Dreaming of Mr. Darcy (Austen Addicts #2)

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Dreaming of Mr. Darcy (Austen Addicts #2)

3.05 of 5 stars 3.05 · rating details · 1,066 ratings · 242 reviews

Fledgling illustrator and Darcy fanatic Kay Ashton settles in the seaside town of Lyme to finish her book, The Illustrated Darcy, when a film company arrives to make a new adaptation of Jane Austen's Persuasion. Kay is soon falling for the handsome bad boy actor playing Captain Wentworth, but it's the quiet screenwriter Adam Craig who has more in common with her beloved Mr...more

Paperback, 360 pages

Published January 1st 2012 by Sourcebooks Landmark (first published April 28th 2011)

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Feb 26, 2012 Shannon rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

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Jan 12, 2012 Blodeuedd Finland rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: jane-austen-variation

This was a bit different from my usual JA stuff, but it still deals with the love of Austen. Kay, our heroine, truly loves Jane Austen. Truly loves is the word. But then our hero loves JA too, talk about a match made in heaven...or not.

This was a bit of an Emma novel. Kay is clueless (but in a good way) that Adam likes her. Because she is oogling hottie actor Oli who is playing Captain Wentworth. And this is where the Emma story comes in. She is smitten by someone who is just playing with her. A...more

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Jan 10, 2013 Misty Baker rated it 1 of 5 stars

As with most Austin-ites I have an almost morbid fascination with Mr. Darcy. I remember my introduction to him clearly. I was sitting in my High-school library (probably pouting about something ridiculous like global warming) when the Librarian Mrs. Ashmore dropped a book on the floor in front of me. Ignoring my well practice stare-down to her rude interruption she began to preach.

“Misty, I have known you since you were 8.” I continue to glare. “And now that you are 15 and in my capable hands I...more

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Dec 06, 2012 Melanie rated it 1 of 5 stars

I am a die-hard romantic. I am a die-hard Austen fan. I love light, fluffy books. I also love deep, thoughtful books. So, had this drivel fallen anywhere within my fairly large spectrum of "likes", all would have been well. However, I cannot abide poor characterization, stupid characters who do stupid things, plot lines that demand constant suspension of disbelief, and poor editing (seriously - some of the words used don't even exist!).

Kay starts out as a promising character. Then we get to the...more I am a die-hard romantic. I am a die-hard Austen fan. I love light, fluffy books. I also love deep, thoughtful books. So, had this drivel fallen anywhere within my fairly large spectrum of "likes", all would have been well. However, I cannot abide poor characterization, stupid characters who do stupid things, plot lines that demand constant suspension of disbelief, and poor editing (seriously - some of the words used don't even exist!).

Kay starts out as a promising character. Then we get to the 4th or so chapter. From then on, she is nothing but an airheaded, immature, daydreaming, self-absorbed, blind fool. All the while, the male characters can't seem to get enough of her. Everyone is enchanted by her the moment they meet her. Good holy heavens, why? By the latter portion of the book, I was honestly hoping for an ending wherein Kay finally comes to her senses, comes begging to her man, and he promptly tosses her hiney out the door. That is the only fate worthy of a performance such as hers.

And Adam, while a pretty good beta male hero, and one I rooted for most of the book, was also a bit too much...himself. His character is supposed to be shy and frightened of making a fool of himself over love again. Therefore, he proceeds to prostrate himself before this imbecile who ignores his every advance, getting shut down time and again. But still he comes back for more. Because he loves her. Right after he meets her and her "toffee-coloured hair". (Another peeve. Seriously? No other part of this heroine's physical appearance or personality could be a positive attribute? I can't believe how much time we had to spend reading about her hair - how she washed it, brushed it, how it flew in the breeze. Gack!) I'm sorry, but a man this unable to assert himself could never be a movie producer.

Gemma is a nice enough character, but again, the author insists on each character so completely committing to his or her persona, that she comes off as quite one-dimensional. She's shy. She's a doormat. Yet - again - a wonderful man has been hovering around in her background, ready to take any crumb she drops his way - even after she continues to rebuff him.

Oli is a lovely little man-whore. 'Nuff said. Wish we hadn't had to hear about him through the whole book. However, his was the best "resolution" of the book - even if I saw it coming from miles away.

Nana Craig was fun. The most well-rounded, realistic character of them all, and a refreshing change in this book.

Additionally, every character in the book fell in "love" instantaneously. This might have been acceptable in a YA novel, but seriously. Everyone here is an adult. Lust happens as an adult, and is acknowledged as such. Attraction, interest, fascination - yes. But for everyone to be in love with one another when they know nothing of the other as an actual person is terribly juvenile.

I was completely surprised to learn this was not the author's first work. She's published? Multiple times? Good heavens. It felt very sohpomoric and self-edited to me. Why did I finish? Apart from hoping for a deserving ending? Honestly, I just couldn't believe it could be this bad.

I hate to write a bad review. Truly, honestly I do. But I felt I had to balance the glowing reviews with something a little more realistic, on the off chance I can save someone from losing several hours of their life to this book like I did. (less)

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Oct 20, 2012 Paula Phillips rated it 4 of 5 stars

Life is at a standstill for fledging artist and Jane Austen Addict Kay Ashton. Her mother passed away and now recently , a women she befriended in the resthome Peggy as also gone. Imagine Kay's surprise when she discovers that Peggy had no ties and wasn't a cat person and has left her estate to Kay. Now Kay , has no reason to waste about living an unhappy life. So without further adieu, Kay picks up everything and heads to the seaside coast of Lume Regis. For Jane Austen addicts, Lyme Regis was...more

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Oct 03, 2012 Megan Readinginthesunshine rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Kay Ashton uses her inheritance to set up and open a B&B in the sunny seaside town of Lyme Regis. Romantic Kay is then amazed when the cast and crew of a new production of Persuasion descend on her little business, and even more dumbstruck when she sees heart-throb Oli Wade Owen. What follows next is a fun story full of match-making, laughs and romance.

I must say I really enjoyed the story, it was a fun, light-hearted read that is perfect for a holiday or a beach read. The story is very easy...more

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Sep 27, 2012 slsmitty25 rated it 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book! Once I started reading I couldn't stop. Kay seems like a well known friend that I had to find out what was going to happen to her. Left alone and unsettled but independently wealthy with the recent deaths of her mother and a close elderly friend Kay decides to make a change from her current life by quitting her job, moving and buying a B&B. Kay is an avid Jane Austen fan and is thrilled when a filming crew arrives and her nearly renovated B&B demanding they be...more

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May 20, 2012 Stephany rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, romance

I had high hopes for this book but was ultimately disappointed. The main character, Kay Ashton, is a Jane Austen fanatic who is given a huge inheritance that she spends on a fledgling bed-and-breakfast fixer-upper. Before she's ready to open for business, the cast for the movie edition of Austen's novel, Persuasion, needs rooms immediately and Kay has no other choice but the open her doors for them.

Kay is a character I never took a liking to, not even at the end. She was annoying and flighty an...more

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Mar 16, 2012 Maureen rated it 5 of 5 stars

This was a charming book! I am a HUGE Jane Austen fan, so I appreciated all the references to all things Austen, but you don't have to be a Jane Austen fan to enjy this book. Miss Connely has written a witty, romantic, funny book filled with lively characters who will keep readers interested fromm the start, Kay, the main character is a dreamer who had lost her mother and a dear friend and feels all alone in the world. She is stuck in a dead end job, but dreams of illustrating Jane Austen's work...more

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Mar 05, 2012 Beck rated it 2 of 5 stars

Although there were likeable elements, I found myself utterly repulsed by the characters' overuse of "love" to describe feelings for people they'd just met and barely knew. It was as if these folks were Austen characters rather than multidimensional 21st century characters. This may be deliberate, of course, but it repulsed me nonetheless.

Kay's flash daydreams were cute at the start except that, again, although she told herself not to get carried away, she still did seem more to plan on the stu...more

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Feb 23, 2012 Lori rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: chick-lit, jane-austen-austen-inspired, romance

This is author Victoria Connelly's second entry in her "Austen Addicts" series (to read my review of her first, A Weekend With Mr. Darcy, please go here) and I was utterly delighted with this effort.

From the first page, Ms. Connelly draws the reader in with the comparisons to Jane Austen's Persuasion, most notably the stunning location of Lyme Regis. I wouldn't be honest if I didn't say that I was secretly envious of Kay, stepping into the role of bed and breakfast owner. Wouldn't it be fabulou...more This is author Victoria Connelly's second entry in her "Austen Addicts" series (to read my review of her first, A Weekend With Mr. Darcy, please go here) and I was utterly delighted with this effort.

From the first page, Ms. Connelly draws the reader in with the comparisons to Jane Austen's Persuasion, most notably the stunning location of Lyme Regis. I wouldn't be honest if I didn't say that I was secretly envious of Kay, stepping into the role of bed and breakfast owner. Wouldn't it be fabulous to run a cozy little bed and breakfast in the charming village of Lyme?

Kay was a marvelous heroine for this book, the right balance of sweet and spicy, sensitive and headstrong. Certainly she did a few things that made me say "oh no!" out loud but they were frustratingly realistic and not actions that were merely to move the plot forward.

Ms. Connelly treats the reader with a smorgasboard of savory characters, from the sexy leading man portraying Captain Wentworth in the production of Persuasion being filmed in the village to the diva-like supporting actress, to the quiet and introverted leading lady and the humble writer, Adam. We know from the get go that Adam is the "Mr. Darcy" in Kay's world but her journey to discover that is a fun and exciting one. In that regard, Dreaming of Mr. Darcy has shades of Emma, where the heroine has her dream man right in front of her but doesn't see it immediately. In fact, despite the "Mr. Darcy" in the title, there is little other commonality with Pride and Prejudice.

My favorite character, however, is the seaside town of Lyme Regis. The writing provides gorgeous mental pictures of Jane Austen's beloved village, from the largest to the smallest detail. Ms. Connelly writes of the town with such love and care that I dare any reader to walk away from Dreaming of Mr. Darcy without a serious yearn to jump on the next flight across the pond.

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Feb 21, 2012 Gayle Surrette rated it 3 of 5 stars

Kay Ashton's mother was a patient at The Pines, which is where Kay became friends with Peggy Sullivan. When Kay's mother died, she continued to visit with Peggy and read to her from Jane Austen's works. Peggy had lost her sight and she enjoyed having Kay visit and share some of her favorite books. Somehow the age difference between them didn’t make any difference to their wide ranging discussions and shared interests. When Peggy died, she left Kay her entire estate with the hope that Kay would d...more Kay Ashton's mother was a patient at The Pines, which is where Kay became friends with Peggy Sullivan. When Kay's mother died, she continued to visit with Peggy and read to her from Jane Austen's works. Peggy had lost her sight and she enjoyed having Kay visit and share some of her favorite books. Somehow the age difference between them didn’t make any difference to their wide ranging discussions and shared interests. When Peggy died, she left Kay her entire estate with the hope that Kay would do something amazing.

Reading Persuasion had always made Kay wish that she could live by the sea. With the money Peggy left her, Kay decided to move to Lyme Regis and try to put her art degree to use by putting together her drawings for publication. For years she'd been working on illustrating the works of Jane Austen but had never sent her work out or tried to be published.

Visiting Lyme Regis to see what cottages were available, Kay found nothing she liked in her price range until she happened to see the ad for Wentworth House. It was large enough to be a Bed and Breakfast and thus, even though expensive, would allow Kay to make a living within sight of the Cobb and the sea.

Kay hadn't even opened her B&B when a burst pipe in a local hotel led to a search for lodging for the director and four of the principle actors of Persuasion. Yes. Kay's favorite book was being filmed in Lyme Regis. This was indeed a dream come true.

Once all the people are in place, Dreaming of Mr. Darcy is a delightful romantic comedy. Kay, an only child from a broken home, has always lived more in her fantasies than in reality. She can take the wink and smile of a handsome actor and in her mind be picking out their china pattern, children's names, and where they'll spend their next several vacations. She doesn't stop with planning her life around the deeper meanings of kind gestures but tries to match others into happy couples with no actual information on how those people feel about each other — much as Emma Woodhouse tries to match Miss Smith with the vicar -- and with about as much luck.

Kay's flights of fancy are embarrassing as the reader can't do anything about the train wreck she's about to make of her life. We can only hope that things work out for the best. After all, Austen managed to pull her main characters together for a wedding at the end and a hopefully happy-ever-after.

This is not about Mr. Darcy or Pride and Prejudice. Dreaming Mr. Darcy is closer to Persuasion since it takes place in Lyme Regis and a movie of the book is the catalyst for much of the action. The story, at heart, is all about second chances and missed opportunities.

While Kay is the main character in the beginning, once the actors appear on the page, the point of view shifts between Kay, Adam Craig (the writer and producer of the film), and Gemma Reilly, who plays Anne in the movie. We don't have just one romance developing we have several and they all come to a head in Lyme.

Dreaming Mr. Darcy is filled with interesting characters, wonderful descriptions of Lyme Regis and the surrounding countryside, and enough miscommunication and misunderstanding to keep any reader turning its pages.(less)

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Feb 12, 2012 Cecilia Robert rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: adult-romance-contemporary, galley

I’ve never read any book from Victoria Connelly, but have to admit I enjoyed reading this one. Kay is an artist and Jane Austen fan, and a dreamer.- dreams of the perfect guy. After the death of a friend and she receives an unexpected inheritance, Kay resigns from her job, packs and moves to Lyme Regis, buys and Bed & Breakfast. She meets Oli Wade Owen who is filming Persuasion, and playing the part of Captain Wentworth. And to her, he is the perfect Captain Wentworth. Although Oli’s behavio...more

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Feb 01, 2012 Laura rated it 3 of 5 stars

Kay Ashton loves everything Jane Austen including the seaside town of Lyme, the setting of Persuasion. So she purchases a bed and breakfast there and sets out to finish her book, The Illustrated Mr. Darcy. Life gets interesting when the cast of a movie adaptation of Persuasion invades her place and Kay falls head over heels for Oli, the famous and handsome actor who plays Captain Wentworth. But she is oblivious to the attentions of Adam Craig, the shy screenwriter and producer of the movie.

This...more

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Jan 19, 2012 Laura de Leon rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: austen-related, fluff, fiction, chick-lit

3.5 stars. This was a cute piece of Jane Austen related fluff.

I went into it looking for nothing more than that, and at first, I thought I wouldn't be disappointed. And perhaps I shouldn't have been disappointed in the last half, either.

Certainly, the Jane Austen references were lots of fun. Since the book revolved around the production of a movie version of Persuasion, those are the ones that I was expecting, but many more elements were borrowed from Emma, which I am immensely more fond of. Th...more 3.5 stars. This was a cute piece of Jane Austen related fluff.

I went into it looking for nothing more than that, and at first, I thought I wouldn't be disappointed. And perhaps I shouldn't have been disappointed in the last half, either.

Certainly, the Jane Austen references were lots of fun. Since the book revolved around the production of a movie version of Persuasion, those are the ones that I was expecting, but many more elements were borrowed from Emma, which I am immensely more fond of. These aspects are responsible for lifting the book from 3 to 3.5 stars, and were enough to leave me happy that I read the book.

I'm satisfied with the plot, which just needed to frame the Jane Austen references and the characters themselves.

My problems with Dreaming of Mr. Darcy are all in the characters, which are really what I read books like this for.

All of the characters were somewhat flatter than I'd like-- not enough to be fatal to the book, but not well rounded enough for me to care what Gemma decides to do about her movie career, or to be surprised by the twist near the end (which I did see coming, there was no other reason for some of the material setting it up to be there).

But really, I just didn't like Kay. Granted, many of her flaws were patterned after Emma, but Emma had a little more texture to her, and just never felt quite so clueless to me.

Kay is star struck, and when she meets the actor playing the object of her dreams, the fantasies fly. That's not a problem, although the direction her fantasies went didn't resonate with me. It's where she goes with them that doesn't work for me. If she'd pursued them with a real sense of laughing at herself while doing so, I could have loved her for it. But as it was (and I don't want to give too much away)she just wasn't my kind of heroine.

Beyond that, I never felt the chemistry between Adam and Kay. I liked him well enough, but just didn't feel what he was feeling for her,in spite of being told it was happening.

I can see this book working much better for someone else, someone that values following your dreams, wherever they take you.
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Jan 16, 2012 SOS Aloha rated it 4 of 5 stars

"Every man is surrounded by a neighborhood of voluntary spies." - Jane Austen

DREAMING OF MR. DARCY will satisfy more than Jane Austen fans. It is a contemporary spin on a classic tale - love might be right in front of you - that Austen herself wrote in EMMA. Anglophiles alike will enjoy DREAMING OF MR DARCY as it plunges into British culture - a B&B in Lyme Regis; a cast of colorful characters who embody what we love about the Brits; and literary references to Austen's PERSUASION.

Connelly h...more

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Jan 11, 2012 Vidya Tiru rated it 4 of 5 stars

First thoughts: ‘Dreaming of Mr.Darcy’ by Victoria Connelly was a cute page turner. I loved it. This book is centered more on ‘Persuasion’ despite the title and has references to ‘Emma’ and of course, ‘Pride and Prejudice’. I had a look into life in dreamy seaside towns which are definitely a wonder as seen through this book.

Review: Events in her life and at work lead Kay Ashton to quit her job and move to Lyme Regis when she comes into some money so she can pursue her passion in peace. Her pass...more First thoughts: ‘Dreaming of Mr.Darcy’ by Victoria Connelly was a cute page turner. I loved it. This book is centered more on ‘Persuasion’ despite the title and has references to ‘Emma’ and of course, ‘Pride and Prejudice’. I had a look into life in dreamy seaside towns which are definitely a wonder as seen through this book.

Review: Events in her life and at work lead Kay Ashton to quit her job and move to Lyme Regis when she comes into some money so she can pursue her passion in peace. Her passion – bringing Jane Austen characters to life on paper with her illustrations – especially dreamy Mr.Darcy. But peace is nowhere to be found - since, no sooner than she settles into the B&B she buys at Lyme, she has the cast of Persuasion in her aptly named B&B, Wentworth House. She falls for the leading man, Oli, playing Captain Wentworth, while Adam Craig, the quiet screen-writer and producer of the movie falls for her.

A comedy of errors is what most of the book is as Kay tries to play an ‘Emma’ to Adam and Gemma (the leading lady of Persuasion who is the most unlikely actress you will see). Twists – the expected, the unknown, and always sweet – keep the reader engrossed in the book until the end.
All the characters in the book are delightful and the author makes sure you do not get lost in any storyline as she weaves stories around the central characters and the others. One of my favorite supporting characters in this book – Nana Craig(see 1 below). Her description of Lyme Regis and surrounding places has now made me add this to my ‘to-visit’ places list. Kay’s habit of day-dreaming herself into the most fantastic scenarios always made me smile(see 2 below).
1.“‘She’s a bit hard of hearing,’ he said, ‘except if you’re gossiping with somebody in the room next door, and then she hears everything.’” (pg 99 of the digital ARC)
2.“She might end up best friends with Gemma Reilly and Sophie Kerr! They’d invite her to red carpet premieres and Kay would get a swishy new haircut and become a media darling. ‘Confidante to the stars,’ they’d call her. ‘Former B and B owner, Kay Ashton, is now a star in her own right, with her bestselling book, The Illustrated Darcy.’” (pg 50 of the digital ARC)
Side note: If someone does come out with an ‘Illustrated Mr.Darcy’ or similar book, I will definitely be getting that book as well!
Rating: A (loved it and will be picking more of Victoria Connelly's books to read)(less)

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Nov 29, 2011 Donna rated it 3 of 5 stars

Dreaming of Mr. Darcy

by Victoria Connelly

Published by Sourcebooks

available January 2012
received from NetGalley for review

Victoria Connelly does it again. Her second novel in the Austenesque trio of books is a winner. The story revolves around an Austen loving illustrator named Kay who opens a bed and breakfast in Lyme Regis. She is literally invaded by a group of actors/actresses and directors filming a version of Persuasion. The book is a roller coaster ride of interactions between the characte...more

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Nov 23, 2011 Stephanie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Dreaming of Mr. Darcy
Victoria Connelly

Original Review: http://fangswandsandfairydust.blogspo...

Take equal parts Joanna Trollope, Anna Maxted, Hester Browne and, Katie Fford. Add a dash of Jane Austen, and a soupcon of the silliness that is The Importance of Being Earnest and you will get the gist of this amusing chick lit bed(room) and breakfast farce with yet another woman, and a man with a Darcy complex.

The one question in this light read is whether looking to Jane Austen's wonderful Regency r...more Dreaming of Mr. Darcy
Victoria Connelly

Original Review: http://fangswandsandfairydust.blogspo...

Take equal parts Joanna Trollope, Anna Maxted, Hester Browne and, Katie Fford. Add a dash of Jane Austen, and a soupcon of the silliness that is The Importance of Being Earnest and you will get the gist of this amusing chick lit bed(room) and breakfast farce with yet another woman, and a man with a Darcy complex.

The one question in this light read is whether looking to Jane Austen's wonderful Regency romance novels is helpful in real world of romantic relationships gives one a "wonderfully warped view of the world," or unrealistic expectations of love and relationships.
Lady Catherine confronts Elizabeth about Darcy...Image via Wikipedia*With so much attention on her novels Austen must be approaching Shakespeare on how many other novels have been based in full or part on hers, or which use her novels as a backdrop for another in the way that Kiss Me Kate uses a production of Taming of The Shrew to basically tell the same story. Dreaming of Mr. Darcy is centered around a film-production about Persuasion, and seems to have elements similar to several Austennovels, but Persuasion and Emma are the most obvious to me. The difference is that the characters seem to know they are putting on the Austen. For example when the young heroine, Kay, tries to set people up she says she is like Miss Woodhouse. It would be hard to say whether the male main characters are most like those in Persuasion or those in Pride and Prejudice.

I didn't feel characters behaved as they would normally have in a story, along the path put forward by the story arc. Nor do they always make sense. At the beginning of the production, shortly after the actors and director move into Kay's new B&B, she says Adam is forever coming around when he has been there twice. Sometimes Kay seems quite flighty but she is not drawn as such. And, no one thinks a kiss a marriage proposal makes, well at least not after Victoria's reign.

Other than that, it is a light and enjoyable read. Perfect for a cool day, a mug of tea or hot cocoa and a cat on your lap.

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Feb 01, 2012 Susan rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary-romance, 2012

I have mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand the heroine buys a bed and breakfast in Lyme Regis which tooted my Anglophile and Janeite horn. How cool would that be?! On the other hand, she has the emotional maturity of a middle schooler which brought a knee-jerking slap her off the side of the head reaction from me. And I can't understand why the title is Dreaming of Mr. Darcy when the book takes place in Lyme Regis and a film crew is working on a Persuasion movie. Shouldn't it hav...more

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Dec 24, 2011 Christina (A Reader of Fictions) rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: netgalley

Kay is a full-blown Austen fanatic. I have it pretty bad myself, thus the reading every spinoff I can get my hands on, but she's worse than me. Thus far, I have managed to avoid owning multiple copies of each of her books just because I love the different covers. Anyway, with this in common, along with a tendency to daydream and romantic expectations set way too high because of our dear Jane, I had every expectation to like Kay. And I did, initially. However, after a pretty short while, she piss...more

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Dec 15, 2011 Staci rated it 3 of 5 stars

Recommended to Staci by: Sourcebooks

Shelves: 2011-reads, austen-variations

First Thoughts after I finished: "That was completely adorable...bring me more!"

I thought this book was just what the doctor ordered. I was completely captivated by Lyme Regis and the idea of walking in the steps of my beloved author, Jane Austen. The idea of owning a B&B on the coast in England sounds like heaven to me so I immediately connected with the main character, Kay. She comes into some inheritance which allows her to realize some of her dreams. She's besotted with Austen's writing...more

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Feb 26, 2012 Megan rated it 2 of 5 stars

I wanted a light read, but this was just painful. The characters were all dumb as bricks, and there was absolutely no mystery about who anyone was going to end up with. I mainly kept reading to see if the random creepy guy inserted for Gemma was going to turn out to be a murderous stalker, as he just sort of starts appearing in every scene she's in and saying the perfect right thing. But no, just another perfect guy, just with even less character development and even lazier writing than all the...more

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Jan 10, 2012 Serena rated it 4 of 5 stars

Dreaming of Mr. Darcy by Victoria Connelly is the second book in her Austen Addicts trilogy, and is a must have in any Austen fan’s collection for its unique set of characters and the clear references to Mr. Darcy, Captain Wentworth, and more. Starring Kay Ashton, who works in a dead end and thankless job, and she’s surrounded by a unique cast from her mother’s friend and fellow Janeite to the cast of actors that invade her new Bed and Breakfast in Lyme Regis. Kay finds herself playing Emma Wood...more

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Jan 04, 2013 Heather McKeon rated it 2 of 5 stars

Since we got an iPad for Christmas, I had to read a book on it. Right? Right. So I downloaded this one from my cool new library app, and it was well... it was pretty terrible. And when I say terrible, I mean the book, not reading it on the iPad. Reading it on the iPad was very enjoyable. Especially for reading in bed at night, I could set it to a dim light and read to my hearts content without bothering Mark. Since normally he's complaining about my bedside light being on. (Although, now that I...more Since we got an iPad for Christmas, I had to read a book on it. Right? Right. So I downloaded this one from my cool new library app, and it was well... it was pretty terrible. And when I say terrible, I mean the book, not reading it on the iPad. Reading it on the iPad was very enjoyable. Especially for reading in bed at night, I could set it to a dim light and read to my hearts content without bothering Mark. Since normally he's complaining about my bedside light being on. (Although, now that I think of it I do have a book light, but obviously I always forget to use it.) Anyway it didn't bother him at all and I only smacked myself in the face once. (Learned to read on my side pretty quickly.) So the point is, the only reason I even finished this book is because it was on my new toy. The book itself was written kind of terribly - at one point I had to stop and look up the author because I was convinced that she was some stupid American trying to write a clever British-Jane-Austen-y novel, but I am sad to inform you that the author is in fact British, so she is just a terrible writer, trying way too hard and not a stupid American thinking she is being very clever. I can't quite decide which is worse. Anyway here's a sample at random from the book so you can see what I mean: "Kay lay in bed that night with a smile of satisfaction on her face at a job well done. She had a natural talent for this matchmaking lark, didn't she?" Terrible, right? And that was just the 1st page I randomly flipped to, not even one of the worst lines in the book. But it was sort of so bad that it was awesomely bad, because obviously I finished it. I can't completely say the only reason I finished it was because I had the iPad. Well, sort of - if it had been a physical book, I would have stopped after the 1st chapter, but kept going cause I was enjoying the toy. So I kept reading because of the iPad, but I did finish it because I kept reading and wanted to know how the crap was going to end. If that makes sense. I was pretty sure I knew how it would end, and I was mostly right. But even the end was pretty ridiculous in a trying-too-hard-to-be-poignant-or-something kind of way. I honestly can only recommend this book if you want to read something to make fun of and laugh at. Because I did enjoy making fun of it quite a bit. So that is why it get's 2 stars, because I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and rolling my eyes and how completely idiotic Kay is, she really is one of the worst heroines I've read in a while.(less)

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Jun 18, 2012 Heidi rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book is the second in the Jane Austen trilogy by Victoria Connelly. The Perfect Hero is a modern day romance in true Austen style. I have been melting lately for these light romances while I used to never read them. I think having an Austen connection makes it fun.

Kay has decided to make a total life change after her good friend Peggy passes away and unexpectedly leaves her her estate. She leaves her home and job behind and moves to Lyme Regis where she uses the money she has inherited to b...more

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Feb 10, 2012 Teri Wilson rated it 3 of 5 stars

I'm a big fan of Jane Austen, along with all the Austen-inspired fiction out there. So, I was excited to read Dreaming of Mr. Darcy. This is the second book in a three-book series, although each book stands alone and can be read on its own.

I enjoyed the first book in the series, Weekend with Mr. Darcy, quite a bit. Dreaming of Mr. Darcy, however, wasn't quite as good. Honestly, most of the main characters just weren't that likeable. Particularly Kay, who I believe is supposed to be the central...more

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Jul 30, 2012 Mary rated it 2 of 5 stars

Overall, I thought this book was okay. I thought that it was very predictable and I often knew what was going to happen way before it was revealed which was a complete let down. I also felt as if relationships were rushed, decisions characters made I felt were sometimes rash, and after all was said and done I felt as if I had only caught a glimpse of the characters.
One major problem I had was that didn't take to the main character Kay very well. I couldn't connect with her and I was confused by...more

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Mar 05, 2012 Kim rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: austen-influenced, persuasion-influenced, pride-and-prejudice-influenced, for-review, contemporary-romance

There are many readers in the Jane Austen fan fiction world that appreciate a good, clean love story. Author Victoria Connelly obviously appreciates them as well, as she publishes contemporary novels that fit those parameters. Her popular Austen Addicts trilogy seems to have really struck a chord with Austen lovers the world over. The second book in her trilogy, Dreaming of Mr. Darcy, has a plot influenced by Pride and Prejudice and Emma, with a location taken directly from the pages of Persuasi...more There are many readers in the Jane Austen fan fiction world that appreciate a good, clean love story. Author Victoria Connelly obviously appreciates them as well, as she publishes contemporary novels that fit those parameters. Her popular Austen Addicts trilogy seems to have really struck a chord with Austen lovers the world over. The second book in her trilogy, Dreaming of Mr. Darcy, has a plot influenced by Pride and Prejudice and Emma, with a location taken directly from the pages of Persuasion!

Kay Ashton has struck it rich. After receiving an unexpected cash windfall, she decides to indulge a lifelong dream of hers to live in the Regency Era world that Jane Austen’s characters enjoyed so many years ago. Ashton purchases a decrepit bed and breakfast in Lyme Regis, and begins the processes of restoring it to its former glory. Halfway through the renovation, all of the available rooms are booked by producers of a movie adaptation of Persuasion. In time, Kay begins to fall for Oli Wade Owen, the actor slated to play Captain Wentworth. However, a writer by the name of Adam Craig has fallen for Kay despite her feelings for Mr. Owen. Will Adam ever tell Kay about his true feelings? When will Kay realize that Oli is hiding a big secret?

It took me a really long time to get into this story, but when I did I connected. Connelly’s strongest suit as a writer is unquestionably her ability to create uniquely appealing and relatable characters. Kay is a dreamer- one who creates really vivid imaginings. Even though she spends a lot of time up in the clouds (much like Emma and maybe a bit like Catherine Morland too?), she still stays rooted to the ground with the rest of us, experiencing amazing new things with Adam. Adam is that nice guy who girls become friends with, yet never date (he’s got a bit of Darcy, Bingley, and Knightley all thrown in). He’s kind, considerate, and completely selfless. The supporting cast of characters (most notable are Oli and Gemma) also have their own character quirks that have been influenced by other Austen characters. All in all, these characters combine to form a wonderful mix of personalities and traits that Connelly draws from to form the plot.

With this great character description I became extremely invested in the lives of the characters, only to be disappointed in the end. I felt like so much time had been spent getting to know these characters (300 pages) that I was faced with a very short conclusion. It left me feeling bereft to be honest! Gemma’s story was probably my favorite out of the whole novel, and unfortunately it is never really “officially” wrapped up. This caused a gaping hole in my heart (yes, a gaping hole I have filled by creating my own happy ending for her!).

All in all this was a fun book. Even with the shortened ending it was still a good, clean love story that any romance reader (Austen fan or not) can enjoy. Even though the character buildup was met with a shortened ending, you may be able to imagine a more substantial ending if you give it a try. So, I suggest you pick up a copy and get reading! The Third novel in the Austen Addicts trilogy, Mr. Darcy Forever, will be released April 1st, 2012.

Kimberly (Reflections of a Book Addict)
http://wp.me/p18lIL-Qo (less)

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Jan 11, 2012 Meredith (Austenesque Reviews) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: jane-austen, austen-inspired

In the second Austen-inspired novel of her trilogy about Jane Austen addicts, Victoria Connelly once again transports readers to a Jane Austen location that is on every Janeites' list of places visit. Lyme Regis, a seaside village known for its fossils, Cobb, and Louisa Musgrove's fictional fall, is the ideal setting for this novel about fresh starts and broken hearts. It is also the location of a new big screen production of Persuasion. It seems the quiet village of Lyme Regis is being invaded...more

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About Victoria Connelly

Victoria Connelly grew up in Norfolk before attending Worcester College where she studied English Literature. After graduating, she worked her way through a number of jobs before becoming a teacher in North Yorkshire.

In 2000, she got married in a medieval castle in the Yorkshire Dales and moved to London. Five weeks after their wedding, her husband, a television news cameraman, was sent to Israel....more

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Books by Victoria Connelly

A Weekend with Mr. Darcy (Austen Addicts #1)

Christmas with Mr Darcy (an Austen Addicts story)

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