A Touching Tribute to Motherhood, Fatherhood, and Family
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Source: Review Copy from Author
After reading all of Jennifer Redlarczyk’s published novellas (and the bonus short stories she frequently publishes with them), I was so delighted to see Jennifer Redlarczyk compile a collection of short stories that center on Anne Darcy, motherhood, and family. In A Mother’s Touch there is one novelette (35 pages in length) that tells the story of Anne Fitzwilliam in the years before she marries James Darcy, and six short stories (that range from 6 to 15 pages in length) that share poignant and heartwarming scenes of parenthood.
What I loved most about this collection was the focus on Anne Darcy! Austenesque stories that include her as a character are rare, but ones that place her as principal character are even rarer! I loved seeing Anne Darcy in all her roles – as an heiress, as a sister, as a wife, and as a mother. I enjoyed how Jennifer Redlarczyk gave her an avid interest in natural world, and how she shared that interest with her young son. I also loved that Anne had a passion for Pemberley – not just for its magnificent grounds and uninhibited beauty, but for the estate itself. Anne tends to her role co-caretaker with pride and admirable responsibility. It was lovely to see so much of her in the man her son grew up to be.
I appreciated how this collection shared vignettes over the span of several decades, with each story taking place several years after the previous story. It was lovely to see the links between each story and follow these characters at different stages in their lives. I loved that this collection started out with the first inklings of a union between Anne Fitzwilliam and James Darcy. Their story had an interesting premise and I wouldn’t have minded for it to be fleshed out with more scenes taking place on page. Especially when it came to Anne’s first season, and James’s competition! And while I am wishing for more, I will also add that I would’ve loved to see more about Georgiana. Her brief relationship with her mother and mother’s influence on her life would have been lovely to explore.
A Mother’s Touch is a lovely collection of Pride and Prejudice vignettes that honor the special bond between parent and child. I am so glad a collection like this exists! Jennifer Redlarczyk is developing a skill for penning short works that are entertaining and endearing and I hope she continues to write more in this style! I recommend this charming collection for readers who are parents, readers who want to honor parenthood, and readers who enjoy exploring tertiary characters from Pride and Prejudice!
Meredith, thanks so much for your lovely review. I’m thrilled you enjoyed my short stories so much as I had such a wonderful time writing them. Thanks again! Jen ♫
My pleasure, Jen! It was a wonderful read! I am so thrilled I got the chance to read this collection!
Thank you, Meredith for another insightful review and congratulations Jennifer! This sounds like a book to appeal to everyone!
Thanks Kelly, Yes if you like stories about parents and children added in with a touch of romance, I think you will enjoy the family I have given Fitzwilliam Darcy. I hope you enjoy it. Jen
Thank you for reading my review, Kelly! I hope you get the chance to read this lovely collection soon!
I am so proud for Jennifer that you loved her book as much as I did!. She has a flair for telling short, sweet stories. Congrats, Jen!
Thanks Brenda! I really enjoyed writing this anthology and most of them came about when I was working on Darcy’s Melody. Thanks again!
She sure does! They are cheering, sentimental, and heartwarming!
I have not read this book and will have to add it to my TBR pile. Lovely review, Meredith.
I hope you will enjoy my Mother’s Day gift to JAFF. And YES, it was a lovely review. Thanks again, Meredith.
Thank you, Sheila! I appreciate you checking it out!
I too loved this book. I especially liked the love and caring between Darcy and his Mother! Georgiana’s reminder of her Mother was so touching.
Lady Catherine seemed to be her usual self?
Definitely a lovely book!
Glynis, how nice of you to say! Thanks for stopping by!
Yes! The Darcy’s relationship with his mother and all she taught him were so touching!
Oh yes, Lady C was as officious as ever! I did enjoy what we saw of Sir Lewis!
sounds like a touching collection
denise
Dholcomb1 thanks so much for saying. I hope you get the chance to read my book. Jen
Yes! It is indeed!
I am so looking forward to reading this. That was an amazing review, Meredith [hello to your Mr. Bingley]. Jen, that cover choice was amazing and is a just reflection of what I would think Lady Anne would look like. Boys often had long hair and I think that could easily be our young Fitzwilliam. Blessings everyone, stay safe, and healthy.
Jeanne, thanks. I wrote most of these stories while working on Daddy’s Melody. My pleasure to share. Jen
Thank you, Jeanne! I am so glad you enjoyed my review! I so agree with you about the cover – it is a beauty! Very true about boys – we have a picture of my grandfather in England with banana curls! It is so cute!
This is absolutely going into my TBR pile! Thank you for the review.
Jen D, Thanks so much for saying. Lots of goodness in these seven stories and I hope you like the back stories I’ve given to Fitzwilliam and Lady Anne. Enjoy!
Aww! Yay! I hope you love it as much as I did!
Lovely review, Meredith. This is on my wish list as of a minute ago. I really love catching glimpses of Anne Fitzwilliam Darcy in some JAFF, not too many of them. One makes her a villainess, although cannot remember which story that is, and I hated that part even though the story was well written. I digress.
Jennifer’s story collection just sounds wonderful. She seemed such a true presence in P&P, or if not canon, then in ongoing variations whether or not she shows up in a sentence or two, or several chapters. I am really looking forward to reading this soon. I wish Jennifer continued success in everything she puts her hand to.
Michelle H! Thanks so much for your kind words and I hope you enjoy my stories. Thanks for stopping by. Jen Redlarczyk
Thank you, sweet friend! You are so right about how we don’t see Anne Darcy (let alone Anne Fitzwilliam) featured in many JAFF stories.
I hope you get to read this collection soon, Michelle!