Mr. Darcy – Dream vs. Reality?
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Source: Gift from Mom 🙂
Elizabeth Barrett is on a search for her own Mr. Darcy. Every time she meets a guy, she instantly decides whether or not he is Mr. Darcy material. If a guy doesn’t fit her predetermined “type,” she dismisses him as a possible future mate and moves on. For the past six years, no man has made it past a first date with Elizabeth, and to appease the growing concern of her roommate and best friend, Janessa, Elizabeth agrees (after serious coercion) to go on ten dates with Chad, a guy she had a pleasant first date with but didn’t want to continue seeing because he was blonde, friendly, disarming, and earns a living as a high school science teacher (ugh! how totally un-Darcy-like!)
But what will Elizabeth think when she starts to enjoy and look forward to her dates with Chad? What will Elizabeth do when Matt Dawson (a wealthy and arrogant McFayden look-alike) walks into her life?
Is aloof and haughty Mr. Darcy what she really wants?
What a fantastic story!! I adored Elizabeth and could easily understand and relate to her situation. I, too, fell in love with Mr. Darcy as a teenager and decided that I wanted to find my own Mr. Darcy and experience a union of “perfect happiness” when I grew up. Unlike Elizabeth though, I wasn’t
so determined on finding someone with the same appearance, mannerisms, and status as Jane Austen’s Mr. Darcy. (Nah, I much prefer the easy-going, fun-loving, affable type…like Mr. Bingley!) Elizabeth, however, wants the whole Darcy-package: tall, dark hair that is slightly disheveled, blue eyes, “gorgeously unpleasant and impatient.”
Elizabeth is an extremely likable heroine full of romantic ideals, sweetness, and integrity. I admire her a lot – how she cares about unintentionally leading someone on, how she doesn’t allow herself to be walked on, how she is a low-maintenance, true to herself, and honest. However, Elizabeth isn’t a perfect heroine, she needs to learn not be so close-minded and quick to judge. Even though I saw the writing on the wall long before Elizabeth in regards to Chad and Matt, I still thoroughly enjoyed witnessing Elizabeth process her new-found awareness, self-evaluation, and clarity.
I loved the engaging and comfortable tone of this novel, Elizabeth and I felt like close friends by the end of the story. I was so emotionally invested while reading this story that I felt tears well up in my eyes and my heartbeat accelerate with anticipation (the texts between Chad and Elizabeth…such feels!). In addition, I greatly appreciated the vibrant descriptions Karey White crafted in her novel. I loved her verbal illustrations of the bookstore where Matt works, the appetizing delicacies Elizabeth enjoys on her dates, the interior design projects Elizabeth works on (I want that rug!), and Elizabeth’s awesomely quirky wardrobe (I loved her tights-fetish!). I sincerely hope we see some more Austen-Inspired novels by Karey White! My Own Mr. Darcy is a must read! It’s “totes adorbs!”
Note: Thought I’d make mention that this novel does not have any mature scenes, and is appropriate for all audiences.
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GIVEAWAY TIME!!!
Because she is super awesome and generous, author Karey White has set me up with ONE audio edition of My Own Mr. Darcy to give away to ONE lucky reader!
To enter this giveaway leave a comment about My Own Mr. Darcy below!
- This giveaway is open to residents worldwide. Thank you, Karey!
- The giveaway ends March 14th.
The college pic of you and mr bingley is brilliant. Thanks for sharing.
Oh thank you, Colleen! I’m so thrilled to have my Mr. Bingley in my life. He is the best thing that has ever happened to me.
Your wonderful review and this great feature is special and would be enjoyed greatly.
Thank you, Anne! It was such a fun read!
Sounds like a real winner! Another one to add to my reading list : )
Hope you enjoy it as much as I did, Ginger!
I want this book:)) I spend so much time reading “in the past” and now its time to find Mr.
Darcy in the present time. Thanks for this offer to win this book.
I always find it refreshing to switch between Regency and modern every now and then. 🙂
OK, Meredith. A 5 out of 5 is a must read for me! I love these characters already. You had me at “vibrant descriptions.” I love words!
Catherine Commons
LOL! It is my first 5 star rating for 2014! Very excited! The visuals that popped into my head when reading this book were just wonderful!
Sounds interesting. It’s hard to do the real time novels sometimes but you make this sound very enjoyable. I would love to read it also.
I think you would enjoy this contemporary story, Suzan. It takes place in Portland. 🙂
This sounds like a great read! Count me in!
Best of luck, Elaine!
Thanks so much! I’ve heard many good things about this one, and it’s been on my wishlist for quite some time. I’m glad to hear an audiobook has been made of it, since that’s how I “read” half my books these days (during my commute). 🙂
I’m so happy to see that a lot of people enjoyed this story! And that’s awesome that it is available in print and audio! 😀
Thanks for the review, Meredith! I really want to read more of Elizabeth & Chad! 🙂
Thanks for the giveaway too!
Chad…how I love him…dreamboat! LOL!
Win or not, I’ll be getting this book. Thanks for the review, look fabulous!!
Sounds like a good plan, Jennifer! I read it on a cold Saturday afternoon and it was perfect! 🙂
A great review…a lovely new take on P&P…will be going on my TBR list…fun to read a modern take on a great favorite..thanks for the chance to win…
Even though it has the name Darcy in the title it isn’t actually a modern adaptation of P&P, just a contemporary story about a Janeite finding her own Mr. Darcy. 😉
If it’s Darcy, it’s for me. And a 5 our of 5 – what could be better?! Thanks for much for this giveaway.
Absolutely! 😉 What indeed?
Sounds like my kind of book, I have yet to read a JAFF book not set in the regency era maybe if I win this it might be my chance thx
I love reading about modern-day Janeites and Darcys. It is so much fun to feel the connection with these characters who love Jane Austen as much as I do. Hope you get a chance to read it, Tamara!
Thanks for the giveaway! I love your reviews they lead me to books that might not have caught my eye before, or that I have already read and want to read again thank you!
Thank you, Tresha! I’m so happy to hear you find my reviews helpful!
I’ve been curious about this one, so I’m glad to see you really enjoyed it!
I’ve seen a lot of favorable reviews for this one. It definitely was a winner!
I am looking forward to reading this one! I love it when modern adaptations make you feel part of the story! Thanks for the giveaway 😉
Hope you get to read it soon, Maria! Wonderfully done!
This book sounds so amazing! Who hasn’t compared guys to Mr. Darcy?!?
Exactly! But we must remember that we love most about Darcy isn’t his money, haughtiness, or height. 😉
I SOOOOO need to read this book!!!!!
thank you for the giveaway!!!
LOL! Hope you get the chance to read it soon!
How wonderful to have this audiobook as one drives. It sounds great! Thank you for the giveaway.
Especially if you have a long commute! 🙂
I have this on my kindle and I may have to move it up on my reading list! I’m happy you loved it. 🙂 The pic of you and your Mr Bingley is adorable. Such happy manners! lol 😉
Read it, Monica!!! You will love it, I’m sure! Thank you! LOL! Yes, indeed!
I was hoping it was a paperback copy because I can’t do Audible. The book sounds good. I just looked at the start of the excerpt on Amazon.
Oh my! After a computer crash, a car accident and a windstorm that took off part of the roof, it was SO lovely to read this review. To see it’s your first 5 star read of the year–I’m honored. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with your readers. Congratulations, Jennifer, on the win. I hope you enjoy it.