Cousins, One and All: A Jane Austen Fan Fiction Fantasy Romance Novella by Ronnda Eileen Henry and Aleksandra Layland moves the infamous Pride and Prejudice story on with the lives of five cousins descended from the original characters of Jane Austen’s memorable saga. Here the cousins, Cat, Lottie, Wilma, Lucas and Ben, meet up in the Lakes for a holiday together. Immediately, the reader is teased by secret love aspirations and the interactions of the cousins, but the story then takes a sudden and surprising twist when Ben and Lottie find themselves in a world they do not understand and one in which they do not belong. Misunderstandings and confusion abound, with little touches of romance that keep the reader’s attention.

Ronnda Eileen Henry and Aleksandra Layland have created the perfect voice for this fan fiction fantasy novella, so much so that the reader can imagine Jane Austen herself penning the pages. The tone and timbre and dialogue development all fit perfectly, as do the characters. The pace is smooth and flowing, if somewhat slow, and then suddenly the reader is taken by surprise when Ben and Lottie enter another world. Does the combination of fantasy and fan fiction work? Sort of. It is unexpected and throws the story a little off kilter, but it’s different. The way the characters have been created and developed is very clever and works very well. Whether the story line works is dependent on the reader. Those who are avid readers of Jane Austen may find it a little hard to accept, but that aside, the writing is perfect and if anything the novella could have been longer and thus more in depth, which is really a credit to the writers.

With a title such as Cousins, One and All: A Jane Austen Fan Fiction Fantasy Romance Novella, even a literary heathen who has never read Pride & Prejudice should know what they’re in for. But Cousins, One and All by Ronnda Eileen Henry and Aleksandra Layland still has a few surprises up its sleeve. Based on the premise that the children of the characters from Pride & Prejudice have remained close and are now in their early twenties and taking a holiday together, Cousins, One and All blends light (if not predictable) Regency romance with a unique fantasy / time travel twist. When two of their party head into the Lake Trails for a simple day’s hike, they experience a fantastic journey not likely to be believed. Whisked into two disparate lands, the cousins experience things that will forever change their lives.

This is a short novella and easily read in a single sitting. The characters’ personalities are very quickly established and remain consistent throughout the tale. The romance was simple and sweet, and felt authentic for the era of the story. Where the novella left me wanting was the experience certain characters have when they leave their own time and place and travel to “other” realms. I really feel like the story could’ve been expanded slightly here while still retaining its novella status. Likewise, the resolution when characters return to their families and friends felt short, if not slightly rushed. Regardless, Cousins, One and All is an enjoyable, well written read and I will be searching out other works by Ronnda Eileen Henry and Aleksandra Layland.