Historical Romance
Publisher: One Good Sonnet Publishing
Published: 7.12.23
Pages: 337
Rating: 4 stars
Format: ebook
Source: purchased
Sellers: Amazon
ADD TO: GoodReads
GoodReads Synopsis:
Jane Bennet is a mild-mannered and thoughtful woman, always looking for the best in others. Elizabeth, though she loves her sister, has always despaired over Jane’s inability to perceive the motivations of others. But what if Jane was just as discerning as her sister and more forceful about expressing her opinion while keeping the other traits that comprise her angelic character?
When a new family arrives at Netherfield Park, Jane Bennet has married and become Jane Harrington, and Mr. Bingley starts his tenure in Meryton with a faux pas, not realizing his angel is already married to another. Darcy, who has always deplored his friend’s tendency to become enamored with beautiful women, witnesses this, and while he laments his friend’s error, he appreciates the lack of Bingley’s usual infatuation in Meryton.
Darcy also quickly becomes enamored with Mrs. Harrington’s pretty and vivacious sister. However, Jane and Elizabeth note that Mr. Bingley has begun to pay attention to their younger sister, and while neither thinks he has serious designs on her, they worry for their sister’s sensibilities. Complicating matters is Darcy’s wish to avoid appearing officious to his friend.
As Darcy and Elizabeth’s appreciation for each other flourishes, the conflict within the Netherfield party grows, provoked by Bingley’s younger sister, who has no love for the neighborhood, and Bingley’s own actions toward a girl too young to accept his assurances. Together, they must forge through such trials in pursuit of a shared future, supported by Elizabeth’s dearest sister, who wishes for nothing more than Elizabeth’s happiness.
Sophia Rose's Review:
When the would-be suitors or seducers come near, a protective older sister both beautiful and good turns into a tigress for her younger sisters. Jann Rowland pens a charm ‘what if’ Pride and Prejudice variation romance asking what would happen if the oldest sister had already made a brilliant love match and now can use her new status and found confidence to do what she can for her younger sisters when new people arrive in their small neighborhood.
Even though, beautiful Jane Bennet has made a love match with a man of fortune, her mother still feels the desperation of a matchmaking mother to foist her four other daughters into their own marriages. Elizabeth will only accept a suitor she can love and respect, bookish Mary tends to stay aloof, and the younger two are silly over any man in uniform. Into their midst comes the Bingleys and Mr. Darcy to lease Netherfield Park estate, the militia to take up winter quarters in the neighborhood including malicious charmer George Wickham, and the Bennet’s supercilious cousin, Mr. Collins who will inherit the family estate.
One insults, one charms, and one forces his unwanted attentions on Elizabeth and Jane will do what her parents will not to protect and help her closest sister to find the love she deserves.
A Devoted Sister has many familiar characters and scenes from the original Pride and Prejudice, but the focus is on the tender friendship and closeness of sisterhood. I enjoyed this quietly assertive Jane and her charming, urbane husband who adores her and banters with his wife while supporting her family even the silliest ones. Elizabeth is still feisty and can verbally best anyone who gets her dander up. A Devoted Sister was low-angst so even with an early aversion to Mr. Darcy because he stuck his foot in his mouth about Elizabeth and his own struggles about class status, this pair don’t create the big drama moments or conflicts. No, the Bingleys, Wickham, Collins, and some of the other Bennets do that.
This isn’t one to pick up for a grand romance or strong focus on the romantic pair, but when one wants a sweet, less dramatic heartwarming story of family, friends, and a growing romance in the background. I was in just the mood for an easygoing read so A Devoted Sister hit the spot.
Author Bio:
Jann Rowland is a Canadian, born and bred. Other than a two-year span in which he lived in Japan, he has been a resident of the Great White North his entire life, though he professes to still hate the winters.
Though Jann did not start writing until his mid-twenties, writing has grown from a hobby to an all-consuming passion. His interests as a child were almost exclusively centered on the exotic fantasy worlds of Tolkien and Eddings, among a host of others. As an adult, his interests have grown to include historical fiction and romance, with a particular focus on the works of Jane Austen.
When Jann is not writing, he enjoys rooting for his favorite sports teams. He is also a master musician (in his own mind) who enjoys playing piano and singing as well as moonlighting as the choir director in his church’s congregation.
Jann lives in Alberta with his wife of more than twenty years, two grown sons, and one young daughter. He is convinced that whatever hair he has left will be entirely gone by the time his little girl hits her teenage years. Sadly, though he has told his daughter repeatedly that she is not allowed to grow up, she continues to ignore him.
Website: http://onegoodsonnet.com/
Facebook: https://facebook.com/
Twitter: @OneGoodSonnet
Mailing List: http://eepurl.com/bol2p9
Sophia’s Bio:
Sophia is a quiet though curious gal who dabbles in cooking, book reviewing, piano-playing, and gardening. Road trips and campouts, museums and monuments, restaurants and theaters are her jam. 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.
As a lifelong reader, it was inevitable that Sophia would discover book blogs and the joy of blog reviewing. Sophia is a prolific reader and audiobook listener which allows her to experience so many wonderful books, authors, and narrators. Few genres are outside her reading tastes, but her true love is fiction particularly history, mystery, sci-fi, and romance. Though, sorry, no horror or she will run like Shaggy and Scooby.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sophia.rose.7587
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sophiarose1816
GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13418187.Sophia_Rose
That sounds really good for those who enjoy this storyline.
ReplyDeleteIt was, Mary! I really liked the focus on the sisters' relationship.
DeleteOh who is Bingley after here
ReplyDeleteWe-ll, he follows the book and falls for Jane at first when he sees her at the assembly and that was awkward, but I won't spoiler who he ends up with.
DeleteLovely review Sophia. I like stories about family.
ReplyDeleteSame here! A good romance, but lots of family interaction is the best. :)
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