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Drawing Mr. Darcy Duology
The two Drawing Mr. Darcy books are now together in one collection!
Book When Thomas Bennet's childless aunt and uncle ask that one of his five daughters come to live with them, he knows which girl would most benefit. Years later, Elizabeth Bennet Russell returns to Longbourn having had an unconventional upbringing. She is in possession of an important name, a good fortune, and an artist's eye.
Drawing helps Elizabeth to literally sketch people’s character, and she’s become rather good at it. But she’s about to face her greatest challenge yet. Netherfield Park is let at last, and her good friend's much older brother--whom she has yet to meet--has arrived as a guest. It will take Elizabeth more than a drawing to help her understand the confounding Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy.
Book For the first time, drawing someone’s portrait has not been enough to understand his character. Although Elizabeth Bennet Russell has sketched Mr. Darcy’s expressions often and with great care, she still cannot figure him out—that is, until he confesses that he has fallen in love with her.
By the time Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy share a dance at the Netherfield Ball, they are well on their way to marriage. Then her cousin, the Marquess of Tavistock, arrives from London with Elizabeth’s Aunt Olivia is seriously ill, and there’s been a threat against both Russell women. Will the Russells close ranks, leaving Darcy out in the cold?
Book When Thomas Bennet's childless aunt and uncle ask that one of his five daughters come to live with them, he knows which girl would most benefit. Years later, Elizabeth Bennet Russell returns to Longbourn having had an unconventional upbringing. She is in possession of an important name, a good fortune, and an artist's eye.
Drawing helps Elizabeth to literally sketch people’s character, and she’s become rather good at it. But she’s about to face her greatest challenge yet. Netherfield Park is let at last, and her good friend's much older brother--whom she has yet to meet--has arrived as a guest. It will take Elizabeth more than a drawing to help her understand the confounding Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy.
Book For the first time, drawing someone’s portrait has not been enough to understand his character. Although Elizabeth Bennet Russell has sketched Mr. Darcy’s expressions often and with great care, she still cannot figure him out—that is, until he confesses that he has fallen in love with her.
By the time Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy share a dance at the Netherfield Ball, they are well on their way to marriage. Then her cousin, the Marquess of Tavistock, arrives from London with Elizabeth’s Aunt Olivia is seriously ill, and there’s been a threat against both Russell women. Will the Russells close ranks, leaving Darcy out in the cold?
596 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 4, 2023
132 people are currently reading
75 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
August 23, 2023
I loved this story and own it from the days it was published in two parts.
I still LOVE this story.
I still LOVE this story.
March 20, 2025
An Absolute Favourite
Update: March 18-19, 2025 - Audiobook
What a delicious treat and wish come true to finally have this wonderful story, one of the best Austen variations ever, finally available on audio. Harry Frost was the perfect choice to perform it too. I know this is one I will return to anytime I need a good pick me up. Thoroughly delightful listening experience. Highly recommend it.
September 17-20, 2023
Re-reading this Pride and Prejudice variation never gets old. The way Melanie Rachel portrays these beloved characters is simply one of the best, in my view. No one is overdone or extreme, there are no unceasing misunderstandings to bear, and the new characters are also wonderful and very likeable. The story flows well from start to finish, holding the reader captive until the last word. The romance is sweet and sigh inspiring, and the book’s theme of drawing Mr. Darcy is pleasingly expressed throughout.
I already own and have read the previously-released separate volumes multiple times and am happy to see this combined version available too for Kindle Unlimited readers. What I would give to have this favourite released as an audiobook too. One can wish. I highly recommend it.
Update: March 18-19, 2025 - Audiobook
What a delicious treat and wish come true to finally have this wonderful story, one of the best Austen variations ever, finally available on audio. Harry Frost was the perfect choice to perform it too. I know this is one I will return to anytime I need a good pick me up. Thoroughly delightful listening experience. Highly recommend it.
September 17-20, 2023
Re-reading this Pride and Prejudice variation never gets old. The way Melanie Rachel portrays these beloved characters is simply one of the best, in my view. No one is overdone or extreme, there are no unceasing misunderstandings to bear, and the new characters are also wonderful and very likeable. The story flows well from start to finish, holding the reader captive until the last word. The romance is sweet and sigh inspiring, and the book’s theme of drawing Mr. Darcy is pleasingly expressed throughout.
I already own and have read the previously-released separate volumes multiple times and am happy to see this combined version available too for Kindle Unlimited readers. What I would give to have this favourite released as an audiobook too. One can wish. I highly recommend it.
May 14, 2025
Status: Read April 23-May 13, 2025 via audible edition & kindle editions of Drawing Mr. Darcy: Sketching His Character (Drawing Mr. Darcy, #1) and Drawing Mr. Darcy: A Faithful Portrait (Drawing Mr. Darcy, #2)
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
My Library Notes:
Drawing Mr. Darcy: A Pride & Prejudice Duology (Drawing Mr. Darcy, #1-2)
by Melanie Rachel, Harry Frost (Narrator)
Audible Audio, Unabridged, 18 pages
Published March 17, 2025 by Melanie Rachel (first published August 4, 2023)
ASIN: B0F1PY7YBG
The two Drawing Mr. Darcy books are now together in one collection!
Book One, Sketching His Character: When Thomas Bennet's childless aunt and uncle ask that one of his five daughters come to live with them, he knows which girl would most benefit. Years later, Elizabeth Bennet Russell returns to Longbourn having had an unconventional upbringing. She is in possession of an important name, a good fortune, and an artist's eye.
Drawing helps Elizabeth to literally sketch people's character, and she's become rather good at it. But she's about to face her greatest challenge yet. Netherfield Park is let at last, and her good friend's much older brother--whom she has yet to meet--has arrived as a guest. It will take Elizabeth more than a simple drawing to help her understand the confounding Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy.
Book Two, A Faithful Portrait: For the first time, drawing someone's portrait has not been enough to understand his character. Although Elizabeth Bennet Russell has sketched Mr. Darcy's expressions often and with great care, she still can't figure him out-that is, until he confesses that he has fallen in love with her.
By the time Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy share a dance at the Netherfield Ball, they are well on their way to marriage. Then her cousin, the Marquess of Tavistock, arrives from London with news: Elizabeth's Aunt Olivia is seriously ill, and there's been a threat against both Russell women. Will the Russells close ranks, leaving Darcy out in the cold?
Listening Length: 17 hours and 59 minutes
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
My Library Notes:
Drawing Mr. Darcy: A Pride & Prejudice Duology (Drawing Mr. Darcy, #1-2)
by Melanie Rachel, Harry Frost (Narrator)
Audible Audio, Unabridged, 18 pages
Published March 17, 2025 by Melanie Rachel (first published August 4, 2023)
ASIN: B0F1PY7YBG
The two Drawing Mr. Darcy books are now together in one collection!
Book One, Sketching His Character: When Thomas Bennet's childless aunt and uncle ask that one of his five daughters come to live with them, he knows which girl would most benefit. Years later, Elizabeth Bennet Russell returns to Longbourn having had an unconventional upbringing. She is in possession of an important name, a good fortune, and an artist's eye.
Drawing helps Elizabeth to literally sketch people's character, and she's become rather good at it. But she's about to face her greatest challenge yet. Netherfield Park is let at last, and her good friend's much older brother--whom she has yet to meet--has arrived as a guest. It will take Elizabeth more than a simple drawing to help her understand the confounding Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy.
Book Two, A Faithful Portrait: For the first time, drawing someone's portrait has not been enough to understand his character. Although Elizabeth Bennet Russell has sketched Mr. Darcy's expressions often and with great care, she still can't figure him out-that is, until he confesses that he has fallen in love with her.
By the time Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy share a dance at the Netherfield Ball, they are well on their way to marriage. Then her cousin, the Marquess of Tavistock, arrives from London with news: Elizabeth's Aunt Olivia is seriously ill, and there's been a threat against both Russell women. Will the Russells close ranks, leaving Darcy out in the cold?
Listening Length: 17 hours and 59 minutes
September 23, 2023
Excellent read. A lengthy variation on Pride and Prejudice, this is a new duology, two novels in one volume, but the two novels were previously published as separate books in 2018. This is my first reading of either of them. I can tell a lot of love, of writing and of the story, went into this, and I want to commend the author as well as others who had anything to do with editing and publishing it.
There are strong feminist themes here, which might seem a stretch for the era, but aren't really considering the aid the young woman receives from the well-meaning, open-minded, and well-situated men who guide and support her. Just as with abolition, in which there had to be non-slaves who forwarded the movement, women's rights required that there be open-minded men who helped a few women lead the way. No one in a reduced or oppressed position can usually get out of it without someone's belief in them and support from the outside - something we do well to remember today.
There were moments when I thought the story went a tiny bit overboard in drama or in the many accomplishments of the very extraordinary Elizabeth Bennet Russell. But that never went far enough to make me lose my immersion in the story. It held my interest throughout, made me laugh, made me cry, and made me want to know what would happen next. There is humor, tragedy, love, and suspense here. It's a touching story spanning many years, from Elizabeth leaving home at the age of nine to live with her father's aunt and uncle who'd never had children, to her 21st year when she makes a visit home to Longbourn. During that visit Netherfield is leased by Charles Bingley. It's then Elizabeth finally meets her younger friend Georgiana's older brother.
There are strong feminist themes here, which might seem a stretch for the era, but aren't really considering the aid the young woman receives from the well-meaning, open-minded, and well-situated men who guide and support her. Just as with abolition, in which there had to be non-slaves who forwarded the movement, women's rights required that there be open-minded men who helped a few women lead the way. No one in a reduced or oppressed position can usually get out of it without someone's belief in them and support from the outside - something we do well to remember today.
There were moments when I thought the story went a tiny bit overboard in drama or in the many accomplishments of the very extraordinary Elizabeth Bennet Russell. But that never went far enough to make me lose my immersion in the story. It held my interest throughout, made me laugh, made me cry, and made me want to know what would happen next. There is humor, tragedy, love, and suspense here. It's a touching story spanning many years, from Elizabeth leaving home at the age of nine to live with her father's aunt and uncle who'd never had children, to her 21st year when she makes a visit home to Longbourn. During that visit Netherfield is leased by Charles Bingley. It's then Elizabeth finally meets her younger friend Georgiana's older brother.
January 15, 2024
two 5 star books merged into one 5 star book
Nothing new here. Just 2 great stories. If you don’t like these books you won’t like other JAFF variations. Must read stories for those who love Pride and Prejudice.
Nothing new here. Just 2 great stories. If you don’t like these books you won’t like other JAFF variations. Must read stories for those who love Pride and Prejudice.
September 11, 2023
Do I own this book? Yes! Did I download the duology version with the gorgeous color and reread this book for the ______ time? Yes, I did.
And if the author would like to release it as a paperback, I would happily purchase because this cover is gorgeous!
And if the author would like to release it as a paperback, I would happily purchase because this cover is gorgeous!
August 13, 2023
A fantastic story
I love this story and have probably read it 4 times since its publication. Elizabeth is sent to her father's aunt and uncle to be educated at the age of 10. Mrs Bennet refused to allow the other girls to go and since Elizabeth vexed her so frequently she's chosen. Little does anyone know that Elizabeth will stay with her aunt for the next decade plus, becoming the daughter that they never had. Elizabeth grows up in a wealthy, well connected family with even Dukes for cousins and friends.
One of my favorite genres in fan fiction is that Elizabeth grows up wealthy and connected and this fits the bill. I most definitely enjoyed reading every single word and even had some tears.
I love this story and have probably read it 4 times since its publication. Elizabeth is sent to her father's aunt and uncle to be educated at the age of 10. Mrs Bennet refused to allow the other girls to go and since Elizabeth vexed her so frequently she's chosen. Little does anyone know that Elizabeth will stay with her aunt for the next decade plus, becoming the daughter that they never had. Elizabeth grows up in a wealthy, well connected family with even Dukes for cousins and friends.
One of my favorite genres in fan fiction is that Elizabeth grows up wealthy and connected and this fits the bill. I most definitely enjoyed reading every single word and even had some tears.
August 18, 2023
A joy to read and re-read
A sprightly Lizzy, an arrogant Darcy, a smart aleck Colonel, a saintly Jane, and some terrific non-canon characters join together to weave a fascinating story. From the age of ten, Lizzy is raised by a wealthy aunt and uncle who also influence the raising of the other Bennet daughters. Great setdowns for Caroline, plenty of witty dialogue between Darcy and Lizzy, danger and evil plots from Wickham, and, above all, joy and love. Great to read again and again!
A sprightly Lizzy, an arrogant Darcy, a smart aleck Colonel, a saintly Jane, and some terrific non-canon characters join together to weave a fascinating story. From the age of ten, Lizzy is raised by a wealthy aunt and uncle who also influence the raising of the other Bennet daughters. Great setdowns for Caroline, plenty of witty dialogue between Darcy and Lizzy, danger and evil plots from Wickham, and, above all, joy and love. Great to read again and again!
June 8, 2025
This is one of the best Pride and Prejudice fanfiction pieces I've read. Really enjoyable!
August 18, 2023
Most enjoyable reading!
I found it really hard to put down this book once I started to read. Melanie Rachel has recreated Jane Austens characters in a wonderful way. She has created an intrigueing tale full of romance and adventure and family love. I thoroughly recommend it to all lovers of Jane Austens books!
I found it really hard to put down this book once I started to read. Melanie Rachel has recreated Jane Austens characters in a wonderful way. She has created an intrigueing tale full of romance and adventure and family love. I thoroughly recommend it to all lovers of Jane Austens books!
November 2, 2025
A Pride and Prejudice variation where the two Drawing Mr Darcy books - Sketching His Character and A Faithful Portrait are published as one. Previously both books read separately. A pity there was not more about Mary Bennet and her pairing.
February 4, 2025
Premise: An "Elizabeth is raised away from the Bennets" story. At ten, Elizabeth is sent to live with a childless aunt and uncle, who had been instrumental in saving Longbourn from failure when Mr Bennet inherited it. The Russells are wealthy and connected and this is no Fanny Price situation--they raise Elizabeth as their beloved daughter, cultivating her intelligence and indulging all of her many interests. She befriends Georgiana Darcy but through the whims of fate never meets her brother until she is visiting the Bennets at the same time Bingley has let Netherfield. Insults are made, misconceptions abound, and both Darcy and Elizabeth are mightily confused.
What I liked: This is a mostly low-angst (there's some) and sweet 'fairy godmother' story. A warm and gentle tale with some mild suspense.
Characterization: No one's too over the top, not even Caroline Bingley. Wickham is more actively evil though.
Spice level: None. Some euphemistic references to happy marital relations.
Any non-canon parings: Yes.
Other notes or issues: I side-eyed a bit at the brief delve into money earned with the practice of slavery in the Americas. (None of our heroes are in favor of it, fyi). Attitudes towards it were changing for the better in this time period, but I doubt it would've been seen as a shocking scandal as implied by one of the baddies. Isn't that where at least some of Sir Thomas's income in Mansfield Park comes from?
What I liked: This is a mostly low-angst (there's some) and sweet 'fairy godmother' story. A warm and gentle tale with some mild suspense.
Characterization: No one's too over the top, not even Caroline Bingley. Wickham is more actively evil though.
Spice level: None. Some euphemistic references to happy marital relations.
Any non-canon parings: Yes.
Other notes or issues: I side-eyed a bit at the brief delve into money earned with the practice of slavery in the Americas. (None of our heroes are in favor of it, fyi). Attitudes towards it were changing for the better in this time period, but I doubt it would've been seen as a shocking scandal as implied by one of the baddies. Isn't that where at least some of Sir Thomas's income in Mansfield Park comes from?
November 5, 2024
A thorough and satisfying variation
This reads like a TV Miniseries, and one can only wish it was so. It has all the elements of a satisfying melodrama, not to mention the Pride and Prejudice characters the whole world loves.
The main characters here are not the garden variety gentlemen and ladies of English society or nobility. Instead, they are exceptional, extraordinary. This can be said of how Elizabeth Bennet is depicted here: she is not only insanely intelligent and talented artistically, but also well-endowed with wealth and connection. The circumstances of how this came to be is given the bulk of the focus in this story.
The circumstances of how Fitzwilliam Darcy fought and gained for the approval and hand of the fair maiden, as well as how she fell in love with him is depicted with much painstaking detail as well, which is very gratifying for any JAFF reader.
What this reader hoped to differ is the title. One feels that this is not so much as a story of Drawing Mr. Darcy but instead a drama of drawing Elizabeth Bennet, and her transformation into a magnificent and one-of-kind creature due to her unconventional upbringing, considering the strictures how the female gender were treated/mistreated at that particular era.
Surely, this is a highly recommended read. Rather lengthy, but its details make this duology worthwhile the time and attention it deserves. Well done to the author!
This reads like a TV Miniseries, and one can only wish it was so. It has all the elements of a satisfying melodrama, not to mention the Pride and Prejudice characters the whole world loves.
The main characters here are not the garden variety gentlemen and ladies of English society or nobility. Instead, they are exceptional, extraordinary. This can be said of how Elizabeth Bennet is depicted here: she is not only insanely intelligent and talented artistically, but also well-endowed with wealth and connection. The circumstances of how this came to be is given the bulk of the focus in this story.
The circumstances of how Fitzwilliam Darcy fought and gained for the approval and hand of the fair maiden, as well as how she fell in love with him is depicted with much painstaking detail as well, which is very gratifying for any JAFF reader.
What this reader hoped to differ is the title. One feels that this is not so much as a story of Drawing Mr. Darcy but instead a drama of drawing Elizabeth Bennet, and her transformation into a magnificent and one-of-kind creature due to her unconventional upbringing, considering the strictures how the female gender were treated/mistreated at that particular era.
Surely, this is a highly recommended read. Rather lengthy, but its details make this duology worthwhile the time and attention it deserves. Well done to the author!
March 21, 2025
Two fantastic books in one - audiobook even better!
I first read the two individual books several years ago and absolutely loved them. It is now March 2025 and I got the Duology book along with the brand new audiobook that Harry Frost has narrated. If someone starts book one you have to read book 2 as it completes the story.
Several other reviews give more details and I completely agree that first and foremost this is a love story on many layers. It is the love between Elizabeth and her great aunt and uncle, Elizabeth’s sisters, Georgiana and later Darcy.
The audiobook makes one of my favorite stories so much better! Thank you Harry Frost for bringing our beloved characters to life! This will continue to be a re-read / listen.
I first read the two individual books several years ago and absolutely loved them. It is now March 2025 and I got the Duology book along with the brand new audiobook that Harry Frost has narrated. If someone starts book one you have to read book 2 as it completes the story.
Several other reviews give more details and I completely agree that first and foremost this is a love story on many layers. It is the love between Elizabeth and her great aunt and uncle, Elizabeth’s sisters, Georgiana and later Darcy.
The audiobook makes one of my favorite stories so much better! Thank you Harry Frost for bringing our beloved characters to life! This will continue to be a re-read / listen.
February 20, 2024
4.5 stars
A warning at the start! I was fortunate enough to have gotten both books at once. It is as though the author decided the book was too long, so just cut it in half and sold it as 2 books. There were also a number of editing glitches. None too terrible, but a few had me rereading just a little for clarity.
That said, this was a beautiful love story between Elizabeth and Darcy, but also of family loyalty and dedication, and even a bit of morals and doing what’s right.
A warning at the start! I was fortunate enough to have gotten both books at once. It is as though the author decided the book was too long, so just cut it in half and sold it as 2 books. There were also a number of editing glitches. None too terrible, but a few had me rereading just a little for clarity.
That said, this was a beautiful love story between Elizabeth and Darcy, but also of family loyalty and dedication, and even a bit of morals and doing what’s right.
January 12, 2024
One of the Best
This book was captivating!!!
From beginning to end I enjoyed all the twists and turns. The authors description of Litzy’s drawings was awesome. But what got me the most was the dialog between all the characters!! I hate a book with little dialog and this one didn’t disappoint me!!
Very well done!!!
This book was captivating!!!
From beginning to end I enjoyed all the twists and turns. The authors description of Litzy’s drawings was awesome. But what got me the most was the dialog between all the characters!! I hate a book with little dialog and this one didn’t disappoint me!!
Very well done!!!
April 7, 2025
Really enjoyable work. I read the first of the two and now had an opportunity to reread it and read the second. I am always happy when Darcy picks Elizabeth before he knows her full story, thus accepting her for herself and not what she can bring to a marriage in wealth or connections. This Elizabeth is strong, intelligent, and forgiving.
June 4, 2025
4.5⭐️
This is one of my favourite variations. After many books I finally got to see some romance between our couple. While most of the events in the OG were in this book I liked the spin on it in the book. There was no angst for most of the book and the action in the book towards the end did not seem shoehorned in. I absolutely adored the book.
This is one of my favourite variations. After many books I finally got to see some romance between our couple. While most of the events in the OG were in this book I liked the spin on it in the book. There was no angst for most of the book and the action in the book towards the end did not seem shoehorned in. I absolutely adored the book.
September 3, 2023
I really enjoyed this P&P variation duology-- We had a competent Elizabeth, who is wealthy, and raised apart from her sisters with her aunt and uncle, a smitten Darcy, Bennet sisters who support each other, and some big drama at the end from Wickham. All in all, very enjoyable
September 28, 2023
MOST ENJOYABLE! Two books in one. Oh and a lovely bonus chapter at the conclusion. This is a re-read in my library and I hope to see it also available on Audible.
November 1, 2023
Enjoyable read, interesting story of Elizabeth sent to live with rich relatives. I did find it a little heavy going in parts with a lot of detailed descriptions.
December 7, 2023
My Rating: 4 1/2 Stars
December 30, 2023
what a wonderful book!
I truly enjoyed this book! so different and yet so familiar.
Such an enjoyable read. This is definitely in my top 5 favorite!!
I truly enjoyed this book! so different and yet so familiar.
Such an enjoyable read. This is definitely in my top 5 favorite!!
February 8, 2024
Hilariously funny in places
Must earn it does have some of the other two books on n this book but I found it quite funny thing n places and really enjoyabl.
Must earn it does have some of the other two books on n this book but I found it quite funny thing n places and really enjoyabl.
May 2, 2024
This was a great read. Lots of exciting twists and turns.
April 23, 2025
Enjoyable Audible Listen.
Mary Sue.
Mary Sue.
May 17, 2025
Excellent variation. You can always count on Melanie Rachel to deliver a very good story, impeccably written. Highly recommended.
December 5, 2025
Vastly more fun than I’d imagined!
October 18, 2025
of greater importance
This sweet story is that where Elizabeth is raised by her great aunt and uncle. While being raised as a Russell, she has the privilege of a gentleman‘s daughter’s upbringing and friends of higher standing. When she meets Darcy in this story, she has already friends with Georgiana.
This sweet story is that where Elizabeth is raised by her great aunt and uncle. While being raised as a Russell, she has the privilege of a gentleman‘s daughter’s upbringing and friends of higher standing. When she meets Darcy in this story, she has already friends with Georgiana.
March 24, 2025
The audiobook is wonderful! It was great to revisit this story nearly two years after reading it the first time.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews