It Is a Truth Universally Acknowledged That a Daughter Should Feel Wanted and Beloved by Her Family

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Source: Gift from Publisher

TYPE OF NOVEL: Pride and Prejudice Variation

THE PREMISE: Because of Mrs. Bennet’s intolerance and mistreatment of her second inquisitive daughter, Elizabeth Bennet was sent to live away from home for  period when she was just five. But what was expected to be a removal of a short duration, ended up being a semi-permanent one. Now fifteen years later Elizabeth is questioning where does she belong and does she have any family that wants her…?

WHAT I LOVED:

• Inventive Premise: Lucy Marin dreams up quite a creative “growing up not a Bennet” storyline. And it is one that feels plausible because we can easily believe a stressed and unhappy Mrs. Bennet could have greater animosity towards her least favorite daughter, and a lazy Mr. Bennet could have greater apathy for his role as father. It was interesting to explore Elizabeth growing up with other families we readers are familiar with – the Fitzwilliams and the Darcys – and seeing how the change in environment shapes Elizabeth’s character.

• Seeking Her Home: To crank up the tension and emotional turmoil of this tale, Ms. Marin places Elizabeth in a situation where she feels isolated and unwanted by both her foster family and her blood relations. She reaches a very low point when some relations maliciously try to remove her from their family circle against her will. Full of doubts, negative memories, and despondency – Elizabeth strives to seek any place where she feels she belongs. This was such a moving emotional journey for our Elizabeth. Her feelings and the deep heartache she experiences were well-represented and tangibly felt.

• Foster Brothers and Cousins: While the older generation may hold Elizabeth at a distance, her younger relations fully accept and embrace her as one of their own. I absolutely loved these relationships for our dear girl – especially when Elizabeth’s foster brothers and male cousin are together. Imagine having three older, protective men looking out and fussing over her! Their devotion and concern for Elizabeth was so pleasing to witness. I especially loved when all three are together venting their worries about her.

• Cousin Darcy: Here is a big change in dynamics! Elizabeth grew up in his family circle – they are playmates, friends, cousins. How do they become anything more? While Elizabeth has secretly given her heart to Mr. Darcy years ago, Mr. Darcy is still determined to fulfill his familial duty of finding a well-connected and wealthy bride. And yet, he adores his “cousin” Elizabeth, he values all her attributes, and feels more joy when he is around her… I loved seeing Mr. Darcy realize his true feelings for Elizabeth and begin to act on them. She does not make it easy for him, and I appreciated seeing Mr. Darcy proceed with patience, understanding, and compassion.

• Minus Lizzy: It was interesting to witness what becomes of the Bennets without Elizabeth around. How does the lack of her presence effect them? As you might guess…they are not better for it. Especially Jane – her character deviations – while extremely plausible – were sad to see. She needs Elizbeth’s strength to prevent her from conforming to her mother’s dictates.

• Plus Lady Anne: And here is another interesting dynamic to explore – how does Lady Anne still being alive change anything? Does she completely conform to her sister’s dictates? How does her relationship with her son progress when she pushes for him to marry Anne de Bourgh? What will her actions be when she discovers his affections and wishes lie elsewhere?

WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER:

• More: I loved the complicated emotional journeys these characters went on, and wouldn’t have minded seeing more intricacies and details of these relationships play out – such as Darcy and Elizabeth moving from friends to lovers and the Romsley’s repairing their damaged relationship with Elizabeth and making her their true daughter.

FINAL THOUGHTS: 

🥰   Finding family and happiness amidst betrayal, neglect, abandonment, and unkind treatment.

❤️‍🩹  A poignant tale of Elizabeth learning to work through her emotional trauma and feelings of neglect.

🫶🏼  A beautiful romance between two friends who share a multitude of experiences together, yet belatedly discover the important place each has in their lives.

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