A Choice Freely Made

A Pride & Prejudice Novella

By: Christie Capps

Narrated by: Stevie Zimmerman

When Elizabeth Bennet discovers her father intends to force her marriage to the insufferable Mr. Collins, she demands one thing before she decides her fate—a kiss of her own choosing, with a man she selects.

Fitzwilliam Darcy has admired Miss Elizabeth for weeks. Her distress finally moves him to act on his growing affections. Their one kiss changes everything.

With her sister Mary's help, Elizabeth flees Longbourn before dawn and places her future in the hands of a man she barely knows. Hidden in London under the protection of the formidable Fitzwilliam family, she has three weeks until she reaches her majority—three weeks to discover whether a marriage born of desperation might become something far more.

Will fleeing a forced marriage lead to freedom? Will a marriage born of necessity become a love match? Will her one kiss be her one chance at love?

A Choice Freely Made is a forced proximity, marriage of convenience variation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice featuring a Netherfield Ball proposal, one life-changing kiss, instant marriage, protective Darcy, found family, and a slow-burn romance where love must be earned. Perfect for fans of sweet Regency romance.

©2026 Joy D King (P)2026 Joy D King

Another wonderful Christie Capps story

Whenever I need or want an enjoyable complete story but I’m short on time, Christie Capps stories are my immediate go to.

In her latest story, Mr Bennet is more selfish and plans for Elizabeth to marry Mr Collins. During the Netherfield ball Mr Bennet drops this nugget of information to Darcy as he has been watching how Darcy has been observing Elizabeth. Mary overhears this and runs to Elizabeth. Darcy follows and the three hatch a plan to keep Elizabeth’s choice her own.

So, for those who are looking for a Darcy that is all in, this will hit the spot for you. Darcy’s relatives are not on board immediately but they come to see how Elizabeth and Darcy compliment and improve each other. I can easily see myself reading this one again. I do hope that Christie Capps/Joy Dawn King will continue to write these wonderful stories.

4/23/26 AUDIOBOOK
The fantastic audiobook came out today & I had to get it right away. It was wonderful to revisit this story again & yes, I know it has only been a few weeks since I read the ebook. It was fantastically narrated by Stevie Zimmerman and this will easily be one to re-listen to regularly.

Enjoyed the Darcy, Elizabeth and Mary

Mr Bennet's sarcastic remarks at the Netherfield Ball put into motion a series of unexpected events. ODC have their HEA without the misunderstandings of cannon.

This is a good novella

This is short and sweet. Mr. Bennett thinks he is so clever. He believes he is pulling one over on Darcy by making Elizabeth marry Rev Collins before she is 21, or before she is independent. Bennett gleefully tells Darcy his plan the day before he is going to let Collins propose. Darcy and Elizabeth decide to thwart his plan. Can they do it ?