What If Mr. Bingley Wished To Discourage Miss Bingley’s Suitor?

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Source: Review Copy from Author

TYPE OF NOVEL: Pride and Prejudice Variation

THE PREMISE: While Miss Bingley is busy trying to drive wedges between her brother, Mr. Darcy, and the Bennet sisters, she attracts the ardent attention of one of Mr. Collins’s university mates. And this raises some concern with Mr. Bingley who enlists the help of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth to help him thwart this unwanted suitor’s pursuit. While Mr. Bingley’s schemes unintentionally brings other couples together, time will tell if it can achieve his desired goal of separating one couple in particular …

WHAT I LOVED:

• “Do You Want to Form An Alliance With Me?”: It is so entertaining to see Darcy and Elizabeth conspire and work together. Their wit and intelligence are so perfectly matched, and it is such a refreshing  change to see them on the same side instead of battling with each other. I enjoyed how Mr. Bingley brought these two together.

• Two New Players Have Entered the Chat: This was great fun! Some familiar faces pop up in Meryton, and it was interesting to see them mixed in with our P&P gang. These two newcomers have some history already with Mr. Collins and Mr. Darcy, and I really loved witnessing their relationship dynamics together. In addition, I enjoyed seeing how these two new characters interacted with and were drawn to certain characters such as Caroline Bingley, Elizabeth, and Kitty. Overall, theses familiar faces were an exciting twist to explore.

• Secret and Stolen: In the hallway, in the attic, visiting Roman ruins, and at a masquerade ball – Mr. Darcy always seems to find a way to catch Elizabeth alone and he never has the desire to immediately quit her presence. *le sigh* I adored these secret and stolen moments alone. Mr. Darcy is adorable and flirty at times and I love how it throws Elizabeth off kilter and induces her to change her opinion about him.

•  Diversions and Drama: With such a gathering of friends there was a lot of pleasure schemes and excursions to enjoy. I loved witnessing the entertaining visit to the Roman ruins, the card party, and the masquerade ball. These events brought different characters together and sparked some new developments. In addition, with several characters having their own schemes and missions at these events, it was quite diverting to see which schemes were successful and which were turned on their ears.

WHAT I WASN’T TOO FOND OF:

• Some Quibbles: While I love the idea of Mr. Bingley enlisting Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth to form an alliance with him, I did find some of his intense mistrust and dislike of Caroline’s suitor to be a little far-fetched. I personally didn’t think the suitor’s early actions to be so triggering, and it did feel a little out-of-the-time-period for Mr. Bingley to address his concerns so quickly to others outside his family circle. But perhaps I am used to seeing a Mr. Bingley who is lackadaisical when it comes to his sisters, and would readily believe him to approve of any man who would take Caroline off his hands. In addition, I thought Mr. Bennet’s sudden obstinance to be a little unexpected and unfounded. Especially since Mr. Darcy’s behavior has been so markedly different in this variation.

CONCLUSION: Playful and humorous, In League with Mr. Darcy is a delightful Pride and Prejudice variation that is guaranteed to provide you with a chuckle and some good cheer. As devoted readers can already attest, Laura Hile is quite proficient at crafting together deliciously witty banter, swoon-worthy interludes, and uproariously funny comedic situations with her stories. Her style truly is “light, and bright, and sparkling.”

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