A Dynamic and Compelling Romantic Adventure
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Source: Gift from Author
TYPE OF AUSTENESQUE NOVEL: Pride and Prejudice Variation
TIME FRAME: September 1815 – Different timeline from Pride and Prejudice
SYNOPSIS: It’s been several years since Ramsgate, and the events that took place there have irrevocably changed the lives of Fitzwilliam and Georgiana Darcy. No longer a part of society, both have retreated to Pemberley where they live a very solitary life with minimal staff and no visitors. But when an unconscious stranger near-death is found near his home, Mr. Darcy finds himself providing her shelter and care. And though he tries to maintain his distance and avoid contact, this beautiful stranger finds a way to reach him in his loneliness and desolation… Can she convince him to let her stay? And what happens when her memory fully returns and she realizes the secrets of her past?
WHAT I LOVED:
- Exhilarating Original Premise: My goodness does Brenda Webb dream up some wonderfully unique Pride and Prejudice variations! A sinister scheme of kidnapping and enslaving gentlewomen, a degraded Darcy family retired from society, and new parentage for Elizabeth Bennet? Each idea is such an interesting divergence on its own, never mind that all this is happening in the same book!?! I thoroughly enjoyed exploring each of these new twists and I loved how Brenda Webb executed her story with all these dynamic and creative possibilities!
- Swept Away: This was a perfect choice for October – with a lonely estate, a brooding hero, dangerous villains, and the nighttime encounters between Darcy and Elizabeth (those were my favorite, btw) there are some wonderful dark and gothic elements to this tale. And with so much drama and action happening this story had me entranced from the very first page! I love these stories by Brenda Webb – they are high action and high drama, and that makes for a highly enrapturing read!
- Alternate History, Yet In Essentials…: I found so much to admire about Elizabeth in this story – she had a terrible relationship with Mrs. Bennet and faced adversity, was kidnapped and harmed yet she was still the brave, generous-hearted, and quick-witted heroine Jane Austen created. In addition, Mr. Darcy, with his selflessness, repressed longing, and noble actions is the epitome of a brooding romantic hero. His suffering and sacrifice is heartrending in this tale! And the fact that he spends hours playing melancholy compositions on piano…gah!!! My heart!
- Two-Parter: With so much going on this story had sort of a mini-resolution halfway through. Other obstacles still forcing our couple apart and those are explored in detail in the second half of the book. Some may have issue with the two different parts of the story, but I actually found myself just as captivated during the second half as the first.
- Quick Cut-Scenes and Clear Divisions: I enjoy so many different aspects of Brenda Webb’s writing style, but one I haven’t mentioned before is how she often changes perspectives. I know it can be confusing when an author changes point-of-view, but Ms. Webb makes it very easy to follow with her page breaks and setting indicators. I love how these quick-paced scene changes heighten the excitement of the story and shed light on other characters and what they are thinking and feeling.
WHAT I WASN’T TOO FOND OF:
- Small Quibbles: Just a minor quibble or two about some language and expressions that felt modern. SPOILER ALERT!: In addition, while I completely understand Darcy’s reclusive and solitary behavior for majority of the book, there was a point later on in the book where it didn’t seem like he was ostracized by the ton anymore. In fact, he was being chased as an eligible suitor. It sort of made his continuing to push Elizabeth away feel a little unnecessary.
NOTE: There are some allusions to intimate scenes and one or two that begin to take place on page (just in the last 50 pages). I’d recommend this story for Mature Audiences.
CONCLUSION:
I adore the dynamic and compelling stories that flow from Brenda Webb’s pen. She loves to place Darcy and Elizabeth in such impossible and surprising circumstances, and readers who hunger for adventurous and impassioned romances will be thoroughly pleased with her latest offering! I highly recommend!
Thanks for your great review Meredith. I adore Brenda’s unique plots and drama.
Thanks, Kate! I do too! Each one is filled with such an interesting and entertaining twists!
I highly recommend it as well Meredith. I love Brenda’s books but this has to be my favourite. This piano playing, caring Darcy ….wow!
I really felt for Elizabeth, Mrs Bennet was not exactly kind to her!!!!
I will definitely be reading this again 🙂
Yay! So glad to hear, Glynis! You know, early on I thought this one might become my new favorite too! But I still love Fitzwilliam Darcy: An Honorable Man so much, that it has yet to be dethroned! 😉 This may be a close second though! Too hard to decide!
I agree! These are definitely stories that beg to be reread and reread!
Brenda’s stories are always exciting to read — in part because her bad guys are always such *bad* guys.
I agree! They are despicable and ruthless!
I am so proud that you enjoyed my story, Meredith, and for all the nice comments from everyone. Thank you so much for taking the time to read and review my first long tale that I updated for publishing. So sweet of you, Brenda
Thank you so much for your stories, Brenda! I’m especially glad you published this one as it was your first! I know some authors may choose to keep that to themselves, but I’m really glad you shared this one with us! I love it!!
Loved this book and thanks so much for featuring Brenda’s book here. Very exciting tale with a brooding Darcy, a broken Georgiana and an Elizabeth who is trying to find her place. Add a few bad guys in the mix and the reader can hardly put it down for wanting to know what happens next. Thanks for sharing, Meredith.
I’m always happy to read anything Brenda writes, her stories are wonderful!! So true, her books are very hard to put down!
I can’t wait to read this book; it looks **amazing**!! I’ll have to save my pennies, though–it’s a bit expensive for Kindle. Perhaps I’ll ask for it for Christmas! 🙂
Thank you for your lovely (as always) review, Meredith! I so appreciate all of the time you invest in sharing your thoughts on this amazing genre of novels!
Warmly,
Susanne 🙂
It is worth it! 🙂 Definitely a great book to ‘treat yo self’ to! Thank so much for checking out my review and I hope you get the chance to read this lovely book soon!
I love Brenda’s books and have read all of them. Wondering if she is working on anything? I would love to see her publish a new story. Great review, Meredith.
Good question! I hope the answer is yes! 😉 I feel the same!
Sheila I am working on a new story called PROOF OF LOVE and am posting it right now on DarcyandLizzy.com forum for everyone to read before I publish. Would love for you to come over and see what you think. 🙂
Yay! So glad to hear about the new story! <3
I loved this story. Man… those brooding night-time scenes had me on the edge of my seat. I could picture it so well in my mind. Brenda was so expressive… I loved it. Great review Meredith, most excellent.
So true! Yes, those scenes are easily pictured in my mind too! I love the glow of the candlelights and reflections in the windows… 😉 So lovely!!
Loved the book. Brenda Webb writer some amazing stories, loved all her books.
Agreed! Me too!
I have read all of Brenda’s book but this one! It’s on my wish-list but after your wonderful review, I must move it to my TBR list! I really like the sound of a brooding romantic Darcy who plays piano!
Yes, make the move to TBR! You won’t be sorry! LOL! 😉 I love all of Brenda’s Darcys…she really knows how to make him so irresistible!!
Oh yes, you remind me that I was meant to have this one read this year. I do like the sound of the gothic elements and I agree that she is clever at her original plots and variations. Nice review, Meredith!
Hope you get the chance to read it soon, Sophia! And I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! 🙂 Thanks for checking out my review!
I agree completely regarding Brenda’s unique (and wonderful) stories. I haven’t read this one, but I’ve loved the ones I have read, and love rereading them. What a gift she has. I’m looking forward to this one.
Oh! And the new covers are lovely!!
So true! I’m so glad to hear you’ve loved her stories as much as I have! I know you will enjoy this one, Michelle! Hope you get to read it soon! I agree, the covers are so eye catching and romantic!!
Fantastic review! I will definitely add this to my list! Thanks, Meredith! 😉
Thanks for checking out my review, Maria!! Hope you enjoy Passages as much as I did!
Thanks again for everyone who took the time to comment since last I looked. Love being featured on this site for I see new people here every time. If you do like my stories, check out my forum DarcyandLizzy.com for I am posting my latest story there in preparation for publishing first of the year.