Austen Variations

Austen Variations Blog – A place for writers and readers to connect. Featuring #JaneAusten-inspired fiction by 12 published authors.

[Just Ree @DarcysMarie_]

A Novel Holiday
Written by L.L. Diamond @LLDiamond2
Goodreads Review: November 27, 2024
Expected Publication: December 1, 2024
#JAFF #ContemporaryRomance #PrideandPrejudice #JaneAustenInspired

I do love me some modern JAFF!

L.L. Diamond entertains once more with A Novel Holiday, a full-length, modern JAFF romance novel that’s clever and well paced. Mainly set between Halloween and New Year’s, this book is the perfect seasonal read—full of rich character development, great dialogue, and just the right mix of romance and drama.

The story opens with a prologue: Elizabeth Bennet is living in New York City with her beloved uncle, Zio, who has been the main guiding force in her life—more so than her actual parents. She’s estranged from her family—except for Mary. After earning her MBA—more to please her father than herself—Zio sends Elizabeth to England to pursue her true dream of becoming a baker and café owner. Some years later, she has fulfilled that dream, but it comes with bittersweet emotions. My heart broke for her early on.

Enter Fitzwilliam Darcy, the CEO of Pemberley Books, a rival company that has been keen on acquiring Novel Books. Zio never wanted to sell, and Elizabeth has no intention of going against his wishes. Their first meeting shows promise of a connection, but Darcy being Darcy, quickly ruins things with an ill-judged remark that Lizzy overhears. The classic Pride and Prejudice misunderstanding trope is alive and well here, and it works beautifully.

I loved the career choices in this story—Elizabeth as a double business owner and Darcy as the CEO of a book company. Both feel fresh yet grounded; their professional lives are well integrated into the plot, especially Lizzy’s. The tension between them is well done, and when things heat up, the steamy bits are tastefully written. The supporting characters, Richard Fitzwilliam, Georgiana Darcy, and Charlotte Lui and Annie de Bourgh as a couple, makes the story feel truly inclusive. The plot takes a darker turn late in the story with a touch of added mystery and tension when Elizabeth feels threatened by some unexpected trouble.

This story also includes a ‘mean Jane’ trope—she and Elizabeth are not friends, and Jane is not her usual sweet self. Charles Bingley, Darcy’s legal counsel, perfectly plays his role as a love-blind useful idiot. I found the dark humour in a trait Ms Diamond assigns to Caroline Bingley in this book particularly diverting. While these secondary characters appear minimally, their actions are well-placed and relevant.

What stood out to me most were the character portrayals and the dialogue, the latter flowing naturally and keeping the story moving. Every scene feels purposeful, and the pacing is spot-on from start to finish; nothing drags and attention is never lost. Combined with its festive settings, A Novel Holiday is a thoroughly pleasing and timely read, but can also be enjoyed any time of year! The cover is delightfully whimsical, highlighting Lizzy’s career choice.

I highly recommend this one, especially if you’re looking for a contemporary romance with a lot of heart. L.L. Diamond remains a favourite author for a reason, and this book is just further proof of her amazing talent. I’m hoping an audiobook will also be forthcoming.

Mature, adult content.

I received an advance copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review. You’ll really love this one.

[Jane Austen’s House @JaneAustenHouse]

🎄 Find the perfect literary gift in our fabulous Gift Shop! We ship worldwide!

🎁 Order early to avoid disappointment and guarantee delivery before Christmas!
🏡 All picked and packaged from Jane Austen’s House.

🛍️ Head here to SHOP: https://t.co/9bHrjqQd5Y

[Jane Austen’s House @JaneAustenHouse]

🔔 We will be CLOSED between 4-8 November for House maintenance following the busy summer period and in advance of the festive season. We will re-open on Saturday 9 November.

👉 Head here check our opening times and for more info: https://t.co/tNZEYLpOmX

[Monica Fairview Author @Monica_Fairview]

It's on Kindle!! The 4th and final book of the series! #JAFF #PrideandPrejudice #JaneAusten #FantasyFiction https://t.co/sEsDvlUyRD

[Jane Austen’s House @JaneAustenHouse]

✍️ Our brand-new permanent exhibition, JANE AUSTEN AND THE ART OF WRITING is now open!

Celebrating Jane Austen as the groundbreaking and ambitious writer she was it kicks off our #JaneAusten250 programme, marking 250 years since her birth, in 2025.

🔗 https://t.co/pnMx7YpTFE

[Monica Fairview Author @Monica_Fairview]

RIP, Dowager Countess of Grantham. You will be sorely missed.

[U @StreamOnU]

29 years ago today, #PrideAndPrejudice first introduced us to Colin Firth as Mr Darcy and we'll be forever grateful to that series for THIS SCENE.

[Jane Austen @JaneAustenLIVES]

A girl likes to be crossed a little in love now and then. It is something to think of ~ Jane Austen

[Gemma Matthews @Gtilleymatthews]

Happy birthday Jane Austen! Here’s my embroidery The Walking Party, which was inspired by my reading her books.📚Freehand stitched in Jan 2019, Each figure is less than 15mm tall so super tiny stitches, you may need to get the magnifying glasses out! 🔍🧵🌿🌺 #thesewingsongbird

[Helen Aristotelidis @theHellen_]

Jane Austen — 'my courage always rises with every attempt to intimidate me.'

[Jane Austen’s House @JaneAustenHouse]

‘I do not mean to take any other exercise, for I feel a little tired after my long Jumble… I go & refresh myself every now & then, and then come back to Solitary Coolness.-’

✍ #JaneAusten writing to her sister Cassandra from London, August 1814.

[Jane Austen’s House @JaneAustenHouse]

Dust off your best Regency regalia for our popular annual DRESS UP DAY!

There’s lots of ways to get involved. Visit the House or join one of our fabulous events taking place throughout the day and into the evening!

⏰ Saturday 13 July
👉🎟️ https://t.co/XZeF7tYdce

[Monica Fairview Author @Monica_Fairview]

RIP Donald Sutherland, my favorite Mr. Bennet

[Dr Helena Kelly @MsAshtonDennis]

Enjoyed this by @history_alice on how the world of work was opening up for non-aristocratic women during the Regency.

Austen's novels include a surprising number of working women: there are housekeepers, governesses, teachers, nurses and business-owners.

https://t.co/GTkur9wXro

[Jane Austen’s House @JaneAustenHouse]

👩‍💻 There’s still time to Zoom into our Virtual Guided Tour this Friday 17 May, 7-8pm (UK time)!

📖 Discover the rooms in which Jane Austen wrote and revised her beloved novels, with lots of opportunities to chat and to ask questions.

🎟️: https://t.co/MQ5BTYlOXC

[Monica Fairview Author @Monica_Fairview]

I have a story up on #AustenVariations as part of a series https://t.co/lSHUZT8ND3 #bookblogger #DarcyandElizabeth #JaneAusten

[Jane Austen’s House @JaneAustenHouse]

💻 Join us for one our exciting virtual events, including a special Easter edition of our Guided Virtual Tour, an Australian edition and a Curator Tour of our new display OBSTINATE HEADSTRONG GIRLS!

🎟️: https://t.co/zTnEBW1qKZ

#JaneAusten

[Jane Austen Centre @JaneAustenBath]

Can you finish this iconic Mrs Bennet quote? 📚👀

#janeausten #prideandprejudice #janeaustencentre #Regency

[Jane Austen @JaneAustenLIVES]

“It isn't what we say or think that defines us, but what we do” ~ Jane Austen #InternationalWomansDay

[Jane Austen’s House @JaneAustenHouse]

📖 Happy #WorldBookDay from Jane Austen’s House, the birthplace of some of the most treasured novels in all of English literature…

🏡 It was here that #JaneAusten’s genius flourished and where she wrote, revised, and had published all six of her globally beloved novels.