Hi readers, I’m excited to share another of my Austenesque Top Ten lists with you today!
For those who haven’t seen this kind of post before, it is where I share some of my all-time favorite Austenesque works. Sometimes I group them by novel (Persuasion, Sense and Sensibility), sometimes I group them by sub-genre (Sequels, Modern-day Adaptations), and sometimes I group them by theme (Summer, Halloween). 😉
A year ago I decided I best tackle the most popular novel and sub-genre out there in all of Austenesque…Pride and Prejudice Variations
It is way too hard to pick just 10 favorite Pride and Prejudice variations though, I’ve read hundreds! So I broke it down a little by years. A year ago I shared my favorite 10 Pride and Prejudice variations from the years 2007-2011. And today I am sharing my favorite Pride and Prejudice variations from 2012-2014.
* These lists are based only on the novels I have read and reviewed on this blog and are my top ten favorites.
**These lists are subject to change.
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(in alphabetical order)
A Fair Prospect Trilogy (Volumes I-III)
Author: Cassandra Grafton
Type of Novel: Variation
My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars (for all three!)
My Review I Add to Cart I Add to Shelf
My Review I Add to Cart I Add to Shelf
My Review I Add to Cart I Add to Shelf
*yes…I’m sneaking in 3 for 1!
“If you are an ardent admirer of Pride and Prejudice variations, then you need to do yourself a favor and devour this expressive and eloquent trilogy, if you haven’t already! Filled with soul-searching, slow-paced exhilaration, and sweeping romance, Cassandra Grafton’s A Fair Prospect is definitely one of my favorites!”
Dearest Friends
Author: Pamela Lynne
Type of Novel: Variation, Mature Audiences
My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
My Review I Add to Cart I Add to Shelf
“Dearest Friends is an “excessively diverting” and enthralling Pride and Prejudice variation! I recommend this story to readers who love sensual romances and don’t mind seeing some of Jane Austen’s characters slightly altered. I can hardly wait to read more thoughtful and inventive tales by Pamela Lynne!”
Haunting Mr. Darcy
Author: KaraLynne Mackrory
Type of Novel: Variation, Paranormal
My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
My Review I Add to Cart I Add to Shelf
“I’m so very eager to see what KaraLynne Mackrory comes up with next, her enchanting and sensitive Pride and Prejudice variations belong in every Janeite’s library! Written with keen observations, sharp wit, and deep emotions – Haunting Mr. Darcy is the kind of story that enthralls the reader and keeps them captive until the very end (and haunts them all the while in between!)”
Mr. Darcy’s Noble Connection
Author: Abigail Reynolds
Type of Novel: Variation
My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
My Review I Add to Cart I Add to Shelf
“Fiercely loyal and protective of his friends and loved ones, honorable and noble even in the most difficult of predicaments, principled and respectful – Elizabeth Bennet can hardly find reason to accuse Mr. Darcy of being ungentlemanly in this novel! I just loved seeing him act so heroically and honorably! So many excellent traits to admire and love!”
Pirates and Prejudice
Author: Kara Louise
Type of Novel: Variation
My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
My Review I Add to Cart I Add to Shelf
“Looking for an epic and grand adventure? With Pirates and Prejudice, Kara Louise delivers a sweeping tale that is thrilling, bold, and beautifully crafted! Brava, Kara! Thank you for bringing Darcy and Elizabeth into the world of pirates, buried treasure, bandanas, and billowy white shirts!”
The Falmouth Connection
Author: Joana Starnes
Type of Novel: Variation
My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
My Review I Add to Cart I Add to Shelf
“Brooding, fervent, persevering, frustrated, protective, and brave – Ms. Starnes’s depiction of Darcy in this novel is everything that is admirable and worthy, proving that Mr. Darcy is indeed the penultimate romantic hero!”
The Journey
Author: Jan Hahn
Type of Novel: Variation
My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
My Review I Add to Cart I Add to Shelf
“Oh my, what a riveting and heart-pounding adventure! With a magnetizing and dangerous bad boy, a couple who believes their love for each other is unrequited, a damaged reputation, and the threat of scandal this novel had me consumed!”
The Madness of Mr. Darcy
Author: Alexa Adams
Type of Novel: Variation
My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
My Review I Add to Cart I Add to Shelf
“Alexa Adams created a compelling and unique journey for our dear couple to traverse and I truly loved every minute of it! The ending was pure satisfaction in every sense of the word – all past sorrows were erased and I felt each character experienced healing and peace. I highly recommend this exquisitely crafted variation!”
The Subsequent Proposal
Author: Joana Starnes
Type of Novel: Variation
My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
My Review I Add to Cart I Add to Shelf
“Achingly romantic and exquisitely expressive – The Subsequent Proposal is a beautifully blended story with our favorite, albeit mismatched, couples.”
When They Fall in Love
Author: Mary Lydon Simonsen
Type of Novel: Variation
My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
My Review I Add to Cart I Add to Shelf
“An informative and vivid tour of Florence, an inventive and intriguing premise, a gratifying character development for Jane Bingley, and a poignant and emotional romance – what more could you ask for?!?”
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Have you read any of my favorite Pride and Prejudice variations from 2012-2014?
Are any of them your favorites?
Oh, I love your list. I’ve read most of them… there are three that I have not gotten to yet. Time… so little time. Thank you for sharing your list.
Thank you, Jeanne! I appreciate you checking out my lists! I do so enjoy sharing them! 🙂
What a great list! I have read so many great books that I tend to forget some as the years go by, but most of these I have read and loved! Great list and a gentle reminder of those I missed. Thank you.
Thank you, Brenda! 🙂 I’m so glad you loved so many of the ones I did! There are so many wonderful stories to choose from!
Oh… I have read them all and you have mentioned several of my favourites : A Fair Prospect, Haunting Mr Darcy and When they Fall in Love. The others variations I have also loved reading.
Your blog is certainly a source of inspiration and information.
Thank you for sharing with us.
Awesome, Nathalie! I’m so thrilled to hear it! Great choices! Thank you so much for your kind words!
I can see I have my work (or my pleasure) cut out for me! I’ve read only one–Haunting Mr. Darcy, which I found charming. Thanks for the pointers!
Oh awesome! I’m so glad you enjoyed that one. 🙂 I hope if you try any others you will enjoy them as much as I did! I’d definitely recommend The Madness of Mr. Darcy for you, I think that would be one you’d greatly enjoy!
wonderful list
Thank you, Denise! 🙂
Some of my all time favs on this list, Meredith, including The Madness of Mr Darcy (which I only discovered last year!!), Mr Darcy’s Noble Connections and The Journey.
Thank you so much for including me in it too! You’ve made my day, my week and quite possibly my year! <3
Hugs, Cassandra! It was a no-brainer! Thank you for sharing such brilliant and beautiful stories with us! I’m so glad we share some all-time faves! 😉
Wow!! What an unexpected joy this is! Thank you so much, Meredith. I am both honored and humbled to be listed with these JAFF legends whom I have followed from the beginning of my Austenesque adventure. Wow. Thank you!
Thank YOU, Pamela, for sharing your gift and your stories! I adore all the fun twists and characters in Dearest Friends, I’m so thankful that you wrote it!
Great list. You have some of my all-time favorites on there. The cave scene in Jan Hahn’s book (swoon!). The swinging from the yardarm in Kara Louise’s book (swooning again!), and the garden AND cove in Joana Starnes’ Falmouth Connection (double swoon). The moors in Abigail Reynolds’ book (downright faint) and Sebastian (what more needs said, Pamela Lynne Alexis). I’m surprised how many of the others I have not read. A few have been so long ago I need to reread (especially Cass Grafton’s trilogy). Thanks for the list, Meredith. As always, excellent.
Thank you, Joy! I love your comment so much!!! It is because of those memorable scenes that these books stand out to me and are my most favorite! I hope if you try some of the other books on my list that you will enjoy them as much as I did! 🙂
How could you ever stop at 10? All of these are great and I could easily add 10 more. Thanks for your sharing. Jen Red
LOL! It wasn’t easy! I’m totally cheating by dividing the books by year! It would be nearly impossible to do a list that included all the years together! Thanks for checking out my list!
Hi Meredith,
I haven´t read any of them but I remember well when you spoke so good of Joana Starnes´s books as well as Cassandra Grafton´s. They all seem so exciting!. And I would like to have time to read Mary Lydon Simonsen´s story because of Florence as the setting of the novel (sigh!) and, of course, “Pirates and Prejudice” because it must be such a fun and romantic reading with swashbuckling scenes LOL!.
Thanks for this list, Meredith, it´s really helpful 😉
Ooh, Teresa! Such wonderful delights await you my friend! Yes to everything you said! Florence is such a lovely setting and there are so many delicious swashbuckling scenes! I loved the unique aspects of those stories! I hope you get the opportunity to read some of these lovely works of fiction soon!
I have read and enjoyed 6 of these, Cass Grafton’s trilogy, both of Joana’s, Abigail’s, Pamela’s and KaraLynne’s. All wonderful! And I have three others on my wish list but even though I have a number of books by Mary, I don’t remember this one so will definitely be checking it out. Thanks for another great list Meredith
Awesome, Glynis! I hope that you like the other stories as much as I did! You should definitely bump Pirates and Prejudice and The Journey on your list – I know you will love those two! Both have a little bit of adventure in them, which I know you love!
Great list! I have them all, but I admit that I’ve not read them all yet. There just aren’t enough hours in the day!
Thanks for checking out my list, Pam! I know what you mean! I have such a pile of books I want to read! I wish I could read all day long!
I have read all of these…great selections! I truly thank you and admire you for all the hard work you put into giving up these lists. In reading over 175 or even 200 per year there is no way I could select 10 out of those I read. But good for you.
Oh awesome, Sheila! Glad you and I share some favorites!
Thank you, Meredith! Lovely to have The Journey included among such good books.
Thank YOU, Jan! Your stories bring so much pleasure! I’ll admit that your Nate Morgan almost tempted me to wish for a match between him in Lizzy! Can you believe such blasphemy! LOL! 🙂
Hi Meredith. So glad you enjoyed When They Fall in Love. I appreciate the shout-out.
Loved it, Mary! I feel like you took us on a virtual trip to Italy in that story!
I did better on this list than last year’s, 8/10 this time! Just “The Journey” and “When They Fall in Love” left to tick off. They’re all such wonderful books with so many memorable scenes in them. I love the way you’ve snuck all three of Cassandra’s trilogy in, Meredith. Quite right too!
Ooh! I think you will love those two, Anji! LOL! I totally thought of you when I was adding the trilogy on the list. I said to myself “Anji will definitely approve!” 😀
I put a line of smiley faces in that last comment! Where did they go, I wonder? Anyway, thank you so much for your comment!
Fun to read your lists. I’ve read four of those and have three more on my TBR pile so I’m sitting pretty to enjoy some good ones it looks like.
Thanks, Sophia! I hope you enjoy reading some of these books on my list as much as I did!
I love your lists Meredith! From these I’ve read 9 and 8 of them would also be on my too 10 :))
It’s a great selection!
Thank you, Rita! I love making them! That’s great that we share so many favorites!!
Thanks for the list.
My pleasure! Thanks for checking it out!
I loved these books! HUGE thanks, Meredith, for your ever so kind words about mine, I can’t tell you how happy I am that you liked them!!
Thank YOU for your wonderful friendship, for all the encouragement you gave me over the years, from my first steps into JAFF, and for making Austenesque Reviews the amazing blog that it is! Hope it gives you as much happiness as you give us, every day!
Yay! So glad to hear you love these stories as much as I do! 🙂 And thank YOU for creating such fabulous stories for us to enjoy! I appreciate all your kind words for me and my blog! I’m very thankful for all you authors do to support us bloggers and feed this sub genre! It has brought so much happiness to so many readers!
Oh Meredith! I am so excited to see The Madness of Mr. Darcy here, and in such excellent company! You are undoubtedly the queen of lists. Brava and thanks for the love.
LOL! I’m addicted to making them! Thank YOU for your unique and special story! I’m so happy that you shared it with us all!
All are wonderful variations. I loved them all so much that I can’t choose which one enchanted me the most. After reading each one of them 2 or 3 times via kindle unlimited, I decided to purchase them ALL to read and enjoy daily. Congratulations to all of you, my dear and favorite authors. You guys make my day to day life so much more enjoyable. Joanna, your Unthinkable Triangle opened the door to the wonderful world of Jane Austen Fan Fiction for me. Though not listed here, it will always be one of my most favorite.
Hi Pouran! Thanks so much for checking out my list! 🙂 I’m glad to hear that so many of these are your favorites too!! Oh The Unthinkable Triangle is remarkable, isn’t it? I think there is a good chance it will be on my Top Ten list for Pride and Prejudice variations published 2015-2017! 😉
Thank you Meredith. I was so delighted to find all of my favorites in your list. It seems that we have very similar taste. I also enjoyed the Thursday Child very much. It’s an enjoyable variation of pride and prejudice with some parts adapted from Firelight movie.
Meredith,what a great list!!!
Have read all except two,and loved all those that I read.
One of my absolute favourites is KaraLynn Mackrory’s A Spifitual Courtship-Haunting Mr Darcy.
I remember,when I started reading it, that I just knew it would be something really fantastic! Thankfully I was right!!
Oh drat, I commented (long winded as usual) and clicked something and poof, it disappeared. If this shows up twice I’m going to be so embarrassed. Now that I have that possibility hanging over my head, I’ll be much briefer.
I know I’m extremely behind in reading your blog entries, crazy busy here with getting ready to move soon. I especially looked forward to reading this one on a quieter day, though. I just don’t know how you kept it to a list of ten! Nut! Not you, the idea. 😉
I have all but still have three yet to read. All these authors are favorites. About half of these I’ve read twice and sometimes more. I cannot say enough good about most of these authors, as I’ve read, reread, and obviously enjoyed, most their works on and off this list. It’s personal so I won’t name names, but I’d give the oeuvre of many 20 out of 20 stars! Thanks Meredith
And yes, that was more brief.
I have read several of those and my FAVORITE is Haunting Mr. Darcy. It was delightful reading and kept me laughing. Have you ever run across one of the two books where Jane did not marry Charles Bingley? One she married one of the Lucas sons and the other she felt she should have been chosen by Darcy instead of Elizabeth. I have been trying to find both again. Thank you.
Thank you for such a great list Meredith! I’ve read all these books, many more than once. In fact “When They Fall In Love” was the first P&P variation I ever came upon from a recommendation in Italia magazine, a British publication aimed at Italophiles. I was hooked and have been ever since!
i have read all of these. Thank you for all the hard work you put into putting these lists together.
Thank you for your list! I had read a few of these variations and loved them. Grateful for your recommendation on a few new-to-me variations to try next. Wondering if you’ve ever read the “Heartstone” trilogy by Elle Katharine White? I just finished it and loved it.