What If Elizabeth Knew the First Name of the Man She Was Destined to Marry?

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Source: Gift from Publisher

TYPE OF NOVEL: Pride and Prejudice Variation

THE PREMISE: Elizabeth has always known her Grandmama Gardiner had a gift for second sight. While her grandmother is on her deathbed, inquisitive young Elizabeth seizes the opportunity to learn any premonitions and predictions she can. And she learns her future husband’s name… When Elizabeth is twenty, a man with that name comes to Meryton, but is he the one that has captured Elizabeth’s attention?

WHAT I LOVED:

• Elizabeth is a Believer: I love that Elizabeth reveres and respects her grandmother’s gift. She believes in fate and destiny. And throughout her girlhood and early adulthood, Elizabeth carries this faith with her as she eagerly awaits the man who bears this name to enter her life. I loved the novelty of seeing Elizabeth resolutely believe her future has been foretold.

• Crossed In Loved or Mixed Doubles: It’s the battle of head and hearts for multiple characters. Elizabeth develops feelings for a man that does not have the right name, Mr. Darcy has determined he should marry someone proper, gentle, and modest but his heart leans in a decidedly different direction. And if that isn’t enough, the two people Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy are aspiring to match themselves with don’t seem to have the slightest inclination towards them!!! So it is in every way contrary, mixed-up, and backwards.

• The Greatest Angler In Hertfordshire: Lizzy’s accomplishment of choice is a rare one – fishing!! I loved this for her – and I find it suits her personality very well. The outdoors, the tranquility, the impropriety of it… 😏 I can easily believe this is something Mr. Gardiner would have shared with his young niece before marrying. I loved all of Lizzy’s fishing excursions, and I especially enjoyed how a certain gentleman from Derbyshire always happened upon her.

• Fierce, Forthright, and Flippant: Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy make different first impressions on each other and have decidedly different romantic aspirations. The nature of their relationship develops quite differently and they reveal more of themselves to each other. The privacy of their exchanges allows for more boldness – whether Elizabeth is demonstratively defending her point, Mr. Darcy is displaying some playful sarcasm, or both are sharing stories and confidences.  I loved exploring these diverse and expressive dynamics with these two characters

• Feelings and Passions: With their different dynamic and exchanges, we see not only one character, but both characters develop strong stirrings of love that they both attempt to deny and suppress. I loved not only the uniqueness of Elizabeth developing such strong interest and affection, but also recognizing Mr. Darcy’s own interest and attraction towards her. No mistaken assumptions or misunderstandings here. In addition, I loved the challenge both characters experienced with trying to plan for their future with their heads, while developing an ungovernable passions with their hearts.

• All The Little Things: Not only does Julie Cooper dream up a diverting and original premise for Elizabeth and Darcy, she fleshes it out with backstory, spotlighted characteristics, side-stories, and new developments. And she never forgets the secondary characters! I really love how she accomplishes so much with her stories – the little bits with Georgiana, the Bennets, Mr. Darcy’s uncle were all perfectly done.

• The Bridge: I love when an author creates a space or setting that becomes so sacred and special to the story. In this story, it is Elizabeth’s favorite fishing spot – an old, secluded bridge on the edge of Longbourn property. Like Elizabeth, I think I would fall in love with this spot and call it my own.

WHAT COULD’VE BEEN BETTER:

• Nothing.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

💞 Fate and hopeful aspirations are put to the test against unexpected love and surrendering hearts.

📖  Thoughtful developments, palpable emotions, and a stirring romance – just everything you would expect to find in a Julie Cooper novel.

🎣 An exquisitely entertaining tale where Elizabeth is fishing for the future she was foretold, but ends up catching an even better one!

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