Greeley’s debut novel is available on Amazon in paperback, hardcover, Kindle, and audiobook formats, as well as at your local library through the Libby App. The audiobook is smoothly narrated by Susie Riddell, who maintains a consistent lyrical tone throughout, effectively matching the author’s writing style.

To avoid spinsterhood, twenty-seven-year-old Charlotte Lucas puts herself in the path of Mr. William Collins after being rejected by her dear friend Lizzie Bennet. Hurt by his pride and vulnerable to flattery, she can easily secure her future without the dependence on the goodwill of her family. Three years later, as his wife and the mother of baby Louisa, Charlotte’s life is one of routine. Her husband, the vicar, parson, and clergyman of Hunsford, lectures her regularly, quoting his patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Lady Catherine, herself, is condescending, saying remarks like: Charlotte was neither too lively nor too handsome, therefore, making an adequate wife for William.

Greeley’s characters are authentic to the period, easily immersing readers and listeners in Austen’s world of Pride and Prejudice, as Charlotte often reminds herself that she has chosen the life that seems to be suffocating her. Mr. Collins’ every utterance, fervent fawn over his patroness, his lectures are true to form. Lady Catherine’s rigidness, overbearingness, and her calculated acts of generosity are well executed and genuine. The tenants we meet through Charlotte’s dutiful visits with the parsonage are endearing. Mrs. Fitzgibbon is a natural grandma and a lovely woman who takes great pride in the little she has, yet is happy to share it with her visitors. Old Mr. Travis kind and prideful of his son Robby, of the gardens he tended all his life lights up when he sees baby Louisa, Mr. Robby Travis courteous, with a sense of humor and with whom Charlotte can have easy conversations, and so attentive and delicate with young Miss Collins, and Martha who takes care of Louisa with delight, and young Henry Peters who tends the fields and accept a gift with pride and care. They all drip with genuine authenticity and Austenticity.

The direction of Greeley’s story might disappoint readers or listeners when she opens up Charlotte’s eyes and heart to a new possibility, and yet keeps her trapped in a loveless marriage with only a promise to herself that it will be better for her daughter. Yes, women of that time were likely faced with these earnings and had to consider the question of security versus love when the idea of marriage arose. Still, from Greeley’s point of view, it boils down to this: you’d better marry for love, or resolve yourself to live with your choice in quiet acceptance and find joy in other things. Like what your children. Friends. Sounds hollow and cold.

Pride and Prejudice fans, Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, along with a few others, make cameo appearances, which the author kept true to Austen’s standard. Making this a recommended read for all of Austen fans, it’s quick, easy, and entertaining, meriting 3 stars.