There You Were

A Pride & Prejudice Variation

By: Michelle Ray

Narrated by: Catherine Bilson

“I was not looking for love, but there you were. I cannot stop it, I cannot indulge it, so I must put distance between us and hope that time will heal this fever I have.”

Abandoned by her mother and ignored by her father, it is hardly any wonder young Elizabeth Bennet’s curiosity soon brings about trouble and marriage to a man she does not love. Colonel Fitzwilliam’s family - save for his cousin Mr. Darcy - despises her, and life is not what she dreamed of. As she matures and grows from an impetuous girl into a woman, Elizabeth’s most reliable source of friendship and comfort becomes Mr. Darcy. When tragedy strikes, leaving her a widow, she is free to discover who has been in her heart all along.

Darcy has always been intrigued by the girl his beloved cousin married, and finds himself drawn into helping her after her husband’s death. Over time, admiration turns to love. Admitting his feelings to her - or even himself - could lead to ruin, but denying his passion could shatter him.

©2021 Michelle Ray (P)2021 Quills & Quartos Publishing

Different Jaff but still good.

This was a different story for ODC to their HEA. The whole story is changed in so many ways but the characters are still there. Enjoyed it. Great Jaff.

Excellent!

Great variation. Well written, well spoken. Certainly one of my favorites. Buy it and listen.

heavy and frustrating

this is a well crafted story no doubt. it is the type of story that presents obstacle after obstacle after obstacle after obstacle, so if you enjoy that type of story, this one is definitely for you. The Bennetts were terrible, the Gardeners were okay, the Fitz Williams were awful, Mr Bingly was as he always is, and Mr Darcy seemed to be the only one with any sort of compassion in general. I did not particularly like the col. either.

I can't say that I enjoyed this story, I endured it. I really don't ever want to listen to it again. I will say that the positives were, EB was smart and tenacious and fierce. FWD was also all of those, as well as loyal.

narrator was OK, the female voices were good. the male voices felt flat and stiff and not aligned with the dialogue. especially Darcy! so narration, I'm not happy with

Dark and depressing

To me this was not a P&P variation. The author used some names but none of the characters behaved even remotely like Austen characters. I did not like any of them except for a minor character- a spinster who briefly taught Jane and Elizabeth. There was zero chemistry between Darcy and Elizabeth.

What was the point?

If the author was going to entirely change the story, their history, the characters' personalities and very essence, why even use the names from P&P. Truly, I would have returned the book if it hadn't been a gift. I didn't even want to finish it, but I did since can't return it. I didn't really like anyone in this book. Darcy was okay but.... this was a frustrating book. I don't like giving bad reviews, even if I return a book, but I just didn't get the point of trying to make this story about ODC when it just used their names.

There may have been some inconsistencies with time and people's ages and actions or maybe I was so bored with the book I missed when they mentioned something.
***possible spoiler*** example L and W seemed to have their tryst when the twins were born but then the twins were 2 when L and W tried to elope...(?????) . Like I said I may have zoned out and missed something.