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A Peculiar Connection: A Pride and Prejudice Variation Kindle Edition
A Peculiar Connection begins near the close of Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice. Bent on preventing the engagement of her nephew to Elizabeth Bennet, Lady Catherine de Bourgh declares that any union between Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth would be “a sin against Heaven itself!” Her shocking revelation, along with a cryptic message written over twenty years earlier, thrusts the couple into a whirlwind of heartbreak and disbelief.
Could a deserted mansion in Derbyshire or a small church hidden in the wood hold the key to solving the puzzle? And why is Elizabeth inexplicably drawn to the portrait of three young boys in Pemberley’s gallery?
Determined to confirm or refute Lady Catherine’s accusation, Darcy and Elizabeth are forced to embark upon a twisted trail into bygone days and family secrets. All the while, they must endure the exquisite torture of denying the indisputable desire that still hovers between them.
From the award-winning author of An Arranged Marriage The Journey and The Secret Betrothal
- LanguageEnglish
- Publication dateMarch 11, 2015
- File size3.1 MB
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Product details
- ASIN : B00UMEELFO
- Publisher : Meryton Press (March 11, 2015)
- Publication date : March 11, 2015
- Language : English
- File size : 3.1 MB
- Text-to-Speech : Enabled
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Not Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Print length : 266 pages
- Best Sellers Rank: #472,306 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #9,559 in Regency Historical Romance
- #11,420 in Regency Romances
- #14,091 in Classic Literature & Fiction
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

Jan Hahn is fascinated by Jane Austen, 19th Century England, and true love. Having spent years in the world of business, she is now content to leave it behind and concentrate on writing about Austen's characters finding true love in 19th Century England. A storyteller since childhood, she's written skits and plays for local organizations and owned a business recording, writing and publishing oral histories. Jan is a member of JASNA and began writing novels based on Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice in 2002.
Jan's first novel, An Arranged Marriage, won the award for Best Indie book of 2011 from Austen Prose.
The Journey, published in 2012, was selected by Austen Prose as one of the Top Five Austen Inspired Historical Novels of 2012, and it won the Favorite Pride and Prejudice Variation/Alternate Path of 2012 award from Austenesque.
The Secret Betrothal, Jan's third novel, was included in Austen Prose's list of Best Austenesque Historical Novels for 2014.
Jan has five children, seven grandchildren, and is a native Texan. In her dream world, she lives in England in a place called Pemberley.
Customer reviews
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To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the story captivating and passionate. They enjoy every page and find the book well worth their time and money. The writing quality is praised as excellent and the author is considered one of the best in this genre. Readers appreciate the imaginative twists and turns of this Pride and Prejudice variation. The characters are well-developed and capture the spirit of Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam through dialogue. Overall, customers consider it one of the best Pride and Prejudice variations they have read. Opinions vary on the emotional depth, with some finding it well-handled and involving the reader in all aspects of the story, while others feel sadness for Elizabeth.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers enjoy the captivating story and passionate tale. They appreciate the well-written plot with twists and turns that keep them riveted. The premise offers a different journey for Elizabeth and Darcy, with an emotional journey of hope and loss. Readers also appreciate how the author brings back thoughts or phrases from the past later in the book.
"I will open this review by simply stating this is a wonderful story. It opens with a young man crying that he lost the only woman he loved...." Read more
"...Overall this is a well written and passionate tale. The romance is sadly lacking for far too long...." Read more
"...did an excellent job with the writing and I think the plot was exquisite in her thinking when writing this novel...." Read more
"...This story had a lot of potential and I love the plot line but I found Elizabeth to broody and quite frankly a downer...." Read more
Customers enjoyed the book. They found it engaging and well-written. Readers appreciated the alternate endings and the author's writing style. Overall, they found the book to be a worthwhile read that didn't disappoint from start to finish.
"...Thank you for a well written and enjoyable book." Read more
"...clues lead to strange places, even to Ireland, but it is well worth the trip. This is definitely my favorite from Jan Hahn." Read more
"...Well done and recommended." Read more
"...Well managed and creative without being pedestrian... I loved the twists and turns and the way you could tell what Elizabeth and Darcy were..." Read more
Customers appreciate the writing quality of the book. They find it well-written and engaging, with emotion expressed clearly on the pages. Readers praise the author as an excellent writer and consider it a treat to find a book of this quality.
"...Overall this is a well written and passionate tale. The romance is sadly lacking for far too long...." Read more
"...Jan Hahn did an excellent job with the writing and I think the plot was exquisite in her thinking when writing this novel...." Read more
"...Very well written and the premise offered a very different journey for Elizabeth and Darcy...." Read more
"...Read straight through without stopping. IMO this is one of the best authors in this genre. Highly recommend - you will not be disappointed." Read more
Customers enjoy the P&P variation. They find it imaginative and one of the best they've read.
"This is one of the best variations on P&P that I have ever read...." Read more
"This is one the best variations/vagaries that I have read. The story has real substance and deals with real issues...." Read more
"This is one of the best variations I have read and I thoroughly enjoyed it...." Read more
"One of the best alternate P & P's I've read, and I've read a lot...." Read more
Customers enjoy the well-developed characters and their yearning and frustration. The book captures the spirit of Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam through dialogue and the perfect viewpoint of Elizabeth. They love the struggle between Darcy and Elizabeth when they thought they couldn't.
"...rest of the book enjoying all the ends being happily tied, all the characters happy, and a glimpse into a well-deserved happy future." Read more
"...The angst that each character encounters is real and how they deal with it seems to ring true. The issues of evil and forgiveness is faced head-on...." Read more
"...and twist, with beautifully written dialogue and from the perfect viewpoint of Elizabeth. I loved this one! Can't wait for her next book...." Read more
"...The characters are well developed and the yearning and frustration palpable. A great read!" Read more
Customers appreciate the variation. They say it's one of the best Pride and Prejudice variations they have read, with a great stretch from the original storyline.
"...this story it was still diverting and a definitely unique take on Pride and Prejudice." Read more
"...- not too crazy to be unbelievable, but a great stretch from the original Pride and Prejudice storyline...." Read more
"This is a very different Pride and Prejudice variation. While it had characters not in the original book, they were well integrated into the story...." Read more
"This is one of the best Pride and Prejudice variations that I have read, because it has an intense emotional depth as well as an exciting story line...." Read more
Customers have mixed opinions about the emotional depth of the book. Some find it engaging, with the right mix of angst and sweetness, and the feelings of yearning and frustration palpable. Others feel the story is depressing, with Elizabeth being sad throughout the book.
"...The secondary plot was well-handled as well, emotionally involving the reader in all aspects of the story...." Read more
"...I gave this story a rating of 4 out of 5 because it is so sad. It really deserved a 5 of 5 rating...." Read more
"...Well written with appropriate romance, all the right feelings but an rather unconventional and inconvenient impediment...." Read more
"Once again Jan Hann has written a full-length story of love, passion, heart ache and in the end joy. It is a well-written story...." Read more
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2015I will open this review by simply stating this is a wonderful story. It opens with a young man crying that he lost the only woman he loved. We do not know who this young man is, or who the young woman was. Forward twenty-one years. Elizabeth Bennet is hoping that Darcy returns to Netherfield soon. Before that thought can even be processed, Lady Catherine de Bourgh upsets Elizabeth with a shocking revelation - she cannot possibly become betrothed to Darcy because they are brother and sister. Elizabeth is crushed feeling like all is lost now that she loves the man she refused last April. When Darcy comes to Longbourn, he wants everyone to think that she is a poor cousin. He intends to give her part of the Darcy fortune, but Elizabeth wants none of it since his father didn't want her, and she was born on the wrong side of the blanket. The Denisons now own Bridesgate, and when cleaning out the attic he discovers a painting hidden in the attic that gives everyone a clue to her mother. When Denison shows her the painting, her family is stunned to be looking at Elizabeth. She does find out that her mother was from Bridesgate named Elizabeth Willoughby. Her family, the Linton's, locked her away at Bridesgate until the baby was born. Elizabeth Willoughby died in childbirth, and Sir Linton Willoughby's sister tonsends the unwanted child to George Darcy. Elizabeth deciding she wants none of his money, tells him to leave, and that she will not sully his name, she avoids Darcy. Darcy is upset with circumstances and refuses to believe that his father had this affair. When he asks Elizabeth again to let him give her a settlement to have things that wants as Elizabeth Darcy, she tells him she can never have what she wants. This uncovered relationship has left them both staggering aimlessly through life at this point. Even Jane doesn't know how much Elizabeth loves Darcy. To be around him is just too much for her to handle. Jane reminds her that he will undoubtedly be at her and Bingley's wedding. Elizabeth is angry: at their father (George Darcy) for not wanting her, and the father who raised her by him not telling her she was not a Bennet. When Darcy and Georgiana arrive for the Bingley wedding, he and Georgiana want her to come to Pemberley. She eventually goes, but leaves to go back to Longbourn because she cannot see Darcy as her brother. During this time because Georgiana and Colonel Fitzwilliam thinks she's a cousin, Georgiana tries to find her a husband and the colonel wants to marry her figuring Darcy will give him her inheritance. His reactions are classic jealousy, anger, and frustration because he cannot tell them the truth. He heads to Bath to see his Aunt and tells her that he is going to search for evidence about this whole messed up situation. Darcy searches the attics at Pemberley, Rosings, his aunt's house in Bath (Henry Darcy's widow), and Eden Park (Matlock's home). Finding nothing from his Aunt in Bath that definitely helps his quest, he plans to head to Ireland to find his youngest uncle, Peter who left Pemberley to practice the Catholic religion. The Gardiners have traveled to Bath with Elizabeth for pleasure and business. When they meet the Darcys, her uncle must travel to Ireland for business. At first her aunt wants the two of them to return to London or Longbourn. He finally tells his wife that she and Lizzy must follow with him. Her aunt tells her she must move on and so should Darcy. Darcy keeps telling her that the truth is out there he just needs to find it. Finally in Ireland after many covered miles by carriage plus the sailing across the sea, the travelers are exhausted. They settle in at the inn at Ballymeghen. Elizabeth asks about the large stately home on the hill. Darcy tells her that it is Castelaine, where the Earl of Killaine lives, and that he is going to meet with him about his Uncle Peter, who's now a priest. While walking the beach, a rain storm forces Elizabeth to the front of a hut. The owner opens the door to allow her in to warm up. When the owner sees her in the light, he is stunned. Here is his Elizabeth. But it can't be, because she's dead. Elizabeth tries to tell him that she is not Elizabeth Willoughby, but Elizabeth Bennet. When she tells him Lady Catherine told her she was George Darcy's daughter and her mother was Elizabeth Willoughby. Father Peter Darcy tells her that he is her father and Elizabeth Willoughby Darcy was her mother. They married both in the Anglican and Catholic church. He left Pemberley because he was told that she had died in a fall down the steps. Heartbroken over her death, he went to Ireland to become a priest. She is so happy that she dances down the beach walk saying over and over, "I am not a bastard! I am not Mr. Darcy’s sister." When she meets Darcy because she been missing for hours, he relates that he knows. Needless to say, with the kiss and hugs that followed, both apologize, but neither recognizes the blame. They both wanted this incident to end. When they return to England, Darcy confront Elizabeth's mother's brother and his Aunt Catherine who lied about the letter from George Darcy to her husband. Once he had gotten truth from these two, he visits his barrister who is the son of the man who was Old Darcy's barrister. His father had kept the pages out of the diaries written by Darcy's father. At least the whole mystery was solid. Happy ending, but some sad parts were before that happiness happened.
- Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2015This was certainly different. Of course Lady Catherine is still awful but she can not convince Darcy to give up Elizabeth. I enjoyed the book and found myself both laughing and crying. All the twists and turns. But our hero and heroine never give up. Well woth the read!
- Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2015Exciting and emotional book that will keep you wanting to read, just a little more and then a little more. You want to believe that it will have a good ending and Elizabeth and Darcy will eventually get together, but with the awful proposal/refusal in Kent in their past, there now appears to be some question about Elizabeth's true parents. Could she actually be Darcy and Georgiana's sister? Of course, the confusing information is furnished by none other than Lady Catherine. I smell a rat here somewhere, but all the major players, and some of the critical evidence, are now gone (George Darcy and his two brothers, Elizabeth's mom, and some torn out pages from George Darcy's journal). Deep unrequited love will cause Darcy to leave no stone unturned until he finds out for sure the name of Elizabeth's real father. She definitely has the green eyes of Darcy's Irish grandmother. The journey is long and the scattered clues lead to strange places, even to Ireland, but it is well worth the trip. This is definitely my favorite from Jan Hahn.
- Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2015This is one of the best variations on P&P that I have ever read. I found that it had been released by a note on a blog this morning and, as I have read and loved this author's other books, immediately read the Sample and then ordered it. I finished it just now. I rate many books and/or movies by the number of tissues I use and this one was up there with 7 tissues...not just a tear or two but out-and-out sobbing at times.
I have to mention that there is an issue in this book which is alive and well despite some improvements, some progress in amelioration over the centuries. That is the conflict between Roman Catholicism and Protestantism. It has been very much in evidence in my lifetime in news from Ireland and Britain, and here in the states although not in violent marches and splits in families that seem to occur in Ireland, especially. Pardon me if I am wrong but that is what has been portrayed in the news media and in this book it plays a big role.
This story starts with a flashback as a young man throws himself on an altar, sobbing, and bemoans "her death". It then takes us to Longbourn, to that confrontation between Lady Catherine and Elizabeth, in which Lady C. is demanding that Elizabeth not ever become engaged to her nephew. Here the story diverges in A HUGE WAY, and this point, this news, this major bit of family history and the research into and resolution of the issue, take up most of the REST of the story.
This tale, within the first few pages grabbed my heart with both hands and didn't let go for a long time. I didn't want to put it down. And I wanted to share it with all my JAFF friends. There are dark, gloomy valleys of despair descended into and high mountains of joy climbed in this story. Most of the characters from canon residing at Longbourn are there but Darcy's family has added characters, two uncles, who play major roles for Elizabeth and Darcy. Lady Catherine and her deceased husband also play important roles. Colonel Fitzwilliam has a lesser role but continues to see Elizabeth's worth, even to be drawn to her charms. Georgiana is present for many scenes and relates to Elizabeth as in canon. Mr. Bennet's relationship with "his favorite daughter" gives us food for thought: did he act in the best interest...for Elizabeth...for himself?
I don't want to state my one objection as it would be a SPOILER but the practice of such is no longer allowed in England. The romance, the chemistry, the words of love, the longing - even when not allowed bring sighs and angst. And in the end, in the epilogue, the author brings FAITH into Elizabeth's look back on the past ten years and the events, the fact that life is not always fair. I love the way the author brought life's realities into this story. Our Dear Couple's life was not always perfect and Elizabeth was not always happy and smiling and teasing. But this made the story all the more of a delightful love story.
Dear Readers, this one is a MUST...do not miss reading this tale.
Top reviews from other countries
- Wendy ScopesReviewed in the United Kingdom on December 14, 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars Touching
Great story, sometimes sad, but with a happy outcome. I enjoyed the hints and clues along the way. The plot involved quite a few unlikely coincidences, in terms of meeting or travelling with people, so of you are prepared to suspend reality momentarily, this is a great read.
-
AaghiReviewed in Italy on April 17, 2018
4.0 out of 5 stars A peculiar connection
Nel genere delle "variations" di P&P, J. Hahn è la mia autrice preferita e questo librio non mi ha certamente deluso, ne ho apprezzato l'originalità della trama, la scorrevolezza e pulizia della scrittura che rendono la lettura interessante, piacevole e facile anche per chi non ha una perfetta conoscenza della lingua inglese
- AlexaReviewed in Australia on June 26, 2015
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic!
Please please please tell me this author is going to keep writing variations! She is beyond brilliant - everything I read from her I absolutely adore and find impossible to put down.
I loved the premise for this book - a very different variation indeed! It was a little predictable regarding the ending, but still entirely satisfying with numerous bumps that kept you hooked on every step of the way (and frustrated for both characters!). I loved this book!
- Belinda HoldsworthReviewed in Australia on August 25, 2024
3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting plot twist...
interesting plot twist and mostly well written but descending into maudlin sentimentality in the 2nd half. There were plot holes as well that dropped me out of the story.
- EurekaReviewed in the United Kingdom on April 21, 2018
4.0 out of 5 stars Takes liberties with P & P but has merit as a stand alone good read.
This is a long story. It breaks free of the Bennet clan in the first chapter and thereafter assumes a life of it's own. It is amost exclusively concerned with the widely scattered Darcy clan with a most convoluted Plot and complex storyline I have encountered in any of the very many books I have read in this genre.Having said all that I found it fascinating to a degree! The storyline writhes and twists like no other and I found it difficult at time to keep in mind the context of the bit I was reading at any giiven time. I have knocked a star off because it is a bit of a con but it it is worth reading in its own right.