Mr Darcy's Persuasion in Austen Lovers TBR Challenge 2021

Mar 24, 2021 Sophia rated it it was amazing

Shelves: review-requests, historical-romance, jane-austen-austenesque

Like a child who doesn’t have to make the agonizing decision between two favorite treats, Austen lovers can have their cake and eat it, too. That is, if Jane Austen’s Persuasion and her Pride & Prejudice were blended into one heart-felt, slow-building, and sometimes stunning tale like this latest release from a creative and crafty author team. I was eager to delve into the pages of Mr. Darcy’s Persuasion and be tantalized by the fusion of two delectable pairs of lovers.

One of the earliest pre-re Like a child who doesn’t have to make the agonizing decision between two favorite treats, Austen lovers can have their cake and eat it, too. That is, if Jane Austen’s Persuasion and her Pride & Prejudice were blended into one heart-felt, slow-building, and sometimes stunning tale like this latest release from a creative and crafty author team. I was eager to delve into the pages of Mr. Darcy’s Persuasion and be tantalized by the fusion of two delectable pairs of lovers.

One of the earliest pre-read anticipations was wondering how the authors would bring the two stories into the same orbit and how these encounters would alter the original stories. And, that was as simple as Anne already being acquainted with Charlotte Lucas and visiting Lucas lodge where she and Elizabeth meet and form a warm friendship. Anne’s wish to extend the friendship by an invitation to her home, Kellynch Hall comes just at a time when Elizabeth is anxious to be gone from Longbourn after the Netherfield Ball and Mr. Collins’ visit. As for Mr. Darcy, his surprising appearance at Kellynch is sheer coincidence considering he was attempting to escape his growing feelings for Elizabeth Bennet. He takes his sister into the warmer West Country for her health and leases a cottage on the estate of Sir Walter Elliot. Meanwhile, Captain Wentworth sustains an injury and conjures up ‘Anne’ and ‘Kellynch’ so that is where the recovering man is taken years after Anne refused his proposal.

It was exciting to see it all come together and some of the early conflicts for the two couples are present, but that looks to sort itself out when there is a surprising twist. And, that is just the first of more. Mr. Darcy’s Persuasion dips into the darker territory of theft, blackmail, and coercion. It will take the fortitude of the heroes and a few others to overcome the villainy and the ladies are given the opportunity to see what these men are made of. For Elizabeth, she goes from loathing to surprise, confusion, and then a true understanding of just how much she let one overheard insult prejudice her against a worthy man. Anne has since-learned her grave mistake in pushing away what was her best chance at happiness.

At times, I felt some ground was covered more than once unnecessarily, but for the most part, I felt this book read quickly and easily in spite of its length. The suspense was taunt and the mystery was as riveting as the growing romances that had many misunderstandings and miscommunications to work through.

While the story bears little resemblance to either Persuasion or Pride & Prejudice, many of the familiar characters appear even if some are off scene or play smaller or larger roles than their original. I have to say that was a surprise how Sir Walter and Elizabeth Elliot were characterized, but not beyond imagination and I ended up loving to detest them.

All in all, I thought this was sensational and I loved seeing this variation on a pair of Austen novels all in one. Those who enjoy sweet, slow-burn romance, gothic flavored plot, and an authentic-feeling Austenesque backdrop, should definitely reach for this one.

My thanks to the author for providing an eARC to read in exchange for an honest review. ...more

16 likes · Like · see review

Mar 03, 2021 Sheila Majczan rated it it was amazing

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I read chapters of this story as they were posted on a blog and then won a copy during a blog giveaway. As the title tells us it is a mashup of Persuasion and Pride and Prejudice.

Most of the action takes place at the Kellynch estate. Darcy has arranged to stay at the Meadowbrook House on that estate as he was searching for a warmer location due to Georgiana's ongoing cough/ill health. Sir Walter Elliot and his oldest daughter, Elizabeth, reside at the main hall.

Elizabeth comes to stay at the e I read chapters of this story as they were posted on a blog and then won a copy during a blog giveaway. As the title tells us it is a mashup of Persuasion and Pride and Prejudice.

Most of the action takes place at the Kellynch estate. Darcy has arranged to stay at the Meadowbrook House on that estate as he was searching for a warmer location due to Georgiana's ongoing cough/ill health. Sir Walter Elliot and his oldest daughter, Elizabeth, reside at the main hall.

Elizabeth comes to stay at the estate, first at Kellynch Hall and then at the Willow Cottage with Anne Elliot. She has met Anne while Anne was a guest of Sir Lucas. That man's wife becomes ill and he requests that the Bennets allow Anne to reside with them in order to be safe from contagion. Anne and Elizabeth become close friends and when Anne is due to travel home it becomes Elizabeth whom she invites to travel with her. The intent is that Elizabeth will only stay a fortnight but as events occur that time is extended.

Darcy and Elizabeth have met as in canon and also attended the Netherfield Ball. Darcy is fighting his feeling for Elizabeth while Elizabeth loathes the man.

Events which influence fate are several: Georgiana's mysterious loss of a letter which mentions that failed elopement with Wickham and an unconscious Captain Wentworth is brought to Kellynch when he moans out the words "Kellynch" and Anne. The Captain has partial amnesia when he awakens but does remember his and Anne's attachment years before this date.

Darcy's true character is revealed to Elizabeth as he takes in the nearly drowned captain when Sir Elliot will have nothing to do with the injured man. Darcy further raises Elizabeth's esteem of him when he offers the Willow Cottage to Anne and her guest as Sir Elliot demands Elizabeth leave his home immediately and also that Anne NOT attend Captain Wentworth's bedside (chaperoned, of course). At one point early in the story Darcy has decided to declare himself to Elizabeth. However he only speaks a few words when Elizabeth turns on him and relates her negative opinions about him.

The main angst in this story involves a blackmail scheme against Darcy. As he and then Colonel Fitzwilliam and even Sir Elliot's employee, Mr. Shepherd, search for a way to foil that plot Elizabeth realizes that against all odds she has fallen in love. The solution was not something I would never have imagined...well done. The plot is so heinous that it is kept secret from most of the company. Elizabeth is one who is unaware of what is distracting Darcy.

Although I had read the first 30 chapters as they were posted I read this story from the beginning again. I fully enjoyed it and highly recommend it. It is a longer story with many twists I don't mention here. ...more

16 likes · Like · see review

Aug 09, 2021 Carole (in Canada) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: pride-prejudice, favorites, regency, variations, austenesque, persuasion

My Rating: 4.5* rounded up to 5*

"Choice is a complicated thing for a woman...For the present I will own to some regrets - regrets that have never left me." (quote from the book)

This was a delightful blend of Jane Austen's 'Pride & Prejudice' and 'Persuasion' with a hint of another of her novels. It is also a unique variation on these books in having the characters be known to each other. I think Jane, herself, would have been highly diverted. I know I was!

"Keep yourself under good regulation. It

My Rating: 4.5* rounded up to 5*

"Choice is a complicated thing for a woman...For the present I will own to some regrets - regrets that have never left me." (quote from the book)

This was a delightful blend of Jane Austen's 'Pride & Prejudice' and 'Persuasion' with a hint of another of her novels. It is also a unique variation on these books in having the characters be known to each other. I think Jane, herself, would have been highly diverted. I know I was!

"Keep yourself under good regulation. It had been his father's edict, and it was one he had lived by. Until Elizabeth came whirling into his life on an autumn breeze..." (quote from the book)

As the book description indicates, this all takes place after the Netherfield ball. Darcy has left to escape Elizabeth's allure and Elizabeth needs to escape the drama that is unfolding at Longbourn. The drama of Jane's broken heart by Mr. Bingley leaving, and Mr. Collins changing his intentions.

"The silence suited him; the thoughts in his head did not." (quote from the book)

Anne Elliot in the meantime is a guest of Charlotte Lucas and is soon introduced to the Bennets and becomes good friends with Elizabeth. Through certain events, Elizabeth is soon on her way with Anne Elliot to Kellynch Hall for a visit and a respite. Unbeknownst to them both, is that Mr. Darcy, Georgiana and Mrs. Annesley will be leasing a home on Sir Walter's property called Meadowbrook House for Georgiana's health. But that is not all that comes to pass during their stay. There will be no respite for Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy.

"Elizabeth Bennet had walked straight out of his intractable thoughts to sit beside him." (quote from the book)

There is much going on in this tale that brings other beloved characters to the fore; Colonel Fitzwilliam and Frederick Wentworth to name two. Will Anne get her second chance or will she lose Frederick? Will the Colonel be able to help Darcy untangle himself from the machinations of Sir Walter and his eldest daughter, Elizabeth Elliot? Oh, how I loathed those two devious peacocks! Actually, it isn't fair to peacocks to call them that! Certain clues are there in story that you know will have a greater impact later on. I just thought the dots were not connected fast enough by the characters as the story progressed. Mr. Darcy and the Colonel are intelligent men, and I felt that part dragged a bit along with some repetition of Elizabeth and Darcy's inner thoughts. However, not enough to lessen my over all enjoyment of this novel. I so enjoyed the relationships that have been built between the characters, that I would love to 'persuade' the authors to write a sequel.

I was thrilled to see at the end, that the authors are donating 10% of the profits from the sale of 'Mr. Darcy's Persuasion' to the Jane Austen Literacy Foundation. Well done ladies! ...more

10 likes · Like · see review

Mar 06, 2021 Kirk rated it it was amazing

Shelves: jane-austen, 2021, 2021-austenesque-lover-tbr-pile

I won an ebook from my dear friends at JASNA Eastern Washington/Northern Idaho. All opinions are my own. Loved it! And loved the surprise at the end!

9 likes · Like · see review

May 28, 2021 MichelleH H rated it it was amazing

I have been procrastinating about writing this review for multiple reasons.

A.) I can't do it justice.
B.) If I get started, I'll just gush and not give a valuable review.
C.) I can't do it justice.

I loved this book! For me this was the perfect story. Perfect build up of angst (high) and perfect resolution. Wonderful romance. Beautiful blend of two favorite Austen books; P&P and Persuasion. Sir Walter and Elizabeth Elliot, who we never liked anyway turn out to be true villains in this one. Wickham ...more

7 likes · Like · see review

May 25, 2021 Debbie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: kindle-unlimited, jaff, 2021-great-books

5+ stars!

7 likes · Like · see review

Apr 01, 2021 Rita Deodato rated it it was amazing

4.5
Review published at:
https://frompemberleytomilton.wordpre...

When I heard Cass Grafton and Ada Bright were writing a Pride & Prejudice / Persuasion mashup I knew I had to read it. What could be more perfect then the characters from my two favorite Austen novels sharing page time in a new story?

My expectations were high and I was certainly not disappointed. In this story, Anne Elliot is acquainted with Charlotte Lucas and while visiting her in Hertfordshire meets Elizabeth Bennet. The young la 4.5
Review published at:
https://frompemberleytomilton.wordpre...

When I heard Cass Grafton and Ada Bright were writing a Pride & Prejudice / Persuasion mashup I knew I had to read it. What could be more perfect then the characters from my two favorite Austen novels sharing page time in a new story?

My expectations were high and I was certainly not disappointed. In this story, Anne Elliot is acquainted with Charlotte Lucas and while visiting her in Hertfordshire meets Elizabeth Bennet. The young ladies form a friendship and Elizabeth is invited to stay with Anne at Kellynch Hall for a time. What none of the ladies knows, is that because of Georgiana’s recent health issues, Mr. Darcy is leasing a house on the Estate, which means that Elizabeth will be forced to spend more time then she would have liked with a certain gentleman from Derbyshire.

Mr. Darcy’s Persuasion will therefore take place mainly at Kellynch Hall where the Elliots will present themselves as the main antagonists of Elizabeth, Darcy, Anne and Wentworth. This book is long but very well written, and for that reason, it is engaging and easy to read. I loved many aspects about it, but the ones that I would like to highlight are the setting, Anne and Elizabeth’s friendship, and Captain Wentworth’s character.

Even though this book also tells us the story of Anne and Captain Wentworth, and they share some of the most romantic moments in the book, it is mainly a Darcy and Elizabeth story, and it was very interesting to see it take place at Kellynch. It was the first time I saw this setting in a P&P story, and the fact that these characters spend most of their time at this estate gave the story a cozyness I always appreciate in a book. I could picture all the scenes taking place at Meadowbrook House and the cottage, and at times I even felt I was there with the characters myself.

Also, because this story takes place at Kellynch, our anti-heros are different from the usual ones. I loved to hate the baronet and his oldest daughter, and it was refreshing to see a different antagonist in the plot, even if Miss Elliot did resemble Caroline Bingley at times. I can’t say much about the secrets that were revealed in the ending, but I wasn’t expecting that revelation which I absolutely loved! I believe most readers will feel Miss Elliot had everything she deserved.

Anne and Elizabeth’s friendship is also an unexplored plotline and I loved to see how two completely different ladies found common ground in their friendship using their differences to strengthen each other. In Mr. Darcy’s Persuasion, Jane makes a decision that creates friction with Elizabeth, and Anne felt like the perfect replacement for Jane’s calm and sensible personality. Anne had a bit more character though, and even a teasing tone, that made her friendship with Elizabeth much more alive then the one we often see Elizabeth having with Jane. Elizabeth’s devotion to Anne and all the support she gave her was endearing and I can see these two couples spending many pleasurable times together (can you tell I’m begging for a sequel?).

Captain Wentworth was everything I hoped for and even though I would have liked to see him take a more active part in assisting Mr. Darcy solving the conundrum he found himself in, Wentworth was the perfect hero, strong, steady and charming. His scenes with Anne were always electrifying and very emotional. I also enjoyed seeing a bit more of Captain Wentworth’s brother instead of his sister. Most Persuasion novels have Mrs Croft present but say little about Reverend Wentworth and the change in this one was something new and refreshing.

Summing up, if you like Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion, you should not miss this novel. It is a new and interesting story which takes place in a cozy setting that will captivate you. I recommend it to everyone who likes a good romance 🙂 ...more

5 likes · Like · see review

Mar 11, 2021 Kim rated it it was amazing

Shelves: austenesque-tbr-challenge2021, austen-related, pride-and-prejudice, persuasion

As a combination of my two favorite Austen novels, I loved seeing Anne Elliot and Elizabeth Bennet become friends and support each other. There was lots of Darcy, Captain Wentworth and Colonel Fitzwilliam time as the men work together to get Darcy out of a predicament that was not of his making. There are misunderstandings between Elizabeth and Darcy, an almost-proposal, and that slow change of feelings for Elizabeth that I love to see. The twist near the end was fun. I also liked how the book s ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

May 03, 2021 Mary rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2021

4.5⭐️

A very interesting and intriguing story.

3 likes · Like · see review

Mar 27, 2021 Joan rated it it was amazing

Avid Reader

I enjoyed reading this book on Cass' blog and couldn't wait for it to be published. Whenever I think of the book "Persuasion," I always think of Cirian Hinds as Captain Wentworth. Anne Eliot's father and sister Elizabeth were the worst! I loved the way that Mr. Shepherd, Mrs. Williams, and Mr. Boneshaker helped Darcy escape Sir James Eliot's and his daughter's Elizabeth 's 'marriage trap. Darcy and Elizabeth finally had their HEA. ...more

Like · see review