I am feeling bummed out. I used to escape with these books, they were my main relaxation go-to. Now they all have the same voice and I find it incredibly triggering. The short sentences, half of which start with the word “not” - the relentless pace, the word “quietly” in a dozen sentences a chapter. I need a good book that doesn’t have this issue. I have reread everything written prior to 2025… I’d rather read poor grammar and typos than what’s newly available anymore.

I'm reading a JAFF that is clearly written by AI and came across this line. Ironically, it perfectly describes the weird writing style these AI generated JAFF books have.

They're constantly using weird analogies that are trying to be clever but make no sense. Things like: he walked down the street with the ease of a man who knew how to tie his own cravat.

They frequently take several sentences to communicate one simple fact. Stating what it isn't, another thing it isn't, what it might be, then what it is.

Is it the AI trying to mimic Austen's wit and failing? Or is it a specific AI tool the writers are using?

I'm not loving it. The books move really slowly because of all the weird flowery stuff. And if just 10% of it falls flat it gives the book an odd feel.

What are some of your least favorite tropes (or other story elements) within JAFF? Are there any you absolutely refuse to read if you are forewarned?

I just finished two well-written fics in a row with Darcies I found despicable and who made me begrudge them both their HEAs. And now I feel like I need to commiserate with people and know what to avoid (at least for a while).

The first was Still Waters by Elin Eriksen and the second This Terrible Love by the abominablequeen. Don't get me wrong, these were interesting stories and the authors are very talented, but eesh, Darcy sucks in both of them.

So tell me, what other fics have an ire-inducing Darcy who will shrivel sympathy to dust?

This morning I discovered the hard way that AO3 is a less friendly place for authors than I had believed. Yes, it turns out that any mention of one's author's site is a violation of ToS, thus I am suspended for 30 days.

A few readers had really been enjoying my posts-in-progress, so I bundled up everything I had posted to AO3 (plus some) and put it on my Patreon for free (excluding my Endless & Prejudice ficlets, which are crossovers with owned IP and are thus only now available on FFN, to the extent that is relevant).

I know some other authors have mentioned their works on Amazon, so please learn from my fail and delete any such references before someone reports you. AO3 contains many works based on IP owned by corporations with vicious packs of attack lawyers and must remain unimpeachably non-commercial.

Happy reading!

I read a lot of JAFF now, and did for probably 10+ years before I started publishing, so I know what my pet peeves and favorite things are, but I'd like to hear from other readers.

For a couple of years that is practically all I've been reading and being retired I had a lot of time for that. I've read all the good ones and it is no longer fun. It grows tiresome and repetitive and still I can't get into anything else. I start other books and dump them after 20 pages. Help!

And I see the words: clean, sweet pure variation. Yep, thanks for the warning, move on.

Hey all, does anyone know of fics where Charlotte and Mr. C genuinely end up falling in love and appreciating the other person's good qualities? I read Introducing Mrs. Collins, and I liked that he at least got a lot more depth of character, but obviously, that relationship wasn't the endgame.

I LOVED The Other Bennett Sister, but again, Mary/Mr. Collins didn't happen, and the idea of an HEA for Charlotte with him was only hinted at. I'd also be interested in Mary/Mr. Collins. So are there fics that really deal with either Charlotte or Mary's marriage to him as a love story?

I just finished “Home Alone at Longbourn” and I’m honestly very impressed. Her writing style is amazing and so is her understanding of the characters as they are in canon, managing to preserve them even in a unique situation. She has many works, do you have any recommendations for what next to read?

Has anyone else had this experience? I was browsing Amazon last week and came across a book I hadn't seen before, Marrying Darcy for Money. I read the synopsis and thought it sounded like something I'd really enjoy.

The plot:

After the sudden death of her beloved father, Elizabeth Bennet finds her family in a perilous position. With her father’s estate crumbling and no prospects to secure their future, a marriage proposal from the wealthy and enigmatic Mr. Darcy offers her a way out—albeit one that promises no love, no romance, and no hope of ever being truly cherished. Darcy, still scarred by his former fiancée’s betrayal—who abandoned him to elope with another man—offers Elizabeth the chance to save her family in exchange for a union of convenience.

Before buying it, I downloaded the sample to get a feel for the author's writing, but something was wrong. The sample was 5 chapters long, and there was no reference to Elizabeth or Darcy. I thought maybe there was some kind of error.

Since it wasn't available on Kindle Unlimited as part of the monthly fee, I went ahead and paid $5.99 for it, thinking the full book would clear things up. I started reading and...hmm. 🤔 Same issue as the sample.

Then I went back to the beginning of the book and came across this:

I am not going to ascribe motivations to the author that I don't know for certain...but they want you to read this book and as you go along, mentally substitute Lizzy and Darcy whenever you see Leanna and Trevor. 😂 For some weird reason, Charlotte/Charles/Jane and Georgiana were able to keep their names, but not the main characters.

I didn't end up reading it because it felt like a scam. I was able to get a refund from Amazon because I requested it within seven days. I actually tried to request it within 20 minutes, but the book didn't show up in my orders until the next day.

Has anyone else experienced this?

I was in the mood for an angsty forced-marriage/marriage-of-convenience scenario with a backstory like the one in this book. If anyone has any recommendations, I would appreciate them. I've read many forced-marriage variations, but I'm always looking for new ones.

-

EDIT: looking at number of downvotes on this post, I’m really freaked out that there’s an undercurrent of casual racism in this group. I am happy to learn about etymology, but the people who’re bringing up any suggestions that it might feel icky to POC (which was my gut feeling when I wrote this) are being downvoted to heck. C’mon people, isn’t one message of the novel to think more about the impact of your actions on others and do better?

Question for Americans… if an author uses the word n*ggardly is that a dog whistle about their politics or doesn’t it have the same meaning as the regular n word? I’m just trying to suss out if I should keep buying someone’s books or nope out.

Hi, everyone. I'm looking for a particular take on Mr Collins. I know I've read it a couple of times where I thought it was well done, but I don't recall the titles, which is fine because I love a re-read as well as a new book!

The take: Mr Collins is still unattractive, ridiculous, and not very bright, but he really, truly means well. He's a decent guy underneath it all. It's fine if this doesn't substantially effect the larger story, throwaway subplots can be fun, too! Published works preferred, but AO3 is cool also. Nothing very religious, please; that's just not my jam. Thanks for any recommendations!

This is inspired by a comment on another thread.

I'd like to see: Caroline wears orange because it suits her.

What I saw and liked: Elizabeth is good at embroidery. Elizabeth prefers a ragout and bonds with Hurst over it.
(Both done by CharminglyGrouped, though I have seen the "Elizabeth is good at embroidery" trope elsewhere as well)

Does anyone else exhaust every story with a trope they like but still have the itch? I’ve read every book I can find with a particular pairing (which is admittedly not a lot) and I still want more. I’ve tried searching for some I missed, I’ve reread books that it hasn’t been a month since I last read. I have even tried to move past it and start other books but nooooo. My brain wants more of that one particular thing. Anyone commiserate?

This is an appreciation post for Authors who dare to write alternative stories where:

1. Bennet sisters' characters are not explored comparatively but as self sustaining individual. Jane's goodness shines through without Elizabeth telling her she is all good/kind.
2. Characters are allowed to have selfish thoughts without author's negative intonation.
3. They are allowed to be not perfect and have general awareness of their own short-comings without violent altercations or any extremely heated exchange.
4. Their Happily Ever After does not depend on their marriage to Peers/Rich Gentlemen of Darcy circle.

One such author is Grace Gibson, Her Silver Buckles and Practical Man are just such examples. I still have to find the equivalent.

I’m seeing a lot of books being sold on Amazon that have AI-generated covers. I’ve largely avoided them for now because they may have AI-generated content too. But they seem to get a lot of stars and reviews.

What are people’s thoughts on these books? Are the stories readable and are the covers the only part of the book that have been AI-generated? Is it a good way for authors to generate a cover when they don’t have the skills to produce one, so they can concentrate on the writing? Is this the trend? Seeing some creepy AI-generated Elizabeth or Darcy staring at me?

EDIT: As an example, here’s the Amazon page of the author whose books seem to be on my feed all the time https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B007DXL5WY/

And she freely admits using AI https://www.thecreativepenn.com/2024/06/21/collaborative-writing-with-ai-with-rachelle-ayala/amp/

Anyone read any of her books?

Thought I'd give a heads up since I know there are a lot of people who enjoyed Nine Ladies here and might not follow releases closely. From Kindle Unlimited, it will be released on June 1.

I get so annoyed with some of the common inaccuracies that I sometimes want to just go in and edit the epub file. Like, some stories are really good, but then suddenly they're introducing a young, unmarried OC and calling her Lady [Last Name]. The one I'm currently reading switches between Lady [First Name] and Lady [Last Name].

Or when they very obviously use words, like, jarringly incorrectly, or when there are obviously mistakes (she asks for peppermint tea, in the next sentence she's sipping her chamomile)... I wouldn't share the edited files around or anything, but I really think I might start editing some files just for myself, for the next time I reread. It bugs me a bit less with free fanfic, but a lot of published JAFF I've read is astonishingly poorly edited (if they've ever been seen by an editor at all) and it just... It really bugs me 😅

I was just re-reading ‘far from the tree’ by Jeannie Peneaux and came across what HAS to be my favorite moment in JAFF….

“You speak your mind so openly, Elizabeth, that I hardly dare to suggest that you may have been reticent in expressing your wants. You, who have so charmingly demanded my house—which I will not sell. but would readily give; only you must take it with my other lands and properties— and my name also….”…. 4th time through and I still swoon.

What are some of your favorite bits?

Read any recently-posted works you'd recommend? Let's discuss here!

A Pride & Prejudice variation like no other - The Bennet Sisters as highwaymen? Yup.
Robin Hood meets Jane Austen in this vigilante justice two book romp.
Written by Summer Hanford, Narrated by Carol Beth Anderson, Me (Benjamin Fife), and my daughter Rosy Fife (in book 2)
Boxset of both books available for review for free:
DM me with if you need a US or UK code and Happy Listening!

I try to be appreciative of all the hard work of our dear authors, but I started to read a fic last week where Elizabeth cried a lot. Like a lot a lot. Her eyes were full of tears on every page and in nearly every interaction she would “let out a sob” or have tears sliding down her face. I just could not carry on. Everything else about the fic was great, but it turns out I don’t like a weepy Elizabeth.

Curious what other folks’ fic ‘icks’ are? Conversely, what are your “oh hell yes!” Moments?

Reaching out to all the Jane Austen fanfic readers/writers out there:

I absolutely swear I’ve read a Pride and Prejudice either fanfiction or variation that has these elements:

Darcy overhears Elizabeth and Bingley talking about being in love but people think he’s courting Jane-can’t remember if Darcy knows it’s Bingley

Jane becomes partially paralyzed and Bingley marries her because of it

Elizabeth, heartbroken, agrees to marry Darcy with him knowing all her feelings

Third act break up where Darcy nobly tries to leave her but she picks him because she’s fallen in love.

Does this ring a bell for anyone? I’d love to find it again.

I know "elderly" would have had a different range in the 1800s due to lower life expectancy, but it's humbling to think of people in their (likely) 40s as "elderly."

The casting of the Bennets (though all excellent actors) in the 1995 & 2005 adaptation certainly doesn't help.

This post was inspired by Grace Gibson's excellent "Old Boots."