Her Whole Heart

A Pride and Prejudice Variation (Darcy and Elizabeth Happily Ever Afters)

By: Melanie Rachel

Narrated by: Harry Frost

Length: 11 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

One brave act. An unexpected reward.
Fitzwilliam Darcy's uncle has insisted he finally remain in town for the full season. Ill at ease in London society, he makes a cutting remark about Elizabeth Bennet, a woman he's barely met. But she is not unprotected, and when an earl demands he make amends, he reluctantly complies.

Darcy is prepared to deal with yet another fortune hunter, but Elizabeth's kindness towards society's wallflowers and her quiet bravery in the face of adversity slowly wear away his prejudices. As his admiration grows, so does his dilemma. Can he convince Elizabeth to trust him, to see beyond his earlier rudeness and recognize his changed heart? Or will his initial misstep and Elizabeth's own guarded nature keep them apart?

©2024 Melanie Rachel (P)2024 Melanie Rachel

Pretty Good Variation with Excellent Narrator

This story was very good, but I had been expecting something better after reading two of the author’s other books. Still, I enjoyed the story. Melanie Rachel does very good dialogue and often has humorous moments in her stories. In this story, most of the humor occurs with Darcy and his Fitzwilliam cousins. The scene with Darcy and the cousins trying to help Bingley was, I think, the Highlight of the book. There were some odd ‘religious’ moments near the end of the book that felt very awkward to me . This author has dealt with such moments much more smoothly in her other books. It drew me out of the story for a moment, but it wasn’t prolonged. Harry Frost, as usual, was excellent.

Love It!

It’s very unusual for me to listen to a story in audiobook form without reading the book first and knowing how the plot thickens. However, since the audio version became available first, and as Melanie Rachel is a favorite author, I’m calling it serendipity!

I was captivated from the beginning of this well-written, entertaining book, and narrator Harry Frost brings the characters to life with excessively diverting voices. His talent turns our dear Mr. Darcy into a “blockhead” of monumental proportion! I actually replayed that particular chapter a second time for the joy of it. I highly recommend this audiobook! 🖤

In search of desperately needed love

There is a lot of shadow surrounding the what and why of Elizabeth's and Jane's situations. The Bennet parents are nearly as bad as they can get, but there is much more to our dear girls' backstory, which get revealed to us slowly, one teasing piece of information at a time.

Darcy puts his foot in his mouth at a London ball, a 'la Meryton assembly. This time though, an earl forces him step up and make amends. Jane is Jane and Bingley is Bingley, but without his sisters in the beginning and with one loving sister's advice.

It's a wonderful love story between our dear couple, in the setting of London's Society. However, the real love story is Elizabeth learning to love an accept herself, after years of mental and emotional abuse from those her are supposed to love and protect her. Not tear her down. By letting go of all the negative baggage, she makes room for the love of a good and kind man. A lot happens before the happy ever after takes place.

Fantastic audiobook. Mr. Harry Frost is a favorite and he did a great job!
Loved it!

Elizabeth is Heroic!

Outstanding story and performance. This tale is heartbreaking, heartwarming and devastatingly romantic.

This is a much different scenario than canon. Jane and Elizabeth are sent to school as girls by their mercenary parents to obtain polish and attract rich men to assist their family.

Elizabeth has mysteriously acquired a fortune which she uses to give herself and Jane a season in London with respectable dowries. They have also gained the patronage of a highly regarded Earl and Countess. Her parents are enraged that she doesn’t hand over the money to them to waste but are hopeful that Jane will make a match and share her good fortune.

Elizabeth and Jane meet Darcy, Bingley and the Fitzwilliam brothers at a ball. Darcy delivers an insult. The Fitzwilliam brothers are more than friendly and become allies. Their sister Lady Henrietta, a former school mate of the Bennet sisters, is decidedly not and spreads rumors about the girls,
Elizabeth in particular. Darcy is required to make amends for his behavior by the Earl.

What will our beloved characters do in this delightful new scenario? The villains are new and it’s fun to see how it all plays out. Highly recommend!

Same Darcy and Elizabeth but interesting new twist to their story

This was a very romantic variation. Many lighthearted moments with just enough angst to keep the story interesting. Many new characters who fit in seamlessly and more time with Georgiana and the rest of the Fitzwillam clan. Very little of Caroline and best of all no Wickham or Lydia. As always Harry Frost’s performance was perfection.

Melanie Rachel has given us another wonderful story!

Not a spoiler as you learn right away that Mr & Mrs Bennet are not as loving as canon; no violence just selfish parents. Elizabeth and Jane were sent to school instead of being educated at home as in canon. They are on their way to London to have their season together (how this can be done / funded is explained). Their connections are better because of their friend from school. Darcy is SO good at putting his foot in his mouth repeatedly and it’s even better when he’s called on the carpet for it. The friendships that we see develop between many characters is lifelong and strong. I loved when Darcy decided that Elizabeth was the only one who could be his wife and what he does for her is so sweet and exactly what Elizabeth needed. This will be a story that I will read / listen again. I love that Harry Frost did a fantastic and fabulous narration. He is truly one of the best narrators in the JAFF world.

Spoiler: no Lady Catherine, Wickham or Mr Collins to deal with - YEAH!

Great read

This was a different Jaff. Elizabeth and Jane was more or less estranged from the rest of the family. In London staying as guest of an earl. Interesting Jaff.

Unique Variation Beautiful story

This was a lovely variation. It does not follow canon but sets its own path and conclusions. I would highly recommend. The writing is terrific and the narration by Harry Frost is amazing.

Excellent book and performance

Truly outstanding performance by Harry Frost. He just keeps getting better and better. There’s a scene where Darcy and his two Fitzwilliam cousins are giving Bingley advice which had me laughing out loud. He really nails that man scene.

This Pride and Prejudice variation opens at Longbourn, where the Bennet sisters find themselves practically disowned and resented by their parents. The reason behind this—a fortune that Elizabeth and Jane have received but cannot share—gradually comes to light. The two sisters are preparing to depart for London to be hosted by their school friend Amelia Hamilton’s aunt and uncle, Lord and Lady Carlisle. Amelia has insisted they be invited to join her for their first Season in Town.

Pressured by his Uncle Matlock to attend the Season and finally choose a wife, Darcy reluctantly agrees. His infamous insult still occurs, but this time at a London ball where he first meets Elizabeth and Jane. The Earl of Carlisle, a peer who commands respect in the Ton, if not slightly feared, is seriously displeased with Darcy’s treatment of his ward and commands him to befriend Elizabeth and keep company with her during the remainder of the Season’s events. Darcy must balance this with not raising expectations or creating gossip amongst the Ton. As the reader might expect, this ‘forced’ friendship becomes real and then more, as respect, trust, and love grow. Trust will be tested.

Elizabeth’s portrayal is one of great strength and integrity—not only when she was a young girl but also as a woman—becoming a heroine twice over. There is a somewhat suspenseful subplot surrounding Elizabeth and Jane’s past at school which builds an intriguing backstory and context for their current challenges, especially Elizabeth’s.

Jane and Bingley’s burgeoning courtship will face a challenge when Bingley’s struggle to stand up to his domineering sisters almost jeopardizes their blooming romance. Jane’s strong-of-character portrayal had me wanting to applaud. Meanwhile, Elizabeth has to contend with the dreaded presence of, and cutting remarks made by ‘mean girls’ from her school days.

Character interactions are filled with the expected tension, disappointments, and evolving respect readers have come to expect from a good variation. Secondary character roles are enhanced by delightful banter involving Darcy and his Fitzwilliam cousins. The story is not just about overcoming personal challenges related to the past and adversity faced in the present. It is also about forging lasting friendships, as Elizabeth and Jane make some life-long women friends—delightful non-canon characters who play a large role in this novel, along with the younger Georgiana who is welcomed into their fold. The mean-girl villains in the book are brilliantly written too.

Melanie Rachel is a favourite JAFF author and "Her Whole Heart" is a multi-layered, captivating variation with an original plot and settings away from Longbourn. It is an excellent read for fans of "Pride and Prejudice" who love dialogue and crave something new and unique. I truly loved it.

Highly recommend.

Kisses only.

Her Whole Heart Audible Book - Needs a little updating

The story was different in a good way. I really liked it! I did not like that the scene before Jane accepted Bingley’s proposal because it sort of left me hanging. To me it was incomplete. There should have been an in-depth discussion regarding what the purchase of the house represented regarding Caroline and how things would be managed in the future since Caroline’s behavior could pose many problems for Jane. Other than that? I enjoyed this AudibleBook and would recommend it for a good love story.