Lady Catherine Is Determined to Mentor Mr. Darcy’s New Wife
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Source: Gift from Publisher
TYPE OF NOVEL: Pride and Prejudice Sequel, Secondary Character
THE PREMISE: Since Lady Catherine was not successful in her attempts to prevent her nephew Darcy from marrying a unknown country hoyden, she has magnanimously and graciously decided to donate her time and talents to help shape Mr. Darcy’s disaster of a wife into a presentable lady of the ton. But while she pushes everyones’ patience and forbearance – especially Mr. Darcy’s – to their limit, Elizabeth finds a way to be useful and helpful to the great Lady Catherine. First by letting her feel heard and needed, and later by teaching her some arts and allurements…
MY THOUGHTS:
How unique to see a Pride and Prejudice sequel that primarily features the relationships between Lady Catherine and Elizabeth! I love the idea of them exploring a tutor/tutee dynamic together. Elizabeth must have some amazing self-control to hold in her smirks and sharp retorts! In all honesty, I really admired Elizabeth’s compassion and empathy in this tale. Lady Catherine is her usual imperious and insulting self, but Elizabeth always treated her with consideration. Even more so than Lady Catherine’s own relations. I loved that Elizabeth saw what others didn’t. She was perceptive and understanding in ways others weren’t or couldn’t be. But at the same time, poor Mr. Darcy! He just wants to escape to Pemberley with his new wife, but his family and his kindhearted wife won’t let him…
Aside from exploring the Lady Catherine and Elizabeth relationship in a different and unique way, the other element of this story I really enjoyed was seeing more about Lady Catherine’s own romantic journey. An early infatuation has the possibility to be rekindled in a most unexpected way. This made for some new excitement as all of Lady Catherine’s family were equal parts horrified by the changes in her behavior but also concerned about this suitor having any ulterior or insincere motives. There was plenty of humor injected in these scenes, and I really loved the idea of Lady Catherine having a second chance for love.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
💐 Like Henry Higgins, Lady Catherine attempts to transform a graceless and clueless commoner into a lady of society.
👩🏻🏫 The mentor/mentee dynamic (and then its inevitable flip) between Lady Catherine and Elizabeth was brilliant.
💗 Elizabeth is admirable, not only for her forbearance and fortitude, but also her understanding and kind heart.
Would be fun to see Elizabeth school Lady Catherine in how to get her man. Also, being of an older generation myself, I like a love story that doesn’t strictly adhere to love being only for the young. Besides it’s Jan Ashton…will definitely check it out.
Excellent review. This is a very entertaining read. I could just imagine Darcy and Col F’s cringes at Lady C’s antics!
A rare variation or sequel has me liking Lady C so I’ll have to give this one a go.