Caffeinated Reviewer | Respect and Respectability by Clarissa Joy Thomas
15th Apr
Sophia Rose is here with a gently paced variation tale that contains many of Jane Austen’s familiar original scenes. Come check out her thoughts on Respect & Respectability by Clarissa Joy Thomas, narrated by Stevie Zimmerman.
Respect and Respectability
by Clarissa Joy Thomas
Narrator: Stevie Zimmerman
Length: 7 hours and 21 minutes
Genres: Historical Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible | Libro.fm *affiliate
Rating: 
Heat Level: 
Narration: 5 cups Speed: 1.5x
When Mrs. Bennet passes away, Mr. Bennet is left with the responsibility of raising four young children alone. Without delay, he promptly seeks the aid of Mrs. Blackwall, a nearby lady of gentle birth but modest means, to assume the role of governess. With her assistance, the Bennet daughters grow into fine young ladies that any father would be proud of. Year after year, Mr. Bennet grew more dependent on the calm companionship of Mrs. Blackwall, until a sudden realization hit him: he was deeply in love with her. The couple wedded and the new Mrs. Bennet fit seamlessly into the family.
When the Netherfield party arrives, the Bennets and those in the neighborhood are all anticipation. Jane Bennet instantly captures Mr. Bingley’s eye, much to the chagrin of his sisters. Mr. Darcy, however, manages to cause even greater offence than he did in Jane Austen’s tale by insulting one of Elizabeth’s sisters.
When Wickham arrives, will Elizabeth believe his lies or will she see through his charming facade? Will Elizabeth’s distaste for Mr. Darcy’s arrogance blind her to the person he truly is beneath his haughty demeanor? Can one comment ruin any hope of a relationship, making Elizabeth view Mr. Darcy a cruel man unworthy of respect or sympathy? Find out in Respect and Respectability.
Sophia Rose’s Review
When a widower gains a governess for his motherless girls, he gains love and a wife who helps alter the destiny of his family. Clarissa Joy Thomas is a new to me author, but I was excited to try her Pride and Prejudice variation tale narrated by Stevie Zimmerman who is long-time fav.
Respect and Respectability begins with a death, a mother dying in childbirth. Mr. Bennet of Longbourn, a smaller estate in Hertfordshire grieves the passing of a person, but had long since the early days of his marriage known he had chosen unwisely- married a pretty face. His wife was from a different class and ill-prepared and not very bright. It comes to him with her death that he needs someone to care for his girls. This time, he is careful in choosing their governess, a poor widowed gentlewoman who needs to earn her way. And, over the years, he comes to love her so they marry and his girls get a mother who teaches them to be proper ladies and encourages her husband to be more involved in his estate and family affairs.
All this takes place in the opening chapters, setting up for the time when the Bennet sisters are grown up and ready to make their debut on local society and beyond.
Into the Bennet’s neighborhood comes the Bingley party to take the lease on the largest estate in the area. Mr. Bingley is nice enough, but his sisters are snobbish as is his guest, Mr. Darcy. In fact, at the first local dance assembly they attend, Darcy insults the youngest and most vulnerable Bennet sister, earning the ire of her 2nd oldest sister, Lizzy.
But, though proud, he is honorable and a gentleman so he makes his apologies when called to task by the woman he now quietly admires though sadly thinks is socially beneath him because of her family’s connections to trade and an entailed estate to a silly male cousin. Bingley takes an interest in Jane and Darcy’s attraction to Lizzy doesn’t go unnoticed by the social-climbing Miss Bingley. Another new face comes to the neighborhood society in the form of smarmy charmer, Lt. Wickham of the militia, now quartered in nearby Meryton. He spins a tale that usually takes in naïve females, but finds Lizzy Bennet not precisely buying what all he is selling because she has come to judge Darcy’s character in a different light from her first impression.
Alas, things seem destined to go awry- due to the manipulations of others- for each sister finding love. Or so it seems until new love, a new setting, and a new chance befall the Bennets and the truth comes out.
Respect and Respectability is a gently-paced variation tale that contains many of Jane Austen’s familiar original scenes through the middle sections of the book, but the very beginning and the end sections are where it leaves the original behind. Mixing and matching in the romances takes place including some new characters not in the original Pride & Prejudice. I appreciated the change of scenery that took the story from the country to London for the final act, and I thought the dastardly twist one of the villains perpetrated that played a big role in how the end played out was rather clever and bittersweet.
While the story feels a little like a family saga in that it follows plot threads for Mr. Bennet and each of his daughters, there is definitely a clear spotlight on second daughter, Elizabeth, with Mr. Darcy. I found Respect and Respectability delightful, but also not as fully developed when it came to relationships. It strongly indicated where things were going, but left out some of the progression details and sometimes left off a little early, skimming the surface rather than delving deeper.
That said, it was still an engaging story of romance, family, and class differences, doing honor to the original story it spun from. As usual, Stevie Zimmerman’s character voicing and her connection with the tone and pacing of the story was spot on. Those who enjoy barely spiced Regency era historical romances and, particularly those who enjoy stories set in the Jane Austen world, should give this a go.
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About Sophia Rose
Sophia is a quiet though curious gal who dabbles in cooking, book reviewing, and gardening. Encouraged and supported by an incredible man and loving family. A Northern Californian transplant to the Great Lakes Region of the US. Lover of Jane Austen, Baseball, Cats, Scooby Doo, and Chocolate.
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat.
