Book picks similar to
A Lesson Hard Learned by Wendi Sotis


jaff
pride-and-prejudice
austenesque
romance

Georgiana Darcy, Matchmaker


Bronwen Chisholm - 2016
    Deciding Georgie was unprepared for such circumstances due to their society's preference to keep young ladies innocent and unknowing of the ways of the world, he chose to enlighten her. He began discussing things with her and educating her on matters that others may feel were not for the eyes or ears of a lady. He wanted her to be prepared when she came out in society and not be susceptible to the fortune hunters. What he did not realize was that she would use her new found knowledge upon him.

An Unwelcome Guest at the Netherfield Ball


E. Bradshaw - 2016
    The reader later discovers the truth of this situation; that Mr Wickham was keen to avoid Mr Darcy that night – for it was entirely possible that he could have faced (entirely justifiable) retribution from Mr Darcy if he had attended. The reader – and Elizabeth – are unaware at that point in the novel of Mr Wickham’s true, deceitful nature – and, of course, no one in wider society is aware of Mr Wickham’s scandalous behaviour concerning Mr Darcy’s younger sister. However, in this alternative narrative, the reader is shown how events could have varied in Pride and Prejudice if Mr Wickham had thrown caution to the wind and had instead attended the ball on that fateful evening. In this re-telling of the famous story, events start on the evening of the much anticipated Netherfield ball, and Elizabeth quietly frets to herself over the potential for her family to create a public scene. She knows very well that Mr Bingley’s conceited sisters hold her family in contempt, just as she is very aware of Mr Darcy’s obvious disapproval. She dreads the prospect of enduring her promised dances with Mr Collins, and is appalled at her mothers’ blatant matchmaking efforts. However, with the one pivotal change – of Mr Wickham being unexpectedly present at the ball – Elizabeth’s night, and her prospects for an enjoyable evening, change completely. And as a consequence of his attendance at the ball, the events of the novel begin to differ from there onwards as well. The neighbourhood of Meryton is entirely scandalised when Elizabeth takes a dance with the gallant Mr Wickham – and Mr Darcy is beside himself with rage to see the woman he secretly admires dancing so merrily with his arch enemy. ‘Elizabeth looked up at Mr Wickham’s face as he spoke, and realised, as she followed the direction of his pointed gaze, that he had locked eyes with Mr Darcy across the space of the crowded ballroom. She had not noticed before that Mr Darcy was observing them; though it was clear that Mr Wickham had known exactly where Mr Darcy was within the room – as well as having been entirely aware that Mr Darcy had been watching the two of them. The air seemed to spark between the two men, and Elizabeth could not fail to notice the palpable tension which flowed in waves between them. She saw the scornful sneer that Mr Wickham shot towards his enemy – and Mr Darcy bristling in return.’ In fact, Mr Darcy is so unsettled by the sight of Elizabeth dancing with his enemy, and so jealous, that he acts immediately to separate them. Unfortunately for Elizabeth, this is only the first of a series of humiliating experiences that she is to face that evening – and the consequences of Mr Darcy’s actions are to cause a scandal which will unavoidably change her future.

Nothing but the Deepest Love: A Pride and Prejudice Variation


Madeline Kennet - 2016
    The two strike up a friendship, but in the background, there is Mr. Wickham. His behavior gives Elizabeth suspicions and grave concerns, and she is greatly relieved when Mr. Darcy shows up. Without having met him, she has formed an impression of a responsible man and caring brother, whose arrival will take away all her worries, but he turns out to be so much more than the sensible but stuffy gentleman she expected, and soon she is losing her heart to him.

A Death at Rosings: A Pride & Prejudice Variation


Renata McMann - 2015
    Not yet up to the challenge of managing the estate on her own, Anne de Bourgh enlists the aid of Elizabeth Bennet, who is staying with her cousin Mr. Collins at the time. Elizabeth is capable, intelligent and quick thinking enough to help Anne manage Rosings, but is she ready for the challenge of Mr. Darcy’s return to Kent? With his rebuked proposal, his letter and her knowledge that she misjudged him between them, can Elizabeth set her own feelings aside to help save Anne de Bourgh’s estate? This “Pride and Prejudice” variation novella is approximately 60,000 words in length.

The Return: A Pride and Prejudice Story


Timothy Underwood - 2015
    Bingley returned after the Netherfield Ball and asked Jane to marry him. He admitted to Jane that Mr. Darcy’s advice had nearly stopped him. Elizabeth, eager to hear anything ill about Mr. Darcy, made her sister tell the story. Jane said Mr. Darcy discouraged his friend because he sincerely believed her to be indifferent. Elizabeth knew better. Darcy was selfish and unfeeling. Elizabeth wasn’t naïve and willing to believe every story told to her. At the wedding Darcy said he approved of his friend’s marriage because Jane clearly loved Bingley. In fact, he might follow his friend’s example and marry for affection. Elizabeth wasn’t going to let this hypocritical gentleman get away with his deception. Not after he tried to hurt Jane. She loudly said what she truly thought of him. Now Elizabeth realizes she was horribly mistaken about Darcy’s character. Now she loves him. But, is it too late for her? Has she lost his esteem forever?

Progression Vol. 1: A Continuation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice


Jodi L. Covey - 2016
    and Mrs. Darcy are beginning their married life and could not be happier. Life, however, must progress, and with progression comes obstacles. No Happily Ever After is ever met with ease, if even such a thing exists. Told from the viewpoint of several of Jane Austen's beloved characters is a story about the start of a marriage from wedding day, the devotion of an unconventional couple equal in mind (and obstinacy), the maturing of a shy debutante, the evolving of a gallant soldier, the ambition of an envious upstart, and the trials of a simple clergyman's wife. Along with the reappearance of familiar characters both adored and despised, new characters are introduced, and new problems arise---and all within the first eight months! After inadvertently committing yet another social faux pas, Darcy must now prove to Society and his noble relations what he had managed to prove to Elizabeth: That he is a better man for knowing her and that his wife was, indeed, "worth the earning." The new Mrs. Darcy, meanwhile, must ingratiate herself to the Society who should rather spurn or pre-judge her. Georgiana Darcy must emerge from her shell to be presented in the year following the traumatic experience that nearly ruined her. Colonel Fitzwilliam must step outside his comfort zone, rebel against his father's wishes and proceed down a path more self-fulfilling, but less safe. Charlotte Collins must bear daily the directness of an embittered Lady Catherine de Bourgh and the growing isolation of her "sickly" daughter, Anne---not to mention the inanity of a ridiculous husband she barely respects... And Caroline Bingley must show herself superior to the despised Eliza Bennet Darcy by ensnaring a suitor to rival Mr. Darcy. Be careful what you wish for... "Progression" is about family, as well as love, passion, fear, courage, integrity, single-minded resolve, and other human qualities that can either make or mar one's future happiness. This is the first volume of two.

Tempt You to Accept Me: A Pride and Prejudice Variation


Cassandra B. Leigh - 2015
    Fitzwilliam Darcy decided to ignore the voices warning him of the dangers presented by a certain young lady? Would he be able to accept her relations whose condition in life was so decidedly beneath his own? This story begins after the Netherfield party returned to London. (Darcy’s point of view.)

Shadows Over Longbourn


Jann Rowland - 2016
    Bennet threatens to leave his five young daughters at the mercy of the vengeful Mr. Thaddeus Collins. But Mr. Bennet plays one final desperate card before he passes, calling on his distant relatives—the Darcys—to provide his children with a home. Removing themselves to Pemberley after their father’s death, the girls are protected by the estate’s current master, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, who looks after them as conscientiously as he does his own sister. When chance takes the Bennets and their Darcy relations to the estate leased by Mr. Bingley, little do they know that their father’s thwarting of Mr. Collins has only fanned the flames of his envy and hatred. He is determined to secure a Bennet daughter as a wife for his son, and he will stop at nothing to accomplish his goal. Elizabeth has become consumed by love for Mr. Darcy, but since he remains oblivious to her feelings, Elizabeth’s desperation forces her to consider going into service as a governess, if only to obtain some distance from the object of her affection. But Mr. Collins has no intention of letting Elizabeth escape his grasp so easily, and everything finally comes to a head when he meets with her in an explosive showdown.

The Goodness of Men


Anngela Schroeder - 2017
    “You never will be able to make both of them good…Take your choice, but you must be satisfied with only one. There is but such a quantity of merit between them; just enough to make one good sort of man…” -Pride and Prejudice  From her youngest days, Elizabeth Bennet’s ability to accurately judge the character of others has been recognized and noted by those around her in such a consistent manner as to lead her to believe it herself. The misfortune of meeting Mr. Darcy, a wealthy landowner from the north, only solidifies this belief. The memory of his disapproval of her family, proves his character is lacking and sadly unlike his childhood friend’s, the charming and affable Mr. Wickham, who is esteemed by all he meets. Although her opinion once lost is not lost forever, the effort to regain her favor is great. With Elizabeth’s youngest sister fortunate to be in company with Mr. Wickham in Brighton since the spring, and her own travels to Kent cancelled, she must await the pleasures of a summer holiday to the North with her aunt and uncle Gardiner. However, it is there that she is once again thrust into Mr. Darcy’s presence and must determine if he is truly the architect of the many wrongs she has laid at his door. Fitzwilliam Darcy cannot exorcise Elizabeth Bennet from his thoughts. A chance meeting at the estate of his friend reignites all the flames he has attempted to suppress since their last meeting. Believing in her partiality, he is stunned to overhear her true estimation of him and is determined to change her opinion. Battling with memories and secrets from his past, Darcy must fight against his natural reserve to win the heart of the woman he loves. Will the unexpected appearance of a stranger encourage Elizabeth’s change of heart? Might an episode from Mr. Darcy's past force Elizabeth to see the man within? Can one man have all the goodness and the other only the appearance of it?  Join us for another sweet "Pride and Prejudice" reimagining, suitable for ages teen and up.

Mr. Darcy & Elizabeth: What Time Has Done: a Pride and Prejudice Variation Romance


Alyssa Jefferson - 2018
    But, when she returns home, the news is worse than she’d feared: her father is dead, and the remaining Bennets are turned from their home and desolate. When Elizabeth receives an invitation from her friend Charlotte Collins to be governess to her unborn child, Elizabeth has no choice but to accept. Six years pass, and Elizabeth joins the Collinses and their three daughters on an eight-week’s visit to Rosings Park for the wedding of Lady Catherine de Bourgh’s nephew and daughter. Elizabeth, now twenty-six years old and seeing the world very differently than she once did, is relieved to learn that it is Colonel Fitzwilliam, and not Mr. Darcy, who is about to marry Miss de Bourgh. But this puzzling situation is not what it seems, and circumstances unfold that threaten the very stability of the Collins family—not to mention, challenging all Elizabeth thought she knew of her own heart. NOTE: This updated version corrects an earlier formatting error. Should your copy contain the error, in which quarters 3 and 4 are in reverse order, please update your edition in the Manage Content and Devices section on your Amazon account by clicking "Update Available."

The Resolute Suitor: A Pride and Prejudice Variation


Don H. Miller - 2014
    It assumes that he does not write a letter after the proposal and that, with the collusion of Georgiana Darcy and Col. Fitzwilliam, they meet again in London not many weeks after they have departed Kent. Then tragedy occurs when there is a disastrous fire at Longbourn and the lives of the entire Bennet family are affected as well as the life of Col. Fitzwilliam, who finds love with an unexpected person.

A More Gentlemanlike Manner: A Pride and Prejudice Variation


Sophia King - 2017
    He is desperate to forget his failed marriage proposal to Elizabeth Bennet and desires nothing more than to banish both the lady and his humiliation from his mind once and for all. A storm breaks and he decides to stop at a small cottage on his land until the morning. But as he approaches shelter, a tree branch snaps loose in the storm, and renders him unconscious. Miss Elizabeth Bennet is cursing her luck that a storm should break out on the very day she decided to explore Pemberley Woods. She had relished the chance to be alone on her tour of Derbyshire with her aunt and uncle, but now she is trapped in the middle of nowhere, and the weather is growing worse. She hears a horse, and runs in the direction of the sound to find the unconscious form of very man she least wishes to encounter. She is forced to drag him into the cottage, where they spend the night alone together. Unfortunately, when he awakens, Mr Darcy has no idea who he is, and has no memory of anything that happened before his accident. They return to Pemberley where Mr and Miss Bingley have been searching frantically for Mr Darcy. Miss Bingley is not too pleased that Mr Darcy has now compromised Elizabeth’s reputation, and will be obliged to marry her when his memory recovers. But the lady realises his lack of memory could also be the opportunity she herself has been hoping for. Can Mr Darcy recover his memory before he is manipulated by those around him who would seek to take advantage of his vulnerable state? And why is the pretty and lively Miss Elizabeth so reluctant to share memories of their former encounters together? Elizabeth is intrigued by the new side to Darcy she sees, and believes this is a man she could love. But is it just a result of his accident, or has he really changed? And as her feelings for him grows, she wonders if it’s possible he will still love her when his memory returns? Or will he resent her as the lady who rejected him and his previous marriage proposal?

So Gradually: A Pride & Prejudice Tale


Jessica Schlenker - 2015
     A much better summer for Darcy prevents the worst of the misunderstandings in Hertfordshire. This results in a fast, strong friendship between Elizabeth and Darcy. While in Kent, Darcy abruptly discovers that despite, considering Elizabeth only a friend, she has fallen in love with him.

Imprisoned with Mr. Darcy: A Pride and Prejudice Variation


Wynne Mabry - 2017
    Darcy, Elizabeth has ample opportunity to discuss all her grievances with him. Eventually they are discovered, but the unfortunate circumstances result in an engagement. This arrangement is a complex one, intended to be dissolved at the right moment, but Elizabeth soon wonders if she really wants to be released from it.

Infamous Relations: A Pride And Prejudice "What If?" Tale


Catherine Bilson - 2016
    Mr Collins had been even more despicable than in Jane Austen's original tale?Would such an infamous relation destroy Elizabeth and Darcy's chance of happiness forever, or would his actions set in motion an entirely different sequence of events?