Excerpt + Giveaway with Author Lucy Marin!!!

November 21, 2025 • Author Features, Reviews • 40 Comments

Hi friends! Today I am thrilled to welcome back author, Lucy Marin, to Austenesque Reviews! 🤗

As you may have seen, Lucy just celebrated the release of her newest Pride and Prejudice variation – Their Moment of Happiness. ✨

And this variations sounds like Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy have some strong familial opposition to contend with… 😮

Lucy is here to share an excerpt from Their Moment of Happiness – we hope you enjoy! 🙌🏼

~ Book Description ~

HOPE BLOOMS ANEW IN FITZWILLIAM DARCY’S HEART as he asks Elizabeth Bennet for her hand in marriage for the second time. This time, he dares to believe he has her heart; this time her fine eyes show affection, even love for him and he dares to believe she will at last be his. But before her answer can escape her lips, an interruption arrives.

Darcy’s family—led by a cold and commanding Lady Catherine—has descended upon Hertfordshire to deliver a brutal ultimatum: abandon Elizabeth Bennet and fulfill the ancient family duty he was born to uphold. Honour, fortune, and reputation hang in the balance, along with an obligation to marry his cousin, Anne de Bourgh.

UNDER PRESSURE FROM HER OWN FATHER, Elizabeth steels herself and sends Mr Darcy away. But though she refuses him with her words, her eyes—and her heart—betray her true wish: that he will fight for them, that he will defy his family’s expectations and most of all that he will come back.

FUELLED BY LOVE AND A FIERCE DETERMINATION, Darcy vows to shatter the chains of duty and win the future they both deserve. For Elizabeth’s sake—and the chance to see joy once more light her beautiful eyes—he will risk everything. But can love overcome the weight of obligation and family expectations?

Their Moment of Happiness is a Pride and Prejudice variation. A tale of loyalty, longing, and the unrelenting pursuit of true love, this story is of moderate angst and clean content.

~ Excerpt from Their Moment of Happiness ~

Elizabeth was too dazed to think. She walked out of Netherfield mechanically, separating herself from Jane and Mr Bingley while they waited for his carriage. There was a stone bench at a slight remove, and she sat there, staring ahead of her, willing herself to shake off the fog of confusion that enveloped her.

What had just happened? She had been so glad to learn that Mr Darcy had returned! Although she would not allow herself to fully believe it meant he still cared for her and would renew his addresses, the look he had given her when they first met again that morning suggested that he did love her. It was difficult to describe the difference, but when he had come to the neighbourhood with Mr Bingley the previous month, his demeanour had been cautious; his silence had convinced her that Lydia’s elopement represented an insurmountable barrier between them. But today, his expression had been one of determination and warmth, and it had left her almost sick with anticipated joy.

Then, just as she was about to assure him that she loved him and longed to be his wife, they had been interrupted. That had been unexpected, to be sure, but she had never considered that the footman approaching them meant the start of her dreams of a happy future with Mr Darcy crumbling down about her. That had happened once before, in the Lambton Inn when she had told him of Jane’s letter announcing Lydia’s rash actions. But at present, her expectations had been so much higher!

He said that he still loves me, still wants to marry me. And, oh, how I want that too! He cannot be engaged to his cousin!

Willing—needing—to believe Mr Darcy was too honourable to pursue her if he had even the slightest obligation to Miss de Bourgh, Elizabeth leant against the warm stone of the house, closed her eyes, and forced her mind to be still. She would return home and, as much as it was possible, wait patiently for him to call and explain the scene she had just witnessed. Later today, or at the latest the next morning, he would come to her, tell her his relations were gone, and they would laugh about it.

She sighed. While she anticipated seeing him soon and learning what was behind his family’s unexpected visit, she doubted even she would be able to find humour in the episode.

“Our moment of happiness has been ruined,” she whispered. “It was so close, almost within our grasp and then…” The great fireball of joy inside of her had been ready to burst, filling her with a warmth and contentment she knew would last a lifetime. Instead, Lady Catherine, the odious woman, had come to wreak havoc. When she had been at Longbourn and Elizabeth had refused to promise she would never marry Mr Darcy, the woman had said she knew how to act, and apparently she did. Elizabeth could only pray the damage she did was of short duration

Oh! an interrupted proposal! And a forced engagement?! Poor Elizabeth, poor Mr. Darcy!  😯

I sincerely hope Lady Catherine won’t be able to get away with her schemes and Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy can find their way!! 🤞🏼

~~~

GIVEAWAY TIME!

In conjunction with this lovely blog tour, Quills and Quartos will be giving away 3️⃣ ebook copies of Their Moment of Happiness to three lucky reader who comments on this post.

To enter this giveaway, leave a comment, question, or some love for Lucy below!

  • This giveaway is open worldwide! Thank you, Quills and Quartos.
  • This giveaway will end November 30th.

Their Moment of Happiness is available in paperback and ebook!!

~~~

Disclaimer: The Amazon links used in this post are affiliate links. 

40 comments

  2. Oh no! I sincerely hope Darcy’s relations get their much needed comeuppance for ruining this moment! I’m surprised Darcy didn’t just tell them no but then I haven’t read this so don’t know the circumstances! Definitely on my list!

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  3. Ugh, families! I have often thought that actually Darcy marrying Anne de Bourgh would have been an unwise move, given her health and his need for an heir. Lady Catherine should have set her sights on Colonel Fitzwilliam, who presumably wouldn’t have had an estate lined up.

    If I had ever been asked for my counsel, I should have given it most proficiently 🙂

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    1. Colonel Fitzwilliam makes a logical choice of husband, if one is thinking of supporting family members. But I suppose he doesn’t have the same prestige as Darcy and Pemberley. Thanks, Ceri!

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  4. I always get very excited when I see a new Lucy Marin coming out, because Being Mrs Darcy is still one of my top three all-time JAFF books, and I’ve read a LOT. I am looking forward to reading this one.

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  6. Great plot! I love the cover! It’s lovely to get the excellent news of a new book by Lucy Marin. Her stories are always entertaining and well-written.

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  7. I found my palms sweating and my angst level rising as I read the blurb and then the excerpt. It will be interesting the learn how Darcy and Elizabeth finally achieve their HEA and if their families finally accept their union. Congratulations on publishing another interesting tale.

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  9. I love Lucy’s books! Thanks for the chance to win a copy of this one. It sounds good and angsty, which I love!

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  12. Would love a chance to win this ebook. I can only imagine Elizabeth’s anxiety and I’m curious to read the resolution to Lady Catherine’s infuriating interference!

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  15. Wow! I am sure that they will eventually get together, but it sounds like ODC is in for a rough time. I’m looking forward to reading this book soon!

    Reply