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Obstacles: A Pride and Prejudice Variation Kindle Edition
Though Elizabeth Bennet lives an uneventful life instructing young equestrians at Longbourn, the family farm, she dreams of winning a show-jumping competition on Liddy, her spirited mare. But her life is upended when a team of world-renowned riders arrives at Netherfield, the neighbouring estate, and uses it as their training headquarters. As she assists the newcomers and their prize-winning mounts, she meets William Darcy, a wealthy and arrogant—albeit talented—rider with Olympic aspirations. He first insults and then ignores Elizabeth, and her feelings teeter between disgust at his hauteur and admiration for his equestrian prowess. As she discovers first-hand the rigors of a world for the elite, will Elizabeth change her perspective about love, trust, and the foibles of her own family?
Originally known as “Obstacles to Overcome,” Obstacles pays homage to Pride and Prejudice in the highly competitive world of equestrian show jumping.
- LanguageEnglish
- Publication dateSeptember 4, 2018
- File size2.7 MB
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Product details
- ASIN : B07GXYNPL8
- Publisher : Meryton Press (September 4, 2018)
- Publication date : September 4, 2018
- Language : English
- File size : 2.7 MB
- Text-to-Speech : Enabled
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Not Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Print length : 367 pages
- Best Sellers Rank: #1,223,303 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #37,262 in Classic Literature & Fiction
- #103,620 in Contemporary Romance (Kindle Store)
- #148,136 in Contemporary Romance (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
Customer reviews
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the storyline enjoyable and entertaining. They appreciate the well-crafted adaptation that keeps the characters and circumstances relevant to the modern era. Readers praise the engaging romance and thought-provoking details. The writing quality is described as fabulous and the book is described as a must-read for fans of Jane Austen's work.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers enjoy the storyline. They find it entertaining and unique, gripping them from the start. The theme is fun and the book is described as a perfect holiday read.
"...thing I can appreciate among the many JAFF stories I’ve read is a unique storyline. In this case, Darcy is a horseman...." Read more
"I cannot believe I waited so long to read this book. The storyline is plausible, contemporary and it works for Jane Austen's characters...." Read more
"...Compelling, well written, funny and entertaining story. I was particularly impressed by the way it was adapted into the modern era...." Read more
"I thoroughly enjoyed this modern Pride and Prejudice variation! The plot was fun and romantic, the characters were true to the original albeit in a..." Read more
Customers like the adaptation. They say it makes the story realistic and works for Jane Austen's characters.
"...The storyline is plausible, contemporary and it works for Jane Austen's characters...." Read more
"...The plot was fun and romantic, the characters were true to the original albeit in a different location . An all around lovely book." Read more
"...It makes the story actual and adapts beautifully all the characters and circumstances." Read more
"...I really enjoyed it from beginning to end. The characters come to life page after page, and the story grips you from the get-go...." Read more
Customers enjoy the book's pacing and modern adaptation. They find the storyline plausible and well-tweaked into a contemporary horse world.
"...The storyline is plausible, contemporary and it works for Jane Austen's characters...." Read more
"...timeline of canon were intact but cleverly and convincingly tweaked into a modern equine world...." Read more
"...This book is a must-read Modern Day variation. LOVE.THIS.BOOK!!" Read more
Customers enjoy the romance in the book.
"...Also, I thought that the love scene was sweet and realistic...." Read more
"...The plot was fun and romantic, the characters were true to the original albeit in a different location . An all around lovely book." Read more
"Great romance! Fabulously written. I really enjoyed it from beginning to end...." Read more
Customers enjoy the book's thought-provoking content and interesting details. They find it engaging, well-written, and humorous.
"I absolutely loved it! Compelling, well written, funny and entertaining story...." Read more
"...Was not familiar with the author. Fun, thought provoking, wanted to smack Lizzy a couple of times, but that's a good thing...lol..." Read more
"...parts of the story as well, along with a lot of other interesting details...." Read more
Customers enjoy the writing quality of the book. They find it well-written and enjoyable from start to finish.
"I absolutely loved it! Compelling, well written, funny and entertaining story...." Read more
"...His skills are unbeatable, his poise is impeccable and he is the Hottest Horseman...." Read more
"Great romance! Fabulously written. I really enjoyed it from beginning to end...." Read more
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on November 18, 2018One thing I can appreciate among the many JAFF stories I’ve read is a unique storyline. In this case, Darcy is a horseman. Actually, he is “England’s hottest horseman.” Picturing David Gandy as a horseman allowed me the best of visuals while reading the story :)
I found how they embedded the P&P storyline into this one was well done. Even the Wickham/Georgiana aspect was cleverly done. And I should also add “Lydia’s” character and the subsequent storyline with Wickham was also well done. I enjoyed reading through this story.
As far as Lizzy and Darcy are concerned, I’m glad Lizzy wasn’t written as a downright immature bitch like many authors tend to do to her in a modern story. She was spunky and temperamental for sure. But there was always that element of natural respect and admiration for Darcy (due to her love of horses and competition and Darcy’s reign in the field) that felt more real. Granted, she still loathed him a lot of times but here you see that thin line between love and hate.
The story is long, and a few reviews were critical of the added-on “virginity” storyline towards the end that extended the storyline. Maybe it was a bit unnecessary but I enjoyed it nonetheless. But yes it felt a bit forced and contrived when the story could’ve ended before and even without all this. That being said, this story is pretty racy at times but I enjoyed it all.
Another great addition to my collection and I learned a lot about the world of horses and racing in the process.
- Reviewed in the United States on June 12, 2019I really enjoy modern variations and some of the best have themes. I thought that equestrian competition was a particularly good one that blended the modern era with the regency; who hasn't pictured tall, strong Mr Darcy atop his noble steed? It's a striking image that makes it into almost every Regency story and this author translated it nicely into the present day.
I won't bother to summarize since the first three quarters follow the Austen original closely (albeit in a clever way; think Lydia would be mad to realize she's been interpreted as a horse?), but I will comment on the last part which deviates from it. Most reviewers seem to think that this section is superfluous and unnecessary and I can understand why they feel that way, but I rather liked it. At the end of the original, Darcy and Elizabeth get engaged and married within weeks because that was the only respectable choice for people of their time period, but that's just not how we roll in the twenty first century. Since this Elizabeth was neither a Regency gentlewoman nor an old school Disney princess, it would have been supremely strange (and potentially concerning) for her to jump headlong into a serious relationship with a man with whom she didn't have the most cordial history. The fact that she was a virgin (and at twenty one that's not so weird) made an adult relationship all the more tentative for both of them. I think we got a chance to see a more realistic HEA rather than simply having it summarized for us in an epilogue (though there's one of those too that takes us further into the future). I thought it was nice. I also applaud the author for writing a piece that was entirely her own rather than stopping at the point Austen did.
Also, I thought that the love scene was sweet and realistic. It's a habit in creative writing to make the characters sexual savants, but virgins, like Elizabeth, are often too tentative for all manner of kink and foreplay. Not to get too personal here, but I know my first experience wasn't a multi orgasmic, pseudo-religious experience and I kinda suspect that this is more the norm than the exception. Here, Darcy and Elizabeth enjoy themselves, but save certain intimacies for future interludes (none of which are described here).
I liked the interpretation of the Austen characters here, though several of them were more frustrating than ever. Mr Bennet, in particular, needs to stop relying on his daughters to dig him out of trouble. Who's the parent here, anyway? I felt more sympathetic toward his wife, though, and Mary's erotic sci find novellas were hysterical. Lydia as a horse, however, is FTW.
I only deducted a star because I found Elizabeth to be a little weak and dependant on Darcy at times. Of course, she probably needs someone to take care of her since her parents rely more on her than she on them, so perhaps this is understandable. Also, she's in her early twenties, is a virgin and has yet to leave home. I know that the original Lizzy Bennet was younger at twenty, but during her time period she was considered old enough for marriage (according to some people) at fifteen, making her more of an adult at twenty than most modern people are at twenty five. Understandable, but less like the Elizabeth I know.
Anyway, I love it and recommend it.
- Reviewed in the United States on November 14, 2020I cannot believe I waited so long to read this book. The storyline is plausible, contemporary and it works for Jane Austen's characters. Pride and prejudice are present between the usual pair against the backdrop of high level equestrian events featuring "England's Hottest Horseman". Darcy's contempt for Elizabeth's family may be well deserved this time as Mr. Bennet's own drama, past and present, comes to light.
- Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2020I absolutely loved it!
Compelling, well written, funny and entertaining story.
I was particularly impressed by the way it was adapted into the modern era. The framework and timeline of canon were intact but cleverly and convincingly tweaked into a modern equine world.
It ended with plenty of happy time with ODC, the last 30% of the book was dedicated to sweet, romantic and heated moments with a little twist to keep the suspense. Masterly done...
I heartily recommend this book!
Rated: M
- Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2019I thoroughly enjoyed this modern Pride and Prejudice variation! The plot was fun and romantic, the characters were true to the original albeit in a different location . An all around lovely book.
- Reviewed in the United States on September 25, 2018Modern P&P variations which showcase a specific interest/occupation are usually terrific, because the author has combined two favorites -- her area of expertise and her love of P&P. Examples of wonderful books in this sub-genre are: The Trials of the Honorable F. Darcy, Boots & Backpacks and Fitzwilliam Darcy: Rock Star. Unleashing Mr. Darcy is also fun.
Obstacles portrays the world of dressage, but it went over the same aspects again and again. The problems at Longbourn were repeated over and over. Lizzy's virginity was dwelled on too much. In short, the book was too long considering the lack of depth of the characters and sub-plots.
The book was well-written and well-edited. It just wasn't particularly interesting or gripping or fun. The epilogue was different, which was good, but that also just missed being really good. I wish I could be more positive, but I can't.
- Reviewed in the United States on March 14, 2020Highly enjoyable tale. It takes you through the horse competition world and describes in a really vivid manner the development of the relationship between Darcy and Elizabeth. It makes the story actual and adapts beautifully all the characters and circumstances.
Top reviews from other countries
- MarieReviewed in Canada on July 4, 2019
5.0 out of 5 stars Modern P&P
I really enjoyed this modern day variation. No Lydia, but there is a Liddy, Elizabeth’s horse. Wickham is his evil self, but his modern storyline fits well. I thought the writing was very well done. Highly recommend.
- GlynisReviewed in the United Kingdom on December 13, 2018
5.0 out of 5 stars What a lovely book.
A great modern take on P&P set in the world of horses. Darcy and Bingley are top riders training at Netherfield, Elizabeth and Jane are helping. As usual Darcy upsets Elizabeth and seems to prevent her from touching his horse.
There are only 4 Bennet daughters, no Lydia, however Elizabeth’s horse is Liddy. Elizabeth is only too ready to believe George Wickham’s lies about Darcy.
I don’t consider it a spoiler to say that Darcy and Elizabeth do finally get together because, hey, that’s a must in books I read. Darcy the boyfriend is perfect, so romantic and caring, I loved this book, will be re reading it, and would definitely recommend it.
- CraftyhjReviewed in the United Kingdom on March 3, 2023
4.0 out of 5 stars 3.5*
An interesting modern Pride and Prejudice variation set in the world of equestrian sports. I enjoyed reading this book but I can say I loved it.
This story follows the path of the original pretty closely for the majority of the book and generally does a good job. The writing generally flows well and the editing is tight. A few niggles took the edge off my review however.
A modern Mrs Bennet needs to be more than the matchmaking mama of Austen. Maybe she could be obsessed with celebrity culture and direct her matchmaking there? It doesn’t work for her to be obsessed with marrying off her daughters who are only just into adulthood.
Elizabeth’s plans to study are important to the plot here but the author clearly knows nothing about the British tertiary education system. This probably doesn’t bother readers from outside the UK but it drove me mad.
Finally the ending took too long to happen and a few errors set in.
All in all an enjoyable read.
- Alison DygnasReviewed in the United Kingdom on September 6, 2018
5.0 out of 5 stars Good Characterization and Excellent Plot
If you enjoy reading about Darcy and Elizabeth you will find this modern take one of the best. If you prefer your romances to revolve around the horsey scene, then this is one of the best. If you read both genres, you won't want to put it down.
- LE CATTERMOLEReviewed in the United Kingdom on October 26, 2020
1.0 out of 5 stars Oh dear
Factually incorrect, whilst I appreciate this is a work of fiction, it would have made for far better reading if the background equestrian aspects were at least correct. Made embarrassing reading for those who have any, even if limited, equestrian knowledge.