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J Dawn King
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A Father's Sins: A Pride and Prejudice Variation (The Misadventures of Darcy & Elizabeth) Kindle Edition

by J Dawn King (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.1 out of 5 stars 794 ratings
NEW COVER: February 2023

"The sins of the fathers are to be laid upon the children." Shakespeare - Merchant of Venice

How do Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet overcome the consequences of poor decisions made by their fathers while they were young?

Mr. George Darcy, loved his eldest, illegitimate son, George Wickham, and indulged him by bringing him to Pemberley to live after the death of his wife. His heir, Fitzwilliam Darcy, paid a heavy price for this decision.

Mr. Thomas Bennet, at the persistent urging of his wife, chose not to have his youngest children, including his only son, vaccinated for smallpox. When the plague hit Longbourn it devastated their family. his second child, Elizabeth, paid the heaviest price for this decision of her father.

Will Mr. Darcy and Miss Elizabeth be able to overcome the consequences of their father's choices? When outside forces impact their growing attraction, can they forge a future for themselves? Will their love have a chance?

This Regency variation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice is a page-turner where our hero and heroine overcome monumental odds to achieve their happily-ever-after.

Every book in this series is a complete story that can be read in any order.
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  1. Part of series
    The Misadventures of Darcy & Elizabeth
  2. Print length
    242 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    March 21, 2014
  6. Reading age
    13 - 18 years
  7. File size
    738 KB
  8. Page Flip
    Enabled
  9. Word Wise
    Enabled
  10. Enhanced typesetting
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Review Rating: 5 Stars! A Father's Sins: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by J Dawn King is an alternate version of Jane Austen's beloved classic Pride and Prejudice. A Father's Sins immediately takes a turn from the original novel when three of the younger Bennet sisters as well as the heir succumb to smallpox. As young Elizabeth was the one in charge of their care when the siblings passed, Mr. Bennet, in his grief, places illogical blame on his daughter, disowning her and kicking her out of the house. Taken in by the Gardiners she becomes a more independent, modern and well traveled woman with a deep interest in nursing.
It is an interest that comes in handy when she's called back to Hertfordshire because her older sister Jane had taken ill at Netherfield Park. There Elizabeth meets Mr. Darcy and the rest, as they say, is history.

I've read Pride and Prejudice as well as read and seen many variations in books and film and I found myself enjoying A Father's Sins very much. I found it interesting how King used both the Bennet and Darcy fathers as the catalyst to change the story especially since in the original novel Elizabeth and Mr. Bennet were very close.

Also in A Father's Sins the Darcy's are more open about their past and their connection to a certain villain which greatly diminishes and pride or prejudice that might crop up and take away from Elizabeth and Darcy coming together and falling in love, something that's guaranteed to send any Austen fan's heart aflutter. - Reviewed By Kayti Nika Raet for Readers' Favorite

About the Author

First time author Joy Dawn King fell in love with Jane Austen's writings two years ago and discovered the world of fan fiction shortly after. Intrigued with the many possibilities, she began developing her own story for Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet. Living high in the Andes Mountains of South America, Joy loves to take an occasional break from the Latin culture and bury herself in reading English literature about her favorite English characters. Joy, and her husband of 34 years, live next door to their only child, Jennifer, her husband, and twin grandchildren and is a native Oregonian. The author is currently writing about Mr. Bingley's and Jane Bennet's struggles with happily ever after and will follow with the tale of what happens when Colonel Fitzwilliam immediately falls in love with Constance Wickham, who hates him bitterly.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00J6CO2HK
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Quiet Mountain Press
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 21, 2014
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 738 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 242 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Part of series ‏ : ‎ The Misadventures of Darcy & Elizabeth
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 13 - 18 years
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 out of 5 stars 794 ratings

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J Dawn King

J Dawn King

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Joy Dawn King, who also writes Mr. Darcy/Elizabeth stories as Christie Capps, fell in love with Jane Austen's writings in 2012 and discovered the world of fan fiction shortly after. Intrigued by the many possibilities, she began developing her own story for Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet.

At the time she wrote her first novel, "A Father's Sins", she was living high in the Andes Mountains of South America. Joy loved to take an occasional break from the Latin culture and bury herself in reading English literature about her favorite English characters. Joy, and her husband of 37 years, lived next door to their only child, Jennifer, her husband, and twin grandchildren and is a native Oregonian.

In late 2014 the Kings relocated to Oregon where other stories popped into her head. She is typing as fast as she can to keep up.

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
794 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this variation of Pride and Prejudice to be an extremely interesting and nicely balanced story with thrilling twists and turns. The book is well-paced and entertaining, with customers noting it gives readers a good chuckle. They appreciate the character development, with one review highlighting the different portrayal of Thomas Bennet, and find it heartwarming without misunderstandings. The writing style receives mixed feedback, with some finding it well-written while others describe it as choppy.

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StorylineReadabilityEnjoymentCharacter developmentPaceHeartwarmingMisunderstanding avoidanceWriting style
47 customers mention "Storyline"36 positive11 negative

Customers enjoy the storyline of the book, describing it as extremely interesting and very entertaining, with nicely balanced moments of suspense throughout.

"...The meeting of ODC five years before the main events was an attractive part of the tale. (I have read such in Memory by Linda Wells.)..." Read more

"The story was decent, but rather repetitive when it came to all the family problems with the Bennet family...." Read more

"...There was an element of predictability, but it was nicely balanced with moments of suspense...." Read more

"...The story had enough angst and suspense to keep it moving along at a good pace. I never felt bogged down in too much detail...." Read more

32 customers mention "Readability"32 positive0 negative

Customers find the book delightful and compelling to read.

"...My hat is off to the author for a great novel that I truly enjoyed and read in one day! Buy it and I'm sure you will agree with me!" Read more

"...This has some angst and some romance though none of it is flashy and blatant. I loved that there were no intense sexual scenes...." Read more

"...Actually applying her smarts and wit to great use, all without the normal superior attitude that she is generally written to have...." Read more

"...makes Elizabeth flee and the hunt to catch her first, is a thrilling read. Luckily, there was a HEA... Recommend this book!" Read more

14 customers mention "Enjoyment"14 positive0 negative

Customers find the book entertaining, with multiple reviews noting it gives readers a good chuckle. One customer specifically mentions the positive nature of the Fitzwilliams characters.

"...you were sorry for what was happening but then happy and joyous for the pleasant things...." Read more

"...Lord and Lady Matlock and the boys were quite enjoyable. I could have used a bit more dialogue between them all...." Read more

"...I found this variation very different but enjoyable. The premise of the story the sins of the father affect the lives of their children...." Read more

"I enjoyed the positive nature of the Fitzwilliams. There were a few things that seemed to happen too quickly, emotionally...." Read more

8 customers mention "Character development"8 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, with some noting how several characters are portrayed, and one customer highlighting the different characterization of Thomas Bennet.

"...The other characters were very well done, too...." Read more

"...What a compliment to the author who made me so identify with the characters...." Read more

"...Seeing Bingley have a strong character is pleasing, I hate seeing a weak willed Bingley who allows everyone to trample over him...." Read more

"I really enjoyed this variation with P&P characters. Pleasantly surprised this King's first book. Best Wishes for her continued success!" Read more

7 customers mention "Pace"7 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the pacing of the book, with one mentioning it can be read in one day.

"...is off to the author for a great novel that I truly enjoyed and read in one day! Buy it and I'm sure you will agree with me!" Read more

"...The story had enough angst and suspense to keep it moving along at a good pace. I never felt bogged down in too much detail...." Read more

"...It was well-paced and written, with a thorough amount of original and just plain funny witticisms that left me laughing out loud throughout the..." Read more

"...was very moving, grab tissues for some parts, and the content and flow was terrific. Highly recommended to read" Read more

5 customers mention "Heartwarming"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book heartwarming, with one review noting how it portrays the Bennet family in a more loving persona, while another mentions its tender love and care.

"...I guess it depends on what you are in the mood for. This has some angst and some romance though none of it is flashy and blatant...." Read more

"This heart-wrenching, off canon book does not lack tender love and care, however I felt it was at the expense of romance...." Read more

"...Elizabeth is strong, loving, caring, she know who she is and what she wants. However, she is too prefect...." Read more

"...How they faced their emotional troubles and optimistically entered the future, helped me deal with the uncomfortable and physically challenging days..." Read more

3 customers mention "Misunderstanding avoidance"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate that the book avoids misunderstandings and technical errors.

"...There were none of the misunderstandings or misspoken words prevalent in the canon...." Read more

"This is a very well-written story and free from most distracting technical errors..." Read more

"This was a good story Lizzy and Darcy fell in love together, no misunderstandings. Caroline a minor problem. Wickham dealt with expeditiously." Read more

18 customers mention "Writing style"10 positive8 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the writing style of the book, with some finding it well written and praising the author, while others note that the writing is choppy.

"...This is a well written novel. At times you were sorry for what was happening but then happy and joyous for the pleasant things...." Read more

"...Lizzy was a superhero, the writing was more choppy, and it needed more editing as well...." Read more

"...mastermind in spinning the story in the most interesting and captivating directions. I will recommend this book to any and all JAFFers with pleasure." Read more

"...Some sentences were confusing because words were missing or in the wrong place. I did enjoy it though and look forward to the next one...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • maryann
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Father;s Sins: A Pride & Prejudice Variation
    Reviewed in the United States on May 15, 2014
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    I loved the book. It took us a different way portraying Lizzy's father, Mr. Bennet in not a nice way and turning Lizzy out in the cold to go to her Aunt and Uncle's house in London. If it weren't for Mr. & Mrs. Hill,who worked for the Bennet's, and their love for Lizzy, she wouldn't have even any money to get there.
    I loved the way Lizzy's use of medicine in regency England to help Darcy and how she grew up with courage and to work her way through helping others. Her reward was given to her when she helped someone with their son when he became ill with her skills while in India with her relations.
    Grief, depression and betrayal was present in Mr. Bennet that lead to Lizzy's dismissal from the Bennet household after the loss of 3 sisters and her younger brother due to smallpox after Mr. Bennet refused them to be inoculated. Lizzy and Jane were inoculated while staying at the Gardners and that kept them safe.
    Wickham is Wickham and is always up to no good as is Aunt Catherine and also Carolyn Bingley.
    Jane winds up not being close to Lizzy and it hurts Lizzy in the long run as Jane sticks to her parents.
    Anyhow, I will leave the readers to read the novel and come up with their own opinions and not do any spoilers in this novel. You can figure out about what Darcy and Lizzy's fathers were up to as they both committed crimes against them.
    This is a well written novel. At times you were sorry for what was happening but then happy and joyous for the pleasant things.
    Colonel Richard always is there for to give everyone a good chuckle. My hat is off to the author for a great novel that I truly enjoyed and read in one day! Buy it and I'm sure you will agree with me!
    6 people found this helpful
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  • S. L. Majczan
    4.0 out of 5 stars Lessons learned by cruel and unfair treatment
    Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2014
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Having read all the other reviews I am only going to add additional comments. Others have explained the plot, the reason for the title, the change in several main characters, (some drastic), and the author's use of the third person POV to explain events and thoughts.

    I must say that the POV was probably a little of the reason for 4 stars. I much prefer to be inside our characters' heads and hear what they are thinking. For me this adds to the angst and, at times, to the sexual tension. The creative variation here was evocative. One has to think that these two characters, in becoming such rational, caring and fair people had to have been blessed at birth with the best personalities (or born under the right stars) to take the treatment they received at the hands of their fathers and to then be able to sort through and set aside the parts of that role model, which tended towards cruelty and downright unjust actions towards their own. The meeting of ODC five years before the main events was an attractive part of the tale. (I have read such in Memory by Linda Wells.) But in viewing Elizabeth's personality at age 15, certain traits stand out and remain in Darcy's memory when he meets her again. Yes, I found believable that an intelligent person could resolve to find out everything they could about medication and treatment to help prevent what happened in the beginning of our story. Elizabeth was VERY independent even before smallpox hit but that event and its consequences set resolve into action when she was exposed to customs in other lands while traveling. (I did question how the Gardiners could afford five people traveling all over the world...minor point.)

    The relationship between our dear couple did develop quickly but then, some do believe in "Love at First Sight" and, even though this was not at first sight, it did come close to being so. There were none of the misunderstandings or misspoken words prevalent in the canon. Darcy does flub his "proposal" but for entirely different (and understandable) reasons than in P&P.

    I did love how Elizabeth was able to win so many male and female supporters and how they would all stand behind her or between her and trouble, etc. And I liked when the gentlemen all galloped off to find her, after she left Netherfield in secret.

    The characters we love to hate were handled with firm resolve or drastic fates, but that, too, was satisfactory. Alas, poor Jane - did she ever come to understand the other side of the story?

    I found this book to be a page-turner and it was only firm resolve that sent me to bed at anywhere near a reasonable hour.
    10 people found this helpful
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  • Maggie D
    3.0 out of 5 stars not my favorite P&P variation
    Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I have read quite a few variations of P&P canon, and this one has been my least favorite. The initial loss experienced and actions taken to establish a foundation for this story was very contrived and seemed far fetched to say the least.
    I will also say that the resolution of the story was also not believable….5 years of spewing hatred, but Uncle Gardiner got Bennet to face his misdeeds in a 5 minute discussion?

    Lizzie was strong. Darcy was kind. There was no misunderstanding between the two. That was nice, unfortunately the rest of the story just didn’t support the characters.

    Honestly, I’m trying to decide if I even liked this story. Others have, so I guess it’s up to the individual reader.
    One person found this helpful
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  • S. Schaffer
    5.0 out of 5 stars I give very few books a 5
    Reviewed in the United States on June 16, 2014
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I loved this novel from the aspect that it was a very different variation. I can say this after having read hundreds of novels and most being Austen related. I really detested Mr. Bennet and his attitude and actions which is how it should be. Wickham was beyond disgusting. Jane really needed help. She needs a backbone. It was great to see her different. I loved Elizabeth, Darcy, Georgiana. The real surprises were the insight into the Fitzwilliam family. Lord and Lady Matlock and the boys were quite enjoyable. I could have used a bit more dialogue between them all. So I would have put this as a 4.5 stars but aw well. Lady Catherine was her despicable self. She probably could have been worse but I really am tired of all the angst in some novels. There reaches a point of no return. I guess it depends on what you are in the mood for. This has some angst and some romance though none of it is flashy and blatant. I loved that there were no intense sexual scenes. I was more into the feelings developing between this couple. Caroline Bingley was not a nice person as usual and yes she wasn't as wicked as she could have been and maybe a little predictable but most women would have resorted to her schemes. Mr. Bingley was a huge surprise. He's really stepped up his game - more independent and stands up for himself....go Bingley. I'm looking forward to reading more about him.
    5 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Dr. Eric M. Jones
    4.0 out of 5 stars Slow start, but worth reader's persistence. Great fun.
    Reviewed in Australia on May 4, 2014
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I was about a quarter of the way through "A Father's Sins" and was finding the going tedious. Too much narrative, too little dialog; altogether too wordy. However, I'm glad I kept going. Around the time that Wickham has his big scene, the story came alive for me and became a page turner. One reviewer has described the story as melodramatic and another as implausible. Both make valid points. But it is also great fun. So I've only knocked it down one star and congratulate Ms. King on an excellent debut.
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  • Sophie
    5.0 out of 5 stars A very unique, different and enjoyable variation!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 6, 2014
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I was very pleased when I was asked if I would review A Father's Sins for the lovely Joy King.(I was provided with a review copy but this is my honest, unbiased opinion.) And I was not disappointed as I really, really enjoyed this book! It was perhaps a more serious variation than I usually would choose, however it was very unique and a very interesting idea to explore.

    I found the writing in this book to be very good, especially being this author's debut novel. The language seemed appropriate and it flowed well as I read. There was a good balance between dialogue and passages of internal thoughts or description as well.

    As I said, the story and theme of the book - how a father's bad choices or actions can affect the children and even the grandchildren - was quite serious and very sad at times because of seeing the effects on the children, most prominently on Elizabeth and Darcy. It was a really interesting route to explore and very cleverly done, I felt. As well as Elizabeth and Darcy, there are other characters that have been affected by the decisions of their fathers and the theme really was masterfully weaved through the story. What was also interesting was that to begin with, the story happens very much in canon to the original - Jane falling ill at Netherfield, Mr Collins coming to visit etc - but Lizzy is in a very different situation!

    As well as the serious side to this tale, it was also very drama filled and fast moving! Joy certainly knows how to capture the reader’s attention from the very start! I was hooked into this story from very early on and it stayed that way until the end! It was very powerful and intense at times, but completely compelling and captivating - it resulted in a late night as I just had to race to the end to see how it would resolve!

    As well as the drama and the sadness caused by the seriousness of the story, there is also some humour which lightens the mood, so don't worry that this is a story with no laughs - I certainly laughed quite a bit! And of course, unsurprisingly, there is a lovely, romantic and satisfying happy ending!

    Both Elizabeth and Darcy are very much characters to be admired in this story, particularly Elizabeth, after what they have been through as a result of their fathers. Beginning with Darcy; Wickham actually is his half-brother in this variation and Wickham is the favoured son. And Darcy pays heavily for this favouritism, and subsequent bitterness from Wickham when he doesn’t receive what he believes is his due, being the eldest son.

    We see a different Darcy in this story, thanks to a brief meeting between him and Elizabeth quite a few years before the rest of the story is set. They happen to meet each other in a book shop, and both are impressed by the other. When they meet again years later, thanks to the much more favourable first impression from all those years ago, they get on much better! Darcy is charming and polite to Elizabeth from the off, and we also get to see his brotherly nature and love of his sister much sooner which again is lovely.

    Let alone the difficulties of the past, Darcy has a hard time of it through this story; due to an incident, which I shall not give away the details of, Darcy ends up injured for quite a bit of this book. Things change when illness occurs and we see a new side to Darcy. As well as some fun, fever induced conversations, we get to see a rather vulnerable Darcy. And who doesn’t like a Darcy who needs to be taken care of for a while? (I would have loved to be Elizabeth caring for him!) We get to see his true nature much faster – for it is rather hard to keep up the ‘master of Pemberley’ act while in a fever!

    As I said, Elizabeth really is one to admire in this story. Her problems with her father and her past are really shocking and you can’t help but feel sorry for her. However, she still is recognisable as the Elizabeth we know and love as she takes her misfortunes and tries to make the most of them and enjoy her life regardless of the past. She has such a strong and determined spirit. We see her caring side as she nurses Darcy through his illness, her comforting side as she helps Georgiana to cope with all that is happening and her powerful side as she deals with some challenging situations and confrontations.

    Due to the similar situations regarding problems with their fathers, I think the fact that Darcy and Elizabeth get off to a much better start and have a good relationship from the beginning is perfect. Through all the problems facing them from other people, they at least don’t have problems with one and other, and instead have each other to turn to and find comfort. There is no previous pride or prejudice getting in the way and they are open with each other. Elizabeth is so caring of Darcy when he is ill, and they really become close during this time. I really loved them in this story and the way their relationship develops in the different and most unusual circumstances.

    Aside from Darcy and Elizabeth, my other favourite character in this story was Georgiana. As I said earlier, she is in the story from the very beginning so we really get to know her and she is lovely! I love the journey she has through this story; she grows and matures and flourishes thanks to the friendship of Elizabeth. You see an interesting side to Georgiana as well, again due to Darcy’s illness, watching her trying to cope and deal with what is happening.

    Elizabeth and Georgiana really get on well in this story. I always think Georgiana and Elizabeth would be great friends, and so it is lovely to see them spend so much time together in this tale. Elizabeth is a real comfort and a wonderful role model for Georgiana and she really helps to bring her out of shell and to mature into a strong young woman. As well as Elizabeth and Georgiana, when Darcy is with these two as well the scenes are just wonderful. The three of them complement each other perfectly and have such a brilliant relationship. They all, in turn, comfort each other through a variety of trying situations.

    Now to a less pleasant subject... Mr Bennet. As you can see from the blurb, the fathers in this story are not nice, and I am afraid the Mr Bennet we know and many of us love is a monster in this story. He is very different and be prepared to not like him, at all. But do not fear – he is very easy to separate from the Mr Bennet we know and love in Pride and Prejudice! Mrs Bennet is also not much better, and even Jane is slightly changed as a result of the influence of her father and being away from Lizzy for 5 years. But, this is a variation and changes are to be expected, and I did enjoy these changes and this new and unique twist on the Bennet family as a change. It is not all bad for Elizabeth; while Lizzy’s own family is not kind to her, the Gardiners are very sweet and caring to her throughout!

    Where would we be without Wickham causing trouble? He causes plenty of problems and grief for poor Darcy in this story! He is a real menace and because of the twist with his connection to the Darcy family, you will hate him even more and feel even sorrier for Darcy - I did anyway! (Although I will also admit that I did actually feel a little sorry for Wickham at times - but only slightly!)

    Who could forget the Bingleys! Mr Bingley is just as sweet and affable and Caroline is just as jealous and determined to become the Mistress of Pemberley as ever. Bingley really grows from a slightly naïve young man into a mature gentleman through this story and it was nice to see this development. (I can't wait for his own story which Joy is currently working on!) Caroline, on the other hand, is still a pain but she gets her comeuppance which is hilarious!

    I love Colonel Fitzwilliam, and it is always great to see more of him in these variations. And I was not disappointed with the Colonel in this story! He is brilliant; funny and loveable as we know him to be. Again, because of Darcy’s illness, we get to see his caring side which was a lovely change. (I can't wait for his story either which will be written after Mr Bingley!)

    A wonderful addition is the Matlock family, and I love them! The relationship and obvious love of their niece and nephew is touching. They also are quickly pleased with and impressed by Elizabeth, and are kind and really respect her. Lord and Lady Matlock are both very strong characters and I defy anyone who doesn’t love them to bits by the end of the book! It really was interesting to see the family behind the wonderful Colonel Fitzwilliam.

    How could we have a story without some interference from Lady Catherine? She turns up to cause problems, and plenty of them! Lady Catherine is just as horrid and scheming as we expect from her. Anne, however, is rather changed from how we know her and this was a lot of fun to read! One of my favourite Lady Catherine scenes was the iconic confrontation between her and Lizzy, however this time it is Darcy holding his own... “She is the daughter of a gentleman, as I am the son of a gentleman. In that, we are equals.”

    To end this drama filled story there was a particularly lovely epilogue. I do love it when there is an epilogue tying up any loose ends and letting us know what happens to all the characters!

    As you can probably see, I really enjoyed this story. It was unique and different. This is a much more serious variation than I usually read, but it was an interesting and enjoyable change. I particularly loved the more positive start to Lizzy and Darcy’s relationship as well as the friendship between those two and Georgiana. Also, the addition of the Matlock family was wonderful! The story was very dramatic and fast paced but had romance and humour - a perfect mix! Joy really is a talented author and I can’t wait for more!
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  • Jen
    5.0 out of 5 stars still good on a reread
    Reviewed in Canada on June 6, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Apparently I gave it a 5* the first read and now on a reread i would give it a 4.5* . So I guess you can tell that I liked it.
    Sins of the father indeed. ODC have a meet cute when much younger and this sets the stage for them years later after their lives have taken a turn, Both Darcy (a second son, but the first legitimate son – this is revealed early on so not much of a spoiler) and Elizabeth have been seriously betrayed by their fathers and are carrying the resulting burdens and damage. Sadly for Elizabeth one of the lessons learned in the face of rejection was to run; thankfully Darcy had no such option as a child and learned tenacity.

    It's been a while since I've read any JDK, but this one (a much earlier work) seems to me to be a little more detached in its telling than her later works. Or perhaps my rememberer is not remembering. No matter, it was still an enjoyable somewhat angsty (maybe a 2.5 or 3 out of 5 just enough tension), that is original (it only shares the setting and a couple of events from canon as the what-if from pre-canon sets us on a new path and reforms many of the characters (sadly many not in a good way - fret not for ODC though, while damaged, their canon faults are blunted).
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  • Mohamad
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good book
    Reviewed in India on May 30, 2019
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Good book.
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  • Judy Coldwell
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great story
    Reviewed in France on January 24, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    This rattles along at a fast pace, you promise yourself you’ll read to the end of the chapter and before you know it you’re half way through the next. Just how I like it. The goodies are really good, the baddies are disgusting as always …. what are baddies for if not to give you a chance to hiss and boo. Mr B is vile, Mrs B only appears briefly thank goodness and Jane is as dull as ditchwater, my family would probably have said about her “the lights are on but nobody is in”.
    I loved it, definitely one to be re-read several times.
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