Longbourn's Unexpected Matchmaker

Would Pride and Prejudice have been different if Colonel Fitzwilliam had accompanied Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy to Netherfield?

What would have happened if Mr. Darcy made friends with a mysterious member of the Meryton neighborhood who refuses an introduction but who has a close relationship with the Bennet household?

Elizabeth Bennet, the second of five daughters to Mr. Thomas Bennet has caught the attention of the rich and handsome Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy almost from the moment he lays eyes on her, but when he purposefully misinterprets her families expectations of her marrying and slights her in a way unknown to those who have always loved Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, he must leave forever or make amends. Sulking in the library he determined to leave the place and give her up, but is waylaid by a member of the Meryton neighborhood who claims an intimate acquaintance with the Bennet household and offers up advice on how to win her heart.

Longbourn's Unexpected Matchmaker puts a spin on Pride and Prejudice that no one would ever expect as Colonel Fitzwilliam attends Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy to Netherfield, Elizabeth Bennet is witty enough to detect the motives of Mr. Darcy's long time enemy Lieutenant Wickham and Georgiana Darcy is bold enough to defy her brother and cousin and comes to Meryton in the midst of a storm. Not to mention Caroline Bingley, Lieutenant Wickham and Lady Catherine are all working against our hero and heroine ever finding their own happily ever after.

As you can see my P&P fix is still in full kick, when Amazon recommended Longbourn's Unexpected Matchmaker by Emma Hox, I couldn't say no.

Darcy and Lizzie meet and there's initial attraction there, but Darcy makes a muddle of things and when he least expects he gets help from a very special person. That person has a personal knowledge of the Bennet family and is very close to Lizzie. The person gives Darcy the push, and little hints on Lizzie's personality and on the family's background. I think that the identity of said person was a well thought of idea, who else could have done better...love it. And no I'm not going to spoil the identity of the matchmaker.

I enjoyed the story alot, I thought that it was unique. I would never thought that anyone would go as far as re-writing the whole thing, but nevertheless is was a great treat. I loved the way that Darcy showed his personality early in story and let other people in his experiences and misfortunes. Lizzie was truly a breathe of fresh air, I loved her tomboyish ways and I loved seeing her slowly falling in love with Darcy.

I have a couple of complaints though: First I thought the the whole shopping for the wedding clothes took way too time from the story; Secondly I found the ending of the story rushed, I was reading about their first day as a married couple and just then it stops...where's the rest?! I want the rest! Please!

Longbourn's Unexpected Matchmaker by Emma Hox (4.5/5) Historical Fiction; Re-telling of Pride & Prejudice; Published: Rhemalda Publishing; Second edition (1/10); Format: E-book for Kindle; New Author; Keeper; Books 2010 (9);