A Consuming Love: A Pride & Prejudice Variation

De: Kelly Miller

Narrado por: Harry Frost

The methodical world of rich, proud Fitzwilliam Darcy is in chaos: A country lady of modest origins has utterly captivated him.

The knowledge that Elizabeth Bennet is an unsuitable match fails to diminish Darcy’s fascination for her, nor does his self-imposed distance from the lady hinder her ability to intrude upon his thoughts at all hours of the day. What can solve his dilemma?

When circumstances compel Darcy’s return to Hertfordshire in assistance of his friend Mr. Bingley, he must confront his unfathomable attraction to Miss Elizabeth.

In this Pride & Prejudice Regency novella, one afternoon spent in company with Miss Elizabeth Bennet is enough to make an indelible and life-altering impression upon Darcy, setting him on a rocky course toward the fulfillment of his desires. Will Darcy attain happiness, or will his ingrained pride be his downfall?

©2021 Kelly Miller (P)2021 Kelly Miller

Delightful

A book in the Skirmishes and Scoundrels Series of Pride and Prejudice variations, this novella by Kelly Miller is my favorite so far.

When the Netherfield steward isn’t available to tour it with Bingley and Darcy, Mr. Bennet and Elizabeth do it in his stead. Despite his trying to ignore her fine attributes, Darcy is captivated by her. Upon his hearing of her ties to trade, however, he quickly returns to London where he remains consumed with thoughts of her. Meanwhile, Caroline and Louisa fear the developing relationship between Bingley and Jane and urge him to return.

Kelly Miller has provided a charming and engaging love story that misses nothing in the telling despite it being a short story. Being mainly from Darcy’s perspective is a plus, as he makes himself determined to win Elizabeth’s love. Thoroughly enjoyable, I definitely recommend it.

This novella is just as enjoyable with the audiobook, featuring the narration of the very talented Harry Frost. Highly recommend.

Romantic & all consuming

A consuming love is sweet, romantic, thought provoking and highly enjoyable, both as a read but also as an audiobook. Kelly has made quite a lovely and beautiful story for us to enjoy.
When Bingley comes to lease Netherfield alongside Darcy, they are met by Mr Bennet and Elizabeth and “coup de foudre” happens - an arrow of Cupid’s hits Darcy’s heart at that moment and he is a lost man. Follow their path to a future of respect and love.
Harry Frost made it into a truly lovely listen, and made several characters come alive, though none more than Darcy.

Entertaining and Enjoyable

Jane Austen's book, Pride & Prejudice, told from the first person point of view of Mr. Darcy. I found the audiobook very entertaining and enjoyed it very much. I smiled the whole time because in the original Mr. Darcy is reserved and his thoughts are hidden. Instead of finding out in the end of P&P, you can see how smitten he was almost from the beginning as Lizzy is reserved because if his off-putting initial impressions. If you ever wanted to know what Mr. Darcy was thinking...his secret thoughts during Pride & Prejudice, then this is the perfect audiobook. The story's tone, style, and dialog perfectly captures the original Jane Austen book. The narrator does an excellent job at all parts including Elizabeth. Highly Recommended.

Harry Frost Nailed It

Harry Frost is one of my favorite narrators in any genre. It is pleasant to listen to him.
This P&P variation was different enough from others to maintain my interest. I will look for other stories by Kelly Miller.

Fun and satisfying

I am getting attached to the short (3 to 4 hours) P&P variation books - especially the well written and well performed ones. I usually pass them by because I am reluctant to pay full price or a credit for such a short listen. However all audible books were on sale this week and I purchased several of them for less than $6 each and have enjoyed every one of them tremendously. In fact, I have enjoyed them more than the longer books, which sometimes have too much filler, including too much angst. "A Consuming Love" was another wonderful choice. It is well written by Kelly Miller and was a great story. My only complaint was that things happened too quickly between Elizabeth and Darcy. But it was a good conclusion. I recommend it highly (if it is on sale).

Light, sweet variation from Darcy's Perspective

Bypassing that infamous first meeting in Austen’s original Pride & Prejudice, Kelly Miller’s Mr. Darcy finds her Miss Elizabeth more than tolerable and a dazzling temptation when he hears her delectable laugh and her sparkling intelligence and wit one memorable afternoon touring the Netherfield estate. A new approach from the beginning launches the variation onto a new path when less pride displayed and less prejudiced given still does not lead to an easier path to love and understanding.

Fitzwilliam Darcy has agreed to accompany his friend, Charles Bingley, on a tour of a Hertfordshire estate that Charles is interested in leasing. When the steward is unavailable, a neighboring estate owner and his daughter are there to greet them, give them the tour, and respond to any questions. Charles is enthusiastic about the neighbors and the estate and Darcy even finds himself well pleased to be in good company if country gentry in manner. The Bennets are not unaware of his wealth and status, but they are natural with him and Charles and Elizabeth, in particular, is knowledgeable about the Netherfield estate and estate management in general. Darcy is strongly attracted for the first time ever, but is convinced that a lady with Elizabeth’s lower connections is not for him so he goes back to London intending to stay away.

However, a pleading visit from Charles’ sister Caroline to rescue Charles and the family from ignominy and a further plea from Georgiana to include her in helping with the situation has him reluctantly rejoining Charles at Netherfield, but this time with Georgiana who has already surprised him with her mature observations. Darcy is supposed to be watching Charles and the eldest Miss Bennet to detect if she is wrong for him, and indeed, he is distracted by the uncouth behavior of Mrs. Bennet and the younger Miss Bennets, but in truth, his focus is right back on Miss Elizabeth who he was unable to put out of his mind no matter how hard he tried. The longer he is in her presence, he wonders why he should resist.

A Consuming Love is a rather gently paced, low-angst tale that focuses on a change of heart and mind, first for Darcy, but Elizabeth as well. The story was fascinating the way it starts before the events of the original and finishes just after the Netherfield Ball. There were some iconic scenes like the confrontation with Lady Catherine and with Miss Bingley for Elizabeth, and oh yes, Darcy with the Bennet parents as well as the startling scene he experienced when he was private with Elizabeth. And those acerbic scenes balanced out the swoony romance that was unbalanced for the longest time until Darcy was able to prove he was the man for Elizabeth.

Harry Frost is not an unfamiliar narrator to me. I have loved his work from the first time and appreciate the way he matches well with the characters and the story. The entire story is from Fitzwilliam Darcy’s POV so Harry Frost was a fab choice to tell his story.

All in all, this quick novella was a light, warmhearted pleasure that I enjoyed. I can recommend it to other Austenesque fans as well as sweet historical romance lovers as an appreciative audience.

sweet and short

I liked this variation. No angst, a wonderful Darcy and great narration. Romantic and sweet, though I wish it would have been longer.

A wonderful P&P variation.

I've read several of Kelly's books and decided to try listening to one in audiobook. I wasn't disappointed. the story is beautiful and the narration flawless. I'm looking forward to reading and listening to more from Kelly.

just a quick version of the original

nothing to really look forward to. Don't waste a credit on this . there are many others more enjoyable .
Spoiler
From the 1sr time D met E he was in love with her. I like how the story went along. D didn't stay at Bingley's estate until Caroline and the Hurst went to London to beg D to persuade Charles not to get involved with Jane. It went from that to next introduction to Georgiana then the botched proposal to admiration to acceptance with no real reason to do so. Then it abruptly ended.