Most Truly by Reina M. Williams

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Obtained from: Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours

Read: May 15, 2014

Colonel James Fitzwilliam is home. The war has left him weary, battle-scarred—and a free man of fortune ready to find a wife. He travels to Pemberley, his second home. There he meets Kitty Bennet. Her unexpected charms soon have him questioning his familial duty and his expectations. A fight looms on the horizon when his aunt—Lady Catherine de Bourgh—and his parents arrive with their own plans for his future. Kitty Bennet has found happiness. At Pemberley, she has improved herself and formed true friendships with her sister Lizzy and Georgiana Darcy. Kitty is captivated by the gentlemanly Colonel Fitzwilliam. But she will not be silly over a redcoat again, and she will not risk her happiness—or his family’s displeasure—for his attentions. Colonel Fitzwilliam, Darcy, Lizzy, and Georgiana have their say, and Kitty learns a new lesson—love will find you at Pemberley.

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It is a truth universally acknowledged that once one has fallen for Pride and Prejudice, one will be inexplicably drawn to spin-offs and re-tellings of Jane Austen's classic and I am no exception. Every so often I'll find a title with just enough promise to tempt my interest and away I'll go. Such was the case with Reina M. Williams' Most Truly. 

What I liked most about the piece is that Williams did not try emulate Austen too closely. Naturally there are similarities, but she didn't suppress her individual voice in an attempt to mimic her predecessor which is something I personally found very appealing. All too often I find authors of adaptations force a false note into their style, story or characters, but I liked that Williams wasn't afraid to highlight her own technique and spirit. 

Another thing that appealed to me was the shifting point of view. Rotating between James and Kitty allowed the reader to see both sides of the equation and though Most Truly is a short, I think Williams' approach exceedingly well-plotted and executed.  

A light romance, Most Truly sets the bar for the Love at Pemberley series. An enjoyable period piece for any fan of Austen based fiction. 

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It was difficult to step the balance of being agreeable and cheerful while not being silly and careless.

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Check Out All the Stops on Reina M. Williams' Miss Darcy Decides Virtual Book Tour Schedule

Monday, May 12
Spotlight & Giveaway at Passages to the Past

Tuesday, May 13
Review at Gobs and Gobs of Books

Wednesday, May 14
Excerpt at Bibliophilia, Please

Thursday, May 15
Review at Our Wolves Den

Friday, May 16
Audio Review of Most Truly at Just One More Chapter

Tuesday, May 20
Review at I’d Rather Be Reading

Saturday, May 24
Review at Buried Under Books

Friday, May 30
Review at Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell

Tuesday, June 3
Review at She is Too Fond of Books

Thursday, June 5
Audio Review of Most Truly at To Read, or Not to Read

Saturday, June 7
Review at The Calico Critic

Monday, June 9
Audio Review of Most Truly at Flashlight Commentary

Wednesday, June 11
Review at Tower of Babel

Friday, June 13
Review at Literary Chanteuse
Review at Diary of an Eccentric
Excerpt at Historical Fiction Connection