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The Letter of the Law: A Pride & Prejudice Variation

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One month to find a wife he can live with forever.Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy is desperate. If he doesn’t marry within 33 days, he loses guardianship of his sister to his cantankerous aunt Lady Catherine de Bourgh. His diligent search within the ton was in vain, so he heads to the country with his mind filled with determination and his heart hoping for love.Miss Elizabeth Bennet is desperate. Her father’s disinterest in their estate has resulted in concern for the future of her family. When circumstances become precarious, Elizabeth accepts an offer from the last man on earth she suspected would be interested in marriage to her.Will the hero and heroine of Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice find their happily-ever-after when the odds and the wickedest of enemies are against them? Follow Elizabeth and Darcy in this novel-length Regency romance as J. Dawn King takes them through a sweet adventure where their happiness comes only if they obey The Letter of the Law.By the author of Amazon bestsellers Compromised! and The Abominable Mr. Darcy.

258 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 28, 2018

210 people are currently reading
122 people want to read

About the author

J. Dawn King

21 books183 followers
I go by the name "Joy". There is a well-published author that uses my full name (including the same middle initial). Imagine that!

I also write as Christie Capps. These are all variations of Pride and Prejudice that are about 100-120 pages in length.

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5 stars
224 (35%)
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145 (22%)
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27 (4%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
Profile Image for Debbie.
1,680 reviews80 followers
May 29, 2023
Wow! THIS is a story that will keep you up late reading. That's certainly what happened to me. Ms. King starts this book out somewhat tamely but then gradually builds more and more tension.

It all revolves around this basic premise: The clock is ticking close to the deadline for Mr. Darcy or Colonel Fitzwilliam to marry. If not, they relinquish guardianship of Georgiana to Lady Catherine. Since Fitzwilliam is being sent back soon to fight in the Napoleonic war, that leaves Darcy, who decides his best opportunity might be to visit Bingley in Hertfordshire and look for a gentlewoman in the country rather than a woman who's "accomplished" by London standards.

He and Elizabeth start out in the usual manner at the Meryton assembly. At a chance meeting later, they set propriety aside and enter into an honest discussion about their expectations in a spouse, leading Darcy to confide his mission to her. Elizabeth is happy to offer her assistance in finding him a bride. He's already thinking someone like her would be perfect except he needs someone with better social standing. Naturally, his attitude about THAT eventually changes, and Elizabeth finds herself fighting to keep from falling in love with him, too. There are all kinds of electricity and sparks between them, so the romantic angle is strong and, at times, humorous.

While those two are getting to know each other, there are startling developments in the Bingley-and-Jane storyline that veer way outside canon. The same is true with Mr. Collins, and with Mr. Wickham, and then, suddenly, you realize that all bets are off.

Three different men get into competition over Elizabeth--well, actually there are four if you count Mr. Collins. Charlotte Lucas gets a marriage proposal, and it's not from him. Lydia and Kitty are sent back in the nursery and will be headed to a finishing school to learn how to behave properly. Mary gets a makeover. Fitzwilliam has a life-threatening injury, bringing Lord and Lady Matlock to Netherfield and Caroline preening to earn their favor. We have a major fire that causes significant consequences. There's a message from Wickham and a kidnapping, leading to a wild chase. Smugglers get into the action, too. Lady Catherine shows up. There's some more stuff mixed in there too, but the point is...WOWZA!

Talk about everything but the kitchen sink!! You'll be chewing on your fingernails as you turn the pages. It's rare that there's this much going on in a book without it becoming just a series of obstacles, but Ms. King does a marvelous job of keeping everything on point. It all relates directly to the codicil in the Will left by Darcy's father. Everything converges and resolves, so it's extremely satisfying. Bad guys all get punished, and good guys all live Happily Ever After.

Beautifully written and edited, this is just a fun book to read from beginning to end. I do have one quibble with a significant plot point, though. Despite that, it's a heck of a good yarn.
Profile Image for wosedwew.
1,337 reviews125 followers
March 24, 2025
By all means marry; if you get a good wife, you'll be happy; if you get a bad one, you'll become a philosopher. ~ Socrates

Fitzwilliam Darcy’s father believes in Socrates advice. He believes it so strongly he adds a codicil to his Will: either his son Fitzwilliam or his nephew Colonel Fitzwilliam must marry before his daughter Georgiana is 16 years old. Failure to fulfill this requirement will send Georgiana to live with their Aunt Catherine de Bourgh and Cousin Anne.

Losing Georgiana is an intolerable thought. Richard Fitzwilliam expects to be recalled to the war on the Continent soon. Fitzwilliam Darcy has 33 days to court a wife and marry. He has no interest in the young ladies he has met in London. Perhaps he will meet a suitable country girl in Hertfordshire when he visits Bingley. Or … he is invited to a house party.

Marriage halves our griefs, doubles our joys, and quadruples our expenses. ~ English Proverb

Courtship between Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet takes the first half of this book. Just when it seems the happy ending music will play at the midway point … disaster!

Wickham rears his handsome head. But is he plotting alone? Is he aided and abetted? If so, who is his co-conspirator?

Adventure, danger and frantic travel fill the remaining pages.

This is a great book. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys JAFF.

Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one. ~ Jane Howard
Profile Image for Les.
2,911 reviews1 follower
September 9, 2019
The blurb says it all
Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy is desperate. If he doesn't marry within 33 days, he loses guardianship of his sister to his cantankerous aunt Lady Catherine de Bourgh. His diligent search within the ton was in vain, so he heads to the country with his mind filled with determination and his heart hoping for love.


Read the book. READ IT!

Being dreadfully clever in my review came back and bit me in the Butt when I couldn't recall anything about this book. I reread it in order to remediate this error and discovered that my opinion had moderately changed. Don't get me wrong, it is a very good story. However, since I just finished a VERY LONG VERY Angsty P&P I wasn't really in the mood for another, albeit shorter, very angsty P&P variation.

So for my future reference and any one else here's a recap.

It is a mere month until Georgiana Darcy's 16th birthday and a previously ignored codicil from his father's will requires one of her Guardians to be married before that date or Georgiana and her dowry are turned over to Lady Catherine deBourgh. Now Darcy and Col. Fitzwilliam must act but what to do and who to marry???
Before the Colonel can even dip his toe into the marriage mart he is ordered to the continent so it will be up to Darcy to save his sister. He ends up in Meryton and insults Lizzy as per canon. But soon they resolve their differences and she agrees to help him find a wife. He's fighting the idea that his matchmaker might just be his best choice.

Tons of angsty stuff happens before we get to our HEA. And on second reading this book had an over the top level of drama and craziness with some characters traveling all over England. Mr. Bennet is revealed to be completely indolent.

had this been my first read I would have probably gone with 4 stars.
Profile Image for Sam H..
1,225 reviews59 followers
July 12, 2022
4.5* rounded up to 5

Listening to this as an audiobook, made the work day go by sooo fast. It was really hard to pause it.

I see this as a 2 part book. The first part sets up Darcy's situation and need to find a wife (or Col. F) within 1 month. He goes with Bingley to Hertfordshire, meets Elizabeth and there is the process of their relationship developing, along with lots of other stuff happening- like Collins, Bingley over flirting, Wickham, etc...

The second part sees high drama happening, with Wickham and other colorful characters involved. The people Darcy loves are threatened and he takes off after them.

I find listening to books is very forgiving as far as writing is concerned, due to dramatization of the story. However, I do feel this was very well written. At 7 hours, I didn't think it was a full length novel, but this book packs a wallop of action.
Profile Image for Sheila Majczan.
2,691 reviews202 followers
February 21, 2019
Late in this story we read, “My belief, which is shared by my Elizabeth, is that a codicil started this. Therefore, a codicil will end this as well.”

Yes, that "Letter of the Law" has forced Georgiana's guardians to make haste to meet the legal requirements or lose control of her and her dowry to Lady Catherine. London has long held no lady of interest to Darcy so it is with hopes of a fresher field of candidates that he travels with Bingley to his newly leased estate, Netherfield. The colonel has orders to return to active duty on the continent so the matter must be left in Darcy's hands.

Ironically, even after his insult, Darcy is able to find a friend in Miss Elizabeth and as he relates his search she agrees to help him.

I read the first 16 chapters of this story as they were posted on the author's blog. Now returned to the story I found that wild imagining could not ever have come up with the wild and mad adventures ODC embark on, willing or not, desperate...deeply so.

The main culprit, the instigator of plans, was a surprise. And that person has much more on their plate in terms of evil and self centered activities. This story truly becomes a page turner...one which calls out for a hero, a "knight in shining armor". Time is of an essence - not only because of the codicil but because the fate for one will be dire if help doesn't arrive in time.

Bingley's part shows the opinion many have about his flirting ways, First Charlotte and then Jane and Mary have part in showing others just how his acts reveal his character. The colonel is not forgotten but...read this to find out how he comes through in a pinch.

Well done. Oh, and I love the cover.

2-19-19 to 2-20-19: I reread this in the paperback version which I received as a gift. I have to say that this story held me in its grip even though it is a second time reading it. I found I had forgotten the drama and angst from the first reading. I recommend this book highly.
Profile Image for Meredith (Austenesque Reviews).
997 reviews345 followers
January 5, 2023
What If Mr. Darcy Had To Marry In Thirty-Three Days or Lose Guardianship of Georgiana?

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Source: Gift from Author


TYPE OF NOVEL: Pride and Prejudice Variation

THE PREMISE: When Mr. Darcy discovers a forgotten codicil of his father’s will that requires him to marry before Georgiana’s sixteenth birthday, he becomes desperate to find a suitable bride with whom he wouldn’t consider it a punishment to spend the rest of his life. And as soon as success is almost within Mr. Darcy’s reach, a series of calamitous events take place that threaten the happiness, futures, and lives of the women he holds most dear… Can Mr. Darcy save them both?

WHAT I LOVED:

- The Challenge: There is a clock ticking and Mr. Darcy is quickly running out time and out of options. Does this new pressure change his behavior towards the citizens of Meryton? Will be less haughty and reserved? This premise sort of put me in mind of the Chris O’Donnell movie – The Bachelor. I love this type of forced circumstances – it is always interesting to see how characters deal with them!

- Make Me a Match?: I loved how Darcy and Elizabeth shared some frank conversations, and Mr. Darcy eventually enlisted Elizabeth’s help with his quest. Their internal thoughts and mutual reactions throughout this arrangement were so adorable and wonderful to witness. I loved seeing them work together in this endeavor. In addition, I also loved seeing them paired together during the scavenger hunt, that was such fun!

- Competition and Intentions: Mr. Darcy isn’t the only one who finds Elizabeth to be admirable and worthy, and for a little bit it looks like there will be more than one serious suitor for her hand… What a great way to add even more tension to Mr. Darcy’s situation. In addition, it appears that Mr. Bingley is paying court to more than one lady. Does he have serious intentions for either lady, or is his overly friendly manner about to cause some trouble and heartache? This was a wonderfully clever twist that I loved seeing developed. I love that Ms. King explored this flaw of Mr. Bingley’s, and I greatly admired how the women involved handled themselves!

- Difficult Lessons and Comeuppances: There are several characters that face regrettable situations caused by their own actions. One of the more moving examples of this is with Mr. Bennet, who loses what he holds most dear and valuable. Only to discover it isn’t truly what is most dear and valuable to him in his heart. In addition, there are a few clever and delicious moments where just desserts are properly served to some of our favorite antagonists! Lady Matlock’s subtle schooling of Caroline Bingley might be favorite!

- Charlotte, Jane, and Mary: I greatly admired the portrayal of these characters. Each of them thought for themselves and recognized their own self-worth. I loved seeing their strength to take thoughtful and bold actions. I also loved seeing the support these women showed for each other and the new avenues where they found romance. I wouldn’t have minded seeing more of these characters and their unique storylines in this tale.

WHAT I WASN’T TOO FOND OF:

- Disjointed: While I adored so many aspects of this story, the second half of the story is so eventful and drastically different from the first half that it felt like two different premises joined together. The first half of the story being a gentle, comedy of manners with challenging circumstances and clever twists, and the second half being an intense and gripping rescue mission with nefarious villains and fast-paced action. I loved both premises, but I don’t think I loved them together – it felt a little too incongruous, and perhaps maybe too much eventfulness for one story.

CONCLUSION:

The Letter of the Law is an inventive and diverting Pride and Prejudice that takes an intense and diabolical turn! Readers who adore Darcy and Elizabeth tales and incandescently happy endings will love this tale of impossible tasks, clever developments, and sinister schemes.

Austenesque Reviews

Profile Image for J. W. Garrett.
1,736 reviews136 followers
January 3, 2021
Thieves, pirates, smugglers, and kidnappers, Oh, My!

Rating: clean: angst-level: out the roof: I was shaking at one point. I could hardly stand as my knees wanted to give way. Wow! This review may contain *** SPOILERS***

“The Law is hard, but it is the Law.” –Cassandra Clare, City of Glass

Time was running out for Darcy and his cousin Richard. They had been established as guardians to Darcy’s minor-child sister in his father’s will. However, there was a codicil that limited that until her birthday when she turned six and ten. At that time, one or the other of the guardians would need to be married or guardianship would pass to their aunt Lady Catherine. The senior Darcy thought a female influence would benefit Georgiana as she prepared for her presentation and come out in society. Time simply slipped by and they now had to scramble to find a wife for Darcy. Why did it fall to Darcy? Richard had received his orders and would soon head for the continent in the fight against Napoleon Bonaparte. Darcy was tired of the witless, vapid women of the ton and headed to Bingley’s leased estate. There he met Miss Elizabeth Bennet [a gentleman’s daughter] at the Meryton Assembly and delivered his hateful comment. From that point on, everything that could go wrong did.

This story was full of surprises from beginning to end. However, the latter half was even more angst-filled than the beginning. I was constantly in a state of fear and agitation. This was absolutely amazing in the creative bent to our canon story. JDK kept the tone of the story even though she took our characters on the infamous Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride… seriously. This was crazy. There was a part in the middle that was a bit long and could have been trimmed a bit due to information being rehashed back and forth between characters. But that was minor.

What I liked: the women standing up for what they wanted and what they knew was right. They held the men in this story to a higher standard than we usually see. I wonder if this was even plausible? We are talking about women and families facing spinsterhood for their daughters. A bird in the bush... you know? Mrs. Bennet would not approve of such behavior. She was in a constant state of inelegance. Nothing suited her and Mr. Bennet reaped a harvest from seeds he had sown over the years and it was a bitter feeling. He would regret his actions or lack of actions for the rest of his life. Lord and Lady Matlock arrived at Netherfield and threw Caroline on her ear. They were such a joy in this story. I adored them.

I also liked how our author JDK presented Bingley. Yep, that little puppy’s chickens came home to roost. Perfect! I mean, she held his feet to the fire and labeled him for what he was and made him own up to his behavior and actions. That was the coolest part of the book. Seriously. I don’t think I’ve seen that before. It was hilarious. Made me laugh every time it happened. LA!

Villains: The last part of the book OMG! I can’t even tell you. Collins arrived. Yeah! He was a firecracker for sure. [Pun intended] The villains were diabolical and nearly got away with it. Poor Earl... my hero. Richard’s war-horse was amazing. Richard was amazing, Darcy was absolutely amazing. I loved… Oh, I can’t say. Perhaps… nope, not that either. I highly recommend this story. It was simply… yeah, amazing.

“When honor and the Law no longer stand on the same side of the line, how do we choose[?]” –Anne Bishop, Heir to the Shadows
899 reviews70 followers
May 14, 2020
"Thirty-three and a half days." (quote from the book)

Time is of the essence! Either Mr. Darcy or Colonel Fitzwilliam must wed before Georgiana's sixteenth birthday or lose guardianship to Lady Catherine de Bourgh! How could they have possibly forgotten the codicil to the late Mr. Darcy's Last Will and Testament? How had time flown so quickly?

As the good Colonel has received his orders to join Major-General Wellesley in Spain, it is up to Mr. Darcy to find a woman, court and marry her in one month's time! As they review all of Mr. Bingely's discarded 'angels', each have a strike against them for one reason or another.

"Since you prefer the countryside, you would do well to find a rural born-and-bred gentleman's daughter who would love Pemberley as much as you do...But, will she love me?" (quote from the book)

Ah, now that is the big question!

So, when Mr. Darcy joins Mr. Bingley at Netherfield, a new 'angel' is in his sights. Darcy warns Mr. Bingley, but his advice is not heeded. Mr. Darcy's insult is still overheard, but this time an apology and his burden are laid at Elizabeth Bennet's feet. Elizabeth, herself, is dealing with her own burden...her father's neglect of his family and estate.

How these two come together is a delight to read with a bit of angst and laughter. Slips of the tongue, green-eyed monsters and horse whispering lead Elizabeth and Darcy down a path they were not expecting. And set them on a journey that shows their devotion to each other and the amazing strength of their characters.

"Layers of hard feelings and disappointments in his character were falling away until she no longer knew what to think. He was a complicated human, much as she thought of herself." (quote from the book)

This was a hard novel to put down, but sleep was needed. It was the first thing I picked up the next morning. What a wild and exciting ride you are in for when you read this wonderful, adventurous variation! Be prepared for villainous characters to rear their ugly heads. Be prepared for some variation in characters. Also be prepared to laugh along with Jane and Elizabeth over certain differences between men and women when all hell breaks loose at Netherfield! And find out what else can go wrong along the way?

I highly recommend this extremely entertaining novel! You won't be disappointed!
Profile Image for Elin Eriksen.
Author 24 books159 followers
August 30, 2018
Unputdownable!

A codicil in the late Mr Darcy's will states that either Darcy or Richard must wed before Georgiana reached her sixteenth birthday, else the guardianship would go to Lady Catherine.
With only a month to go and the Colonel leaving for Spain within a fortnight, the responsibility falls to Darcy.
Having exhausted the drawing rooms of high society in London with no luck he turns to the country side for a hidden gem. Not particularly impressed by the Meryton society, he leaves a less than stellar first impression.
After a chance encounter with the lady he insulted the most... She agrees to aid him in his wife search due to his honest expressions and I dear say she succeeds in the end but not before the Colonel had arrived and injured himself, Bingley got the set down of his life from a very surprising source, the Matlock's arrive, the Bingley sisters leave and Wickham, Collins and Lady Catherine had made a whole lot of havoc.
Includes a HEA for Jane and Charlotte, a suitable comeuppance of the villains and a romantic epilogue. (Sigh of contentment).

Heartily recommend this book!
Profile Image for Eliza Baum.
530 reviews34 followers
December 7, 2018
I liked this book. There were a lot of fun and interesting elements. However. It felt like two books smashed together. I sort of blinked in surprise when it got to the middle (almost precisely) and suddenly ????? I mean, where the heck did that come from? Everything from that point forward was more about dealing with that than it was with Darcy's guardianship legal needs.

And it only got more crazysauce from there. Sometimes the crazy, silly stories can be fun—and this one wasn't badly written—but the first half of this story didn't set up that expectation for me, which is why the last half fell a bit flat for me. I read this book in one sitting, so I still can't complain too much...but I would have liked it a lot better as two books with other halves that fit better.

3.5 stars rounded down.
545 reviews21 followers
June 28, 2023
What a express ride this was! From the beginning, we race along with Darcy to beat time, odds and villains to emerge victorious. I loved the Fitzwilliam family in this. A very enjoyable book.
652 reviews13 followers
September 1, 2018
There is a lot going on in this book... so many twists and turns that the end of the book feels like a different story to the one we started off with. It's almost like two ideas got put into one which makes for a real action packed adventure!

The story starts when either colonel Fitzwilliam or Darcy has to find a wife before Georgiana turns 16 - both appear to have forgotten this element of George Darcy's will until just over 30 days prior to the event taking place. Elizabeth agrees to help Darcy find someone suitable. It's hard to say what follows without spoiling the plot but there is a compromise, fire, kidnapping and smuggling!

I felt a bit sorry for Mr Bingley - but at the same time, the way he is portrayed in this book isn't a million miles away from how Jane Austen imagined him. It's an interesting spin on his character. I love the strong female leads in this story - again a relatively small change in perception of events gives us a whole different insight into these characters... even Charlotte Lucas!

I think this is a 4.5 stars for me - I really enjoyed the first half of the book and seeing events unfold. I wasn't too sure about the second half. It was a bit far fetched, even for me, but offered the opportunity for lots of adventure which meant I enjoyed it all the same.
Profile Image for Dawn.
652 reviews32 followers
October 28, 2020
2.5 rounded up. This was not my favorite from this author. A bit too much going on and too many things that stretched believability too far. The principal characters were too extreme in their respective good or bad ways. This Elizabeth was way too perfect- not a flaw in sight & every man she came in contact with wanted to fall at her feet & marry her. Even though I have enjoyed other books by this author, this one just didn’t do much for me.
Profile Image for Madenna U.
2,149 reviews1 follower
September 12, 2018
Before I begin - note to self - never start a J. Dawn King novel before going to bed because you will stay up to read the entire thing!

This Pride and Prejudice variation is driven by a codicil (an addition or supplement that explains, modifies, or revokes a will or part of one) in his father's will. Georgiana's guardians must be married before her 16th birthday or Lady Catherine becomes her guardian. Due to his standing orders with the military, Colonel Fitzwilliam is excused, which means Darcy is on the hot seat. As he knows that he hasn't found any ladies of interest in town, he agrees to travel to Netherfield with Bingley. Just as in cannon he meets Elizabeth at the assembly. His next interactions show allow him to see what a beautiful, kind and witty person she is. They slowly come to admire each other. Crisis and evil cause havoc with their emotions and family situations. Everything quite spectacularly comes to a happy ending, including the codicil being met, while everything else is put in place.

I look forward to reading this one again.
205 reviews8 followers
September 1, 2018
Another great read from J Dawn King

The problem with J Dawn King books is once you start them, you don't want to put them down until you finished them. This book did exactly that to me again. It started out with Darcy having to get married within a short space of time or lose guardianship of Georgiana to Lady Catherine. The twist and turns that take place on his way to the altar kept me up reading late into the night. It is a truly enjoyable read that should not be missed.





Profile Image for Erika.
397 reviews23 followers
March 29, 2019
A fascinating adventure!!

This story starts out close to the original not that D insults E, in her hearing. But slowly branches out cause of the codicil in D’s father’s will that should neither Col F or D marry prior to Georgiana’s 16th bday, guardianship turns to Lady C!!! I am still trying to figure that one out!! Mr D senior must have been really blind or something - Wickham and Lady C!!!

I love the comes camaraderie between Col F and D. I enjoyed a bolder Jane, wiser Charlotte, introspective Elizabeth. There is a new insight to Bingley, not a horrible one, but something that has always been niggling at the back of my brain that was brought forth in this story.

Of course we still have the demons doing what they want, but this time they get their comeuppance!!! And we still have the annoying Mrs Bennet and the sardonic Mr Bennet, I’m sorry but neither get parent of the year!!!! I adore Lord and Lady Matlock

There is more adventure in this book secondary to the demons. But our beloved couple will never be separated for long!!!

I would recommend this story to all JAFFers. PG-13 rating
Profile Image for Sheryl Gordon.
265 reviews5 followers
September 15, 2018
Another Joy to read

Original plot where the characters stay true to their canon cousins. A great way to pass the day. Romantic and adventurous.
Profile Image for Marlene.
557 reviews127 followers
December 7, 2024
In a busy season, so I'm doing very short reviews rather than none at all.

This book is, thankfully, available on YouTube to listen to for free! (7+ hours) Thank you, Ms. King!

+Narrated by the fantastic Stevie Zimmerman! Love her British accent.
+I liked the premise: Due to a codicil in Darcy's father's will, either Darcy or Colonel Fitzwilliam must marry within 33 days so that Georgiana has a female guardian to manage her coming out. If not, Lady Catherine DeBourgh will become her guardian when she turns 16. And Lady Catherine is much worse in this story, so this simply must not happen.
+Elizabeth becomes a matchmaker as a favor to Darcy in a low grade way. Again, well done.
+Many interesting goings-on in this story. Very creative. This author is an auto-read for me - I can always trust her to write something great.
+Multiple people find their matches. And this is done well rather than feeling hokey.
+Rather horrified by the character of Lady C. Oh, my..........

It's December, so Merry Christmas! Enjoy the season.
Profile Image for Sheila Majczan.
2,691 reviews202 followers
February 22, 2019
I read this both in the Kindle version and the paperback version. I posted my review on the Kindle version site.
Profile Image for Talia.
970 reviews4 followers
November 8, 2020
Loved this book. There was no stopping the surprises.

Reread: I am surprised this is only my second reading. Terrific! Loved Mary!
Profile Image for Deb Hughes.
316 reviews2 followers
September 10, 2018
WONDERFUL!!

Ms King has written another diverting variation of Jane Austen’s work! Well-written and exciting...I could not put it down!! Loved the direction taken in Mr. Collins’, Wickham’s and Lady Catherine’s lives. Great read!!
Profile Image for Gail Frisby.
471 reviews13 followers
September 8, 2018
Good book


Liked it glad Lydia got some sense finally. Love it when all the villains get their just desserts. Will read it again.
Profile Image for Iris Lim.
Author 37 books92 followers
April 10, 2022
Great book!

The premise of the book actually ended up being a rather minor part given how much danger and adventure happen between Darcy’s arrival in Hertfordshire and the ending. Seeing three men fight over Elizabeth was quite delightfully funny. Good read.
761 reviews8 followers
January 2, 2019
Avid Reader

I love stories where Darcy is required to marry and choses Elizabeth. This Bingley was laughable because he was such a flirt. Charlotte refuses his coffee of marriage, Jane turned her attention to Colonel Fitzwilliam, and Mary called him a boy in need of a nursemaid. I didn't like the fact that Mary didn't have a husband. Thanks to Mr. Collins, Longbourn burned to the ground. Colonel Fitzwilliam suffered an injury bringing his parents to Netherfield. As a result, Lydia and Kitty were sent off to school. Wickham, Collins, and Lady Catherine plot to keep Darcy from marrying Elizabeth, so she take Georgina and her 30 thousand pounds. All were properly punished.
Profile Image for Reya Reychelle.
1,163 reviews9 followers
August 16, 2022
This book had a very strong plot & great storytelling which surprisingly is not that easy in JAFF literature. I felt compelled & excited by the story. Hints & set ups were dropped meticulously & all the stories lines met back perfectly in the end. There was one fun surprise that even took me off guard!

The problem was the epilogue. It just wasn’t enough. I needed more & better details about literally every topic covered. However, for you not to even mention the state of the entail after the happenings of this book was unforgivable.
Profile Image for Teresita.
1,225 reviews12 followers
September 15, 2018
Imaginative

A great story full of wonderful happenings, unexpected events, adventure and lots of love.
A book you don't want to miss!
844 reviews
July 10, 2025
The will can be a big impediment in many stories. This gifted author has found a way to place her characters in tight positions. The answers are entertaining and imaginative. Brava to the author.
Profile Image for Ree.
1,336 reviews80 followers
October 27, 2020

A desperate to wed Darcy finds him seeking a wife with only 33 days to do it before a codicil in his father’s will comes due—if he or Richard don’t marry in time, they lose custody of Georgiana to crazy Lady Cat.
I first read this back in 2019 via KU, and just finished it again reading along with the audiobook. Excellent read both times, but especially enjoyed listening to it. Love this author and purchased both the book and audio to add to my library. Stevie Zimmerman is excellent as narrator. Highly recommend both.
3,455 reviews42 followers
November 13, 2023
Darcy has a deadline to marry because his father's will said he'd keep Georgiana's guardianship if he (or the colonel) is married before she reaches a certain age. The theory is that a young woman preparing to enter the society would need close female influence. But he doesn't know anyone in London that he'd wish to consider so he's decided to look for a wife in Hertfordshire, in a more rural setting.

I thought the premise was interesting. How will it change Darcy and Elizabeth's relationship if he has matrimonial intentions when entering the assembly?

But then it turns out that the man just can't help himself and says the exact same snooty things that he says in the canon, and I was a bit disappointed. He's gone there to look for a wife and still refuses to dance and declares everyone a punishment to get to know. Dude... I mean, he wanted a wife from a more rustic setting but then he despises everyone because they are rustic.

The acquaintance turns more amicable as she tells him some home truths and calls him out for his misogyny. They're engaged within the desired time frame. But then there is a dastardly plot by the usual suspects. It gets resolved with the aid of some big coincidences. Darcy rides across England and randomly comes up with the assistance of two people he meets in different counties, who just happen to be brothers. What are the odds.

The writing is the usual good quality for the author and it was an enjoyable tale.
55 reviews5 followers
September 3, 2018
Wonderfully wicked villains

I really enjoy reading stories by this author and this one did not disappoint.

SPOILERS included in review.

The story begins with Darcy and the Colonel discussing a codicil to Darcy’s fathers Will that says one of them needs to be married by Georgiana’s 16th Birthday otherwise guardianship will transfer to Lat Catherine. The Colonel is getting sent to the continent so Darcy must find someone to marry. Because he has not met anyone in the ton he can envision living with, he heads to Hertfordshire to visit Bingley. He insults Elizabeth but a surprise meeting shortly after gives her a better understanding on Darcy and she agrees to help him find a bride.

An injury, a fire and a kidnapping follow as Darcy and Elizabeth fight for their happy ever after. I really enjoyed to truly wicked Wickham and Lady Catherine - I can’t call Collins wicked because he is portrayed as over the top clueless in this story.

I also enjoyed that the Colonel and his family was included in this story to a greater degree than typical. Overall, another great story!
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