Austen Diaries

Title: Mr Bennett's Dutiful Daughter  by  Joana Starnes Type: Pride and Prejudice Variation Perspective: Mostly Elizabeth Romance Level: Passionate Kissing with references to married life (except chapter 7) Recommended: Yes, 4 stars Access: available through Kindle Unlimited Summary: What if Mr. Bennett fell ill while Elizabeth was at Hunsford? If Mr. Darcy had proposed in the midst of an illness, would Elizabeth have married Darcy without love? And would she have been honest about her feelings for the haughty gentleman? Things I Liked: * This felt true to the original. If her father were ill when Darcy proposed, Elizabeth might have said yes even though she did not love or even like him. * It was true to Elizabeth as well. She spends so much time falling in love with Darcy, then wanting to throttle him for acting superior to her family. * I like Bingley in this one. He calls Darcy out and I like how his character had to develop for this to happen. * The relati...

Title and Author: Stranded with Mr. Darcy , Mei Wei Lin Type: Pride and Prejudice Variation Perspective: Elizabeth and Darcy Romance Level: Snuggling and Kissing Recommended: yes, 4 stars Summary: This Pride and Prejudice variation starts after the Hunsford proposal. Bingley returns to Netherfield and shortly marries Jane. They decided to go on a wedding tour in Italy after a friend offers the use of his boat. They want to bring Elizabeth and of course the friend is Darcy. He is fleeing to his house in France to forget about Elizabeth. They are dismayed to find they will be on the same boat for days. When a storm come and strands them on an island, Elizabeth is forced to reconsider her feelings for Mr. Darcy. When they eventually return, they must deal with the consequences of being stranded together. Pros: * This is a unique telling with an island existence for a time. * The emotions upon learning they will be on the same ship together were well done. * Darcy is more hu...

Title and Author: Mr Wickham's Diary by Amanda Grange Type: Pride and Prejudice Prequel Perspective: Wickham Romance Level: none Recommended: no, 1 star Summary: This prequel to Pride and Prejudice starts when Wickham and Darcy are boys together. It reflects how he was raised side by side with Darcy and came to expect a gentleman's life based on his mother's encouragement. Things I Liked: *  One can see how George came to be there way he was in this story as he was encouraged by his mother to have expectations beyond what he should in those days. * It was written well and is how Wickham would have thought. Things I Didn't Like: * It is nauseating to hear this inner dialogue and, while not surprising, it doesn't make for fun reading. * I expected to be more sympathetic to this character after reading his side, but he really is despicable. * It was strange to have the book end where it did (just as he joins the army). I didn't really want to hea...

Title and Author: Ardently Loved by Lory Lilian Type: Pride and Prejudice Variation Perspective: Elizabeth Romance Level: mostly passionate kissing but chapter 13 includes a wedding night description that could be skipped (don't miss the epilogue) Recommended: yes, 2.5 star Summary: This variation takes place after Bingley returns to Netherfield and becomes engaged to Jane. What if Darcy was not reassured by Lady Catherine's visit and report of her conversation with Elizabeth? Bingley gives a ball to celebrate his engagement and only then does Darcy return. How will the couple reach an understanding in the midst of their friend's happiness? I enjoyed this one, but not as much as many others. Things I Liked: * Elizabeth really knows her feelings for Darcy in this one. Even not so subtle conversations are not enough to reassure her of Darcy's feelings. * Darcy is more publicly open about Elizabeth in this one. He speaks highly of her and supports her thoughts...

Title: Miss Darcy's Companion by Joana Starnes Type: Pride and Prejudice Variation Perspective: Darcy and Elizabeth Romance Level: passionate kissing Recommended: yes, 4 stars Access: available through Kindle Unlimited Summary: In this variation, Mr Bennett dies before Darcy and Elizabeth have a chance to meet. Miss Darcy meets a grieving Miss Bennett, working as governess to her young niece and nephew. When Georgiana takes a dislike to the proposed new companion Mrs. Younge, Georgiana proposes Miss Bennett as the solution. At Pemberley, Miss Bennett gets to know her new employer and the best man/brother/master he is and Darcy can see Elizabeth for her true (although more subdued) self. Things I Liked: * I like the slow development of the relationship between Darcy and Elizabeth. It was novel to have her be the one with feelings first and feel the inequity of their stations in life. * I loved the sweet relationship between Georgiana and Elizabeth. * I liked Fitzwill...