The Many Lives of Fitzwilliam Darcy in Austenesque Lovers TBR Pile Reading Challenge 2016

Sep 03, 2016 Sheila Majczan rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I read this for the first time August 18th and again today in order to refresh my memories in posting this review.

Every once in a while we are offered to read a book with monumental differences, with such creative changes on one hand, but which preserves our dear couple’s personalities and their final happiness so well that we are hard pressed not to describe all the delicious details in a review as we find it all so beautifully and satisfyingly rendered we are moved to share it all. This is one I read this for the first time August 18th and again today in order to refresh my memories in posting this review.

Every once in a while we are offered to read a book with monumental differences, with such creative changes on one hand, but which preserves our dear couple’s personalities and their final happiness so well that we are hard pressed not to describe all the delicious details in a review as we find it all so beautifully and satisfyingly rendered we are moved to share it all. This is one such story! I will attempt to curb my enthusiasm.

The title had me wondering as to what it meant when I was first sent this book to read: did it have to do with memory loss and another family or did it address the different stages of Darcy’s life or even - did he have two marriages with the first ending with a death? It was intriguing to ponder these possibilities and yet, it turned out that the book took a completely different approach from my initial predictions.

I was privileged to read this before its release and I must say the Prologue immediately grabbed me. How can we not want to wrap our man safely in our embrace as he stands at the edge of a precipice in Kent and looks at the rocks below while he harbors such disparaging thoughts? Yes, he does step back, but his fate has been put on “hold,” as he must experience and reenact that fateful day, the day when she refused him in Kent, over and over and over again.

Sometimes life offers us second chances. Hopefully we live and learn. But what if we can’t seem to get that second chance right? Would the fates allow a retake? Can a man of sense and education, who has lived in the world, who does indeed care for his friends and family, correct what he intended to be entirely in their best interests? What if the best of reasons has misguided his behaviors causing Darcy to lose count of his deeds while playing havoc on others’ lives? What if all of the notches in his bedpost and all of the signs of his “progress” disappear the very next morning, as he awakens to once again hear the lyrics, “Early one morning, just as the sun was rising, I heard a maid singing…”

He comes to a point, when with deadened senses, he imagines that he never grows older, or changes, but experiences it all repeatedly again and again.

You may find it amusing, exasperating or even ironic to read of the various approaches in Darcy’s repertoire in his attempts to change the consequences which have him trapped in an ill-fated twilight zone.

Hiding the silverware, riding posthaste to London and then again in the opposite direction, making an accounting of events and their frequency, consulting with the colonel, or even with Charlotte… The list goes on.

Anne smiled thinly, “There are moments when flattery is a pleasant necessity, and I believe a marriage proposal is one.” Yes, we onlookers in the reading audience, may think that someone has that part of his problem in perspective.

As I approached the Epilogue for a second reading, I could not get past the first part of their history. I am sobbing, openly sobbing. So – that box of tissues – have it at your fingertips!

P.S. I was reminded of Groundhog Day, as I am sure many other readers will be too. ...more

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Sep 26, 2016 Sophia rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: jane-austen-austenesque, review-requests, historical-pnr-uf-fantasy

Reliving the same dreadful day over and over. What is this madness? Hell? Torturous Punishment? Or is it something more?

The Many Lives of Fitzwilliam Darcy opens with a ball at Netherfield where he has an acrimonious dance set with a woman who believes his rival, a vulgar family disgusts with their antics, and Fitzwilliam Darcy is left with the unhappy knowledge that the woman who captivates him can never be his. There are scenes unfolding that are ominous to the reader who sees that Darcy is ma Reliving the same dreadful day over and over. What is this madness? Hell? Torturous Punishment? Or is it something more?

The Many Lives of Fitzwilliam Darcy opens with a ball at Netherfield where he has an acrimonious dance set with a woman who believes his rival, a vulgar family disgusts with their antics, and Fitzwilliam Darcy is left with the unhappy knowledge that the woman who captivates him can never be his. There are scenes unfolding that are ominous to the reader who sees that Darcy is making mistake after mistake due to pride, arrogance, and blindness to others until the fateful day when it all comes to a head. Then mysteriously Darcy ends up reliving that fateful day. He is the only one who realizes the day is reset so whatever the others around him know or whatever he set in motion happens fresh and new for all, but him.

The authors cunningly force Darcy to see himself and the others around him as they really are and force him to consider matters from other perspectives. It is brutal as he first is in disbelief, then anger, then frustration, then torture, indifference, and then finally understanding as he encounters the same day played out in various scenarios depending on his words and actions. There is one catalyst and he must work through all of them to find it and once he does, fix it and the other matters.

It's a unique story of growth and change that happens by magical means. I enjoyed it and was pleased that the authors made it just the right balance of conflict with development of his story and romance. I loved that there was quite a bit that comes afterward to see how he has changed and has affected the unfolding events from that change so that a new direction takes place. Though, that said, this is a Pride & Prejudice variation story so readers familiar with the original classic will see familiar milestones just maybe in a different place and order.

The characters are interesting in that there are subtle differences that those who encountered them in Jane Austen's original will perceive how the differences change the outcome. For instance, Jane Bennet has a sprinkling of spice to her and there's some life to Miss Anne de Bourgh that captivates. I love that though this is very much Darcy's tale and told only from his perspective that certain minor characters get much more page time and affect the outcome of the story more.

Oh, and I would suggest that the readers be up on the original story so that the brief set up scenes in the beginning make sense and do not confuse the readers.

It was intriguing to see what this mysterious device (which is never fully explained) of reliving one day can do to a story and it's characters. I had fun with this one and recommend it for those who want to explore a bit of something different in their Austenesque variation romances.

My thanks to the authors for the opportunity to read this story in exchange for an honest review. ...more

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Aug 15, 2016 Claudine DiMuzio / Just Jane 1813 rated it it was amazing

Shelves: just-jane-1813-paranormals, just-jane-1813-pride-prejudice-va

The first review from the blog tour is in! Thank you, Rita, for your thoughtful review. I hope readers check out your review and enter a chance to win one of our eight giveaways!

https://frompemberleytomilton.wordpre...

Thank you to my Goodreads friends who have dropped by the tour to show their interest and support for this book. ...more

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Oct 26, 2016 Nicole Barton Sasser rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: kindle, jaff, p-and-p, 2016-austenesque-lovers-challenge, kindle-freebie, review-on-amazon

Status: Read October 17-26, 2016

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Review:
The Many Lives of Fitzwilliam Darcy begins with four chapters of events occurring within Pride and Prejudice, but from Mr. Darcy’s point-of-view. If I was editing this, I would recommend they be condensed into one chapter to introduce and set the timeline. Readers would not be reading this variation if not lovingly familiar with the original classic. Due to this, I was worried throughout the beginning. Chapter 5 is where things really start and ...more

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Aug 21, 2016 Mary rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2016-books

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Dear reader,

If you are looking for a P&P variation with a delightful twist,then this is the book for you.

This story centres around a particular Sunday in Kent,where the proud,haughty Darcy decides to grace Elizabeth Bennet with his presence,bestow upon her the most lauded position and title in the land as he finally succumbs to temptation and arrogantly asks,what he assumes to be a fait accompli,for her hand in marriage.

Unfortunately for him the answer he receives is the antithesis of what he ...more

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Sep 03, 2016 Christina rated it it was amazing

Shelves: novella, austenesque, regency-romance, romance, paranormal, chick-lit, historical-romance

Considering the countless times I have read this now (disclaimer: I was editor for this project), you might be surprised to know that I am still wondering about Darcy & Elizabeth in this story...days after I sent it back to the authors for the Final Look. It's...haunting. And always leaves me not a little weepy. Every time. Really proud of this novella. Beau North and Brooke West are one talented writing team. Can't wait for Austenesque and romance fans to read it. ...more

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Feb 07, 2017 Meredith (Austenesque Reviews) rated it really liked it

Shelves: jane-austen, pride-and-prejudice

Don’t Worry, Tomorrow Will Be Better…Unless Of Course it is Exactly the Same as Today!!

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

TYPE OF AUSTENESQUE NOVEL: Pride and Prejudice Variation

TIME FRAME: Begins with the Netherfield Ball and fixates on the day Darcy proposes at Hunsford Parsonage

MAIN CHARACTERS: Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth Bennet, Colonel Fitzwilliam, Anne de Bourgh, Lady Catherine, and Charlotte Collins

SYNOPSIS: Darcy finds himself in a ‘Groundhog Day’ type scenario. Every morning he wakes up to relive the s ...more

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Sep 22, 2016 Eliza Baum rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: library-kindle, austen-and-austenesque, austenesque-challenge-2016

Oh man, I adored this book. It was unusual not having Elizabeth's POV, but I found that I really didn't mind. I loved how Darcy did everything from (view spoiler) It was such an effective way to give him time to learn his lessons without actually needing time to pass in the rest of the world; however, I did appreciate that the ending came (view spoiler) ...more

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Sep 07, 2017 Tamra rated it really liked it · review of another edition

4.5 stars.

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Feb 11, 2017 Dung rated it really liked it

Shelves: books-owned-kindle-ibook, austen-inspried

4.5⭐️. Such a fun grounds hog style premise where Darcy relives the Hunsford's proposal and tries to comprehend what is happening to him. Poor Darcy, you really feel for him and there are many laugh out loud moments.
...more

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