Suzan Lauder's Reviews > An Affectionate Heart: A Pride and Prejudice Variation

Not perfect, but since I kept a few notes of the author's lovely prose, I couldn't very well knock off part of a star for fewer than average technical glitches, could I? Besides, I cried!

Technical review:
- Plot is well thought out and complete with no tangents or holes and contains special twists that throw the reader for a loop. Unique premise.
- Pacing is regular throughout, with no slow spots. Heavier on the narrative than dialogue.
- Angst (dramatic tension) is moderate throughout, with a few high spots.
- Large blocks of telling with some filter words in a mostly showing book.
- Third person alternating, deep point of view done well.
- Good Regency language, with no exceptionally difficult words. Four non-Regency words or phrases, six contractions, four Americanisms, two homophones, a misused phrase, and an overused word. Some exceptionally memorable prose.
- Periods should have been used with Mr. and Mrs. since they were used in the Regency, otherwise, no punctuation problems.
- On numerous occasions, the author stated that there was no punishment for seducing a young girl. This is wrong. Statutory rape was age 15 in 1810 (two years' jail time), and seducing a lady for purposes of marrying her for her dowry was punishable by two to five years' jail time. (Thomas Edlyne Tomlins, The Law Dictionary...) This would have applied to Mrs. Younge as well. People in the Regency would be well aware of this law, and therefore this would comprise some of E's shock at Wickham's perfidy in canon. This information has been widely disseminated by me in two of my novels and on social media since 2019. However, if you can misinterpret how the food is set on the table, maybe you didn't read the end notes. Twice.
- Scene setting was good for a book of this type, showing the situations by using the senses to enhance the story, though the visual was leaned upon the most. The Regency research done was exceptional. Details helped the feeling of being there, and as noted before, the language of that detail overtook the very few exceptions to proper Regency wording. E.g., literature, gaol setup, medicines.
- The romance development was realistic and tugged at the heartstrings. I had teary moments at 60%, 65%, and 85%, much more than your typical excellent JAFF book. Causing me to have tears immediately puts a book among my faves. Some might criticize the protagonists' forgiveness as too easy, but those people do this in the case of every book. I personally think that part was balanced to the depth of the sins.
- The cover is very good, reaching out to the passing reader and saying "buy me" for its unique look, colour balance, and overall balance. Its size is perfect for the Amazon thumbnail. The pictures also tell some of the story of the novel. I admire the work that went into making this perfect.

The book is in my coveted "loved it" folder, where only the best of the five-star books go. To gush too much on the story would be to reveal spoilers that I didn't know when I read it, and my expectations were in acceptance of sadness, the author is such a good writer. No wonder this book keeps turning up on the "Best of" lists! Congratulations, Heather Moll. Keep 'em coming!

Disclaimer: I'm a JAFF author, and some might claim this review is a conflict of interest. However, I was a reader first, and my reviews are honest and impartial. I write them for the benefit of both the reader and the author.