Bluebells in the Mourning: A Pride & Prejudice Variation (Falling for Mr Darcy Series)

I really enjoyed this idea! Who knew that Mr. Collins' could ever be right about something? "The death of your daughter would have been a blessing in comparison of this." In this case, that was true.I hesitate to spoil much... **so beware reading more** but the death of one Bennet sister truly did cause a lot of good things to come about. Like the reconciliation of the Bennet parents. That was truly sweet. It made me smile to see them happy. I often see Elizabeth's mother portrayed as tasteless and stupid; I was glad when we got a reasonable explanation for her actions, and to see her become gentle and soft and loving again. It shows how a simple emotional misunderstanding can truly pull apart your relationships with people you love. I loved to see things blossom between her and her husband.This story was, what I think is called, an omniscient narrative? That we got insight to everyone's perspective and thoughts, not only Lizzy and Darcy. This was different for me, because I normally appreciate a little left to the imagination, but I did like the insight and experiencing the thoughts of characters we don't normally hear from. It was original.The romance between our favorite love birds was darling! It was interesting to see what would have happened if an urgent letter had come to Elizabeth right before Darcy had made his terrible proposal, causing them to race back to Longbourn, and having his suit halted by Elizabeth's family mourning. It was the best thing that might have happened, despite the sadness of the event. It really allowed Darcy to show his gentler, kinder side to Elizabeth, and helped her realize he was a gentleman worthy of her heart. It also helped HIM to realize his defects in character himself! And become exceedingly grateful he hadn't given her that bungled proposal at Kent after all.Despite the topic, this really wasn't a dull or morose novel, by any means. The Mr. Darcy pining is #real, and very satisfying. The situation, mingled with certain misunderstandings until the bitter end, is just angsty enough. It's a very thoughtful, well planned novel that shows how relationships can mend over mutual heartbreak, and how simple misunderstandings, without addressing the issue, can tear them apart. And all the one-sided and mutual pining a person can ask for.I thought all the characters really shined in this book. Georgiana has a significant role; we really get to see her come out of her shell and, very amusingly, help her brother along in his awkward attempts at courtship. Their sibling's bond was cute. We get a sweet and heart-melting view of the Bennet marriage that one does not normally see.My only reason to remove a star is that, at times, the language was too loose, and the slang was a bit too modern to be believable. Phrases like "I guess," and other things. It was a little glaring at points, but not overwhelming. Along with this, the epilogue was a bit overkill. I don't think it was necessary to add all these different scenes to wrap up the perfectly satisfactory story. Considering all that, I'd personally give the novel a 4.5.A good, clean read with pining, angst, and lots of Darcy goodness. Would recommend.

Fortunately for me I purchased this on a Friday evening, allowing me to stay up late reading and then finish it the following day when I didn't have to work. I literally couldn't put it down, and I want to commend the author on this sweet tale. I loved her first novel - indeed it ranked in my personal Top 5 of the Darcy/Elizabeth novels. This second book will have to be inserted into the Top 6 I suppose!The reader is offered a unique twist to the story, with Darcy on the verge of proposing to Elizabeth when he comes upon her just after receiving some very distressing news from home. Darcy's comfort to Elizabeth and his ensuing offer to transport her home seem completely natural, and he is (fortunately) prevented from making the awful marriage proposal in Hunsford. Because of this very unfortunate turn of events, Darcy is able to see that Lizzy would not have accepted him had he proposed at that time, and is able to work at becoming a better man as he strives to make himself worthy of her love.Things I loved about this book:* There were some wonderfully romantic scenes - especially the "first kiss" in the field of bluebells. If Elizabeth wasn't still in mourning this would have made the perfect proposal setting, but then our novel would have ended too soon!* There are no sex scenes, as I DO NOT believe that our two favorite Austen characters would engage in this type of activity prior to marriage. Mackrory is one of those authors that proves you can have a simply wonderful and delicious romance scene without unnecessary vulgarity. (And not that I don't enjoy a good steamy scene, just not with these two characters!)* We are exposed to some of Mrs. Bennett's vulnerabilities and we get to see wonderful improvements in her as a result of Lydia's death.* The improvement in Mr. and Mrs. Bennett's relationship is a delight - and I ABSOLUTELY love the turn of events for them found in the prologue. (Very clever!)* Georgiana's delightfully clever schemes to bring Darcy and Elizabeth together are so very amusing. I enjoyed the way her character was written in this - she was still a bit shy, but certainly not insecure. Definitely a great character.* Mr. Bingley's independence of Darcy is satisfying to encounter. I love that he was not just so blissfully easy-going, instead showing his ire to Darcy when it became clear that Darcy had misled him. Bingley shows his mettle in this novel, and makes his own decision to come back to Hertfordshire to comfort the family in his time of mourning without informing Darcy. Good for you Bingley!* I felt that Wickham's actions were believable and not TOO evil, meaning I never can quite buy the idea of him "kidnapping" Elizabeth as he is wont to do in other novels. His fate at the end of the book is what he deserves.* It is a pleasure to see that out of tragedy good comes in the growth of the entire Bennett family, the Darcy's and Mr. Bingley.If there is one thing I became frustrated with as I was reading this novel, it was the misunderstanding between Elizabeth and Darcy after they both read the revelations in Lydia's diary. We know they are going to end up together eventually, but you just want to slap them both for their mistaken assumptions about one another. Having said that, however, I love the final outcome, of course. Georgiana, as a strong, confident character, provides the appropriate interference in their misunderstanding. Elizabeth sends the appropriate signal to Darcy to let him know she still cares, and Darcy's impulsive horse ride to Longbourn from London is quite satisfying.All in all, this was a great read and would recommend this to any JAFF reader! Thank you Mackrory - a job well done!

Beautifully written story .A tragedy in the Bennett family leads to several couples reconnecting . It was a joy to read this beautiful story though it had some misunderstandings to keep readers enthralled .Georgina was delightful and a much more confident young woman than in the original . And it’s always a bonus to see Wickham made accountable for his evil rather then see him paid off to satisfy Society

I now have a new favourite Pride and Prejudice variation (and my favourite before I read this one was her previous variation anyway, Falling for Mr Darcy!) It was absolutely wonderful.I will begin with the storyline; when I read the blurb I was intrigued. I thought it was an interesting way to take the story. In variations which include a death, the death is normally of Mr Bennet so I was interested in having the death of one of her sisters (Lydia). Lydia was out for a walk when she slips and hits her head, which eventually causes a fever and her demise. When we learn that a certain gentleman was also present on the walk (I will give you three guesses!) it sets up the basis for a bit of a mystery, which Darcy vows to Mr Bennet he will get to the bottom of. I thought it was a really good `what if' variation.One of my favourite things about Mackrory's first variation were the parallels and similarities which she draws between her variation and the original novel. This variation was again very clever in this area. The story opens with Darcy coming upon Lizzy when she has just received the news of Lydia's death, just like in the original when he happens upon Lizzy, after seeing her at Pemberley, when she has found out about Lydia's elopement. There are many more examples of this throughout the novel; another of my favourites being when the explanation letter (which Darcy's gives after the rejected proposal originally) is given and by whom (it is still a Darcy who sends it, but not MR Darcy).As well as events like I have mentioned being shifted around and placed in different contexts, there is also the clever use of quotes and conversations from the original which appear throughout the novel in different places, spoken by different people and mostly in different contexts. Some of the best examples of this, I think, were the way in which many of the thoughts and feelings of Darcy and Lizzy were switched; Mr Darcy stating that `until this moment I never knew myself' and Lizzy being asked the question of when she fell in love with Darcy. I sometimes find that important quotes from the original appearing completely out of context can be annoying, but the way in which it is treated by Mackrory is in no way annoying and is instead rather charming, causing me to smile and even laugh out loud in some cases while I was reading.Another one of my favourite things about her last variation was the little themes which were running through the book. Theme isn't quite the right word... In the story, as Lizzy is in mourning, there is often the need for a handkerchief to dry her tears, a handkerchief with the letters FD embroidered on it. Also, as you may guess from the title of the story, bluebells becomes a very important part of the story (and since reading this story I am planning on going for many more walk among the bluebells!)Now for a little about some certain characters in the story, starting with Georgiana. I always wish to have seen more of Georgiana in the original as there seems to be a lot of untapped potential in Georgiana as we only meet her late in the novel. She comes in the story a lot earlier and we really see another side to her. Seeing her relationship with her brother was very sweet as their strong bond, which we see some of in the original, is developed and explored a lot in this variation. Georgiana really comes into her own and once she realises the particular interest her brother has in a certain Miss Bennet she turns into a little matchmaker, though a lot more subtly (and successfully) than Emma Woodhouse!Moving onto another character that I always like in the variations which I read; Colonel Fitzwilliam. I think the colonel is a character which authors can have a lot of fun with. We see a little of his teasing nature in his relationship with Darcy in the original, and Mackrory uses this to her advantage. He is such a teasing and delightful character and is all affability. I love seeing more of Colonel Fitzwilliam and his relationship with Darcy and also his relationship with Georgiana. I was always laughing when Fitzwilliam was around!I will refrain from saying much about Wickham but be rest assured, Wickham pops up from time to time through the story...I believe my favourite secondary story line was the one between Mr and Mrs Bennet. Mackrory delves deeper into the past between the couple and the reasons for their indifference to each for so long. Lydia's death reignites past feelings between the two and they begin on the road to reconciliation. It is wonderful to see how their relationship changes throughout the story, ending in a very satisfactory way! (I will say no more...)One thing I loved about her first variation was the inclusion of an epilogue, showing what happens to each of the characters in the future. And so I was very pleased to once again find an epilogue at the end, allowing us to see what happens to each of the characters in the future.And so I reach the end of my review.... although I realise I haven't really touched on the main two characters of the story; this will not do! Well, for anyone who wishes to read more about one of the most important couples in all of literature and to see a different route to bringing the two together, you will not be disappointed. There were enough problems that arose to keep the story interesting but not too many that it felt as if it was dragging on and on! The scenes towards the beginning of the story were a lot of fun, as Lizzy began to discover the true man behind the facade that is Mr Darcy. Any scenes between the two of them in the first half of the story brought a smile to my face. I do not want to give anything away but be assured the scenes between the two of them from the middle onwards are equally as enjoyable and are even more touching! The last thing I shall say is that the ending is perfection itself!This is a truly wonderful variation of my favourite novel of all time and I shall be re-reading it in the near future. It satisfied my highly romantic nature as well as my need for a good laugh, and with the added extra of a bit of mystery it all made for a delightful read. I hope Mackrory has another variation on the way!(Review originally posted here:http://laughingwithlizzie.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/bluebells-in-mourning-by-karalynne.html)

Here is a Pride and Prejudice variation for all you romantics! I really loved this book. We pick up the story with Elizabeth at the Hunsford Parsonage. She ducks out of dinner with Lady Catherine to read 2 letters from Jane that have just arrived (one had been misdirected, the address being written very ill indeed). Darcy arrives to propose, as in canon and finds Lizzy very distraught, having just found out that one of her sisters has had a fall from Oakham Mount and has died from her injuries.Obviously, the proposal never happens and instead Darcy escorts Lizzy and Maria Lucas to London, where they stay for a night at his house (chaperoned by Georgiana and Mrs Annesley). Spending so much time with each other leads them both to make some re-evaluations - Darcy begins to see that he can be self-absorbed and selfish, and he realises from a hint Lizzy drops that not only has he made an error in removing Bingley from Jane but also that if he had have proposed he probably would have been rejected. Lizzy begins to see that she has been wrong in being so hasty to judge Mr Darcy, and also she starts to question to herself whether Wickham's story is true.Now Lizzy is in mourning, Darcy wouldn't be able to make her an offer of marriage for at least 3 months, but what he instead tries to do is make up some of the lost ground caused by her initial poor impression of him. In this, he is joined by Georgiana, who does her best to matchmake.Considering this book starts with a death, especially that of somebody so young, it's not a sad book at all. Although the characters mourn there are also positive effects of the death, most notably the relationship between Mr and Mrs Bennet, the latter of whom blames herself for her daughter's demise.One of the things I particularly liked is the number of familiar lines from Pride and Prejudice which turn up, often spoken by somebody who didn't say them in P&P. This story is really sweet (but not over-sweet) and romantic and if you don't like any sex scenes then you are safe, nothing goes further than just a few kisses and the only time you get behind the bedroom door is a birth scene in the epilogue.The only minus points to this book are a few of the words used. There are some American words, the odd word that is too recent, and a number of instances of the wrong versions of word being used e.g. discrete instead of discreet, breech instead of breach etc, but not enough to distract from a lovely romantic story that will leave you with a smile on your face. I would certainly recommend this one!

I really enjoyed this take on the book. I read it in one go whilst being driven back through France from holiday and I didn't even notice the rain! I was a bit concerned about the idea of a death of a Bennet sister but it worked really well. Familiar plots appeared in unfamiliar places and familiar quotes were given to different characters, and do you know what, I didn't mind!. I felt that although the characters were given new situations they stayed pretty well to character. There was a moment when Bingley appeared to be marrying both with banns and a license but never mind he was probably too happy to notice! I will definitely read this one again.

Mr Collins' words "your sister's death would be a blessing in comparison" were foremost in my mind throughout this book. I really enjoyed the style and found it easy to read and difficult to put down.Darcy's slow discovery that he is lacking the ability to please a woman worthy of being pleased is charming. All the principles are present, and characterised in the way I like to see them; Darcy, Lizzy, Georgiana, Colonel Fitzwilliam. The progression of Mr and Mrs Bennet's marriage is touching and lovely.A lovely read.