How many times have you wished for a way to turn back time and fix a mistake or take back something you shouldn't have said...?

Elizabeth helps save the life of an apothecary and Darcy at another time and place does as well. Their reward? A little vial of formula that miraculously turns back time for an hour.

While ODC get do-overs and through trial and error pave a way to their HEA, Wickham gets his hands on the last vial and there is no way that ends well.

There are many ways this could potentially get complicated- keeping track of all the take backs. Especially when several of the characters take back the same hour a number of times. However, the author lays everything out very clearly and in detail.

It is an interesting concept and one I am sure our beloved Darcy would have wished for following the original Hunsford crash and burn!

Trigger warning: at 2 points our main males characters think of the nefarious way this potion can be misused. One decides he will never, but the other (guess who) has no problem contemplating all the ways it can be used to exploit others, specifically women.

I received an advance copy from the author for my honest review.2024 arc jaff-202416 s Melanie90 8

Fate brings Darcy and Elizabeth both in possession of a potion. Unbeknownst to the other both are able to go back an hour in time to change the past by going through the situation anew and change their actions. After their first encounter at the Meryton Assembly both use it, changing Darcy's insult and Elizabeth's reception of it into a more promising beginning of their relationship. They encounter each other often, giving them the chance to know and understand each other better and, thanks to the potion, change some events that further their misunderstandings and dis in the original story. Will Darcy and Elizabeth, with the help of the potion, be able to change their fate in a way that leads them together and to mutual happiness? Or will they nevertheless continue to misunderstand each other?

The story of the author Jeff Bigler is an enjoyable read and very well written.

I really the thought that Elizabeth and Darcy, with the help of a potion, are able to go back in time and change their fate for the better. I that their fate is now not defined by their impulsive behaviour/their lack of action but that they are able to think over it and act in a rational way and behave better. This leads to a better understanding between them and thus they are able to comprehend the other better and explain why they had done/said things the way they have done/said it. With this their encounters are more agreeable and they reach an understanding earlier. And with the help of the potion they are also able to prevent some dreadful events (as for that you definitely need to read for yourself).

The book is in some parts also rather witty. I Mr Bennet's comments and Elizabeth's encounter with Lady Catherine led me to laugh out loud several times, even when the end of the first encounter was quite unexpected.

If you a story where Darcy and Elizabeth are, with the help of a potion, able to correct their statements and behaviour and with this have a better understanding of each other, you should definitely read this book.

I highly recommend it.

I received a free copy of the book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.301-400-p altered-meeting arc ...more5 s Susannah Lawford5

What a fabulous new variation. Rewinding time poses the question "What would you change if you could go back one hour?" As a result we get to see some of Pride and Prejudices most frustrating moments revisited.

If you had an extra hour would you use it for good or evil? This sweet and clean novel gives us both sides of the coin. Obviously our favourite couple both use their hours for positive outcomes - faults of understanding are dealt with and Lizzy and Darcy get to see each other with clear minds.

But there is also someone using their hours for more nefarious purposes. Will they receive their comeuppance? Time will, actually, tell!

Lizzy and Mr Darcy each, independently, find themselves the owner of a vial of Mr Connors Time potion. A sip can allow the imbiber to travel backwards 1 hour. Imagine Mr Darcy being able to undo the terrible proposal at Hunsford. Imagine Lizzy being able to speak her mind to Mr Collins or Lady Catherine!

How very different the journey to the altar could be!

And I also very much appreciated that the author addressed the possible moral pitfalls of using the time potion following a kiss before marriage.

At first I worried I would feel a little Bill Murray in Groundhog Day and feel bored of repetition but every time I cringed inwardly at the original Austen events I was excited to travel back with ODC to see a different outcome.

There is a thrilling climax to this novel featuring the potential Lydia/Wickham elopement that had me on the edge of my seat.

I found myself satisfied with all outcomes except for one - I would have d to have seen Caroline receive her set down following her behaviour.

A five star read!This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.Show full review4 s1 comment Elizabeth447 11

Groundhog Hour. An apothecary separately gives both Darcy and Elizabeth a potion, in gratitude for their help in unrelated situations. This allows them to go back in time for only an hour, for a second chance at handling a situation that could have gone better. Elizabeth is a very prickly character in this variation, at least in the beginning. Her use of the potion sometimes proves to be unhelpful.

The book itself is written in the style of a children's fairy tale, in very simplistic language (except for the Austen quotes). My main issue with this variation is the fact that the author uses many long passages lifted verbatim from Pride & Prejudice, even repeating entire passages on following pages. Many times, there is only a sentence or two of the author's own words, in between quotes.

There's a shocking scene where Bingley breaks Darcy's jaw. That's so far out of character for Bingley that I almost gave up on the book. In another scene, a father promises a lashing to his young son who almost drowned. As if the terror of a near drowning weren't enough to teach him a lesson. This was casually presented as if beating the child were a natural consequence of an accident. I fully expected Darcy to react, but he said nothing.

Groundhog hour is a fun plot idea. The potion is even used as a way of dealing with Wickham. I enjoyed parts of it. 2024 fantasy jaff2 s Liz H286 3

I loved this book. The premise is different than the 'Groundhog Day' scenario seen in most time shift books. The time shifts here are only one hour. Rather than occurring due to an unknown force, each time shift is triggered by an individual, who alone retains the memory from the original hour. In this background, we read much of the story of Pride and Prejudice, with some changes to canon. A great book. I look forward to reading more by this author.2024 2024-jaff-challenge a-ku ...more2 s Tara10 1 follower

A Delightful Swim

I greatly enjoyed this book and look forward to more from this author. I think it contains some of the best marital advice, as well, which I plan to use whenever possible. I’ll leave that advice to be discovered by the reader.1 lori huff993 22

Good fun

A lighthearted and imaginative tale in which Darcy and Elizabeth each, but separately, meet an elderly apothecary, Mr Connors, who has created a tonic that sends you back in time one hour. Because each of them has saved his life in some way, Mr Connors gifts them each with a bottle of the tonic. The usual P&P story ensues with the insult at the Meryton assembly, and so on. However, whenever awkward situations arise for one or both of them, they use the tonic in order to have a "do-over." Although ODC have no idea that the other also has the tonic, it helps smooth the way somewhat to a less acrimonious relationship.

The story is written in a somewhat tongue-in-cheek tone, and you must, of course, suspend belief in order to accept the notion of the tonic. Take this for what it is, and go with the flow, and it's amusing and original. The romance is lovely and less contentious. I deducted a star, and almost deducted two, because about one quarter of the book is taken verbatim from the original P&P. I love JAFF variations, and expect some usage of Jane Austen's wording or prose. However, when reading a new and original work, I much prefer the author create his own story. Using Austen's own words to this extent is, I believe, laziness. I started skimming in places where I already knew what was coming, and that's not a good thing.

The book is well written and well edited. I recommend it for a light and interesting variation with just enough drama to make it engaging.1 comment Alex Maria1 review2

I d this book very much!
I start by saying the blurb was among the most creative I have ever seen in JAFF universe. Being able to return in time?! Wooow! Who would not want that?!
The potion proved incredibly useful to our dear heroes (to Mr. Darcy for his unforgettable mistake at the Meryton Assembly especially :))).). But it also proved to be really dangerous if it gets in evil hands...
Mr. Darcy's and Elizabeth's journey to happiness was pretty long and with some obstacles, but in the end I got the HEA i was looking forward to!
First thing d very much about this book is that it included a little bit of magic. I love P&P Variations with little supernatural!!
Second thing I loved is the epilogue! A great book with a wonderfully written and well thought epilogue is something you just cannot unlove! It practically is the cherry on top of the entire work, the entire effort put to write the book.
Even though the main fact is that Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth can go back in time, the story does not repeat itself in a way that makes you get bored or annoyed. I'd say this is one of the greatest achievements of the writer.
I highly recommend this book for its pretty original blurb, for the well way it was written and for the beautifully built relationship between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy.
I received a copy fron the author and am willing wirting this review! Karin Howe1 review2

In this JAFF, a potion that allows both Elizabeth and Darcy (unbeknownst to each other) to travel back one hour in time allows them to do just that -- "do-over" social interactions that didn't go so well, and also, sometimes to allow them to speak their own minds in ways that they might not otherwise have done (knowing that they can just "re-do" that hour), sometimes with better-than-expected results. We can see them growing as individuals, and also as a couple. They have to wrestle with some interesting moral questions about the use of this potion, but ultimately they use it much more for good than for ill, un another character who also gets their hands on a bottle of this time-travelling potion...ebooks-i-own fiction April Mills33

DNF. I stopped at 39%. The premise was interesting, but the story dragged. The MC also had really long inner monologues, sometimes by themselves, sometimes in the midst of a conversation. They constantly thought through the whole going back in time seeming to say exactly what they would change. Then the next chapter happened how they thought. Because they repeated events, there was a lot of repetition of dialogue. It was tedious and monotonous, and just so dang slow. Elizabeth and Darcy were bland characters. Anne775 8

I had so many problems with this book.

First there were formatting issues causing words to split in odd ways.

Then an angry Elizabeth confronts Darcy loudly at the assembly. I don’t think public arguments are good in any time period.

The coinkidink (trademark Rocky and Bullwinkle) of Elizabeth and Darcy helping the same apothecary on separate days made me roll my eyes.

The author said he was open to all good or bad. We shall see. did-not-finish dnf irritating-elizabeth ...more2 s2 comments Mariska456 1 follower

100% Delightful!

I am absolutely in love with this book! The concept is truly brilliant, and it's execution is flawless. I especially love that instead of anyone reliving an entire day, only a single hour is granted with each use. The lessons learned, and various things done with every use of the potion are each unique and edifying to us readers. This is an easy 5 stars. Jean Clements42 1 follower

Rewind

I've decided on 4 stars for this book as the idea is an intriguing one. After a while though i was tired of reading the thoughts of Darcy and Lizzy which tends to render the story more simplistic. I really enjoyed Caroline B's comeuppance and Wickham's result. However 4 stars is also to encourage Mr Bigler to continue writing and treating us to more original ideas. Tori124 2

This is one of the best Pride and Prejudice variations I have read. All of the characters act much as they do in the original, with the good and bad aspects of some characters slightly exaggerated but not by much.

There were a few points towards the end that seemed illogical-mostly, the absence of servants to aid Lizzy in a situation with one of her sisters. Tiffany22 3

Time Changes

I enjoyed the time traveling Darcy and Elizabeth's story. I am glad that they ended up together in the end and that the time travel was enjoyable. Great story. I enjoyed it. tracy witz67 1 follower

Cute and funny, with a lot of heart! This is a sweet book that imagines what could happen if Darcy and Elizabeth had a magic potion that would let them go back in time one hour. Perfect for Groundhog Day, or any time you just need a fell-good boost! Heather Green3 Read

Interesting premise

This was an enjoyable read. There are a few awkward passages in the book that prevent a 5 star. Overall i enjoyed the premise and the actions by ODC though and would recommend this as a worthy read. Neville4 1 follower

A fun read, with a bit of magic and some humor as ODC turn back time to correct errors made and fix things such as disparaging comments at the Assembly. I won't add spoilers. Read tlrhis book. It will make you smile, and even chuckle Monica20

Very enjoyable!

I thoroughly enjoyed this take on the story, and the idea was beautifully developed, in my opinion. I would recommend it to anybody who enjoys magical takes of Miss Austen stories. loriinor236 4

Great story from a new author!

I got a kick out of Darcy and Elizabeth’s ability to correct their errors, but there were many more surprises along the way — especially at the end! Whew!

I’m looking forward to seeing more JAFF works from Mr. Bigler! Dawn Timan114 2

unique premise

This story has a unique premise which allows Darcy and Elizabeth to go back in time to re-do certain scenes from the original, to correct some of the misunderstandings. The story was well written and I enjoyed reading it. Debra McMaster119 3

A fun read

A fun read abounding with second and even third chances. Things get a bit wild when three people attempt to alter the same incident in time. Mr. Bigler, you should market that potion! Sheila Majczan2,470 172

The author sets us up as to what the main premise will be. Both Darcy and Elizabeth (and Wickham) obtain a vial of potion allowing them to turn back time. Only they know what has happened in that missing hour.

This story follows canon closely with the incidents of time reversal being the main differences. The author does use MANY of Jane Austen's own words.

As a big fan of Outlander and its time traveling premise it was interesting to read how each thought through what would happen if they went back in time. One such event even saved a life while another saved Lydia from disgrace.

There is a short epilogue with some wise words.10 s Carolina108 5

Cute concept Wendy Wasiunec136 1 follower

Great story

An enjoyable read. Very creative! A fantasy we all wish for. Something, I would most define read again.
Thank you Mr. Bigler, for your imagination. T1,082 Read

DNF. Too repetitive, often copying directly from canon and describing the same scenes and conversations multiple times. Also the loop changes very little, which feels a bit pointless. Linda K Goodwin328 3

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