 Author: Joanne Bischof DeWitt Genre: Historical Romance Pages: 368 Release Date: October 7, 2025 Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers The Heart of Bennet Hollow is a retelling of Pride and Prejudice in time for Jane Austen’s 250th birthday. In this Southern historical romance, Lizbeth Bennet has always dreamed of preserving her family’s farm, but in 1904 Appalachia, holding onto land is no small feat—especially when coal barons arrive with deep pockets and plans for the town’s mine. Among them is William Drake, an ambitious young investor with little interest in the struggles of local families like the Bennets. 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.
 Reviewer: Carolyn Bryant This compelling story is a perfect blend of Appalachian flavor and Pride and Prejudice vibes, making it an engaging, heartwarming read. Set in Virginia in the early 1900s, it offers a vivid snapshot of life in Appalachian coal country. The smoothly flowing, though slow-paced, plot kept me engaged from beginning to end. Outstanding, unforgettable characters touched my heart. I could feel their physical and emotional struggles. I enjoyed the way Lizabeth and William’s romantic relationship bloomed against seemingly impossible social and economic odds and despite their preconceived notions about each other. I appreciate the gentle faith thread nicely woven throughout the story, offering hope amidst the uncertainty. This book is sure to delight Inspirational Historical Romance fans. I highly recommend it. I read an advanced copy of this book from Tyndale House Publishers through Interviews & Reviews via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.  Reviewer: Mindy Houng “I suppose this life is less about being right in my own eyes and more about being gracious to see that others have perspectives that matter.” In this Pride and Prejudice retelling, Lizbeth and William navigate the fascinating culture of a small Virginia coal-mining town in 1904. Lizbeth, one of four daughters of a geologist employed by the coal mine, is frugal, practical, loyal, and hard-working. Her sensible ways keep her grounded, and the way she always thinks about her family first is endearing. William is socially awkward but brilliant at business, stoic but compassionate and loyal, faith-filled, just and fair. Coal dust meets a lavishly appointed Pullman car when Lizbeth and William’s worlds collide. Their relationship remains true to the original book’s. Older sister Jayne and William’s friend Callum have a sweet relationship. The book highlighted the disparity between the poor coal miners and the extremely wealthy coal barons at the turn of the century. I learned quite a bit about coal mining and the coal mining towns that popped up around the mines. The romance was lovely, and the writing easy to read. The plot slowed down at different points and felt a bit too slow at times. I really liked both of the main characters; however, Lizbeth’s constant worry of their finances and distaste for William chafed after a while and William’s obsession over bringing electricity to the mines and fulfilling his duty to the people was a bit over the top. But the generous and compassionate hearts underneath these thoughts and actions shined through to make them truly likable. I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Tyndale Publishers via Interviews & Reviews and NetGalley. I was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own. Reviewer: Laura J. Davis The Heart of Bennet Hollow by Joanne Bischof DeWitt has taken a timeless classic and tweaked it into a book you will not be able to put down. Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice is one of my favourite books, and so I was very excited to read this new take on it. I was not disappointed. The character of William Drake was the perfect Darcy. I enjoyed reading his thoughts as his attitude changed toward Elizabeth Bennet. Lizzy, for her part, and Jayne as well, were so close in personality and demeanour to the original characters that it was hard to separate them from Austen’s novel. They were just plucked down in a different country, era, and circumstances. If you are an Austen fan, you will enjoy this book immensely. I highly recommend it! I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Tyndale House Publishers via NetGalley for my honest review. Reviewer: Ewurabena Wilson Joanne Bischof DeWitt takes a timeless classic and spins it into a lovely novel! The retelling of a timeless masterpiece is no small task. Joanne Bischoff Dewitt’s retelling of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice is a well-executed task that creates nostalgia of the original masterpiece, and a taste of something new. I do not know if I am the only reader who desired for the writer to stick to the original plot of the original masterpiece. As I read this novel, I kept anticipating the famous scenes in Pride and Prejudice. In the end, I had to accept that this novel’s plot was slightly different from Pride and Prejudice. The acceptance of this made reading this novel much fun than comparing it to the plot of Pride and Prejudice. Joanne Bischoff DeWitt’s The Heart of Bennet Hollow is set in a coal mining town of New River between 1904 to 1905. The protagonist is Lizbeth Bennet, who resides in this town with her geologist father, mother and four sisters. The imminent sale of the town’s coal mine brings prospective buyers, including the wealthy Mr. William Drake and his lawyer friend Callum Brydolf, to this town. Through awkward meetings, tea at the luxurious Pemberley train, and fighting for the well-being of mules, a beautiful romance develops between the socially awkward William and the kind Lizbeth. This budding romance is threatened by possible changes to New River, pride and then prejudice. I enjoyed this novel, especially the message of prejudice and the care for animals. This book is recommended for fans of Joanne Bischof DeWitt and Jane Austen. I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Tyndale Fiction through NetGalley and Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion. Reviewer: Diana Lea
Joanne Bischof DeWitt’s The Heart of Bennet Hollow is a super charming retelling of Pride and Prejudice, set in the Appalachian coal country of New River, Virginia. The mining town feels so real—coal dust in the air, busy company stores, and cozy family get-togethers pull you right into the story. Lizbeth lives a simple life with her geologist dad, lively mom, and four fun sisters, each with their own big personality. She is tough and fiercely independent. Early on, her pride and worries make her quick to judge William Drake. I loved watching her soften, taking the humble path to give him another chance. Her hard work to save her family’s farm, even when it involves personal sacrifice, makes her so easy to root for. William Drake, a quiet coal baron, wants to grow his business but also do right by New River. He’s comfortable in fancy circles but feels out of place in the small town. In the city he was sure of himself. Here,in remote coal country, he is in a constant state of unsureness. His inheritance could be at risk if he were to pursue a relationship with Lizbeth. But oh, how refreshing this young woman is! Still, he is deeply thoughtful and protective—noticing little ways to make Lizbeth’s life easier and more secure. Their shared love for books and horses helps to form a romance that feels real. If you’re into Pride and Prejudice, you’ll love the familiar themes of class struggles, quick judgments, and growing as a person—all set in this rural coal town. The great storytelling pulls you into the characters’ hearts and the Appalachian hills. Days after finishing, I kept smiling at the bravery William and Lizbeth both showed to move their relationship forward. This warm, heartfelt book is a must for fans of historical fiction, Southern tales, or classic retellings, even if you’re new to Austen. I totally recommend The Heart of Bennet Hollow for its real characters, vivid setting, and sweet romance. I received a complementary copy of this book from Tyndale Publishers via NetGalley and Interviews and Reviews for my honest review. Leave a Reply. |
Categories
All
Archives
November 2025
|
RSS Feed
9/30/2025
0 Comments