What If A Brave and Impetuous Rescue Caused An Unwanted Marriage?
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Source: Review Copy from Publisher
TYPE OF NOVEL: Pride and Prejudice Variation
TIME FRAME: Begins when Darcy arrives in Ramsgate (outside of canon)
SYNOPSIS: Jane, Elizabeth and Mr. Bennet are in Ramsgate, and Elizabeth happens to witness an altercation between a young woman and her suitor. Stepping out into the street to protect and defend the young woman against the blackguard results in a highly observed spectacle and spreading gossip. There is only one honorable action Mr. Darcy can take – he must marry the woman who courageously tried to save his sister…even though she is completely unknown to him and from a family it is a degradation for him to marry into.
Mr. Darcy is unfeelingly detached and suspicious, Georgiana is full of bitterness and loathing, and Elizabeth is disregarded and lonely. Can these three find any semblance of harmony or happiness when placed under such trying and contentious circumstances?
WHAT I LOVED:
- A Favorite Premise: Forced-marriage situations so interesting – especially with Darcy and Elizabeth! And I loved that in this premise it happens so early – in Ramsgate! where there is no prior connection or feelings of suppressed love and prejudiced dislike. They are virtual strangers! And as if that doesn’t make this marriage enough of an uphill battle for Darcy and Elizabeth, Lucy Marin then adds an extremely resentful and bitter Georgiana Darcy to the equation. I was immediately transfixed!
- Elizabeth: Could I admire this character any more? She is everything that is inspiring. Her courage in facing all the challenges of her new life, her constant consideration of others, and her strong drive to be the most dutiful and competent wife and mistress possible had me in completely in awe. I loved seeing how Elizabeth took care of herself in these difficult situations. She doesn’t waste time on regret and melancholy, she focuses her energies elsewhere. And yet, we still see that even with her selflessness and resilience, Elizabeth still struggles. She is admirable but real.
- Relationship Building: I absolutely LOVED how Lucy Marin developed the relationship between Darcy and Elizabeth in this story! It was executed marvelously – with sensitive insight, leisurely pacing, and authenticity. Their relationship traverses a challenging course with sharp twists, both high points and low, dark moments of uncertainty, and passages where caution must be heeded. I was so emotionally invested in this tale, often consumed with the same emotions the characters were experiencing.
- Darcy: Our arrogant and haughty Mr. Darcy goes through a most profound evolution, and it was in every way wonderful to witness! *sigh* and *swoon* I especially enjoyed being privy to Darcy’s private thoughts as he experiences all the different stages of fully understanding and reforming his character. His secret devotion and patient yearning had me irrevocably in love with him, despite his earlier brutish behavior.
- New Relations and Friends: The Fitzwilliam clan and Darcy clan are extensive and prominent in this variation. There were many new characters, new personalities, and new dynamics to explore. I especially enjoyed Viscount Bramwell, Lord and Lady Romsley, and Rebecca Darcy. And I enjoyed seeing both Elizabeth and Darcy interact with these characters and the satisfying relationships that developed along the way.
- Difficult Emotions and Relationships: In this variation Georgiana’s immaturity, obstinacy, and spoiled manners are heightened. This of course created a significant amount of tension and conflict. But what I appreciated about this development is that Lucy Marin created reasonable cause for this altered portrayal of Georgiana, and that it eventually made sense. The reader may at first be aghast at Georgiana’s perfidy and heinous behaviors, but then later understood the difficult emotions and developments she went through.
WHAT I WASN’T TOO FOND OF:
- Pfft! Nothing!
CONCLUSION:
What else could I possible say about this magnificent and exquisitely-composed Pride and Prejudice variation?! Being Mrs. Darcy is not only an expressive and captivating tale about finding love in unexpected circumstance; it is about choosing to be happy and bravely forging through the challenges life places before you. My enthusiastic praise and appreciation to Lucy Marin for her heart-wrenching prose and skillfully-crafted story!
You made me blush, Meredith. Thank you so much for the wonderful review!
Great review. I loved the book as well.
I’m so glad you liked the book, Terri!
Thanks for checking out my review and sharing your thoughts!
My pleasure!! Thank YOU for sharing this gem of a story! I am so thrilled to have read it!
This is a lovely story! I enjoyed it so much! Congratulations, Lucy!
Thank you so much, Daniela!
Yay! So happy to hear you loved it as much as I did!
I agree with everything Meredith said. It’s my favorite FMS story, I’ve been in love with it since I read it online. I just wish that a few cut out scenes would be included in the book, such as a ball where Martha and Caroline badmouth Elizabeth and Darcy takes them to task.
Wow, thank you! Cutting that scene really hurt. I think it survived until the final round of editing. If I ever get the time to get a blog up and running (it is on my list of things to do), I’ll post outtakes, and that is definitely one. Heehee.
Oh! I love this idea!! ⬆️ Please do!
So happy to hear you share some well-deserved praise for this fabulous story, Kate!
I’ve read the unpublished version of this and absolutely loved it. I do plan on getting this published version so it’s on my list.
Thank you for such a great review Meredith, my thoughts exactly!
Meredith writes awesome reviews, and I’ve added many books to my TBR list because of them. I hope you enjoy the published version of BMD, Glynis. 🙂
Thank you for your kind words, Glynis! I am sure when you reread this one you will fall in love with it all over again!!
So glad to see you loved this one, Meredith, since it has been intriguing me and I have it on my ebook. Am not fond of a spoiled-brat Georgiana, but the rest of the premise sounds great.
I tried to imagine what Georgiana would be like to agree to elope and went with ‘horribly naive and similar in terms of arrogance and pride to Darcy when we met him’ rather than ‘horribly naive and shy as we meet her a year after Ramsgate.’ I hope you enjoy it, and thanks for giving it a chance!
I am glad to hear you are intrigued by this one. It is different to see Georgiana portrayed this way, but I do like exploring different avenues like this one occasionally – especially when they make sense and are believable.
Lovely review, Meredith! I completely agree with everything you said. This book is a masterpiece!
Wow, thank you, Katie! Meredith really is a wonderful reviewer. I always find them very thoughtful.
Thank you so much, Katie!! I’m so glad we are on the same page!
What a thoughtfully observed review, Meredith! Love “Pfft. Nothing!” That is a rarity!
I chuckled when I read that line. 😀
Thank you, Jan! I am so thrilled to have read this story!
Sounds like my kind of story! Cannot wait to read it. 🙂
Thanks, Brenda! I hope you like it. 🙂
I think it is right up your alley, Brenda! Hope you get the chance to read it soon!
I loved loved loved this book! It is one I know I will read again, even with a TBR pile sky high…lol
Aww, I’m so glad. Thank you, Danielle!
Oh yay!! I am so glad to hear it is one you loved too, Danielle!
sounds like a winner
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Meredith is an awesome review writing, and I am thrilled to bits that she took the time to review BMD.
I hope you get the chance to read it yourself!
That sounds SO good!
I really pleased that Meredith liked BMD. If you decide to give it a try, I hope you will, too.
It is very well-executed! I just love stories where Darcy’s and Elizabeth’s relationship takes such a leisurely and introspective journey!
Wonderful review. Must read.
I know, right? (As my daughter would say.) I hope you like the book if/when you have a chance to read it, Jennifer.
Thank you, Jennifer! I hope you love it as much as I did!
Loved this review, Meredith [hello to your Mr. Bingley]. And, I loved the book. Whew! When Darcy got his head on straight… Oh, my he was amazing… just amazing. I so admired this Elizabeth. She handled herself so well. Goodness… you have already covered that and here I go gushing all over again. Well done, Lucy Marin… well done.
Thank you, Jeanne! I am so happy to hear you loved this book. I quite agree about both Darcy and Elizabeth! They both earn our admiration and affection!
Thank you! I wanted to create an Elizabeth who was strong and ready to do whatever she could to make the best of a terrible situation. Darcy ultimately reacts to that person and becomes someone worthy of her. 🙂