What If A Sweet Puppy Brought Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy To Heel?
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Source: Gift from Author
TYPE OF NOVEL: Pride and Prejudice Variation Novella
THE PREMISE: While she isn’t tolerable enough to attract Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth earns the happy affection and devotion of his three-month-old Scottish sheepdog, Henry. Henry is constantly seeking Elizabeth out, and since Elizabeth is forced to spend more time with the arrogant and insulting Mr. Darcy she cannot help but wonder at her opinions of Henry’s aloof and arrogant master…
MY THOUGHTS:
Yes. Mr. Darcy with a cute dog? Yes. Always. Yes. Like Elizabeth Bennet, I immediately fell in love with Henry’s irrepressible playfulness and puppy antics (lol. those brakes! 😆). And unlike Elizabeth Bennet I immediately warmed to Mr. Darcy for being the owner of such a loving and affable creature.
Henry is the heart of this story and I give you fair warning, readers, he will steal your heart. I loved how Henry would mischievously runaway to Elizabeth and his instinctive “herding” behavior. It was touching to learn that both Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth are dog-lovers and had bonded closely with dogs in their past. In addition, I love how Henry is constantly brought these two together and how Elizabeth and Darcy shared some more personal and candid conversations with each other. Side note: I also enjoyed the novel Elizabeth was reading – a period Scottish romance by the name of The Thorn and the Rose – and all the parallels in that story and Elizabeth’s life. It was also quite funny how she kept getting interrupted from her reading!
With any Christie Capps novella I’ve come to expect the pacing and action of the story to move quickly. These are lighthearted and quick reads and I don’t mind the their briskness. However, I do sometimes still feel like some conversations between characters are a little too forthcoming and blunt for the norms of the polite and restrained Regency era manners, at least to me. In addition, Wickham’s actions malicious scheme felt a little abruptly hatched and executed, and I wouldn’t have minded seeing more of a set-up for his machinations.
Henry – both the puppy and novella – are completely endearing and charming! I thoroughly enjoyed this tale (and all the adorable tail wagging within its pages) and would love to see more adventures of Henry, Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy together!
I read and enjoyed this story.
That’s wonderful, Sheila!
I’ve read all the Christie Capps novellas and really enjoy them. I absolutely love long stories but sometimes want a short, sweet read and these are just perfect. Add in a loveable little dog and it’s a winner.
Glad you enjoyed it as I did Meredith.
Yes! A little puppers definitely makes it a winner in my book too!
I love this series for exactly the same reasons as you.
This author’s shorts are so cute. Haven’t read this one yet. Thank you for the review.
Yes indeed! I hope you get the chance to read this one soon!
Delightful review and as always, I agree completely. I loved Henry and his story… um… well it was also a D&E story. LOL!
Thank you, Jeanne! LOL! Henry is a bit of a “page” stealer!
What a lovely review. Thank you, Meredith. Michele Reed of Meryton Press has a border collie named Hairy that was a role model for my little pup. I learned that these dogs are amazingly smart. If I was not allergic I would have a houseful of them. There was no way Elizabeth could have avoided falling for a puppy-loving Mr. Darcy.
Oh lovely! That is wonderful that you had real-life inspiration! Aww, that sounds like it would be so much fun! And yes, it does add another attractive quality to dear Mr. Darcy!
This was such an adorable read. Henry totally won my heart.
So glad to hear you enjoyed this one, Sophia!
I loved this one, for just the reasons you stated. Sweet review for a sweet book. Glynis is so right. Sometimes you just need a quick, feel good story in between the long angsty ones. I need to read this one again. Christie/Joy, please keep bringing us these shorties. I am still looking forward to your next novel length story, though. No pressure! Ha… 😀
I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed this one, Michelle! Isn’t it wonderful how Joy gives us the best of both!!
Thanks for the delightful review!
Thank you for checking out my review!
Henry sounds adorable!! Added this book to my list 🙂
He is the cutest!!!