I recently read through nearly the entirety of Sydney Salier’s oeuvre. Because I read so many books, and because I don’t want to dedicate my blog to just book reviews for the next couple of months, I’m going to group my reviews of Sydney Salier’s works. This post covers all of their “one-off” books. There will be separate posts for The Denton Connection series and the Unconventional Education diptych — or duology, depending on how you want to look at it. Be aware, there are spoilers in some of these reviews. There is a note at the beginning of each review that contains spoilers, as well as an asterisk on the links below.
Books included in this multi-review: Mr. Bennet Leaves His Study | Consequence & Consequences* | Compromising Mr Darcy | NO, Mr Darcy | Reversed Fortune | Surprise & Serendipity* | A P&P Christmas Carol*
About the Author
I have always been a bookworm.
In 2018 I discovered Fan Fiction and stumbled onto Pride & Prejudice. I loved many of the stories, but often wished the characters would behave differently. I kept thinking about Elizabeth’s reaction at the assembly, wondering how I would like her to respond. I jotted down bits of conversations and ‘Don’t flatter yourself’ was born. Encouraged by the other readers I decided to publish my story. It turned out that other people liked it too.
I had so much fun writing Don’t flatter yourself, and receiving the positive responses, that I continued writing other stories.
My stories will generally be low angst and have a happy ending, although not always the one people might expect. I don’t pretend to write great literature, just the kind of fun stories that I would like to read.
I recently re-edited my early stories and rereleased them with new covers.. I hope you will find them improved.
I live in Australia, used to work in IT, and love full contact martial arts and bad puns.
I hope you enjoy my stories.
Author links: Goodreads | Amazon Author Page
Mr. Bennet Leaves His Study
Genres: Romance, Humor, Regency, Pride & Prejudice Variation
Release Date: June 16, 2021
Pages: 231
Purchase from: Amazon
My Rating: ★★★★★
Review
I haven’t laughed out loud (literally) while reading a book in a long time. Mr. Bennet Leaves His Study (MBLHS) was a hilarious, engaging read. I powered through it, saddened only by how quickly I finished it. It’s well-paced, entertaining, and light-hearted. This is a book I’ll return to many times over when I need something to lift my spirits.
The changes in characterizations make everyone’s actions plausible, and there is a happy ending for almost everyone.
My only issue with MBLHS is that the author has a propensity for oddly-placed commas. I don’t know if that stems from the author’s background, or is something that would benefit from a good editor.
Regardless, I fully intend to purchase MBLHS to enjoy as much, and as often, as I want later. Go pick it up and have yourself a nice laugh.
NOTE: This review is based on an eBook I borrowed from Amazon on May 18, 2022 as part of the Kindle Unlimited program.
Consequence & Consequences: “Ooops”
Genres: Romance, Humor, Regency, Pride & Prejudice Variation
Release Date: March 22, 2021
Pages: 224
Purchase from: Amazon
My Rating: ★★★★★
** SPOILER ALERT **
Another hit from Sydney Salier. Like Mr. Bennet Leaves His Study, I’ve added Consequences & Consequences (C&C) to my list of books to buy after reading.
The alterations to the original Pride and Prejudice — namely Mr. Bennet becoming a Duke —are great fun. The author did an excellent job of weaving the changes into the story, altering the characters in believable ways.
However, once Darcy realizes the extent of Elizabeth’s new position, he muses that she likely won’t have time to be mistress of Pemberley. While that thought is treated with the gravity it deserves at the time, it’s then completely ignored. We aren’t even treated to a moment of Darcy deciding that that situation is OK. Much less a discussion about it with Elizabeth.
That omission is in line with my greatest issue with the story: it was too short. While many stories suffer from an overabundance of information, C&C suffers from a lack. It could have easily been another 25-50% longer to incorporate additional detail.
My only other issue is that I wish Elizabeth would have married Richard (Colonel Fitzwilliam). They seemed better suited and the “love at first sight” between Richard and Mary felt contrived.
The epilogue, however, was lovely and wrapped up everything neatly. If you have Kindle Unlimited, I 100% recommend C&C. And even at the $5 price tag, it’s still worth it. You’ve almost certainly paid more to see a bad movie in the past, and C&C lasts longer.
NOTE: This review is based on an eBook I borrowed from Amazon on May 25, 2022 as part of the Kindle Unlimited program.
Compromising Mr Darcy – The Accidental Rake
Genres: Romance, Regency, Pride & Prejudice Variation
Release Date: April 13, 2022
Pages: 273
Purchase from: Amazon
My Rating: ★★★★☆
Like many of Sydney Salier’s stories, Compromising Mr. Darcy (CMD) is short, lighthearted, and fun. There is minimal conflict of impact, but it’s still an interesting story.
While reading of Mr. Darcy’s past experiences, I had a sense of the story occuring in an alternate universe. After all, in an age when a woman’s virtue is one of th her most important assets, it seems unlikely that so many women would attempt a compromise.
But, ignoring that, I enjoyed CMD, particularly the unusually different Mr. Collins and Miss de Bourgh. The ending, especially, was fun.
NOTE: This review is based on an eBook I borrowed from Amazon on May 26, 2022 as part of the Kindle Unlimited program.
NO, Mr Darcy
Genres: Romance, Regency, Pride & Prejudice Variation
Release Date: January 8, 2021
Pages: 286
Purchase from: Amazon
My Rating: ★★★★☆
NO, Mr. Darcy (NMD) is a very different version of Pride and Prejudice. While I like some of the alterations, others felt too extreme.
I’m a fan of Jane, and, while I appreciate versions where she is stronger, more worldly, etc., I have a hard time with versions, like NMD, where she’s portrayed in a negative light. Her cruel and manipulative ways, though, are repaid with her just desserts in the end.
NMD had some very enjoyable original characters, and the different portrayals of Lydia and Kitty were nice as well.
The epilogue was interesting, but the alternate ending was better, in my opinion.
NOTE: This review is based on an eBook I borrowed from Amazon on May 26, 2022 as part of the Kindle Unlimited program.
Reversed Fortune
Genres: Romance, Regency, Pride & Prejudice Variation
Release Date: January 23, 2022
Pages: 267
Purchase from: Amazon
My Rating: ★★★☆☆
Reversed Fortunes (RF) isn’t my favorite book by Sydney Salier, but it’s not bad. The twist mentioned in the synopsis was somewhat unexpected, but, after a moment’s consideration, I realized it had been thoroughly hinted at throughout the story up to that point.
I enjoyed seeing a variation with Lady Anne and Sir Lewis alive. This is the first variation I’ve read with those characters. And, along the same vein, I like the lessons Lady Anne gave to Caroline Bingley, as well as the result of them.
Overall, RF is good for a light afternoon, especially if you have Kindle Unlimited.
NOTE: This review is based on an eBook I borrowed from Amazon on May 27, 2022 as part of the Kindle Unlimited program.
Surprise & Serendipity
Genres: Romance, Regency, Pride & Prejudice Variation
Release Date: June 23, 2020
Pages: 169
Purchase from: Amazon
My Rating: ★★★★☆
** SPOILER ALERT **
Surprise & Serendipity was fun and sweet. I enjoyed the changes in Lady Catherine. They reminded me of the 1939 Pride and Prejudice movie. It’s lovely seeing her portrayed in a likeable manner. Her treatment of Anne is much better, and I enjoyed the tender moment Anne got to experience near the end.
I love the happy endings Jane & Bingley, Elizabeth & Darcy, and Charlotte & Fitzwilliam were given. And the juxtaposition against Caroline’s and Mr. Collins’ just retribution made them even better. Then everything was wrapped up neatly in the quick epilogue.
NOTE: This review is based on an eBook I borrowed from Amazon on May 28, 2022 as part of the Kindle Unlimited program.
A P&P Christmas Carol: A spirited romp through P&P
Genres: Romance, Regency, Pride & Prejudice Variation
Release Date: November 8, 2021
Pages: 475
Purchase from: Amazon
My Rating: ★★★★☆
** SPOILER ALERT **
Because I mention this is my Denton Connection review, it was nice to see a content warning for A P&P Christmas Carol (APPCC). I won’t be discussing any sensitive topics in this review.
The first half of the story is rather disjointed, though for obvious reasons. I doubt it would be possible to craft a fluid story out of so many visitation of different people, by different spirits, showing different scenes. The interludes where the three spirits discuss the person they had just visited helped tie it together somewhat.
The number of different futures confused me. The characters have all lived in the same world. The Bennets, especially, I would have expected to see the same futures when they overlapped. However, as an example, the futures Mrs. Bennet sees for Mary and Elizabeth are very different than the ones they see for themselves.
I really enjoyed the changes in Lady Catherine, Mrs. Bennet, and Mary. Who would have thought a situation could exist where Mrs. Bennet and Lady Catherine could be friends? But, Lady Catherine’s visit to the Bennets was still very weird. Imagine imposing yourself on a family — who you are a complete stranger to, no less — and behaving abominably just to inform your nephew that he can’t marry your daughter. And this when he had no intention of doing so in the first place. It was very odd.
Lydia’s change, too, is remarkable. However, given how horrible her future vision is, it’s hardly surprising she would do whatever necessary to avoid it.
Mr. Collin’s transformation was as great, if not greater, than the ladies’; but his was quieter. The decision he and Charlotte make is so kind and so unnecessary, but it makes a major difference to the beneficiaries.
And, finally, we get to Mr. Bennet. Through a good portion of APPCC, I thought he was positively vile. I truly believed he was completely without care for others. But then he shows some care to his eldest daughters on their wedding days. And he does manage to redeem himself a teensy bit with his dowries of rare and expensive books. Yes, he ridiculously selfish, self-centered, and lazy, but he at least did his duty to make his daughters more marriageable. Barely, mind you, but he did it.
NOTE: This review is based on an eBook I borrowed from Amazon on June 9, 2022 as part of the Kindle Unlimited program.
