Fitzwilliam Darcy – Elizabeth’s Preserver!
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Source: Review Copy from Publisher
TYPE OF AUSTENESQUE NOVEL: Variation – What if Elizabeth experiences a bad fall while out for a ramble in the woods and Mr. Darcy is there to help her home?
TIME FRAME: A day or two after Elizabeth’s and Jane’s return from Netherfield Hall
MAIN CHARACTERS: Elizabeth, Darcy, Jane, Mr. Bennet, Mr. Bingley, Mr. Collins, Mr. Wickham
WHY I WANTED TO READ THIS NOVEL:
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Variations are my #1 favorite type of Austenesque novel!
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I loved the idea of Darcy coming to Elizabeth’s rescue so early in the novel and wanted to see how this interaction effected the course of their relationship.
WHAT I LOVED:
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Mr. Darcy: I greatly enjoyed KaraLynne Mackrory’s Darcy – at war between his heart and his head, extremely tender and devoted in his care towards and protection of Elizabeth, and just utterly adorable when he engages in some flirting! Readers, be warned, he will steal your heart!
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There’s More to Mr. Bennet than Meets the Eye: In many Austenesque novels Mr. Bennet is portrayed as neglectful, indolent, and irresponsible. But in Falling for Mr. Darcy, readers learn that all this time Mr. Bennet was purposefully trying to give the appearance of mismanaging his estate and being a indifferent parent. I loved the idea of there being more to Mr. Bennet and I LOVED how Ms. Mackrory inventively developed and added more depth to his character. I especially enjoyed the strong father-daughter relationship she manifested between Mr. Bennet and Lizzy. Seeing him act as her confidante and comforter was just so terribly sweet!
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Budding Relationships: Darcy and Elizabeth’s relationship isn’t the only one that is developing in this novel! I loved Georgiana’s first encounter with Elizabeth in Falling for Mr. Darcy, meeting as strangers in a shop. Their pleasant and friendly exchanges were so endearing to witness! In addition, it was wonderful to see Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bennet starting to establish a relationship with each other. I loved how Mr. Bennet was able to find in Mr. Darcy the son he wanted but never had, and how Mr. Darcy could look to Mr. Bennet to somewhat fill the role of parent in his life.
WHAT I WASN’T TOO FOND OF:
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Mr. Wickham and Lady Catherine: As in many Austenesque novels, Mr. Wickham is hell-bent on extracting pain and retribution from Darcy, and Lady Catherine is determined he should marry her daughter Anne. When they both catch wind of where Darcy’s affections truly do lie, they both make drastic attempts to ruin his future with Elizabeth. I am, of course, all for Mr. Wickham and Lady C being the villainous foils (they excel at it!), but in this case I found their methods just a teensy bit too extreme and heinous…(even for them).
CONCLUSION:
What a splendidly romantic variation of Pride and Prejudice! Eloquent, tender, and beautifully composed, this is a novel I highly recommend! Congratulations, KaraLynne Mackrory, on a marvelous debut!
3 out of 30 completed!
I wasn’t strongly drawn to this book, the wording in the title struck me as too modern, I think you wouldn’t have heard the phrase “falling for” before the 20th century, which is a pet peeve of mine but I’ve read nothing but good reviews of this one, every reviewer seems to love it!
Oh definitely give this one a try, Ceri. It isn’t at all modern and I think the title is a joke on the fact that Lizzy actual falls down and because of Darcy’s kind concern and care of her she starts to fall in love him. I think this book is universally loved!
I disagree about the phrase being too modern. Austen used “fall in love” or “falling in love” several times in Pride and Prejudice, Emma, Mansfield Park and Northanger Abbey. For example:
ELizabeth says to Darcy: “To be sure, you knew no actual good of me — but nobody thinks of that when they fall in love”
Charlotte says to Elizabeth about Jane: “When she is secure of him, there will be leisure for falling in love as much as she chuses.”
Don’t let the title keep you from reading this one. It’s a light and entertaining read, and, like Meredith says, Meryton Press can do no wrong.
Fall in love is fine, it’s “falling for…” Which struck me as too modern. I looked it up, as sometimes things are older than you think and it seems to he from about a century later. http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=fall
I have this one on the wish list. It sounds like another good P&P variation and I do like those.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
It has such a great premise. I loved it, Sophia Rose, I hope you will too! 🙂
Thank you for the review Meredith! I always enjoy reading what people liked and didnt like about it. It is so fascinating to me to hear their reactions. Sometimes it feels like I am just an observer on the outside and then I have to remember how connected to this book I really am! Haha – Look for my second novel – hopefully released mid April. (Depending on this baby and if she decides to cause trouble) 🙂
I’m just thrilled to hear that a second novel may only be mere months away, KaraLynne! That’s fantastic! I figured with your soon-to-be-arriving-bundle-of-joy that I shouldn’t get my hopes up for anything soon. You are incredible! I hope you are feeling better!
I love your review. I read this early on and I agree with everything. I know i fell for Mr. Darcy from the tirst chapter!
Thanks, Jeanna! Glad I wasn’t the only one under Mr. Darcy’s spell! :]
I really liked this one, too. I remember grinning and giggling a lot as I read it. I loved Colonel Fitzwilliam, and how the Wickham situation was resolved. I’m happy to hear there may be a second book coming soon! Congrats KaraLynne – I didn’t know you were expecting a baby 🙂 Hope you’re feeling well.
Oh yes! Best not to cross Colonel Fitzwilliam! I’m glad Wickham got his just desserts! 🙂
I read this book pretty soon after it came out and I loved it. Yes, I too, was under Mr. Darcy’s spell immediately. He was ‘the best man in the world’ as Georgiana would say. Mr. Bennet was terrific. I was excessively pleased with KaraLynne’s portrayal of him. The relationship that developed between him and Darcy was excellent. I am way behind on writing reviews for the books that I have read but do plan to write one on this book in the near future!
Very good review, Meredith, but then, yours always are.
Thanks.
Congratulations on your baby, KaraLynne. I hope she makes it into the world without causing you too much trouble. 🙂 I look forward to your next book.
Thank you, Janet! I’m so glad you enjoyed this one as much as I did! I look forward to reading your review! I think KaraLynne created one of my all-time favorite Mr. Bennets!