When Elizabeth Bennet refuses his hand, Darcy is devastated and makes it his mission to change. By every civility in his power, Darcy slowly tri... read full description
reviews
May 25, 2011
Bath Book Shop
rated it: 
The Adventures of Chelsea and Her Pride and Prejudice Sequels/Retellings (working title) is long and a bit of a downer. (Want the full story? All my reviews, lots of them scathing, are at my "Jane Austen" shelf.) But this one! This one is good!
I knew there were a couple good P&P retellings, simply because of the volume of titles out there. But they are few and far between, and most fall into the "painfully awkward exposition" or "just because you use the sa More...
I knew there were a couple good P&P retellings, simply because of the volume of titles out there. But they are few and far between, and most fall into the "painfully awkward exposition" or "just because you use the sa More...
May 21, 2011
Linda
rated it:
How could she turn down his marriage proposal? He's Fitzwilliam Darcy, the Master of Pemberley!
And a puffed-up, abrupt, overbearing, proud, haughty, sanctimonious, stiff-rumped know-it-all. How could she ACCEPT his proposal?
Thus begins Maria Hamilton's MR DARCY AND THE SECRET OF BECOMING A GENTLEMAN. We're off and running as Elizabeth's refusal at Hunsford sparks a wake-up call, and Darcy, desperate for her affections, heeds the summons.
He starts by making amen More...
May 14, 2011
Chelsea
rated it:
I keep waiting for my Pride and Prejudice spell to break, and instead it keeps coming back stronger. Usually a P&P sequel or retelling will be enough to tamp it down for a while, and not in the "satisfied my Darcy craving" way, either. Let's be honest: most P&P retellings/sequels/updates are awful.
This one was quite good.
It's a different take on Mr. Darcy's reformation - what if he decided he needed, first and foremost, to make amends to Jane and Bingley? He More...
This one was quite good.
It's a different take on Mr. Darcy's reformation - what if he decided he needed, first and foremost, to make amends to Jane and Bingley? He More...
May 04, 2011
Meredith (Austenesque Reviews)
rated it:
What if Mr. Darcy, feeling intense despair and heartache over Elizabeth's unceremonious refusal, focused all his energy on repairing the damage he caused to Bingley's relationship with Jane Bennet? Darcy, realizing he was wrong, knows he must now do what is right, otherwise Elizabeth's poor opinion of him will be validated. However, reuniting Bingley with Jane Bennet, means Darcy must return to Meryton and once again encounter Elizabeth Bennet! Unfortunately, Darcy is unsuccessful in persu
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May 26, 2011
Becky
rated it: 
Overall, Mr. Darcy and the Secret of Becoming a Gentleman was a fun departure from the original story, asking the reader to consider "what if" Darcy decided to change from that first tongue lashing by Elizabeth? Could he have changed and won her over by showing her who he really was? These questions fuel this new story line as Darcy works to show Elizabeth that he isn't the pompous rich guy she has come to believe him. He ends up showing back up at her home to interact with her fami
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May 28, 2011
Staci
rated it:
My Thoughts: This is what I look for when I want a stellar P&P variation. The story was tender, sweet, funny, original and also had that vibe of Jane Austen running within the pages. To me it is vital that the characters ring true as Austen wrote them...and this author did a fabulous job. I loved all of the roadblocks that Darcy encountered as he tried to make Elizabeth view him in a better light. I thought the author did a great job of bringing in minor characters from the original story and gi
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Jan 12, 2012
Marissa
rated it: 
I enjoyed reading Ms. Hamilton's version of this classic love story. It took me a while to really settle in to the book, but I believe that came from my preconceived idea that this book would be the same story line told from another character's perspective. Which it is not, in fact it is an alternate tale of our beloved Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. Without giving too much away, I will say that I did enjoy the more modern approach - it was quite a departure from Jane Austen's original style - perh
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Aug 04, 2011
Kim
rated it:
Mr. Darcy and the Secret of Becoming a Gentleman is the debut novel of author Maria Hamilton. The novel is a what-if variation of Pride and Prejudice (my favorite!) that asks the question, What if Mr. Darcy is so incredibly heartbroken and remorseful about his failed proposal to Elizabeth Bennet that he goes back to Meryton to pick up the pieces of his meddling and prove to Elizabeth that he’s a changed man? Will Elizabeth accept this new Darcy and realize that these changes were made for her?
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May 09, 2011
Blodeuedd
rated it:
My thoughts:
Yes I still adore anything Pride and Prejudice related. These may not be for everyone and to that I will just say that variations are fun and always make me smile.
This book again was different because much was from Darcy's POV. The book begins after his failed proposal and he realizes that he needs to change. He needs to be more out there and he needs to make the wrongs to right. First he needs to get Bingley and Jane together and then he needs to work on maki More...
Yes I still adore anything Pride and Prejudice related. These may not be for everyone and to that I will just say that variations are fun and always make me smile.
This book again was different because much was from Darcy's POV. The book begins after his failed proposal and he realizes that he needs to change. He needs to be more out there and he needs to make the wrongs to right. First he needs to get Bingley and Jane together and then he needs to work on maki More...
Aug 30, 2011
Hilary
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Jan 19, 2012
Amber
rated it: 
So disappointed with this book. It was ok at the beginning, got pretty good in the middle, then totally disgusted me at the end. Mr. Darcy turned out to not be a gentleman and poor Jane Austin has got to be turning in her grave. I'll have to read "Pride and Predjudice" soon to get the bad taste out of my mouth.
Jul 22, 2011
Christine
rated it:
I am on a huge P&P fan fiction kick lately and I have read a ton of these, but this one was much more developed than much of them. Ms. Hamilton obviously took some liberties with the character development, but it still had the tone of a Jane Austen novel. A couple of more modern meetings, but an enjoyable read.
Dec 05, 2011
Marilyn
rated it:
It was hard to get into but picked up with action about half way through.
I don't think Jane "Austin" would like the 20th century morallyity of
this tail. It left me feeling that was Elizabeth was no lady.
I don't think Jane "Austin" would like the 20th century morallyity of
this tail. It left me feeling that was Elizabeth was no lady.
May 17, 2011
Candy
rated it:
I really enjoyed this book! I love P&P variations! There are a couple of low angst moments in the story. The story starts after Elizabeth rejects Mr. Darcy's proposal at Rosing. Excellent story!
May 14, 2011
Jess
rated it:
So while it's true that I have a total, guilty weakness for Pride and Prejudice variations.... I've gotta say, this is probably the most original, authentic, and well written one I've read. My fav.
Oct 11, 2011
Talietha
rated it:
Another variation on Pride & Prejudice
Things change after the vist to the Collins'.
Darcy returns to make amends
I enjoyed Ms Hamiltons take on Bingley, the Bennet sisters et al. And I very much enjoyed her take on Darcy.
Things change after the vist to the Collins'.
Darcy returns to make amends
I enjoyed Ms Hamiltons take on Bingley, the Bennet sisters et al. And I very much enjoyed her take on Darcy.
May 23, 2011
Kimberly
rated it:
Another enjoyable read. The author captures the spirit of the characters quite well, and I can't wait to see this one adorning my bookshelf. Highly recommended.
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May 18, 2011
PK Reeves
rated it:
Hamilton does Mr Darcy right. See Aisle B's review http://aisleb.tumblr.com/post/5599181417...
Jul 07, 2011
joy
rated it:
could've been worse -- some parts were highly enjoyable. if you're an austen fan, this fanfic probably won't kill you.
my only beef was the unbelievability of these two 'anticipating their wedding vows' even given this author's highly plausible set-up and build-up. ain't happening
my only beef was the unbelievability of these two 'anticipating their wedding vows' even given this author's highly plausible set-up and build-up. ain't happening
Jul 19, 2011
Katherine
rated it:
I loved 90% of the book. I was disappointed when it came to the final few chapters but to me mr.darcy stops being a gentlemen when he succumbs for his desire for Elizabeth before they are married. If you are looking for a clean romance, this isn't it in the last few chapters. If you took out the one scene of desire... it would have been perfect! but that ruined it for me.
Nov 14, 2011
Chelsea
rated it:
This was a great Pride and Prejudice variation with good character development that allows us to see some characters in greater depth or just see more of some of the characters we all love.
Aug 13, 2011
Mrs. Tolbert
rated it:
In terms of Pride and Prejudice retellings and variations, this ranks up there with Abigail Reynolds. In general, I felt that it was true to the original characters, excepting the fact that Darcy and Elizabeth "anticipate" their marriage vows (I just can't accept that either one would do this!). In this departure, Darcy decides to set things right after his disatrous proposal at Hunsford. He returns to Longburn to reunite Jane and Bingley, and in doing so learns that he cannot live wit
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Sep 22, 2011
Nancy
rated it:
Honestly, I hadn't expected this novel to be as good as it was. I have a weakness for Austen profic, but I usually don't *buy* it, getting it at the library or wherever instead. But, hey, birthday :). Anyway, this one was surprisingly well-written! A lot of Austen spinoffs just chuck in gratuitous sex scenes and make the female characters weaker/better fitting the Romance fiction archetype, but this did neither, generally, and I found it plausible enough, with good reasons for its AU turn.
Nov 25, 2011
Jennifer
rated it:
Loved!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just cannot think of any other words...I simply loved it
Nov 02, 2011
Anita
rated it: 
Drivel. Crap. Painfully bad.
The audacity of the author to think she is more capable than one of the greatest writers of all time, to actually re-write Jane Austen!
Although, I have enjoyed stories inspired by Jane Austen's work, this happens to be crap riddled with common day American colloquilisms. Sorry I picked this one up off the shelf and that I have the personality tha tI must finish what I started.
The audacity of the author to think she is more capable than one of the greatest writers of all time, to actually re-write Jane Austen!
Although, I have enjoyed stories inspired by Jane Austen's work, this happens to be crap riddled with common day American colloquilisms. Sorry I picked this one up off the shelf and that I have the personality tha tI must finish what I started.
Jul 24, 2011
Suze
rated it:
Was a nice story but not really a page turner for me, it need some drama to tell truth. Dialog could been Between character was good but felt something missing.
