A Fortuitous Wager

A Pride and Prejudice Vagary

By: Kimbelle Pease

Narrated by: Benjamin Fife

“Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance.”—Pride and Prejudice, Chapter VI

After another disappointing Season fending off matchmaking mamas and grasping debutantes, Fitzwilliam Darcy has given up hope of finding a wife. His business partner, Edward Gardiner, suggests a sojourn into Hertfordshire to escape the machinations of Town—and meddlesome aunts who take every opportunity to help him on the marriage mart.

Although asserting his nieces would never be a match for Darcy, Gardiner suggests Jane and Elizabeth Bennet might make pleasant acquaintances while in the neighborhood. Privately, Darcy’s aunt, declares this sly approach to matchmaking as “inventive,” but wagers with Gardiner that nothing will come of it.

When Darcy meets Gardiner’s nieces, it comes as a terrific shock to find them poised, intelligent, and beautiful. Elizabeth Bennet intrigues Darcy like no other. With only his heart as a guide and keenly aware that his future is at stake, Darcy must decide if Elizabeth is a woman worthy or simply another husband-seeking miss.

Will Gardiner win the wager by manipulating a love match for his beloved niece? Or will Darcy’s doubtful aunt take the prize?

©2024 Kimbelle Pease (P)2024 Kimbelle Pease

Wagers on love lives

This was a fun romp of a story. This has Bingley and Darcy along with Lady Matlock and others already in business with Mr. Gardiner. It seems that Lady Matlock and Mr. Gardiner regularly have wagers but this time they are betting on the love life outcome of Darcy and Bingley’s visit to Netherfield. Because there’s already an existing relationship with the uncle of the Bennet family and the two gentlemen have been pre-warned about the behavior and personalities of those in the community Darcy avoids insulting Elizabeth. The friendships that develop were enjoyable to see. There were a few things in the story that could have been tightened up but it still worked. I got the audiobook to go with the ebook and as usual Benjamin Fife helped elevate the storytelling.

A Delightful Story with a Great Narrator

This story is a great P&P variation. It has all the wonderful characters we know and love. The story is delightfully different. I adore Kimbelle's Col. Fitzwilliam. Benjamin Fife brings this story to life so beautifully. Benjamin Fife has a way of giving the characters he reads life. 10/10 recommend this audiobook

A good premise that lost its way.

This book had such a promising beginning: Mr Gardiner and Lady Matlock are friends who make a wager on whether Bingley and Darcy will end up with Jane and Elizabeth. So before the gentlemen even arrive in Hertfordshire, they’ve already formed opinions about the Bennet sisters. That shift means no insult at the Meryton assembly where Darcy dances with everyone, and no initial tension or misunderstandings. This was refreshing, but instead of focusing on that dynamic, the story sadly spreads itself thin trying to juggle the emotional lives of almost every character in the book. There’s not much Pride and Prejudice to discover in this vagary.

There’s just too much of everything else—too many romantic subplots, too many family issues to resolve, too many long, introspective conversations, and many contradictions. The constant dialogue really slowed the pace—and this coming from someone who loves dialogue—but it felt flat or forced, and I’m afraid I found myself bored and struggling to finish the book. I did manage to do so.

Sadly, that sluggishness came through in the narration as well—Benjamin Fife’s performance, especially his pacing, felt a bit dull, but I empathise with him because of the writing. I felt there wasn’t enough variation in rhythm or pausing where it was needed, which only emphasised the drawn-out feel of the story. Also, I found the popping of ‘p’ sounds on words like ‘happy’ distracting—something a simple mic pop filter could smooth out.

I really liked the core idea of this book and wished that the author had concentrated more on the two couples at the centre of the wager. But the constant dialogue, the diluted focus, and the mismatch between character description and behaviour was disappointing. There was potential—it just got lost in all the talking. So sorry.

Sneaky Mr Gardiner

Mr. Gardiner is a very sneaky matchmaker. He tells Darcy and Bingley exactly what they’re going to find in Meryton, good and bad. Explains Jane and Elizabeth only want to marry for love so they don’t need to worry about raising expectations or being chased. If you’re fans of Colonel Fitzwilliam and Chatlotte Lucas like me you’ll like their larger parts in this variation. Mary, Kitty and Lydia have secret hidden depths.
As always Benjamin Fife’s narration is great. I never hesitate to get a book he narrates.

Good reread

It was some time ago that I read the book. Now I got to listen to it. Good book. Funny interludes. Great Jaff.