Impulse & Initiative: What If Mr. Darcy Didn't Take No for an Answer?

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Impulse & Initiative: What If Mr. Darcy Didn't Take No for an Answer? (Pemberley Variation Series)

by Abigail Reynolds (Goodreads Author)

3.7 of 5 stars 3.70 · rating details · 1,039 ratings · 153 reviews

What readers are saying:

"A very happy read!"
"A lustful and very romantic story."
"Introduces us to another side of Darcy that Jane Austen didn't show."
"A really lovely spin on the original story."
"A wonderful ride through Jane Austen's world."
"Refreshing!"
"Funny, smart, and makes a great story unto itself."
"Fantastic book."

In Jane Austen's classic Pride & Prejudi...more

Paperback, 411 pages

Published September 1st 2008 by Sourcebooks Landmark (first published August 3rd 2007)

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

More…

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

An Assembly Such as This by Pamela Aidan

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith

Best Pride and Prejudice Sequels/Variations/Adaptations

51st out of 196 books — 399 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 2,401)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

Nov 10, 2008 Michele rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: austen-esque, fiction

It has to be said from the outset that Impulse & Initiative is not an Austen sequel. Rather, it is an Austen variation. Allow me to explain the difference: an Austen sequel continues beyond Austen's end to a novel; a variation re-tells the novel, playing the "what if?" game.

Impulse & Initiative is a retelling of Jane Austen's classic novel Pride and Prejudice. This time, though, what if Mr Darcy had not retreated after Elizabeth Bennet refused his first proposal of marriage and instead f...more

like 3 likes · see review

Feb 20, 2009 Rachel Friend rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Gah. I realize that I shouldn't like this book as much as I do, but really it's pretty awesome. And it's almost possible to believe that it's not entirely out of character for Darcy and Elizabeth to behave the way they do in the book, right? Ok, maybe not, but it's a fun read anyway and who doesn't want to read about Darcy passionately wooing Elizabeth -- even if Jane Austen might not approve?

like 7 likes · see review

Mar 03, 2013 Brooke Cunningham rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Ok, Ok. I enjoyed it. As with my first encounter with Abigail Reynolds, I had mixed emotions throughout. At first I was upset at the liberties she took with the characters, then reconciled with some well placed original lines from Pride and Prejudice, then shocked at actions Jane Austen would have never approved of, and finally placated by just being able to read more about Lizzie and Darcy together both physically and emotionally.

I think one of the things I enjoyed about this book is the way it...more

like 1 like · see review

Nov 09, 2007 devra rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

though occasionally amusing for sheer audacity
or bodice-ripping creativity (or lack thereof), truly awful.

like 3 likes · see review

Aug 27, 2009 Meredith (Austenesque Reviews) rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: jane-austen, pride-and-prejudice

This is a Pride and Prejudice possiblity. It is not in the style of Jane Austen. Abigail Reynolds has a style all of her own. It does have some scenes that are not suitable for younger people to read and might be a little awkward if you buy this for your grandmother. So be carfeul who you buy this for.

That aside, it is such a wonderful story. I love the story Pride and Prejudice and what could be better than to have that story retold and taking a different path than the original?

This story sta...more

like 2 likes · see review

Apr 07, 2009 Christina rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2009-reads, mr-darcy

I immensely enjoyed Impulse & Initiative – probably more than I should have; although I don’t consider myself an Austen purist. Though Austen’s Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett would not have engaged in premarital relations, Reynolds writes Impulse & Initiative in a way so it is almost possible to believe this Darcy and Elizabeth actions are not completely out of character and social customs.

Renyolds replicates quite a bit of Austen’s style and wit, and writes a believable Pride and Prejudice...more

like 1 like · see review

Aug 01, 2010 Meredith (Austenesque Reviews) rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: jane-austen, pride-and-prejudice

To Conquer Mr. Darcy, originally published as Impulse and Initiative in 2008, is another brilliant and impassioned novel in Abigail Reynold's stellar Pemberley Variations series. The Pemberley Variations series is a collection of Pride and Prejudice re-tellings that asks the question “what if?” In these variations we see how one small change in the plot can alter the course of Pride and Prejudice.

To Conquer Mr. Darcy opens with Colonel Fitzwilliam visiting his cousin, Mr. Darcy, who has been in...more

like 4 likes · see review

Feb 25, 2013 Auggy rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013, romance, jane-austen

I debated just putting this book down and not finishing it many times while reading this. Why didn't I? Probably because nothing truly eye rolling popped up to make me say effe it. But it was close. And it all started around page 28 when I encountered this:

She fiercely renewed her attention to her needlework, with the unsurprising result that her needle promptly found its way into her finger. With a muffled exclamation of pain and embarrassment, she raised the injured finger to her lips, comple

...more

like 1 like · see review

May 03, 2011 Kim rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: austen-fiction, 19th-century, hanover

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I started this book with some trepidation, hesitant to go into a book that interferes with Jane Austen's established canon. A sequel/companion is one thing, but taking the events and going in a completely different direction? Yeah, I was wary of such a thing. Nonetheless, I went ahead with it, and was left with mixed feelings.

On the one hand, I enjoyed the shift in canon events, having Elizabeth accompany Darcy and Mr. Gardiner to London to deal with Wickham and Lydia. Though Elizabeth was unabl...more I started this book with some trepidation, hesitant to go into a book that interferes with Jane Austen's established canon. A sequel/companion is one thing, but taking the events and going in a completely different direction? Yeah, I was wary of such a thing. Nonetheless, I went ahead with it, and was left with mixed feelings.

On the one hand, I enjoyed the shift in canon events, having Elizabeth accompany Darcy and Mr. Gardiner to London to deal with Wickham and Lydia. Though Elizabeth was unable to do anything to alter Lydia's chosen course, I greatly enjoyed her confrontation with Wickham, and how she used her anger at Lydia to play the mother of all bluffs to get Wickham to cooperate with Colonel Fitzwilliam. Saying that she'd rather just hand a few thousand pounds over to Mary and Kitty for their dowries to sweeten the pot in regards to their marriage prospects than try to save Lydia was brilliant. Especially since even Elizabeth herself wasn't entirely sure if it was bluff or not.

I also appreciated that Elizabeth recognized that her actions with Darcy were not entirely different than what Lydia had done with Wickham. It may upset people, but it's true: Elizabeth slept with a man whom she was not married to. They may have been formally engaged, but even that doesn't entirely wipe away the fact that intercourse before marriage in this time period was a huge, huge no-no.

That very fact, and the fact that such a move seems to me to be entirely against Elizabeth's character, is probably my biggest qualm about the story. Yes, everyone imagines Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet to be passionate people, Jane Austen established as much in the original story. Still, that Darcy would completely throw aside propriety and behave in a manner more akin to Wickham's behavior doesn't sit right with me at all. Because even though he is wildly in love with Elizabeth, he still holds tight to upright behavior. That he'd set out to charm Elizabeth doesn't bother me all that much. I see that as part of his attempt to not offend everyone he meets with sullen, prideful silences. My problem is that he allowed his desires to overtake his true good sense and let it go as far as taking Elizabeth to bed before their wedding. It's like going one step further than what Wickham managed with Georgiana, and almost the same in what Wickham did with Lydia. The only difference is that Darcy is in love with Elizabeth, but that doesn't make it right.

Then, really, the only consequence that Darcy and Elizabeth suffer for their behavior is severe disapproval from Mr. Bennet. Even Mr. Gardiner, a man of morals and good sense, only says a few pat things about Darcy's behavior and then moves on. Practical, I suppose, but still...

A decent read, and something that certainly sparks a heated debate for any P&P fan who reads it.(less)

like 1 like · see review

Jan 04, 2010 Laurel rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: austen-inspired, austen-sequel, austenesque, fiction, georgian-era, historical-fiction, regency-era-fiction

Pride and Prejudice re-imagined?

In this retelling of Jane Austen’s novel Pride and Prejudice, author Abigail Reynolds re-imagines the famous plot and asks these burning questions. What if after Elizabeth Bennet’s refusal of Mr. Darcy’s first proposal at Hunsford, he does not disappear from her life, but arrives at her home at Longbourn determined to change her mind? What if Elizabeth seduced by his ardent attentions sets aside all propriety giving way to her base impulses? What if their mutual p...more Pride and Prejudice re-imagined?

In this retelling of Jane Austen’s novel Pride and Prejudice, author Abigail Reynolds re-imagines the famous plot and asks these burning questions. What if after Elizabeth Bennet’s refusal of Mr. Darcy’s first proposal at Hunsford, he does not disappear from her life, but arrives at her home at Longbourn determined to change her mind? What if Elizabeth seduced by his ardent attentions sets aside all propriety giving way to her base impulses? What if their mutual passion can not be abated, anticipating their wedding night? Ms. Reynolds then proceeds to creatively answer each of these questions with her spin on the retelling of Pride and Prejudice that might require some readers to suspend their disbelief and burning objections of altering one of the most cherished works in English literature, and just let go and let it happen.

The story opens with the arrival of Colonel Fitzwilliam at the Darcy townhouse in London. It is the summer of 1803 and two months have passed since he and his cousin Fitzwilliam Darcy had visited their aunt Lady Catherine de Bourgh at Rosings in Kent. He is immediately informed by concerned servants and Georgina Darcy that Mr. Darcy is not quite himself, sullen and short tempered to the point of alarm. Darcy shortly reveals to him the cause of his misery; - the rejection of his marriage proposal by the woman that he loves, Elizabeth Bennet, and the reasons why she so flatly refused him. Colonel Fitzwilliam is not surprised by his attraction to the lovely Miss Bennet, only that she would refuse such an advantageous offer and Darcy’s reasons for separating his friend Charles Bingley from Elizabeth’s sister Jane. Inspired by Colonel Fitzwilliam’s advice he convinces Charles Bingley to return to his estate at Netherfield Park to renew his attentions to Jane Bennet with the ulterior motive of seeing Elizabeth and winning her heart and hand.

Readers of Pride and Prejudice will remember that after Elizabeth refuses Mr. Darcy’s first proposal that she returns home to her family at Longbourn and Mr. Darcy disappears from her life only to be re-introduced by a chance meeting at his estate of Pemberley when she is touring Derbyshire on holiday with her aunt and uncle Gardiner. In this scenario, instead of leaving their meeting to chance, Mr. Darcy has become the aggressor, taking the initiative to reconnect with Elizabeth and pursue her affections by ingratiating himself to her family, her friends and herself, first by gentlemanly means with little results, then by the Wickham school of charm and seduction which eventually breaks Elizabeth’s resolve, giving way to her passionate desires.

Impulse & Initiative offers Pride and Prejudice fans the opportunity to explore yet another avenue of a story that we all just can not seem to get enough of as evidenced by the many prequels, sequels, retellings and pastiches available. It is creative and clever in theory, but do the ‘what if’ questions really need to be asked and answered? Possibly, but at times while reading Impulse & Initiative I felt like I was privy to a creative writing assignment where students were asked to take a story from classic literature and believably alter the plot and characters to the opposite intention of the original author. In this case, the results can at times be both believable and baffling, but unfortunately not at the same time leaving the reader in a bit of a quandary.

Abigail Reynolds has taken a huge risk in her choice of changing a classic story that is quite delightful to begin with, and whose hero and heroine Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy may be the most iconic romantic couple in popular culture short of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. She might have succeeded if she had allowed the characters integrity to continue from Austen’s original concept. Instead we are asked to suspend our disbelief beyond equal measure and accept well known characters acting in a manner that does not constitute their happiness or ours. Reynold’s Mr. Darcy has changed from the honorable Regency gentleman that many expect into George Wickham, a plotting seducer and the type of man that Austen’s Darcy despises, and Elizabeth Bennet into a caricature of her younger sister Lydia, willing to throw off propriety for the pleasures of passion.

I am reminded of one on my favorite quotes by Elizabeth Bennet from the original novel. “One may be continually abusive without saying anything just; but one cannot be always laughing at a man without now and then stumbling on something witty.” Ms. Reynolds is a talented writer who shows flashes of wit and charm in her style. She has creatively blended a classic love story with a saucy romance novel, and if knowing that Darcy and Elizabeth are quite passionate about their love for one another before the marriage does not set off any decorum alarms, then this one deserves a slot in the queue on your bedside table. If you wonder why the “what if” questions needed to be asked in the first place, then try stumbling upon something else more witty.

Laurel Ann, Austenprose(less)

like 1 like · see review

Aug 09, 2011 Jess rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I've read sequels to Pride and Prejudice before, but this was my first variation on it, so I wasn't quite sure what to expect. I found that Reynolds sometimes made Darcy and Elizabeth a bit out of character, but figured that's to be expected in a variation. If the characters were exactly as Austen had written them, the book would have turned out the same way as the original. I did start to get annoyed with Darcy's clinginess by the end of the tale. It's one thing to make him worried about Elizab...more

like · see review

Oct 26, 2010 Emily rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: jane-austen-sequels, faves-from-all-genres, romance

It was very fun to read, and I do recommend it to rabid P&P fans who need more more more of Darcy and Elizabeth. That said, the author is very easy on her characters, almost too easy. Most problems are resolved within a few paragraphs though frank conversation and mutual understanding. In a way, this is refreshing, compared to many of the authors I read who torture me though putting their characters through absolute hell, sometimes with no resolution, or not the resolution I wanted. Still, w...more

like 1 like · see review

Apr 05, 2010 Michelle rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: jane-austen-related

This was a really fun variation on the events in "Pride and Prejudice." I loved the author's writing style; the voices of the characters were true to form and sparkled with wit. I laughed out loud through the book and that made it all the more enjoyable. While I was not completely sure about the actions of Lizzy and Darcy, I reminded myself that this was a variation, a "what if" scenario played out in the mind of the author, and I could accept the storylines. As I said, with great writing and co...more

like 1 like · see review

Feb 26, 2008 Angie rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Yet another fairly enjoyable variation of P&P. After reading the fourth variation from Abigail Reynolds, I am feeling like there is somewhat of a lack of originality. There is a bunch of similar lines between books (and not even ones from the original P&P) and very similar events play out despite the different story lines. This is definitely not your grandma's Jane Austen, very much more like modern day chick lit in a 19th century setting.

like 1 like · see review

Jan 05, 2012 Nonky rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Maybe I'm over this particular genre, or maybe this one just stretched the Austen-inspired events too far, but I only enjoyed a few select moments of this book.

The premise is that Darcy, after the failed proposal leaves him heartbroken, nearly gives up on Elizabeth. He returns to London, but a chance visit from his cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, convinces him to follow Elizabeth to Hertfordshire and try more slowly and politely to win her over.

He shows a lot of consideration and humble regard for...more Maybe I'm over this particular genre, or maybe this one just stretched the Austen-inspired events too far, but I only enjoyed a few select moments of this book.

The premise is that Darcy, after the failed proposal leaves him heartbroken, nearly gives up on Elizabeth. He returns to London, but a chance visit from his cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, convinces him to follow Elizabeth to Hertfordshire and try more slowly and politely to win her over.

He shows a lot of consideration and humble regard for her. He even brings his sister to visit to have a good excuse to take Elizabeth out unchaperoned. Elizabeth is a bit put out to be questioning her own feelings, but as the little moments of privacy and affection turn into scandalous makeout sessions, she is close to accepting his proposal. Her only reservation is that Darcy is a bit pushy and needy, which is fair because I thought that about him as well. The neighbours and servants start to gossip, they have to announce their engagement before she is ready, and the Bennets spend a whole chapter scratching their heads at it.

Darcy invites Elizabeth and the Gardiners to stay at Pemberley on the their trip, where he and Elizabeth share a bed three nights in a row and exclaim a lot about how disappointed they are to have compromised their morals. This leads to a rushed wedding with some of Darcy's family and the dilemma of when and how to inform the Bennets.

At the same time, Lydia runs off with Wickham, and everybody heads to London to fix things up - but really, I stopped reading when a newly married Elizabeth and Darcy discussed carriage sex and decided against it. I know it's a well-worn trope to have an unmarried couple in a romance novel find any privacy they can, but either have the carriage sex included or portray the stern sexual restrictions of the era.

A happy ending later, we find out Darcy is terribly afraid of losing Elizabeth to childbirth, but naturally she's fine and has a son right away. As the most salacious of the P&P variations, it doesn't really serve well, and as a serious reworking it fails as well. The charm of watching Darcy court Elizabeth openly with all his best consideration on display is not enough. (less)

like · see review

Mar 09, 2011 Alma E Marquez rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I really enjoyed this variation of my beloved Pride and Prejudice. When I read the reviews I simply had to read the book. But I did not know what I was getting myself into. I had no idea how saucy this book was. It was a pleasant surprise however and I am not repentant on reading it. If you are like me and LOVE Mr. Darcy then you simply MUST read this book! This Mr. Darcy is less proper and more forward but still charming and sexy and all the other things we love about the original. Lizzy is jus...more

like · see review

Jun 01, 2009 Treasa rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: adult-fiction, chick-lit, historical-fiction, jane-austen, romance

This was an amusing rewriting of Pride and Prejudice, but not something I will ever feel the need to read again. In general, I don't understand why someone would feel the need to rewrite something as great as Pride and Prejudice, but I thought I would give this book a chance. It picks up right after Elizabeth has rejected Mr. Darcy. Mr. Darcy decides not to give up so easily and heads back to Netherfield with Bingley immediately. There he aggressively courts Elizabeth until she finally realizes...more

like · see review

Oct 14, 2010 slayra rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2010-reads, in-english, austen-related, historical-romance

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. RATING: 2.5 stars

Here's another book I really wanted to love (since Pride & Prejudice is one of my favorite books ever), but for some reason, I just... didn't.

"To Conquer Mr Darcy" is an alternate re-telling of Darcy's and Elizabeth's story. In this book, instead of strategically retreating after Elizabeth refuses him at Hunsford, Mr Darcy returns to Netherfield to try again to woo Miss Bennet. He does it by seducing her, basically (well, they also get to talk a lot, but seducing is a big pa...more RATING: 2.5 stars

Here's another book I really wanted to love (since Pride & Prejudice is one of my favorite books ever), but for some reason, I just... didn't.

"To Conquer Mr Darcy" is an alternate re-telling of Darcy's and Elizabeth's story. In this book, instead of strategically retreating after Elizabeth refuses him at Hunsford, Mr Darcy returns to Netherfield to try again to woo Miss Bennet. He does it by seducing her, basically (well, they also get to talk a lot, but seducing is a big part of it).

Strangely enough it wasn't that part I had problems with. I enjoyed the first few chapters, with Darcy wooing Lizzie, showing her he was different from what she thought. And showing her, through kisses that he loved her. I also liked Elizabeth's doubts and confusion at first... but then it sort of became monotonous, as if I was reading the same scene over and over again... they met, they kissed, she was astonished at how that made her feel and had doubts. This went on and on for too many pages. From almost the very beginning, we see Elizabeth's feelings change, but this doesn't mean (in the book) that the situation is resolved quickly. No, the author fills pages and pages of these encounters to the point where the reader (in this case, me) says "just get married already and stop meeting in forests and random walks and carriage rides!"

Then, after they admit their mutual feelings (and get engaged, then married), I must confess I felt a little spooked at the intensity of their "love". It was portrayed a bit more like an unhealthy obsession than love. And yes, I know this is common fare in historical romances of the bodice-ripper type (and it's what this is, believe me); the protagonists must be madly in love. But I don't think the author pulled it of, because... well, it didn't sound romantic and healthy it just seemed disturbing.

Another thing I had problems with was the writing style. The author did try to give it a "period feel", but again, she didn't pull it of. It didn't 'sound' like Austen at all, it just 'sounded' like a poor imitation. It made the book all the more boring, since I don't think Ms Reynolds was able to combine 19th century writing techniques and (supposedly) hot intimate scenes successfully.

I struggled to finish this. Five days for a 400-page mass market paperback is a lot of time for me. I just felt like the author dragged everything a little too much and the writing style didn't help.

Still, I have to give Ms Reynolds points for her creative concept.(less)

like · see review

Oct 13, 2008 Nicole rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Whoa smut. I had a hard time putting this down. I thought it was an interesting take on the P&P story. I have to admit I found the lack of 'properness' a little hard to believe, though I don't know much about that time period...so who knows, maybe Jane Austen was more old-fashioned and reserved in her writing. But Abigail Reynolds...you dirty girl, you. :)

like 1 like · see review

Feb 02, 2013 Caryn rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: audible, historical-romance

Couldn't finish it - technically well written, especially since Ms. Reynolds captures the spirit of Miss Bennett and Mr Darcy. However, the lack of tension by the midpoint just put me off. I couldn't see wasting another half of the book, even if I was listening to it while doing chores. Instead, I turned it off and started to give it 1 star on audible.com. The performance was good but the book just didn't work for me. Guess what? Audible offered to let me 'return it' and give me a credit to anot...more

like · see review

Aug 09, 2012 Gabbo rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Impulse and Initiative explores what might have happened in P&P if Darcy had pursued Elizabeth to Hertfordshire after she refused his first proposal. It is an interesting and enjoyable read, and on the whole I found the story believable. Although Reynolds portrays Darcy in a much softer light than the original, this falls in with Austen's conclusion that when they were finally united Elizabeth taught him to cast aside his reserve and join in her teasing. In parts some of the dialogue could e...more

like · see review

Sep 27, 2010 Lydia (Overweight Bookshelf) rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

First reviewed here: http://overweight-bookshelf.blogspot....

To Conquer Mr Darcy seemed very promising at the onset. Abigail Reynolds has mastered the rhetoric and social environment of Regency England. Her writing flows with description and feeling, however, that is where my accolades stop. All too soon Mr Darcy's thoughts progress from being somewhat suggestive to outlandishly crass. As the couple's relationship becomes more, um, involved, I had to flip pages and then whole sections to avoid...more

like · see review

Apr 21, 2010 Shy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: regency, pride-and-prejudice-variants

I am generally not a fan of the idea of rewriting a classic and Reynolds' books do read like little more than (admittedly very high quality) fan fic, but they do fulfil that dark craving for more Darcy and Elizabeth! This is the second Reynolds book I read (after Mr. Darcy, the Last Man in the World) and I was much relieved by the improved writing style. The dialogue is quick and witty and Elizabeth is back to her normal feisty self. I don't really see the sex scenes as necessary but they did no...more

like 1 like · see review

Jul 08, 2011 PoisonCupcakes rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: love-like-lust, fluff

Hm, this certainly can't be categorized as anything more than fluff. As a passionate fan of Ms. Austen, when I by chance came across this book, I just had to buy it. The premise intrigued me. I of course knew full well that it would be nothing more than fan fiction in print, but I couldn't help myself. Another reviewer described the Pemberly variations as "candy for bibliophiles", and they were quite right.

Is it damning to admit that I enjoyed this book anyway? Of course it doesn't compare to th...more

like 1 like · see review

Jun 23, 2010 Jessie Hartle rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: jane-austen

I had put off reading this P&P FF because of the negative reviews I kept reading on Amazon. And after having read this, they were right - it was a little too steamy and forceful to be the real Darcy character. The best part of reading this book was that I didn't care that it was so far removed from the real characters! I realized that if I wanted the same story over and over I would just keep rereading the actual P&P. I read the first half of the book in one night - I loved how Darcy was...more

like · see review

Nov 22, 2010 Alice rated it 2 of 5 stars

--Random Babbling--

Well, I had-have-a love/hate relationship with this book. There were parts that just were too un-Elizabeth or-more likely in this case- too un-Mr.Darcy.
I don't recall Mr. Darcy being that naughty, if he ever was at all.
Although, it IS a good book, sometimes I just felt like putting down the book and never reading it again, but then sometimes I would just have a smile in my face because some parts were just lovely.
Beware, when the back cover of the book says by the readers that...more

like · see review

Jan 23, 2012 Rachel rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Though I cannot deny enjoying parts of this book immensely, after finishing it, I would say that I consider myself more of a traditionalist when it comes to the story of Pride and Prejudice. I don't mind authors taking liberties with sequels or writing in greater depth about some of the more minor characters within her novels. This was different altogether- changing the ending completely and altering Elizabeth's character in ways that I don't believe could occur based on the original story- in o...more

like · see review

Oct 01, 2011 Gabriela Mejia rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: pride-and-prejudice-variations

Who am I kidding? I originally gave this three stars because I felt that as lover of P&P I shouldn't like this book this much. But if I'm honest, I really enjoyed this story...and many of the Reynolds variations as a matter of fact. This one is sexy though, I don't recommend it if you aren't into the idea of Fitzwilliam (I think I'm on a first name basis with mr. Darcy at this point of our relationship...) and Lizzie going at it, avoid this book. I've read quite a few over the last month or...more

like · see review

Jul 26, 2011 Emily rated it 3 of 5 stars

This was one of the best P&P Variations ever. I mean for the first 3/4's of the book the tension between Darcy and Elizabeth was great, the continuation of Jane's characters was good (even if in some cases I think it went a little beyond reality, which for this book was okay) and Darcy is as wonderful as ever and makes you want one yourself ;-). The last 1/4 of the book did run out of a little steam but it is not totally unexpected. I mean after Darcy and Elizabeth get together (oops spoiled...more

like · see review

Oct 07, 2011 Liz rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: classic-retold, romance, austen-inspired

I gotta say that of all the P&P riffs I've been reading lately, Abigail Reynolds is turning into a favorite. Her writing style is Austen-esque without the big, flashy, neon sign that says "Look at me! I write like Jane Austen!" I also like that each of her books characterizes Darcy and Elizabeth in slightly different ways, though the difference is much more pronounced with Darcy.

In this P&P variation, after sulking for a few months after the Hunsford scene, Col. Fitzwilliam convinces Dar...more

like · see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … 80 81 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

topics	posts	views	last activity
Jane Austen Sequels: To Conquer Mr. Darcy, by Abigail Reynolds	3	43	May 13, 2011 01:15pm

combine
Other Editions (7)

More editions...

Genres

Romance

46 users

Historical Fiction

25 users

Romance > Historical Romance

21 users

Regency

13 users

Womens Fiction > Chick Lit

10 users

Adult

3 users

Classics

2 users

Historical Romance > Regency Romance

2 users

Adult Fiction

2 users

See top shelves...

Readers also enjoyed similar books

About Abigail Reynolds

Abigail Reynolds has spent the last fifty years asking herself what she wants to be when she grows up. This month she is a writer, a mother and a physician in a part-time private practice. Next month is anybody’s guess. Originally from upstate New York, she indecisively studied Russian, theater, and marine biology before deciding to attend medical school, a choice which allowed her to avoid any de...more

More about Abigail Reynolds...

Books by Abigail Reynolds

From Lambton to Longbourn: A Pride & Prejudice Variation

By Force of Instinct: A Pride & Prejudice Variation

More…

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Trivia About Impulse and Initi...

No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »

Quotes from Impulse and Initiative

“It seems we are all too vulnerable to having our heart lead us astray from what is right” — 2 people liked it

“I would like to point out that while I have considerately remained composed during our discourse, I do have streneous objections to you taking risks such as walking into burning buildings” — 2 people liked it

More quotes…

title link	preview: Impulse & Initiative: What If Mr. Darcy Didn't Take No for an Answer?
avg rating	preview: Impulse & Initiative: What If Mr. Darcy Didn't Take No for an Answer? Goodreads rating: 3.70 (1039 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2947794-impulse-initiative?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348021350l/2947794.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2947794-impulse-initiative?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Impulse & Initiative: What If Mr. Darcy Didn't Take No for an Answer? by Abigail Reynolds[/url]

Impulse & Initiative: What If Mr. Darcy Didn't Take No for an Answer? (Pemberley Variation Series)

Friend Reviews

Community Reviews

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website