Pre-Teen Problems and Prejudice
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Source: Gift from Author
TYPE OF NOVEL: Modern-day Pride and Prejudice, Novella
SYNOPSIS: Will Darcy needs help. His sister, Gianna, at the age of twelve, is on the brink of adolescence and experiencing all the lovely changes that go along with it. With no mother or female relations close by, Will feels ill-equipped to help Gianna through these uncharted waters. He turns to recent acquaintance, Elizabeth Bennet, who he knows has many younger sisters, to seek her help with Gianna while she is with him this summer. Little does he know that Elizabeth can’t stand him and thinks he is the most arrogant and unpleasant man of her acquaintance!
WHAT I LOVED:
- A New Dynamic: With Gianna being so young and Darcy turning to Elizabeth for guidance it brought a different dynamic to their relationship. Darcy shows (after previously insulting her, of course) that he respects Elizabeth and admires her. And instead of doing things that continue to increase her bad opinion of him, the softer, gentler, and more caring side Will exhibits around Gianna starts to baffle Elizabeth. Who is Will Darcy really? In addition, this story is one of the few I’ve read where there is no George Wickham! So the conflicts and plot twists his character creates are completely absent from this scenario. We also don’t encounter Lady C or Mr. Collins. Oh, but we do have Caroline and she, of course, creates some mischief!
- A Wonderful Brother: I love seeing a little bit more focus on Will Darcy as a brother. In so many stories, Georgiana is not staying with him because she is either away at school or staying with her aunt and uncle. This Will Darcy, like many others, is the sweetest and most devoted of brothers. I loved that taking care of Gianna is his sole focus…he isn’t working, running an estate or a big conglomerate, or searching for a suitable wife. He is just trying to be the best brother he can for the sister he adores so much.
- Heartwarming Relationships: I enjoyed seeing such a narrow focus on these three characters. Darcy’s and Gianna’s relationship is more like that of a father/daughter and I loved seeing how they grew closer together. Elizabeth’s interactions with Gianna were sweet to witness as well…she connected with and understood Gianna in ways Will couldn’t, but she helped him understand and was always there when he needed her. It put me in mind of those scenarios where you see a single parent with a child, and they are missing that person that just completes their family perfectly.
WHAT I WASN’T TOO FOND OF:
- Rapid Relationship Development: I know that with novellas time and space are limited so oftentimes relationships will develop swiftly. And I go in with that expectation. But I did feel somewhat that the romantic-side of Elizabeth’s and Will’s relationship developed a tad too quickly for my taste…especially since there was a large focus on Gianna for most of the novella.
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Some Quibbles: There were just a few instances that made me quirk my eyebrow such as the times where formal language is used or a character is formally addressed, Elizabeth’s zero-to-sixty temper and name calling, and that something so monumental was planned for a FIRST date (that felt very sudden!). Others may not be bothered by these things, but I did feel they detracted from my enjoyment a little.
CONCLUSION:
With The Perfect Gift, Christie Capps (a pseudonym for author J. Dawn King) once again delivers a lighthearted and endearing Pride and Prejudice novella that is a wonderful antidote for the stress and struggles of everyday life! I loved the uniqueness of this premise, its delightful focus on making memories, and all the warm feelings of happiness it delivers!
Great review! I thought it was cute, but I agree that the relationship development was a little quick. Still, I love these short books from Christie Capps!
Thanks for reading my review and sharing your thoughts, Anna! I appreciate it! 🙂 And so true about these lovely books by Christie Capps!
Thank you very much, Meredith. Spot on as always.
That is very lovely of you to say, Joy! Thank you so much for sharing these delightful stories with us!!
I had planned to reread this short novella before you reviewed it. I remember loving the premise of the story and Elizabeth and Gianna’s friendship that developed. I agreed with your mention of the zero to sixty thing about Elizabeth, and rapid development of E&D’s relationship, but it WAS a modern take on P&P, Sometimes I do remind myself it IS meant to be short. I just loved Darcy’s care for his sister in this story. I really l enjoy these shorties and sometimes reread one after I’ve just finished a longer work that kind of drained me, or want to start something new but don’t want to start a long one that will just hit that crucial moment when I should have long past gone to sleep. ;/
Great review, Meredith. Christie Capps’ works are now an auto-purchase for me, although for some reason, I hesitated on these at first. Then I was so fortunate to win one in a giveaway, on Austenesque Reviews! I was hooked. I must say Joy King is an incredibly generous woman. We know so many authors who are, but here’s my chance to honor Joy in particular. I recommend C.C.’s ‘Lost,’ for your next one.
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts, Michelle! I’m so happy that you won that book and that it has led to your love of Christie Capps’s stories! I so agree with all you said about Joy! She is sincerely wonderful!
Thanks for the recommendation, I think I have one more to read by her before that one, but I hope to get to both soon!
I need to reread this. I loved the part where Darcy quaked thinking he needed to travel down that aisle known as feminine products. Snicker… I couldn’t help myself. Great review, Meredith. Say hello to Mr. Bingley.
LOL! Yes, that is quite a memorable moment! I don’t think I’ve read many other works that place Darcy in this situation.
Thanks for sharing such a thoughtful review Meredith. Sounds like a good read.
My pleasure, Elaine! Thank you so much for reading my review!
Love that the brother – sister dynamic shone in this one. Interesting about him getting advice on his sister and showing a different side to Elizabeth earlier than usual. Still need to read a Christie Capps book.
Yes! I agree! It is a lovely dynamic to focus on. I hope you get the chance to read a Christie Capps story soon! They are wonderful choices when you are short on reading time!
Well, I haven’t read this one yet, but it looks cute and I’ll definitely give it a go. Thanks for the review. Jen Red
Thanks so much for checking out my review, Jennifer! I hope you get the chance to read this book soon!
I enjoy these short stories when I have a busy day. I have read and enjoyed this as well as this author’s other stories.
So true, Sheila! I really love their size – it is the perfect short read to enjoy when life has you stressed! 😉