The Measure of Love

A Pride and Prejudice Variation

By: Alix James

Narrated by: Stevie Zimmerman

Bound by duty; saved by love.

When tragedy leaves Fitzwilliam Darcy clinging to life, Elizabeth Bennet sacrifices her dreams to repay the debt owed to her family's damaged savior. But can her compassion penetrate his bitter heart and spark hope again?

Beneath Darcy’s aloof bitterness smolders a broken, vulnerable man stripped of his mobility and purpose. While Elizabeth grapples with this unexpected fate—a marriage of convenience that is proving to be decidedly inconvenient—they discover that they might just be more alike than they are different. As mutual dependence awakens a deep, trusting affection between two defiant hearts, can their blossoming care withstand not only Darcy’s demons, but pressure from a society still expecting them to produce an heir?

What fates decree as a marriage of cold duty has the power to transform two contrary souls and lead them to discover the truest liberation—of laughter and joy; partnership and understanding. And above all, the freedom found when true minds and hearts decide to throw off their armor for one another.

©2024 Alix James (P)2024 Alix James

The sweetest love story

Ms James is always a buy for me. Loved the not so well mannered angst between ODC as their codependent forced marriage relationship developed; but the angst of FD and his physical and personal challenges was quietly enthralling and kept me listening (also bought the book) all weekend (got nothing else done). For me this story is my absolute fav in JAFF. The narrator was superb and gave wonderfully engaging character voices which enhanced my pleasure. **Love this book** Will read/listen again and again — prolly as much as JA’s original PP.

Highly Recommend this Story - Very Well Written & Read

I wasn’t sure about this story after reading that Darcy was seriously injured and, also, that he and Elizabeth wed as strangers. But I am very glad I did use my credit on it. This was such a well told romance despite those facts. I appreciated that the author didn’t “Deal With the Health Situation” in a chapter or two and then sweep on as if nothing had happened. Darcy and Elizabeth fall in love while he is incapacitated and the way they deal with the issues and grow stronger is lovely to listen to - especially as narrated by Stevie Z. Very Well Done!

Great Story

This story starts with Loathsome Lydia and Worthless Wickham causing misery and mayhem for the Bennet and Darcy families. However, through difficulties and hard times, it turns into a love story of the deepest kind. This was my second listening, which I found easier to enjoy and appreciate since I knew the angst over spinal injury and partial paralysis wouldn’t tear me up. Stevie Zimmerman’s narration adds life to a great book.

Another hit!

Things you learn right away: Bingley doesn’t lease Netherfield until later than canon thus Darcy hasn’t met Elizabeth. Lydia still runs away with Wickham and Darcy finds them as he’s trying to deal with Wickham after Ramsgate. An accident happens and it leaves Darcy vulnerable. Col Fitzwilliam comes up with a plan that involves Elizabeth (he met her when escorting Lydia home). This is a marriage of convenience story that blooms with two strong willed individuals who need each other but sparks will fly.

The audiobook being narrated by Stevie Zimmerman brought the book to life with the emotion pouring from the characters. You can just feel the grief especially from Darcy as he is learning to deal with his new situation. This is a story that I will re-read and listen to again!

devotion & determination

no need to have read original P&P. I always like this author's unique storyline, character development, and writing style. This one makes me wonder if society built more relationships this way instead of going straight to intimacy, how much stronger/lasting they would be? Couple of things ...seemed Richard's choice in the beginning was unrealistic after so short an encounter. Jane was portrayed as very weak/fragile in the beginning. I never like or believe a weak Jane. She is the oldest 9f 5 afterall so should be made of sterner stuff. Even though this variation had little of her in it, the author developed depth and strength of her character. Very little of the rest of the Bennets. Georgiana was rarely heard from even though her behavior was the story's catalyst.

The focus throughout is on Darcy and Elizabeth with plenty of dialogue between them!

I loved EVERYTHING! I loved the low angst but still enough of disagreement to make the story plausible. No rushed ending, which is such a treat! The story never got mundane and had enough plot twists to keep the reader guessing throughout.

I'm not one to give 5 star reviews, but this author has earned all 5 with no rounding up! I loved the mixture of happy and sad parts mixed throughout. The character development is superb and so believable. I'm ending my review now to search for more books written by this amazing author. Having Stevie Zimmerman as the narrator was an added bonus!!!

Wonderful story, wonderful writing.

If you haven’t already read this book you are in for an emotional ride with this book. I have to say that with every new work this author brings out I am amazed by how she can top herself again and again. What an imagination. This book is no exception to this belief. Astounding story.

From the blurb you can read that Darcy is dreadfully injured in the beginning of the story. And that Elizabeth marries him in this condition with no hope of his ever recovering. If I start telling any details about the story now it will spoil the discovery of the beautiful writing. There are many dramatic ups and downs throughout. It’s heart wrenching and traumatic but also heartwarming and triumphant.

This is one I will listen to over and over. Highly recommended. Kudos to the narrator we all love, Stevie Zimmerman.

Drama, raw emotion and heartbreaking twists.

A brilliant narration by Stevie Zimmerman for a brilliantly-written book. Alix James’ story is even more poignant with Stevie’s narration.

If you haven’t had the chance to dive into Alix James’ latest novel, ‘The Measure of Love’, it is a definite must-read/listen. The opening chapter begins in full drama and action mode, as Darcy discovers George Wickham and Lydia Bennet in London. A confrontation leads to a physical altercation, resulting in a devastating injury for Darcy, leaving him paralysed.

The Bennet family is ruined because of Lydia’s elopement, and Georgiana has a secret that must remain hidden. Darcy is in no condition at present to do anything except pray that his body heals. In the early days of Darcy struggling to come to terms with these life-changing circumstances, Colonel Fitzwilliam steps in and presents him with a plan to unite him with Elizabeth Bennet—a woman he has never met before—in a marriage of convenience. His well-intentioned goal is to preserve not only Georgiana’s reputation, but the entire Darcy legacy, threatened by an entail, should there never be a Darcy heir. Now the colonel just has to convince them both.

The writing is brilliant, as Alix James takes the reader on the emotional and tumultuous journey of Darcy and Elizabeth, strangers who must come to know each other while Darcy faces the very personal issues that a paralysed man must deal with. Elizabeth is far removed from her family and struggles with the distance and secrets she must keep from them. Despite the weight of their circumstances, they still find humour, which is magnified by the author’s sharp dialogue and dry wit, injecting a semblance of joy into their beleaguered lives.

The book is entirely gripping from start to finish—filled with drama, raw emotion, and heart-breaking twists. It is one that will stay with me for a while.

Highly recommend.

Elizabeth is patient and kind

And it paid off for her in the end. Elizabeth lovingly nursed Darcy after he was injured in a fight with Wickham. My favorite part was the second confrontation between Wickham and Darcy.

Wonderful Austen fan fiction

I loved this book from start to finish. I wish it had a sequel (hint). Low angst but not totally problem free. The connection between Darcy and Elizabeth was endearing. I hate when they are written as extra proud or prejudiced. This was a great plot and the happily ever after ending was worth the story. Recommend to real Austen fans.