Austen Diaries

  Title and Author:  To Refuse Such a Man by P. O. Dixon Type: P&P Alternate Path Perspective: Darcy and Elizabeth Romance Level: Kissing plus some descriptions of Darcy's fantasies and a mostly fade to black wedding night scene Recommended: yes, 3 stars Access: free for  Amazon Kindle Unlimited Disclaimer: I received the audiobook in exchange for my honest review.  Summary: What if the time spent in the Netherfield library was noticed by a gossiping servant? What if Elizabeth Bennett did not meet Wickham until after she was engaged? In this alternate path, Darcy proposes to Elizabeth to preserve her reputation because of potential gossip. She accepts because she sees he is a better choice than Mr. Collins. Will a marriage beginning with duty lead to love?  Things I Liked: * This is a nice Darcy. He doesn't offend her during his proposal.  * I liked Wickham being out of the picture.  * It is nice to see an earlier resolution to their relationship ...

Title and Author: A Lady's Reputation by Amy D'Orazio Type: Pride and Prejudice Alternate Path Perspective: Darcy, Elizabeth and others Romance Level: Kissing and references to married life Recommended: 2.5 stars, I liked parts of it but felt it dragged in a few spots Summary: What if Darcy decided to consult his relatives before proposing at Hunsford? What if his relatives were not so great at keeping a secret? How would Elizabeth feel about Darcy if many thought the couple was engaged before she even heard a proposal? Proud Elizabeth would have a different set of reasons for being opposed to Darcy even before he can speak. Add new Darcy relations and chaos ensues. Pros: * I liked Jane in this edition. She has a mind and is more realistic about her prospects. * I like seeing more of Colonel Fitzwilliam and Georgiana in this one. * It was nice to see a slow building of feelings between the couple at Pemberley. Cons: * Bingley is not likable and Wickham is almo...

Title and Author: Impulse of the Moment by Jann Rowland Type: Pride and Prejudice Alternate Path Perspective: Romance Level: Recommended: yes, 3.5 stars Summary: In this alternate path, Elizabeth is more wary and less vivacious because of an incident with Darcy at her first  assembly.  When she crosses paths with Darcy again 4 years later, she is unsure if he is a (reasonably) good man or a villain. As Darcy falls in love, he struggles to make himself know so that Elizabeth will trust him. Of course, there is tension with members of his family in the process, but not the usual ones. Pros: * The conflict in this one was mainly because of the main characters having a completely different misunderstanding. Elizabeth is beneath him, but not as much so. * I liked Mr Collins in this one. Not so bright, but fundamentally good. * It changed things a lot to have Darcy's parents living. He has so much freedom in the original because his parents died. Cons: * There are ...

Title and Author: Mr. Darcy and the Murder at Rosings by Mei Wei Lin Type: Pride and Prejudice Alternate Path Perspective: Darcy and Elizabeth Romance Level: kissing Recommended: 3 stars Access: Free on Kindle Unlimited Summary: After proposing at Hunsford, both Darcy and Elizabeth are unable to leave due to a storm that hits. When Elizabeth and Charlotte with her family are stranded at Rosings during the worst of the storm, Darcy and Elizabeth are thrown each other's company more. Then tragedy strikes, leading them into a truce whereby they can know each other anew. Pros: * This was a good way for our couple to get to know each other even if it is all through tragedy. * I like both Charlotte and Ann de Bourg in this version. In fact, all the women are strong characters for this era. * We don't get much happily ever after in this one. Cons: * Darcy was trying to solve a mystery and it took an incredibly long time for him to put the pieces together. * There i...

Title and Author: Another Proposal by Jann Rowland Type: Pride and Prejudice Variation Perspective: Darcy and Elizabeth Romance Level: Kissing Recommended: Yes, 2.5 stars I enjoyed it but it wasn't in my top 10 P&P Fan Fiction Access: Available through Kindle Unlimited Summary: What if.... Mr. Darcy learned of Mr. Collins proposal and it spurred him into action? What if Mr. Bingley never left Netherfield? Would an earlier knowledge of Darcy's feeling change Elizabeth's mind about him? This variation takes place in the few days after the Netherfield Ball and is a short (just over 110 pages) read. Pros: * This is my favorite Lady Catherine by far. * I like the addition of Fitzwilliam and Georginana * It was a fun premise, but a quick solution and outcome to everything. Cons: * This was very short (like 110 pages). Since the action takes place over the course of a few days, it doesn't quite feel plausible. * There is almost no conflict here. Mr Coll...