Austen Variations

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.