Against Every Expectation

Review also posted on my blog

https://myjaffobsession.blogspot.com/2022/03/against-every-expectation-by-paige.html

Wow! What a wonderful book ❤️
Mrs Bennet was determined that her daughter Elizabeth, would marry Mr Collins.

He is her cousin and heir to their entailed estate. Marrying him would ensure her family's security, when her father died. Unfortunately, Collins is an obnoxious and repellent creature. Elizabeth refuses to have anything to do with him.

He then offers marriage to Charlotte Lucas, spinster and Elizabeth's best friend.
Charlotte is pragmatic about marriage, just happy to have her own home in the parsonage at Hunsford in Kent.

Mrs Bennet is outraged at Elizabeth's refusal and berates her ceaselessly. Elizabeth arranges an escape from her mother, by visiting Charlotte, a few months after her marriage.

Hoping for respite, she is shocked to find the Parsonage is a strange and unpleasant place.
Mr Collins is controlling and vindictive.
She finds Charlotte is changed beyond all recognition.

Charlotte has sadly realised that accepting Mr Collins proposal was a huge mistake. Her response to her distress, is to blame Elizabeth. She thinks that, if Elizabeth had done her duty and married Mr Collins, Charlotte would not be in this situation! This makes her progressively more and more unkind.

The only bright spot for Elizabeth, is the one walk she is allowed each day. She is surprised to meet Mr Darcy, a man she had met previously and disliked due to his haughty behaviour.
Darcy is in love with Elizabeth and behaves in a much more amiable manner.
They meet on daily walks and Darcy realises how changed Elizabeth is. When she confesses how awful life at the Parsonage is, he provides friendship and support.

The story follows their developing love for each other, against a backdrop of malice and betrayal.

This is such a stunning book!
Darcy is the embodiment of friendship and kindness. The solace of his support provides Elizabeth with an anchor in a sea of sadness and isolation.

The atmosphere at the parsonage is so well conveyed. A claustrophobic mix of fear, loneliness and enraged helplessness.

While Charlotte is of course in distress, her appalling betrayal of Elizabeth is quite shocking.

Collins is a bitter, vindictive man. His irrational hatred of Elizabeth continues to the end of his life.

Best part of the book - Darcys return to Hertfordshire which was such a perfect scene.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout in exchange for an honest review.