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Completely and Utterly Mr. Darcy's: a Pride and Prejudice variation
When Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy barges half-dressed into the room where Miss Elizabeth Bennet is staying at Netherfield, apparently on the run from Miss Caroline Bingley’s attempt to engineer a compromise and trap him in a marriage, he claims to have compromised Elizabeth instead.
Elizabeth is not pleased at this turn of events, considering that Mr. Darcy is the most arrogant and altogether worst man she has ever met. She’s particularly displeased at having her choices taken away and being obliged to become this man’s wife.
Mr. Darcy’s ardent admiration of her is some consolation, however, and there is something to be said for the way he seems to be able to reduce her shivers with a look. They have a connection, something powerful, physical, and undeniable.
If only Miss Bingley weren’t determined to work her revenge on the newlyweds, and if only Mr. Darcy’s past with a certain Mr. Wickham weren’t lurking in the shadows, ready to rear its ugly head.
Dear reader, this is a quintessential Valerie Lennox JAFF—winking irreverence, a dollop of angst, and enough steam to choke on. It returns to some of my favorite tropes and situations (forced marriage, a scheming Caroline, a darker Mr. Darcy) and gives them a little bit of a different spin. I sincerely hope you enjoy!
Elizabeth is not pleased at this turn of events, considering that Mr. Darcy is the most arrogant and altogether worst man she has ever met. She’s particularly displeased at having her choices taken away and being obliged to become this man’s wife.
Mr. Darcy’s ardent admiration of her is some consolation, however, and there is something to be said for the way he seems to be able to reduce her shivers with a look. They have a connection, something powerful, physical, and undeniable.
If only Miss Bingley weren’t determined to work her revenge on the newlyweds, and if only Mr. Darcy’s past with a certain Mr. Wickham weren’t lurking in the shadows, ready to rear its ugly head.
Dear reader, this is a quintessential Valerie Lennox JAFF—winking irreverence, a dollop of angst, and enough steam to choke on. It returns to some of my favorite tropes and situations (forced marriage, a scheming Caroline, a darker Mr. Darcy) and gives them a little bit of a different spin. I sincerely hope you enjoy!
- GenresRomanceHistorical
202 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 30, 2022
91 people are currently reading
32 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
June 19, 2022
Very Good
At first, I thought this was going to be a farcical read when Darcy compromises Elizabeth in an effort to avoid Caroline’s compromising him and Bingley’s insistence that he marry his sister. Darcy claims he is already engaged to Elizabeth. The cheeky dialogue during his explanations with Elizabeth and Bingley seemed to make it so. However, the story becomes a bit more serious once they are married and Elizabeth discovers Darcy has a questionable history with past relationships still effectively disrupting his new life with her. Throw in a charismatic Wickham and a now vengeful Caroline and you have a very good page turner with definite moments of angst. There is a very interesting spin regarding Ramsgate that I thought was very well executed.
From the beginning, after being forced to marry to protect her reputation, Elizabeth is plagued with trying to determine truth from lies. Serious and necessary discussions seem to go by the wayside as she and Darcy always end up succumbing to their passion for each other. Despite his youthful mistakes, this Darcy is a good man as an adult and he’s pretty honest with his wife. She finds it difficult to trust him, as others tell their tales to her. Thankfully, trust is restored and a happy ending achieved.
I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was well written and it held my attention throughout. There is mature sexual content between a married couple, including some occasional bawdy language, but nothing way over the top.
I recommend it for those who enjoy their JAFF with a good twist, accompanied by a sprinkle of spice and some added steam.
I received an ARC of this book from the author and am voluntarily providing my honest review.
At first, I thought this was going to be a farcical read when Darcy compromises Elizabeth in an effort to avoid Caroline’s compromising him and Bingley’s insistence that he marry his sister. Darcy claims he is already engaged to Elizabeth. The cheeky dialogue during his explanations with Elizabeth and Bingley seemed to make it so. However, the story becomes a bit more serious once they are married and Elizabeth discovers Darcy has a questionable history with past relationships still effectively disrupting his new life with her. Throw in a charismatic Wickham and a now vengeful Caroline and you have a very good page turner with definite moments of angst. There is a very interesting spin regarding Ramsgate that I thought was very well executed.
From the beginning, after being forced to marry to protect her reputation, Elizabeth is plagued with trying to determine truth from lies. Serious and necessary discussions seem to go by the wayside as she and Darcy always end up succumbing to their passion for each other. Despite his youthful mistakes, this Darcy is a good man as an adult and he’s pretty honest with his wife. She finds it difficult to trust him, as others tell their tales to her. Thankfully, trust is restored and a happy ending achieved.
I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was well written and it held my attention throughout. There is mature sexual content between a married couple, including some occasional bawdy language, but nothing way over the top.
I recommend it for those who enjoy their JAFF with a good twist, accompanied by a sprinkle of spice and some added steam.
I received an ARC of this book from the author and am voluntarily providing my honest review.
September 8, 2022
After a compromise within the first few pages, Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy must learn to trust each other and themselves. They must also keep their hands to themselves in order to communicate
It was a fun, mature story. I loved the honest conversations between Darcy and Elizabeth. They seemed to have almost no filter.
It was a fun, mature story. I loved the honest conversations between Darcy and Elizabeth. They seemed to have almost no filter.
July 1, 2022
At Netherfield, finding Miss Bingley in his bed, Mr. Darcy, seeks refuge in Elizabeth Bennet's room. He is discovered by Mr. Bingley, who was awakened by his sister, with the information that she was ruined. As in his friend's eyes, he committed both women and Mr. Darcy does not want to marry Miss Bingley, so he informs her that he will marry Elizabeth.
It's an unpromising start to an engagement: a groom who impulsively proposed the commitment and then is reluctant to take it on and a bride who doesn't like the groom.
They, who only know each other superficially, gradually get used to each other and to the idea of marriage.
The problem is that Mr. Dacry had a tumultuous past that he left behind but that haunts him and that will greatly disrupt his relationship with Elizabeth. And then there's Miss Bingley and Mr. Wickham making it worse.
A book moments of passion of the main couple that will fight to stay together, good villains, moments of tension and great rhythm.
It's an unpromising start to an engagement: a groom who impulsively proposed the commitment and then is reluctant to take it on and a bride who doesn't like the groom.
They, who only know each other superficially, gradually get used to each other and to the idea of marriage.
The problem is that Mr. Dacry had a tumultuous past that he left behind but that haunts him and that will greatly disrupt his relationship with Elizabeth. And then there's Miss Bingley and Mr. Wickham making it worse.
A book moments of passion of the main couple that will fight to stay together, good villains, moments of tension and great rhythm.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 20, 2022
A few things about this one:
Darcy has a Wickham-like past -- in his teens.
After D/E marry, there are a LOT of BR scenes, some pretty explicit.
But an unusual story and pretty well-told.
Darcy has a Wickham-like past -- in his teens.
After D/E marry, there are a LOT of BR scenes, some pretty explicit.
But an unusual story and pretty well-told.
September 5, 2022
ODC got 99% problems but chemistry is not one of them.
I love the way this author writes dialogue - excellent banter ALWAYS!
I love the way this author writes dialogue - excellent banter ALWAYS!
June 19, 2022
This story has a Darcy with a past and Elizabeth struggling with jealousy and lack of trust, as well as some darker themes involving the loss of a pregnancy.
The story starts out at Netherfield, during Jane's illness. Elizabeth is trying to get dressed without a maid to button her up when Mr. Darcy bursts in her room inappropriately attired. It turns out Caroline Bingley attempted to compromise him and he is trying to escape and hide. However, there are witnesses to the event and instead of Caroline, it is Elizabeth who is ruined unless they get engaged. Once they are married, they feel closer to each other while enjoying each other in the bedroom but otherwise they have a lot of trouble talking and trusting. Darcy has had youthful indiscretions that had lasting consequences and he still feels guilty about it, especially now that his past intrudes into his marriage. The usual suspects try to sow poison between Darcy and Elizabeth, and to some degree they are succeeding.
What I liked: I enjoy this author's entertaining writing style, there is a lot of clever dialogue and some sweet feels, and I liked the way threads came together. (Trying not to spoil it but there is someone they might not treat as a family member but they do.) Yes, Darcy has a past but he is a honorable man these days and has been trying to do the right thing for a decade now.
Some of Elizabeth's choices seemed rather random and there are some important things they quite inexplicably failed to talk about ("hey, love, look, there is some gossip about you - maybe, possibly, perhaps you should know about it....just a thought..")
Steam level: Several scenes of married sex.
I received a copy from the author and this is a voluntary review.
The story starts out at Netherfield, during Jane's illness. Elizabeth is trying to get dressed without a maid to button her up when Mr. Darcy bursts in her room inappropriately attired. It turns out Caroline Bingley attempted to compromise him and he is trying to escape and hide. However, there are witnesses to the event and instead of Caroline, it is Elizabeth who is ruined unless they get engaged. Once they are married, they feel closer to each other while enjoying each other in the bedroom but otherwise they have a lot of trouble talking and trusting. Darcy has had youthful indiscretions that had lasting consequences and he still feels guilty about it, especially now that his past intrudes into his marriage. The usual suspects try to sow poison between Darcy and Elizabeth, and to some degree they are succeeding.
What I liked: I enjoy this author's entertaining writing style, there is a lot of clever dialogue and some sweet feels, and I liked the way threads came together. (Trying not to spoil it but there is someone they might not treat as a family member but they do.) Yes, Darcy has a past but he is a honorable man these days and has been trying to do the right thing for a decade now.
Some of Elizabeth's choices seemed rather random and there are some important things they quite inexplicably failed to talk about ("hey, love, look, there is some gossip about you - maybe, possibly, perhaps you should know about it....just a thought..")
Steam level: Several scenes of married sex.
I received a copy from the author and this is a voluntary review.
October 16, 2022
Predictable and easy but mostly enjoyable
I read the whole thing, but the tone in the first part wasn't right for me. Darcy was too talkative and flippant, almost Bingley-like, but that seemed to change after the initial chapters to a more traditional, and honestly very sweet, Darcy. I really loved that. A lot of the story involved some repeating tropes (spoilers...an attempted compromise, married before in love, just sexual attraction, a secret child, a m*scarriage, Wickham trying to seduce Mrs. Darcy for Miss Bingley.. while the actually fascinating original ideas kind of get buried. I especially was engaged by the idea that Wickham was so obsessed with Darcy for different reasons. (What! Brilliant)
I don't regret reading it, but it could have been more. Will continue to try the author's books
I read the whole thing, but the tone in the first part wasn't right for me. Darcy was too talkative and flippant, almost Bingley-like, but that seemed to change after the initial chapters to a more traditional, and honestly very sweet, Darcy. I really loved that. A lot of the story involved some repeating tropes (spoilers...an attempted compromise, married before in love, just sexual attraction, a secret child, a m*scarriage, Wickham trying to seduce Mrs. Darcy for Miss Bingley.. while the actually fascinating original ideas kind of get buried. I especially was engaged by the idea that Wickham was so obsessed with Darcy for different reasons. (What! Brilliant)
I don't regret reading it, but it could have been more. Will continue to try the author's books
December 15, 2022
Convoluted
An interesting concept very imaginative and entertaining. Circumstances dictate a lot of the things happening in the plot but I enjoyed the developing love story.
An interesting concept very imaginative and entertaining. Circumstances dictate a lot of the things happening in the plot but I enjoyed the developing love story.
September 1, 2022
I was not a fan, at all. A loquacious & bumbling Darcy? A resentful & jealous Elizabeth? No, no, NOPE, No thank you!! Plus, the smut was just bad!! Why in the world would I want to read about bad sex? It’s literally fiction! Where all sexual encounters end in mutual satisfaction, it’s never awkward, & people never use the bathroom!!!
Although honestly I would probably give it a star back for that “scene” between Wickham & Darcy…it was enlightening & made me rethink every encounter of theirs I’ve ever read!! Haha
Although honestly I would probably give it a star back for that “scene” between Wickham & Darcy…it was enlightening & made me rethink every encounter of theirs I’ve ever read!! Haha
October 13, 2022
Two stars
The plot was a bit far fetched and I thought Elizabeth was a bit pathetic at times. Dialogue between characters was best part - I enjoyed the frankness of the first chapter but after that they kept ‘forgetting’ to talk or avoiding it.
The plot was a bit far fetched and I thought Elizabeth was a bit pathetic at times. Dialogue between characters was best part - I enjoyed the frankness of the first chapter but after that they kept ‘forgetting’ to talk or avoiding it.
June 30, 2022
lots of intrigue
A rather intriguing and very emotional variation inspired by author Jane Austen’s classic novel Pride and Prejudice by Valerie Lennox. I enjoyed it.
A rather intriguing and very emotional variation inspired by author Jane Austen’s classic novel Pride and Prejudice by Valerie Lennox. I enjoyed it.
February 5, 2023
As always with this author, the story is a bit comedic and a bit bewildering, but I found it good.
Elizabeth and Jane are at Netherfield, when Jane is sick and Lizzy is looking after her.
Mr Darcy wakes up with Caroline Bingley in his bed but he swears nothing happened, so he is running away from her and instead of hiding in an empty chamber, enters Lizzy's when she is dressing, and he is wearing only a shirt and breeches or underwear. Bingley finds them and when he says that Darcy needs to marry his sister, Mr Darcy insists nothing happened because he was with Lizzy instead (Lizzy is gobsmacked, and even if she denies it, there is not coming back from that).
Bingley is not his very nice self but he believes everything his sister says, tells Elizabeth she is a loose woman and needs to go back to Longbourn, and tells Mr Darcy to go away if he will not do the honourable thing. So Jane and Lizzy go back to Longbourn, but Mr Darcy has compromised Lizzy. She refuses him at first but then understands there is no other choice because she is ruined and accepts him.
Mr Darcy has a past and very early on during the story we find out about his past mistakes, but they are not what they appear. There is a former lover and Mr Wickham is involved in some way, but I won't spoil too much.
Elizabeth is very attracted to her husband, so she falls in love with him very quickly. She feels disappointed to learn of Mr Darcy's past, but she also figures out the truth very quickly and what did really happen.
The resolutions are very different than in canon. Caroline Bingley is impossibly awful, but gets her comeuppance. Lydia has a different fate. Mr Wickham gets what he bargained for. Bingley is quite spineless. Lady Catherine makes a scene at Pemberley but is soon dismissed with clever logic from Lizzy.
Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth Darcy end up being very happy. Nice epilogue.
Warning for mature content, which I didn't mind in the least. Disappointed with Darcy's past though. Wickham is ... "he has a way about him" lol! You'll see what I mean.
4 stars. recommended!!
Elizabeth and Jane are at Netherfield, when Jane is sick and Lizzy is looking after her.
Mr Darcy wakes up with Caroline Bingley in his bed but he swears nothing happened, so he is running away from her and instead of hiding in an empty chamber, enters Lizzy's when she is dressing, and he is wearing only a shirt and breeches or underwear. Bingley finds them and when he says that Darcy needs to marry his sister, Mr Darcy insists nothing happened because he was with Lizzy instead (Lizzy is gobsmacked, and even if she denies it, there is not coming back from that).
Bingley is not his very nice self but he believes everything his sister says, tells Elizabeth she is a loose woman and needs to go back to Longbourn, and tells Mr Darcy to go away if he will not do the honourable thing. So Jane and Lizzy go back to Longbourn, but Mr Darcy has compromised Lizzy. She refuses him at first but then understands there is no other choice because she is ruined and accepts him.
Mr Darcy has a past and very early on during the story we find out about his past mistakes, but they are not what they appear. There is a former lover and Mr Wickham is involved in some way, but I won't spoil too much.
Elizabeth is very attracted to her husband, so she falls in love with him very quickly. She feels disappointed to learn of Mr Darcy's past, but she also figures out the truth very quickly and what did really happen.
The resolutions are very different than in canon. Caroline Bingley is impossibly awful, but gets her comeuppance. Lydia has a different fate. Mr Wickham gets what he bargained for. Bingley is quite spineless. Lady Catherine makes a scene at Pemberley but is soon dismissed with clever logic from Lizzy.
Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth Darcy end up being very happy. Nice epilogue.
Warning for mature content, which I didn't mind in the least. Disappointed with Darcy's past though. Wickham is ... "he has a way about him" lol! You'll see what I mean.
4 stars. recommended!!
January 6, 2025
I loved it!
Warning: This book isn’t the least bit clean. Contains scenes meant for a mature audience. Be advised.
It was so enticing that I couldn’t put it down, this book grabbed my interest from the very first page. I couldn’t put it down, I had to know what happened next. The story is well written with a very good storyline. You will see the most beloved characters in a whole new way. This is a Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice variation. When Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy barges half-dressed into the room where Miss Elizabeth Bennet is staying at Netherfield, apparently on the run from Miss Caroline Bingley’s attempt to engineer a compromise and trap him in a marriage, he claims to have compromised Elizabeth instead. Elizabeth is not pleased at this turn of events, considering that Mr Darcy is the most arrogant and altogether worst man she has ever met. She’s particularly displeased at having her choices taken away and being obliged to become this man’s wife. Mr Darcy’s ardent admiration of her is some consolation, however, and there is something to be said for the way he seems to be able to reduce her shivers with a look; they have a connection, something powerful, physical, and undeniable. If only Miss Bingley weren’t determined to work her revenge on the newlyweds, and if only Mr Darcy’s past with a certain Mr Wickham weren’t lurking in the shadows, ready to rear its ugly head. So with all that and more this story pulls you in and holds you tight. It’s a must read. I highly recommend to everyone.
Warning: This book isn’t the least bit clean. Contains scenes meant for a mature audience. Be advised.
It was so enticing that I couldn’t put it down, this book grabbed my interest from the very first page. I couldn’t put it down, I had to know what happened next. The story is well written with a very good storyline. You will see the most beloved characters in a whole new way. This is a Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice variation. When Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy barges half-dressed into the room where Miss Elizabeth Bennet is staying at Netherfield, apparently on the run from Miss Caroline Bingley’s attempt to engineer a compromise and trap him in a marriage, he claims to have compromised Elizabeth instead. Elizabeth is not pleased at this turn of events, considering that Mr Darcy is the most arrogant and altogether worst man she has ever met. She’s particularly displeased at having her choices taken away and being obliged to become this man’s wife. Mr Darcy’s ardent admiration of her is some consolation, however, and there is something to be said for the way he seems to be able to reduce her shivers with a look; they have a connection, something powerful, physical, and undeniable. If only Miss Bingley weren’t determined to work her revenge on the newlyweds, and if only Mr Darcy’s past with a certain Mr Wickham weren’t lurking in the shadows, ready to rear its ugly head. So with all that and more this story pulls you in and holds you tight. It’s a must read. I highly recommend to everyone.
June 24, 2023
First I need to say, I haven‘t finished it. I‘m at 71 % but stopped..
Second, I normally love Valerie Lennox‘s books..
It starts with Elizabeth being at Netherfield because Jane is ill, but in the early morning when she‘s dressing herself Mr. Darcy storms in her bedchamber half naked. He found Miss Bingley in his bed. (I would have fled too.)
Mr. Bingley is an id*ot in this variation, he throws Darcy out, Elizabeth and Jane too (who is still not fully recovered) and insults Elizabeth. All because he believes Darcy has compromised Caroline and doesn‘t want to marry her. And cut all ties with Darcy.
Darcy has a past like Wickham (Women etc..) Even Mrs. Younge.. that was so off putting. And Adam the 12 year old son..
Elizabeth claiming to love Darcy but believes the lies Caroline told her? And doesn‘t trust him at all. Instead of working it out, she leaves for Hertfordshire, Netherfield Park to be exact (Jane married Bingley). Jane is still the sweet sister and devoted to her. Another thing I can‘t comprehend.. She‘s visiting Jane though Bingley insulted her that night.. Even worse than ‚Not handsome enough to tempt me‘.
Wickham searching out Elizabeth‘s company everywhere she‘s going, she‘s dreaming of his blue eyes, has a beating heart after he‘s done flirting with her.
Unfortunately only 2,5 stars for the plot (fleeing to Elizabeth and claiming to compromised instead etc..), a sweet Darcy, quick read, an easy read.
Second, I normally love Valerie Lennox‘s books..
It starts with Elizabeth being at Netherfield because Jane is ill, but in the early morning when she‘s dressing herself Mr. Darcy storms in her bedchamber half naked. He found Miss Bingley in his bed. (I would have fled too.)
Mr. Bingley is an id*ot in this variation, he throws Darcy out, Elizabeth and Jane too (who is still not fully recovered) and insults Elizabeth. All because he believes Darcy has compromised Caroline and doesn‘t want to marry her. And cut all ties with Darcy.
Darcy has a past like Wickham (Women etc..) Even Mrs. Younge.. that was so off putting. And Adam the 12 year old son..
Elizabeth claiming to love Darcy but believes the lies Caroline told her? And doesn‘t trust him at all. Instead of working it out, she leaves for Hertfordshire, Netherfield Park to be exact (Jane married Bingley). Jane is still the sweet sister and devoted to her. Another thing I can‘t comprehend.. She‘s visiting Jane though Bingley insulted her that night.. Even worse than ‚Not handsome enough to tempt me‘.
Wickham searching out Elizabeth‘s company everywhere she‘s going, she‘s dreaming of his blue eyes, has a beating heart after he‘s done flirting with her.
Unfortunately only 2,5 stars for the plot (fleeing to Elizabeth and claiming to compromised instead etc..), a sweet Darcy, quick read, an easy read.
June 30, 2022
I enjoyed this variation where Darcy has a bit of a “bad boy” past. I also had to smile at how conniving Caroline was continued to be throughout the story. Acknowledging and revealing such passion between Darcy and Elizabeth was also an interesting twist. The undercurrent of lies and twisted truths in the eyes of society revealed so many vulnerabilities and trust issues for this couple! This was a satisfying read right to the HEA ending.
I received an ARC and am voluntarily sharing my honest review.
I received an ARC and am voluntarily sharing my honest review.
April 14, 2023
I just didn’t like it. It wasn’t Elizabeth and Darcy for me, they were completely different people who just happened to have those names. I wasn’t keen on the romance scenes (not normally an issue for me, I just didn’t like how it was done) and then when Darcy revealed he has a 12 year old son from when he was carousing about with Wickham at age 16, I was just done. It just wasn’t for me but if you like a darker Darcy and don’t mind it when he has children without previous women, it may be fine for you.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 19, 2023
This story caught me off guard in an extremely good way. If you like “rakish” type of “bad boy” you found a winner. I was really impressed with how this author has Darcy behaving and loved it. Elizabeth is so smart and on top of the “issues” is incredibly believable. Caroline and Lady C are horrible as usual. Wickham is awful but tops the usual. Not exactly clean, but not sensuous either. I recommend for mature readers, but highly recommend. Well written, will keep you interested, beautifully done
July 1, 2022
I enjoyed Elizabeth and Darcy's story in this book. The author provided the reader with a unique storyline with darker character histories. I liked the dialogue and the way that that author wrote it. Everything was real to my mind. It sounded natural to me. I liked the characters more because they had faults and were not perfect like other variations.
I received this complimentary copy of this book and I freely left this review.
I received this complimentary copy of this book and I freely left this review.
October 18, 2022
I have mixed feelings
I really did not care for Elizabeth in the beginning, or middle for that matter. Really I felt she barely deserved Darcy. My opinion improved as I continued reading. Please remember these are just my opinions. How Elizabeth is written may speak to you in a different way.
I really did not care for Elizabeth in the beginning, or middle for that matter. Really I felt she barely deserved Darcy. My opinion improved as I continued reading. Please remember these are just my opinions. How Elizabeth is written may speak to you in a different way.
Read
October 26, 2022Interesting writing style
I wasn't sure I liked it at first but the style of this book grew on me. I've read Bakeries books before, but this one is very different. Give it a try, but be prepared for some steam and some "out there" scenarios.
I wasn't sure I liked it at first but the style of this book grew on me. I've read Bakeries books before, but this one is very different. Give it a try, but be prepared for some steam and some "out there" scenarios.
January 5, 2023
Strange
This was a weird one. It was filled with implausible situations and foolish decisions. Elizabeth's leaving for so long. Darcy's ok-ness about it. The lie about Adam. And what was that in the end with Darcy and Wickham? Very strange book.
This was a weird one. It was filled with implausible situations and foolish decisions. Elizabeth's leaving for so long. Darcy's ok-ness about it. The lie about Adam. And what was that in the end with Darcy and Wickham? Very strange book.
March 22, 2023
Not for me
Sorry, I've enjoyed books from this author before but this one is not for me. It was a bit like a farce from the 1950s, the language too modern and paper thin characters.
Sorry, I've enjoyed books from this author before but this one is not for me. It was a bit like a farce from the 1950s, the language too modern and paper thin characters.
July 2, 2022
yea. . . Elizabeth Bennett's personality was off from Jane Austin's character.
September 5, 2022
Entirely ridiculous & no one was in character, but it was a quick read with some fun elements. Wickham’s motivation (revealed near end) was inventive & amusing!
October 10, 2022
Good Read
This book caught me by surprise. Ms.Lennox change the character personality and still added some intrigue. I couldn't stop reading to see what the next surprise.
This book caught me by surprise. Ms.Lennox change the character personality and still added some intrigue. I couldn't stop reading to see what the next surprise.
Read
November 10, 2022Darcy compromises Lizzy in order to get out of a compromise with Caroline. Very OTC Darcy with him acting very awkward and not thinking things through.
November 21, 2022
abandoned at 35% - DNF
This is my first foray into this author' work and I will not be back - this is not for me. The language is wrong as are too many of the details.
This is my first foray into this author' work and I will not be back - this is not for me. The language is wrong as are too many of the details.
January 27, 2023
Rather than be compromised by Miss Bingley and forced to marry her, Mr Darcy prefers to be compromised by Lizzie. Luckily for him, Lizzie is of a good enough disposition and they soon fall in love.
March 22, 2025
4.5* rounded up to 5*. This book seems a cautionary tale of how not being honest with each other can damage a relationship. Darcy is often embarrassed or ashamed or guilty, so he doesn't talk about things that might be unpleasant or awkward, and it comes back to bite them.
This was a typically angsty book by Ms. Lennox, with people who are taken in by liars, and more than the usual misunderstandings. It starts out with Mr. Darcy bursting into Elizabeth's bedroom (he thought it was empty) at Netherfield after waking up in bed with Caroline and fleeing his room. Mr. Bingley feels he has to believe his sister, who claims that Mr. Darcy seduced her and must marry her. Mr. Darcy refuses to marry Caroline and claims he has to marry Elizabeth, who is not happy about it but has no choice.
Everything is very awkward, and people spend a lot of time being angry, frustrated, embarrassed or confused. Although I don't like this Darcy that much, I do feel for him. He loses his friendship with Bingley, and things are difficult for him. He is wimpy at times - conflicted and also eaten up by guilt and anxiety, so he doesn't know what to do. I had a hard time imagining *this* Darcy speaking The Insult at the Assembly. After they get married, they get along in bed very well, but don't seem to be able to talk to each other when serious things need discussing! Elizabeth has a miscarriage and blames herself because she didn't want the babe so soon. Elizabeth is jealous of Darcy's history and is afraid to trust him.
Some of it is rather disturbing; we learn Darcy is supporting a child from when he was 16, who turns out to actually have been fathered by Wickham. Miss Bingley tries to convince her family that Darcy seduced her, lies to Elizabeth and others. Later starts rumors that Elizabeth was pregnant with Wickham's baby, so Elizabeth seduced Darcy to get a husband for the baby. She is just horrible!
Whenever people are talking about Wickham, they say he has "that way" about him, as if that's an explanation as to why women let him seduce them and men forgive his faults. It was kind of funny, but in a disturbing way. Colonel Fitzwilliam tells Darcy about the rumors of Elizabeth and Wickham, and Darcy seems like he would be OK because Wickham has that way about him... I couldn't tell if he actually felt that way, or if he was trying to pretend indifference to the rumors.
Wickham runs off with Lydia, but she doesn't let him touch her. Darcy finds her and when she meets Colonel Fitzwilliam, he is enamored and says he will marry Lydia instead of Wickham. There is a great scene where Darcy convinces Wickham to compromise Caroline and marry her. Not enough schadenfreude for me on that to make up for how horrible she was. After Caroline and Wickham marry, Bingley visits Darcy, they talk for a couple hours, and then "they were both slobbering drunk and fast friends again." Hilarious - one doesn't think of Darcy as getting slobbering drunk!
My favorite swoony part is after a separation while Elizabeth visits Jane. She is together with Darcy again, and tells him she missed him. He says, “Oh, there has been a gaping hole in my life shaped like you,”. Sweet!
After all the angst, anger, and deception, I wish we had a bit more of a window into their happiness together - we do see bits and pieces here and there, and there is a small Epilogue, but I always want to see more of their felicity together.
The book is very well-written and I do recommend it.
I received a free ARC version from the author and this is my true and independent opinion in a voluntary review.
This was a typically angsty book by Ms. Lennox, with people who are taken in by liars, and more than the usual misunderstandings. It starts out with Mr. Darcy bursting into Elizabeth's bedroom (he thought it was empty) at Netherfield after waking up in bed with Caroline and fleeing his room. Mr. Bingley feels he has to believe his sister, who claims that Mr. Darcy seduced her and must marry her. Mr. Darcy refuses to marry Caroline and claims he has to marry Elizabeth, who is not happy about it but has no choice.
Everything is very awkward, and people spend a lot of time being angry, frustrated, embarrassed or confused. Although I don't like this Darcy that much, I do feel for him. He loses his friendship with Bingley, and things are difficult for him. He is wimpy at times - conflicted and also eaten up by guilt and anxiety, so he doesn't know what to do. I had a hard time imagining *this* Darcy speaking The Insult at the Assembly. After they get married, they get along in bed very well, but don't seem to be able to talk to each other when serious things need discussing! Elizabeth has a miscarriage and blames herself because she didn't want the babe so soon. Elizabeth is jealous of Darcy's history and is afraid to trust him.
Some of it is rather disturbing; we learn Darcy is supporting a child from when he was 16, who turns out to actually have been fathered by Wickham. Miss Bingley tries to convince her family that Darcy seduced her, lies to Elizabeth and others. Later starts rumors that Elizabeth was pregnant with Wickham's baby, so Elizabeth seduced Darcy to get a husband for the baby. She is just horrible!
Whenever people are talking about Wickham, they say he has "that way" about him, as if that's an explanation as to why women let him seduce them and men forgive his faults. It was kind of funny, but in a disturbing way. Colonel Fitzwilliam tells Darcy about the rumors of Elizabeth and Wickham, and Darcy seems like he would be OK because Wickham has that way about him... I couldn't tell if he actually felt that way, or if he was trying to pretend indifference to the rumors.
Wickham runs off with Lydia, but she doesn't let him touch her. Darcy finds her and when she meets Colonel Fitzwilliam, he is enamored and says he will marry Lydia instead of Wickham. There is a great scene where Darcy convinces Wickham to compromise Caroline and marry her. Not enough schadenfreude for me on that to make up for how horrible she was. After Caroline and Wickham marry, Bingley visits Darcy, they talk for a couple hours, and then "they were both slobbering drunk and fast friends again." Hilarious - one doesn't think of Darcy as getting slobbering drunk!
My favorite swoony part is after a separation while Elizabeth visits Jane. She is together with Darcy again, and tells him she missed him. He says, “Oh, there has been a gaping hole in my life shaped like you,”. Sweet!
After all the angst, anger, and deception, I wish we had a bit more of a window into their happiness together - we do see bits and pieces here and there, and there is a small Epilogue, but I always want to see more of their felicity together.
The book is very well-written and I do recommend it.
I received a free ARC version from the author and this is my true and independent opinion in a voluntary review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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