Thank you NetGalley for the eARC. This was a different route to get to the same result. I love Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. Any which way you tell it as long as they end up together ! LOVE LOVE LOVE

I did enjoy the fact that this changes the story a bit and reconstructed the meeting and such, rather than playing it the same traditional way. It still possessed the romance and dreamy love as you will find in the original.

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley, and since it’s a Pride & Prejudice-based story, I was excited to read it. It differs greatly from the original, and ties itself to its inspirations by including characters with the same names as the original. Beyond that, there is very little similarity to the original.

Truthfully, I enjoyed the story and I thought the writing was good, but I'd have preferred if the Pride & Prejudice connection were forgotten altogether. It’s a good story on its own. Elizabeth Bennett is employed as a governess, since her family fell on hard times after her father’s death. She turned down marriage to her father’s heir, Mr. Collins. This would have allowed her family to continue living in the home where they’d grown up, but she couldn’t stand the idea, so her family was forced to live off the generosity of other relations. Feeling guilty, she left to become a governess. This background portion of the story sounded extremely familiar to me, since she refers to her friend who decided to marry Mr. Collins instead. There are a few other tidbits that made me think I must have read another book in this series, but if I did, it was so long ago that I didn’t write a review.

At the beginning of the story, the handsy son of her employer tries to corner her and ends up falling down the stairs and breaking his leg. Naturally, his mother assumes Elizabeth tried to seduce him and immediately discharges her from her position. Colonel Fitzwilliam, also visiting the house, speaks out on her behalf, but the woman refuses to listen. He decides to take Elizabeth with him for the Christmas holidays to visit his family and tells her she can meet his family and he’s certain she’ll receive a glowing referral from his mother.

Meanwhile, we meet Mr. Darcy, the widower who will be hosting the guests at his home. He immediately falls for Elizabeth, but the colonel’s letter led him to believe they are betrothed so he quashes his feelings. At the same time, Elizabeth develops feelings for him, but feels he is above her station so she tries to keep her distance. It’s actually a fun story that reminded me more of a Shakesperean comedy of errors than a Jane Austen novel. To me, it had a Midsummer Night’s Dream flavor to it.

Everything that the colonel tells his mother and his cousin, Mr. Darcy only reinforces their impression that he has promised himself to Elizabeth, and everything she says serves to confirm that. Of course, the reader knows the misunderstanding that is taking place, and it is compounded by the fact that Mr. Darcy’s younger sister is enamored with the colonel, and keeps trying to gain his attention. And naturally, there’s a young woman valiantly, and annoyingly, vying to receive a proposal from Mr. Darcy. There are a few other couples with potential romances happening in the background, but it’s really about Elizabeth, Darcy, Colonel Fitzwilliam, and Georgiana, Darcy’s sister. I really liked it. I just don’t think it’s a retelling of Pride & Prejudice.

I thought the ending became a bit overlong and didactic, with everyone making verbose speeches, but there was one quote earlier in the book that I thought was great. Darcy and Elizabeth determine that “Together we will disprove the naysayers who do not understand happiness does not come from expectations of its arrival, but rather from the acceptance of the delight in its timely appearance.”

TW: Death of a spouse and sexual assault

This was a book I requested that didn't get read in time for my Christmas romance blog post collab 😂 It's based off Pride and Prejudice, but since I never read the book I'm going to compare it to the Keira Knightley movie. This was such a fun romance and the misunderstanding about Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth's "arrangement" was so entertaining 😂 This book is also written with in the same Victorian English as the Pride and Prejudice book which was interesting but a bit hard to understand sometimes 😅 Overall, this is such a cute romance!

A sweet and very lovely story that I enjoyed thoroughly. Low on drama, high on romance. I loved this story!

This is my first time reading one of Ms. Jeffers books and I have to say I enjoyed it very much. Pride and Prejudice variations are one of my favorite types of books to read so I was attracted to this book just from the title itself. This one is more of a retelling than a variation. Although there were some disheartening moments, when Mr. Bennett died and Lizzy and her family lost their home and were separated, there were hopeful times as well when she is offered a governess position at Pemberley. She receives such kindness and compassion from the household there and the wealthy widower, Mr. Darcy, also esteemed her very much. Of course misunderstandings do create a challenge for them and they must navigate through them to reach their happiness. This was a charming story and I enjoyed Ms. Jeffers retelling. I will definitely be looking for more of her books in the future.

I received a complimentary copy from Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

I was given an ARC by the publisher for an honest review.
I am a huge fan of Pride and Prejudice and was excited to read this new novel by Regina Jeffers.
I enjoyed it a lot and it was an easy book to read. The novel was well structured and flowed throughout.
It was of course a bit predictable but that was to be expected.

This book wasn't badly written but the pace was much too slow for my taste. I did enjoy the characters and the setting but I found myself unable to focus on it. I need a bit more angst and drama in my romances.

It’s Jane Austen’s P & P, regency Christmas with more kissing? I’m in!
I really enjoyed this Pride & Prejudice what if AU. We get to see the characters we love in different situations and settings. This one just happened to be Christmas themed, which was such a treat!
You could definitely read this in one sitting during a snow storm (preferably in Pemberly!)
Would for sure recommend!

Pride and Prejudice is one of my favorite classics to read and reimagining's and reinventions of classics are some of my favorite stories to read. And this book is no exception. When I first read the premise, I was curious as to just how the author would turn this into a new story while still retaining the main ideas from the original.
This story does not have as many characters as the original book although most of them were mentioned. However, out of the Bennet family, only Elizabeth was an active character in the story.
The premise of the book that spun out to create the story was a fascinating glimpse into what could be if after Mr. Collins proposal, Mr. Bennett died and the Bennett family went through what Mrs. Bennett always feared would happen.
This is a fun little Christmas story with familiar characters and a fun little misunderstanding debacle that the reader can't believe goes on for as long as it does. But its a good type of misunderstanding where everyone is just trying to be as polite as possible and no one ever asks to clarify anything and as the reader all you can do is enjoy it while it lasts.

My favorite characters with less pride and prejudice, more chemistry, and the only conflict being a big misunderstanding made this quite the diverting Christmastime read

I love Jane Austen fan fiction (JAFF) and a regency Christmas. I love this cover! Isn’t it beautiful?
Almost all were present or mentioned in P&P and I love to hate Miss Bingley. She lived up to all of my expectations. I only wished this had more Christmassy events for the actual things they were doing in the story. Regina Jeffers writes a wonderful JAFF and the writing was good. I’m glad I selected this ti start the Christmas season. The romance was clean and heartfelt with dreamy chemistry. I recommend this if you love Christmas and JAFF.
Thanks Regency Solution via Netgalley.
Happy Christmas everyone.

#PemberleysChristmasGoverness #NetGalley

This novel is Pride and Prejudice variation, set in 1818 during the Christmas season.
Elizabeth Bennet, daughter of a gentleman who became a governess in order to support herself after her father's untimely death, finds herself in a compromising situation. On the eve of the Christmastide holiday, Miss Bennet is accosted by the eldest son of Lady Newland and finds herself unfairly unemployed. However, a gentleman named Colonel Fitzwilliam decides he has a solution that may solve her problems. He invites Miss Bennet to accompany him to his family's Christmas celebrations at Pemberley, the estate owned by his cousin William Darcy, Colonel Fitzwilliam is sure that Miss Bennet will impress his mother, Lady Matlock and Mr. Darcy enough to obtain a recommendation for her next position. Miss Bennet is persuaded and agrees to join the Colonel at Pemberley. Upon her arrival, however, Elizabeth is met with an unexpected obstacle: her instant, undeniable attraction to Mr. Darcy. When Mr. Darcy's cousin arrives at Pemberley, he never expected to feel an undeniable instant attraction to Miss Bennet, the woman accompanying Colonel Fitzwilliam for Christmastide. As the days pass, all of Pemberley (staff and guests) rapidly warm to her and enjoy her company. As Darcy and Elizabeth find themselves drawn to one another, assumptions about their perspective futures after the holiday threaten to sabotage their relationship. But once the truth finally comes to light (with a little assistance from the staff at Pemberley and the local village), true love prevails, and Darcy and Elizabeth get a happy ending.

I really enjoyed this beautiful retelling of Pride and Prejudice. It was sweet, quick, and paid homage to the original tale while still feeling original. I particularly liked the epilogue that flashed forwarded thirty years to show Darcy and Elizabeth's children and explained how all the characters faired in the end. I appreciated that even if you haven't read Jane Austen's original story, you will still be able to read this one and not feel lost.

If you are looking for a sweet, romantic, Regency Christmas story: this one is for you.

How a misunderstanding can lead everyone on different paths.

Finally I have read one of Mrs Jeffers stories, I have some of her stories lingering on my shelves, more particularly some mysteries, but my reading hours are not always mine.
So when the opportunity to read this one opened, I just jumping in.
I am not much fond of stories based on misconceptions as they are often followed by angst and wronged feelings. Yet I wanted to read this book.

Elizabeth is no more the proud and straightforward young woman she once was, she is still much opinionated but more subdue, with her change of circumstances she can not afford herself to be too forthright, else she might rise her employers’ ire. Which she just had a taste after only defending herself from a much promiscuous fellow.
Darcy can appear too a different person, as he accepts readily Elizabeth in his home, never judging her for the reality of her life, seeing immediately the clever woman before anything else, it is also maybe helped by the absence of her relatives. But he is just an older version of himself, honorable to the fault and very troubled by feelings he deems inappropriate as they engage the woman he sees as his cousin’s fiancée.

I wondered for how long the charade would continue as the more time passed, the more angst arose as while sentiments evolved and deepened, walls also rose between the different parties.
So for three quarters of the book, everyone walk around on eggshells, the colonel and Elizabeth at loss some time by some remarks while Darcy and his aunt look for assertions of what they believe is an impending betrothal.
In all,outside the distress of some characters, it was much entertaining to see how some wording, turn of phrases and how dancing around instead of being forthright lead everyone in a merry dance.
The epilogue is lovely and moving even in its bittersweetness parts.
4.5 stars

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 kisses, lovemaking behind closed door.

I have been granted an advance copy by the author, here is my true and unbiased opinion.

Mid December 1818. It has been five years since the death of Mr Bennet and the dispersal of the family from Longbourn, due to Elizabeth’s refusal of Mr Collins’ proposal. On deciding to not be a burden she finds employment as a governess but at the latest placement disaster strikes. Fortunately for her, Colonel Fitzwilliam is visiting and takes her to Pemberley hoping for help from his mother. Darcy is under the inpression that the Colonel and Elizabeth are engaged. Can the tangle be solved and give most persons a happy ending.
Unfortunately the problem with stories of this couple is that there is not any romantic suspense or tension as they always have a happy ending. Therefore interest lies in the pairings of the secondary couple, which in a main case was disappointing.
But overall an enjoyable and well-written sequel.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Wonderful adventure I liked it very much, One of The most delightful I ever read, I liked above al The comedy of errors between Darcy and The countess about The relationship of Elizabeth and The colonel

I've enjoyed Jeffers' work in the past, but I didn't care for this one. The first 3/4 of the book was infected with angst that could have easily been solved be just one clear spoken sentence from any of the protagonists, and the final quarter just seemed to drag on and on. I can't really recommend it.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing an ARC copy for my review.

Following his wife’s death in childbirth, Fitzwilliam Darcy hopes to ease his way back into society by hosting a house party during Christmastide. He is thrilled when his cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam sends a message saying not only will he attend, but the colonel is bringing a young woman with him of whom he hopes both Darcy and the colonel’s mother, Lady Matlock, will approve. Unfortunately, upon first sight, Darcy falls for the woman: He suspects beneath Miss Elizabeth Bennet’s conservative veneer lies a soul which will match his in every way; yet, she is soon to be the colonel’s wife.

Elizabeth Bennet lost her position as a governess when Lady Newland accuses Elizabeth of leading her son on. It is Christmastide, and she has no place to go and little money to hold her over until after Twelfth Night; therefore, when Lieutenant Newland’s commanding officer offers her a place at his cousin’s household for the holy days, she accepts in hopes someone at the house party can provide her a lead on a new position. Having endured personal challenges which could easily have embittered a lesser woman, Elizabeth proves herself brave, intelligent, educated in the fine arts of society, and deeply honorable. Unfortunately, she is also vulnerable to the Master of Pemberley, who kindness renews her spirits and whose young daughter steals her heart. The problem is she must leave Pemberley after the holidays, and she does not know if a “memory” of Fitzwilliam Darcy will be enough to sustain her.
This is a story full of misunderstandings and love.
William and Elizabeth were instantly in love with each other although neither one of them would admit it.
They went through much to be together.
Regina Jeffers is an author that I am not familiar with although I will read more books by her.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.