The Princess Problem: A Pride and Prejudice Variation

The Rom Com Collection

By: Melanie Rachel

Narrated by: Harry Frost

He doesn’t believe in fairy tales. She’s living one she can’t escape.

Elizabeth Bennet has always known her father was a prince, she simply never expected it to matter. Living quietly in Hertfordshire with her mother’s family, her royal blood seems irrelevant. But just after her eighteenth birthday, an envoy from the Thurnian court arrives with an invitation: her grandfather the king wishes to welcome her into the royal family.

Miles away in Derbyshire, Fitzwilliam Darcy faces pressure of his own. His uncle the earl wants him to reclaim a title stripped from his family hundreds of years ago. Having both family and friends who are members of the aristocracy, Darcy knows firsthand that such a life holds no appeal for a man who values his independence.

When a winter storm strands them together at a remote inn, the last thing Darcy expects is to encounter a young woman claiming to be a Thurnian princess. Because he knows Thurnia has no princesses, he is certain she’s lying. Yet as their uneasy journey continues and the behaviour of her chaperone grows increasingly odd, Darcy begins to suspect that the deception hides more than a fanciful tale, and that uncovering the truth may actually be dangerous.

What begins as a chance encounter in a snowbound inn becomes a journey where treachery reveals a nobility no title could ever bestow.

The Princess Problem is the fourth standalone novel in the Darcy & Elizabeth Rom Com Collection.

©2026 Melanie Rachel (P)2026 Melanie Rachel

Darcy to the rescue

I really loved the last half of the story. The intrigue and rescue with the very satisfying romantic conclusion. But in the first half the byplay between Darcy and Elizabeth seemed more like bickering than witty banter to me. Harry Frost’s narration was great as always.

Elizabeth a princess?

This story takes place prior to canon when Elizabeth is 18 years old. Elizabeth is Mr. Bennet‘s niece, but has grown up in his loving home as he and Mrs. Bennet consider her another daughter. A journey north in winter is never easy but add a storm, carriage issues, shortage of supplies at the Inn, grumpy Mr Darcy, a nagging companion and highway men to add some adventure. In this fun story that blends Pride and Prejudice with a little bit of a fairytale, you will enjoy this story. Now to throw in Harry Frost narrating the audiobook absolutely brings this story to a five star.

Unique! Loved it!

The plot line was very unique. It was very interesting. There is still the Mr Darcy-Elizabeth attraction and romance. Many of the characters were not in the original novel. Harry Frost was simply exceptional with all of the different voices and accents!