The Truth About Family

Review also posted on my blog

https://myjaffobsession.blogspot.com/2023/01/the-truth-about-family-by-lucy-marin.html

Elizabeth Bennet was sent to stay with the Dowager Countess Romesley at the age of five. It was meant to be for a few months, until her mother delivered the heir to Longbourn.
Mrs Bennet was often spiteful to Elizabeth and her pregnancy made her even worse.
However, the invitation to return never came and her family never visited.

Elizabeth came to know the Countess's family; the Fitzwilliams, Darcys and de Bourghs.
Most of the Darcys and the Fitzwilliams were friendly, while some were kind but rather distant. Unfortunately, Lady Catherine de Bourgh viewed Elizabeth as inferior and an interloper. Her sister, Lady Anne Darcy agreed. Both were unwelcoming and unpleasant.

Mr Hugh Darcy was very kind and his son Fitzwilliam was a close friend of Elizabeth's. As she grew older, she fell in love with Fitzwilliam Darcy but knew nothing could come of it. He was destined for a brilliant, high society match.

On one visit to Pemberley, Elizabeth is cast out by Lady Anne Darcy and sent to Lady Catherine at Rosings. She discovers that they have plotted to have her sent abroad, to get her out of the family.

Elizabeth escapes and flees to Longbourn, hoping to find a welcome.
While she tries to find her place in the Bennet family, Fitzwilliam Darcy and his cousins are frantically searching for Elizabeth.

When Darcy finds her, he realises that he loves her. But will his mother's perfidy and venom be a permanent obstacle to their happiness?

This is a tumultuous story, with poor Elizabeth feeling like nobody wants her. Fitzwilliam Darcy and his cousins, Viscount Bramwell and Colonel Fitzwilliam are stalwart friends, who value Elizabeth for the person she is rather than her place in society.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.