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writer_egreene's review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
notthemonalisa's review against another edition
3.0
This book was really compelling and heart breaking. I only gave it three stars because this wasnt the Charlotte I have in my head and the disconnect is kinda weird. Although I dont have a clear idea on who my Charlotte is... but I know this isnt her.
kristenlovesbooks's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
labarrec's review against another edition
2.0
Infidelity will always be an ick for me. And gahhhhh can Charlotte catch a break?!
neveroutofbooks's review against another edition
3.0
This kind of depressed me, if I’m being honest. There was no good way to make this end.
jager123's review against another edition
5.0
A beautiful story that invites the reader into the mind and heart of Charlotte Collins after the pages of Pride and Prejudice end.
Not normally my type of book but I desperately needed something that didn’t require me to think too deeply.
Stepping in to its pages was like meeting an old friend again. Don’t expect the next great classic but you can expect a different viewpoint to the Bennett’s. Very readable. Started and finished today.
Not normally my type of book but I desperately needed something that didn’t require me to think too deeply.
Stepping in to its pages was like meeting an old friend again. Don’t expect the next great classic but you can expect a different viewpoint to the Bennett’s. Very readable. Started and finished today.
mattiedancer's review against another edition
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Writing: 4⭐️/5
The writing in this novel is relatively strong, as Molly Greeley manages to somewhat match the tone, diction, and mood of Jane Austen’s writing. She maintained very good written composure as well, keeping a steady mood and tone throughout the novel. I do think certain sections felt a bit rushed; others felt a bit too slow, too drawn out. I did love the slow burn of the forbidden romance, though I also would have loved if a bit more attention had been given to the romance at certain times, as it felt like we sometimes skipped forward too much in both the main character’s feelings and the time that had passed.
Characters: 3.5⭐️/5
While I did enjoy how much depth Greeley brought to Charlotte and how consistent yet rejuvenated she felt when compared to the character featured in Austen’s original novel, other characters felt like they were solely relying on the structure of Austen’s characters instead of adding her own depth. Both Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy felt lacking in a certain aspect. I will say, though, that Mr. Collins voice felt consistent and I did really – and truly – enjoy that.
Plot: 4⭐️/5
The plot is very understated in many ways, which served well for the tone and overall mood of the novel. While some reviews did point out how few events happened in the novel, I thought this was part of the brilliance, personally. I wasn’t expecting a lot of action in this novel and that helped to manage my expectation in that regard.
Who Should Read This Book?
- Fans of Jane Austen
- Those who like spin-offs and retellings.
Content Warnings?
Death of parent, gaslighting, emotional abuse, sexual assault, pregnancy, miscarriage, infidelity, death, misogyny, sexism, classism,
Post-Reading Rating: 4.25 ⭐️/5
Oh, how perfectly sad. How tragically mundane.
Final Rating: 4⭐️/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Classism
margaretmechinus's review against another edition
2.0
No P&P. Started with an improbable situation and had no where to go.
reenelim's review against another edition
5.0
i adored this book! this felt both profound in the explorations of Charlotte as a character, and her situation that i’m sure many women of the time must’ve experienced.
what a deeply moving story. it may read a little bleak or hopeless, but i’d argue otherwise. this showed how Charlotte was indeed very aware of Collins as a character, and her feelings as to having him as a husband and later a father, was both incredibly heart wrenching and courageous.
i loved reading Charlotte’s inner dialogue, it portrayed someone who was intelligent, capable and at their core undeniably romantic. but how did she cope with being tied to someone as pitiful as Collins? the writing and use of prose was so uniquely depicted in a way that makes you feel affronted at Charlotte’s situation, revolted and frustrated. and yet you want to read on, you want to see how she fights, in her own quiet and most possible way a woman of her standing could, to a husband who was vain and unsympathetic as he is.
but she also gave us a perspective as to why Collins might’ve turned out the way he did and weirdly enough, even commiserate with him. it was such a fantastic perspective!
the only think that might’ve annoyed me was that the spelling was American when this was set in Regency England. but other than that, the world was so historically plausible that i believed it true. i was rooting for Charlotte the whole way! and her thoughts felt so real that this feels as if it was an extension of the P&P itself! what a brilliantly written book.
5/5 shining ⭐️
what a deeply moving story. it may read a little bleak or hopeless, but i’d argue otherwise. this showed how Charlotte was indeed very aware of Collins as a character, and her feelings as to having him as a husband and later a father, was both incredibly heart wrenching and courageous.
i loved reading Charlotte’s inner dialogue, it portrayed someone who was intelligent, capable and at their core undeniably romantic. but how did she cope with being tied to someone as pitiful as Collins? the writing and use of prose was so uniquely depicted in a way that makes you feel affronted at Charlotte’s situation, revolted and frustrated. and yet you want to read on, you want to see how she fights, in her own quiet and most possible way a woman of her standing could, to a husband who was vain and unsympathetic as he is.
but she also gave us a perspective as to why Collins might’ve turned out the way he did and weirdly enough, even commiserate with him. it was such a fantastic perspective!
the only think that might’ve annoyed me was that the spelling was American when this was set in Regency England. but other than that, the world was so historically plausible that i believed it true. i was rooting for Charlotte the whole way! and her thoughts felt so real that this feels as if it was an extension of the P&P itself! what a brilliantly written book.
5/5 shining ⭐️