Rain and Retribution in Austen Variations

Mar 07, 2017 wosedwew rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2025, book-reviews, 2017, 2018, owned-books, 2016, 2015, 2019, 2020, audible

“I could be wrong,” he said, trying not to smile. “But I would hope that I am a small improvement over Mr. Collins.”

And thus begins the Darcy’s marriage!

This is one of my all-time favorite JAFFs.

I read it long, long before I ventured into writing reviews and this review is overdue.

Elizabeth’s crisis begins when her Father does not support her refusal of the Collins proposal and insists she agree to marry. ODG packs and slips away from Longbourn without anyone’s notice. Her escape route coincide ...more

60 likes · Like · see review

Feb 23, 2015 Sheila Majczan rated it really liked it

I thought of Hamlet as I came to the end of this story - one of Shakespeare's tragedies! There were many things I liked in this book but I was not happy with the one major character's fate. It really came as a shock and I was not happy with it. I am not naming names so as not to spoil the story.

There are some significant differences in characters and behaviors in this variation of P&P. Mr. Bennet "stabs" his favorite daughter in the back by demanding she marry Mr. Collins. Oh, his "reasons" do c I thought of Hamlet as I came to the end of this story - one of Shakespeare's tragedies! There were many things I liked in this book but I was not happy with the one major character's fate. It really came as a shock and I was not happy with it. I am not naming names so as not to spoil the story.

There are some significant differences in characters and behaviors in this variation of P&P. Mr. Bennet "stabs" his favorite daughter in the back by demanding she marry Mr. Collins. Oh, his "reasons" do come out later in the story (to the detriment of Jane's self esteem) but Elizabeth is no shrinking violet, as we know. So she is running away to London in the hopes that her aunt and uncle will support her decision and help her find employment in some way or other to support herself.

Fate, in the guise of a torrential rain storm, intervenes and, as they say, "the rest is history". Yes, the marriage between ODC occurs early in this tale but there are so many sigh-worthy thoughts and actions on Darcy's part that telling you of the marriage isn't half the story of how it did come about. Darcy is such a romantic in this book! His love for Elizabeth is realized early BUT he does have some lessons about trust and communication to learn. There are some scenes of passion and fulfillment so be warned (MA only) but they are after marriage. The author did have ODC exploring their sexuality.

I thought that Darcy and Elizabeth had few close friends or family members in this story. Jane became more and more resentful of Elizabeth and that was sad to read. I kept hoping that there was going to be a moment when Jane came to her senses and was happy for Elizabeth - didn't happen. Jane's unhappiness began before this story's onset and she somehow found more and more to blame Elizabeth for as the story progressed. Mr. Bennet became bitter and other than his usual sulking in his study with a book and now a bottle is a non entity after the first chapter. Darcy's only family friend is Col. Fitzwilliams. His aunt and uncle on his mother's side are the bitterest of foes to Darcy in learning of his marriage. Bingley remains a friend after a confrontation about the whole "you married a Bennet" fiasco but the others in his family are even worse than in canon. Fortunately, Elizabeth does find a friend in the neighborhood. The Grey family provides some new actors in our tale: one good friend for both Elizabeth and Darcy but also some of the family reminding Elizabeth (and us) of Caroline Bingley. Caroline is not-to-be-believed in one scene at Pemberley.

Georgiana was so different in this tale. Her background, the history of her relationship with her own father, and then with Darcy after the father's death, and the whole Wickham saga keep us wondering if she is ever going to have a major revelation about those around her and just who can and who can't be trusted. The conflict, the sneakiness, the utter disregard for others by Georgiana are behaviors which have not been painted in most other JAFF. And then there is her relationship with Wickham! It goes from bad to worse.

The best part of this book was reading of how Elizabeth's and Darcy's marriage came to be and how their love and relationship grew. Many happy moments were spent reading their thoughts and actions towards and for each other. BUT again, I was not happy with everything at the end...thus 4 stars. ...more

12 likes · Like · see review

Jan 24, 2018 Elin Eriksen rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favourite, steamy, romantic, bad-mr-bennet, caroline-gets-her-comeuppance, 2021jaff

I loved it!
I would rate this within my topp 10 list of the hundreds JAFF books I have read.

I liked that ODC come together early and there are lots of lovely tender moments between them. That said it is not an easy ride...
I also liked that not everybody gets theire HEA but gets what they deserve... It gives it a more real feeling.
Loved this Elizabeth and Darcy, they feel real to theire character including flaws.

The only thing I did not like was that it ended.

I would love to read a sequal.

Heartily ...more

10 likes · Like · see review

Feb 10, 2014 Erika rated it it was amazing

Shelves: jane-austen

I loved this book, I think I may have read an earlier version on one of the JAFF websites, just can't think which one. Anyways it was a great read, very interesting way for Elizabeth and Darcy to come together, can't stand Lizzy's family in this one, but these versions make the story work better. It had enough angst to not be too strenuous for my heart. ;)' I thought it was well written and drew me so into the book that I had such a hard time putting it down, read so late into the night/morning ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Jun 06, 2020 M rated it liked it

I think Lizzy’s initial reaction (due to its speed), and also how Darcy and Lizzy get together (particularly the special licence), were a bit unrealistic. The behaviour of others is more realistic, though extreme. I did like ODC’s relationship, it wasn’t completely fluffy and they did have some issues which did aid towards growth and a more realistic strengthening of their marriage and feelings. I thought this version of G was actually quite plausible and enjoyed seeing how it was dealt by all t ...more

Like · see review

Mar 21, 2016 Laura rated it it was ok

Shelves: romance, historical, austen, jaff-trope-forced-marriage, regency

While Elizabeth and Darcy were relatively well characterised the entirety of the supporting characters were absolutely butchered. Mr Bennet, Jane, and Georgiana especially were basically pulled from an alternate universe where every character we're meant to like is warped into being the worst possible version of themselves. There's an argument for writing a "P&P gone bad" universe, but it really doesn't work here as Elizabeth and Darcy are, if anything, devoid of flaws, with Darcy in particular ...more

Like · see review