The Journey

Title and Author: The Journey, Jan Hahn
Type: Pride and Prejudice Variation
Perspective: Third Person
Romance Level: Kissing
Recommended: Hesitant yes, 2.5 stars

This Pride and Predjudice Variation/Alternate Path (same characters, alternate story) takes place just after the Netherfield ball. Darcy returns to London with Bingley's sisters, but Elizabeth travels with them to visit her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner. The whole party is robbed at gunpoint by highwaymen with Darcy declaring Elizabeth as his wife to protect her. This backfires when they are both kidnapped. Left in a room alone together for several days, Darcy and Elizabeth get to know one another better and are forced into a false intimacy. Elizabeth's reputation is hopelessly compromised and Darcy, of course, proposes honorably. I won't spoil the details of how they get free and overcome their misunderstandings. I found this one interesting but I didn't love it.

I Liked:
This was a unique idea for a variation.
It was interesting to see them get to know each other more this early in their aquaintance and look out for each other before there is any love.

I Didn't Like:
Many of the plot turns felt contrived (such as the series of events leading to their eventual understanding).
Elizabeth had too much sympathy for one of the people who mistreated her and it didn't seem likely.
Her parents were passive in a way that was not understandable.

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