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The Darcy Saga #2
Loving Mr. Darcy: Journeys Beyond Pemberley
Beyond Pride and Prejudice…Beyond 'I Do'…
Darcy and Lizzy venture away from Pemberley to journey through England, finding friends, relatives, fun, love, and an even deeper and more sacred bond along the way.
Having embarked on the greatest adventure of all, marriage and the start of a new life together, now the Darcys take the reader on a journey through a time of prosperity, enjoyment, and security. They experience all the adventures of travel, with friends
and relatives providing both companionship and complications, and with fun as their focus.
The sights and sounds, tastes and flavors of Regency England come alive. Through it all, Darcy and Lizzy continue to build a marriage filled with romance, sensuality, and the beauty of a deep, abiding love.
Darcy and Lizzy venture away from Pemberley to journey through England, finding friends, relatives, fun, love, and an even deeper and more sacred bond along the way.
Having embarked on the greatest adventure of all, marriage and the start of a new life together, now the Darcys take the reader on a journey through a time of prosperity, enjoyment, and security. They experience all the adventures of travel, with friends
and relatives providing both companionship and complications, and with fun as their focus.
The sights and sounds, tastes and flavors of Regency England come alive. Through it all, Darcy and Lizzy continue to build a marriage filled with romance, sensuality, and the beauty of a deep, abiding love.
448 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2008
148 people are currently reading
1629 people want to read
About the author
Sharon Lathan
20 books388 followersSharon 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/
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/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 194 reviews
July 7, 2011
Honestly, I am impressed I could make it through this book without throwing up a little in my mouth. I SO MUCH wanted to like it, it had such good reviews, and I love a Pride and Prejudice theme (in theory). But. BUT. Several hundred pages of pure syrup (Oh, Elizabeth, my dearest love, my lover, my treasure, how much I love you, GAG) and an unbroken pattern of sex every other page - at least - just does not float my boat. Gushy love sentiments once in a while, okay, but in every conversation, I highly doubt. Hot monkey sex every single freaking time the two protagonists come into contact? After 8 months of marriage? uh huh. Basically this book read (to me) like a fanficton of the author's idea of pride-and-prejudice themed utopia: she has limitless money, an awesome sex life, is absolutely fawned over and worshipped by everyone (except a few jealous b*tches!, but even they come around when they realize it's LOVE, TWOOOOH LOVE) but most especially her super-hunky husband, can do no wrong, is smart, clever, and funny, and is practically perfect in every way. Oh, not to mention the psychic dreams about her future baby. (!) Hello, Mary Sue, nice to meet you.
I read in another comment that the commenter thought Mr. Darcy (poor Mr. Darcy) had been changed into a sissified version of his former self, and I agree 100%. The first book in this series was okay, and the gushy stuff was more believable because they were in that "honeymoon stage". Not anymore. Plus after all those hundreds of pages of goo, she STILL (sorry, spoiler) DID NOT HAVE THAT BABY. I kind of just a little bit want to read about the baby but I don't think I can stomach any more of this, sorry... I will be getting rid of my books by Ms. Lathan and going back to my standards, Ms. Aidan (for P&P realism) and Ms. Berdoll (for doofy P&P humor!).
I read in another comment that the commenter thought Mr. Darcy (poor Mr. Darcy) had been changed into a sissified version of his former self, and I agree 100%. The first book in this series was okay, and the gushy stuff was more believable because they were in that "honeymoon stage". Not anymore. Plus after all those hundreds of pages of goo, she STILL (sorry, spoiler) DID NOT HAVE THAT BABY. I kind of just a little bit want to read about the baby but I don't think I can stomach any more of this, sorry... I will be getting rid of my books by Ms. Lathan and going back to my standards, Ms. Aidan (for P&P realism) and Ms. Berdoll (for doofy P&P humor!).
May 29, 2011
This has to be one of the most appalling books I've ever read. Since when did Jane Austen's characters 'look out the window', or 'figure' something out, or go on 'vacation'? The mixture of an attempt at early 19th century English and modern American English was, to say the least, confused. Repton was described as an 'independent school' - no such term existed in Austen's time - and describing a shop as a 'shoppe' left me dumbfounded. The sex between the two protagonists was exceedingly repetitive and rather boring. There were some interesting ideas in the book which, with a little imagination, could have developed into an imaginative storyline but these were sadly swallowed by Mr Darcy's husky voice and fondling hands.
It's a brave person indeed who takes it upon themselves to finish what a truly great author started and Austen fans' desire for the story to continue beyond Pride and Prejudice is more than understandable. But this book proves beyond doubt that no one but Austen can write Austen. Her razor-sharp wit and observation and the things left unsaid continue to delight readers the world over. This is a clumsy book and should be consigned to the Mills and Boon shelf.
It's a brave person indeed who takes it upon themselves to finish what a truly great author started and Austen fans' desire for the story to continue beyond Pride and Prejudice is more than understandable. But this book proves beyond doubt that no one but Austen can write Austen. Her razor-sharp wit and observation and the things left unsaid continue to delight readers the world over. This is a clumsy book and should be consigned to the Mills and Boon shelf.
July 6, 2012
I read all five novels of the Darcy Saga in pretty much one go over the space of a week and as a result I find it easier to critique as a whole set rather than individually so this review covers all the five novels although I will assign a rating to each book:
1. Mr. & Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy
2. Loving Mr. Darcy
3. My Dearest Mr. Darcy
4. In the Arms of Mr. Darcy
5. The Trouble with Mr. Darcy
First of all, this book is for the hopeless romantics who want nothing more than to revel in detail in Lizzy's and Darcy's relationship post engagement. The forward to the first book unapologetically states that the author's introduction to Pride & Prejudice occurred with the 2005 movie and while she has since then read the original piece she has chosen to utilize the movie adaptation as her starting point so some details referred to are not from the novel but the changes are cosmetic.
I do not have issues with the author's level of writing skill so much. There's a fine line for me between where I fall into the story easily enough and where I find the poor writing to constantly intrude on my consciousness as I imagine myself through the story and these novels crossed the threshold fairly easily. That said, I never want to hear the word "stupendous" in my life ever again. Yes, adjectives abound as others have commented, but for some reason stupendousness rose above everything and by the third book it was like itching a mosquito bite; every time I encountered it I was irritated.
I am of two minds about the enormous proportion of love-making in the novels. I imagine 70% of the 5 novels put together is composed of nothing but their passionate and undying declarations of love for each other and amorous love-making. That said, there was no scene that felt distasteful or simply pornographic and gratuitous. It was very much newlywed bliss. However, two years on and having sex morning, noon and night in every room, every sheltered field, nearly every day through two pregnancies actually becomes mind-mumbing toward the end. It is quite romantic but the extended sustained pace eventually starts to beggar belief. I would not recommend these books to single people who are bitter about their status as no actual living, breathing human being will ever live up to the expectations or a relationship this book will set for you!
It is true that there is very little plot but again the author is not really apologetic as she has set out to chronicle the marriage, which does not always have a plot like every good novel should, but she has tried to inject a sense of drama into each book. The results are a a bit uneven. Whatever parts of the novel are not occupied by love-making are primarily relationship driven. The marriage is chronicled in GREAT detail, with Lizzy getting pregnant in the first novel and not delivering her child until the third! The first two books are quite similar - floating along evenly until the very end when some sort of crisis is reached requiring Darcy to rescue Lizzy. In fact, while I love the level of detail of the locations demonstrating the research, the third quarter of book 2 describing the daily journeying of their holiday nearly bored me until it was time for the 11th hour crisis.
The third book probably meandered most of all, with no particular focus of event other than the birth of their first child. It is probably saved by the developing characters involved in their life - the rounding out of Col. Fitzwilliam, Georgianna, the other Bennet sisters (Mary and Kitty) and the exploration of Darcy's uncle, George. This continues into the fourth book, where Kitty particularly begins to bloom into a three dimensional character. It is only the fifth book, however, that actually manages to introduce and to keep tension steady throughout, with classic foreshadowing and plot driven storytelling. The fifth was probably my favourite for this reason.
My biggest disappointment, however, is the author's abandonment of Jane Bingley (nee Bennet). While she certainly features as Lizzy's sister, carries on dialogue and even has some intimate conversations with Lizzy, we are never taken into her confidence in the same manner as we are with every other character. Even if only briefly, we become privy to the inner thoughts of Mary at the point of her courtship, and are given a startling insight into Kitty's maturation. We glimpse the evolution of Caroline Bingley. Col. Fitzwilliam's private turmoil is revealed in the 4th book. Even Wickham's own inner twisted logic is shown to us. However, the author never lets us see Jane other than through the eyes of another person and by the time I finished the 5th novel I was left with the feeling that Jane was left as a complete stranger to me. I am frankly shocked at this omission.
1. Mr. & Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy
2. Loving Mr. Darcy
3. My Dearest Mr. Darcy
4. In the Arms of Mr. Darcy
5. The Trouble with Mr. Darcy
First of all, this book is for the hopeless romantics who want nothing more than to revel in detail in Lizzy's and Darcy's relationship post engagement. The forward to the first book unapologetically states that the author's introduction to Pride & Prejudice occurred with the 2005 movie and while she has since then read the original piece she has chosen to utilize the movie adaptation as her starting point so some details referred to are not from the novel but the changes are cosmetic.
I do not have issues with the author's level of writing skill so much. There's a fine line for me between where I fall into the story easily enough and where I find the poor writing to constantly intrude on my consciousness as I imagine myself through the story and these novels crossed the threshold fairly easily. That said, I never want to hear the word "stupendous" in my life ever again. Yes, adjectives abound as others have commented, but for some reason stupendousness rose above everything and by the third book it was like itching a mosquito bite; every time I encountered it I was irritated.
I am of two minds about the enormous proportion of love-making in the novels. I imagine 70% of the 5 novels put together is composed of nothing but their passionate and undying declarations of love for each other and amorous love-making. That said, there was no scene that felt distasteful or simply pornographic and gratuitous. It was very much newlywed bliss. However, two years on and having sex morning, noon and night in every room, every sheltered field, nearly every day through two pregnancies actually becomes mind-mumbing toward the end. It is quite romantic but the extended sustained pace eventually starts to beggar belief. I would not recommend these books to single people who are bitter about their status as no actual living, breathing human being will ever live up to the expectations or a relationship this book will set for you!
It is true that there is very little plot but again the author is not really apologetic as she has set out to chronicle the marriage, which does not always have a plot like every good novel should, but she has tried to inject a sense of drama into each book. The results are a a bit uneven. Whatever parts of the novel are not occupied by love-making are primarily relationship driven. The marriage is chronicled in GREAT detail, with Lizzy getting pregnant in the first novel and not delivering her child until the third! The first two books are quite similar - floating along evenly until the very end when some sort of crisis is reached requiring Darcy to rescue Lizzy. In fact, while I love the level of detail of the locations demonstrating the research, the third quarter of book 2 describing the daily journeying of their holiday nearly bored me until it was time for the 11th hour crisis.
The third book probably meandered most of all, with no particular focus of event other than the birth of their first child. It is probably saved by the developing characters involved in their life - the rounding out of Col. Fitzwilliam, Georgianna, the other Bennet sisters (Mary and Kitty) and the exploration of Darcy's uncle, George. This continues into the fourth book, where Kitty particularly begins to bloom into a three dimensional character. It is only the fifth book, however, that actually manages to introduce and to keep tension steady throughout, with classic foreshadowing and plot driven storytelling. The fifth was probably my favourite for this reason.
My biggest disappointment, however, is the author's abandonment of Jane Bingley (nee Bennet). While she certainly features as Lizzy's sister, carries on dialogue and even has some intimate conversations with Lizzy, we are never taken into her confidence in the same manner as we are with every other character. Even if only briefly, we become privy to the inner thoughts of Mary at the point of her courtship, and are given a startling insight into Kitty's maturation. We glimpse the evolution of Caroline Bingley. Col. Fitzwilliam's private turmoil is revealed in the 4th book. Even Wickham's own inner twisted logic is shown to us. However, the author never lets us see Jane other than through the eyes of another person and by the time I finished the 5th novel I was left with the feeling that Jane was left as a complete stranger to me. I am frankly shocked at this omission.
February 9, 2013
I have started reading P & P variations samples on my Kindle before committing to buy. I read the sample of this book and with a low price for 448 pages I decided to buy.
I really regret that decision.
The book covers the first 10 months of Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam's marriage and let me say it felt like it took me a year to read it. I am a fast reader and have been known to read more than one book / day when inspired. This book was not inspiring.
There are just way too many scenes of Elizabeth and Darcy avowing their love for one another, taking off their clothes and showing each other how much they love each other. When they are separated they sit and long for another because they are so in love that they cannot live without their partner.
Okay we get it; it doesn't need to be repeated ever chapter. I started just skipping over the love scenes because I don't want to read it over and over and over.
Aside from the exultation of each others perfection and adoration there are some interesting parts of the book covering the Bingleys, Georgiana, Kitty Bennet and other new and interesting relatives. But getting past the Darcy's daily (or better) lovemaking to get to these plot points will stress the hardiest P & P fan.
I really regret that decision.
The book covers the first 10 months of Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam's marriage and let me say it felt like it took me a year to read it. I am a fast reader and have been known to read more than one book / day when inspired. This book was not inspiring.
There are just way too many scenes of Elizabeth and Darcy avowing their love for one another, taking off their clothes and showing each other how much they love each other. When they are separated they sit and long for another because they are so in love that they cannot live without their partner.
Okay we get it; it doesn't need to be repeated ever chapter. I started just skipping over the love scenes because I don't want to read it over and over and over.
Aside from the exultation of each others perfection and adoration there are some interesting parts of the book covering the Bingleys, Georgiana, Kitty Bennet and other new and interesting relatives. But getting past the Darcy's daily (or better) lovemaking to get to these plot points will stress the hardiest P & P fan.
August 6, 2021
Not enough Story
Reviewed in Canada on July 15, 2019
There just isn’t enough to this book except their ongoing passion for one another. I guess there’s only so many ways to say the same thing over and over again. The tour in the final chapters was good if you like tours, but didn’t contribute much to the story in my opinion. I’m sad to say it, as I did like the first book. I’m starting to feel the last book and this one could have been easily condensed into one.
Reviewed in Canada on July 15, 2019
There just isn’t enough to this book except their ongoing passion for one another. I guess there’s only so many ways to say the same thing over and over again. The tour in the final chapters was good if you like tours, but didn’t contribute much to the story in my opinion. I’m sad to say it, as I did like the first book. I’m starting to feel the last book and this one could have been easily condensed into one.
August 30, 2009
I don’t want to turn off people from this book when I say I did not finish it. It just was not my cup of tea. Pride and Prejudice is my all time favorite book and while I have enjoyed several “sequels” to it this just was not one of them. The writing was not bad but after getting 200+ pages in I did not feel there was much of a real story going on. It mostly seemed to be a lot of Darcy fondling Lizzie or the two of them gazing or thinking of each other and wanting to have sex. I also felt like instead of being her usual strong self, Lizzie came across as some what weak and totally dependent on Darcy for her happiness. Granted some of this later in the story can be attributed to her pregnancy and hormones but really in my mind despite her love of Darcy I can’t imagine her pining away if separated from him for just days or hours. I wanted to keep reading but I felt after 200+ pages I could not take one more page of their raging hormones and wanting to rip the clothes off of one another. I think that is just me and probably because it did not fit my mind set of who Darcy and Lizzie were. I will say this book definitely had it’s racy moments and I think that would appeal to some readers.
December 29, 2015
I am always sad when I finish a Lathan book because I know the series is coming closer to an end for me. I just smoke and enjoy spending all my time with the Darcys at Pemberley... Oh, is there anywhere more drama than Pemberley??? I love the relationship Lathan creates here as well as the supporting cast... I just have a permanent smile on my face when I read her books!!
November 7, 2024
Re-read 2024.
Re-read 2023:
Still in love with these series after more than 10 years of reading and re-reading. It's slow paced, romantic and I wish I had the life described, though maybe without the occasional drama that ensues here. It's my ultimate safe-space reading experience.
Re-read 2023:
Still in love with these series after more than 10 years of reading and re-reading. It's slow paced, romantic and I wish I had the life described, though maybe without the occasional drama that ensues here. It's my ultimate safe-space reading experience.
August 5, 2021
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.
The edition I read does not show up...it is titled Journeys Beyond Pemberley and has a blue cover with a framed picture in the front.
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.
The edition I read does not show up...it is titled Journeys Beyond Pemberley and has a blue cover with a framed picture in the front.
April 29, 2014
“ but regret? I could sooner regret breathing than to regret having you as my wife” –S.Lathan
Seriously did Darcy just say that! Swoon!
Lathan’s saga continues in the second instalment of Journeys Beyond Pemberley, we follow the Darcy’s to town for the season, stopping in Hertfordshire on route to stay with the Bingleys. As is typical of Lathan nothing is rushed and every detail is imparted. Mr Darcy partakes in a billiards tournament whilst in Meryton and it is these details that allow the reader to really get a sense of their world. We witness Mr Darcy’s protectiveness over his dear pregnant wife. Oh my! Charlotte is expecting also, I will say no more on that point!
Lathan continues to give us insights into little exchanges and scenes that are not in the book or the movie. Each is reminisced on by either Darcy or Elizabeth; revealing what they were thinking at those times. I dearly love these little added extras as they do leave you smiling, especially the insight into Elizabeth’s stay at Netherfield while Jane was ill.
You get to experience Darcy house like never before and see Elizabeth handle a less than welcoming housekeeper, well they can’t all be like Mrs Reynolds. Oh and we meet Caroline again since the marriage.
“She had seen Mr. Darcy as the perfect catch, and not only because of the size of his pocketbook. Darcy would be flabbergasted, but the fact is that his cool, aloof demeanor as a result of his shyness and disdain for the foolishness and falseness of society had translated to Caroline as superiority of character. Caroline looked down her nose at everyone, was cruel and snide, haughty and arrogant in the extreme. Lizzy was not the first to interpret Mr. Darcy's past behavior in this light. So, Caroline figured they were two of a similar kind.” –S.Lathan
Lathan continues to jump between the past and present, keeping you on your toes and the story fresh. Darcy’s birthday for instance, while Elizabeth and he were betrothed.
We also meet Darcy’s Uncle,who is a spiting of him and gradually he is entwined into the story, eventually playing a bigger part in the series. We see how the reconciliation with Lady Catherine transpires and is there yet hope for Anne?
Surprisingly although Lathan takes her time with details I would have liked to have seen a bit more of Elizabeth’s transition and eventual acceptance within the ton! (sorry but I love to see the Caroline Bingleys of the world brought down a peg or two)
Elizabeth and Darcy’s experience their first separation since being married and while Mary and Kitty stay with them in London one of them catches the eye of a prospective suitor!
Mid July sees the Darcys return to Pemberley with the Bingley’s following later in search of a property.
Elizabeth reinstates the traditional summer festival put on for the tenants and as Mistress of Pemberley she does ever so well.
Embarking on a tour of Derby was a history lesson in its self, I very much enjoyed it especially since I have been there and could relate but if you have not, you will feel like you have. Derby brings a little drama but it is Mr Darcy shopping for baby stuff that had me moved to tears.
With an unexpected end I enjoyed this second instalment of the Darcys.
Now I too will jump back to the past and talk of the chapter surrounding Elizabeth’s birthday. The reason Darcy does not exist in real life is because of chapters like these! I am sorry I cannot divulge anything as I do not want to spoil it, but I will leave you with a snippet of a speech that although may not seem overly romantic, when the rest of the speech is read (sorry you'll have buy the saga, which I am sure Lathan will not mind) it is for me, the best speech I have heard from Darcy thus far in the world of JAFF!
“Listen to me, Elizabeth Darcy. I do not ever want to hear you utter the belief that you do not deserve anything I chose to give you or that it is my ‘goodness’ which compels me. First of all, you are worthy of all this and far more for reasons which would take me hours to numerate, yet that is merely one point. I am your husband. I am responsible for your happiness, security, health, wants and needs, pleasures, future, and all else. I take my job very seriously and will exhaust myself physically and financially if need be to ensure this. Do you understand?”- S. lathan
Originally posted on My Kids led Me Back to Pride & Prejudice
Seriously did Darcy just say that! Swoon!
Lathan’s saga continues in the second instalment of Journeys Beyond Pemberley, we follow the Darcy’s to town for the season, stopping in Hertfordshire on route to stay with the Bingleys. As is typical of Lathan nothing is rushed and every detail is imparted. Mr Darcy partakes in a billiards tournament whilst in Meryton and it is these details that allow the reader to really get a sense of their world. We witness Mr Darcy’s protectiveness over his dear pregnant wife. Oh my! Charlotte is expecting also, I will say no more on that point!
Lathan continues to give us insights into little exchanges and scenes that are not in the book or the movie. Each is reminisced on by either Darcy or Elizabeth; revealing what they were thinking at those times. I dearly love these little added extras as they do leave you smiling, especially the insight into Elizabeth’s stay at Netherfield while Jane was ill.
You get to experience Darcy house like never before and see Elizabeth handle a less than welcoming housekeeper, well they can’t all be like Mrs Reynolds. Oh and we meet Caroline again since the marriage.
“She had seen Mr. Darcy as the perfect catch, and not only because of the size of his pocketbook. Darcy would be flabbergasted, but the fact is that his cool, aloof demeanor as a result of his shyness and disdain for the foolishness and falseness of society had translated to Caroline as superiority of character. Caroline looked down her nose at everyone, was cruel and snide, haughty and arrogant in the extreme. Lizzy was not the first to interpret Mr. Darcy's past behavior in this light. So, Caroline figured they were two of a similar kind.” –S.Lathan
Lathan continues to jump between the past and present, keeping you on your toes and the story fresh. Darcy’s birthday for instance, while Elizabeth and he were betrothed.
We also meet Darcy’s Uncle,who is a spiting of him and gradually he is entwined into the story, eventually playing a bigger part in the series. We see how the reconciliation with Lady Catherine transpires and is there yet hope for Anne?
Surprisingly although Lathan takes her time with details I would have liked to have seen a bit more of Elizabeth’s transition and eventual acceptance within the ton! (sorry but I love to see the Caroline Bingleys of the world brought down a peg or two)
Elizabeth and Darcy’s experience their first separation since being married and while Mary and Kitty stay with them in London one of them catches the eye of a prospective suitor!
Mid July sees the Darcys return to Pemberley with the Bingley’s following later in search of a property.
Elizabeth reinstates the traditional summer festival put on for the tenants and as Mistress of Pemberley she does ever so well.
Embarking on a tour of Derby was a history lesson in its self, I very much enjoyed it especially since I have been there and could relate but if you have not, you will feel like you have. Derby brings a little drama but it is Mr Darcy shopping for baby stuff that had me moved to tears.
With an unexpected end I enjoyed this second instalment of the Darcys.
Now I too will jump back to the past and talk of the chapter surrounding Elizabeth’s birthday. The reason Darcy does not exist in real life is because of chapters like these! I am sorry I cannot divulge anything as I do not want to spoil it, but I will leave you with a snippet of a speech that although may not seem overly romantic, when the rest of the speech is read (sorry you'll have buy the saga, which I am sure Lathan will not mind) it is for me, the best speech I have heard from Darcy thus far in the world of JAFF!
“Listen to me, Elizabeth Darcy. I do not ever want to hear you utter the belief that you do not deserve anything I chose to give you or that it is my ‘goodness’ which compels me. First of all, you are worthy of all this and far more for reasons which would take me hours to numerate, yet that is merely one point. I am your husband. I am responsible for your happiness, security, health, wants and needs, pleasures, future, and all else. I take my job very seriously and will exhaust myself physically and financially if need be to ensure this. Do you understand?”- S. lathan
Originally posted on My Kids led Me Back to Pride & Prejudice
December 23, 2023
This story is well-titled: it's all about LOVING Mr. Darcy...everywhere imaginable.
It's definitely a honeymoon story...with many detailed descriptions of a honeymooning couple...honeymooning. But the plot itself was very sweet and uplifting, even if I did skip ahead quite a few times when faced with yet another intimate scene.
I preferred the first and third books of this series to this second volume as they were more action-packed and suspenseful at times. But I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series which I believe encompasses 5-6 books in total.
The prose is good and definitely reminiscent of Austen, and the author develops the characters beautifully. it was definitely an enjoyable read! :)
It's definitely a honeymoon story...with many detailed descriptions of a honeymooning couple...honeymooning. But the plot itself was very sweet and uplifting, even if I did skip ahead quite a few times when faced with yet another intimate scene.
I preferred the first and third books of this series to this second volume as they were more action-packed and suspenseful at times. But I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series which I believe encompasses 5-6 books in total.
The prose is good and definitely reminiscent of Austen, and the author develops the characters beautifully. it was definitely an enjoyable read! :)
June 5, 2010
I was waiting for a story to actually unfold, but rather, all that occurred was the physical intimacies of Darcy and Elizabeth. I skipped over the constant physical expressions of their love to see if any narrative would occur, but it was scarce and never fully developed. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone and feel embarrassed that I made it to the end of the book.
Read
June 21, 20212.5 stars.
Honestly? I really didn't care for this book. I tried very hard to enjoy it, but reading it became an absolute chore. I came so close to abandoning it on many occasions, however, I had a meager hope that it would improve. The continual, redundant sex scenes that were not only underwhelming, but they were absolutely ridiculous at times. I found myself rolling my eyes very frequently when encountering the all too frequent love making - rather than stirring my emotions, the cheesy writing actually turned me off. The book itself had very little actual "story" to it - it was simply filled with page after page of the Darcy's celebrating their union, in over-flowery, syrup-y sweet (to the point of cavities) ways. As others have mentioned, this book could have been written in about a 1/3 of the size once you abandon the sex. I simply couldn't stomach it, and found myself skipping scenes/pages whenever Darcy would have his wandering hands and flowery romantic sentiments.
Other things that annoyed me included the mixture of modern day American English with what should have been period appropriate wording. Things that the characters said or did would made me laugh and/or wince depending on the situation, simply because it was either highly improbable, or not period appropriate.
As far as the story went, I think there was some potential in some parts, but the total execution of the book left me feeling simply drained, and bored. Both Darcy and Lizzy seemed to deviate from their characters too abruptly at times, and annoyed me.
Things got quite exciting right at the very end, but abruptly ended, and I ended up feeling nonplussed.
I suppose I'm just disappointed with what could have been a better storyline and a let down after enjoying the first book reasonably well. I was quite lenient with the first book, (which suffered from the same problems with the redundant sex scenes, etc) but at least I felt there were some things happening to keep me interested. Sadly, Loving Mr. Darcy was lacking.
All that being said, I have already purchased the rest of the books in the Darcy saga, (wrongly assuming that I would love the series) and at some point, I will endeavour to continue with the next book. Part of me is still holding out hope that the next book will be an improvement. However, in the meantime, I will be taking a much needed break from this series.
Honestly? I really didn't care for this book. I tried very hard to enjoy it, but reading it became an absolute chore. I came so close to abandoning it on many occasions, however, I had a meager hope that it would improve. The continual, redundant sex scenes that were not only underwhelming, but they were absolutely ridiculous at times. I found myself rolling my eyes very frequently when encountering the all too frequent love making - rather than stirring my emotions, the cheesy writing actually turned me off. The book itself had very little actual "story" to it - it was simply filled with page after page of the Darcy's celebrating their union, in over-flowery, syrup-y sweet (to the point of cavities) ways. As others have mentioned, this book could have been written in about a 1/3 of the size once you abandon the sex. I simply couldn't stomach it, and found myself skipping scenes/pages whenever Darcy would have his wandering hands and flowery romantic sentiments.
Other things that annoyed me included the mixture of modern day American English with what should have been period appropriate wording. Things that the characters said or did would made me laugh and/or wince depending on the situation, simply because it was either highly improbable, or not period appropriate.
As far as the story went, I think there was some potential in some parts, but the total execution of the book left me feeling simply drained, and bored. Both Darcy and Lizzy seemed to deviate from their characters too abruptly at times, and annoyed me.
Things got quite exciting right at the very end, but abruptly ended, and I ended up feeling nonplussed.
I suppose I'm just disappointed with what could have been a better storyline and a let down after enjoying the first book reasonably well. I was quite lenient with the first book, (which suffered from the same problems with the redundant sex scenes, etc) but at least I felt there were some things happening to keep me interested. Sadly, Loving Mr. Darcy was lacking.
All that being said, I have already purchased the rest of the books in the Darcy saga, (wrongly assuming that I would love the series) and at some point, I will endeavour to continue with the next book. Part of me is still holding out hope that the next book will be an improvement. However, in the meantime, I will be taking a much needed break from this series.
May 3, 2015
I have to admit something. Every single time I pass by something related to Jane Austen, even in the smallest way, I have to go back, hug it a little and eventually buy it. Sometimes though this "love at first sight" turns out to be a little disappointing. That was the case with this book. I didn't dislike it, but I didn't like it too. Maybe it was the fact that there didn't happen a thing in this book that made me feel this way. I love to read love stories, but there has to happen something in them. This book just went on and on about the ever lasting love between Elizabeth and Darcy. Only a few chapters away from the end there happens something with these characters. For the rest of the time they say "I love you" a thousand times, buy a lot of things and think about all the things they still have to do. Tiresome!
July 27, 2011
This second book in Ms. Lathan’s series takes us through the second half of Darcy and Lizzy’s honeymoon, and it’s a joy reading how in love they are, how romantic Darcy is, and their carnality for one another is only strengthening with every whisper, touch, and kiss. It’s actually quite nice to read this type of romance, hero and heroine together, having fun, taking care of hearth and home and anything else required of them - together. Yes, there’s little tiffs but they last no longer than a page or two at the most, then love prevails once again. There’s also humor and a frightening, scary moment or two, but, overall, this series is a man and a woman who live, work, and love together.
The ante is upped a few chips in this part of the story when Elizabeth realizes she’s pregnant and Darcy, of course, is beside himself with happiness at the prospect. And Darcy, being the unusually unusual English gentleman he is, determines to be involved as much as possible in his child’s life, even while in the womb. He even goes so far as to plan to be in the room with Lizzy when the time comes. First he sleeps every night with his wife, kisses her and holds her hand in public, makes love to his pregnant wife often, and now he wants to be in the delivery room, so to speak? Unheard of! No well-bred Englishman would do such things! That’s what makes reading Darcy so much fun.
Some of my favorite scenes are when he’s talking to their child, sometimes to the point of such emotion he can’t hold the tears back. You get to see those moments from both his and Lizzy’s points of view, which make them all the sweeter. I also love watching Darcy, just as Lizzy does, going from the ecstatic boy no one but Elizabeth knows to the upright, controlled Master of Pemberley, brooking no argument when he issues orders or demands or is protecting his wife and child when called for.
Darcy is the one who has changed the most in this series, starting out as a man reticent to socialize, letting only those close to him see inside, known for never joking and smiling, let alone laughing, to a man his friends and family knew he could be all along, if only he’d try. It takes the love of his life for him to expend the effort to now love, smile, and laugh wholeheartedly, which, he finds, is really no effort at all. It’s wonderful seeing the change happen page by page.
Elizabeth is his rock. As young as she is, she’s the one who keeps him grounded, who calls him back when his control slips, who arouses him to the point of no return (though he does that for her also). Lizzy has come into her own in this book. She has to face several challenges when Darcy isn’t around to throw the Master of Pemberley persona at whoever deigns to confront his wife, and she handles everything beautifully, just as the Mistress of the house should. She’s always been an elegant young woman who knows her own mind, but she takes that a step further as she grows into Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy when dealing with family, servants, and society alike.
A lot of this book is spent with Darcy and Lizzy taking care of family and duty in London, constantly surrounded by people and problems, but when they return home they take a slow, leisurely journey through Derbyshire where Darcy shows Elizabeth the rich history of his home, their love of bygone times and people bringing them closer together. Ms. Lathan does a very nice job of getting their mutual interest across while not bogging down the storyline nor boring the reader with historical facts. This part of the book is as lush as the English countryside the traipse through.
Secondary characters are still aplenty, all interesting and full of depth. I enjoyed the blooming romance between Mary, Lizzy’s sister, and a local barrister, all the while thinking it would be even more interesting if Georgiana, Darcy’s sister, is enmeshed in romance later in the series; his reactions alone would be filled with emotion across and off the charts, giving readers a devil of a fun time.
This is a wonderful continuation of the Darcys’ story, and I am eagerly awaiting the next installment in January, The Darcys at Year’s End.
See my complete review at http://www.goodbadandunread.com
The ante is upped a few chips in this part of the story when Elizabeth realizes she’s pregnant and Darcy, of course, is beside himself with happiness at the prospect. And Darcy, being the unusually unusual English gentleman he is, determines to be involved as much as possible in his child’s life, even while in the womb. He even goes so far as to plan to be in the room with Lizzy when the time comes. First he sleeps every night with his wife, kisses her and holds her hand in public, makes love to his pregnant wife often, and now he wants to be in the delivery room, so to speak? Unheard of! No well-bred Englishman would do such things! That’s what makes reading Darcy so much fun.
Some of my favorite scenes are when he’s talking to their child, sometimes to the point of such emotion he can’t hold the tears back. You get to see those moments from both his and Lizzy’s points of view, which make them all the sweeter. I also love watching Darcy, just as Lizzy does, going from the ecstatic boy no one but Elizabeth knows to the upright, controlled Master of Pemberley, brooking no argument when he issues orders or demands or is protecting his wife and child when called for.
Darcy is the one who has changed the most in this series, starting out as a man reticent to socialize, letting only those close to him see inside, known for never joking and smiling, let alone laughing, to a man his friends and family knew he could be all along, if only he’d try. It takes the love of his life for him to expend the effort to now love, smile, and laugh wholeheartedly, which, he finds, is really no effort at all. It’s wonderful seeing the change happen page by page.
Elizabeth is his rock. As young as she is, she’s the one who keeps him grounded, who calls him back when his control slips, who arouses him to the point of no return (though he does that for her also). Lizzy has come into her own in this book. She has to face several challenges when Darcy isn’t around to throw the Master of Pemberley persona at whoever deigns to confront his wife, and she handles everything beautifully, just as the Mistress of the house should. She’s always been an elegant young woman who knows her own mind, but she takes that a step further as she grows into Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy when dealing with family, servants, and society alike.
A lot of this book is spent with Darcy and Lizzy taking care of family and duty in London, constantly surrounded by people and problems, but when they return home they take a slow, leisurely journey through Derbyshire where Darcy shows Elizabeth the rich history of his home, their love of bygone times and people bringing them closer together. Ms. Lathan does a very nice job of getting their mutual interest across while not bogging down the storyline nor boring the reader with historical facts. This part of the book is as lush as the English countryside the traipse through.
Secondary characters are still aplenty, all interesting and full of depth. I enjoyed the blooming romance between Mary, Lizzy’s sister, and a local barrister, all the while thinking it would be even more interesting if Georgiana, Darcy’s sister, is enmeshed in romance later in the series; his reactions alone would be filled with emotion across and off the charts, giving readers a devil of a fun time.
This is a wonderful continuation of the Darcys’ story, and I am eagerly awaiting the next installment in January, The Darcys at Year’s End.
See my complete review at http://www.goodbadandunread.com
March 14, 2014
Welcome to 50 Shades of Pemberley or Lizzy and "William," a Harlequin Romance Paperback, or some-weird-collection-of-Pride-and-themed-short-stories-interspersed-with-an-uncomfortable-attempt-at-historical-erotica. I finished it. It nearly killed me, but I finished it...only so I could say, "This was total drivel from beginning to end." Well, there was that small part of me that always yearns for a book to do a 180 and redeem itself before it's too late. Alas, it was not meant to happen.
What Loving Mr.Darcy lacks in plot (everything) it makes up for in sex. In fact, a more appropriate title would have been Having Sex With Mr.Darcy as the word "loving" seems to be the favorite euphemism. Apparently the Darcys cannot spend more than 18 seconds in a room together without at least a mild amount of bodice ripping occurring. Erotica is NOT my genre. Not even a little bit. I tend to avoid "romance novels" like the plague. But because this book was a gift and it promised that "Jane Austen would love this story as much as" some unnamed blurb on the back of the book did, I jumped right in. Personally, I think Miss Austen would have blushed, cringed, and finally tossed this one into the fireplace. That said, the sex scenes were very poorly executed (even I- romance novel avoider- could tell that much). It wasn't tame enough to be story driven but wasn't risque enough to truly be classified as erotica.
There are moments- brief, fleeting, passing moments- where my attention was grabbed. There was a moment when the author teased about furthering Anne de Bourgh's story, then Mary's story, then Jane and Bingley's story only to abruptly forget there was anything of interest outside of the Darcy boudoir.
In the 23rd (out of 27) chapter, the book takes a strange turn towards the historical travelogue. It spends 4 chapters describing points of interest in the 1816-1817 English countryside. Finally, in the next to last chapter, something exciting happens....and is promptly forgotten due to Lizzy and Darcy's uncontrollable passion. I did discover that a roll in the hay with Mr.Darcy is all a girl needs to erase any PTSD caused by a sexual assault by road bandits. Who knew?
Oh, and I nearly forgot to mention the time Elizabeth and Jane needed (I kid you not) "quality sister time." WHAT?!
Did I mention that Lizzy is pregnant during all of this hay romping? Vomiting one minute, humping like rabbits the next. And the book doesn't even have the decency to end with the birth of their first born...that part is held over for the (get this) third book of the series. GAH!!!
What Loving Mr.Darcy lacks in plot (everything) it makes up for in sex. In fact, a more appropriate title would have been Having Sex With Mr.Darcy as the word "loving" seems to be the favorite euphemism. Apparently the Darcys cannot spend more than 18 seconds in a room together without at least a mild amount of bodice ripping occurring. Erotica is NOT my genre. Not even a little bit. I tend to avoid "romance novels" like the plague. But because this book was a gift and it promised that "Jane Austen would love this story as much as" some unnamed blurb on the back of the book did, I jumped right in. Personally, I think Miss Austen would have blushed, cringed, and finally tossed this one into the fireplace. That said, the sex scenes were very poorly executed (even I- romance novel avoider- could tell that much). It wasn't tame enough to be story driven but wasn't risque enough to truly be classified as erotica.
There are moments- brief, fleeting, passing moments- where my attention was grabbed. There was a moment when the author teased about furthering Anne de Bourgh's story, then Mary's story, then Jane and Bingley's story only to abruptly forget there was anything of interest outside of the Darcy boudoir.
In the 23rd (out of 27) chapter, the book takes a strange turn towards the historical travelogue. It spends 4 chapters describing points of interest in the 1816-1817 English countryside. Finally, in the next to last chapter, something exciting happens....and is promptly forgotten due to Lizzy and Darcy's uncontrollable passion. I did discover that a roll in the hay with Mr.Darcy is all a girl needs to erase any PTSD caused by a sexual assault by road bandits. Who knew?
Oh, and I nearly forgot to mention the time Elizabeth and Jane needed (I kid you not) "quality sister time." WHAT?!
Did I mention that Lizzy is pregnant during all of this hay romping? Vomiting one minute, humping like rabbits the next. And the book doesn't even have the decency to end with the birth of their first born...that part is held over for the (get this) third book of the series. GAH!!!
November 26, 2017
I picked this up at random from a library bookshelf end, and boy do i regret it now.
First of all, this is #2 in a series, which was not obvious from the book cover. However, if the first book is anything like the second than I haven't missed anything.
Almost nothing happens in this book for 400 pages. Nothing that is, except constant lovemaking and syrupy dialogue. When I say that they are having sex on every other page, you will think that I am exaggerating, but I assure you I am not. You can't open a page without reading about them making love at Pemberley, or in London, or in the garden, or the library, or in the bathtub...AND It's not even good sex! The book manages to be extremely descriptive, while not particularly explicit, but instead of being titillating, it is repetitive and eye-rollingly annoying. And the dialogue! Putting the many, MANY, anachronisms aside, the dialogue was unbelievable, and cloyingly sweet. Words of Affirmation and Physical Touch must have been Lizzie and Darcy's primary love languages, because they talk of nothing but their undying love and desire for each other (gag me).
But wait! That's not all!! The book also has no discernible plot! Here's what happens when the Darcys aren't having sex: (SPOILERS)
Darcy plays billiards.
Elizabeth has a birthday.
They go to the opera.
Lizzie gives Jane sex advice. (there it is again!)
Darcy's uncle visits from India and gives Darcy lotion to rub on his wife. (I'm not kidding)
Anne De Bourgh has anemia.
The Bingleys buy a new house.
The Darcys have a party.
Elizabeth goes shopping.
Some servants get married.
We learn a surprising amount about Derbyshire history.
AND 400 pages later, they get robbed by highwaymen. This is the only discernible conflict in the whole book and it is over in a couple of pages.
The worst part? You have to read about her pregnancy for the whole book (apparently Darcy is turned on by her pregnancy boobs) and then she doesn't even have the baby yet when it is over!!
To paraphrase the old Alka-Seltzer commercial: I can't believe I read the whole thing!
First of all, this is #2 in a series, which was not obvious from the book cover. However, if the first book is anything like the second than I haven't missed anything.
Almost nothing happens in this book for 400 pages. Nothing that is, except constant lovemaking and syrupy dialogue. When I say that they are having sex on every other page, you will think that I am exaggerating, but I assure you I am not. You can't open a page without reading about them making love at Pemberley, or in London, or in the garden, or the library, or in the bathtub...AND It's not even good sex! The book manages to be extremely descriptive, while not particularly explicit, but instead of being titillating, it is repetitive and eye-rollingly annoying. And the dialogue! Putting the many, MANY, anachronisms aside, the dialogue was unbelievable, and cloyingly sweet. Words of Affirmation and Physical Touch must have been Lizzie and Darcy's primary love languages, because they talk of nothing but their undying love and desire for each other (gag me).
But wait! That's not all!! The book also has no discernible plot! Here's what happens when the Darcys aren't having sex: (SPOILERS)
Darcy plays billiards.
Elizabeth has a birthday.
They go to the opera.
Lizzie gives Jane sex advice. (there it is again!)
Darcy's uncle visits from India and gives Darcy lotion to rub on his wife. (I'm not kidding)
Anne De Bourgh has anemia.
The Bingleys buy a new house.
The Darcys have a party.
Elizabeth goes shopping.
Some servants get married.
We learn a surprising amount about Derbyshire history.
AND 400 pages later, they get robbed by highwaymen. This is the only discernible conflict in the whole book and it is over in a couple of pages.
The worst part? You have to read about her pregnancy for the whole book (apparently Darcy is turned on by her pregnancy boobs) and then she doesn't even have the baby yet when it is over!!
To paraphrase the old Alka-Seltzer commercial: I can't believe I read the whole thing!
June 22, 2011
Pride and Prejudice is one of my all-time favorite books and while there are sequels that mostly work and are enjoyable, this one was not even close! I imagine a wonderful marriage between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy: witty, strong, romantic, and well--passionate. All wit and restraint goes out the window in this one and all you're left with is sickeningly sweet (which the "real" Fitzwilliam and Lizzy would never approve of) and WAY to much that should be left behind the bedchamber door. Seriously. I only made it about half-way and all I kept thinking was how sissified (no spell check problem on that? Apparently it's a real word!) Mr. Darcy was behaving. Pride and Prejudice is written so well that you feel the passion, tension, and strength without spelling out every single detail for the reader--and I feel that Mr. Darcy and Miss Elizabeth appreciate Miss Austen for it.
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January 30, 2010I really liked this book, minus all the sex. I do find it a little hard to believe that couples have sex 3xs a day forever, yes, in the honeymoon stage I understood, but not 9 months after the wedding! No wonder she ended up pregnant a few months into their marriage! And their "loving" took up over 100 pages! So if you took even 50% of that out, I would have given it a better rating. But overall I really liked it. The author mixed in some action (besides sex!) into what could have been a boring book. I just love these characters, probably like many others, hence the reason people are still making movies and writing about them so many years later. And I am probably going to read others, as Lathans 2 books are the only ones I have ventured into so far.
April 12, 2010
A real disappointment. This is one of the few books in my life that I haven't finished. 90% is coversation between Elizabeth and Mr Darcy on how much they love one another or discription of bedroom activity. I made it through almost half, but should have put it down earlier. Becomes repepative, as there really is only so many ways to actually say I love you. I felt like I was reading same conversations and scenes over and over. Very little description of other characters and society. Overall boring. The book is extremely long, and I flipped to the end, and it only covers about 4 months of their life.
June 29, 2011
This was the 2nd book in Sharon Lathan's seris of books. It picks up 6mos into their marrage and end before there year anniversary. I like her books alot, but I do get tired of the sexual scenes and the perfectness of Darcy and Lizzy. Having said that, of course Darcy is perfect but I just don't want to read about there perfect bed scenes. I love the introduction of the new characters it give the story line some meat. In this story there is only one hardship (if you can call it that) that Darcy and Lizzy overcome. The story ends right after the hardship and of course a sex scene. Now onto the 3rd book.
June 25, 2017
Aaaack! I love a good romance, but the syrupy language in this book is overwhelming! I decided to finish it because the storyline is interesting, but it's not the focus of these books. Their intimate relationship is, so beware if you don't want to know all the intimate details of their lovemaking.
August 31, 2011
The saccharine sweet words of endearment over and over again could have been left out and made the book a third of the size. The story line, if there was one, and history or the area were much more interesting.
July 21, 2017
So far it's terrible. 1/2 finished and no plot in sight. Not surprising, since the last book in the series was also terrible. Let's see if a love of P&P characters will pull me through to the end.
April 12, 2017
While many would find this book complete blasphemy, it eventually won me over with time. Initially I was a bit taken aback as there are some significant departures from regency England (particularly intimate references), yet somehow it works. It’s lovely to see Darcy and Elizabeth making a life for themselves and having a sneak peak to their “happy ever after” as it were.
I can’t say that there’s a specific plot that the book follows so I’d almost say it’s a meandering storyline of the Darcy’s lives and how they settle into new responsibilities and changes. There is some minor conflict, but nothing major. If you are an Austen devotee I’m not sure this book would be for you, but if you’re a romance fan who also enjoys Austen I think this will be more up your alley.
Warning: Contains repeated sexual content.
Who should read it? Romance fans who also love Jane Austen.
See all my reviews and more at www.ReadingToDistraction.com or @Read2Distract
I can’t say that there’s a specific plot that the book follows so I’d almost say it’s a meandering storyline of the Darcy’s lives and how they settle into new responsibilities and changes. There is some minor conflict, but nothing major. If you are an Austen devotee I’m not sure this book would be for you, but if you’re a romance fan who also enjoys Austen I think this will be more up your alley.
Warning: Contains repeated sexual content.
Who should read it? Romance fans who also love Jane Austen.
See all my reviews and more at www.ReadingToDistraction.com or @Read2Distract
January 26, 2014
Bon déjà je dois dire que je suis un peu déçue... Ce tome deux ne tient aucune des promesses du premier et, au contraire, s'enfonce dans les travers habituels des sequels de Pride & Prejudice... L'histoire se résume aux aventures sexuelles de Darcy & Lizzy, et à des "my love, my soul..." tellement nombreux que l'ensemble en devient écœurant. Certaines idées sont bonnes, comme la relation Bingley/Jane (pas le côté sexuel, mais l'idée que la réserve de Jane continue à peser sur leur couple), le personnage de Mary pour une fois mis un peu en avant ou Anne qui se trouve un objet d'amour... En cela il y a des tas de bonnes idées ou du moins d'idées passables... Malheureusement, toutes les innovations sont paralysées par une sorte d'obsession de l'auteure : montrer avec force détails et avec un effet répétitif (limite elle vous le fourre dans le crâne de force) que Darcy est un amant exceptionnel, que Lizzy (d'ailleurs ne peut-elle pas l'appeler Elizabeth ?) est une assoiffée de sexe et que les deux partagent une relation si exceptionnelle et fusionnelle qu'on ne peut qu'être admiratif devant un amour aussi fort. Bref, une déclaration d'amour "my wife, my heart, my soul, my love" toutes les trois pages, une petite relation sexuelle dans la foulée... Entre les deux : une Lady Catherine au début vindicative mais qui finit par s'adoucir devant un tel amour (où est la bassine ?). Même Caroline Bingley en vient à envier leur amour ( re bassine !) L'oncle George et son ami espagnol pourraient être une intéressante distraction malheureusement l'espagnol (Raja) n'est là uniquement dans un but : avoir une romance avec Anne et l'oncle pour donner des conseils à Darcy sur la grossesse et l'accouchement (parce que bien entendu, Lizzy est enceinte) . Bref les Darcy sont les meilleurs, les plus beaux, partagent un amour exceptionnel et toutes les difficultés s'effacent devant eux...
Ce que j'aime : mmm dur. Vu qu'au bout du compte à part les scénes dégoulinantes de romantisme le livre ne contient pas grand chose... Je dirais le choix d'amour d'Anne , la manière dont Mary évolue (ça c'est VRAIMENT réussi)
Ce que j'aime moins : le manque total d'originalité de l'histoire. Le côté bonbon rose du scénario couplé à la brochure touristique du Derbyshire (avec le sentiment que l'auteure cherche ainsi à justifier son histoire : style "oui je n'ai qu'un but c'est décrire des scènes de cul entre Lizzy et Darcy mais je m'offre une "caution morale" en décrivant l'histoire et la géographie du comté... ok je n'ai rien compte tant que c'est présenté comme une fanfic et non comme un roman que l'on achète !). Le total OOC de Darcy ( franchement c'est grave ce qu'il lui arrive, je suis d'accord avec l'idée que Darcy a un potentiel romantique et sentimental mais là, il est limite carpette, submergé par ses sentiments)
En bref : 425 pages .... dont seules 100 sont réellement intéressantes. Les autres sont des déclarations d'amour dégoulinantes ( et répétitives : "my wife, my heart, my soul") et le récit en lui même se passe au pays des bisounours (sauf sur les 20 dernières pages ouhhhhhhhhhhhhh on a peur !) Lizzy est juste perfect, Darcy juste sooooooooooooooo in love et le reste juste sans intérêt............. Donc à lire pour les grandes sentimentales qui ne se lassent pas des grandes déclarations d'amour de Darcy. Cependant, lire une bonne fanfic vous coutera moins cher et qui sait.... peut-être bien que l'histoire sera meilleure ? (et le pire c'est que j'ai un tome trois à lire, j'espère qu'il ressemblera au premier)
Ma note : 3/10
Ce que j'aime : mmm dur. Vu qu'au bout du compte à part les scénes dégoulinantes de romantisme le livre ne contient pas grand chose... Je dirais le choix d'amour d'Anne , la manière dont Mary évolue (ça c'est VRAIMENT réussi)
Ce que j'aime moins : le manque total d'originalité de l'histoire. Le côté bonbon rose du scénario couplé à la brochure touristique du Derbyshire (avec le sentiment que l'auteure cherche ainsi à justifier son histoire : style "oui je n'ai qu'un but c'est décrire des scènes de cul entre Lizzy et Darcy mais je m'offre une "caution morale" en décrivant l'histoire et la géographie du comté... ok je n'ai rien compte tant que c'est présenté comme une fanfic et non comme un roman que l'on achète !). Le total OOC de Darcy ( franchement c'est grave ce qu'il lui arrive, je suis d'accord avec l'idée que Darcy a un potentiel romantique et sentimental mais là, il est limite carpette, submergé par ses sentiments)
En bref : 425 pages .... dont seules 100 sont réellement intéressantes. Les autres sont des déclarations d'amour dégoulinantes ( et répétitives : "my wife, my heart, my soul") et le récit en lui même se passe au pays des bisounours (sauf sur les 20 dernières pages ouhhhhhhhhhhhhh on a peur !) Lizzy est juste perfect, Darcy juste sooooooooooooooo in love et le reste juste sans intérêt............. Donc à lire pour les grandes sentimentales qui ne se lassent pas des grandes déclarations d'amour de Darcy. Cependant, lire une bonne fanfic vous coutera moins cher et qui sait.... peut-être bien que l'histoire sera meilleure ? (et le pire c'est que j'ai un tome trois à lire, j'espère qu'il ressemblera au premier)
Ma note : 3/10
September 11, 2018
*Spoilers*
This could be one of the worst books I have ever read. It took me forever because every time I picked it up I could only read a few pages and that was with skimming much of the time.
I believe that not all stories need drama or murder or mayhem to be good. In fact I often prefer if the story is simply the day to day lives of the characters, much like Pride & Prejudice was. However, that being said, if this is your intention your details need to be meticulous. The author of this book seems to know very little about the time period in which she is writing. Even the simplest details are wrong such as how to address a Duke. Every time I read "Duke Grafton" I cringed. Other examples I noted: 1. putting an early 19th century revolver in his waist band. How do you do that when your coat has tails? Plus they were notorious for being touchy, it's more likely to go off in said pants. 2. There were not coloured fireworks until the 1830s and certainly no way to have Pemberley shaped ones. 3. Servants would not be permitted to marry and both keep their positions, the Master of the House would not go off without his man servant so that servant could have a honeymoon. True there were servants at inns but that was for the lower classes who didn't have their own. You purposely traveled with your servants so that you could show your status and have a person you trusted handling your things. 3. Darcy "relieving my sexual desires myself"...yeah, at that time people believed that would lead to mental illness at best and internal damnation at worst. I doubt Darcy would have taken that chance.
I could list SO many more but I will stop there.
The book was pure 21st century fantasy using Austen's characters, I assume, in an effort to sell more books. The characters of Darcy and Elizabeth are so ridiculous. Even if you set aside that they had a "love match" which was unusual at the time, they wouldn't be showing public displays of affection, - Elizabeth strokes Darcy butt in front of her father! - Darcy wouldn't risk his family's legacy, his home, his sister's well being, all his businesses and social obligations to wallow in despair at having been turned down, and any couple of that time would have known that they would be spending time apart if they were of the upper class where these same obligations required travel and business meeting etc. It is not as if they are working the fields together. Of course if they had been then they would be too tired to have sex constantly, every day, every room, every place - including any public place they could get away with it.
And is there actually any person, alive or dead, who has ever addressed someone as "my lover". The over use of such phrases was nauseating by the second chapter.
"Dearest Elizabeth, my heart, my breath, my lover, the celestial orbit that keeps my body planted on this earth and allows me to forever see the stars in her eyes..blah blah blah...can you pass the salt?" [Not an actual quote from the book]
I feel anyone that makes it to the end of this book deserves a metal.
What I really mean to say is, I made it through to the end of this book, can someone please offer me a prize in exchange for the time wasted?
This could be one of the worst books I have ever read. It took me forever because every time I picked it up I could only read a few pages and that was with skimming much of the time.
I believe that not all stories need drama or murder or mayhem to be good. In fact I often prefer if the story is simply the day to day lives of the characters, much like Pride & Prejudice was. However, that being said, if this is your intention your details need to be meticulous. The author of this book seems to know very little about the time period in which she is writing. Even the simplest details are wrong such as how to address a Duke. Every time I read "Duke Grafton" I cringed. Other examples I noted: 1. putting an early 19th century revolver in his waist band. How do you do that when your coat has tails? Plus they were notorious for being touchy, it's more likely to go off in said pants. 2. There were not coloured fireworks until the 1830s and certainly no way to have Pemberley shaped ones. 3. Servants would not be permitted to marry and both keep their positions, the Master of the House would not go off without his man servant so that servant could have a honeymoon. True there were servants at inns but that was for the lower classes who didn't have their own. You purposely traveled with your servants so that you could show your status and have a person you trusted handling your things. 3. Darcy "relieving my sexual desires myself"...yeah, at that time people believed that would lead to mental illness at best and internal damnation at worst. I doubt Darcy would have taken that chance.
I could list SO many more but I will stop there.
The book was pure 21st century fantasy using Austen's characters, I assume, in an effort to sell more books. The characters of Darcy and Elizabeth are so ridiculous. Even if you set aside that they had a "love match" which was unusual at the time, they wouldn't be showing public displays of affection, - Elizabeth strokes Darcy butt in front of her father! - Darcy wouldn't risk his family's legacy, his home, his sister's well being, all his businesses and social obligations to wallow in despair at having been turned down, and any couple of that time would have known that they would be spending time apart if they were of the upper class where these same obligations required travel and business meeting etc. It is not as if they are working the fields together. Of course if they had been then they would be too tired to have sex constantly, every day, every room, every place - including any public place they could get away with it.
And is there actually any person, alive or dead, who has ever addressed someone as "my lover". The over use of such phrases was nauseating by the second chapter.
"Dearest Elizabeth, my heart, my breath, my lover, the celestial orbit that keeps my body planted on this earth and allows me to forever see the stars in her eyes..blah blah blah...can you pass the salt?" [Not an actual quote from the book]
I feel anyone that makes it to the end of this book deserves a metal.
What I really mean to say is, I made it through to the end of this book, can someone please offer me a prize in exchange for the time wasted?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 11, 2010
This sequel to Pride & Prejudice was fun and enjoyable read. One thing to be prepared for? The sex. This is Jane Austen sexed up and going places you might not have expected.
Personally, I liked the idea of sexing Jane Austen's world up a little. The writing is very true to Jane's style, with something extra thrown in that makes the story appeal to a more modern women while still being historically accurate.
If you've been reading light and breezy contemporaries or funny paranormals, it might take you some time to get into this book. Again, Mrs. Lathan does a great deal of justice to the language and writing style of Austen, but that does mean that Loving Mr. Darcy isn't the lightest of reads.
What I enjoyed most about the book was that takes you back to the original story by having Darcy and Elizabeth reveal their thoughts and feelings about scenes that happened in Pride & Prejudice. It's an interesting inside look at the original and I think much of what Loving Mr. Darcy presents could be accurate!
If you are a Jane Austen fan and don't mind a little more heat to the story, I think you'll really enjoy Loving Mr. Darcy. If you're more the movie version fan of Austen, meaning not overly thrilled with the writing style, then you might find Loving Mr. Darcy a little hard to get caught up in. Once you reacquaint yourself with the characters and language, the reading flow does speed up.
I would have liked the story to have included more about Georgiana as I think seeing Mr. Darcy handle Georgiana's courtship will allow for some great moments.
So, if you enjoyed the book version of Pride & Prejudice, you'll enjoy Loving Mr. Darcy as long as you don't mind a little steamy romance!
Personally, I liked the idea of sexing Jane Austen's world up a little. The writing is very true to Jane's style, with something extra thrown in that makes the story appeal to a more modern women while still being historically accurate.
If you've been reading light and breezy contemporaries or funny paranormals, it might take you some time to get into this book. Again, Mrs. Lathan does a great deal of justice to the language and writing style of Austen, but that does mean that Loving Mr. Darcy isn't the lightest of reads.
What I enjoyed most about the book was that takes you back to the original story by having Darcy and Elizabeth reveal their thoughts and feelings about scenes that happened in Pride & Prejudice. It's an interesting inside look at the original and I think much of what Loving Mr. Darcy presents could be accurate!
If you are a Jane Austen fan and don't mind a little more heat to the story, I think you'll really enjoy Loving Mr. Darcy. If you're more the movie version fan of Austen, meaning not overly thrilled with the writing style, then you might find Loving Mr. Darcy a little hard to get caught up in. Once you reacquaint yourself with the characters and language, the reading flow does speed up.
I would have liked the story to have included more about Georgiana as I think seeing Mr. Darcy handle Georgiana's courtship will allow for some great moments.
So, if you enjoyed the book version of Pride & Prejudice, you'll enjoy Loving Mr. Darcy as long as you don't mind a little steamy romance!
April 15, 2012
After reading "Mr. & Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy: Two Shall Become One", I had hoped that the second book in the trilogy would be an improvement. I had hoped there would be more plot, less fluff, and a return to the traditional characterizations of Elizabeth and Darcy. Sadly, this was not the case.
Again, we are presented with purple prose, lots and lots of declarations of love, many perfect amorous encounters and very little plot and character development.
With regards to the plot, I understand that it is a difficult task, you can either provide too much, such as the case with Pamela Aiden's trilogy, or not enough, as is the case here.
In terms of characterizations, Darcy does have hints of his canon characterization, but his constant professions of love get very tedious. We get it. He loves Elizabeth. As for Elizabeth, the character in this book shares the same name and history as Austen's Elizabeth Bennet, but nothing in terms of characterization. There is very little presented to us in terms her of her quick wit, and her flaws. It appears becoming a Darcy has erased all of that tarnish from her character. I was extremely bothered by the lines in the first third of the book stating that Elizabeth was so used to all of the foreign foods that the Pemberley cook makes that she finds the traditional food at Longbourn quaint. The woman hasn't even be married a year, and it is highly historically inaccurate for the Pemberley cook to be providing such varied meals at this time in the eighteenth century.
The book was all right. I am sure that if you are looking for a fluffy read without much drama then you will be most happy with this book. I found it very tedious.
Again, we are presented with purple prose, lots and lots of declarations of love, many perfect amorous encounters and very little plot and character development.
With regards to the plot, I understand that it is a difficult task, you can either provide too much, such as the case with Pamela Aiden's trilogy, or not enough, as is the case here.
In terms of characterizations, Darcy does have hints of his canon characterization, but his constant professions of love get very tedious. We get it. He loves Elizabeth. As for Elizabeth, the character in this book shares the same name and history as Austen's Elizabeth Bennet, but nothing in terms of characterization. There is very little presented to us in terms her of her quick wit, and her flaws. It appears becoming a Darcy has erased all of that tarnish from her character. I was extremely bothered by the lines in the first third of the book stating that Elizabeth was so used to all of the foreign foods that the Pemberley cook makes that she finds the traditional food at Longbourn quaint. The woman hasn't even be married a year, and it is highly historically inaccurate for the Pemberley cook to be providing such varied meals at this time in the eighteenth century.
The book was all right. I am sure that if you are looking for a fluffy read without much drama then you will be most happy with this book. I found it very tedious.
September 2, 2009
Following book one, Mr. & Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy: Two Shall Become One, we find the Darcys heading to London for the season. In this charming second novel, Elizabeth celebrates a birthday, Fitzwilliam's uncle returns from travel abroad (and is a charming doctor who aids his nephew and new niece), and the Darcys begin to settle into more of the routine of their married life together. We find in this second installment that although they are still mad for one another, that they are expressing their own interests and developing into a family with their own unique routines.
I thoroughly enjoyed the escape that was book two in this series. I love Lathan's writing style, and I find that although sensual in its telling of the relationship between Darcy and Elizabeth, that their relationship feels real and hopeful to the romantic heart. This is definitely at the top of my list of P&P continuations.
I thoroughly enjoyed the escape that was book two in this series. I love Lathan's writing style, and I find that although sensual in its telling of the relationship between Darcy and Elizabeth, that their relationship feels real and hopeful to the romantic heart. This is definitely at the top of my list of P&P continuations.
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