What If Darcy and Elizabeth Were Unaware of Each Others’ Feelings After the Lydia/Wickham Debacle?

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Source: Gift from Publisher

TYPE OF NOVEL: Pride and Prejudice Variation

THE PREMISE: A dejected and brooding Darcy decides to return to Meryton for Bingley’s wedding and determine once and for all if there is a no hope for a future with Elizabeth Bennet. Little does he know that he already possesses Elizabeth’s heart and “that her sentiments had undergone so material a change.” As these two sort through their own misunderstandings and feelings, some unwelcome interference from outsides sources has the potential to mar their happiness…

MY THOUGHTS: I am so elated to read a new story by Susan Adriani!! Her writing is beautiful (more on that later) and I love how she employed several subtle twists in this premise. With Elizabeth being completely unaware of Darcy’s involvement with Lydia, Wickham, and the Gardiners, and without Lady Catherine paying a frank call to an “obstinate, headstrong girl,” Darcy and Elizabeth must come to understand each other through their own actions and exchanges. And the manner in which they do so is both wonderfully orchestrated and deeply rewarding.

What I loved most about this story was how Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth were portrayed and how they interacted with each other. I appreciated how their feelings and actions felt natural and authentic to their personalities, and that they were never overly melodramatic, “pictures of perfection,” or too saccharine. While a bit broody in the beginning, Darcy still exhibits some hope and perseverance. And while Elizabeth adjusts to her new understanding of Mr. Darcy’s character, she doesn’t continue to willfully misunderstand or prejudge him. Both characters displayed maturity, sensitivity, and perceptive awareness that was lovely to witness. As was their mutual ardency! (NOTE: While there weren’t any explicit intimate scenes – I was hoping for at least one 😉, there were plenty of romantic and sensual scenes. I’d recommend this tale for readers over the age of 14.)

Susan Adriani’s writing is splendidly captivating and engaging. Her tone is warm and gentle, and she strikes the perfect blend of describing the actions of a scene with conveying the sensations and emotions felt by the characters. I was completely swept away by her achingly beautiful prose. Even though I’m not one to prefer tales with low-tension and minimal conflict, I was eager to live in this novel and feel engrossed with these characters.

In this variation Susan Adriani implements some new characters and some different character deviations. I thoroughly enjoyed the new creations of Mr. Ellis, a cousin of Charlotte Lucas who is a dear childhood friend to Elizabeth, and Mrs. Lawrence, Mr. Bingley’s widowed aunt who is delightfully sharp and candid. In addition, I enjoyed Lord and Lady Carlisle, who have an unhappy marriage yet are very eager to make an equally unhappy match for Mr. Darcy with an insipid heiress. The deviations I wasn’t as fond of were Jane’s unwillingness to change her opinion of Mr. Darcy and the Lydia/Wickham storyline. With Jane, the author made a valiant attempt to make these negative feelings and bitter actions plausible for Jane’s character, but something still didn’t ring true about them. And as for the Wickhams, with it being such an eventful novel already, this storyline ended up feeling a little extraneous (and because it is the Wickhams – exasperating).

With Misunderstandings and Ardent Love Susan Adriani delivers a sweepingly romantic Pride and Prejudice variation that will bring much joy and pleasure to readers who prefer to see more affection and less angst between Darcy and Elizabeth. A lovely tale full of swoon-worthy interludes, troublesome relations, and a radiant example of steadfast and fervent love.

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