The next in line of my string of Pride and Prejudice related books that I need to post about was a wonderful read. This one is by one of my very favorite Pride and Prejudice 'variation' authors - Abigail Reynolds.

Ms. Reynolds has written several Pride and Prejudice variations - which means she takes the story and changes the timeline, an event or the timing of an event. All of them are good and well worth your time to read if you are interested in that sort of thing.

In this particular variation, when Elizabeth Bennet finds out that Lydia has run away with Wickham, she and Mr. Darcy are much more open about their feelings for one another rather than assuming that they cannot go on from there. Instead of automatically assuming that Mr. Darcy would never have anything to do with her now that Lydia has disgraced her family, Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy have a precious few minutes to talk - and it takes the story in a wholly different direction.

Granted, the climax and angst of the original story is very altered - and that is fine. This was a very light and fun read - very romantic and full of fun little trysts (all almost perfectly innocent) between Mr. Darcy and Lizzy Bennet. This book focuses almost entirely on Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet and the broader cast of characters is greatly reduced.

Favorite line...

Mr. Darcy has just asked for Lizzy's hand in marriage and had gotten quite a hard time from Mr. Bennet over it. So, Mr. Darcy asks Mr. Bennet why he gave him such an ordeal while he gave his consent very easily to Mr. Bingley when he asked for Jane's hand. Mr. Bennet replies...

"Very well, if you wish to know, when Jane brings home a puppy dog, I pat it's head. When Lizzy brings me a full-grown wolf, I handle it differently."

Abigail Reynolds is a wonderful writer and if you are interested, you can check out her website via this link: Abigail Reynolds.