Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite

Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy have to negotiate amongst family and friends to ensure that Mr. Darcy’s sister Georgiana’s forthcoming wedding is not riddled with conflict and discord. It’s an era of very stringent class system rules and, although the couple were fortunate in their attachment to one another, many in their set are confined to making unhappy matches or no match at all. It’s all about appearances and no one is more cognisant of this simple fact than Mr. Darcy’s aunt, Lady Catherine. “You know the character of your aunt well enough to realise that she is neither liberal nor easily moved.” However, one’s reputation is very important in such a class structured society and this is clearly pointed out to Lady Catherine. Appearances may be one thing, but reputation is quite another.

Margaret Sharp has written yet another compelling Jane Austen tale of Austen fans' favorite characters, Mr. Darcy and his family, Elizabeth and hers. An Auspicious Day in Derbyshire leads the reader on a journey of wedding preparations at a time when one’s position in society was all that mattered. Romantic love, such as the unlikely match between the wealthy and once very proud Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet from a lower class family of struggling means, is not something favored in this late eighteenth century world. But, since Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth managed to overcome the obstacles presented by societal expectations, they continued to promote their beliefs amongst their friends and family. For Austen fans, especially fans of Pride and Prejudice, this is an enjoyable read.