Reviews

Tact: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Margaret Devere, Jeannie Peneaux

duchessicefire's review

emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

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

3.75

melissadegraffbooks's review

4.0

I saw this recommended on a random social media post and knew I had to read this P&P story. Elizabeth has to navigate all of the delicate situations throughout the story using only her way with words to get what she wants without ruffling anyone's feathers. Great variation!

clockworkbee's review

fast-paced

4.0

brinastewart's review

1.0

The reviews gave me hope that it would be better but I was disappointed. The story felt rushed and the personality of our favorites, Darcy and Elizabeth, were not done well. Darcy came across as rude and mean without any indication of him being humorous and taken the wrong way. Elizabeth did not take us along to explain how she went from utter dislike to loving him, it was just mentioned serval times without the growing love we expect. I did like that Darcy refused to take no for an answer and told Elizabeth that he wants to know what and how he can fix those things he has done wrong.

agne_sab's review

adventurous hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

maeilis's review

lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

thepurplefox's review against another edition

3.0

What if Lizzy was manipulative and deceptive but somehow Darcy still liked her?
The writing style was really good and the book entertaining enough but I often wondered why Darcy liked Lizzy at all in this version.

kimberlyb's review

3.0

Mind reading Narrator.

Too much narration. Not enough dialog and interaction between The characters. The narrator knew too much about everyone and gave the motives for everyone's actions. It made the main character unclear. This could have been a lot shorter. Had a lot of explaining and not enough personal connection. This read more like a first draft. And less like a finished story.

iselinevita9's review

funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.0

readundancies's review against another edition

hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

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

4.75

What a wonderfully smart, witty and well done variation. 

There's something about the writing in this story that is so easy to sink into. And for a story that was less than 200 pages, it felt so perfectly complete. Really, this was just an incredible variation. Madame Austen would be proud, Jeannie Peneaux. You had a vision and you created it and I feel blessed just to get to experience it. 

Virtually everything about this is just masterfully done. Every plot alteration was well planned out and made SO MUCH SENSE. It’s jaw dropping, truly, how this version of events stands on its own. This could’ve been the actual story and it would hold up just as well as the original. 

Now to be fair, this was pretty low angst all things considered, and I like to be a little more emotionally wrought so that my heart gets rattled about in my rib cage for good measure just so I know it’s functioning and that it can still hurt and bleed. Not because I’m masochistic (but I may be a tad), but rather because you can’t truly appreciate the good in a story without the bad. But for a low angst tale that has a rather ingenious plot? This was aces. 

What a solid length too. Some stories don’t offer enough, others dump entirely too much onto the reader expecting them to wade through it entirely, no matter how much time they waste doing it. This one knew where it was going and how long the journey should take to get there and that is just so commendable. And the fact that it’s also got a bit of a full circle moment going on too? Just grand. 

I do wish we got to see more of Colonel Fitzwilliam. He had less of a role than I anticipated and he was missed. Charlotte’s lack of a marriage partner was also a bit sad. But Mr. Collins was an absolute JOY to experience - and I never even thought that was an option with his character, so let me tell you, I’m thoroughly impressed with the characterization. It’s tweaked from the original, but in a way that everyone’s personality shines out brilliantly. Even Lizzy as a massive manipulator of those around her was a change I welcomed because she used her tactics for good (for the most part - I haven’t forgotten she was often selfish with it as well). I loved the brushing aside of Wickham, because it fit with the rest of the plot and the slight changes in the others and how their interactions with him were altered. Lydia and to a lesser extent Kitty were still exuberant and lively, but learned some level of decorum to offset whenever they became overly so. 

And the way Darcy wins Lizzy over? I was sold. This was so good. So goddamned good. Like truly just sublime in every way. I'm thoroughly impressed and will very likely nab a physical copy of this.