If you love Jane Austen books, especially Pride and Prejudice, this is a must read for you. This iteration is a continuation of the Bennet sisters’ stories via their daughters. Our FMC, Cassandra (Cassie), is Lydia and Wickham’s daughter. Lydia is still the same as an adult and wants her daughter to be married off to a wealthy solider. However, Cassie takes after her Aunt Elizabeth. She is intelligent, bookish and not at all interested in the marriage her step-father has arranged. So, she runs away to Pemberley to hide. Instead of finding her Aunt, she finds her cousin Bennetta, who very much takes after her Aunt Lydia. Bennetta helps her escape her stepfather by riding to find their Uncle Bingley. However just like an Austen novel, things get a bit twisted around. She ends up at an acquaintance Dr. Richard Courtney’s estate instead. I love how the author brought in familiar characters all while creating a new and fresh story but still using all the nostalgic tone of Pride and Prejudice. The love story between the FMC and MMC is equally enjoyable reminiscent of Elizabeth and Darcy. I really enjoyed this book. I was an easy read that I was able to complete in a morning. It is a re-release of a previously published series. I’m excited to read the other stories and stay awhile with old characters and meeting some new as well. Thank you to dp Books and NetGalley for an ARC. All opinions are freely given.

This is a sweet and charming tribute to Pride and Prejudice. Fans of Austen who can suspend their disbelief for some wild, unlikely drama will enjoy this book. I also wish there had been more romantic moments throughout the book for Cassandra and the MMC (won't spoil it), but it's pretty much impossible not to like him! This is a clean romance that any reader could enjoy.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and dp books for the free eARC! I post this review with my honest opinions.

This review is cross-posted to Goodreads. It will be posted to Amazon and Instagram within a week of the book's publication.

This was my first dabble into Regency romance and I must say… I’m impressed 🤗 These 1800s romances continue to confirm that I absolutely would have failed miserably in polite society, but honestly? I love it for the girls who thrived in it 😂

I breezed through this book. It felt light, fun, and honestly, it was a refreshing switch up compared to the typical romances I usually reach for. I read this right after Pride and Prejudice, which made it such a fun little segue into the genre!

Sequels to Pride and Prejudice are one of the most popular in the genre (hard to top Death Comes to Pemberley, in my opinion), but Linda O'Byrne has decided to move beyond the traditional focus on Lydia and Mary and move to the next generation with the story of Cassandra Wickham, Lydia's daughter.

Lydia is an unlikely heroine - although as her aunt Elizabeth points out, she likely takes after both of her grandfathers, but I did appreciate that the book illustrated aspects of the Regency system that Austen was also blind to. By making our hero a doctor who comes from the gentry, but isn't a gentleman of leisure himself, he is able to comment on some of the former Lizzie Bennett's blindspots. The book does have a bit of melodrama - missing fathers! wicked stepfathers!, but the book is still an easy, fun page turner. I'm excited to see who of the Bennett next generation is next. Thanks to dp books for the early copy.

i love how much the Pride and Prejudice world is so loved it keeps getting its re-tellings or variations. for me i dont mind this, even love it as long as it never muddies the old or takes away from the brilliance of the original. and you can tell when authors have that love for the original because of how their new take or branch off it feels so comfortably at home alongside it. its adds charm and more love for the world. and this book did that. i never compare the old and new, more like to go on how it feels part of it. and this one very much fit that bill for me.
I love also how when got right we get to see more into the people surrounding those main characters. they all then get the moment to shine.
Cassandra felt like we were once again getting to know another member of this family and group. and it was a great getting to know her kind of read.
those dramatic and overly dramatic moments were all there. those cheeky moments. those tongue in cheek and make you grin moments were all there like the classic. that dry wit was something i loved so much. i love how in the Jane Austen era it felt like there was some right sarky types and they are right up my ally.
Cassandra feels just a spirited and strong in her own convictions as her Aunt. i think those two would get along greatly. she didn't want to be wed to this chosen man, for those chosen reasons. she wanted to find her love, and for her loves sakes. and she thinks she very much knows who this could be.
i felt very protective of her at once. she feels younger than Lizzie did. a bit more acting and vulnerable in her spirit. i felt so much for her when we know Lydia is still Lydia and acting like the Lydia we know lol. in marrying her daughter off to the soldier i could've done a very big eye roll. but Cassandra isn't having any of that and so she runs away to hide from those wishes. but there is more twists to come just like in our original and she might just be about to find more than she could've wished for but also more complications because of this.
this was a gem of a read and i really enjoyed escaping into this world in its own right from Linda but also feeling the comfort to the connection of old.

Cassandra - A Scandal in Pemberley by Linda O’Byrne

I read many Pride and Prejudice variations, sequels, and retellings, and endeavor to take them as I find them rather than faulting them for being a bit wheyish when compared to the rich feast of the original. Cassandra is one of the better P&P sequels I have read recently, and more carefully plotted and edited than most.
Once I got past my incredulous cringe at the given name Bennetta Darcy, who is irrepressible and great fun, I was able to settle in and enjoy. The plot is very much a typical romance, but the author has a skill for creating multifaceted characters that aren’t out of place amongst her versions of the characters from the original. I particularly liked Richard Courtney and
I recommend this novel to anyone who reads Pride and Prejudice fan fiction, and hope to see more of the characters in subsequent work, even the unfortunately-named Bennetta Darcy who deserves a story of her own.

I received an advance copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this arc.

What a fun book! Pride and Prejudice is my all time favorite book so I was happy to see this book on NetGalley. This story picks up about 20 years after P&P. This was very much a charming, sweet and fun read. Plenty of drama, sweet moments, romance, humor. I enjoyed reading Cassandra story.

Cassandra – A Scandal in Pemberley by Linda O'Byrne

4.5 ⭐
This was such a fun return to the Pride and Prejudice world—but with a twist I didn’t expect.

Going in, I fully thought Lydia’s daughter would be a bit wild, dramatic, maybe even a little chaotic… and Cassandra is the complete opposite. She’s thoughtful, grounded, and honestly feels much closer to Elizabeth in temperament. Meanwhile, Bennetta (Elizabeth’s daughter) seems to have picked up some of Lydia’s boldness, which made the whole next-generation dynamic way more interesting than I anticipated.

I ended up really enjoying the overall vibe of this. If it has even a hint of a Bridgerton feel, I’m already in—and this absolutely scratched that itch. It’s light, engaging, and easy to fall into, but still has enough substance to keep things interesting. I also really liked the dual POV—it added a nice layer to the story and helped round things out, even if it occasionally pulled focus from Cassandra herself.

That said, I do wish the book had stayed a bit more centered on Cassandra and her romance. Because the story shifts between perspectives, it sometimes felt like her relationship didn’t get quite as much depth as I wanted. I just needed a little more time with them to really feel that emotional payoff.

Even with that, I had a really good time with this. It’s cozy without being dull, familiar without feeling repetitive, and just an all-around enjoyable read. I’ll definitely be continuing the series because I’m curious to see where Linda O’Byrne takes these characters next.

Thank you to Linda O’Byrne, NetGalley, and dp books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I really loved this book. The Pride and Prejudice vibes were absolutely unmatched.

Cassandra is the daughter of Lydia and Wickham, but I was so happy to see that she takes after her aunt Elizabeth far more than her mother. Her character felt grounded, thoughtful, and easy to root for, which made the story even more engaging.

This book has everything you could hope for in a historical romance: family drama, miscommunication, and those unforgettable love declarations that always feel especially powerful in this setting. The romance itself was delightful, and the male main character was genuinely charming and perfectly suited for Cassandra.

Thank you to NetGalley and DP Books for providing me with an ARC.

Going in, I was fully expecting Lydia's daughter to be this wild, dramatic, slightly chaotic force of nature… and then Cassandra turned out to be the complete opposite. She's thoughtful, super grounded, and she reminded me more of Elizabeth than Lydia. Bennetta, Elizabeth's daughter, picked up all of Lydia's boldness. That whole next-gen dynamic ended up being way more interesting than I thought it would be.

This story is light, ieasy to sink into, but it's not fluff either. There's enough going on to keep you engaged. I also really enjoyed the dual POV setup. It added a nice extra layer and helped flesh things out,
I do wish the book had stayed a little more locked in on Cassandra and her romance. Because we're bouncing between perspectives, her relationship didn't always get the depth I was craving. I just wanted a little more time with them, you know? That emotional payoff needed just a bit more room to breathe.

That said, , I had a great time with this. It's cozy but never boring, familiar but never stale, and just a really solid, enjoyable read all around. I'm definitely sticking with the series because I need to see where Linda O'Byrne takes these characters next.

I love a good continuation of Pride & Prejudice and this one, centered on Lydia’s daughter, Cassandra, is a fun, quick read. Cassandra flees her stepfather’s plan to sell her hand to the highest bidder and encounters a series of troubles that lead her to the handsome Dr. Courtney. The Darcys play a supporting role as Cassandra finds her own way. Tue characters and plot are fun and the pacing is quick. An overall enjoyable read. Thanks to @netgalley for the advanced copy.

OMG!! I have always loved Mr. Darcy but reading Cassandra's story and getting to read about what happened to Mr. Wickham and Lydia just made my day! Not to mention knowing everything that Cassandra went through to get away from what she overheard at the ball and thinking so ill of Dr. Courtney. I loved going back to Pemberly and reading what happened to Mr. & Mrs. Darcy, Jane Bingley and the rest of the Bennet women. I loved how Bennetta helped Cassandra and then the peril Cassandra went through to get to her aunt Janes home. Not to mention the romanticism from Dr. Courtney once he was told how "Stupid" he was by Bennetta and what he did to go win back Cassandra. Overall I enjoyed the book, loved the twists and turns and then to come to find out that Mr. Wickham wasn't dead like everyone thought but passed aways saving his daughter.

This was my first ever NetGalley read, and I’m genuinely so glad I picked it up. It’s not the kind of book I usually reach for, but I ended up really enjoying it. If you love Bridgerton or anything with that romantic Regency feel, this story absolutely delivers.

The plot had me hooked from the start. I loved stepping back into the world of Mr. and Mrs. Darcy (the iconic Elizabeth Bennet herself), but with the spotlight now on the next generation ; cousins Bennetta and Cassandra. Both young women long for more than society expects of them. The book captures the pressure placed on women of the era so well , how one misstep could damage a reputation.

The bond between the two cousins is lovely . Even though Bennetta has siblings, her connection with Cassandra feels especially deep and genuine.

Cassandra is headstrong, determined, and caught in a strained relationship with her mother and stepfather, who are eager to marry her off to a wealthy officer. But Cassandra’s heart is already leaning toward Richard. The whole “will they, won’t they” tension is full of twists, obstacles, and emotional moments that kept me turning the pages.

What really stood out to me was the writing. The scenes, the atmosphere, the dialogue — everything felt vivid and immersive. The language had that perfect Regency charm without feeling heavy.

I’m really glad I had the chance to read this through NetGalley, and Linda O’Byrne is definitely an author I’ll be keeping an eye out for in the future.

#bookclub
#ilovebooks
#instabook
#readersofinstagram

#CassandraAScandalinPemberley #NetGalley

Oh what a joy to return to Pemberley and Jane Austen's inhabitants. This outing introduces us to Cassandra, the daughter of the infamous Lydia. Running away from a forced marriage arranged by her despised stepfather who has auctioned her off , she arrives at Pemberley where her headstrong cousin Bennetta embarks on a plan to take her to her Bingley relatives as her own parents are away . A strange man has been seen lurking in the district and seems to have a special interest in Cassandra. Cassandra accidentally finds herself at the home of Dr Courtney and his sister which she had mistaken for the Bingley residence. ..the same Dr Courtney with whom she has fallen in love. There follows a story of intrigue and romance and is a fabulous reminder of the world of Jane Austen and her inimitable characters. Highly recommend

I love all things Pride and Prejudice so I was excited by this book featuring the children of our favorite characters. Cassandra (FMC), Lydia and Wickham’s daughter, is the complete opposite of her parents and is responsible, well mannered and kind. She falls for Dr. Courtney (MMC) a sweet country doctor but due to a misunderstanding, thinks he is a terrible person. Watching them fall in love was so sweet.

I also loved Bennetta, Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam Darcy’s daughter. She is adventurous and fun which stresses out her parents, who are still traumatized by Lydia…even years later 🤣

I loved this book and recommend it as a fun read for any Jane Austen fan. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Such a gorgeous continuation of the Pride and Prejudice world. I cannot wait for a whole series on the cousins! Such a good premise!

A Scandal in Pemberley follows Cassandra Wickham, the spirited niece of Elizabeth Darcy, who would rather spend her time reading than participating in society’s expectations. While her mother pushes her toward a wealthy military match, Cassandra only has feelings for the kind and intelligent Dr. Richard Courtney. After overhearing plans to marry her off to an older widower, she makes impulsive choices that set off a chain of events filled with misunderstandings and miscommunication that continually drive the plot forward.

I’d rate the novel 3.5/5 stars. It was a wholesome and fairly quick read, which made it easy to get through despite some pacing issues. There were several moments that felt dragging, and a few scenes or plot points that seemed like they would be explored in more depth were brushed off too quickly before moving on. Some sections also felt repetitive, which slowed the momentum at times.
One thing I really appreciated, though, was Cassandra herself. She felt like a complete character with a personality and motivations outside of the romance, which made her more engaging to follow. However, I do wish there had been more focus on building the chemistry between Cassandra and Dr. Courtney. Their relationship had potential, but it didn’t feel as developed or emotionally compelling as I hoped it would be.

Overall, while the story had flaws in pacing and romantic development, it was still an enjoyable and comforting read with a likable heroine at its center.

I enjoyed Cassandra’s story overall and how it contrasted Benneta’s and Cassandra’s personalities. It was good at showing women can have different priorities.

However, i fund the structure of the story to be confusing, it changed POVs multiple times in the same chapter and abruptly. It was confusing to read at many points.

Also I think the story would’ve benefitted from not being a sequel to pride and prejudice. Good bones but not the best execution.

Cassandra – A Scandal in Pemberley
by Linda O'Byrne

As a devoted admirer of variations on Jane Austen's beloved works, I was immediately drawn to the intriguing premise of this novel: Lydia Wickham, a character often associated with folly and scandal, has somehow raised a calm, intelligent, and graceful daughter named Cassandra, who is more like her sister Elizabeth Darcey. This setup promised a fresh take on familiar themes of propriety and character development within the context of Regency society. An enjoyable read for any Pride and Prejudice lovers.

However, I found myself disappointed with how the story unfolded. The story is conveyed through a third-person perspective, yet it often shifts between characters without clear transitions or formatting breaks. This erratic head-hopping not only disrupted the flow of the story but also made it challenging to establish emotional connections with the characters. I often found myself confused about whose thoughts and feelings were being expressed at any given moment.

Furthermore, the romantic elements of the story left much to be desired. The relationship between Cassandra and Dr Richard Courtney, who is presented as a potential love interest, felt rather tepid and lacking in genuine chemistry. Their interactions were underdeveloped, leading to a romance that seemed flat and unconvincing, which detracted from the overall emotional impact of the narrative.

In summary, while the concept of a refined daughter of Lydia Wickham holds great promise and potential for exploration, the execution fell short of my expectations. The combination of the erratic shifting perspective and the lacklustre romance ultimately overshadowed the story’s potential, leaving me wishing for a more cohesive and engaging reading experience.

Cassandra - A Scandal in Pemberley by Linda O'Byrne. Inspired by the characters of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, the story tells the tale of Cassandra Wickham, the daughter of Lydia Bennet, the younger sister of Elizabeth Bennet.

Lydia Bennet has remarried after her husband is killed in India. Though, she is married and with a daughter of marital age, she remains the same Lydia (and somewhat similar to her mother Mrs. Bennet.) Her daughter though, Cassandra, reminds readers of Elizabeth Bennet (maybe it's her love of books).

When Cassandra learns at an event that her stepfather is bidding her off to an older officer, she makes a decision to run away to Pemberley in hopes her Aunt Elizabeth and Uncle Darcy can stop this from happening. When she arrives to Pemberley, she learns her aunt and uncle are not to be found, but are soon introduced to Bennetta, the youngest of their children.

Though the main character is Cassandra, we are re-introduced to multiple characters one again, as well as new ones.

What did I love about the book? I loved the way the author created Pemberley in the 1830s. It gave off the Bridgerton vibe as well as The new series, The Other Bennet Sister. I loved reconnecting with some of Austen's most memorable characters.

Where did I struggle? I felt that Cassandra had way too much going on. First, she is being forced into a marriage that she does not desire to learning of her illegitimacy. We are introduced to Dr.. Richard Courtney, the man she truly loves, and the challenges their love faces.

When it comes to her other relationships, the focus begins on her friendship with Bennetta but then it changes when Aunt Elizabeth returns. Uncle Darcy plays the hero we all have grown to love.

I felt there was a lot going on and the author was trying to somewhat tie aspects to Cassandra's love to events in Pride and Prejudice. In some ways it made sense, but others it did not. Maybe the author could have actually begun with the illegitimacy of her birth living her life in London and then bringing her back to Pemberley. The characters of Lydia Bennet and her husband are so minor in comparison to the characters of Pemberley. It would be a fun Cinderella story.

I love the idea of exposing readers to the world of Pemberley, and introducing Jane Austen to a new generations of readers.

Thank you Netgallery and Linda O'Byrne for an advanced copy of this book.