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Review – It Started with a Kiss

Posted in Book Blogger

It Started with a Kiss

by Beth Wood

It Started With a Kiss

Genres: Regency Romance, Historical Romance, Romance, Classical Re-write, Adult
Release Date: October 1, 2015
Pages: 133
Purchase from: Amazon
My Rating: ★★★★☆

When Darcy finds Elizabeth touring the park around Pemberley, he assumes he is in the grips of his dreams and acts accordingly. He is incredibly surprised to discover that the woman he has taken in his arms is not only very real, but also kissing him back.

This lighthearted variation explores how things might have progressed differently had Mr. Darcy left Elizabeth Bennet with no doubt concerning his continued affection upon finding her touring his beloved Pemberley. 


Review

It Started With A Kiss (ISWAK) was another short, light Pride and Prejudice variation by Beth Wood. However, unlike Fitzwilliam Darcy Elopes, this one seems less polished.

While I greatly enjoyed the general storyline, I found myself confused in a few places. Generally, when I read a rewrite/variation that starts mid story, I assume that the rest of the story, to that point, has been left unchanged, unless specifically (and quickly) told otherwise.

In ISWAK, this is not the case. There are a few very important changes that you don’t learn about for a while. While it may just be a case of “not to my taste,” I found it odd that these changes were not made obvious to the reader earlier in the story.

I also felt that some character decisions seemed out-of-character for them. I will acknowledge, however, that some of the decisions were later clarified through explorations of character thoughts or dialogue.

Mary Bennet’s unexpected character development seemed a wasted opportunity in that she was given extra consideration and page time for a short while, but then her plot line was dropped until the epilogue. I would have like to see it developed more.

Despite my complaints, or perhaps I should call it whining or nitpicking, I didn’t dislike ISWAK. I rather enjoyed it, really. I wouldn’t say this is a “must read,” but I doubt you’d regret reading it, either.


About the Author

Beth Wood has the rare distinction of being born in a town that no longer exists. She doesn’t remember anything about Playas, New Mexico since she was a toddler when her family moved.

She spent much of her youth in small towns throughout the west (except for an 11 month residence in Tucson, AZ when she was in Elementary School).

In 2003 she married, and has since set a record of living in one town for over 7 1/2 years!

Beth first fell in love with Jane Austen while reading “Pride and Prejudice” as a sophomore in high school. It wasn’t until she was staying at home with her children (several years later) that she decided to add her voice to the many variations of “Pride and Prejudice” available.


Disclaimer: This review is based on an eBook I borrowed from Amazon on January 20, 2020 as part of the Kindle Unlimited program.

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