What If Elizabeth Became a Temporary Companion/Housekeeper?
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Source: Gift from Publisher
TYPE OF NOVEL: Pride and Prejudice Variation
THE PREMISE:
Elizabeth needs to escape her mother’s irate displeasure at Longbourn and Aunt Gardiner’s elderly aunt needs a companion/housekeeper to stay with her for three months. It is the perfect solution! At least it was before Elizabeth discovered the type of work she was expected to do, the harshness of winters in Derbyshire, the loneliness and challenges she would face, and the proximity of Lambton to one Mr. Darcy of Pemberley…
WHAT I LOVED:
- An Adventurous and Humbling “Tramp”: I so admire Elizabeth’s tenacity and fortitude. I love how she is so willing to go into an unknown situation, meet new people, and do something she has never done before. She is a marvel. And the “tramp” Elizabeth experiences in this tale is a magnificent one. It is wonderfully unique – exploring genteel poverty, the art of housekeeping, and caring for someone with memory loss in the Regency Era.
- Elizabeth is Challenged: Elizabeth prides herself in her quick wit, understanding, and capable nature. Which are all very much put to the test when she tries to run a household with an excessive amount of limitations and obstacles. I greatly appreciated seeing our dear Lizzy face such challenges and all the lessons she learned. She quickly discovers that she needs more than confidence and determination to see herself through these challenges. Elizabeth’s growth, evolution, and overall journey through these trials felt authentic and natural.
- Mr. Darcy is Schooled: Mr. Darcy is observant. He watches Elizabeth closely through her bewildering circumstances, and his eyes are opened. He sees her true opinion of him, he detects her suspicions and reproofs without her saying them, he witnesses her talent for giving pleasure and kindness to every person she meets. And he pays heed. I absolutely adored all of Mr. Darcy’s actions in this novel. He is so gentle with his concern, so thoughtful with his support, so understanding of Elizabeth’s feelings. I greatly appreciated how he grappled with his feelings of love and his parents’ expectations, with commanding authority and his need to give Elizabeth whatever she desires. Such a swoony dreamboat!
- It’s Two Sided: It felt like a bonus layer each time the point-of-view switched to Mr. Darcy’s perspective and large parts of the story were recounted from his POV. It was absolutely enough to see all these events and feel all these emotions from Elizabeth’s perspective. The story had enough details and depth with just this alone, but I’m so happy readers were able to witness it all from Mr. Darcy’s perspective too. I appreciated the timing and frequencies of these switches and how Ms. Gibson intentionally kept Mr. Darcy’s recounting succinct and often added new scenes of dialogue and developments to prevent it from feeling redundant in any way.
- It’s a Fairytale: At times this felt like an enchanting fairytale. Almost like Cinderella – Elizabeth is working as a drudge, is wickedly mistreated, and ends up being saved by a prince. The harsh realities and tribulations Elizabeth faces are beautifully balanced by the happy scenes of harmony, peace, and genuine friendship at Pemberley. I loved all the blissful and warm scenes that take place there. With Mrs. Jennings, Georgiana, and the household staff – it was all so idyllic, almost like in Beauty and the Beast before Belle was called away. I felt my heart break along with everyone else’s when their happiness was uprooted.
- The Exquisite Prose: Grace Gibson is an incredible wordsmith. Her previous novels display her sharp and clever talents with deliciously smart repartee, but in this novel she demonstrates even more talent for expressive and lyrical prose. Case in point: “I felt as though he had taken a match to my heretofore unlit heart. It poured out such a breathtaking light that I wished for nothing save the privacy and quietude to dissolve into it.”
WHAT I WASN’T FOND OF:
Nothing! How I wish I could stay at this Pemberley forever!
CONCLUSION:
With 1500+ ratings on Amazon and 75% of them being 5 stars, any praise I could give at this point is superfluous. But I shall give it anyway – this Pride and Prejudice variation is a remarkably moving tale about persevering courage and loving with understanding. Full of thoughtful creativity, rich character development, and powerful and palpable emotions – this exceptional journey with Darcy and Elizabeth is not one to be missed!
Exquisite indeed. One of my favorites – reminds me to read it again 😉
I can’t think of a better compliment than rereading a story- thank you Colleen.
What a good book this is!
Betty Campbell Madden
I really appreciate you saying so – thank you!
Anything written by Grace is an instant classic. It is hard to be patient as I wait for her next masterpiece
Doubt Not Cousin is turning out to be a great success Barry! Thanks for your support!
Yes! My feelings exactly. Such a wonderful book! I love how Elizabeth worked out how to cope with the situation and I especially love how Darcy managed to help. Definitely a book to reread again and again.
Glynis, I have greatly appreciated your support and encouragement from the beginning! Readers like you make all the difference!
I eagerly await each of Grace Gibson’s gems! The characters and their stories are so well drawn that I delight in each detail and recall them often. They have that marvelous effect.The last House in Lambton is another memorable addition. Incredible wordsmith indeed! The audio versions are excellent fun. Wonderful review, Meredith!
Wow! Deborah this is so so encouraging! I appreciate you!
Loved the novel! It was exceptionally written and what a great plot!
Loved hearing this MaryAnn! Thank you!
I read and enjoyed this story also and posted a review last year.
Thank you very much for your in-depth reviews Sheila!
Wonderful review that I absolutely agree with! I adore anything Grace Gibson writes!
I anxiously await your reviews Carole! Your words mean so much to me – thank you!
What a beautiful review, Meredith! One to be treasured. Thank you for your thoughts and impressions and for all you do for writers and readers of the unique genre.
Meredith’s review is perfect. Grace Gibson’s books are the only Austen variations I purchase both in Kindle and paperback — to be sure I can re-read whenever I want to become absorbed in a superb version of Jane Austen’s world.
What a beautiful compliment Sue! Thank you so very much!
I enjoyed this book SO much. I even contacted the author to tell her so. I think the writing is exquisite and the plot really hummed along. A VERY good read.
I enjoyed hearing from you so much – hope you are doing great this summer!
An excellent review of an excellent book! Grace Gibson is indeed a gifted writer and she is my favorite JAFF author. I’ve read “The Last House in Lambton” twice now and listened to the audiobook, which is very well done. Both narrators do a great job and the male narrator, Neil Roy McFarlane, is my favorite Darcy voice. He has narrated several of Grace’s books. Grace’s books and audiobooks are well worth reading and listening to.
So appreciated Heather! And thank you for mentioning the narrators – both so good!
delightful cover! sounds like a great read.
Janet Taylor must have all the credit – I love her covers!
Meredith, thank you for sharing your thoughts and doing it so eloquently, on Grace’s book. I loved this story, too. It had everything that makes a novel stand out. I believe it is time for a reread. I fell in love with Mr. Darcy all over the first time I read it, and I’m sure I will again! 🙂
You make so much happen for Meryton Press Janet- can’t thank you enough!
Oh yeah, this was a hit with me, too.
As a writer, I’m always so grateful for all you do. Wonderful!
Old Boots was my favorite P&P story until I read The Last House in Lambton. My 2 favorite scenes are Elizabeth encountering Darcy at Pemberley (both POVs) and Mr Darcy arriving at Longbourn. I have read this book several times and have given it to friends. I also have the Kindle and paperback versions. I am anxiously awaiting Ms Gibson’s next book!
Cindy, thank you for mentioning those scenes- it means so much to get specific feedback from readers like you! Thank you so much.
Beautiful review, Meredith and I agree completely. I loved this story. The cover art was spot on and the story grabbed me from the start. I was completely bowled over by the prose and the struggles Elizabeth had to endure. What a magnificent story. Yeah, I’m a big fan. Blessings!!
I’m a big fan of yours too!!! I’m always thrilled to read your thoughts and observations
I just loved this book and have already read it twice. I think I am going back in for a third time. It is well written, well edited and well crafted and has an exceptional insight into the historic period. I did not notice any errors at all. Very well done.
Your thoughts are so appreciated Frances. Thank you!!
What a great review. I look forward to reading this book and have it on my TBR list!
Hope you enjoy it Jennifer!
Oh Yes! This is a gem by Grace Gibson!!
And YOU are a gem Sam H. Love reading your reviews- so thoughtfully written.
One of my favorites!
Yay! Makes me so happy Nancy!
Fabolous review Meredith! I’ll put it on my wishlist. I love the comparison with “Beauty and the Beast” 😉
I loved that reference to Teresa! I hope you enjoy the story.
I agree 100%. Enjoyed this story from start to finish.