A tender Appalachian retelling of Pride and Prejudice that captures the quiet beauty of love, home, and second chances.
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Title: The Heart of Bennet Hollow
Author: Joanne Bischof DeWitt
Series: N/A
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: 5 out of 5 ⭐
Disclaimer
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I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
My Thoughts:
I’ve always loved Pride and Prejudice retellings because they tend to be deeply thoughtful explorations of the heart—and this one did not disappoint.
Set in an Appalachian coal-mining town, The Heart of Bennet Hollow reimagines Lizbeth Bennet as a hardworking, spirited young woman. She tends to her family’s home, gathers coal from the mine’s edge when times are tough, and carries the same independent, free-natured charm that every Pride and Prejudice fan recognizes and adores.
But the town is changing. The mine owner plans to retire and sell, and rumors swirl about land rights—whether the families truly own the ground beneath their feet or if they’ll be forced to leave the only home they’ve ever known.
Enter William Drake, a potential buyer whose quiet warmth and good intentions make him both an outsider and a savior. His heart longs to help preserve Bennet Hollow, but his reserved nature leaves Lizbeth questioning his feelings. Their growing affection unfolds slowly and tenderly across the pages—through shy exchanges, earnest missteps, and endearing moments of awkward honesty. Lizbeth’s confidence often flusters William, creating sweetly humorous scenes that make their relationship feel real and heartfelt.
This story is one to savor—the kind you curl up with as the leaves turn and the air grows crisp. It’s cozy, emotional, and beautifully written, brimming with autumnal warmth and the promise of home. Joanna Bischof DeWitt has crafted a modern Appalachian classic that fans of gentle, faith-filled romance will treasure.
Publisher’s 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.
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Final Thoughts:
If you love heartfelt historical romances that linger like the scent of woodsmoke and the rustle of autumn leaves, The Heart of Bennet Hollow is the perfect companion. Joanna Bischof DeWitt brings timeless characters and small-town charm together in a story that feels like coming home.
Have you read a Pride and Prejudice retelling you loved?
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