What If the Bingleys Did Not Live Happily Ever After?

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Source: Gift from Publisher

TYPE OF NOVEL: Pride and Prejudice Variation

THE PREMISE: Seven years later, the Bingley’s marriage is not the happy and idyllic one we imagined it to be. And it ends with tragedy, confusion, and children needing guardians. Elizabeth, who has lived with the Bingleys all this time, immediately steps in to take care of her six-year-old niece and nephew, but when Mr. Bingley’s will is finally discovered it lists Mr. Darcy as guardian…

WHAT I LOVED:

• The Ingredients: Julie Cooper assembled a wonderful and refreshing array of ingredients – new misunderstandings, mature/older characters, new personality twists, and children. And left out some ingredients that weren’t really missed – Lydia/Wickham drama and Lady Catherine interference. The new situations and realities were thoughtfully developed, and I loved encountering the new conflicts and new characters.

• Bad Bingley: Mr. Bingley’s biggest flaws – his capricious nature, his changeable heart, his impetuousness and irresponsibility – are magnified in this variation. And it is definitely a new look for Mr. Bingley. But not an unbelievable one. Especially if we view it through the lens of – this is what would become of Mr. Bingley, if Mr. Darcy wasn’t in his life. I appreciated the skillfulness and uniqueness of this character deviation.

• The Adorable Children: Cassandra and Thomas Bingley are adorable. For children that have absent parents and recent upheaval, they are marvelously easy-going and well-adjusted. In addition, they are extremely perceptive and emotionally intelligent for their age, but they still do get into some mischief… I loved these new original characters and I adored every interaction they had with all the adults and each other. But I especially loved their distinct natures and individual needs/wants.

• The Revelations: Lies fed by multiple sources have cemented Elizabeth’s dislike of Mr. Darcy – she believes he is as dishonorable as his friend. And Mr. Darcy makes a few mistaken assumptions of his own. Now that they are crossing paths again, some truths are finally unearthed. I love seeing Darcy and Elizabeth have these talks and work towards understanding together. I love the leisurely (but not unnecessarily so) pace Julie Cooper set with their relationship. I especially loved the revelation Mr. Darcy shared about his true feelings for Elizabeth and when they began.

• Lydia: A fantastic surprise! I loved seeing a more mature, married, and enterprising Lydia in this variation. She has grown in maturity, self-awareness, and consideration, and becomes a close confidant. I loved seeing this side of Lydia, but also that she still retained enough of her liveliness and frankness to be “our” Lydia. I especially loved seeing the contrasts and comparison between different Bennet sister relationships

WHAT COULD’VE BEEN BETTER:

• Small Quibbles: The premise of this variation is founded on some misunderstandings with Charlotte and the Gardiners, which sometimes felt they could have been more supported or fleshed out. Also, I wouldn’t have minded a little more time spent detailing the evolution of Mr. Bingley’s character.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

📖  Inventive, thoughtful, and expressive – a classic Julie Cooper variation that you can expect to be delighted by.

❤️‍🩹 When a family with disharmony, dishonesty, and disloyalty becomes one of truth, trust, and true love.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦  A beautiful and charming tale of protecting children, finding home, and seizing a chance for love.

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