This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Released on January 6, 2016
Pages: 215
Format: eARC
Source: Book Tour Provided
As this is a short story collection, I’ve decided to do a series of mini reviews for each.
I appreciated that the author included a forward to explain how her collection works. She advises that the reader should definitely be already familiar with Jane Austen’s original Pride & Prejudice story before tackling these shorties to get the most out of them. They appear to be arranged so that they match up with where the variation story begins it’s deviation from canon, but don’t really need to be read in that order. That said, I think I’ll just take them in the order they were written.
‘Words in the Wind’
Loved it! A bit of magical realism maybe? Or maybe a wink toward old Gothic Romance stories? Lizzy finds little scraps of paper with bits of a message along the way for her annual pilgrimage to her grandfather’s grave that lead to something truly special when she discovers the truth about two men both of whom her first impressions got wrong.
‘A Fine Stout Love’
I am not generally a fan of poetry, but the verses in this one that whimsically won over Darcy’s heart made this a sweet and unique story. This alternate story of Darcy and Lizzy was more a sweet, humorous vignette.
‘Neither Slumber Nor Sleep’
I enjoyed this variation that took place late in the original story while Jane and the sisters are in London for wedding clothes and Lizzy pines for Darcy who has stayed away on a duty to his aunt. Definitely has some dream-like qualities to it.
‘Gold, All Gold’
Another with some magical realism, but this time it was difficult distinguishing reality and dream world and the end left me a bit confused because of the dreams within dreams maybe? Or not. I’m not sure. Still, loved the creative plot and seeing Darcy and Lizzy sharing her dream world.
‘Eden Unashamed’
Oh my! Darcy writes poetry to his betrothed and through a stranger series of circumstances, his intended is not the one to receive his passionate overtures. Definitely the best for last in this collection.
I enjoyed the follow-up afterward where the author explains the origins of her stories. I’m always curious about that so I found it as engaging as one of the story.
All in all, these were precious and full of gentle humor and sweet romance. There is an inspirational influence, but I think even those who don’t read inspirational fiction would appreciate this collection. But the prime audience is most definitely the Austen lover.
My thanks to the author and blog tour host for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Challenges Met:
Romance Roundabout #154 HR
New to Me #62
Austenesque Lovers #18
GIVEAWAY
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This sounds like a cute collection, Sophia Rose, especially because some of the characters are known to us from other works. I’m particularly intrigued by the Darcy verses.
Lexxie @ (un)Conventional Bookviews
Yes, it was a cutie for sure, Lexxie. It is fun to see familiar characters and yes, the Darcy poem was a fun one.
oh what a great short reading collection here!! I love those stories with sweet and gentle humor.
Definite sweet and some were laugh out loud funny.
sounds like a book I will enjoy reading
Hope you get the chance, Vesper!
Sounds like a nice collection for those who like this genre.
Yes, it was nice and sweet. Happy Mother’s Day, Mary!
Oh the Darcy poem one was a hoot
Laughed quite a bit for that one. 🙂
A Fine Stout Love sounds great ♡ I would love to read this book. Thank you
Hope you get the chance, Linda!
A Fine Stout Love sounds awesome! Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Glad you could stop by, Caryl!
Glad you could stop by, Caryl!
I’m very glad to read your mini-reviews, because I had wanted to know a bit more about each story, than what is provided in the book blurb. Thanks for offering them.
You’re very welcome, Ginna! Always glad to help out a fellow reader.
You know that I’m all for short story collections, and to have this one about one of my favorite classics is awesome. I’m glad you enjoyed this!
It was neat to see how different places throughout P&P could be altered for a little something different.
love short story collections
Great for the busy times. 🙂
life with kids=busy times all the time 😉
True!
I love when they explain how each of the stories came to be 😀
Me too. I’m nosy like that especially if there are curious features to the story.