Mr. & Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy: Two Shall Become One

The Darcy Saga #1

by Sharon Lathan

A honeymoon can last a lifetime

"A book that addresses all the unanswered questions..."

Beginning on their wedding day, Darcy and Elizabeth are two people who are deeply in love with one another and are excited to begin their marriage.

Their courtship was tempestuous; misunderstandings and misgivings nearly tore them apart. But now that they’ve seen each other without prejudice, their trust, attraction, and delight in each other grows with every passing day. Both are inexperienced and innocent, sharing moments of shyness and boldness as they discover the kinds of intimacies that a newlywed couple shares.

As their love story unfolds, they reveal their innermost secrets and feelings, embracing each other in a marriage filled with romance, passion, humor, and drama that will keep you spellbound.

Genres: Romance, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical Romance, Historical, Regency, Chick Lit

309 pages, Paperback

First published June 6, 2007

About the author

Sharon Lathan is the best-selling author of The Darcy Saga, a 10-volume sequel series to Jane Austen’s "Pride & Prejudice."


Sharon began writing in 2006 and her first novel, Mr. and Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy: Two Shall Become One was published in 2009.

Sharon is a native Californian relocated in 2013 to the green hills of Kentucky, where she resides with her husband of over thirty years. Retired from a thirty-year profession as a registered nurse in Neonatal Intensive Care, Sharon is pursuing her dream as a full-time writer.


Sharon is the co-creator of AUSTEN AUTHORS, a group blog for authors of Austenesque literary fiction.
Visit at: www.AustenAuthors.net

For more information about Sharon, the Regency Era, and her novels, visit her website/blog at: www.SharonLathanAuthor.com.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/SharonLathanNovelist
Twitter: www.twitter.com/SharonLathan
Instagram: www.instagram.com/authorsharonlathan
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/sharonlathan62/_saved/

Reviews

[Kathy · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is a sequel to the movie version of Pride & Prejudice starring Kiera Knightly; definitely not to the actual book by Jane Austen. I found that concept rather weird, especially when it is a truth universally acknowledged that the BBC version starring Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle is the gold standard of movie adaptations of Pride & Prejudice! That said, there is also no actual plot to the book, which follows the first few months of the Darcy marriage. I wanted to like it, because i like all things jane austen, but i was not successful!

[D.G. · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't remember the last time I rated a book 1 star but this deserved it (if I wasn't reading it for a challenge, I would have dnfed it.) I was bored to tears because NOTHING happened in this book. It was just an account of how happy Darcy & Lizzy are, as they maudlin declare their love every 5 minutes and go about their lives at Pemberley.

To give you an example, I asked some friends to pick 3 numbers so I could go to those pages and extract quotes at random. Here's what I found:

@38% - "Happy anniversary, my precious wife. Elizabeth, my love...my light...my heart...my pearl...my lover...my Lizzy. One week ago today, you made me the happiest of men, Mrs. Darcy, my beloved."

@50%: "I do not have the words. My heart is bursting with love for you my husband...my darling...my lover and my soul."

@57% - "I adore you, Elizabeth. I worship you, I respect you, I lust for you, I admire you, I cherish you, I love you ardently. My wife, lover, companion, mother of my children, my soul, my heart..."

Worse of all, it seems the author wrote this based on the Keira Knightly movie! (I thought that movie adaptation was OK but if you are going to borrow characters, borrow them from the original source!) Jane & Bingley didn't show up at all and even the love scenes were eye-roll inducing (nothing original or even sexy.)

If I see this author's name again, I'll run in the opposite direction.

ETA: I just found out that the series has 5 BOOKS, where their love is GREATER THAN EVER! Good grief!

[Becky · Rating 2 out of 5]

I admit it. I'm skeptical of sequels. Of Jane Austen sequels. I know right off that it has the potential to be really, really good...or just plain awful. Literary Variations--prequels, sequels, and such--are books that take the characters of one author and seek to give them new life, new adventures. There are several things to consider--in general--when it comes to fiction of this kind. On the one hand, if the author (the original author) has wrapped up the book (the original book) neatly with a happily-ever-after ending, then the new author of this new book has a few choices...they can either go the route of introducing new conflict, new characters, and climb towards a new climax....or they can forget matters of plot and spend several hundred pages doing nothing in particular hoping that they can mimic the characters and/or literary style of the novel so closely that readers won't notice the lack of a plot. They'll just love being with these friends again. There is another option--one that is a frequent choice though it is a boggling one to me--use familiar characters written by famous (but-now-dead) authors and write erotica. After all, the original novels often lacked these bedroom (and not-so-bedroom) scenes. There is a market apparently for writers and readers to share together that explores these types of scenes and scenarios. On the other hand, there are books where the author (original author) hasn't wrapped everything neatly up. The author has chosen to be more ambiguous, to leave things hanging, to leave questions answered. In this case, new authors can write how they envision the characters to continue on and progress were the action to continue off the page.

Of what sort is Mr. and Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy? The seemingly plotless* semi-erotic variety. Oh, it goes there. Mostly. In an almost-classy, not coarse or vulgar way; at times awkward, at other times melodramatic**. (Overuse of exclamation points!) I say seemingly plotless...it does have a plot. But it takes around two-hundred pages to get there. And once you get there, it is the introduce a villain (and in a hurry) so there will be an excuse for a sword-fight or duel later on so Darcy can play hero variety. On the one hand, the presence of this plot keeps it from being plotless altogether. And it does add some variety. I've seen plots a hundred times weaker on soap operas every day of the week. And I'm sure it is about the same sort of plot you'd find in other romance novels. No better or worse than anything you'd find in others' works.***

Elizabeth and Darcy. The author admits finding inspiration from the 2005 Pride and Prejudice. And perhaps that explains it in a small way. I have nothing against the movie****--either that one or any other adaptation--but basing a book on a movie that is based on a book...doesn't make for the strongest characters overall. The dialogue. It is what makes Austen's work sparkle. (Perhaps sparkle isn't the best word to use since it tends to associate itself with Twilight now....but I digress...) What makes this relationship work in the book is intelligent, subtle dialogue with romantic undertones. There is tension in the original. There is attraction. There is chemistry. In this sequel, well, it's lacking.

Lots of "oh's" and "my's"....My beautiful. My darling. My love. My soul. My everything. My world. My precious. Oh, darling. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. This couple exists primarily to reassure each other 24/7 that they are madly, deeply, truly in love with each other...andt a good 80% of their conversations revolve around stating just how much in love they are. How they complete each other. How lucky they are to be together. How perfect their lives are now. How happy they are. How content they are to be in each other's arms. All day. All night. They exist to gaze in each other's eyes. And, for other purposes as well, as you can imagine. I got to the point where every time Darcy would talk about how beautiful, how flawless, how perfect, how amazing, how glorious, how wonderful, how tremendous Elizabeth was....I just wanted to throw the book across the room. While the doting could prove repetitively harmless, there were a few scenes that were just awkward: scenes where Darcy and Elizabeth were talking dirty to one another (trying to at least). These scenes weren't dirty enough to be completely or outrageously filthy or vulgar. But much too much to be classy. To me, they were just awkward, embarrassing. Not every scene. Some were more classy than others. None were out-and-out explicitly graphic in the what-goes-where sense. (Well, compared to other smutty books out there where not one iota is left to the reader's imagination. And this is no Fanny Hill. It is more tasteful than most.) But plenty to squirm about if you prefer to read clean books and not introduce such stuff to your imagination.*****

In a way, this relationship reminded me of how Bella and Edward are portrayed: so sickeningly happy as long as they're together and there to talk about how wonderful the other really is. Actually, the more I think about it, the more this one reminds me of Breaking Dawn. Not that it has super-vampire-sperm or imprinting...but the weak climax and the hundreds of pages dedicated to sex where nothing much else happens. (Plenty of people out there love Breaking Dawn and think it's great. So I wouldn't be surprised if there are people who think this one is good too.)

What I can say about the book in a positive sense...while I prefer (more often than not) to stay outside the bedroom doors of my favorite literary couples, many readers get excited about the prospect of Jane Austen sequels. Many hope that such books are graphic, that they go above and beyond where the original was allowed to go. That they'll be able to be a-fly-on-the-wall to watch the hero and heroine be intimate with one another again and again and again. And for those readers looking for several hundred pages of Elizabeth and Darcy intimacy, then this will satisfy you. I'm sure for every reader that objects to such envisioning or re-envisioning, there are two more that are happy and pleased with it. I will say this much on its behalf...it is emphatically and unquestionably a thousand times better than the sequels by Linda Berdoll. (Chances are you'll agree with me. There are (at the time of this posting) 174 ratings that give that book only 1 star. 139 give it 5 stars. 37 give it two stars. 43 give it three stars. 83 give it four stars.)

I hope I've stated clearly enough that while this one may not appeal to me, it could very well appeal to you. To get a better idea of what it has to offer visit the author's blog. One other note, it is the first in at least a three-volume series (perhaps longer). So it could be that more plot will be coming. Other books in the series may prove more interesting and satisfying.

Other perspectives: Diary of An Eccentric; Armchair Interviews; Bookfoolery; Ex Libris; AustenBlog; Savvy Verse and Wit; AustenBlog (2nd review);

*some folks think a book of loosely connected sex scenes is a plot; who am I to judge them for thinking it is?
**Trust me, I'm glad it errs on this side of the line. I'd much rather have it be closer to classy and completely dignified than explicitly graphic. The two are obviously in love. And they're married. And there is nothing wrong with them taking pleasure with one another.
***In case you're curious--my romance tastes are this: I don't mind smut (and I don't mean smut in a derogatory way. Really. You'll just have to trust me on that.) occasionally. But I like a balanced approach: the hero and heroine fully developed, interesting dialogue that isn't of the drag and drop variety. (You know the kind where you could replace the names of any two characters and play switcheroo with scenes and insert them into other books without blinking an eye). The best kinds of love scenes are where the characters are so thoroughly themselves, so unique that it's all about them and not so much about what they're doing or how they're doing it. And the story. It should have a story. It doesn't have to be a serious story. Or a dramatic story. It could be lighthearted. It could be serious. It could be funny. It could be touching or tragic. It could be a parody. It could poke fun at itself or the genre. It could be silly. The story could revolve around anything--a ball, a dance, a party, a vacation or trip, whatever. But something needs to be going on outside the sex scenes. There are thousands and thousands of romance novels out there. And some I've enjoyed. Some I haven't. Some I thought were more tasteful than others. Some suited me. Some didn't. Some I thought were better written than others. But I've read at least a hundred or so (maybe more) through the years so it's not like I've no experience with the genre.

****I own the 2005 movie and the 1995 movie. I've seen both. Multiple times. I've probably watched P&P more than read it. I've only read it twice.

*****I believe in playing nice. Some of my readers do like fiction on the clean side. I have readers that like things smutty. I'm not playing favorites or picking sides. I try to let my readers know which is which so they can choose for themselves what they want to read. I would never criticize anyone for liking things on the smutty side. Everyone has a right to pick what they want to read.

[Grace Tjan · Rating 1 out of 5]

What I learned from this book (in no particular order):

1. Titles in Regency England were not confined to the established noble order of Dukes, Marquises, Earls, Viscounts and Barons. Masters and Mistresses, as in Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth Darcy, Master and Mistress of Pemberley, are also titles. How come? Because they are CAPITALIZED.

2. In English, certain standalone nouns are always capitalized, such as “Housekeeper”, “Butler”, “Aunt”, “Town” and “Inn”. Sample usage: “Mr. Darcy took his Butler, Housekeeper and Aunt to the Inn that is closest to Town.”

3. Intense emotions and surprising plot developments could be most effectively invoked by the liberal use of exclamation marks, especially the double ones. The more exclamation marks there are in a paragraph or dialogue, the more intensely dramatic it is.

4. "She was a maiden, of course, but she understood the concept of the mating process. She grew up on a working farm after all! However, understanding the mechanics of the sexual act in animals is far different than comprehending all the nuances inherent with the activity between people." Animal activities, especially those of the sexual kind, just don’t have the same nuances as human ones.

5. "The clinical details of the art of lovemaking were candidly illuminated." Every maiden who is about to be married should have a “forthright and blunt Aunt” to explain the facts of life --- in the most clinical way possible.

6. When you are married, you must have your significant other close to you at all times. He/ she disappearing without notice for more than a few minutes is a legitimate cause for panic. You must also offer constant affirmations of your eternal love to your beloved, preferably in a frenzied, highly audible manner. An example: "I need you, my Elizabeth, my precious wife. God...please...do not ever leave me...I cannot live...Beloved!" Repeat ad nauseam.

7. "She had discovered that his eye color altered depending on his mood or what he wore." One of Mr. Darcy’s fascinating (supernatural?) abilities.

8. “His carefully regulated control slipped instantaneously and his groin responded alarmingly.” Another example of Mr. Darcy’s amazing abilities.

9. “Selfpromise” is a word.

10. People had “brunches” and played Beethoven’s Ode to Joy --- in 1816.


Other Random Observations

Number of exclamation marks used (double exclamation marks counted as two): 179*

Number of times the male protagonist used the phrase “my darling wife!” or variations thereof: 15*

Number of duel (with swords): 1

Number of times the male protagonist compared his spouse to a horse: 1

* Up to about page 100

[Stacey · Rating 1 out of 5]

Here's the thing. I love Pride and Prejudice. I love reading sequels and prequels and based on and inspired by . . . you write it and I'll read it. Perhaps it is this built-in market that permits books like this to flood the bookshelves.

First of all, this book is based on the movie version - the Keira Knightly version!!!! I started reading and found myself very confused by the author's references to Darcy proposing with his shirt unbuttoned - or the first time he touched her hand as she left Netherfield. Please. If you are not actually going to read Pride and Prejudice, at least watch the Colin Firth/Jennifer Ehle version!

This book has no plot other than to descibe, in detail, every hour of their honeymoon. I admit to appreciating the idea of romance, but the endless desciptions of their insatiable amour became nausiating pretty quickly. PLUS, a book with so much focus on bosoms cannot posibly be based on Keira Knightly who is in fact concave in her chest area. Minor (no pun intended) point. This book is crap.

[Monica · Rating 1 out of 5]

Admittedly, I should have read the foreward of this book and likely would not have bothered to go any further with this one.

P&P sequels can be touchy for Austen fans. I'm not above reading one, as long as the integrity of both Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy are intact. Lose Lizzy's quick wit or Darcy's aloofness, and you've lost the characters. Reduce them to nothing more than ridiculous pillow talk and it's blasphemy to all Austen fans, purists or not. True character development and plot were nonexistent and instead gave way to flowery and sappy declarations of love (and love making) on just about every page. I'm not a prude by any stretch of the imagination, but it bordered on Harlequin romance territory. Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth deserve better than that.

I was looking for a sequel written by someone who had a greater grasp of Jane Austen's literary contributions, not someone who discovered the significance of this great work via the 2005 movie version and then goes so far as to use one of the quotes from the movie in her book. It really rendered the book ridiculous at that point and made me wonder if I was really reading the sexual fantasies of a bored housewife.

And I know the author and I will agree to disagree, but if a movie serves as literary inspiration, please accept that Colin Firth is Mr. Darcy personified.

[Shawna · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is by far the worst sequel to "Pride and Prejudice" ever! I gave it one star for the author's enthusiastic effort, but it is poorly written (was there an editor at all?) with little plot or character development. It is the author's first attempt at publishing, and - no surprise here - she published it herself!

[Khanh, first of her name, mother of bunnies · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'd enjoy this sequel to P&P a lot more if Darcy & Elizabeth weren't screwing each others' brains out every other page.

[Alaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second sequel that I've read to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice and I've loved them both. Reading this book is like eating your favourite tub of Baskin Robins ice-cream, if you eat it all in one sitting you'll feel ill, it's best to eat over a few sittings. Whilst you could read this book in one sitting I am sure it would be sickly sweet.

I've read a few reviews that said it was too sexual, but I thought they were typical newlyweds living out the heights of their wedded bliss. They are a passionate couple who enjoy discovering each other in every sense. I didn't find this difficult to believe!

I loved this book and will be reading the next one in the series!

[Kwoomac · Rating 2 out of 5]

First of all, the premise that anyone might want to merge completely with another person is a little creepy to me. So the whole "two shall become one" annoyed me throughout. I don't have any quotes. Maybe I'll flip through the book later to find some.Whomever the author thought she was channeling in this sequal to Pride and Prejudice, it certainly wasn't Jane Austen's Elizabeth Bennett. Lizzy says to Darcy, "Why do you put up with me?...I am so silly and you are so wise!" Really? There's also this: " She came to him, softly placing tiny hands on his chest, and in a little-girl voice asked, 'Still love me?' "

So, on to their sex lives. They have sex a lot. I hate reading sex scenes. They always feel forced. "His unclothed flesh" "Her supple flesh" So sexy! it seems that Darcy has never met anyone he wanted to "become one" with, so, at age 29, he begins his marriage a virgin. Darcy, a virgin? Have you seen Colin Firth? Not possible. It seems they are both up for experimentation and Darcy has some porn , so they get up to some antics in the bedroom (and elsewhere).

We don't get many details of what they're doing, not that I want them. Instead we get Darcy saying, "Your skin...like silk...your hands, oh Lord, your hands, Lizzy!...touching my skin...it is electric, flames...burning my flesh (again with the flesh)...shivers through me..." Also, "Elizabeth my love...my light...my heart...my pearl...my lover...my Lizzy" Here's Lizzy, "Fitzwilliam, my darling husband...I love you...I live for your love and touch...your eyes on me...your voice...your mouth...your skin..." And, "Your words of devotion...I so adore you!...I want you...so utterly you belong to me...and I to you...my soul..."

Basically, in every chapter, there's a scene where Lizzy is learning the ins and outs of Pemberly. They go to balls, she does volunteer work with orphans, guides Georgiana. Everyone loves her. These bits I didn't hate, so my two stars are for that. Then Darcy is so proud of her, they have sex and talk in fragments.

So annoying...frustrating....I can't...will this ever end...

[Jeanah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Jane Austen, but I am not a Jane Austen purist. So ... I am able to take this book for what it is .... a continuation of the 2005 movie version of P&P. I absolutely LOVED the movie and never wanted it to end. (LOVED the Colin Firth version as well) This book was a dream come true and one of the first continuations that I have read. A few facts from the original novel are a little jumbled in this, but it does flow well from the facts laid out in the 2005 movie. I really enjoyed it. The discovery of a new married couple on their journey to know each other intimately. A LARGE portion is given toward the romance of their first 6 months of marriage. In truth I always wished that it would continue just like this. Thanks Ms. Lathan. On to the next one. Woo Hoo! :)

[Lolly's Library]

I really wish I could rate this, but since I couldn't read more than a page without my gag reflex being activated, I suppose it wouldn't be cricket for me to give this thing a rating. However, if I did, it would be a solid one-star. (Actually, it would be a no-star, but since that's not allowed, a one-star it shall have to be. Hey, I just realized that, by leaving them blank, technically I really am giving it a no-star rating. Hot diggity!)

Right off the bat I have to state that I am not fond of P&P sequels. For one thing, very few capture the tone, voice, and/or character of Lizzie and Darcy*. For another, even fewer manage to capture the voice of Jane Austen. No one can write the way she did and those that try simply come off as poor copies. And, I'm sorry, but modern language just does not suit the story of Lizzie and Darcy. Lathan's version is most definitely modern, in every way. And in my book, it fails miserably.

First of all, she's completely neutered the romance. Everything is now "My Darling" this and "My Love" that. Lizzie and Darcy dote, simper, coo, and fawn over each other. There is absolutely no trace of the sparks that made their romance ignite. Granted, I don't expect a sequel to continue in the same vein as the original as far as their pride and prejudices, but neither do I want them to turn into saps who never fight, bicker, or even have small misunderstandings. In fact, knowing and loving the characters as I do, I fully expect that any marriage between Lizzie and Darcy will have an occasional coolness between them, where they can both imagine they're in the right, discover the error of their ways, and come together in laughter and mutual understanding. Lathan's Lizzie and Darcy are sickening in their sweetness.

Secondly, this is most definitely one of those "They have sex, right? I want to see them have sex! They have to be intimate and talk about sex and discover sex and just be sexy!" sequels. Gag me with a spoon! Sex in romance novels is fine. Not usually my cup of tea, unless it's done right, but fine. Sex in Pride & Prejudice is just utterly, utterly wrong. Like cats and dogs living together wrong. Like the sky is green, grass is orange, and the sea is yellow wrong. Lizzie and Darcy get married and make babies in any sequel, right? So sex is obviously happening, right? No problem. But their sex lives should be discreetly alluded to, kept behind closed doors, and referenced euphemistically. Austen may have been slightly wicked in some of the things she wrote, but she was never vulgar. Lathan is vulgar. (And she's got Lizzie calling Darcy 'William'! That may, technically be his name, but he will always be Darcy. 'William' just sounds wrong.)

Anything more I can't comment on as I wasn't able to read more than 20 pages... and considering how much I loathe this book, that's quite an achievement. You may wonder why I picked this up to read in the first place. One of Lathan's P&P sequels had been on offer as a Kindle daily deal a while back and I was kind of curious to see what the fuss was about. So I managed to find the first book at my library and checked it out. And, boy, am I glad I got this on loan and didn't purchase it in any form--I would still be kicking myself black and blue.

*And in my head, the only Lizzie and Darcy I see are the Lizzie and Darcy as played by Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth in the most excellent and, in my opinion, definitive 1995 film version of the novel. The 2005 version, with Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen, doesn't even exist in my universe. As much as I love Matthew, I can't stand Keira's version of Elizabeth Bennet, and the rest of the film didn't make me too happy, either.

[Lady Gabriella of Awesomeness (SLOW) · Rating 5 out of 5]

SKIPPED loooads of chapter..this book just had waaaaaay too much of sex scenes for me to handle.I mean Seriously i get it, considering that these two portrayed a newly-wed couples through out the book a lot of such sences are expected.(LMAO ,no ! i am NOT a prude ;)

So yes, it wasnt the steam-level that annoyingly baffled me BUT the ACTUAL NUMBER OF TIMES THESE TO SEEM TO BE GOING AT IT !!! 0_O

Over.....
and over....
And oooover ....
And oooooov-



well u get the point :P (And if you still didn't let me break it down for you,




70% of dress-ripping-sex + 30 % of exceedingly creative plot = The book :p

But otherwise great characters, great story,great plot, A total thumbs up !

Im sure a lot of darcy and lizzy fans would appreciate this book....cz i tottally did ! :)

P.S: Didnt really like the flash backs to the proposal....could have done without them..and i wish this story had an epilouge AND not a series continuation :P But oh well ! i guess u cant hve it all ha ? ;) LMAO !

[Sheila Majczan · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars

This is one of those stories I read before I retired and began reviewing every book I read. I do want to reread all those stories which I did not review but as time has slipped by and I haven't done so, I just want to mark all those stories as "read" so I have a record of the true number of books in the JAFF sub-genre I have read. I am using the average rating at this time as I do not remember how I rated this story back when I read it. If I ever get around to rereading it I will look at my rating to make sure it is true to my opinion. It was published in 2006 so that is most likely when I read it.

Again the paperback edition I own is a brown cover with a framed photo on the front and does not show up in the listings. The title is reversed: Two Shall Become One Mr. & Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy.

[J. W. Garrett · Rating 2 out of 5]

The reviews are vicious and very few are good. When you look at the ratings, the majority fall within the 2 stars and 1 star category. Ouch…and yet, I decided to read this work anyway. I can see where everyone has a problem when the author waved a red flag and admitted that she first fell in love with P&P in the modern version of the movie that does not follow canon. She did admit that she has since read the book and has seen some of the other adaptations. Let’s give her credit for at least doing that. Over time Jane Austen’s influence will prevail.

I have read this work twice and think I have figured out part of the problem. Each chapter is laid out like short vignettes that leave the reader with a disjointed feeling. Each chapter is titled and that is what happens in that chapter. Example: Chapter 1 & 2 is pre and post wedding. Chapter 3 is the wedding night, chapter 9: shopping. Yeah, we get it.

The language, of course, is over the top even for new lovers and newlyweds. Many of us that have been married for more years than we can count on two hands don’t remember how sappy we were in the beginning days with our partner or spouse. I guess our author simply wanted to demonstrate the love between our characters. When dealing with Jane Austen…less is better. Austen could demonstrate more passion with a look than anyone.

I did like the tension and drama with our villain, he was despicable, a rake and scoundrel and caused major problems for our H&h and it was resolved in two chapters…17 and 18. The last chapter sets us up for the next installment or book two. Hopefully, our author will have looked at the reviews and made adjustments.

[Gillian Brownlee · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ok look. I’m not opposed to fanfiction. I read a lot of fanfiction. But this particular one? Not good at all. First, it’s not a sequel to Pride and Prejudice the book. It is a sequel to Pride and Prejudice, the 2005 movie with Kiera Knightley. A movie that I desperately love. But this was all wrong.

How can someone who claims to love these characters turn them into such caricatures of themselves? Lizzy and Darcy, both known for their stubborn independence, are morphed into pitiful, codependent idiots who panic when they are apart even for a few hours. There is none of the wit and none of the fire that drew them to each other in the first place.

And don’t even get me started on the sex. Good lord. That’s all this book was. Sex and codependency. I was ok with them being all over each other right after they got married. Honestly, I was expecting it. But when I got halfway through the book and there was mediocre sex in lieu of a plot? Yeah, it was a bit much.

I really hate to be mean. I wasn’t expecting much, and I was trying so hard to find redeeming qualities, but this was painful to read.

[Marta hoelscher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t even know where to start with this wonderful book. I had heard from a few people that they thought it was too explicit compared to Jane Austen. Keeping that in mind, I plunged in and I loved it! There are no more of the Victorian chaste kisses, this is a full blown romance. The story has the characters acting as any newly married couple would act. I didn’t think it was very explicit at all., in fact I thought it was wonderfully written and kept me enthralled until the end. I found myself sighing once again over this couple. Darcy emerges as wonderfully romantic husband. We get to see the struggles they go through in the early days and see their love triumph. There is enough of the ’feel’ of Jane_Austen to delight all fans of her novels. For me this was a great book and I’m excited that this is just the first in the series that follows this couple. I’m going to be first in line for the rest of the series!

http://martasmeanderings.blogspot.com

[Beth Farley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well I definitely could have done with way less of a certain aspect of this book, but still a pretty enjoyable read, cause, you know, Pride & Prejudice.

[Kim · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was so excited to read this book, especially when I saw that it was the first in a series of sequels to Jane Austen's outstanding work. I wanted to be drawn in, to not be able to put it down until I reached the end. I wanted to be blown away.

Sadly, I was not. I was disappointed beyond belief. I have been diving into P&P sequels because I want to see the characters of Austen's story enter into new and exciting adventures. Instead, I get a book that is about 90% light smut. It isn't filthy or vulgar, I admit, but it really, really took up most of the book. Elizabeth and Darcy are in the honeymoon period of their marriage, and thus are very unable to keep their hands off each other. It's obvious, and it does not exactly make for exciting reading, especially when they're going at it in practically every single chapter. And when they're not going at it, they're going on and on about how wonderful, how amazing, how beautiful, etc. the other is. The fluff level in this story is enough to make you never want sugar again.

It isn't until more than half-way through the book that we get some semblance of a plot, and it's contrived at best. Some rascal of a marquis takes a liking to Elizabeth, something that does not amuse her or Darcy. A few witty put-downs from Lizzy are not sufficient to deter the man, nor is the blatant rage from her husband, and the man decides to accost her. Insert a dramatic flight that leads to Elizabeth being injured and waking up days later with amnesia. Of course, the amnesia doesn't last long and Elizabeth remembers the marquis' attack on her and she confesses all to Darcy, who, after calming his wife down, runs off to be heroic and fight a duel with the jerk.

I was not impressed.

There was little from the other characters. Oh, Mrs. Reynolds was present quite a bit as she helped Elizabeth slip into the role of Mistress of Pemberley, but everyone else was pretty much window-dressing. The author says that Elizabeth makes a point to spend time with Georgiana, but we don't actually see anything the two women get up to. We get maybe a sentence or two mentioning that Elizabeth is writing to her family, especially Jane, but they're only present in the occasional flashback. There is nothing to add substance to the plot. The original characters, mainly making up the local aristocracy of the area were all rather flat too. Everyone immediately loving Elizabeth does not make for interesting reading. The society was so much more varied and interesting in Meryton.

So, overall, I spent most of this book either being bored out of my mind or skimming past the sex because I am someone who prefers to be left at the bedroom door on such things when talking about characters like these.

[Ree · Rating 4 out of 5]

Passionate couple
Reviewed in Canada on July 14, 2019
If you haven’t read Latham’s first two books, I don’t think this one would be well understood, so if you’re starting with this book, I suggest you read her first book, which begins after Wickham and Lydia are married, but before Darcy’s second proposal. Many reviewers feel there’s too much about their personal intimacies in this book, but I view those interludes as a very loving couple expressing their love for one another in this continuation of ODC’s newly married life together. I don’t feel those intimate moments are overly graphic in the least. I think this author writes well, except for my pet peeve of hanging prepositions dangling at the ends of sentences. I like the personalities portrayed. One definitely sees the impertinent Lizzy at times as well as the proud and taciturn Darcy. They are both stubborn. There’s a villain in Lord Orman, but our hero Darcy knows what to do. I did have a negative however, that being the repeating of a few chapters from the previous books intermingled in this one.

I found some reviews on Amazon overly critical, many basing their comments primarily on the mature content. if you are offended by, or mind such content, then Lathan’s books probably aren’t for you. Yes, the content is mature, but in my opinion not distastefully written.

August 1-2, 2021 -Audiobook
I found the narration by Corrie James excellent.

[Mirona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-read 2024.

Re-read 2023:
Do you have a comfort read? This is mine. I got this and the second book in this series for Christmas in 2011 and I have read it at least once a year since then. This book now has a distinct 'well-read' vibe because it's been held so often. Every time I feel in need of something comforting, beautiful and reassuring, I get this book series out. There are some scenes in each book that deal with problems or other drama, but I know the series so well that there is no anxiety there for me anymore, which makes it more perfect to serve as my escape from reality.

I love the words Lathan used. Some might see it as trying too hard, but for me it makes me be mindful of the era and characters I'm reading about. It paints the scene for me. The story is very slow-paced and I enjoy that, it makes it so much easier for me to imagine what daily life would've been like during that time.

[Tlotem · Rating 3 out of 5]

2,5*
Unfortunately there’s no story, only intimate moments in the bedroom or elsewhere. It didn’t hold my interest even if I’ve finished it!

[Lady Wesley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this book. On one hand, the author does an excellent job giving her text and dialog a true 19th century sound. I like that in an historical romance, and not all authors even make the effort.

On the other hand though, the plot (and I use that term generously) is unbelievably dull and repetitive. Nothing much happens, unless you're interested in detailed descriptions of every room in Pemberly, the gardens at Pemberly, and a bunch of neighbors of Pemberly who appear to have put in just to populate the scene. I didn't count how many times Lizzy and Darcy have sex, but it's a lot. Not even abundant coupling, however, saves the book, as the sex is decidedly NOT hot. It's lukewarm at best, and accompanied by so much gooey love chatter, that this reader felt like a ten-year-old boy going "eeewww."

This author has written 8 other Darcy books, but perhaps she should have combined them into just two or three books instead. She has a talent, and I urge her to leave the Darcys alone now and use her imagination to write some original fiction.

[Linakatarina · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was a DNF twice. TWICE.

Started it when I was probably ten years younger and didn’t speak English as well as now because I had underlined vocabulary.
Started this again three days ago because I’ve watched Bridgerton and saw that book on my bookshelves and thought why not give it another go.

And OMG HOW BORING IT IS.

Happy to put it back on the shelf where it will stay.

[Kristi Hovington · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started this audiobook at the same time I enrolled in Spanish a1-a2 immersion classes; I listened to it as I walked to and from class each day. It is really wonderful, easily the best DIY language learning course I’ve tried and was a wonderful complement to formal lessons. Highly recommend.

[Gail Frisby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hood love story

Loved the true love and affection between Darcy and Lizzy, the handled every phase of their lives with true trust and affection. Will read it again!

[Rita Deodato · Rating 2 out of 5]

Review Publish at:
https://frompemberleytomilton.wordpre...

Mr. & Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy was written more than a decade ago, but I only read it in 2023 after having read hundreds of other Pride and Prejudice sequels, which I believe may have affected my enjoyment of the book.

This sequel picks up right at the end of Pride & Prejudice and we get to see Elizabeth and Darcy’s engagement period followed by their first months of marriage. It doesn’t add much to the original story, but it takes the time to explore every single detail of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet interactions after their marriage, especially the sexual interactions. This may be the perfect sequel for readers who have just finished Pride and Prejudice and want to continue in the presence of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth, however, I felt it lacked some action or plotline and got a little tired of all the sexual scenes and love declarations.

This book is a good portrait of two young people who are discovering the pleasures associated with sexual activities but at a certain point, it appeared the book was nothing more than sexual encounters and love declarations, and instead of feeling the characters love for each other, I started feeling tired of so much mush.

Towards the end of the book there were some events that gave it some needed action, but they were still surrounded by more love making scenes that at this point were, in my opinion, incredibly annoying.

I understand this book was one of the first JAFF books ever written, and that if this is the first book someone reads after having read Pride and Prejudice it may seem a natural sequel, but I would have preferred to have more plotline and less sexual encounters. I believe Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth have ardor feelings towards one another, but I couldn’t feel that in this book, especially because there wasn’t any story backing up those feelings.

Summing up, Mr. & Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy is a well written sequel where the daily life of a recently married couple is explored in detail, and it may be the right book for those who have just finished Pride & Prejudice and want to see Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth’s passionate scenes, but it wasn’t the right book for me and in the end I could only hope it would finish soon.

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spoilers ahead.

I like a sexy book as much as anything else, but this is really all about sex … a bit about marriage, and a lot about sex. And -
The author writes a Regency sex scene well, and it’s been quite awhile since my first sexually intimate relationship of more than a few months. As far as I can remember, way back in the 80’s, that’s pretty much how I felt. People who experience that amazing bond of enmeshed intimacy certainly never forget it. However, it’s pretty boring to sit through hours and hours of romantic climaxes and them yelling out “I love you!” when they orgasm. Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t deny anybody an orgasm I just don’t necessarily want to read the same sex scene over and over and over and have it be all about some kind of almost phony passion. But that’s me. I get that for some women this book is the bomb and just what the dr ordered. For me, even though I like sex in my books, this one got to the point that I honestly was hoping something would happen to put them off each other for awhile. And when that happened,
It wasn’t long enough! So the book was overly romantic and I can’t believe I’m saying that because I read JAFF almost exclusively. I rate most books 3 stars. This was a great book for what it was, and what it was, was not for me. 🤷🏼‍♀️

PS. I had the added mortification of listening to this as an audiobook. 🙄

[Kaity ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Romantic and just pure fluff! This book is all about Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam Darcy’s life as newly weds. They are filled with passion and undying devotion for each other and also trying to maneuver life together as Lizzy becomes the new lady of the house. I really enjoyed it, it was a book that was the perfect light reading for me. Most of it is Lizzy and Darcy proclaiming their love for one another and I honestly didn’t mind. It was a slice of life book and I really enjoyed it. I’m a huge Austen fan and I do like that writers can expand and interpret the originals and present them for us to enjoy. I will be continuing this series! ❤️✨

[Lenisa Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brought me back to all my feel good moments I had while watching Downton Abbey...one of those time periods where things are bigger and grander.