Sophia Rose Reviews: Misunderstandings and Ardent Love by Susan Adriani

Today my friend Sophia Rose is reviewing a historical romance, another variation of Austen's Pride and Prejudice.
Enjoy!

Misunderstandings and Ardent Love by Susan Adriani

Historical Romance

Publisher:  Quills & Quartos

Published:  8.23.21

ASIN:  B098KPNB4H

Pages:  474

Rating: 4 stars

Format: Trade Paperback

Source:  Quills & Quartos

Sellers:  Amazon

ADD TO: GoodReads

 

GoodReads Blurb:

“I have never been able to forget you...I am yours, in body and soul, for as long as I am able to draw breath.”

AFTER MONTHS OF BROODING DESPAIR while Bingley prepares to wed Jane Bennet, Fitzwilliam Darcy realises he has no choice but to put his heart at risk and try to win the only woman he will ever love.

ELIZABETH BENNET WOULD MORE THAN WELCOME his return to Longbourn. Yet despite such mutually ardent feelings, her most beloved sister and Darcy’s own uncle hold quite the opposite points of view.

TORN BETWEEN PERSONAL LOYALTIES and responsibilities, the couple must balance finding a discreet solution for a family scandal in London and dealing with new outrageous actions by Mr and Mrs Wickham, all while facing a Jane Bennet who cannot forgive Darcy his interference in her love story.

Can the two overcome misunderstandings and meddling and find their way to one another at last?

 

Sophia Rose's Review:

Exploring a variation on Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice that asks a big ‘what if’ and thus plunges the last part of the story into a new, thoughtful, romantic, and engaging direction is always a tantalizing prospect for a variation-lover such as myself.

 

Misunderstandings and Ardent Love tackles a small, but significant series of ‘what if’ questions and with one being the chief driving point to this easy-paced, (moderately) low angst, second chance romance.  What if, when Darcy returns to Netherfield with Charles Bingley after the events in London that save Lydia Bennet and the rest of the Bennet family from scandal, he doesn’t stay and try once more with Elizabeth because he gets no encouragement from her?  What if gentle Jane turns into a lioness towards Darcy and attempts to thwart his chances with her sister?  What if Darcy’s noble relations all oppose him when he does think to try again?  It lead to a whole new chance to enjoy Austen’s P&P world and characters with a slightly steamy second chance romance with all sorts of obstacles tossed in their path.

 

As I said, there are several obstacles that rear up ugly in their way not the least of which is the pair getting very little chance to iron out their issues, to potential rivals being set up by their less than helpful family members who have their own agendas for Mr. Darcy and even for Elizabeth.  And, that pair took a bit to get their business sorted, but they also had a strong attraction and couldn’t seem to keep their hands off each other every chance they got.

One might think all this would make it dreadfully angsty and possibly sluggish in pace the way it was one thing after the other.  The story was mostly character-driven and there were no big spikes of action, but there was something about it that made me settle in and enjoy.  I found humor in a few of the characters and situations like Darcy's aunt the countess who was much more than she seemed and I thought stole the show a few times.  I loved fun friendship Elizabeth had with Mr. Ellis her childhood friend and I was relieved that this didn’t turn into a love triangle.  There were some more serious moments and especially because of the way Darcy’s detestable uncle wanted to manage his life.  I liked the way the romance pair grew as a couple and learned to trust and rely on each other’s strengths and support their partner in a weak moment.  The book ran through the gamut of situations and emotions.

 

I only had one niggle and it was the way the end seem to come without wrapping up some smaller threads.  I suppose that it how life is- things on going, but these were things I was curious about so I wanted a longer end or an epilogue.

 

However, all in all, I had a comfy coze with a lovely, easy-read variation on P&P that offered a slightly spicy romance.  This is not one for everyone as it assumes the reader is familiar with the P&P story and enjoys ‘what if’ scenarios, but I think those who love the classic story and like to explore such questions should definitely pick it up.

 

Author Bio:

Susan Adriani has been a fan of Jane Austen and her beloved characters for as long as she can remember. Originally from New England, she attended a small art college close to her home, where she majored in illustration. In 2007, after contemplating the unexplored possibilities in one of Miss Austen’s most celebrated novels, Pride and Prejudice, she began to write her first novel-length story, The Truth About Mr. Darcy (previously self-published as Affinity and Affection). With encouragement from fellow Austen enthusiasts she continued, and is currently at work on her second book. She lives in Connecticut with her husband, young daughter, and a very impertinent cat.

Website:  http://thetruthaboutmrdarcy.weebly.com/index.html

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/#%21/susanadrianiauthor

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/intent/follow?original_referer=http%3A%2F%2Fthetruthaboutmrdarcy.weebly.com%2F&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Ebuttonembed%7Ctwterm%5Efollow%7Ctwgr%5Edarcybabe1&screen_name=darcybabe1

Sophia’s Bio:

Sophia is a quiet though curious gal who dabbles in cooking, book reviewing, and gardening. Encouraged and supported by an incredible man and loving family. A Northern Californian transplant to the Great Lakes Region of the US. Lover of Jane Austen, Baseball, Cats, Scooby Doo, and Chocolate.

Sophia’s Social Media Links:

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/sophia.rose.7587

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sophiarose1816

GoodReads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13418187.Sophia_Rose