Reviews

Some Natural Importance by Jan Ashton

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katelennon05's review

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emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

frompemberleytomiltonblog's review against another edition

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5.0

4,5 rounded up to 5
Review Published at:
https://frompemberleytomilton.wordpress.com/2022/02/21/some-natural-importance-by-jan-ashton/

Some Natural Importance starts out with a very interesting premise, Mr. Bennet, who is very ill at the beginning of the book, forms a very close friendship with Mr. Darcy! But if you think that would make our hero closer to Elizabeth, you couldn’t be more wrong. With Mr. Darcy constantly in her father’s company, and replacing her role as his biggest companion, Elizabeth starts to feel jealous of Mr. Darcy and resent his presence. Her jealousy is the antagonist in the beginning of the story, but as time progresses, Elizabeth starts feeling for Mr. Darcy what he felt for her all along: a huge attraction and curiosity towards someone who is intriguing and appealing.

I found the voice of Some Natural Importance very interesting, as we are mainly privy to the male’s point of view and that is something I’ve come to realize Jan Ashton is an expert at. All the scenes and dialogues with male characters are believable and give us a deep knowledge about these characters that is not common to see in JAFF books. It is almost as if the reader is transported into a forbidden world that takes place behind closed studio doors while gentleman smoke cigars and discuss business. We are often forced to remain in the parlor with the ladies, so I always love it when books give me the opportunity to see the gentlemen in their natural habitat. One of the biggest surprises for me in this Some Natural Importance was Mr. Hurst’s character, and I have only gained a different perspective of him because of the angle Ms. Ashton used in this book. I never thought I would consider his character interesting, but I did, and that is all because of the behind the scenes we see him at with Mr. Darcy.

Mr. Bennet’s arc was beautiful and emotive, and it was my favorite aspect of the book. I loved to see him become a father to Mr. Darcy and to come up with a plan that ensured his family’s happiness. He was true to himself, still sarcastic and reserved, but also a caring father who was able to see way before everyone else what would constitute the happiness of his favorite daughter and the son he wished he could have had. He was annoying at times, and I wanted to shake him and make him talk to Elizabeth about everything that was going on in his head, but I did come to love him and even cried over him.

I also loved the way this premise affected Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy’s love story; I believe the author took them into a path that is not often explored but that allowed strong feelings to be built between them.

While I loved navigating through this story with these characters, I did feel many dialogues could have been removed as they didn’t add much to the story, especially the ones where Mr. Darcy’s odious family members were present, as they became somewhat repetitive in my perspective.

Overall, I loved listening to the audiobook of Some Natural Importance, it is a story that presents readers with new and meaningful relationships, that evokes feelings of trust and hope and I highly recommend it.

defiantfalcon's review

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emotional sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes

3.5

jmcrockett78's review against another edition

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5.0

There aren’t quite any words for this other than absolutely FANTASTIC. One of the best quality variations I’ve read in a while, sweet but not sicky, angst but not so much as to be ridiculous. A satisfying conclusion and a great plot line, it was refreshing to have someone tackle a new idea other than the same ones over and over. Definitely recommend.

samhend101's review

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4.0

Feb. 2022 - Audiobook. David Pickering was the perfect choice to narrate this Darcy dominant story.
An excellent dramatization!

This story started out with high drama and intrigue, which lagged a little around the 30% mark. It picked up again to a low key angst as ODC work through their feelings.

Darcy, escaping from family pressure and manipulations, arrives at Netherfield and befriends Mr. Bennet. Almost usurping Elizabeth's place in her father's sanctuary, she doesn't view him with a kind eye and has conflicting feelings. Meanwhile, Mr. Bennet is hiding a serious illness, Mr. Collins is hovering like a vulture and Elizabeth is missing Jane, who is helping out the Gardiners in London. Mr. Bingley takes advantage of a business trip to London to seek Jane out, after hearing so much about her.

Still hiding the fact he is dying, Mr. Bennet enlists Darcy's help with a plot of land he had purchased outside of the entail, to finally do something to safeguard his family's future. Unbeknownst to Darcy, Bennet had hidden a surprise, furthering the agenda of what he believes to be in the best interest of his whole family, but especially his favorite daughter and his new friend.

The second Lady Matlock is as bad as Lady C ever was. Lord Matlock sees Darcy as a bank account and even Richard is not wholly the friend to Darcy he could be. Anne, Mr. D's first wife and Lady C have already passed, leaving behind secrets Darcy swore he would never reveal, but lead to the detriment of his character. Through all the emotional upheavals in their path can ODC find the treasure hidden in plain sight?

A good story, well written and guaranteed HEA.

I received an ARC for my honest opinion.