Rescued by Darcy: STEAMY DARK PRIDE & PREJUDICE VARIATION NOVELLA

by Diana Huntington

In Regency-era England, Elizabeth Bennet's rejection of her cousin Mr. Collins's marriage proposal takes a dark turn when he attempts to force her hand through violence. But Mr. Darcy, the proud and wealthy gentleman she once despised, proves to be her unexpected protector. As danger and scandal threaten to destroy Elizabeth's reputation, she discovers that first impressions can be deceiving - and that true love often emerges in life's darkest moments.

If you enjoy spicy JAFF short romance books with higher heat levels, protective alpha heroes, compromising situations, and dark romance elements, you will enjoy this short read.

68 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 17, 2025

Reviews

[Sheila Majczan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Frankly, I skimmed quickly through all the steamy parts.

As the story description tells us, Collins attempts to force himself on Elizabeth as she has refused his proposal but he does not accept such. Darcy is there to save her. Although he had also proposed earlier as a way to "save" her from Collins's insistence that she must marry him.

This second intervention by Darcy into matters between Collins and Elizabeth leads to love between Darcy and Elizabeth.

I was looking for a short story to fill some time and so found this.

[J. W. Garrett · Rating 3 out of 5]

SPOILER ALERT: This review may contain *** SPOILERS ***

>>Rating: Steamy Dark Variation: Spicy, with higher heat levels, according to the blurb. There was a scene of violence due to an assault attempt. This could be a trigger and upsetting for some readers. It can be skipped over.
>>Angst Level: [Per Blurb] Protective alpha heroes, compromising situations, and dark romance elements. Almost. The blurb was more exciting than the actual story.
>>Source: I borrowed this from KU [1-27-25] and volunteered to leave a review. Short novella at 68 pages. Read time: about an hour.
Trope: [1] Compromise

I couldn’t resist. I had to peek at this tempting story blurb. Mr. Collins did not take the refusal of his marriage proposal from his cousin Miss Elizabeth very well. He decided he needed to force the issue and secure the companion of his future life. Knowing who and what her cousin was, I’m surprised Elizabeth ventured far from her home. She was rather independent and it nearly cost her. As the title suggests, Mr. Darcy was nearby and heard her scream. It is at this point that I question the story. How on earth can a man who has just rescued a woman from an assault, attempt to seduce her himself? I can flip that coin and ask, how can a woman, who just fought off one man, allow another to touch her intimately? Seriously? No, it didn’t ring true and the OOC was too far off the chart to be Austen’s character. This was just a series of scenes wedged between sex encounters. I should have known better.

[Maria Escarda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rescue opens Elizabeth Bennet to the possibility of the deepest love

This is the better of the variations I’ve ever read of the short and sensual kind. It made sense most of the time except for Lady Catherine de Bourgh’s presence in Hertfordshire.

At least, Mr. Darcy was clear and insistent in his affection and love for Elizabeth Bennet. His protectiveness and his desire to make Elizabeth feel protected, safe and love is enough to make a lady like Elizabeth irrevocably fall for him and return his affections.

The author just seems to be too eager to have the beloved couple go at it without a proper beginning and end in the last chapter. The least one could have done was mention that the wedding was wonderful but the couples couldn’t wait for their wedding night to begin.

[Jean Stillman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I must say that I really don't object to short stories, nor do I object to a fun, well executed steamy romance about my favorite couple. In all fairness, I can only give this story three stars, as I only found it to be an average read.