The Price of Pride: A Pride & Prejudice Variation in Austen Variations

Dec 29, 2020 wosedwew rated it it was amazing

Shelves: book-reviews, owned-books, 2020

There exists no culture in which adultery is unknown, no cultural device or code that extinguishes philandering. ~ Helen Fisher

“The Price of Pride” deals with an unusual subject in the world of JAFF: the aftermath of adultery.

The story opens when Fitzwilliam Darcy receives a surprise leaving him with mixed feelings.

His younger brother, Andrew, announces he will soon marry Elizabeth Bennet, and this only a few months after the woman refused a proposal from Fitzwilliam! Why would she accept a pro ...more

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Feb 10, 2021 Sheila Majczan rated it it was amazing

For me this was one of those stories which grabbed my attention immediately and was difficult to put down. It does have angst and while we are guaranteed a happy ending for ODC in JAFF I kept wondering how this author was going to pull that off.

Elizabeth is touring in Derbyshire with the Gardiners (post Hunsford) and meets another Mr. Darcy when they visit the rector, Mr. Morris, who took over the living Aunt Gardiner's father used to occupy. A short time later Elizabeth finds herself placed in For me this was one of those stories which grabbed my attention immediately and was difficult to put down. It does have angst and while we are guaranteed a happy ending for ODC in JAFF I kept wondering how this author was going to pull that off.

Elizabeth is touring in Derbyshire with the Gardiners (post Hunsford) and meets another Mr. Darcy when they visit the rector, Mr. Morris, who took over the living Aunt Gardiner's father used to occupy. A short time later Elizabeth finds herself placed in a compromising situation at the inn where they are staying with that same Mr. Darcy...Andrew Darcy. She assumes he is a cousin or other distant relative as the Mr. Darcy she knows only acknowledged a sister in his family.

Andrew Darcy now has the Kympton living and is a known abolitionist with a very strict moral code. He is not above cutting a person he perceives as a sinner, which comes into play more than once in this tale.

Andrew does the honorable thing and offers marriage to Elizabeth. She is not happy and resists this solution but when the Gardiners point out how this will affect her family she accepts his hand. The engagement is not official immediately as Mr. Bennet's permission has not yet been secured. And, ironically, a short time later Elizabeth finds how that Andrew is Mr. Darcy's younger brother. With that she comes to realize that not only is Darcy deeply affected by this engagement but that she, also, now has regrets about the way they parted and words exchanged in Hunsford. But both realize they have to hide their feelings and act with honor.

Andrew's place in the Darcy family is the focus of much of this story. I don't want to give away the details here as it is much of the ongoing angst for more than one person. Fitzwilliam and Andrew, as well as Georgiana, have only recently reconciled and become a whole family after many years. When the latter learns that Andrew is engaged and engaged to "his" Miss Elizabeth, he is torn and agonized. He is not willing to do anything to split his new relationship with Andrew apart plus he sees how quickly Georgiana has renewed her love for their brother and how important that is to her. Darcy doesn't know how the engagement occurred only that Andrew has reported that he loves her.

Andrew has many fine qualities. In his employ is an ex-slave woman who is part of this story as are his acts towards the "slave" issue. He reaches out and cares for those around him who he sees as needing some attention. Mary Bennet receives some of that attention when he meets her and observes how her family has basically isolated her in her moralizing criticisms towards them. Mary soon blossoms under his attentions, becomes a friend, and expands her fields of interest to include other subjects.

Elizabeth and Andrew respect each other but love is not a feeling that has grown between them although both have expressed hope that it will.

Elizabeth and the Gardiners have come to stay at Pemberley as events unfold and it is there that Elizabeth discovers Mr. Darcy's love of botany and his ongoing interest in that field and even the expedition he was denied when his father suffered an apoplexy and died. This interest plays into how he plans to deal with Elizabeth's and Andrew's marriage. No more will be said here about that as I want you to learn about that part of the story for yourself.

This is a long story. There are several aunts, another couple whose family forbids their courtship and/or marriage, an older gentleman whose interest in Andrew causes conflict between E. and Andrew, and the past history about Anne Darcy which comes to the surface and changes some attitudes and actions. There is also an epilogue.

I highly recommend this story. I have read all this author's books and she is a great favorite of mine. ...more

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Aug 22, 2021 Nicole Barton Sasser rated it really liked it

Shelves: jaff, p-and-p, kindle-unlimited, author-abigail-reynolds

Status: Read August 17-22, 2021

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Edition Read:
description

The Price of Pride: A Pride & Prejudice Variation
by Abigail Reynolds
Kindle Edition, 354 pages
Published December 14, 2020 by White Soup Press
ASIN: B08QNBNHR2
[ kindle unlimited ]

In Love with His Brother’s Betrothed…

As far as Fitzwilliam Darcy is concerned, the only good thing to come of Elizabeth Bennet’s bitter refusal of his heart and his hand was his new resolve to prove himself a better man. He’d done it, too, by closing the painful dista ...more

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Jun 20, 2021 Dawn rated it liked it

Shelves: dawn-s-2021-austen

This was a long book that felt even longer due to the very serious nature of it and the overall melancholy feel. I found that while I liked this book, I didn’t love it. It was definitely engaging and kept my interest. The plot mostly worked, although the exotic plant and horticulture aspect didn’t really seem to fit in, except that it provided the needed escape at the end. I have to admit, the whole premise of Elizabeth feeling the need to vanish without any communication at all with her family, ...more

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Feb 09, 2021 Katie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: historical-romance

It is a truth universally acknowledged that unbridled pride can result in unintended consequences. Much to the dismay of those who realize it too late, it often requires an event of heart-wrenching significance to stir them from their self-righteous stupor. But what sobering fates will befall them due to their untimely awakening? Prolific and bestselling Austenesque author Abigail Reynolds explores the uncertain destinies of two such prideful characters in her latest Pride and Prejudice variatio It is a truth universally acknowledged that unbridled pride can result in unintended consequences. Much to the dismay of those who realize it too late, it often requires an event of heart-wrenching significance to stir them from their self-righteous stupor. But what sobering fates will befall them due to their untimely awakening? Prolific and bestselling Austenesque author Abigail Reynolds explores the uncertain destinies of two such prideful characters in her latest Pride and Prejudice variation, The Price of Pride.
Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy had returned home to Pemberley in Derbyshire a broken man following the stunning refusal of his marriage proposal to Miss Elizabeth Bennet at Hunsford parsonage in Kent. “The four months since then had not been enough to begin to erase the traces of her from his heart. Instead, losing her had only deepened his feelings for her, the woman he loved so passionately but could never have.” (33)
In an effort to prove himself to be a better person than the arrogant, unfeeling gentleman he had been, Darcy reaches out with an olive branch to his younger brother Andrew, who had been disowned by their father many years before under mysterious circumstances. Now a clergyman and active abolitionist, Drew warily accepts Darcy’s offer of the generous living at the parsonage in Kympton. Darcy “was determined to change, to become a better man, one who could be worthy of a woman like Elizabeth.” (52)
In a cruel twist of fate, Drew arrives at Pemberley bringing glad tidings of his own unexpected betrothal. Although envious of his brother’s happy news, Darcy wishes him well, wanting only to repair the estrangement that has plagued the brothers for far too long. And then … Drew unknowingly informs him that the bride-to-be is a lady formerly acquainted with Darcy. “It could not be. Drew, engaged to Elizabeth? How was such a thing possible. How had his brother even met Elizabeth? Why had she never mentioned him? But all the questions in the world could do nothing to calm the agonizing pain ripping through him.” (77)
Elizabeth, on a pleasurable summer tour with her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner, happened to meet the affable Andrew Darcy while visiting the rectory in Lambton, near Pemberley, where her aunt had grown up. Certain that he must be a poor, distant Darcy cousin, she remains politely indifferent to him, albeit somewhat curious about his unusual animosity toward his Darcy relations. Still, she keeps her distance. “Mr. Andrew Darcy might be a good match, but she had no intention of having any connection to the Darcy family. Just imagine if her Mr. Darcy came home to Pemberley and found her married to his cousin! She would rather have a ruined reputation. Almost.” (628)
When a nefarious villain seizes an opportunity to avenge his perceived mistreatment at the hands of the Darcy family, Elizabeth is a convenient pawn in his plot. Soon enough, she learns the shocking truth of Drew’s true identity. “How could this have happened? She was all but engaged to Mr. Darcy’s brother. Good God, what would he think?” (726)
And so, dear friends, the angst-train has left the station! As a Pride and Prejudice enthusiast, I adore every version of happily-ever-after for our dear couple that I can devour. It was with trepidation that I approached this story, knowing that they would be separated by a shocking chain of events involving a heretofore unknown brother. Oh, the crushing pain! Yet this was only the beginning of the distressful obstacle course, as their integrity battles with their undeniable obsession. The electric connection between Darcy and Elizabeth is as palpable as their unyielding sense of duty to the innocent man unwittingly standing between them. Abigail Reynolds masterfully weaves an uplifting love story for the ages through what might otherwise be a dreadfully disheartening tale. Admirers of our dear couple may be discouraged by the insurmountable odds, but take heart. “You should believe it. You knew all along what was meant to be.” (5357)
The Price of Pride beautifully illustrates the powerful devotion of a couple who will go to great lengths to protect each other, no matter the cost.
5 out of 5 Regency Stars

https://austenprose.com/2021/02/15/th... ...more

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Jan 31, 2021 Dung rated it it was amazing

Shelves: austen-inspried

Abigail Reynolds does it again. Love this P&P variation. Wose does a wonderful job summarizing the novel.

There definitely some angst but thank goodness, you always know there will be a HEA for Darcy and Elizabeth.

Definitely recommend it to P&P and Jane Austen fans.

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Dec 25, 2020 K-Heart-Books rated it it was amazing

Abigail Reynolds never disappoints! I wasn’t sure how we were going to get our HEA in this premises, but she got it done in the end!

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Dec 29, 2020 Martha rated it it was amazing

Abigail does it again

I’m a pretty avid reader of JAFF and have found certain authors to write stories of consistently high quality. Abigail Reynolds is one of them and this story was no exception. Angsty as advertised but not excessively so! Good versions of E and D.

Recommend with enthusiasm!

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