The Bad Miss Bennet

The Bad Miss Bennet adds onto the life of Austen's famously wild, Lydia Bennet.

I have a few thoughts on this book:

First, I want to say that I am a big fan of Jane Austen. I enjoy most fan fiction sprouted up by fellow Austen fans, however, I prefer the story to reflect the original author's draft of the character.

I enjoyed this story, but I would have enjoyed it so much more had the author not clung to her fan fiction goal.

As a story based on Lydia Bennet I felt it was weak. Operating in an attempt to continue in Jane Austen's voice, The Bad Miss Bennet was horribly flawed, but as an independent story in it's own right it would have been wonderful.

To me it was a disappointing read not because the author lacked talent, but because she seemed to lack the confidence to publish a book without the fan fare of using an Austen character.

I would consider reading other titles by this author, but would like to see what she does in her own right.

As a sequel to Pride and Prejudice the bar is set higher. I want to fall into that world, to bask in the rich brilliance of Jane's subtle storytelling. That just didn't happen for me.

In my opinion The Bad Miss Bennet is a good story, but it's just not Austen enough.

I received this book as a free review copy through Net Galley.