An Appalachian farmer’s daughter and a wealthy businessman find a surprising love but must reckon with what divides them in this retelling of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice by the award-winning author of The Lady and the Lionheart .
New River, Virginia. 1904. Lizbeth Bennet longs to preserve her family’s farm, securing a future for her and her sisters, a difficult task in their Appalachian coal mining town. Money is scarce, and Lizbeth is determined to find a way without giving up treasured pieces of her family’s legacy. But when the mine is put up for sale, it’s clear change is approaching. A contingent of coal barons descends on the town to investigate whether the mine is worth their investment, among them a young man rumored to be a very rich, eligible bachelor.
William Drake arrives focused on business and keeping his distance from the townspeople, especially those living on land entangled with the mine, including a farmer by the name of Bennet. As William digs through legal issues, his struggle to weigh the potential financial gain against what is right for the community grows more complicated when he meets one of the Bennet daughters.
Despite an awkward first meeting, Lizbeth and William continue to cross paths, and soon Lizbeth questions her first impression of the man she believed to be proud and indifferent. But just as their friendship begins to evolve, a revelation shakes Lizbeth’s tenuous trust, and she learns all may not be as it seems. To determine what is true, and step toward a love she’s barely dared dream of, Lizbeth must confront her own prejudices . . . and decide whether the future she’s always imagined is the one her heart truly wants most after all.
An inspirational historical romance retelling of Pride and Prejudice for fans of Julie Klassen, Sally Britton, and Sarah E. LaddA clever, clean love storySouthern historical fiction in the vein of Michelle Shocklee and Pepper BashamIncludes discussion questions for book clubs
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Summary
review by Rebecca
"The night is far spent, the day is at hand, let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light."
Things were about to change in the small mining community surrounding the New River Coal Company. Nestled deep within the Appalachian mountains of Virginia, Lizbeth Bennett and her four sisters enjoyed a modest lifestyle on their generous acreage of farmland across the river from the mine itself, their father's work as a geologist giving them a few more advantages than most. Sadly, a bounteous garden and two most beloved mules couldn't protect them from the repercussions of an upcoming mine sale. Wealthy coal barons had descended upon their little town, one of them inhabiting a private Pullman car, aptly named The Pemberley.
William Drake and his best friend and lawyer Callum Brydolf were cautiously optimistic about arranging a buy-out deal for the Viriginia mine, but encountering some unexpected legal issues regarding local properties, including Bennet Hollow, had given them pause. After having been properly introduced to the two lovely oldest Bennett sisters, Callum's heart is already inclined towards Jayne, while William is determined not to be distracted by his brief encounters with Lizbeth, in spite of her lyrical voice, unabashed curiousity and direct albeit sincere observations. . . . . but it seems that he cannot help himself. . . . . while it appears that she can.
Angst and atmosphere perfectly combine to transform this Appalachian infused retelling into a mesmerzing tale of its own making. Simply stated, I could not put it down, nor did I want to. Besides, who would have ever imagined that a mule could be an impetus for romance?