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!

2 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.

1 person 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.

1 person found this helpful

Captivating

I usually listen to audible on my commute, but I couldn’t limit my listening on this one. I kept my earbuds in all weekend until I finished the book. Starnes’ excellent writing and Zimmerman’s excellent narration join to make this P&P variation enthralling. Don’t hesitate to add this one to your collection. I’ll be listening to it many times over.

Amazing!!!

This story is not for the faint of heart! I thought my own heart would never recover, but of course, we do eventually get our hard fought for HEA. The saying that you have to work or fight for anything worth having is especially true in this book. Agonizing- but so worth it!!!Joanna Starnes is an amazing author that has such a talent to connect you to her stories so much so that you feel the joy and pain as if you were the one experiencing them. There was a fair share of both here. Such a well thought out and executed story!

I wanted to stop listening, but couldn’t!

I’ll be honest, this book pulled at my heart strings. I was so bothered by some of the events that I really wanted to stop listening. However, I persevered and got my sweet ending eventually.
I later realized that’s what makes a great story - pulling at your heartstrings and making you angry at the way things unfold. Hats off to this writer. I was fully invested and hurt - thank goodness my heart healed in the end. :)

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!)

A Journey Worth Taking

I was so glad to be given the opportunity to listen to this in exchange for an honest review as I have enjoyed other books written by Joana Starnes and narrated by Stevie Zimmerman so I knew they would make a great team. Their collaboration did not disappoint as Stevie does a wonderful job bringing this engaging story to life. At the beginning, I naively thought that this would be a story with no angst but it didn't take too long before the story took a turn that proved that things would not go that smoothly and there indeed would be a journey for our dear couple. I really enjoyed that journey and it's a testament to the story that at a pivotal scene, my commute had ended and yet I sat in my car listening as I needed to know how the scene ended. Loved it!

Joana Starnes Austen variations do not disappoint!

Heart in my throat a few times wondering if Darcy & Elizabeth will ever find their HEA! Will they ever just speak plainly to each other? Don’t think I’ve read a P&P variation following this premise.

Joana Starnes never disappoints!

Marvelous

I’ve just finished listening to this new Joana Starnes book and it’s both very romantic and heartbreaking. I loved Elizabeth throughout Darcy’s recovery and their growing relationship. But of course it’s Joana’s book so there had to be separation, sacrifices, mistaken decisions and heartbreak. Nobody puts ODC through the ringer like Mrs. Starnes. I took precautions and listened to the book on my iPod, because my Kindle might have not survived the experience of being thrown around. But when Darcy and Elizabeth get together and have their HEA I felt like crying from joy.
Stevie Zimmerman’s narration flawless as usual, emotional and picturing all characters personalities and behavior perfectly. Congratulations.