Simply Beautiful

A Novel

By: P. O. Dixon

Narrated by: Catherine Bilson

Length: 5 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

In a fascinating tale of long-lost family ties, Miss Elizabeth Bennet finds herself face-to-face with her father after years of separation. The reunion sparks a whirlwind of conflicting sentiments as Elizabeth grapples with the daunting task of reconciling her past with her present. The challenges ahead loom large, requiring her to summon every ounce of strength and resilience she possesses.

Amid the tangled web of complicated family dynamics, one person remains steadfast by Elizabeth's side—Mr. Darcy. Their bond, forged through their shared upbringing at the illustrious Pemberley estate, is an open secret. Yet, as their connection deepens, doubts begin to emerge, and whispers of criticism surface. Some question the boundaries of their relationship, pondering if their closeness defies the conventions of propriety.

While Elizabeth courageously navigates the maze of familial obligations, she finds herself at a crucial crossroads. Will Mr. Darcy, her devoted companion, stand resolutely beside her as they face the trials ahead? Or will the winds of change and the manipulations of others conspire to tear them apart?

©2023 P. O. Dixon (P)2024 P. O. Dixon

Loving rendition of Fitzwilliam and Lizzy

Lovable journey of a Pride & Prejuduce sweet variation. Always a treat to get the opportunity to read a P.O. Dixon novel. Love the various storylines offered by this author. A little shorter than I prefer but still a wonderful book to keep close for that warm, delightful feeling with Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth taking center stage.

A Promising Premise, But Lacking in Execution

I’m always intrigued by a variation that has one or both of Darcy’s parents living. At eight years old, Elizabeth Bennet becomes the ward of Lady Anne and Mr. Darcy following the death of her mother and sister, Jane, in a carriage accident. Mr. Bennet, unable to cope, descends into a life of drinking and gambling, leading him to relinquish Elizabeth's care to the Darcys.

As Elizabeth grows up at Pemberley, she forms a close bond with Fitzwilliam Darcy. Their friendship evolves into deeper feelings as they reach adulthood. However, complications arise when Mr. Bennet returns ten years later to take Elizabeth back to Longbourn. Despite her reluctance to leave, Lady Anne and Lady Catherine make it clear to Elizabeth that she will never be considered an acceptable match for her son due to their differing social spheres.

I thought this story had great potential but I found its overall execution lacking. The story development felt rushed and the characters' emotions did not seem fully fleshed out so, unfortunately, it left me feeling dissatisfied.

Catherine Bilson’s four-star narration and performance is commendable. One small suggestion for improvement would be to consider a slightly more neutral, less accented pronunciation for words that contain an ‘ou’ sound, such as ‘house’ and ‘how,’ as these words are given a bit of an over emphasized ‘a’ sound, almost making it sound like ‘haouse’. This minor adjustment could make a distraction disappear and an already good performance even more enjoyable.