Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Bennets: Providence & Perception by KC Cowan Published by Meryton Press on March 20, 2023
Genres: Historical Romance
Pages: 234
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher
Goodreads
Amazon
Poor Miss Bennet—with three sisters married, she will no doubt be left “on the shelf” unless she takes steps to secure her own happiness. So, with the arrival of Mr. Yarby, a handsome new rector for Longbourn chapel, Mary decides to use her Biblical knowledge to win his heart.
Meanwhile, her recently widowed fatherfinds himself falling for the older sister of his new reverend. But Mr. Bennet is officially in mourning for his late wife—what a scandalous situation! Unfortunately, Longbourn’s heir, Mr. Collins, has the antennae for a scandal and makes blackmail threats.
At the end of Pride & Prejudice, Elizabeth and Jane Bennet ride off into the sunset with their handsome, wealthy husbands and Lydia is off to the North unaware yet that her Wickham was no prize while a brief summary about the rest of the Bennets wrap things up neatly for the reader. But, many readers, myself among them, enjoy the prospect of more to the story. Hence, I was all eagerness to plunge into a new to me author’s offering of a sequel featuring Mary, Mr. Bennet, and oh yes, their Cousin Collins.
The Bennets: Providence and Perception is a gently-paced, thoughtful and tender tale. Mary Bennet has always been the ugly duckling and ignored middle sister among the five Bennet daughters and I happily love an underdog story so I was glad to see Mary getting the spotlight for much of the book.
Surprisingly, the other unwed daughter at home, Kitty, is not the other major storyline in the book. The indolent and sarcastic Mr. Bennet, on the loss of his wife, is given a sweet autumn romance of his own and a chance to change the habits that made him a poor husband and father.
Without drastically altering the basic characters of the people portrayed, the author weaves a new story with familiar faces and new original characters when a new vicar and his widowed sister enter the neighborhood. A new conflict rises when the Collinses, Mr. Bennet’s current heirs, are now homeless after losing Lady Catherine’s patronage and their own parish placement, and Mr. Collins true nature comes out when he doesn’t easily get his own way. There was the hint of another villain and situation that I thought could have been teased out into a stronger plot thread and impact on the story- though it does have a pretty strong impact as it was.
While the Darcys, Bingleys, and Wickhams are occasionally present, the focus is very much the goings on with their relations back home and I loved that several points of view were given narration moments around Mary. There is growth of character and relationships that build in this character-driven piece. I was satisfyingly aghast when the surprise twist came and created the climax of the story before providing a generous and engaging denouement.
All in all, this was a neatly done sequel that those familiar with and fans of Pride and Prejudice will appreciate best. The romances are lovely, but I appreciated that they were equal or even lesser than the story of a daughter and father growing into better versions of themselves. Definitely an author I’ll be watching for future releases and one that Austenesque fans should try out.
As a lifelong reader, it was inevitable that Sophia would discover book blogs and the joy of blog reviewing.Sophia is a prolific reader and audiobook listener which allows her to experience so many wonderful books, authors, and narrators.Few genres are outside her reading tastes, but her true love is fiction particularly history, mystery, sci-fi, and romance.Though, sorry, no horror or she will run like Shaggy and Scooby.
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I am amazed by just how many books are based on the characters in Pride & Prejudice. I feel like I might need to give the original work another try.
Oh yeah, there is a ton of them. 🙂
I know how much you enjoy this type of book.
You said it, Mary! 🙂
Another worthy re-imagining/continuation! I never liked Collins! I enjoy a good underdog story so nice that Mary got her time to shine!
Yeah, I love to hate Mr. Collins, too. Yes, the underdog sister story was done well. 🙂
Ooh, what a unique idea! Sounds like it lived up to what you wanted it to be as well. Great review!
Exactly so, Lisa! 🙂
How fun! Sounds perfect for fans of the original. I would be lost!
You’re right that it relies on readers having familiarity with the original, but, I think someone could get up to speed quickly with this one based on how she sets it up. Definitely fun, Jen!
Fun!!!
You said it, Carole! 🙂
I read this book and found it quite enjoyable. So many readers of Austenesque books only want to read Darcy and Elizabeth, but they really should give this one a try. It’s worth it. Great review, Sophia!
I enjoy a good D&E-centered story, but I’m with you, Suzan on wanting to explore beyond them and KC did a fab job of it. 🙂
Having not too long ago rewatched Pride & Prejudice, I can see how it must be appealing to check out stories that explore a “what’s next” kind of scenario. This sounds great, Sophia! 😀
Oh, dare I ask if you won the t-shirt by watching the five hour A&E version? Haha!
You are so right. It sure tickled my fancy to get beyond the original story with this one, Lashaan!