOVEL: Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility Variation
TIME FRAME: Jane and Elizabeth’s stay at Netherfield through November of the next year. Plus a lovely epilogue that takes place twenty-eight years later.
MAIN CHARACTERS: Elizabeth Bennet, Mr. Darcy, Charles Bingley, Jane Bennet, Kitty Bennet, Colonel Fitzwilliam, Colonel Brandon, Marianne Dashwood, Mrs. Jennings, Georgiana Darcy, Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner
SYNOPSIS:
When Elizabeth and Jane are unexpectedly called home from Netherfield to assist with an ailing Mr. Bennet, a concerned Mr. Darcy lends them some much-needed aid by calling for his London physician. Darcy also helps the Bennets out in another big (and secretive) way…but this kind and magnanimous gesture isn’t one they would thank him for if they knew… After months of inner turmoil and conflict, Darcy realizes that he is hopeless without Elizabeth and sets out to maker her an offer. But he may be too late, there might already be another who has won her heart…and his secret good deed might be something he earnestly regrets.
WHAT I LOVED:
- A Skilled Storyteller: This is the third novel I read by Joana Starnes I’ve read this past year, and I find myself very much in love with her writing. The expressive tone, the thoughtful and reverent approach to Jane Austen’s characters and plots, the playful narratives, the winks at social commentary – Joana Starnes is a brilliant writer.
- Mr. Darcy Feels Deeply: Just as with The Subsequent Proposal, Ms. Starnes portrays a very emotional Darcy – full of turmoil, his head against his heart, brimming with ardent devotion and strong affection. *sigh* I love my Darcy’s like this! Definitely a bit of a Byronic hero in this novel!
- Lovely Relationships: I just adored seeing the characters of Sense and Sensibility interact with the Bennets and Darcys! Mrs. Bennet being besties with Mrs. Jennings (could that relationship BE any more perfect?!?), Marianne Dashwood befriending Georgiana with their shared interest, Colonel Fitzwilliam paying a visit to Colonel Brandon – it all worked so well! I especially loved the bit where Elizabeth draws out Colonel Brandon and rumors and expectations start to fly about them! (uh oh, Darcy!!)
- Lovely Relationships Part Two: (That’s right, there’s more!) With Jane and Mary married earlier in the book, Elizabeth and Kitty become a lot closer. I loved seeing these two sisters share some walks and talks together! And as always, I enjoyed the brotherly love, teasing, and interference of Colonel Fitzwilliam. His support and protection for Darcy are unparalleled. In addition, I enjoyed seeing a more decisive Mr. Bingley, who proves his loyalty to Elizabeth and a stronger Jane Bingley, who speaks her mind to Mr. Darcy.
WHAT I WASN’T TOO FOND OF:
- Maybe Too Much Going On: This variation definite has more twists – Mr. Bennet falls sick, Bingley has more resolve and marries Jane, Mr. Collins marries Mary, the Bennet’s move to Devonshire and meet the Dashwoods. Sometimes it felt like there might be too much happening and too many characters to follow. Especially when some characters and story-lines seemed to fade away – I really enjoyed Kitty’s budding relationship with Elizabeth in the first half of the book, but I was sad to see that they hardly had any interaction with each other in the second half.
CONCLUSION:
I was completely swept up by this evocative and gripping variation! I love Ms. Starnes’s emotive and imaginative prose, and I greatly appreciate her faithful and perceptive renderings. Ms. Starnes’s passion for Jane Austen and her talent as an author truly shine in each of her novels.
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GIVEAWAY TIME!
Because she is super awesome and generous, Joana Starnes has set me up with ONE ebook copy of The Second Chance for me to give away to ONE lucky winner!
To enter this giveaway leave a comment below!
- This giveaway is open to residents worldwide. Thank you, Joana!
- The giveaway ends June 23rd.
This novel sounds just delightful! Thank you for the giveaway.
Thanks for your very kind words and your interest, Lady Susan 🙂
Best of luck in the giveaway!
I’d definitely say it was delightful!! 🙂
Sounds fantastic Meredith – Sense and Sensibility is my second favourite next to P & P. I would love to have a chance of winning the giveaway. Thank you x
Thanks for visiting and taking part, Michelle, and great to hear Sense & Sensibility is your second favourite! Hope you’ll like what I’ve done with it!
I think you will really enjoy this one, Michelle! Best of luck in the giveaway!
It sounds very interesting!!! I ‘ d like to read this novel.
Thanks for the giveaway.
Thanks, Chiara, much appreciated! Best of luck, and great to see you here!
Thanks for checking out my review, Chiara! Best of luck!
I’m eager to read the novel. Am so grateful that these P & P authors keep publishing more books for us to read!
You and me both, Liz! I can never get enough!
And I’m so grateful that people want to read them! Thanks so much, both of you!!!
Lovely review, Meredith! This book sounds delightful and just the kind I enjoy! Thanks for the giveaway!!
Thanks, Kelli, and thanks, Meredith, for the amazing review, much appreciated!!!
Best of luck, Kelli and thanks for stopping by!
Thank you, Kelli! It definitely was an enjoyable read!
The story sounds intriguing – sign me up for the giveaway!
Great to hear it caught your eye, Leslie 🙂
Good luck and thanks for taking part!
Best of luck, Leslie!
I was lucky enough to win a copy of The Second Chance on another giveaway, so please don,t enter me in the draw.
Meredith’s review tells it just as it is so for those of you not lucky enough to win this copy, put it on your Wish/TBR lists. It’s a good read and I just loved the interaction of Mrs. B. And Mrs. J. In fact, the whole of the P&P meets S&S scenario is a really good idea.
Thanks so much for your very kind words, Anji, you’re so kind!!!
I’m absolutely thrilled you liked it, it’s just wonderful to hear that, and you’re so lovely to come back to say so 🙂
Ooh! Congrats on your lucky win, Anji! Thank you so much for your comment! Both Joana and I appreciate it a lot! 🙂 Mrs. B and Mrs. J was just brilliant!
I, too, already have this book by Joana and I truly got my money’s worth. A delightfully well-written story rich with characters. Excellent review, Meredith. Please do not enter me as I have both in print and on my Kindle. I just stopped by to encourage Jane Austen fans to add this book to their library. Two thumbs up!
Can’t thank you enough, Joy, for the fabulous support and the lovely words, you’re amazing, and thanks again Meredith for the great review!!!
IMO this is the best part of this JAFF world of ours: it might well be virtual, but we get to make very real friends as wonderful as yourselves, and that’s just priceless <3
I agree, Joana! This community is so supportive, encouraging and best of all…filled with people who understand and can relate to our love of all things Regency, British, and Jane Austen!!!
Love Joana’s From this Day Forward so I am sure I would enjoy reading this
You definitely will, Vesper!
I’m so glad you liked From This Day Forward! Hope you’ll like this too. FTDF was actually meant as a sequel to ‘The Second Chance’, but then I wasn’t too keen to carry on without one of the beloved characters, so I changed it into a sequel to the original P&P instead. Thanks so much for your kind words, and best of luck!
Great review Meredith! I have already got the book, so please don’t enter me into the giveaway. I really enjoyed it. There are some wonderful quoteable lines, my hard copy is full of post-it notes!
So glad you enjoyed the book, Ceri! It really means a lot, MUCH appreciated!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed this book too, Ceri! Yes, my favorite parts were Darcy’s broody bits – and how Colonel Fitzwilliam put him to the test! 🙂
I haven’t read a blending of two of Austen’s stories or characters so that part has me curious. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Meredith.
Great to see you here, Sophia Rose
Hope you’ll like the idea of mingling characters! I always thought that if we see them as people who might have inhabited Jane Austen’s world, then why not imagine them meeting, rather than remaining fixed between the covers of separate books? 🙂
Thanks for visiting, and best of luck in the giveaway!
I love the mingling, Sophia Rose! It’s like a big Austen universe and all these characters exists but didn’t know each other, until someone like Joana comes along and changes everything!
What a wonderful thing to say Meredith!!!! Thanks so much!!
Great review!! I love the cross over betwixt P&P and S&S! This will have to be added to my TBR. Thanks for the giveaway as well.
Hi, Stephanie
It’s a wonderful review indeed – thanks, Meredith!
Great to hear the story caught your eye! Thanks for stopping by and good luck in the giveaway!
Thanks! I love the crossover too! I’m hoping Joana will write some more like this!
This one is definitely on my wishlist; I’ve heard nothing but glowing reviews. I like S&S and it needs to get some more attention! lol Love the crossover idea.
So glad you like the crossover idea, Monica! Wasn’t sure if it would be popular or not 🙂
Thanks very much for your very kind words, and best of luck in the giveaway!
Hear, hear! S&S has some really clever and comical characters – I think they are a lot of fun!
Great review I am intrigued now to know what he has done secretly! I have this book so please do not enter me into the giveaway, I love Joana’s work I have all three books but have only read one, I desperately need to book myself into a hotel for the weekend so I can start enjoying all these wonderful books:)
Thanks so much, Tamara, you’re so very kind!!!
I hope you get that time off soon, with a cup of hot chocolate or something, and that you like the stories. Have a great day and thanks for popping by!
I feel the same way, Tamara! Things have been crazy these two weeks here and I have hardly found time to read! I hope you enjoy this one when you do get the chance to read it! 🙂
I really enjoyed The Subsequent Proposal with its integration of Pride and Prejudice characters with those from Persuasion. Really intrigued by the idea of seeing those from Sense and Sensibility join Darcy, Elizabeth, et al!
So glad to hear you liked ‘The Subsequent Proposal’!
This is in a slightly different vein, but there are similarities, like the tendency to torture Darcy – that’s still there 😀
Thanks for your comment and good luck in the giveaway!
I think you will love this one, Regina!
LOL! Joana – “like the tendency to torture Darcy” Yes, poor Darcy goes through a lot!
I read both the Subsequent Proposal and the Second Chance and posted my reviews – loved both of them. Please do NOT enter me in the give away. But just want to stamp my endorsement on these books.
Thanks so much Sheila for your kind words, the lovely reviews and all your support!
Much, much appreciated 🙂
Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!
Your stamp is always welcome, Sheila! 🙂 Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
I’ve heard good things about this novel from several people now, looking forward to reading it! Thank you for the giveaway opportunity.
Great to hear it, Brenda!
Thanks so much for visiting and best of luck!
Glad to hear that there is a lot of praise for this lovely novel! Best of luck, Brenda!
I really want to read this book as there are too few stories which combines the characters of P&P and S&S. Your review is delightful as always, Meredith.
Great to ‘see’ you again 🙂
Hope you get to read this story, and I hope you’ll like it!
I’m so glad it caught your eye thanks to Meredith’s amazing review!
Thank you, Sylvia! Yes, there are too few! 🙂 I hope you get the chance to read this soon!
This sounds like a lovely story! Even if there is too much going on, I’d prefer to have a complicated story than one that’s too simple!
Lovely to hear that, Sienna, thanks 🙂
Good luck in the giveaway, and thanks for taking part!
I’d do have to agree with you there, Sienna! 🙂
This variation sounds like something I may have to put on my TBR list! Sounds like quite a bit of angst here, with some competition for ODB.
Hi, Kari
Thanks for visiting and glad ‘The Second Chance’ caught your eye! Yes, the first part has a fair share of angst, with sweet courtship in the second to make up for it 😉 Hope you’ll like it!
Yes there is some angst but then all is well!! 🙂
Thank you for the giveaway! I can only begin to imagine Mrs. Bennet and Mrs. Jennings conversing or rather both jabbering and neither listening. It is an interesting twist to have Jane Austen’s characters from separate books merge. Oh, I always love an emotional Darcy!
I think you’re right, Eva, they’d just try to talk over each other!
I’m glad you like the idea of characters from different books being brought together, I think some are so similar that they’re bound to get along well. Good luck, and thanks for visiting!
Can you imagine the matchmaking schemes they’d dream up?!? So funny!
I, too, like the idea of mixing other Austen characters in the mix. I have never read any of Ms Starnes works but clearly need to add her to my list! Thanks for another great review, Meredith : )
Great to hear you like the idea of mixing characters from different books! I’ve tried before with P&P&Persuasion in ‘The Subsequent Proposal’ and if you don’t scare easily, you might want to check it out 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and good luck!
Yes, you should, Ginger! I think you’d like her books a lot!
please enter me for the giveaway!!!
Best of luck!
Thanks for taking part and good luck!
Thank you ladies for a lovely review and a wonderful giveaway! I love the idea of mixing Austen characters and I’ve heard the outcome was great!! Can’t wait to read it! 🙂
Hi, Maria! Great to see you here and thanks for your lovely comment! Best of luck in the giveaway and thanks for visiting!
I’d love to win this. I’m reading From This Day Forward now. (And have already read The Subsequent Proposal).
Fabulous to hear that, Beth! Thanks, and best of luck!
I am so far behind on my responses to my favourite blogs! I’m slowly trying to go through them one at a time but June has been a crazy month for me! I loved Joanna’s first book and have ‘The Subsequent Proposal’ on my wishlist and this one as well! Love the mixing of the characters in books. Especially love having Kitty more in the spotlight too. I feel she is even more overlooked than Mary at times! Great review Meredith, as always and thank you for the giveaway!
I am behind in posting to your bog, Meredith! I know it is past the giveaway date, but I already have the book, just finished it, and wanted to make a couple of comments. I’ve now read all three of Joana Starnes JAFF books and I agree she is a great storyteller. It was fun to have characters from S&S and P&P together! Certain combinations were quite funny–Mrs. Bennet and Mrs. Jennings! I’m glad to see Bingley grow a backbone and Mrs. Collins discover how to control Mr. Collins!!
Yes, I loved all of those things you mentioned, Catherine! Joana is very clever and crafts a brilliant story, doesn’t she? Can’t wait to see what she does next! Always happy to hear your thoughts, Catherine!!