Finding Love in the Middle of a War Zone
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Source: Review Copy from Author
In her second Austenesque release, author Ginger Monette transports readers to battlefields and field hospitals of The Great War in a touching and emotionally turbulent retelling of Pride and Prejudice. A retelling that is two volumes in length – Darcy’s Hope: Beauty From Ashes and Darcy’s Hope At Donwell Abbey. In this series readers will meet Captain Fitzwilliam Darcy, who, after being rejected by the woman he loves and barely surviving the horrors of the Somme, has built some walls around his heart and has adopted a stone-cold disposition. And the woman who broke his heart is none other than Elizabeth Bennet, a Voluntary Aide Detachment nurse assistant who dreams of one day becoming a doctor and bears a burning resentment for Captain Darcy whom she blames for much of the tragedy and loss her family has faced.
While they’ve had previous encounters in Meryton and Kent, Darcy and Elizabeth come upon each other once again in the spring of 1917. Captain Darcy is assigned a secret espionage mission at Beaumanoir, (or ‘The Ritz’ as it is more affectionately known), a French chateau serving as a field hospital. Elizabeth just happens to be serving as a private nursemaid to Beaumanoir’s elderly owner, Monsiuer Dubois. What happens when they meet again? The tension, drama, and emotions run high in this tale with the search for a traitorous mole, the devastating tragedies of war, and our hero and heroine suffering through their heartbreak, pain, and resentment…
Oh my! How I adore stories like this one that beautifully interweave a significant time in 
history, new situations and conflicts, and Jane Austen’s characters. I loved how Ms. Monette explored the emotional well-being of both Darcy and Elizabeth during this time period. At such a time and setting as this, pride, prejudice, and society become a lot less significant, and there are different and more challenging obstacles for Darcy and Elizabeth to overcome. Both have experienced a lot of pain and hurt and have found other ways to deal with their over-whelming emotions, and both have adopted a practice of unflinching self-preservation.
My thoughts and emotions were deeply entrenched with these characters as I witnessed them deal with these deeper issues and internal battles. I love how emotionally affected I felt towards the events and characters of this story. How I felt chills and goosebumps when the soldiers began to chant ‘Dum Spiro Spero,’ how I became choked up with tears when witnessing a character in anguish and pain, and how my heart did a triple flip on the last page when things unexpectedly changed. I love it when a story makes me feel so much.
Aside from Ginger Monette’s overall brilliant construction and execution of a Pride and Prejudice retelling in a World War I setting and our hero’s and heroine’s powerful and moving internal emotional development, I loved the new cast of characters introduced in this story. They were so well-drawn – Mr. Dubois seems like such a dear and Dr. Cowart such a hilarious braggart! In addition, I loved our introduction to Robert Knightley (who seems to have found himself in similar situation as Matthew Crowley of Downton Abbey) and it was interesting to meet a more commanding and ruthless Colonel Fitzwilliam.
Beautiful composed and richly researched, Darcy’s Hope: Beauty from Ashes is a stellar example of fine Austenesque literature. Ms. Monette has crafted an exceptionally moving story complete with a compelling plot, danger, mystery, action, introspection, vivid detail, and an emotionally wrought romance. Even if you are not one to enjoy war stories, I entreat you to give this one a try!
Note: And for those who love immersing themselves completely in what they read, Ms. Monette has created a lovely and extensive visual companion in Lizzy’s Scrapbook. A special feature accessible to those who purchase the book and sign up for Ginger Monette’s newsletter. There are so many images to enjoy – characters, uniforms, scenes of war, and places and items mentioned in the story – it really enhances the readers’ experience.
~ Upcoming Posts ~
For those who want to see more of Ginger Monette, she will be visiting Austenesque Reviews again February 8th and I will be reviewing Darcy’s Hope At Donwell on February 20th!
Thank you, Meredith, for such a fantastic review! You know I love your blog, and I humbled and thrilled that you enjoyed the book so much. Writing and sharing it has been one of the greatest joys of my life : )
Big hugs to you, Ginger! I’m so excited I finally got to read your wonderful story! Ever since I heard about it a year ago I knew it was going to magical and I was right! Please continue to share your wonderful gift with us!! We are so grateful!
This was such a wonderful story and all her photos add to the poignancy…thinking about all the men and women who serve their countries. I hope to read more from her.
Very true. It was interesting to see some real scenes and people from the era. I second your hope, Sheila!
Thanks for your wonderful review of one of the best JAFF books I’ve ever read. It’s really worth switching from Regency JAFF (and I’m a devoted Regency JAFF admirer) to read this powerful WW I story. Don’t miss Lizzy’s Scrapbook either, it’s stunning and makes the reading experience even better.
Highly recommended.
Thank you for reading my review, Kate! I definitely understand you giving this book that special title! 😉 I’m so glad to hear you thought it was worth stepping out of Regency JAFF!
Wonderful review, Meredith! This whole series really immerses you in this era. Glad to see you loved it too!
Thanks, Claudine! I love stories that do that!
Can’t wait to read. Heard so much good stuff about it!!
I hope you love it as much as I did, Christina!
Lovely review Meredith. I’ve heard so much great stuff about this novel I just have to move it up my TBR pile.
Thank you, Teresa! 🙂 I appreciate it so much! Definitely move it up, you won’t be sorry!
Oh,Meredith wasn’t this a fantastic read?!
Such an emotionally charged,beautifully crafted and heartrending story!
I loved your review and I adored this book!!
So fantastic, Mary! I just love everything about it! Thanks so much for checking out my review!
What a great review Meredith. I have seen an excerpt from this book and it’s on my wish list. I would like to get both books in the series together as I hate waiting to continue a story. I’m looking forward to reading them soon.
Thanks for checking out my review, Glynis! Definitely a good plan to get both books! I’m so glad they were published so close together. 🙂
Yes, totally agree with your wonderful review! This is an epic saga book(s) that I absolutely loved! The images and emotions were powerful and I too loved the scrapbook!
Awesome, Carole! I’m so happy to hear you loved both books! Yay!
This was a very poignant story and gripped me from start to finish with all that was going on. Yes, that scrapbook was a lovely enhancement. Can’t wait for part two.
Me too! I’m glad the wait isn’t long! That first chapter preview made me anxious though!
Having read both volumes of this story, I have to say that I think part 2 is even better than part 1! The photographic scrapbook available to accompany part 1 is a unique enhancement to the story, especially if you don’t know much about the era. I loved all of the little cameos, too. It’s one that tugs at the heartstrings for sure. Lovely review as always Meredith.
No way, Anji! Gah! I can’t wait to read it! 🙂 LOL! Yes, the cameos were quite clever. 🙂 Thanks so much for checking out my review, my friend!
Wow! Thanks to all of you have read it and chimed in! The two books of Darcy’s saga were very difficult to write, but it is SO gratifying that JAFF fans are loving them!
I loved this one, too, and I can’t wait to get started on the next book in the series.
Same here, Anna! So glad to hear you enjoyed this one as much as I did! 🙂
This was an excellent novel and you did it justice in your review. After so many same old – same olds, this had a wonderful plot, really good editing, and the characterizations which were great. I am getting ready to read the next volume, which I am really anticipating.
Hi Julia! 🙂 Thank you so much for checking out my review and your kind words! Ginger definitely deserves all the praise she is receiving – her writing is brilliant! 🙂 Hope you enjoy volume two just as much!