What If Mr. Darcy Pilfered Mr. Collins’s Bride?

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Source: Gift from Publisher

TYPE  OF NOVEL: Pride and Prejudice Variation

THE PREMISE: Mr. Bennet receives a concerning report from Mr. Jones, and so he entreats his favorite daughter to reconsider the repugnant marriage proposal she just refused (because Mr. Collins obstinately will have no other). But just when she is about to walk down the aisle, someone quite unexpected arrives and gives Elizabeth a second option…

WHAT I LOVED:

• Distressing Reality: Being a woman in this time means not always having the freedom or right to choose your life. A reality that was previously unknown to Elizabeth. But not anymore. She has no choice, no time, and no alternatives. It is a rather bleak looking future for our Lizzy. I appreciated how Mary Smythe portrayed Elizabeth’s coming to terms with her fate and the spectrum of emotions she experienced.

• A Devil May Care Darcy: Ooh! I loved this swift-acting and overcoming-any-obstacles kind of Darcy. He is determined and he is tenacious. I absolutely adored him. I loved the moment he arrived in such panic and turmoil fearing he might be too late. His precipitate and persevering actions displayed the depth and strength of his regard more than any ill-chosen words could.

• Confined Communications: The road is long and bumpy for our travelers and they have a copious amount of time to think and talk. I always love these types of situations  – when the hard questions come out and there is no escape from challenging discussions. I loved witnessing these characters learn to understand each other better and grow closer together through these scenes. These tense circumstances and their extreme isolation allowed their relationship and feelings to evolve at a more accelerated rate.

• Thoughtful Understanding: Elizabeth is blindsided by the turns her life takes several times in this novel. Twice she has agreed to marry a man with whom she never fathomed as her choice. But she adapts marvelously. I appreciated how Elizabeth considered both hers and Mr. Darcy’s situation, and that she recognized his potential regret. She was very rational and was not one to willfully misunderstand or quickly judge.

• Growing Intimacy: It doesn’t take Elizabeth long to become aware of the many estimable qualities of the man she is about to marry. And as a result she warms to his company and his person. *swoon* I loved how this relationship developed. Their progress and actions felt natural and plausible with just the right timing and the right circumstances. (NOTE: some scenes – nothing explicit – are suited for mature audiences).

WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER:

• I thought it all was excellent as is

FINAL THOUGHTS: 

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿  It’s not everyday you see Mr. Darcy steal a bride and make for Scotland – what an exciting romp!

💗  A beautiful love that grows with understanding, esteem, and earnest devotion.

🙈  Mr. Collins gets what he deserves in the most satisfying of ways!

 

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