The Trials of the Honorable F. Darcy – by Sara Angelini

VERY Romantic and VERY Passionate

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Source: Review Copy from Author

Fitzwilliam Darcy, a wealthy Englishman, is one of the youngest judges appointed in the county of Meryton, California. Yet four years into his term finds him overworked, restless, and dissatisfied. Elizabeth Bennet, the newest attorney to join Gardiner & Associates, is ready to make a name for herself in the legal world. After her first trial with Judge Darcy presiding, Elizabeth comes to the conclusion that with his supercilious, aloof, and formidable behavior Judge Darcy is the last man in the world she could be prevailed upon to work with! After spending some time with Elizabeth, Darcy finds he is tempted to pursue a romantic relationship with her, yet he knows it would be an ethical violation that would cost both of them their jobs.

Elizabeth decides to take a much-needed reprieve from work and join her sister, Jane, and her sister’s boyfriend, Charley, on their vacation to England. When Elizabeth discovers that their host and Charley’s best friend is none other than Judge Darcy, she learns that first impressions aren’t always accurate and that this vacation is one she will never forget…

This debut novel by Sara Angelini is a modern retelling of Pride and Prejudice with quite a few surprising twists: Jane and Charley Bingley are surgeons, Louisa Hurst appears in the form of Elizabeth’s gay best friend, Lou Hurst, and Darcy and Caroline are casually sleeping together! Ms. Angelini did a fantastic job of modernizing and adapting the characters of Pride and Prejudice to the 21st Century and the legal world. Darcy was a perfectly haughty and judicious judge, I could easily see Elizabeth Bennet as a persuasive and persevering defense attorney, and I laughed out loud at the hysterical hippie version of Mrs. Bennet! My only wish was that more time was focused on other minor characters like the other Bennet sisters or Lady Catherine de Bourgh; I would have enjoyed seeing them portrayed and cleverly modernized as well.

I loved reading this excellent modern interpretation by Sara Angelini. She established a creative and unique premise for our beloved Pride and Prejudice characters. In addition, Ms. Angelini, who is also an attorney, provides a well-research and accurate portrayal of the legal and judicial system. However, with all these twists in the novel, the reader will find that it does not follow the Pride and Prejudice plot sequence exclusively and that there are quite a few other differences. In addition, I would recommend this book for mature audiences because of the profanity and very steamy intimate scenes included.

The Trials of the Honorable F. Darcy was a delightfully romantic and passionate journey of Darcy and Lizzy. I loved the sensuous and tender love they had for each other. In addition, I took pleasure in their moments of angst and tension as well as their moments of intimacy and affection. If you are open-minded and love to read modern Pride and Prejudice adaptions, than this is a book you should not miss. It is the perfect blend of romance, passion, and laughter!

4 comments

  1. Well, who would ever have guessed a book with a cover like this would satisfy an Austenite?! Any time I read a review that says “I laughed out loud,” I’m sure I need to get the book.

  2. When my husband saw the cover he said “So is that the Legally Blonde version of ‘Pride and Prejudice?'”

    I said “It is a little bit because both have to do with working in the legal system, but Elizabeth Bennet is nothing like Elle Woods!!”

  3. If you can handle Darcy dropping the “F” bomb on page two, and very graphic sex scenes–this book is worth reading for any hard core Janeite. This book is smart, witty and downright hilarious at times. I loved the parallel when Judge Darcy makes defense attorney Lizzy an offer of writing a paper with him, after months of sparring with her in court–just to get close to her. He has interpreted their banter as flirting, and thinks that she will be nothing but honored to work with such an esteemed man, and knows that it would be incredibly advantageous for her career. Of course, she hates the man with a passion and basically tells him that to his face–it’s the Hunsford proposal all moderned up!

    We love to hate Caroline (Darcy’s former lover), and even though we don’t get to see many of the familiar P&P characters (Mr. Collins only appears as a sleazy repeat prostitute solicitor whom Lizzy is defending), we get to know Elizabeth and Darcy intimately and are rooting for them whole heartedly in the end.

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