What If Elizabeth Believed Mr. Darcy Became Enthralled By Her Siren Voice?

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Source: Review Copy From Author

TYPE OF NOVEL: Pride and Prejudice Variation

THE PREMISE:

Elizabeth vowed to obey her father’s edict of never singing in mixed company, but Lady Catherine has become most insistent and won’t brook any more refusal. When Mr. Darcy tries to propose to her the very next day, she believes instantly that her father must have been right and that it is only the sound of her voice that has caused Mr. Darcy to have these feelings. Now to convince him of that fact…

WHAT I LOVED:

• The Bennet Women Are Sirens:  I love that the Bennet family is believing something fantastical like this. That their singing voices are filled with so much unearthly beauty they cause men to lose sense and reason. And I appreciated how this belief originated – it is explains the Mr. and Mrs. Bennet relationship dynamic really well. This was a creative and diverting new angle to explore.

• An Enamored Mr. Darcy: I love when Mr. Darcy is forced to defend or prove his love. And this circumstance is all the more interesting and enjoyable because he is needing to defend and prove it to Elizabeth…who is completely unconvinced it could be real. Mr. Darcy is forced to speak about his love and show that it exists and endures despite Elizabeth’s protestations was very swoon-worthy!

• Dissuading and Debating: There was a lot of playful interaction between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth in this story. I loved their habitual morning meetings together. And how they were working at cross-purposes – Elizabeth trying to dissuade Mr. Darcy of his regard, and Mr. Darcy striving to prove it will withstand any test. Their debates about love, poetry, and family were delightful and diverting. I loved the open candor, the banter, and the ardor that crept in occasionally.

• New Series: I’m happy to learn that this is the first book of a new series titled The Mayhap Myths, which I believe will all continue to be inspired by Greek mythology. I love the originality intertwining of Greek mythology with Pride and Prejudice. I wouldn’t have minded seeing a little more about the mythology inspiration either in the text or in the Afterword. I think it would be a great opportunity to share more knowledge and facts with readers, who might be like myself, unfamiliar with these stories and myths.

WHAT COULD’VE BEEN BETTER:

• Lydia/Wickham: This probably has a lot to do with my own low tolerance for these characters, but this secondary storyline felt a little disjointed, and I did begrudge them the page time they took from Darcy and Elizabeth.

• Mr. Bennet/Mrs. Bennet: Unpacking more here would have been interesting. Especially exploring Mr. Bennet’s past and present feelings. Also, I’m assuming Mrs. Bennet is aware of Mr. Bennet’s commandment for their daughters? I feel like she would take some issue with such a command and try to protest or surreptitiously defy it since her main objective is to see her daughters married.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

🎩  Imagine handsome Mr. Darcy asking to meet with you ever morning to try and convince you he is actually ardently in love with you and not under some supernatural spell…

🧜🏼‍♀️ Sirens, sonnets, and stout loves – is it all enchantment? Or will a strong inclination be able to survive?

📚 I’m looking forward to delving deeper into some myths and lore with Lyndsay Constable with this new series!

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