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Linda Gonschior
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Bitter Mournings: A Pride & Prejudice Variation Kindle Edition

by Linda Gonschior (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 739 ratings
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The deaths of his wife and sister weighed heavily upon him, and there was little left in life to enjoy…

IT IS SUMMER’S END OF 1821 when the ladies of Longbourn learn that Netherfield Park has been let at last, to two wealthy young widowers. The news is elating to Mrs Bennet, who has never given up hope that her beautiful eldest daughter Jane will one day marry a rich gentleman. For the former Miss Elizabeth Bennet—now Mrs Matthews—the news is less exciting. A widow herself, she is more interested in caring for her two young children and settling her recently widowed mother into a new home than with thoughts of husbands.

FITZWILLIAM DARCY HARBOURS NO THOUGHTS of acquiring a wife, only entering into the society of Hertfordshire on behalf of his friend. Yet, the more he sees of Mrs Elizabeth Matthews, the more she draws his eye and the more his dreams of Pemberley becoming a house of warmth and laughter and love prick at his mind.

BUT A LIFE LIVED IN THE SHADOWS of grief has become too comfortable for them both. Falling in love will require both Darcy and Elizabeth to recover their lost hopes, reignite long-forgotten dreams, and regain the courage to give their hearts to one another.

Bitter Mournings is a Pride and Prejudice variation set in England during the Regency Era.

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  1. Print length
    246 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publication date
    February 7, 2022
  5. File size
    3876 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09QC7DSZT
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Quills & Quartos Publishing (February 7, 2022)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 7, 2022
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3876 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 246 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 739 ratings

About the author

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Linda Gonschior

Linda Gonschior

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Linda Gonschior has entertained the art of writing since elementary school but never allowed it to come to fruition until Pride and Prejudice lured her into deeper exploration of characters, relationships and 'what ifs'. Writing is not the breadwinner, however, as she has a day job and many other interests that compete for attention and time. Still, she has managed to squeeze in several dozen stories – long and short – and there are many more in the ‘incomplete’ folder on the computer. As retirement looms on the horizon, some may be dusted off to evaluate their potential to entertain those who share a fondness for Jane Austen’s characters and don’t mind straying a little off the beaten path.

Amongst her accomplishments Linda counts raising a son, stage managing live theatre productions, flower gardening, and website administration, but not netting purses or painting screens.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
739 global ratings
A moving second chance romance
5 Stars
A moving second chance romance
Will his past scars and her stubborn side hold them back from a second chance at love …This is my first read about an older version of the Pride and Prejudice’s characters, which instantly caught my eyes.Time has done its work and allowed them to grow into the persons they were meant to be but grief altered also their perception of others and their expectations for the future.Lizzie has been a widow for some years now, and she has settled in her widowhood with no hardship, enjoying the freedom it offers her and the means, if not extravagant, to provide for herself and her children. So she has absolutely no project to marry again, she has loved her late husband but married life had in some ways stifled and stilled her liveliness and vivacity. So, her resolve to not subject herself to another spirit crushing union.Darcy is quite his usual self, and while there is no Wickham lurking in the shadow, he is still a man holding back, some past wound are restraining him and preventing him to free himself from his singlehood and the weight of his pain. Plus his secretive personality does not help him to open to others. And while life has left its scars in his soul, he not any more view people with the jaded lenses of his young self, often believing the worst of others’ goal. He is more circumspect and observes before reaching a conclusion.Bingley and Jane are equally part in this retelling, older but still their quiet and modest selves. Their romance is sweet as it is supported more at first by Darcy than Lizzie, a fun twist.And of course, there is the unforgettable Mrs Bennet, her exuberant persona is still the same but time has a bit tamed it, making her even more likable, a woman for all her flaws only wants what she sees as the best for her daughters.And the epilogue, oh my, it drew some tears, just a perfect last incursion into their life before turning the last page.5 stars𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 behind closed door lovemaking scene.I have been granted an advance copy by the author, here is my true and unbiased opinion.
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Top reviews from the United States

Amy Simeister
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfectly Sweet!!!
Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2024
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Talk about Zero angst!! This story doesn't have a single villain to create problems. Tragedy is spoken of as the catalyst for all that happens, but this is an excellent story of love, hope, and happiness.
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Kindle Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Another good story from this writing
Reviewed in the United States on February 17, 2022
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I followed this story while it was being written via fan fiction site and thoroughly enjoyed it. I never got to finish the last few chapters so was pleased to find it published.
Mrs Bennet is a new widow living with her daughter Jane. Having avoided finding a new cottage in the past few months since Mr Bennet died, they are running out of time before The Collins family take over the estate. Elizabeth brings her 2 children in an attempt to get Mrs Bennet moving! Unfortunately, Netherfield has been rented by 2 widowed men - Mr Darcy and Charles Bingley. A fire took the life of their wives a few years ago and both needed a break. What I enjoyed was its a calmly told story. Mrs Bennet has greatly improved and isn't as shrill, and there's minimal tension between Darcy and Elizabeth.
Best scene ever : Mr Collins scurried behind bushes and doors , running and hiding from a furious Mr Darcy after a nasty visit from Lady Catherine. Visualization of this was quite easy and extremely enjoyable to read!
5 people found this helpful
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Rosie
5.0 out of 5 stars a fresh start
Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2024
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A lovely take on Pride and prejudice, introducing us to older Elizabeth, Darcy, Jane and Bingley but still the same characters. I loved it and did not miss bingleys sisters or Wickham. Well worth a read.
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Huffer
3.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining
Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2022
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Darcy and Bingley are both widowers when they arrive at Netherfield Park about ten years later than the timeline in the original P&P. Bingley has two children, but Darcy has no children. By this time, Jane is the only unmarried daughter at thirty-two years old, Mr Bennett has just died, and Elizabeth is a widow with two children. She still resides in the area in her own home, but at the start of the story she and her children are visiting Longbourn to help her mother and Jane find a new place to live, as Mr Collins has inherited and is due to arrive soon with his family.

These variations in which Darcy and Elizabeth are so much older when they initially meet just leave me a little flat. In the scenario that the author gives us here, Jane, Elizabeth, and Mrs Bennett are in mourning for Mr Bennett, so that casts a pall on the situation right from the start. Then we have Darcy and Bingley who have both lost their wives in a horrific manner, and although some years have gone by since their loss, they're still not recovered, which is why they left their estates in the north for a change of scenery. This isn't a very promising foundation upon which to build a romance. It's downright depressing.

In spite of this inauspicious beginning, the usual relationships develop without much fanfare. There are no villains, so absolutely no angst or drama. The worst problem anyone faces is a very annoying Mrs Bennett, who is in full flutter and matchmaking mode. The only real item of interest is the addition of Elizabeth's and Bingley's children, but they're perfectly well behaved, so don't provide any distraction.

I must give credit for very good writing. My first time reading this author, and I'm impressed. While the premise is imaginative, overall the story feels kind of sad. Everyone is older and wiser, but also more dull. There's no real sparkle to the story, it just feels tired. However, the book is well written and well edited. I recommend it with reservations. P.S.: The title is off-putting. It isn't attractive to potential readers.
11 people found this helpful
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JGS
4.0 out of 5 stars 10 year later
Reviewed in the United States on February 9, 2022
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Pretty good story. The are four little kids in the story. Two of Bingley’s and ten of Lizzy’s. We see the kids now or then but they weren’t cute as kids in other variations.
Most of the story is about the adults. It’s 10 years later and Lizzy is still jumping to wrong conclusions and expects more from Darcy than is easy to give. Had that feel of Darcy jumping through hoops while Lizzy is the judge and jury.

We had the scene where Lizzy tells Darcy how difficult she is and he will HAVE to live with that. No compromising from her. I had a thought she could just go pound sand and have a bad life with someone else. I wished there was a character that would read her the riot act.

Could have been a five star with cuter kids and a more realistic Lizzy.
18 people found this helpful
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Marcia
5.0 out of 5 stars Love is lovelier the second time around
Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2024
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After I was a chapter or so into this book, I realized I had read it previously. Continuing to read, I recalled that despite all the tragedies that formed the backstory, this was a charming story. I think I enjoyed it more the second time than the first.
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rabbit
4.0 out of 5 stars the mornings after mournings
Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2022
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not this Reader's favorite beginning - ten years along in the lives of Jane Austen's Darcy, Elizabeth, Bingley and Jane. and Jane is a 32-years-old spinster!! the other three?? widow and widowers. ok, then. each character is content with where they are in life also. until - they meet. Mrs. Bennet is also recently widowed and feeling her loss. sounds heavy, huh? this point in time has all open to friendship and solicitude amongst themselves. the story is sweet and leaves the Reader contented. sometimes it just takes YEARS for ODC to find that HEA.
One person found this helpful
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Paul G
5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful unique variation
Reviewed in the United States on February 12, 2022
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The prologue sets up the story where Darcy after Ramsgate decides with his cousin to travel to Pemberly with Miss Darcy and stay with her. He has invited the Bingley's and Hurst's to Pemberly for a lengthy stay and Mr Bingley does not lease Netherfield as in Canon. The story the picks up 10 years later and the impact of those decisions 10 years earlier become the basis of the story. Elizabeth is a widow and both Mr Darcy and Mr Bingley are widowers with Mr Bingley now leasing Netherfield. Jane has never married and they are in mourning with the recent passing of Mr Bennet.
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Top reviews from other countries

dsanders
4.0 out of 5 stars enjoyable
Reviewed in Canada on May 17, 2022
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I really enjoyed this variation. The characters jump off the page and feel true to the characters that we love so much.
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Adriana
5.0 out of 5 stars A story of coming of age, self-knowledge, fresh start and love, which I couldn't put down
Reviewed in Brazil on February 11, 2022
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“I know your disposition, Lizzy. I know that you could be neither happy nor respectable unless you truly esteemed your husband; unless you looked up to him as a superior. Your lively talents would place you in the greatest danger in an unequal marriage. You could scarcely escape discredit and misery. My child, let me not have the grief of seeing you unable to respect your partner in life. You know not what you are about." - Mr. Bennet, Pride and Prejudice
Ramsgate had a different ending to the original story, and ten years later, when Netherfield Park is finally rented, Elizabeth, Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley were married and are now widowers.
Mr. Bennet passed away a few months ago and Mrs. Bennet knows that she will soon have to leave Longbourn to Mr. Collins.
Jane Bennet remained true to her dream of marrying only for love and was the daughter who never married.
Mr. Bingley, now the father of two, is deeply sorry for his wife's passing three years earlier.
Mr. Darcy avoids talking about his late wife, but it is known that he was unhappy in his marriage and does not wish to repeat the experience.
Elizabeth, now Mrs. Matthews, is the mother of a seven-year-old girl and a five-year-old boy and has no desire to remarry.
Mr. Darcy, initially imagines that Mrs. Matthews would be the ideal wife for Mr. Bingley, for her temperament, intelligence and the fact that she also has children, but he can't help but notice her to himself.
Elizabeth was disappointed in her first marriage, feeling restrained despite having loved her late husband. She still thinks Darcy is above her socially and is afraid of remarrying and being disappointed yet again.
All the widowers, although they keep a lot of their characteristics (good and bad) of the original work, are more mature and in some moments more restrained but Mrs. Bennet never, never stops dreaming of marrying all five daughters.
It's a story of coming of age, self-knowledge, fresh start and love, which I couldn't put down.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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Laura J
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 19, 2022
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Lovely! Nice to read about a more mature love between ODC. Although I usually shy from stories where they had a life with other partners, this one flows without troubled waters. Passionate but not spicy. I loved it.
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Dr. RI
5.0 out of 5 stars a beautiful read
Reviewed in Germany on February 11, 2022
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Not too short not too long. Low angst. Well written. The characters are true to canon even if the story was not.
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Belinda Holdsworth
5.0 out of 5 stars Sweet & gentle
Reviewed in Australia on March 14, 2022
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No harsh misunderstandings, no excessive grief, no nasty sisters or ugly confrontations, Well apart from a brief appearance of Lady Catherine. This a very nice variation and leaves a very gentle feeling of wellbeing for our heroes.
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