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Darcy by Moonlight: A Pride & Prejudice Variation
Darcy desires to claim his bride. Elizabeth’s heart agrees, but not her mind. Will personal disaster, and Caroline’s machinations, keep them apart?
A spark.
A knowing.
Master of Pemberley, entirely used to having his own way, wealthy Fitzwilliam Darcy yearns for a wife who will love him first, and his fortune second. He finds that wife in Elizabeth Bennet, a woman he has come to esteem from afar. However, Lizzy proves difficult, resisting courtship even though circumstances force them into a hasty engagement.
Darcy struggles with patience and to rein in his passion, for the harder he chases, the faster Elizabeth runs.
A marriage for love.
A foundation of esteem.
Elizabeth is determined to wed a man whose love will last a lifetime, and refuses to allow the compromise of her reputation force Darcy to offer his hand in marriage.
Just as her heart begins to soften, danger too close to home threatens their budding romance and Elizabeth must decide whether to trust in Darcy’s love, or retreat in fear.
Darcy by Moonlight is a sweet, fast burn Pride & Prejudice variation with hints of sensuality. For readers who enjoy forced marriage, compromise, and a passionate battle of wills.
A spark.
A knowing.
Master of Pemberley, entirely used to having his own way, wealthy Fitzwilliam Darcy yearns for a wife who will love him first, and his fortune second. He finds that wife in Elizabeth Bennet, a woman he has come to esteem from afar. However, Lizzy proves difficult, resisting courtship even though circumstances force them into a hasty engagement.
Darcy struggles with patience and to rein in his passion, for the harder he chases, the faster Elizabeth runs.
A marriage for love.
A foundation of esteem.
Elizabeth is determined to wed a man whose love will last a lifetime, and refuses to allow the compromise of her reputation force Darcy to offer his hand in marriage.
Just as her heart begins to soften, danger too close to home threatens their budding romance and Elizabeth must decide whether to trust in Darcy’s love, or retreat in fear.
Darcy by Moonlight is a sweet, fast burn Pride & Prejudice variation with hints of sensuality. For readers who enjoy forced marriage, compromise, and a passionate battle of wills.
161 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 9, 2020
75 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 18, 2020
3.5 rounded up to 4 stars
This is an interesting premise. Jane and Charles Bingley are already married. Believing that her sister and his good friend would be perfect for each other, the Bingleys have been promoting the match even before the two meet. Darcy and Elizabeth are cautiously interested, feeling certain that reality will not measure up to the glowing accounts they've received.
Despite their mutual attraction when they finally meet, Darcy is put off by Mrs. Bennet's obvious mercenary aspirations and questions whether all her daughters are mere fortune-hunters. That gets Elizabeth's hackles up.
The plot flows from there, with Jane and Bingley trying to encourage the two, and Darcy and Elizabeth strongly attracted to each other but both of them (especially Elizabeth) fighting their feelings. There's a house party at Netherfield and two eventful scavenger hunts. Caroline Bingley is a troublemaker (as usual), and this time she's got some Mean Girl friends to hang with (not her sister Louisa).
I liked this more than many other reviewers. Although I agree that Lizzy is exasperating at times, I applaud her insistence that sexual attraction alone is NOT a good basis for a marriage. (Content is clean, but there are some very steamy kisses.) With her parents' poor example before her, she's determined not to make the same mistake they did. The chemistry between her and Darcy is palpable, but her fear of making an irrevocable mistake that will affect the rest of her life is a valid one, especially since they just met.
Not a bad message for modern readers.
This is an interesting premise. Jane and Charles Bingley are already married. Believing that her sister and his good friend would be perfect for each other, the Bingleys have been promoting the match even before the two meet. Darcy and Elizabeth are cautiously interested, feeling certain that reality will not measure up to the glowing accounts they've received.
Despite their mutual attraction when they finally meet, Darcy is put off by Mrs. Bennet's obvious mercenary aspirations and questions whether all her daughters are mere fortune-hunters. That gets Elizabeth's hackles up.
The plot flows from there, with Jane and Bingley trying to encourage the two, and Darcy and Elizabeth strongly attracted to each other but both of them (especially Elizabeth) fighting their feelings. There's a house party at Netherfield and two eventful scavenger hunts. Caroline Bingley is a troublemaker (as usual), and this time she's got some Mean Girl friends to hang with (not her sister Louisa).
I liked this more than many other reviewers. Although I agree that Lizzy is exasperating at times, I applaud her insistence that sexual attraction alone is NOT a good basis for a marriage. (Content is clean, but there are some very steamy kisses.) With her parents' poor example before her, she's determined not to make the same mistake they did. The chemistry between her and Darcy is palpable, but her fear of making an irrevocable mistake that will affect the rest of her life is a valid one, especially since they just met.
Not a bad message for modern readers.
May 23, 2020
Lizzy fears marriage
This Lizzy is a bit of mess. She has had so much unhappiness because her parents bad marriage and how it effected the sisters. She is just about as disagreeable as a young woman being perused by a potential husband, can be.
The whole story is a slog to get to a point where Lizzy is forced to make a final decision. She chooses Darcy and the story abruptly ends.
I’m glad I read the story but it’s not a rereadable one for me.
This Lizzy is a bit of mess. She has had so much unhappiness because her parents bad marriage and how it effected the sisters. She is just about as disagreeable as a young woman being perused by a potential husband, can be.
The whole story is a slog to get to a point where Lizzy is forced to make a final decision. She chooses Darcy and the story abruptly ends.
I’m glad I read the story but it’s not a rereadable one for me.
May 6, 2020
The idea of this book has quite interesting - Bingley arrives at Netherfield without Darcy and marries Jane. Bingley writes to Darcy often, essentially playing matchmaker, believing Elizabeth to be a perfect match for him. Darcy arrives on the night of a ball at Netherfield and is instantly drawn to Elizabeth - not realising she is 'the' Miss Bennet of Bingleys letters. The attraction for them both is instant- where as he goes with that- she fights it every step of the way.... and this is where it goes wrong for me....
The reader is told Lizzy is intelligent, quick witted, well read etc etc... but she behaves like a moody teenager. Everything that comes out of her mouth is sarcastic or confrontational. She wants him, she doesn't, actually she does.... oh wait! No, she doesn't.... and it just goes on and on. She was not worth his effort did not show any of the intelligence or integrity she is famous for. This Lizzy irritated me from the start - she has nothing to recommend her. Darcy just wants to kiss her all the time....
There are lots of things about this story that dont make much sense... we have a Miss Morgan turn up a few times - I have no idea who she is or where she came from, or where she went. We know Lizzy writes Darcy a letter but never gives it him and we never learn what it says. The timeline of the story is quite difficult to make out - as is whether Lizzy lives at Netherfield or Longbourn. Miss Bingley gets up to some tricks but there seems to be no consequence for her of this... in addition to all this, we have the same story of Darcy and Elizabeth - he wants to marry her, she keeps saying no then kissing him... at the start we are told Lizzy has a bit of an alcohol problem too but this story goes no where....
If this book had been longer, I wouldn't have finished it. I didnt like Lizzy, at all. The story is repetitive and frustrating. There are lots of gaps and threads not followed through.... I think if the reader is going to buy into this story we need a better explanation of Lizzys behaviour.... there are so many squabbles that seem to happen just for the sake of it - it disrupts any sense of narrative. I've read a couple of books by Allison Smith previously and enjoyed them - but not sure I can recommend this one though.
The reader is told Lizzy is intelligent, quick witted, well read etc etc... but she behaves like a moody teenager. Everything that comes out of her mouth is sarcastic or confrontational. She wants him, she doesn't, actually she does.... oh wait! No, she doesn't.... and it just goes on and on. She was not worth his effort did not show any of the intelligence or integrity she is famous for. This Lizzy irritated me from the start - she has nothing to recommend her. Darcy just wants to kiss her all the time....
There are lots of things about this story that dont make much sense... we have a Miss Morgan turn up a few times - I have no idea who she is or where she came from, or where she went. We know Lizzy writes Darcy a letter but never gives it him and we never learn what it says. The timeline of the story is quite difficult to make out - as is whether Lizzy lives at Netherfield or Longbourn. Miss Bingley gets up to some tricks but there seems to be no consequence for her of this... in addition to all this, we have the same story of Darcy and Elizabeth - he wants to marry her, she keeps saying no then kissing him... at the start we are told Lizzy has a bit of an alcohol problem too but this story goes no where....
If this book had been longer, I wouldn't have finished it. I didnt like Lizzy, at all. The story is repetitive and frustrating. There are lots of gaps and threads not followed through.... I think if the reader is going to buy into this story we need a better explanation of Lizzys behaviour.... there are so many squabbles that seem to happen just for the sake of it - it disrupts any sense of narrative. I've read a couple of books by Allison Smith previously and enjoyed them - but not sure I can recommend this one though.
May 17, 2020
In this variation, Darcy falls in love with Elizabeth but she isn't sure she loves him. She will only marry for love so they are both frustrated until she figures out what she wants - him.
May 3, 2020
In this P&P variation Charles Bingley is married to Jane Bennet, and over time he and Jane have told Mr Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet about each other. So when the Bingleys arrange a ball, Elizabeth and Darcy are both eager to meet.
Obstacles to their happy ending include Mrs Bennet, and Darcys’ concern that Elizabeth might be a fortune hunter, but he thinks if she was, would it really matter as there would seem to be a connection between them. A connection which Elizabeth is constantly fighting.
Elizabeth meanwhile is envious of Jane’s happiness, and is herself lonely, but unfortunately overhears Darcy talking about her.
Though there still is Caroline Bingley hounding Darcy and her very harsh views of the Bennet daughters.
A quick read, though I found Elizabeth to be stubborn, stupid and frankly unlikeable.
But as you would expect there is a happy ending for this pair
Obstacles to their happy ending include Mrs Bennet, and Darcys’ concern that Elizabeth might be a fortune hunter, but he thinks if she was, would it really matter as there would seem to be a connection between them. A connection which Elizabeth is constantly fighting.
Elizabeth meanwhile is envious of Jane’s happiness, and is herself lonely, but unfortunately overhears Darcy talking about her.
Though there still is Caroline Bingley hounding Darcy and her very harsh views of the Bennet daughters.
A quick read, though I found Elizabeth to be stubborn, stupid and frankly unlikeable.
But as you would expect there is a happy ending for this pair
July 1, 2020
This is my first time reading something by Ms. Smith, and I really enjoyed it. I always love to pick up a good Pride and Prejudice variation, and so I was attracted to this book just from the title itself. It was a little different than ones I have read before, but still very entertaining. In this rendition, Jane and Bingley are already married and are encouraging a match between Darcy and Elizabeth. All the characters were portrayed well and at times there was even a little humor mixed in which made it all the more enjoyable. Content was generally clean, there were a few steamy kisses.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 3, 2020
A Pride & Prejudice Variation. Jane Bennet is married to Charles Bingley,over time they have told Mr Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet about each other. So when the Bingleys arrange a ball, Elizabeth and Darcy are both eager to meet each other. But there is a jealous woman who will cause a lot of mischief, and almost a death. A well written story that kept me turning pages. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 20, 2020
Interesting and emotional
Interesting and emotional turmoil is throughout the book. Darcy and Elizabeth meet under different circumstances. Elizabeth is more stubborn and jumps to conclusions more easily. Darcy second guesses himself more and is more open (not in good way). Throughout all the turmoil, Darcy and Elizabeth find the happy ever after. Recommended to all audiences.
Interesting and emotional turmoil is throughout the book. Darcy and Elizabeth meet under different circumstances. Elizabeth is more stubborn and jumps to conclusions more easily. Darcy second guesses himself more and is more open (not in good way). Throughout all the turmoil, Darcy and Elizabeth find the happy ever after. Recommended to all audiences.
May 23, 2020
Well that was abrupt...
After chapters full of Elizabeth pushing Mr.Darcy away with no growth or interesting character development, the story ends the second she gives in. The writing wasn't too bad, but the plot needed more substance and the ending needs at least an epilogue.
After chapters full of Elizabeth pushing Mr.Darcy away with no growth or interesting character development, the story ends the second she gives in. The writing wasn't too bad, but the plot needed more substance and the ending needs at least an epilogue.
June 12, 2020
Sweet story with some energy and angst
I really liked Jane and Bingley in this story and thought it played well. Darcy and Elizabeth were a good mix of angst and attraction. Enjoyable read!
I really liked Jane and Bingley in this story and thought it played well. Darcy and Elizabeth were a good mix of angst and attraction. Enjoyable read!
July 7, 2020
I enjoyed this except for
A very hasty ending. I feel like it ended a few paragraphs early. It was otherwise a very good read.
A very hasty ending. I feel like it ended a few paragraphs early. It was otherwise a very good read.
July 29, 2020
Too short
This really is a good one
All that angst
Just to be dropped off at the end was just not fair. Needed at lease 5 more chapters
This really is a good one
All that angst
Just to be dropped off at the end was just not fair. Needed at lease 5 more chapters
June 13, 2021
I greatly enjoyed this story. When I started reading, I couldn’t put it down. It’s a good thing this is a short book. Pretty angsty and very well written.
May 17, 2020
Plot and Characterization Lacking
I am a tremendous fan of Jane Austen fanfiction. I've been reading it for years, even before I bought my first Kindle. I have read a lot of it by a variety of authors over the years. So I tend to have pretty high standards. This book had pluses and minuses, though the minuses outweighed the pluses (which were minor details).
In terms of the pluses, I enjoyed the initial banter between Darcy and Elizabeth when they first met. I also liked this book’s version of Jane showing a bit more backbone, though still not completely out of keeping with her character.
Regarding the minuses, unfortunately, the excellent initial banter went away when each realized who the other was and the conflict started. I felt like there was no real plot here, although there was an interesting premise. There was no sense of rising tension or conflict that we needed to see to keep a story interesting. The story seems almost circular, as we kept retreading familiar ground: their attraction and her pushing him away. I thought she asked nonsensically for a woman of her time who was supposed to be smart. If she were truly compromised, a smart woman would realize what she had to do even if it were unpleasant. But given the way the two felt toward each other, it wouldn't have been so. I don't understand her insistence on giving him the choice when it was clear what his choice was.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
My book blog: https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com
I am a tremendous fan of Jane Austen fanfiction. I've been reading it for years, even before I bought my first Kindle. I have read a lot of it by a variety of authors over the years. So I tend to have pretty high standards. This book had pluses and minuses, though the minuses outweighed the pluses (which were minor details).
In terms of the pluses, I enjoyed the initial banter between Darcy and Elizabeth when they first met. I also liked this book’s version of Jane showing a bit more backbone, though still not completely out of keeping with her character.
Regarding the minuses, unfortunately, the excellent initial banter went away when each realized who the other was and the conflict started. I felt like there was no real plot here, although there was an interesting premise. There was no sense of rising tension or conflict that we needed to see to keep a story interesting. The story seems almost circular, as we kept retreading familiar ground: their attraction and her pushing him away. I thought she asked nonsensically for a woman of her time who was supposed to be smart. If she were truly compromised, a smart woman would realize what she had to do even if it were unpleasant. But given the way the two felt toward each other, it wouldn't have been so. I don't understand her insistence on giving him the choice when it was clear what his choice was.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
My book blog: https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews