Book picks similar to
Expectations & Apologies by Elizabeth Squire


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The Very Essence of Love: A Pride and Prejudice Variation


Andreea Catana - 2020
    Bingley. Elizabeth's dislike of Mr. Darcy is stronger than ever; he has ruined, after all, the happiness of her beloved sister.She is determined not to forgive him, and not to forget his contribution to Jane's misery. Still, a chance encounter will see Elizabeth, Jane and Georgiana Darcy coming together, prompting an acquaintance between them. The bond between Jane Bennet and Georgiana Darcy strengthens after Elizabeth's departure to Kent, and soon they become inseparable friends.At Rosings, Mr. Darcy struggles with his feelings for the young lady with the fine pair of eyes. He is determined to disregard all his previous objections and ask for her hand in marriage. But neither Mr. Darcy nor Elizabeth Bennet realise that before they can come together, they must face the shadows of the past and understand the nature of love... the very essence of love.

Mr Darcy Gets Angry: A Pride and Prejudice Variation


Florence Gold - 2020
    Despite the friendly atmosphere, new uncertainties arise in Mr Darcy as he realises that marriage to Elizabeth might meet with resistance from his kin and London society. His love for her is a certitude yet, he decides to reflect further and postpones his decision.However, life has other plans. His cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam is in danger, and of all people, the Bennets might have a key to solve the dilemma that could ruin his life and destroy his reputation forever. Confronted with his cousin’s misfortune, a fearful wrath engulfs Mr Darcy when he is prevented from offering his help.Driven by deep friendship for the colonel and secret hopes of meeting Mr Darcy again, Elizabeth begins a crusade to save her friend and persuade Mr Darcy that, despite all odds, she is the woman he needs.

A Fortuitous Fall: A Pride and Prejudice Variation


Laraba Kendig - 2020
    How will those affected find their happily ever afters?Sometimes one false step causes startling consequences. Mr. Collins is knocked unconscious while dancing at Netherfield and requires medical care. This, in turn, prevents the Bingleys and Mr. Darcy from leaving for London after the ball. The situation grows only more complicated when Mr. Collins wakes up - changed.With a thoroughly odd Mr. Collins at Netherfield recovering from his injuries; Mr. Bingley, Mr. Darcy and the Bennet family find themselves together frequently. Love is in the air between Jane and Bingley, Darcy fights his attraction for Elizabeth and Mr. Wickham lurks in the background.

A Certain Something: A Pride and Prejudice Variation


Cassandra B. Leigh - 2020
     Let us explore the deception abounding in Pride and Prejudice. Mrs. Bennets’ boastfulness. Caroline’s false flattery. Collins’s sycophantic praises. Lady Catherine’s claims of an infant betrothal. Wickham! How would Elizabeth’s ‘gift’ change the story? This sweet, clean Pride and Prejudice variation begins on the night of the Meryton assembly.

Love and Libertine


Jann Rowland - 2020
    After accepting an invitation to stay at Hunsford Parsonage, Elizabeth expects only a quiet stay in the company of her newly married friend.As for Fitzwilliam Darcy, he finds himself reminded of the truism that there are few things more irritating than a forceful relation who will not accept refusal. When Lady Catherine adjures him to come to Rosings Park early for his annual visit, he initially intends to reject his aunt's demand. Matters change, however, when Darcy learns that Miss Elizabeth is in Kent, and his aunt reveals that the reason she has asked for his presence is to protect her.For Sir Lewis de Bourgh, Lady Catherine's husband, is a man of few inhibitions with a taste for young ladies. Soon after she arrives in Kent, Elizabeth becomes the object of interest for the gentleman, a man who is accustomed to getting what he desires. It will take Elizabeth’s considerable fortitude and Mr. Darcy’s influence if Elizabeth is to hope that she might avoid falling prey to an unscrupulous man who lacks morality.

Darcy's Winter Ball: A Pride and Prejudice Variation


A.J. Woods - 2019
    Hoping the time away from home might begin to heal Jane’s wounded heart, Elizabeth also seeks peace and quiet to finish the novel she has been working on in secret. She does not expect to meet Mr. Darcy ever again, but should she collide with the arrogant man who had a hand in causing Jane’s sorrow, she has vowed to give him a piece of her mind. A chance encounter while visiting his favorite bookshop finds Fitzwilliam Darcy in the company of a woman he has failed to forget. When he discovers that Elizabeth is there to research a novel she is writing, Darcy offers the use of his own personal library instead, hoping she might finally understand his true character. When the two are thrown together again by fate, will Darcy and Elizabeth open their hearts enough to amend their first impressions of each other? Though not without plenty of conflict, Darcy’s Winter Ball is a sweet, lighthearted, Regency-set novella, with a happy ending for ODC.

Elizabeth's Refuge: An Elizabeth and Darcy Story


Timothy Underwood - 2019
    The honorable man whose proposal she refused years before.... Elizabeth had become a governess following Mr. Bennet's death. And now she thought she had killed her employer, the Earl of Lachglass, while defending herself from his vile advances. When Elizabeth is reunited with Mr. Darcy, their love blossoms. Darcy's old passion for her quickly wakes again, and Elizabeth can clearly see Mr. Darcy's character and his kindness and goodness. But the Earl of Lachglass survived, and he wants revenge. It shall take all of Elizabeth's and Darcy's strength, and the help of Darcy's cousin General Fitzwilliam, for her to escape. Warning: This story has a scene of attempted sexual violence, though Elizabeth successfully defends herself.

Love & Betrayal: A Pride & Prejudice Continuation


E. Bradshaw - 2020
    They are deeply in love and about to consummate their marriage vows – only they are abruptly interrupted by news of the most terrible kind.Georgiana has been kidnapped under the cover of darkness from Darcy’s carriage – and no one knows where she might be now, nor what harm might have befallen her. But who could be behind her kidnapping and what do they want?And how can Darcy and Elizabeth’s fledgling marriage survive through such terrible strain?‘Having no time to lose and feeling desperate to be off, Darcy quickly turned to Elizabeth then and briefly took her hand within his own to press a swift kiss on her knuckles. “Goodbye, Elizabeth,” he murmured quietly; “I’m so sorry to have to leave you like this. I’ll send word if I can.” And with these words, he abruptly departed, swiftly remounting his stallion before riding off into the night as if he were being pursued by the devil himself.’This story is a long read, at approximately 100,000 words long, and it contains scenes of a sexual nature and references to violence.

Mr. Darcy & Elizabeth: Breathtaking: A Pride and Prejudice Variation Romance


Alyssa Jefferson - 2019
    All seems well, but when Mr. Darcy unexpectedly arrives from Pemberley, he reveals that things in Brighton were not quite as they had seemed. Drawn to Mr. Darcy in their mutual quest to restore balance and safety to both their families, Elizabeth finds herself struggling to recognize the man who had insulted her in Hertfordshire and Kent. So much has changed—yet can she rely upon the change? And will he still love her and wish to marry her when he sees her family and its folly fully unleashed in Brighton?

The Painting: A Pride and Prejudice Variation


Lory Lilian - 2021
    The disastrous proposal at Hunsford has left both Darcy and Elizabeth in great turmoil. Back at Longbourn, Elizabeth tries to overcome her guilt and remorse for believing Wickham so readily and accusing Darcy so unfairly, whilst eagerly anticipating her journey to the North with her aunt and uncle Gardiner. When their travel plans are delayed, Mrs. Gardiner invites the rest of the Bennet girls—since Lydia has already been invited by Mrs. Forster—to spend a fortnight in Brighton with her and her children, as they wait for Mr. Gardiner to complete his business. At Pemberley, Darcy struggles to overcome his heartbreak and to forgive himself for his ungentlemanlike behaviour towards Elizabeth. Properly humbled and devastated by the loss of the only woman he has ever loved, his suffering intensifies with the anniversary of his beloved mother’s death. His heart—still bleeding after Elizabeth’s rejection—is broken into pieces when he uncovers a secret hidden behind an old painting. The discovery leads Darcy to Brighton, searching for clues to his mother’s past, accompanied by his loyal friend, Charles Bingley. There, only a few houses away, they find the women who have never been far from their thoughts. By the sea, tormented by old and new memories and trying to understand the power of their feelings, Elizabeth and Darcy cross paths again and slowly become re-acquainted with each other and with themselves, until their love finds its long-deserved fulfilment. The reconciliation of Bingley and Jane, as well as Lydia and Wickham’s situation, also slowly unfolds together with the discovery of Lady Anne’s past, intricately woven around the love story of Darcy and Elizabeth.

Fine Eyes, Wild Temper: A Pride and Prejudice Variation


JT Hunt - 2019
    Darcy to know each other better and amend their harsh first impression. Miss Bennet’s unguarded behaviour, outspoken and obstinate nature, headstrong opinions and unladylike inclinations for solitary walks do not meet with Mr. Darcy’s image of an accomplished lady. But a pair of fine eyes on a pretty face, a loyal heart, a witty mind and a teasing smile will soon defeat his resistance and overcome his opposition, inducing him to pursue Elizabeth's friendship and then her love. The first lesson he will learn in the process is that taming a wild temper is not an easy task. “Fine Eyes, Wild Temper” is a sweet, novella-length story of approximately 20.000 words, clean and low angst, recommended to those who love Elizabeth, Darcy and pets.

An Unconventional Education: A Pride & Prejudice Variation


Sydney Salier - 2020
    Mrs Bennet follows her mother’s example and favours her beautiful daughters, ignoring the three middle girls, while Mr Bennet is too ill to oppose his wife’s favouritism.A new neighbour has an issue with Mrs Bennet’s attitude and intervenes by adopting the girls, giving Elizabeth, Mary and Kitty the chance to become accomplished young ladies and learn whatever else interests them.Their interests result in an unconventional education and very different sisters from the way they were destined to be.Follow their journey to adulthood and watch how events might have unfolded.This is a low angst and mostly nice and sweet story.If you like lots of drama, angst, misunderstandings and drawn out conflict, this story is probably not for you.

The Lady's Jewels: A Pride and Prejudice Variation (The Sweet Regency Romance Series Book 14)


Perpetua Langley - 2019
    Her coachman, grooms and horses are gone, along with the lady’s jewels. The lady in question happens to be Lady Castlereagh, arbiter of Almacks, wife of the much-maligned foreign secretary and owner of such things as a kangaroo and a bad-tempered tiger. The lady’s injuries dictate that she must not travel for at least a month and she will stay at Longbourn for the foreseeable future. Determined to discover what has happened to her, Lady Castlereagh summons her dear friends Darcy and Bingley, and Bow Street man Horatio Quinn to Hertfordshire. Longbourn’s drawing room is given over to Mr. Quinn as he directs all involved in their efforts to solve the mystery. Who stole the jewels? What has happened to the coachman and grooms? Was it the coachman who executed the scheme? Could it have been highwaymen? Perhaps it was the lady’s errant maid and the butler she ran off with? Or maybe the mysterious Mr. Cratchet? As the party follows clues, Elizabeth and Darcy circle each other warily. She thinks he’s handsome and has a certain wit when he is not so serious. He thinks she’s uncommonly pretty and happily devoid of the coldness of a London lady. But he is too reserved and judgmental for her and she is too carefree and flouting convention for him. They are not at all suited. And yet… Hertfordshire is a hive of activity as proposals are made, proposals are rejected, theories are floated, red herrings are chased, a clergyman bumbles, a stern lady miscalculates, a devious miss is the architect of her own undoing and one Bennet daughter pays the piper.

Strong Objections to the Lady


Jayne Bamber - 2019
    Darcy’s proposal to Elizabeth Bennet, her wrath sets in motion a series of events at Hunsford Parsonage which embroil Darcy and Elizabeth in a family fracas that grows more complicated daily.The shades of Rosings Park are soon polluted by the shocking transformation of its new mistress and her guests, as well as secrets of the past and schemes for the future.Appearances and alliances shift amidst the chaos wrought by a well-intentioned house party, and Darcy and Elizabeth must finally face their feelings for one another despite mounting obstacles and misunderstandings of every kind.

Fine Eyes and Pert Opinions: A Pride and Prejudice Variation


Maria Grace - 2019
     As guardian to his younger sister, he wants her to become a properly accomplished woman--she is coming out soon, after all. But Georgiana steadfastly refuses despite the encouragement of Elizabeth Bennet, long time Darcy family friend. Darcy invites a few guests to Pemberley in the hopes of encouraging Georgiana's improvement with a taste of society. Unexpected additions to the party prove dangerously distracting, leaving the Darcy family on the brink of disaster. Elizabeth holds the key to their restoration, but she has fled Pemberley, unable to tolerate another day in the Darcys' company. Will Darcy relinquish his pride and prejudice to seek out a woman below his notice before his family is irreparably ruined?