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Enjoyable P&P Variation

Revisado: 01-16-25

I enjoyed this book. It was pretty long but I didn't get tired of it. I listened to the audiobook over the course of a day and even managed to finish BEFORE bedtime. That is a rarity. The narrator did a good job and it was an enjoyable listen.

The story has its sad moments as Mr. Bennet dies and the daughters grieve. Mrs. Bennet seems to grieve more about losing her place as mistress than the loss of her husband but the daughters do truly grieve their loss. I loved the pairings as the girls marry. We don't see all the courtships and only learn about some of the marriages in the epilogue but I enjoyed how they were well matched.

Lydia may have been my favorite sister in this. She is still the boisterous youngest daughter but I'd say she uses her powers for good in this book. She still manipulates her mother but not for her own selfish desires. instead she does it to keep her mother's behavior stable. Each of the daughters are great and talented and have a useful gift but Lydia's was pretty hilarious really. And because of her more mature view of life I ended up loving her match up too. It seemed perfect but had someone told me about it as I started reading I wouldn't have believed that I would like it.

I loved the uncle and his management of the family when the time came for it. There really was much to like about the book. There aren't necessarily a ton of swoony moments but people were definitely marrying for love.

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Enjoy variation

Revisado: 01-12-25

** spoiler alert ** Listened to and enjoyed this audiobook. It had some fun diversions from canon that mostly changed everything for the Bennets. One thing I didn't like was that it painted Mr. Bennet as a bad guy for not telling his family that they would be well taken care of after his death. I liked that they didn't know all the truth of it but why not allow them to know they would be taken care of even if they didn't know how well? I didn't like that he ended up being a bad father in their eyes when he had actually done well with the inheritance and investing etc. to have them in a perfect situation upon his death.

I always love a strong Jane trope. But it seemed odd that she completely took the parental role, even over Lizzy instead of the two of them working together on it. I was surprised that Lizzy didn't fight against some of her strictures without some explanation. 'I've always walked out on my own.' 'Yes but now you must set the example for your younger sisters so they do not run wild. And it isn't appropriate even for you, dear sister.'

Loved that Mrs. B enjoyed not being in charge and was happy to let Jane take the reins. And I loved her romance.

I loved Darcy and once they got past the misunderstandings and so forth, his relationship with Lizzy was very sweet. And I liked that Georgiana played more of a role in the story and wasn't too overly timid.

Not sure how I felt about the Bingley situation. I get it but somehow it doesn't set right to have that not end up as canon wills it to be. But that's fine.

All the characters we love to hate made an appearance-Lady C, Wickham, Collins, Caroline but they played fairly minor roles. Wickham had a bigger part and was quite nasty. Lady C was shocking.

The narrator did a good job and it was enjoyable to listen to this book.

Sex: some thoughts of desire
Language: yes, some
Violence: yes, some

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romance

Revisado: 01-10-25

3.5 stars
I have generally enjoyed all the books by Jen Turano that I've read. There is always some good humor and always some outrageous situations usually the heroine gets into that make me laugh. But I'm afraid I didn't like this one as well as most of them. I'm not even sure why exactly. Some areas of the story were repetitious, so maybe I felt like it was a little too long. I had a hard time really picturing Camilla being happy living the "uncultured life" long term. Cleaning out the chicken coop is one icky task and I just don't think she will be willing to do that anytime Meemaw or the aunt calls for it. And I just wasn't sold on Camilla and Owen as a couple even if opposites attract. I was also shocked that her parents didn't put up a stink about her marrying below her position in society. Maybe I'd have enjoyed it more had I read it myself instead of listening to the audiobook since I didn't love the narration either.
I enjoyed the character of Meemaw. She was a quirky, fun character. Made me think of Granny Clampett from The Beverly Hillbillies. She and the aunt together were pretty overbearing.

Sex: no
Language: no
Violence: kidnapping, fighting off bad guys

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loved it

Revisado: 12-30-24

I enjoyed this book. I listened to the audio version and loved hearing voices I recognized from the show. And loved the stories. I can never get enough West Wing so even if I was already familiar with the story, I still loved hearing it again.

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Loved it

Revisado: 07-24-24

From the first time I saw this book cover I knew it was a book I needed to read. There are times where I haven't enjoyed P&P characters being completely changed in personality and there are other times when I have found it most agreeable. This book falls into the latter category. The set up for the story is unique and I enjoyed Darcy as a bookshop owner. The biggest personality change, and one I greatly enjoyed, was Anne. This characterization of her was hilarious. I always say I love variations where Anne gets a backbone. I'd have to say she got more than that in this one. Apparently being raised by her father instead of her mother made a big difference in how she would turn out. I loved her. I need to read the prequel to get her story.

I thought this was a fun story. The plot does not have many similarities to canon but that made it interesting. Wickham was still despicable but he was horrible in different ways than canon. At least in part. Bennets were still ridiculous, Bingley still had puppy eyes for Jane, and Caroline was haughty and paid dearly for her bad choices. The one big change I didn't care for was Jane. Her attitude toward Darcy seemed too far off and felt abrupt.

I listened to the audiobook and thought the narrators did a good job.

Sex: no
Language: no
Violence: yes

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Love this whole series

Revisado: 05-28-24

This is a quick, fun and clean read. I have enjoyed all the Jonquil Brothers books and love this one too. I love Philip's alter ego and the banter with Sorrel. They are both pretty clever and witty and pretty much perfect for each other. In part I judge a book by how much I want the story to continue and if I'm sad to say good bye to the characters when I close the book. I was sorry to see this story end. And it made me want to read the other Jonquil brother's books again just to catch a little glimpse of these characters once more. (I didn't originally read these books in order since I checked them out from the library and took them in order of availability. This one took a long time to get. I think I was number 17 on the reservation list).

I've now read this book at least 5 times. Maybe more. I've listened to the audio book while traveling and not sure I counted each of those. And every time a new book in the series comes out I have to start at the beginning and read the series again before I read the new one. I adore the Jonquils.

Sex: no
Language: no
Violence: yes

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loved it

Revisado: 05-28-24

I have yet to read a Lady Hardcastle Mystery that I didn't like. My husband and I love to listen to the audiobooks when we travel. The narration is fabulous. Elizabeth Knowelden becomes Flo in telling their story. I always get the audiobook for that reason. I couldn't possibly imagine the voices as well as she narrates. It is perfection.
I can appreciate a good murder mystery but I don't enjoy blood and gore or high tension and angst so I love the cozy mystery aspect of this series. I love the humor between Lady C and Flo. Basically I just love the book. The characters are so much fun so the stories are a delight to listen to.

Sex: no
Language: a little
Violence: some

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Can't go wrong with Austen

Revisado: 02-05-24

I love Jane Austen books. I can't remember how many times I've read the book. Listening to it was fun. Highly recommend.

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Loved it

Revisado: 02-02-24

4.5 stars
I love this world of Jonquils and friends. I love the tight knit connections and the fact that the Jonquils "save people". The main characters in this book aren't Jonquils except by Lady Jonquil adopting people into her circle of loved ones. I love seeing favorite characters from previous books show up in the more recent releases.
I've read the book (twice) and now listened to the audiobook and find I enjoy it more with each reading. The story of Gillian and Scott was full of angst since through the whole book, the path to their happily ever after was not obvious. Not to the characters or the reader. Of course Ms. Eden finds a way for them but it took a while to get to it. Both of them have been scarred by people who should have been their support systems and it caused a lot of self doubt which didn't help their cause.
I loved how perceptive Scott is about others, particularly Gillian, even when he isn't so perceptive about himself.
I did still wonder in the end, what the deal is with Scott's mother... I was hoping we'd find out more. Maybe it will come up in a coming book. Speaking of which, I am looking forward to the next in this series.

No sex, language or violence

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Enjoyable P&P Variation

Revisado: 01-19-24 El oyente recibió este título gratis

4.5 stars
This is a new to me author and I enjoyed the story. I've never seen the catalyst for the forced proximity done like this before. So to me, the set up was unique. Darcy was pretty funny while suffering from injuries. And I loved that Darcy developed positive relationships with a servant in gratitude for what was taught to Elizabeth. It showed how he isn't so proud after all.
Though the ups and downs in the relationship of D&E may have been for differing reasons from canon some of the time, it was fun to watch how they dealt with them.
There are some surprising twists along the way that I was not expecting yet once they happened it wasn't surprising at all that they had occurred. I could totally see it happening. Lady C's response to the French being a case in point.
There was just one element of the story that I didn't like but to say what would be a spoiler. I just would have preferred one minor side story happen slower and be told in an epilogue instead. But my complaint was just a brief part and secondary to the main story.
I think to narrator did a pretty good job too.

No sex or language
Some war violence

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