Darcy and Elizabeth Vs. Their Families
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Source: Gift from Publisher
TYPE OF NOVEL: Pride and Prejudice Variation
THE PREMISE: A distressed and unwell Mr. Darcy receives a traumatic shock and suffers an apoplectic fit. He is now being held captive by his family who hire demented doctors definitely do not help cure him. Elizabeth Bennet is exiled from her family for refusing Mr. Collins’s proposal and becomes embroiled in endeavors to save Mr. Darcy from tortuous remedies when she meets a helpless and hopeless Georgiana Darcy walking the clifftops near Ramsgate…
WHAT I LOVED:
- Unlike Anything Else: Mr. Darcy with symptoms of aphasia, his family believing him insane, an extremely estranged relationship between Elizabeth and Mr. Bennet, and doubts about Elizabeth’s paternity – this variation brings some very unique deviations and circumstance together! I love Julie Cooper’s imaginative ideas. What a compelling premise.
- New Obstacles, New Enemies: While there is still some unchecked pride to be dealt with, Darcy and Elizabeth have much bigger and more challenging obstacles to contend with in this variation. Both of them are trapped and receive little to no support from the people closest to them. The find themselves in a desperate situation, and their enemies are their own families. This was intense! I loved seeing these dramatic changes – who can they trust? who is capable of challenging those wielding their power?
- Family Dynamics: This story presented some disappointing and heartbreaking family dynamics between Darcy and Elizabeth and their families. Both families either have members who are cruelly or maliciously engaged in achieving their own goals, or members who are too weak-willed and selfish to defy the actions of those in power. And while this might sound like a more negative aspect of this story – seeing the resilience of Darcy and Elizabeth as they go through their trials without familial support and care is such a strong testament to their own indomitable strength and bravery.
- Healing and Love: There are beautifully journeys of both healing and love in this tale. I loved seeing Elizabeth tenderly nurse and care for Mr. Darcy. And it was so moving to witness her compassion and care for him grow into strong (and maybe reckless) affection and admiration. The love both characters felt for each other was for a large part unspoken. But it was felt in so many ways. The looks they exchanged, their physical connections, the overall peace and comfort they both felt with each other all spoke of the deep love that developed between them.
- Cleverly Crafted: Not only does Julie Cooper dream up creative premises, but she executes them skillfully as well! There were some excellent surprise twists and new arrivals that brought some exhilarating moments for the reader! I never saw them coming! I loved how this story was so unpredictable and thoughtfully-designed. At one particular point with everyone arriving at once and the mixed up goose-chase they were sent on, the comedy and frustration of the scene felt very Heyer-esque.
- Special Relationships: There are quite a few favorite characters who might disappoint in this tale, but I especially loved seeing some special connections develop between Georgiana and Elizabeth and Mr. Gardiner and Elizabeth. They are the real heroes.
- Redemption: An astonishing conclusion is in store for all readers who make it through the chapters of trauma and torture. It was such an uplifting and marvelous ending. I appreciated witnessing all the the happiness, healing, support, and love of these scenes.
WHAT I WASN’T TOO FOND OF:
- Caroline Bingley as a Solution: Slight Spoiler Alert! I just couldn’t buy into this plan. I could easily believe all the other sinister machinations and schemes but I could not follow the logic when it pertained to Caroline Bingley – wouldn’t Mr. Darcy being unmarried and childless serve their purposes better? And why Caroline? This also goes for Mr. Darcy’s initial plan too. Maybe his cognitive abilities were still a little addled? But I get it, she served as an impediment of sorts.
CONCLUSION:
With A Stronger Impulse being my fourth novel by Julie Cooper, I continue to love how Julie Cooper crafts together extraordinarily unique premises with spectacularly consuming plot developments. Her stories are rich with creativity, emotional range, and character development. Her latest Pride and Prejudice variation is a wonderfully moving tale about discovering and harnessing your own strength to see you through life’s difficult travails.
It was an excellent story having the family issues and Mr Darcys medical issues wonderfully intertwined have 2 premises in one was an accomplishment that Noone had undertaken I loved it and will reread again
Thank you Wendy! I appreciate your support!
Agreed! The two were intertwined so beautifully!
I absolutely loved this book & gave it a 5-star review on my Kindle. Ms. Cooper always has such creative ideas, and this story was riveting—an emotional roller coaster for Darcy, Elizabeth, Georgiana & the reader as well. If you like JAFF, this is a must-read!
I greatly appreciate your review! Thank you!
I completely agree about Julie’s creativity and the emotional roller coaster in this tale! Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts!
Is it very angsty? I have this book on my list but haven’t read it yet! I love the idea of Darcy and Elizabeth against the world (especially helped by Mr Gardiner and Georgiana) I definitely think I must move it up my list. Thank you for such a great review, I’m a little puzzled by your reference to Caroline Bingley though. I do hope she doesn’t affect the relationship between ODC?
Well, angst level depends on your POV. This novel is very D&E-centric with almost all page time devoted to our couple. I believe there is always a temptation, when we are at our weakest, when the world is descending on us and we cannot see a path out of our troubles, to look for an easy fix. We wish for a fast way out. Darcy had that ‘easy out’ available to him. Weak, ill, anxious, unable to see a cure, he briefly considers that ‘easier’ way, at least until he has to face what it actually means, instead of a vague potential sacrifice. I think all of us would, at least briefly, clutch at the possibility of a comfortable rescue in the nebulous future during a suffering present. As for Caroline herself, she hardly appears in the pages.
Knowing your tastes, Gynis, I think you this type of angst would be one you could handle.
You were so right! I’ve just finished this book and I loved it! I’ll be writing my review today. I can cope with angst when most of it isn’t between ODC. I do think someone should have treated Donavan the way he treated Darcy! Thank goodness he had such a strong, capable nurse!
I look forward to reading this! Julie one of my “go to” authors.
Thank you so much Brenda!!
Same for me, Brenda! And same for your books! I appreciate you checking out my review!
I absolutely loved this book! It is always a pleasure reading your reviews. I especially like the concluding – likes/dislikes
Very happy to hear you enjoyed the book SamH!
Thank you so much! I really appreciate your kinds words and hearing your own thoughts about the books we both read!
Thanks for your review. I enjoyed this story very much.
I’m so happy to hear it Jen!
I appreciate you checking out my review and sharing your thoughts, Jennifer!
I listened to the audiobook and absolutely loved it. The narration by Joanna Lee was spot on. It is one of my favorite audiobooks
Joanna was great! Thank you!
This was a unique and action-packed story! I loved the devotion between ODC.
Thank you Katie!
sounds intriguing
denise
That’s the goal, Denise! Thanks!
I absolutely loved this book, very imaginative and satisfying once D&E overcome everything sets against them.
Thank you very much Elodie!
I enjoyed the story (I pre-ordered the paperback) and then got the audio. I love the covers of Julie’s books
Aw, thank you so much! You are awesome!
I have not read this yet, but I have ordered it. I can’t wait to read it!
Yay! I hope you enjoy!
I have read this book 5 stars for me definitely a reread in the future. This for me is the hall mark of a good book the joy of re reading a book.
I have made Julie one of my go to authors will read anything she writes most eagerly .
You made my day, Terri!
I also read and enjoyed this story. I have read 7 of her stories and enjoyed them.
I’m so happy to hear it, Sheila!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Very different plot and surprises. Loved the cover as well.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Aw, you are awesome! Thank you!
I am late responding to this review because I was reading the book. Talk about book hangover. I can’t say enough wonderful things about it. My word what a wonder. Great review, Meredith. I’m very eager to have the audio book now. Julie Cooper, you are a gift.