What If Mr. Darcy Believed His Situation Would Not Permit Him to Marry?

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Source: Review Copy from Author

TYPE OF NOVEL: Pride and Prejudice Variation

THE PREMISE: They met four years ago and felt an instant spark of powerful connection, but proper etiquette meant that they couldn’t really exchange names. Now Mr. Darcy is once again encountering the woman who has held a place in his heart for years, only to discover she is Bingley’s latest “angel!” But may that’s not the problem it seems because Mr. Darcy has concluded he can never marry and plans to soon leave the country…?

WHAT I LOVED:

• A Meet Cute: I love a good meet cute. Especially between Darcy and Elizabeth who are famous for having a terrible first encounter. But when they meet differently and without an insult it is usually full of forthright exchanges, playful banter, and a secret and stolen moment alone. Mr. Darcy’s and Elizabeth’s exchanges were adorable in their first encounters. I loved that Mr. Darcy teased and immediately tried to pursue more time with her.

• Mr. Darcy’s Mysterious Secret: What an interesting premise! I enjoyed the uniqueness of Mr. Darcy having a complication and insecurities about himself. It was interesting to compare the understanding and mindset about this issue between Jane Austen’s time and our own. I applaud Jennifer Altman for deviating the story in such a creative way and exploring some new conflicts and challenges with these characters.

• All The Better for Her: The real ones know where that quote is from. We have some Colonel Brandon level selfless yearning in this book, my friends. Mr. Darcy is all agony and no hope. He is tortured almost beyond endurance, and tries to keep the tightest control of his feelings. And the worst part is he is both knowing and unknowing doing it all to himself. I loved how Ms. Altman introduced a little more emotion and angst into the storyline.

• Elizabeth in Love: I love seeing Elizabeth come to her feelings faster and easier than she does in P&P. Instead of obstinately holding onto her mistaken assumptions, she gains perspicacity and understanding about Mr. Darcy and the reason for his actions. And then she admirably and resolutely challenges everything.

• The Reader is Invested: With a compelling premise like this I was immediately engaged. My emotions became intertwined with the tension and poignancy of this story – and I loved it. Jennifer Altman has repeatedly shown a talent for crafting stories that are expressive, engrossing, and emotive.

• Secondary Characters: Even though we are very wrapped up with Darcy and Elizabeth, I love the attention and thoughtful development given to many secondary characters, such as Mr. Walsh, Georgiana, Caroline Bingley, and Dr. Harper. I appreciate both the new characters and the new twists.

WHAT COULD’VE BEEN BETTER:

• Balance: The overall constructs of the story were so well done, but if we are comparing the before and after, it was around 250 pages into the story when Mr. Darcy’s secret is finally revealed and only around 30 pages for all the HEAs to come into fruition. I wouldn’t have minded a bit more time with Darcy and Elizabeth coming to and reveling in their happiness (since they had so long a stretch of suffering)

FINAL THOUGHTS:

💪🏼 Elizabeth encourages Mr. Darcy’s courage to rise with every challenge facing him!

😫 A perceptive and poignant look at Mr. Darcy’s ability to suffer and sacrifice.

✍🏼 Sensitive, stirring, and skillfully-composed – how wonderful it is to read something new by Jennifer Altman!

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