A Lesson Hard Learned – Wendi Sotis + Giveaway!!!

January 9, 2017 • Giveaways, Reviews • 63 Comments

“In Every Mistake There Is Potential for Growth”

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Source: Review Copy from Author

TYPE OF AUSTENESQUE NOVEL: Pride and Prejudice Variation

TIME FRAME: Begins a few weeks after the Hunsford Parsonage proposal. Mr. Darcy is at his London home and Elizabeth, just newly arrived at Cheapside.

SYNOPSIS: There is more than one delightful twist in this story! Darcy and Elizabeth encounter each other in London just a few weeks after his first proposal, Mr. Darcy travels to America to retrieve and assist his widowed cousin, and Elizabeth injures herself while on tour with her aunt and uncle!

WHAT I LOVED:

  • Sweet, Sensitive Darcy: After being soundly rejected, Darcy doesn’t remain angry at Elizabeth for long. In fact, he quickly understand how right she was about him and how he must do all he can to prove worthy of her. There were so many instances where I fell in love with Mr. Darcy in this story. I love that he kept a journal, his feelings about “accidentally” meeting with Elizabeth on Gracechurch Street, and how he repeatedly recognized his love for Elizabeth Bennet and fervent desire to make her his wife. Swoon!
  • Split Action: With Elizabeth touring Derbyshire and Darcy traveling to and from America, the story is split for a large portion of the book with some chapters from Mr. Darcy’s perspective and other’s from Elizabeth’s. I loved following both characters and felt equally engrossed with the drama of both story-lines. Darcy’s travels are quite eventful and dangerous in more way than one, and it was quite fun to explore the possibility of Elizabeth being in Derbyshire with Mr. Darcy’s relations, but without him! At times I couldn’t decide which story-line I enjoyed more!
  • Eventful: I don’t really think anyone could describe this story as dull! There is so much going on and so many characters unexpectedly arrive onto the scene and cause mayhem! I really enjoyed the new original character, Lady Bianca, who causes no small amount of trouble. And I thought it was a perfect disaster that the Bingleys and Hursts showed up at Pemberley after they were entreated to postpone their visit! Talk about a bit of a fracas!
  • An Awareness: I loved Ms. Sotis’s portrayal of Elizabeth Bennet, who she depicts as having strong feelings or interest towards Mr. Darcy from their first encounter.  Even if his overheard insult quickly persuaded her to dislike him.  I tend to think this way about Elizabeth Bennet myself and I enjoyed how she spent a lot of time analyzing her actions and their repercussions in this story. Elizabeth admirably admits her own faults, strives to improve when opportunities arise, and becomes much more self-aware.
  • Georgiana: I also enjoyed Ms. Sotis’s portrayal of Georgiana Darcy in this variation. She isn’t too timid or insecure in her own abilities to make accurate conjectures about the leanings of her brother’s heart… I loved seeing her attempt to play matchmaker and I thought her developing friendship with Elizabeth genuine and gratifying.

WHAT I WASN’T TOO FOND OF:

  • Some Small Quibbles: With so much going perhaps I felt some elements or characters could have used a little more development or page time. And once in a while I thought some character’s decisions or alterations were a little abrupt, such as Lady Bianca’s and Lady Catherine’s.

CONCLUSION:

What a charming and lively Pride and Prejudice variation by Wendi Sotis! This is the second work I’ve read and thoroughly enjoyed by this author. A Lesson Hard Learned is an enchanting and introspective romance that is sure to delight many Austenesque readers!

Add to Cart   I   Add to Shelf

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GIVEAWAY TIME!!!

In conjunction with my review Wendi Sotis is generously offering a giveaway of ONE paperback copy (open to US residents only) and TWO ebook copies (open worldwide) of A Lesson Hard Learned for me to giveaway to THREE lucky winners!!!  

  

To enter this giveaway, leave a comment about my review!

  • This giveaway is open worldwide (with some shipping restrictions).  Thank you, Wendi!
  • This giveaway ends January 16th!

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Disclaimer: The Amazon links used in this post are affiliate links. 

63 comments

  9. Great review Meredith. I enjoyed this book although I felt for poor Darcy having to deal with Lady Bianca. And I agree about the unfortunate timing of the Bingleys visit! I did like this Darcy especially how he got to see Elizabeth before he went to America. Please don’t enter me in the giveaway as I have this book.

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    1. Yes, that meeting was so adorable, wasn’t it! I liked seeing Darcy happy of the “excuse” to walk on Gracechurch Street. It was a very momentous encounter. 🙂

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  10. I have so enjoyed Wendi’s books and have written reviews for this book and for All Hallow’s Eve on Goodreads, Amazon, and my own blog.

    But as I read this book via Kindle Unlimited, I would love my own copy!

    Thank you for your lovely review; I couldn’t agree more! (Although All Hallow’s Eve is even better because of the very different plot; I’m re-reading it right now!)

    Warmly,
    Susanne 🙂

    Reply

  11. Another story to add to my growing list of Must-Reads. Very nice review, too, with plenty of teasers and *no* spoilers.

    Many thanks and best regards – JanisB in the good ol’ USA

    Reply

  14. This is my first comment on this website, and I am thrilled to have stumbled upon it! I love all things Austen and was recently reading a book that prompted me to search adaptations of Austen novels. That’s how I found you! Thank you for insightful critiques on these novels, and I look so forward to picking many of them up in the next weeks!

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  17. Great review Meredith! I too enjoyed this story very much and agree with your review! Mine is posted as well. I have the e-book so please don’t enter me in the giveaway!

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  18. Love your reviews. The trip from America was dangerous because of the “Lady” he retrieved. She thought she was the woman that should have him; therefore, he would fall at her feet. Haha. Avoidance was his specialty.

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  22. This sounds like a nice adventure. I like the idea of a self aware Elizabeth. Who wouldn’t want to read Mr. Darcy’s journal?

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  23. I always enjoy the variations that have multiple things going on in the story, it gives it more dimension while allowing the underlying tension to brew. 🙂

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  25. Ah yes, Lady “Snobbianca” as I call her! Lol I definitely remember her. I also loved seeing Darcy’s journal, and all of Elizabeth’s interaction with Darcy’s family members while he’s away. 🙂

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  26. I have read a number of Ms Sotis’ books already; however, I have not read this one. I would *prefer* the hard copy if my name is drawn 😉 (my eyes).

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  27. I enjoyed reading your review and how you broke it down in categories. This is the first time I’ve read any of your review and look forward to reading more!

    I love all Ms Sotis books and I do own the eBook of ‘A Lesson Hard Learned’ but haven’t read it as yet. I would love to have the paperback!

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  28. Congratulations on the stellar review, Wendi! Great job, Meredith! This book is a favorite of mine. As I already own a copy – autographed by the authoress – please don’t enter me in the giveaway. I would not prevent someone else from winning and enjoying this lovely book.

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  29. Lovely review, Meredith! I’m so curious to read this one! And the cover is beautiful!! Which is always a plus.. 😛

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  30. Thanks for another great review, Meredith. And thanks for the giveaway, Wendi.

    I love Wendi’s books and I think this is the only one missing from my collection. The Gypsy Blessing is still my favourite so far.

    Reply

    1. Thank you, Anji! I appreciate your kind words! I really need to read more works by Wendi Sotis! I’ve only read two. The Gypsy Blessing sounds like one I’d definitely enjoy!

      Reply

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