What If Elizabeth Bennet Was Asked to Help Her Country?
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Source: Review Copy from Author
TYPE OF NOVEL: Pride and Prejudice Variation Novella
TIME FRAME: Begins after Elizabeth returns home from Kent
SYNOPSIS:
The dastardly Mr. Wickham is even more contemptible in this variation – he is suspected of being a French spy that is leaking critical information to France! With the militia moving to Brighton soon, Colonel Forster is desirous to find out the other agents Mr. Wickham is working with and prevent any more sensitive information being sent across the channel. Knowing Wickham’s weakness for the fairer sex, Colonel Forster asks Elizabeth Bennet if she would accompany his family to Brighton as a chaperone for Lydia, but also as a spy who will report on anything suspicious Wickham may do or say…
WHAT I LOVED:
- Elizabeth In Brighton: While I’m never terribly fond of going to Brighton in P&P stories (mostly because it means Darcy and Elizabeth are not together!) I was so happy to travel to Brighton in this story because the contingent going to Brighton included our dear Elizabeth. I loved seeing Elizabeth enjoy Brighton with its sea-bathing and walks along the cliffs. As a beach lover myself, I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Elizabeth learn to appreciate and admire the coast. Also, I really loved the uniqueness of this turn of events…not many stories show us Elizabeth Bennet playing an active role in the events that take place in Brighton.
- Feminine Espionage!: I really enjoyed the premise of Elizabeth Bennet spying on Wickham in service to her country. She takes her responsibilities very seriously – she doesn’t reveal her mission to anyone…even when it could irrevocably damage someone’s good opinion of her, and she bravely places herself in perilous/imprudent situations all for the sake of gaining the desired intel. I have to laugh at Elizabeth using some “feminine wiles” to fool and coerce Wickham…very clever! Also, loved that she used her sister Lydia as a source of inspiration of what to say and how to act! Lizzy, you are pretty badass in this tale!
- An Ardent Suitor: I very much enjoyed Mr. Darcy in this variation. I love that after such a rejection, he decides to apologize and possibly hope for the chance to court or woo Elizabeth. But poor Darcy faces some disconcerting complications… Is Elizabeth truly in love with Wickham? Does this change his opinion of her? Darcy’s fervent devotion and fierce protection of Elizabeth was definitely swoon-worthy and made me love him even more! *sigh*
- A Surprise Encounter: I shall not spoil anything, but I really enjoyed Darcy’s and Elizabeth’s encounter with a prominent historical figure in this story. Their scenes together made me smile and I’m glad this elusive personage made an appearance in this story.
WHAT I WASN’T TOO FOND OF:
- Some Improbable Behaviors: Slight Spoiler Alert! Generally, I’m not too bothered improbable behaviors in Austenesque stories…especially if they involve being unchaperoned and stealing kisses. 😉 But I did find myself questioning some characters’ actions in this tale – Elizabeth in particular. I was surprised with how far she allowed her deception to go – not so much the determination to complete her mission, but what liberties she allowed and didn’t seem to have much qualms about allowing… Some other behaviors felt a little implausible, like visits and walks late at night and nefarious characters allowing silly interferences to delay their escape.
CONCLUSION:
It wasn’t too long ago that Ms. Kincaid portrayed Mr. Darcy as a spy – I’m so happy to see Elizabeth have her turn at engaging in espionage! With French spies, treacherous situations, and characters deceiving each other left and right, Darcy and Deception is an exciting romantic adventure that fans of Darcy and Elizabeth will definitely enjoy!
GIVEAWAY TIME!!!
In conjunction with my review, Victoria is kindly offering ONE ebook copy of Darcy and Deception for me to giveaway to ONE lucky winner!
To enter this giveaway, leave a comment about my review!
- This giveaway is open worldwide. Thank you, Victoria!
- This giveaway ends July 24th!
Intrigued with how Elizabeth is as a spy. Thank you for the review and the chance to win a copy.
I’m glad you’re intrigued by the book. Good luck with the giveaway!
I know! She would make a great spy, don’t you think? Thank you so much for reading my review! 🙂
Great review Meredith! I also enjoyed this book although, yes Elizabeth was a little foolhardy at times. Luckily Darcy was also in Brighton .
Please don’t enter me in the giveaway as I already have this book.
Hi Glynis, I’m so glad to hear that you enjoyed the story!
Yes, lucky indeed! So glad he pursued her there!
Enjoyed your interview. Elizabeth should do well as a spy with her intelligence. Waiting to see how things develop for Darcy and Elizabeth. Thank you for the chance to win a copy.
Hi Mary, Yes, being a spy allows Elizabeth to exercise different skills! Good luck with the giveaway.
I agree, Mary! She is quick on her feet conversation-wise, and I think that makes her a good candidate for a spy too.
Thank you for giveaway opportunity.
I like that Elizabeth is a spy too. It Is nice to see women be out of the social norms at the time.
Hi Patricia, Yes, it was fun to write a story with a woman doing something a little different. Good luck with the giveaway!
So true! I liked that aspect about this story too!
Ooh, Mr Wickham as a spy has a lot of potential. Great idea! Thank you for the giveaway!
He makes an excellent spy! Good luck with the giveaway.
Agreed! It feels very plausible for his character!
Sounds like another great adventure!!! I recently finished “The Unforgettable Mr. Darcy” and could not put it down. It was so incredible that now I’m very anxious to get my hands on any of her other works! Don’t know how it took me so long to discover this amazing author!
I felt the same way about The Unforgettable Mr. Darcy! So happy to hear you have discovered Victoria Kincaid’s writing, Joanna!
I appreciated the thoroughness and balance of your review. You provided the kind of information I look for when I am trying to decide whether or not to invest my limited book budget in something.
Thank you so much for saying so! That is a lovely compliment…you should only know how I fret about my review-writing abilities!
Wow, this sounds like my kind of book. It grabbed me from the tiny little clip that came with the email for the subscription, so that’s pretty impressive. I appreciate your thoroughness in the review, Meredith, as it keeps our eyes open to what to expect in the book and still want to read it. I sure hope I get to win it! Thanks!
Hi Suzan, I’m so happy you’re intrigued! Good luck with the giveaway.
Thank you so much, Suzan! I’m really happy that the review entices you to reading this story!
I like the idea of a truely bad Wickham
Hi Vesper, I do too! Good luck with the giveaway.
It is interesting to see Wickham be bad in new ways.
This sounds like another fun read! Thanks for featuring here!
Hi Jennifer, I’m glad it sounds fun to you! Good luck with the giveaway.
Absolutely! Thanks so much for checking out my review!
Great review– I’m surely intrigued to see Elizabeth’s acting skills but mostly Darcy’s angst at watching her act. 😉
Thank you for the giveaway, ladies!
Yes, it does cause a lot of angst for Darcy! Good luck with the giveaway.
Yes to both of those! I enjoyed seeing those aspects too!
So… it is Elizabeth’s turn to aide king and country. I hope she is adequately rewarded in the end. Men who assisted the Crown were usually given titles. Of course, if she gets Darcy… what better reward is there? This looks like a great story. Thanks, Meredith for the review and hosting [say hello to your Mr. Bingley]. Thanks to Victoria Kincaid for her generous giveaway and I wish her the best in the success of this work. After reading this review, it certainly goes on my wish-list.
Hi JW, She does receive an adequate reward. 🙂 Good luck with the giveaway.
Good point, Jeanne! And that is also very true…can’t really top that reward, can you?
Hope you are doing well!
Love Victoria Kincaid, and your reviews are always so helpful in choosing books. Thank you for the chance at the prize.
Hi Beatrice, Thank you for being a faithful reader and good luck with the giveaway!
Thank you Beatrice, I’m so elated that you find these reviews helpful!
I love Victoria Kincaid’s books. So excited to read this one.
Awesome! Hope you get the chance soon!
I like the premise of this book. Thanks for the review and giveaway.
I’m glad you’re intrigued! Good luck with the giveaway!
It is a unique and diverting premise, isn’t it?
Great review. I read and enjoyed this story as I have most of her other stories.
Hi Sheila, I’m glad to hear you enjoyed it. Thank you for being a faithful reader!
Thanks for reading my review, so happy to hear you enjoyed this one!
Thank you for the lovely review, Meredith!
Thank YOU so much for writing this inventive story and for giving me the opportunity to review it! I’m so happy I got the chance to read this fun tale!
This sounds like a very intriguing variation! I would love to read it!
Definitely! Hope you get the chance to soon!
After reading your review, it makes me want to read this book even more! I love the idea of Elizabeth being more actively involved in rooting out the bad guys! Thanks to you and Victoria for the giveaway!
Hi Christina, Yes, Elizabeth definitely helps the war effort in this book. Good luck with the giveaway!
That’s wonderful to hear! Hope you get the chance to read it soon!
This one sounds very intriguing! This is not my usual variation fare, so I’m doubly excited to add it to my list. Thanks, Meredith!
Hi Brigid, I”m glad you’re intrigued! Good luck with the giveaway.
Awesome! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
This one sounds great, I gotta read it. Soon! 🙂 Count me in. And thank you for the generous giveaway chance, Victoria. Loved your review, Meredith.
Hi Michelle, I’m glad it sounds good to you! Good luck with the giveaway!
Hope you enjoy it, my friend!
Enjoyed the review. I too enjoy a little adventure added to the P&P story. This sounds very intriguing. I do not mind too much the veering from traditional Regency behaviors – I am sure there was a little veering in actuality. While the behaviors are obviously not traditional – as long as reasonably presented in a good story – I am happy to accept.
Thank you both for the chance to win.
I agree that real life Regency women probably veered away from strict codes of behavior. Good luck with the giveaway!
Very true…even Jane Austen’s women. 😉
Great review as always. I love Victoria’s stories and I’m looking forward to reading this one as well!
Hi Dung, Thank you for being a faithful reader! Good luck with the giveaway.
Thanks so much for checking out my review, Dung!
I am intrigued by the idea of EB as a spy!! So interesting!
Hi Lily, I thought it was a fun idea too! Good luck with the giveaway.
She makes a great spy!
This sounds like a really fun story, Victoria. I haven’t read any of your Regency P&P variations, so I’d be interested to read this. Thanks for the giveaway and count me in! 🙂
Hi Elaine, I’m glad you found the story intriguing! Good luck with the giveaway.
They are just as wonderful as her modern stories! Lots of fun!
Loved your review, Meredith, and I am definitely looking forward to reading this book, Victoria! I love the idea of Elizabeth as a spy, working against Wickham. Brilliant concept!! 😀
Crossing my fingers and hoping hard to win this e-book!!
Warmly,
Susanne 🙂
Hi Susanne, Elizabeth made a fun spy to write about. Good luck with the giveaway!
Thank you, Susanne! I appreciate it! I’m so glad you are excited to read this one!
Thank you for an intriguing review. It sounds like Elizabeth “rocks” in this one; strong, sensible, and loyal to her mission. The book has been on my wish list and I am now anxious to read it. I appreciate the opportunity to win an e-book.
Thank you so much for reading my review! For sure!
Perfect review. I Always Love your reviews eves I don’t leave a comment. Elizabeth playing a rolê of a spt sounds exciting!
Thank you, Patricia! I really appreciate you saying so!! Thanks, my friend!
You had me at Lizzie is a spy! I always thought that would be a great premise for an update of a book(Lizzie a spy, Darcy her handler).
LOL! right? 😉