Mr. Darcy Forever

Austen Addicts #3

by Victoria Connelly

The third in a trilogy of Jane Austen romantic comedies from UK author Victoria Connelly featuring characters obsessed with Jane Austen and set in Jane Austen locations (A Weekend with Mr. Darcy, Dreaming of Mr. Darcy). Sarah and Mia Castle, two estranged sisters (and Austen addicts) who have spent a lifetime fighting over the men in their lives, meet for the first time in three years during the annual Jane Austen Festival in Bath, the city where Anne Elliot (Persuasion) and Catherine Morland (Northanger Abbey) found their happy endings. During the festival, the sisters realize that they can't bear to be apart, even though Mia fell in love with the man Sarah eventually married and settled with in beautiful Devon, another Jane Austen location (the filming of Emma Thompson’s Sense & Sensibility). They discover that their sisterhood forms a bond stronger than their mutual connection as Jane Austen addicts. And in true Jane Austen fashion, they each begin to lose their hearts to dashing gentlemen. A beautiful, fun and quirky story of sisterhood and romance.

Genres: Chick Lit, Romance, Fiction, Contemporary, Adult Fiction, Retellings, Womens Fiction

336 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 25, 2011

About the author

Victoria Connelly grew up in Norfolk before attending Worcester College where she studied English Literature. After graduating, she worked her way through a number of jobs before becoming a teacher in North Yorkshire.

In 2000, she got married in a medieval castle in the Yorkshire Dales and moved to London. Five weeks after their wedding, her husband, a television news cameraman, was sent to Israel. Convinced something terrible would happen to him, she came up with the idea for a novel about a young widow who starts seeing angels on her desk at work, but was scared to write it in case she tempted fate. It was only years later that her husband admitted to having a bullet graze his shirt sleeve whilst filming in Israel!

Although having had articles and short stories published, it was only when Flights of Angels was published that Victoria was able to realise the dream of becoming a professional writer. Published as Unter deinem Stern in Germany, the novel was made into a film for television by award-winning Ziegler Film. Her second novel, The Unmasking of Elena Montella (Wenn es dich gibt), was published in 2007 and her third, Three Graces (Wohin mit der Liebe), was published in 2009. All three magical romantic comedies are now available as ebooks.

Her first novel to be published in the UK – Molly’s Millions – came out in 2009. This was followed by a trilogy about Jane Austen addicts: A Weekend with Mr Darcy, The Perfect Hero (US title: Dreaming of Mr Darcy) and Mr Darcy Forever.

The Runaway Actress was published in April 2012 and she is currently working on another romantic comedy, Wish You Were Here.

Reviews

[Cocktails and Books · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked up this book because I'm one of ""those"" people, a lover of all things Jane Austen, especially the modern versions of her books. So, I was prepared to love this book. Unfortunately, I didn't. I didn't hate it either; it was just a bit bland for my tastes.

First, the language was a bit stilted. It seemed out of place that characters from 2012 would use the same phrasing and diction as characters from the 1700’s or 1800's. As a result, I was not able to settle in and enjoy the book. The language was too formal, like the living room in grandma's house with the couches covered in plastic - uncomfortable.

Second, Connelly told me too much. As a reader I wanted to discover things about the characters on my own. For instance, the older sister suffers from OCD. Instead of scenes that show she struggles with an urge to organize something the reader is told she is struggling and then the character says something like ""oh curse my OCD.""

My third and biggest problem was the pacing of the story and development of the love stories. The author tries to fit too much in and the story ends up fractured. Every character had a love interest and some secret to be uncovered. Since the story was told from the alternating perspectives of Sarah and Mia each chapter cut off with some sort of cliff hanger.

I wanted to know more about the sisters and their relationship but was sidetracked by their deep dark secrets which seem to pile up with a really trite one thrown on at the end. Also, Connelly's insistence on telling the reader which Jane Austen character Sarah or Mia most resembled was overwhelming. I wished she took more time developing the secondary characters and love interests. But she didn't and I just didn't feel invested in the budding romances. The ending was sweet but felt completely disconnected from the first half of the book. Overall, the best things about this book were the descriptions of Bath and the Jane Austen festival.

[Meredith (Austenesque Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Through her enchanting trilogy about Jane Austen addicts, Victoria Connelly takes her readers on a beautiful and vivid sojourn to all the best Austenesque haunts. Whether they are attending a Jane Austen conference in Hampshire (A Weekend with Mr. Darcy), witnessing the filming of a Jane Austen adaptation in Lyme (Dreaming of Mr. Darcy), or taking in the Jane Austen Festival in Bath (Mr. Darcy Forever), readers are gifted the opportunity to tour Jane Austen's England through the pages of charming prose.

Utilizing the ever present theme of sisters in Jane Austen's novels, Victoria Connelly weaves a story about the relationship between two sisters, Sarah and Mia Castle. These two sisters, despite their nine-year age difference, once shared a closeness and openness similar to Jane and Elizabeth Bennet or Cassandra and Jane Austen, but because of a terrible falling out over a man, they have endured a three-year-long separation and silence. But it looks like that will soon change, as both sisters have decided to attend the Jane Austen Festival in Bath this year...

While A Weekend with Mr. Darcy remains my favorite in this trilogy, I'd say Mr. Darcy Forever comes in as a close second. I loved that this story sort of resembled a modern-day Sense and Sensibility, with two heroines that bear strong resemblances to Elinor and Marianne. In addition, I took great pleasure in how the present-day story-lines were interlaced with flashback scenes. Since we aren't told right away what caused the rift between Sarah and Mia, it was intriguing to learn about their past through these revealing little scenes.

To continue reading, go to: http://janeaustenreviews.blogspot.com...

[writer... · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Victoria Connelly to add to my faves! She has a deliteful lite touch in her writing that adds to my enjoyment even when the topics are downright serious.

Well executed characters and excellent development of the two sisters of this story. Several surprise twists add to the reading value. The Jane Austen sites and sights of Bath's festival will satisfy any Austenites!

Victoria is adept at dropping cues to today's Austen followers to p up and laugh out loud ") The contemporary situations are well thought out with realistic and authentic solutions. I was entirely impressed with this story of two sisters mesmerized by the same man with incredible outcomes affecting their lives both presently and for the future. What they do with their infatuations makes for fascinating spicy situations.

And when they both show up in Bath for the JA Festival, who could predict what will result? Will they find their own Mr Darcy? and will he be forever?

Loved it! TY again, Victoria ! always a pleasure {& definitely a reading Treat!}

[Dee · Rating 2 out of 5]

So it's not....burn it bad.... but it is "thank goodness I only paid a quarter--move directly to trash can" bad. It's kind of a modern day Elinor and Marianne retelling and it gets two stars because while I was just...annoyed with the whole "met you a second ago and now we're in love *cue orchestra swell and spinning in a meadow*". Since it's set in modern day......ugh. Basically, if it's on my physical bookshelf at home, it would be used as an example to my daughter for everything love is not.

[Hannah Jay · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not sure what came over me when I decided to give this a go. I don’t read a much that is formally in the “romance” genre (this didn’t really feel very romantic though, so perhaps it belongs more in the drama genre), but I do enjoy Jane Austen. Perhaps I was just feeling silly and needed something to tickle my Austenian bone. This one was quite, quite silly, and upon reflection I should have just dug into Pride & Prejudice again instead, because this one was a big ol’ eye roll. The plot, nor the relationships between the characters, nor the characters themselves, unfolded in a realistic and organic way. Particularly the artificial and random declarations of love and “I feel like I’ve known you all my life” moments... stahhhhp. I think the main cause of this is how the author chose to communicate the action - she didn’t show us what was going on or how the characters were feeling, she just told us about their emotional state info-dump style.

Giving it two stars because I didn’t know about the Jane Austen Festival but now I do and IT IS A REAL THING. Otherwise, this one didn’t do it for me.

[Melissapalmer404 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series for fans of Jane Austen. Romance, lush settings and lots of Jane Austen references.

[Anna]

Mr. Darcy Forever is the third book in Victoria Connelly’s trilogy about Jane Austen addicts, following A Weekend With Mr. Darcy and Dreaming of Mr. Darcy. Once again, Connelly has created endearingly flawed characters reminiscent of Austen’s, with all the mistakes and misunderstandings causing laughs and tears. Sarah and Mia Castle are once inseparable sisters who haven’t spoken to each other in three years — not since they let a dashing stranger invade their girls-only holiday at Barton Cottage (the home where the Emma Thompson version of Sense and Sensibility was filmed) and come between them. Now, the two are attending the Jane Austen Festival in Bath separately, and it just doesn’t feel right.

The sisters are similar to Elinor and Marianne in Sense and Sensibility in many ways. Sarah, older by 9 years, is more like a mother to Mia, forced into that role when their mother abandoned them. Like Elinor, Sarah is sensible and straitlaced. She also suffers from obsessive compulsive disorder, and it has taken over her life; her need to constantly clean, organize, and control the situation has ruined romantic relationships and prevents her from relaxing. Mia, like Marianne, is all heart. She loves quickly and fiercely, and she says exactly what’s on her mind. How could they let a man push them apart? Is it possible for these very different women to put their hurt feelings behind them? Will their love of Jane Austen reunite them?

I don’t know if I would dress up in Regency attire and stroll around Bath, but the Jane Austen Festival sure sounds like fun to me! Besides the references to Austen’s characters and the various movie adaptations, I enjoyed how Connelly gave us a glimpse of the characters we got to know and love in the previous two books in the trilogy as they all convene for a variety of events celebrating all things Austen. But what I loved most about Mr. Darcy Forever was the sisterly bond between Sarah and Mia. Their relationship and all its ups and downs felt real to me, and with a little sister of my own, I could understand how Sarah felt the need to watch over and protect Mia. I liked how Connelly alternated the chapters from the past to the present to gradually reveal the betrayals and secrets, but even when the story takes a more serious turn, she still manages to keep it light.

Mr. Darcy Forever is a sweet and charming tale about growing up and realizing that real life isn’t like what you read in a novel, but there’s nothing wrong about hoping for a happy ending. Connelly not only shows how the written word has the power to unite people but also how it can help people cope. One of my favorite parts was when Sarah thinks about how opening an Austen novel can put a smile on her face, no matter how distressing her life is at that moment. I think that’s true for many people when it comes to their favorite authors, and I’m a firm believer that good books are the perfect escape from real life. It was sad to realize this trilogy has come to an end, and while I hope Connelly isn’t done with these characters yet, she certainly finished on a high note.

Review posted on Diary of an Eccentric

[Sharon Redfern · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mr. Darcy Forever is the third book in a series of books by Victoria Connelly, all of which center around a Jane Austen Festival in Bath. In this book, two sisters, long estranged, end up at the festival and find their lives changed.
Sarah, the older sister, suffers from severe OCD, and traveling to the festival is a nightmare. She comes to Bath because being immersed in Jane Austen is the only time she can forget all of her rituals and just enjoy herself. She meets Lloyd, a photographer and fellow OCD sufferer, on the first day of the festival.
Mia is the younger of the sisters and she comes to Bath for the festival and stays with her old friend Shelley. Mia is happy to get away from her grungy bedsit (very small apartment) and away from her failed career as an actress. She is hoping that she will not run into Sarah during the festival because they have not spoken in three years. She shares her story with Shelley’s neighbor Gabe and finds herself drawn to the slightly older man.
From the beginning of the book and interspersed throughout, are glimpses of a vacation Sarah and Mia took where they stayed in the same cottage where the movie Sense and Sensibility was filmed. The vacation of a lifetime turns into the means of the sisters breaking apart. As the story goes on, more of what happened comes out and we finally find out what has caused this split between two sisters who were once so close. It’s almost painful to read as the crisis approaches.
Like the previous books in the series, A Weekend with Mr. Darcy and Dreaming of Mr. Darcy, this book was a great read. As an Austen fan, I enjoyed the whole festival atmosphere and the tidbits of information about the well-loved author. The two sisters are interesting characters and both likeable despite their situations. When they meet possible romantic interests it’s good, but we really want to see them be happy together, not apart. The reason for the split is somewhat shocking when finally revealed but the reader still hopes for reconciliation because we know they can’t be happy without each other.

[Matti Karjalainen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jos joku olisi kertonut minulle mitä kaikkea minulle tapahtuisi Jane Austen -festivaalilla, en olisi välttämättä uskaltanut tulla tänne. (s.303)

Victoria Connellyn "Etysin sinua, Mr. Darcy" (Minerva, 2013) kertoo järkevästä ja pakkohäiriöstä kärsivästä Sarahista ja hänen spontaanista, tunteella elävästä siskostaan Miasta. Molemmat ovat olleet toistensa uskottuja, mutta lomamatkalla tapahtunut välirikko on erottanut heidät toisistaan. Kolmen vuoden jälkeen molemmat sisarukset suuntaavat Bathin Jane Austen -festivaaleille, jossa molempien sydämellään kantamat huolet, murheet ja salaisuudet alkavat viimein paljastua, ja pari kivaa miestäkin ilmaantuu kuvioihin. Mutta onko kenestäkään heistä herra Darcyksi?

Connellyn kahdessa tasossa liikkuva romaani on juoneltaan ennalta-arvattava eikä loppuratkaisu takuulla yllätä ketään, mutta sepä taitaa olla genren ominaispiirre, eikä kovin surumielinen loppu edes sopisi kovin hyvin Austenin maailmaan.

Austen-viittauksia pursuava dialogi ei ole kovin nokkelaa, vaan pikemminkin epäuskottavaa ja hölmöllä tavalla hauskaa:

"Olen vain sitä mieltä, että sinun pitäisi olla maltillisempi. Olet yhtä naiivi kuin Catherine Morland ja yhtä holtiton kuin Marianne Dashwood, ja se on vaarallinen yhdistelmä.
Austenilainen loukkauis sai Mian suun loksahtamaan auki.
Vai niin. Sinä olet taas yhtä konservatiivinen kuin Elinor ja yhtä tekosiveä kuin Fanny Price, ja se on hemmetin rasittavaa!" (s. 177)

Että sillä lailla.

Viihdekirjallisuutta on monenlaista, eikä tämä varmasti ole minulle suht tuntemattomassa genressä sieltä parhaasta päästä, mutta jaksoin siitä huolimatta viihtyä "Etsin sinua, Mr. Darcyn" parissa muutaman tunnin ajan. Niinpä arvosanaksi vahvat kaksi tähteä.

[Laura Hartness · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again, I can highly recommend Victoria Connelly's work in Forever Mr. Darcy. It’s a delightful novel that any Janeite can enjoy. Like a summer holiday in Bath can be, it’s full of fun, romance and drama. There will be no slogging through this one—Victoria has once again woven a tale that I enjoyed from beginning to end. Pick up her Jane Austen Addict Trilogy today!

Full review here: http://calicocritic.blogspot.com/2012...

[Mintti · Rating 2 out of 5]

Suomeksi: Etsin sinua, Mr Darcy. En tullut huomanneeksi että tämä oli sarjan kolmas kirja, en ole lukenut niitä aiempia. Enkä aio lukeakaan. Oli aika heppoinen juoneltaan ja varsinkin henkilöhahmoiltaan. Osittain mielenkiintoisia ihmisiä, mutta keskustelut tosi tönkköjä ja epäaitoja ja samoin reaktiot asioihin. Tai sitten suomentajan vika, mutta jotenkin en usko. Tää oli hömppää, mutta ei laadukasta eli en suosittele.

[Jen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I finished this one in spite of myself to find out what happened. I didn't really enjoy how the book jumps from past tense to present tense though I understand why the author chose to do so. I found some of the characters absurd and spent a lot of time wondering if the main characters might actually be idiots not to see through the Wickham type that tears them apart. Of course it all works out in the end and the Jane Austen references were fun, but I'm disappointed in this one.

[Samantha · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just to clarify: This is more of a modern-day Sense & Sensibility than Pride & Prejudice. Two sisters obsessed with everything Jane Austen have a falling out over one man (see Willoughby) and three years later their paths cross at the Jane Austen Bath Festival.

The story was ok, not great.

[Rachel Burton · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. This trilogy has been mostly predictable but fun, reminding me why Jane remains so popular.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three stars only because of the subject, I researched the Jane Austen festival and regency costume immediately. A hopelessly hockey story but enjoyable none the less.

[Merrill · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first in this series was kind of cute, but they went progressively downhill from there. (I did like the small references to characters from the previous novels...like Easter Eggs in novel form.)

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was the best book out of the three.

[Clare B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

You know, it’s never a good sign when your first thought after finishing a book is “thank God that’s over” so let that be a small advisement. The book was enjoyable at some parts but at others it just felt so slow.

This book kept trying to one up itself on how dramatic it could go. When I thought most of the drama was over there was more to wade through. There were times I cared for the sisters but after Mia meets Alec again in Bath I lost most interest in them.

One thing I’m slightly offended by is how Alec’s personality on the cover is implied to be like Mr. Darcy’s. No, it’s not. I thought that the book would have a good natured man who accidentally has two sisters fall for him and when he rejects them both they find solace in each other. Nope.

The only character I felt impassioned by through the whole book was Alec and that was solely because he was such a jackanape. I was constantly surprised by how narcissistic and arrogant he was, when I thought he couldn’t get worse, he did! And when he had that conversation with Mia in Bath I was fuming with every sentence that came out of his mouth.

Overall, the only likable character for me was Gabe and the only interesting character was Alec. Something I didn’t understand was after both Sarah’s and Mia’s bad experience with saying they love a man after knowing them so little, they do the EXACT same thing by the end of the book but only it’s okay now because they’re in Bath? The guys are actually nice to them? Honestly, I don’t know. I’m just glad I can read something with less sisterly drama.

[Geoff · Rating 3 out of 5]

My Recommendation: This one felt better written than the second in the trilogy, Dreaming of Mr. Darcy , but wasn't as engaging as the first,  A Weekend with Mr. Darcy . You do get your happily ever after and find out what happened to most of the main characters from the first two books in the trilogy. Overall, it's a quick fun read, but in general I felt it was a bit underwhelming.

My Response: I think what I like about this series more than most of the others is that it pays as much homage to the cult of Austen as it does to the original Austen works. Each of the books in this trilogy (maybe the series?) take a lead from one of Austen's original novels, but then move away from it diving into the fantastical world of the Janeites. Connelly once again dropped a tidbit of Austen-dom knowledge I wasn't aware of in the Austen Authors website, which was a neat discovery, but seems to have undergone a major change since it was originally mentioned in this book.

Continue reading on my book blog at geoffwhaley.com.

[Stephanie Ceniceros · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was an easy read. I feel like the story was a good base, but I feel like it was rushed, especially the resolution, and the happily ever for everyone. I wish, she would have taken more time with it, since Mia's love story in this felt really rushed at the end. Like minutes after her secret is out, she realizes she likes this guy, whose she's friend-zone in the entire story. I wish that she should have been the one to go out of her comfort zone. I wish that transition was a little bit more organic, but it was a page turner until the last 20 pages or so, which I only finished because I was practically done and didn't want to go to bed with an incomplete book

[Alisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt that the end was very sudden, but apart from that, I really enjoyed this book. Something I appreciated about this book was that the switches between perspectives and between the past and present were pretty seamless and happened at what felt like the right times in the story. With other books, I tend to find jumps in years or between characters jarring, but it was done really well in this case. It made me want to keep turning the pages and kept me equally invested in each of the sisters’ stories.

[Noora · Rating 3 out of 5]

Herkullisen ennalta-arvattava Järki ja tunteet -pastissi, johon kuitenkin mahtui pari yllätystä mukaan. Jane Austen -fanille kirja tarjoaa lukuisia silmäniskuja Austenin tuotantoon, kuten esimerkiksi koiran nimeltä Bingley. Kirjassa on myös tarkkoja kuvauksia pakko-oireisesta häiriöstä, joten ihan hattarankevyttä tämä sentään ei ollut. En ollut lukenut mitään vähään aikaan, joten tällä oli hyvä päästä taas lukemisessa niin sanotusti käyntiin.

[Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good easy read, recommend.

The third of the series and maybe the best although not to detract from the others.
Speaking as an Austen addict with a library of DVD versions of the classics and I do think Kieran Hinds is a better captain Wentworth and Kate Bekinsall is the best Emma. My Audible library is also increasing with alarming rate that as a male is probably worrying.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sarah and her sister Mia had a falling out three years ago but there paths cross at the Jane Austen festival in Bath. The story moves between the sisters in the past and present, revealing the roots of their estrangement. Characters from the two previous installments appear briefly or are mentioned in passing.

[Julie Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really lovely story

I thoroughly enjoyed this story set in Bath with the Jane Austin fans. The sisters were very unhappy with what happened to them both but things worked out for the best for both of them and they found their own Mr Darcy’s

[Anu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Miellyttävää lukemista ihanilla Jane Austen twisteillä. Sellainen hyvän mielen kirja.

[Brycsyn Hampton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very charming series

[Diana Turner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun book for Austen fans. These two sisters had a trying time. It was nice to learn how love can heal a lot of wrongs.

[Christine Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another lovely romance

Different with two timelines that merge. Lovely setting in Bath. Romantic and an enjoyable read, was sorry when it ended I wanted more.

[Kim Galloway · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story line was interesting yet a bit overdramatic and clichéd.