His Choice of A Wife – Heather Moll

December 9, 2019 • Reviews • 41 Comments

What If Darcy and Elizabeth Encountered Each Other Soon After His First Proposal

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Source: Review Copy from Publisher

TYPE OF NOVEL: Pride and Prejudice Variation, Mature Audience

TIME FRAME: Begins the day after Mr. Darcy’s first proposal

SYNOPSIS:

Despite their mutual desire to not encounter each other again, Darcy and Elizabeth unexpectedly meet during the gentlemen’s last call to Hunsford Parsonage. And since both Darcy and Elizabeth are already feeling some shame and regret for their actions and words, both endeavor to display a more civil manner towards each other. Which leads to some continued encounters while Elizabeth is in London. But what happens when the Bennet sisters return to Longbourn? Does their newfound understanding of each other lead to an earlier happily ever after? Or do other impediments threaten to steer this Pride and Prejudice tale off course?

WHAT I LOVED:

  • Extended Encounters: Oh, I loved how Darcy and Elizabeth kept encountering each other post-Hunsford (who would want them to go many months without seeing each other, not me!) These meeting were sometimes fraught with awkwardness and consciousness, and sometimes they were tentative, sweet and full of adorable flirtyness! I fell in love with Darcy during his interactions with the Gardiner children and I just about swooned during the waltz scene! Also, I loved that Darcy was so fervently devoted to Elizabeth and impatient to see her again and took matters into his own hands…. *sigh*
  • Elizabeth in Love: I loved the progression of Elizabeth falling in love in this story. She does so swiftly and powerfully. After spending more time with Mr. Darcy Elizabeth is quick to see his true worth and understand a bit of his standoffish reserve. I adored the moments where Elizabeth would go to Mr. Darcy and bravely be demonstrative with her feelings. And I greatly enjoyed observing the intensity of passion and attachment between Darcy and Elizabeth – how they take comfort in each other, how they are completely candid about their feelings. NOTE: This variation has some beautifully romantic intimate scenes that are best suited for mature audiences.
  • Unexpected Drama: Halfway through the story, it seemed like everything was on course for the expected HEA, but that would be too easy, wouldn’t it?  Even though some misunderstandings are cleared up there are some characters that can cause some turmoil! I really enjoyed the last third of this book where the drama kicked up a few notches, and how some slight alterations opened the door for some new developments to take place. These developments were surprising yet at the same time completely realistic and true to the Regency time period. I enjoyed exploring these new twists and I applaud Heather Moll for her creative choices and deft steering into these less familiar waters.
  • Darcy in Love: At this point I must take time to profess how much I love Mr. Darcy in this story. I loved all his actions, his heartbreaking moments of uncertainty and defeat, his attempt at control and propriety, his determined efforts to protect and defend his love, and his overall swoon-worthy display of integrity and honor.

WHAT I WASN’T TOO FOND OF:

  • Some Pacing: Between the early events of the story and latter events there felt some occasional disjointedness and unevenness. I think maybe some tightening in the middle would help bridge the interesting beginning premise with the intense and surprising conclusion.

CONCLUSION:

His Choice of a Wife is an exquisitely-composed Pride and Prejudice variation filled with passion, tender scenes of devotion, perseverance, and satisfying character developments. Definitely one I recommend checking out! Congratulations, Heather Moll, on a marvelous debut!

Add to Cart   I   Add to Shelf

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Disclaimer: The Amazon links used in this post are affiliate links. 

41 comments

    1. Aren’t Meredith’s reviews so insightful? She makes me want to read everything she writes about lol
      Thanks for everything Janet!

      Reply

  7. thank you Meredith. I totally agree with you. Heather did very well with her first novel. Since she is our member of the JASNA NY Capital Region, We are are all so proud of her.

    Reply

    1. You and the whole group have been so kind and supportive … especially since I was waaaaay in the closet for so long! Thank you Nancy!

      Reply

  10. This review certainly made me hungry for a new JAFF novel– this particular novel!
    Very thorough and rounded review that gave enough to make me wonder and get into the mood.
    Good luck with the debut novel!

    Reply

  11. Thank you so much Meredith for this thoughtful and thorough review! I’m still a little struck to see my name up there next to all those stars. Being reviewed here makes being an author a lot more ‘real’ and I’m so grateful you took the time to read it and share your thoughts 🙂

    Reply

    1. The pleasure it all mine, Heather! I am so grateful for the opportunity to read and your review your debut release (something I dearly wanted from my first discovery of it!)

      Thank you for all your kind words about my review-writing and your support of AR! I’m so happy to have you be a part of this blog as a reader and now an author! I wish you all the best with your future writing journey, Heather!

      Reply

  13. Great review, Meredith, as always [say hello to your Mr. Bingley].

    Congratulations to Heather on this launch. It is on my wish-list. I can’t wait to read it. I wish you much success in your writing career.

    Reply

  14. Great review! I had a look at Amazon. They offer it as paperback or for Kindle Unlimited but not just for Kindle. Is that right?

    Reply

    1. Not at all Dorothee! It’s available and an ebook, as KU rental, or a paperback 🙂 plenty of ways to enjoy it! Thanks for your interest.

      Reply

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