Darcy vs. Bennet: A Pride and Prejudice Variation in Austenesque Lovers TBR Pile Reading Challenge 2016

Dec 31, 2016 Rita Deodato rated it it was amazing

Review initially published on:
https://frompemberleytomilton.wordpre...
When Darcy vs. Bennet came out last year, everyone was talking about it, and I heard that it was a love at first sight story. I’m usually not very fond of the love at first sight premise, for the simple reason that I don’t believe in it, so I was a little put out because I love Victoria Kincaid’s books and I was eager to read this one. But it was a Victoria Kincaid book nonetheless, so I had to read it! I filled myself with co Review initially published on:
https://frompemberleytomilton.wordpre...
When Darcy vs. Bennet came out last year, everyone was talking about it, and I heard that it was a love at first sight story. I’m usually not very fond of the love at first sight premise, for the simple reason that I don’t believe in it, so I was a little put out because I love Victoria Kincaid’s books and I was eager to read this one. But it was a Victoria Kincaid book nonetheless, so I had to read it! I filled myself with courage and gave it a go. Guess what? I should have read it the first time I got a chance because it was absolutely wonderful!!!

In Darcy vs. Bennet Mr. Darcy meets Elizabeth Bennet at a masquerade ball, and even if they feel drawn to each other almost immediately, they do have a chance to dance, talk and get to know each other a little better. It is also in this masquerade ball that Elizabeth proves to be a trustworthy friend in the eyes of Mr. Darcy, by saving Georgiana from eloping with Mr. Wickham. But when she hears Mr. Darcy’s family name, she understands a relationship between them can never occur due to their parents’ feud and flees the party.

Mr. Darcy cannot forget the only woman who had thus far captured his attention and searches everywhere for Elizabeth, but knowing only her given name is endeavor is unsuccessful. Two years later, when he travels to Netherfield with Mr. Bingley, he reunites with Elizabeth and from the moment they recognize each other we are faced with a turbulent but poignant love story!

In this book Mr. Darcy senior is still alive and he is the true villain of the story, he is a despicable man and I loved to hate him in Darcy vs. Bennet. In fact, I believe he became my favorite villain in a JAFF story because it was due to his unrelenting demands that Mr. Darcy takes one of the bravest decisions he was ever asked to make on behalf of his love for Elizabeth.

I loved how strong and unbinding Darcy and Elizabeth’s love was in this book, and how far Mr. Darcy would go to be with her; how she made him a humbler man in a completely different way than we are used to see and how they suffered for their love. If I go straight to the point, I just LOVED this book!

In Darcy vs. Bennet I could feel once more the type of love Mrs. Kincaid developed in The Secrets of Darcy and Elizabeth: intense, secretive, intimate, insecure and resolute at the same time.

It is a fast paced book that captured my heart from page one until the end. I’ve read many of Victoria Kincaid’s books, if not all, and I know she is a diversified author. Among her works, one can either find a humorous and light book or a gripping romance that will touch our souls. Darcy vs Bennet is amongst the second category. It is an epic romance that I recommend to everyone.
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Oct 05, 2019 Sheila Majczan rated it it was amazing

4.5 stars

Even with this only being 207 pages long I enjoyed the tale and rarely set my kindle down as I had to read how matters resolved themselves. Although two reviews on Amazon have the SPOILING effect of informing readers of just how matters are settled I will join the one in saying that event was not much of a surprise. But to other members of the Darcy and Bennet families in our novel it was and made their HEA occur only a little more distant into the future.

A large part of what enthralled 4.5 stars

Even with this only being 207 pages long I enjoyed the tale and rarely set my kindle down as I had to read how matters resolved themselves. Although two reviews on Amazon have the SPOILING effect of informing readers of just how matters are settled I will join the one in saying that event was not much of a surprise. But to other members of the Darcy and Bennet families in our novel it was and made their HEA occur only a little more distant into the future.

A large part of what enthralled me about this book was the fact that Darcy and Elizabeth meet without introduction at a masquerade ball, just as he is considering departing as all the guests are "the same old, same old"! He has been searching for wife and is under orders from his controlling and vindictive father to do it within 3 years or yield to the demand that he marry his cousin, Anne. As Darcy notices a young lady in a pale yellow gown, and even as he is drawn to her, he determines that he does not know her. He has looked over the figures, the hair coloring and listened to the voices of all in attendance and resolves he has not met her. Unbelievably....our Darcy asks a stranger to dance. Pursuant conversation urges him to ask her name but she is a party crasher and as such is wise enough to only reveal her Christian name. He must at one point interrupt their conversation as he discovers his sister, Georgiana, who is not yet out, has also "crashed the party". Then only a short time later, as Elizabeth sends him off with an excuse that she desires refreshment in order to allow her to sneak out of the ball before the midnight unveiling of masks, Elizabeth comes upon that same sister in a compromising situation. She intervenes, Darcy returns and upon his confronting of "you-know-who" Elizabeth hears him use his surname and knows that this man is part and parcel of her father's most hated and reviled enemy’s family. Their acquaintance can never be!

Much of this tale is concerning the feelings these two (like Romeo and Juliet) must conceal due to their families renowned hatred of each other. And, yet as days, months and even years pass, each has thoughts and dreams of the other. Now canon comes to bear. The Meryton Assembly is at hand. But now Elizabeth with her foreknowledge and Darcy with his shockingly just acquired learning of the other's identity must force a demeanor of disdain to prevent mayhem on the dance floor...and as our tale continues, in Hertfortshire, Kent, London and Pemberley.

Yes, Collins proposes and you will find much satisfaction in that scene. Again Darcy has an opportunity to make his Hunsford proposal. Does he blunder so badly? But ODC has to guard not only their words but also every act, every glance and facial expression so as to prevent both fathers from learning of their warm feeling towards the other. It is a struggle and you will be amused at how each questions if the other has changed their opinion when their thespian skills are so convincing. You will also hold your breath when you read of just who is suspect in sending tales of Darcy's behaviors back to his father, George Darcy. Few are in on the secret but in the end it is a matter of an old tale as in canon and a blackmail situation which bring all this to a climax.

In reading of George Darcy’s history with Thomas Bennet one can only consider that the former man is a true cad, a man with no honor. This is not a man who imparts to Darcy proper behaviors, morals or how to treat servants, tenants and acquaintances.

Others have said that this story was rushed at the end. That could be seen as true but for me I was satisfied with the settling of affairs in this family feud.

I received an Audible copy of this book and listened to it while walking from 10-1-19 to 10-5-19. ...more

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Oct 30, 2019 Sara rated it it was amazing

I've read this 2 times. While I wish there was a more complete resolution to the feud and that it was actually explained (When E does explain, she says she lied and we never get another story), I highly enjoyed this tale. Lots of angst and drama, wonderful moments between D&E make this a compelling page turner.

highly recommend!
2nd read was Audible and narration is fantastic! ...more

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Jun 12, 2016 Teresita rated it it was amazing

Shelves: jaff

One night, one masked ball that changes everything...

A very interesting proposition. Darcy and Elizabeth meet earlier, his father is still alive, some information is known earlier, but still they have to overcome serious obstacles seemingly insurmountable...

A very entertaining and worthy read.

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Oct 05, 2016 Sara rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: jaff

Wish the ending was longer.

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May 27, 2016 Elizabeth rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Love DOES conquer all

What a great book! I felt like I was reading a Shakespearean novel at times (Romeo & Juliet) but slightly better because it's Darcy and Elizabeth! I enjoy when authors change the Canon side characters, like when Georgiana was caught at a ball, in the act, with Wickham, deliberately disobeying her brother. I highly recommend this novel. ...more

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May 02, 2020 Patricia rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: jane-austen, regency-era, british, 2020-reads, 2020-austen-reads

3.5 rounded to 4. I loved the aspect of Romeo and juliet version with my favorite characters. Never thought I'd dislike a character more than lady Catherine de Bourg h

There were times i dislike mr bennet . I felt he acted too much like darcys father. Could understand him being like that at beginning of story but not right at the end ...more

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May 22, 2016 Laura added it

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