The Heart of Bennet Hollow by Joanne Bischof DeWitt
3 Stars
Alright friends, take me with a grain of salt on this review because SO many of y'all will enjoy this book I think. It's cute, cozy and good for a Jane Austen fan in general. I think it would be perfect for the fall time too, it starts in October.
As someone who adores Pride and Prejudice, I went into this book excited for a heartfelt, Appalachian twist on a classic favorite. As a southern girl who lives in Tennessee, I LOVED the setting. It was lovely and the author truly captures the Appalachian atmosphere beautifully with cozy, fall-ready charm and strong small-town details. That what made the book for me was the Appalachian details and narration.
All of that said, I do think the story itself felt a little too close to Jane Austen’s original. Because of that, it lost some of the emotional spark and originality I was hoping for. Some of the personalities of the characters were not how I anticipated too I think.
We follow Lizbeth Bennet and William Drake. Set in New River, Virginia, 1904, Lizbeth wants to preserve her family's farm and secure a future for her and her sisters in the Appalachian coal mining town. William Drake arrives focused on business. Their paths cross and you know the drill. :)
Characters names: William Drake (Mr. Darcy), Lizbeth Bennet (Elizabeth Bennet), Hattie (Charlotte), Westgard (Wickham), Lacey (Lydia), Catherine de Bourgh (same), Jayne (Jane), Callum Brydolf (Bingley)
All of this said, I did appreciate the clean romance and historical elements woven into the cozy, coal-mining town setting. My great grandfather was a coal miner and those bits touched my heart.
If you’re looking for a sweet, comforting read with Appalachian setting and a large similarity to P&P, this would still be a nice pick. It just didn’t deliver the emotional depth or distinction I expected. I do want to read The Lady and the Lionheart by this author as many of you have recommended it to me as your favorite!
Thank you to Tyndale House Publishers for a complimentary e-book to read and review. All thoughts are my own.
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7754968313
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3UwVHxR
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/638204
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