What If Tragedy and Scandal Forced the Bennets Down a Different Path?

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Source: Gift from Publisher

TYPE OF NOVEL: Pride and Prejudice Variation

THE PREMISE: A fatal accident and scandal brings tragedy, grief, and ostracization to the Bennet family. But through the years they find paths to new lives and new happinesses away from Longbourn. What happens many years later when Mr. Darcy, who has stayed away from both Meryton and London, learns of what befell the Bennets and the only woman he felt admiration and attraction for…

WHAT I LOVED:

• Unique, Complex, Mature: This is 1000% my kind of book. The premise – and what Nan Harrison does with it – is brilliant. The deviation is early and the course is turbulent and full of unexpected developments. Not only that, it is quite eventful! It isn’t just the one scandal/disrupt that is the main conflict of this story, there is a second and possible third introduced later in the book. Lastly, with the passage of time throughout the course of this novel the characters we are following all mature and evolve. I loved seeing the personal growth and gaining wisdom of all these characters.

• Repercussions and Reconstruction: The Bennets’ lives were ripped asunder in a very real way. And I appreciated the authentic and perceptive portrayal of the impact of these events. Consequently, we see another set of characters also experience life-changing turmoil and severe consequences for their actions. Through all of these tumultuous situations the reader experiences each characters’ emotions, reflection and self-analysis, and resiliency as they learn to move forward.

• All the Bennets: Each Bennet has something developing and changing in their lives, and the reader gets to follow them all. I absolutely loved seeing such insightful attention and strong development paid to the secondary characters of this story. Their storylines were engaging, inspiring, and deeply satisfying. To witness their pain and sorrow at the beginning of the book, and then follow their paths to their own happiness, healing, and love is a very rich reward.

• Elizabeth’s Search: I especially loved Elizabeth’s journey in this tale. With all the upheaval of her past, she doesn’t feel prepared to move forward in a traditional direction similar to her sisters. She is seeking something more – she is needing a bigger purpose. It is easy to understand and relate to Elizabeth’s search and hesitancy. I loved following her own quest for peace and happiness. She is, as always, incredibly admirable.

• Balance, Pacing, and Patience: Back again to the skillful composition of this story. There were so many changes, so many layers, so much time passing. Nan Harrison deftly incorporates a lot of components in this tale, and I have to say, she executed each of them beautifully. She zoomed in on the developments that were significant, fast-forwarded ahead months and years when necessary, and gradually built up our anticipation for the main action. I have to admit, I kind of love that she made us wait so long for it – I was all eagerness and excitement to get to the creamy and satisfying middle. The tantalizing anticipation was delicious.

• The Ardency: Not only do readers witness a Darcy that is full of years of fervent yearning, but there is also an older and more experienced Elizabeth who secretly and unexpectedly develops feelings for Mr. Darcy. Her journey through attraction, esteem, tenderness, and deep love was beautiful. I loved seeing her come to her own understanding of her heart’s desires and her own appreciation of Mr. Darcy. And their scenes together were enchanting, charming, and swoony.

WHAT COULD’VE BEEN BETTER:

• Absolutely nothing!

FINAL THOUGHTS:

🌟  Exquisitely unique, accomplished, and stellar – a brilliant contribution to the Austenesque world!

🥹  Adversity and admiration, despair and development, trials and triumph – this story is a comprehensive collection human experiences and emotions.

❤️‍🩹  A poignant yet inspiring story about the Bennets and the Darcys finding themselves, finding peace, and finding love. I highly recommend!

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