The Secret Betrothal


Title and Author: The Secret Betrothal by Jan Hahn
Type: Pride and Prejudice Alternate Path
Perspective: Elizabeth
Romance Level: Third Person, mostly focused on Elizabeth and Darcy.
Recommended: Yes, 3.5 stars
Summary: What if Elizabeth was engaged to another from her earliest acquaintance with Darcy? (This almost kept me from reading the book--but I have read others by the author and liked them.) When Darcy proposes at Hunsford, he is devastated when she declines, then tells him she is promised to another man. Outside events keep them both at Hunsford/Rosings for an extended period of time and the couple gets to know one another. When Elizabeth gets to know Darcy more, she doubts everything she knew.

Pros:
* Although I found the betrothal unlikely, I liked the events that kept Darcy and Elizabeth at Hunsford and Rosings for a much longer time. They slowly know each other better.
* The letter written to Elizabeth is a key part of the original plot and we don't know what would have happened had she not read it. I like this plot point.
* It was fun to see some of the happily ever after here!

Cons:
* I squirm at the idea of Elizabeth engaged to Wickham. Elizabeth is far to intelligent to be taken in like this!
* Wickham is a force to be reckoned with. In the original, it was to get ahead and pay his debts. His motives are more complicated here and I am not sure it works for me.

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