Customer Reviews

Rainy Days - an alternative journey from Pride and Prejudice to passion and love.

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"Rainy days" is a `what-if' story, based on Pride and Prejudice. In this ingenuous and extremely romantic story, pride and prejudice are removed quite early out of the way, as Mrs. Lilian finally answers the longstanding question that has tormented Jane Austen's fans for ages: "What would have happened if our beloved couple, Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy, had sat down and talked about everything from the start, instead of sulking, throwing insults or well disguised hints and thoroughly misunderstanding each other?

Therefore, due to the (un)fortunate weather, Elizabeth and Darcy are able to be open to each other, to form a kind of friendship that will make the love that is slowly flourishing all the more precious. Does that mean that everything is resolved from the beginning and the novel is a sweet but uninteresting sequence of love-scenes? Of course not. As the author reminds us in her summary, the path to true love is never smooth. Problems, difficulties, dilemmas, arguments are bound to occur. However, the twist allows the characters to be more sincere, better understood and it gives Mrs. Lilian the opportunity to investigate them in new delightful depths.

I have read many sequels, prequels, and generally as many stories related to P&P as I could find. Each time I have fallen in love with Mr. Darcy. However, I can safely say that "Rainy days"' Darcy is one of my all-time favorite. He does not need to suppress his feelings, and this time we get to see what we only suspected of the original character: how he behaves as a besotted man, as a betrothed, as a husband. Elizabeth Bennet uses her exceptional mind correctly this time and I was delighted to watch her mature without losing her impertinence or playfulness that made her adorable in the first place.

And the surrounding universe of Pride and Prejudice characters is as vibrant and enchanting as ever. There are also one or two new characters, which may be minor, but they are wonderfully written. Georgiana Darcy as well as some children are portrayed with such tenderness that leaves a warm feeling in our hearts.

And of course, we should not forget the masterfully written, full of passion love scenes, which are erotic without being vulgar or repetitive.

Mrs. Lilian is a generous author. She offers feeling, happiness, warmth, witty dialogue and memorable scenes. All these can be found in the pages of her remarkable novel.

Having read dozens of P&P variations, sequels and Darcy stories, I can say that Rainy Days is one of the best variation stories I have read. If you resonate to a good P&P variation, and don't care too much about questionable writing skills then Rainy Days is for you.

Rainy Days begins a few days before the Netherfield Ball. On one of her early morning rambles, Elizabeth is caught in a freak rainstorm. Meanwhile, a spooked horse nearly runs Elizabeth over as she tries to prevent the hell-bent-for-leather rider from tumbling into a raging stream. Much to Elizabeth's chagrin, the rider turns out to be none other than her Meryton assembly and Netherfield nemesis, Fitzwilliam Darcy. Darcy's horse bolts and they seek shelter from the viscous storm in a fishing cottage built years before by Mr. Bennet. Thrown together until the rain eases, they hash out their troubled relationship. Darcy tells Elizabeth part of his Wickham story, and she reveals her negative feelings for him, but by the end of their stay Elizabeth has a much improved view of Darcy. Many twists and turns later our loving couple marry, but not before their relationship is tried by Caroline, Lady Catherine, Wickham and Lord Matlock. Along the way, you will come to love Becky, the Gardiner's four (and a half!) year-old precocious little girl, who twists everyone she meets around her little finger.

The primary problem with this novel is the childishly written dialogue, especially true during the first forty pages. Oh, how I wish the author would have taken more care with her dialogue! With the first rate story she crafted, and better dialogue, this novel could have been the best P&P variation ever. Close, but no cigar.

I first read this story several years ago on a JA fan fiction website and fell in love with it. I can't remember how many times I re-read it. When it was published, a friend sent me a copy, which I was thrilled to receive.

What I liked best about this story was how Ms. Lilian devised a way for Darcy and Elizabeth to meet during a rain storm, giving them the opportunity to know each other better. It doesn't take Darcy long to realize that, contrary to what he thinks, Elizabeth has a poor opinion of him, nor does it take Elizabeth long to see she may have misjudged Darcy. Thus, a very painful Hunsford is bypassed.

I liked that Elizabeth opened her mind and made an effort to learn the truth about Wickham, and the problems between him and Darcy. Georgiana, Darcy's sister, was a delight, as was the Gardiner's youngest daughter. Everyone lost their hearts to her.

This is a beautiful love story. When misunderstandings arose, they were solved quickly without sending the reader on a roller coaster ride of never ending angst. When that happens, the angst over shadows the plot. This did not happen in Rainy Days. Ms. Lilian never lost sight of the direction she wanted the story to go, which allowed me to enjoy this book, rather than throw it down in frustration.

Rainy Days in another wonderful "what if" story by Lory Lilian. She has Darcy and Elizabeth take refuge from a rain storm in an old hunting lodge. This provides time for them to talk to each other. It sets the ground work for Elizabeth to want to search for the truth behind rumors she's heard about Darcy.
The plot moves quickly. There are lovely romantic scenes between Darcy and Elizabeth. Secondary characters are given more print on the page. I like how these people are developed. The character of the Gardiner's daughter is introduced and she's a doll.
Also, I like how Ms. Lilian handles the "Lydia elopement." There's a terrific scene between Elizabeth and Lady Catherine, too.
If you like reading P&P what if stories, this is a must read.

I very much enjoyed this book (and I don't enjoy all P&P fan fiction)! The main main negatives are minor: Punctuation and grammar that the editor should've easily caught, too much repetition of phrases used by Austen (such as, "fixed engagements"). I realize that we don't speak like that anymore, but I think she could've done a better job at not using the same phrases repeatedly.

The last problem I had with it was that it was just a tad too much for me: The Wickham and Caroline Bingley characters were exaggerated a bit too much, and I don't think Darcy would've breached propriety quite as much as he did (Plus, I don't think people would've called him "Darcy" that much - Mr. Darcy, William, or Fitzwilliam is more likely).

There were far more positives to this book, however! I LOVED the relationship portrayal of Darcy & Elizabeth! Yes, I know it's never this good in real life, but that's the point of a book, is it not? SO romantic! Another thing I can't stress enough about how much I loved it was that they didn't have sex before they got married - I HATE it when authors have them sleeping together before they're married! Sure, they would've been passionate about each other, but they just WOULD NOT have done that. To me it shows even more how much Mr. Darcy loves and respects Elizabeth, that he insists on waiting. I also love how the author did the love scenes. She was very skilled at bringing you into the tension they were feeling (especially before marriage when they weren't having sex) - it was very sensual, but not trashy.

Loved it! I'd read more from her!

I loved this book!! I have read well over 100 P & P variations - own most of them - and this book and Ms. Lillan's other book Remembrance of the Past will remain 2 of my very favorites. Ms. Lillan captures the true love Darcy and Elizabeth feel for each other. She does great justice to Ms. Austen's characters. I can not say enough about the warmth and overwhelming feelings I felt while reading this book. I would STRONGLY recommend this book to any one who enjoys reading stores of what happened between D and E and their struggles to find each other and begin a heart-filled life's journey together. This book begains before the marriage and differs from the Ms. Austen version but in a wonderful way. I think the reader will feel the heart-ache and the joy experenced by these two loving people and their families.

I loved this story when it was being posted at HG, I liked the idea that Elizabeth finds out a few home truths about Wickham and also how she dealt with Lady C in London. Poor Georgiana, having to lie still in bed with her broken leg. I was happy to read that she was accepted by the rest of the family for the wonderful person she is. Also, Caroline Bingley, I was happy to see she too got her just deserts.

You have to love rainy day. What a great time to read this n ovel.

I have read many, many P&P "what if" books--can't get enough of Darcy and Elizabeth! I must say that this is one of the better ones. It remains basically true to the Austen characters and style BUT also adds a bit of contemporary "spice"--if you know what I mean. Is it "authentic" and true to the societal strictures of the time? Who cares--it contains more Darcy and Lizzy! I just finished it and I've already ordered this author's other P&P book. If you're into the P&P what-ifs, buy this book--you won't be disappointed.

I really enjoyed this book. I thought it gave great insight into the characters' thoughts. The story moved along nicely and I didn't want it to end! One of my favorite in the P&P "what-if" genre...and I've read a few! Definitely recommended!