Outstanding narration for this exquisite novel

In a field of many ardent and talented Jane Austen-inspired authors, we are blessed to be living in such days as these when self-publishing makes it easier for talented writers to find their niche. Starnes has long established her place at the top of several “Favorites” lists with bestsellers like Mr Bennet’s Dutiful Daughter, The Unthinkable Triangle, and Miss Darcy’s Companion. The Journey Home to Pemberley, her latest Pride & Prejudice reimagining, begs the question: How can Elizabeth Bennet find solace after she gives up the only man she will ever love?

In The Journey Home to Pemberley, that holiday to the Lake District with her aunt and uncle Gardiner takes place (remember in canon Mr Gardiner’s business would not allow an extended trip and so they had to content themselves with the celebrated beauties of Derbyshire) and, as Fate would have it, Elizabeth meets with Mr Darcy again. He was thrown from his horse and, when found, he was brought to the same inn where Elizabeth and her relatives have accommodations. While he convalesces, they reconcile their misunderstanding after that unfortunate proposal scene at Hunsford months before when she had strenuously refused him...and now love blooms. Can we dare to hope for a happily-ever-after so soon? Certainly not, as this is only the beginning of their journey. And as Pride & Prejudice-like circumstances arise, Elizabeth selflessly, even foolishly, alters their course:
“She could not inflict that curse upon him—have him bear that shame for as long as Lydia lived—for the rest of their natural lives, rather, for such an enormity would not be forgotten. Nor could she live with him day after day and witness the result. See the opprobrium eating away at him. See the love fading from his eyes. Between the surgeon’s knife and the gangrene’s slow poison, the choice was clear: she would take the knife every time. For his sake as much as hers. Cruel to be kind.”

Months after this folly, she learns what we knew all along: she erred in thinking her sacrifice had protected Darcy, creating only misery of the acutest kind. “Foolish, headstrong and misguided girl! Should you not have known better than to brave this alone?”
Oh Darcy, I couldn’t agree more!

But is Fate unkind throwing Darcy and Elizabeth together time and time again in this soul searching journey from the wilds of the North to Dorsetshire (and beyond) then full circle back to Pemberley? Of course not! We love that kind of push and pull as the tension builds, leaving us nearly breathless in anticipation for this hard won happily-ever-after:

“Her heart overflowing, Elizabeth ran her thumb in a gentle caress over the bold penmanship that was by now as familiar as her own. Just three words—but sometimes three words were enough. He had not gone as far as to plainly write ‘I love you’ lest the note be read by anyone but she. Yet it was all there—the love, the joy, the promise—in other words: ‘Not a dream.’”

(#swoon) Prose like that keep me coming back for more great Austenesque novels! This is author Joana Starnes at her best. For lovers of Darcy and Elizabeth, The Journey Home to Pemberley is a MUST READ. (Heat Index: rated Moderate for sexual references but not explicit)

Once again, narrator Stevie Zimmerman is outstanding and does this exquisite novel much justice!

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5 people found this helpful

A Roller Coaster Ride

Stevie Zimmerman did an excellent job as usual narrating this angsty tale by Joana Starnes. I very much enjoyed listening to it, though I must admit, the angst in the middle was pretty rough...for both Darcy and Elizabeth, and me.

Taking place after the Hunsford proposal, this story has Darcy travelling by himself, trying to let out his feelings. Lizzy is traveling north with the Gardiners. A storm causes all of them to meet at a remote inn. D and L get an unusual chance to talk in private, and it looks like they are going to have a second chance at happiness together. In fact, circumstances are such that Darcy travels north with the group, and they have a lovely time leisurely traveling to Pemberley, enjoying the sights. But then Elizabeth receives terrible news from Jane, and everything unravels. She feels the need to break things off yet again, and this time the separation is much worse.

While both of them deal with the separation in their own ways, they again meet when it is least expected. The pain and awkwardness is acute. Will those two ever be able to get to the truth of things? (Don't worry. The answer is yes. Be thankful for annoying matchmaking aunts and cozy book rooms.)

This is definitely an engaging story with some great new characters. I loved the Monkford sisters and their part of the story.

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4 people found this helpful

My Favorite P&P Variation

Sweet story, not vulgar, not predictable, and well written. My favorite P&P variation (and I've read over 30 books!)

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3 people found this helpful

A great deal of angst

This was okay, but a little too long and too full of angst. Darcy was my favorite character in this variation. I would have liked to slap Elizabeth. She caused so much unnecessary problems. She jilted poor Darcy twice! The Lydia plot was interesting and somewhat unusual. There was a new family introduced. They were rather nondescript. Jane and Bingley are present, but do not play a very big part. Bingley is in the Indies most of the time.

The narrator is good.

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2 people found this helpful

Good Story.

Liked the story but this isn't one I will listen to over and over. I felt too much heart ache for a reason that was, in my opinion, stupid not to tell the truth about. Elizabeth could have told the true reason she was leaving him and been headstrong about not wanting to be with him.
Most will like the story but for me it's not the romantic one that you love to read or listen to many times.

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1 person found this helpful

Neverending

I felt that this book was unnecessarily long. There was a lot of drama that was unnecessary and a lot of descriptions and details could’ve been left out for the sake of the reader’s sanity. For example, I really did not need a long description of the lilies-of-the-valley that Elizabeth wore for her wedding or the history lesson.

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So good! I binged this one and bought the rest!

I had no idea that there was such a thing as Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” fan fiction. I’m so glad I happened upon this book. I fell in love with this adaptation and how the storyline and characters were so true to the original. I enjoyed how the main characters were kept to canon, while some interesting and believable changes were made to other characters.

I enjoyed this so much, that I bought all of the other adaptations from this author.

The narration is authentic as every character is brought to life with their own personality.

I recommend this book for any Jane Austen fan.

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All journeys lead this duo to a HEA

This time I mean Joana Starnes and Stevie Zimmerman!

The story is written by Joana Starnes so you can be sure it won’t venture so far off canon as to be unrecognizable as JAFF, yet still and a change or two to make the story new again.

Now, give that story to the voice talents of Stevie Zimmerman and it truly comes to life. If you have not yet heard her perform a JAFF, you are in for a treat. Each voice is distinct and believable, male or female, young or old, upstairs, downstairs, stable or alley way.

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Excellent Story and Wonderful Narration

Joana Starnes is my favourite JAFF writer and never fails to impress, not only with her wonderfully fulsome stories, with intense emotion, but also with her use of language, which is so beautiful. Every sentence is poetic and flowing. Stevie Zimmerman was an excellent narrator, bringing each character to life with her varying voices. The whole story came alive for me with her reading. Cannot say enough good things about both.

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Endearing variation

I had read/listened to this book for so many times. Never do I grow tired of this love story.
One of favorites.

Such love and endearing moments. Highly recommend this book. The best of Ms Starnes

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