An Anthology That Induces Many Smiles, Sighs, and Swoons

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Source: Gift from Publisher

There are nine Regency short stories by nine talented Quills and Quartos authors in this anthology. Each story is specifically about Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet coming together, and they range between thirty-four and fifty-eight pages in length.

Here is a breakdown:

SIXTEEN DAYS AT PEMBERLEY – Susan Adriani

• Setting: Pemberley – post Hunsford
• The Premise: The Gardiner’s visit to Derbyshire takes a different turn when the rest of the Bennet family goes on a seaside holiday and no scandal calls anyone home…
• My Thoughts: Such a gentle romance between Darcy and Elizabeth. I loved witnessing Elizabeth’s admiration and affections grow. I loved all the ways Darcy and Elizabeth displayed their fervent love for each and yet it remained unspoken…to the point where Elizabeth was growing  impatient. 😉

THE PLEASURE OF UNDERSTANDING HER – Mary Smythe

• Setting: Netherfied – pre Netherfied Ball
• The Premise: Darcy suffers an intense headache and wakes up with the ability to hear the thoughts of everyone around him…
• My Thoughts:  So diverting and so clever! Can you imagine possessing this ability? It was so humorous and informative for Mr. Darcy to hear everyone’s most private thoughts. I loved seeing what he did with his new understanding. Especially when it came to changing Elizabeth’s opinion of him… This was one of my faves!

THE HEART’S CONSENT – Paige Badgett

• Setting: London – post Pemberley
• The Premise: Elizabeth is on the brink of expecting a proposal from someone suitable and kind, but her heart still  yearns for the man she once refused…
• My Thoughts: I loved the tension in this one! So full of meaningful looks, anguished feelings, and actions that came too late. I loved feeling all the turbulence Darcy and Elizabeth experienced as they kept missing their chances together. And I greatly appreciated Elizabeth’s (and the author’s) cleverness!

NO CHARM EQUAL – Jan Ashton

• Setting: Netherfied – pre Netherfielld Ball
• The Premise:  Instead of assuming he stares only to find fault, Elizabeth is unsettled but challenged by Mr. Darcy’s stares and engages him more in conversation…
• My Thoughts: I loved the different conversations in this one. I loved seeing Darcy so completely bewitched by Elizabeth and how she begins to understand his character better. Both characters were charming! Their banter and challenges were fun to witness!

UNITED BY HAPPENSTANCE – Gailie Ruth Caress

• Setting: London – post Hunsford
• The Premise: Lady C proves her usefulness by bringing Elizabeth and Maria back  to London, but makes a fateful mistake by opting to call first at Darcy House…
• My Thoughts: What a chance encounter to have so soon after rejecting Mr. Darcy’s proposal! I adored Mr. Darcy in this one. I loved how he was discomposed and how he could not fully mask his emotions. I appreciated seeing Elizabeth find a surreptitious way  to voice her altered opinion of Mr. Darcy, and Mr. Darcy’s steadfast protectiveness and sincere concern.

THE FIRST MOMENT OF THEIR ACQUAINTANCE – Amy  D’Orazio

• Setting: London and Meryton – post Hunsford
• The Premise: Darcy is still despondent a few months after Elizabeth’s rejection and his cousins come up with an outlandish plan that enables Mr. Darcy to begin anew…
• My Thoughts: What a lark! Like Elizabeth, I am completely endeared and amused by Mr. Darcy’s actions in this one. I loved the uniqueness of Mr. Darcy engaging in such a comedic scheme. This one is full of laugh-out-loud moments – I loved Elizabeth’s playful attitude, Mr. Darcy’s suffering, and Mr. Bingley’s overall struggle with everything! This was one of my faves!

SPEAKING THE TRUTH – Nan Harrison

• Setting: Netherfied – post Netherfielld Ball
• The Premise: To Mrs. Bennet’s delight, the Bennets’s carriage is extra-delayed, and Elizabeth’s feelings of mortification have reached their breaking point, so she decides to walk home…
• My Thoughts: Mr. Darcy going after Elizabeth is *swoon!*  I absolutely adored the high emotion and honest exchanges in this story. The evolution of feelings and internal thoughts for  both characters were so vividly and tangibly portrayed. I could easily understand Elizabeth’s wretchedness, and I appreciated Mr. Darcy’s consternation when he understood the realities of Elizabeth’s and Mr. Bingley’s situations.

A DUET IN DISPUTE – Michelle Ray

• Setting: Netherfied – pre Netherfield Ball
• The Premise: Elizabeth is an extremely gifted musician with a talent for composition and some audacious (for a Regency era woman) ambitions. But what happens when she finds love…
• My Thoughts: In this case, music appears to be the food of love! I enjoyed seeing Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth so drawn to each other and very naturally in love. And I appreciated the uniqueness of Elizabeth’s ambitions being the challenge they need to overcome. There were just one or two moments where I didn’t love their actions, but “all’s well that ends well!”

WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN – Kay Bea

• Setting: London – post Pemberley 5 years
• The Premise: Lydia was never recovered and the Bennets (and the Gardiners) suffered several consecutive devastating blows, and Elizabeth firmly believes the chasm between them is too wide…
• My Thoughts: Ooh! While their situation is indeed heartbreaking, I loved the melodrama and poignancy of this story. Each characters’ life took a very unexpected and divergent turn. Elizabeth is admirable with her fortitude, but Mr. Darcy’s steadfast love and unconquerable devotion is everything. I loved witnessing his ceaseless and single-minded efforts to win her love. He is indeed the best of men.

CONCLUSION: I don’t think I could love this exquisite collection of stories any more! The premises were thoughtful and creative, the writing solely featured essential details and developments without excess, and each story presented characters and situations brimming with earnestness and emotions. For readers who love spirited and sincere romances in condensed yet satisfying settings , An Inducement Into Matrimony is a MUST read!

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