My Recommendation: Unequal Affections by Lara S. Ormiston

What It's About:
When Elizabeth Bennet first knew Mr. Darcy, she despised him and was sure he felt the same. Angered by his pride and reserve, influenced by the lies of the charming Mr. Wickham, she never troubled herself to believe he was anything other than the worst of men—until, one day, he unexpectedly proposed.

Mr. Darcy’s passionate avowal of love causes Elizabeth to reevaluate everything she thought she knew about him. What she knows is that he is rich, handsome, clever, and very much in love with her. She, on the other hand, is poor, and can expect a future of increasing poverty if she does not marry. The incentives for her to accept him are strong, but she is honest enough to tell him that she does not return his affections. He says he can accept that—but will either of them ever be truly happy in a relationship of unequal affection?

Diverging from Jane Austen’s classic novel Pride and Prejudice at the proposal in the Hunsford parsonage, this story explores the kind of man Darcy is, even before his “proper humbling,” and how such a man, so full of pride, so much in love, might have behaved had Elizabeth chosen to accept his original proposal.

My Thoughts:
I happened to pick this book off the shelf at the library, not knowing anything about it. The premise sounded interesting - telling Pride and Prejudice from the stance of Elizabeth accepting Darcy's his first proposal instead of refusing him - so I thought I'd give it a try. And I'm so glad I did!

I absolutely LOVED this book! I can't remember if I read the original Pride and Prejudice or not, but I feel I know the story fairly well from the movies and other books. But I have to say I liked Ms. Ormiston's story just as much, if not a little more, than the original story. I loved getting to know Darcy so much more in this version, as well as Elizabeth. I loved how it explored things the original doesn't - like how Darcy would actually react to having to associate with Elizabeth's family or how they actually overcome their pride and prejudices for each other. The growing chemistry between them was awesome. It was a clean, beautifully written story!

My Recommendation: Unrivaled by Siri Mitchell

What It's About:
Lucy Kendall always assumed she'd help her father in his candy-making business, creating recipes and aiding him in their shared passion. But after a year traveling in Europe, Lucy returns to 1910 St. Louis to find her father unwell and her mother planning to sell the struggling candy company. Determined to help, Lucy vows to create a candy that will reverse their fortunes.

St. Louis newcomer Charlie Clarke is determined to help his father dominate the nation's candy industry. Compromise is not an option when the prize is a father's approval, and falling in love with a business rival is a recipe for disaster when only one company can win. Will these two star-crossed lovers let a competition that turns less than friendly sour their dreams?

My Thoughts:
I loved Lucy and Charlie - these are two flawed characters I felt like I could relate to! I loved the chemistry between them and how perfectly matched they were for each other. The obstacles between them were also realistic and not ones easily overcome either. The candy aspects were interesting and I really liked the time period and setting. I think one of my favorite things, that initially I wasn't sure if I'd like or not, was the first person point of view of Charlie. I liked seeing things from his side and perspective. I've long been a fan of Siri Mitchell's stories and writing style, and this book is another example of why I love her stuff.

Find it on Amazon or Barnes and Noble.