45. The Other Bennet Sister

45. The Other Bennet Sister. Janice Hadlow. 2020. 463 pages. [Source: Review copy] [adult fiction, historical fiction, historical romance, Austen adaptation, 5 stars]

First sentence: It is a sad fact of life that if a young woman is unlucky enough to come into the world without expectations, she had better do all she can to ensure she is born beautiful. To be poor and handsome is misfortune enough; but to be penniless and plain is a hard fate indeed.

Premise/plot: The Other Bennet Sister is a spin-off of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. The first bit of the book is a prequel. Readers meet Mary Bennet as a young girl. Before Mary overheard her mother talking about her unfortunate looks, her ugly plainness, she was content and happy enough to hang out with her older sisters, Jane and Elizabeth. The more self-conscious she becomes of everyone thinking she is 'different' (and really this is more her parents fault--her father ignores EVERYONE except Lizzy and her mother has no use for her at all), the more distance is created between her and her sisters. She soon finds herself seeking ONLY the companionship of books. Books--religious texts included--become her refuge. She seeks religion and philosophy and other more nonfiction-y books. Perhaps if she'd read novels she'd have still 'fit in' with her sisters.

The second bit of the novel is the first part of Pride and Prejudice seen through the eyes of Mary Bennet. Not the whole novel, mind you, but the part Mary witnessed at the start. Mary is also friends with Charlotte Lucas which does make sense. Here we see Mr. Collins through her eyes. And the DISASTROUS party where Mary is humiliated.

The third bit of the novel is by far the largest part. Readers see what happens next--a  year or two after the conclusion of Pride and Prejudice. We see what happens after the death of her father, Mr. Bennet, and how she tries and tries to find a place to settle. This was the coming of age bit of the novel. Will Mary Bennet find her happily ever after????

My thoughts: I loved, loved, loved this one!!!! It was SO good. I loved her character throughout. Mary Bennet has always been misunderstood. And I loved seeing these familiar characters THROUGH her eyes. A reminder that there's more than one side to any story.


© 2026 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

2. The Abbey Mystery (Jane Austen Investigates #1)

The Abbey Mystery (Jane Austen Investigates #1). Julia Golding. 2021. [April] 192 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: It had to be acknowledged that the life of a clergyman’s daughter in deepest rural Hampshire was disappointingly full of duties.

Premise/plot: Jane Austen, our heroine, is thirteen and spunky. In this, her first adventure, she goes to be a lady's companion to Lady Cromwell for a few weeks--as birthday celebrations are in high gear--and stumbles into her first (but presumably not last) mystery. Southmoor Abbey is rumored to be haunted; she first hears from her older brother who almost dares her to search out the ghost for herself. But it isn't a ghost--mad or not--that brings danger and excitement into her life: it is the master and mistress of the estate....

There are multiple mysteries to solve and lives do hang in the balance...though this is NOT a murder mystery. 

My thoughts: I really loved this one. The novel opens in 1789 and stars the Austen family. If I use the word though, I don't mean it in a derogatory or condescending way... THOUGH it is a middle grade title and certainly appropriate for readers 9+ I think it holds appeal for readers of all ages. I enjoyed it as an adult. I could easily see myself enjoying it as preteen and teen. (Granted I loved HISTORICAL FICTION and reading in general.) Austen makes for a lively, spunky-quirky heroine. And THERE'S A DOG who plays a significant role in the story. In fact, would Austen have solved the mysteries WITHOUT the dog????? I'm not sure! 

 I think adults who have read all of Austen might enjoy this one especially. 

Quotes:

“And if I see a ghost, Henry, I’ll tell it to get on to heaven–or the other place.” “I do believe you would. Prove there’s no such thing as a ghost at the Abbey and I’ll give you half a crown.” He patted his purse. Jane thought of the writing paper she could buy with such riches. “You have a deal.” 

“I think Henry [XIII] guilty of crimes and cruelties too many to mention,” agreed Jane–she had strong opinions about the monarchs of the land. “I believe he was a man of no religion and little can be said in his defence.” “Oh, bravo, Miss Austen. I wish you had the task of writing the history books. I admire plain speaking.” Jane decided that Annette was all right–like Fitzwilliam, Deepti, and Luke, rather than the Cromwells. 

 

© 2021 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

39. The Clergyman's Wife

The Clergyman's Wife: A Pride and Prejudice Novel. Molly Greeley. 2019. 304 pages. [Source: Library] [adult historical; adult fiction; women's fiction; Austen adaptation]

First sentence: Mr. Collins walks like a man who has never become comfortable with his height: his shoulders hunched, his neck thrust forward.

Premise/plot: This historical romance is a Pride and Prejudice retelling starring Charlotte and Mr. Collins. It has been several years since the two wed, are the two well suited? Is Charlotte happy?

Every novel—for whatever reason, for better or worse—has to have tension or an obstacle. In this retelling, Charlotte has an affair of the heart and mind with a local farmer who has been hired to plant roses in their garden. He is one of the tenants—him and his elderly father, the former gardener of Rosings.

This affair consists of actually honest and heartfelt conversations. They smile. They laugh. Her daughter is present. Nothing shockingly flirty, or even slightly flirty. But Charlotte exposes her very soul to a man not her husband. There is no shell, no pretense. Mr. Collins remains a stranger to her soul, to who she actually is, to what she thinks, feels, enjoys, wants.

My thoughts: I actually liked most of this one—mostly. I liked the strong friendship between the two. I know we’re supposed to want it to be more, that we are supposed to see them as soulmates. But I don’t. I think her friendship reveals her loneliness in her present circumstances, but she could find companionship and honesty in other places. Now that she has been vulnerable once, she can be vulnerable again.

I hated one scene where Charlotte dares to imagine what it would be like to have this farmer touch her, hold her, etc. I felt it was icky for lack of a better word. After this she seems to realize that her innocent connection—human to human, friend to friend—isn’t quite appropriate. Which is a bittersweet realization.

I thought the novel ended on a hopeful note. Not an obvious one, I think it requires imagination and optimism. The ending is just an ending—not happy, not sad, not tragic, just the ending of one chapter in their lives before the turning of a page. Their story is far from over.

I personally think there is an opportunity in their new circumstances and situation for growth and improvement. If they are not living next door to you know who and being kept at her beck and call. If she is not scrutinizing every second, every minute, every hour of their days, perhaps patterns can change, the two can relax, the two can relate a bit more to one another. We have never really seen Mr. Collins not being bossed around and obsessively preoccupied with pleasing Lady Catherine.

What would a relaxed Mr. Collins look like? If he was, you know, being himself?! We get a glimpse of an honest Charlotte. I have to believe that some of Mr. Collins’ behaviors, habits, tendencies are a shell, a pretense. He wants to please, needs to please, has to please. What is driving this need? Is it fear? Is it shame? Is it doubt? Does Mr. Collins like himself? What does he feel? Is he comfortable with his feelings?

It would be easy to assume that Mr. Collins is beyond redemption. He will live every day of his life being oblivious and obnoxious. But that caricature which is very Austen, isn’t actually fleshed out and dimensional. He was in Pride and Prejudice for a laugh. 

© 2020 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Pride and Prejudice and Mistletoe

Pride and Prejudice and Mistletoe. Melissa de la Cruz. 2017. 240 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: A Taylor Swift cover of "Last Christmas," originally recorded by Wham! in 1986, strummed from the stereo of the sleek, black town car, where Darcy was sitting in the backseat.

Premise/plot: Darcy Fitzwilliam is a successful business woman who hasn't returned to her hometown of Pemberley, Ohio, in eight years--not even for Christmas. But when her mother has a heart attack, Darcy returns, and seemingly just in time for their annual Christmas party. At the party she bumps into a lot of her former classmates, ex-boyfriends, and friends--among them two of the Bennet brothers, Jim and Luke. Bingley Charles, her (gay) best friend falls in love at first sight with Jim. But Luke and Darcy, well, it takes standing under the mistletoe for the magic to happen. And magic it is. But will Darcy and Luke be able to put aside their pride and prejudice and move forward?

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. I do love Pride and Prejudice. I am always curious to read adaptations. Equal parts curiosity and anxiety if I'm being honest. Overall, I'd recommend this one to those who enjoy reading contemporary romances who also enjoy all things Pride and Prejudice. This holiday-themed romance is definitely Austen-inspired, but it has its original moments as well. Not every character from the book has its parallel. And definitely not every scene--which is for the best. It keeps the book from being tedious. If it was a movie, I'd definitely watch it every holiday season.

See, it is an assumption universally made that any beautiful, brilliant, single woman who is rich as hell will be in want of a husband. 

"Maybe just for the sake of tradition?" he blurted, gesturing at the mistletoe. "I mean..." She blushed a little. "It is tradition." Did I really just say that? She couldn't believe it. Am I honestly going to let Luke Bennet kiss me? Wait. Do I actually want him to kiss me? In that moment, she couldn't deny it. In the middle of this mess of a party, all she wanted was for the adrenaline to keep rushing. 

Darcy cursed. "What is with my family and mistletoe? Hang it up in one place, sure, but all over the house? I mean this is just excessive. Good thing this time I'm under it alone." "Not anymore," Luke said, sliding up next to her so that they were both, once again, standing together under the mistletoe. Wait a second, she thought, is he still thinking about me too? What does he want from me? Do we--she grimaced inwardly--have feelings for each other?

Is it a "clean" romance? There is some cursing--taking the Lord's name in vain. The sex is kept PG-13, and mainly happens off the page or off screen.

© 2017 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Darcy's Hope

Darcy's Hope: Beauty from Ashes. Ginger Monette. 279 pages. [Source: Review copy provided by author]

First sentence: Elizabeth Bennet stood stunned.

Premise/plot: Darcy's Hope: Beauty from Ashes is a Pride and Prejudice variation set during World War I--largely in France. Elizabeth is a nurse hoping to gain valuable experience in the medical field. (She wants to be a doctor--or surgeon.) Captain Darcy is a soldier on a secret mission--to find the spy--or group of spies--at the field hospital where Elizabeth happens to work.

My thoughts: Who would enjoy this one? Readers who enjoy P&P variations should definitely pick this one up. Not every single reader of P&P is a fan of variations--retellings, sequels, etc. And that is okay. Just because you love the original doesn't mean you are bound to love every variation of it. Readers who enjoy World War I fiction may also find this one appealing. Though it doesn't really match up to Testament of Youth.  (It would be hard for any fiction novel to match a nonfiction memoir of a nurse.)

The interaction between Darcy and Elizabeth was good. And I think that is the most important test for any P&P inspired novel. It was less convincing in other aspects--trying to translate the original details into this new setting. (In terms of how Elizabeth's family fit into this one. Or Bingley or Caroline.)

Did it work as a romance? I think the answer is yes! Did it work as a mystery? I'm a little more hesitant. It's hard to say just looking at the first half! There were clues I picked up on that have me guessing the direction this one is going. I can't be sure I'm right until I read the second half, of course! Did it work as historical fiction? For the most part. First and foremost this one is Pride and Prejudice inspired. That is the framework of this one. That is where the focus is.

© 2017 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews