A Matter of Chance in Austen Variations

Dec 04, 2016 Sheila Majczan rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I received a copy of the paperback from a blog giveaway.

4.5 stars: Some SPOILERS herein.

This is a modern take-off of Pride and Prejudice. The names of the characters and some places are the same and the main actors’ behaviors resemble canon. BUT set in a modern world the story's premise is not the usual vague copy of the premise in Jane Austen's masterpiece. This author makes the story all her own.

In this tale Elizabeth Gardiner nee: Bennet had been prodded to "seek" both her parents' approval I received a copy of the paperback from a blog giveaway.

4.5 stars: Some SPOILERS herein.

This is a modern take-off of Pride and Prejudice. The names of the characters and some places are the same and the main actors’ behaviors resemble canon. BUT set in a modern world the story's premise is not the usual vague copy of the premise in Jane Austen's masterpiece. This author makes the story all her own.

In this tale Elizabeth Gardiner nee: Bennet had been prodded to "seek" both her parents' approval continually during her years in a family of five girls. Failing in the first instance by not becoming a doctor or lawyer such as Jane has, and hoping in the second to do so by marrying Greg Wickham, the son of Mr. Bennet's good friend, Elizabeth soon realizes that approval is not forthcoming. Her marriage is not one of love. Subsequently things go downhill in that relationship very quickly. The first pages tell of two main events: her marriage and how it ended. The latter was hard to read about so be warned that physical abuse is at hand and it is almost to the point of death for not only one but two of this book's characters.

Charles and Jane Bingley play main roles in this book as they not only are the saviors but have been, and continue to be, Lizzy’s lifeline: the rock she comes to when needing stability and support much less love and approval. She does also have her good friend, Charlotte Lucas. The angst in this book is not only caused by what happens when William Darcy comes into the picture but is also due to Lizzy’s isolation from her biological family and her ex. Jane and Charles have taken Lizzy in for a few years as Lizzy reorders her life. When a child is born they are there for her and even when Elizabeth moves out they have regular contact.

Darcy, CEO of a multi-million dollar conglomerate, has no family. He had lived in the Meryton area and then fled to England to escape memories of when his father and his sister died in a car accident. The other driver left the scene and was never apprehended. DNA taken from a blood sample in the stolen car has not turned up the ID of that driver as he is not in “the system”. Darcy comes back into town and is staying in a guest house on Netherfield grounds while he looks for his own place to stay.

Yes, Mr. Darcy is quick to judge Lizzy when he learns she has a child but sees no father in the picture. Lizzy has inherited Longbourn (another bone of contention with her spendthrift mother) from her Aunt Mel. She rents out the barn for weddings and other large celebrations. We learn much about how Elizabeth manages to support herself and ‘Melly Belly’ as an artist (focusing mainly on watercolors), as a professor of art in a local college, renting out the barn on her property and we learn of the few people she trusts. One of the players in this story is a dog, Bear, who is fiercely protective, especially when new men come around.

Reflective of canon is the insult given as to Lizzy’s being an “unwed” mother and her reaction as she hears. Of course she has her chance and gives back as good as the original Elizabeth. But now William comes to realize (as in P&P) that he not only loves her but also that now he must work twice as hard to win her love due to his unguarded words and her personal history. I loved reading of all William’s efforts and how he takes to a two-year-old little girl with the sweetest of fatherly instincts. This story had a rough start but had me turning pages as I found the love story to be enthralling. There are scenes for mature adults only.

Plus, we have an epilogue: something I always enjoy. ...more

15 likes · Like · see review

Jan 15, 2014 Anna added it · review of another edition

Shelves: austenesque, rom-women-s-fic

A Matter of Chance is a contemporary retelling of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. L.L. Diamond puts the characters in the U.S. South, turning Longbourn into an Antebellum home. Lizzy Gardiner — having cut ties with the Bennets — inherited the home from her great aunt and lives alone with her two-year-old daughter and overprotective dog, Bear. She teaches art at a local college and prides herself in not depending on anyone for anything — not since she showed up at her sister and brother-in-law A Matter of Chance is a contemporary retelling of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. L.L. Diamond puts the characters in the U.S. South, turning Longbourn into an Antebellum home. Lizzy Gardiner — having cut ties with the Bennets — inherited the home from her great aunt and lives alone with her two-year-old daughter and overprotective dog, Bear. She teaches art at a local college and prides herself in not depending on anyone for anything — not since she showed up at her sister and brother-in-law’s home two years ago after fleeing her abusive husband, Greg Wickham.

Things aren’t easy for her, but life gets more complicated when she meets her brother-in-law Charles Bingley’s best friend, William Darcy, the CEO of a multi-million-dollar conglomerate who has returned to Mertyon after running to England three years ago following the accident that killed his father and sister. He is immediately drawn to Lizzy, but his intense stares, arrogant attitude, and thoughtless remarks make her uncomfortable and ultimately angry. As William begins to move on after his loss and let Lizzy into his heart, she is determined not to allow him to help her. Her fierce independence could prevent her from finding happiness, and the past catching up to her could destroy them both.

This was my first L.L. Diamond book, but it definitely won’t be the last. (And I sincerely apologize to her for taking so long to read and review this book!) She does an amazing job bringing Darcy and Elizabeth into the present and into a different setting. The characters are beautifully flawed, their losses and their fears making them hesitant. I loved how Diamond turned the Bennets (aside from Jane, of course) into such obnoxious, shockingly bad people and Mrs. Reynolds into the kindest, most generous lady ever. I enjoyed watching Will and Lizzy’s relationship evolve. Lizzy’s daughter, Melanie, is a sweetheart, and her bond with Will is melt-your-heart adorable. At times I felt the progression of their relationship could’ve been tightened up and more time could’ve been spent on Lizzy’s ex, Greg, and Will’s stalker, Caroline Bingley. But none of that interfered with my enjoyment of the novel, as Diamond does a fantastic job throwing obstacles in Will and Lizzy’s path and making them work for the strength to overcome them.

A Matter of Chance is a well-written retelling of Austen’s beloved novel, and while it could stand on its own without the connection to Darcy and Elizabeth, I was delighted to follow them into another place and time. Diamond captures the essence of Pride and Prejudice in these pages, showing how timeless the plot and characters truly are.

Review posted on Diary of an Eccentric ...more

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Sep 12, 2020 Sheila Majczan rated it it was amazing

4.5 stars: Some SPOILERS herein.

This is a modern take-off of Pride and Prejudice. The names of the characters and some places are the same and the main actors’ behaviors resemble canon. BUT set in a modern world the story's premise is not the usual vague copy of the premise in Jane Austen's masterpiece. This author makes the story all her own.

In this tale Elizabeth Gardiner nee: Bennet had been prodded to "seek" both her parents' approval continually during her years in a family of five girls. F 4.5 stars: Some SPOILERS herein.

This is a modern take-off of Pride and Prejudice. The names of the characters and some places are the same and the main actors’ behaviors resemble canon. BUT set in a modern world the story's premise is not the usual vague copy of the premise in Jane Austen's masterpiece. This author makes the story all her own.

In this tale Elizabeth Gardiner nee: Bennet had been prodded to "seek" both her parents' approval continually during her years in a family of five girls. Failing in the first instance by not becoming a doctor or lawyer such as Jane has, and hoping in the second to do so by marrying Greg Wickham, the son of Mr. Bennet's good friend, Elizabeth soon realizes that approval is not forthcoming. Her marriage is not one of love. Subsequently things go downhill in that relationship very quickly. The first pages tell of two main events: her marriage and how it ended. The latter was hard to read about so be warned that physical abuse is at hand and it is almost to the point of death for not only one but two of this book's characters.

Charles and Jane Bingley play main roles in this book as they not only are the saviors but have been, and continue to be, Lizzy’s lifeline: the rock she comes to when needing stability and support much less love and approval. She does also have her good friend, Charlotte Lucas. The angst in this book is not only caused by what happens when William Darcy comes into the picture but is also due to Lizzy’s isolation from her biological family and her ex. Jane and Charles have taken Lizzy in for a few years as Lizzy reorders her life. When a child is born they are there for her and even when Elizabeth moves out they have regular contact.

Darcy, CEO of a multi-million dollar conglomerate, has no family. He had lived in the Meryton area and then fled to England to escape memories of when his father and his sister died in a car accident. The other driver left the scene and was never apprehended. DNA taken from a blood sample in the stolen car has not turned up the ID of that driver as he is not in “the system”. Darcy comes back into town and is staying in a guest house on Netherfield grounds while he looks for his own place to stay.

Yes, Mr. Darcy is quick to judge Lizzy when he learns she has a child but sees no father in the picture. Lizzy has inherited Longbourn (another bone of contention with her spendthrift mother) from her Aunt Mel. She rents out the barn for weddings and other large celebrations. We learn much about how Elizabeth manages to support herself and ‘Melly Belly’ as an artist (focusing mainly on watercolors), as a professor of art in a local college, renting out the barn on her property and we learn of the few people she trusts. One of the players in this story is a dog, Bear, who is fiercely protective, especially when new men come around.

Reflective of canon is the insult given as to Lizzy’s being an “unwed” mother and her reaction as she hears. Of course she has her chance and gives back as good as the original Elizabeth. But now William comes to realize (as in P&P) that he not only loves her but also that now he must work twice as hard to win her love due to his unguarded words and her personal history. I loved reading of all William’s efforts and how he takes to a two-year-old little girl with the sweetest of fatherly instincts. This story had a rough start but had me turning pages as I found the love story to be enthralling. There are scenes for mature adults only.

Plus, we have an epilogue: something I always enjoy. ...more

6 likes · Like · see review

Jun 06, 2018 Elin Eriksen rated it really liked it

A romantic love story that was particularly well adapted into the modern world.
Especially intrigued by the unique and inventive twist to Wickham and the generous amount of pages with ODC together.

Single mom, Elizabeth, was introduced to her brother-in-law's haughty friend. His off-standish attitude did not endear him to her.
He was only trying to quell his attraction by avoidance but when he finally caved in and asked her out, the reply was not what he was looking for.
He managed to improve he ...more

5 likes · Like · see review

May 01, 2022 Suzanne Brighte rated it did not like it

A modern P&P variation where Elizabeth, survivor of a domestic abuse relationship and now single mother meets Darcy… who still found her to be beneath him initially but then decides to ask her out anyway against his will, against his reason, and even against his character!

Alas, this modern version of P&P was simply not for me. DNF. Elizabeth’s quickly goes from disliking Darcy and rejecting him when he asks her out on a date (he insults her and her family while asking her out, similar the the di ...more

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Nov 18, 2019 M rated it it was ok

Things move along quickly and rely on us knowing the characters are meant to be together, but it feels weird rather than cutesy because of Lizzy’s abusive marriage. Finding Lizzy’s super quick turn around on her feelings a little too easy to be true, never mind her easy acceptance despite her past. I was also uncomfortable at some of William’s behaviours, which are a little controlling. We are supposed to know Darcy is a good guy and there can be a fine line between stalkery and adorable in dati Things move along quickly and rely on us knowing the characters are meant to be together, but it feels weird rather than cutesy because of Lizzy’s abusive marriage. Finding Lizzy’s super quick turn around on her feelings a little too easy to be true, never mind her easy acceptance despite her past. I was also uncomfortable at some of William’s behaviours, which are a little controlling. We are supposed to know Darcy is a good guy and there can be a fine line between stalkery and adorable in dating (usually based on how welcome the attention is), but in this story we are also primed to be aware of her abuse so it’s hard to ignore the red flags. He buys her a car, aided by Jane, and based on this Lizzy feels she has to be grateful to him - i.e. financial control of her emotions. It’s even worse that this happens the day after she has rejected him. Then she says ok, friends, and he immediately ramps it up buying her special drinks, walking her places, slow dancing with her, touching her face etc. He even puts her to bed. A number of times Lizzy says she feels obliged to allow him to spend time with her. Even later when they are properly together he does pressure her a bit about accepting money and her feelings on it are minimised. Darcy can be somewhat forgiven for coming on too strong as he didn’t know about her marriage initially, but Jane is not a good sister encouraging this full on behaviour (Lizzy does call her out on it).

After around 30-35% once they are officially together, it’s possible to ignore that they got together so easily and focus more on the cuteness of their relationship. I did find that her being a single mother put the speed of their relationship in a different, and less realistic light. He is around her daughter immediately, which I found a bit strange. Jane and Charles allow him to spend a lot of time with Melly when Lizzy doesn’t even like him, with cuddles etc too. And when they have their first “date”, he stays over and is alone with Melly in the morning, dressing and feeding her without Lizzy knowing. I would not be cool with someone doing this with my child without asking, never mind someone who is mostly a stranger. I would have expected them to go quicker with the sleeping together and slower with the family time. Melly calls him Daddy I think even before they tell each other they love each other, but certainly before they decide to get married etc, which I found really irresponsible. I know it’s fluff but how can you be letting your daughter get so attached before you’re sure of the relationship yourself?! I was really annoyed by the idea that he could attach blame to Lizzy for Greg’s actions and consider breaking up. I just found that they moved way too fast and weren’t a believably solid couple when they got super serious.

The Bennet’s are awful to the point of parody. Jane is the only decent one, yet she also allows their parents to blindside Lizzy and minimises their behaviour and horrible accusations, particularly bad given that Melly witnesses it all. There are actually a lot of really extreme characters in all 3 families but we never get to see any real impact of their behaviour. We are told about rather than allowed to feel the drama. A lot of weird stuff goes on but everyone kind of sails through it.

Nothing is really explained to Melly either and she’s written at times as very young in her understanding and yet quite precocious in her abilities.

Overall the story has some nice bits, but it’s got too much drama to be a fluffy romance and it’s not deep enough to deal with the drama in a meaningful way. I only really finished it because I paid £4 for it! ...more

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