Forgotten Betrothal

A Variation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice (Unabridged)

By: L.M. Romano

Narrated by: Maddie McGowan

Enlightenment dawned, sharp and painful in its glaring exactitude. He knew. From the moment she had uttered her true name, he had known that she was not free. So why was he here? Why did he still look at her in that way? Why could she see the adoration in his eyes and the torment in his features? Had he come to say goodbye? To leave her to this fate?

Confused and chastened following her cruel rejection of Mr. Darcy’s proposal, Elizabeth Bennet returns to her aunt’s home in Gracechurch Street. Unable to find solace while pondering her terrible misjudgment of his character, she is overwhelmed with guilt for how she treated the puzzling gentleman from Derbyshire. Fitzwilliam Darcy has retreated to his London home after being spurned by the lady he loves, and after serious reflection has come to the realisation that he never deserved Elizabeth’s good opinion.

A chance encounter with Mr. Darcy brings Elizabeth the opportunity to seek forgiveness, and possibly, a new start to their budding romance. But the introduction of a stranger into Elizabeth’s life threatens to reveal old family secrets that have the potential to truly unravel her world and all that she holds dear.

©2021 L.M. Romano (P)2021 Quills & Quartos Publishing

Excellent book, very good narration

This book, which I read in May 2021, also presents well as an audiobook. The narration by Maddie McGowan, who is new to me, is very good. I would have liked a lower register for the voice of some male characters, Mr. Bennet in particular. Also her pronunciation of de Bourgh (Burr) seemed off, as well as the word reticule (sounded like recticule. Overall I still give the audiobook five stars. Well done.

A touching story

Elizabeth’s meeting of a stranger in a park turns her world upside down. Just as she begins to understand her feelings for Darcy she is faced with the demands of her new life. Family, status, and marriage prospects.
I enjoyed this story snd the narrator was great bringing the story to life.

Great compliment to a beloved story

Listening or reading this novel will be a delight to those who have loved the story of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. This story was able to take an idea that would have been plausible and link directly into the well known story that Jane Austen penned so many years back.
The language was so familiar to how Austen wrote that this novel felt like it was from the same era.
I was able to listen this in less than a week while also reading the novel in paperback form as well.
The performance was very well done and an enjoyment to listen to. It is highly likely I will listen again.

Great Jaff

I really liked this story. Well written and an interesting storyline. I highly recommend this book to a Jane Austen fan fiction lover.

I have never cried from a P&P variation…please do that again.

FINALLY…a p&p story with strong character development, a likable Bennet family that shows growth and even tugs at heart-strings I didn’t know I had for this genre. The only downside is I rushed to find another title by this author, only to find none. Seriously impatiently waiting for just about anything written by this author.

Romantic, witty, interesting and Jane Austeny

I was pleasantly surprised by this audio book since I didn't know the author or the narrator. I loved the premise, the way the relationship between Elizabeth and Darcy progressed, the low angst and the dialogue.
I also appreciated the fact that the characters stayed true to the original portrail.
At times I would have liked to hear less about the secondary characters, but once I discovered that it didn't take any time from the main characters interaction I was happy to go along with the side stories.
I wholeheartedly recommend this to any Pride and Prejudice lover. I look forward to this author's next book!

Forgotten Betrothal Review

I feel the story had so much potential, I would have like to see more of Elizabeth efforts to keep a relationship with her Bennet family. The end felt to me a bit hurried up and there wasn’t much of what happened after even with a Prolog. I just felt that could have had a bit more. Performance was ok although some voices were hard to relate to the characters. Overall ok book to listen to once, I don’t think I would add this title to my favorites.

Overall a good story but some disappointment

It was overall a good story and somewhat low angst. The narrator was okay with a mild voice. However my disappointment stems from the almost total absence of most of the Bennett family especially at the end. Only Jane and Mary are mentioned at the end, but nothing of Mr or Mrs Bennett's relationship with Elizabeth. Has she not forgiven Mr or Mrs Bennett yet? How long will she hold with this attitude? It certainly takes away from Lizzy's character to carry a grievance this long. Why, I can imagine that though she might have met Darcy, he would probably have retained the arrogant traits that prevented her falling in love with him. Not to mention whether or not the original contract would have been upheld. Not a comfortable end to me.

Another cradle betrothal, but not THAT one!

This story has a different twist from the usual JAFF tale, although it is not too very far off from the original.

It is a good story, but could possibly use a good Editor to keep it from rambling and occasionally backtracking to get to the end.

You don’t need to pay close attention to know what’s happening.

I’ve never done this before, but I will recommend a different book in this review instead. This plot twist was better done by Mary Anne Mushatt with her story “Taken”, and as an added benefit, that one is narrated by Stevie Zimmerman. So, if you haven’t decided yet, or heard Taken, chose that instead.

Where this plot differs is that Lizzie is the babe betrothed in her cradle, not Darcy, which is the critical issue to overcome.