Hi dear readers! This will be an extra-busy week on Austenesque Reviews and I am excited that to start off this busy week with an exciting cover reveal of Amy D’Orazio’s soon-to-be-released Pride and Prejudice variation, titled – A Willful Misunderstanding. Isn’t that a fantastic title? (I think Amy has a talent for creating eloquent and enticing titles!) I’m excited to learn more about Amy’s upcoming release and discover who is guilty of willfully misunderstanding whom!? 🤔
~ Book Description ~
The moment he saw her at the assembly in Meryton, he knew he loved her.
When Fitzwilliam Darcy meets Elizabeth Bennet in the fateful autumn of 1811, their mutual infatuation is immediate and undeniable. They marry quickly and spend a blissful winter at Pemberley, falling more deeply in love with each other than either might have imagined possible.
But spring in London proves more challenging to them. Accident and artifice join to devastating effect for the young couple, destroying their felicity and creating an outcome neither might have imagined.
Two years later, happenstance unites them again. Sorrow and anger have built walls between them but can the love they once shared conquer the sins of the past? Is the love they still hold within them strong enough to prevail over the anger and mistrust that tore them apart?
~ From the Author ~
I started this book a long time ago based on the belief I have always had that D&E had more of an instantaneous connection than was seen in canon. I think Elizabeth would not have hated him so passionately for his remark at the assembly if she wasn’t likewise attracted to him; and similarly I think part of his rudeness was because he was attracted and didn’t want to be. So AWM explores what might have been, had they come together before their respective character changes that allowed them to love successfully. What if they had come together with his selfish pride firmly in place? What if her impulsivity had led to truly life-changing outcomes?
Some people might have read this in another form on the boards but it’s been changed up a bit for publication. Scotland was taken out of the mix and Elizabeth spends a good bit of time by the seaside—maybe reflective of my own love of the beach and the ocean! It was also fun to include Meredith and her husband in this book— I won’t say where they appear but I took the liberty of giving them a little love story (in their 19th century alter egos) that I hope they’ll like! Spoiler alert— the 19th century Esparzas are every bit as musically inclined as the 21st century ones!
And without further ado….here is the big reveal!!!
(expected release date: October 5th)
Oh just lovely! My nature-loving self loves all the soft greens, woods, and flowers! 🌳
It would be quite the picturesque scene if we didn’t feel some tension and separation between these two. 💔
This premise sounds brilliant! I love the theory of Darcy and Elizabeth having an instant connection they both choose to ignore! 😍 😍
Elizabeth traveling to the seaside? Sounds terrific! I so understand your love of the beach, Amy! 🏝
It will be quite special to encounter some 19th century Esparzas in your story. I’m so thankful for the lovely opportunity. Thank you, Amy! 🎶
What do you think, friends? 🤔
*~*
GIVEAWAY TIME!
The lovely people at Quills and Quartos are offering a generous giveaway of a $20 Amazon Gift Card for one lucky reader who comments on today’s post! 📚🤤
To enter this giveaway leave a question, comment, or some love for Amy below.
- This giveaway is open worldwide. Thank you, Quills and Quartos!
- This giveaway ends August 23rd.
- Please enter this contest with just one name and one entry, multiple entries will be disqualified.
You can preorder A Willful Misunderstanding now!
Our sincere gratitude to Amy D’Orazio, Kristi Rawley, and the wonderful people at Quills and Quartos for putting this special post together!
I agree with Meredith; my nature-loving self adores the colours and flowers in the cover. I’m looking forward to this one! The premise is great (and I remember the earlier version).
Thank you so much Lucy! I hope this version is at least slightly less angsty!
Lovely cover! I can feel the tension in the picture. Can’t wait to read this!
Thanks so much Pam!
Congrats, Amy! I remember the story from the boards and I’m so glad it’ll be published soon! Looking forward to the changes of scenery and especially the 19th century Mr and Mrs Esparza. Just perfect!
Happy Cover Reveal Day – love the cover! Can’t wait for release day!
Thank you Joana!
I read this on AHA and then gave it a 5 star review in Goodreads as an unpublished story…by one of my favorite authors.
Well you are one of my favorite readers too dear Sheila! Thank you!
Awww, how lovely of you to say that.
Amy, the cover is just lovely!!
Thanks Kara!
So pretty! Such wonderful colors! It captures both the tension and the romance of this story! WOOT!
Thank you Julie!!
Oh-My-Goodness! This post is chuck full of surprises. Our very own Meredith and her Mr. Bingley [hello Mr. Bingley] are featured in this story. I LOVE it. Well done, Amy. I read this years ago and loved it and look forward to seeing what has changed. Yeah, that Scotland segment was tough to read. Darcy’s actions toward Elizabeth were worse. Man, it is a gut wrenching story and I loved it. I was too traumatized to write a complete review last time and only managed a short paragraph. I am anxious to read it again and write another review. Blessings on the success of this story, Amy. I love that cover. You pick the best covers. Be safe, every one, stay healthy and wear a mask when in public.
I hope I’ve toned down the angst JUST a little…brought it within the tolerable range haha! But there’s always the love story to look forward to! Thanks Jeanne!
I agree with you about the mutual attraction being instantaneous! Each one starts right away seeing all their social interactions (not just with one another) through the lens of how the other might react or what they might think. They are totally focused on each other from the beginning.
Have you set the story in a period earlier than 1811? The clothing in the cover image made me wonder if you that the 1780s in mind.
Your book sounds very intriguing!
Thank you Abigail! The time period is the usual one — given that most regency romances have prom gowns on the front, I don’t get too particular about the cover art, I let it swing a few decades either way if the theme/feeling fits and its pretty!
In this case what fit so well was that both are walking away from each other, both clearly feeling some regret, and leaving what (to me) looks like the bridal bouquet discarded in the middle. Perfection!
Oh, what an intriguing premise! Congrats to Amy on the new release and the beautiful cover, too! And thanks, Meredith, for sharing the news!
Loved this story when it was first posted. I am looking forward to having a Kindle copy. I have already preordered.
Thank you Jeannine!
Thank you so much Christina!
I love the dress, and I liked the story when you first posted it apart from the Colonel and Georgiana pairing
That’s definitely a different story and not one of mine! I can accept nearly anything in JAFF but Georgie-Col F pairings just seem a bit icky to me! Col Fitzwilliam in this story (original and current) has himself a lovely wife called Marianne
I love all of Amy’s stories and this one sounds wonderful. Can’t wait to read it.
Thank you so much Brenda!! **Hugs** to you!
I love the cover (although I would prefer Darcy to be walking towards Elizabeth!)
I also love that they get married straight away but the two years apart is worrying me? I hope they manage to work out their problems pretty damn quick? Maybe they are helped by the Esparza family?
Oh well, no doubt I’ll find out eventually!
Thank you for sharing.
Thank you Glynis! As for quick resolution…ummm… well… 🙂
Love all of her books!!!
I’m a firm believer in ‘love at first sight’! So excited to have another story by Amy released. The angst sounds very high and to think Mr. & Mrs. Esparzas will be showing their talents within its pages! As for the cover, it is gorgeous, but it appears she has thrown the flowers back at him…two very unhappy individuals. Thank you for a chance at the giveaway. I will, of course, wait for the paperback!
Thank you Carole! Paperback should be live in about a week so keep your eyes peeled!
I love this cover art. Seeing the tossed down bouquet, her face, and him walking away against such a beautiful setting is enticing.
Thank you Sophia!
Congratulations on this newest release.
Thanks Patricia!
A beautiful cover which fits the title.
denise
Thanks Denise!
Looks like another great read!
I hope everyone enjoys it!
Interesting premise. I wonder what happens to separate them.
Pride, prejudice and the work of some bad people!
Thank you!
Looking forward to reading this. Love love
Cover! Much success!
Gorgeous cover! Love the colors and all of the little details. The story sounds intriguing! And what a special treat, Meredith, to be included as a character!
Thanks Katie!
I, too, read it on the boards a long time ago. Can’t wait to read the revised version, Amy. I love when ODC fall in love quickly.
Hope you enjoy the updated version!
I love the cover. It looks so sad but is also very pretty. I am anticipating reading this book since there will be an HEA. Looking forward to finding out the bumps in the way. Thank you for the generous give away.
What a pretty cover, I would love to sit there for a while and take in my surroundings. I have missed/not read this story yet, so it is really exciting that it becomes a book and I can catch up 😀 Hope it goes well for you Amy!!
The cover is beautiful! I can’t resist an angst-filled tale.
Nice cover. I love her dress.
I adore the cover. A picture is worth a thousand words and this one reveals much.
I like the cover of your latest book. Elizabeth looks so sweet but sad in her demeanor. The back of Mr. Darcy tells a whole story of regret and a heavy heart. I also noticed the bouquet of flowers on the path like it was thrown down in anger or dropped during the conversation. I will definitely preorder ‘A Wilful Misunderstanding’ !! I love the experience of reading your stories as the writing is superb!
The cover is beautiful, and the story blurb is intriguing.
If I COULD limit my comment to six words they would be: ‘Is Lord Saye in this story?’ 😉 Woo! This sounds like a good one, pretty angsty though, so I shall have the tissues handy. I’m so tickled that you worked the Esparzas into this story.
The cover is beautiful, this painting has always intrigued me. It makes you long to find out what happens between them, and nudge them into a better understanding. That bouquet just makes me want to cry. What a great choice for your book cover. The publication date is around my birthday, so it will be a gift to myself. I can definitely wait for another dang birthday, but I am much less patient for this book to come out. Best success, Amy.
Thank you Meredith for hosting the cover reveal. I’m so excited you and your Mr B will be in this! 😀
A very intriguing concept! The cover is wonderful conveys it beautifully.
A lovely cover. I look forward to the book – I was not lucky enough to have found it posted in the past. The casual bouquet on the ground intrigues me. Which one tossed it?
Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.
Amy has quickly risen to the top of my list of favorite JAFF authors. I love the originality of this premise. The cover is gorgeous, per usual! I can’t wait to get my hands on this and feel my daily stresses melting away as I read.
Lovely cover, it seems to depict what the story is about. I do dread, it seems an impending long separation (physically or just emotionally? thank you for this post and looking forwad to its release.
Beautiful cover for your wonderful story. The cover definitely portrays a misunderstanding with the flowers on the ground and the gentleman walking away with his head down. I have read the unpublished story years ago and loved it. I would love to read the new story with the added twists. Thanks for offering this giveaway.