What If Darcy Was Trapped In Marriage?
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars!
Source: Gift from Author
TYPE OF AUSTENESQUE NOVEL: Pride and Prejudice Variation, Mature Audiences
TIME FRAME: April 1812, Mr. Darcy’s first appearance in Meryton
MAIN CHARACTERS: Elizabeth Bennet. Mr. Darcy, Georgiana Darcy, Charles Bingley, Richard Fitzwilliam, George Wickham, Lady Catherine, and a bunch of original creations – Lady Ashcroft, Gisela Darcy, Lord Landingham , and John Wilkens
SYNOPSIS: Darcy meets Elizabeth in a bookshop in Meryton and it is love-at-first-sight for both of them. No insult, no pride, no prejudice. What separates them from being happy and in love together? Darcy is entrapped in marriage with another woman who threatens him with scandal and disgrace.
WHAT I LOVED:
- Darcy’s Hands Are Tied!: Sure there are many times we’ve seen Darcy unable to follow his heart – either because of rejection, competition, family interference, etc. But this has to be one of the few times where I’ve seen Darcy’s hands truly tied. As a married man, he can’t pursue Elizabeth – he isn’t the type to have a mistress and his horribly wicked wife threatens ruin for Georgiana and the Darcy name if he divorces her. Knowing how rare and difficult divorce was in this time period, this seemed like an impossibly helpless situation that brought me to the brink of despair…lucky for me things got better!
- Unique Adventure: This is not Pride and Prejudice as we know it. While the characters and many personalities and situations are familiar, this is an imaginative departure from Jane Austen’s canon. I love how the premise for this story is unlike any other I’ve read before. Darcy married to an evil witch of a woman? Dark family secrets about the Darcy family? It is brave, dramatic, and wonderfully intriguing.
- Elizabeth Bennet Is My Hero: While Elizabeth acknowledges that her heart belongs to another, she travels to London to prove to Jane (who is heartbroken and morose) that it is possible to receive an offer of marriage without much of a dowry or connections. But instead of being her surrogate mother and confidant, Aunt Gardiner is pushing her to accept the addresses of an unpleasant and foul-tempered soon-to-be earl. What I loved most about this Elizabeth, was her strength. She never gave into gloom and despair (like Jane did) and she always thought for herself (even when everyone in her life was trying to sway her differently). She was so strong, so brave, so inspiring!
- Audrey and Marshall: Out of all the new characters introduced in this story, these two are my favorite! I love their individual stories and pasts, and the storyline that brings them together. They are intriguing characters who could not but help earn my admiration and sympathy! I definitely wouldn’t have minded seeing more of them!
WHAT I WASN’T TOO FOND OF:
- Balance and Pacing: Only a minor complaint. There were a few storylines that seemed to move a bit slowly, or perhaps they felt slow since plans or events discussed would take several chapters to finally take place (i.e. Ramsgate). And once in awhile some scenes and conversations felt redundant because they illustrated the same point made by an earlier scene. In addition, some storylines felt a little hurried towards the end. (I would have loved to witness a final confrontation with Lady C!)
CONCLUSION:
Poignant and dramatic – this enthralling Pride and Prejudice variation is sure to please readers who delight in seeing Darcy and Elizabeth conquer insurmountable obstacles and love each other fiercely! I love Ms. Webb’s epic, inventive, and exhilarating approach to these characters! While there is some unhappiness and despair, the tender and special moments Darcy and Elizabeth share together are heartwarming and beautiful!
WARNING:
There are several intimate scenes in this story – not very frequent or graphic though. And there are some scenes of mild violence. Would recommend for Mature Audiences.
I loved this story and have read it twice. It is one I will read again. Well done review, as usual.
Definitely one I will be rereading again! I’m so glad to hear you loved it! 🙂
I have never read of any Brenda’s books but they all have wonderful reviews. I might give this one a try even though Darcy is already married but as his wife is evil and he loves Elizabeth I have put it on my TBR list! Wonderful review Meredith
Thank you, Michelle! It was such an interesting premise! As soon as I read the blurb, I knew I had to see how this would work out!
I own this book and really enjoyed it when I first read it. The premise of Darcy being forced into a marriage with someone he didn’t love or respect was so intriguing. Thanks for highlighting another of Brenda’s books here on your blog. Love it! Jen Red
Hi Jen! I’m so happy to own this book! I’ve wanted for a long time! 😉 It was a very intriguing premise and Brenda did a marvelous job making it feel plausible!
Thanks for the lovely review, Meredith! This was one story that I had longed to write for ages and I gave it my best shot. 🙂
Thank YOU Brenda! I’m so glad you wrote this story and shared it with others! It is such a daring premise and you did it proud! I didn’t have a place to mention it in my review, but I love what you had Mr. Bingley do! Yes! 😀
As always, a great review, Meredith! Thank you for sharing your thoughts. This one and a few others by Brenda Webb are on my list to read and soon!
Thank you, Janet! I hope you get the chance to read some of Brenda’s novels soon! She delivers such a fantastic and consuming tale!
Great review Meredith! I too enjoyed this one…may have to re-read this one again!
Thank you, Carole! LOL! I know you’ve been saying that a couple times on my reviews! Rereading is definitely a must with such favorites!
Great review, Meredith! I have tried to read Ms. Webb’s books before, but I just can’t handle them. Too much angst drawn out for too long! But most people seem to love them.
Thank you, Sarah! I appreciate you stopping by and reading my review. It’s great the genre is so large that there is always plenty to read even if a certain type of story isn’t a person’s cup of tea. 🙂
Hi Meredith!
When you said: “Darcy meets Elizabeth in a bookshop and it´s love-a-first-sight” I stopped myself reading and I said:”This has to be a beautiful story!”, love and books, what a perfect combination! LOL. And what I liked most was your comment of Elizabeth being a brave heroine able to face all the obstacles 😉
Thanks for the review, it´s very insightful!
LOL! I love your reaction, Teresa! It is so perfect, isn’t it? I quite love that they met in a bookstore and seeing Darcy’s thoughts about Elizabeth!
Thanks for reading my review! I hope you enjoy this story as much as I did!
Wonderful review. Such heartbreak for poor Darcy, and Elizabeth too.
Thank you, Joana! Yes indeed! It was long trek for them to find happiness!
Enjoyed your thoughts on this one, Meredith. It affected me differently, but yes, it was a really good story and so creative where it took the characters and plot. I like your comparison of Jane and Lizzy’s reactions to their life circumstances.
Thanks, Sophia Rose! I loved the original characters in this story, even Gisela! She was such a loathsome antagonist! I appreciate you reading my review!