The Subsequent Proposal: ~ A Tale of Pride, Prejudice & Persuasion ~ Paperback – 25 Oct. 2013

I was very much looking forward to reading this story as the idea of combing the characters from Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion intrigued me. And to have Mr. Darcy and Captain Wentworth in one book... well I’m not complaining!I was not disappointed. I enjoyed this story very much. I really enjoyed seeing the characters from Pride and Prejudice and from Persuasion interacting with each, and I think it worked very well. The idea of Darcy and Anne as a couple, although strange to the imagination (Darcy is meant for Elizabeth and Anne for Wentworth or course!), actually felt like quite a reasonable match. I could understand how each might be happy to settle for the other; both are nursing a broken heart and think that the ones they love are forever beyond their reach, and so settling for a marriage of companionship with at least mutual respect is perhaps a wise and sensible decision given the circumstances. (But it is strange, I warn you, to see Darcy with Anne and then Wentworth courting Elizabeth!)This story is told completely (well, pretty much) from Darcy’s point of view. I really enjoyed this and I feel it added to the story in that it made his journey through the novel and its subsequent happy ending so much more pleasing for me as the reader, as we have experienced all his anguish and pain which he has had from the beginning with him, and we have been following Darcy’s emotional journey very closely, knowing all his inner thoughts and feelings.I felt very sorry for Darcy at many times through this book. The author portrays his inner struggles and his torment very vividly and powerfully and you can’t help but pity him! You really see in this variation just how badly Darcy is affected by losing Elizabeth - it really shows how strong an attachment and love he felt for her! (Well, we already knew he was very affected by her refusal, but seeing his inner thoughts explained in such a way as in this book just really reinforces it!)This story is certainly a sad and agonizing one for Darcy, and so also for the reader at times, but do not fret as there is also plenty of humour. For me, the most humorous aspect was seeing Darcy and Wentworth fighting over Elizabeth! I suppose really it should not amuse me as much as it did, as Wentworth being able to court Elizabeth right in front of Darcy when Darcy is no longer able to himself, should be a very sad prospect! But the rivalry between the two is rather funny; watching them each trying to comfort her or scowling at each other when Elizabeth isn’t looking! They are clearly fighting over the right to her attention – it is rather funny when they end up in a duel together, Darcy being Wentworth’s second, when it is clear that Wentworth would quite like to challenge Darcy himself!As well as the anguish and the humour, this story also has its share of romance (while staying completely clean)! There are many stolen looks and tender moments between Darcy and Elizabeth as it becomes clear that feelings between the two are perhaps starting to become mutual! There are many very sweet scenes (especially towards the end!) that will please any romantic, like me.As well as the main characters, the secondary characters are well developed and play some interesting roles in the story. One of my favourites was Colonel Fitzwilliam. I do so love his character in the original and so I always like to see more of him. In this variation, his interactions with Darcy show a real caring side to his nature as he is trying to help Darcy through his struggles. He is also very useful, let’s just say, in a few situations throughout the story!We also see more of Bingley in this variation, and to begin with a very, understandably, upset Bingley. His interactions with Darcy through the story put a very interesting light onto their friendship and I like to see how it survives the ordeal surrounding Darcy’s interference with Bingley and Jane.Of course Lady Russell comes into the story and causes trouble just as she does in Persuasion, but I enjoyed seeing her interacting with Darcy. Miss Bingley comes along as well and remains blind to Darcy’s complete disinterest in her (will she ever learn?)! And we also have some adventure and danger thrown into the mix, thanks to good old Mr. Wickham – nothing new there then.The language and style of this authors writing is brilliant. She captures the characters very well and it flows very smoothly as you read, and it feels very much in the style of Jane Austen. I was very captivated and drawn in by her writing.There is a very sweet epilogue to this tale which is not set too far into the future (which I like) and there are some very interesting surprises in this epilogue, as well as a very happy ending.Overall I really enjoyed this story. It has a good balance of pain and sorrow, but also plenty of romance and some humour! I loved going along the journey through Darcy’s eyes and it was very clever how the author intertwined the characters from Persuasion and I loved the whole idea of the switching of partners from two of Jane Austen’s wonderful novels.

“Mind-blowing” is the word that I used after just reading the prologue of The Subsequent Proposal by Joana Starnes.Where Pride and Prejudice meets Persuasion and where all my favourite characters of Jane Austen live together or fight together.It is so difficult to review this book because I do not want to do any spoilers. I will do my best. However, I am starting with the first shock for me: Mr. Darcy after believing that Elizabeth is lost for him, he proposes to Anne Elliot!! They talk and they know that their hearts belong to someone else but they are also practical. Darcy wants to take Anne from her horrible relatives and Anne can give Darcy the heir that he needs for Pemberley.If you have read Persuasion, you will know that Anne’s father, Sir Walter Elliot is a vane and selfish man who only cares about his appearance and also about titles and wealth. I simply do not like him but Joana Starnes has showed me the only time that I cannot resent him for something done against Anne in favour of his elder sister: he imposes a six month period before announcing the engagement in order to give Elizabeth Elliot time to find a husband. Although Darcy does not agree with him, he cannot do otherwise.Darcy is content with the arrangement and he decides that it is time to write Charles Bingley about his involvement on separating him from Jane Bennet and how she may love him in return.Some weeks past and Bingley appears at his town house, he has just read the letter and asks him to accompany him to Netherfield. Eventually Darcy accepts and takes Georgiana with them.The word awkward is an understatement to describe the first meeting of Darcy with Elizabeth but at the same time they way Joana writes Darcy’s feeling is adorable. However, Elizabeth is not herself, Georgiana describes her as “shy” (can you believe it?).Every contact that Elizabeth and Darcy have is very “romantic” from the desperate point of view of Darcy who loves Elizabeth beyond boundaries but at the same time he is an honourable man who is engaged to another.In case you have forgotten, characters from Persuasion are included and who else if not Captain Frederick Wentworth is here and he is very interested in Elizabeth Bennet!! Yes, as you read it, “what is going on here?”. (Read it and enjoy!)To make things more complicated, the annoying Mr. Wickham has to be the baddie, again. Lydia, again, is the black sheep of the family and she needs protection. She is not going to be left alone as Mr. Darcy starts his journey to save her and another gentleman as well, Captain Wentworth. I will just mention that there is a duel with guns and it does not end very well :S The danger is great and people get hurt in duels.Remember one thing while reading the duel: there are no rules in hate and rancour. Wickham is not a gentleman even if he wants to believe he is.I am not going to tell you anything else about the story, only remember that in this story we still have around Lady Russell, Mrs. Bennet, Bingley and Colonel Fitzwilliam among others.

This story starts with Mr. Darcy proposing to Anne Elliott! The angst starts from almost the first sentence! Both agree to a marriage of convenience as neither believe they can marry the one they truly love. Mr Darcy makes his assumption as he does not meet with Elizabeth again following his proposal at Huntsford.I really enjoyed so many aspects of this book but found myself frustrated that Darcy proposes to Anne without any effort to talk to Elizabeth after giving her his letter. He is sad and lonely, acting for duty and he pines. It's all very sad. Then I experienced a real conflict like I've never experienced before.... I thought Anne would actually be a good match for him. I really liked her!I loved Darcy's interaction with Captain Wentworth, they squabble like children!I think this is a 4.5 for me.... not my favourite book by this author, although to be honest, I'm not really sure why as I did enjoy it and liked all the characters and the lovely humour. The interaction with Darcy and Elizabeth was generally very serious and Mr Darcy was responsible for his own misery so I had less patience with him!

My favourite of this author's works. Darcy is a complete mess but it absolutely works. Disappointed by Elizabeth's refusal he proposes a marriage of friendship to Georgiana's new friend Anne only to find that Elizabeth is no longer so disposed against him! Would have liked a little more on Anne/Captain Wentworth but since it's all from Darcy's perspective, we only see the little he does.I loved the interactions between Darcy and Wentworth. It's a very entertaining rivalry without being disrespectful to the women involved.

I already had this book both in paperback and kindle and I have bought this copy for a friend.Delivery on time and perfect condition of the book.

I don't wish to repeat what the other reviewers have said, but I endorse all the positive reviews. The plot intertwining with Persuasion is very well done, the writing is flawless and the characterization (especially that of Mr. Darcy) is superb. I enjoyed Ms. Starnes' writing style so much, I immediately bought her other two novels and have thoroughly enjoyed The Second Chance as well. (haven't got round to From This Day Forward yet.) Bravo Ms. Starnes!

This novel intertwines a Pride and Prejudice variation with a Persuasion variation and it's quite an interesting reading. I found it really absorbing and I almost couldn't put it down.Then why four stars and not five? The missing star is due to the fact that the entire story is told from Mr. Darcy's point of view, while I would have like to see more Elizabeth and definitely more Anne and the Captain. The plot gives so many possibilities, so many interesting scenes that could have been explored that the novel, even if really enjoyable, left me with the longing for something more.

I have reread Pride & Prejudice too many times to count; I've read Persuasion about 3 times. Happily, the third time was within the past month so the timing was perfect when I stumbled across this book. All of the characters are very true to Jane Austen's originals, and the concept is just brilliant.Persuasion's Anne Elliot becomes engaged to Darcy a few months after Elizabeth has jilted him. Their agreement to marry is based on the discovery that they're both nursing broken hearts and, since they'll never have their hearts' desire and they're compatible, they might as well face the future together. The book is told from Darcy's point of view, and the reader might guess the eventual conclusion (though Darcy can't) once he becomes aware that a certain Captain Wentworth is now courting Elizabeth. Even with foreknowledge of how things will likely end, the journey to get there is a fascinating and unpredictable mixture of both books. Poor Darcy's angst and internal monologue as he watches the other couple together is comical but still gut-wrenching. He and Wentworth argue heatedly over who's going to deal with Wickham, who comes close to getting the upper hand over them both. Considering how suave and smooth many P&P fan fiction books make Darcy, I loved that THIS Darcy gets tongue-tied and has trouble expressing himself. He's refreshingly human and flawed but trying his best to do what's right for Elizabeth, Georgiana, Anne and himself. Some readers might feel that Elizabeth doesn't appear often enough, but she is constantly present in Darcy's thoughts, and the scenes in which she appears are poignant and filled with emotion - mostly Darcy's, because his own yearning is palpable but, aside from watching her eyes and hearing her words, he doesn't have a clue as to what she's thinking.Along with having a great concept, Ms. Starnes has the writing chops to deliver very Regency-esque prose, and she builds up the dramatic tension to a very satisfying climax and conclusion. I'd give this more than 5 stars if I could. What a joy to read such excellent fan fiction!

Joana Starnes writes with an expression that makes you feel every single emotion of the character as if it were your own. When they were emotional, I was left feeling raw, and when they were joyful, I felt the same. This book had me nearly in tears several times, and having to pause every now and then so I wouldn't be overcome by the emotions it portrayed. A fantastic novel, I highly highly recommend!