Review: The Heart of Bennet Hollow by Joanne Bischof DeWitt

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing 

About the Book

An Appalachian farmer’s daughter and a wealthy businessman find a surprising love but must reckon with what divides them in this retelling of Jane Austen’s  Pride and Prejudice by the award-winning author of  The Lady and the Lionheart.

New River, Virginia. 1904. 

Lizbeth Bennet longs to preserve her family’s farm, securing a future for her and her sisters, a difficult task in their Appalachian coal mining town. Money is scarce, and Lizbeth is determined to find a way without giving up treasured pieces of her family’s legacy. But when the mine is put up for sale, it’s clear change is approaching. A contingent of coal barons descends on the town to investigate whether the mine is worth their investment, among them a young man rumored to be a very rich, eligible bachelor.

William Drake arrives focused on business and keeping his distance from the townspeople, especially those living on land entangled with the mine, including a farmer by the name of Bennet. As William digs through legal issues, his struggle to weigh the potential financial gain against what is right for the community grows more complicated when he meets one of the Bennet daughters.

Despite an awkward first meeting, Lizbeth and William continue to cross paths, and soon Lizbeth questions her first impression of the man she believed to be proud and indifferent. But just as their friendship begins to evolve, a revelation shakes Lizbeth’s tenuous trust, and she learns all may not be as it seems. To determine what is true, and step toward a love she’s barely dared dream of, Lizbeth must confront her own prejudices . . . and decide whether the future she’s always imagined is the one her heart truly wants most after all.

My Review

There are few things I love to read so much as a Pride and Prejudice adaptation! I can be critical of the ones that are more of a retelling that doesn't offer much variation, but this book brought the classic story to the turn of the century deep in Appalachia, with new challenges alongside the universal struggles of our beloved characters. The slight shifts and twists that made this story its own while weaving in parts of the original in fresh ways made it entertaining to read. I was delighted with the portrayal of each member of the Bennet family, and loved how the author stayed true to the original personalities while adding depth and insight into each of them. They are more humble circumstances compared to the original Bennets, but in relation to their neighbors and the coal barons, the relative prosperity matches well enough to Pride and Prejudice. Lizbeth and Jayne are the resourceful, mature sisters that share a close bond, and aware enough to be slightly embarrassed by their family while loving them fiercely as well.

William and his lawyer Callum are in the remote part of Virginia to determine if the local coal mine and surrounding property is a wise investment. It was fun that his luxurious train car represents his wealth, and the awe of the Bennet sisters when they are invited to tea there. William is confident in his own sphere, but Lizbeth brings out the awkward in him, and his self-mortification causes some miscommunication... thankfully resolved as they become friends. It was fascinating to learn historical details of the era and behind-the-scenes of the coal mine negotiations. I developed an appreciation for both the workers and the owners of the venture that supplied the fuel for energy. William is forward thinking in how to improve the mine productivity and conditions of the workers, including the poor mules who were raised by the Bennets and worked to death down in the mine without seeing sunlight again. The complications of land ownership, rumors and gossip, family interference, and misunderstandings bring conflict to William's relationship with Lizbeth and the Bennets, making the resolution all the sweeter and more satisfying in the end.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.