It Taught Me to Hope

By: Jann Rowland

Narrated by: Harry Frost

Jann Rowland presents a must-listen for fans of wholesome Regency romance.

©2025 Jann Rowland (P)2025 Tantor Media

Good, but too drawn out.

Harry Frost’s performance is outstanding as always; I can find no fault there—five stars!

I enjoyed the premise of Elizabeth being mistress of Longbourn and how the plot unfolded, but for me it was somewhat drawn out, repetitive in places, and could have been tightened on the editing side.

Also, unless I missed it somehow, Elizabeth never tells Darcy she loves him, which was a great disappointment after waiting the entire book for her to admit it, especially to him.

Nothing special

Too repetitive! Honestly, what was the point to retell the same story all over again to all the characters in the book?

Low angst variation with many changes

Lydia elopes before Elizabeth and the Gardiners leave for Derbyshire which changes everything. Six years later Darcy happens upon Jane in London which renews his interest in Lizzy. The story spends the first few chapters describing the intervening 6 years for the Bennett sisters before Darcy returns to Meryton with his sister. The story is a little drawn out but Harry Frost’s superb narration easily keeps your interest.

What happens if Elizabeth does not take her trip?

3 1/2 stars rounded up for the story, but five stars for the narration.

In this variation, Lydia disappears before Elizabeth’s trip with her aunt & uncle. Due to this, Darcy does not find out and is unable to help search for Lydia and Wickham. The story picks up six years after this event. All the remaining sisters except for Elizabeth have married. Mr. Collins has passed away along with Mr. and Mrs. Bennet.

Georgiana has taken her brother to task about grabbing or taking a chance at his happiness. So he does that and shows back up to see if he can woo Elizabeth. I did enjoy the time they were able to spend together, but I thought Elizabeth held out longer than she should.

Overall, it was a nice second chance story and one that I will absolutely listen to again due to the outstanding performance by Harry Frost.

Great story

In this book Elizabeth is the owner of Longbourn after the death of her parents and mr Collins only fathering a daughter before his death. Mr Darcy comes back to the neighbourhood and it begins. Great jaff.