PAULA'S REVIEW:
The Heart of Bennet Hollow by Joanne Bischof DeWitt is based on the much loved Pride and Prejudice. This story is a gem. The bones of P and P are there, the familiar characters are there, the tension is there but the author has made it uniquely her own with an Appalachian flair.
The Heart of Bennet Hollow by Joanne Bischof DeWitt is based on the much loved Pride and Prejudice. This story is a gem. The bones of P and P are there, the familiar characters are there, the tension is there but the author has made it uniquely her own with an Appalachian flair.
I learned a lot about the mountain coal industry and culture that other stories have not brought out. The setting was key to the story. I fell in love with the romance of sisters Jane and Lizzy. Their suitors were men of integrity. The Bennet family was very close and mimicked Jane Austen’s well.
The descriptions of New River, Virginia, the mine and the rail car brought the story to life. The characters and their faith journey were memorable as they matured in their outlook.
Fans of Pride and Prejudice will enjoy this take on the story in the mountains of Virginia in 1904.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Tyndale on behalf of the author and via NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*5 stars and a solid faith thread
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Tyndale on behalf of the author and via NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*5 stars and a solid faith thread
BackCover Blurb:
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.
-An inspirational historical romance retelling of Pride and Prejudice for fans of Julie Klassen, Sally Britton, and Sarah E. Ladd
-A clever, clean love story
-Southern historical fiction in the vein of Michelle Shocklee and Pepper Basham
-Includes discussion questions for book clubs
Tyndale Fiction, October, 2025
Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook:
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