A Lady’s Reputation
by Amy D’Orazio
Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical Romance, Classical Re-write, Adult
Release Date: July 29, 2019
Pages: 470
Purchase from: Amazon
My Rating: ★★★★★
“Mr. Darcy, I am eager to hear your explanation for the fact that quite a few people believe we are engaged.”
It starts with a bit of well-meant advice. Colonel Fitzwilliam suggests to his cousin Darcy that, before he proposes to Elizabeth Bennet in Kent, perhaps he ought to discuss his plans with their families first.
What neither man could have predicted however was that Lord Matlock would write the news to his sister, or that Viscount Saye would overhear and tell his friends, or that his friends might slip a little and let their friends know as well. The news spreads just as quickly through Hertfordshire once Mrs Bennet opens the express Mr Bennet receives from Mr Darcy, and in a matter of days, it seems like everyone knows that Mr Darcy has proposed marriage to Elizabeth Bennet.
Everyone, that is, except Elizabeth herself.
Her refusal is quick and definite—until matters of reputation, hers as well as Jane’s, are considered. Then Mr Darcy makes another offer: summer at Pemberley so that Jane can be reunited with Mr Bingley and so that he can prove to Elizabeth he is not what she thinks of him. Falling in love with him is naturally impossible…but once she knows the man he truly is, will she be able to help herself?
Review
A Lady’s Reputation (ALR) is a hilarious, angst-filled romance. The book is remarkably fast-paced, but so fun. It seems as though everything that could go wrong, does. But, somehow, it all works out in the end.
Georgiana is the glue in ALR between Darcy and Elizabeth. Her enthusiasm for the match and her eagerness to make friends with Elizabeth seems to provide a focal point for both Elizabeth and Darcy to keep trying.
Click to Reveal Spoilers
Wickham is almost nonexistent in ALR, although Ms. D’Orazio does lead you to believe he is involved. Instead, Bingley, of all people, is the villain. While surprising, Ms. D’Orazio makes it work with his character arc.
Having a different villain gives this Pride and Prejudice rewrite a fresh perspective. Jane is a stronger character, and has a better developed growth arc. Elizabeth has a more specific and detailed development of her feelings for Mr. Darcy, as well.
The Fitwilliams are a large part of ALR, offering a look at fringe characters and balancing out the silly family scales between Elizabeth and Darcy.
Just read ALR. It’s fabulous. You’ll likely laugh; you’ll almost certainly find something to enjoy and relate to.
About the Author
Amy D’Orazio is a long time devotee of Jane Austen and fiction related to her characters. She began writing her own little stories to amuse herself during hours spent at sports practices and the like and soon discovered a passion for it. By far, however, the thing she loves most is the connections she has made with readers and other writers of Austenesque fiction. A
Amy currently lives in Pittsburgh with her husband and daughters, as well as three Jack Russell terriers who often make appearances (in a human form) in her book..
Author links: Website | Goodreads | Amazon Author Page
Disclaimer: This review is based on an eBook I borrowed from Amazon on December 20, 2020 as part of the Kindle Unlimited program.
