What If A Gossip Columnist and Blackmailer Targeted Mr. Darcy at the Same Time?

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Source: Gift from Publisher

TYPE OF NOVEL: Pride and Prejudice Variation

THE PREMISE: While attempting to endure his stay at Netherfield as best he can, Mr. Darcy becomes aware of a gossip columnist that has started to write speculative falsehoods about him and his love-life. And when the Morning Gazette goes too far and prints an engagement announcement, Mr. Darcy honorably take active measures to protect Elizabeth’s reputation and future. Can he discover who is behind these malicious schemes? Or will he fail to protect someone else that is dear to him…?

WHAT I LOVED:

• Forced Engagement or Fake Engagement: It is always such fun to explore when Darcy and Elizabeth are in these types of situations. For himself, Mr. Darcy doesn’t mind a forced engagement…or marriage, but Elizabeth argues for it to merely be a “fake” engagement since they are strangers to each other and no affection exists between them. Either way, I love seeing both characters adapt and navigate around their closer and more intimate relationship. I loved seeing Mr. Darcy embrace the freedom to speak flirtatiously and adoringly, knowing all along that he wasn’t doing any of it for show.

• Developing Admiration and Ardency: Even though he said the insult and Wickham began sharing his false tales, Elizabeth is quick to recognize all of Mr. Darcy’s honorable and estimable qualities. His actions with her and others speak louder than any words. I loved that she didn’t hold tightly to any misconceptions and didn’t jump to the wrong assumptions with him. Instead, she saw his merit and his integrity and decided to fully trust. Likewise, while Mr. Darcy already had a strong inclination and burgeoning affection for Elizabeth at the beginning of their “engagement,” their increased time together and her supportive actions and sincere care towards him fully allowed his heart to be completely consumed by her.

• New Original Characters: Ms. Scott adds some new characters into the mix that create plenty of intrigue, engagement, and drama. I was immediately curious about Dominic, who is mentioned in the prologue and had an important relationship with Mr. Darcy. Mr. Bull, while he gave off red flag energy right away, still sparked a lot of intrigue because I knew he had some kind of MO or ulterior motive but I didn’t know what it was. And Lady Fulford – Mr. Darcy’s cousin – was a character I couldn’t help but like and feel sympathy towards. Her friendship with Elizabeth is lovely to witness, but her situation is one that sadly reminds us how women had such limited recourse in their lives.

• Mr. Darcy, Hero: Our Mr. Darcy is struggling under all the burdens he places upon himself. He needs to save everyone. And if he doesn’t, he carries intense guilt for failing them. I liked seeing Mr. Darcy grapple with this type of struggle and learn to accept that the fault isn’t his and that he needs to forgive himself.\

• Debauched London: Ooh-wee! We aren’t in Meryton anymore! There is gossip, blackmail, mistresses, gambling, and duels! I loved all the new elements introduced with this setting, and I think it was great to draw attention to how London is so different. However, I did think some of the public openness about mistresses and brothels to be a little jarring, and I was a little surprised it didn’t cause more shock to others than it did. But I guess that might be true to the time period though.

WHAT COULD’VE BEEN BETTER:

• Balance and Pacing: There felt like there was a lot of important elements at the end that needed attention and page time, and I don’t know if they each got enough. I wanted more about Dominic and his story – the tiny taste we got of his hardships wasn’t nearly enough. I wanted more ardent scenes alone between Darcy and Elizabeth after such a long build up – they were entirely too respectable for too long. And I wouldn’t have minded more about the villain(s) – their reasons for causing the mischief they did, what other wrongs they were involved with, what became of them…

FINAL THOUGHTS:

📚 Welcome back, Janeites! After two celebrated and praiseworthy Pride and Prejudice variations, author Ali Scott delivers a new story full of intrigue, scandal, and romance.

🗣️ Spotted: Our favorite Jane Austen couple united together battling salacious scandals and terrorizing threats all while their rumored romance turns into something real.

🎩  The secret’s out: Mr. Darcy once again steals hearts with his honorable actions, fierce safeguarding, and genuine vulnerability. XOXO-

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