What If Mr. Darcy’s Proposal Was Interrupted With Unexpected Family Drama?
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Source: Review Copy from Author
Once again, Darcy’s wishes of securing Elizabeth as his wife are thwarted by an untimely interruption caused by Mr. Wickham – albeit, this time it happens even before he even finishes his first proposal. And once again, Wickham is accused of running off with an unmarried maiden – but this time it isn’t at all who won would expect! So a disgruntled and ill-tempered Mr. Darcy must abort his proposal and track down the couple in flight. When Darcy learns that Elizabeth will also be staying in London for a short duration he hopes that he may find a way to continue their private conversation and easily secure the acceptance to his proposal he is waiting for. Little does he know, he was never going to receive it in the first place…
Aborted proposals, chasing a couple in flight, family drama, and a Mr. Darcy who has not been properly humbled – this Pride and Prejudice variation begins with a most enthralling premise! I love how Joana Starnes took one of the most iconic and well-known scenes in Pride and Prejudice and said, “what if I threw a sizable wrench in all of Mr. Darcy’s plans and kept Elizabeth’s true feelings from him a little bit longer?” The result is highly diverting to see play out – Mr. Darcy continues on in arrogance and selfish disdain, yet Elizabeth is fully aware that he holds her in some affection and wants to marry her. I loved seeing Darcy’s and Elizabeth’s interactions with each other under these new circumstances – how Mr. Darcy slowly learns that his own behaviors and manners merit “the severest reproof” and how Elizabeth, who is now aware of Mr. Wickham’s reprehensible nature, starts to consider Mr. Darcy a little differently.
Mr. Darcy goes through a slow evolution in this tale and takes some time to shed his arrogant and prideful ways. There are some portions of this story where his thoughts and actions cause chagrin. But it is ever so much more rewarding to witness the moment where he fully understands and becomes a more worthy gentleman who deserves Elizabeth’s heart. My only wish was that we saw some more of Elizabeth’s evolution and internal development.
Readers who are familiar with Joana Starnes’s writing, will be thrilled to see her characteristic portrayals of an impassioned and deeply devoted Darcy and a witty and bold Elizabeth. And delight in the scenes where they are together, whether they be surrounded by palpable tension or achingly exquisite romance. But even though A Timely Elopement is on the slimmer side, the characters featured were broad and I thoroughly enjoyed many of the developments with the secondary characters included in this tale. And here is a vague list of my favorites to whet your appetite:
- Seeing an exasperated Colonel Fitzwilliam try to advise an oblivious and obstinate Darcy on the best way to court Elizabeth Bennet.
- Witnessing the change these circumstances have on Georgiana and seeing her make a new friend.
- Watching a severely incensed Mr. Bingley impulsively decide to follow his own heart and counsel.
- Witnessing Lady Catherine put a vexatious Caroline Bingley in her place.
- Discovering an astonishing twist that results in a most gratifying and deserving outcome.
- And lastly, observing how even with less angst and fewer pages, Joana Starnes can develop endless ways to torture Mr. Darcy!
A Timely Elopement is a vastly entertaining and stirring read full of Joana Starnes’s eloquently expressive tone, skillful machinations, and incandescently ardent interludes. If you have yet to read anything by Joana Starnes, you must remedy that omission immediately! (Or else Lady C will come after you!)
Outstanding review for an outstanding novel! 5 stars!!
Truly and outstanding review!! Thanks again, Meredith, and thank you, Christina! I’m so glad you liked the book!!
Thank you, Christina! ❤️
Love all of Joana’s stories. I have read this more than once; including once on Audible. Lovely review, Meredith.
Thank you, Sheila! It’s so wonderful to hear that you love all my stories and that you had fun with ‘A Timely Elopement’ too. All the best and hope you’re keeping well!
Wonderful! It is definitely one I look forward to enjoying again!
Love your review Meredith, isn’t it just a fabulous book? I love how Darcy finally realised his errors! I especially love that Elizabeth learns the truth about Wickham. I love the whole thing! Definitely another reread book!
Thank you, Glynis! I’m so happy you loved this book so much. Take care, all the best and see you again soon, hopefully!
It is indeed! It was lovely to see the new paths these characters took to understanding and thinking of each other differently!!
This sounds really awesome – which is no surprise from such a fantastic writer. Definitely on my TBR list, Can’t wait! Thanks for the review, Meredith!
Thanks for your kind words, Jessie! I’m so glad that ‘A Timely Elopement’ is on your TBR list. Hope you’ll like it when you read it. Best wishes and thanks for stopping by to read Meredith’s wonderful review.
Yay! Yes, definitely no surprise at all! Hope you get to read it soon!
Another wonderful book from one of my favorite authors! Dear Joana, may your well never run dry. Congratulations on this great review from Meredith, one of the best reviewers.
Dear Jan, huge thanks for this and for everything!
I know I say this every time, but I’m pretty sure I’ll keep saying it for the foreseable future 🙂 Your wonderful words mean so much to me, coming as they do from someone whose exquisite writing gave me so many hours of joy, and who is one of the authors who inspired me to write my own Austenesque what if’s. So thank you again for your soulful writing and your ever so kind encouragement. All the best and lots of inspiration!
Thank you for checking out my review, Jan. I so second your wish. Thank you for the lovely commendation.
Meredith, what a wonderful review. I love all of Joana’s books. This review just moved this book higher up my to read pile.
I’m so glad that Meredith’s wonderful review nudged ‘A Timely Elopement’ a little higher up your TBR pile. Best wishes and I hope you’ll like it when you read it.
Thank you, Shelley! I hope you love it as much as I did!
A great review and another wonderful Joana novel!
Thanks for stopping by to read Meredith’s wonderful review, Robin! I’m so glad you liked the book too!
I appreciate you sharing your thoughts!
Great review, Meredith! This is a wonderful book.
I’m so glad you liked it, Katie. Thank you!
Thank you, Katie! I appreciate you reading my review!
Excellent review, as always, Meredith [hello to your Mr. Bingley]. I have read this and when I looked back at my review … I had not written one. OMG! What happened to my review? Sorry, Joana. I’ll have to turn in my reviewer card if I don’t get that taken care of. I may need to read it again. Heavy sigh… I wouldn’t want to make a mistake and say the wrong thing. Reading it again will not be a problem… I loved this story and the banter between the characters was hilarious. I always love a good Colonel and when Lady Catherine is in rare form… look out. Thanks for sharing your views. Blessings, everyone, stay safe, and healthy.
Hi, Jeanne! I’m so happy you loved the story and the banter! And that you loved the colonel and Lady Cat’s rare form too :)) . They were great fun to write this time, the colonel cheekily dispensing advice and Lady Catherine spitting feathers. Thanks so much for reading the Elopement and please don’t worry, your reviewer card needs to stay in your hands where it belongs. You write such amazing and informative reviews, and I love the literary quotes! They’re so spot-on and so beautifully woven in! Blessings and best wishes, and I hope you stay safe and healthy too!
Thank you, Jeanne! I am so happy to hear you enjoyed this one! Yes! Don’t you love seeing Lady C interact with more characters? Her scene with Caroline was just brilliant!
Loved your review! Yes, though a bit less angst, Joana still manages to torture Darcy! Loved this book!
Huge thanks again for *your* wonderful review, Carole! I’m so happy you loved the book and the sprinkling of Darcy torture :)) . Best wishes and hope you’re keeping well.
She is becoming a professional at it, isn’t she?
Thank you, Meredith, for this wonderful review! It is no surprise that Joana wrote another compelling and entertaining book! Congratulations, Joana!
Thanks, Kelly, and congrats for ‘Accusing Mr Darcy’! It looks fantastic and I loved it! I hope you have many more like this up your sleeve.
For sure, Kelly! Thanks so much for your kind words on this review!
Sounds like a book I would tremendously enjoy. A little less angst in life sounds perfect. The torture in other ways sounds lovely.
Thank you, Suzan! I’m so glad you think you’ll enjoy it. I hope it does turn out to be right up your street. Best wishes and thanks for stopping by to read Meredith’s wonderful review!
So true! This one isn’t torturous for the reader…just torturous for Mr. Darcy!
Loved this book! Thanks for your review.
Thanks so much for reading, Jen! I’m so glad you loved the book!
So happy to hear that. my friend! Thank you for sharing!
I love all of Joana’s books and this is no exception. Excellent review!
Thank you, Brenda! That’s just how I feel about your books. Best wishes and lots of inspiration!
So true! Thank you for reading my review!
I have been wanting to read this for a good while, and i will have to remedy this. (If only my TBR wasn’t giant sized…)
Thanks for reading Meredith’s fabulous review, Jen! Hope you’ll like the book when you get to read it.
I know how you feel, Jen! I hope you get to read it soon!
sounds like a winner.
I’m so glad you think so, Denise. Thank you!
I definitely thought so!
I really enjoyed this one, Joana herself admits it’s lighter, less angsty than her others for a change. Timely Elopement has some really humorous parts as well as a little bit of angst. My favorite part is something I can’t tell because it would ruin the enjoyment for some readers, but definitely one of the humorous parts. Such a great review, Meredith. I too, highly recommend this to anyone on the fence.
Thanks so much for your ever so kind words, Michelle, and for recommending the book so highly!
And now I’m trying to guess which is your favourite scene (BTW, big thanks too for avoiding spoilers so carefully!!) Hmmm, I wonder… Is it happening anywhere near Greenwich 😉 ? Or somewhere in Mr Bingley’s woodland?
It was a wonderful balance of humor and angst. I am so happy to hear your praise and recommendations for this deserving book!
Huge thanks for your fabulous review, Meredith! Your wonderful words, the thumbs-up and the fantastic encouragement mean the world to me, just as they’ve done ever since I started publishing. I’m over the moon that, years down the line, you’re still reading my books and enjoying them. Thank you!!
My very sincere pleasure, Joana! I think it is safe to say that I will always read and enjoy your stories!
Great review, Meredith. I really enjoyed A Timely Elopement, too. Then again, I always enjoy Joana’s books!
Thank you, Lucy! And I love yours! Can’t wait for the one with a little bit of a ‘Watsons’ twist and the *very* intriguing one where someone isn’t who they always thought they were… Have fun with them, and lots of inspiration!
Thank you, Lucy!! I am so happy to hear that!