A Short Period of Exquisite Felicity: A Pride and Prejudice Variation in Austen Variations

Mar 02, 2018 Nissa | Of Pens and Pages Book Blog rated it really liked it

Shelves: arc, 2018-reads, regency-era, pride-and-prejudice, historical-romance, second-chance, third-pov

Fun fact: Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion are two of my favorite romance novels ever. So to read a Persuasion-esque situation in a Pride and Prejudice variation is an incredibly happy day for me. A Short Period of Exquisite Felicity delivers angst, heartbreak, and a well-deserved happily ever after mixed with a healthy dose of mystery.

Things diverge from the canon after Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy meet at Pemberley. In A Short Period of Exquisite Felicity, E and D come to an understanding so ...more

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Feb 15, 2018 Sheila Majczan rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I first read this story as an unpublished book.

In the book description above the author tells us that she “wondered what might have happened if Darcy had found himself in the shoes of Frederick Wentworth...jilted by the woman he loved but still worse, at the behest of a man who has already taken so much from him. Can he/will he forgive her?”

But in this variation, the author wanders far a field in assigning roles and behaviors to those we think we know...even those we may have fond attachments to I first read this story as an unpublished book.

In the book description above the author tells us that she “wondered what might have happened if Darcy had found himself in the shoes of Frederick Wentworth...jilted by the woman he loved but still worse, at the behest of a man who has already taken so much from him. Can he/will he forgive her?”

But in this variation, the author wanders far a field in assigning roles and behaviors to those we think we know...even those we may have fond attachments to in canon or in other variations. Who might you think she means when she says, “a man who has already taken so much from him”? Ah, yes, the first 10 or so pages give us that premise. So much of this story is going to turn you around in your preconceived ideas (as per canon) and totally shaking up the world of JAFF. I have my favorite characters and here I cannot mention names as it would give you hints as to how Dear Amy has taken the path least traveled in portraying supporting characters here.

We begin with Elizabeth and Darcy already engaged but how they came to that relationship is presented differently as we glance back, and they are keeping it a secret as Darcy has not yet spoken to Mr. Bennet. (Two people outside of ODC learn of this and they react to later events with “fangs and claws” exposed to protect this man they love, who has given so much to each of them.)

When Darcy came to the inn in Lambton on the morning Elizabeth received the two letters from Jane…Elizabeth has not yet read the letters and so knows not of Lydia’s elopement. Thus Darcy does not know of that either as he leaves after proposing. Uncle Gardiner handles the confrontation with Wickham (as Mr. Bennet is very ill and later dies) and seems to have it all in hand…then Wickham finds out about Darcy’s relationship with Elizabeth and so it all changes. Wickham now has demands and it is not money – it is how can he best use that news to destroy Darcy’s world…to bring him everlasting pain? And he is successful!

Now the main premise comes to bear as we read the rest of the story. ODC has had 9 short days of happiness in August but a year later we read of how they are both finally in one another’s presence again – against their will, against their wishes! So many misunderstandings. Gossiping – whisper down the lane…despite promises not to tell. A reputation in shreds. A “cut” in public! Don’t look but something else has gone down!

Can’t this couple ever find time to really have a sit down and talk with openness? Each comes to the conclusion sooner or later, that they cannot trust the other, and as they have never spoken since the Lambton proposal, there is so much taken in the wrong way, so many assumptions…if it were not for bad luck I’d have no luck at all - so it seems with both Darcy and Elizabeth and then at the end: the worst kind of betrayal. "(What they do) (They smile in your face) All the time they want to take your place. The back stabbers (back stabbers) (They smile in your face) All the time they ..."

This story is a tale of various events mixing together with ironic results.

Jane and Bingley bring a number of single people together at Netherfield about a year after the aforementioned events and like a dance, people are squaring up, stepping forth and backwards, looking for the best partners and looking to know backgrounds, connections and worth. Elizabeth has been living with an aunt as she “was very ill or so the family says” and has missed the wedding and then the christening of the Bingley’s firstborn…as has Darcy. Caroline and Elizabeth are now to live with their “brother and sister”. Can you imagine Elizabeth and Caroline as sisters? Watch/read as Bingley takes very seriously his role as guardian to both!

I could not put the story down and I did have tears at times. Amy writes quite a whooper of a good story.

I have now read this as a published book and again am breathless with all the emotions this story has had me experience. I could not put it down even the second time around. ...more

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Jan 03, 2017 Barb rated it it was amazing

Shelves: audible-jaff, austen-fan-fiction-read, books-i-own-audio, audio-book-listened

Loved this! I so look forward to Amy's first book coming in January. I hope this one gets published. ...more

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Feb 23, 2018 Ceri added it

Review to follow on Monday 26 Feb, when the blog tour stops by at Babblings of a Bookworm :)

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Oct 29, 2017 Dung rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: austen-inspried

4.5⭐️ Wow, just can't get enough of this author's writing. She is truly talented and has such creative premises and plots. You're always in for a treat.

I'll leave the traditional review to the other readers. All I have to say is there are so many obstacles for your dear couple D&E to overcome before they get to their HEA. In addition to that there are many twists and turns that will have you shocked to the very end.

I'm a bit bummed that the Gardiners didn't have a bigger role in this story tho ...more

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Nov 19, 2022 Nicole Barton Sasser rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: p-and-p, kindle-unlimited, jaff, physical-library, audible-audiobook, review-on-amazon, cover-love, author-amy-dorazio, 2022-austenesque-lovers-challenge

Status: Read November 16-18, 2022
via kindle & audible editions

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (3.5)

Review:
Talented author and great narrator, but the second half dragged a bit and I found parts to be unnecessary. If this was reworked, could possibly be an easy five-star read for me.

Edition Read:

A Short Period of Exquisite Felicity
by A. D'Orazio, Amy D'Orazio
Kindle Edition, Second Edition, 388 pages
Published July 7, 2019 by Quills & Quartos Publishing (first published January 24, 2018)
ASIN: B07V1GBVPT
[ kindle unli ...more

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Oct 06, 2019 Michelle David rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Gut wrenching and glorious

If you enjoy angst this is the book for you. It grabbed hold of my emotions and attention and didn’t let go until the last page.

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