Dearest Friends

A Jane Austen Inspired Novel (Austen Inspired Romance, Book 1)

By: Pamela Lynne

Narrated by: Brigid Lohrey

The historical romance Dearest Friends retells Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice as a sensual adventure that will delight a modern audience.

Fitzwilliam Darcy left Hertfordshire following a friend’s betrayal, but his heart remained with Elizabeth Bennet, the impertinent beauty who captured his attention in ways no woman ever had before. When he encounters her unexpectedly in London, he realizes he can no longer live without her and begins his pursuit for her hand. When he finds that Elizabeth is not free to marry, will he again walk away, or will he fight for the lady he loves?

While Darcy and Elizabeth pursue their own happiness, around them friendships progress to love and infatuation leads to disappointment. Join a group of unlikely friends as they support our dear couple on their journey, each treading unique paths along the way.

Warning: contains mature content

©2014 Pamela Lynne (P)2020 Pamela Lynne

Character personality changes are interesting

I really enjoyed this story, although the narrator took some getting used to, so be advised. She gets a touch “sing songy” from time to time which can be annoying, but stick with it if you can.

ODC do stay fairly true to canon, but there is one area where they were not Austenesque. There were a few times I said “Fitzwilliam Darcy! Shame on you!” 🤣 One line in the story for example: “Knowing Darcy, Ms.Elizabeth’s virtue may be a bit jostled, but is firmly intact”. Yeah, he was sorely tempted by Lizzie’s mere presence and he was a little less “gentlemanly” than we would expect. Lizzie, being adventurous in nature, did not help him stay clear of temptation either. Needless to say, this is a pretty mature version. Still, the story is PG-13+ more than R rated.

Some of the others don’t even try to stay true to canon. Mr.Bennet, in particular, is the villain of the piece, and some we have loved to hate are down right likeable.

A Burning Romance, Gothic Overtones, Family Saga

A spicy romance, a gothic plot, and a large colorful cast of characters living and loving against the backdrop of Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice was a feast for my ears as I listened in to this historical romance variation story.

In the original Pride & Prejudice one gets a genteel, witty story of class difference romance, duty and family, and a light classical delight. In this nod to the original, there is added to the Regency world intrigue, manipulation, an exploration of sensual delight for the main romance pair, and a large cast of characters who are given sub-plots of their own. It becomes a family saga that expands from the early section of the book that focuses on the courtship- a very sexy one for a pair who come together quickly, I might add- to take in the scope of members of their extended family and friends building friendship and romantic relationships of their own.

For those coming to the story with a basic historical romance in mind, this change-up in the story might come as something of surprise because the romance of Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth is not the only focal point through a portion of the end story. They are there and definitely loving their way through life, but other character stories and elements rise to share equal focus. At its core, this story explores how people respond to life’s trials. Do they step up and cling to good principles or do they give in to base instinct- even throwing a loved one under the carriage wheels to save themselves? I thought it was an interesting way to strip people down to their core selves. Some fell, but rose again and others chose to take the easiest path. So, yes, great character exploration going on besides the salacious romance and intrigue.

In fact, I will commit a sacrilege to P&P lovers to say that I was more intrigued by some of the side characters in Dearest Friends though not to say I didn’t love this lovey-dovey Darcy and Elizabeth. A warrior and slightly ruthless Uncle Gardiner, a bright and good Miss Mary, a tarnished, but redeemable Viscount Hedley, and even an envious, grasping Jane were all absolutely amazing. I was glad to delve into all their lives and was left wanting more- thankfully there is a sequel.

This was my first time listening to narrator Brigid Lohrey and I thought she wielded a great talent to handle such a large cast of characters of gender, age, and class distinction even some regional dialect changes were evident. She put emotion and pacing to good use. I definitely want more of her work.

All in all, this was a deeply satisfying listen and I can recommend it to not only Austen fans, but those who adore spicy historical romance and family sagas.

Protective Heroes all around.

This is a saga. It has a very well written story arc though, so there was very few times I wished it would rush a little bit. I loved Darcy from page one. And I loved that he went after Elizabeth the moment he saw her again in London in a bookstore. He had realized as soon as he had left Hartfordshire that he would be lonely and miserable the rest of his life without her. Elizabeth had thought about Darcy after she was forced to leave Hartfordshire, seeing him in a different light from the perspective of distance and comparison to the people she had previously trusted all her life.

As they court, things in Hartfordshire were becoming increasingly difficult for Mrs Bennet and her daughters. Mr Bennet is deathly ill and out of his senses on Laudanum. Jane attempts to warn Lizzy to leave but the missive goes awry and isn’t received. Darcy had to be apprised of why Elizabeth was always under such heavy protection. Uncle Gardiner here is one of the staunchest heroes in this story.

I haven’t spoiled anything here yet. At this point in the story we’ve just seen the tip of the iceberg. Ther is quite the adventure to follow. More heroes emerge. And some surprising heroines. Mary Bennet has a wonderful part in this book. Anne de Bourgh gets a really good happily ever after. Lady Catherine isn’t the enemy in this story, and she’s surprisingly supportive once she gets over the fact that her daughter really doesn’t want Darcy.

There are really only two villains on stage here. Mr Collins, and unfortunately Mr Bennet. He wreaks havoc. And he is very hateful.

Darcy, with the Gardiner’s encouragement and a large entourage of Fitzwilliams, and a handful of Bennets and de Bourghs travel to Scotland to see Darcy and Elizabeth marry. Oh but there’s more. What happens in between and along the way, and after is full of great scenes of Darcy and Elizabeth’s love story and the love stories of several other couples. Some will be happy some won’t.

I recommend this to lovers of Pride & Prejudice variations. Fair warning there are some graphic steamy scenes between ODC.

Good audio book

The narrator was good. Not annoying or too wild in characters like some. The story was great. I read the book and wanted to listen to it while driving. It was enjoyable and I look forward to the next book in audio form.

Absolutely wonderful

One of the best P&P variations I have listened to, except that it did drag on a little in the last hour (thus the loss of one star). Some of the characters were different from Jane Austen's characters, but I really enjoyed the differences. Mr. Bennett was a horrible man. Mr. Gardiner was magnificent - sort of like a mafia don, but a really good character. Jane was a weak spiteful person. Charles was weak, and rather unlikable. Lady Katherine was more manageable, but still ridiculous. Anne was fun. Mary was wonderful - I loved her. Mr. Collins was his usual stupid self, but more malicious. Wickham was "disposed of" quickly. Caroline continued to be manipulative, mean and after Darcy. Col Richard Fitzwilliam had a big role and was as usual a delightful character.
I was enthralled throughout, even in the last slowly moving hour. I have already downloaded book 2.

So good!

I loved this narrator. Her Lady Matlock voice was spot on lol. I ended up answering a question asked in the story, it felt like I was just listening to a friend tell a story and so I answered her question. My husband looked at me in confusion and asked 'Yes, what?' I burst into laughter. It was great.
Her Lady Matlock and Caroline Bingley are hilarious. I laughed when I heard them.
The story is good. I have read and listened to it many times. And will continue to do so for a very long time.

Great story

This is a great story. I wanted to continue and I think it will. Looking forward to the next part. Well written and the narrator did a great job.

Excellent story and narration

A favorite Pride and Prejudice variation. Pamela Lynne’s book is excellent as is the narration by Brigid Lohrey.

2021 started very well

2021 I read the ebook years ago and when I saw the audiobook version released, I had to have it. This is an incredibly moving book. The narrator really brought the book to life. I love this author/narrator combination. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THE AUDIOBOOK.

Loved Every Word

This is such a seamless melding of Pride and Prejudice. I am happy that it was edited and expanded.-The original is still a favorite but this version pops. Oh and by the way I listened at 1.25 speed the narrator sounds best that way. The story and characters are lively and entertaining. Humor is sprinkled in as well as passion. Enjoy