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Lives Begun in Obscurity: A Pride & Prejudice Variation
The Carringtons live at their estate of Holder Heights in Staffordshire. The Earl and Countess of Holder have a five year old son when they are blessed with twin girls in 1790, Alicia and Bethany.
Lady Edith Carrington née Hampton has two older sisters, the Countesses of Jersey and Matlock. In early August of 1791, the twins, who are only about 18 months old, are kidnapped.
There is never a ransom demand received, sending the girl’s loving parents into a deep despair. All of the extensive searching is futile, no trace is found of the beloved girls.
Thomas Bennet is the second son and an academic. He is perfectly happy for his older brother, Timothy, to be the master of Longbourn. By 1791 the Longbourn Bennets have three sons, making the entail irrelevant.
At the time, Thomas and his beloved wife Fanny, are living in a little town in Derbyshire where he is headmaster and a teacher in a school. The couple are blissfully happy especially as they were blessed with twin girls, Elizabeth and Jane in March 1790.
The worst news is received, all the Bennets at Longbourn fall victims of an outbreak of the plague. Bennet and Fanny take their twins and return to the Meryton neighbourhood in order to take up the management of the estate.
In 1810 Netherfield Park is leased by Mr. Charles Bingley. Fitzwilliam Darcy is his guest and after being there a few days, he and Bingley see two young ladies racing stallions in a field of the neighbouring estate.
Darcy starts to think he may have stumbled onto a mystery which has stymied the family for almost nineteen years. As the story progresses, the truth of both sets of twins will be revealed as well as those responsible for what happened.
Some of the villains from canon are present, like Wickham, Lady Catherine, Miss Bingley, and Collins. Some of them have small roles, one may be redeemed, and others could have a larger role in this tale.
Yes, this is a ‘not a Bennet� story, or in this case, a ‘not Bennets� tale.
Lady Edith Carrington née Hampton has two older sisters, the Countesses of Jersey and Matlock. In early August of 1791, the twins, who are only about 18 months old, are kidnapped.
There is never a ransom demand received, sending the girl’s loving parents into a deep despair. All of the extensive searching is futile, no trace is found of the beloved girls.
Thomas Bennet is the second son and an academic. He is perfectly happy for his older brother, Timothy, to be the master of Longbourn. By 1791 the Longbourn Bennets have three sons, making the entail irrelevant.
At the time, Thomas and his beloved wife Fanny, are living in a little town in Derbyshire where he is headmaster and a teacher in a school. The couple are blissfully happy especially as they were blessed with twin girls, Elizabeth and Jane in March 1790.
The worst news is received, all the Bennets at Longbourn fall victims of an outbreak of the plague. Bennet and Fanny take their twins and return to the Meryton neighbourhood in order to take up the management of the estate.
In 1810 Netherfield Park is leased by Mr. Charles Bingley. Fitzwilliam Darcy is his guest and after being there a few days, he and Bingley see two young ladies racing stallions in a field of the neighbouring estate.
Darcy starts to think he may have stumbled onto a mystery which has stymied the family for almost nineteen years. As the story progresses, the truth of both sets of twins will be revealed as well as those responsible for what happened.
Some of the villains from canon are present, like Wickham, Lady Catherine, Miss Bingley, and Collins. Some of them have small roles, one may be redeemed, and others could have a larger role in this tale.
Yes, this is a ‘not a Bennet� story, or in this case, a ‘not Bennets� tale.
432 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 10, 2022
117 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
About the author
Shana Granderson
54Ìýbooks59ÌýfollowersI have three children and after a disastrous first marriage I found my soul mate who I thought that was lost to me over 25 years ago. I recently married the love of my life. I live with my soul mate in Australasia and have three pets, two cats, Darcy and Bingley and a golden lab, Honey.
Like many high school students, Pride and Prejudice was assigned to me in an English literature class. It was not my favourite book, but I read it as I had to. I forgot about the book until in my 30’s when I saw and fell in love with the 1995 Pride and Prejudice version made for TV in England, and purchased a copy of the DVD that is now much played.
The tipping point was the 2005 big screen adaption of P&P. Not long after seeing it I found and read the complete works of Jane Austen on Amazon, starting with Pride and Prejudice. The latter book is by far my favourite. After I read it three of four times over, I wistfully said to myself: ‘it is a great pity that Miss Austen never wrote a sequel to her seminal novel.' One day I was searching Kindle books and for the fun of it I entered “Pride and Prejudice Sequel� into the search not expecting any results.
The rest is history. I discovered the JAFF community and books. I became a veracious reader of JAFF books and once I had devoured all of the sequels and continuations that I could find, I read my first variation. I had been resisting variations wrongly thinking that I would not enjoy them as much as the sequels. Boy, was I ever wrong! Today I am the proud owner of well over 1,000 JAFF novels that I have purchased on Amazon. 'A Change of Fortunes' is my first book that I wrote. There are a number of others on the way.
Like many high school students, Pride and Prejudice was assigned to me in an English literature class. It was not my favourite book, but I read it as I had to. I forgot about the book until in my 30’s when I saw and fell in love with the 1995 Pride and Prejudice version made for TV in England, and purchased a copy of the DVD that is now much played.
The tipping point was the 2005 big screen adaption of P&P. Not long after seeing it I found and read the complete works of Jane Austen on Amazon, starting with Pride and Prejudice. The latter book is by far my favourite. After I read it three of four times over, I wistfully said to myself: ‘it is a great pity that Miss Austen never wrote a sequel to her seminal novel.' One day I was searching Kindle books and for the fun of it I entered “Pride and Prejudice Sequel� into the search not expecting any results.
The rest is history. I discovered the JAFF community and books. I became a veracious reader of JAFF books and once I had devoured all of the sequels and continuations that I could find, I read my first variation. I had been resisting variations wrongly thinking that I would not enjoy them as much as the sequels. Boy, was I ever wrong! Today I am the proud owner of well over 1,000 JAFF novels that I have purchased on Amazon. 'A Change of Fortunes' is my first book that I wrote. There are a number of others on the way.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
September 18, 2022
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars. This story does need some editing.
The story description does a good job of outlining this long story. There are two sets of female twins belonging to families unknown to each other, (Bennets and Carringtons) born only one day apart.
One set disappears (thought to be kidnapped) and the family waits for a ransom letter. It never comes. The other family loses their 2 daughters to illness at about the same time. Oddly they are approached and offered two "abandoned" girls for a price. They pay and are able to hide the fact that these two are not their biological daughters. This is aided by the fact that the family is moving from Derbyshire, where he was a teacher, to his brother's estate as that family was wiped out by the plague.
This story contains one of the most evil Lady Catherine de Bourghs I have ever read about in JAFF. And she has several who help her in her manipulations and plans, including Collins (of course), Wickham and Clay Younge. She does get her comeuppance, though.
The two "adopted" girls develop characteristics similar to those we read about for Jane & Elizabeth Bennet and they are, indeed, called by those names. As they were only 18 months when kidnapped they remember little of their past although they do call each other by the nicknames they used once in a while.
We do have Bingley and Darcy coming to Netherfield and falling in love and we also have Caroline trying to secure Darcy and being dealt with. Darcy has an inkling as to who these two ladies might really be due to their family resemblance to their biological family and to birthmarks which he thinks he saw on Jane's neck when her hair flew up while she rode a horse.
There are many new characters and they were difficult to keep track of with all that happens. There is an epilogue with many marriages and children being listed.
The story description does a good job of outlining this long story. There are two sets of female twins belonging to families unknown to each other, (Bennets and Carringtons) born only one day apart.
One set disappears (thought to be kidnapped) and the family waits for a ransom letter. It never comes. The other family loses their 2 daughters to illness at about the same time. Oddly they are approached and offered two "abandoned" girls for a price. They pay and are able to hide the fact that these two are not their biological daughters. This is aided by the fact that the family is moving from Derbyshire, where he was a teacher, to his brother's estate as that family was wiped out by the plague.
This story contains one of the most evil Lady Catherine de Bourghs I have ever read about in JAFF. And she has several who help her in her manipulations and plans, including Collins (of course), Wickham and Clay Younge. She does get her comeuppance, though.
The two "adopted" girls develop characteristics similar to those we read about for Jane & Elizabeth Bennet and they are, indeed, called by those names. As they were only 18 months when kidnapped they remember little of their past although they do call each other by the nicknames they used once in a while.
We do have Bingley and Darcy coming to Netherfield and falling in love and we also have Caroline trying to secure Darcy and being dealt with. Darcy has an inkling as to who these two ladies might really be due to their family resemblance to their biological family and to birthmarks which he thinks he saw on Jane's neck when her hair flew up while she rode a horse.
There are many new characters and they were difficult to keep track of with all that happens. There is an epilogue with many marriages and children being listed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 11, 2022
While I am not a fan of this author's style, I am a sucker for 'Not a Bennet' trope.
The drama is great, the reveal is fun. For that 3.5*
Characters are very good to almost perfect. Every gets a happy ending and they all have children- in Jane's case, many!
The drama is great, the reveal is fun. For that 3.5*
Characters are very good to almost perfect. Every gets a happy ending and they all have children- in Jane's case, many!
July 24, 2023
“Glory is fleeting, but obscurity is forever.� –Napoleon Bonaparte
>>Rating: Mature: due to violence, murder, death, high body count, insanity, cruelty, etc.
>>Angst Level: rather tense at times and a bit shocking as scenes played out and the reader saw the senseless murder of characters and the kidnapping of children
>>Source: Borrowed KU 6-27-23: I volunteered to leave a review.
>>Trope: [1] Not a Bennet [2] Twins [3] Kidnapping [4] AU: Alternate Universe
“The worst thing for me would be going back to where I was � relative obscurity.� –Jordan Burroughs
Shana Granderson is well known as an author who enjoys stepping out of the box and taking readers on a wild ride with Austen’s characters. This book was no exception. Jane and Elizabeth Bennet were twins. There was only one small problem; they were not Bennet. They were actually daughters of the aristocracy. How they wound up in Hertfordshire was a closely guarded secret known only to Mr. and Mrs. Bennet.
“The line between greatness and obscurity is very, very small.� Peabo Bryson
As per this author’s MO, there were facts the reader had to take at face value. Plausibility was in question on many levels. However, this was the author’s universe so the reader just has to accept the many coincidences and go with it. It was an interesting take on Austen’s P&P characters. However, it was not canon in form or fashion. I simply enjoy seeing what Granderson does with her stories.
“Off with their heads!� [Queen of Hearts] Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
I chose the above quote for one reason and that was quite evident with one villain. When they were displeased� someone died instantly. I actually laughed when they yelled their commands. I should be ashamed but I couldn’t help it.
What I didn’t like: The usual problems with editing, being too long with excessive descriptions, too many characters, who they married, the list of children, and their children. Everyone got along and there was no distinction of rank observed among them. Oh, well, it was fun anyway.
>>Rating: Mature: due to violence, murder, death, high body count, insanity, cruelty, etc.
>>Angst Level: rather tense at times and a bit shocking as scenes played out and the reader saw the senseless murder of characters and the kidnapping of children
>>Source: Borrowed KU 6-27-23: I volunteered to leave a review.
>>Trope: [1] Not a Bennet [2] Twins [3] Kidnapping [4] AU: Alternate Universe
“The worst thing for me would be going back to where I was � relative obscurity.� –Jordan Burroughs
Shana Granderson is well known as an author who enjoys stepping out of the box and taking readers on a wild ride with Austen’s characters. This book was no exception. Jane and Elizabeth Bennet were twins. There was only one small problem; they were not Bennet. They were actually daughters of the aristocracy. How they wound up in Hertfordshire was a closely guarded secret known only to Mr. and Mrs. Bennet.
“The line between greatness and obscurity is very, very small.� Peabo Bryson
As per this author’s MO, there were facts the reader had to take at face value. Plausibility was in question on many levels. However, this was the author’s universe so the reader just has to accept the many coincidences and go with it. It was an interesting take on Austen’s P&P characters. However, it was not canon in form or fashion. I simply enjoy seeing what Granderson does with her stories.
“Off with their heads!� [Queen of Hearts] Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
I chose the above quote for one reason and that was quite evident with one villain. When they were displeased� someone died instantly. I actually laughed when they yelled their commands. I should be ashamed but I couldn’t help it.
What I didn’t like: The usual problems with editing, being too long with excessive descriptions, too many characters, who they married, the list of children, and their children. Everyone got along and there was no distinction of rank observed among them. Oh, well, it was fun anyway.
September 12, 2022
Excellent adaptation of the classic tale
This is a take on the kidnapped girls raised as Bennet theme and is very well done. Elizabeth and Jane were " adopted " by the Bennets after their own two toddlers died of pneumonia. Unbeknownst to them they were not abandoned but kidnapped twins who's father is an Earl and related to Darcy, his cousins and even the Royal family. The biggest difference is that both Mr and Mrs Bennet are different - he's working hard to increase his estate and she isn't the nervous woman who dotes on only a few of their children. All the girls are well educated, talented , possessed accomplishments, and even good dowry although the number is hidden to keep fortune hunters away.
In meeting with the new residents of Netherfield that dreadful " tolerable " statement isn't said so they don't have the angst as usual. Except for the delusional Caroline Bingley this story is more enjoyable.
I enjoyed reading this story very much.
This is a take on the kidnapped girls raised as Bennet theme and is very well done. Elizabeth and Jane were " adopted " by the Bennets after their own two toddlers died of pneumonia. Unbeknownst to them they were not abandoned but kidnapped twins who's father is an Earl and related to Darcy, his cousins and even the Royal family. The biggest difference is that both Mr and Mrs Bennet are different - he's working hard to increase his estate and she isn't the nervous woman who dotes on only a few of their children. All the girls are well educated, talented , possessed accomplishments, and even good dowry although the number is hidden to keep fortune hunters away.
In meeting with the new residents of Netherfield that dreadful " tolerable " statement isn't said so they don't have the angst as usual. Except for the delusional Caroline Bingley this story is more enjoyable.
I enjoyed reading this story very much.
September 12, 2022
WHAT A WONDERFUL WAY OF TURN OF THE FATES
This book was wonderfully written....they're was a surprise at every corner...I could not put it down . I was standing on tenterhooks with each page turned
...I really reccomend it loved it
This book was wonderfully written....they're was a surprise at every corner...I could not put it down . I was standing on tenterhooks with each page turned
...I really reccomend it loved it
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 17, 2024
Both Jane and Elizabeth are not Bennets but Fitzwilliams. They are kidnapped to be killed but end up with the Bennets. What I don't understand is Darcy's vascillation about the eldest Bennets especially Elizabeth. One moment he's suspecting them to he his cousins and the next he's lamenting aboit their inferiority. What the heck? And the story literally loses all steam once the villains are captured. Nothing exciting happens after that or on other words nothing that happens afterwards is narrated excitingly. So, two thirds of the story is tolerable, but the remaining is not interesting enough to entertain me (Hah!)
September 11, 2022
Another great read
This is an original take on the "not a bennet" storyline. I was caught up from almost the get go and read it this in one night. I loved the outcomes for all the attaganasts, very original and just.
This is an original take on the "not a bennet" storyline. I was caught up from almost the get go and read it this in one night. I loved the outcomes for all the attaganasts, very original and just.
September 25, 2022
Too Little Story
I have read similar Variations on this same plot; although they usually just focus on Elizabeth as the kidnapped heiress with ties to Darcy and royalty. Like those other Variations this one concentrates way too much on the extended Fitzwilliam family and their endless relations and the number of estates and extensive descriptions of them. The kidnapped victim almost always immediately falls in love with her just discovered parents and relations, the huge family constantly travels as a pack, and this is followed by endless pages filled with shopping and blow-by-blow itineraries of house parties or weddings. Everyone loves each other, everyone falls instantly in love, and everyone gets married. What’s left is very little actual time with Elizabeth and Darcy. Very little character development or actual dialog. Finally, the Villain in this (and other similar-themed Variations) is always over the top and bat-sh-t crazy. Not my cup of tea.
I have read similar Variations on this same plot; although they usually just focus on Elizabeth as the kidnapped heiress with ties to Darcy and royalty. Like those other Variations this one concentrates way too much on the extended Fitzwilliam family and their endless relations and the number of estates and extensive descriptions of them. The kidnapped victim almost always immediately falls in love with her just discovered parents and relations, the huge family constantly travels as a pack, and this is followed by endless pages filled with shopping and blow-by-blow itineraries of house parties or weddings. Everyone loves each other, everyone falls instantly in love, and everyone gets married. What’s left is very little actual time with Elizabeth and Darcy. Very little character development or actual dialog. Finally, the Villain in this (and other similar-themed Variations) is always over the top and bat-sh-t crazy. Not my cup of tea.
May 28, 2024
Ambivalent
I liked the story and enjoyed reading it. What I'm not sure about is that our dear couple doesn't really happen. But I think that, at least, the villains are well disposed of.
I liked the story and enjoyed reading it. What I'm not sure about is that our dear couple doesn't really happen. But I think that, at least, the villains are well disposed of.
January 22, 2025
I loved it!
It was so enticing that I couldn’t put it down, this book grabbed my interest from the very first page. I couldn’t put it down, I had to know what happened next. The story is well written with a very good storyline. You will see the most beloved characters in a whole new way. This is a Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice variation. This is a ‘not a Bennet� story, or in this case, a ‘not Bennets� tale.
The Carringtons live at their estate of Holder Heights in Staffordshire. The Earl and Countess of Holder have a five year old son when they are blessed with twin girls in 1790, Alicia and Bethany. Lady Edith Carrington née Hampton has two older sisters, the Countesses of Jersey and Matlock. In early August of 1791, the twins, who are only about 18 months old, are kidnapped. There is never a ransom demand received, sending the girl’s loving parents into a deep despair. All of the extensive searching is futile, no trace is found of the beloved girls.
Thomas Bennet is the second son and an academic. He is perfectly happy for his older brother, Timothy, to be the master of Longbourn. By 1791 the Longbourn Bennets have three sons, making the entail irrelevant. At the time, Thomas and his beloved wife Fanny, are living in a little town in Derbyshire where he is headmaster and a teacher in a school. The couple are blissfully happy especially as they were blessed with twin girls, Elizabeth and Jane in March 1790.
The worst news is received, all the Bennets at Longbourn fall victims of an outbreak of the plague. Bennet and Fanny take their twins and return to the Meryton neighbourhood in order to take up the management of the estate. In 1810 Netherfield Park is leased by Mr. Charles Bingley. Fitzwilliam Darcy is his guest and after being there a few days, he and Bingley see two young ladies racing stallions in a field of the neighbouring estate.
Darcy starts to think he may have stumbled onto a mystery which has stymied the family for almost nineteen years. As the story progresses, the truth of both sets of twins will be revealed as well as those responsible for what happened. Some of the villains from canon are present, like Wickham, Lady Catherine, Miss Bingley, and Collins. Some of them have small roles, one may be redeemed, and others could have a larger role in this tale. So with all that and more this story pulls you in and holds you tight. It’s a must read. I highly recommend to everyone.
It was so enticing that I couldn’t put it down, this book grabbed my interest from the very first page. I couldn’t put it down, I had to know what happened next. The story is well written with a very good storyline. You will see the most beloved characters in a whole new way. This is a Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice variation. This is a ‘not a Bennet� story, or in this case, a ‘not Bennets� tale.
The Carringtons live at their estate of Holder Heights in Staffordshire. The Earl and Countess of Holder have a five year old son when they are blessed with twin girls in 1790, Alicia and Bethany. Lady Edith Carrington née Hampton has two older sisters, the Countesses of Jersey and Matlock. In early August of 1791, the twins, who are only about 18 months old, are kidnapped. There is never a ransom demand received, sending the girl’s loving parents into a deep despair. All of the extensive searching is futile, no trace is found of the beloved girls.
Thomas Bennet is the second son and an academic. He is perfectly happy for his older brother, Timothy, to be the master of Longbourn. By 1791 the Longbourn Bennets have three sons, making the entail irrelevant. At the time, Thomas and his beloved wife Fanny, are living in a little town in Derbyshire where he is headmaster and a teacher in a school. The couple are blissfully happy especially as they were blessed with twin girls, Elizabeth and Jane in March 1790.
The worst news is received, all the Bennets at Longbourn fall victims of an outbreak of the plague. Bennet and Fanny take their twins and return to the Meryton neighbourhood in order to take up the management of the estate. In 1810 Netherfield Park is leased by Mr. Charles Bingley. Fitzwilliam Darcy is his guest and after being there a few days, he and Bingley see two young ladies racing stallions in a field of the neighbouring estate.
Darcy starts to think he may have stumbled onto a mystery which has stymied the family for almost nineteen years. As the story progresses, the truth of both sets of twins will be revealed as well as those responsible for what happened. Some of the villains from canon are present, like Wickham, Lady Catherine, Miss Bingley, and Collins. Some of them have small roles, one may be redeemed, and others could have a larger role in this tale. So with all that and more this story pulls you in and holds you tight. It’s a must read. I highly recommend to everyone.
January 14, 2023
Entertaining
As with other creations by this author, I get a lot of enjoyment and satisfaction from the forthright way that some characters speak, and from the spectacular set downs and comeuppances that are meted out to villains and annoying characters. This is another "not a Bennett" book, that has Elizabeth and Jane as twins. Mr Bennett is a second son who starts out as a teacher at a school in Ashbourne in Derbyshire. When his older brother and his brother's family are wiped out by plague, Bennett, his wife, and twin daughters have to move to Longbourn to take over the estate. On the way there, the twins fall ill and die, devastating the loving parents. A man approaches them with what he says are two abandoned little girls, so the Bennetts take in the girls to raise as their own to replace the daughters they just lost. Of course, there's a sinister story behind these "abandoned" girls.
Shana Granderson has written a fair number of books in which this theme is tweaked and changed in small ways. She uses the same accessory characters in all of the books, so they begin to seem like old friends. She's a wonderful writer, so in spite of the fact that the stories start to become somewhat repetitious, I still can't resist them, they're so much fun to read.
I deducted stars for a couple of reasons. In this particular book, I found the premise crossed a line into being kind of ludicrous. Twin girls die, and a guy shows up "magically" with twin girls, the same ages and physical descriptions , to replace the children lost to the grieving couple. A little too ridiculous for me.
Another reason, and one that is true in practically all of these works, is that all of the characters get disposed of in marriage way too conveniently and tidily, all marrying within the tight circle of family and friends involved in the story. In addition, it seems that in all of these books, the measure of the success of a marriage is the number of children these couples can pop out in the epilogue. No wonder the earth is overpopulated today!
The book is well written, and there are a fair number of editing errors, but not enough to ruin the flow of the story. I recommend it highly.
As with other creations by this author, I get a lot of enjoyment and satisfaction from the forthright way that some characters speak, and from the spectacular set downs and comeuppances that are meted out to villains and annoying characters. This is another "not a Bennett" book, that has Elizabeth and Jane as twins. Mr Bennett is a second son who starts out as a teacher at a school in Ashbourne in Derbyshire. When his older brother and his brother's family are wiped out by plague, Bennett, his wife, and twin daughters have to move to Longbourn to take over the estate. On the way there, the twins fall ill and die, devastating the loving parents. A man approaches them with what he says are two abandoned little girls, so the Bennetts take in the girls to raise as their own to replace the daughters they just lost. Of course, there's a sinister story behind these "abandoned" girls.
Shana Granderson has written a fair number of books in which this theme is tweaked and changed in small ways. She uses the same accessory characters in all of the books, so they begin to seem like old friends. She's a wonderful writer, so in spite of the fact that the stories start to become somewhat repetitious, I still can't resist them, they're so much fun to read.
I deducted stars for a couple of reasons. In this particular book, I found the premise crossed a line into being kind of ludicrous. Twin girls die, and a guy shows up "magically" with twin girls, the same ages and physical descriptions , to replace the children lost to the grieving couple. A little too ridiculous for me.
Another reason, and one that is true in practically all of these works, is that all of the characters get disposed of in marriage way too conveniently and tidily, all marrying within the tight circle of family and friends involved in the story. In addition, it seems that in all of these books, the measure of the success of a marriage is the number of children these couples can pop out in the epilogue. No wonder the earth is overpopulated today!
The book is well written, and there are a fair number of editing errors, but not enough to ruin the flow of the story. I recommend it highly.
September 23, 2022
Lives Begun in Obscurity
What a tangled web Shane Granderson has woven in this story. No matter by which names the twins went by, they were loved and missed by their birth family, but were equally loved and cared for by the family who adopted them. In either case as their heart wrenching, as well as the heartfelt, story unfolds, both twins found the love of their lives in the town of Meyton at their home of Longbourn, before they were united with their lost birth family. Shana did a wonder job uniting both families into one, large loving family whose goal was to continue with their love for the twins. The bad people were uncovered as the two family's shared how the twins came to be lost and found. Some not so good people left the story rapidly as they failed to carry out their " written orders", but at last the instigator was uncovered and dealt with swiftly. Readers will recognize many of Pride and Prejudices 's literary names of the society elite in Shana's story. Caroline Bingley was one of the most dramatically changed character in this story. Took a few smacks about the head to get her to change, but change she did. Delightful read.
What a tangled web Shane Granderson has woven in this story. No matter by which names the twins went by, they were loved and missed by their birth family, but were equally loved and cared for by the family who adopted them. In either case as their heart wrenching, as well as the heartfelt, story unfolds, both twins found the love of their lives in the town of Meyton at their home of Longbourn, before they were united with their lost birth family. Shana did a wonder job uniting both families into one, large loving family whose goal was to continue with their love for the twins. The bad people were uncovered as the two family's shared how the twins came to be lost and found. Some not so good people left the story rapidly as they failed to carry out their " written orders", but at last the instigator was uncovered and dealt with swiftly. Readers will recognize many of Pride and Prejudices 's literary names of the society elite in Shana's story. Caroline Bingley was one of the most dramatically changed character in this story. Took a few smacks about the head to get her to change, but change she did. Delightful read.
September 28, 2022
Really not very good
This was a scant 3* at best I’m afraid.
It is far too long, with far too many secondary characters and too many errors. Far too many errors. The editors need a large pack of red pens to remove the excess and reveal the story underneath. Currently this is a very childish story with pantomime villains and shop girls marrying dukes. 90% of the characters in this book should be removed to enable the reader to find the plot under the sheer weight of words.
This author is writing books at an alarming speed and has left quality behind in this mad rush to publish. The author needs to spend time doing research into life in the time and basic facts.
I am sorry to say I really cannot recommend this book.
This was a scant 3* at best I’m afraid.
It is far too long, with far too many secondary characters and too many errors. Far too many errors. The editors need a large pack of red pens to remove the excess and reveal the story underneath. Currently this is a very childish story with pantomime villains and shop girls marrying dukes. 90% of the characters in this book should be removed to enable the reader to find the plot under the sheer weight of words.
This author is writing books at an alarming speed and has left quality behind in this mad rush to publish. The author needs to spend time doing research into life in the time and basic facts.
I am sorry to say I really cannot recommend this book.
September 26, 2022
I initially liked the premise of this book. What I did not like was how it was executed. I couldn't finish the last 30% of the book because at that point ODC were already engaged and the principal "evil" characters were all taken care of. I mean....what more could there be. The book was full of a whole lot of extra people and relationships and I was over it. This book wasn't about Liz and Darcy at all. It was about Liz and Jane's relatives. I felt like I was reading a family tree. I got thoroughly bored and by the time I fell asleep trying to read it for the third time I knew it was hopeless. On a good note, there was practically no misunderstanding between Liz and Darcy, and everyone that should have, got what they deserved. That's all I needed to know.
September 21, 2022
Not Perfect, But Very Good
Well written and an interesting storyline. Another 'not a Bennet' story, but with a twist. Jane and Elizabeth are twins... As are the Carrington's eldest daughters. The latter are kidnapped and the former die of pneumonia.
Then come the interesting parts, why, how, and who is behind the twin switch? Who will identify them and what will happen when the two sets of parents meet?
Very few editorial errors but there are a few, like not using the word 'whom' as an object. Popular mistake, but still a mistake.
Well written and an interesting storyline. Another 'not a Bennet' story, but with a twist. Jane and Elizabeth are twins... As are the Carrington's eldest daughters. The latter are kidnapped and the former die of pneumonia.
Then come the interesting parts, why, how, and who is behind the twin switch? Who will identify them and what will happen when the two sets of parents meet?
Very few editorial errors but there are a few, like not using the word 'whom' as an object. Popular mistake, but still a mistake.
October 27, 2022
Not a Bennett
Twins born to the nobility but raised as daughters of a country squire. I did like Mr. And Mrs. B in this tale. Mrs. B doesn't always have to vulgar and loud. Lacy C was a nasty piece of work. Wickham makes an appearance but but not for long. Mr. Collins, who? Lol Long list of characters in this tale. HEA and it's not just Elizabeth (Beth) and Darcy. Low on the angst scale.
Twins born to the nobility but raised as daughters of a country squire. I did like Mr. And Mrs. B in this tale. Mrs. B doesn't always have to vulgar and loud. Lacy C was a nasty piece of work. Wickham makes an appearance but but not for long. Mr. Collins, who? Lol Long list of characters in this tale. HEA and it's not just Elizabeth (Beth) and Darcy. Low on the angst scale.
November 20, 2022
Emotional, anguish is medium, twists and turns throughout
I enjoyed reading this variation. I loved all the twist and turns within the plot. If you like the villains to receive just rewards in the end, then this is truly for you. I loved how Bing key had a backbone, Darcy let himself to fall for his true love, and how different the whole Bennet family was in this story. Highly recommend for anyone, clean story that has a great back story in the beginning.
I enjoyed reading this variation. I loved all the twist and turns within the plot. If you like the villains to receive just rewards in the end, then this is truly for you. I loved how Bing key had a backbone, Darcy let himself to fall for his true love, and how different the whole Bennet family was in this story. Highly recommend for anyone, clean story that has a great back story in the beginning.
December 19, 2022
Good plot but boring writing
I thought I’d give this author another try. As in the last book I read, the plot was pretty good, but the author drones on and on, with very little dialogue, just a rambling narrative with a lot of “genealogy�. Nothing sparkling, witty, or surprising. I didn’t understand the 4* rating of the last book, and I don’t understand the 4* rating if this book. I give the writer 3* for her efforts.
I thought I’d give this author another try. As in the last book I read, the plot was pretty good, but the author drones on and on, with very little dialogue, just a rambling narrative with a lot of “genealogy�. Nothing sparkling, witty, or surprising. I didn’t understand the 4* rating of the last book, and I don’t understand the 4* rating if this book. I give the writer 3* for her efforts.
September 15, 2022
Exquisite P&P variation
Although, there are several titles and names to keep up with…there was never a dull moment while reading this variation. The author took time with the details with family members, new loves and the enemies of both. A must read for a great historical story!
Although, there are several titles and names to keep up with…there was never a dull moment while reading this variation. The author took time with the details with family members, new loves and the enemies of both. A must read for a great historical story!
March 30, 2023
The beginning of this book is a little rough because you’re given a near play by play of every single character’s life from the time of the birth of our main characters until the story begins. After you get through all the history and backstory, you get a lovely story. This story was fun and I enjoyed all the new characters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 30, 2023
Not really Elizabeth and Darcy
While I Lived this variation, I do not feel it is a true Elizabeth and Darcy story.
However it is beautifully written and has many storylines. At some points it hard to keep up the names, nicknames, and title names.
I highly recommend this variation for your reading All Ages.
While I Lived this variation, I do not feel it is a true Elizabeth and Darcy story.
However it is beautifully written and has many storylines. At some points it hard to keep up the names, nicknames, and title names.
I highly recommend this variation for your reading All Ages.
January 1, 2023
I actually love Shana Granderson P&P variations; this one was just tiresomely long and drawn out with too many names and new characters to follow. The author’s nickname for Louisa Bingley, no! The second point was deducted for Jane (Alicia) marrying Bingley- horrible match.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 15, 2023
Dragged on and sooo many characters
The basic story is ok. But the whole book is dragged out with too many descriptions and not enough dialogue. There are so many characters that you can never really care too much about any of them.
The basic story is ok. But the whole book is dragged out with too many descriptions and not enough dialogue. There are so many characters that you can never really care too much about any of them.
February 9, 2025
I enjoyed this novel very much. There is a sadness throughout reading this book for me because Elizabeth and Jane died when they were 2 years old. So Darcy and Bingley married twin sisters from a royal family.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 12, 2022
Truly Wonderful!!
5 Stars for a beautiful example of an almost angst free love story that is still epic in every way.
5 Stars for a beautiful example of an almost angst free love story that is still epic in every way.
October 6, 2022
I really enjoyed this book especially the portrayal of Mr. and Mrs. Bennett. However I did feel that there was too much detail into the background of the families at the beginning.
For anyone who enjoyed P&P 1995 you will love the butler and housekeeper at Willowmere.
For anyone who enjoyed P&P 1995 you will love the butler and housekeeper at Willowmere.
November 22, 2022
so so
This author did a good job relating to characters feelings in the story. The plot is a little far-fetched, and the book goes on forever can use some editing.
This author did a good job relating to characters feelings in the story. The plot is a little far-fetched, and the book goes on forever can use some editing.
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