When Mr Darcy Forgot Himself: A Light-Hearted Pride & Prejudice Variation Novella

by Lefki Karantoni

Fitzwilliam Darcy is absolutely, categorically not thinking about Elizabeth Bennet. He is merely trying to clear his head with a punishing ride through the Hertfordshire countryside. But fate (and a startled pheasant) intervenes, leaving him unconscious in a lane just a quarter of a mile from Longbourn's gate.

When he awakens in an unfamiliar room with rose-covered wallpaper, he has cracked ribs, a pounding headache, and, most conveniently, a fuzzy memory of his own proud, disagreeable behaviour. The man who infamously called Elizabeth Bennet "tolerable" is gone. In his place is a charming, amiable houseguest who calls her "Lizzy", confesses he loves her, and seems determined to protect her from the newly arrived Mr. Collins.

Elizabeth doesn't know what to make of this new Mr. Darcy. As she nurses him back to health, she finds herself drawn to the man she thought she despised. But secrets can't stay hidden forever. What will happen when Mr. Darcy finally "remembers" himself? Can a love built on a convenient fib survive the truth?

When Mr Darcy Forgot Himself is a light-hearted, humorous, and low-angst Pride & Prejudice variation novella about second chances, ill-timed confessions, and the surprising things a man might do after a knock to the head.

100 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 1, 2025

About the author

Lefki Karantoni has always been fascinated by words. From an early age, she tried to shape the ideas swimming in her mind into stories she could share with others. Though she now lives in England and has travelled widely, she is always Greek at heart. That sense of heritage and belonging forms her love for coastal settings, whether she is writing about small American towns, sunlit islands, or the emotional landscapes of her characters. She continues to explore many genres, guided by a love of language and a desire to connect with readers through the worlds she creates.

Reviews

[Madenna U · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of amazing communication, but not quite the expected situations. This is an entirely clean read and I loved the banter, but time alone in the same room with the door closed seems odd.

[S · Rating 4 out of 5]

ok the thing is, there are some noted flaws in this book. Firstly, the conflict was trite and lasted about 5 pages. darcy is lying about his amnesia, supposedly, because otherwise Lizzy wouldn't give him a chance, but all that he has forgotten is specifically what he said, not that he insulted her. It seems a difference of splitting hairs, and not worth the reaction it engenders. The quotes from the beginning, of things that Lizzy said previously, are a) not canon (which i could accept but just want to note in case that matters to you), and b) more blatantly insulting than witty. The plot moves along too fast, but it is a novella - there is limited space.

There are many other small things that bothered me (injuries healing too fast, incorrect explanations of concussion symptoms (though honestly, its a common trope)), but that I was fine with putting all of those aside, because the most important thing (to me) is the below:

I genuinely and enthusiastically *enjoyed* this book. The writing made me laugh out loud several times, I was smiling through much of the book, and I found it very cute. Some of the turns of phrase especially made me giggle.

I recommend this to others, with the caveat that you should be aware of the following areas it deviates from the strictest standards of JAFF: regency rules, canon events being exactly adhered to, and Austen-era lingo and prose.

[Lynette Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

delightful!

Great fast read-Darcy confined to Longbourn after riding accident forced to recover several days & Elizabeth becomes his bemused primary caregiver. Truly the funniest (not Regency English JA style prose admittedly) most amusing dialogue & interactions which made my day—no weeks! Idk how the cosmic powers & galactic rays have all aligned with the planets and the JAFF powers have decided to bless us JAFF readers as they have, but the plethora or happy feelings PP around Christmas books that have been released have delighted & pleased me beyond any other time of the year i can remember (& im wise enuff to claim lotsa life experience since living lonnnnger is a blessing not to be disdained bc the alternative is not appealing 😉) so my thoughts may be ascribed to have some merit. Anyway—ty to the authors releasing new Christmas related books (includg the Christmas Carol trope ones) since November bc i turn off my kindle with a smile every night after finishing. Recommend this book for all ages, will def read again b4 New Years and sev times thereafter just for the good feels. TY Ms Karantoni

[Marmom · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute but too modern sounding. Some of the conversations were either incorrect or out of character. Why in the world would Lizzie ask Darcy if he thought Jane had pretty eyes? I know it was done to throw his own words back in his face but it was completely outlandish. There are a million different scenarios that could have happened instead that would not have made Lizzie look so bad. Not clever and definitely against the propriety of the day. Also, he told Caroline that Elizabeth had fine eyes, not mr. Bingley. And the mud conversation with Caroline was out of character. Caroline judges silently and then speaks trash behind their back. She was too catty to argue in front of the man she was trying to impress.

[Donna Beveridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love to laugh!

Like my favorite Miss Elizabeth, I love to laugh and I got several snickers, a couple of guffaws, a few chuckles and several out right laughs from reading this book. What a great sense of humor the author has and I really appreciate something light and fast to read before going to bed. Enjoy, I did!

[Alexandra Straus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great humorous variation!

This rendering remained me a cross between "Saturday Night Life" episode & P.G. Woodhouse , sprinkled with eccentricity of "Goes Wrong" show - but all in writing and in correct historical period. Kudus to a writer !!! Thanks for creating this humorous gem !