Move Over, Emma Woodhouse, There Is a New Matchmaker In Town!
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Source: Review Copy from Author
TYPE OF AUSTENESQUE NOVEL: A Pride and Prejudice Variation from the perspective of Georgiana Darcy
TIME FRAME: Begins during the Bennet sisters stay at Netherfield Park through a few weeks later + epilogue
MAIN CHARACTERS: Georgiana Darcy, Mr. Darcy, the Bennet family, the Bingley family, George Wickham, Mary King, Mrs. Annesley, Captain Jacobs (original character)
WHY I WANTED TO READ THIS NOVEL:
- A new author for me that has already published 3 previous works.
- I love the idea of Georgiana playing matchmaker for her brother.
- I sampled the first 2 chapters and found the premise engaging and our heroine charming! I definitely wanted to read more!
WHAT I LOVED:
- Georgiana and Her Machinations: While reading her brother’s letters from Netherfield, Georgiana detects the true leanings of her his heart and knows he is determined to ignore and suppress his developing feelings for Elizabeth Bennet. Believing is clearly unable to manage his own affairs, Georgiana sets of for Hertfordshire with all possible haste with her companion, Mrs. Annesley, in tow. She plans to meet Elizabeth Bennet and find ways to make her big brother realize his heart. Even though Mr. Darcy is happy to see Georgiana, he intends to send her back to London (because of you-know-who!), but Georgiana keeps on finding reasons to stay! I loved seeing this less timid version of Georgiana. After her experience in Ramsgate it seems Mr. Darcy spent a lot of time opening up and talking with her, and it has helped her heal emotionally.
- Georgiana and Her Relationships: This story is told only from Georgiana’s point-of-view and it was delightful to see so many of the important relationships she develops with other characters in the story. I loved the ease and esteem between Georgiana and Mrs. Annesley, the sweet big sister/little sister rapport that developed with the two eldest Bennet sisters, and the fast friendship that formed with Kitty Bennet. I also loved seeing how Georgiana was wise to Lydia’s and Miss Bingley’s ways and wasn’t one to shy away from their strong personalities and unkind opinions. I should also make mention of Georgiana’s exchanges with a certain military man…what a delightful and unexpected surprise! It truly was wonderful to see Georgiana fleshed-out and maturing into such a strong and perceptive woman.
- Sweet, Humorous, and Tense: I love that there is a little bit of everything in this tale. It was sweet to witness Darcy and Elizabeth fall in love through another person’s eyes. Georgiana is very in-tune to her older brother’s heart and understands his nervous habits and discomfits. But at the same time, she was pushy and clever, and I loved the laugh out loud moments when Darcy would get tired of Georgiana’s meddlesome ways! And just when we think things might easily fall into place someone goes missing at the Netherfield Ball and there is danger, distress, and a whole lot of drama!
WHAT I WASN’T TOO FOND OF:
- Some Small Quibbles: While there is so much I enjoyed in the composition and unique viewpoint of this story, I did miss seeing Darcy and Elizabeth together more towards the end. I understand with Georgiana being our eyes and ears the author is limited in what she can show us, but I guess I wanted to see a little bit more of their HEA as well as Georgiana’s. And in general I found myself wishing things resolved a little more leisurely at the end. I enjoyed the epilogue, but would have loved a little more resolution before then.
CONCLUSION:
This is my first novel by Bronwen Chisholm and it only leads me to want to read some more! I love the unique perspective of this story and how the author developed Georgiana’s character! She could definitely give Emma Woodhouse a run for her money (as we see in the charming epilogue!) Ms. Chisholm’s enchanting and sensitive tale is one which will keep Pride and Prejudice fans “agreeably engaged!”
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GIVEAWAY TIME!!!
In conjunction with my review Bronwen Chisholm is generously offering a giveaway of ONE paperback copy (open to US residents only) and ONE ebook copy (open worldwide) of Georgiana Darcy, Matchmaker for me to giveaway to TWO lucky winners!!!
To enter this giveaway, leave a comment about my review!
- This giveaway is open worldwide (with some shipping restrictions). Thank you, Bronwen!
- This giveaway ends February 1st!
I’m curious about Georgiana as an Emma of sorts, so I definitely want to read this. Thanks for the giveaway.
Awesome! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! 🙂
Oh I love it when Georgiana is a prominent character in stories! Thanks for the review and giveaway.
Me too! Best of luck!
I too enjoyed this book. Especially the friendship between Georgiana and most of the Bennet girls. She is a lot stronger character in this and quite stubborn. Sometimes dangerously so. I too would have liked more of ODC . I enjoyed Behind the Mask by this author. Please don’t enter me in the giveaway.
So glad to hear this, Glynis! Wasn’t the friendship sweet? Behind the Mask looks intriguing!
I have this on my wish-list so I am excited about having a chance to win a copy. It looks interesting even with ODC [our dear couple] MIA [missing-in-action] most of the time. Oh well. I love seeing Georgiana coming out of her shell and beginning to live again and becoming excited about life and seeing her dear brother happy.
Hi Jeanne! 🙂 ODC isn’t missing too much, it’s just that we don’t see them alone with each other too often…if we do it is because Georgiana is eavesdropping! 😉
Yes I agree! It is great to see Georgiana come out of her shell and heal!
I like seeing a stronger version of Georgiana. Even though she may be described as shy and young she has Darcy blood. It would be interesting to see the famous couple through her eyes.
Me too, Sagan! Haha very true!
Lovely review! This author is ‘new’ to me too and with such a strong endorsement from you, I look forward to reading her works. It is nice to see Georgiana portrayed in a more confident manner. I also love stories that incorporate Kitty showing her in a better light. I do have this book on my wishlist so thank you for the chance to win a copy!
Thank you, Carole! 🙂 I definitely love seeing Kitty improved, I do think she would if separated more from Lydia. Best of luck in the giveaway!
I love Georgiana stories!!!!(perhaps more than….oh boy I better not say that……..)
LOL, Kirk! 🙂 Secondary character stories are so much fun to explore!
Great review Meredith for a lovely book. Don’t count me for the giveaway, I own this book and I’ve read it.
Highly recommended.
Thank you, Kate! I appreciate you stopping by and for your kind words!
I hope she is better than Emma. It’s good to have a book where other characters are more prominent than Darcy and Elizabeth
She is definitely more likable than Emma! She doesn’t think her thinking is superior or anything like that, just wants to help her brother find his happiness!
I like Georgiana so this might be good. Haven’t read an Austenesque book for quite some time. I’d be interested in the paperback as I’m in the U.S.
I’m sure you will love this one, Michelle!
Thanks for your wonderful review. Georgiana stories are very special and captivating.
Thanks, Anne! 🙂 There is a lot you can do with this character!
Ohh another book by one of my favorite authors! It’s such a fine review!
Very curious to read more of this author and see how well she manages to make Georgiana into a matchmaking sister to Darcy! This can only be an interesting and funny read!
Yay! I definitely want to read some more books by Bronwen Chisholm! This one was great!
It sounds like a great story! I would love to read it. Thanks for the giveaway. 🙂
Awesome! Best of luck! 🙂
It sounds like a great story. I would love to hear of Georgina as a matchmaker!
Thanks so much,
Becky B
Definitely a fun story! 🙂
I just love it when someone like your lovely self brings a new (to me) author to my attention, Meredith. I’ve seen Bronwen’s name on Amazon, I think, as it does ring a vague sort of bell in what passes for my mind, but haven’t pursued it any further as yet. Sounds like another name to add to my list of authors worth reading. This one looks rather intriguing, seeing Georgiana as an Emma-type character, instead of the shyer, more retiring one we normally see and also seeing the story unfold soley from her point of view.
Oh you are so sweet, Anji! 🙂 Happy to help you find new authors! I was the same as you, I knew of Bronwen Chisholm a good while before getting to read one of her stories! I’m real glad I finally did!
I was curious when it was from Georgiana’s view point, but you totally sold me when you talked about the humor. Great review, Meredith!
🙂 It was an interesting choice for the author to tell it all from her perspective. 🙂 I liked it for the most part!
I can just imagine Darcy’s reaction to Georgiana’s machinations. Giving him advice on his love life, him thinking that she’s still a child.
LOL! Yes, he has his hands full!
Would love to read how Georgiana plays matchmaker! Adding to my list!
Awesome! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
I love Alternate paths with P&P! Can’t wait to dive in!! Thanks for the review.
Yay! 🙂 Hope you love it!
Enjoyable review. I love Georgiana!
Thanks, Jacqueline! 🙂
I always loved the character of Georgiana and never thought she got enough time, so I love the idea of seeing things from her perspective throughout the time when Darcy is falling in love with Elizabeth 🙂 Cannot wait to read this – haven’t heard of her other books yet either so I will be looking into those! Thank you 🙂 Erika Messer hopefuldelights1 (at) yahoo (dot) com
Awesome! I’m so glad this one interests you! 🙂 It is unique in both that it is a variation and an alternate point-of-view.
This one sounds so fun, just a bit too late 🙁
No you aren’t! Silly me had the date wrong!
Sounds delightful! I’m hoping the 1-25 deadline was a typo, for the first announcement I saw was eight hours ago.
Yes it was! Thank you so much for pointing it out to me! 🙂 I guess I was in disbelief it was already the end of January!
I love seeing more of Georgianna . Great idea giving us her perspective, even if it means Darcy and Lizzy giving us less insight on alone-time.
Hi Katrin! 🙂 Yes, it was a great idea and worked really well!
I love reading P&P variations giving Georgiana a lot of ‘screen time,’ and this one sounds fun, light-hearted. I do love my angst, though I really dislike when an author makes her a spoiled brat. Really makes me cringe. It’s nice to have her take center stage and the story be lighter. I need the ‘lighter’ every once in awhile. The same things I said about Georgiana also goes for Kitty. I think all her problems can be blamed on her parents and sisters…..yes, dare I say it Jane and Elizabeth too. (I know….sacrilege!) Oh, and maybe allergies, ha!!
Going on my wishlist. Winning the Giveaway would be great, only in e-format though.
I agree with you about, Georgian, Michelle. I’ve read a couple variations where she is spiteful and spoiled. And while I like the unique take on a character we know so little about, it doesn’t always ring true to me.
And you do have a good point about Jane and Elizabeth. Sibling relationships are often complex. 😉
looking forward to reading this
Hope you get the chance soon, Lenora!
Great review. I also love reading a stronger Georgiana and who can’t love that she plays match maker? Looking forward to reading this book!
Thank you, Dung! 🙂 Very true!