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The Twenty Dates by Ko Porteous #Review #EmptyNesters

It is good to return to The Empty Nesters series by Ko Porteous. The Twenty Dates was published by All Ways Publishing Ltd on October 8th. You can read my review of Book 1, The Freshman Parents   here The kids have left, assuming love endures. But can yours? Book #2 in The Empty Nesters Series   Claire’s marriage is in (total!) crisis. Her husband, Mark, is distracted, presumptuous, and utterly clueless - smart scales for their 19th wedding anniversary? Really? Perhaps she'd be better off alone. At least there'd be less laundry.   When Claire suggests separating, Mark panics. He asks for one last chance: twenty dates, one for each year of their marriage, to prove they're better off together than apart. What follows is a series of adventures Claire never saw coming - some mortifying, some exhilarating, and some that make her question everything she thought she knew. About Mark. About marriage. And about the woman she's quietly become while she wasn't payin...

Pemberley Presents... Lady Catherine Demands by Eliza Austin #Review

 

As a lover of Regency romance, I am delighted to be on the tour to celebrate the series of standalone novels by Eliza Austin,  Pemberley Presents. These re-imagine what happens next to characters from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.  I have chosen to read and review Lady Catherine Demands.

 
Lady Catherine's Demand

Pemberley Presents...

Lady Catherine de Bourgh has invited herself to Pemberley, intent upon bringing about an engagement between her daughter Anne and Colonel Fitzwilliam. But her ladyship has failed to take into account the remarkable improvement in her daughter's health and spirits since the arrival of her new tutor, the charismatic Mr Asquith.

Meanwhile, Colonel Fitzwilliam is becoming more enchanted by the widowed Celia Sheffield and is perturbed to learn that her fortune is being contested by an individual in Jamaica - from whence Mr Asquith also hails.

When the obsequious Mr Collins shares grave rumours concerning Mr Asquith’s character, further suspicions are raised...and Lady Catherine demands answers!

A sparkling continuation of Pride and Prejudice perfect for fans of Bridgerton!


 My Thoughts

I grasped the opportunity to read one of this series, as  who could resist  with the link to Pride and Prejudice? In this re-imagines story, we meet up with Darcy and Elizabeth who are now married and living happily at Pemberley. Events bring together Jane and Bingley, Lydia and Darcy's sister, Georgiana. together with Colonel Fitzwilliam and  two other would be suitors. Added to this mix is the formidable Lady Catherine de Bourgh who has descended with her daughter, Anne, hoping to tempt Colonel Fitzwilliam to marry the previously fragile, Anne. They are accompanied by Anne's latest tutor, the mysterious but charming Pierce Asquith. 

    The story goes on apace as the different characters interact. There are some surprising meetings and unexpected pairings. At the centre of the story remains Elizabeth and Darcy and you get to see how their friends and acquaintances view their marriage. I particularly enjoyed the unexpected arrival of Mr Collins who is always comedy gold. Marriage is always important in Jame Austen's novels and you get another chance here to think about the place of women in society. Status still is gained through marriage for most and the unmarried are viewed as commodities by some  and a chance to gain wealth and position. Anne de Bourgh is for some, the ultimate prize. In this story, you can see these instincts in some. The exception is the desire to marry for love which some regard as a folly. Elizabeth and Darcy are an example some cannot understand. 

In short: love, friendship, marriage

 

   

About the Author

 

Eliza Austin is the author of regency romance novels with high passion based on Jane Austen’s work.

You can follow Eliza here:  Facebook  |  X (Twitter)  |  Newsletter Sign Up

 

Purchase link 

 

Thanks to Eliza Austin, Boldwood Books and Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources for a copy of the book and a place on the tour.

 

Check out the rest of the tour! 





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