What If Mr. Darcy Suffered Atrocious Dealings and a Horrendous First Marriage?
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Source: Review Copy from Author
What has become of our Mr. Darcy? He is damaged, resentful, and hardened by the unjust cruelties life dealt him. Needing to escape Pemberley and the landmines of London society, Mr. Darcy accepts Mr. Bingley’s kind invitation of a reprieve at his newly leased estate in Hertfordshire. Hoping to feel cleansed from his past, Mr. Darcy is optimistic about his sojourn in Hertfordshire…until he encounters a young woman who bears the same coloring, figure, and name as his evil-incarnate first wife. Mr. Darcy immediately forms an intense abhorrence towards this young woman, even before knowing her. But his traitorous heart will not listen and cannot help be drawn to and enthralled by this pert young miss and her maddening ways. Can Mr. Darcy conquer his heart? Does he even have a chance after such a virulent beginning? And what happens when others who wish Mr. Darcy ill form some vicious plans?
What a spectacular premise! Such a new direction with new dastardly foes. I delighted in all the unknown and all the unexpected twists that occurred in this tale. This is the type of story that astonishes you at every turn, grips you with its tension, and command your sensibilities, and I loved every thing about it. Nicole Clarkston deserves much praise for her engaging prose and emotive portrayals, but one aspect I especially enjoyed about her writing in this story was how she crafted the progression of events and how slowly she unraveled all to the reader. This is a slow reveal done right. The reader becomes so invested with this story to the point where they are overflowing with questions and curiosity, that when these precious answers begin to reveal themselves the reader feels elation that their patience is being so satisfyingly rewarded!
Aside from its inventive premise and skillfully-executed plot, I loved that this story was uniquely told in first person point-of-view from Mr. Darcy’s perspective. Which brilliantly establishes some understanding and sympathy for our dear Mr. Darcy, who because he has been tormented and debased, is more bitter and ungentlemanly than we are used to seeing him. I thoroughly enjoyed Ms. Clarkston’s portrayal of Mr. Darcy in this tale even though he was a bit more surly and selfish, and I so greatly appreciated being able to witness and understand his extreme reactions to Elizabeth, tattered emotions, and inner battles throughout this saga.
I especially loved seeing Mr. Darcy’s interactions and relationship with Elizabeth. The electrically-charged sparring matches that vibrated with intensity and passion, the soul-bearing moments when Elizabeth was trying to sketch Mr. Darcy’s character and learned more than she bargained for, the combination of animosity, aversion, and attraction swirling around them constantly – this is one tumultuous and stirring journey! But you need not worry, there are plenty of beautiful and rewarding scenes of swoon-worthy tenderness, sweet affection, and irrevocable devotion to well-balance the drama, tension, and anguish! 😉
Some other elements of this story that I feel deserve mentioning is the authentic portrayal of a gentleman’s life in the Regency Era – we see less of the drawing room and morning calls and traverse into the manly realm with fencing, horse riding, magistrate duties, and judicial proceedings. It is evident Ms. Clarkston did thorough research to represent all these activities and details accurately. In addition, I loved both the original characters Ms. Clarkston introduced in this tale with the nefarious Benedict clan and her clever developments with Mr. Bingley, Mr. Bennet, and Georgiana to name a few.
Brava to Nicole Clarkston (and J.W. Garrett!) for this memorable, powerful, and deeply emotional tale! Nefarious is a sensitive and enthralling Pride and Prejudice variation best suited for readers who enjoy dramatic scenarios, despicable antagonists, a suffering Mr. Darcy, and hard-won happily ever afters. We highly recommend!
This book is absolutely wonderful! Darcy in the beginning is so despicable and mean towards Elizabeth that we feel the author will never be able to redeem him. However, since it’s told in the first person, we get to know him, his fears and his struggles and we start to understand him and feel sorry for all he went through. We get to see how he starts to fall in love with Elizabeth and how those first feelings are so new and disturbing for him in the beginning. But then he transforms and Elizabeth starts understanding him and falling in love with him, and their love becomes so beautiful and so fierce! An amazing must read for jaff fans!
HI Daniela! I am so happy to hear how much you love this one as much as I did!!! It is a beautiful journey to love!
Meredith, you write such beautiful reviews! I am not just saying that because I happen to adore this one <3. You have a very eloquent way of framing your thoughts and digging up the themes of the story without giving away spoilers. It truly is a gift. Thank you for all you do for JAFF to connect books and readers. I am honored that you enjoyed Nefarious.
Oh thank you, Nicole! This book deserves the most beautiful of reviews. And I must admit that this one was a challenge – I had some many adjectives I wanted to use and I couldn’t help but try and use them all!
Thank you so much for your kind words and for sharing this wonderfully beautiful story!
Wow! After this review, how could anyone *not* be anxious to gobble up this story? Definitely added to my Must-Read list.
Yes!!! Do read it soon!
This intriguing premise has captured my attention, and I’ll be heading to Amazon shortly. Tell me, can we look forward to an Audible version?
Beverly, thank you for asking! Nefarious is being produced by Harry Frost, who has the swooniest Darcy voice you have ever heard. He expects to be finished in late November, so watch for it this winter!
Thank you, Nicole, for the letting us know about the upcoming Audible version! I’ll certainly be watching for its release. I have several of your books narrated by Stevie Zimmerman and enjoyed them all. Your reference to Harry Frost had me searching my Audible library. Sure enough, there he was narrating The Darcy Monologues! And I agree with you, his Darcy is definitely swoon-worthy!
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
Oh, Meredith [and a hello to your Mr. Bingley], that was the most amazing review. Wow, girl, you can write some pretty prose. Beautiful, simply beautiful. La! You know, you could start a fire with some of Darcy’s words. I agree completely. I am so proud of Nicole and what she has done with this story. Man, she is good. I wish all the accolades possible for her. This was an amazing book. Those who DO-NOT like angst… well, they will just have to decide if they want to read this or not. However, if they like/love a strong Darcy that is not afraid to go after what he wants… this is their book. He was Large-And-In-Charge. Whew! Help me… I need my salts and a fan.
As to Beverley Summers’ question about audio… YES!! I was just in contact with Nicole and that is in process even as we speak. I am sure she will address it as soon as she sees this comment.
Oh you are so sweet, Jeanne! I am just trying to do this amazing story justice! It a brilliant premise that is masterfully executed! Definitely most deserving of praise!
Great Review. Loved the book!
Thank you! I love hearing that!
I loved this book from the first chapter! It made me laugh out loud several times to read Darcy’s thoughts! And I agree that having his point of view made this book spectacular. I love Nicole’s writing and this story is one I shall read again and again. Naturally, I love this review.
Yay! So thrilled to hear you loved this one! It WAS so wonderful to be privy to all this thoughts and emotions firsthand!
Such a wonderful review and one I completely agree with! Nicole and J.W. did an amazing job starting with the premise and sending us hurdling down a path we have never been down before. I can still feel Darcy’s rage at the beginning and his journey towards the light was brilliant!
Thank you, Carole! I am so glad you feel the same as I do! It is amazing how you can feel his pain and emotions so powerfully.
Great review as always. I read and loved this book also.
Thank you, Sheila!
Now, that was a persuasive review, Meredith. LOL I already planned to read this one- or rather finish it since I’ve started it already, but if I hadn’t, you’d have me one-clicking it onto my Kindle. 🙂
Oh good! My plan worked! 😉 I look forward to hearing your thoughts once you finish!
I love Nicole’s books, and I am definitely looking forward to reading this one!! She’s simply brilliant!! 😀
Warmly,
Susanne 🙂
Indeed! I hope she continues to write so many more!!
Great review of a wonderful book! Everything Nicole writes is divine. One of the very best!
Thank you, Pam! This one is special and I’m glad to hear your praise for this one!
Fabulous review Meredith! I followed the posts for this book even after reading the start!!! And just had to get the book! I love stories from Darcy’s POV and as usual I felt so sorry for him especially when we learned his story.
Who knew Jeanne and Nicole could be so mean as to torture him like this?
Saying that, I will be reading it again!
Thank you so much, Glynis! Oh I felt the same way…I felt so much sympathy for him.
They sure did give him some wallops!
This is a really good review, Meredith. You nailed it with all the important parts without giving any spoilers. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us. I loved this book too.
Thank you, Janet. You are so kind to say that. I’m glad everyone is sharing such well-deserved praise for this lovely book!