A Wound Deeper Than Pride by Ali Scott

Book Review May 06, 2024

My review

4/5 stars

I haven't read JAFF (Jane Austen Fan Fiction) in a long time; this book left me wondering why. I really enjoyed delving back into such a familiar world and managing to get something fresh out of it.

The main appeal of JAFF for me is to find out what authors have chosen to do to breathe new life into such beloved characters, and this served to satisfy my curiosity well.

This particular adaptation picks up after the disastrous proposal at Hunsford, and finds Lizzie and Darcy forced into close proximity in his London house thanks to an unfortunate accident involving Lizzie and Maria Lucas.

The twist in the characters was fun to read, and I found myself whizzing through the story with ease and entertainment.

I liked that the author chose to bring some lesser-used characters to the fore in her story - Maria Lucas and Mrs Annesley were particularly welcome additions to the main plot.

Overall, I enjoyed this greatly, and it's got me back in the mood for more JAFF, but I hesitated in giving it5 stars because the conclusion felt just a little rushed. Whether that's because of the length of the story or the preference for story building in the beginning, I'm not sure.

I would be interested to read more by this author and think that this is a very decent JAFF novel.

Book blurb

Elizabeth’s rejection of him had been excruciating, but that pain was nothing to the horrible realisation that she might be taken from him before his very eyes. In that terrible heartbeat, he had known what it was to truly lose her.

Still reeling from Mr Darcy’s unexpected proposal in Kent, Elizabeth Bennet dearly wishes that she could start their acquaintance anew. Returning to London, she is desperate for a distraction, and turns her attention to her poor, lovelorn sister. An impulsive decision leads to disaster and Elizabeth finds herself unexpectedly under Mr Darcy’s care. Can their time together be enough for her to learn the true depth of his character?

Fitzwilliam Darcy wholeheartedly regrets asking for Elizabeth Bennet’s hand in marriage. Unable to forget her, he withdraws from the world around him, certain that he will never see the lovely Miss Bennet again. In a twist of fate, they meet once more, but this time she is need of his assistance. Being around her at such close quarters is exquisite torment, but can he do enough to atone for his past rudeness?

A Wound Deeper Than Pride is a second chance romance variation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.