Austenesque Lovers TBR Pile Challenge 2025 discussion

7. "Of Course I Liked the Gift!" (or won or got free in an author newsletter)
The Bennet Heir: A Pride and Prejudice Variation: Bonus Content by Melissa Anne (2025.03.20) 4.5*vignettes, and letters. All very sweet.

9. Next in a Series
Elizabeth From America Book Four - The Season: A Pride and Prejudice Vagary in Serial Form Christmas in London (Elizabeth From America #4) by Cherise Vermillion (2025-1-17) 3* : https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

11. Uncharted Waters (something unknown about it or not your usual fare)
A Labyrinth of Memories by Tim E Koch [ARC] (25.02.10) 4* https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Jen wrote: "7. "Of Course I Liked the Gift!" (or won or got free in an author newsletter)
The Bennet Heir: A Pride and Prejudice Variation: Bonus Content by Melissa Anne (202..."

Love seeing you have three more 'Tenners', Jen!

I read my loaner
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I haven't been keeping track but it turns out I'm done

1. Austen adjacent
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
or at least claims to be

2. Borrowed from the library https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... also goes for bad rap and oldie. I didn't hate it quite as much as some other reviewers did but it wasn't great

3. gift: maria grace Dragon lost. A very short story. I don't remember where I got it from but I had it on bookfunnel so it must have been a free offering.

4. DNF'ed earlier, now finished.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
and
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

5. low number of reviews https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5... currently at four reviews, including mine.
and i'm the only one to have read and reviewed this https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
everyone else had more sense than that, good for you!

6. book got a bad rap (deservedly) https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
and https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


7. next in a series https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
and https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

8. off season (christmas books on Valentine's day) https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
and https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
and a third Christmas book for good measure https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


9. for uncharted waters I listened to P&P in Russian https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ss1Np...
uncharted because it's not a language i'm fluent in, and i don't have a lot of vocabulary. But it is so much easier to guess when you're so familiar with the story. And this is a great narrator, even if i don't understand a word I can tell who is speaking

10 oldie, published ten years ago https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

11 longest on my tbr https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... (also an oldie)

Kudos, Katja

Well done Katja. Some interesting ones there (and some scarily dodgy ones too!)

I have only managed 5 so far but I seem to have slipped into a non-Austenesque reading mode at the moment. I have got my next one for "uncharted water" lined up though.

Katja wrote: "I read my loaner
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

Yikes, tough one, there!

Katja wrote: "I haven't been keeping track but it turns out I'm done

1. Austen adjacent
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
or at least claims to be

2. Borrowed from the library https://www.go..."

Shazam, Katja! Tossing virtual confetti for you.

Golden Ten Prompts

1. Longest on your TBR pile

2. Started, but didn't finish

3. Originally published 10+ years ago (can have updated editions)


4. Personal Book Recommendation (not just a reviewer suggestion)

5. Book got a bad rap (has an average rating below 3.5)

6. Underrated Book (less than five reviews and published longer than a month)

7. "Of Course I Liked the Gift!" (or won or got free in an author newsletter)

8. In the Off Season (a holiday or seasonal book in a different time of the year)

9. Next in a Series

10. A Loaner

11. Uncharted Waters (something unknown about it or not your usual fare)

12. Austen Adjacent (JAFF and Austenesque do not count)

reply | flag

whats meant by austen adjacent? for example would it be like

fashion in the regency era
a book about her siblings
a book about jane austen etc

Patricia wrote: "whats meant by austen adjacent? for example would it be like

fashion in the regency era
a book about her siblings
a book about jane austen etc"

Yes, but you can go even further to modern authors who might write Regency romance or books about the regency period, or even books about or by authors contemporary with Austen. Lots will fit this.

Patricia wrote: "Golden Ten Prompts

1. Longest on your TBR pile

2. Started, but didn't finish

3. Originally published 10+ years ago (can have updated editions)

4. Personal Book Recommendation (not just a review..."

Off to a good start, Patricia!

Completed prompt #3 - 10+ years

Imperative: A Tale of Pride and Prejudice, Volume 1
Imperative: A Tale of Pride and Prejudice, Volume 2
Both by Linda Wells (4 stars)
Published 2012

*Bonus! - Ten word title :)

Completed prompt #6 - underrated

The Soulmate of Kitty Bennet: A Pride and Prejudice Sequel by Carrie Mollenkopf (4 stars)

Exactly 5 reviews (on Goodreads), published in 2016

I let it slide at exactly five since it's been out so long...It's had more ratings, but actual reviews is only 5 for almost ten years.

Katie wrote: "Completed prompt #3 - 10+ years

Imperative: A Tale of Pride and Prejudice, Volume 1
Imperative: A Tale of Pride and Prejudice, Volume 2
Both by Linda Wells (4 stars..."

LOL, yes for the bonus.

Katie wrote: "Completed prompt #6 - underrated

The Soulmate of Kitty Bennet: A Pride and Prejudice Sequel by Carrie Mollenkopf (4 stars)

Exactly 5 reviews (on Goodreads), published in 2016

I l..."

Absolutely it fits with just the five reviews. Good find.

I am counting He's Always Been the One by L.L. Diamond for Challenge #12 - Austen Adjacent.

This is the final book in a modern series. The first three loosely link to P&P, S&S and Persuasion respectively but this final book has the same characters but in a scenario which does not link to any of the books directly.

I have really enjoyed the series, and I enjoyed this book most of all.

For my older than 10 years I went in the end with Sense and sensibility.
Its my least favorite (with Mansfield park) and I figured since I listened to MP, I should give S&S a go.

Does anyone else see Eleanor with Col. Brandon? (I never did like Marianne) Are there any variations with an E and CB matchup?

Here's a good one (minus a certain scene with the housekeeper)
The Correction of Folly by Christine Combe

There is also a follow-up which focuses on the Darcys
Choice and Consequence: A Pride and Prejudice Variation

Thanks, Rose!

I read the follow up story but never read the correction of folly.
Dare I ask what the certain scene with the housekeeper is?

The housekeeper is married (I think to the Steward) and involved with another servant. She is caught in the act. I think oral sex, but anyway, it's pretty graphic as I remember.

It seemed to me that the plot was complex enough without this side venture. The housekeeper is fired or eventually leaves, if I remember correctly.

Sam wrote: "For my older than 10 years I went in the end with Sense and sensibility.
Its my least favorite (with Mansfield park) and I figured since I listened to MP, I should give S&S a go.

Does anyone else..."

Eleanor Brandon would be a viable match. I find Marianne very frustrating, definitely my least favourite "heroine". I thought I had read one with Eleanor/Brandon pairing but I can't find it in my records so either Inhale missed logging it or I have imagined it. Either are possible !

I finished!

I went with Sense and Sensibility for my - Originally published 10+ years ago (can have updated editions)

Good for You, Sam!

Another challenge completed, #11 - uncharted water.

I took Sophia's advice and went for Checkmate, Mr Darcy: A Regency Novel inspired by P&P by Sydney Salier.

As I often find with this author, I enjoyed the plot rather more than the execution. It was fun but not one to reread.

wosedwew wrote: "Good for You, Sam!"

Thank you! :*

Only #4 and #8 to go now:

5. Book got a bad rap (has an average rating below 3.5)
Bingley's Deception: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Tiffany Ward @ 3.1* https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

6. Underrated Book (less than five reviews and published longer than a month)
Lizzy’s Engagement to Darcy : A Pride and Prejudice Continuation by Tiffany Ward Published December 7, 2018: 3* with now 3 reviews (including mine) https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Does a "May - Someone Else Pick It" pick count for the "4. Personal Book Recommendation (not just a reviewer suggestion)"?

#7 finished - this was a freebie from the Christmas Advent calendar a few years ago,

Kiss Me Good Night, Major Darcy by Georgina Young-Ellis.

It was a fun read and I love the cover!

If anyone is still looking for Austen Adjacent, I have just finished a cosy mystery called Death in the English Countryside by Sara Rosett.

It was an easy listen/read and I see our esteemed leader liked it too!

Jen wrote: "Only #4 and #8 to go now:

5. Book got a bad rap (has an average rating below 3.5)
Bingley's Deception: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Tiffany Ward @ 3.1* https://www.goodreads...."

Yes, the Someone Pick it would count. :)

Craftyhj wrote: "If anyone is still looking for Austen Adjacent, I have just finished a cosy mystery called Death in the English Countryside by Sara Rosett.

It was an easy listen/re..."

Good one! I've enjoyed a few from that series.

only #8 to go now:

4. Personal Book Recommendation (not just a reviewer suggestion)
From May - Someone Else Pick It : The Making of Lady Catherine de Bourgh [ARC] by Paige Badgett (2025-5-6) 4.5* Pre-Canon: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Jen, so glad you liked it!

Jen wrote: "only #8 to go now:

4. Personal Book Recommendation (not just a reviewer suggestion)
From May - Someone Else Pick It : The Making of Lady Catherine de Bourgh [ARC] by Paige Badget..."

Woohoo!

Another one ticked off, #6, Underrated book.

The Sound of Christmas: A Jazz-Age Pride and Prejudice-inspired Christmas by Cat Gardiner.

Amazingly this beautiful book only has 5 reviews. I listened to the narration by Harry Frost and it was just delightful.

On the 80th anniversary of VE Day it felt like a perfect fit. I really do recommend it.

It sounds wonderful!

Craftyhj wrote: "Another one ticked off, #6, Underrated book.

The Sound of Christmas: A Jazz-Age Pride and Prejudice-inspired Christmas by Cat Gardiner.

Amazingly this beautiful ..."

That does sound like the perfect fit. well done.

Katja wrote: "It sounds wonderful!"

It s. I listened to it as part of my kobo trial

Craftyhj wrote: "Another one ticked off, #6, Underrated book.

The Sound of Christmas: A Jazz-Age Pride and Prejudice-inspired Christmas by Cat Gardiner.

Amazingly this beautiful ..."

Really? I'm surprised, too, that this only had a few ratings. I loved it. And, yes, good match for the special day.

Yay! I finished Golden Ten. I got my tenth prompt today with "loan" book from the library, Jane Austen's Charlotte: Her Fragment of a Last Novel, Completed by Julia Barrett.

Here's the full list of completed prompts:
1. 10 years + published: Pemberley to Waterloo by Anna Elliott
2. Book Rec: A Most Attentive Father by Sydney Salier
3. Average Rating less than 3.5: Pride and Pyramids by Amanda Grange
4. Underrated: Miss Bennet and Mr. Bingley by Fenella Miller
5. Gifted: Outnumbered by Iris Lim
6. Off Season: A Quick Succession of Busy Nothings by Jayne Bamber
7. Next in Series: A Bouquet of Bennets Jane's Story by Victoria Lynn
8. Loan: Jane Austen's Charlotte by Julie Barrett
9. Unknown Element: Mr. Bingley's Bride by Catherine Bilson
10. Austen Adjacent: Cousin Kate by Georgette Heyer

There are still the two extra prompts: longest on TBR and Started, but DNF'd that I still hope to get done as well.

Kudos, Sophia!

Sophia wrote: "Yay! I finished Golden Ten. I got my tenth prompt today with "loan" book from the library, Jane Austen's Charlotte: Her Fragment of a Last Novel, Completed by Julia Barrett.

Here's t..."

Woohoo! Way to go!

Sophia wrote: "Yay! I finished Golden Ten. I got my tenth prompt today with "loan" book from the library, Jane Austen's Charlotte: Her Fragment of a Last Novel, Completed by Julia Barrett.

Here's t..."

Great job :-D

I have 8 done on my list

Well done Sophia.

I just have recommendation and loaner to get the round dozen.

Thank you so much, Rose, Sam, Nina, and Heather!

Consider that Fanny and Tom fanfic one my recommendation for you, Heather! ;)

Nina wrote: "Sophia wrote: "Yay! I finished Golden Ten. I got my tenth prompt today with "loan" book from the library, [book:Jane Austen's Charlotte: Her Fragment of a Last Novel, Completed by Julia Barrett|672..."

So close!

Sophia wrote: "Thank you so much, Rose, Sam, Nina, and Heather!

Consider that Fanny and Tom fanfic one my recommendation for you, Heather! ;)"

I will do!

Thanks SO MUCH for the recommendation Sophia. Children of Mansfield was excellent. Very well written indeed.

Craftyhj wrote: "Thanks SO MUCH for the recommendation Sophia. Children of Mansfield was excellent. Very well written indeed."

I'm so glad you enjoyed it. And yay for another prompt wrapped up.

Patricia wrote: "Golden Ten Prompts

1. Longest on your TBR pile

2. Started, but didn't finish

3. Originally published 10+ years ago (can have updated editions)
[bookcover:..."
updated with 2 books i plan on reading and completing this month,