I discovered this book at the used bookstore and it was calling to me. It was a writer I had heard a lot about but had never actually read. The book was a Mini Gramercy Classic edition. It was a small, beautifully bound book with a ribbon as a book mark. The cover was a simple red and white pattern. I had to have it!

I carried this book around with me very easily over a period of a few weeks. It fit in my pocket so easily. The built-in ribbon bookmark allowed me to digest a quick chapter as my children played at the park or other small moments when I could read.

This book is an intricate story about what it was like to be a upper-middle class lady looking for a good marriage. It is set in 1813, so this was a very important thing for a lady. It is about a family with many girls in the family. The important girls are Jane and Elizabeth. It is mostly about Elizabeth though Jane is features prominently in the beginning. You will almost be convinced the story is about Jane until about midway through the book.

Elizabeth is an outspoken young lady who speaks her mind. She meets a man, Mr. Darcy, and really detests him. There are balls. There are rumours. Other characters enter, and exit the story. Some reveal more information about Mr. Darcy and others. Eventually, as in every good love story, Elizabeth and Darcy are united in marriage as well as a few of the other girls.

This is a slow burn. It moves along at a sedate pace but that isn’t to say it is boring. Little bits of information are slowly revealed of the different characters emotions. Life seems pretty good if you have ‘income’ from property in the late 1800s. If you can choke down your desire to shout ’eat the rich!’ when you hear about some of the income these male characters have*, it is an enjoyable love story.

• Mr. Darcy has an annual income of £10,000. £10,000 in 1813 is worth £739,186.85 today. Wow! You did well for yourself Elizabeth!

Rating: ★★★★

Book #42 in my 2022 Reading Challenge