Hi friends!! Did you have enough Austenesque Angst last week?
Are you ready for PART 2?
Well… unlike PART 1 of this list which covers the span of 7 years, PART 2 covers the span of just 2 years! Because apparently Austenesque Angst exploded in the years 2015 and 2016 (#NotComplaining)
In case you missed the first part of this list, here are my favorite Austenesque Angst stories from the years 2007-2014. This list focuses on those Austenesque book that pull hard at the heartstrings, bring tears to our eyes, and overall make the reader feel anguish, anxiety, and intense emotions.
And since there are so many fantastic stories that do that, this list is broken into separate lists (more to enjoy, right?) 
Today’s list is for my favorite Austenesque works with high angst published from 2015-2016 – and for those who are good at math, yes this list has 13 books on it not 10.
*I’ve included only books I’ve read on these lists, if you think a book is missing, it may be because I have not read it yet. 
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(in alphabetical order)
A Peculiar Connection
Author: Jan Hahn
Type of Novel: Variation
My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
My Review I Add to Cart I Add to Shelf
“Jan Hahn once again pushes the envelope and fearlessly takes on a most challenging and almost inconceivable plot with her latest variation, A Peculiar Connection. Her skilled story-telling and thoughtful, emotive prose are definitely something to marvel and admire! A thoroughly poignant, heart-wrenching, and memorable tale! I highly recommend!”
Darcy and Elizabeth: A Promise Kept
Author: Brenda J. Webb
Type of Novel: Variation, Mature Audiences
My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
My Review I Add to Cart I Add to Shelf
“Who wants some angst and drama? This story is brimming with it! There is an assignation attempt, mismanaged funds, numerous deceptions, and more than one love triangle all happening at the same time! Ms. Webb masterfully creates a delicious amount of tension and turbulence in this tale, and it becomes so engrossing that this book is almost impossible to put down!”
Darcy’s Hope: Beauty From Ashes (Great War Romance #1)
Darcy’s Hope at Donwell Abbey (Great War Romance #2)
Author: Ginger Monette
Type of Novel: Retelling
My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars (for both!)
My Review I Add to Cart I Add to Shelf
My Review I Add to Cart I Add to Shelf
“If you read my review of Darcy’s Hope: Beauty from Ashes, then you know already how I love so much of what the author began in this series – the beautifully constructed integration, the setting, the emotional journeys, the well-drawn characters. Well, Darcy’s Hope at Donwell Abbey is just as well-written, action-packed, and emotionally turbulent as the first book. And once again, I found Ginger Monette’s premise and execution to be masterful”
Longbourn’s Songbird
Author: Beau North
Type of Novel: Retelling, Mature Audiences
My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
My Review I Add to Cart I Add to Shelf
“Longbourn’s Songbird is a soulful and poignant Pride and Prejudice retelling that encompasses a much bigger story than Darcy and Elizabeth fighting and finding love. Emotive, deep, and sincere – this debut novel is well-deserving of all the praise and accolades it is receiving! I highly recommend!”
Mr. Bennet’s Dutiful Daughter
Author: Joana Starnes
Type of Novel: Variation, Mature Audiences
My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
My Review I Add to Cart I Add to Shelf
“ Countless times Joana Starnes has shown herself to be a most eloquent wordsmith and a master at conveying complex emotions. We know she has a penchant for placing Darcy and Elizabeth in trying and torturous situations – something for which she has immeasurable talent! But where Ms. Starnes’s artistry really shines is the evocative language and poignant introspection she uses to describe what her characters are thinking and feeling. It is more than just words on a page, it is more than understanding the characters’ feelings and feeling sympathy for them – it is experiencing the emotions – the anguish, the despair, and the joy – firsthand.”
Passages: A Pemberley Tale
Author: Brenda J. Webb
Type of Novel: Variation, Mature Audiences
My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
My Review I Add to Cart I Add to Shelf
“This was a perfect choice for October – with a lonely estate, a brooding hero, dangerous villains, and the nighttime encounters between Darcy and Elizabeth (those were my favorite, btw) there are some wonderful dark and gothic elements to this tale. And with so much drama and action happening this story had me entranced from the very first page! I love these stories by Brenda Webb – they are high action and high drama, and that makes for a highly enrapturing read!”
Pride and Proposals
Author: Victoria Kincaid
Type of Novel: Variation
My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
My Review I Add to Cart I Add to Shelf
“But what I especially loved most about this novel was the expressive prose – it’s emotionally wrought, powerful, and soul-gripping. Darcy’s anguish is tangible and there are so many passages where the reader can feel his unabated love, his awful guilt, and his abject despair. He finds himself constantly at war between his conscience and his heart – I enjoyed seeing him face such an internal struggle.”
Side By Side Apart
Author: Ann Galvia
Type of Novel: Sequel, Mature Audiences
My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
My Review I Add to Cart I Add to Shelf
“Emotive, articulate, and exquisitely rendered – Side by Side, Apart is a phenomenal debut release by Ann Galvia! It introduces some realism and turmoil into the Darcys’ lives – which may not be everyone’s cup of tea – but for my part, I often delight in Pride and Prejudice tales that are more inventive and daring. Especially when they are beautifully and thoughtfully composed like this one! I highly recommend!”
Sketching Mr. Darcy
Author: Lory Lilian
Type of Novel: Variation, Mature Audiences
My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
My Review I Add to Cart I Add to Shelf
“Sketching Mr. Darcy a beautifully and skillfully written tale that presents a faithful look at what life would be liked should Darcy and Elizabeth be forced to marry soon after the Netherfield Ball. As always, Ms. Lilian presents a story that is thoughtful, creative, and exceptionally romantic! Sketching Mr. Darcy is definitely my new favorite of hers!”
The Coming of Age of Elizabeth Bennet
Author: Caitlin Williams
Type of Novel: Variation
My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
My Review I Add to Cart I Add to Shelf
“Ms. Williams deserves much praise for her skillful construction and brilliant execution throughout this novel. I thought she represented Darcy and Elizabeth respectfully and tapped into their emotions and experiences very perceptively and sympathetically. I loved the unexpected series of events, the heart-wrenching scenes of conflict, the fragile instances of softening, and the achingly beautiful moments where love is realized and sought. This is definitely a story to become completely emotionally wrapped up in and consumed with!”
The Unthinkable Triangle
Author: Joana Starnes
Type of Novel: Variation
My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
My Review I Add to Cart I Add to Shelf
“This variation, to the delight of many readers I’m sure, is very Darcy-centric! Ms. Starnes, with meticulous detail, outlines Darcy’s emotional journey as he attempts to move on and imagine a life without Elizabeth. The language is poignant and strikingly expressive; Mr. Darcy’s ardent love, intense yearning, and anguish is palpably felt in every speech, action, and description. *Sigh* beware readers, it will melt your heart! I think one of Joana Starnes’ greatest strengths as a writer is her ability to intuitively and perceptively describe a character’s emotions, particularly Mr. Darcy’s.”
***Okay, we are sneaking this one in because even though it isn’t considered Austenesque – there are some hints of Pride and Prejudice and the angst is truly phenomenal in this one! Consider yourself warned!
A Moment Forever
Author: Cat Gardiner
Type of Novel: Variation, Mature Audiences
My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
My Review I Add to Cart I Add to Shelf
“But the most compelling theme illustrated in this story was the power of love – how it doesn’t diminish with time, how it can change a person, and how it changes the course of your life. In this beautiful and eloquent tale, Cat Gardiner shows readers what happens when a couple experiences true love but can’t live happily-ever-after. It might be heart-wrenching to witness, but it was a true testament to see how love can survive tragedy, treachery, and time.”
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Thanks for checking out my list!
Are any of these stores in your Top Ten for Austenesque Angst?
This is my fifteenth Austenesque Top Ten list. You can find my other Top Ten lists HERE.
Dear Mer. thanks so much for including Sketching Mr. Darcy in your list. Congrats to all the Angst Masters who made your list:-) (major angst wimp here 🙂 )
LOL! I like that title, “Angst Masters!” Thank you for giving us such wonderful stories to enjoy Lory, whether they are heavy on the angst or not!! We ❤️ them all!!!
Fabulous can’t wait. Have only read three of these books. Thanks Meredith
Ooooh! I hope you get a chance to read some others too, and that you love them as much as I do!
I have read nine of these. Wonderful stories. Congrats angst masters and thank you for sharing this list Meredith.
My pleasure, Debbie! Thank you so much for checking out my list! I am glad to hear you and I share some favorites!!
I have read all of these books and second your rating of those. Some I have read twice. Great list – good work…as always.
That’s terrific!!! I’m glad to hear all these books earned your high praise as well!!!
Phew! Shock, horror! Me an angst-a-phobe has read most of these as well! I worked my way through endless boxes of tissues and sleepless nights reading these to get to the happy endings.
I loved Sketching Mr Darcy and have read it several times. (By the way you have the wrong write up on that one )
Joana is always a winner although she did have to persuade me to give Unthinkable Triangle a go (sob)
Of Brenda’s books my absolute favourite is Passages.
Again with Cat and A Moment Forever – I have and love all her Darcy and Elizabeth books but she talked me into reading this and oh heavens, talk about tears! I had to stop so often to wipe my glasses!
The few I haven’t read are either waiting on my kindle or on my wish list.
I look forward to your next part Meredith and thanks for proving I seem to cope with angst better than I thought. (Although I do love a bit of romantic comedy or just pure romance where ODC are concerned)
Glynis, if you ever want a reading buddy in order to jump in and read the next big ‘angsty’ out there, get my email from Meredith. I’l be honored to hold your hand through it, reading it with you. 😀 Seriously!
Thank you so much Michelle. My MAIN problem is that in most cases I don’t actually know a book is full of angst until I hit it. I know and love the author and automatically buy it, or I see a recommendation and just have to read it. But I will certainly avail myself of your services if I know it will be hard so thanks again <3
😀
LOL! I loved your comment, Glynis! And so true, so many of these stories made me cry (buckets in some cases!), but I never truly mind because they also bring me just as intense feelings of happiness! So glad to hear that you bravely made it through all the stories you did!! You are stronger than you think!
It’s great to have a variety of wonderful Austenesque to choose from, isn’t it? I don’t know if I’d want to read all of these books back to back, so yes, I am with about wanting a romantic comedy and or light-hearted tale in between!
Thanks for letting me know about SMD, the dangers of doing several tasks at once!
That Jan Hahn’s book remains a forever favorite! Those two favorites from Joana Starnes haunted me for days after as did Caitlin Williams’ Ardently. And Longbourn’s Songbird by Beau North… I loved it from the first scene. Loved. That book is alive—the air, scents, sounds—everything feels so tactile. And I always love LoryLilian books—fan from way back. So many fantastic reads on this list that I can’t help but agree with even the books I have yet to read!!!!
Thank you, Christina. You’re a forever favorite of mine as well.
Great choices, Christina!! <3 These stories are ones that stand out for sure, they trigger so many emotions and are so thoughtfully composed! I love hearing your praise of them!
Wow, what a great set of books, some from seasoned authors and some are debut novels. Congrats to all those who have kept our attention with all that dramatic tension. We’d be bored without you! Thanks, Meredith, for these lists, because not everyone has read all of these great books and it’s a treat to notice the one not read and have a new top of the TBR list!
Thanks so much, Suzan! I am so glad you enjoy these lists and I appreciate all your kind words! I am hopeful that these lists help readers discover new favorites since they are some of my favorite reads!
What a great collection and I’ve read all but two! Thanks for the new recommendations!
Oh awesome!! Hope you love them as much as I do!
So humbled and proud to be included in this list. Since I normally write angst it is wonderful to be recognized for ‘angst’ stories as some readers tell me they can’t abide my stories for that reason. 🙂 And it is always nice to be included in this group of authors since many of their books are my favorites as well.
I will be forever grateful that I discovered your books, Brenda!! I love the emotionally turbulent journeys you take us on!! Thank YOU for sharing your angsty stories with the world!!
Thanks so much, Meredith! I’m SO happy and honoured that you’re counting ‘Mr Bennet’s Dutiful Daughter’ and ‘The Unthinkable Triangle’ among your faves! The books on this list have given me many happy hours and sleepless nights (it was impossible to put them down!!) and it’s wonderful to remember how it felt to stay glued to the page or the Kindle when I read them for the first time. Thanks for your fabulous lists, for including my books in them and for everything else!! <3
Oh definitely, Joana!!! You torture us all with those emotional and heart-rending stories, but we love them for the well-deserved and enchantingly beautiful happy moments you always give us as well! Thank you for sharing your incredible stories with the world!!
great list
Thank you, Denise!!
Thanks Meredith. I was so busy looking at all the other lovely books, that I almost didn’t see my own. Some terrific reads here. Congrats to all involved.
LOL! Your lovely book so belongs on this list – how I adore it!!! Of course, Ardently is also a great favorite of mine – but I sort’ve felt it was more moderate angst than heavy. Thank you for sharing such lovely stories with us!!
I think I’ve only missed two of these. You’re so right about the books of recent years really grabbing ones emotions. Great stories in this bunch.
That’s great, Sophia! It definitely seems to have been a growing trend these past years!
Thank you, Meredith, for having A Peculiar Connection on your list. I’m truly honored to be included with all these great angst writers. Since my book had a rather daring premise, I really didn’t expect it to be as well embraced as it has been. Just proves Austen readers can surprise me.
It is truly such a praiseworthy story, Jan! Thank you so much for sharing such a unique and daring premise!! I loved it!! 🙂
A splendid list!! I’ve read over half, and I just re-read the Darcy’s Hope Great War romances, and they remain among my absolute favorites EVER!! I also adore Sketching Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bennet’s Dutiful Daughter…and I’m definitely adding the rest to my TBR lists!!
Thanks for a lovely list, Meredith!! I do love me some serious angst!! 😉
Warmly,
Susanne 🙂
Thank you, Susanne! I am so glad you’ve enjoyed so many from this list!! Ah yes, isn’t that series just in every way brilliant and perfect?!? I cannot wait to see what Ginger Monette writes next!!
That is great to hear!! I think you are in good company, my friend!
Wow! What an honor to have my Darcy’s Hope Saga included on this list! Thanks so much Meredith! And @Susannebarrett, hearing that you loved them so much just makes my day
~Ginger Monette
They are such wonderful stories, Ginger!! Thank you so much for writing them and sharing them with the world!!!
I love your list. I’ve read several and several are on my wish-list. It is so great to share those things you love with people who understand the desire to read great work. Great list Meredith. Special hello to Mr. Bingley. We appreciate his understanding and willingness to share you with us.
So very true, Jeanne! I am so grateful to share all that I do hear with you dear and wonderful readers! 🙂
I am glad you enjoyed this list, and yes, Mr. Bingley is wonderfully understanding of my love for reading and blogging!
Beautiful list, Meredith. I’ve read all but the ones set in the Regency, and a handful more than once, some more than twice. Two of those on your list were ones I asked you if you could help me in finding again, remembering part of the plot but not the title…..and of course you came through. 😀 Those were Jan Hahn’s and Lory Lillian’s books…sigh. I’ll never forget them now!
Like Christina Boyd said above, some of them haunted me. Caitlin William’s book stayed with me for days and days after I finished it, making it hard to leave that world and get into any new books. And Joana Starnes. What can I say? Just get out the jumbo box of tissues ahead of time. Even on rereads when I know what happens in the end, they still get me.
I’m such a Brenda Webb fan, too. I just recently reread ‘Darcy and Elizabeth: A Promise Kept’ and since it had been long enough I couldn’t remember how it worked out in the end, so the angst (and brilliant writing) were there like new, reading it for the first time.
I love your lists Meredith, because it’s nice to give that extra recognition to these beloved authors we are so fortunate to have writing for us. Sales and reviews and adulation on blogs just aren’t enough. I want to reach out and grasp their hands and say “Oh my goodness, thank you thank you THANK YOU,’ AND “By the way plleeeeze keep writing.”
I still have to read the non-Regency ones and thanks to your list here is a reminder and the kick in the pants I need to get out of my comfort zone…..and READ them! You haven’t steered me wrong so far. If Glynis can read angst, I can read modern. 🙂
LOL! Love this whole comment, Michelle! You are such a dear!! I so agree with what you said about reviews and adulations on blogs not being enough. The authors have no idea how much joy and delight they give we these stories! I know they aren’t compensated nearly enough for all the pleasure we derive from their writing! I hope these lists help as you say give extra recognition, they deserve so much more!
I know – no, I am confident you will love the Darcy’s Hope series. I cannot wait to hear your reaction (please do email me!!!) And since it is WWI it isn’t that far away from Regency…no cellphones or internet!
Michelle, Your comments touched me. At time I struggle with writing, wondering if many readers would notice if I just dropped off the face of the earth and never wrote another book. I think a lot of writers feel the same way at times. Just a few kind words does so much to make me want to keep writing. I wish I could grasp your hand and say thank you, thank you, thank you!
Awww, Brenda. It’s such an honor. BELIEVE me, we would notice! It’s about time to reread Passages, or Fitzwilliam Darcy An Honorable Man, the book that made me hoping desperately for the next Brenda Webb book to come out. Awesome.
I second this, Brenda! We would be heartbroken if you stopped writing and definitely notice by the great big void you and your stories would leave in this community!!
Wow. Thank you for the great list. There are three books that are now added to my to read pile.
Thank you for this list! Surprisingly, I only read 5 of them (Apparently, I haven’t yet found Brenda J. Webb’s books – looks like I ought to give them a try). This list made me think again on what type of angst I like and not like (in the latter group is at least 2 of the list, those with the love triangles involving Col. Fitzwilliam). Although, I know if I like the author I usually give a try to premises I generally dislike – as with Jan Hahn’s book with the seeming moral impossibility of a happy future for our beloved couple… The Darcy’s Hope series is on my TBR list as well, thanks for the reminder!