An Arranged Marriage by Jan Hahn

"Can a marriage of convenience ever lead to true love? Immediately after Elizabeth Bennet refuses Mr. Darcy's proposal at Hunsford, her father dies, leaving Longbourn entailed away and little fortune to sustain his widow and daughters. Six months later, the Bennet family receives a visitor with a most unusual offer that promises to save the family from financial and social ruin. Elizabeth's sense of duty forces her to enter into an arranged marriage with a man she does not even like. Told from Elizabeth's point of view, An Arranged Marriage is a compelling twist on Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Can Elizabeth overcome her feelings of anger, resentment, and suspicion toward her new husband and - the most bewildering sensation of all - a growing attraction for the last man in the world she ever wished to marry?"

This really was a compelling read.  I couldn't put it down. It is told completely from Lizzy's point of view and this made it seem almost like a diary, it was brilliant. I got completely wrapped up in the story as I was reading it and I felt as though I was Lizzy!

Mr Darcy is adorable. I pitied him to begin with as Lizzy is rather rude to him, but then again, Lizzy is bound to fight him - she has been forced into a marriage with a man she doesn’t like, so she is always thinking the worst of him! (There were times when I could have slapped her!)

It is also clear that Lizzy is fighting her growing feelings for Mr Darcy and there are many sweet moments between them - it is clear they are made for each other, even if Lizzy doesn't want to acknowledge it! 

Lizzy had a great relationship with Georgiana and I enjoyed seeing her influence rub off on Georgiana.  Georgiana also had a wonderful and fun relationship with Col. Fitzwilliam – Col. Fitzwilliam is such a great character to explore further in these variations!

As things begin to work out between Darcy and Lizzy and their relationship grows it is heart warming to read, seeing the trust grow and all the misunderstandings and misconceptions sorted out.  Together they are such an amazing married couple and the relationship is obviously going to work and once they have put the misunderstandings behind them, the conversations they then have are the sweetest! Many familiar conversations from the original pop up here and there, often in different situations and spoken by different people, which I always enjoy reading.

I haven't read a book this quickly in a while, which must be a good thing! This truly was a romantic, gripping, at times heart-rending and at other times heart-warming tale of misunderstandings and misconceptions and the journey of hate turned to love and the importance of trust in a marriage of convenience to the last man in the world you ever wished to marry!

 

This is definitely one of my new favourite Pride and Prejudice variations - and I have now read quite a few!

 

Your affectionate friend,