A Case of Some Delicacy

A Pride & Prejudice Friends to Lovers Variation

By: KC Kahler

Narrated by: Sarah Jane Rose

A secret alliance grows from an unwelcome olive branch...

When rumors of Jane Bennet’s impending betrothal to Mr. Collins begin spreading at the Meryton Assembly, Elizabeth Bennet vows to save her dearest sister’s happiness from being sacrificed in marriage. She finds an unlikely ally in Mr Darcy, the taciturn man whose heroics on the cricket field have made him the target for Lydia’s affections.

Overhearing a heated exchange between Elizabeth and Mr. Bennet, Darcy is stunned, not only by her devotion to her sister, but also by her defiant words to her father. An inexplicable desire to help Elizabeth draws Darcy into the match-breaking scheme, despite knowing that he should want nothing to do with a family like the Bennets.

As the new allies work together, they begin to understand and admire each other. But they must navigate a complicated web of sisters, parents, friends, cousins, aunts, and new acquaintances, all of whom seem contrary to being manipulated. A few of them may even be attempting their own manipulations and romantic schemes. Eavesdropping and jealousy abound, cricket balls go astray, and love blooms in spite of Mrs. Bennet’s mismatched matchmaking.

This humorous Pride and Prejudice reimagining is novel-length and pays homage to the wit of Jane Austen.

©2019 KC Kahler (P)2020 KC Kahler

Great fun with some angst

While I would usually take issue with the conversation where better communication would prevent some angst, it is NOT what drives the plot and the lack of communication is clearly driven by 1. emotion preventing Lizzy from using certain words around Darcy and 2. Darcy thinking she means she was upset at him trying to make a move on her.

This dilemma was also long in the making, between Mr Collins' pompous interference and Darcy's jealousy any time any other unmarried man gets to express intimacy of any kind toward Lizzy. The plot would have resolved itself regardless of whether this issue occurred, or whether any other obstacle were removed.

Miscommunication-driven plot is a pet peeve, but miscommunication along the way is a standard part of life, so I applaud how it was handled here.

Surprisingly enjoyable!

I was excessively diverted reading this novel! To compete w/Miss Austen is quite an achievement. The familiar characters were all there in the story, with an additional hero added in for good measure. There were twists and turns to the classic P&P, the only thing that was missing was visiting Pemberley! Highly Recommend!

Strong story audio fuzzy

This seems a more mature set of Bennet sisters, or at least sisters striving to grow. Whilst the interactions and personalities are the same, the effect familial love has on all characters is enhanced. A gentle tale with modest anxiety and conflict.

I nearly stopped two hours in due to breathy fuzzy audio, and reader could use a bit more difference in various voices, the story was good enough to overcome that negative.

A Tribute to our beloved Jane Austen

I confess that I am addicted to these numerous Pride and Prejudice variations. Had someone asked me before I ever read one, I would’ve denied such a reaction. I hope that wherever the spirit of Jane Austen might be, she is enjoying this renaissance. The characters, the people she created, must be like her children. Her creations are so multidimensional that they are living on hundreds of years later. Most of these books are well written, some not so much, but this one was truly wonderful. I feel it is a tribute to the one and only JA that her characters live on in the imaginations of those who love her novels.

Perfect Story, Not So Perfect Narrator

LOVED the story. So much better than I ever thought I would find it. Loved everything about this book, especially the character growth of the sisters, Mr. Bennet, and others.

I did not care for the narrator. Unlike with other narrators, I never reached a point where I could recognize what character was speaking based on her voice. Sometimes it was even difficult when it was a conversation between only two people.

However, the story was so perfect that the narrator won't prevent this from being a book I listen to many times.