Hi friends! It has been an incredibly long time since I shared an Austenesque Top Ten list! I really need to try to make time to do this more often because I love making lists and I have so many different ideas for Austenesque Top Ten lists!
For those who haven’t seen this kind of post before, it is where I share some of my all-time favorite Austenesque works. Sometimes I group them by novel (Persuasion, Sense and Sensibility), sometimes I group them by sub-genre (Sequels, Modern-day Adaptations), and sometimes I group them by theme (Summer, Halloween). 😉
A few years ago I tackled one of the most challenging lists I could ever make – Pride and Prejudice Variations. I quickly learned that it is way too hard to pick only 10 favorite Pride and Prejudice variations. What am I crazy?! I’ve read hundreds! 🤦🏻♀️
So I started to break it down by years – which was still a challenge…but let’s face it, a more reasonable challenge! 🙌🏼
The first list was Pride and Prejudice Variations from 2007-2011 and the second was 2012-2014.
Today’s Austenesque Top Ten List is Pride and Prejudice Variations from 2015-2016!
* These lists are based only on the novels I have read and reviewed on this blog, I have definitely not read every Austenesque book published.
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(in alphabetical order)
A Peculiar Connection
Author: Jan Hahn
Type of Novel: Variation
My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
My Review I Add to Cart I Add to Shelf
“Jan Hahn once again pushes the envelope and fearlessly takes on a most challenging and almost inconceivable plot with her latest variation…A thoroughly poignant, heart-wrenching, and memorable tale!”
Darcy By Any Other Name
Author: Laura Hile
Type of Novel: Variation
My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
My Review I Add to Cart I Add to Shelf
“Skilled writer Laura Hile puts Pride and Prejudice on its ear when she has Mr. Darcy swap bodies with one of Jane Austen’s most unappealing characters, brings Lady Catherine to town to terrorize everyone Netherfield, and inspires Elizabeth to flirt with Mr. Collins! ”
Miss Darcy’s Companion
Author: Joana Starnes
Type of Novel: Variation
My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
My Review I Add to Cart I Add to Shelf
“Sensitive, poignant, and gloriously impassioned – skilled storyteller Joana Starnes gifts readers another stellar Pride and Prejudice variation that will once again inspire them to fall deeply and irrevocably in love with Mr. Darcy! ”
Mr. Bennet’s Dutiful Daughter
Author: Joana Starnes
Type of Novel: Variation, Mature Audiences
My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
My Review I Add to Cart I Add to Shelf
“… where Ms. Starnes’s artistry really shines is the evocative language and poignant introspection she uses to describe what her characters are thinking and feeling. It is more than just words on a page, it is more than understanding the characters’ feelings and feeling sympathy for them – it is experiencing the emotions – the anguish, the despair, and the joy – firsthand.”
Pride and Proposals
Author: Victoria Kincaid
Type of Novel: Variation
My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
My Review I Add to Cart I Add to Shelf
“But what I especially loved most about this novel was the expressive prose – it’s emotionally wrought, powerful, and soul-gripping. Darcy’s anguish is tangible and there are so many passages where the reader can feel his unabated love, his awful guilt, and his abject despair. ”
Side by Side, Apart
Author: Ann Galvia
Type of Novel: Variation
My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
My Review I Add to Cart I Add to Shelf
“Emotive, articulate, and exquisitely rendered – Side by Side, Apart is a phenomenal debut release by Ann Galvia! It introduces some realism and turmoil into the Darcys’ lives – which may not be everyone’s cup of tea – but for my part, I often delight in Pride and Prejudice tales that are more inventive and daring. Especially when they are beautifully and thoughtfully composed like this one!”
Sketching Characters
Author: Pamela Lynne
Type of Novel: Variation
My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
My Review I Add to Cart I Add to Shelf
“Sketching Character is a brave, intuitive, and skillfully written Pride and Prejudice variation! I appreciated the darker premise, the honest emotions and consequences, and the exquisitely beautiful romance that takes place in a most sheltered and romantic setting!”
Sketching Mr. Darcy
Author: Lory Lilian
Type of Novel: Variation, Mature Audiences
My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
My Review I Add to Cart I Add to Shelf
“Sketching Mr. Darcy a beautifully and skillfully written tale that presents a faithful look at what life would be liked should Darcy and Elizabeth be forced to marry soon after the Netherfield Ball. As always, Ms. Lilian presents a story that is thoughtful, creative, and exceptionally romantic!”
The Coming of Age of Elizabeth Bennet
Author: Caitlin Williams
Type of Novel: Variation
My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
My Review I Add to Cart I Add to Shelf
“Ms. Williams deserves much praise for her skillful construction and brilliant execution throughout this novel. I thought she represented Darcy and Elizabeth respectfully and tapped into their emotions and experiences very perceptively and sympathetically. I loved the unexpected series of events, the heart-wrenching scenes of conflict, the fragile instances of softening, and the achingly beautiful moments where love is realized and sought.”
The Unthinkable Triangle
Author: Joana Starnes
Type of Novel: Variation
My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
My Review I Add to Cart I Add to Shelf
“This variation, to the delight of many readers I’m sure, is very Darcy-centric! Ms. Starnes, with meticulous detail, outlines Darcy’s emotional journey as he attempts to move on and imagine a life without Elizabeth. The language is poignant and strikingly expressive; Mr. Darcy’s ardent love, intense yearning, and anguish is palpably felt in every speech, action, and description. ”
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Yes, I have read all of these variations and loved them. Some I have read more than once. Thanks for all your hard work on again compiling another list, Meredith.
Awesome! My pleasure!
No, I haven’t read them all – but some. And I’ll get to the rest.
I rely so much on your reviews and your ratings, Meredith. There is so much Austenesque media out there that I’ve limited my own list to 5 out of 5 stars. I may be missing some good reads, but I’m grateful for your direction.
Thanks for doing what you do.
Hi Lilyane! I am so happy to hear you find my reviews and ratings helpful. There is so much to choose from that I think it is definitely smart to start with ones you feel the most sure of. 🙂
Great list Meredith! I have all of those. I enjoyed them all but some more than others.
I have no idea how you managed to restrict it to 10 even if they were from restricted years. (My main problem would be knowing which year they’re from?)
Thank you, Glynis! It was definitely a challenge – there are some that were really close calls for me. Oh, I had to look up the years for everything to know my options.
This was a good year!
Three Joana Starnes novels (of course I’ve read them all) and more enjoyable reads I remember and would read again.
I even discovered a couple I haven’t heard of so this is something I’ll remedy with pleasure.
Great work, Meredith!
Thanks so much, Alexandra! I’m so glad you’ve read my books and that you discovered a couple of new reads on Meredith’s list of faves. Have a wonderful time reading them all!
Yes, it was! And Joana was extra busy during it!!
I hope you enjoy some of the new titles just as much!
This is a wonderful list Meredith; you have chosen very talented writers. Thank you for sharing it!
Thank you, Kelly! I am so thrilled you think so!
Great list! I didn’t have one of them, but I do now!
Oh yay! I hope you love it (whichever book it is!)
Thanks for the list . This was great one. That will be nice to see all your top books eevery year
My pleasure! I’ll try and make sure I get the next list about sometime soon!
Yes, much more doable. I couldn’t imagine doing a top 10 of ones I’ve ever read. I’ve read six of those and I gave them all five stars so it would seem that my votes tally nearly the same. 🙂
Now, I have four more to anticipate when I get the chance.
I don’t think I could do that either! It would be impossible! I am thrilled to hear that our votes tally the same for those we have both read!
I haven’t read one of these books! I mean, I’ve read nine, and missed out on only one. Shame on me! I’d better get at it. There. In the middle of writing this, I bought Pride and Proposals! I bet there are sales jumps for these books today as a result of this list.
Ah, some of my all-time favourites are listed. Ann Galvia is truly a wonder to behold, and should write more. She has stuff I adore that she won’t even publish because she thinks it’s not good enough. Joana shows here in proportion to how good an author she is. Great list, Meredith!
Thanks so much, Suzan! Oh I hope Ann Galvia shares some more of her wonderful writing with us!! Thanks for sharing yours, and all the best!
Ooh! Just one away is really close! LOL! I love how you purchased it mid-comment! 😉
That would be so wonderful if it were true!
So happy to hear you commend about Side by Side, Apart! I thought it was very special!
Thanks so much for sharing, Suzan! I greatly appreciate it!
Wonderful list!
d
Thank you!
Great list, Meredith [hello to your Mr. Bingley]. I’ve read all but three and not it seems… I need to do that. Excellent. Thanks for compiling this list for us. It seems the Atlantic is very active this year. I always look at the weather map in your area. Blessings, stay safe, and healthy.
Thank you, Jeanne! That is wonderful! I hope you enjoy those three if you get the chance to read them in the future!
The only one I´ve read is “The peculiar connection” and it was a challenging premise full of emotion and drama. I liked the story set in Ireland because it added a mysterious air to the plot.
And, for the others, I know them by your references and this post has reminded me about some stories I would like to give them a try: “Sketching Character”, “The coming of age of Elizabeth Bennet” and “The Unthinkable triangle”.
Thank you so much for this list! 🙂
Thinking about a new Austenesque Top List, I think I would like one where you put the best titles involving magic or mystery (although, maybe, it reminds of your Halloween´s list).
I’m so glad you’d like to give The Unthinkable Triangle a try! Thanks, Teresa, and I hope you’ll like it.
Thank you, Teresa! I’m glad to know you’ve read A Peculiar Connection. It’s just been released as an audio book for those who like to listen to stories. I’m sure you will love the other books you’ve selected from this list. Meredith makes great lists!
Yes! I so agree, Teresa! I am attracted to the fact that it is such a challenging and daring premise! Only something a fearless and bold author would attempt to take on!
I hope you enjoy any others you decide to try from this list! They are some remarkably creative, thoughtful, and ingenious reads (in my opinion!)
I love the idea of a Austenesque Magic Top Ten. I think I may soon have read enough to make a whole list.
Wow, Meredith! Thank you SO much!!! I’m hugely honoured and absolutely over the moon!! (And pinching myself 🙂 ).
I’m so happy you liked my books and it’s such an amazing honour to see 3 of them on your list of 2015-2016 faves!! Huge thanks for your blog, your words of encouragement and for being one of the wonderful people who keeps me writing!! Thank you!!!
We all need to thank YOU Joana, for creating such memorable and phenomenal stories! Please do keep writing for us!!!
I have read and loved all the books on this list. I enjoyed reading the reviews again as a refresher.
BTW the link you gave for the review of A Peculiar Connection by Jan Hahn goes to A Fair Prospect by Cassandra Grafton, also an excellent story.
So happy to hear that, Beatrice! It was fun to make this list for that very reason – I love remembering all these stories that I loved and that left such an impression with me!
This is such a great list of good books, Meredith, and I’m honored to be included. Thank you!
Thank you, Jan! Your lovely book so deserves to be on this list!! Thank you for writing it!
My goodness, Meredith. What a lovely surprise, to see Darcy By Any Other Name on your list. An honor indeed, to be included with so many good books.
Your lovely book is so deserving of praise and of being on this little list I made! Thank YOU for doing something so unthinkable but also so interesting with Jane Austen’s characters!
There are two in the list above I haven’t read yet, but they are on my tottering TBR stack. Another one I can’t remember the details of, so time for a reread. The rest, YES, oh my gosh I agree with all your favorites and your star ratings. I had to look it up to remember if I had been exposed to and read Joana’s works before reading your blog. I did. Back when if I purchased one book for my kindle there was a DOABLE list of suggestions from Amazon about what I might like next. Of course once I discovered Joana’s works, I was so hooked. The same with Victoria’s, Lory’s, Caitlin’s and Ann’s. Caitlin William’s story haunted me for days afterwards. Serious reread time. Jan’s and Lory’s stories are both ones I put out a request for help in finding again a few years later I wanted to reread them so badly but couldn’t remember the titles. Each one of the authors above has such skill at tugging our hearts and touching our romantic desires that they could write other than Pride & Prejudice variations and succeed. But aren’t we all so blessed that they put their pens to our favorite genre??
Ooh! Hopefully, whichever books they are you will end up loving them!!
Yes! We are so blessed for these wonderful and generous authors and their mesmerizing stories! I love all the feelings these particular books made me feel and that is why I want to make lists like this – so they receive some extra recognition and praise!
Thank you, dear friend, for sharing your lovely thoughts!