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Evan and Darcy
Jane Austen gets a little dusty in this outback retelling of a beloved story about a man who learns that first impressions can be wrong when you're looking for Ms Right.
Wheat farmer Evan Bennet is happy being single until his brother falls for the new girl in town, wealthy hotel owner Claire Bingley. Suddenly finding a girl seems more appealing…unless you're talking about Claire's best friend, pretentious lawyer Darcy Fitzwilliam. Her cold manners have Evan seeing red, and when a cute girl with links to Darcy's past catches his eye, he's even more determined to dislike her.
When a startling revelation turns Evan's world upside down and he unexpectedly crosses Darcy's path again, he's forced to reassess his opinion of her. But just as he starts to open his heart, a crisis engulfs his family, threatening to destroy any hope of a future with Darcy.
With a cloud hanging over his family, Evan knows his chance of winning Darcy's heart is gone… until some surprising news and a generous gift leave him wondering if her heart might be his after all.
Wheat farmer Evan Bennet is happy being single until his brother falls for the new girl in town, wealthy hotel owner Claire Bingley. Suddenly finding a girl seems more appealing…unless you're talking about Claire's best friend, pretentious lawyer Darcy Fitzwilliam. Her cold manners have Evan seeing red, and when a cute girl with links to Darcy's past catches his eye, he's even more determined to dislike her.
When a startling revelation turns Evan's world upside down and he unexpectedly crosses Darcy's path again, he's forced to reassess his opinion of her. But just as he starts to open his heart, a crisis engulfs his family, threatening to destroy any hope of a future with Darcy.
With a cloud hanging over his family, Evan knows his chance of winning Darcy's heart is gone… until some surprising news and a generous gift leave him wondering if her heart might be his after all.
350 pages, ebook
Published July 15, 2016
1 person is currently reading
33 people want to read
About the author
Melanie Coles
4 books3 followersMelanie Coles is an author of contemporary and rural/small town romantic fiction and is a member of Romance Writers of Australia and Writers Victoria.
Her love affair with the written word is long. While other children spent their lunchtimes climbing tyre walls or playing kiss-chasey, Melanie spent hers in the library with either her nose in a book, a pen in her hand or her head in the clouds. Throughout her school years she wrote countless stories, only to lose her writing mojo sometime after high school. Thankfully she rediscovered it in the dead of night some twenty years later and now juggles writing with family life and her work as an Executive Assistant.
Her first book Evan and Darcy: An Aussie Tale of Pride and Prejudice sees Jane Austen's beloved tale reimagined in a fresh and unique way - with gender reversals for the main characters and the setting transported to modern-day country Victoria. It will be published in e-book format in 2016 by Escape Publishing.
A hopeless romantic, Melanie is addicted to chocolate and happily-ever-afters, and may also have an obsession with Jane Austen novels. She resides in the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges in Melbourne, Australia with her musician husband, two sports-crazed sons and a ginger cat named Jack.
Her love affair with the written word is long. While other children spent their lunchtimes climbing tyre walls or playing kiss-chasey, Melanie spent hers in the library with either her nose in a book, a pen in her hand or her head in the clouds. Throughout her school years she wrote countless stories, only to lose her writing mojo sometime after high school. Thankfully she rediscovered it in the dead of night some twenty years later and now juggles writing with family life and her work as an Executive Assistant.
Her first book Evan and Darcy: An Aussie Tale of Pride and Prejudice sees Jane Austen's beloved tale reimagined in a fresh and unique way - with gender reversals for the main characters and the setting transported to modern-day country Victoria. It will be published in e-book format in 2016 by Escape Publishing.
A hopeless romantic, Melanie is addicted to chocolate and happily-ever-afters, and may also have an obsession with Jane Austen novels. She resides in the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges in Melbourne, Australia with her musician husband, two sports-crazed sons and a ginger cat named Jack.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
August 1, 2016
A Pride and Prejudice redo in the Australian outback with gender switching of most characters. A bit of fun, but there is not as much at stake for these 2016 characters, so the emotional payoff is unremarkable.
June 29, 2016
City girl meets country boy in this sassy Aussie modern retelling of a classic. You don't have to like the classics to appreciate a good opposites attract romance between a pair that bristle on sight and do their level best to take the hide off each other with words. A match-making mother, a conniving blue-eyed beauty, misunderstanding, a farm full of brothers, a cold precise lawyer, and love after all make for a fun, entertaining romance.
Evan Bennet and his four brothers still all live on the family farm. He and his older brother, Jamie, actually work the farm with their dad. His middle brother, Mark, works on a nearby farm for Charlie, Ev's best mate. His youngest two brothers are a bit wild and work when threatened with loss of life or funds. Evan has hopes of some day leaving the farm to own his own vineyard and make his own wine after spending time and working with his late Uncle Rob. It's a huge gamble and a part of him wants to just stay working on the farm. He also has strong feelings about marriage and women unlike his pushing matchmaking mother who loudly laments her lack of grandchildren. Evan is holding out for true love and it's not like he hasn't met all the girls his small town has to offer.
Only, that's about to change. The old estate, Netherfield, has been taken over and being renovated so a country retreat and hotel can open. The manager is the pretty and very single Miss Claire Bingley. Evan's mom is over the moon and making plans for one of her sons to catch the eye of the wealthy girl. Turns out, Jamie catches her eye and she catches his, but the same doesn't happen when Evan encounters Claire's icy best friend, Darcy Fitzwilliam. She's rude and condescending from the start and then he overhears her insulting him, his family, and the town. Evan has some pride and quite a temper and the gorgeous, sophisticated woman sets him off. Not even his own stalker, Kooky Cara, or a chance at a fun and flirty Jemma can distract the fireworks that come any time the two are within sight of each other.
This one was fun. At first, I wasn't too keen on either Evan or Darcy. He has a bad temper and she's disdainful with her words. But then the two grew on me. Both had some growing to do and some groveling, too. The pace, setting, descriptions, and tone were all in keeping with an easy contemporary romance that takes a long while to develop.
Evan is the sole narrator of the story. He's a hardworking down to earth guy who has a difficult mother and not a lot of patience for his younger brothers or an awkward girl who can't take the hint that he's not interested. But it is Darcy who really sets him off. He doesn't understand why and assumes it is all because of her even as he tries to like another girl, Jemma, who also has trouble with Darcy. I like that the romance takes a while to develop. They had to learn to understand and like each other before anything else could happen. And when it does, this was sweet rather than hot.
My only real niggle was that I wanted to see Darcy and Evan have a few more encounters to establish what came after. Darcy's initial interest was based on very little really. I also cringed each time Evan lost his temper especially with Cara. He could be brutal with his tongue even if I understood his frustration.
The story was engaging beyond the romance. I liked the small farm town setting, the Bennet family and their friends, but also the second half of the book that pursues Evan's interest in wine along with his entry into Darcy's world after she was in his for the first half. The flip in settings was a nice touch seeing them both in each other's worlds.
All in all, I enjoyed this opposites attract sweet contemporary romance and would recommend it to those who want something engaging rather than emotionally challenging.
My thanks to Escape Publishing for the opportunity to read this story in exchange for an honest review.
Evan Bennet and his four brothers still all live on the family farm. He and his older brother, Jamie, actually work the farm with their dad. His middle brother, Mark, works on a nearby farm for Charlie, Ev's best mate. His youngest two brothers are a bit wild and work when threatened with loss of life or funds. Evan has hopes of some day leaving the farm to own his own vineyard and make his own wine after spending time and working with his late Uncle Rob. It's a huge gamble and a part of him wants to just stay working on the farm. He also has strong feelings about marriage and women unlike his pushing matchmaking mother who loudly laments her lack of grandchildren. Evan is holding out for true love and it's not like he hasn't met all the girls his small town has to offer.
Only, that's about to change. The old estate, Netherfield, has been taken over and being renovated so a country retreat and hotel can open. The manager is the pretty and very single Miss Claire Bingley. Evan's mom is over the moon and making plans for one of her sons to catch the eye of the wealthy girl. Turns out, Jamie catches her eye and she catches his, but the same doesn't happen when Evan encounters Claire's icy best friend, Darcy Fitzwilliam. She's rude and condescending from the start and then he overhears her insulting him, his family, and the town. Evan has some pride and quite a temper and the gorgeous, sophisticated woman sets him off. Not even his own stalker, Kooky Cara, or a chance at a fun and flirty Jemma can distract the fireworks that come any time the two are within sight of each other.
This one was fun. At first, I wasn't too keen on either Evan or Darcy. He has a bad temper and she's disdainful with her words. But then the two grew on me. Both had some growing to do and some groveling, too. The pace, setting, descriptions, and tone were all in keeping with an easy contemporary romance that takes a long while to develop.
Evan is the sole narrator of the story. He's a hardworking down to earth guy who has a difficult mother and not a lot of patience for his younger brothers or an awkward girl who can't take the hint that he's not interested. But it is Darcy who really sets him off. He doesn't understand why and assumes it is all because of her even as he tries to like another girl, Jemma, who also has trouble with Darcy. I like that the romance takes a while to develop. They had to learn to understand and like each other before anything else could happen. And when it does, this was sweet rather than hot.
My only real niggle was that I wanted to see Darcy and Evan have a few more encounters to establish what came after. Darcy's initial interest was based on very little really. I also cringed each time Evan lost his temper especially with Cara. He could be brutal with his tongue even if I understood his frustration.
The story was engaging beyond the romance. I liked the small farm town setting, the Bennet family and their friends, but also the second half of the book that pursues Evan's interest in wine along with his entry into Darcy's world after she was in his for the first half. The flip in settings was a nice touch seeing them both in each other's worlds.
All in all, I enjoyed this opposites attract sweet contemporary romance and would recommend it to those who want something engaging rather than emotionally challenging.
My thanks to Escape Publishing for the opportunity to read this story in exchange for an honest review.
July 15, 2016
I love Jane Austen, unlike most of the world my favourite is Persuasion, I read it after watching the film The Lake House, with Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves, that has a Tissue count of 1000, so many tears.. So whilst Persuasion is now my favourite, the one that has been in my heart the longest is Pride and Prejudice. I like any kind of spin on the themes of the book, when I saw the blurb for Evan and Darcy on NetGalley I knew that I had to read it, thanks to Netgalley and Escape Publishing for the copy of the book, here is my honest review.
This book has two things I love, wine and the bush so the odds were in my favour that I would enjoy the story and I did. The book feels very much like the original, that funny mix of anxiety, giddiness and the occasional want to face palm yourself over the carryon (in a good way of course) One of my fondest memories from the original is the moment when you realise that Mr Darcy is in love with Elizabeth, has a young teenager that was completely shocking to me (I was a late bloomer ha ha) but the feeling of "Wow this is really happening" got me again in this retelling so well done Melanie...
The cast of characters you expect are here, Evan has four brothers and they all work on the family farm. Evan has aspirations to open a winery but isn't sure how he can make that happen and still help his family, he has a strong desire to follow his dream. Gemma a beautiful girl comes to the small town to work on a Stud and cause drama for the Bennett family, Mrs Bennett is crazy as ever and still puts me on edge and Mr Bennett is lovely, I just want to give him a cuddle. Evan's elder brother Jamie is one of my favourites in the book, he is a sweet, caring and kind guy and its lovely to watch he and Claire Bingley get to know one another.
What I love most in the book is the reversal of gender, it felt natural and as it should be. Moving the location of the book to regional Australia didn't feel out of place either. I love the addition of the winery, the time in the city Evan spends with his Aunt Kath,
I enjoyed getting to know these characters, there were no tears but I certainly had the warm and fuzzy's when it was done.
Original review posted here on my blog https://missmichellemck.blogspot.com....
June 29, 2016
3.5 ++ Stars! Evan and his four brothers live and work the family farm, and their mother, always trying to play matchmaker, is over the moon a woman has moved to their small town. She wants her boys to marry and start giving her grandchildren. Claire, along with her best friend and very rich attorney, Darcy, arrived to town to restore and manage the fancy hotel. Evan is immediately drawn to the stunningly beautiful Darcy, but quickly decides she is an ice queen and total b****, seeing as she refers to him as "a tractor-riding farm boy" and treats him like a backwards hillbilly. So, game on!
I found this book to be a sweet and fast paced read with enjoyable characters and conversation.
*I received a copy of this book, via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review*
I found this book to be a sweet and fast paced read with enjoyable characters and conversation.
*I received a copy of this book, via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review*
August 22, 2016
A lovely modern Aussie reindition of P&P
This is a modern P&P variation set in Australia, with the genders are reversed (Elizabeth is Evan, Charles is Claire, etc). This story was brilliantly done, well written, and thoroughly enjoyable.
The cast of characters you expect are here, Evan has four brothers and they all work on the family farm. Evan has aspirations to open a winery but isn't sure how he can make that happen and still help his family, he has a strong desire to follow his dream. Gemma a beautiful girl comes to the small town to work on a Stud and cause drama for the Bennett family, Mrs Bennett is crazy as ever and still puts me on edge and Mr Bennett is lovely, I just want to give him a cuddle. Evan's elder brother Jamie is one of my favourites in the book, he is a sweet, caring and kind guy and its lovely to watch he and Claire Bingley get to know one another.
Evan was a nice guy with a passion, and I admired the way he wanted to take care of his family. Darcy also definitely began to grow on me. She was a hardworking woman, who cared a lot about her family and friends.
I also began to ‘feel’ the connection between Evan and Darcy more and more. In the beginning of the book I just felt like they really really hated each other. Something I didn’t feel as much in ‘Pride and Prejudice’. And I just didn’t like their characters at all. I’m glad that changed throughout the book and that the characters felt more right to me.
I truly enjoyed this story, it was a great idea to perform the gender reversal and through it in the Outback. I highly recommend this story to all JAFFers.
This is a modern P&P variation set in Australia, with the genders are reversed (Elizabeth is Evan, Charles is Claire, etc). This story was brilliantly done, well written, and thoroughly enjoyable.
The cast of characters you expect are here, Evan has four brothers and they all work on the family farm. Evan has aspirations to open a winery but isn't sure how he can make that happen and still help his family, he has a strong desire to follow his dream. Gemma a beautiful girl comes to the small town to work on a Stud and cause drama for the Bennett family, Mrs Bennett is crazy as ever and still puts me on edge and Mr Bennett is lovely, I just want to give him a cuddle. Evan's elder brother Jamie is one of my favourites in the book, he is a sweet, caring and kind guy and its lovely to watch he and Claire Bingley get to know one another.
Evan was a nice guy with a passion, and I admired the way he wanted to take care of his family. Darcy also definitely began to grow on me. She was a hardworking woman, who cared a lot about her family and friends.
I also began to ‘feel’ the connection between Evan and Darcy more and more. In the beginning of the book I just felt like they really really hated each other. Something I didn’t feel as much in ‘Pride and Prejudice’. And I just didn’t like their characters at all. I’m glad that changed throughout the book and that the characters felt more right to me.
I truly enjoyed this story, it was a great idea to perform the gender reversal and through it in the Outback. I highly recommend this story to all JAFFers.
June 1, 2020
Modern, gender swap PnP variation
Sweet and romantic, gender swop, modern twist on P&P.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel. I thought it worked very well, the Australian countryside an all.
Evan Bennet meets the snobbish Darcy Fitzwilliam at a party at Lucas Lodge. Overhearing Darcy calling him a couple of unflattering names, this hot-headed version of "Elizabeth " was unimpressed. Darcy Fitzwilliam was visiting with her friend, Claire Bingley and Claire's brother Andrew. Claire was restoring Netherfield hotel and fell for Evans brother Jamie.
Darcy and Evan quarrel whenever they meet and when the lovely Jemma Wickham has a sordid tale to tell, Evan swallows it raw.
A disastrous opening party at Netherfield hotel (at least for the Bennets ) makes Claire and Darcy run back to town.
Evan was dreaming of starting his own vineyard and he meets Darcy again in a vine and food festival. Darcy admits that she's falling for Evan but he is still unimpressed...
Heartily recommend this book
Rated: Chaste
Reread: 01.06.20 Holds up very nicely on the second read. I am upping my rating from 4 to 5*
Sweet and romantic, gender swop, modern twist on P&P.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel. I thought it worked very well, the Australian countryside an all.
Evan Bennet meets the snobbish Darcy Fitzwilliam at a party at Lucas Lodge. Overhearing Darcy calling him a couple of unflattering names, this hot-headed version of "Elizabeth " was unimpressed. Darcy Fitzwilliam was visiting with her friend, Claire Bingley and Claire's brother Andrew. Claire was restoring Netherfield hotel and fell for Evans brother Jamie.
Darcy and Evan quarrel whenever they meet and when the lovely Jemma Wickham has a sordid tale to tell, Evan swallows it raw.
A disastrous opening party at Netherfield hotel (at least for the Bennets ) makes Claire and Darcy run back to town.
Evan was dreaming of starting his own vineyard and he meets Darcy again in a vine and food festival. Darcy admits that she's falling for Evan but he is still unimpressed...
Heartily recommend this book
Rated: Chaste
Reread: 01.06.20 Holds up very nicely on the second read. I am upping my rating from 4 to 5*
August 1, 2016
Like most woman, I just love Jane Austen. I have all her books. And I’ve read ‘Pride and Prejudice’ at least three times. I’ve seen almost every single movie out there about ‘Pride and Prejudice’. So when I saw this title ‘Evan and Darcy’, and read that is was an outback retelling of the Jane Austen novel, I just knew I needed to read this book.
The beginning of this book was a little disappointing to me. The Bennet family consists of five brothers this time, and although this is a nice change from all the other retellings.. I just couldn’t really connect with the Bennet brothers. For example.. I just couldn’t really see the shy oldest Bennet sibling as a man. And it took me a long time to get used to it.
Also the story just went way too fast for me in the beginning. Since I couldn’t really connect with the characters at first, I hoped for a little more time to get used to them. But the story goes really fast and the writing just didn’t really grab me.
Thankfully, half way through the book I began to like the characters more and more. Evan was a nice guy with a passion, and I admired the way he wanted to take care of his family. Darcy also definitely began to grow on me. She was a hardworking woman, who cared a lot about her family and friends.
I also began to ‘feel’ the connection between Evan and Darcy more and more. In the beginning of the book I just felt like they really really hated each other. Something I didn’t feel as much in ‘Pride and Prejudice’. And I just didn’t like their characters at all. I’m glad that changed throughout the book and that the characters felt more right to me.
What I definitely enjoyed the most was the way this book took place in Australia. I loved reading about the country and the beautiful landscapes. It really fitted the story too. And I could easily imagine the characters there.
Overall this book was a fun read. I didn’t think it was the best, but it definitely made for an enjoyable evening.
The beginning of this book was a little disappointing to me. The Bennet family consists of five brothers this time, and although this is a nice change from all the other retellings.. I just couldn’t really connect with the Bennet brothers. For example.. I just couldn’t really see the shy oldest Bennet sibling as a man. And it took me a long time to get used to it.
Also the story just went way too fast for me in the beginning. Since I couldn’t really connect with the characters at first, I hoped for a little more time to get used to them. But the story goes really fast and the writing just didn’t really grab me.
Thankfully, half way through the book I began to like the characters more and more. Evan was a nice guy with a passion, and I admired the way he wanted to take care of his family. Darcy also definitely began to grow on me. She was a hardworking woman, who cared a lot about her family and friends.
I also began to ‘feel’ the connection between Evan and Darcy more and more. In the beginning of the book I just felt like they really really hated each other. Something I didn’t feel as much in ‘Pride and Prejudice’. And I just didn’t like their characters at all. I’m glad that changed throughout the book and that the characters felt more right to me.
What I definitely enjoyed the most was the way this book took place in Australia. I loved reading about the country and the beautiful landscapes. It really fitted the story too. And I could easily imagine the characters there.
Overall this book was a fun read. I didn’t think it was the best, but it definitely made for an enjoyable evening.
August 6, 2016
A modern retelling of Pride and Prejudice with gender reversals.
I loved reading a romance told entirely from the perspective of a man, not something I come across often. Evan grew on me more and more as I read.
I was delighted to discover that the book is set in country Victoria, not far from where I grew up.
Evan and Darcy maintained the themes and spirit of Pride and Prejudice, but I became swept up in the story on its own merits.
I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I loved reading a romance told entirely from the perspective of a man, not something I come across often. Evan grew on me more and more as I read.
I was delighted to discover that the book is set in country Victoria, not far from where I grew up.
Evan and Darcy maintained the themes and spirit of Pride and Prejudice, but I became swept up in the story on its own merits.
I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 16, 2016
Totally twisted around for incredible enjoyment!
The Bennet family has five sons NOT five daughters. Charles Bingley is "Claire" Bingley and Claire has a stuffy brother. Darcy Fitzwilliam is the female version of the original male Darcy. The pieces all come together in a very intriguing variation of P&P.... very eenjoyable
The Bennet family has five sons NOT five daughters. Charles Bingley is "Claire" Bingley and Claire has a stuffy brother. Darcy Fitzwilliam is the female version of the original male Darcy. The pieces all come together in a very intriguing variation of P&P.... very eenjoyable
June 13, 2016
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Evan And Darcy is a contemporary retelling of the famous classic Pride And Prejudice by Jane Austen with the genders reversed.
Elizabeth Bennet becomes Evan Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy becomes Darcy Fitzwilliam. The town is Meryton, the family lives at Netherfield and Evan's best friend is Charlie Collins.
Now, when it comes to writing contemporary versions of classics, which already have about a hundred different versions, one has to be careful and work a tad bit harder to create a novel that stands out. That screams "different". Only those novels will leave a mark when read.
I have not read many versions of the classic - in fact, I have read only one. It's called Epic Fail by Claire LaZebnik. This one was wonderful - it had its own independent characters, a pretty good setting, and well was an amazing read.
Evan And Darcy, sadly, didn't hit the mark for me. It was a complete retelling of the original and there were no variations. The characters were one-dimensional and seemed really boring. I'm really disappointed that the author didn't take her time to analyse the novel, write down her interpretation and then recreate the story. That's the point. You have to be able to recreate it, to define your identity through it. This book is one among a million other books which are a verbatim copy of the original story-line.
Now that we've established the point, let's come to the next question: Did the author do a good job re-writing the original? The answer is:
Oh, no. Evan Bennet is not like Elizabeth Bennet. His character completely lacks maturity and he behaves like a teenage boy now and then. It really got on my nerves.
"It was weird"? What are you, Evan? 16?
And there was something seriously wrong with the contemporary part. In today's world, when you meet someone you like, you have no pressure to settle down with them. Nor do you start a relationship with the idea of settling down with them. By settling down, I mean getting married. This was a serious flaw. Jamie and Claire meet.. BAM! They fall in love and get married. Evan and Darcy aren't very behind in the marriage bandwagon. Matchmaking mothers, instant weddings... God, we are in the twenty first century, right?
If you want to read an actual contemporary retelling of Pride And Prejudice, I would suggest you go for Epic Fail. It was amazing.
*ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
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August 29, 2016I read an early draft of Evan and Darcy, and could tell at once that it was a great concept that would grab readers: a modern Australian retelling of the Jane Austen classic, Pride and Prejudice, but with the added twist of a gender swap.
Yes, Evan is now farmer Evan Bennet, the second of the five Bennet boys, and Darcy is now Ms Darcy Fitzwilliam, lawyer. The novel has all the other familiar P&P characters: the overbearing Mrs Bennet, the irritating younger Bennets (now brothers), the Bingleys, the de Burghs, Miss Collins, and Jemma Wickham. And none of them are any more likeable than Jane Austen's version.
This is probably the main failing of Evan and Darcy: too many characters are best described as cliche. But that's an unfair criticsm because it's also the strength of the novel: that the author has managed to capture the annoying essence of characters we know so well that they have become cliches, and recreate them in a modern setting.
The plot follows all the main high points of the original (including Darcy's cringeworthy proposal), but set in a farming community. Perfect Jamie Bennet is happy to remain on the family farm, but Evan's passion is wine—he'd love to own a vineyard and make wine (no, he's not a drunkard. He leaves that to his younger brothers). This works well.
Overall, this is a well-executed Pride and Prejudice variation, and I'll look forward to seeing what Melanie Coles can do with the rest of Jane Austen's novels.
Note: Evan and Darcy is a general market romance novel, and while it's true to the original and doesn't have any hot-and-heavy scenes, it does have occasional low-level language (what Aussie farmers would consider normal vocabulary, but which conservative Christians might not appreciate).
Thanks to NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review. And a big thank you to Melanie Coles for her kind words in the acknowledgements!
Yes, Evan is now farmer Evan Bennet, the second of the five Bennet boys, and Darcy is now Ms Darcy Fitzwilliam, lawyer. The novel has all the other familiar P&P characters: the overbearing Mrs Bennet, the irritating younger Bennets (now brothers), the Bingleys, the de Burghs, Miss Collins, and Jemma Wickham. And none of them are any more likeable than Jane Austen's version.
This is probably the main failing of Evan and Darcy: too many characters are best described as cliche. But that's an unfair criticsm because it's also the strength of the novel: that the author has managed to capture the annoying essence of characters we know so well that they have become cliches, and recreate them in a modern setting.
The plot follows all the main high points of the original (including Darcy's cringeworthy proposal), but set in a farming community. Perfect Jamie Bennet is happy to remain on the family farm, but Evan's passion is wine—he'd love to own a vineyard and make wine (no, he's not a drunkard. He leaves that to his younger brothers). This works well.
Overall, this is a well-executed Pride and Prejudice variation, and I'll look forward to seeing what Melanie Coles can do with the rest of Jane Austen's novels.
Note: Evan and Darcy is a general market romance novel, and while it's true to the original and doesn't have any hot-and-heavy scenes, it does have occasional low-level language (what Aussie farmers would consider normal vocabulary, but which conservative Christians might not appreciate).
Thanks to NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review. And a big thank you to Melanie Coles for her kind words in the acknowledgements!
May 31, 2017
I was on a Jane Austen kick when this popped up on Net Galley. I was delightfully surprised that this novel wasn’t horrible. Jane Austen retellings/rip offs are a dime a dozen, especially modern versions. However, I felt that this was a lovely retelling. I felt is held true to its inspirations and I likes Evan and Darcy almost as much as Elizabeth and Darcy. The side characters were just as meddling and frustrating too!
Bottom line, if you want a cute modern retelling that doesn’t butcher the feel of the original, I highly recommend this novel.
Bottom line, if you want a cute modern retelling that doesn’t butcher the feel of the original, I highly recommend this novel.
January 31, 2017
I thought this was an interesting take on Pride & Prejudice. Though knowing it was a retelling might have lessened my enjoyment a little, because I familiar with the original and was expecting certain things that didn't happen or happen very differently, it was still a fun read. Evan was a strong and likable main character and Darcy was a kinder than you'd expect. If you're looking for a different type of P&P retelling I'd say give this one a try.
3.5 stars
3.5 stars
May 22, 2021
I love a book that has you feeling the emotion of the characters. Feeling the love, confusion and and disappointments and then hanging out for the ending. Had me turning pages at 3am.
February 12, 2025
Since my mania for fanfic started, I've been reading quite a few. This is everything I hope for whenever I crack open a new one. It's a gender-reversed Pride & Prejudice, set in the agrarian rural community of Meryton in present-day Australia.
The Bennet family owns a wheat and barley farm named Longbourn, and they have five sons to help run it. Meanwhile, rich girl Claire Bingley has just purchased nearby Netherfield, a lavish country estate she plans to turn into a function centre. When Jamie, the good-natured, eldest Bennet boy, becomes besotted with Claire, his more cynical brother Evan is willing to humor him. But Evan gets deeply offended by Claire's best friend, a polished young lawyer named Darcy Fitzwilliam. Evan overhears Darcy referring to him as a swaggering farm boy she'd waste no time on. From then on, he considers her a snooty ice-queen who makes him see red whenever he thinks about her.
I felt compelled to keep turning pages to see how it all plays out in this topsy turvy, up-to-date rural setting. The character counterparts to Jane Austen are all excellent supporting roles. The third Bennet son is nerdy, try-hard Mark who is a terrible musician. And the two youngest brothers, lazy party boys Caleb and Liam, kept stealing the show for me in their scenes.
Melanie Coles has proven that an excellent plot is both timeless and geographically transferable. It can be copied and pasted, so to speak, to work anywhere. If this modern version occasionally lacks the same Regency era urgency (Charlie Lucas doesn't have Charlotte's same sense of desperation before hooking up with Cara Collins), it's more than compensated for at other times. When cute but crooked Jemma Wickham seduces teenager Liam Bennet, the stakes are enormous indeed. You'll see if you read it. Wow, the nerve of that girl!
Evan and Darcy's romance, at the heart of the story, is swoon-worthy in its own right to the extent that I sometimes forgot all about that most famous literary couple they are meant to mirror. What's more, Coles shows us that the filthy rich have their own problems to deal with, and work extremely hard.
I'll be recommending this fan fiction far and wide to anyone willing for their rosy ideals to be shaken up a bit. In my opinion, it takes an Aussie author to pull off something so hilarious, compelling, and cool.
The Bennet family owns a wheat and barley farm named Longbourn, and they have five sons to help run it. Meanwhile, rich girl Claire Bingley has just purchased nearby Netherfield, a lavish country estate she plans to turn into a function centre. When Jamie, the good-natured, eldest Bennet boy, becomes besotted with Claire, his more cynical brother Evan is willing to humor him. But Evan gets deeply offended by Claire's best friend, a polished young lawyer named Darcy Fitzwilliam. Evan overhears Darcy referring to him as a swaggering farm boy she'd waste no time on. From then on, he considers her a snooty ice-queen who makes him see red whenever he thinks about her.
I felt compelled to keep turning pages to see how it all plays out in this topsy turvy, up-to-date rural setting. The character counterparts to Jane Austen are all excellent supporting roles. The third Bennet son is nerdy, try-hard Mark who is a terrible musician. And the two youngest brothers, lazy party boys Caleb and Liam, kept stealing the show for me in their scenes.
Melanie Coles has proven that an excellent plot is both timeless and geographically transferable. It can be copied and pasted, so to speak, to work anywhere. If this modern version occasionally lacks the same Regency era urgency (Charlie Lucas doesn't have Charlotte's same sense of desperation before hooking up with Cara Collins), it's more than compensated for at other times. When cute but crooked Jemma Wickham seduces teenager Liam Bennet, the stakes are enormous indeed. You'll see if you read it. Wow, the nerve of that girl!
Evan and Darcy's romance, at the heart of the story, is swoon-worthy in its own right to the extent that I sometimes forgot all about that most famous literary couple they are meant to mirror. What's more, Coles shows us that the filthy rich have their own problems to deal with, and work extremely hard.
I'll be recommending this fan fiction far and wide to anyone willing for their rosy ideals to be shaken up a bit. In my opinion, it takes an Aussie author to pull off something so hilarious, compelling, and cool.
November 22, 2017
I came across this book completely by accident, and when I read that it was an Australian retelling of Pride & Prejudice, I couldn’t resist checking it out.
In the end, it was an okay read, but I think a lot of that rested on the novelty value in the way the author reimagined the story in a modern-day Australian setting (with most of the gender roles reversed, eg, Darcy is the female, Evan (Elizabeth) the male). There isn’t the same depth of character development as the original, and it moved through the various plot points much more quickly. At times, it almost felt as though it was relying on the reader’s knowledge of the original to support it.
It was a clean read in terms of sexual content, although there were infrequent instances of typical Australian swearing (bloody hell, s**t, p***ed).
Enjoyable enough as a light diversion.
In the end, it was an okay read, but I think a lot of that rested on the novelty value in the way the author reimagined the story in a modern-day Australian setting (with most of the gender roles reversed, eg, Darcy is the female, Evan (Elizabeth) the male). There isn’t the same depth of character development as the original, and it moved through the various plot points much more quickly. At times, it almost felt as though it was relying on the reader’s knowledge of the original to support it.
It was a clean read in terms of sexual content, although there were infrequent instances of typical Australian swearing (bloody hell, s**t, p***ed).
Enjoyable enough as a light diversion.
May 30, 2017
New Australian spin on Pride and Prejudice. I saw this in NetGalley and after reading the description I knew I needed to read it. I enjoy Jane Austen’s work immensely and Pride and Prejudice is my favorite. This was a cute retelling with the characters reversed. I don’t think the characters were at all like those in Pride and Prejudice but I don’t have anything bad to say about the book. I enjoyed it. There was also nothing about it that would put it on my list of favorite books to read again and again.
August 1, 2017
It is amazing how Melanie has taken a classic English story and made it modern, Australian, and realistic. A truly entertaining read and even though you know where the story is going considering we know Pride and Prejudice, there are enough twists, turns, and 'how is it going to happen' to keep you reading. A very wonderful book.
September 24, 2017
I really enjoyed this easy to read take on Pride & Prejudice. It's now set in country Australia (Victoria) and the genders have all been reversed. The story is much the same though. And of course, Evan Bennet gets the girl in the end! It's not great literature like the original but is fun to read.
March 20, 2017
I really enjoyed the great setting, the characters, and the wit. This was a very clever way of retelling a classic. However, because I know the original story so well, every time I was introduced to a new character I felt I knew already what was going to happen. 3.5 stars for me.
March 27, 2021
Five brothers... Evan [Elizabeth], with Jamie [Jane], Mark [Mary], Caleb and Liam - they are The Bennets and work a wheat&barley farm, Longborn Farms, in Meryton.
Netherfield, a neighboring property in Meryton, is purchased by a Claire Bingley [Charles Bingley], who brings her BFF and lawyer, Darcy Fitzwilliam [Mr. Darcy], and brother, Andrew [Caroline Bingley]; Claire's father is a famous Hotelier and they have turned Netherfield into a fancy resort.
Evan and Jamie have a best friend, Charlie [Charlotte Lucas] who is another next-door neighbor, who's father is Mayor of Meryton but also their family farm grows olives.
There's a secondary story running underneath of Evan possibly desiring his own Vineyard - because they sometimes use the wheat they grow to make beers - anyway, he likes wine-making and thinks he might want to have a Vineyard/Winery of his own; his favorite wine is from Pemberley Estates.
Now, there is a pseudo-cousin arriving, Cara Collins [Mr. Collins], with a strange young woman Cara met on the bus ride, Jemma Wickham [George Wickham]; Cara will be the Chef at Netherfield.
Jemma knew Darcy, way back when, because Darcy & her father were BFFs; Darcy's father treated Jemma like a 2nd daughter.
Darcy has a brother named Gabe who is a showjumper and Jemma trains horses.
OMG! Someone has actually resurrected a "Denny" character...I am simply agog! NOBODY EVER WRITES A DENNY CHARACTER IN A MODERN RETELLING! YES!!
There is a Rosings Park Wine Festival, led by Philip de Burgh {Lady DeBurgh], a fellow lawyer with Darcy's father; Evan went with Charlie and this is where Darcy made her claim of FEELs.
After Darcy's email of truth, Evan is going to see his Aunt Katharine Gardnier, whose husband, Uncle Rob, just passed away; this is the man who taught Evan how to love wines and want to own a Vineyard of his own.
--pssst...everything above is my written P-by-P notetaking...
All right, once Evan was with his Aunt Kath the story sped up some so I stopped doing play-by-play Notes.
Everything was so eerily similar so it was great to witness how it all unfolded just like in Pride & Prejudice for Lizzie.
Jemma did try to entangle the youngest Bennet in another horse scheme while Evan was able to get a personal tour of Pemberley Estate Vineyard; he and his Uncle Rob's favorite winery.
Little did Evan know Darcy was the mysterious originator's daughter; interestingly enough Darcy's father is in search of a proper successor.
With Evan returning home, Evan believes Darcy no longer has interest in him, but little does he know how much she helps save his baby brother's butt.
Jamie & Claire reunite happily and Evan receives a mysterious box [a case of Pemberley wines, very expensive and hard to locate] and an attached letter asking him to come meet Clay Fitzwilliam to possibly check out a prospective job as Pemberley Estate Vineyards manager-in-training.
As always, the situation works out into Evan and Darcy with an eventual HEA, like always.
This book had everything not just a perfect mirror to P&P but a passel of great characters, a great "Lizzie" and it's set in Australia's Outback... one of my most favorite settings.
July 11, 2016
Evan is a simple country boy who is helping on his family farm since he was six, he loves what he does but he has another passion and he keeps that close to his heart as well. When Claire, Darcy, Jemma and Cara walk into his town and into his family lives things start to change. Will he be able to find love and follow his heart or will he be left putting the family back together when one of them causes the family name into question?
Darcy has always came from a lifestyle where you don't have always wonder where your next meal is coming from. She is a hard working attorney and making a name for herself when her best friend drags her to this backwards town she doesn't make the best impression on everyone. Her family has there own set of secrets and when they are called into question she wonders if she need to look at herself and the way she was brought up and change things. Will she be able to get the answers she's looking for before its to late or will she loose the one thing she's just found and knows she wants like nothing else?
I really enjoyed this book while it was slow at some points and transitioning seemed to be frustrating at some points it did not take away to much from the over all story line. The book captures your attention and keeps you wanting more to see whats going to happen it keeps you completely drawn in. I really enjoyed Jamie and Evan's relationship and Claire and Darcy's, it seemed like one of these did not fit but as you get more drawn in it just seemed to work perfectly. The only thing I felt if I could have changed anything is I would have loved to have Darcy's thoughts and play in the book more I think it would have allow me to connect with her more.
Over all I would have to say I rate this book a 3.5/4 stars it was enjoyable and completely worth the read.
Disclosure: I received this book free of charge from the publisher, but this review consists of my honest opinions, not influenced in any way by the author or publisher
Darcy has always came from a lifestyle where you don't have always wonder where your next meal is coming from. She is a hard working attorney and making a name for herself when her best friend drags her to this backwards town she doesn't make the best impression on everyone. Her family has there own set of secrets and when they are called into question she wonders if she need to look at herself and the way she was brought up and change things. Will she be able to get the answers she's looking for before its to late or will she loose the one thing she's just found and knows she wants like nothing else?
I really enjoyed this book while it was slow at some points and transitioning seemed to be frustrating at some points it did not take away to much from the over all story line. The book captures your attention and keeps you wanting more to see whats going to happen it keeps you completely drawn in. I really enjoyed Jamie and Evan's relationship and Claire and Darcy's, it seemed like one of these did not fit but as you get more drawn in it just seemed to work perfectly. The only thing I felt if I could have changed anything is I would have loved to have Darcy's thoughts and play in the book more I think it would have allow me to connect with her more.
Over all I would have to say I rate this book a 3.5/4 stars it was enjoyable and completely worth the read.
Disclosure: I received this book free of charge from the publisher, but this review consists of my honest opinions, not influenced in any way by the author or publisher
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November 6, 2016This is a wonderfully creative story with a modern Australian twist on the well-loved classic, "Pride and Prejudice".
Evan Bennett was a wheat farmer who had dreams of having his own vineyard. His father, mother and four brothers lived on a farm in Australia. When he first met Darcy Fitzwilliam and a local party thrown in order to welcome the newcomer to the area, Claire Bingley, he thought she was a snob and he couldn't stand her disdain towards him and his friends and family. Darcy was Claire's best friend and Claire and Evan's brother, Jamie, became a couple, until Darcy planted seeds of doubt about Jamie's interest in Claire.
Evan was, however, interested in another newcomer, Jemma Wickham, who turned out to be just as corrupt and devious as the Mr Wickham from the original "Pride and Prejudice".
While I love the original Pride and Prejudice story, I very much enjoyed this version, as well. The stories were close enough that I recognized the "same" characters in the story but there were a few modern day twists that made the story interesting and not a tired adaptation.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Evan Bennett was a wheat farmer who had dreams of having his own vineyard. His father, mother and four brothers lived on a farm in Australia. When he first met Darcy Fitzwilliam and a local party thrown in order to welcome the newcomer to the area, Claire Bingley, he thought she was a snob and he couldn't stand her disdain towards him and his friends and family. Darcy was Claire's best friend and Claire and Evan's brother, Jamie, became a couple, until Darcy planted seeds of doubt about Jamie's interest in Claire.
Evan was, however, interested in another newcomer, Jemma Wickham, who turned out to be just as corrupt and devious as the Mr Wickham from the original "Pride and Prejudice".
While I love the original Pride and Prejudice story, I very much enjoyed this version, as well. The stories were close enough that I recognized the "same" characters in the story but there were a few modern day twists that made the story interesting and not a tired adaptation.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 27, 2016
As I finished this beautiful adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, all I can say is, I miss them.
I'll admit, I was a little nervous at first. How would it work for Elizabeth Bennet to be Evan? Let alone the snobbish Darcy being a woman. And yet.... I was delightfully surprised.
Evan and the Bennet family are down to earth, honest and real. The way they speak and think resonated with me as authentic.
The confusion and unspoken words with Darcy and Claire and Jamie brought familiar frustrations as the original Pride and Prejudice.
I thoroughly enjoyed the way author Melanie Coles, managed to weave a similar feeling through a very different time.
There were many genuine moments of laughing...actually out loud. The colloquial expressions of the young men of country Victoria was so accurate. They do think women are 'weird'. At least that's what I've heard. Apparently so has the author.
Thank you for this truly fun story. I think I'd better read it again. I really do miss them.
I'll admit, I was a little nervous at first. How would it work for Elizabeth Bennet to be Evan? Let alone the snobbish Darcy being a woman. And yet.... I was delightfully surprised.
Evan and the Bennet family are down to earth, honest and real. The way they speak and think resonated with me as authentic.
The confusion and unspoken words with Darcy and Claire and Jamie brought familiar frustrations as the original Pride and Prejudice.
I thoroughly enjoyed the way author Melanie Coles, managed to weave a similar feeling through a very different time.
There were many genuine moments of laughing...actually out loud. The colloquial expressions of the young men of country Victoria was so accurate. They do think women are 'weird'. At least that's what I've heard. Apparently so has the author.
Thank you for this truly fun story. I think I'd better read it again. I really do miss them.
May 27, 2017
Good Read
I have often wondered what a P & P version would read like if the Darcy and Lizzy characters were reversed. In this version Darcy is a woman and "Evan" Bennet and his 4 brothers work their fathers wheat and barley farm. Claire Bingley works for her father, who has just purchased Netherfield, a hotel in the town of Merton. Claire is supervising the renovations and falls for the oldest Bennet, Jamie. Then , there is Jemma Wickham, who is kind of a drifter, lands in town at the same time as the the Bennets Cooky cousin Cara, that has an borderline, unhealthy obsession with Evan. Jemma spins her web of lies and self pity, but in the end gets a"Liam" involved in some illegal equine shenanigans.
The story takes place in Australia, but Darcy and her father are transplants from England.
I liked it.
I have often wondered what a P & P version would read like if the Darcy and Lizzy characters were reversed. In this version Darcy is a woman and "Evan" Bennet and his 4 brothers work their fathers wheat and barley farm. Claire Bingley works for her father, who has just purchased Netherfield, a hotel in the town of Merton. Claire is supervising the renovations and falls for the oldest Bennet, Jamie. Then , there is Jemma Wickham, who is kind of a drifter, lands in town at the same time as the the Bennets Cooky cousin Cara, that has an borderline, unhealthy obsession with Evan. Jemma spins her web of lies and self pity, but in the end gets a"Liam" involved in some illegal equine shenanigans.
The story takes place in Australia, but Darcy and her father are transplants from England.
I liked it.
July 12, 2016
This was a sweet love story pattered after Pride and Prejudice. If you are a Jane Austen fan, you are certain to love this modern update.
Personally, I loved the character of Evan as the strong hero that took care of his family, spoke his mind, had big goals and dreams for himself, and yet demonstrated vulnerability about his choices and his goals. Darcy was not as well-developed for me, and although I liked what I knew of her, I never felt as though I really got to know her.
Personally, I loved the character of Evan as the strong hero that took care of his family, spoke his mind, had big goals and dreams for himself, and yet demonstrated vulnerability about his choices and his goals. Darcy was not as well-developed for me, and although I liked what I knew of her, I never felt as though I really got to know her.
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July 19, 2016Pride and Prejudice is my favorite book so I was skeptical when I read the premise of Evan and Darcy. Melanie does an incredible job of incorporating all that we love about the original and bringing it in to the 21st century! Seeing the roles reversed in the genders where Evan was the farmer and Darcy the lawyer were a great addition! I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves Pride and Prejudice and to anyone who enjoys an opposites attract love story!
April 2, 2024
What a page turner!
Having heard Melanie speak about "Evan and Darcy" at a library event, I wanted to read it.
I thoroughly enjoyed the pace and language as the story unfolded. It is a story fullnof the right kind of tension that kept me turning the pages. I loved the characters and the warmth of their telationships. A lovely read. Highly recommend.
Having heard Melanie speak about "Evan and Darcy" at a library event, I wanted to read it.
I thoroughly enjoyed the pace and language as the story unfolded. It is a story fullnof the right kind of tension that kept me turning the pages. I loved the characters and the warmth of their telationships. A lovely read. Highly recommend.
December 29, 2019
Such a charming Australian version of the Pride and Prejudice classic. I really enjoyed meeting the new characters, related to the setting and despite knowing what could happen enjoyed their journey. All P & P fans will love this version. Well done
September 27, 2016
a sweet fun read and easy weekend read recommended
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